The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-09-04 00:00:00

ncrs were con(
7

of the markets, education, gaol, and
louse 01 correction committees, were also confirmed.

procee

They comprised nothing of importance.

HEALTH COMMITTEE

The proceedings of this committee comprised the
lowing recommendation to increase the salaries of the
lowing officers in the borough engineer's department,
—Mr. W. A. Richardson from .eBO to £lOO per
m ; Mr. Joseph; Pennell, from .i's 4 12,3 to .eBO per
Mr. William Walker, from to £ll5 per
Mr. Thomas Hough, from £3l 4s to .t'42 per
annum; and Mr. John Evans, from £lOO to £l2O per
annum.

annum ;

The discussion of the recommendation was postponed
to the next council, in accordance with the standing
orders.

Mr. B. Gladstone suggested that the council should
express an opinion on the propriety or impropriety of
Mr. Newlands being permitted to act as consulting engineer
to the Toxteth-park Board of Health. He thought that
no man could serve two masters, and that Mr. Newlands'
time was fully occupied with his present duties.
Mr. J. A. Tinne thought that great good would result
from the drainage and sewerage works of the town and
out-townships being under the same head, and he would,
on that account, support the recommendation of the com-
mittee, that Mr. Newlands be permitted to act as consult-
ing engineer to the Toxteth park Board.
Mr. Alderman Bennett concurred with Mr. Tinne, and
reminded the council that, on questions of drainage and
sewerage, Mr. Newlands was looked up to, all over
England, as an authority.
Mr. Sheil opposed the appointment, on the ground that
Mr. Newlands full time was occupied with his present
duties, and that he could not fairly undertake any other
business.

Mr. Alderman Dover moved, and Mr. Hodson seconded,
that the matter be referred back for consideration.
The amendment was lost, on a division, by 24 to 13.
The proceedings were then confirmed, as were also those
of the gardens and church exponditure committees.

OBSERVATORY COMMITTEE.

In connection with the proceedings of this committee,
a letter was read from the Board of Trade, announcing
their intention of forming an establishment for the rating
and testing ships' chronometers in London, and requesting
permission for the officer, named by them to take charge
of it, to attend the Liverpool Observatory to make
himself acquainted with the mode in which it was carried
out.

The Mayor observed that this letter was very compli-
mentary to Liverpool as coming from the Board of Trade,
and bore most excellent testimony to the efficient manner
in which the Liverpool Observatory was conducted.
On the motion of Mr. Tinne, the permission sought by
the Board of Trade was ordered to be granted. The gene-
ral proceedings were then confirmed.

WATER COMMITTEE

The proceedings of this committee included a recom-
tnendation to promote Mr. Henry Gatliffe to the position
of first-class collector of water rents, and that his salary
and poundage be c ilculated at the rate of £220 per annum.
Recommendation to purchase 6,800 yards of land at 6s 9d
per yard, for the purposes of the reservoir and works
now in the course of construction in Audley-street,
Everton. They also included the following report from
Mr. Hawkesley, furnished in compliance with a resolution
of the committee

REP 0 RT

t George-street, Westminster, Aug. 29, 1856.
Dear compliance with a resolution of the water
ommittee of the 23rd instant, I beg to report,
Ist. That the Rhoddlesworth reservoir is, in a general sense,

completed, a few small works only remaining to be finished,
and for the most part requiring to be executed when the tunnel
shall be permanently closed.

2ad. That the works of the connecting goit and weir have
nen partially suspended during the negociations for the pur-
hase of a small quantity of land, for the acquisition of which
;he corporation have for long past been iu treaty with Mr.

That the Rake embankment is nearly at its height,

Jut that very much delay has I

n occasioned by the non-

ations already referred to, in cone.

quence of a defect in the substratum on which portions of the
earthwork is placed, and which defect is consequent on the

,es lying
In cons

he ecrpora-

quenco of the apparent failure of
ty, I have acted on the chairman's

3stion, and have given instructions for the works to be
lied on Monday next, and completed at any risk, and as
Ely as possible, but with all the care and precaution which
oracticable within the narrow limits of the acquired land.
Ist that in six weeks all these works will be finished, and
Nate r impounded.

4th. The goit, except as to dressing and maintenance, may
be said to be complete. The quantity of water yielded by the
hill districts is so large and flows off so suddenly, that I think
it will he advisable to make the two weirs near Hatch-brook
and Whitecoppie, for which powers were taken in the original
act. These are small works, and will not interfere with the
use of the goit or reservoir.

sth. The Anglezarl reservoir is finished, and has been several
mes filled, drawn, and refilled.

6th. The Rivington reservoir is also finished, and has several
times overflowed.

7th. Of the six filter beds four aro completed, and the
remaining two are in progress, and may reasonably be expected
to be completed in from two to three months.
Bth. The pure water tanks and other works connected
therewith are in a state to receive water whenever required.

