Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-22 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TRIES.- LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1857.

HOW THEY CARRY ON BUSINESS IN SCOTLAND.

POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

IRISH SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Liverpool Auxiliary of the
Irish Society, for promoting ScripturaVeducation and reli-
gious instruction among Irish Roman Catholics, was held
at half-past six o'cl-..ck last night, in the Collegiate Insti-
tution. There was a very limited audience present.
Among those on the platform were—Rev. Hugh MdsTeile
Rev. Mr. Laurence, Adam EL,dson, Esq., Rev. Mr. Warr,
Rev. Joseph Bell, and Rev. Mr. Hackett, the deputation
from the parent society; Rev. Mr. Moore, &c., Sze.
The chair was taken, amidst lou I applause, by the R:v.
Dr. 11.1.NRILm. _

The usual monthly meeting of this society was held last
night, at half-past seven o'clock, in the Royal Institution,
Mr. Boult, president, in the chair.
Mr. Arnott was first called upon, who illustrated by
diagrams several means for economising the labour of
discharging and loading vessels round our docks. The
fret method proposed was by hydraulic power ingeniously
contrived ; the others were steam and locomotive powers,
any of which, he said, if adopted, would save a great deal
of our dock expenses.
Mr. Edge was next called on to exhibit and explain his
improved dry gas meter. He then came forward and said :
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—ln introducing to your
notice an improved dry gas meter, I beg to be permitted
to make a few preliminary remarks 02 the meters used by
the Gas Company of Liverpool. When the wet gas meter
was first invented by Mr. Samuel Clegg, upwards of forty
years ago, it might be expected, like most other new in-
ventions, not to be quite perfect. In the first instance,
such was the fact, for although the principle of the meter
never has been, nor do I expect ever can be, improved, it
was found that to insure a just and fair measurement of
the gas, the water in the meter must be kept to a certain
fixed line, if above that line the measure was unjust to the
consumer, and if below that line, the gas company suffered
loss. It was found in practice, that because an
excess of water could be put in the meter,
advantage might be taken of it to such a degree that there
was almost a universal outcry by the consumes against
the use of such meters, and in 1843, 14 years ego, a Mr.
Flower published a pamphlet on the subject of which
the secretary of your Institution has a copy ; et this time
the ipublic papers openly charged Gas Companies with
using dishonest meters, the great London Companies at
once passed resolutions to the effect that, no meter should,
in future, be used in connection with their works, which
was susceptible of receiving an excess of water, so as to
make the measure of the meter unjust to the consumer.
Being an extensive meter manufacturer, I at once effected
an improvement for the protection of the public, by cutting
down the syphon pipe, which conveys the gas into the
meter, so as to prevent more water being put therein
than was required to ensure a correct measurement,
but, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, it will scarcely be
believed by you—yet such is the fact —that although Mr.
King, the company's engineer, was apprised of this
improvement at the time, the company has continued to
use the common unimproved meters, susceptible of eueh
unjust measure, until the Corporation were driven to
appoint an officer to compel the company to alter them,
and make them act fairly towards the public. I beg
also to mention, that the Liverpool Gas Company
is the only company in the United Kingdom which has
the immodes.y to make its own meters As well might
the corn merchant make his own bushel, or the butcher his
own scales. But it is far more discreditable to the elm-
pane, to have them made sueceptible of injustice. The Word
of God says, " Thou, shalt not have in thine house divers
measures—a great one and a small one—but a perfect
measure shalt thou have." Wet gas meters, however, re-
quire continued attention to keep the weterfilled up, besides
which, if they are fixed in a warm situation the water
evaporates, and is deposited in the fittings, causing trouble
with unsteady lights ; and if fixed in a cold place the
water freezes, and stops the action thereof. Hence, the
necessity for a dry meter, that is, a meter to work with-
out water, in fact a meter free from these objections, and
that could be fixed in any situation. In the year 1833,
the first dry meter was introduced by myself, but this, like
the wet meter, was net perfect, arising principally from the
slide valves which conduct the gas into the measuring
chambers bee-mil:lg coated with impurities of the gas,
from which, owing to their cove-s always sliding over the
same path, they cannot free themselves, causing them to
become unsound, and allow the gas to pass unregistered
Mr. Dafries, Mr. Croll, and others, have sought to improve
this mater, the valves, however, of all dry meters hitherto
in use, being made on the same imperfect principle, are
liable to the same objection, but the improved dry meter
I have now the pleasure of introducing to your
notice, has an entirely new valve recently invented, differ-
ing very materially from the slide valve. It is denomi-
nated the eccentric rotary valve, which, in its action,
moves in an epicycloidal curve, producing a constant
wiping effect, so to say, which will not only keep it free
from deposit, but will effectually ensure its soundness. It
has the approval of all gas engineers and mechanical
persons who have seen it, and it is pronounced to be the
most perfect valve ever yet invented. This improved dry
meter has another important feature in the diaphragms
being nearly solid plates, arranged so as to have as little
flexible material as possible ; hence a true registration is
effected. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, having now
briefly explained my dry gas meter, and also having pointed
out the susceptibility of the wet gas meter to be tampered
with some 30,000 of which. I am informed, are still in use in
Liverpool, I will conclude by observing that I have repeat-
edly called upon Mr. King during the last 14 years, offering
to supply the Company with my improved wet gas meters,
of which I have sent out upwards of 70,000, but he has
always adhered to those which can be tampered with, and
it is only now, as I before said, that the Company are
compelled to it, that they are making a deceptive imita-
tion of my improvement. The public of Liverpool will
be effectually protected against the liability of
their meters being tampered with by using dry
meters, which require no water ; they cm be
fixed in places where wet meters cannot be —in a
kitchen, shop, or even a sitting-room, they are not liable
to be frozen in the winter, while consumers will avoid the
continual visits of the persons from the Gis Works to fill
the water up, which operation being usually performed by
the gas man alone ; they do indeed fill it up with a
vengeance, and, as before observed, to the cast of the
consumer. It is but justice, however, to Mr. Kieg, to say,
that on showing him my improved dry meter valve, he
approved of it, and said he was highly pleased with it, but
at present he would not order any, the company was well
satisfied with the meters they had in use, but he would not
oppose the sale of my dry meters if they passed the public
officer. Mr. Edge then proceeded to explain the action
of the meter ; after which, several gentlemen expressed
their approbation of the invention.
A conversation ensued, iu which it was broadly insinu-
ated that the Gas Company had been dealing unfairly
with the public in charging them with gas which they
never consumed, through the construction of their meters,
which they were determined not to change.
A member of the society pointed out an ingenious
screw-pipe in their (the c impany's) improve 1 meter,
which could be moved at will by the officers of the
company to the expense of the consumer, after it had
been sealed and passed as correct by the meter inspector.
Mr. Edge, in answer to the Chairman, stated that his
object in bringing forward the meter was to show, that
by using a dry meter, the present practice of over-
charging the meters with water would be entirely
obviated.
Mr. Campbell was next called upon, and described
the improved lightning conductors of Messrs. Lewis and
Hibbett.
The meeting shortly after separated.

