Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-21 00:00:00

ST. SILAS'S WQRKINO. _MEN'S. ASS_QCJA.TIOX.
concert of this seovceientiyngw-laasstg'ivtehne hin int ehtee cns
ctlhl 0 0 el-vreonoi
lung,
Oa
,
i . On Saturday
at which Charles P. Melly, Esq., presided.
The attendance was very large, and, judging from the
frequency of the applause which the vocal performers
called forth, the 'audience were much pleased. At the
close of the first part, the chairman announced that
refreshments were to be had in another room, of which
many availed themselves. The people again reseated
themselves, and the chairman, accompanied by Mr. S,
Melly, mounted the platform.
Mr. Grimley, the secretary, said, before proceeding to
the second part he wished to say a word with respect to
their worthy chirman. Ile considered it a real triumph
to have Mr. Molly present as chairman of that meeting,
as he had done so much good for the working people.
He had, unaided, put up the drinking fountains in the
streets of Liierpool, also the gymnasiums, which was a
source of amusement to so many. He thought that was
his first, appearance in public as a speaker, but, though
he had not been in the habit of speaking
to the public, he had been working for them,
and left • the speaking to 'his brother. He hoped
they would hoar a good speech from him, and a long one
too, and he would give him his thanks, and propose that
the thanks of the meeting be given to Mr. Melly for his
kindness in coming amongst thdm. (Applause.) Mr.
Abrahams seconded, the motion, *and said, he had not the
least aoubt but that many of them had saved their money
by these ' fountains when they were thirsty. The Illus-
trated London News stated, in August last, that no fewer
than twenty-six thousand had drunk from these public
fountains in one day. That was sufficient evidence of
their usefulness.
The Chairman then rose amid thunders of applause,
and said—Ladies and gentlemen, I am extremely obliged
to you for the reception you have 'given me ; and,
although this is my first appearance as chairman, it is not
my first time to speak in public. Some allusions have
been made by your excellent secretary, to my brother
'Georee, but I can assure if there be credit due to any one
for what has been done, I am not entitled to it alone.
I can assure you that my brother has done a great deal
more than talk. I had nothing to do with the reforma-
tory for young thieves, and which cost him far more than
the gymnasiums for which I am so much praised. At
the time I got that ground from the council, it was an
old brick field. I must say, however, that when I pro-
posed such a thing, I had many objections to contend
with People said it would be a place for
rows and prize fighting, and I was told that
I must bear the consequences. When I went to Man-
chester, I found no such thing as ill feeling at the gym-
nasiums, and thought that it would be the same in
Liverpool. I could not resist the thought, however, and
I still hold it, that if you put anything up for the benefit
of the public, you are not responsible for the use
they make of it. The result has been very different
from what many people feared -it would be.
The trees and everything have remained uninjured, and I
am glad to see that during the summer months, it has
been visited by the very people for whom it-was intended.
I think that the reason these swings are more valued is,
because there is a certain amount of danger attendant on
their use.. It is in such things that youths take delight;
for except there be some risk or something to excite,
there is no pleasure. I would like to see
more, now that these have been successful.
I would say, put up gymnasiums .in the
peoples' parks, but more especially would I mention
Wavertree Park; I would say if there were one for girls,
and another for boys and men, it would be sufficient ;
and I now suggest to you, that you should have these
swings and vaulting bars, and other things for your
amusement. The way that you could attain your object
would be, by each of you who have given your votes to
the members of the Town Council, to bring your united
influence to bear upon the whole, and by a petition
numerously signed, instead of it being necessary for you
to trouble yourselves about a field at your own expense,
you will be able to go to Wavertree park at the expense
of the public, as you ought. In London, when such a
subject was mentioned, some twenty years ago, the pro-
moters were not listened to. I say twenty years, although
it is but about ten since the press took it up. At the
first, my friend Slaney, member for Shrewsbury, spoke
of it, and he has been making it known right and
left ever since .to the members, and the result
is, that ground has 'been bought, and proper provision
made for the amusement and accommodation of the
people. Well again, as to the drinking fountains, I con-
fess I care more about this than about play grounds ;
play grounds are a luxury, but drinking fountains are
more, for they are an absolute necessity. When I was on
the Continent some seven or eight years ago, I thought
we ought to have our people at home as well accommodated
as the people of Switzerland and Geneva. I saw some
people from those countries in our own town, and these
people had the greatest difficulty to get water to drink
in our streets, and many of them went to the horse
trough to get a little. Under these circumstances, I
applied myself to procure for the people what they now
have drinking fountains ; and I am very happy to know,
from statistical information brought before you to-night,
that so many have availed themselves of them ; and I
may now tell you that there, are means being employed
to establish drinking fountains all over the metropolis.
It was thought that the beersellers would be most indig-
nant about the execution of these fountains, but I
know myself of one who actually Supported the
motion when it was brought before the Town Council.
It is very seldom that such an occasion presents itself as
that which I have to-night,of asking a few questions before
a meeting of intelligent persons, who, from practical ex-
perience, are able to say on any particular subject what
are the feelings, the wants, and the wishes of the working
man. It is most important to me, for instance, to get
some expression of opinion from you in connection with
my own particular hobby—if you allow me so to call it—
the street drinking fountain. Statistics show that the
working man makes a liberal use of them ; but I want
to know from you whether he felt the
.want of them
before they existed, whether they are, in fact, a luxury or
a necessity ? Do you think that they save anything in
hard cash ? 'Does the day labourer return to his family
at night, having spent less on his dinner or himself in
the course of a' day, than before drinking fountains
existed ? Formerly, did not the working temperate man, or
say the teetotaler, contrive to obtain water to drink in the
day time, when far from home, annd how did he manage ?
Do you think that the mere sight of the water flowing
at one of the fountains, induces people to drink, who
would not do so if there was not a continual flow of
water, but only a tap ? Do you think that the working
man has any objection to drinking out of an iron ladle,
and do you think he would like a tin cup any better ?
If any of you could. give me -the working man's view on
some of these points, I should be much obliged to him—
especially as to what economy they may lead to. Mr.
Melly then resumed his seat.
A Mr. Brown, who was one of the audience, said, he
thought he was one of the first to take water at the
fountains, and many a sixpence it had saved him.
Another young man in the room added his testimony
to the usefulness of the fountains, and the second part of
the concert was proceeded with.
The proceedings wound up by singing the National
Anthem

