The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-28 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL.

Yesteaday, a general meeting of the engineers in
the Liverpool district was held at their club-room, fur the
purpose of considering whether any further steps could be
taken to bring about an accommodation with their masters.
The chairman, having brie fly referred to their previous
efforts, and to the different position in which they were
placed as compared with that of their brethren in Man.
cheater and London, and to the fact, that the only complaint
urged against them by the masters, was their -being con-
nected with their benefit duns, stated his conviction that it
was their genera desire to du everything in their power
to conciliate their employers. They had met together
to devise some means of doing so; and would be glad
if any member could suggest any such means. It
was pointedly urged by one of the members present
that they could make no surrender of their clubs, which
they regarded as equal in benefit to insurance societies
Would their masters, ho asked, give them, as their clubs
did, besides other benefits, 1001. in case of being disabled by
accident, and .501. in case of being paralysed, in order to
procure them the means of starting some business ? The
speaker concluded by proposing that another deputation
should be appointed to wait upon and reason with the
masters.—A member suggested that one of the grievances
felt by the masters was their having given their sanction
to the advance of IJ,OOOI. from their fund for the purpose
of starting co-operative workshops. This vote was
only carried by a majority of one, fully thirty
of the members at the meeting abstaining from
giving any vote. lie concluded by proposing that the vote
should be rescinded. This was, however, over-ruled, as
not within the province of the present meeting; and after
some further conversation, in which it was unanimously
agreed that no concession to the demand upon them to
leave their clubs could be made, it was unanimously agreed
that a deputation should be appointed to wait upon the
masters, and that two or three disinterested gentlemen of
the town should be solicited to accompany them and act as
mediator,. The meeting was a must respectable one, and
its proceedings almost unanimous.

SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE METROPOLIS.
Yesterday four of the new bills out of the eight
brought forward by the metropolitan water companies,
came on for hearing before Messrs. Smith and May, the
examining barristers, appointed by the House of Commons
to inquire into compliance with the standing orders.
In the case of the New RIVER. COMPANY'S BILL, the
standing order. were found to have been complied with.
The bill proposes to enable the governor and company to
improve their supply of water for domestic and other put,
poses, and to alter and improve the course of the river.
The capital of the company is estimated at 1,455,6341.
The new works proposed are alteration of the course of
the New River, and of rivers Mimram, Deane, and Lee, with
reservoirs at Tottenham, Ilornsey, and Islington, and
drain at Enfield, for which works 250.0001. is proposed
to be borrowed, and an additional 150,0001. for general pur-
ses. The estimate of the company's engineer, Mr. W. C.
Mylne, lodged with the House of Commons, for these works,
is 263,3.501. In the case of the New River Company and
East London Waterworks Company's Bill the standing
orders were declared not complied with, on the ground of
late deposit of plans, but the point is one on which the
select committee usually permit the standing orders to be
dispensed with. The object of the bill is for the amend-
ment of each company's acts, for power to obtain an im-
proved supply from the river Lee, to make new cuts at
Tottenham, with power for each company for these pur-
poses to borrow 51,5001., which is the sum specified in the
estimate of Mr. C. ()reeves and Mr. W. C. Mylne, the com-
pany'. engineers, as necessary.
In the EAST LONDON WATERWORKS COMPANY'S bill
for a similar purpose, the standing orders were declared
not complied with for a like reason. The promoters stated
that they have expended 750,0001. on their permanent
works, and that they now seek to raise 300,0001. for works
to obtain a better supply from the Lee, and for the purposes
of filtration, so as to render the water they supply of the
best quality.
The standing orders were complied with in the case of the
CHELSEA WATERWORKS COMPANY, who state that their
existing capital is 436,0001., and that foe the purposes of
new works and improving the supply they seek to raise
270,0001., by creation of new shares. The estimate of
Mr. J. Simpson, the company's engineer, is 186,5001. for
carrying on the works.
Tan GRAND Junction CoMPANY propose additional '
works for obtaining water from the Thames at Hampton,
and to take water from Kew-bridge, alleging that it would
be of public advantage to take the water fur the supply of
London from a point above the roach of the tide. l'he
company state that their authorised capital is 400,0001., of
which they have raised by shares, 331,100/.; by mortgage,
10,0001.; and by promissory note, 13,0001.; and they have
power to raise a residue of 46,0001. Power is sought to
raise additional capital of 100,000/., with borrowing powers
not exceeding one-third of the aggregate capital. A reser-
voir to be erected at Hampton and two acqueducta at Kew,
and fur these and conduits the estimate of Mr. J. Quick,
the engineer, is 76,0001. The company also seek to contract
with the Southwark and Vauxhall (rompers,.
THIS SOUTHWARK AND VAUXHALL WATER COMPANY
apply to construct additional works at Hampton, and to
raise 100,0001. for the purpose. Their financial statement
sets forth their capital at 400,0001., of which they have
raised 303,6001., their debt secured by mortgages on the
undertaking being 120,0001. They have power to raise •
residual capital of 96,4001. The estimate of their engineer,
Mr. Quiets, i 590,0001. (or the proposed new works.
THE Len RlvaY COMPANY'S BILL is for the enlarge-
ment of existing and construction of now works to enable
the trustees to obtain additional supplies, and also to im-
prove the navigation. The estimate of Mr. N. Beardmore,
their engineer, for this, including purchase of land, is
530,0001., and the financial declaration of the trustees sets
forth that they estimate the amount of tolls, rates, and re-
venue they can levy and raise, at 40,0001. per annum and
upwards over and above the sum required to meet the cur-
, rent charges and expenses of the trust and interest upon
money bestowed.
THE LONDON (WATFORD) SPRING WATER COMPANY,
for supplying London with pure spring water, estimate the
expense of constructing the works, as by the report of Mr.
llomersham, their engineer, at 280,0002., the subscription
contract being signed fur 262,770., and 11,4521. polo ac-
cording to the parliamentary declaration.
The standing orders were complied with in thecaee of the
WANDLE WATER AND SEWERAOR COMPANY; the object
being the better supply of the southern suburha of the
metropolis from the river Wandlo at Wandsworth, at
an estimated capital of 300,000/.
Tit • OtivastallliNT WATER BILL, for which the usual'
parliamentary notices were given, has not yet been lodged
with the house.

HEI`RMENTATTON OF Mr.
Wegg•Yrns.er hits announced to the electors of the county
of Hereford that it is got his intention to offer himself again
as one of their representatives. The lion. Cherie.' S. IS.
'limber', a younger brother of Lord Bateman, hes deter-
mined, it is said, to come forward on protectionist and pro-
testant principles.

Wt. THOMPSON ON THE PROSPECT OF
INVASION.-DINNER TO THE MEMBERS FOR
BRADFORD.

A public dinner was given to Colonel Thompson
and Robert Milligan, Esq., the members for the borough of
Bradford, on Monday evening last. The dinner warn gut
up by the liberal electors for the purpose of met ting their
representatives prior to the nest parliamentary campaign,
and it took place in the Temperance Hall, the largest room
in the town. Nearly 200 electors sat down to dinner, the
largest number that could be comfortably accommodated.
The veteran Colonel and his newly-elected colleague were
received with several rounds of cheering on their entering
the room.

