The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-21 00:00:00

MEMORIAL

Birkenhead, 25th March, 18.57.
To John Laird, Esq., Chairman of the Elirkenhead
Commissioners.
Sir,—We, the undersigned ratepayers in the townships
of Birkenhead and (Naughton, h( ing deeply impressed
with a conviction of the necessity of giving. to your
commissioners petition about to he presented to the two
houses of parliament, the greatest available moral support
against the principle and clauses of a bill sought to be
obtained by the Birkenhead Gls and Water Company,
and in order that such support should be afforded to your
commissioners, we respectfully suggest that you, as chair-
man of the board, should take an early opportunity of
calling a public meeting of the ratepayers and others
interested in the matter, to give expression to their
opinion of the principle and cliwes in the said Company's
init.—We are, sir, your obedient servants,
'Wrs. 111'Gmr., HENRY Fox,
JOIIN CUNNINGHAM, PERCIVAL TONGE,
GEO. SAMUEL SANDERSON, THOMAS ROBINSON,
JAMES H. NIITTALL, C. 0. LEDWA.RD.
R. J. HARDMAN, T. EL. TODD.

The Chairman said : Since the morninz ho had had an
interview with several of the ntemorialis's, and it was
thought that Tuesday next would be a con renient day to
hold the public meeting; therefore, with the assent of
the Buard, he should ax Tuesday next for holding the
meeting.
This was unanimously agreed to.
The following letters were then read, and ordered to be
entered on the minutes of the proceedings, and a cent',
with the committee's report, was to be forwarded to Mr.
Jackson :

61, Hamilton square, Birkenhead, Bth April, 18.57.
To the Manager of the Birkenhead and Claughton Gas and

Water Works;
Sir,—Though I have been repeatedly without a proper
supply of water during the last eight months, having
frequently been half the week without any water, and very
rarely with a full supply, I have thought it useless, from
previous experience, personally making any complaints, as
no remedy seems,to be got ; but I can remain no longer
silent, were it only to put this, my protest, on record
against the shameful manner in which you treat parties
compelled to go to you by Act of Parliament for a supply of
water, having been now for several days Without a supply.
The water was on for a short time on the evening of Friday
last, but since then we have not had a drop. The incon.
venience of such a state of things as this is at all amiss
excessive, but with a sick house, as mine has unfortunately
been of late, it is unbearable. My cisterns are quite
large enough to bold a reasonable supply for several days,
even with a large family, and mine is a small one. When
the water does come on it is generally for a Shore period
only, and at all times the pressure seems quite inadequate
to send a supply up, and the, consequence is my cisterns
are never nearly full, seldom half full, but generally not
more than a third. Tog charge me, the highest rat"
you are entitled to by your act, and you are bound
to giie me a reasonable supply. Monopolies are
at all times odious particularly in your case.
when your charges are so excessive, which, however, I
do not complain of so much as being obliged to pay, and
not receiving in return a reasonable supply of the article
paid for. During the two years I have been in this house
my kitchen boiler has burst twice from want of water,
(which my landlord knows to his cost) and I have been
for the last two days in fear of its giving way again, and
I believe Mr. Laird's foreman was to have called at your
office to day, to make another complaint on the subject.
Bid complaints seem useless, as already mentioned, and
there seems no resource left for the public but to give
the commissioners every assistance in opposing the bill,
you have now in progress for an egcnSiclit of your odious

mono,iolising powers. I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) ROBERT W. KELLEY.

I subscrthe to all Mr. Kelley stares. This is the fourth
day that we have been witl,out water, and, apart from the
inconvenience it occasions, it endangers the health of my
family, and I think of laying the case before the Health
Committee, (Signed) JOHN CARMICHAL,
9L4 April, 1857. 58, Hamilton square.

I quite agree with all Mr. Kelley has stated, as I have
beep similarly situated since ever I came to the square, and
to•day we have not had a drop of water in the house, and
been obliged to get it carried to the house. I have
complained times mithout number, but found it useless.—
Your obedient servant; (Signed) A. DURA.NTY,
91h April, 1857, _ 60, Hamilton square.

THE lATE FIRE
Mr. Goulborn said that the Lighting ard Watching
Commi.the had hell a meeting, and hal passed a resolu-
tion to be submitted to the magistrates, stating that at the
fire that occurred last week there was an insufficient
supply of water. and that, the police had had to waste two
h,)urs before they could get any.
Mr. Bayliss wished To know whether the company were
not bound to keep the mains full during the night.
The Clerk replied that such a clause would be
introduced into any future bill.
There being no further business, the board adjourned.