Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-14 00:00:00

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ST. ANNE'S WARP...,

MEETING OF MR. NICKSON'S FRIENDS.
A 'nubile meeting of the friends and supporters of
Me. Nickson was held yesterday evening, in the Odd-
fellows' Hall, St. Anne-street'; `Mr. Richard F. Steble in
"the chair. The meeting was very numerously attended,
and amongst those present were—Messrs. S. White,
James Clegg Thomas Briggs' S. Blezard, G.-Grindley,
D. Swift, A. Byford, J. Ashley, Clarkson, Kelshaw,•
Sillitoe, Montgomery, Ellams, Watson, Parsonage,
Butcher, Birchall, Jackson, .&c.
'• The SEMETA.ILY read several' letters of apology from
gentlemen who, from various circumstances, were unable
to, attend.
The CHAIRMAN, in a very able speech, which want
of space prevents us from giving, introduced Mr. George
Nickson to the meeting.
Mr. NrcKsoN, who was received with the most en-
thusiastic applause, began by thanking them for the
cordial reception which had been accorded to him. He
gave a beautiful estimate of what he considered the
duties of a municipal representative; and then pro-
ceeded :—The questions which engage the attention of
the Town Council'aremost itnportant in their character.
They refer to the proper development, the wise
economy, and the judicious expenditure of the Corpo-
rate Estate; and they have relation also to social econo-
mies, the adoption of sanitary measures, and all other
matters affecting the material welfare and physical
.requirements of this great community. With respect to
the former, you need not be told by me of the serious
diminution which has taken place in the Corporate
revenue, by the abolition of the Town Dues. Admit-
ting this, however it cannot- be denied but that we are
still in the nossession of a magnificent estate, and the
dictates of prudence as well as justice, to the ratepayers,
imperatively demand that its resources shall be properly
developed ; that a . wise , and comprehensive economy
shall be exercised •in every department of its expendi-
ture, and that everything shall be done to increase
its revenue for the relief, of local burdens,• and for
the general improvement of the town. The members
of the Town Council are in the position of executors
or trustees, and the - same' principles of prudence
and economy which they exercise in their own
private concerns, ought to actuate them in the discharge
of their public. duties.- If this was- realized as it otight
to be, I do not think we should have tho Se.. extensive •
defalcations, on the part of public servants, which occa-
sionally startle thepublic; and which are so discreditable
to the parties concerned. • (Hear, hear.) I am willing
to admit that in the management 'of so large.anestate
as that of the Corporation-irregularities will occur, not-
withstanding every precaution ; but they would never
assu-ne the serious proportions-they do, if proper personal
superintendence and inspection' were exercised. The
personal honour of a gentleman may be unimrachable,
but in assuming office he assumes the serious respon-
sibility of guardianship; and no timid reserve, no false
delicacy, should prevent him (whoever was concerned)
from exercising that vigilance and circumspection in the
detection of fraud which he uses in his own private affairs.
Mr. Nickson then dwelt at some length on the question of
sanitary reform, supplying most valuable statistics, and
said=-With care, I 'do not doubt but,that the corporate
funds will be found quite sufficient withoUt the intervention
of a borough rate, for securing, among- other things,
that essential want of our time, the, providing of parks and
places of recreation and harmless enjoyment for laur
industrious and pent-up artisan population. (Applause.)
