The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-10 00:00:00

LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COMMITTER.

The proceedings of this committee contained the fol-
lowing recommendations :—Recommendation to invite
William Brown, Esq., M.P., to lay the foundation stone
of the new building during the parliamentary recess at
at Easter, and to associate with this committee the
special committee appointed by the council, with
reference to the testimonial to Mr. Brown, for the
purpose of making the necessary arrangements on that
occasion. The laying of a rate under the provision of
"The Liverpool Library and Museum Act, 1852."

riMr. Picton, in moving the confirmation of the proceed-
ings, said—Th- re are two or three matters connected
with the proceedings which tequire separate resolutions.
The first is in reference to the laying of the foundation
stone of the new building. The most convenient time
for all parties appears to be seine day during the Easter
week, at a time when there is a recess from parliament,
which would enable some cf the eminent public men of
the country to be present on the occasion, and which
would suit Mr. Brown more conveniently than any other
time. lam quite sure lam only expressing the opinion
of the council generally when I say that there will be
one unanimous feeling to endeavour so to arrange the
public laying of the foundation stone as to get it up
io a way which will be creditable to the town and
will do honour to the noble donor of the building fund.
(Hear, hear.) I have, therefo-e, pleasure, without de-
taining the council any longer, in moving tha rec,en
inundation to invite Mr. Brown to lay the foundation
stone of the boil.ling during the parliamentary recess at
Ester. For the purpose of having the arrangements
made satisfactorily, it was thought desirable that the
gentlemen who have taken charge of the testimonial to
Mr. Brown, should be united with the library committee
for the purpose of ma,:ing arrangements, and I have the
pleasure of moving this as a corollary to the other.
Mr. Wagstaff seconded the motion, which was unani-
mously carried.

Mr. Pieton : I now propose that the usual rate of ld,
be laid. The estimates for the current year have already
been sanctioned by the council, and this is merely the
formal resolution to lay a l d rate for the purpose of rais-
ing the funds.

Mr. Wagstaff seconded the resolution, which was also
carried.

The general proceedings of the committee were then
confirmed.

HACKNEY CARRIAGES COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this commtttee were read. They
contained noshing of interest.
Mr. Woodruff moved their confirmation.
Mr. W. Earle observed, that there were many carriages
flying through the town without number 3. The pro-
prietors of these cars were respectable car-owners, and
would not sanction any overcharge on the part of the
drivers, but they could not have that control over the
drivers which was exercised over the drivers of numbered
cabs. Mr. Lynn of the Waterloo Ho el, mentioned to
him an instance where a fare was overcharged by the
driver df such a car, and when remonstrated with, told
them he did not care what they did, as he had no license.
He (Mr. Earle) wished to know what power the com
miltee had in such cases ?

Mr. Beckwith replied that these cars were licensed by
:he Excise, and the Council in consequence had no con-
trol over them.

Mr. Woodruff observed that this question had been
frequently before the council, and that it had been as
~.aen explained that the council had control only over
those cars that were licensed by the corporation.
Mr. Stitt asked if the cabs plying at the London and
North Western Railway station were subject to the same
regulations as all other numbered cabs ? He was
frequently tcld by the cabmen of that station that they
were under the spe ial regulations of the London and
North Western Railway Company.
Mr. Woodruff replied that they were admitted into the
station under the regulations of the company, but in all
other respects they were subject to the regulations
laid down by the committee fir the guidance of all cab
drivers.

On the motion of Mr. Robertson Gladstone it was
agreed that the committee be instructed to communicate
with the Excise authorities as to an arrangement for the
regulation of cabs licensed by them.
The proceedings were confirmed.

BATHS COMMITTEE,
The proceedings of this committee were read. They
comprised a recommendation to appoint William Gerratt
and wife as superintendent and matron of Frederick
street wash houses, at the wages of £2 per week.
Mr. Banner asked if the wash houses were not largely
used by a class of persons for which they were never
intended ?

Mr. Wagstaff said that ho regretted that the poor
people did not use the wash houses to any considerable
extent. They were used chiefly by the keepers of
lodging houses and washerwomen, and on that ace,unt
it was a question with the committee whether it would
not be advisable to close one of the wash houses.
Mr. Alderman Parker denied that such was the
intention of the committee. It was true that the poor
people did not largely use the wash houses, but tie
professional washerwomen who used them washed for the
small shopkeepers and others who had not the con-
venience at home for the purpose. In that respect the
wash houses were a great pubic benefit, and subject
only to those abuses incidental to all charitable insti—
tutions.

