The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-01-30 00:00:00

LOCAL MEETINGS,

THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.—At the weekly meeting,
on Thursday, (Mr. Tiune in the chair,) the usual report
of the inspector of nuisances was read, showing the active
exertions made to remove all noxious matters. A marked
improvement had taken place in the cleanliness of the
lower districts, and few houses exhibited the filth and
wretchedness observable at this time last year. The
mortality of the town had frllen below the usual average,
the deaths being twenty-two fewer than during the pre-
vious week. Two cases of cholera had occurred, one in
Liverpool and the other in West Derby. A conversation
took place as to sewering certain streets in West Derby,
and applying to the North-Western Railway Company,
who were interested : but no steps can be taken until the
result of the rew bill before parliament be known. A
report was read from the sub-committee as to slaughter-
houses. The committee were against slaughter-houses
in the town, but it appeared the whole of them could not
be got rid of. The report was adopted, and will be pre-
- " `he Council. The Chairman observed that the
could not obtain that efficient aid from the
.e which_ they were led to expect, and the

Public service would be benefitted if the watch committee
would allow them to retain the four police officers at pre-
sent acting under their directions. Several members
expressed themselves in strong terms against the police
force, contending that they did not discharge their duties
efficiently. Mr. Parker defended the police force, which
he characterised as the best in England ; and moved an
amendment, to the effect that the Health Committee
should not retain the four officers alluded to. His amend-
ment, not being seconded, fell to the ground. The com-
mittee then adjourned.
SELECT VESTRY.—The usual fortnightly meeting was
held, when the Rev. Rector Campbell presided. The
Finance Committee reported that the remuneration of the
parish collectors by means of fixed salaries was highly
objectionable, and that they thought the remuneration
ought to be dependent on an individual's own exertions.
They stated that, in the year 1846, out of 42,092 assess-
ments, only 16,177 had paid, and that out of £106,000
levied, only £76.000 had been collected. After remarking
upon the causes and extent of this deficiency, they sug-
gested that eight additional collectors be appointed, and
that they be paid a commission of 7i per cent. for the
first year, at the expiration of which a new arrangement
to be entered into. The large sum of £720 was paid the
previous week in out-door relief, being £l3O more than
in the corresponding week of last year, and a large moiety
of this sum was obtained by fraudulent representations—
the Irish in many cases stating that they were residents
in Liverpool of five years' standing, whereas they were
not probably longer in the town than five weeks. The
out-door relief for the Irish a' -t -* -sting

one was at present cos,.
The recommendations

the parish about £6,000 a-year

were adopted.—Mr. Ferguson, whilst alluding to the
enormous expenses to which the parish was put, said that
the overseers had not issued the summonses for the poor
rates until the last moment; but he now called on the in-
habitants to come forward and pay their rates, because in

.
a fortnight the summonses would be issued. The 2s.
rate levied at Easter would not be sufficient to cover the
expenses, as the parish had been disappointed in the ex-
pectation of getting any money from the dock estate.—
Mr: Earle said that people were now leaving Liverpool

rapidly, and houses were becoming empty every day, and
those who removed would have to bear the burden.
EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.—The members held
their annual festival on Wednesday evening, at Mr.
Curshod's, Queen's Hotel, Lime-street. About 70 sat
down to an excellent repast, including many delicacies.
The chair was filled by Mr. Rayner, and the vice-chair by
Mr. Mercer. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr. Bull, in
an able address, proposed " Success to the Early Closing
Association," urging the advantages, both mental and
physical, that would be conferred upon all present by the
general closing of the shops at seven o'clock in the even-
ing. He mentioned a pleasing incident in connect
with hiss