There is another subject, gentlemen, to which. I may.
briefly refer. It is one that has attracted a large share
of public attention, and intimately affects the interests
, of the ratepayers. I allude to the question of dock
rating. (Hear, hear.) I have been an attentive
observer of the discussions which have taken place on
this subject, and have carefully weighed the arguments
advanced on both sides, and which have displayed very
considerable ability ; and after the best attention I
have been able to give to the subject, I must confess
that I have met with no valid argument either from the
common law of the land, or from reason and the nature
of things, why the docks should not be rated. (Ap-
plause.) I cannot think: that the imposition of a rate
equal to one penny on a bale of cotton or a hogshead of
sugar, or something like 20s. on a ship, which would
meet the requirements of the case, could have such a
disastrous effect on the,trade of the port. Bat although
the amount chargeable to the docks is so infinitesimal, and
would scarcely. be felt, the relief to yoa would be very
considerable, inasmuch as it would reduce your rates.
sixpence in- the pound, or 20 per cent. (Hear, and
applause.) • If there is any injustice in the case, as it
now stands, the :ratepayers are the victims of that
injustice. • Before. dock extension made such rapid
strides, your rates were little more than one-half to
what they are at present. Since that time they have
gradually increased, on account of the very. large amount
of rateable.-property covering, an, area of ten or twelve
miles which has been absorbed for dock purposes. I
think, therefore, on every ground of reason and
justice, the docks • ought to be rated. (Applause.)
'The 4‘ Liverpool sanitary Act" of '46 became the
first of a series, under the operation of which the most
beneficial results were produced. Among the measures
• enforced were, the abolition of cellar tenements, the re-
gistration and inspection of lodging-houses, the removal
of all nuisances detrimental to the public health and
comfort by summary process before the magistrates ; the
examination, cleansing, and, in some cases, the destruc-
tion of courts, the introduction of baths and washhouses,
an extensive and efficient system of sewerage, and a
plentiful supply of water,—the vigorous application of
these powers and remedies, with other appliances which
Medical skill and enlightened philanthropy could sug-
gest, has resulted in the increased health, cleanliness,
and morality of the town. The rate of mortality is now
reduced to twenty-eight per thousand ; and the. rela-
tive saving, of hsiman- life during this period has
been only four thousand lives per annum, or a saving
'of more than ten human lives per day. (Hear, hear.)
But among the causes contributing to this result, the
most efficient, and what I consider has been the greatest
blessing, humanly speaking, ever bestowed on Liver-
pool, is an ample supply of water. Mr. Nickson,
lamenting the strife which the Pike controversy had
caused, rejoiced iu the blessing of abundant water,
which we now enjoy, as compared with the scant supply
of former times Instead, he said,. of the supply of
water being twice a week, and small in quantity, You
have it now every day, and 90;003,000 of gallons de-
livered into the town every week, with all its refreshing
and cleansing qualities. The standard of public health
is raised, the position .of the peor is improved, poor's
rates are reduced one shilling in the pound, epidemics
have almost ceased, the rate of mortality is de-
creasing year by year,. and all this the result of
those measures to which I have alluded. (Hear,
hear.) Bat although much good has been accomplished,

