The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-20 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL LABOURERS' DWELLINGS
COMPANY. 1 _

The second general meeting of the shareholders in this
company was held, at 12 o'clock yesterday, in the Common
Hall, Hackins Hey, John Cropper, Esq., in the chair.
The other gentlemen present were : G. Holt, U. F•
Hamilton, T. D. Anderson, Daniel Campball, D. Carstairs,
H. Segal-, C. Bushell, Dr. H. lernie, G. P. G. Smith, C.
Melley, W. Williams, architect, &c., &3.
Mr. T. M. Myers, the Secratary, read the following
REPORT.

The directors of the Liverpool Labourers' Dwellings
Company have great pleasure in again meetir.g the share-
holders, and in presenting to them a short report of the
progress which has been made in the operations of the
company since the communication made by their chair-
man in July last. Subsequent to that period the company's
buildings in Northumberland-street have been nearly
completed; several compartments have already become
occupied by respectable tenants ; and there seems no
doubt as the character of the buildings for convenience,
comfort, order, and cleanliness becomes known, that
during the ensuing spring and summer the whole will be
tenanted. The directors can assure the shareholders
with the utmost confidence that the edifice has been
erected in the most substantial manner; and that under
the superintendence of the company's architect, Mr.
Williams,the different contracts for the perfect comple-
tion of the building have been most scrupulously fulfilled;
and thy feel assured it will be found, that consistent with
reasonable economy, no expense has been spared to render
Northumberland Buildings replete with every convenience
and comfort which it is practicable to introduce into a
structure of its description. The directors, hswever great
their desire may have been to extend the operations of
the company to other districts of the town, have been
precluded from doing so, from the difficulty of procuring
land free from prohibitory restrictions in suitable locali-
ties ; ttey, however, feel less regret at the delay, the
practical working of the dwellings in Northumberland-
street having assured them of the just appreciation with
which they' are viewed by the class for whose benefit they
have been erected, and the directors therefore propose to
make further progress as rapidly as circums• antes will per-
mit. In reference to the financial position of the company,
the directors have to report that the accounts have been
submitted to the examination of the company's auditor,
George Henry Horsfall, Esq , and are now laid before you,
duly attested by that gentleman; from which it will
appear, that the total amount of subscribed capital,
including the forfeiture of £l7O on shares conditionally
relinquished, is £20,970 0 0

Of this amount the sum of 8,340 0 0
has been paid up—which, including
for interest allowed by the bankers up to
Dec. 31, 1856, makes the total assets which
have been placed at the disposal of the
directors 8,550 6 0
On the other hand, it will appear t hat the
sum of £5,335 16 3
has been paid on account of
the buildings in Northumber •

land street.
And a further sum of 3BO 18 9 5,716 15 0
for preliminary expenses, in the formation
of the company—in which is included
£l7O paid to the Metropolitan Association

to obtain our release.
Leaving a balance in the hands of the com-
pany's bankers on Jan. 31, 1857, 0f........ £2,833 11 0
Subject, however, to a further claim of about £l,OOO still
to be paid on account of the contracts for the com-
pletion of Northumberland Buildings.
The Chairman then laid on the table all the accounts of
the company, with the balance-sheet, and proceeded to say
that the report put them in possession of all that related to
the association and left very little to be said. All who
visited the buildings would be sati,fied that the comfort and
convenience of the inmates were provided for in a way
which was by no means common, even in the dwellings of
these with whom economy was of less importance, and that
as regarded ventilation and light, they would bear com-
parison with houses of any class whatever. (Hear, hear.)
He wished to be distinctly understood that in erecting
these houses they did not profess to bs engaged
in any simple charitable undertaking. (Hear, hear) They
wished each occupant to feel that he was paying his pound
for a pound's worth. (Hear, hear.) It was their great
aim to make the buildings useful, and at the sane time, a
safe if not profitable investment; And though the erection
of the buildings had occupied much thought, time, and
trouble, yet, it was only what was done from one portion of
the community to the other. They took to themselves no
merit —they only wished to have credit for a sincere desire
to promote the comfort and happiness of cottaze tenants
on a basis which would admit of extension, because
it did not involve any pecuniary sacrifice. ' He
was happy to say that the agent reported to him last even-
ing that of the 40 houses 18 were let ; and the reports
from those who occupied them were such as to satisfy
him (the Chairman) that the object of the company had
been attained.

