Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-09-27 00:00:00

SUPPLY OF WATER,

The following return was submitted :
Quantity of water received from Rivington during the week
ending 24th September, 1859'—Into Rivington, 36,328,305;
into Audley-street, 15,109,337 ; into Park-hill, 11,108,000 :--
62,545,692 gallons.

Quantity or water pumped from the wells :—At Bootle,
4,293,500 ; at- Green-lane, 14,143,027 ; at Water-street,
2,829,450; at Windsor, 5,919,000:-27,183,977. Total
quantity from Rivington and wells, 89,730,669 gallons.
Quantity of water in store week ending 17th September, 1859,
11,891,373; do., 24th September, 1859, 13,038,318; consumed,
__in the week, 1,146,945 gallons.

Used in washing out mains, sewers, &c., 2,500,000 gallons.
Delivered at Bootle unmixed, 2,590,000; mixed, 83,583,724 :
_86,083,724 gallons.

Proportion of Rivington to well water as 62 to 27.

THE LAWTON-STREET FIRE

The following report from Mr. Duncan, the engineer,
was read :=

LIVERPOOL CORPORATION WATER 'WORKS. •
19th September, 1859.
In compliance with the resolution passed at the meeting 'or
the sub-committee of works at Cornwallis-street, on Fridays
the 16th instant, the'engineer has to report :---
The Lawton-street fire, it appears, was first discovered
shortly before eight o'clock in the evening of the 14th instant.
The accompanying plan exhibits the positions of the mains,
service pipes, aadlydrants, and the statements of the water
works turncocks will inform the committee of the particulars
of action.

It will be seen from the plan submitted that the positions of
the mains and appliances are particularly favourable for afford-
ing a ready and copious supply of water to a fire in the locality'
where it occurred ; and the fact of the fire brigade being able to'
bring sixteen jets to bear, is, proof of this.
The statement that the supply was defective, was therefore'
made in error.

Whittingham, fire turncock, reports—l was at home ins
Blake-street ; heard of the fire a little before eight o'clock ; got
down with Pritchard, night turncock on duty, in not more
than two or three minutes; prepared for the fire brigade at
Ranelagh-street by Great Charlotte-street, considering it the'
most favourable position ; had four plugs ready ; it was several'
minutes before an engine arrived, and' when it did it went
into Renshaw-street, opposite the end of Lawton-street; I lin--
mediately went to it and opened the plugs there ; there was'
some time spent in getting the hose laid down ; when it w:.*
laid down it burst on, the water being turned on ; this oCcurre d
twice ; I don't think that the water reached the fire until after
new lengths were obtained : this occupied, I should say, about
ten minutes ; Pritchard had left to open for the fire-police in
Cropper-street and Newington; •I stopped by the plugs, and
assisted to get the hose attached.
I told Douthwaite, of the fire brigade, of our plugs by Great
Charlotte-street, were I had been and opened them, but nothing
was done with them. This batch of plugs was not used at all.
I have never seen a better supply of water at any time.
William Nolan, fire turncock, got to the fire as the hose were
being attached ; at Renshaw-street, saw them burst twice—
assisted to get down hose in Newington, then in Back Bold-
street. There were at least sixteen plugs down—never saw 0,
better supply of water at any fire.

James.Grice, turncock N. 3, got to the fire at ten minutes
past eight; found Whittingham, Laidlaw, and Bold; opened
two hydrants in Lawton-street; was there before the fire bri-
gade began to play; found the hydrant opposite the gate to
Kilpin and Montgomery's yard covered with boards ; got it
cleared ; left Owens, No. 9 turncock, with Laidlaw and Bold,
at the hydrants in Lawton-street, and assisted in other places.
Thomas Laidlaw saw the fire when out with Bold; came to
the office with police-constable (thinks it was) 221 ; took down
our own hose ; it was put down opposite the gate, and played
from during the night.

Thomas Price, foreman, was also in attendance from nine
o'clock until midnight, and confirms the above.
Mr. Owens, from the dock supply office, was also present.
The engineer would here take the liberty of directing the
attention of the committee to a portion of a report submitted
by him on a similar occasion so far back as Janulry, 1852, a
copy of which- was ,transmitted to the watch committee. All
his experience from that time has only,tended to confirm the
views he then expressed ; and he is cinvinced that if reels,
hose, and turncocks' tools were placed throughodt the town at
particular positions during tke night, many fires would be
extinguished before intimation could, under present
arrangements, reach the central or district fire brigade estab—
lishments, and thus much property would be saved. The engi
neer needs hardly state that• instant application of water on
discovering of a Are is of the utmost moment.
The CHAIRMAN said it had been stated in one of the
papers that there was some little delay in obtaining'
water, but the turncocks and all their men were there a
quarter of an hottr before the engines arrived.

Mr. WOODRUFF called special attention to that part
of the report which recommends turncocks' to ils to be
placed in different parts of the town; and it was agreed
on his motion, seconded by Mr. Jeffery, that a copy of
the report should be sent, to the Watch Committee.