very much yet_remains to be
,done. It was stated in
this town, in the autumn of last year, by one of the
most eminent statesmen of the day, Lord John Ritssell,
that Liverpool could scarcely nniatain itself in popula-
tion but for the influx from the country districts.
Startling as this statement' may appear,' it will be foand
by, investigation to be correct. For the five years end-
ing 1858, as compared with a similar period ten yearS
before, there has been a decrease of births of no, less
than 1,000 a year, notwithstanding the increase of popu-
lation ; and in the year 1857, -whilethe exceps of births
over 'deaths in West Derby was .2,562,, in: Liverpool it,
was onloso, although the population was double ; and
out of every hundred children born in Liverpool nearly one-
half 'die before the age ef five, Years, while the average (lure-
tion of human life tlarOughout the town is only twenty-two
years. The authorities ofthe town are bound still to give
their most earnest attention to the matter, and'that what-
ever local taxation may 'be necessary to counteract this
state of things ought cheerfully to be submitted to, as the
best investment a community can make. (Hears and
applause.) Yet we are all responsible, and one and all
.ought not to rest satisfied
,until these scandals are re-
moved. Their continuance is a reproach to our philan-
thropy, and a disgrace to our civilisation. (Applause.)
I have to apologise for detaining you so long. on this
subject. I ea% only 'plead its importance, •for- it lies at
the very root of all social and moral progress. The
demoralised state of the lower classes is - eirraoing,
the attention of the best men in the country ; the state
of crime and its increase is deplored ;. the want of
education and religions appliances lamented ; the existing
school machinery is totally inadeq,uate to cope with the
ignorance, and depravity which prevails ; and when
state that , there are 20,000 children in this town who
are receiving no education whatever, I state a fact most
grave in its nature and consequences. (Hear, hear.)
But, I ask, what' Chance, humanly speaking, can
61neat:on have on the • classes I refer to; :opposed
as it is by so many hindrances ? The . con-
nection between the physical and moral part of man
is one of sympathy, and the connection is most intimate;
and, without elaborating .the subject, is is ob'vious to the
most superficial observer that the close dwellings, the
polluted atmosphere, the close • contact with discomfort
of every. kind, :which surround the
,poor, old and young,
render it almost impossible to create in, them higher and
better thoughts. I speak from experience and personal
observation. I have been associated. with educational
movements all my life—(applause),—and I call say
that the result of teaching in our schools is often
•rnest unsatisfactory.' I speak now particularly
of ragged schooli, • the only attempt made to reach
what I may •term the lowest strata 'of society.
I know that the education and religious training of the
people - belong more • to individual generosity and in-
fluence than to the acting corporate 'bodies, but I main-
tain that it is their bounden duty to clear away every
local impediment which would hinder the caleiency. of
metal agency. (Hear,' hear„ and applause.) -As a
citizen of Liverpool, I am 'proud of her position—l
rejoice in her prosperity—(applause)—and I watch
with interest her career of enlightenment and pro,g.ress ;
I can appreciate that spirit of improvement which is
skirting over • spacious thoroughfares with palatial.
structures, both public and private ; and I admire
the enterprise and the • liberality of her merchant
princes, especially the one who peers far. above them all,
the honoured name of William Brown,—(applause)—a,
name which no title can dignify, nor pageantry of rank
ennoble, and long. may he lave to enjoy the well-earned
esteem of his fellow-citizens. (Cheers.) But let us not
be*satisfied with these things, but, uniting , heart and
hand, in public and in "private, by every means in our
power to wipe off the social stigma which attaches • to
us, and raise the' degraded and • the demoralised. So,
that, while we can point with just 'pride•to our halls of
literature and of science, of commerce and of art, we may
derive a deeper satisfaction in the reflection that they
are all Upheld,-sustained, and strengthened by an intelli-
gent, a virtuous, and, an industrious people. Mr. Nickson
resumed his seat amidst the most enthusiastic plaudits.
' 'Mr. SAMUEL WHITE, in an appropriate speech, pro-
posed Mr. George Niekson as a candidate for the repre-
sentatien of St. Anne's Ward in the ToWn Couneil, and
that the meeting pledged itself to insure his triumphant
return. . .
Mr. Jams' BLEZARD seconded the motion.