9th. The first section of the maiti pipes leading from the
filter bed to the filter house tunnel is completed and ready for

10th. The tunnel is practically finished, with the exception
of the large regulating apparatus at its mouth, which will be at
work in three weeks, and may, if necessary, be brought into
action in a fortnight.

11th. The second section of the main pipe extending to 4spull
reservoir is laid.

12th. A gap exists on the side of the last—mentioned reservoir
which will he immediately filled up.
13th. The third section of main pipe between Aspull reser-
voir and Mountrey reservoir is also finished, with the exception
of the railway crossings and a few very minor arrangements now
being executed. The railway tube has not yet been deliverpd
by the contractor ; but is, I believe, nearly ready ; and when
received ought to be placed and connected within a week.
14th. Arrangements of a simple character are about being
Made at Mountrey for the transmission of the water from this
point to Prescot, without subjecting the pipes to the Aspull
pressure. These works should be completed within the month
of September.

15th. The fourth section of pipe terminating at the Knows-
ley reservoir, is all but completed. The gap of Carr mill dam,
which has remained open for some time, while waiting for
mateiials which were not delivered, when and as contracted for,
is now being rapidly filled up, and will cease to exist'in little
more than a fortnight from the present time.

lfith. The Knowsley reservior is rapidly approaching com-
pletion, and will certainly be in a state to receive water before
the end of September. The fifth section of main is very
nearly completed—the self acting and oilier valves aro being
fixed, and the whole will be closed in about the middle of next

The drawings of the Aspull and Mountrey reservoirs, and
their duplicates, are finished, and their specification printed.
Messrs Hunt and Stephenson have got all the quantities out,
and will be entitled to furnish lithographic copies of some, and
form of tender, on Wednesday next. Tho works may bo
completed for the reception of water by the let May next, and,
in the mean time, die water will be passed to Prescot indepen-
dently of them.

18th. I see no reason to suppose the Rivington water will
not he delivered in Liverpool by the end of September ; but I
am not otherwise, than in an engineering point of view, able to
say when it will be available for the supply. The pipes have
become very much oxidised during their long exposure at
Birkenhead, and elsewhere, and will therefore for some time
~liscolour the water passing through them. There will also be
- - -
some fracturei

Other circumstancePy too, over vvilich am
equally without control, may occur to interfere with the
immediate availability of the water, For these reasons, lam
Unable to nn, answee to the last of thn

01? a Propounded by the committee.—l am, dear sir,
T. HAWKSLLY.

fa' thfu I 1 y yours,
Shuttleworth, Town-clerk.
council, Tbc ri7it raecccoomrdmanenedeawiliotnh
the
ss
standing
postponedconfessed
orders, s the
an dn theet
to the committee if Mr. Rawkesley's report contained
some reference to the escape of water of which the
council had already heardl. lie believed that that escape
was of the precise character which he bad endeavoured
t 9 describe at the last council, but still, from the import-
ance of the works, it deserved mention in the report, and
he was, therefore, sorry that Mr. Ilawkesley had over-
looked it. In other respects, he believed the report would
be considered satisfactory by thejcouncil and
the town,

and he would not, therefore, dwell on it. But there was
one observation imparted into the report on which he
should comment. He referred to the statement of Mr.
Hawkesley in reference to the Rake embankment, that he
had acted on his (Mr. Holt's) suggestion. The remark
might be intended as a compliment to him, but it could
not be for a moment supposed, that the chairman of the
committee, or any other member of it, could relieve a
professional man from the responsibility of any work, the
execution of which he had undertaken.

