Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-04 00:00:00

PRAYER.,

act introduced

;es—wti:

" Almighty and Everlasting God, from whose influence
the desire of doing good and philanthropic actions is
derived, and by whose heavenly wisdom the understand-
ings' of men -are so, enlightened that they are thus
enabled to know how to manifest, their good desires.
We entreat Thee to come amongst us who are met
together this day in Thy name. We most humbly
beseech Thee to co-operate with us in this our work, so
that while at the same time it sets forth Thy glory, it
may accomplish amongst the inhabitants of this place
those excellent and salutary put poses for which it has
been designed.
"May every individual here, present feel that it is only
Thou who cans't so adapt the minds. of men for the
receiving into them of scientific truth, and that they can
thus not only discover the hidden things of nature useful
to mankind ; but likewise, by the assistance of art, bring
to perfection such means as are requisite for the laying
hold of them, and applying them to our daily wants.
" Oh, Holy Pather, grant that each one of us assisting
in laying the foundation-stone of that structure which
is presently
,to be erected in this place, may, through
Thy blessing, be permitted to see not only its comple-
tion, but to be likewise witnesses of the benefits accruing
from it to every degree and rank amongst us.
"May Thy heavenly protection be extended over
those employed directly in the work itself, that no unto-
ward circumstance may happen to any one of them ;
and gracious God, let these works of humanity so unite
every one of ns in the common bond of Christian love
and charity, that we may, individually and collectively,
realize our existence in that universal Church, built
upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the head corner-stone. Oh, may'
we be so joined together in unity of spirit, by his doc-
trine, that our bodies may indeed become consecrated
temples, through the indwelling. of the spirit from -on
high, and that thus we may neither think nor speak
anything at variance with our 'holy profession, neither
meet together for the performance of any public ad'
which may not deserve Thy blessing, and set forward
the interests of mankind. Oh grant, that the sight of
these outward works of our united endeavours, may
direct our glance inwardly into our hearts, and that
thus we may, from time to time, become witnesses of a
larger amount of Christian love and charity within
them. May all our reciprocal actions be so tempered
by justice, mercy, and humility, that thus when this our
earthly tabernacle is dissolved, our souls may be prepared
to enter upon that life of immortality; when shall be
perceived in ourselves and those around the full develop-
ment of every Christian grace and virtue, the foundation
of which was laid in us here below. Listen, 0 Lord,
to this the voice of our earnest prayer, and grant' our
petition through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mr. RAYNER, the chairman of the board of directors,
then very briefly addressed his lordship, and presented
him with a beautiful silver trowel, supplied by Mr.
Mayer, of Lord-street, and bearing the following in-
scription :
" Presented by the Directors of the Wirral Water Works
-Company to the Right Hon. the Earl of Shrewsbury and
Talbot, on the occasion of his lordship laying -the foun-
dation stone of, the Water Tower on Oxton-hill, 3rd
October, BS," _
The plate was next deposited in the cavity in the
basement of the stone, accompanied by a bottle contain-
ing the Liverpool Albion of yesterday.
The plate contained the following inscription :
" Ths foundation-stone of the Water Tower of the Wirral
Water Works Company was laid by the Right Hon. the
Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, on Monday, the 3rd of
October, 1839.
" Directors of the Company :--
" .Tames Trevelyan Haynes, Esq., chairman ;
" Edward C. F ' 111,d, Esq., deputy-chairman ;
"T. S. Ashburnern''
Cropper, Esq.,' .H. Beckett, Esq., John
Esq., C. H. Stacie Cowie, Esq:,, W. Henderson,
Henry ood, Esq., E. G.
Willoughby,
. . .8., engineer.
"John Cunningham, Esq.,l7l".sub,riln Esq.
"James Gill, Esq., solicitor ; La-a''rense Hardman, Esq.,
hon. secretary."
The workmen havinF, put the mortar around the base-
ment stone, his lordship passed the trowel over it, after
which the stone was lowered, and, on being. duly adjusted
and placed in its position by the assistance of his
lordship,
Mr. CUNNINGHAM said—This stone is truly laid.
Three deafening cheers were then given for the Earl
of Shrewsbury, and three cheers for Lord Ingestrie,
after which
The EARL or SHREWSBURY came forward, and, after
being again loudly cheered, he said he believed it was
usual, in interesting ceremonies of this kind, that the
person who had the honour of laying the first stone, and
thereby expressing his good wishes towards the under-
taking, should say a few words on behalf of the under-
taking which he had had the honour of presiding over. He
wished them toknow that it gave him the greatest possible
satisfaction to have had the honour of
the
present on
the occasion of the inauguration of the most interesting
--.the most useful--and, he hoped, most profitable under-
taking. Ile conceived it to be of the greatest possible
importance that an undertaking of this kind, which
carried with it the great advantages of conferring social
comforts to all classes, should be suitably and publicly
inaugurated. Ile rejoiced that they had been favoured
by heaven with a beautiful day, - and that on his first
visit to Oxton he came amongst them under such auspi-
cious circumstances. (Cheers.) But whatever events

