Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-07 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1859

THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

(From a Correspondent.)

We do not design, in these notes, to present an
elaborate statement of dates or an array of statis-
tics, 'but to give tin intelligible, and-at. the- same
time a brief resume of the subject, as it presents
itself to our experience of its working. It is now
desirable to notice an inquiry' which originated
from our last notes, as to how the London
and North Western Co. charged carriage upon the
large amount of goods,- not export goods, but goods
passing from Manchester to supply the large home
demand of London. The answer to this, ques-
tion, will let a little lightiat? a new division of
railway. tactics. The legislature wisely endeavours
in granting an act of parliament, for any projects
designed for objects of general public utility, to
bind the corporate body so privileged to act equi-
tably and with that justice to •every individual
coming within the scope of its operations. So in
regard to each railway, it is bound by the Rail-
ways Clauses Consolidation Act; to charge each
person conveying goods over its lin,es, the same
rate of carriage between two given places, for,
goods conveyed under like circumstances. How
then was the railway company with such a
clause, designed for public protection, to esta-
blish differential rates of carriage ? In other
words—how was it to• work out its own
scheme of drawing Lancashire export goods to
London at cheap rates, and still make higher rates
upon the home goods ? A sliding scale is adopted
to meet this difficulty, that is, one rate of carriage
is fied upon lots of 500 tons, in a line, another
slightly higher, upon 200 tons, and so on until the
series drops to 20 tons or thereabouts, which
quantity, and, of course, lesser lots, is priced at full
rates, and, thus, in direct infringement of the
spirit, if not of the letter of the law, two classes
of persons using the same line between the same
places pay different rates. The large exporter
gets off cheaply, the small draper in London less
fortunate, must pay full rates. Such was another
system which the railway company had to avail
of in its determination to centralise as much as
possible the Lancashire export trade in London.
Is it asked was the sliding scale —questionable,
it was in paint of legality—yet made available also,
to favour Liverpool traffic from Manchester? The
reply must be no, no relaxation in the rate of
carriage, nor any sliding scale as to quantity, or-
other seheme was meted out to her.

That the Liverpool canal companies permitted
this system to proceed to their manifest injury may
naturally excite surprise, but they were now tied to
good behavour by their junction with a railway
company no longer like themselves, depending
Lancashire traffic, but able to hide a loss upon
f its branches in the midst of an enormous
weekly show of traffic.

LIVERPOOL ROYAL INFIRMARY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES,

Sir,—The chairman and treasurer of the Liver-
pool Royal Infirmary have issued an appeal so-
liciting contributions for discharging the debt of
£6,000 which is now due from that noble institution.
Their appeal is excellent as far as is goes, but it is
doubtful whether it goes far enough for the purpose.
It will convince all persons who recollect what the
infirmary formerly was, compared with what it now
is, and they will consider that the improvements
are well worth the cost; but it may, from
its brevity and the absence of any details, fail
to make a similar impression on that far larger class
of persons who neither know what the Infirmary
formerly was, nor what it now is. For the infor-
mation of such persons, I will enter into a few
particulars, but, before so doing, I must premise
that, of the debt of £6,000, about £1,500 was
incurred in the ordinary expenses of the establish-
ment, at a time when the price of all articles of
consumption was very high ; and that of the £4,500
expended on the buildings, a considerable sum was
devoted to large and necessary repairs.
I will now enumerate a few particulars to show
the difference between the former and the present
state of the buildings, so that the public may judge
of the comparative merits of the two.

1. These extensive premises, in their pristine
state, were destitute of proper drainage, and
abounded with cesspools of the moat offcnoivo
description. They have now been thoroughly
drained, at a very considerable expense, under the
eompulsory powers of the Sanitary Improvement
Act.