Mr. Alderman Cooper seconded the confirmation of the
proeeedings.
Mr. Alderman Bennett took exception to the character
of the report, and moved, as an amendment, that it be
not adopted, and teat the Aspull and Mountrey house
reservoirs be not proceeded with until the tenders were
before the council. Mr. Bennett then, as is his wont when
dealing with this question, reviewed the whole Rivington
scheme from the beginning, and pointed out the errors
which, from time to time, were committed in its prosecu-
tion. He contended that the reservoirs at. Aspull and
Mountrey house were a new thought. They were really
intended to relieve the pipes of a too great pressure, and
so far, perhaps, they were advisable. But they would be
open reservoirs, and, being so, the promise that when the
water was filtered it would be brought covered into
Liverpool, could not be fulfilled. They had already ex-
pended in this undertaking, with the purchase of the
Chorley works, upwards of £700,000, and yet these
reservoirs were not even yet estimated for. The interest
upon the sum which they had expended amounted, at 4
per cent, to 28,000 ly_r annum, in other words, 40
per cent of the total revenue of their prese..t Ncorks was
annually swallowed up in an undertaking far from being
completed, and yet they were called upon to go on, month
after month, adding to that expense. in conclusion, Mr.
Bennett strongly complained of the silence of Mr.
Hawkesley on a matter which should have been uppermost
in his mind, namely, the prality of the water now being
stored at Rivington. It was well known that that water
was found to be much harder than what came from the
springs, but whether it arose from any disturbing influ_
ence on the bottom of the reservoir from the quantity of
the water stored there, or from what other cause, the
council were not a, all informed. He conceived it was a
matter of the utmost importance, and he complained that
Mr. Hawkesley should have caused his report to be more
unsatisfactory by not having made any reference to it.
Mr. Walter P. Jeffreys seconded the amendment.
Mr. James Holme said that he did not rise as the
advocate of Mr. Hawkesley. There could be no doubt
that he had neglected the town, in not preparing before
this the plans of these two reservoirs, but they should
recollect that, when the council first employed Mr.
Hawkesley, he had much more time at his disposal than
he subsequently had, and that, had the works been
allowed to have been carried out as contemplated, they
would have been long since finished. (Hear, hear.) It
was wrong for Mr. Bennett to continue an agitation
which had already caused such delay and loss—(hear,
hear)—and the more particularly so, when the facts on
which he relied. were altogether fallacious. (Hear, hear.)
The Prescot reservoir was arched over, the same would
be done with the other reservoirs, and the water would,
as originally promised, be brought into the town covered,
after having been filtered. As to the quality of the
water, they should wait to test it until it was brought
into the town, and when that was effected, he was confi-
dent that it would be found of the quality originally de-
scribed. As to the increase in the estimates, Mr.
Hawkesley, nor any other man, could tell what was in the
bowels of the earth, and no stronger illustration of that
truth could be given, than the fact, that the leakage to
which allusion had been made, was through the rock.
The committee had great difficulty in carrying out the
works, and he put it to the council, whether the increas-
ing of those difficulties by members of the council them-
selves, would tend to that they all so much desired—the
completionof the works.

Mr. Shiel also thought the report.unsatisfactory, though
he would not go to the length which Mr. Bennett was dis-
posed to go in the matter. At each successive meeting,
the day of the completion of the works was further post-
poned, until people at last began to doubt that the
Riyington water would ever be brought into the town.
Some person was surely responsible for the delay, but
wherever the defect lay, it should be at once remedied.
(Hear, hear.) They were bound to the principle of the
scheme, and there could be no doubt, that the sooner it
was completed, the greater would be the benefit and
saving to the town. (Hear, hear.) It was admitted that
they had been neglected by Mr. Hawkesley, but to show
that that could not be done with impunity, he (Mr. Shiel)
would suggest that it be an instruction to the committee,
to pay Mr. Hawkesley no more money on account of his
commission, until the works were completed. If that
were done, it was probable they would soon have some
definite prospect of the works being finished. (Hear,
hear.)

Mr-. Alderman Parker concurred with Mr. ShieL

Mr. Hodson admitted that they had been neglected by
Mr. Hawkesley, but he considered that Mr. Bennett's
amendment, so far from improving their position, would
seriously embarrass, if not, injure them. The new works
could not bl entered on without the sanction of the council,
which would be asked for at the pr,per time, but he did
think that, on Mr, Bennett's own showing, no matter what
their cost, the sooner they were completed the better. Mr.
Bennett stated that £28,000 was lost annually in interest
alone on the works. If that were the case, would it be
prudent to allow them to continue in an unproductive state P
and yet that would be the effect of the amendment. Like
every other member of the council, Mr. Bennett desired the
completion of the works, and as his amendment would no
doubt tend still further to delay them, he (Mr. Hodson)
trusted that he would withdraw it.

mission ?

Mr. Bennett asked if Mr. Hawkesley was paid by com•
And if so, whether it was on the estimates, or
on the sums actually expended ?
The Deputy Town-clerk (air. Hughes) replied that Mr,
Hawkesley's contract was for a gross sum in lieu of fees.
Mr. Alderman S. Holme reminded the council that the
modes of payment to Mr. H:twkesley were stipalated in the
contract, and that no resolution of the council could upset
that contract. They were now drawing to a close with the
works, and he would lyg of them not to complicate the
difficulties, by coming into collision with Mr. Hawkesloy.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. C. Turner followed on the same side, and reminded
the council that, in his opening remarks, Mr. Holt had
already declared the report in some degree unsatisfactory.
Mr. A. C. Stewart expressed a similar opinion, and
urged Mr. Bennett to withdraw his amendment.
Mr. Bennett expressed his readiness to alter the amend-
ment to one simply declaratory of the unsatisfactory
character of the report, but, after some conversation, he
agreed to withdraw it altogether, observing; that he was
advised by competent gentlemen that it would be only
making " bad worse."
The general proceedings were then confirmed.
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee were read. .
Mr, Piston, in moving their adoption, observed that there
was a very large number of specimens which required
accammodation. Of the large and interesting Derby col-
lection, not more than two-thirds wore stuffed and exhibited
to the public, even in the present crowded state of the
museum. He was happy, however, to say that the com-
petition designs for the new building had arrived on Mon-
day last, and by the time of the next council, the committee
would be in a condition to report as to the design selected.
In the meantime members of the council would have notice
when the designs were ready for being exhibited.
Mr. Woodruff seconded the motion, which was carried.