PARK-HILL ROAD

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOR,THEAN TIMES

Sir,-,-Some few weeks ago you favoured me by
inserting my communication relative to the insuf-
ferable state of the above road. Since then there
has been a few cart-loads of cinders laid down—it
is rumoured by one of the neighbours—which for
a short time partially remedied the grievance ;
bit the heavy rain which fell on Thursday last
caused the FOOTPATH to appear in its "original
state," and we were again necessitated to wade
through several pits. A gentleman who happened
to be passing up the lane (I dare say he had never
before seen . such another) remarked that people
would have to get boats in order to sail to their
residences. Now, sir, is this not most unbearable
—that we should be obliged to suffer this " out-
rageous nuisance," and yet are heavily taxed. It
is a DISGRACE to the authorities ; for they seem :
determined " not to repair the road ;" and unless
measures are taken to compel them, we shall be
forced to endure the noxious evil. I wonder the
inhabitants remain so passive, it being a complete
ditch .in wet weather. Really there is a limit to
-
everything, except taxes ; and they do not scruple
to rate you at "fourteen pence in, the pound
sterling," for paving (including flagging, cleansing,
&c., &c.,) but they obstinately refuse to either
pave, flag, or even " clean the road," for which
of
course, they are annually paid. If this h'
it is indeed a strange mode. People naturally
expect, and have a right to receive
their money. ' What—if a, VALUE for
tradesman were to
render accounts for goods nev
the parties be justffied in a • er supplied, would
I ask, where is the difference pug. them ? And yet,
prefer to quietly submit to P But if people
thoroughfare as Park-hill - - such a scandalous
obtaining redress, they - must oad, then, instead of
delight themselves in
still continue to
getting the pleasurable recreation of
'; , . WET FEET.