The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-28 00:00:00

THE DAY'S NEWS,

A special meeting of the Town Council was held
yesterday. Mr. Picton, at some length, alluded
to the report of the committee of the House of
Commons, appointed to inquire into the subject of
shipping dues, See. He stigmatised the report of
the committee as one of a most unfair character ;
but the Council took no very decided action on the
question. Mr. Alderman Cooper moved the con-
firmntion of the proceedings of the Water Com-
mittee. These proceedings consisted of two
resolutions, the purport of which was—that the
committee
.could not recommend the outlay or
expenditure as that stated to be necessary to
supply well water to the inhabitants of Liverpool,
for that they were under the impression that the
water from Rivington would eventually be suffi-
ciently pure for every purpose. Mr. Earle seconded
the motion. Mr. Bennet, at some length, proceeded
to lay before the Council his views of the qualities
of the Rivington water. He showed that it was
most unfit for human use, so far as dietetic pur-
poses were concerned, and moved a resolution to
this effect. He wanted to know if there was to be
one quality of water for the rich and another for
the poor. Mr. Alderman Cooper had stated that
any gentleman could, supposing the water was
impure, have a filter fitted at the beginning of his
pipe, and thus purify all the water that came into
his house. He concluded by moving the resolu-
tion alluded to above. Mr. J. R. Jeffery seconded
the motion. He stated that the whole scheme has
proved a most untimed and unfortunate undertak-
ing; every promise has failed, every prediction has
been falsified, and nothing that was hoped for has
been realised. Mr. Jeffery then proceed to sub-
stantiate his assertions. Mr- William Earle
followed. He said that the water was good,
and produced some samples, which he said
had been taken from the cistern attached ,
to his house, and he would therefore sup-
port the motion of Mr. Cooper. Mr. James
Holme, although admitting that the water was of a
very bad colour, stated that as no one could tell
how soon the supply of well water might cease, he
would support the proceedings of the Water Com-
mittee, as he wished that the works should be
completed, but above all he did hope that there
would be no more writing in newspapers, " let that
stop, and the public would soon find out if there
was anything wrong ; and then, after a fair trial, if
it should be found that the works were not com-
plete, and the water was bad, he should be happy
to do all he could to give them satisfaction," Mr.
Alderman Parker, although condemning the prac-
tices of the Water Committee, which he 'thought
was not dealing frankly with the Council, could not
at present gothe length of Mr. Bennett's motion.
D. Hodson took some pains to prove that the
statements of Messrs Bennett and Jeffery, respect-
ing the action on lead of the Rivington Water, was
exagorated. He maintained that the health of the
town since January was much better than usual, and
from this, argued that such a state of things was
solely and entirely owing to the unlimited supply of
Pike Water. Mr Gardiner, in expressing 11. is opinion
that a great mistake had been made in the Pike
scheme, urged that they should not decide the
question until they had fuller information. Mr.
Alderman Samuel Holme delivered a long lecture
to the Council, showing, in his own estimation, at
least, that in no instance whatever had the • supply
of well water been found sufficient for a large
town. He next alluded to the supply and quality
of the
_Pike. As to the former, he said it was
better than even the most sanguine of the sup-
porters of the scheme could have anticipated• For
its qualities they are most miraculous, Mr..Holme,
it must be known, is a rather extensive land-
lord ; and if we are to ,put faith in the expres-
sions of the learned gentleman, the washings
of the Rivington hills beats Holloway's pills
all to sticks. Mr. Holme read what he
said was a letter from " Richard Robinson, Lower
Harrington-street." The writer positively attri-
buted his restoration to good health to the marvel-
lous qualities of the Pike water, to which he ascribed
the freshening colour in his cheeks. Mr. Holme
then made some very undignified attacks upon
this paper, and concluded with the expression that
notwithstanding the odium which was now attached
to the undertaking by some parties, he should
always consider it a great honour to have been
instrumental, in however humble a degree, in pro-
curing for the town an abundant supply of the great
necessary of life. Messrs. Aikin, Graves, Shiel,
and Kitchen then spoke on the subject, and the
only one of these gentlemen in favour of the supply
was Mr. Graves. Mr. Robertson Gladstone
ultimately moved that the Water Committee should
filter the water more effectually before it was sup-
plied to the inhabitants, and for that purpose would
adjourn all discussion till the meeting of the
Council in August. Mr. Gladstone's motion was
carried.

We have later news from America by the arrival
of the screw steamer Kangaroo. .The news is
interesting. Governor R. J. Walker, of Kansas,
was to take his departure from New. York for that
territory on the 14th inst. On the authority of the
Havannah Correspondent of a New Orleans news-
paper, we have a report that General Waiker has
retreated from Nicaragua, and was on board a
British man-of-war at San Juan del Sur. No par-
ticulars are given, inasmuch as Walker, by last
accounts, 13'83 greatly reduced at Rivas, the present
report of his evacuation of that city, if it is not
considered authentic, may be regarded as a very
probable event, We have San Francisco dates to
the 20th April, but the news is almost wholly devoid
of general interest. The prospects of the mining
interests are represented as being highly favorable.
Still, cases of insanity and suicide continued
to be of frequeet occurrence in different parts of
the State, and the record of public crime showed
little diminution. From New Grenada we learn
that the Senate has refused to indorse the bill
passed by the house for the defence of the Isthmus,
and it is sufficiently obvious that neither the State
of Panama, nor the general Government, have
ruffiCient means at their disposal to undertake the

expense. The difficulty between Great Britain and I
New Grenada grows daily more serious ; and a
large British fleet had left for Carthagena, to
blockade that and other ports. It would appear
that the traffic in both Africans and Coolies is
greatly on the increase in Cuba, and many vessels
are being purchased and fitted out, in various parts
of the island, for the prosecution of this iniquitous
trade. Later news from Mexico represents that the
people of the capital were much concerned about
the rejection of the Forsyth Treaties. A rumour
prevailed that the Archbishop had given in his
adhesion to the new •constitution—an important
rumour, if true; for it proves that Comonfores
Government has pursued a correct course, and has
sufficient strength to awe down even ecclesiastical
rebels:. . . .

