The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-11-28 00:00:00

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DOCK COMMITTEE

The weekly meeting of this committee took place at one
o clock, yesterday—Mr. Charles Turner in the chair. The
other members present were—Messrs. Robinson, Palmer,
Rounthwaite, Halhead, Chaloner, Gladstone, Brocklebank,
Mann, Barber, Lockett, Mondell, Clint, Holden, Anderson,
Hubback, Rathbone, Bold, Smith, Holme, and Rankin.
The following tenders were recommended and ordered
to be received :—Messrs. Whitby and Williams, sheet
glass ; Messrs. Mather, Ledward & Co., round, square,
and flat iron ; Messrs. Pearson & Co., 15 sets of switches,
and 23 crossings, for the coal railway and dock lines of
the Harrington estate; Pearson & Co., 130 wrought iron
bu lets for the dredging machines ; the Kirkstall Forge
Company, 400 tons round, square, and flat iron. It was
also ordered that 52 logs of timber be purchased from
Messrs. Hall & Co., if found suitable.
A report was read from the Surveyor, stating that he
was now ready to commence loading coals on the line of
coal railway newly opened in the loading
Dock.
In answer to Mr. Holden, it was stated that the terms are
not yet settled on which coals are to tie conveyed, until
the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company have
tested what the probable expense will be.
In the marine department it was reported that the Bell
beacon, No. 1, had, by some means which could not be
ascertained, lost its bell. The duplicate Bell beacon,
having been undergoing repairs, could not be put up until
the 28th (this day).
The Chairman asked if the bell, which was of brass,
and very valuable, could not be recovered. Mr. Lookett
said when the steamer went out, to fix the duplicate beacon,
the channel would be swept, and the bell would probably
be found.

It was agreed, on the recommendation of the harbour
masters' committee, that a reward of 10s be given to
David Cooke, gatekeeper, Iluskisson Dock, for having
rescued another gateman from drowning.
It was reported that the sheds on the Bramley-Moore
Dock quays be bricked over, at a cost of 1:480.
The following letter was read from the shipowners'
association :

HEALTH COMMITTEE.

The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held at
half-past two o'clock, yesterday, in the Town flall.—Mr.
Alderman Dover in the chair. Other members present—
Messrs. Beckwith, Robertson Gladstone, Godfrey, Shell,
A. C. Stewart, Johnson, Anthony, Haydock, and Stitt

HEALTH OF THE TOWN.
The Medical Officer of Health reported that, in the
week ending on last Saturday, there was a considerable
decrease in the mortality of the borough, the deaths from
all cases having been 192, while in the previous week they
were 235, which was also the average mortality of the
same week of the preceding eight years corrected for
increase of population. In the parish the deaths were
130, and in the out-townships 62. From diseases of the
zyrootic class, the deaths were .46; including, from
scarlatina 17, hooping cough 7, measles 5, croup 5, typhus
3 (a very low mortality). Three children died from small
pox, one of them after vaccination. Diseases of the lungs
caused 70 deaths, including 22 from consumption. Exactly
one-half of the deaths occured below the age oi' 5. A
larger proportion of them than usual, i.e. 35, were
upwards of 60 years of age. The inhabitants of Baker-
street and Hutchinson street complained of a nuisance
from an open ditch running along a field at the back,
and past the south end of the street. The Borough
Engineer advised that a sewer at the 'south end of the
street, which could be constructed at a cost• of £5O, would
remedy the evil.
The ratepayers of the township of West Derby, in
which the locality lies, having some time since memo-
rialised the committee not to undertake any new works
in the ward, which would have the effect of increasing the
rates in the present year, it was decided, on a poll, that no
steps should be taken to remedy the nuisance until next
year.

The Borough Engineer, Building Surveyor, and Inspec-
tor of Nuisances, reported various particulars of the
operations in their several departments during the week.
from which it appeared that 93 nuisances complained of

