The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-16 00:00:00

vaults under the church, and it was in consequence
arranged, the authorities of the church on the one hand,
and he (Mr. M`G)wan), on behalf of the Health Commit
tee, on the other, agreeing, that an order should be at once
promulgAted for the entire closing of that place.
Mr. Hilland sa'd that it might also be mentioned that
vain efforts were made to get the parties to consent to this
arrangement, without such an ex,rcate measure being had
recourse to.

ST. JAMES'S CEMETERY.
Mr, Almond appeared, on behalf of the trustees of this
cemetery.
Mr. M'Gowan said that the nature of the complaint
which had been made to the health committee with refer-
ence to the St. James' Cemetery, and which resulted in
the present inquiry, might be chid t 7) be, first of all, against
the system of pit interments, as being a violation of public
decency; against pit burials as being dangerous to the
public health; and against pit burials as being unjust
towards the proprietors or parties interested in other burial
grounds in the borough, who were compelled to obey the
various orders in council which had from time to time
been made for their regulation, though no such order had
been made for the regulation cf this cemetery, and it was
also complained that the place, situate in the irery centre
of the town, should be free from all controul in regard to
interments generally. He OE M'a-owan) prop I.ed to
submit evidence o a these points for erquiry,but before he did
so he would call attention to the state of the law upon the
matter, because that would be fund to be a very impor-
tant question in reference to future proceedings. Mr.
M‘Gowan then at considerable length reviewed the several
burial acts, and contended that St. Jame,' Cemetery,
though established under a private act; was not free from
the control of the Home Office, because not included in the
excepted cemeteries, as described in schedule B of the 15
and 16 Viet., cap. 85. Tnere were no dividends derivable
from it, nor was it a joint stock cmpany. The Corpora-
tion gave the land as a free grant, in or !er to afford proper
burial accommodation for the parish, and there was was no
profit derivable from the cemetery. The m tney for the
erection of the chapel, &e , was raised by mortgage, which
now only paid 31 per cent., but the holders of those mert-
g ;gas were most of them parties employed in connection
with the c met ry, and they naturally strove to obtain an
interest of five per cent. He did not make it as a charge
against them, nor had he to complain of any miscon-
duct on their part only, so far as regarded the subject
of pit burials. He would chow that pit burials were
practised in the cemetery to au enormous extent—
to an injurious extent as regarded the public
health. He would show that a I,' rge pit was made, some
thirty feet deep, that bodies were pl iced in it side by side,
and that this huge column of decaying humanity
was allowed to remain so until the pit wis filled with
bodies to within a few Wit of the sari:lee, when it was
then closed up.

Mr Holland Is there anythinz to keep !own the gases
in the meawirne ?

Mr. M G :Mart t Nothing whatever, except a wooden
'covering on the top of the pit. In coaclusiou, Mr.
8i Gutiari Add that some jiprB ago, when there was an
epidemic in the tostie, the Health Oemnaittee summoned
the trustees of this cemetery before the inagigtrates for
'his practice, but the magistrates decided that the set of
P,,rliatnent did not apply in their case. He considered
that to be en erroreous decision, and that as the Bard in
botu'on bad overruled the same objection in the case of
St. John's and St, would be also set aside in this,
the ease of St. ifame' 0, rnetesy, If, ILwevqr, the act
could not touch it, then he woull say that she sooner the
law was ainended the better. Mr; M'Crowan then pro,•
ceed to-call his witnesses

Mr. Duncan Gib!) egatnined ; I am a merchant, carrying
on business in this town, and I reside in Tipper Parlia-
ment-street, directly over the south end of this burial
ground. As far as I have seen V, is at the sotrh cud
he pit btirials chiefly t ilte place I considerit detrimental
to the public health. My atter Coo has been called to this
practice. I speak now of my own knowledze of what I
saw yesterd-y in the cemett7. I went, in there, and saw
three or four pits c. vered over with a woolen covering.
There Wail oil: pit for children, and there were
two for adults. I asked the itiln to remove the
coveting from one of the pits, and then tite smell
which issued was to offensive that I could Fearcely
stand it, There was also a smell before that. I would
take every legal means in my power, if I could find out the
parties, to indict them for a nuisance. I cannot say that
I have felt it in my own house,. but I have heard other
families complain of it. I remove my fa..nily every summer
to the Me of Man, so that they w.nthi suffer little from it.
I think its effect has been to depreciate property in the
neighbourhood.
By Mr. Almond I have lived in my pretSnt house
twenty-seven years—since three years af,er the cemetery
was formed. I complain of this pit burial as a positive
nuisanc3. I think the depreciation of property is attri-
butable to th;s nuisance.

