The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-06 00:00:00

temper. Mr:EARLE must have had a lively re-
collection Of the cap and bells when he alluded to
" All Fools' Day." The public will certainly not
be slow in recognising who were the greatest fools
of that daY in the Town Hall. Mr. BENNETT
has excited against himself the dislike of Mr.
EARLE, who pronounces him to be. a perfect
nuisance to the Water Committee. This is the
very highest compliment which could have been
paid to Mr. BENNETT, coming as it did from such
a quarter; and we hope he will still continue to
be a thorn in the side of the Committee.

But what are the plebian public to -think of
Mr. EARLE, who prides himself on his rank and
his aristocratic connections ? He ought to know
that manners makes the gentleman, and that
men of honour are scrupulously careful about
their veracity ; yet we find him in Council mak-
ing a positive assertion which he ought to know
very well was not a fact. When his neighbour
Mr. TURNER complained of the offensive charac-
ter of the water supplied to his house in Aber-
cromby-square, Mr. EARLE at once jumped up,
and, in his own classical style (?), reported that
the "stink" must proceed from- some filth in
Mr. TURNER'S house, and not from the water
itself; adding, by way of a clencher, that the
water which was supplied to him (Mr. EARLE)
was excellent, and he even proposed to produce
samples of it in support of his statement. Now,
what are the facts? Mr. EARLE has complained
repeatedly (either by himself or his servants) to
the Water authorities of the badness of the
water supplied to his house; but as it did not
improve, he has recently gone to the expense of
having a patent filtering apparatus fitted up, but
even now the water is impure. Let Mr. EARLE
deny this, if he can, at the next Council meeting.
Explanations are demanded from him. Another
member, too —Mr. THOMAS HonsoN—displayed
much bad temper, taste, and ignorance on the
same assertion ; he taxed Mr. BENNETT with
positive falsehood, and with poisoning the
minds of the people out of doors by his state-
ments, whereas in fact he himself and his fellow:
Committee-men have been poisoning the sto-
machs of the unfortunate inhabitants with their
filthy Pike bog-wash. If Mr. HODSON, as a
member of the Water Committee, had taken the
trouble, as he ought to have done, to enquire for
himself, he would have found that the Water
supplied to his house is pure Well Water from
the William Henry-street station, and not mixed
Water at all, and hence its excellence. His obser-
vations were unintentionally damnatory to his

own views.

It may be asked, what do the Water Committee
know of the proceedings of their own servants, in
regard to the water supply ? We say, simply,
nothing, except what these latter choose to tell
them, and that is just what suits their Own pur-
pose. They meet every Saturday, not to discuss
this, that, or the other point, certainly not,
only to confirm the proceedings -of their en-
gineers—to pay whatever' monies these latter
may order them to pay, and to quietly approve
of all the jugglery which may have been prac-
tised in order to blind, the public as- to
their real proceedings. In short, the com-
mittee are, with a few exceptions, a mere'
registration body, if not mere tools in the hands
of Menrs. DUNCAN and HAWKSLEY. We ex-
onerate the committee, individually, from all
actual complicity in the utterly disgraceful pro-
ceedings which have been perpetrated in their
name on the rate-payers during the last ten
years, but nothing can absolve them from the
charge of gross supineness, credulity, and gulla-
bility, which must for ever attach to all their
doings. True to this perverse and discreditable
policy, the committee were weak enough, on
Saturday last, at the bidding of their engineer,
to sanction a very foolish act. They were ap-
plied to in a most respectful manner by Mr.
J AMES M'DONALD, for permission to inspect the
Rivington Works, for scientific purposes. This
was strongly opposed by 'Mr. DUNCAN for the
most obvious reasons, and although several mem-
bers urged the propriety of complying with the
application, yet the majority decided on a re-
fusal. The committee think they are safe from
danger when, like the silly bird which buries its
head in the sand, they do not see it. They may
rest assured that this attempt to evade publicity
will not serve their purpose. It proves clearly,
however, if proof were necessary, how they
shrink from publicity. The correspondence ap-
pears in another column.

How long are the public of Liverpool tamely
to submit to this grinding despotism, to'this in-
solent and domineering dictation from ther own
servants ? Surely they will not quietly sit down
and swallow slow poison at the dictation of their
paid servants. No, let them rise if necessary
with one voice, and demand that their old supply
of water be restored to them in its purity, and
that the Rivington filth be given to such as
desire it, and who will pay for it ; and if their
prayershould be unheeded by their ruthless op-
pressors, then let them appeal to the. laws of
their country for redress.
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance
to be attached to every thing connected with
this subject at the present moment. The pro-
ceedings of the next Council will, in all proba-
bility, determine whether or 'not that body are
disposed to perform what is their obvious duty
to the inhabitants, by at once forbidding the
pollution of our own pure well water by any ad-
mixture with that from Rivington, he the pretexts
what they may. And it shall not be our fault if,
in the interim, the subject is, not thoroughly
ventilated, convinced as we are that it is one
affecting the vital interests of every inhabitant of
our town.