Ling dosyn

enabled to be a witness of its shedding social blessings
to them all. (Cheers.) He would not detain them
longer in the open air, but he wished to express hii
cordial joy on being able to come here 'on the present
"casion
"—it the t^^'-ints on ti•

The Rev. J. BLXICENEY sant w.. _ _
Shrewsbury estates at °atoll wished to address his lord-
ship on the present occasion, and • had deputed Mr.

Denson to do so on tneir
Mr. 11..D.A.N305, on coming forward, said the tenants
on the Shrewsbury estates thought it would .have been
quite out of place if, on the first occasion of his lordship
visiting Oxton, he should not have hadanaddress from

On the

those Who were so nearly connected with him.
part of the tenants, he bid his -lordship welcome to
Oiton. It was with unbounded delight. that they heard
of his triumph on a late occasion, and that he had been
exalted to one of the highest places in-the peerage of
this kingdom, and they rejoiced that he came there for
the - •

first-time on such an occasion to inaugurate a work
which must bring-comfort to them all. Mr. Dawson,
in continuation, referred to the opposition which the
Wirral Works Bill had met with from a certain portion
of the inhabitants, and more particularly to the Tranmere
.opposition. With reference to the, latter, he expressed
his belief that the recent agitation in favour of the

introduction of the local gove;nment act into Tranmere,
was more in oppoSition to the Wirral Water-works
Company, than from any desire to the local

zoverment

The Earl of SHREWSBURY, in acknowledging the
compliment paid him on the part of the tenants on the
Shrewsbury. estates, said he should be wanting in feeling
were he not to express his sense of gratitude for the kin
manlier in which he had been niet that day by the in,
habitants of Oxton. It would scarcely be necessary for

he wants of those abroai

Ly among the people

better

always

him to say that his interests, if he succeeded in getting

aster perhaps a little more annoyance—his interests,
as the proprietor of those estates, must be in har-
mony with the interests of the inhabitants. He
must always feel that it would be his duty, to for ward
all local and practical advantages beneficial to the
general community. (Cheers.) The ,gentleman who
had addressed him on behalf of himself and his fellow
tenants had spoken of him as an hereditary legislator of
this country. For himself, and he could say the
same for his brother peers, he felt that he had a
.great responsibility. He was sure nothing gave the
peers greater pleasure than when they were promot-
ing the interests of the people of this country by the
manner in which they discharged the duties of their
high station. It was a mistake to suppose that
the interests of the peers were antagonistic to
the interests of the people ; for the peers sprung from
the people. This was not the time for them to talk of
the differences between neighbouring parishes. He had
come there to lay on a cement which he hoped would
end in peace and union ; and he trusted that the pro-
ceedings of this day might be the commencement of an i
era of friendship ; and, f- so, it would give him addi-
tional satisfaction to the welcome he had now received.
Re wished them all happiness'and long life. (Cheers.)
The band then struck up the national -anthein, and
the ceremony terminated

id.water tower will forma very conspicuous object
in the landscape, rising to a height of about seventy feet
above the highest point of Oxton. On the top of the
tower it is intended to form a belvidere, which will afford
a most magnificent view of the surrounding scenery, full
of objects of the highest interest. Towards the east, and
running north and south, will be seen the town of Liver-
pool, with its immense docks and shipping. and the
Mersey-in front; to the north the township of Birken-
head, together with the great float and docks rising into
form and feature under the masterly hand of. the
Wallasey,
Hartley; whilst beyond extends the parish of
Wallasey, gradually assuming. the features of a wealthy
locality. Ca-sting the eye beyond these objects, the
estuaries of the Mersey and tbe Dee come under survey,
with the luxuriant meadows and cultivated lands ex-
tending thence on to the confines of the mountain ridges
of North Wales. At last the landscape west and south
is terminated on the horizon by the undulating and
serrated lines of Penmaenmawr and other mountains in
Wales.

