Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-08 00:00:00

NORTHERN DAILY TIMES

Gibbons Livingston ; Aldermen William Preston, Thomas
Robinson, Hayward Turner, -Richard C. Gardner,
John Stewart, and the Mayor.-23.

Mr. 'Alderman STEWART moved the confirmation of
the proceedings, which was seconded ?ley Mr. Alderman
Preston.

Mr. 'Cuorrtn alluded to an answer of the committee
to a letter from the Vestry-clerk, ,and he was sorry to
notice that the committee had no power to request their
surveyor to furnish the measurements for the work-
house contractors. The Vestry had not settled the
accounts with the contractors, and had done all they
could to obtain the measurements from Mr. Weightman,
but it appeared that his business was so large that he
could not supply them.
Mr. Woonnurp thought it a great injustice to the
sub-contractors that these accounts should have been
withheld for nearly ten years. If Mr. Weightman had
neither the power or the inclination to furnish these
accounts, he ought, with the sanction of the Corporation,
to appoint extra persons. If the Coporation had known
that the matters in connection with the workhouse
would have remained for nine years, he was sure that
Mr. Weightman would not have been appointed.
Mr. HODSON said that one or two of the parties con-
nected with the buildings had, he understood, been
nearly ruined, in consequence of these accounts not
having been brought forward, and he thought it a hard
case.

The MAYOR, in putting the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings, remarked that the Finance Committee had no
power to interfere in a private arrangement.

WATCH COMMITTEE.

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the
Wateh, Lighting, Fire Police, Fire-prevention, Hackney
Carriage Licensing, and Gas Committees, were read,
comprising a 'report on the strength of the police force,
and a recommendation to appoint twenty additional
constables.

The following is the report above referred to :
Liverpool Constabulary Force, Central Police Office,
Wednesday, November 23, 1859.

The Head Constable has thC hononr to report, for the infor-
mation of the Watch Committee, that on the 6th February,
1857, he submitted to them a report on the state of the police,
setting forth the strength, and duty of the force. In that
report, with a view to meet the growing requirements of the
borough for police protection, the Head Constable ventured to
suggest to the Watch Committee that a proportionate annual
increase to the force might be smore desirable than an applica-
tion fur a large number every four, or five years. This sugges-
tion of an annual increase was adopted by the committee, but
was not acted upon last year, the force having been increased
fifty men in May, 1857 ; and the Head Constable was unwilling
to ask for any addition, although five men were appointed to
special duties, who were taken from the ordinary strength.
During 1857, 1858, and 1859, much vacant land has been built
upon : for example, the top of Scotland-road North, the north
end of Great Homer-street, Everton, Spencer-street Fields,
Edge-hill, Toxteth-park, &c. From the Ist. January, 1857, to
the Ist October this year, there have been 4,737 dwelling-houses
erected, besides warehouses manufactories, stables, &c. ; and
the population hstA increased daring the same period (based
upon former calculations) 30,000. This addition to the borough
has necessitated a re-arrangement of the beats, especially for
night duty. Considering the increase of the population, and
more especially the number of additional new streets, the Head
Constable ventures to ask for an increase of twenty men.
(Signed) J. J. GREIG, Head Constable.

Mr. CLINT moved the confirmation of the proceed-
ings, and the motion having been seconded by Mr.
Johnson, was agreed to without comment.

HEALTH COMMITTEE

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the
Health Committee were read, comprising bye-laws under
the Local Government Act, 1858; and a report on com-
mon lodging houses, recommending appointment of three
inspectors, at 30s. per week each, and one chief inspector,
at 335. per week, (in addition to one inspector already
employed,) to attend exclusively to those places.
Alderman DOVER, in moving the confirmation of the
procee4ings, said that, according to the standing orders
of the Council, the bye-laws above referred to would
stand over for a month. In reference to the lodging-
house question the committee had appointed a deputa-
tion who had gone to London to inspect the common
lodging houses there ; but, Re understood, some
one was about to take exception to a deputation
being sent out of town without the consent of the Council
having been previously obtained. Xow, if there • had
been neglect on the part of the officers of the committee,
and if the lodging houses were in the disgraceful state
that they were said to be, he was sure the Council would
not think it money spent in vain when a deputation was
sent to London, to see how the. law was carried out
there, and especially so when time was everything.
Mr. SHE'LL seconded the motion.
Alderman PARER supported the appointment of the
officers referred to in connection with the lodging-house
inspection movement; but was opposed to a deputation
havrans boon oont to London without the ennsout of the
COW Cil.

