Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-10-05 00:00:00

TAE RIVINGTON RESERVOIR.

In fact there are two reservoirs so named, the
upper and lower. The latter being next to and in
close proximity to the filter beds. I found
the water in this last much lower than I had
'Anticipated after the recent heavy rains.
believe I am not far wrong when
I stall., that on the occasion of my visit on Wed-
nesday, the water level was at least ten feet below
,he ove!flow point at the waste vein, alth -nigh the
quantity abstracted for the supply of Liverpool
comparatively small, under one third of the esti.
mated capacity of these reservoirs. I was forcibly
struck with the altered appearance of the water in
this reservoir, which on my former visits appeared
comparatively clear, now, however, the colour was
nearly as dark and mossy as that of the Anglez Ark
water itself. I was at a loss to account for this at
first, but the cause soon became apparent. It
appears that the draft on the ltivington had so far
reduced its volume as to induce the authorities to
turn in a' portion of the Anglez irk w tter, and,
accordingly, on r: aching the embankment at the
Black Bay, I found a stream -of water flowing

through Cie culvert from the latter reservoir to the
extent of some six or eight million gallons, during
the twenty-four hours. Although at thi3 point
the water had comingled with that of the
Rivingcon upper reservoir, yet the colour
►vas that of a deep mossy-brown, and very dirty.

rhe dark colour of Rivingt'n water, was thus
easily accounted for, as well as the increased depth

of water which I was informed had uccumulited
'n the latter reservoir during the few days prior to
my visit. After a cursory inspection of Mr. Mar-
tin's splendid establishment, on the banks of the
reservoir—in the centre of which a beauti:ul little
laland has been formed and planted for the accom-
modation of the numerous flocks of geese, ducks,
swans and other web-footed animals, domestic and
foreign, wild and tam 3 who disport themselves in
the water, apparently in the enjoyment of the
most perfect security from all aggressors—l reach
the Knowsley embankment, which serves to im-
pound the water in

THE GREAT ANGLEZARE RESERVMR.

This is one of the most stupendous, and, as it
has proved, one of the most costly undertakings in
in connection with these lurks. The contractors
for this embankment, were Messrs Scott and
Howell; who, according to report, undertook the
job under the impression that solid metal for
a foundation, could be reached within a few
feet LE* the surface ; but, ere this object could
be accomplished, a depth of nearly 80 feet had to
be reached. The contrac;ors were ruined, and
the Corporation took the works into their own
hands and completed them. Protracted litigation
h ensued, the result of which is not yet known.
This is by far the most extensive reservoir in the
whole chain ; and it cannot but be Matter of the
deepest regret, not only to the Water Committee
but the whole t )wn, that the water impounded) in

it is of such a quality as to render its use for
domestic purposes altogether out of the question.
It is only necessary for any unprejudiced person
to look at this water, in order that he may be
satisfied of its utter unfitness for every household
purpose. It would only be sheer affectation for
ine to speak in qualified terms concerning the
colour and quality of this water ; if I did so I
would belie the professions I made at the
commencement of this communication. ; and I
shall - neither be guilty of. exaggeration on
the one hand, or a suppressio yen on the other.
The colour of this water is as dark as I believe it
poSsib!e for rams water to be, at least I never saw
it da►ker; its taste is that of stagnant bog water,
and, in many placee, there proceeds from the
mosses of decayed vegetable matter. which line
the banks, exhalations of the most offensive an-

meter. This is more particularly the case at the
mouths of such brooks as flaw into it ; at one
point, close beside the Chorley Lodge, the stench
is positively disgusting, as i 3 the unctuous and
putrescent matter which ooz as like slime from
numerous veins in the neighbourhood. Every per.
son in the district, even the water offiials them-
selves, admit that the water impounded in this
reservoir is, in its present state, totally unfit for
human use, and many have said bluntly, in answer
zo my inquiries, that it was not fit for brute beasts
o d ink ; and no known system of filtration
has any effect in Improving the colour of this
water. A close examination of the sources. of
supply will shew that Mr. Duncan was, in a
great measure, correct, when he said in his
report that the water owed its impurity to
the nature of the gathering ground on the hills ; in
army places it will be found that there are ex-
tensive tracts of bogs, quagmires, holes, ravines,
gulleys, and foul ditches where the dead water
stagnates for months together; exposed to the
action of a summer sun, decomposition rapidly
-akes place, asd the mass turns with the lower
orders of vegetable and animal organisms of the
most insiduous and disgusting description—a flood
comes, and the whole mass of putrescence is at
once swept into the reservoirs, rendering the
water foul and unsuited for human use, as we now
find it ; nor is there any remedy for this state of
things, except by constructing works of a costly
character, capable of conveying all such filthy
waters clear off the reservoirs, for so long as the
washings of these hills is allowed freely to incorporate
with the really good and pure water which is found
in very considerable quantities in the district, so long
must the latter be rendered repulsive and distasteful.
But, however effective a system of mountain

