Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-06 00:00:00

_NORTHERN .DAILY TIMIS..

and showed that during the last three years only £7 Gs.
lad, been imposed as fines. He supported the report.
Mr-. WOODVUFF explained that when he seconded the
resolution of Mr. Earle, on the 6th July last, that the regu-
lation o' lodging-houses should-be placed under the police,
he did so with the conviction that the Health Committee
had neglected the duty placed under their charge. He
agreed with Mr. Stitt, that they Should not shut out in-
formation froth any source, but he would take care that it
was really. inforthatton. It was not a fact that the
Health Committee had neglected to register houses.
He believed the work would be better done by a large
staff under the Health Committee, than by the assis-
tance of the police.

Mr. Toßissasked the Chairman of the Watch Com-
mittee if it had been brought under his notice that some
years ago, a certain number of officers were told off for
this purpose wider the Health Committee ? There was
a change made, but how that came about he could not
say; but he wanted to ask the Chairman of the Watch
Committee, whether his attention had 'been called to
the fact that the system now recommended, had been
tried some yeafs ago ?

Mr. PrcToN, at length, supported the .recom-
mendation of the committee, believing that the system
would work well.

Dire Alderman DOVER said Mr. Rathbone seemed to
be confusing two classes of lodging-houses. They
knew, from good authority, that the act was not applied'
to weekly lodging-houses; He thought, if Mr. Rathbono
had gone out himself and judged from observation, he
would hay.ecome to a different conclusion than he had done.
by reports received in letters *bile sitting in the Reform
Club. He had to tell the Cbimcil that they were in
a great measure indebted to Dr. Duncan for their useful
Health 'Act.

➢ir. ANDERSON said he was willing to admit, as a
magistrate, that the magistrates had made the fines
too small ; but he thought they might, in future, be
inclined to make them heavier.
Mr. EARLE asked whether those delicate visitors
of the Englishman's Castle were to be sworn in as

police ?
Mr. BECKWITH read from several documents, with a
view to show that Mr. Rathbone's statements were uet
correct,-and contended that Liverpool was a pattern to
any town. _ _

Mr. Alderman S..IIoLmE objected to Mr. Reckwith'S
marks, in the absence of Mr. Rathbone.
Mr. BECKWITIT—What am I to do then?

. Mr. EARLE-Sit down. ---(Laughten) -
BRCKWITR went on to show that the people in
Prescot and Woolton'who had lodging-houses were not
at all in a condition to be coMpared to Liverpool, in a
sanitary point of view. As regarded Woolton, he had
been there, and he believed a more filthy place he never
had his foot in,:

Chamber of Commerce
Mr. J— 1

he hac

EFFEICV comp.. a t- had no in,
illation afforded them as to the committee's interview
with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He complained
that the chairmen of committees moved the confirmation
of the proceedings as if they were mere machines, and
had no intellect. (Laughter.]
Alderman DOVER asked Mr. ,Ttffery if he wishde him
to.oecupy the time of the Council unnecessarily. (Hear,
hear.) He had given him all theinfermation it was in
his power to give: Mr. Jeffery had o-one with him on
deputations to official personages; and knew very well
that all they got from them was- civility. (Laughter
and applause.) His own impression was, that the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer was against them : Mr. Sheil's
was the'reverse—(laughter)---ancrif he were to talk for
hours, he could not throw more light upon it.
Alderman PARKER hoped tha: Health Committee
would go on with their plans.
Mr. Pic-rox said Government appeared to have an
impression on their minds that the people of Liverpool
wished' them to contribute towartls our local improve-
ments; and another impression, that they were called
upon to lay out certain Sums of money not necessary to
be now expendhd. He thought these two objections
should be met in any communication they sent to
Government.

Mr. Alderman COOPER thought the Lodging-house
Act had been fairly carried out.
Mr. CLINT in reply said, with regard to the question
put by Mr: Tobin as to a number oepoliee being told off
exclusively, he was not aware that such had the
. .
cas(

The inspectors had heen in the habit of receiving
some small allowance for their work. As to the question
by Mr. Earle, the matter did not come before the com-
mittee, and he was not prepared to answer it. He
thought too much had been said about Mr. Rathbone,
who had been, he firmly believed, actuated by a sense
of duty.

The proceedings of the committee were then con-
firmed.

THE WATCH COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Watch, Lighting, Fire-police,
Fire-prevention, Gas Supply, and Hackney Carriage
and Licensing Committees,—which 'contained nothing
of special interest which has not already been published,
,--were then read and confirmed, on the 'motion of Mr.
CLINT, seconded by Mr. JOHNSON.
THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.-NEW POST-OFFICE, &C.