We have received information of the resumption
of diplomatic releions with Persia. Advices from
Bagdad mention, that Mr. Murray, late- British
minister at the court of Persia, who had been
several weeks in that city, was to leave on the 15th
of May, with-the. Persians attached to his legation,.
Our Paris correspondence informs us, that when
Feruk Khan received his despatches from Teheran,
announcing the ratification of the- treaty with
England, he gave orders to have a'rnedal struck, at
his own expense, commemorative of the treaty of
peace with England.
Letters from Algeria to the 20th instant state,
that the appearance of the crops in these provinces
is splendid. The quality of the, grain is very
superior. Barley of this year's growth has already
been converted into meal. - -
The Archbishop of Mexico, whom the. President
of that State -had exiled, had, -according -to
advices received via the Continent, :left_ for
Havannah, where a 'brilliant reception lifts
awaiting him. This is contradictory of the
advices received by the Kangaroo, arrived
here last evening. According to these, the arch-
bishop has given in his adhesion to the new con-
stitution. Which are we to believe ?

The Brazilians are to have a finger in the
Chinese pie. A letter received in Paris.announces
that the Brazilian Government was about to send
a corvette and a trig of war to the, Chinese
•
Seas.

From Constantinople, we have rather extraor-
dinary news. According to the Journal of that
city, the Isle of Perim, which has been taken p•)s-
session of by the East India. Company, in virtue of
a treaty with the chiefs 'of Berbera, legetimately
belongs„ to Turkey, and that the chiefs who pre-
tend to have sold it are nothing more than a band
of pirates.

The Neufchatel protocol it seems was signed at
Paris on Tuesday night, and it is devoutly to be
wished that we may hear no more about it.
In France a conflict threatens to arise between
the Council of State, that is, the Emperor, and the
Legislative body, represented by its" committee,
on the proposed _Bank Bill. Provisions that the
one proposes, the other rejects, and there is yet no
sign of either yielding.
The harvest in the South of Europe is described
as magnificent.

THE result of yesterday's proceedings in
Council is precisely what might have been
anticipated. The people of Liverpool are
doomed to have the abominable filth—miscalled
water—from the Rivington hills, thrust down
their throats for the next three months. At
least that is the resolve of their representatives
in the Town Council. Whether they will
quietly and tamely submit to that decision,
remains to be seen. By a vote of 29 to 15,
the Council rejected. an amendment, proposed by

Mr. BENNETT, and seconded by Mr. J. R. JEFFERY,
if That the Riving-ton water is not satisfactory
to the inhabitants of Liverpool for dietetic
purposes," and, subsequently, unanimously
adopted a resolution—

"That the Rivington water, is its present condition, is
not satisfactory-to the inhabitants for dieteic purposes, but
previous to undertaking the comideration of a separate
supply of the red sandstone water, by means of a second
set of pipes, it is desirable to ascertain whether a more
effectual mode of filtrallon can be devised before the
delivery takes place through the service pipes to the
inhabitants; and that this suggestion be referred ;to the
Water Committee, as demanding, and well deserving
their attention, and for their report at the meeting cf the
Council in August."

We can have no hesitation in declaring that
the proposition made by Mr. BENNETT, is the one
should have been adopted, and the one that
would be affirmed by the water consumers, if the
town were polled to-morrow. Every one who is
compelled unfortunately to swallow the Riving-
ton hog-wash, is already thoroughly satisfied
that no known practicable system of filtration
can ever render it equal for dietetic purposes to
the sandstone water of which they have for the
present been deprived. But we can understand
the policy of the Council. Another three months
will give ample opportunity for further doctoring
and unnecessary expenditure of the ratepayers'
money, which may prove beneficial to interested
parties, but can never produce any beneficial
result to those whose patience is thus tested,
and whose money is so shamefully squandered.
Even the learned chemist of the Pike faction has
already declared that the colour of the Rivington
wash is like the nigger's skin—proof against
all bleaching powers. Some of the members of
the Council, who claim to possess a superior
intellect, and a capacity to judge for the people,
presumed to question the dissatisfaction which
generally prevails against the use of the
Pike water; and Mr. SAMUEL HOLME
ventured an attack on the NORTHERN
TIMES, which was as undignified as
his statements .are untrue. The chief editor
of this paper is its proprietor, who never had
the honour of any situation under the Council,
anal who is as much a stranger to the interior
of any bridewell as he is opposed to
become the flunkey of any full-fledged
alderman. We hold Mr. HOLME'S own
handwriting, acknowledging and approving
of the manner and ability with which the
NORTHERN TIMES has been conducted ; but we
disregarded that communication when it was
received, quite as much as we now do the
coarse and vulgar attack he makes upon us,
in order to cover his own misdeeds. But wa
shall have something more to say on this
subject by-and-bye. The length to which
our report of the Council proceedings extend,
prevents a more lengthened notice to-day.

are stating nothing very startling or
original, when we say that the Constitution of
this country is unduly leavened with the spirit
of aristocracy. Any one who observes how
things are managed in England, may soon