The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-03-09 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held on
Wednesday.
On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, it
was resolved to increase the salary of Mr. Wyberg, the
treasurer, from £5OO to £7OO :—Mr. PARKER and Mr.
HODGSON stating their disapproval of the job that was
perpetrated by the Reformers—that of giving £5OO to the
man who discharged the duties of treasurer, and £5OO to
the man who did nothing.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE called the attention of the Coun-
cil to the Holyhead Harbour Bill, (the flagrant character
of which we exposed in our last) and asked if the at-
tention of the Finance Committee had been called to the
subject, for the company were seeking an exclusive power
over the passage traffic by preventing any competition on
the part of general steamers.
Sir THOMAS BRANCKER said that the attention of the
Finance Committee had not been called to the subject,
but that the Mayor had received a communication relative
thereto from Mr. C. W. Williams, and it was resolved
that that report should be referred to the Finanea Com-
mittee.

On the Dock Proceedings being read, Mr. BRAMLEY-
MOORE said, he might just observe, with reference to the
Albert Dock warehouses, as that was the last occasion
upon which he might notice them. that owing to the un-
tiring exertions of the sub-committee, under whose ma-
nagement the Albert Docks principally were, the public
appreciated them, and they were now constantly occupied
and full. (Hear, bear.) He had received a letter from
Mr. W. Potter, stating that a clause would be introduced
into the Birkenhead Dock Act, to disqualify any member
of the Birkenhead and Herculaneum Dock Company from
being a member of the Liverpool Dock Committee. He
thought that it would be quite in order that every proprie-
tor of the dock company over the water should be dis-
qualified from acting here as a trustee. He would not
disqualify him from sitting and acting as a councillor, but
he would prevent him from voting on or exercising
control over the affairs of the Liverpool Dock Estate.
They met there to promote the interests of the town and
trade of Liverpool : and if any Birkenhead proprietor
were there he would not be free from that bias to which
human nature was subject. (Hear.) He had now to an-
nounce that the 24th of last month completed nine months
of the official dock year. They commenced their official
year on the 24th of June. And, notwithstanding the
great falling off in the importation of the staple article of
the port—cotton—compared with previous years, and the
large diminution in the imports of guano, he had the high
satisfaction of acquainting the Council that our tonnage.
lt
Fompared with the nine months of the previous year, had
aliough trade had fallen off in
increased by 113,523 tons. Its hoved
particulartli
branches,
e Cout: cil that,yet
that other branches had been brought into existence, and
crease ; and when there mustwa s aannt.l
ordinarywild continuerease into thei -
that the trade here
increaselNTOtwithstandiil in
nthtonnge would be very
imports of cotton, the
considerable.
on foreign bottoms from 2s. 3dg. one reductionshi s
in the dues
to Is. 3d., or
33 per cent., the increase in the money
port was .£ll,7B7—(hear, hear.)
Mr. PARKER bore testimony to the highly successful
exertions of the Albert Dock Sub-Committee. He had
gone through the Albert Dock the other day, and every-
thing there was so unlike Liverpool that he was perfectly
astonished. It was one of the lions of the town,—(Hear,
hear.)
The proceedings of the St. George's Hall Committee
contained a variety of communications between the Town-
clerk, the committee, the musical professors, the archi-
tect, and Mr. Samuel Holme. Mr. Holme justified the
statement he made at the last Council, relative to the
expensive manner in which the building was erected, and
Mr. Elmes characterised Mr. Holme's statement at the
last Council as the statement of a "disaffected contractor."
Mr. J.B . LLOYD, in moving the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings, said that Mr. Wightman had reported on the
building, that it was an ornament to the town and was
not " a thing of shreds and patches." The Committee
recommended the Council not to expend £6,000 or £7,000
on the organ, until the hall was completed.—Mr. S.
HOLME said that he would reiterate what he had previ-
ously said as to the cost of the building. The estimate
given in April 1841 was for £92,000, and in August 1844,
after a number of additional sums had been voted, a new
estimate was sent in for £145,000. He denied that any
of the materials he had used in the building were of an
inferior description, and was willing that any portion of
the bricks and mortar should be cut out and examined.—
Mr. JAS. HOLME moved for certain returns connected
with the building, but the motion was withdrawn on the
understanding that the returns could be obtained, and the
Council adjourned until Friday.

