The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-19 00:00:00

SLAUGHTER HOUSES.

An ap;>licatio❑ was made by Mr. John Spinkq, for a license
for a slaughter house at 33, Regent road, the site of which had
already been sanctioned by the committee.
The Clerk said while on this subject he wished to state that
there had been considerable complaints against the nuisance of
persons using their slaughter houses for wholesale slaughtering.
That was an offence ; and if the committee recollected that
some time since he bad taken a case before the magistrates, but
the magistrates thought that as the committee had the power of
withholding a license for such an offence, that in future it would
be better to have such eases brought before the committee and
not before the magistrates. Is it your wish, then, that I shall
bring the cases before you ?

The committee answered the question in the affirmative, and
likewise consented to grant the application for the license.

STATE OF TIIB STREETS.

The engineer reported that the two contractors, Mr. Riding
and Mr. Ellison, had not complied with their contracts in sup-
plying a sufficient number of horses and carts to take up the
street sweepings. By the contract they were compelled to have
their carts follow the sweepers, so that the sweepings might be
immediately removed from the streets. Tile penalty in each
case was 20,, and against Mr. Riding there were 23 complaints,
and against Mr. Ellison 43 ; it would, therefore, be for the
committee to decide whether the town clerk should enforce
the penalty of £23 against Mr. Riding, and £43 against Mr.
Ellison.

The Clerk was directed to take the necessary steps i❑ the
matter.

THE APPOINTMFMT OF CLERKS,

The report of the special sub committee appointed by this com-
mittee to fill up the vacancies existing in the public offices was
brought up and read, but, after some little conversation, it was
referred back to the committee, with a recommendation that
the chairman and vice chairman of tho water and health corn'
mittee3 should be consulted ou the subject, and that the report
should be brought up again.

THE RIvINGTON WATER.
Mr. James Ilohno said, Mr. Chairman, the subject which I
am about to bring before you, is not directly connected
with this committee, but is indirectly connected with it, for if
the statements made in a letter signed " Aquarius," be
correct, it is high time that this committee should take up
the matter.

The Chairman : I should like to ask Mr. Holmes whether
he think it wise that we should take up the matters that are
referred to in papers by anonymous writers. If wo once begin
that plan, when or where are we to stop? If you intend to
make a motion on the subject, then indeed, it is another
thing,

Mr. Holme : Here is a statement—" Good gracious, and
is this really tho stuff they are going to force on the poor
people of Liverpool." I say that such a statement as that has
a right to be enquired into by this committee.

The Chairman : Do you intend to make a motion on the
subject P
Mr. Holme I do. I shall move that the health com-
mittee proceed to the Rivington works, and examine the water
for themselves, and I hope that 'the medical officer of this
committee, with some other gentlemen, even those who have
been opposed to tho Piko scheme will accompany them, and
see for themselves, and then I am quite sure that this question
will be put an end to, and then all will be able to see that
these statements are—l cannot say anything else but—false.
I say they are false statements. It is not my wish to get into a
newspaper controversy, because I think that the denial of such
statements in this room and the Council Chamber is sufficient.

Mr. Beckwith : Suppose' we have to go over, I wish to
know whether the water committee will stand treat over the
matter ?

The Chairman : 1 don't see that we have anything to do in
the matter.

Mr. llolme : If these statements that are put forth are
correct, I think you are called upon to so over and inspect for
yoursolves.
Mr. Stitt: I think the committee should examine for
themselves.

Mr. Holtne : Let our medical officer accompany us. It is
said that the water is not fit to give to the poor.
Mr. Beckwith : With regard to that I can say that I think
for the last fortnight or thret? weeks, 1 have had the Rivington
water at my house, and it has been at all the houses along the
Wavertree—road.
Mr. Holme : What difference did you find in it ?
Mr. Beckwith : I soon found it out—the one is fine,
beautiful, and like spring water, and the other is like fain
water. That is the difference between the two.
Mr. R. Gladstone . This is a motion that should more
properly he brought before the council. Ido not see how we
can undertake to make any inquiry, without first having the
authority of the council.
Mr. Johnson : I think it would be better for the whole
council to go and give their opinion.

Mr. Holnao : They would soon see that the statement that
had been made did not bear the semblance of truth, and if it
could be, I do not see any objection to the whole council going.
The Chairman : Are you prepared to say, in the motion
you have made, that you have the concu:rence of the water
committee ?
M. Holme : No ; I have never spoken to any gentleman
on the subject.
The Chairman : It is very dangerous ground to touch upon.

Mr. Holme : All I want is the truth—the straightforward
truth ; and to get that there need not be many motions made.
The Chairman : I think you had better give notice of this
motion at the council.
Mr. It. Gladstone : There is time to do so before the next
meeting.
Mr. Sheil : I do. not think we are in a position to examine
into the question without first obtaining the authority of the
council. If the council think that the matter should be
inquired into, the❑ we have a right to do the duty cheerfully.
Mr. Beckwith : Can wo put an end to anonymous letters in
newspapers? _ .

. .
The Chairman : We have no business to interfere with
another committee. We have no right to distrust the water
committee. I can only say that this committee will not take
any part of interfering with the proceedings of another.
It was understood that Mr. Holmo intended to bring the
subject before the council, and the subject dropped.

THREATENED RUPTURE WITH CHINA.—The following
is an extract from a private letter, dated Canton, Oct. 17 :
On the 11th inst. a loreha (or trading vessel), bearing the
British flag, and registered at Hong Kong. was boarded by
the crew of a junk bearing the imperial flag, and four of her
men (Chinese) were taken into the city, where, it is said,
three of them have been beheaded. After two days had
been allowed for explanation and apology, which did not
arrive, the imperial junk was taken possession of by armed
boats from one of our men of war. A strong naval force is
mustering at Whampoa, and some of the steamers and
vessels of war have proceeded up the river as far as the
depth of water will allow them. Our own impression is,
that the native authorities will make the required conces-
sion ; but, as in former instances, not until the very last
moment preceding some threatened operation."
RTHE STAMPING OF LETTERS.—At the Court of Queen's
Bench, on Wednesday, Lord Campbell said he thought it
right to state publicly that he had received a very satis-
factory answer from the Duke of Argyll, the Postmaster.
General, with respect to the important subject on which
he had addressed him, viz., the imperfect and slovenly
manner in which letters were stamped in the English
post-offices, from :'which great inconvenience aroso to
individuals, and the due administration of justice met
with serious obstruction. his grace admitted that the
present system was defective, and pointed out the great
difficulty of amending it, in consequence of the great
number of letters which had to be stamped in a very short
time. His grace, however, promised to use his best
exertions to remedy the evil, and he (Lord Campbell)
had no doubt, from the noble duke's energy and intelli-
gence, that so complete a remedy would be applied that
there would be uo reason in future to make any complaints
on this subject.