The proceedings of the Health Committee comprised,
Ist—A recommendation that the salary of Mr. John
Evans, one of the surveyors in the engineer's depart-
ment, be increased from £l2O to £l4O per annum.
2nd—A recommendation that Mr. T. J. Hughes be
appointed collector of rates, in the place of Mr. Peter
Bradshaw, resigned, at the lowest scale of salary, viz.,
£l5O per annum. 3rd—A recommendation that Mr.
Edward Fitzgerald, Jun., be appointed collector of
accounts- in the place of Mr. T. J. Hughes, promoted
as above, at the salary of £lO5 per annum.
Alderman DOVER moved the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings. Ile believed the recommendations for advance
of salary would have to stand over, pursuant to standing
orders. They would remember that the parliamentary
sub-committee of the Health Committee had had a con-
ference with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the
subject of a new post-office. Perhaps the Town-clerk
would be good enough to read the correspondence upon
the subject, and the resolutions which had been founded
upon it. _ _ .

Mr. SHEIL said that the correspondence had been
going on for three years. The last communication that
they had from the former government, they were led to
understand that- the only difficulty in the way was that
the government going out of office could not bind the
government coming into office. Mr. Gladstone had not
.
given them any positive reply, and he appeared to
want all the circumstances of the case before he (Mr.
Gladstone) would reply. When he was down, he
listened with great attention to what they all had to
say, but he mid very little himself ; and what he did
say was. said in such a way as to render it impossible to
know what his own views were on the subject.
(Laughter.) It had been said that £17,000 had been
laid oat on the present Post-offi'ce within a few years. It
would not be a very pleasant thing for the Chancellor of
the Exchequer to answer why that had been expended,
when it was said that the building was totally unfit for
its present purpose. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
was placed in a difficulty. He (Mr. Sheil) believed that
the land was granted by the-Corporation without pay-
ment, for the erection of the revenue buildings. Itb.
believed the Corporation undertook to erect the buildin„o,
at £150,000, And the oxpene of the work was upwarets.
of £250,000. If he was right in speaking from me-
mory, the Corporation of Liverpool had contributed
more than half the amount for the erection
of the government buildings. Mr. Gladstone's letter
just amounted to this, that the Corporation were first to
give the land for nothing, and then pay half the ex-
penses after. The Post-office authorities had got a
crotchet in their heads. In 1839 they thought it bet-
ter, at that time, to• let the Post-office renvein in

The TOWN-CLERK then proceeded to read the cor-
respondence. The fast was a letter from the Mayor to
the Rt. Hon. William Ewart Gladstone. This stated
that he had communicated with the chairman of the
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, as to the probability
of that board renting all, or part, of the present post-
office. The chairman's reply had been, that the subject
had never been discussed at the board, so that he could
not say ; but, with the alterations made not long since,
he thought they could do with only two additional rooms:
To that letter the Mayor had received the following
reply, from the Chancellor of the Rxchequer

Flascarden, N.W., Sept. 13, 1899.
Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the
12th.
The case of the two rooms occupied by the post-office, under
the Dock Board, stands clear and well defined by the prior
correspondence of 1850-1.
With regard to the post-office premises generally, you inform
me that if the Government determines to remove the post-
office, and will then make a proposal to the Dock Board, giving
to that board the offer of the premises for its use, the chairman
will take the opinion of the board forthwith.
For this courtesy I have to thank both the chairman and
your worship. The answer, however, supposes the decision of
the Government as the first step in the case ; whereas my
object was to ascertain the wants and disposition of the Dock
Board, as a possible element of the considerations which may
influence the decision of the Government.