drainage might prove, in carrying off the impure
washings of the hills—yet, in the case of the Angle-
zark reservoir, there'exists a difficulty which would
appear to be insurmountable—namely, the nature
of the bed of the reservoir. The sinking fa. the
foundation of the Knowsley embankment, and the
piling to form a foundation for the support of the
Chorley main pipe, proved that the water in this
important lodge-rests on a bed of solid moss, from
sixty to one hundred feet deep, and until this mass
is excavated in its entirity, it is more than hope-
less to expect that water impounded over such a
depth of peat, could be other than moss water.
During the past summer large quantities of peat
have become detached from the mass, and, g to
the surface,has been conveyed away by thebarges
of the• Corporation. Regrets are now idle, yet it
ishardly poesibloto. do other than deplore the blind
atality which. prompted the constructionstreuch a

work, in such a place, and under such cireum-
erwoces. Taking a last look at the dark water in
the Anglewirk Reservoir, I could not repress a
heartfelt sigh when I called to mind same of the
darker deeds which-111d been perpetrated in regard
to it. But this-ie no place for moralising. I now
come to, THE GOIT,
which' connects, the Anglezark Reservoir with the
catchment lodges, known as the Rake Brook and
Roddlesworth. Reservoirs. The extreme lenwh of
this goit is about four miles, and dining its entire
length it skirts the base of the Anglezailt range of
hills on the right,. where there is little or no culti-
vation, and scarcely an inhabited dwelling, while
on the left, are numerous viPages, manWactorier,
and farms, and,. of course, a very con-

siderable population. This goit, as I
have already explained, is merely an
open cutting, conitructed, doubtless, for the
double purpose of conveying the water from the
two upper into the lower reservoirs, and at the
same time intercepting the numerous beautiful-
springs which flaw from the hills all along its
course. Had it been possible to have conveyed
the whole of the spring water produced in this
district, without admixture, to Liverpool, it must

have been most acceptable,as the quality is faultless
and the quantity con: iderable• Unfortunately
this is at present impossible, and, hence, the good.
water becomes completely polluted by an admix-
ture with the refuse of manufactories, and other
sources of pollution It was confidently assered
some time ago that works had been constructed.
purposely to convey the refuse water from all the
villages and manufactories along the line of this
canal I searched in vain. for such works, or any
indications of them. In fact there are, as yet, at
alt events, none such in existence. The pre-
sent state of this cutting is certainly noth-
ing to boast of. In fact it appears tha
most slovenly portion of the whole works.
In several places the mountain torrents have
washed down large quantities of sand, gravel, and
debris, which hits settled in the bottom of the eut,
and will tend aniously to interfere with the flow
of water when the works are in full operation. I

have heard grave doubts expressed as to the
rtnentiven6ss of certain portions of the embank-

rnents of this canal, and at one point in particular
th, re is great reason to apprehend a serious

.eakage,

THE RAKE-BR3OIE AND RoDDLES WORTH RESERVOIRS.

These terminate the chain of the "Rivington
Water Wolk]; they are comparatively steal►, and
have been constructed more with a view to com-
pensations than anything "else. Their capacity
may be inferred from the fact that recently, during
one night's rain, water was impounded to a depth.
of upwards of furty feet. The quality of the water
likely to be impounded in these lodges will, no
doubt, prove superior to either the Rivington or
Anglezark, and if it could .be conveyed in its
natural state to Liverpool, might be unobjectionable;
but, of course, this cannot be done, or it must pass
along the goit, and then cotningle with the foul
water of Anglczirk,.when; of course, its purity wilt

he at an end. The embankment of 'the 'ltOddles-
worth reservoir give indications of weakness some
twelve months op from some slip or defect in
the foundation. - Fortunately, it contained no
water at the time, or the results might have been
serious. The defect has .been apparently made
good by Messrs. Isherwood and .Dudbury, the
extensive contractors, who competed their con-
tract some time ago. They have still, however, a

!urge body of met; at work on what is called extra
woik, not specified in their contract; and a con-
siderable time must yet elapse ere that can be
completed. The only other portion of the works
calling for special notice is

THE LEAKAGE AT THE MILLSTONE 13 iNK.

