The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-13 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.

the cost of supplying the out-townships and other contingent
expenses, was swelled up to the sum of £B5 810. They
paid for the new reservoirs at Park hill, Kensington,. and
Everton £65,408, making the gross total cost of the old
works and contingencies £BOl,OOO, and for which amount
the town was now receiving -a supply in round numbers 0-
44,000.000 gallons a week. The Rivington works up to
the przent, moment cost them £691,772, and in additiot
they purchased the Cheeky, works, which cast then
£35,278, and which they expected would in a short tine
not only pay ; interest on the investment, but wou.3
likewise give them a large additional supply to tie
Rivington works. When the It ddlesworth reservoir nas
comp'.eted it would at the very lowest calculation give a
supply-of water to the town of Liverpool of 19,000,0)0
gallons per day ; and when they already received £75,000
a Te ir for 44,000,000 gallons a week, what would not titer
in'eome amount to when they Weill 1 be able to sup)ly
133,000,000 gallons a week ? (Hear, hear.) He vas
sorry that Mr. Bennett sh )ull leave made such a statement;
but to meet that statement, ii they requested it, they cerld
have Mc. Duncan in the room, and examine him on the
matter. It was an unusual thing, but so many falsehods
and so many attempts to deceive the public had
been exercised in regard to this matter, -.hat
the committee thought it better that Mr. Duncan should
be in attendance at the meeting of the couicil,
and be prepared to answer on Oath any questions that might
be put to him touching it, (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Holne)
hoped that such a course would be unnecessary, and that
they would take the word of the gentlenien of the commitee
for the oath of what was stated (Heir, hear.) Thy
had nothing to disguise; he hoped he would never stand
before the public of Liverpool with disguise in his hest,
but when an important matter like the present was befcre
them, he felt that every means should be taken to expose
the attempts that. ware being made to deceive the public.
(Hear, hear.) The water that was now being supplied n
the town was composed, contrary to the statement of Mt.
Bennett, of 4-7ths of the Rivington water and 3-7ths of the
Liverpool supply-. (hear, hear)—and if they went and asked
Mr. Duncm, he would tell them that they now received
4-7ths of the Riviugton supply and 3-7ths of the red
sandstone water.
Mr. Hodson : The Rivington proportion is better than
one half now.
Mr. J. Holme continued Mr. Bennett told them that
they were receiving a much less quantity of the Itivington
water. He (Mr. Holme) made his statement on the authority
of Mr. Duncan, and if he was deceiving them, then Mr.
Duncan was deceiving Mai. (Hear, hear.) With regard
to the visit to the Rivington works, it was on the day that
the very great snow storm took place, and very few gentle-
men would hare encountered smell weather, eitleer on account
of private or public basiness. However, they went on that
day to Rivington—Mr. Bennett, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Woodruff,
and himself. They arr:ved at the Roddlesworth first, and
what did they find ? They found that a small slip of the
embankment had taken place, a circumstance which-gentle.
men acquainted with railway works knew. was of frequent
occurrence, particulatly when dealing with slippery greund.
By being too economical in the first instance, they had not
retained sufficient land to enable them to widen the emhank-
ment, and the consequence was that the proprietor, as others
had done, had taken advantage of the circumstance, and
compelled them to agree to his terms, and give him the price
he asked. They had, however, strengthened the embank-
ment, and he hoped no such occurrence would again take
place there. With reference to the conversation with the
servant girl—after she told Mr. Bennett that they never
used the water, he (Ur. Holme) asked her how she could
make such a statement ? upon which she replied that the
water out of the pump was so hard that they could not use
it, and that they preferred to go to a distance for soft
water. Sae brought him some of the pump water, which
was as clear and brilliant as that which they were drinking
in Liverpool now ; hut, notwithstanding its brilliancy, she
preferred the soft water, because it made so much better
tea, and was more serviceable for domestic purposes.
(Laughter.) Mr. Bennett was not present at the time, but
he (Mr. Holme) followed him out, and asked him to come
and hear the girl's statement, lest he (Mr. 'Hahne) might
be accused of misstating it in the council. (Bear, hear).
The position of the water committee was anything but
enviable at the present time. (Hear, hear), They were
blamed for not having before brought the water to Liver.
pool, and now that it was here, they were blamed for it,
quality. It had not, however, been exposed to the sure
light and the wave, which much improved water p but eves
as it was supplied at present, it should be pronounced good
and wholesome. With regard to the action of the water co
lead, the most eminent men in the country had long slnse
declared that water, similar in every respect to the RivinZ.
ton water, would have no dileterious effect either on feed
pipes or the health of the people ; and that truth he hirnzelf
had witnessed, in his own household, while living in the
neighbourhood of the Lakes. In conclusion, Mr. Holme
declared that it was his honest conviction that the groW,ng
