Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-10-09 00:00:00

ST. ANNE'S WARD.

A meeting of the electors of St Anae's Ward favourable
t ) the re-election of Mr. Joseph Kitchen, as their repre-
&entative in the Town Council, was held last night, in the
Odd Fellows' Hall, St. Anne-street. The chair was taken
by Mr. R )bert Cameron ; and among the gentlemen
present were Mr. Councillor Hodson, Mr. Councillor
Hsydock Messrs. Gant, Watts, Tonson, Robinson,
Fairhurst, Kenna, Lancaster, Golding, Wallace, Lamont,
Fraser, W. Haydock, Coppell, Callie, Ramsden, Smith,
and M'Candlish.

The Cluinatart said be had great pleasure in meeting
his fellow-electors that evening, and observed that the
object of the meeting was to present a requisition to Mr.
Kitchen, inviting him to stand again at the next municipal
election, as a candidate for the representation of the ward,
and to assure him that the same friends were prepared to
support him now as successfully as they had done three
years ago, let opposition come whence it might. The
conduct of Mr. Kitchen, during the last three years, had
justified the wisdom of their choice, and they were now
called upon to renew that confidence which they had
hitherto reposed in him. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Warrs proposed the first resolution, which was
one of thanks to Mr. Kitchen, f)r his services in the
Council during the last three years. He said that not
only had Mr. Ki.chen's conduct been satisfactory to him
individually, but it had been satisfactory to the ward and
the town at large. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Kitchen had
immortalised his name in connection with the gas question,
the greatest which had agitated the to .vn for many years ;
and, while faithful to his princ7ples, had even eat ned the
appb.use of his opponents in the ward by tho character of
his public services.

