The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-09-28 00:00:00

THE HEALTH OF THE TOWN.

The medical officer of health reported that the morta-
lity of Liverpool continues below the average, as it has
been in every week, with six exceptions, during the last
eighteen
,months. The registered deaths in the week
ending last Saturday, were 173, being sixty-six less
than the corrected averages of the preceding ten years,
excluding 1854, or ninety-three less than the annual
averages without the deductions. It is gratifying to
know that the decrease is chiefly owing to the low
mortality from diseases of the zymotic class, from whit
the deaths were 43, or one-half the corrected a7erage
without cholera, showing a decrease from zymotic
diseases of 43, and from other diseases 23, or taking the
actual average and decrease in zymotic diseases of 70,
other diseases 23. Of the 43 deaths from this class,
22 were caused by diarrhoea (10 below the average),
5 typhus, 5 scarlet, 1 fever, 4 measles, 3 dysentery,
3 syphilis, 1 diphtheria. Diseases of the lungs 48, of
which 29 were from consumption, the total being 4 less'
than the corrected averages. A gentleman, aged 44,
died from delirium tremens.

The CHAIRMAN wished to know how Dr. Duncan
defined zymotic diseases. Did they, he asked, appertain
to sanitary matters ?
Dr. DUNCAN explained that they were. epidemic and
such other diseases as were considered to depend on the
sanitary state of the locality, and their prevalence had
become the barometer as to the sanitary condition of the
town.

The CHAIRMAN then stated that the report had been
written by Dr. Duncan himself ; and he congratulated
the doctor upon the great improvement his regent tour
had had upon his looks.

Mr. RIT;LEY said the committee must all congratulate
the doctor upon the imprhvement in his health.
Mr. Niel:sox—Then we are to understand-that the
sanitary state of the town is a barometer 'of zymotic
diseases.

Mr. VERNON—No ; the diseases are a barometer as
to the sanitary state of the town.
The report was considered highly satisfactory, and
was unanimously adopted.
THE BOROUGH ENGINEER AND THE WEST DERIIT
BOARD OF HEALTH.

The report from the'cOmmittee,lo which the applica-
tion from the West Derby Board of Health, asking for
the services of the Borough Engineer, to make a survey
of that township for sewerage and drainage purposes,
was brought up;and was to the effect that if the com-
mittee granted that request, it would most injuriously
interfere with the duties the Borough Engineer had. to
perform in the borough. They recommended the
appointment of a surveyor, and thst that surveyor
should confer with the Borough Enonneer, who would
give the board eyery infornAtiou and assistance in his
power. • •

- Mr. CRELLIN, ag a member of the West Derby,Board
of Health, said that was all that was asked for. •
Some altercation took place between some of the
members, who stated that the board had asked "that
the Borough Engineer might make the survey for the
drains," which, upon the clerk reading the first applica-
tion, was found to be correet.
Mr. STITT, before the report was adopted, wished to
ask if the salary paid to the Borough Engineer was sup-
posed to be embodied in the present duties he had to
perform and any others that be might have to perform
for the out-townships ; or whether it was expected that
he was to be paid for his services by those who employed
him ? He asked this question, as in all probability it
would come before them in the Council.
Mr. Becliweru---Whenever the services of the Borongh
Engineer are applied for it is always expected that those
who ask for his assistance will make him some remune-
ration. If his services are net worth paying for they
are not worth having.
Mr. SHELL said it could not be an injury to the
town, for he was merely to be consulted upon the plans,
and that could be done after his regular hours of hnsinesi.
Mr. STITT thought that the subject was dekerving of
some consideration, for if his, time, was occupied in
assisting the out-townships ad he was paid, by the
committee, it was a question' who was to, receive the,
Tem nnenition.
The CHAIRMAN—But the two is greatly benefitted
by the engineer giving the assistance and the knowledge
he possesses to these out-townships, as he is securing for
the town a better system of sewerage. There was no
doubt but that the West Derby Board of Health would
'do the same as other boards had done—when they
required his assistance, see that he was properly ;egt,L3-.
nerated.
Mr. Rishton explained, in answer to. a question put
by a gentleman of the committee, that, when an out-
township engaged the assistance of the engineer and his
staff, the Corporation was paid for the services of the
men.
Mr. STITT wished to know, supposing only the ser-
vices of the borough engineer were applied for, and. he
gave the information required, would he bp entitled to
receive the payment for it.
The CHAIRMAN-4 should say. he. would, be,
Mr. BEcKwrrn.—And he would take good care that
he got it. (LaUghter.)
The report Was. then adopted.
vitz, STREET RAILWAY FOR LIVERPOOL.
The report from the joint sub-committee was read at
the fiat week's meeting, and the consideration thereof
was deferred until it had been placed before the Watch
Committee. The report was published in the Dciity,
Times on Fridayilast.
The CHAIRMAN—The report of the joint sub-com-
mittee has been before the Watch Committee, and they
have not expressed any opinion upon the subject.. They
have directed that it should be put upon, the proceedings
of that committee, that it should be 'brought before the
Council. I ttiink: we sbonl-d, dp the sump,.
A very desulto-ry 'discussion ensued; in the course of
which, by some members, it was thought that if they
did as The chairman had advised, it would be confirming
the recommendotion of the committee, which they were
not prepared to do.
The CHAIRMAN thought it would not bind the com-
mittee either one way, or the other, but would leave the
matter entirely in the hands of the Council.
Mr. STITT did not think there was sufficient informa,
tion in the report. They were told that tt would cost
£3,400 per mile. What beneat would be received from
the expenditure of th 4 sum Unless they had farther
ormation, he cor one could not support the report
was only an 'experiment.
The CHAIRMAN—We can refer it to the Council, and
then they can refer it to a special committee, and not a
joint committee.
Mr. Snrr--If we do so it will only be referred
beforedback
to us, and we should. be asked why, when it was
us, we did not give an opinion upon it.
Mr. NICKSON wished to know what was
course adopted on such occasions, and requestedthte usual
itt
Town Clerk might be sent for.
s , to, the chairman, said
The TOWN CLEII4,
4bresesatisfieS with
he thought that the Councilan would not
the Watch
that, Committee adopting
Clomitti(tee had done. itthhead been referred to that
committee more it; respectto police management than
m the Health Committee they
would expect a definitee
any other motives; but from
opinion as they did in all matters
relating to the affairs
concerning the streets, and sug-
gested that the reportshould be referred to their own
sub-committee.
He also said that he did not think it
could be done without an act of Parliament, andhri kad,
recommended that application should be made for a
public act,
would not cost the town anything.;
After some whi
chfurther conversation.?
Mr. STITT
suggested, v,arions Pei \ts upon which War-
motion was required. ,
Tide then referred to the sub-committee.
repprt wee.
This closedthe proceedings of the committee.
Lord Staley was in town yesterday.