LA gentleman here observed that another of the houses
had been since let, making nineteen in all. (Hear, hear.)l
The Chairman continued to say that he had received
applications from Hull , and Salford for plans and other
information touching the object of the company, a
circumstance which showed that their proceedings were
attracting interest in other places. (Hear, hear )
On the motion of Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mr.
Seger, the report and statement of accounts were unani-
mously adopted.
Mr. G. Holt moved that the futu-e ordinary general
meetings of the company be held i❑ each year on the last
Thursday of the months July and February. In doing so
he eulogised the directors for the zeal and trouble they
took in the work of the association, and observed that they
were engaged in a work which would be productive
of sanitary and moral good. (Hear, hear.) The
labouring man would suffer no degradation in renting a
house from them ; he would get, as the chairman properly
observed, a pound's worth for his pound. (Hear, hear )
And seeing the good which such a principle would
accompl sh, they were justified to look to the whole
community for help if any were needed. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Hamilton seconded the motion, which was unani-
mously adopted.
On the motion of Mr. Carstairs, seconded by Mr.
Williams, the rotation of the retirement of directors was
fixed.

Mr. C. Bushell moved that Mr. D. Carstairs be elected
an auditor of the company in the room of Mr. T.
D. Anderson, who was placed on the Board
of directors. He said he was sure that this question of
improved dwellings for the poor had a much higher bearing
than same were disposed to attribute to it. (Hear, hear.)
He was satisfied that all their schools and all their churches
and all the other means now adopted in such great profusion
for the rtnoral and religious improvement of the people,
would be wanting in a solid foundation if the people were
permitted to herd together, as they did in many of
the large towns, and under their very eyes in
Liverpool, as pigs and as beasts. (Hear, hear.)
It was impossible that those feelings of deli.
cacy which were essential to right mindedness, could
be cultivated in the sort of dwellings in which many of the
people of the town lived. (Hear, hear.) In a sanitary
point of view too, it was most important that the dwellings
of the poor should be improved. (Hear, hear.) He saw
that it was urged by a correspondent in one of the news-
papers, that they were attempting to mike this, instead of
a philanthropic matter. a question of pounds, shillings, and
pence ; and it was more than insinuated that they sought
a good investment for their c Ipital. Such an ob-
jection, to a candid mind, was answered at
once by the fact that they asked nothing
beyond 5 per cent. for their capital, and that that rate
could be easily obtained by any gentleman who chose to
look out for an investment for his money. (Hear, hear).
The objection was absurd, and could only have arisen in
the mind of an individual who was inclined to impute to
others motives which he would be exceedingly sorry to
have imputed to himself. (Hear, hear). The only means
by which the extension of such buildings throughout the
town could be secured was by showing that from them the
mechanic and the servant would derive a better interest for
their money than from the savings' bank, and so inducing
them to invest in such enterprises. The company looked
for a dividend of 5 per cent., and would give all beyond to
the general fund for the promotion of the object they had
in view. (Hear, hear).
Dr. H. Fernie seconded the motion, which was unani-
mously adopted.
On the motion of Mr. T. D. Anderson, thanks were voted
to the chairman ; after which the meeting separated.
We may state that this was the first company registered
under the Limited Liability Act, and that the buildings
which they have erected, and which are open for inspection
every day from twelve to two o'clock, will amp 1y repay the
trouble of a visit].

THROWING A BRICK AT AN EXPRESS TRAIN.-At the
Mid.ilesex Sessions, on Wednesday, Frederick Goodwin,
aged 11, was indicted for having unlawfully thrown a brick
at a train on the London and North Western Railway,
whereby the liv9s of the passengers were endangered. He
surrendered in court, and, on being arraigned, pleaded
guilty. Mr. Giffard, as counsel for the prosecution, said
the offence the prisoner was charged with was a serious
one. He was seen to climb up the parapet of a bridge at
the north end of Primrose hill tunnel, and throw a piece of
brick at an express train passing underneath, and it struck
the van with considerable violence. the offence hail
become frequent of late, and two detectives were set to
watch, and they caught the prisoner in the act. He said
he was sorry, and it was the first time he had done it.
The learned Judge said be would consider what sentence to
pass.