Mr. Fernihough also denied that they were a failure,
and argued that they would, in some time, be largely
used by the poor.
The'proceedings were confirmed.
GAS COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee were read. Some
discussion arose as to what the inspector of meters had
done since his appointment. From the explanations of
Mr. Kitchen and Mr. I. It. Jeffery, it appeared that the
inspector could do very little until some standard test
was first agreed upon. That test is as yet under
eiscussion, and if it should not be speedily agreed on,
the committee will ask the council to fix a test.
The proceedings were confirmed.
BIRKENHEAD DOCKS COMMITTEE.
Mr. John Stewart moved the confirmation of these
proceedings.
Mr. Alderman Samuel Holme seconded the motion.
Mr. Picton said, there was a matter of some import-
ance to which, as that was a quarterly meeting, he took
the liberty of calling attention. The bill carried through
the council lately for the future management of the
Birkenhead docks, contained one clause which he was
quite satisfied was not understood at the time by the
council generally. It was not understood by himself,
and he did not think the majority of the council under-
! stood the effect of it. He alluded to the clause for the
equalisation of the rates paid at Liverpool and Birkenhead.
He was not aware, and he did not think many of the
members were aware, that that. equalisation extended to
the rates for warehouses on the other side of the river,
as well as to the docks. Now, the warehouses on the
other side had only obtained tenants for storage hitherto,
by letting them at .lower rates. The consequence of
passing such a clause would be, that the doors of the
warehouses on the other side must be closed.
Mr. Charles Turner said, his impression was at the
time that the dock committee would have the power,
in the case of warehouse rent, as in the case of
land at different parts of the dock estate, to fix the
rent according to what they conceived the value, looking
at the situation of the premises. He understood, however,
that there was some little doubt as to whether that power
was secured by the clause. If they had not the power,
he thought it desirable that they should have it.; I t was,
therefore, desirable that no doubt should be left upon
the stOject, and he agreed with Mr. Picton that, if the
doubt could be removed without any inconvanience, the
Corporation, or the Dock Committee should have power tq
fix the rate of warehouse refit at Birkenhead according
to what they considered the value. (Hear, hear.)
The proceedings were then confirmed.
MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS.

A letter was read from Mr. Branch, offering to the
Free Public Library, a portrait of G. P. Day, the well
known Liverpool news vender. Accepted ; the thanks
of the council to be given to Mr. Branch for his gift,
The following letter was read from Mr. Henry Booth,
relative to the approaches to St. George's Hall :
To the Worshipfnl the Mayor

Sir,—ln accordance with my proposal to the Council, to
furnish a model of the approaches to St. George's Hall, I
lost no time in putting the work in hand, and beg leave, now,
to present the model to the Council. A few words, explana-
tory of the design may, perhaps, be allowed me. And, first,
I have assumed that the levels of the adjacent streets will
remain unaltered. As to the south portico, the steps have
been re-arranged; the line of the floor of the portico, in
front of the columns, is preserved unbroken ; a middle plat.
form, or rest, is introduced, giving breadth and expan-
sion to the structure. The lower range of side steps, the
hole in the outer wall, and the huge iron gates, are altogether
removed. In regard to the carriage way, the great colonnade,
or principal entrance to the hall, I have appropriated for the
purpose the ample atm between the colonnade and Limo street,
The approach road rises from the street by an easy ascent
to the platform nearest the columns, by which arrangement
carriages will be able to come to a moderate distance
from the fagade, instead of being obliged, as at present,
to draw up at a most inconvenient distance from any shelter ;
While, besides this advantage, I think the appearance and style