THERE is no class of persons engaged in
the trade and commerce of the country on whom
such serious and heavy resporisibilities rest as
the commanders of our mercantile marine. They
are entrusted with millions of property, and vast
numbers of lives. The legislature should be very

particular in insisting upon their competency, but
all laws and regulations issued for their guidance
or control should:be distingnished for their strict
impartiality. —This, we-regret-to-say,-is- not the
case. The centralising tendency of our Govern-
ment has lately so manifested itself in the provi-
sions and requirements of the Merchants' Ship-
ping Act, that an attempt is being made to have
its evils removed. The chief ground of complaint
is the arbitrary and one-sided proceedings which
the Board of Trade take against captains and
officers of ships meeting with accident. Not only
are they obliged to Submit to a sort of trial, but
before the case is heard, the certificate is im-
pounded, thereby prejudging the case, and deny-
ing to the accused what is granted to the most
atrocious criminal—a fair and impartial hearing.
The constitution of the court is also faultg in
the extreme. It is generally composed of a naval
officer and a local magistrate, gentlemen who, in
nine cases out of ten, know nothing of the
'subject' they have to investigate. If a peer of
the realm is tried for any alleged offence against
the laws of the country, ,his case is adjudicated
upon by a jury of his peers. If an officer in the
navy or the- army is charged with any breach of
duty, he stands a court-martial, where his brother
officers are his jury, If a laWyer is struck off the
Rolls, he has first had his case enquired into, and
in none of these instances does the punishment
precede the trial. Towards the captains of our
mercantile marine; a different sort or justice is
administered. To him the certificate of the
Marine Board is' equivalent to an officer's corn-
commission in the army or navy. The moment
the investigation commences, that instant does
the Board of Trade require him to hand up his,
certificate. Without it he cannot proceed to
sea, and serious consequences to both the, captain
' and owners of the ship are often the result.
Recently both our representatives anirnad•
verted upon the arbitrary conduct of the Board
'of Trade, and'pointed out the highly objection-
able character of its constitution. A noble Peer,
who boasts of an ancient, though perhaps not
distinguished ancestry, but whose pride it is to
boast that he was never engaged in trade, is
scarcely fit for the head of so important a depart-
mentofthe Government, and an Australian lawyer
or a superannuated Indian J udge are scarcely to be
expected to afford any more valuable aid in
_forming the National Council for directing and
controlling matters appertaining to trade, com-
merce, or finance, These gentlemen may all be
very estimable and even able gentlemen in their
way ; but it by no means follows that because
the one is a Peer, and the others second-rate
lawyers, that they are competent to direct the
destinies of the Board of Trade. As well might
we expect that because a man once travelled on
a stage coach he was qualified to drive four in
hand. ,A radical change is wanted in the Con
stitution of the Board of' Trade, and many of the
powers it enjoys should be abolished, or at all
events modified.

The question is-now engaging public attention.
On Friday a large and highly influential meeting
was held in Liverpool for the purpose of consi-
dering and agreeing to .a course of action for the
removal of the evils to which the mercantile
marine is so unjustly exposed. The meeting
was composed of captains of ships and extensive
shipowners, who evidently took a deep interestl
in the proceedings. The speeches were straight-
forward and temperate, whilst the res3lutions
were exceedingly moderate. It was agreed
to petition the House of Commons upon
the Subject, 'setting forth the mischievous
results of the Act of 1854, and praying
for their immediate amendment. Thejustice of the
cause which was: advocated is undeniable. The
captains only want that, when there is an in 7
vestigation into any accident or collision at sea,
thatmen of their own character and standing—a
jury of their own class—shall decide upon the
charges preferred. They also ask that they shall
not be deprived of their certificate until they are
proved:guilty 'of misconduct. These are reason-
able requests, and if properly and energetically
urged, will, no doubt, be conceded. by Parlia-
men t.

But the meeting did not separate until it had
passed a resolution approving- of the formation
of a Marine Association, the object of. which
will be to guard the interests of, Captains and
officers in the commercial marine, and to elevate
the profession of seamen generally. These are
praiseworthy and important purposes. If pro-
perly worked out they must prove of great ser-
vice, not only to all 'the members, but to ship-
owners at large. When we reflect upon the
sailor's calling, and the extent of British ship-
ping, it becomes evident that too much cannot
be done to elevate them in the mental, moral,
and social scale. We cordially approve of the
movement of Friday, and earnestly hope the
project may meet witli-full success.' Our ves-
sels skim 'the seas of every clime. The British
ensign floats with proud majesty in every part of
the habitable globe. Millions of ou'r national
wealth are invested in the shipping interest, and
thousands upon thousands depend upon the sea
for a living. The cause of the British•navigator
is the people's cause.' Whatever contributes to
his welfare and independence adds, to the
im-
portance of our commerce... And while we
guard against reckless' condtict on the part of
captains, we should not act towards them in
a spirit of official tyranny.