Mr. LANCtsrEa seconded the motion, and observed that
Mr. Kitchen was just the representative which the war I
should have. His name had always appeared on the right
side in the divisions, especially in oppo dog the confirmation
of the Water Commi tee's proceedings ; and, ware he again
returned, would do all that in Wm lay for the settlement
.f that vexed question. (Hear, hoar.) He was not gifted
with the eloquence which some men in the Council had.
Ha could not to k about R ,me, and whit he saw on the
Conticent—(laughter) —but he could speak like a man of
business—could think for himself, and always voted, in
dependently. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Councillor Ileeeoce supported the motion, and
asked what did Mr Kitchen's opeonente want ? Did they
think that Mr. Kitchen had done too much for the town
that they should now discharge him, and seek to elect a
new man, who would have to learn his business. It was a
factious opposition, and would not meet countenance from
the burgesses of the ward. (Hear, hear.) "
The resolution was carried by acclamation.
The SECRETARY, Mc. Fraser, then read the requisition
inviting Me Kitchen to again stand as a candidate for the
ward. It bore the sieee'aras of 237 electors. They had
also, he said, many pledges, and they now possessed. in
round numbers, two-thirds of the ward —3lO out of 344.
(Applause )
Mr. KITCHEN, on rising to acknowledge the compliment,
was most warmly received. He said that he could assure
them that on no previous cecasion hal he id much
pleasure in meeting his fellow-burgesses of St. Anne't.
Ward as on the present occasion, even although
his tenure of office was so nearly about to expire. Three
years ago, when he first had the. hononr of appearing
before them, the great question of the day was economy.
He appealed to them whether her had not to the strictest
letter adhered to that principle throughout hie career ?
(Hear) But if economy was necessary on that occasion,
how much mo e necessary was it now, when they had been
defrauded as he migh' term it, of their most invaluable
estate. (Hear, hear.) He did not think that justice had
been done to Liverpool in that question, but he had given
his adhesion to teat compromise, believing that it included
the best terms that they could obtain. (Hear, hear.)
With regard to the water question—one of the most
anxious of all others for some time past—when they did
him the honour of returning him to the council those
works were in a forward stn e of completion, and, there-
fore, he had nothing whatever to do- in regard to that
scheme. His duty was to forward the completion of the
works with all possible speed but sat. the same time, as
economically as possible. ( gear, hear.) He should con•
fees, however, that at the time he had not the Slightest
idea that the water which they were about to receive fro:el
th 'se works had anything like so objectionable a character
as it now presented, even although the water which they now
received was only about half Rivington and half well
wa'er. (Hear, hear.) When the Council were called upon
to come to a decision with regard to the supply of water
from Rivington, having only once visited the works, when
in an incomplete state, he thought it was the duty of every
member of the Council to visit them again before they gave
a vo eon the question; and, in consequence, he made it
his business to send a circular to every member of the
Council, inviting them to join him in a visit to these
works. That was complied with ; they visited the works,
and he wets bound to say that, while he admired their mag-
nificence, he felt sa ily grieved at the result (hear, hear )
The water, as he saw it in the Ang'ezark reservoir, was not
fit for any human 13 dreg to drink - (hear, hear) —and that
circumstance so decided his mind with reference to the
supply of wa'er, that subeeqeently he considered it his
duty to obtain for the it habitants of Liverpool as much
well water for dietetic purposes a 3 possible, leaving the
Rivington water for manufacturing purposes. (Hear,
hear.) Mr. Kitchen then referred to the agitation on that
question, and detailed the advantages which had resulted
to the town through his exertions, namely—certified
meters, gas of a bet er illuminating quality, and a
control over the pressure. He then continued
to say that he accepted the requisition —(apelause) —and
would briefly indicate his future conduct. He thought it
highly necessary that they should now insist upon the
inventory of the Corporate property, which, on the motion
of Mr. Robertson Gladstone, seconder by him (Mr. Kit-
chen) was ordered in the Council sortie three years ego.
(Hear, hear.) He considered it highly necessary that they
should now be in possession of a full acciunt of all the Cor-
p:rate estate—(hear, hear)—and see wherein they could
improve the revenue of elle Corporation, and thereby
relieve tha ratepayers of the town. (:hear, hear.) It was
likely that they would be called upon for amounts for cer-
tain improvements. He would be the last an the world to
stand in the way of improvement, if he thought that
imp ovemeet was likely to be beneficial ; bet if they ware
to have an improvement rate at all, he thought they should
have a scheme of improvement which would not benefit any
particular locality, but the town at large. (Hear, hear.)
He e )nsidered that there was a wasteful expenditure in
having different c electors for several rate, and that a
saving would he effected in the amalgamati.m of the offices.
He considered also that the ratepayers wculd prefer to
know at once what they would have to pay
than to be troubled day after day by collector after col.
lecto', and he would do all in his power to bring about that
improvement He thought that, as the revenue of the
town dues had now been taken from them, they would not
be seeking too much if they applied to parliament for
noeer to have the docks cf Liverpool rated. (Hear, hear.)
He thought that, inasmuch as the docks burthened the
town with an immense amount of pauperism, it was but
fair that they should contribute to its support, and he
thought it was their betinden duty to again raise that
question, and see it settled (Hear, hear.) In conclusion,
Mr Kitchen declared • that no act of his in the Council
had ever savoured of a job, and that, though he would
give no pledges, if they again did him _the honour of
electing him as their representative, his conduct would be
as honest and independent as it had hitherto been.
(Applause)
Mr FAIKHURST moved the next resolu don, which was
to the effect. that, having heard Mr. Kitchen's statement,
nd being satisfied with it, the meeting form themselves
into a committee to secure his triutraphagt return at the
ensuing elec ion. (Hear, hest )
Mr. GILBERT seconded the motion.

Mr HoDeoN supported the motion, and in doing so,
bore testimony to the zeal, honesty, and efficiency of Mr.
Kitchen as a representative of the ward in the Council.
He alluded to the water question, and again expressed
regret that the Water Committee had allowed the Rivington
water to be brought into the town before the works were
completed. The works had not been allowed to consoli-
date, and the consequnec was that the water came in in
a very turgid state
Mr. lANCASTEN : —Yes, very turgid. (Hear, hear, and
laughter.)
Mr. HODSON cmitinued : He had moved in committee
that all the spring water pumped from the walls should be
given to the inhab:tants, and they could now see that
there was much improvement in the water. (Laughter )
The question now was not as to the exact quality of the
water, but how, having expended so enormous a sum of money
on works which were the admiration of tie country, they
could turn them to the most useful account. He felt
assured that when the works were all finished, and had
cons &dated, the water would be more pure, and though it
would never be as clean as spring water, it would, ntver-

th,..4less, be wholesome and palatable ; and he was also con-
vinced that the time would come when the community at
laflge would admit that it was one of the greatest blessings
which had ever been conferred on the town (Hear, hear.)
He agreed with them that there had been room for great
complaint, but those complaints the committee were en-
deavouring to remedy, by giving the town all the spring
water they c)uld. (Hetr, heir.)
Mr. FRASER also supported the resolution, which was
unanimously adopted.
Th nks were then voted to the chairman, after which the
meeting separated.