2. The difficulty and delay formerly experienced
in distributing the meals throughout 20 wards, con-
taining above 200 patients, may be imagined, when
it is stated that there were 43 steps of steep stair-
cases between the kitchen and the wards on the first
floor, and 64 steps between the kitchen and the wards
on the second floor, to be mounted, and in addition
to this, long passages to be traversed. The conse-
quence was that the food, though good of itself,
never reached the patients till it was nearly cold,
and in a state more likely to damp the appetite than
to excite it. Marvellous is the difference between
this and the present system ! for now, by means of
hoists, the meals are rapidly conveyed from the
kitchen to the wards• and delivered
,to the patients
before they had time to grow cold. The coals and
all other articles are conveyed to the wards in the
same manner.

3. Formerly, the baths and other indispensable
appendages were too few and of bad construction ;
at present, there is a bath-room, a lavatory, a sink,
and a set of water elos'ets, all of the best description,
attached to every two contiguous wards, and there
is also an ample supply of water, both hot and cold,
in every story of the building:
4. Of the bedrooms occupied by nurses and
servants, several had, till lately, no fire-places • so
that the very persons, upon whose healthful
activity the care of the sick so much depends, were
themselves exposed to an unhealthy atmosphere in
their private apartments. This evil has been cor-
rected, as far as practicable, to the great satisfaction
of the parties concerned.
5. Formerly, the same room was used for the two-
fold purpose of a chapel and a reception room. It
had long been felt that it was desirable to put an end
to this unseemly combination, and it has accordingly
been done. The room has been handsomely fitted
up as a chapel at the sole expense of Mr. Hutchison,
the treasurer, and the attendance at divine service
has considerably increased.

6. Formerly, the shop for drugs, the laboratory,
and the anatomical room were not only out of repair,
but very inconvenient, and the passage leading to
them was close and dark. All these defects have
now been removed, and some rooms in the same
part of the building, which before were useless and
empty, have lately been converted into a comfortable
reception room for patients, and a room for private
examinations.

7. The last point to be noticed is, that the relatives
and friends of patients, who are allowed to see them
on the public visiting day, are no longer kept outside
till the appointed hour, exposed to the inclemency of
the weather, but are at once admitted into a con-
venient w aitin g-room. _

-It is hoped that all who consider the nature of the
alterations thus enumerated will admit that without
them the Institution would have been most imperfect;
whereas now it is not surpassed in its arrangements
and appointments by any other of its kind in the
country. It is also hoped that the appeal for pecu-
niary aid will be responded to from motives of
genuine Christian charity : for where can the Chris-
tian philanthropist find an object more worthy of
sympathy and generous support than an institution
which, abounding in appliances and means for the
relief of suffering humanity, affords a home to our
poorer brethren
,in the time of sickness, treats them
with tender care, and secures to them the benefit
of as high professional skill as the richest in our
town can command for themselves. If their diseases
be curable, their cure is accelerated, to the unspeak-
able relief of many an anxious family among the
working classes ; if incurable, the patients have the
comfort of being daily visited by their relatives and
friends, and the consolations of religion are faithfully
ministered to them during the period of their
sickness and in their dying hour.
Such an institution is an honour and a blessing to
the town, and the inhabitants are now entreated to
prove that they appreciate its value by prompt and
liberal contributions in answer to the appeal.

AN OLD SUBSCRIBES,

MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL.
LIVERPOOL, Saturday Evening.
The Liverpool Cotton Market continues very
active, and a large business has been done to-day,
the sales reaching 10,000 bales, of -which about
2,000 *ere taken for- speculation and export. -
The Liverpool Share Market has been rather
more active, and the transactions more numerous,
but there has not been any great change in prices.
The sales were as follows :—Eastern, Counties, 11
13-16, 11-T ; Great Western, 551 ; Lancashire and
Yorkshire, 931, 931, 94; Lancaster and ..Preston
new shares B, 8p ; London and North Western,
934 93;1, 931 ; 'Midland, 98 y, 981 99 ; North Eastern
—Berwick Stock, 91 ; South Eastern, 21k, 21 3-16;
Great Luxembourg, 61 ; Great Western of. Canada,
151, 151.
The letters by the Brazilian mail were delivered
here at noon to-day. Our correspondent at Monte
Video writes, on, the..29th of January :-- •