by inhabitants lied been inspected, and tneans. taken to
Shipowners' Association, Liverpool, Nov. 20, 1856. remedy them ; 943 houses in the unhealthiest district;
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE. containing 2,954 apartments, and 526 cellars, had been
Sir,—l am directed to inform you, in reply to a com- put under examination, with the view of improving their
implication received by the Chairman of the Ass elation sanitary condition ; and 193 lodging-houses had also been
from your secretary, on the 12th November, transmitting a examined and reported upon. The inspector further begs
copy of a memorial from shipwrights of the port, for to report that, in pursuance of an order of the committee,
extension of the Graving Dock, regulating time to six about 4,957 notices have been delivered by his staff to
weeks, and asking thereon the opinion of the Shipowners' dealers in carcases, meat, poultry, game, flesh, fish, fruit,
vegetables, corn, bread, and flour, acquainting them with
Association, that the committee consider the present period the provisioos of themuisance Removal Act for England,
of four weeks, a decided improvement on the old system, and 1855, and inviting thm to co-operate with the authorities
would view with regret its prolongation. with regard to anything that may come into their pos-
The committee, however, would respectfully suggest, that session, which they may think unfit for the food of man.
if a vessel be not offered a berth within the time specified, The object of giving these notices was to enable mer-
she should be allowed to retain her place till accommodated, chants, brokers, provision dealers, and others, by
lam further instructed by the committee, to express co-operation with the authorities, to avoid a wholesale
their surprise at the undue proportion of docks now set condemnation of any offensive matter seized, and which,
apart for the special accommodation of steamers, in depar- by a selection of the good from the bad, would protect the
tore from the spirit of a resolution of your committee, of the public on the one hand, and give the trader a fair chance
30th July last, appropriating three docks for the use of on the other.
Records of the delivery of these 4,917 notices haVe been
steam-vessels, unless when there may be unoccupied room
in other docks. kept, in order to make them available in future, as a proof
The committee are aware, that even the three docks of service, if necessary.
allotted, are in excess of the fair tonnage proportion for
steamers, yet, wishing that every facility 'should be given,
which would not prejudice the sailing ships' interests, they
made no objection to the use of other docks if unoccupied ;
suffering, however, as the owners of sailing vessels are at
present, from want of room, involving most serious loss of
time and expense, the committee do think it a great hard-
ship that a fourth dock should be appropriated to steam
interest ; and they earnestly urge your committee to recon-
sider the matter, and maintain the resolutions of the 10th
July last, above referred to, in their integrity.—l am, sir,
your obedient servant, TIi9MAS CARSON, Secretary.

The letter was referred to the harbour masters' com-
mittee.

An application was read from the president and
treasurer of St. Antes Dispensary, reQiesting the usual
donation of £3O, which it was agreed should be given.
Mr. Rathbone then moved, according to the notice, that
the number of the committee appointed on the last day,
to confer with the council's special committee, upon the
subject of the approaches to the river, be reduced from
12 to 8. He said the object of the motion was so clear,
that it did not require anything to be said in its support.
He believed the four names which were added to the
original eight., were added by two parties, supposed to
have opposed leanings, each adding two n-mes; and,
therefore, this motion would not alter the constitution of
the committee at all. It seemed to him that a committee
of eight would be more likely to come to some practical
decision, than a committee of twelve ; and, therefore, he
moved that the committee be thus reduced.

The Chairman said the Solicitor had a strong opinion
that the committee could not legally rote by ballot, as the
motion proposed.

Mr. Rathbone said he only suggested ballot on the
recommendation of some gentlemen near him, and he had
no objection whatever that the voting should take place in
the usual manner.

COMPOUNDING FOR RATES

Mr. Rankin urged that., without going to a vote, the
committee should be allowed to stand as originally consti-
tuted, eight.
Mr. Lockett said he would move, as an amendment, that
the committee remain twelve.

Mr. M'Gowan cal led the attention of the committee to
a decision which was given in the Police Office that mim-
ing, by Mr. John Aikin; the presiding magistrate, on a
case involving the question as to what constituted a
refusal to compound for rates. Under the Sanitary Act,
the owners of small property, rateable at RIO and under,
were allowed to enter into a composition for the rates, but,
on refusal to do so, became liable to pay the full amount
of the rates assessed. A great many persons entered into
composition, but others omitted to do so, and were in
consequence summoned before the magistrate yesterday.
The cases were generally heard in a private room, but
there being no magistrate in attendance, Mr. John Aikin,
who was presiding in one of the courts, consented to hear
the cases. In the first case, Mr. Aspinall appeared for
the defendant., and he contended that there had been no
refusal in the meaning of the act to compound for the
rates, and that, therefore, the summons for the full amount
could not be sustained. In opposition, he (Mr. M'G )wan)
urged that though he had not refused by word of
mouth, yet that his acts were equivalent to a
refusal, and that he should hi, therefore, held
liable. After the rates were struck, notice was given
by letter of the fact, and it was intimated to the parties
that if they did not pay the composition on or before a
certain day, they would be held liable for the full rates.
It was proved that the defendant had received this notice,
and that he had been also applied to by letter in July,
intimating that if he did not immediately pay the money
it would be taken as refusal of the composition. The
composition was due in June, and the defendant in Sep-
tember offered to pay it, but the committee refused then
to accept it. The magistrate held that there had been
no refusal in the meaning of the Act, and dismissed the

Isummons. He (Mr. M'Gowan) wished to know if he
should take any further steps in the matter?