wants of the town urgently required this supply from
Rivington, and that posterity would pronounce those rho
had advocated the scheme the wisest in their generation.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Gadfrey said they had heard a Fong speech as to the
cost of the work, but there was one portion of the state-
ment which he thought would have been better omitted.
They were told that the revenue of the committee had
risen to £78,000, the increase last year having been £3,d00,
but he was afraid it would be found that that increase had
arisen from overcharging the manufacturers of the town.
Many of them had the charge for water raised on them 100
and even 200 per cent, though they were told when the Pike
scheme was first broached that their rates would be lessened.
The question before them that day was not as to the cost,
but the question was, whether they would supply to the
inhabitants the Pike water or that water which they had
received for the lost seven years ? (Hear, hear,) There
could be doubt that the Liverpool red sandstone Water was
the best and purest water in the world, (Hear, hear.)
There was a great deal said about the softness of the Pike
water, but the Burton brewers, who brewed some of the
finest ales is the world, had the very hardest water in the
world. There was nothing, then, in that argument, though
it was much relied on by some gentlemen. He was speak-
ing to Mr. Delman cn last Thursday, and when he asked
him what they would do with the water they had already in
Liverpool, "Oh," said Mr. Duncan, " we will reserve that
for posterity." tLatighter.) Bat why not reserve the Pike
water for posterity- (hear, hear, and laughter)—and use
themselves the vet), good and wholesome water which they
had hitherto enjoyed ? (Hear, hear) He did not find feel;
with the committee for the manner in which they had carried
out the works—he believed that every member of it had
done his duty honestly, but there was a feeling in the town
that they did not wart it for domestic purposes, howeisr
excellent the water might be for flushing sewers. A short
time since a gentleman told him it would be an excelleint
thing for brewers,inasmuch as like the Londoners they woad
be compelled to drink the more beer. He remember4d
walking with Mr, Hawksley about fifteen miles over e
ground, and asked him what had put it into his head to ix
on such a scheme ? " Why," replied Mr. Hawksley,
was employed by a body that was to be called the Lanais-
shire Water Company, and to supply all the towns aroued
here." He (Mr. Godfrey) thought it very reasonable (Ilia;
such towns having no supply of their own, should seek ,it
elsewhere, but that was not the case with Liverpool ; audio
he asked Mr.
,Hawksley whether if those towns had the
supply Liverpool had, they would go to Rivington for
water ? And what was Mr. Hawkesley's reedy ? "1 am
sure not." (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, Mr. Godfrey
declared that he had -been informed by
.many doctors thet
the people would be poisoned by the Rivington water acting
on the lead pipes, and urged on the committee not to supply
it to the inhabitants for domestic purposes unless it should
be much wanted next summer.
Mr. Alderman Parker observed that he had oppoted the
scheme in the first instance, bat he could not concur in the
opposition which was now being got up in regard to the
quality of the water. It was illiberal to attack the committee ,
to the manner they had been attacked by some gentlemen.
They were told that'the water would be unfit foshipa, bat
they should be aware that the dirty Thames waise.wsisthe
best water in the kingdom for a long voyage. (Hear, hear.)
As a brewer, he was satisfied that the Itivington water
would be better suited to their purposes than the present
supply, and, in that opinion, Mr. Mellor' who was a most
practical man, fully concurred, (Hear, hear.) It would be
a great boon to the manufacturers, and be was surprised
that a brother " chip" [Mr. Godfrey] (laughter) should think
otherwise. He (Mr. Parker) had been a water drinker all
his life, and he could say that he never drunk better water
than was now supplied to the town. which was nearly three
quarters Rivington and the remainder spring. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Banner said •that they attributed nothing to the
committee collectively or individually, all they objected to
was the quality of the water. (Hear, hear) Bat -when
they congratulated themselves on the increase which had
taken place in their income, they should remember that
they derived it all from the works which they hadtparchased-
from the old companies., (Hear, hear.) As to the cost, of-
the Harrington works, Mr. Holme was in error. The sum.
that was paid for them was £3,33,700, and not the amotytt
stated by Mr. Holme. But coming to the wagon
immediately before the council, the analysis of Dr. Plaertair
was made in 1847, and when the water was then caught it
was taken as it flawed down the hills, and not as attpressat
stored in reservoirs. In conclusion, Mr. Banner supported
the amendment, urging that the water should be first
properly tested before" distributed throughout the town. ,
Mr. Haydock here rose to order, and asked if there were
a council, many gentlemen having left the room while Mr.
Banner was speaking.
The Mayor replied that there was.
Mr. W. Earle : But very soon there will not be one.
(Laughter.)
Mr. B. Hall said the question was what they were to do
with the Rivington water now that they had it in Liverpool ?
They were not, he hoped, going to abandon the red sand