Alderman Woobnurr hoped the visit to London
would lead to the adoption of very stringent regulations
for the guidance of the officers. He believed the com-
mittee were alive to the necessity that existed for looking
well after these houses, which were the pests of society,
and the source of a bo•reat deal of filth, evil and diseases.
Mr. EARLE said the inspectors could do a great deal ;
but everywhere else than in in
spection
of the
of these houses was a regulation of police, and therefore
he moved that at present the resolution of the committee
be not agreed to.
Mr. PICTON seconded the amendment.

Mr. HODSON said there had been a great improve-
ment within the last ten years in the condition of the
common lodging-houses, and in proof of it, pointed out,
that whilst epidemic diseases were generally engendered
in those houses, the health of Liverpool had greatly
improved. He believed that although the law had not
been carried out to the very fullest extent, yet it was
very efficiently carried into effect ; and the result had
been, that great credit had accrued to the Health Com-
mittee. He thought, however, that the police would
best carry out the inspection.
Mr. STITT believed that the introduction of the police
element at all in connection with the matter, would be
extremely offensive to the people, and that the law
would be better enforced without their presence.
Mr. CLINT supported the recommendation of the
committee.
Mr. CROPPER supported the amendment, on the
ground that four or five constables could not effectually
watch five or six hundred houses, to say nothing of an
immense number of. common lodging-houses, which it
was very desirable should be brought under the opera-
tions of the act.

Alderman WOODRUFF contended that the reason why,
the inspection of common lodging-houses had hitherto
failed was, because it had beenosntrusted to the police ;
but it would now be effectually done by men appointed
specially for the purpose, to act by day and by night.
Mr. Avisox said no instructions were given to the
deputation as to, the time when they should go to Lon-
don,_ and therefore the fault was their own, and not that
of the Health Committee. He believed great results
would flow from the visit of the deputation to London,
but it appeared to him that the cart was being placed
before the horse, when the Council were asked to appoint
inspectors, before the deputation to London had reported
on the matter.
Mr. SHEIL supported the motion, and protested against
the police being called upon to interfere in a duty so
delicate as that of the inspection of the houses of the
poor—common lodging-houses.
Alderman DOVER, in reply, said the Medical Officer
of Health, Dr. Duncan, who understood the subject,
had reported that five inspectors would be suffi-
cient, but. if the Council thought ten were needed let
them_do SO. They would, however, have to account to
the burgesses for such an outlay, when they were told
five men were sufficient.

The amendment was put, and lost by six votes for to
thirty-five against. The following was the voting :
For : Thomas Avison, William Earle, Janies A.
Picton, T. Llewelyn Hodson, J. W. Cropper, Alderman
William Preston-6.
Against : Daniel Crosthwaite, John Johnson Stitt,
James Crellin, Richard Sheil, Clarke Aspinall, C. J.
Corbally, Roger Haydock, John Shimmin, Oliver
Holden, Thomas Littledale, Edward Estill, James.
Steains, David Rae, Samuel R. Graves, Thomas Ridley,
W. P. Jeffreys, John Rogers, John Hays Wilson,
James Aspinall Tobin, Robert Hutchison, James
Johnson, Joseph Kitchen, George Nickson, Francis A.
Clint, Joseph Steel, John Farnworth, James Robertson,
Thomas Vernon, J. Gibbons Livingston ; Aldermen John.
Buck Lloyd, Thomas Dover, James Parker, J. Hayward
Turner, John Woodruff, and the Mayor-35.
The original motion was then agreed to.
ST. GEOIWE'S-HALL COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of the St. George's-hall and Law
Courts Committre were next read.
Alderman TURNER moved the confirmation of the
proceedings.,
Alderman J. B. LLOYD seconded the motion.
Mr. STEAINS expressed a hope that the committee
would re-consider their resolution to charge the Historic
Society a guinea instead of 15s. a week for the use of j
.the grand ury-room in St. George's-hall.
Alderman PARRER said the charge was the usual
charge, and the society had additional accommodation
affordedto them.
_ Alderman WOODRUFF wished to know why they were