The Rev. Mr. Laurence opened the proceedings with
prayer.
The Chairman said the object of the society, upon whose
behalf they were assembled that evening, was to promote
the Scriptural education and religious instruction of Roman
Catholics in Ireland , chiefly through the medium of their
own language. That society came to some persons in
Liverpool as an old friend re-appearing after a few years
absence, and it would come to others as a stranger making
its first appearance. The society was established in
the year 1818, and proceeded for a few years
qu'etly and usefully in Ireland, when, in the year
1823. an auxiliary to it was established in London.
It was not called an auxiliary, because it had
something more in view than simply to supply funds to
that Society. It undertook missionary work among the
poor Irish in London, and it sent half of the funds which
it collected to aid the resources of the Society in Dublin
It was called the Irish Society of London. Matters pro-
ceeded in this woy for a considerable number ef years—
the results were deemed satisfactory by many : it attracted
public attention in a few localities. particularly in the
King's-cross district, where a considerable number of
the teachers of the Irish Society, themselves Roman
Catholics, put forth a manifesto declaring their right
to read the Scriptures, and their determination to exercise
that right. But, in the year 1849, the Irish Society in
London determined no longer to confine their missionary
labours to the Irish in London, but to organise an agency
in Ireland, different from the agency of the Irish Society—
more of a missionary, and less of an educational character.
They did so, but there had sprung up another society, the
Irish Church Missionary Society, whose object.was openly
and avovedly missionary work. This at once absorbed the
missionary work of the London Society in its own, but
the number of appeals nettle by the Irish societies in Eng-
lan I for support, was felt to be inconvenient, and it was
determined on all hands that it was desirable to reduce the
number. In pursuance of that plan, in the year 1853, an
alliance was entered into between the Irish Society and
the Irish Church Missions, for three years. During that
time, the Irish Society was what an old law called one
,femme converte. Her individuality was suck in her com-
panion, the Irish Church Missions, and during that time,
instead of coming here and elsewhere in Great Britain
to ask a dowry, she received pin-money, so to speak,
from her husband. At the end of the three years, an
amicable separation a 9nensa et those took place ; or, as
he might with more truth say, the alliance, originally
temporary, was not renewed. And now the old Irish
Society was f:ce again. ant: renewed bar appeal to the
English public. (Hear, hear.) The deputation who had
come to address that meeting would lay before them her
deserts, her activities, and all the o:her attractions
on the strength of which she was now commended
to their renewed support. One of these attractions
was, that she addressed that portion of the
Irish people who sill were unable to speak or understand
the English tongue, and could receive religious instruction
only through the medium of their native language. In a
passage he had been reading that morning it was truly
remarked by Mr. Wilberforce—" It is not greater political
privileges, but it is moral and religious education which
the Irish Romanists require." And Mr. Wilberforce also
said in a letter written by him—" After all you could
grant them politically, so much would still remain
beyond as to prevent their being ever cordially
attached to a Protestant Government, of which a
Protestant Church Establishment should form a part.
Our great endeavour ought to be to enlighten, and thereby,
as I trust, to convert the Roman Catholics ; much, I verily
believe, may be done in that way in twenty or thirty years ;
and on the contrary, the College of Maynooth—a vote for
doubling the foundation of which passed a few weeks ago,
the most pernicious measure, in my judgment, which has
b:en assented to for many years—will, if not checked,
increase beyond measure the Roman Catholic body " The
country did not feel with Mr. Wilberforce. Religious
instruction was not imparted but by a few volant -try
associations, while political privileges were conceded.
The result had been what Mr. Wilberforce had p edicted.
After all that had been granted, so much remained still
that they refused to be loyal subjects of a Protestant
Government of which a Protestant Church Establishment
should be a part. (Hear, hear.) The country was,
therefore. as regarded this subject, in the anomalous
position which Mr. Wilberforce had sagacity enough to per-
ceive would be the inevitable result of poli ical concessions
begun. Where were they to end ? Having, with osten-
sible liberality, conceded so much, why stop? Why
maintain, in spite of them, after all the etFort to conciliate
them, what they called a heretie priesthood, living upon
the rifled domains, the plundered charters, and the in-
vaded cathedrals of the old establishment ? That was
what the Roman Catholics asked. Why politically insult
them, by still legislating to prevent any one of
them from occupying the woolsack, from being
a Lord Chancellor in England or in Ireland ?
People might say there was good reasons for
this. He knew there were—but where were the good rea-
sons, when so much had been granted to them ? Why
refuse to allow the Sovereign to choose his or her own
religion? At that very moment an agitation of that kind
had commenced again in that country ; and he had read,
only within the last few days, of a very animated debate on
that very subject, wherein the Roman Catholic speakers
complained of the hardship imposed upon the Sovereign of
England that she was the only individual in the country who
was not allowed to exercise the right of private judgment,
and to become a Roman Catholic if she pleased. It was
not that they were very fond of private judgment. It was
not that they liked liberality, but it was because they
knew very well that private judgment, exercised under
the limitation of Holy Seripture, was fatal to their system,
therefore they disparaged Holy Scripture, and spoke as if
Protestants had no limitation at all to private judgment.
It was, therefore, that under a Protestant Government, and
in a Protestant country, they were the advocates of liberal
measures, not because they loved liberality, bat because
they loved to run private judgment to an excess, and to
represent it as if it had no limitations. The moment one
left Papal infallibility, they urged that there was no
limitation between that and total license. The promul-
gation of Scriptural educ .tion he (the chairman), therefore,
advocated, to check the spread of such errors, and to
counteract the effect of education without religion, now
am much encouraged by Government; and he concluded his
address with a warm and eloquent appeal to the meeting
on behalf of the Irish Society.
The Rev. Mr. Moore read the Society's report.
The Rev. Joseph Bell proposed the first resolution, which
declared that the meeting rejoiced to hear of the continued
disposition of the Irish-speaking population of the sis er-
island to receive Scriptural instruction in their native
tongue, and believing that the lengthened experience of
the Irish Society had proved it to be eminently suited to
the circumstances of those to wham it addressed itself,
were determined to give it their cordial support. The
rev. gentleman enforced the resolution by many interesting
details of the results of the society's lab )urs in Ireland.
The Rev. W. Warr seconded the resolution, which was
put and carried unanimously.
The Rev. dr. Hackett proposed the second resolution,
which re-appointed the Committee and officers, and
expressed the thanks of the society to the lay and clerical
friends in Liverpool and its neighbourhood, who had
exerted themselves on its behalf.
The resolution was seconded, and carried.
The proceedings shortly after closed with a blessing.