stone water—(hear, hear,)—which was the best and the
purest to be found in the world. It would be very impolitic
to do so, but it would be equally impolitic not to
make a fair trial of the other water. (Hear,
hear.) He would say, let the:inhabitants of Liverpool
be allowed to judge for themselves. (Hear, hear.) They
had the opinion of eminent scientific men, who differed on
the matter. They had the opinion of eminent practical
men, who differed on the matter. The best course was,
that the inhabitants should be allowed to. judge for them-
selves before the council went to the expense of laying down
new mains; and for that reason he would vote against the
amend rvieht.
Mr. J. H. Jeffery sail it wetuld appear that some evil
genius had presided over the introluttion of this great
scheme into Liverpool, for he believed there never V73S a
subject upon which opinions were so divided, and
through which political parties were so severed, and
private friendships so cooled, as the scheme no v
under consideration. (Hear. hear.) When he
entered the council he had resolved to take nd Part in
any debate upon the question, because he had hoped
that the water committee would act in a spirit of
fairness, candour, and simplicity to the council and the
public at large. His fears were however raised, and his
confidence shaken at the late monthly meeting of the
council, when he took the opportunity of making a
remark or two, and putting a few questions to the
chairman of the committee. On that occasion the chair-
man of the committee was very flippant in his answers,
and he so contradicted statements of facts which lie (Mr.
Jeffery) ventured to put forward, and pursued so strange
and Ilippant• course in a matter involving so great
interest, whether they considered it socially, or with
reference to the health of the inhabitants of Liverpool,
that he (Mr. Jeffery) felt it necessary to abandon his
resolution and take pert in the discussion. The ques-
tion of cost was referred to, and the chairman of the
committee told them that the Rivington works would
be completed within the estimate, or at all events very
near it: He (Mr. Jeffery) had ventured to state at the
time the scheme was first introduced, that instead of the
cost being £450,000, it was much more likely to amount
to a miiiiw; than half a million of money. (Hear,
hear) During the interval between the present and
the last council, he obtained from the treasurer of the
committee what had been the real cost, and though Mr.
Holme had stated that it amounted in round numbers
to £750,000, his (Mr. Jeffery's) figures were only
£730,000, but that was money paid. Besides it should
be remembered that the works were not yet completed,
and, therefore,he thought the chairman should have
been more careful before he ventured to state to the
council, in the face of such facts, that they would be
completed within the ordinary margin of the estimate.
(Hear, hear.) He asked the chairman at the last
monthly mesting of the council, how it was intended
to deliver the water ? And what was the answer ? He
told them thtt the water would be ready for delivery on
the Ist of .Lnuary.
Mr. Alderman Cooper : No ; it was Mr. James Holme
that said sc. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. J. R Jeffery continued : He believed it was Mr.
Alderman Cooper himself who made the statement, but
if he did not do so, it was, at all events, made in his
preseace, and not having contradicted it, was therefore
endorsed by him. Before giving his reply, he had a
prompter. He looked round for some one to come to his
rescue, and he (Mr. Jeffery) had no doubt that the very
words of his reply were given to him when he said, " I
do not think I am in a position to answer that question
at present." The chairman of the committee was now
at the horn of a dilemma. He either was ignorant that
tie water was ready for delivery, or, knowing it, was
fuilty of mental reservation. As to the former, he should
aot have been ignorant of what it was his duty to have
been well acquanted with, and, as to the latter, he shOuld
not have been guilty of Jesuitical mental reservation.
(Hear, hear.) The information which the committee
possessed in reference to the matter he had no right to
retain, but was bound in duty to state it in the fullest
and freest manner to the council. (ffear,hear.) But to
come to the question more immediately under considera-
tion—the quality of the water—their friend, the chair-
man of the committee, informed them that be had been