;called upon to pay nearly £2,000 over and above the
.money paid into court in reference to gates at St.
'George's-hall. 'The chairman ought to explain to the
,Council how so serious a difference between the con-
-tractor and the committee could take place. He did
not like these things being smuggled over.
Alderman TURNER replied that it was left to Mr.
Baron Channell to say what sum should be paid ; and
he had now made an award against the committee, but
he had not made any charge for his professional services.
The TowN-CLERK stated that the Corporation, under
the advice of those whom they consulted, paid into
court a sum which they supposed to be adequate to meet
the fair claims of Mr. Potter, in respect of the gates.
The matter was referred to Mr. Baron Channell before
his elevation to the bench ; he had had it underhis con-
sideration some time, and he had now made his award.
The Corporation, being parties to the reference, were
bound by the_award.

Alderman LLOYD—I think even this award is under
the demand of Mr. Potter.

The TOWN-CLERK—Yes, it is nearly £2,000 less than
he demanded.

Alderman WOODRUFF complained that these things
were not brought before the Council.
The TOWN-CLERK said that the fact that the action
was brought by Mr. Potter was reported to the Council;
and the fact of the reference was reported, and the
Council being cognisant of the reference were bound by
the award.
Mr. SHEIL thought it might be interesting to the
public to know what the amount paid into court was,
for that was in addition to the award. Ile would also
like to know if there was any reasonable probability of
St. George's-hall being finished at all—(hear, hear,
and laughter)—and if so, within what time they might
expect
.to have some chance of -seeing it. completed.
There was a magnificent building which had taken 20
years in its erection, and yet the approaches to it would
be discreditable to the smallest town in the kingdom.
Mr. Pic-roN said a few words would give the simple
history of those unfortunate gates. In the first instance,
the gates were to have cost £1,500. They were charged
£5,500, without any communication being made to the
committee by the contractor, and without any instruc-
tions from the. Council. They were advised that they
must pay at least a fair sum for the gates. That sum
was the sum paid into court; and they had now to pay
a further sum.

Mr. KITCHEN approved of Mr. Shiers remarks, and
trusted the committee would get the approaches to the
hall finished.
Alderman Tun/gm assured the Council that the St.
George's-hall Committee were as anxious as any one
could be that the approaches should be completed.
There had been a great difficulty in the levels ; there had
been a great difficulty in getting gravel, the Gardens
Committee having forestalled them in that respect.
(Laughter.) But he had every reason to hope that
everything would be completed in about three months.
He could not agree with Mr. Steains in recommending
to the Council to reduce the charge made upon the
Historic Society for the use of the grand jury room, and
the room adjoining.
The proceedings were then confirmed.
MARKETS COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this, committee having been read,
Mr. Alderman WOODRUFF moved their confirmation.
The committee had, he said, caused various inquiries to
be made, and hoped to be able in the course of a month
to lay the result of thOse inquiries before the Council.
This would show that the committee were more alive to
the welfare of the town, and would probably prevent
the difference of opinion which had existed with regard
to the management of the markets. The committee had
felt themselves compelled to dismiss one of the
newly-appointed officers on Monday last. This
man •had been in their service for about three
months, receiving a salary of £125 per annum. He
was in, such a state on Saturday night last as to render
him unfit to perform his duty, which had to be done by
a common policeman. This matter, in the ordinary
course, would not come before the Council till next
month,-but the committee had taken steps to fill the
place of the person who was dismissed.
Mr. WOODRUFF, in reply to Mr. Wagstaff, said that
it was intended as soon as the state of the weather
would permit, to renovate both the inside and outside of
St. James's Market.