Mr. Brocklebank suggested, as a middle course, that ten
should constitute the committee, being the same number
as the council special committee, and that AI•-. Smith and
Mr. Mandell should be the membe:•s added to the original
eight.

Mr. Bold contended that it was irregular to have allowed
any other members to be proposed after his resolution
limiting the number to eight had been passed, without a
formal resolution having been moved to rescind the previ-
ous resolution.

On the motion of Mr. Odadstone, seconded by Mr.
Anthony, the deputy town clerk was requested to confer
with the town clerk, and to report next week as to the
course which it would be best for the committee to pursue
under the circumstances. •

THE SMOKE NUISANCE--Ma. JOHN CLARE, JUN
in the proceedings of the smoke nuisance sub-com-
rnittee a letter was read from Mr. John Clare, jun., as to
the possibility of totally preventing this nuisance It
could he done, he said, by proper scientific appliances,
and offered to prove it by experiment. The letter con-
cluded thus :—" If the committee are disposed to have
the matter set at rest, I shall have no objection to try the
experiment, provided they (the committee) will pay
whatever it may cost, which cannot be much. It would
not take a large sum to build a puddling furnace and melt
a few small charges of iron. Then, if the result termi-
nated satisfactorily—as I have no reason to
doubt but what , it will—the health committee,
on being convinced by experiment that the principle
was sound and effective, I shall expect from the corpora-
tion 'l,OOO (say £1,000), for developing to the health
committee a plan whereby the town can be relieved from
what is now an intolerable nuisance. If these views be
entertained by the health committee, the experiment must
be tried forthwith, as I cannot promise either my time or
attention to the subject after the end of the present
month." (Loud laughter).
Mr. Godfrey: Would he not be a good successor to
MbDonald, our late smoke inspec'or ?
The letter ended in smoke, no action being taken on it.

The Chairman said it was certainly irregular according
to strict form, but if they had gone by strict form it would
have been irregular to have nominated the members at
all without notice, if any one objected. No one, however,
did obj• et, and, therefore, Mr. Bold was in order in nomi
nating the committee. Mr. Lockett's motion, to add the
other names, would have been regular, if it had been pre-
faced by the words—"that the committee do consist of
nine"—and if no objection had been taken to its being put
without notice.

Mr. Bold asked the solicitor how the proceedings
would look before a committee of the House or Co:nmons,
or a court of law, if it were seen that they elected a com-
mittee of twelve, in the face of a motion passed that it
consist of eight ?
The Solicitor (Mr. North): I do not think it could pre-
judice the committee iu any way. It is only a matter of
the purest form, and the strictest right. lam bound to
say, however, that adding to the number after it had been
fired at eight was irregular.

The Chairman : But if it had been professedly a reso-
lution to rescind the former, it would not have been
irregular then.

A number of applications in reference to the promotions
and new appointments in the treasurer's office, consequent
on the promotion of Mr. White, and in the engineer's
office, consequent on the death of Mr. Owen, were referred
to a special committee to report on.
This concluded the business.

Mr. Gladstone asked whether, after the committee had
voted twelve names, it would be wise or well to stultify
themselves now by altering their proceedings again,
when the additional number, however irregularly added,
could not affect the ultimate result ?

Mr. Rathbone said be had no objection to withdraw the
motion; but Mr. Bold urged that the vote of the com-
mittee should be taken.

The motion, which was seconded by Mr. Hubback, was
therefore put to the vote, when there appeared 9 for, and
12 against. It was accordingly lost, and the number of
the committee remained as last arranged-12.
Thi3 concluded the general business.

HANCOCK'S NEW SAFE/FY INKSTAND, we can he 1T
personal witness, secures to all classes one which will keep
the ink always clean and good. Price ls. 81, 2s. 6d.,
35., and 33. 61. each.—Advt.
MESSRS. PELL AND RAYMOND. —The success of those
minstrels is most unmistakeable, not only their evening con-
certs, but those they now give on every Monday morning,
continue to be crowded with the elite of the metropolis ;
and so satisfactory has it proved, that we understand a
re-engagement has been entered into for ten weeks longer,
when they quit London to fulfil their numerous provincial
engagements.—Sunday Times, March 29.—[We understand
these gentlemen have been engaged by Mr. Evans, of Upper
Dawson-street, and will appear nightly.]

A STRANGE STORY.—The Courrier of Lyons has the
following:—" A young married woman of Colluire, near
this city, after being ill for some time, fell one day last week
into a complete state of insensibility, and was supposed to
be dead. A medical mau who was called in gave a certi•
ficate of the death, and the young woman was laid out,
and in due time fastened up iu a coffin. In the night,
some women who were sitting up to watch the deceased
heard subdued groans and sighs in the coffin. They fled
in dismay, and the neighbours on hearing their account of
the matter proposed to have the coffin opened, but the
husband of the female would not hear of such a thing. as
it would be, he said, a profanation of the dead. The
mother of the young woman, however, broke open the
coffin with a hatchet, and then it turned out that the
young woman was not dead, but had only been in a
lethargy. Medical assistance was procured for her, and
in a short time she recovered perfect consciousness. She
is now going on well."