drinking the Rivington water all his life, but if he (11r.
Jeffery) remembered rightly, the chairman of the
committee had not lived in the neighbourhood of
Rivington for the last twenty years. He had said,
that he feared that the destruction of friendship
which this subject had occasioned would not
end here; and particularly, he feared this, when
they found Mr. Junes 'Mime, whom they all esteemed,
indulge in such statements, as that gentleman entered
the room determined to cancil what the council hsd
authorised tne committee to carry out, coupling with it,
the words "falsehood, deception, and an attempt to
deceive the public." He believed that Mr. James
Holme was as conscientious in his advocacy of this
scheme as he (Mr. Jeffery) was in his opposition to it,
and, therefore, as the language used by Mr. Holme could
not but be offensive to him and those who acted with
him, he trusted that it would be withdrawn.

Dir. James Holme: lat once withdraw it. (Hear,
heir.) I did not impute an improper mo ive to any
gentleman in the council.
Mr. J. R. Jeffery continued : He was rejoiced to hear
the expressions had been withdrawn, but it was what he
expected from Mr. Holme. The scheme was now a
fait accompli, and was therefore not to be discussed, but
when gentlemen talked of an increase in their revenue,
arising from the good management of the committee, he
should tell them that if any tradesman in the kingdom
supplied the same short measure tnat the committee did,
he would be at once brought before the magistrates and
fined. The committee had unlertaken to give water to
districts when they knew that it was impossible for them
to supply so Lirge an area, and though they did not fulfil
their engagements, they claimed credit for taking the
money. (Hear, hear.) But under any circumstances,
they did not derive one penny of that amount from the
Pike. They first got 28,000,000 gallons a week from the
red sandstone, and.vvere told this was a maximum quan-
tity, indeed the quantity was going on, rapidly diminish •
ing ; and if we have not the Pike very speedily, we shall
be totally without water; then, by putting down new
pumping power, they raised 45,000,000 gallons a
week, and if they gave him £lOO,OOO he would
double even that quantity. Let them not in.
troduce such an argument, but, above all, lot them
not substitute a good water, with which no one found
fault, for that upon which there was so much
difference of opinion. (Hear, hear.) He had received
several letters from gentlemen competent to form an
opinion on this question ; and in consequence of whit
had occurred, he had felt it a Duty to his constituents to
ascertain, as far as he was able, what was really the true
character of the Pike water. He held in his band an
an account of an analysis of it which be had obtained
from Dr. Sheridan Muspratt, and after reading it be
would place it in the hands of the council as their
property. Before reading it, however, he might state
that the sample was taken from the reservoir at Prescot,
having passed through the filtered beds;and was, there-
fore, in a condition supposed to be fit for delivery to the
town of Liverpool. It was pure Rivington water, and
here was the analysis :

Royal College of Chemistry, Liverpool, Jan. 10, 1857.
Dear Sir,—l have made a careful examination and
analysis of the sample of water labelled " From Riving-
ton," which you sent me.
It presented a large quantity of particles in mechanical
suspension. Evaporated to dryness, it yielded a dark
brownish residue, resembling clay, and which when heated
to about 400 degrees Fahr., turned black, proving the
presence of organic matter. -
The water affords 9.975 grains of fixed residuary matter
per imperial gallon. This is composed as follows :
Amount of constituents of residue per imperial gallon.
Carbonate of lime and traces of carbonate
of magnesia
Carbonate of protoxide of iron 0.064 „
Sulphate of lime . 2.120 „
Silicious matter, &c., &c 2062 „