,on d on

had taken an active interest in the early closing move
ment, had established schools in the city for the merth

improvement of those young assistants who were enabled,
by retiring from the toil of business at seven in the
evening, to avail themselves of their benefits. After
other toasts, Mr. Matthews, in giving " The town and
trade," stated that such interest were their exertions ex-
citing, that in many large establishments in
an , evening lectures were delivered once a week t

assistants employed: he was happy to say that this
laudable practice was also pursued in several houses in
this town—he alluded to Compton-house in particular.
Libraries, for the use of the assistants, had also become

quite general. Mr. Morris, in eulogistic terms, proposed
"The Press of Liverpool." The company prolonged the
festivity until a late hour, and separated highly delighted
with the evening's entertainment. The addresses made
were highly creditable to the speakers
lar i e 3

no acquirements in the art of oratory. We
commend the exertions of this association, the object of
which we have advocated over a series of years, and of
the prosperity of which our first convictions are not only
unshaken, but strengthened the more we contemplate it.
THE LIVERPOOL DISPENSARIES.—The annual meet-
ing of the subscribers and friends of this excellent cha-
rity was held on Thursday, at the Clarendon-rooms, the
Venerable Archdeacon Brooks in the chair. Mr. D. H.
Gibson, the secretary, read the report for the past year,
from hich we adduce the following. :—The number of

sick poor relieved by the dispensaries was 32,C62, of whom
11,995 were relieved at their own homes. It being diffi-
cult to obtain the servipp. ---41---- 4- 4)1

the office of physician (as required by law) six general
practitioners have been appointed by vote, and this staff,
it is hoped, will be most efficient. The committee had

ciaimea compensation trona the North Western Railway
Company, in consequence of the new tunnel passing under
the Northern Dispensary, and had obtained £3OO, which,

they have added to the small funded property as perm-a.
nent income to the charity. The funds have, however,
suffered diminution from the late commercial distress, and
notwithstanding all possible economy the loss on the year
had been £216, while the institution was still burthcned
with a debt of £335. The committee therefore implore

Jaji, 30, VA

'-- ~.®_

L 4010
the dock acts ; and I ventured to select those gentlemen proseefitor) was instructed by Mr. Lawrence Lor oil
because, in these their combined qualifications, I saw in charge to the police. The prisoner handed aijaiii
reason to expect,that their joint opinion would be the very sent to him by a gentleman named Chaffers, who b.'
best guide which this committee could have. (Hear.) grave in the cemetery, instructing him to carve lt,d
That opinion is as follows : memorials on the stone of his grave, which he P 07,00
"We are of opinion that the Chairman of the Dock Com- to do when he was given into custody. The Pros` bts
mittee is bound to affix the common seal of the trustees to any
document to which a majority of the committee may direct it said they kept a man to do. the lettering ; and Mr.0.1:!,5,,,,,,k
replied that he had no right to give the man 1 r,,,ili
to be affixed, (see L rd Kenyon in Rex v. Beeston, 3, Terms
Reports, 524: and see also Rex V. Windham, I, Corop. 377). it for what he had done. The magistrate referred 9,1
makes no difference, in our opinion, that the resolution of the act for ruling the affairs of the cemetery, and f)".
committee directing the seal to be affixed may be annulled by provisions of exclusive right. Mr. Rushton disoo,o
the Dock Trustees at their next monthly meeting.
(Signed) 6. W. H. WATSON, Davies, and told him to go to the treasurer of the ceol
"SAML. L. T. WILDE, tery, and inform him that he had been in custodbYelvi
"J. R. QUAIN. that he had been discharged. At the same time
,•0:
the complainant to be careful how he gave persotritigi
custody for similar affairs, as they might have an a‘ci'
remedy.
:e*
SANATORY INFORMATION.—At the Police-court,
reer,
Friday, Messrs. Jamieson, herring-curers, 15, pia- s,
,i,i to
appbared before Mr. Rushton, in answer to a saillee•
issued by the Health Committee. Mr. Milee,'ts
Pitt-street, was the first witness called. Ho said t is