TITUS SALT, Esq., presided on the occasion ; and on the
toast of" the Borough Members " beirg given,
Colonel THOMPSON returned thanks. lie said that it
was quite true that the times in which we live are full of
peril and full of change. (Hear, hear.) Six month* ago
ourcondition was very different indeed ; therefore, if lie dil-
lfered, and differ perhaps he must, with some friends re-
specting the course they and he, with others, had taken,
I and might possibly take hereafter, it was to be regretted,
but nn man was bound to calculate on the unlikely and im-
probable. (Hear, hear.) Now, six months ago it was im-
possible to expect that they should at that moment find
themselves in the precise condition in which they now are,
so that there could at all events be no bitterness from dia.
cussing any difference of feeling which might have
taken place in consequence of this danger. Why,
six months ago, was there the least probability of a
war before them? Why, at that time ho should
say no man could think of a war ; everybody was tau
wise, the country knew better, and every country knew
better. Ile did not know, but countries did know better ;
but whether they did or no, there were men who did not
know better, and they had done what they could to mix us
up in these horrible conflicts. Six months ago he did not
expect to see the old dragon and the vechanter upon their
legs, as they now saw them. Bet if the dragon and the
enchanter hail conic upon them, what was lett for them to
do, but to turn true knight•errauts and attack them again.
(" Hear, hear," and applause.) This they should he pre-
pared to do, and be thankful if the stream rushed forth so
it had dune before. Ile was nut come there to cause any
alarm, but prevention, they all knew, was better than cure.
Let them, then, try to prevent the evil+, which it would
perhaps be more difficult to cure. One thing, he knew,
must he done. If they were to prepare for it, they
must get rid of all mad win if they were to have a
serious one. They must not carry on a war under the in-
stigation of men who should, if justice were done them,
be put nailer the care of their friends. (Laughter and
cheers.) Give them fair play, and they would hold uut
against the world as hitherto. But they must have fair
play. And what wan more, so fir as they could help it,
they would have fair play. (Hear, hear.) lie just men-
tioned these things; lie should have an opportunity of
speaking on this subject more fully, perhaps, hereafter.
Any invitation that came to him from friends ho was happy
to accept, but he must mention this now, because anythiug
of an offer even from the present government must always
be received with this reservation—they must, as was said
in Yorkshire, sift out the men who were not wise, men who
had not their proper wits about them, the men who com-
mitted open folly, and then they would stand by the re-
mainder if they would stand by the people. (Cheers.) The
tinsels are such that they must have union amongst them-
selves. (Hear.) lie trusted that government would fulfil
the promise they had made, and take such a course as would
conduce to union. (Hear, hear.) The more other countries
depart from the principles of true liberty, the more
should we stand by this legacy committed to our care by
our forefathers. (Applause.) The lets liberty flourished
abroad, the more must we cultivate it in England. (Cheers.)
They must lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes.
Ile trusted he should witness such zonduct as would be ap-
preciated by the wise and the intelligent in those who, he
trusted, would be their leaders, and, if so, they would go
on until they saw the cud of the present difficulty, and the
great result would be an increase of the general happiness.
(Cheers.) As ho should have another opportunity of
speaking on the question of free trade, he would not
now detain them longer upon it. Ile knew not what
should press more immediately upon hint than to draw
them something like a parallel between the state in
which they were living in this country, and that in which
their neighbours were living. They had no tribune in
Frame. (Hear, hear.) Thank God, they had one there
(stamping his foot upon the platform). There they could
meet, none daring to make them afraid. (Hear. hear.)
This Britain and this liberty we are all ready to defend, if
necessary, but they were still hoping that it would please
providence not to bring things to that frightful arbitration,
but that in some way or other they might evade the threat-
ened storm, and again unite all neighbouring nations with
us in the handset amity end friendship, which • few short
months ago they thought were secure for ever. (Hear,
hear.) But the more of this foreign nations lose, the
more resolved England must be to keep that which, by
the grace of God, she now has. It might please providence
that this country should be as a city set upon a bill to
be an example to other nations. (Hear, hear.) Who
knew but they might at that moment bo exciting
other countries to follow in the hack of that civil and reli-
gious liberty enjoyed and secured to us by our ancestors
and by God ? No, they would not despair of the success of
these principles. Let there proceed from us no expression
of hatred or exasperation. They would bide their time, and
accept the first proper assurance which they could trust of
continued amity. (Hear, hear.) Their vocation was to
live at peace with all men, and improving themselves first,
that in so doing they might contribute to the improvement
of their neighbours also. (The gallant colonel resumed his
seat amidst loud cheering.)
Mr. Milliaan's health having been given, and several
others having been duly honoured, the proceedings ter-
minated.