4.• „
Organic matter 2.6n 99
Chloride-of sodium
Carbonate of soda and loss

Total per imperial gallon
The organic matter in this analysis is a highly injurious
ingredient. It is contained partly in suspension, and
partly dissolved by the carbonate of soda in the water.
A portion, therefore, of this noxious constituent can be
removed by filtration, but the rest remains.
The water comes under the denomination of " soft," and
is, therefore, after being well filtered, efficient as a deter-
gent, et cetera ; but I consider water, similarly constituted,
vnwholesome in a high degree as a beverage, for it is a
well-known fact, that dissolved organic matter—animal or
vegetable—when constantly partaken of, deranges the
syatem, and often gives rise to a complication of ailments.
The water has a soieent action upon lead, and, conse-
ipiently, it should not be kept in pipes or cisterns made of
this meted, as it would become poisoned.
'SHERIDAN MUSPRATT, F. R S., &c.,
Professor of Chemistry.
Tie had also received a communication from his medical
man, which he- would also read, as it was in
consequence of that communication that he desired
Dr. Muspratt to report Its to the action of the water
on lead. Dr. Calty wrote to-him as follows :

Liverpool, 7th Jan,, 1857.
My Dear-Sir,—Since you favoured me with a perusal of Dr.
Mnspratt's analysis of the Pike water, I have thought much
aver. tlatatilmjact, and theme appears to me a point of vital im-
portance to the inhabitants of Liverpool, which the report does
not touch upon, viz., the admitted rapid action of water of this
particular quality upon lead.
Now, how far it will be safe to give this water for general
consumption, knowing it must be supplied through lead pipes

and reserved for use in lead cisterns, is deserving of your
serious consideration.—l am, my dear sir, yours truly,
To J. Jeffery, Esq. H. S. OALTY, 33, Norton street.

I Like Mr. James Holme, he (Mr. Jeffery) was no
chemist, hut was a practical busines man, and he was
informed that if the Pike water was stored in leaden
cisterns, it would become poisonous.
, Mr. W. Earle : Hear, hear. (Laughter.)
Mr. J. R Jeffery : I think Mr. William Earle some-
times forgets the assembly of which he is a member.
Mr. W. Earle: I beg your pardon—what is that
Mr. Jeffery : I say you sornstimes forget the assembly
of which you form a member.
Mr. W. Earle : I am not aware that I said anything to
call forth such a remark.
Mr. Jeffery : You used the word "legerdemain."
Mr. W. Earle : And why not ?
Mr. Jeffrey : Such words are out of place ; but if Mr.
Earle would reserve his observations, and speak con-
secutively when he does address the council, we would
, he prepared to listen to him. These " barkings" are out
of place in a deliberative assembly of this sort, and by
them Mr. Earle lessens himself in the estinettion of
those who hear hilt. It has occurred to me that Mr.
Earle mistakes this building for one of those in Great
Cheri ytte street or Williamson square, and for which a
gentleman of Mr. Earle's tendencies would appear more
characteristically suited, if he had but the " can and
bells." (Loud and general cries of " order, order.")
Mr. W. Earle (very warmly) : I am not to be abused
by you, sir, and I shan't.
Mr. Alderman S. H dme interrupted—
Mr. Jeffery : I withdraw the "cap and bolls," sir, bat I
hope Mr. Earle will take a lesson in future.
Mr. W. Earle; Not from you,
Mr. Jeffery : I do not care from whom you take it, if you
but take it. Mr. Jeffery then proceeded to say—Mr.
Alderman Parker has referred to the Thames water as being
soft, similar to the Pike, and very acceptable and
desirable for shipping purposes. I have the evidence of
Dr. Hassell to the effect that it contains organic matter
in large quantities, and that it tended to induce cholera.
Mr. Chadwick, in a report to her Majesty's principal
Secretary of State for the Home Department, on an
inquiry into the sanitary condition of the labouring
population, page 78, 1852, says :—" The beneficial effects
derived from care as to the qualities of water are now proved
in the navy, where fatal dysentery formerly prevailed to
an immense extent, in consequence of the impure and
putrid state of the supplies." In Brandee Materia
Medica, page 81, 1839, he says, in his report on the
health of towns, that water wish organic matter is
" unfit for use." Dr. Copland (a very high authority)
condemns water containing organic matter, by which
the digestive operations are affected. Dumas, Liehig,
Taylor, Herapath, Christison, and other eminent che-
' mists and medical men, will, if asked, condemn water
containing organic matter. Dr. Pereira, Dr. Christison,
and Dr. Taylor—the three highest authorities on the effects
of the dissolved matters—all condemn water containing
organic matter as a beverage. Take Mr. Stephenson's
celebrated report on the supply of water to the town of
Liverpool, March 28, 1850, page 44. He says :—" That
from the sandstone would be preferred by many for
drinking, while the water from Rivington is better for
almost every other purpose. The former may be said
to be the most palatable (healthy ?) and the latter the
most useful " Mr. Bowls, surgeon, gives the fol
lowing testimony in reference to the production of
cholera from the use of impure water :—" During the
raging of the cholera, I met with many cases where it was
asserted that the badness of the water Was the cause of the
attack; and I have no doubt that it greatly tended to
inc-ease the liability to disease." The evidence of Mr.
Chalice, surgeon, is nearly to the same effect :—" The
first fatal case of cholera that I met with was that of a
master of a vessel at Gravesend. He was a flee man, in
the prime of life, and in perfect health when he left
London. He eras going to the Baltic; he drank rather
largely over night, parting with his owners and others,
and he got up in the morning and drank heartily from
one of the water casks, which had just been filled with
Thames water (containing organic matter) ; he was soon
after attacked with purging and vomiting. I went down
post haste, and found him just dead. I asked all particulars,
and I found that the death was so sudden, that it almost
appeared as if he had taken poison in the water. •Sub-
sequently it was from facts that came almost hourly
under notice, that I formed the opinion of the direct
consequencee of taking impure water, in producing
a disordered state of the bowels, and those who
had such a state of the bowels, were pre-eminently
in a condition to become victims to the disease."