Mr. NICKSoN then proposed thanks to the Chairman,
and the meeting separated; the proceedings throughout
being of the most enthusiastic character.

MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL AGRI-
CULTURAL SQCIETY.

A meeting of the Financial Committee of this
society, for the examination and audit of the accounts
in respect of the late show at. Liverpool, &c., was held.
at' the ' Lion: Inn,. Warrington, • yesterday ; Henry
White, Esq.; presided. The other members present- .
were---Messrs. Ledger, Pownall, Pemberton,- Ellis,
Birch, Dixon, Wilson,-Bo.xter;•Owen, Hall, Lansdale,
-Henderson, R. Atherton, T. Atherton, and Mr:Ryder,
the secretary and treasurer. The. minutes of the last
meeting having been read,
Mr. Pemberton objected to the decision in reference
to the claim of Mrs. Caldwell. Ile heard it from the
gentleman himself, who moved that Mrs. Caldwell's
claim should remain as it was, that he was not aware of
the circumstances of the case
,when he made his motion.
The committee must know that the claim of Mrs: Cald-
well was extremely irregular. It was an infringement
upon the rules, which was not to be tolerated.
The .Chairman'said, if Mr. Pemberton gave notice to
re-open the subject at the next meeting, there could be
no objection to discuss it.
Mr. Langsdale—Who do you wish to charge ?
Mr. Pemberton said hiS charge was rtgainst the. in-
spectors, against the secretary,' and against the party
who wrote the claim for Mrs.: Caldwell. The rules
admitted,.a.farm of 60 :acres for the. premium in ques-
tion, whilst Mrs. Caldwell certified that the farm was
641 acres and 24 perches ; and Mr. ROthwell, the
inspector, reported that the farm was only 591, acres.'
Mr. Ledger said Mr. Rothwell had not Mrs. Cald-
well's return in his possession when he made his report,
and he took all his facts froin Mrs. Caldwell'S son..'
Nobody denied that there had bean an error ; but they
did deny it was an intentional error. If the subject was
to be again re-opened, there would be no end to it.
Mr. Pemberton said- he could make many curious
statements. In the year 1858, five prizes were given to
Lord Sefton's tenants. Then, again, Mr. Lathbury's
farm was not the size which it was represented to be.
Then th6y came to. Mr. Gibson, 'another of Lord Sefton's
tenants, who mot the prize that Mrs.-Caldwell ought to
have taken. °Was it to be supposed fora-moment that
Mr. Ledger did not know the sizes of the farms for
'which he had certified, when it was remembered he held
a reSptinsible situation under a noblenian?
Mr. Ryder said Mr. Pemberton had just thrown out
an insinuation against Lord Sefton and his agents, sim-
ply because his tenants had the good fortune to receive.
,five prizes last year. For the last nine. years,. Mr. Pent-
berton had allowed Mr. Watt's tenants to gain eight or
ten prizes each year without throwing out any insinua-
tion whatever.

Mr. Pvmberton—Beeause there is no occasion to
throw out ar y insinuation, unless I have it point blank
that there is an iMposition practised upon the society.
The Chairman protested that the discussion was quite
irregular. •
Mr. Ledger moved that the minutes of the last
meeting be confirmed.
Mr. Birch seconded the motion.
Mr. Pemberton proposed,-as an amendment, that the
claim of Mrs. Caldwell be re-considered at the meeting
on the 11th of Novertiber next.
Mr: Langsdale seconded the amendment, in order to.
bring the matter to a decision.
The amendment was then put and negatived, and the
original motion was agreed to.
Protests against various awards constituted the next
business of the meeting. Among- the protests was a
letter from Mr. Pemberton, objecting to the award in
favour of Mr. James Birch's farm. He stated—" Al-
most at all our committee meetings now-a-days we hear
of frauds and impositions practised on the society, more
particularly within the last -fifteen months. I see no
way of cleansing this corruption, but by disembodying
the present committee of management, discharging the
officers, and revising the rules arid reg,ulations,—in
short, remodelling the whole, or amalgamating our
society with the Royal North Lancashire Society. If I
am spared, it is my intention, at a befitting opportunity,
to move a resolution to the above effect."
Mr. Ryder, the secretary, then submitted to the
meeting a statement of the probable receipts and expenses
of the year. Ilrespective" of the balance in hand last
year of £405 18s. 7d., the subscriptions had realised
about £550 ; show-yard receipts, £396 15s. ; donation
of local committee, £lOO ; total receipts, £1,379 13s.

OCTOBER 14, 1859.

The expenditure was estimated as follows :—Prizes,
£431 10s. ; medals, £3O ; salaries, £l3O ; judges and,
directors, £97. 18s. 4d. ; sundry expenses in show-yard,
£4l 9s. sd. ; Mr. Elli S's account in respect of show-yardt,
£336 leaving a b:,lance of. about £75 in favour of the-
society upon the year's proceedings, in addition to the
previous balanCe of £405 18s. 7d.
The Chairman said perhaps the meeting would wish,l.,
Mr. Ellis to give an explanation about the show-yard a
Liverpool: IN-6 doubt he had had the trouble which ' ,i 1
most directors had with. contractors in getting the work. , it! I.