Old Postoffice-place. Two members of the Council
were sent as a deputation to have it explained, and he
was one of that deputation ; and they succeeded in
showing that certain alterations were necessary. He
then went on to show how the people of Glas-
gow, within twenty-five years, had erected three
post-offices ; and all through the want of fore-
sight. Livernool was in similar circumstances to what
Glasgow had teen. He was almost afraid to speak after
what had been said by Mr. Jeffery, but he could not
exaggerate the inconvenience that the committee were
put to. On Tuesday last he went to inspect thedifferent
offices, and from the manner in which the people were
huddled together, it was astonishing to him how they
could perform their duties.
Mr. GLADSTONE said it appeared to him that if
the Council were bound to' accept the statement which
had been read by the Town-clerk, as amounting
to a final decision on the part of the Govern-
ment, Liverpool had been treated with a total
want of sympathy. Liverpool wanted nothing out
of the public money : she merely wanted what was
right out of that which she herself contributed. Liver-
pool was not to be told that, for a few' thousand pounds,
that was a reason why the post-office should not be
placed in such a position that it would suit all the wants
of the•community. He would say that, no matter who
the members of the government might be, he, for
one, would not hesitate 'to state what was his
opinion. (Hear, hear:) It appeared to him • that,
if the Gbvernment were determined to refuse to'
entertain the application, it might be well worth
the' while of the Mersey Dock Board, on payment of
£150,000, to take the site of the Customs'-house and
construct a dock there. (Hear, hear.) It would be a
desirable thing, and a paying speculation. He had no
doubt the Chancellor of the 'Exchequer would do his
duty as far as he could; but he had others to deal with,
such as were to be found in 'every Government of a
narrow and contracted mind. - He quite concurred
in the remarks of Mr. Shiel, that the 'Health Committee
were suffering from want of proper 'accommodation in
Cornwallis-street.
Mr. ANTHONY, Mr. MOZLEY, and Mr. STITT expressed
their opinions on the subject.
The TOWN-CLERK read some explanatory documents,
and the resolutions were then adopted.
Mr. Alderman DovER then moved the confirmation
of the general proceedings.
Mr. BnNNErr expressed his regret that the committee
had refused to grant liberty to erect some lamps in front
of a buildinc, in Tithebarn-street, as the room which
they would have occupied,would not have been so much
as the pilasters that had been -omitted foi• the purpose
of having them. ‘•
A discussion of some length was introduced by Mr.
Gladstone, in reference to the rating of the Lyceum
Library, which resulted in a motion being agreed
to that was moved by Mr. Gladstone, and seconded
by Mr. Shimmin, to the effect that the Council should
take proceedings against that institute for the reco-
very of this year's sanitary rates.
The committee's general proceedings were then con-
firmed.'

".-ItWill be borne in naiad that, in the present instance, it is
not the Government which is the moving party, in an ordinary
search for space to accommodate a revenue department; but
it is the town contemplating a large plan of public improve-
ment, local in its character, however important ; in which
plan the Government, if it proceeds, would be made to bear a
leading part.
In so doing, it would make extensive provision for certain
prospective wants ; for wants more remote than according to
its ordin try practice it takes into view ; and the proposal to
provide for which, at so early a stage, might be viewed with
some jealousy by Parliament and by other communities.
Under these circumstances, desirous to smooth the obstacles
which appeared to make our proceeding difficult, I was desirous
to ascertain what facilities or inducements the town, or impor-
tant bodies belonging to the town, could offer us, which might
serve as a set-off against possible and anticipated objections.
I presume the chairman of the Dock Board has not fully
taken this view of the matter. . -

Instead of repeating any particular inquiry, I had better,
perhaps, draw into one general question what had better be so
considered than as separate and independent subjects.
We have before us the offer of the Corporation. What I
desire to know is, whether that offer, as it stands, represents
the whole of what the town is, prepared to do, in order to
encourage the Government to purchase the Dale-street site
in such a sense that it is the wish of the community that, if we
cannot proceed upon that offer, as it stands; if, in other words,
we look for any further local assistance or contribution in any
form, we should definitively decline to proceed any further in
the matter.
I cannot, I think, do better than address this question to
your worship in your official capacity, trusting to your kind-
ness to give me a, reply, which I may take as expressing the
sense of the town.
In the meantime, I have lost no time in taking measures to
have the proposed site examined forthwith in regard to its
architectural capabilities, with the hope, that when I shall
receive your answer, I maybe so fully in possession of the
entire case on the side of the Government, as to procure for
you the speedy answer which you are so well entitled to claim.
—I have the honour to be, sir, your faithful servant,
W. E. °LAI:IBI'ONR.