Sir, I believe the Pike water contains all these ingre-
dients, and has all these objections, although possibly not
to so great an extent. All catchment waters, however,
are of the !same quality—as was said by Mr. James
Holme, it depends entirely upon the locality whence the
water comes. The supply ;from Bagshott sands,
for instance, is free from organic matter. I am
perfectly willing to stand by these questions—the exis-
tence or non-existence of organic matter in Rivington
water, and whether the water will). _decompose
lead. :It ihas; been said that we should have the
Rivington water, whilst the other was held in s.;spense ;
but I should like to put the subject in a reversed form,
why not give us the water from the red sandstone, and
hold the Pike in suspense ? '"We know what the one is, but
we don't know the other, and " while doctors differ patients
die." (Hear.) Now, I sir, do :say we ought not to specu-
late upon this great and important question. We hear of the
desirability of improving the morals of the people. We
find by statistics that through intemperance a great deal of
our crime is promoted ; and I verily believe, if we intro-
duce this Pike instead of the sandstone water, teetotalism
will be a matter of history—a thing of the past, and
almost unknown in Liverpool. (A laugh) I believe in-
temperance will be very materially increased. I believe

we shall have numerous complaints from shipowners ; and
that the emigrants sailing from this port will have great
reason to complain of the water taken in the casks. I say,
then, there is no alternative. It is not a question of cost,
but a question of life and death ; and I believe, then, we
shall want two sets of pipes laid down for the conveyance
of both waters. Mr. Cooper says, " Give us a fair trial."
Let them ascertain first what is the quality of the
water. Don't let them ask to try its effect by poisoning

my constitution. I say analyse, and try what the charac-
ter of the poison is before dispensing it. Mr. Mayor, and
gentlemen of the council, I warn you against taking the
Rivington Pike water, as lam advised of its contents. I
warn you to pause before allowing it to remain for one hour
longer in those pipes. I hold before me the residue from 12
oz, or a large tumbler full of it. This is the sediment, I will
pass it round for you to see, of that precious water which
we are to put into our stomachs. I ask, then, these
gentlemen, before they take upon themselves the uncalled
for responsibility, involving the lives of half a million of
their fellow citizens, seriously, solemnly, and conscienti-
ously to pause before they take such a responsibility; and
if they persist in doing it, at least the consequences will
be upon their own heads, and my hands will be clear, for
I shall have done my duty in this council.
Mr. Sheil moved that the discussion should be adjourned
for a month. The opinions were so conflicting, that without
time for reflection and enquiry, it would be impossible to
come to a conclusion on the question. (Hear, hear.) He
moved that the consideration of the question be adjourned
for a month.