.rOßTta.',lll'4, TIMES.---LTVERPOOL, FRIDAY.

THE OWNERS OE COTTAGE PROPERTY AND
TiiE SANATORY RATES.

A MAGISTRATE WANTED ! !

Yesterday a very large number of the owners of cottage
property were summoned, at the instigation of the Health
Committee, for the non-payment of the sanatory rates for
the borough. The parties summoned were in attendance in
the 'grand jury room at the Sessions House, in Chapel
street, with their legal advisers, at eleven o'clock, the time
mentioned in the summons. No magistrate, however, was
in attendance, although the cases were to have been heard
before Mr. C. Turner, and, therefore, shortly before twelve
o'clock Mr. Aspinall (barrister) entered the Crown Court,
in which Mr. J. Aikin was presiding, and, addressing that
gentleman, said : Sir, there are a great number of persons
who have been summoned to appear to-day in the grand
jury room. They and their legal advisers have now been
waiting, much to their inconvenience, for upwards of half
an hour, and yet no maßistrate has thought fit to come and
dispese of the case.l. Many of the parties so summoned are
pan'S neoplP, arp! their time is of value to them
•

Mr. Aoki•) : For what are the parties summonel ?
M. Garnet : For not compounding for the sanatory

Mr. Aspinall : Suppling a magistrate had been in
a'tpndance, and the parties summoned hail not, in all proba-
bility an order would have been made against them for the

I ANOTHER ARREST OF THE SUPPOSED
DUB LTN MURDERER.
Considerable sensation was produced in town yesterday
morning, in consequence of a report that prevailed to the
ct that another man had been arrested at the Lime-street
railway station, on the above charge. On Monday there
appeared in our paper a report of a case that took place at
an hotel, in Dale-street, where a person, the supposed
murderer, was arrested. This report threw the Dublin
police into a state of excitement, and the latter have given
no small trouble to our detectives since. Our detective
police are a class of men who need not be told how to act
in any case, and if the Dublin officers had read our report
carefully, they would have seen that the man was a lunatic,
labouring under delirium tremens, and, therefore, not an
accountable person. It appears, however, that our report
caused much attention in Dublin, and a telegraphic message
was received here requesting that the man might be retained.
He bad been in the hospital since his former surveillance,
and it would appear that he came out on Wednesday
evening. He was about proceeding to Manchester when
he was detained, As already stated, the man is yet suffer-
ing from the disease, and if the Dublin police come no
nearer the discovery of the wretch who murdered Mr. Little,
he will never be brought to justice. The person now in
custody turns out to be a cattle dealer. He is about 45
years of age, and his appearance at once indicates tho state
he is in. We do not give his name, of curse; we have
only to repeat that there is no foundation whatever r the
arrest of this man, except, indeed, the words used by himself
when in a raging state of madness. The Dublin police may
depend on this, that the Liverpool detectives will let no
opportunity slip, if they can get any clue to the murderer.
The man is detained by desire of the Dublin force, but on
what grounds does not appear at present.
Since the above was in type, Sergeant Mears, one of the
most active and respec'able detectives of Dublin, arrived
in town, but his movemeats have bee❑ marked with great
caution in reference to the unfortunate man who was
detained in the Central Office, in Dale-street, where
much mystery seemed to be attached to him. The poor
fellow, however, looks more like what he really is—a
maniac—than a murderer. We do not see why any
mystery should hang round this unfortunate man, nor
why the police should conceal any fact connected with
him. There seems to be a notion prevalent amongst a
certain class of police that the publication of certain facts
would lead to a frustration of the ends of justice. There
never was a greater mistake than this—it is the publica-
tion of the smallest incident that brings groat things to
light. We might, if so inclined, give many cases where
the publication of small facts led to the apprehensio❑ and
conviction of diabolical laturderers, and but for such
publication the miscreants would have gale free. If the
police authorities wish to be effective in capturing the
murderer of Mr. Little, let them give the most ample
publicity to all the facts which they now screen from the
public, and their chances will he: a thousand to one in
their favour, compared to their present hopeless state of
arresting the delinquent. Every one—the police excepted
—is fully convinced of this truth, and the sooner the heads
of the police departments recognise this great truth, the
sooner will they be able to capture criminals without
much trouble—for then the public will be enabled to give
the authorities most valuable assistance, verb sap