The adjourned meeting was held on Friday.
The MAYOR brought before the notice of the Council
the'report of the Health Committee, an important portion
of which was Dr. Duncan's report on the present state of
the public health. It ent to prove the existence of
typhus fever, but not of a very dangerous type. It was
nearly exclusively confined to the Irish residents, 73 out
of 90 cases of infection being Irish. Lace-street, occupied
exclusively by Irish, was named as being in a most filthy
condition : forty-eight cities had occurred since the com-
mencement of the year in that street, and there were at
present twenty-seven. In the Exchange and Vauxhall
districts, there were at present 75 cases under treatment.
The report went on to recommend the adoption, if possi-
ble, of some measure to prevent the further influx of Irish
paupers as absolutely necessary to preserve the health of
the, town. As a precautionary measure, it advised the
frequent
flushing of the sewers, and that arrangements be
made with theWaterWorks'Companies to turn the water
on daily, instead of three times a-week, as was done at
present. It also pointed to the necessity of providing
extra accommodation for the infected, as well as addi-
tional medical aid. A letter from Sir George Grey, rela-
tive to the appointment of Dr. Duncan by the Town
Council, was read, by which it appeared that the Sem-

..f CI 411 3. 1I ki

tart' of State approved of the appointment in every respect
expepting the principle of the appointment, which .was
that of estimating the duties of the office as only likely •to
require a portion of the time of the person appointed, and
of allowing him to continue private practice ; the Secre-
tary of State was of opinion that the medical officer should
devote the whole of his time to the duties of the office,
and suggested the propriety of his having professional
assistance.—The report was confirmed.
In reply to some remarks which fell from Messrs. Moore
and Aikin relative to the appointment of a medical board,
Mr. Nicol. replied that Dr. Duncan would have an op-
portunity of consulting the registers of six or eight parish
surveyors, from which he would make his reports, which
would therefore be the same in character as though they
emanated directly from a board.—Mr. PARKER was sur-
prised that any gentleman should characterise a report
got up in such a manner as being the report of a board ;
the report would still be Dr. Duncan's, for he would
consult his own views in making his report after having
inspected the surveyors' registers. He (Mr. Parker)
approved of the appointment of a medical board.—
Mr.
TINNE suggested that the subject being yet in its
infancy, the better method would be to refer the question
to the Health Committe for consideration.—Mr. AIKIN
was quite agreeable.—Confirmed.
Some other routine business was disposed of ; after
which the report of the Sanatory Committee relative to
the insufficient supply of water came under consideration
in due course.—Mr. Meoh suggested that as the report
was so voluminous, the Council would dispense with
hearing it read. He moved its adoption.
Mr. PARKER, for his own satisfaction and that of
his constituents, wished to be informed how many un-
favourable reports had been received by the Sanatory
Committee. Why should Mr. Hawkesley's report be the
only one brought before the Council. He considered it
was a question which was likely seriously to affect the
pockets of the rate-payers ; it was not a corporation, but
a borough-rate question. He was opposed both to the
Bala Lake and the Pike scheme, but he believed if the
latter were carried out, the water-rate would exceed all
the borough-rates. With respect to the supposed excel-
lence of the Pike water, he believed opinions had been
given respecting it as opposite to that of Dr. Lyon Play-
fair as any two things could be. Mr. Parker went on to
state that the Pike scheme was altogether preposterous,
and concluded by proposing that, as there was now an
auxiliary in the Green-lane works, and consequently no
immediate scarcity of water, the question might be post-
poned to another occasion. (Cries of No, no.)
Mr. S. HOLME had long taken a deep interest in the
question, and now rejoiced to find the town was likely to
he supplied with an abundance of water, and that provi-
sion would be made for posterity. He was glad too that
they were about to get rid of the hard water at present
used. With respect to the proposition for obtaining
water from the sand-stone on which the town stood, lie
was convinced it could not be done without robbing all
the privatewells. He hoped the report would be adopted,
and was of opinion that no money could be better laid
out than in bringing a supply of water from Rivington
Pike.

Mr. HioGirls looked on the proposed scheme as the
least likely one. The district whence the supply was to
issue was, he understood, a cultivated one, and conse-
quently the water, which must have a large surface, would
contain many organic impurities. He believed that the
scheme could not be carried out for less than a million
sterling, though Mr. Hawkesley estimated the cost at
£400,000 or £500,000 only. He wished to know why the
report of Mr. Cunningham, who had been appointed to
inspect the Cumberland lakes with a view to impounding
them for the purpose of supplying the town with water, had
been withheld from the Council. The committee had
never produced that report, and he now stood upon his
right to demand its production.
A good deal of discussion here ensued relative to the
merits of the different schemes which have been broached
for the accomplishment of the object.
Mr. AIKIN said that although he still adhered to his
own little crotchet—his belief that there was plenty of
water under the town—he was willing to bow to the deci-
sion of the committee.

Mr. ROBINSON thought it advisable to purchase the
present water works and then pause, for if the works must
be purchased on completion of the plan between them, it
could be doing no harm. He thought if the Pike scheme
were carried out the water rate would be increased four-
fold.