- -
done.
Mr. 'till did not think Mr. Ellis could say anything
better than what had already appeared in the public ;(.0)
newspapers.
Mr. Ellis said he' could assure them there ,was ne
reason to suppose that there would be an excess upon the
account, but a large abatement. He was deterthined not. -
to pay the contractor a penny till his charges were'pat
right. The man did • not attempt to make any excess, '
of charge over the .contract ; and as
.to the arrange-
ment with him,- there was no mistake or misunderstand-
ing. 'When the committee appointed him a director, he
set about in the best way he could to gain information
and to find-a Man fit to undertake the work of preparing-
the yard-for the show. He had several applications,—
some parties recommending their friends for the work,;
but the answer to all of them was that he should adver-
tise for tenders, aelleave it quite an open question. He
did advertise, and four parties responded—one of them
being the man Cowley. He hid preparedTa rough plan
of what he wanted ; and the lowest contract, next to
Cowley's, for the work was £33, Cowley himself
having contracted to 'do the :same 'amount of work for
£56. Cowley was well recommended by Mr. Anthony,
the timber merchant, of Liverpool; and he (Mr. Ellis)
thought himself quite justified in engaging him.- He
also made an engagement with him to perfect all the
.internal arrangements. He went over the various
items, objecting to several of them as excessive ; and
also objected to other items -that, in some instauees,
the contracts'were not Carried out by Cowley.
Mr. Langsdale—There could be no. objection to Mr.
Ellis going over these accounts again with Cowley, and
making the best of them. Although
,there had been •
great inconveniencedel delay in consequenc.e of those
sheds not being-completed in time,. he apprehended that
it, had now been shown. that, many of those expenses
would be unnecessary in future.
The-Chairman—lt shows that it is not always wi:e to
contract with the man who will do the work for the
lowest sum.
Mr. Pemberton wished to know why Mr. Ellis did
n-ot commence operations. sooner. He wrote to Mr.
Ellis on the 21st of August, offering his services in every
- way. he possibly could. On the 26th he received a letter
from. Mr. Ellis. In that letter Mr. Ellis. stated that lie had
deferred answering till he had something like a definite
answer from Mr. Ryder, as to what number of entries
there were in the different classes; that although he had
written to Mr. Ryder and sent people to him frequently.
he could get no information; that such trifling was quite
Childish, but he would stand it no longer; that they were in
a fix ; an i that in all probability he would not be ready
to. go on with preparations before the Ist September-
Mr. Ellis said he must admit that on the same day he
wrote to Mr. Pemberton, he received a letter from Mr.
Ryder, giving the number of entries.
Pemberton said Mr. Ellis should have commenced
on the '2oth, and got the boarding put round.
, Mr. Ellis said they were not allowed to do it. It was
mach easier to find fault than to do what was strictly
right. He wrote to Mr. Norris, asking. him_ to be
allowed. to go on the ground of the railway company.and on the 30th August lie received a letter from that,
gentleman, formally giving him permission. On the
31st they set to work ; bet whatever instructions be
might- have got from Mr. Ryder, he was not permitted
before this date to begin the work. The officials of the
railway company would not allow him to commence in
any shape -or way till he produced the letter of 31f-
Norris. They commenced work on the 31st,' and all
went on pretty well for ri day or two. Friday and
Saturday were wet days; the men would not :work, and
Cowley told him that they had struck for wages. Sonic
of the men went off drinking.
• In reply to Mr. Ellis,
he
Mr: Ryder stated that the understanding
with
the
railway company was, that possession was to be of had
ground on the Ist Sept. ; but previous to that time, lit'
doubt things miht have been taken into the yard.
• Mr. Ellis said' he was positively refused admittance
until the time he got Mr. Norris's letter; and even thes
the head of the railway officials here refused to let him
have more than the two top fields.' He was quite satis-
fiedthat from the first he had done as much as he could-
do ; but it was a duty which he owed to the public to
let them know clearly the state of affairs: There Was
not one engagement he was bound by his appointinel
to keep that he did not fulfil ; -and there was not a eoll-",
tract, as far as he was concerned, which he had left in-
complete. He had met with much annoyance on tbe
• subject, and he was bound to say that Mr. Ledger's lag
guagelowards him,was not such .as would become any
gentleman.
and
Mr. Ledger—l objected to your appointment
therefore, when I went into the yard, I confess I
,°.`"i
not surprised to see things as they were. I do 72°
Withdraw what I said. -
Mr.. Ellis—A Tentleman who could make Sue
remark, is not capable of making the amen& honora •
like a .gentleumn. •
15"
Mr: Hale thought the explanations that day cell
derably exonerated Mr. Ellis from blame. ld
Mr. Pemberton—Most •decidedly so ; but he sh°
have told ns these things sooner..
The Chairman said Mr. -Ellis was as anxious t°
what was right as any one could have been. a,
After considerable discussion, a resolution was .ras:the
referring the various accounts to a .meeting O,T day
.Finance Committee, to be -held in Liverpool third to
week. Mr. Ellis, iu the meantime, being instructeu„
see Mr. Cowley, with a view of bringing him to ter
aid
Some other Matters were disposed' of ; and a voter°.
thanks having been passed to the • chairman, the P
ceedings terminated.