RUGBY SCHOOL —Dr. Goulburn, late heal master of
Rugby School, has been presented, on his retirement, with
twe very handsome pieces of plate, one by the old Reg-
beians, and the other by the Rugbeians of the present day.
The first consisted of a magnificent contre-piece, and the
other a very handsome clock. Each of the ser vices of plate
had appropriate inscriptions in Latin.
STATE OF TLIE ASHTON UNDELL-LYNE UNION.—The
weekly board was held on Thursday : Mr. Wimpenny in
the chair. During the week 2,165 persons had been
relieved. The number of inmates of the workhouse was,
--Men, 123 ; women, 156; children, 109 ; total, 388 :
last year, 318. Various alterations in the workhouse, for
increased and improved accommodation for children,
involving an outlay of £4O, were agreed to. Mr.
M'Cullock reported that much distress prevailed in several
parts of his district, more especially at Broadbottom and
Tintwistle ; at the latter place three mills being stopped.
Hanghton was also suffering in consequence of the Gib-
raltar Mills being stopped since the last week in November,
and they would not resume work till after Christmas. At
Newton, near Hyde, matters were assuming a more serious
aspect. The Messrs. Ashton's establishment, which up
till the present had worked full time, have commenced
working four days per week, and were stopped accordingly
on Thursday, for the remainder of the week. At Hurst
the whole of the mills of Messrs. Whittaker have been
working full time without intermission. On Saturday last,
however, the new mill belonging to Mr. Oldham Whittaker,
was brought to a stand, through the b.eak:ng of the large
wheel of the engine, which will take three weeks to
I *place.