THE RIVINOTON WORKS.

Mr. DUNCAN then submitted his report as-to the condi-
tion and progress of the works at Rivmgton. This stated
that the rainfall for the week ending the 24th inst. had
been 2.30 inches, and there had been a rise in all the
reservoirs, except the Prescot.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS NEAR CHAPEL-STREET.
The general business having closed, the reporters
were about to retire, when Mr. Jeffery wished them to
remain, as there was one matter of considerable im-
portance to be- considered. The following letter from
Mr. Picton•was then read :=

TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER COMMITTEE

DEAR SIR—I beg respectfully to bring the following facts
under the consideration of your committee.

Mr. William Brown has recently expended upwards of
£lO,OOO in the rebuilding of premises on the south side of
Chapel-street, belonging to a member of his family, the rever-
sion of which belongs to the Corporation. Acting as his ar-
chitect, and being aware that the- Pilot-office, also belonging
to the Corporation, would be in the market, I communicated
with the town surveyor on the subject, and laid out the plans
with a view to obtain a frontage to the Old Churchyard, and
a passage through between the two streets. This also would
have required an additional outlay of several-thousand pounds
to the ultimate benefit of the corporate estate. In consequence
of an unfortunate misunderstanding, we not being aware 01
your committee being in the field, the property was not pur"
chased at the Corporation sale- This circumstance leaves our,
plans incomplete, and prevents a considerable outlay which
would eventually revert to the borough funds.
Under these circumstances, I respectfully submit to the con-
sideration of the committee, whether any other site could
found eligible for the shipping office for water supply. It ACW'
be seen from the above statement, that it is not merely private
interest, but an enhancement of the value of the corporate
estate, which is in question.---I am, dear sir, yours trulN
Liverpool, Sept. 17, 1859

J. A. PiCioN

Mr. JEFFIaty said he had met Mr. Picton accidentallY
in the street ; and, in conversation, he had told him that
Mr. Brown's plans had been matured with the view of
purchasing the property. He had mentioned to him the
limits of his bid. He (Mr. Jeffery) thought it would be
well to refer the question to a special sub-committce•
He had since received a note from Mr. Picton :—" gr.
Brown has a property in Canning-place, fronting the
quay and near the Custom-house, in a far more eligible
situation for a water-office than the Old Churchyarl, and
I have no doubt arrangements might be made for its

occupancy or purchase."-
Mr. WOODRUFF thought there would be no objection
that Mr. Brown should have the property at the price
which they had given for it.
Mr. WAGSTAFF expressed himself as most decidedly
opposed. -He had had. his eye upon it, from its eligibility.
as a water-office, for a long time.
Mr. TURNER said thiS was really a matter of finance'
It involved personal considerations, and he suggested
that it could be discussed with more freedom. in private-
It was a question of a delicate kind, and, he thought,'
hardly one to discuss before the public.
Mr. BENNETT said they must all feel. that a great debt
was due to Mr. Brown ; and it might be, that when :Nix'
Wagstaff saw the premises offered in exchange, Ile
would see no ground of objection.
Mr. WAGSTAFF—Oh, but I do object.
Mr. TURNER said they Could not transfer a bargai:
from a public company to a private individual ; and to,
only course, if the Water Committee were willing,
surrender the property, would be to put it up to auction
and let all parties bid for it. d
The TOWN-CLERK, appealed to, said if they coul
a party to give them a suitable office, he did not see lull'
objection to their making an exchange.
A protracted and somewhat angry discussion folleivot
principally upon the point, whether the question 01
be referred to a special committee, or to the sub-co
o
r, " te
course
etee
on
nf
the works,—Mr.
o „ s
ground,—
had formed a foregone conclusion. Fer
The committee divided, when there appeared 'deo,
its reference to a special committee, Messrs.
Bennett, and Woodruff; for its reference to the re,.,
irth.
committee of works, all the . other seven membero P
that Mr. Jeffery objectingagWsWagstaff,,
itsto theoail lo
a

sent ..
The financial business was then proceeded nth'
the reporters withdrew.

posltalliEcoGntLrawctA,lrthePNA7) Northern
belieie that no delivere.nie:—:
contracts can in any way nti.
signed,_ sealed, and delivered by the ministers of 1._.'1,,,
Crown on the one side, and the directors of the coroo*7,
on the other. We can imagine no more fatal m.5t.:11,.,..
to our Liberal administration than would be theira. , _
dorsement of any report of the committee prejudioc Lott;
the Galway contract • and we cannot fora ni ni
Si s t
ou
flrTrbtOih,tl Ith.
gee
ehes losanomygiser
committee
htute,
e,a.:grr nek icor:
ase , t
:01 110
believe that such men as Lord Palmerston, Lords. .J°_ll
Russell, acid Lord Carlisle would lend their as isstr.;e
to a scheme which, politically, would be of e
meansto them,
.of
materiallywh i le,on
intihoeriontghtehretainudn,uietner
iuoll
ebjea
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