It will be reoollecte -I that this was described,
some eighteen months aizo, as a mere trumpery
afftir of no moment; and that a few days, or, at
most, weeks, would suffice to remedy it. Un-
fortunately, these confi tent predictions have
not been verified by the results, so far.
On the contrary, the prospect of stopping
this escape of water appears as distant now
as it was when it first broke out; at present there
are about 100 men employed on it, and the cost for
wages and materidl must in the end amount to a
very large sum. The engineers in charge of the
work appear to be groping altogether in the dark.
and have hitherto signally failed in grappling with
the difficulv ; according to present appeal-anees,
years may yet elapse ere this leak is finally stopped.
I have heard since my re' urn that orders have been
given to fi 1 in the immense excavation which has
been made with puddle. It is not for me to com-
ment on the wisdom of this, or any other portion
of the proceedings connected with it, at the same
I cannot help thinking it highly probable that
the puddle will have ere long to come out again.
No doubt this has been a source of much anxiety
and vexation to the Water Committee, and they
would gladly resort to any expedient to get rid of
it, which is not to be wondered at, when the pro-
ceedings at present are entailing an outlay of soma
£6,000 per annum.
I now hive to bring the narrative of my survey
to a close, and I have strictly adhered to the
resolution I made, to state such facts only as come
under my own observation, honestly, and faithfully,
leaving you and others to draw such inferences as
these may seem to jusliry. The publication of
facts, in connection with this subject, can ne
longer be obnoxious to any party. On the cotrary,
a full developetnent of these, in my humble
opinion, more likely than anything else to lead to
a satisfactory solution of a subject which has
hitherto been productive only of strife and bitter-
uess.—l am, sir, yours, Sc.!. AQUARIUS.

Several English gentlemen all cle.gymcn connected with
the Foreign Ail S city have arrived in Turin lately, with
the object of endeavouring to establish a chaplain there of
tie Church of Fugland.
D'. Charles Mackay lef; Liverpool on Saturday f the
Uni el States and Canada. A. series of let ers and
ske'ches of his travels will be transmittei to the Muse
tra!ed London News, to the succ ss of which journal his
literary and editorial labours have largely contribute d In
America Dr. Mackay is ping to ltcture on Bangs," and
to read a new rarrative poem.
FATAL CCID7NT.-011 Saturday, an aceilert, attended
with fatal consequences, occurred in S eward-street.
William Johnsor, a draymar, in the employ of Mr. Josself,
brewer, of Meltou-street, fell down, and the dray, which
was heavily laden, possd over his head and other parts of
his body. He was immediately conve)ed to the Northern
Hospital, but expired on the same day, from the injuries
he sustained. An inquest will be held en the body this day.
coin see.-On Saturday, a sailor name I Wi lawns
Gibbs, belonging to the Lady Franklin, in the Prince's
D eck, fell from the ship and severely injnrel his knee.—
And on Thursday, .L.mas Corrigan, of 23 Court, Chtemen-
hale-s'reet, f-tl from the roof of a house and dislocated
his hip.—John Babe, a seaman on bard the ship
Tuscarora, in the 'Waterloo Dock, foil and frctured his
skull.—Lawrerce Do3le, of the ship Swi valeta& fell into
the hold of that vessel, and was s.verely ir pared. These
cases were Van tted i• to the hospital.
Yes'erday evening, about eight o'clock, a man named
Daniel Stafford, about 67 years of age, residing at 11.
Hunter-greet, fill off the east side of the large Landing-
stage into the river. Mr. William b, rf Upper Hill-
street, jumped into a hoe, and with t e assistance of police
constables 418 (13:.ckley), and 759 (Davenport), rescued
la,rn from the w ,t-r, when he was immediately taken to
the receivi g house, and Dr. Brown, from the dispensary,
hiving attended hi n for some rime, the man w-s resusei-
ta:cd, and there is no doubt of his ultimate recaver3 from.
the eff eta of his immersion.
THR JENNEIs PuopanTY.—Tle right heir to the
enormous wraith of the J-nnens family has at last been
found in rho person of Mr. Jo eph Martin ; and an
eminent law firm of Liverpool have recently obtained
administration for the heir-at-law from Doctors' Cotn-
mons, to Eliz aheth Minch, otherwise Jernene, the daughter
and htiress of John Jennens, of Celebeete-, who was the
last mate heir ent..il and heir gene•al of the Jennens.
The personal property to which this administration will
extend is supposed to amount to over £16,000,000. The
teal estates are equally large, the rental being estimated
at £150,000 per annum. The principal landed prolerties
are situated in Birmingham, Edgbaston, and in the
counties of Warwick, Stafford, Woretater, G'oncester.
Salop, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester,
Flint, Chester.
Suffolk, and Essex. The appearaice of a direct personal
creopnrseidseenratbatlieveutnoeathsienJesesnnienns'aserea4e
influential persons, and will, in all probability, end in
will,arg It
circleist thought,
ghhiti h and
the discomfiture of a host of active claimants and anxious
expectanas who have been for years seeking to obtain al,
share of this almost fabulous accumulation of wealth.