of the building would be improved. The carriage drive is spacious
being rather wider than the roadway in Church street;
and opportunity is afforded by the new arrangement for vehicles
to take up and set down along the whole line of the colonnade,
an extent of accommodation, in this respect, for large astern-
blies, not excelled, I am disposed to believe, in any public
building in the kingdom. In reference to the carriage way
from Shaw's Brow to the north end of the building, the area
immediately opposite the entrance doors is very limited, but
the present arrangement may be much improved. I strorgly
recotnmend (as shown in the model) clearing away the low
()moo, k, technically styled the Podium, by which alteration
additional space will be obtained, outside, which is much
needed, and you will be able to dispense with the low con-
tracted passages, inside, which can hardly bear comparison
with the lobbies of a third rate theatre. There are, at pre-
sent, two awkw•'rd stops within the building which should
he removed, which would enable you to raise the approach
road twelve inches, an alteration also to be desired. By
clearing away the podium, considerable further facility would
be obtained of ingress and egress, which I shall be happy to
explain at any convenient time. The drive and space for car-
riages to assemble within the outer walls at the north
end are ample; In reference to the means of access
for the walking public, it will be perceived that the
principal approach is for persons coming I oar Castle street
or from the Adephi. There is also shown a good flagged
footway from Lime street to tho colonnade, and a third
from the top of Shaw's Brow. Should any further explanation
he desired, I shall be ready to afford it; and before concluding
I should mention that such plans and levels as I have required
were promptly furnished me by Mr. Newlands, the borough
engineer, and Mr. Wordley, at St. George's Hall ; and I have
availed myself of some snegestioaq, in matters of detail, from
Mr. David Graham, the ingenioos modeller. I have now
only to submit the scheme of approaches which the model
exhibits to the consideration of the council ; and remain, sir,
fai,hfully yours, H. BOOTH.
Live•peol, 2nd Feb., 1857.
Mr .1 ha Stewart observed that there were many of Mr.
Booth's sug2estinns very well worthy of attention, but it
was impossible to discuss without previous consideration
the &tails of so important a subject. (Hear, b ar.) He
would, therefore move that the letter and model be
referred to the St. George's Hall committee, with instruc-
tions to report on them.
Mr. Robertson Gladstone seconded the motion, and
suggested that Mr. Booth should be allowed to attend
the commi tee to explain his plan
Mr. Alderman fennett observed that the town was
much indebted to Mr. Pooth for his endeavour to remove
the monstrosities surrounding the Hall, and that his
suggestions were very well deserving attention.
The motion and suggestion of Mr. Gladstone were
agreed to.

-A
memorial was read from the overseers of Birken-
head, praying that a special act may he introd•rced into
the Birkenhead Docks (Management) Bill, declaring that
property to be subject to p-,,0r rates. It was referred to
the Birkenhead Docks Cotntnittee.

THE WATER QUESTION.-THE 111E31 )RIAL OF INHABITANTS.
The nuruoiial was then read, from nearly 3,000 of the
inhabitants of Liverpool, upon the subject of the distribu-
tion of the Rivirgton water. The public are already fami-
liar with the nature of the memorial.
_ _

The following letter upon the same subject was also
read :

To F. Shand, Esq., Mayor.
Sir,—l take the liberty of suggesting, through you to the
Council, to meet on Monday next, that the two waters—
Rivington and Sandstone—be supplied on alternate days,
separately.
I presume, personally, to address you on the subject;
because I have personally suffered in my health from changed
water.—l am sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL G. ROBERTS.
4, Oldham street, and 12, Chesnut street, Liverpool.
February 7th, 1857.
Mr. G)dfeey asked bow many names were signed to the
memorial ?

The Deputy Town Clerk : 2,839.
Mr. GrAtrey suggested that a fow of the names should
be read.

Mr. Earle : Read a few at the tail end of it. (Laughter.)
Mr. Holson : And find how many have been written in
the same hand writing. (Laughter.) There have been
such dodges attempted in getting this up. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Beckwith asked if there were any signatures from .
the neighbourhood of Low Hill ?
The Deputy Town Clerk was unable to state.
Mr. Beckwith : Because they have not the Pike water
there at all, and I should like to know whether any of them
had been entrapped,
Mr. Bold ; I should like the town clerk to ascertain what
number of the names signed are in the directory, and the
cha-actor of the signatures generally. (Ilear, hear.)
The Mayor : Some of the signatures are, unduub+edly,
those of gentlemen of the first respectability. It might be
referred to an enquiry committee.
Mr. Earle : Did I hear from you that Dr. R inert Gee's
name is mentioned there ?