The proceedings of the hackney carriages and bath's
committee, were confirmed without any discussion.

GAS COMMITTES,

The proceedings of this committee contained the follow-
ing:—' Recommendation to appoint Mr. Daniel Horton
Gas Meter Inspector, pursuant to arrangements made with
the Gas Company, at the salary of £2OO per annum."
The appointment of an assistant inspector was postponed
by the committee, until it shoald be aseertained whether
such an appointment would be necessary.
Mr. Kitchen moved the confirmation of the proceedings.
He stated that the committee had selected Mr. Horton out
of forty-five candidates for the office of inspector of metres,
and tester of the quality of gas. Mr. Horton had been
employed by the Imperial Gas Company of London—the
largest gas company in the world—for fourteen years, the
last five years of wish had been specially employed for
the same purpose to which it was now proposed to appoint
him. His experience in that particular department entitled him
to take precedence of all other candidates who applied for
the situation, and he (Mr. Kitchen) had, therefore, much
pleasure in recommending Mr. Horton for the situation,
solely on aco)unt of his superior fitness for the office.

Mr. Beckwith said, the chairman of the committee should
have stated what amount of salary had been received by Mr.
Horton in his previous situation. He felt convinced that,
before long, there would be an application for increase of
Mr. Horton's salary.

Mr. Alderman J. A. Turner asked whether the salary of
£2OO a year was 1,0 be the whole expense
Mr. Kitchen said he was not in a position to state exactly
what the former salary of Mr. Horton was. The committee
were unanimously of opinion that £2OO a year was barely
sufficient for a man in that position, so suitably qualified
for the office. As regarded the other expenses of the office,
of course Mr. Turner must be aware that there would be
books and other matters required, which would by some
expense at first; but not so much afterwards. It had been
already stated that fees would be charged for the testing of
metres, and, therefore, the office would be somewhat self-
supporting, in addition to which, it would secure to the
f.,vun aas of a proper illuminating quality, and supplied at a

right pressure

Mr: Alderman Parker said he dii not intend to oppose
the appointment of Mr. Horton, who, from the high
character he had heard from the chairman of the committee,
and his connection with the Imperial Gas Company, must be
a very valuable man. He had only to remark, that when
that gentleman rec-ived £2OO a year from the council, the
gas company would, probably, bye-and-bye give him another
£lOO a year, which would make a very handsome income,
and then things would go on as smoothly as ever. (Oh, oh,
and laughter.)

Mr. Fernihough considered the salary eicessive, and
moved, as an amendment, that the question be referred back
to the committee.

Mr. Hodson seconded the amendment, urging that it
would be better to have the inspector paid by fees.

. _
Mr. Stewart said the result of the committee's labours
was somewhat abortive, but it was all that the council left
in their power. Jle censured the manner in which the

NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY.

question had been treated by the council from the beginning,
and supported the motion of the committee.
Mr. Alderman Holme thought it would unquestionably be
the fairest way to pay the inspector by fees, as a correct,
although somewhat severe, test of whether the town did
really require an inspector. But, believing there would not
be that demand for his services, which the committee no
doubt sincerely believed there would be, and as it would be
unfair to br,ng a gentleman here and leave him to be
dependant on such chance fees, and as the salary proposed
was a reasonable one, and the town appeared to have asked
for the appointment, he would bow to the decision of the
committee, and vote with Mr. Kitchen. Of course, the
remark made by Mr. Parker would be understood to be
merely one of that g ntleman's frequent jokes, although per-
haps not a very judicious one. The council had the best
guarantee that the gas company would not part with one
farthing of their money unnecessarily for the next twelve
months, when he told them that Mr. Alderman Cooper was
one of the chairmen of the company. (Laughter.)
Mr, Cooper assured the council, amid much laughter,
that the gas company would not attempt to bribe the
inspector,' but would do everything they could to assist in
the examination of the metres and the quality of the gas.

,L 7
Mr. Alderman Dover supported Mr. Kitchen's proposi-
tion, which he declared to be satisfactory to the general
consumers of the town, as well as to the gas company.

Finally, the amendment was withdrawn, and the pro-
ceedings confirmed, with the adoption of a suggestion made
by Mr, Gladstone, that the appointment of inspector should
be liable to be terminated upon six months' notice.