Mr:HODSON protested against any money being ex-
pended on the markets.
_

The proceedings were then confirmed.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Edu-
cation Committee were read, comprising a recommendation
to increase' the salaries of the following teachers at the
South School, in consequence of the resignation of Mr.
Owens, viz. :—Thomas Robinson from £5O to £65, Win.
Hignett from £4O to £5O, James Forsyth from £3O to
£4O per annum ;. also, a resolution stating that the half-
yearly examination at the North School will take place
on Monday, the 19th inst.; and at the South School' on
Tuesday, the 20th inst., at ten o'clock on those days.
Alderman GARDNER, in moving the confirmation of
the proceedings, said the recommendation would stand
over for a month, in compliance with the standing orders.
He might say, however, that by the changes proposed
about £ll a year would be saved ; at the same time, he
regretted that the teachers, who were such deserving
persons, were not better paid. Everything at the
schools was going on well, and he hoped persons taking
an interest in the children would visit the institutions,
and see for themselves the great amount of good that
was being done.
The•general proceedings were then confirmed.
GAOL COMMITTEE.
The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Gaol
and House of Correction Committee were read, com-
prising a recommendation to accept the tenders of the
following parties for articles required at the gaol during
the ensuing year :—Messrs. Etches and Wilson and Mrs.
Catherine Close for butchers' meat ; Mr. John Philips
for white and brown bread; Mr. Bryan Henshaw for
oatmeal ; Mr. Charles Whitfield Harvey for milk ; Mr.
Thomas Milner for grey cloth.
On the motion of Mr. EARLE, seconded by Alderman
PARKER, the proceedings were confirmed.

TOWN-HALL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee were read.
The MAYOR said as there had been some misappre-
hension on the part of the public as to the power of the
Mayor; to give the use of the Town-hall rooms to the
public, he might state that it rested with the Town-hall
committee, =and that the Mayor only acted as one of the
committee. Being the first time he was upon that com-
mittee, and being a pretty large committee, he took very
little part in the proceedings, but it was the unanimous
opinion of the gentlemen who met that it was not de- -
sirable to let the Town-hall be used for other purposes
than they had been used before. He expressed himself
at the time willing to suffer any inconvenience person-
ally to accommodate the public, and he was still pre- .
pared to do so. (Hear, hear.) His duty was to accom-
modate the public, but it was thought desirable that the
application from Mr.. Howard in reference to the :Rifle-
men's ball shbuld be refused. For the information of
the public, he might say that the Town-hall rooms
would have to be shut up in about two months herice to
be redecorated, and that in the meantime he would like
to have the use of them as much as possible, so that he
might entertain his friends. (Hear, hear.) -
;Alderman PRESTON, in moving the confirmation of
the proceedings said, he was unavoidably absent on the
occasion. of the discussion on. Mr. Howard's letter • for
had he been there, he should certainly have entered his
protest against the Town-hall rooms being closed
against the public, especially when the purpose .for
which the rooms were to be used was a charitable one.
Alderman WOODRUFF urged that the Town-hall was
the property of the people ; and he hoped it would be
made largely available for all public occasions, and
espeCially for charitable purposes, when it could be
done without serious inconvenience. With respect to
Mr. Howard's application, he had thought that it
could have been granted without the slightest hesi-
tation, considering the object for which the riflemen's
ball was to be held.
Mr. JEFFERY moved that the use of the Town-hall be
granted for the use of St. Anne's Dispensary Ball, and
said that he thought that if the rooms were to be granted
for any purpose, it should be for charities, and that the
Council ought to know the rules for granting the Town-
hall.

Mr. Nicxsox seconded the motion.
Mr. Alderman PARKER doubted whether the Town
hall Committee or the Council had power to grant the
use of the Town-hall without the consent of the mayor.;
The Towikr CLERK read the standing order directing
thatall applications for the use of the Town-hall should'
be referred to the Town-hall Committee, and added that
the practice had been for a great number of years for the
mayor to have the use of those rooms on any day he ,
thought proper, and all applications were granted on a
day convenient-to the mayor. The Council had never
attempted to interfere with the right of the mayor to
the use of the rooms :whenever he thought proper.
Mr. sExmmiN thought that the mayor had just as