Mr. Haydock seconded the amendment.
Mr. Alderman S. Holme opposed the amendment ; ob-
serving that, if the statements that were made, were to go
forth urcontradicted, the great Est alarm would be created
in the public mind. (Hear, hear.)
The amendment was put to the vote, and was lost by
32 to 10.

The voting was as follows:
For : Councillors Archibald C. Stewart, Sheil, Haydock,
Nicholson, M.Gaffie, Robertson Gladstone, Picton, James
R. Jeffery, and Kitchen. Alderman Bennett. Total, 10.

Against : Councillors Crosthwaite, Woodruff, Godfrey.
Tyrer, Livingston, Steains, Banner, Fern ihough, James
Holme, Mann, Walter P. Jeffreys, Wept Shand,
Brancker, Tobin, Earle, Hodson, Mellor, Aikin, Clint,
John Stewart, Farnwortb, Robertson, Hall and Anthony.
Aldermen : Chilton, Preston, Bold, Parker, Houghton,
Samuel Holme, and the Mayor. Total. 32.
Mr. Steains defended and eulogised the water committee,
and expressed himself fully satisfied with the water, on the
authority of so eminent a man as Dr. Taylor. He compared
the outcry against the water to a cry raiied in a seaport
town in Ireland against the importation of Indian meal,
during the famine years, where a bellman went round to
warn the people against it, with the announcement that it
was the stuff "niggers" were fed on, and all who eat of
it would be turned black... (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
Mr. Earle said he did not know whether it was a greater
blessing or a greater curse to have command of words—he
rather thought the latter. (Laughter.) He did not know
what he had said to call forth Mr. Jeffery's anger ; but he
begged leave to tell Mr. Jeffery that if ha wished advice
as to what a gectleman ought to do, he should go to some
one on whom he could depend in that respect, and should
not ask Mr. Jeffery's advice. He hoped there was no
offence is that. (Laughter.) Mr. Earle then proceeded
to review the arguments of the speakers against the water
committee, and contended that the committee stood .at
present in a position not unenviable, but, on the contrary,
highly enviable, and commanding the good opinion of the
town. For the scanty supply of water he blamed the
opponents of the 'scheme, who had compelled the committee
to go little by little. He urged that ',Wiling cA.114 be more
absurd than now to continue the opposition, when the
whole scheme had been long since decidtd by parliament,
and was now realised.

Mr. Hodson supported the water committee, and expressed
his regret that on entering the council he had be.: n an
opponent of the scheme, under a wrung ireprEs.ion, at the
time when a good man and philanthropisk. William
Itathhone, was one of leading promoters. Releiring to
the supposed effect of the water on hat, Mr. Hodson said
hat theoretically the, supposition was correct, but practically

it had no effect, for it had been proved that the Ye
softest water, passing through leaden pipes for years 0
had had no effect upon the system. He contended that ti
Rlvington water was good and healthful, and stated tb
when Mr. Bennett took the water oat of the reservoirl
was obliged to admit that it was beautiful water.
any one tell him that the water which was there as ale
and pellucid as crystal could be brought into that roe
muddy without there being something contrary to 10
was right ? He had had the water analysed by a chese
for whom he had the highest possible respect, and to
gentleman told him that better water or more healthy
the system could not be used. As a medical man hinlYl
he had no hesitation in saying that he thought it as £Ol
water as any which had been supplied to the peq,
Bolton was as healthy a town as any in Lancashire, sou
had been for yeas supplied with that water.
Mr. Picton suggested,•iu order to put an end to oe
doubt, although he believed himself the water would,
found ti be good, that two or three of the most eraie''
chemists in the country should be employed to come del
themselves, take samples of the water, carefully anal
and report upon its quality and its adaptability for'
domestic and other purposes.
Mr. Robertson Gladstone supported the suggestion, egi
recommended that the professors of chemistry in the ?„
varsities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, and Cambria
should be consulted.