AUSTRALTiN CLIPPERS.—The Black Ball Austra-
lian clipper ship Marco Polo, which' sailed from
Port Philip Heads, on the 17th of January, -arrived
here on Saturday night. She sailed in-company
with the 'screw steamer Royal Charter; not yet
arrived. On.the 6th and 7th of February, the two
vessels were in the same latitude, a few miles from
each other. The Royal Charter would appear to
have taken a different course from that of the
Marco Polo, and hence she has not yet made her
appearance.,

•
INTERFERENCE OF 'PEERS AT eLECTiONS.—A good
deal of excitement has been occasioned at Norfolk,
by a revelation of the manner in which the election
for the Western division has been compromised
Mr. Anthony Hamond, of Westacre, a gentleman
who formerly contested the constituency, has

issued an address, in which .he ‘` makes a) clean
breast" of the. whole matter. The statement is in
effect that Lord. Leicester and. Lord Hastings
obtained his consent
.to a compromise; it it c nild
_be effected, on the Understanding -tliat' he (Mr.
Hatnond) and Bentinck should be the- Carididates
to be brought forward under it ; that Lord Leicet:
ter did receive the' assent of Lord Walsingintm to
this compromise, but did not,and would not show
Mr. Hamond the letter Conveying it ; and that
subsequently, at a meeting of the lords and gentle.
men who, it seems, keep West.. Suffolk in their
pockets,- Lord Leicester refused to read Lord.
Walsinglutm's• letter, whereupon he, Mr. Hamond,
withdrew in disgust. Mr. B. Gordon was proposed,
and the letter was then read. The end of the
matter is, that Mr. Hamond has been deceived
and sold by these noble lords and gentlemen. It
has been suggested that a petition to Parliament
embodying the material facts, and demanding a
full and.searching inquiry, should be _presented.

THE LATE ELECTION.

MESSRS. ATKIN AND TURNER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

Sir,—ln your paper of this morning, in an ar-
ticle referring to the decision of the two corn
mittees on the subject of the entries passed by my
firm for Town Dues, 'in and prior to 1843, there
appears the following'statement :--

__!` If, however, it be true that both these decisions
were given prior to the introduction of an important
report from the Town Clerk upon the subject,
'what value can we attach to their- exculpatory-.
clauses."

Having made particular enquiry at the Town
Hall, I find that. this statement is incorrect, and
that every report of the Town Clerk was before the
committee of the Council, as well the whole of
the evidence; and after considering this, the com-
mittee came to the decision they did:•

You further say :—" If it be true, as has been
broadly affirmed, that the customers of Messrs.
Sands, Turner, & Co. were charged the full amount
of Town Dues by them upon the cases and bales
which Were made to pay the corporation only
half the amount, what importance are 'we to
give to the acquittal of- all - questionable inten
tions."

To this statement I have to - give the' most
unqualified denial, and I beg distinctly to state
that my firm never charged a higher rate -of. Town
Dues tol their constituents than was paid to the
corporaaion.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES TURNER.
Dingle Head, Liverpool, 4th April, 1857.

On Friday last Mr. George D. Kerman, of this town,
was admitted a member of the Royal College of Sllrgeollq.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH.—On Saturday week, a female.
named Catherine Duffy, who had been working at the
farm of Mr. Ashcroft, Wavertree, received a severe
Injury in one of her feet. She was taken to the Royal
Infirmary where the limb had to be amputated, and
although everything that could be done was resorted to,
yet she died on last Saturday.
BANQUET TO WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ M P.—As the
period approaches, the interest of all classes in the forth-
coming celebrations is increasing. It is: expected that
several will be doomed to disappointment, both ladies and
gentlemen, notwithstanding the known capacity of St.:
Georges Hall.- The new lord lieutenant of the county, the
Earl of Burlington, will be in at,endance throughout the
day ; and it is expected that many'of the guests will be,
attended by members of their families, wl4o will view the
festivities from the galleries. In the meanwhile, the com-
mittee have thought right to delay the issue of the tickets
till We inesday at one o'clock.

THE WEATHER.—" April Showers bring in May flowers,"
so saith the proverb, and if that follow, the flowers will
prove plenty enough in the next " merry sweet month of
May," for so far as April has gone there has been rain
enough to create acres of flowers. Saturday afternoon was
excessively wet, , and yesterday was a real April day--
sunshine and tears, the latter prevailing. The rain, how-
ever, has been welcome to the farmer, as the ground
required moisture after a long harsh drought. Vegetation
is beginning to peep ou►, and the temperature of the atmo-
sphere, along with the genial showers, will prove beneficial
for agricultural operations, which are now in full run
everywhere in the country.