Mr. Ralph Hess examined : I carry on the business of a
watchmaker in Live pool, and I reside at Mornington-
terrace, the north end of the cemetery. I have been there
for sir-eon years. In pasing early in the morning I have
noticed a vapour arising from the cemetery. The smell is
unmistakeably that arising from a graveyard. I am
sure it was not an operation of the fancy. My attention
hts been often often attracted to it when not thinking
of. the cemetery at all. lus formerly to walk in the
comet ry, but I have discontinued to do so for the past
three or four years, in consequence of the practice of pit
burial. The smell has been sometimes so strong, that
I have purposely taken a different direction. My family
have complained of the smell, end have often burned
coffee in the house to destroy it. Friends and visitors who
have come to the house have also complined of the smell.
It, is most felt when the wind is in a certain direction
The drainage of the house is most perfect. The smell is
nut one arising from a sewer.

By Mr. Almond : My house is fully the eighth of a mile
from the sou' h end, where the pit burials take place.
•Mr. M'Gowan : It must be a strong smell that comes all
that wy. (Laughter.) •
By Mr Almond : I Lever apprised the Health Committee
of these smells. There hai been a great increase in the
interments there since the closing of the ot'ier church •
ys ritts.
By Mr. M‘Gowan : When I enquired of the grave-
diggers, some six or seven y= ars ago, as to the prac ice of
the pit burials, +hey told me that they pat as many bodies
in as they could do, and that they used quicklime, when
the parties could not see them.
Miss Hess examined : We have noticed the smell par-
ticularly within the last year. We notice it very much in
the IT orning and evening When we open the windows
it becomes much worse• The smell is very earthy and
disagreeable. I have also noticed the smell when walking
by the cemetery, and along Hope street, and also when
coming down Sandon terrace.

By Mr. Almond : We don't notice the smell every day It
is not the smell that arises from sewers.
Miss Midian Hess gave evidence to the same effect.
Mr. Isham H. E. Gill examined : I am a partner in the
firth of Lace, Marshall, Roscoe, and Gill. I have a
residence near the cemetery. The pit burials certainly
injure the neighbourhood as property, and in every other
way. I speak of my own knowledge. In 1835
the the houses in Gambier terrace let for £2OO a
year; they are now let from between £BO to £lOO.
We have the management of property in Gambier
Terrace, and we have of en heard objections raised to its
neighbourhood to the cemetery. We let our own house
on St James's Terrace for £l3O a 3 ear for a school, and
the lady who took it gave it up before her time, saying
that she lost her scholars since she came from Hardman
street, so near the cemetery. Parents did not like to send
their children there. The common interments take place
at the extreme south end of the cemetery. I have often
observed'a specie of fog or mist hanging over the cemetery.
I have not been annoyed by any smell myself, but nearly
all persons in the neighbourhood complain of it.
By Mr. Almond :—Property in Canning street has slso
depreciated, but not in the same proportion
Mr. Thomas Haigh, builder, was also examined as to
the depreciation in the value of property to the neighbour-
hood of St. James's cemetery. In his opinion the cemetery
has been a great injw yto the adjoiLing property. He owns
property in-Gambier-terrace, and he has had difficulty in
letting it, and been also compelled to reduce his rents. If
the cemetery were disused, he would not hesitate for a
moment to build houses of a like character on the vacant
land in Gambier-terrace. It is a prevalent opinion that the
cemetery is injurious to health, and the property is depre-
ciated in consequence of that belief. It would be a great
boon if the cemetery were closed altogether.
By Mr. Almond : There is no one preparing to build in
Gamble!, terrace now.

Mr, U wen Williams, house agent and builder, said that
he had noticed odours arising feom the cemetery for many
years—from the south end in particular. He used to walk
in the cemetery at first, but discontinued doing so, in conse-
quence of the smell. He observed it before this sanitary
" boguay" became fashionable, some twelve years since. The
discontinuance of pit burials would increase the value of
property there after some time. If the cemetery were done
away with, Mr. Hath's property would increase 50 per
cent., and Dr. Formby's property would increase 50 per
cent.

By Mr. Almond : Property in Percy-street has not
improved. I can only suppose it is in consequence of the
cemetery.
The enquiry at this stage was adjourned to two o'clock
this day (Saturday).

VIENNA, Thursday Evening.—Advicos from Constanti-
npple state that, after taking Mohammerab, the Engli,,h
Commander learned that the treaty of peace had been
concluded, and ordered a suspension of hostilities.

POLICE INTELLIGENC

LIVERPOOL.

BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.