The Deputy Town Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Earle : To that petition ?
The Deputy Town Clerk :.Yes.
Mr. Earle :Is not that rather extraordinary ? -
Mr. J. R. *ldler), : Ido not know what conree it may
be the pleasure of the council to pursue with reference to
that memorial; but previous to any discussion arising upon
it, 1 sheuid like to ask the chairman of the water committee
if the Pike water, unmixed with the red sandstone water,
has been supplied to any district in Liverpool ?
Mr. Alderman Cooper : lam not aware that the Riving-
ton water has been supplied to any part of the town un-
mixed.
Mr. Jeffery: I rise, sir, unless the debate upon this memorial
should be taken on Mr. Parker's mction, for the purpose of
moving a specific resolution upon the prayer of the memorial
itself. The language of the memorial, I apprehend, no
gentleman can possibly take exception to. (Hear, hear). The
request it conveys I take to be exceedingly reasonable : the
names attached to it of the first respectability (hear, bear) -
and the numbers are marvellously great, in my opinion; for
understand they were obtained in five days, and the names, I
am told, exceed 3,000 : being 000 a day. Now, sir s
I hope that gentlemen approaching this question to-day,
will do so with seriousness, with refiec,ion' and with an
earnest desire that the debate of this cir shall bring to an
issue a subject of so momentous a character that it has
occupied and irritated the mind of the people of Liverpool
more or less, for the past. period of ten years. I trust,
therefore, sir, that this day will see an amicible settlement
of this momentous question. This memorial points, I
think, precisely to the mode in which that question can be
settled. &fare I proceed to make any remarks, however,
upon the prayer of the memorial, I feel it to be my duty to
call the especial attention of the council, after the answer
of the chairman of the water committee, to my question to
the letter which was read at the council during our last
meeting, from the minutes of the water committee, and
signed by Mr. Hawksley. Sir, I can scarcely trust myself
to use language in which to condemn, sufficiently strong,
that letter. The first paragraph states--" That the water
should be, on its arrival into Liverpool, so clear and useable
as it now is. is to me a matter of surprise and unexpected'
pleasure." Now, sir, we have just had it frem the chairman
of the water committee, that the Rivington Pike water has
never been here at all, that the pubic of Liverpool have
never had a fair opportunity of judging what the quality of
that water is, whether it be really pure, or whether it be ten-
fold more impure than the mixture which has been supplied.
(Hear, hear.) Now, sir, one might have supposed that
that would have been sufficiently strong, but the last para- •
graph of Mr. Hawksley's Jotter reads thus:—" I do not
think it at all necessary to notice the outcry attempted to be
made by one or two of the newspapers." Now, sir, lam
not going to be the apologist for, or to attempt to defend
the newspapers. They can infinitely better defend them-
selves, and no doubt they will do so, against such
insinuations, imputations, and attacks as are made in this
letter. But, sir, by inuendo, the same attack is made on
on members of the Town Council, who entertain a different
opinion as to the approptiation of the water from that
which Mr. Hawksley appears to entertain, and, therefore,
I take it to be a direct address to the members of the
council who entertain the opinion I have referred to He goes
on to say :—" The writers display such an entire ignorance
of the subject, and are so absurdly wrong, that with the
water actually in the town to confute them, and actually
doing the good to the industrial and manufacturing classet
for wham it was perhaps mainly, although not wholly;
intended, it appears to me scarcely worth white to defend
a strong position so feebly assailed." Now, Mr. Mayor,
the mildest term I can use to characterise the tone of such a
letter is to say that it is an excessively impertinent letter,
and that it is not founded on truth. (Heir, hear.) Sir.
the water never having been here, bow can the town actually
judge, and how can the water actually confute those parties
who disapprove of its being used for table purposes ? I
have understood that Mr. Hawksley has before now taken
the hit between his teeth, and has mastered the water com-
mittee, instead of the committee mastering him. A great
deal of the anxiety of the water committee—and we all
know that they must have had a great deal of anxiety—has
arisen from the difficulty with which they
in controlling, directing, and keeping in
to
subjection
Mr. Hawksley, as it is the duty of every committee.
who is receiving
hadsuuh t o c
keep in subjection every gentleman _
__r
the corporation remuneration. I therefore dismiss
Hawksley's letter, fearing that in its tone it is
but a specimen of the proceedings which have
hitherto characterised that gentleman, with regard to this
scheme from the first day it was introduced down to the
Present time. The next thing, sir, to which I shall refer is
Dr. Taylor's so-called report. But, sir, I may be permitted
to say in • the first instance, that I think Dr. Taylor appears
to have changed his occupation. I think be seems to have
put on the wig and gown, and instead of an analytic