Mr. Nicol., in reply to what had been said in opposition
to the project, would•content himself with stating that
Mr. Hawkesley's had been adopted because it was consi-
dered to be the best. He had taken the opportunity of
asking the gentlemen constituting the board of one of the
water works on a former occasion whether they could give
a daily supply of water ; the reply was, with only one
dissentient voice, that they could not. Both Dr. Buck-
land and Mr. Anstead were of opinion that there could
not be an adequate supply of water obtained from our
sandstone. Much had been said about the report being a
report made by Mr. Hawkesly exclusively. From a com-
bination of unfortunate circumstances, both Mr. Cubitt
and Mr. Rendall were prevented from accompanying that
gentleman when he made his survey. In reply to a re-
mark made by Mr. Higgins, he wished to say the district
of the Pike was not a cultivated one.

The adoption of the report was then put to the vote and
carried by a majority of 35 to 3.
• A good deal of discussion followed relative to the clause
introduced in the bill, by which the Corporation are re—
quired to grant the site for the Sailors' Home.—Mr.
TIORSFALL advocated it.—Sir T. BRANCKER contended
the finance committee had no power to alienate the pro-
perty of the Corporation.—He was supported by 1VIr:
Rathbone, Mr., Robertson, Mr.' Parker, and others. It
was finally put to the vote whether the clause should. re-'
main in or be expunged from the bill. Its continuance-
as a part of the bill was decided by a majority of four.
Some communications made to the Mayor relative to
the Cleveland-square Market, and the affairs Of the town-
ship of Toxteth-park, and a claim from Mr. Snowball for
a sum exceeding £5OO per annum, as compensation for
the loss of his office, were then read ; after which, Mr.
EARLE proposed that a suitable building be provided for
the reception of persons who may be affected with fever ;
the only accommodation at present being the Fever Ward
at the Workhouse, which was intended for the exclusive
use of paupers. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tinne,
and referred to the health committee.

Mr. Higgins rose to move a resolution, upon which the
Council was counted out.

INQUIRY BEFORE THE WATCH COMMITTEE,
RESPECTING THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO
THE LATE FIRE IN MASON-STREET.

In consequence of the conflicting reports made by the
police-officers and Mr. M`Gill, the foreman of the Water'
Company, respecting the supply of water to the above
fire, the Watch Committee decided that the matter should
be thoroughly investigated, and that reporters should be
requested to be in attendance during the proceedings,
which were appointed to take place on Thursday last, at
two o'clock. There was a numerous attendance of the
members of the Watch Committee ; the Town-clerk and
the Head Constable were also present. Mr. Stanistreet,
Mr. M`Donald, and Mr. Banner were in attendance on
behalf of the Harrington Company.
The proceedings commenced by Mr. Ashlin reading a
long report by Superintendent Clough, where the want of
water and the absence of turncocks was assigned as one
of the principal reasons why the fire had gained such an
ascendancy. Mr. Stanistreet then proceeded to call wit-
nesses to rebut these allegations. The first was Mr. Holt,
cabinet-maker, Berry-street, who was at the fire at half-
past three o'clock. He saw the engines at work in Hurst-
street. There did not appear to be any want of water, as
they continued to play without intermission, which would
not have been the case had they been supplied by water
carts. Evan Davies deposed that he is warehouseman to
Messrs. Barton, Irlam and Higginson. He resides next
door to Mr. Challoner's warehouse, which was burned
down, He was aroused about half-past two o'clock by
the policemen's sticks and rattles. On getting into the
street he found the shed in a blaze. It was blowing a
gale
aTiboluetfiiriealmf-paadset threerap
rapid progress.
Was of
out windof at
bed. the
It time.
was e.
sure of the time, as he looked at his watch when he
got
when the first engine arrived : '•t was placed in Mason-
street, and got a supply of water from
carts... In a few
i
minutes afterwards another en
ced at the corner of liurst-street. gewtai s pla-
were getting it ready, he saw two Harringtonwaterremmeenn
come and call for a stand pipe. They drew a plug, and
the water immediately spouted up a height of several feet.
This was before the engine was ready to play. There was
plenty of water all the time. There was some dispute
amongst the firemen about getting the engine into play.
This caused some delay.
James Standish, turncock, stated that be received the
alarm of fire in Stanhope-street. He immediately got un
and opened Parliament-street main cock. The. large
mains are always fully charged with water, and AN indsor
engine is likewise kept at work all night. I then hastened
to the fire. I saw John Hughes, another of the Company's
turncocks, there. There were two engines ; one playing
on the fire, and another getting ready. George Hewitt
was unrolling the hose. I called to him to get me a
standpipe. He gave me one, and I drew a plug and put
it in. There was plenty of water in the mains ; it was on
very strong, and must have run at all the plugs there-
abouts ;—it could not have been otherwise, as the cocks
were open.
Several of the Company's turncocks were called and
examined,—their evidence being corroborative of the
other witnesses.