WIFE DESERTION.—WiIIiam Cu'len, a big lazy looking
'ruffian, who, it was state], was a stevedore, was charged
'by Inspector Wood with r,fusing to maintain his wife and
family. The wife, an interesting looking woman, with a
child in her arms, stated 'that nine months since her
husband had been before the magistrates for essaultine
her, and it was then agreed that he should alloW her 7s
per week., He had not complied 'with that order, and i
toad been reduced to 5a., which bad been attended with
the same result. Inspector Wood : The. Let is, he will
not work. • The defeuhnt : have offered her a home ;
'he can come and live with nop, and share what I have, but
I. cannot- work. Mr. ManFfi has he offered you a
home. The wife (with tetra io her eye,): He ; but
when I did live with him he stars, d heat me. Mr
Mansfield : yin ar, ,uch 4 brute to her, sbe is right in
not with you. I shall send you to goal for pne moot.
and as you have been Virl More, I shill order a record to
be made of your convict:We,
A PRoFt-A6i)NAL.IN Jacks:-n. Who
stated drat he ~was a rnaisichn, diaa ettmen with being
dru ik and disorde,i; in Garr& street, off Christian
•
about three o'clock on that tnotritp; Police officer 756
said he was on duty in that Reality] when he sow
the defendant and a female, who, he said. W3S
his wife, bat whom he (the poliretn in) had frequently seen
in company not fit for a married woman, loitering about,
and when he asked him what he was doing out at that
h iur, he replied, " What busine7s is that of yours ; an],
pray, what do you out ?" The
.policeman
" That is my business," upon which he became so, disor-
derly that he was obliged to take him op. The defendant
explained that hit professional avocations, being a "musical
maa' and his wile a ‘.‘ singing lady," naturally k"pt him
out late, and said that he was going home with his wife 'a'
the time the officer spoke to hint ,The wife was called,
and corroborated her husband's statement, and said she
had been married_twe'vo yearn, and was then one' of the
singers at the Star, Williamsongsqu ire, w:7.ich place they
had just before left. The ease was dismissed.

BEFORE MEEBD3 RoMILLY AND DICKsOsI.
CAUTION' TO Cikt PRoPRIBTOES. —Sever:ll car owners
were summoned by the in4ecter of cars and carriages, for
not having their care in proper repair, and in a clean state,
for which off mel they- were each fined in a mitigated
penalty, and cautioned as to the future, as it was the
determine ion of the authorities to have the public cote
veyances kept clean, and in a proper state of repair.
POBLIOANS AND BEERSILLEESI CASES'-,--JOSeph Cheers',
beerhouse keeper, of. Providence street, was summoned
br permitting drunkenness, and selling beer on his
premises, on Sunday. The case was proved by police
officers 74 and 537. Mr. Goodere appeared for the defence,
and called several witnesses for the purpose of disproving
the charge, amongst whom was the man who the, offi tiers
had sworn to be dunk; but he swore Chat he, Was not so,
and a'so that no beer had been drawn ire the`house after the
regular hours. Tills house had been previously fined several
times, and the magistraees again fined him 40s and costs.
Richard Geiee, beerbouse keeper, of High Park-street,
was summoned for Sen:l.es trading. The Case was proved
by 554 and 208. The charge was most positively de,nle4
by the wife of the defendant ; but as the, house was !a
noted Sunday house, and had already been tined eight
times, a 6nl of 153. and coals was inflicted. Patrick Bell,
beerhouse keeper, ' of Tannister,ereet, for permitting
drunkenness in hig buss.. Fined .20s. and costs.
Henry Worthingtan, a heelrouS3 keeper, of. „Conway-
street, Evertoa, for peril:fitting drunkenness in his house.
Officers 702 and 600, spoke to bav;ng seen drunlen parties
in.tha house on the Suriday night, bet a; it was proved
by witnesses, that none of the parties had had any drink
in the house, the ease was dismissed. Charles &piers, a
publican, of Isling'ort, was enearnoned by Inspector Skin-
ner for permitting drunkenness in his house on Friday
m Ining at about one o'clock. The Inspector, and Officer
584, proved that all the parties in the house when they
entered were drunk, as well as the landlord himself, who
became so excited that he subs,riently struck the officer.
The defendant admitted that the parties were drunk, but
Stated that no drink had been d-awn for any of them while
they had b in the house: Two witnesses were cal'ed,
but the Inspector said that all the parties, both males and
females, were drunk at the time. This house had
never been fined before. The case was dismissed,
Sehn Or meshy, publican t f St. Paul's-quire, Earle-
street, off Leeds-street, re is summoned for trading. on Sun-
dv last. The Inspector (Grace) found some parties in the
vaults, and in the pocket of one of them he foamed a
bottle containing s ,me rune, and on the counter was the
mark of a glass. For the defence, • Margaret Thompson
was called,and she most positiveiy denied ever having given
any drink to the two men, who had just called in to tell
her ab .ut a letter. The case was dismissed.
THE Loss (Y A SET OF HARNEiS.---ThDEMS Parry Virag
charged on suspicion of having stolen a set of harness from
the stalls of Mr. Robert Mu!liken,Petiebrokc-place. The only
evidence against the prisoner was that he slept in the stab'e
a night or two since, and next day the harness was missed.
ani the prisoner was'nnt beard of until Thursday night.
His worship did not think the evidence "good," and
discharged the prisoner.