SHOCKING AND FATAL ACCIDENT IN A MILL AT BRAD.
FORD —On Friday morning, shortly before nine o'clock,
a shocking accident occurred in.the mill of George Brown
and Co., manufacturers Thbraton road, Bradford, by
which Thomas Schofield, an overlooker, twenty,two
years of age, lost his life. The belt drawing one of the
upper horiz mtal shafts, la - the third storey, had been off
the drum, and he was in the act of putt ing it on, when
by,some means he was whirled up around the shaft, the
belt round part of his body, his back bent, broken, and
frightfully twisted and drawn out, and his head tightly
jerked up against the edge of the drum. The engine was
stopped in less than, half a minute, h if when taken down
the unfortunate man' was quite dead. The head and the
lowei extremities had not been mateaially injured, but the
right arm was completely torn off. The deceased had only
been married a few weeks.
THE PnrsicE OF WALES.* The last run of the season
with his Royal Highness Prinee- Albert's harriers took
place en Wednesday, when the Prince •of Wales was
present. His royal highness arrived at Slough from
Buckingham Palace by the Great Western Railway at
eleven o'clock. Mr. Aldridge entertained his royal
biAhness and the whole of the hunt with an elegant
luncheon, after -which they rode over hii farm and found
hares in abucclance, and after one of the best day's sport
of the season, chit fly over Mr. Aldridge's lands, the
Prince and attendants returned to Buckingham Palace.
In the evening the usual annual hunt dinner took place
-at Batham's Hotel,. Salta ill, undor the Presidency_ of
Colonel Hoo I, the master of the royal pack, when there
was a larger attendance than has been witn ssed since the
establishment of Prince Albert's pack of harrieis, about
twelve years ago.

GRIEVOUS .AFFAIR.--A day or two ago we published a
paragraph under the above head, extracted from a Glas-
gow paper. Since then the following particulars in this
singular case have been made known. Painful rumours
h 'ye been flying about the city for some days about a
tragic event, by which the life of a young foreigner hes
been taken away by poison, under circumstances which
have led to the apprehension of a young lady, only about
21 years of age, on suspicion of being the guilty
administrator. The c,se has been matter of judicial pro-
cedure to an extent which renders it needless any longer to
withhold the namesof the parties concerned We may state,
therefore, that a close intimacy had subsisted between
Pierre Emilie L'Angelier, a young Frenchman, in the em-
ployment of Messrs. W. B. Huggins & Co.; and Miss
Madaliene Smith, daughter of Mr. James Smith, architect,
Blythiwoed square. This fact is known from the circum-
stance that, among the papers of the deceased, there is a
voluminous correspondence of a very tender kind addressed
to him by the you g lady, and we believe the circumstance
was not unknown to others. On Saturday, the 21st, or
Sabbath morning the 22ad ult.,this young gentheman-,when
at the Bridgb ot.Allan, yeceivede letter from Miss Smith
desiring a meeting with h'm. It is understood that he took
the train to G eenhill, whence, being Sabbath, he walked
to Glasgow. He paid a visit to his lodgings in Franklin
pace, Great Western read, that evening, for a brief space,
and on going out, about eight o'clock, took with him the
latch key, saying that he would be late. He did not
return till about two in the motniog, when he complained
of violent suffering. Dr. S:eveu was sent for, who
precribed for the case, and retired, apparently without
any suspicion of poisoning... During the night the young
man continued to be in great agony, and was attended
from time to time by his landlady, as the paroxysms of
pain became more-violent, On Monday forenoon, when
the medical gintleman again called, he found
that his patient was- -dead.--The case being _of
s> unusual. a character, the firm with which the
young man was connected ordered a pose mortem examination,
which was couducted by Dr Steven and Dr Thomson. We
believe the evidences of poisoning at this examination were not '
so decided as they 'became afterwards ; but the stomach 'and
contents having been placed under seal, and subjected to a
searching analysis by an experienced chemist, the presence of
arsenic was easily detected. A judicial investigation
followed, and the suspicions of guilt attaching to
Miss Smith became so strong that sue was appre-
hended on Tuesday. It is not matter of any doubt
that the young lady had purchased arsenic more than once
and at different ehops,-during the month of March; but we
hear that this was said to be for t:se as a cosmetic. The
reasons given for the-suspicion aiaintit Mi-siOmith are that
sbe was on terms of marriage with Monsieur Pierre Emilie.
L'Angelier, but that a match of a much more eligible
description, in a worldly point of view, had recently been
placed at her disposal, accepted by her, and encouraged by
her parents.