..

Mr. M'Donald deposed as follows am the superin-
tendent of the Harrington Company's works. I received
the alarm of fire at my residence, No. 9, Lord Nelson-
street, at half-past three o'clock. I immediately hastened
to the spot—it would be about a quarter or ten minutes to
four o'clock when I got there. I tried to reach the fire
by going down Mason-Street, but the smoke was so dense
I was compelled to turn back and make a circuit in order
to get to windward of the fire. I found several of the
company's turncocks there. They informed nao that
there was abundance of water. I saw that the engines
which were supplied from our mains had plenty. I knew
it could hardly be otherwise, as our large mains in that
district of the town are kept constantly charged. We have
one main capable of containing nearly one hundred thou:.
sand gallons of water, and in addition to that, we keep
the Windsor engine working at night in order that we
may have an ample supply of water in case of fire.
I saw Mr. M Gill there immediately after my arri-
val. I went with him round the various en-
gines, those who had their hose attached to our fire
plugs were well supplied, with one exception—that of an
engine in Barter-street—which was not fully supplied.
The pipe in that street is a very bad one. I sent the turn-
cock to find another plug for this engine ; he did so, but
the fireman rAused to use it, alleging aslis reason that he
had not sufficient length of hose. There were two en-
gines in Tabley-street, below Hurst-street, without a
supply of water. This arose from our having no fire

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'TIE LI WlllllO.l STAN D'A'R D.

plugs-in that part of Tabley-street. We had two excel-
lent plugs at the corner of Hurst-street and Tabley-street,.
but the smoke was so dense it was impossible to• get at
them., although several attempts were made to do. 50,.-
Frain one of these plugs I gave Mr. Maxwell a continuous,
upply- of water for three weeks, for salvage purposes. I
saws the head-constable at the fire. I called his attention.
to the fact of our having an abundant supply-of water,.
and he acknowledged that we had.
This closed the evidence on the part of the Herrington
CompatiV.
M. Maxwell was then called, he stated that he received.
the alarm of fire shortly after 3 o'clock, and reached
Mason-street about 4--past 3. The engines in. Tablay-
street had no water for sometime. He took.the men. from,
them, and commenced clearing out a cooperage which was.
several times on fire. He was so occupied for about three-
quarters of an hour. The smoke was • exceedingly dense ;
it was as much as he could do to get across from Tabley-
street to Mason-street. He believes- that the engines.
in Hurst-street were supplied with water a consi-
derable time before those in Tabley-street had a
supply. Has been informed that the Harrington
company have no plugs in the lower part of Tabley-street.
Never was better supplied with water for salvage pur-
poses than at this fire. Mr. M`Donald was good enough
to give him a supply from the mains for three- weeks,
thus saving the working of the ordinary engines.
The Harrington company have latterly gives a much
better supply of water at fires than they used to. do for
salvage purposes especially. I have always experienced
the most prompt attention from their. officers.
Mr. Hewitt examined.—l received the alarm of a fire
in Tabley-street at the Fire Police Station at half-past
three o'clock. I immediately turned out the engines, and
reached the fire in about seven minutes afterwards. We
had at first no other water than what we 'brought with us
in carts. There was a supply of water from the Harring-
ton company mains for two or three engines in from ten
to-twenty minutes after they got to the tire.
Mr. Parker here commented in strong terms on the cir-
cumstance of this witness's testimony not having been
given in the Report which the police had presented to the
Committee. In that report, said he, they say there was
no water for three quarters of an hour after the arrival of
the engines, while here is Mr. Hewitt, the first man who
ought to have been examined, and who acknowledges that
there was a supply of water, for two or three engines, in
from ten to twenty minutes after their arrival.
The Chairman thought Mr. M'Gill's report had not
been fully borne out, he having stated that the supply
was before the arrival of the engines, whereas it appeared
it was not till after their arrival that a supply was obtained.
Mr. Stanistreet replied that that would be merely a
play upOn words. It was clearly proved that there was a
supply before the engines were ready to receive it.
Mr. Procter thought something ought to be done with
their own officers for making such reports, and misleading
the committee in the way they had done; and the chair-
man would find it absolutelynecessary to do something.

Mr. Booker and Mr. Parker both concurred in sir.
Procter's views ; and the inquiry, which had occupied
a considerable time, terminated. •