"January 20, 1849
With this opinion, having first sent him a copy, I called
upon the chairman yesterday, and endeavoured for the
many reasons which occurred to me, and with as much
earnestness as I could take the liberty of using, and espe-
cially for peace sake, to induce him, on the authority of
this opinion, to withdraw his refusal to affix, unless with
the asset of the trustees, the seal to the memorial corn•

plaining of the non-compliance with standing orders by
the promoters of the dock-rating bill ; and at .one time I
ventured to think that I had made some impression on
his mind, but it proved erroneous, and our discussion
ended as it becan. with a reiterated determination on hia

part not to affix the seal without the assent of the trustees.
I then told him that I considered it my duty, though very
reluctantly, and indeed painfully, to advise him to sum-
mon this special meeting for this, the last day on which
the memorial in question can be made available, in order

ince alp
was
elijil

great quantity of very nauseous smoke proceeded
Messrs. Jamieson's premises. If by any ch
his windows were open, immediately the hous
with smr,L•r. e---• r• • - -

mosphe
. Dr.

ss wa' bio
re. ge
Dunco.,o

that the facts, as they stand, might be made known to the
committee ; and you are now met for that purpose solely ;
no resolution, so far as I know, being intended to be pro-
posed;. but lam bound to tell you, that unless the me-

morial be sealed to-day, the power of appearing against
the bill on standing orders is lost. (Hear.) lam bound
also to say, in justice to the chairman, that he acquiesced
with perfect readiness in my advice to call this meeting,
and that he is acting upon a conviction which I believe to
be perfectly honest, and is in some degree sanctioned in it
by the opinion of the Town-clerk. I ought to add, too,
because it will probably be urged again to-day, that he,
the chairman, asked me why I had not advised the com-
mittee to get a special Council convened; to which I
••

replica, that it was not for the committee, who were act-
ing in the ordinary and universal course of their proceed-
inzs, to seek the intervention of any special authority, but
rather for those who were deviating from that course to
appeal to that authority if they could, and thought it right
to do so. I think, moreover, that this committee have no
power, except in an event which has not happened. to

require a special Council to be called, and thant. it would
have been unadvisable for them to make the application.
(Hear.)
After a brief discussion, the CHAIRMAN gave his deci-
sion as follows :—With respect to the legal opinions, they
are merely, as you know, confirmatory of what was laid
down on Thursday by Mr. North, and they are, after all,
merely the opinions of certain gentlemen. With refer-
ence to the case they allude to, my reply is—that I am
not disinclined to affix the seal in opposition to the wishes
of the trustees. That disposes of the case. But, as I
have been called upon to reply, I will take this opportu-
nity of adverting to what I consider ought to have been
done at the last meeting. I stated then, and I repeat it
now, that I was taken by surprise; for, though I did not
attend the meeting, gentlemen must know my reason for
not attending it. The fact, however, is, that I did not
attend. The next morning I went to see what aroceed-
ings had taken place, and I am of opinion that all the pro-
ceedings ought to have been on the paper. There was,
however, nothing on the paper to give me an insight into
the matter. I will now refer to what occurred at our last
meeting, for then a certain course ought to have been
taken, which was not taken. Late in the discussion, after
I had expressed my intention about the affixing of the
seal, Mr. North said :—" He did not know of any party
to appeal to, to get compulsory powers in such a case,
even if it were desirable that such authority should be
used," I immediately said :—" Appeal to the Town Coun-
cil. I will bow to its orders." Very soon afterwards,
Mr. Aikin is reported to have said .—" Mr. Aikin, to meet
the difficulty, suggested the propriety of either having the
petition drawn up in the name of the committee, or of
calling a special Council to consider the memorial, and,
unless vetoed, it would be confirmed." Now, gentlemen,
if that course had been pursued, we were then in time.
The proper course would have been for the parliamentary
sub-committee and our solicitor to have advised the hold-
ing of a special Council. Had that been done, we should
have had a special Council to-day, and you would then
have seen whether the trustees concurred in the prayer of
the memorial, and in the propriety of my affixing the seal
to it. That, I repeat, was the proper course to have pur-
sued. (Hear.) Now, I will not go into motives, and say
that you were afraid of pursuing that course, but still it
was the proper one, and moreover it has been the general
practice of this committee. Last year, with almost an
unanimous committee here, and a very able chairman,
you did not venture to do anything in opposition to the
Council, and in a somewhat sin-if
you then appealed to the Council