much right to the control of the Town-hall as the Lord
Mayor of London had to the Mansion-house.
Mr. Picrox said that entertainments were becoming
very numerous, and if they were all to take place in the
Town-hall, they would interfere with the duties of the
Mayor. It might have been very well before the open-
ing of St. George's-hall, but when they had such a
magnificent building, and at no greater expense, he did
not see any reason why that building and the Mayor's
arrangements should be disturbed. Some five or six
charities had a sort of prescriptive right to the use
of the Town-hall ' • but he thought that all other parties
should be referred to St. George's-hall.
The MAYOR was very sorry that several of the experi-
enced members of the Town-hall Committee who took
part in the discussion were not present, or they would
state that the question was not decided on the considera-
tion as to whether it would be convenient to himself or
not, and he would not wish it to be decided upon that
ground then, for he was prepared to put himself to every
inconvenience to accommodate the public. With regard
to Mr. Howard, there was something peculiar in his
application. He was sure the committee would have
been anxious to have done all they could to show their
appreciation of the volunteer movement but as it was
an application from one corps, the committee felt that if
they granted the application they would have to grant
similar applications by all other corps. Since that time
he heard that Mr. Howard was disappointed, and le
told Mr. Howard that if. he could assure the Town-ball
Committee that it was a general ball for the whole
volunteers, he should consider it his duty to call a
special meeting. of the Town-hall Committee, and he
had very little doubt that the rooms would be granted.
Mr. JEFFERY said that, after the discussion which_
had taken place, he would withdraw his amendment.
The proceedings were then confirmed.
GARDENS AND LIBRARY COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of the Gardens, Library, and Museum
Committee, comprised a recommendation to carry out
plans for draining and remodelling Falkner-square
Gardens, at a cost not exceeding £80; and a recom-
mendation to eicpend £3O in trees and plants for plant-
ing in Wavextree park.
On the motion of Mr. Picton, the recommendations
were confirmed without discussion.

At the request of Mr: Hodson, a memorial was read,
signed by a considerable number of the inhabitants,
praying for an extension eastwards of Wavertree-park.
Mr. HODSON moved that the memorial be referred to
the committee.

Mr. JEFFERY, in supporting the motion, suggested
that the committee should place themselves in commu-
nication with Mr. John Shaw, Leigh, whose land ad-
joi4ed, and no doubt he would sympathise in the move-
ment. (Laughter.)
Alderman WOODRUFF had no objection to the
memorial being referred to the Gardens Committee,
and he hoped they would see their way to an extension
of the park. At the same time, it was extremely de-
sirable to secure the fields at the north end, between
Scotland-road and Everton. Wavertree-park was too
far removed for a large portion of the population ; and
as the southern division of the town was represented by
Prince's-park and Wavertree-park, he thought it was
the bounden duty of the Council to make a timely pro-
vision for th 6 great masses of the people who lived
northward. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. EARLE was sure these improvements could only
be carried out by laying an improvement rate.
Alderman GARDNER was quite convinced that every
member of, the committee would go into the subject of
the enlargement of Wavertree-park heart and soul.
Mr. STITT confirmed Mr. Woodruff's remarks, and
the memorial was then referred to the committee.
Mr. Slaw wished to call the attention of the Council
to the platform erected opposite the New Free Public
Library and Museum in Shaw's-brow. Why should
the platform be of red stone and the building of white ?
At the suggestion of the MAYOR, a letter on the
subject was read from Mr. Cliff, and, after some dis-
cussion, it was referred to the Finance Committee.

The general proceedings of the committee were then
confirmed.

WATER COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee having been read,
they were confirmed, without any discussion, on the
motion of Mr. HODSON, seconded by Mr. EARLE.

BATHS CO3I3IITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee were confirmed on
the motion of Mr. WAGSTAFF.

IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee, which were of a
preliminary character, were confirmed, and Mr. Clarke
Aspinall was appointed a member of the committee.

THE CORONER'S ACCOUNT.

Alderman PARKER moved that the Coroner's account,
amounting to £7O 2s. 6d., be referred to the Finance
Committee for payment. Tie complained that, although
the account was for nine weeks, it was very large ; and
he moved that in future the accounts should be passed
by the auditor before they were allowed to come before
the Council.

Mr. BELOE, in seconding the motion, said he must
confess that the amount paid as fees to the surgeons in
the Coroner's Court was not only large, but it was re-
markable from this circumstance that wherever a death
occurred, in the north, south, east, or west, one particular
surgeon only seemed to.be sent for on the occasion.
The account was then pasied,-subject to the recom-
mendation.