GoonslnicET.—The demand, generally speaking, has
not been so languid as it generally is at this season of the
year, considering that we are at present between the winter
and summer season ; and we cannot expect much animation
in this market until winter goods begin to be inquired for.
Imports this month have been on an extensive scale, increas=
ing the stocks considerably. Produce : During the present
month killing in the Saladeros have been carried on 'on an
extensive scale, • 65,000 animals, and upwards, having been
slaughtered since the beginning of the season, and 'it is
expected very little will be done in February, on account•of
the high, price of cattle. The stock on hand of ox and cow
hides are calculated at 20,000 and upwards, which is
daily'increasing by the arrivals of vessels from, the interior
of the rivers and from the interior of the country. Wool is
in great demand, particularly those classes of unwashed
Megrim., but the washed wools remain neglected, in conse-
quence of the holders asking high prices, which buyers
refuse to pay. Exchange for • this mail has fluctu-
ated very much, in consequence of the receipt of a
large amount of specie from Brazil. Operations com-
menced at 444 d, and the closing rate 421 d. The
exports of produce from Monte. Video for Engaland
from December 25, 1858, to January 25, 1859, were-
-17,804 salted ox and cow hides ; 5,442 salted horse hides;

59 pipes tallow; 284 pipes mares grease; 34 bales haii;
1 cargo bone and bone ash. From the Uruguay —9,400
salted ox anti cow hides ; 40 dry horse hides ; 484 pipes
tallow. The rates of freight were—England : Salted hides,
40s ; dry ditto, 80s ; pipes, 45s ; cases, 4es ; bales, 30s ;
primage, 5 per cent.

The White Star line of packet ship, Red Jacket,
arrived here from Melbourne to-day with £220,000
in gold. The• other movements of the Precious
Metals during the past week have been of an impor-
tant character. The imports have amounted to
about £489,937; including £183,917 from the
United States, by the Asia ; £970 from the
Cape of Good Hope, by the Athens; £43,300
from the Brazils, by the Tamar ; £160,891
from the West Indies, by the Atrato ; £825
from the Peninsula, by the Sultan ; £124 from
New Zealand, by the Mary Ann ; and about
£TOO,OOO in silver from the Continent. The exports
have been £139,632 to the East Indies and China, by
the Ripon ; £760 to• the West Indies, by the La
Plata ; and shipments to the Continent, through the
London Custom House, estimated at £51,459 ; the
total being £194,851.
In• London, the Money Market is rather mare
stringent. Several of the joint-Atock banks made
advances more, freely to-day, at rather enhanced
rates, and the quotation for the negociation of the
best paper at 21 per cent. The discount companies
and private establishments were also enabled to
employ their resources on equally advantageous
terms, though the amount of bills offering is scarcely
so large as a week or a fortnight since. The pay-
ments of the fourth of the month this afternoon were
not in the aggregate extensive, but they were well
discharged, and trade generally seems to be placed
upon a healthy basis. ane or two failures for small
amounts-have recently taken place,'but they appear.
to have arisen from exceptional circumstances, and
not from any particular depression in business.
At the Bank the applications had not been very
numerous, the supply out of doors being available at
cheaper rates.
The London Stock Market was animated to-day,
and prices are altogether higher. This arises from
the receipt of favourable advices from Paris, and the
confident tone adopted with regard to the settlement
of existing difficulties. Consols for Money and the
Account have touched 95,T ; but they are now about
951 for Money, and 951 to 951 for April ; Three per
Cents. Reduced, 961; to 961,-; NOW Throb por Conte.,
961 to 96.4 ' • India Four per Cent. Debentures, 984- to
99; EXahequer Bills, 355. to 38s. pm. ; and
Exchequer Bonds, 1004 to 1001.
From the French Bourse the state of business
shows great activity, with an advance of 1 per cent.,
but the extreme point has not been sustained ; the
highest quotation has been 68f. 90c., and the present
is 68f. 70c.