and to th

The tower will be 40 feet square, and the tank, which
will contain 60,000 gallons, will be placed on the top,
at the height of 60 feet from the ground, roofed in, and
over this there will be the belvidere already noticed,
reached by a spiral staircase in the centre of the tower.
The external character of the tower will be somewhat
Lombardic, having a semi-circular arched recess on
each side, filled in with triple-arched beaded windows,
surmounted by a blocked and carved cornice, upon
which the tank will' be placed. The interior of the
tower, or the ground floor, will be appropriated to a
dwelling-house for the waterman, and also a workshop.
The reservoir will be about 220 feet long by 140 feet
wide and 5 feet deep, and will'contain between 3,000,000
and 4,000,000 gallons of water. The pumping station
of the company will be situate on the east side of
Prenton-lane, leading from the Woodchurch-road, more
than a mile distant from the reservoir and water-tower.
Two engines of 60-horse power each and two pumps are
to be placed for lifting and forcing the water to these
receptacles. Afterwards the water will be distributed
by gravitation over the whole district, thus combining
economy with power sufficient to throw a stream of
water 50 feet and upwards over the highest houses in
Tranmere, and 100 feet in the other parts, which in
eases of fire will be invaluable.

NORTIIEItN

arise, 113 trusted that it would 1 people was because the peers had 'sprung from the
the last time he should have the pleasure of I people; and so it was with the clergy. The rev.
;'At theni, and he hope.d.that when he saw gentleman in strong terms denounced those mem-
bers of the clergy •who, priding themselves upon

whilst they

were careless and. indifferent to the requirements Of
those at home. He had no-sympathy with • such a state
of feeling as' that. He had dedicated himself to home

improvement of

that he was pursuinc, a course which was .truly and
practically religious : 'for there was great truth in the
simple scriptural proverb, that " Cleanliness was next
to godliness." When a clergyman assumed to be very
lofty, and talked loudly of heavenly things, whilst at the
same time ho was indifferent about the healthy condition
of the people, he did not think that such a man was

pursuing a- iealy religious course. He said that it was
the duty of the clergy to keep a clean and healthy
flock in regard to their physical condition, as well as a
religious flock in relation to their moral condition.
He remembered when a' deputation waited upon
Lord Palmerston in London, at the time when
the —orel lordst" -gked

,aolera was severely raging, Ins _ yip as.
them, when they had made their statement, what they
proposed to do ? They replied that his lordship had

appoint a day of humiliation ; on which
he asked them, in reply, whether it would not be
better for them to mend their sewers ? He did
not exactly like the manner of his lordship at
the time, but he believed the result of the remark had
been that in many cases they had mended their sewers

—they had imprOved the dellings of the people—they
had given them good water—they had given them more
light, and more ventilation, and had thus rendered their
homes more cheerful and more happy. (Cheers.) He
believed that to a great extent the clergy had had a hand
in that matter, and he believed that he also had to some
extent had had a hand in the matter, for his duties had
Seen connected with movements of this kind.
There was a great deal of cant in this country, and he

did not think there was any greater cant than that which
was involved in what a certain class of people were in
the habit of saying of the clergy. These people were in
the habit of saying that when a clergyman undertook
what they called secular work, he was neglecting
his high calling. Was he neglecting his high
calling when he endeavoured to improve the con-
dition of a class of the people who had for length-
ened periods been neglecting all the decencies of
common and doniestic life ? Was he neglecting his
high calling when he was giving to those who had
hitherto not possessed it, light and ventilation and a
good supply of water, which would enable them to re-
move the filth which surrounded them ? When he was
doing that, he was performing the office of real religion,
as much as he was in preaching, or in praying, or in
doing anything else connected with his ministry. The rev.
gentleman, in continuation, alluded to his position as
chairman of the local board of health : and next ad-
verted to the reasons which had induced him to connect
himself with the Wirral Water Works Company.
He saw that by ' the establishment of such a com-
pany cheerful homes could be created. He was
not going to tell them that he had invested his £4OO in
the undertaking, and did not expect to receive anything-
for it in return, because he did expect to receive some-
thing for it, but he told them now, as he told the com-
mittee of parliament on the bill, that the health of-Ahe
locality was their principle object, and not their
own dirty pockets. (Cheers.) He knew, they were
aware that, before the company obtained their bill, they
had a great struggle for it, but they at length obtained
it. He claimed justice for Mr. Steele, who originated
the undertaking, and also for Mr. Harden, who sat be-
side him, as well as for the chairman ; and he told them
boldly, neither double nor treble the profits which might
be derived from the undertaking, would be sufficient to
have committed his friends to a dishonourable act.
EHear, hear.) He concluded by congratulating the
arl Of Shrewsbury, as the advocate of a great national
principle, in having restored his rights and title ; _and,
referring to the historical records of the family, he ob-
served that they recognised in his lordship a nobleman
who fought our battles at Navaiino. (Cheers.) There was
nothing, he was sure, which could have given his lord-
ship greater pleasure than to have inaugurated his visit
amongst them by taking part in the commencement of
an undertaking which was intended to give his tenants
and others in the district an unrestricted supply of good,
healthy water. (Cheers.)
. The CHAIRMAN next proposed the army and navy.
Captain SMITH, chief constable of the county, returned
thanks on behalf of the army, and