-- ------
To the Worshipful the Mayor of Liverpool.
The TOWN-CLERX. said the Mayor had forwarded a
copy of that letter to the Chairman of the Mersey
Dock Board ; and Mr. Turner had called upon the
Mayor with that letter, and said he could not bring the
matter before the board without knowing what would
be the accommodation, and what would be the probable
rent. The Mayor had written to the Government to that
effect, and had received the following reply from Mr.
Hamilton, of the Treasury :
Treasury-Chambers, .30th Sept., 1859.
Sia,—l am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of her
Majesty's Treasury, to acquaint you. that their lordships have
had under consideration the applications which have .been
made to them resPecting her Majesty's
Government for the site of the new Post-office, of a portion a
the purchase by
the ground adjoining Dale-street, acquired by the Corporation
of Liverpool under the act of 1838.
I am to state that, before any decision can be come to by their
lordships upon that subject, involving, necessarily, a very
large expenditure of public money,. they must consider fully
whether the present Post-office Buildings may not admit of
such improvements and alterations as may render that expen-
ditureu unnecessary, at least for many years.
My lords therefore request that the original drawings, from
may
the lee
inquirytransmitted to this
officenderaftoorod
Proposed.—l
which the present Post-office was erected, and which, it is
the
eaprue
rin
Asyeoofur
facilitatingcharge,
am, sir, your obedient servant, GEO. A. HAXILTON.
. To the Town-clerk, Liverpool.
The TOWN-CLERX. said, when the alterations were
made in the Post-office in 1851-2, the original plans
were handed to the Postmaster here, for 3I
, pinny-

THE MARKETS' COMMITTEE

.... _
The proceedings of the. Markets' Committee comprised
a recommendation to appoint the following persons In-
spectors of Slaughter-houses, Meat, and Fish, under the
provisions of the local acts and of the Nuisances Re-
moval and Diseases Prevention Acts, `viz.:—Mr. Isaac
Hutchinson, Inspector of Markets; Mr. James Stone-
house, Mr. John B. Blundell,' and Mr. Thomas Thomp-
son, Managers of ;4arkets.
Mr. Jourtsow moved the confirmktism (if the proceed-

thorne, the Architect ; and he had recehed a letter i hips'. Ile said the Committee had reCalved a Very
fFom Mr. •Banning, stating that he had" forlfakiled them elaboraterctrort froth their Treasurer upon-blie syste' in
0 _
in 1852 to London.' ' at present Molted of br,ok-leepint,r, which hag met the
_.

Alderman DovER asked the Town-clerk to read the entire approval of Mr. Rhind",, their auditor.
..
resolutions of the Parliamentary Sub-committee, tend Mr. Wonowerr seconded Ow motion: .
said they had Ito ask the Council's approval of them - . Mr.Pieroxasked how it happcnedthat, with increasilo
The Town-clerk then read as follows :--•-- 1 pressure upon their ' space, then- should be several
It having been reported to this council, that a deputation ' hundreds of pounds • deficiency of revenue, through
from the Health Committee has• had an interview with the stalls and shops being imlet ?
Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of the site for a ' Mr. BECKWITH called attention to fhenuisance caused
new Post-office in this borough, and the cogrevondence which - ,
in a respectable neighbourhood by O:As-destruction of
has since taken place between the Mayor, Vie Lords Commis-
of her Majesty's Treasury, and the Chancellor of the tainted fish and meat. . ,
Exchequer, on this subject, having been dor. -dered— Mr. GRATES said that some time since' a memorial
Resolved.---In reference .to the letter cf the Chancellor was referred to the Markets' Committee by the'Cotincil,•
of the 13th ultimo, that this council is' prepared, in con- , .
fortuity with the Liverpool Improvement Act, 1853, to asking that the barrier thrown across Clerefand-square
transfer to the proper government authorities at the actual Market into Pitt-street, might be removed. 116 wished
to know from the chairman what steps had' been taken
comply with the request e., • ,
coat to the corporation so much of the property acquired
to
under 'that act ifs is necessary for the site of a Post-office ;
but they moult decline to make any eontril'intion out of the
local funds in furtherance of the erection of a lieu' Post-office. ' Mr. JEIVERY would like' to know what acennamoda-
That, inasmuch as this council has postponed'. since the year tion had been provided for theinereilaing wants of those
who brouht roduo to our markets i. . •
1356. the erection of offices for public municipal'. purposes, on
the land fronting Dale-street, in consequen e of representa- g p
tions from the Chamber of Commerce that such latidis adngira- Mr. SongsioN replied seriatim to all the questions.
bly adapted for the site of a post-office, Which postponement In answer to Mr. Jeffery, he said after the "amencinvent
carried at the, last meeting, dm committee had done.
has occasioned very great detriment to the aliment adminis-
tration of municipal affairs; audit appearing, from the corms-
i
pondence now read, that negotiations with the post-offiCe and nothing. Wth reference to the' memorial from Pitt-
other government departments on this subject bwa• been in street, that matter was to be reported upon after the nth
progress sin -.e 1856, that further delay will ensue. of November. As to Mr. Beckwith's camplaint, the
tainted meat was only stored, not destroyed. in the
Resolved.—That unless the government authorities' shall,
on or before the Ist Day of December next, 'nave defihitirely
agreed to purchase from the corporation, so much of the laird locality pointed out. Mr. Picton's arAwer was, that the
acquired under, the Liverpool Improvement Act, 1858, as may chief demand for room was for wholesale dealers, net
retail traders. The stalls in the market were' appro-
be required for a PoSC-otilee, the llcalth Committee- >;e in-
strutted to proceed with the preparation of plans fOr the'New
Public-offices, and in submit the same with estimates ea, this priated for certain businesses. Some cf these were slack,
council for consideration. • . • in particular seasons; but the Market' Committee had
Resolved.—That the Mayor be requested to forward copies- no power to break through the arrangement.'
of these resolutions to the Lords Commissioners of her
Majesty's Treasury, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and
to the Post-master General, with, an explanatory letter f the'
views of the council on the euthject, and referring to the col-
respondence which has taken place with different departrcents'
thereon. --,. - -
Mr. Alderman DOVER, seeonded by, Mr. Alderman*
Cooper, having 'Mooed their adoption,
Mr. JEFFERY asked for further information.
Mr. Alderman DOVER asked if Mr. Jeffery would like
to have the correspondence read, extending over the -
last three and a-half years ?. Irhe had, he would really'
be as wise as he was now. They had been trying to do •
something—fancied that they had—but found that they,
had done nothing. He .believed, that the individual
feeling of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was in their
favour, but of course be had Parliament and other I
towns to contend with ; and'it-was time the committee
came to some decision, for; by waiting, they were losing
;in large sum otmoney in interest. The desire for a new
Post-office had arisen, net with- the town, but the