Mr John Aiken also approved of the suggestion,'
urged that attention should be especially called tD
questions of the effect of the water on lead, and its ell
when mixed with other water. . _

Mr. Alderman Samuel Holme oppose.'' the sugTestion,
the ground that it would be considered out cif door 96
admission on the part of the council, that the quality of:
water was really dangerous. He reminded the council t!,
Dr. Taylor's analysis had reference to the quality of
water in one sample, when mixed witb the other supr
He pointed out the instances of Rome, Pisa, Niontpel'i,
Bristol, and Glasgow, which were supplied with water do'
from sources similar to that of Rivington, and cili,e/
the supply was found perfectly satisfactory. The cold
of the water at present was not surprising, owing to j
fact that the works being recently completed, all the rl:;
bish and impurities were brought down through the gol
l
added to which, the pipes themselves had been suffered„
lie so long that they had become oxydized. adao
that Mr..leff,:ry could raise double the present supPl;
he had £lOO,OOO, but urged that it could only be
draining all the private wells around, a course upon Or
the council would have no right to venture.

Mr. Cooper briefly replied, stating, among ether tb'
that the committee had not hal any opinion as to
action of soft water upon lead.
The council then divided upon the amendment, W
there appeared—
For the motion :—Councillors Sheil, Haydock, Nicbo
McGuffie, Godfrey, Banner, W. P. Jeffreys, R. GladstotAi
R. Jeffery, Kitchen, and Alderman Bennett—ll.
Against the motion :—Councillors Crosthwaite, Andot?j
A. C. Stewart, Woodruff, Tyrer, Livingston, Steains,
hough, J. Holme, Mann, Wagstaff, A. Shand, Bro 9
Tinne, Earle, Johnson, Piston, Hodson, Mellor, Aikin,
Farnworth, Robertson, Hall, Anthony ; Aldermin Chi'
Preston, Bold, Horefall, Dover, Parker, Cooper, J. H. to
Bramley-Moore, M.P., Houghton, S. Holme, and the 21
—37.

The amendment was therefore lost.
Mr. Picton then moved a second amendment, to
effect that the proceedings be confirmed, subject to
instruction to obtain analysis of the water, and reports
1
actual inspection by the professors of chemistry of all
universities of Edinburgh, G'asgow, Oxford, ancf Oy
bridge, including its action on lead, and its properties IP
mixed with other water.
Mr. Clint seconded the amendment.
Mr. Earle opposed the amendment. Mr. Jefferifil
Bennett, and other gentlemen supported it.
Mr. Woodruff also opposed the amendment, and el
that he brought from Rivington two specimens,
filtered and one unfiltered, which he placed, along Witt
sample of the sandstone water, before some very del
mined Anti-pikeists, and they were unable to distiagt,
their favourite water from the other. (Hear, hear,
laughter.) Believing the water to be good, he opr
any further expense.
The council then divided on the amendment, when t'ir

appeared—
For the amendment, 19.—Councillors : Anderson, ft,
Stewart, Sheil, Haydock. Nicholson, M‘Guffle, Got
Banner, W. P. Jeffreys, R. Gladstone, Picton, J. R. Jet'

Kitchen, Aikin, Clint, Hall, Halhead; Aldermen : Bet'
Preston. Against, 26,—Councillors : Woodruff,
Livingston, Steains, Fernihough, Wagstaff, Shand, Brea t
Tinne, Earle, Johnson, Hodson. Mellor, Fsrn worth. Bob:,
son, Anthony; Aldermen : Chilton, Bold, Horsfall.l)°,
Parker, Cooper, Turner, Houghton, Holroe ; the MaYeAug,..i°

The amendment was therefore lost, and the proore
of the committee were confirmed.

The council then adjourned the remainder or
business to eleven o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday).
The greater portion of the above ♦ery protfl
debate, in which some of the speakers occupied more
an hour each, was carried on in a room not half full•
latter portion, where members crowded in to divides
place amid much noise, cries of " vote," "or
" adjourn," and general confusion.

SKIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

LIVERPOOL
Ilion WATER—Morn. 1 6—E

, JANUARY 13.
:yen. 1 25—Height, 17 ft. 1 1.