The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-16 00:00:00

their misconduct, you yourself are in some degree
responsible. In a controversy of this kind, it is
deeply to be regretted that differences of opinion
should ever be suffered to degenerate into personal
dislike, or even hatred. I can assure you, Sir, no
such spirit has ever animated me during the whole
of this unfortunate controversy, and I am much
mistaken, if, on your part, at all events, this feeling
be not reciprocated,—l am, Sir, your obedient
servant, JAMES M`DONALD.

Liverpool, 15th January, 1857.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN' TIMES.

Sir,—As the head of a numerous household, I
have read with much interest and with considerable
alarm the report of the special meeting of our town
councillors on the Pike question.
I have attentively read the speeches on both
sides, and laid down the, paper with surprise and
indignation on finding that Mr. Picton's motion,
" That the proceedings be confirmed, subject to an
instruction to the committee to obtain an analysis
of the water from the Rivington works, and a report
from actual inspection, from the professors of. che-
mistry at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, and Cam-
bridge, including the effect of its action upon lead.
Also the properties of the two descriptions of
water when combined, and their action upon lead,"
and to find that the following members of the
council voted against it. I think, in justice to those
gentlemen, their names should again appear before
the public, and in larger type than is usually given,
in recording divisions of the council. Here they
are :—Against : Councillors IV )druff, Tyrer, Liv-
ingston, Steains, Fernihaugh, Wagstaff, A. Shand,
Brancker, Tinne, Earle, Johnson, Hodson, Mellor,
Farnworth, Robertson, ttnd Anthony ; Aldermen
Chilton, Bold, Horsfall, Dover, Parker, Cooper, H.
Turner, Houghton, S. Holme, and the Mayor.
Now, sir, it appears to me, that those who advo-
cate the purity of the Pike water are, at heart,
afraid of an investigation, otherwise, I am at a loss
to understand what ground there can be for reject-
ing the proposition of Mr. Picton ; they cannot
but be aware that the inhabitants are alarmed en
masse.

This question appears to me to be in a very
narrow conipass—ls the water wholesome, or the
contrary ? If it be proved' to be the former by the
united testimony of competent chemists, no one
will object to use it, .and the present alarm will
speedily subside ; but if the contrary, then the
town must at once compel their Representatives (?)
" to do the needful " in the matter—viz., restore to
us the pure unadulterated beverage we have been
accustomed to. -.

I would suggest that a general meeting of the
ratepayers be immediately convened, for the pur-
pose of getting the analysis made, as proposed by
Mr. Picton, and the expense thereof be defrayed
by subscription.
If the analysis is such that the water is found to
be of a noxious character, then let meetings be
forthwith held in every Ward, and such resolutions
passed thereat, that their Repiesentatives in the.
Council should have no crevise left open to them,
but to succomb to the wishes of their constituents.
—Yours, &e., PATER FAMILIAS.
Liverpool, Jan. 14, 1857.