• IVSCELLANEOUS.
The proceedings. Odle Educational committee were
read and confirmed ; and a vote of thank passed to Mr.
C'aibourne for liberally treating, the children of the
Corporation Schools trr a free sail to Newt Brighton.

the proceeding s'of the Gaol and Hou.serf 'Correction
Committee were next read and confirmed.

The proceedings of the Gardens, Librarr.and Museum
Committee, compriied atrecommendation taincrease the
salary of Mr. James 2igby, librarian at the north
library, from £75 to £B5 per annum ; and of Mr. Peter
Cowell, librarian at the south library, from t £56 16s. to
470: per annum.-This stands over till the nmt meeting,
pursuant to standing orders. The other proceedings
were confirmed. ,Mr. Estill was elected a member of
lie, committee in the place of Mr. Riley, deceased. .

THE WAT

COMMITTEE

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the
Witter Committee, comprised a report of the Financial
Sith-Committee on the subject of the charges for the
supply of water.
FARNWCiItTII said, in. the absence of the Chair-

Iran, he had been requested to move the confirmation of
the-proceedings. He should state briefly the particulari
of the report, a copy of which was_ in every member's
hand. The first was as to the domestic supply. By
the-act of parliament, the- Water 'Committee had the
power of compounding watsr rates in houses u?to £l3

per annum rental ; but it had been the practice to com-
poand where the rental was-•much mt r 3 than 11/3. It-
was-permissive, he believeda if the rents of homes were
pallet weekly or monthly. ; but the committee thought
that-this had been , carried' to too great an' extent—in
some cases with rentals of £3O or £4O. The' com-
mittee recommended that in future the rates
of .no houses be compounded for where the
rents exceed £l3. Then it was • suggested . that
the payment of the collectors be different to what it is
at present. The collectors'.-were now paid by a salary,
ard!by a bonus when a certain per centage was collected.
It was. thought better to simplify that, and pay the
water-rate collectors by a simple per centage, not yet
defined.. They had also been receiving a per centage
upon. the amount allowed small cottage owners for.com-
positam. The committee 'thought that the collectors
should only receive a percentage, upon the gross, amount
received, and not upon what was compounded: for.
(Wear, hear.) They were not satisfied, either, as to the .
existing checks on the collectors of the rates, awl the
property taken as being 'void and er.ipty; and' sug-
gested that, additional checks be provided. ( lear,
hear:) Another important suggestion was, as to
water used for trading and-manufacturing purposes. At
present there were only 250 parties in the torn.sup-
plied in that way ; and it was now proposed that all
should be supplied by meter. The, present price- varied
from 9d. p3r 1,000 gallons to 13,1 d. or even 15d.--the
average being 10td. per 1,000 gallons. There was a
considerable difference or opinion on this subject; be-
equse the charge by meter might have an injurious
effect upon the water account. It was now proposed to
raise the rent from 10id. to Is. There were those on the
committee who thought the water rate should not be
raised ; but he had takea the opinion of several members
that morning, and there was an impression that they might
pass the 'report, leaving: the rate to be chargethfor the
water for trading or manufacturing purposes to- be re-
considered. (Hear.) Another irregularity existed as
to the rates paid by counting-houses and offices. There
was not the uniformitiy. which ought to exist._ Some
were in the habit of reeeiving'discounts—it was.difficUlt,
perhaps, to explain .why ; and others did not., The
committee thought iA desirable 'that all parties should
be put upon an equality,—at all events, so fare as prac-
• ticable. Of coarse, in such large stacks of buildings as
were close to them, and in Oldhall-street, it might be
desirable to make a difference where the proprietors
would pay the whole of the water rate, whether the
offices were let or-not ; but the committee, thought that
where there were- two or three offices, they should all be
called upon to pay.
Mr. WOODRUFF seconded the motion.
'Mr. Bownixo. asked upon what principle the several
gradations of charges were made to different manu-
facturers?