BIRKENHEAD POLICE. COURT.—YESTEIImn
4.17".
. .
charged
STEALING A PURSE.—Catherine Foley was char,rso
by a sailor, named John Pearce, with stealing a PL..
containing L 3 16s. from his side pocket. He Wes..r,„a
ceeding home when-the priSoner accosted him 3.-fr,
slipped her hand into his pocket, abstracting,thereft'll
the purse produced. As soon as the prisoner obtaiinteor
possession of the purse she ran away,. but the pre'cl
gave chase, and, having captured her, (ray. her into eg,-1..
tody. The purse produced was found the bridelv%a
•seareher.concealed in her bosom.—The prisoner pleauitu
guilty, and was 'sent to jail for twenty-one days, iv
hard labour. •
A..POAC,ILER OUTWITTED.—Peter Dodd was
by Officer 107. with assaulting him last Sunday Inoraiiirg
while on duty' at the village of 'Morton. It areltbo-
that the .officer had received 'instructions to be °TIOI/1
look-out" for public-houses •, this duty he ot•
to perform in plain clothes. Thentficer according„ ft,
out on Saturday night. .for this purpose,. heilail;-
instructed, in plain clothes. He was qutetiv
ing along, when his attention was arrested D`roo
policeman's knock. Proceeding in the direction :11010
which the. sound came, he saw the prisoner'. was
immediately informed him that he (the prisonetotes
an officer, and on the look-out for suspicious eh...3r''t. 101
like complainant., (Laughter.) Of course 01110.ceto es-
"scorned the base insinuation," and was proceediel7e s.halao
plain that he was alsO attached to the force, when ging,
officer informed complainant he was only "
and was really after the same game as the comPi: officer •
namely, " poaching." ,He further informed tilt' in the
that. he was expecting some companions, bi;l,to
thcie
meantime they would go after some-" small gain' ievt
own aecount. Like a discreet man, Officer 107
co
owl i counsel, and'accempanied the poacher to a sbaPf
taining the " small•game" they were seeking, ~v r j
icet, with
of some ducks, which. he was proceeding to
great glee, at the same time requesting his ace°l:jobab
'to help himself. The poacher, however, writhe bodili..
astonished by an Apparition,' which assumed 11ed office' e
shape of a pair of handcuffs, which the disc the sum
politely requested the prisoner to accept, at 06.411131e-
time• informing him that he (officer) was a fashion hty
The poacher, not liking to be done after this fitted
I.
a policeman, began to "show fight," and colner solve
assault complainedmagistrates,. 3"'
to hall
hv
cuff the prisoner, as he had not actually
discussion, decided that the officer had no righrt
offence ; and the case was therefore dismissed
.e eatN
tmosPheri tend°.
Bluets AFFECTIONS induced by unusual
often at icoF
or a too liberal diet, if not early checked, lcis his i4ear t,
with serious conseuences, When any one a head diziPf
clear than usual, his eyesight dinuned, and
co,,ng, and p_ai3O
may be sure that ho
stands in need of m 0"
box of 11°119:lea&
ing medicine. Let hima send at not f_ni:
aablc
Pills. After a few doses of these ineb_tun , his en- ir,cd.
will be clear again, his spirits elavatcfid nu
'are balsarns, 33
restored. These Pills are edmposed o r
with any deleterious substance. 0011. itted