Captain DALRYMPLE responded on behalf of the
navy, In reference to a good supply of water, he might
remark that, not many days ago, he left North America.
There was a large fire there, and in consequence of there
not being a good supply of water, property to the
amount of £250,000 was consumed. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Lord Lieutenant of
the County, and the Magistrates of the County," coupled
with the name of Mr. Harden.

Mr. UARDEN, in returning thanks, regretted that the
Marquis of Westminster could not be present to witness
the remarkable event they had all seen that morning.
He (Mr. Harden) felt called upon to enter into the
more local aspect of , the question which had brought
them together. He had been lampooned and abused
in this matter, but God knew his motives had been
disinterested. (Applause.) During the eighteen years,
of his residency in this district, the want of water had
been a matter of constant complaint. He therefore
hailed with satisfaction the announcement that a plan
was on foot for bestowing an abundant supply of water
to a wide-spread district. At first there was not the
slightest breath of opposition ; but no sooner was that
scheme fairly set on foot, than it was found that one
name had been omitted in the selection of a committee ;
and the pique arising from that, and a little ill
feeling from other quarters, was, a malicious opposi-
tion was organised against conferring a blessing upon
20,000 inhabitants. (Hear, hear.) He much regretted
that it should have been in the power of any one
single individual to obstruct such a scheme. Now,
year after year, a sum of £20,000 was handed over in
substitution of the county rate of Cheshire. Whence
did it arise ? About 120 years ago, a few enterprising
individuals met, and said among themselves, "Let us
make the river Weaver navigable, from the salt mines
to the Mersey ; we don't want to put money into our
pockets, but to open this traffic ; repay us our outlay,
and the working expenses, and whatever profit there
may be we will hand over for the benefit of the rate-
payers." For many years that undertaking had handed
over to the county rate a surplus of £20,000 per annum.
The promoters of the present scheme wished to follow
the example of the promoters of the River Weaver navi-
gation. (Applause.) He concluded by expressing a
fervent hope that a good deal of the bad feeling would
now be obviated, and that this great scheme would soon
be diffusing its abundant blessings over this growing
and important district. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN gave the health of "The Earl of
Shrewsbury and Talbot."
The toast was drunk amid the most enthusiastic
acclamations. _ _ _

The Earl of SHREWSBURY said :—I am afraid I shall
be guilty of some repetition of the sentiments I uttered
to-day, at the interesting ceremony at which we Were
all present. I may clothe them in other language, yet
still the sentiments will be the same. I can only express
my great satisfaction and great pleasure at having been
allowed the privilege to appear in Oxton to-day upon
so interesting an occasion. It would, indeed, be
wrong and absurd were I to endeavour to dilate
upon the great advantages of a good supply of water.
Gentlemen, it is. a self-evident proposition, and, as has
been well said by the rev. gentleman on my left, in his
eloquent speech, it is a true maxim which declares that
cleanliness is next to godliness. (Hear, hear.) I can only
reiterate the same thing, and, I fear, with far less
force. lam not, however, without hopes, from what
has been said by the County Court Judge just now,
in the liberal spuit which seems to pervade all. He
said, that the little differences which have arisen—
and which, little or great, I do not want to enter
however, that
ever,
into—will gradually disappear. (Hear.) We all know
that no great work was ever entered into and carried
thr through without
and c
sohtee
rsde! rleeasinf,
inpehrhopapess:tty opposi-
tion.the good feeling which has evidently pervaded all, or
nearly all parties to-day, will cause your opponents to
hide their diminished heads ; that their opposition will
gradually be absorbed ; that you will wash it away
with the water you are going; to bring here--(cheers
and laughter)—that you will dilute their opposition,
and, at any rate, wash them clean. (Roars of laughter )
I hope that in a very little while so good a work as
yours will be triumphant, and will surmount all opposi-
tion, and indeed utterly annihilate it. (Hear, and
cheers.) It is not for me, in my position, to have any
part in anything like opposition. I came here upon
your invitation, gentlemen, and I thank you most
sincerely for it ; I thank you not in the com-
mon phraseology of speechifying language, but