There is little or no business in Foreign Stocks,
the few quotations, however; show a firm appearance,
Turkish Six per Cents, are higher ; the Guaranteed
Stock has advanced 1 per cent. Brazilian steady.
Railway Shares, continue to be fully supported,
and most of the larger lines have exhibited some ad-
vance in value. Great Western with Eastern Coun-
ties are about 1 per cent. higher ; Brightons, 1 per
cent. ; London and North Western and South
Eastern, 1 per cent. respectively. The closing prices
were :—Ambergate, Nottingham, and Eastern Junc-
tion, 61, 61 ; Caledonian, 841 85 ; Eastern Counties,
59k, 591 ; East Lancashire, 92, 94 ; Edinburgh
and Glasgow, 70, 71 ; Great Northern, 1011, /02 ;
Do. A., 87, 88; Great Western, 55k, 561 ; Great
Western of Canada, 151, 151 ; Grand Trunk of
Canada, 7?,-, 7 • Lancashire and Yorkshire, 934,
941 ; London and North Western, 931, 931 ; London
and South Western, 921- 921 i ; Leeds Northern,
461, 46'4 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire,
37t, 371 ; Midland Stock, 981, 991 ; North. British,
571 581 ; South Eastern and Dover, 701, 701 ;
York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 901, 911; York and
North Midland, 751, 751.
Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners have
given notice that they will, on Thursday, March 10,
receive tenders for ships to proceed to Adelaide and
Algoa Bay. The ships to be ready between the
18th and 28th of April next inclusive.
The prospectus of the National Flax Company,
limited, is issued with a proposed capital of 200,0001.,
in shares of 11. each. The object of this company is
to bring into use improved means for the preparation
of flax-fibre from the raw plant. Stress is laid upon
the check which is given to the home growth of flax
through the defects in the present system of pre-
paring it for manufacturing purposes. It is alleged
that the patented processes secured by the company,
which are those of Mr. G. A. Cator, will effect a
great economy both of time, labour, and capital.
"Itettories " are to be established in suitable
localities, and a number of plans for encouraging a
more general cultivation of this valuable plant are
alluded to.

Notwithstanding the suspense, the Stock Markets to-
day were firm, and late in the afternoon Consols expe-
rienced an.advance of 81 to 3-16 per cent. This favour-
able movement is attributed rather to the support
accorded by investors than to any increase of confidence
in the position of Continental politics. This being the
4th of the month, the Discount Market was active, but
the terms for the best bills did not exceed 24 to 21 per
cent. The scrip of the Austrian Loan was quoted at 22
to 2 dis. There were no gold operations at the Bank to-
day. It is computed that during the last week at least
10,000 Lombardo-Venetian Railway Shares have been
sold in the London market on foreign account. These
_operations to-day, however, slackened, and the shares at
once improved. On 'Change, this afternoon, bills on
Holland and Frankfort were inquired for, and wera
quoted less favourable for. this couuntry. The principal
feature, however, is still the rise in the Austrian Ex-
change.—Daily News' City Article, Friday Evening.
The English Funds opened-this morning at the steady
prices of yesterday, and subsequently experienced a
further rise of one-eighth per cent. A recovery of nearly
per cent. on the Paris Bourse shortly after the opening
was the chief cause of the better tone, and there were
likewise reports of tranquilising news from Germany.
The payments of the 4th of the month having been
concluded, the supply of money in the Discount Market
is again abundant. The Colonial produce markets
dnring the week have been quiet, but prices are fairly
maintained.—Times' City Article,' Friday Evening:
THE TRAFFIC RETURNS- of Railways in the United
Eingdorn, for the week ending Feb. 26th, shew an
increase of £3l, 560 over last year.

1 THE REFORM BILL.—The Times has some sarcastic
remarks about the absence of the indignation meeting on
the Government Reform . Bill. The herald appears to
intimate that Lord John Russell and Mr. Bright have
I come to some understanding in reference to the course to
I _b© puriued on the Reform Bill,