CHAItGE AG NST AN APPRENTICE.—A young man,
named Robert Hood, au apprentice to Mr. Lamb, an
ironmonger, was remanded oa a charge of having stolen
a quantity of goods bel aging to his employer.

THE REV. MR, SPITRGEON-HOW TO KEEP

A. SECRET.

Yesterday, a rather ludicrous circumstance took place
in St. Johns' Market, and for sometime caused rather more
thi-n a "sensation," Tire following is the " round
unvarnished tale" just as it happened, without note or
comment :—The quarer sessions of the borough are at
present going on in St.George'e Hill, and, as at ;nal, there are
several barristers—including the "long-robed juveniles"
from London in attendance. Amongst the litter is a
gentleman remarkable for (it is said—very like truly)
three things—his legal knowledge, his very handsome
face, and general g. ntlernanly appearance, and the third
attribute is his meek and mild manner with a virgin snow-
white "choker." This young disciple of " Coke upon
Littleton," went out yesterday—at 'luncheon time—into
the market, in order to erjoy the delights of the odoriferous
flowers, that at this season abound in the market, and,
also to taste the sweets of blood"—but it was the
" blood of oranges," that taste "so very nice." Ha
was standing at one of the fashionable fruit, stalls, when
" som .body," or perhaps that most mischievous of myths,
" nobody"—that's the wretch who breaks all the nice
china, evaporates with the lump sugar, and the " lump
butter," too—that comes burglar like into the hous..-.s at
night, and plays the very Puck with every thing about the
concerns, and always manages to get off by leaving the
blame on the cat—this fellow happened to be passing
through the market at the time, and seeing the charcellor
(in embryo) standing at th a stall, he whispered to the
good lade—most mysteriously, of course—'t Do you know
the gentleman who honours you with his patronage ?"
Of course she did not. Then, if yeu promise not to
divulge the secret, I shall tell you. Of course I will.
On your word? Certainly. On your honour ? Itiost
decidedly. On the honour of a lady ? Yes. Well,
then, that gentleman is the great Rev. Mr. Spurgeon,
of Loudon. The 1 Jly fainted at once. She
recovered, however, with great alacrity and addressed his
reverence in the most humble manner. The gentleman
was rather surprised, for two reasons— first, the fainting
of the lady, and second, being addressed as his " rever-
ence." By th's time the secret of the distinguished divine
being present, had ran like " wild fire" through the
market, and the distinguished stranger was at once, the
observed of all oeservers. Some curious matters fol-
lowed—one person bogged that his " reverence" would at
once quit the market, whilst another asked him to preach
extempore. The gentleman cou'd not tell what to make
out of it, and at last he rushed from the market into the
"robing room" of the Hall, where the affair was
explained, and caused a large amount of laughter ?
What's in a name?

The total amount of grants or reductions allowed by
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, since 1840, to the several
Chapters of England and Wales, for performing additional
duties cast upon them by the suspension of canonries, was
£12,734. So says a return moved for by Mr. E wart.
MEttCANTILB., MARINE FUND.—A re. urn of the Me--
cantile Mari ie Fund, under the Act 17 and 18 Vie., c.
105, shows the balance of cash up to the 31st December ,
1856, to be £287,869 5s 10d, the excess of. income ever
working expenditura for the year then ended being
£165,137 16s 11d.
The Times speculates on the changes which are probably
about to ensue in the policy 0` China The keels of all
the countries in Europe appear likely to gather in the
Chinese waters. Chinese policy, in fact, is at an end. It
has endured a long while, but it has failed at last. China
must come out of its shell for its own sake.
A parliamentary paper gives some particulars of the
expenditure for the relief of the poor in Ireland for the year
ending the 29► h of September last. The in-maintenance
of the poor cost £358,000, and out-door relief £2,244, the
salaries and rations of officers amounted to £112,000, and
"all other experses" to £1n2,000, making a total ex-
penditure of £575,000. '['he number of persons relieved
during the yur was 212,559 in-door, and 4,557 out-door.
The valuation of Ireland is £11,709,000, and the average
rating 1 lid. The lowest is Armagh, where the rating is
4d; the highest., Kinmare, 3s 7d.