Mr. FAuxvzonTli said the difference arose in this
way—The large consumers of water, including several
of the railway companies, received a discount of 25 per
cent. upon the shilling, which made the charge to them
only 9d. _ _ _ _ _

-
Mr. Alderman PARKER complained of the proposed
rise in the price of watet, and said that he was paying
200 per cent. more than others, beCause he was supplied
by meter, whilst others were charged by guess. •
After some conversation, the proceedings (with the
exception referred to) were confirmed ; as were also
those of the Baths' 'Committee.

The Coroner's account, for a month, amounting to
lOs., was passed for payment,
The Mayor's communications were then considered.

RESIGNATION OF. MR. RA WESLEY

A long letter was read from Mr. llawksley, resning
the office of consulting engineer for the Rivington Water
Works. This he appled to do on the ground.that the
Water Committee had refused to indemnify him for the
losses he had personally sustained by an action brought
against him for arrears of salary, for services rendered to
the Corporation, by Mr, Francis, one of the officers
engaged by him. The following paragraph contains,
perhaps, the pith of the whole letter :

Now all these consequences, which will involve me in a lass
amounting, as Y estimate it, to £4OO or more, were entirely
brought about &by the action of the Corporation, and the
conduct of their several water committees, and by no fault or
default of my own; I had, therefore, a right to expect that
the Corporation would hold me harmless in regard to
pecuniary matters, although they did not, and would not (as
I think they might most properly have done), save •me from
the discredit, annoyance, and vexation of as action, osten-
sibly, and to the- priblie mind, brought against me as trough
for money improperly and long withheld by me from Mr.
Francis. I find, however, by a verbal communication made
to me yesterday, by my solicitor, that the Water Committee
have finally and formally repudiated'any and all legal and moral
responsibility to me in this matter ; and hence, although I shall
submit to the injustice (of which the monetary loss is the most
insignificant part), if not with complacency, at all events with-
out complaint. I do not feel that I can, with respect to myself,
continue fin the professional confidence or employment of a
body, however eminent its position, with whom my connection
is of so uncomfortable and dishonouring a character."

The TOWN-CLERK, at the request of the, committee,
had prepared a statement in reply, which he read,
with the view of showing that the Corporation were
not at all liable for the demand which Mr. Francis had
made.

Alderman HOLNIE remarked that Mr. Hawksley's
letter contained some extraordinary charges.
Mr. FARNWORTH moved that the resigation be ac-
cepted.
Mr. JEFFERY seconded the mltian, which was unani-
mously agreed to.
A letter was .next road from Mr. Wm. Massey, farmer,
of Haughton, pointing out in strong terms the neces-
sity for some further provision being made than that
afforded by Queen's-square, for those bringing vegeta-
bles and other agricultural produce to the market.
THE QUESTION OF A SECOND STIFENDIA.RY

w-asithexhiecneidwinhgillYe
MAGISTRANE.
The Town-clerk next read the further . report from
the committee of the Liverpool Law Society, as to the
appointment of a second stipendiary magistrate, which
appeared in our columns a few days ago.
Alate, lderman s
Coaaid,ncilawlthouoludghbeiatr7
he 'Made a fe,R► cornrow:OA upon the extraordinary leder
which-had. been read to them, It Collid be shown that