The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-02-16 00:00:00

Pet). 16, 1847.

trict. On examining the country I saw no scarfs by which the
water could escape.
The TOWN-CLERK then re-examined the witness on some un-
important points of his evidence, after which
Mr. Knipe was called and examined by him.—l have paid
attention to geology for many years ; I have executed a map,
*hewing the stratification of the Br itish Isles. lam acquainted
with the stratification of the district under inquiry. The prin-
cipal formation of that district is coal-beds and mill-stone grit.
'The water from such a district would be of an excellent quality.
I have been over the whole district, and I think it most favour-
able for such a project; nature has formed it for the use of
,man; and it will make an excellent reservoir for the collection
of water. I have heard the question put to l'rofessor Ansted
about the reservoir being situated on the fault ; and in replying
to a question similar in its nature, I would say that all natural
lakes are formed in faults. The western lakes and the Cum-
berland lakes are all in faults. Such positions are generally
chosen to form reservoirs in.
Mr. PAOI3.—Do you apprehend any escape from the reservoir
• 'through the underground fissures? Ido not.
This witness was cross-examined at great length by Messrs.
Part, Watkins, Rowlandson, Burchill, and Higson, in opposition
to the bill ; but nothing material was elicited from him beyond
what he stated in his direct examination.
Mr. Hawkesley was next sworn, and examined by the TowN-
CLEßK.—Having examined the district where these works are
'to be constructed, I have no reason to doubt the capabilities of
the proposed reservoir to supply a sufficient quantity of water
for the purposes required.
• To Mr. HURCHILL.—There are a great number of springs in
the district, but they are insignificant as compared with those
of Holywell and other parts of the country—that is, they are
geologically trifling, as springs mostly are which come from
,the millstone grit. There are *Trines there in the neighbour-
hood, which may be of some value to the people in that part of
the country ; but I will not say that they are of great value.
Springs are of no more value than surface water. Ido not
think that the springs in the neighbourhood of Withnall are of
very great use for the purposes of paper-making, as the great-
est paper-mills in the country are formed on chalk foundation.
The mills round the neighbourhood of London are built on
that formation. On the plan which I hold in my hand I find
that a stream, at a place called the Abbey Mill, in the township
of Withnall, is to be taken I believe that stream is used for
the purpose of condensing steam at the manufactory which is
there • but it is otherwise of no value, for any water is good
enough for steam condension. lam not aware of any powerful
stream in that neighbourhood. All springs flowing from the
south will be intercepted by the proposed conduits of the new
works. Many of the diminutive streams are not shewn on the
map; but there is a note at the foot of it, stating that all
brooks, streams, and rivers, on the sides of or adjoining the
proposed reservoirs, are intended to be taken. At Ware Gate
there is a stream to be taken ; but, as I have already spoken of
the value of those streams, I need not give a further answer to
your question. The River Roddlesworth does not consist alto-
gether of spring water, as the great bulk of it is surface water.
It runs down a narrow gorge bounded by rocks ; but I cannot
speak of the whole of the river, nor can I say whether these
rocks are abounding with springs. If the whole of the water
there was to be exhausted, the works on that river most assu-
redly would not be rendered useless, RS water could be supplied
by
enines ; besides, at most manufactories it is usual to in-
pound water for the purposes of the place. In addition to this,
however, he should state that they intended giving a full and
Plentiful supply to those places, although no clause to that
effect had been introduced into the bill.
Mr. IllosoN.—Did I understand you rightly when you said
you could not give compensation, nor state the principle on
which it was to be given, until after the Admiralty commis-
sioners have reported on the subject?
Mr. HERBERT.—This is rather a question for the Town-clerk
and not for Mr. Hawkesley.
Mr. HIGSON.—Am Ito understand that the compensation in
water which you intend to make will be taken from the general
supply in the reservoirs?—No, I don't suss°. That, will very
Much depend on a variety of circumstances on which I cannot
give an immediate opinion. 1 cannot tell whether we would be
able to give a spring water zompensation to the Burscall print-
works.
Mr. HERBERT--That is a matter into which we have no
Power to enter.•
To Mr. Higson.—The water in these shades has not yet been
thoroughly guaged, but we are guaging it just at present. We
guaged it several times, but we have not yet got the average
taken sufficiently correct. If there had been sufficient time
theseaverages and guages would have been prepared.
Mr. Hawkeslev was then cross-examined at considerable
length by several of the gentlemen who appeared to oppose the
amongst whom was Mr. Part.
Cross-examination continued by Mr. PART.—The air valves
'lin the proposed
inasmuch as the rks will not require to be raised to the
tarface of the earth, subsoil of the strata at the
Zyshigton reservoir is of a clayey nature. There are no coal
.-Sdltues. I have not looked at the place with the view of seeing
,t,,ether it was water-tight, because I did not think it necessary.
• Zi'etihest way that I can make you understand the capabilities
pitle reservoir for containing water is by stating to you.that
'Mated in the low ground, and that from it there is no
sfor the water to go. The sides of the reservoir are
:ellishs°to and abrupt in some places. perpendicular reort stas that the
theerviiir is to be 50 feet deep, and the power of
water will be on the square foot 3000lhs. In Linton and
Entwisle the water is too feet deep, and the ground is low. At
Linton and Entwisle there are no coal shades. I state this
Most distinctly, because the side embankments are formed of
coal-measures; I mean by a fault—a chasm. I did not think
it necessary to take any means for ascertaining what the dif-
ferent strata were under the Rivington reservoir; but although
-water may percolate a little towards the strata, still for all
purposes of impounding water the reservoirs will be perfectly
water-tight. However, if it were possible for the water to find
its way into the cropping, it would flow out; but that is impos-
sible. The comparative level between the Rivington reservoir
and the lowest point of Norwich vale is 92 feet 3 inches. The
Iferizontal difference between that reservoir and the most
northern point of the vale is 82 chains, or rather more than a
mile. We are not yet prepared to state the amount of water
Which will be directed from its present sources. We intend to
take all the Streams which come within the circle of the opera-
tions of these works, by means of which we intend to collect at
least 23S millions of gallons per diem. I cannot tell how much
We may take from each stream separately.
The t'owN CLERK objected to the course of cross-examina-
tion which Mr. Part adopted. He came there, he (Mr. Shuttle-
- sv orth) believed, on behalf of certain landowners who resided
O n the river Douglas; and he submitted that his opposition
should be confined to that matter altogether.
~Mr. HERHE ter—We cannot confine Mr. Part to any particular
line of examination.
Mr. PART.—My object here is not to oppose so much for any
Particular party, as to defeat the bill if possible. Mr. Part then
Continued his cross-examination fora considerable time.
Mr. PAGE.—Mt. Birchill we want to know if you intend to
give us any information as to the manner in which your inter-
sat will be affected by the bill ?
Mr. BIRCHILL said they did not. All they wanted was to
glean what information they could from Mr. Hawkesley ; after
Which they would form their own opinions as to the course they
should adopt.
Mr. PAGE.-Mr. Hawkesley, are you in possession of any list
of the different works on those rivers?
Mr. HAWKESLEY.—We have taken for our own purposes a
list of the works for which we may be called on to compensate
the owners; but we do not desire to have it plaeed in full be-
fore this court.
Mr. ROWLANDSON.—UnIess we get compensation in water,
•our works will be rendered useless.
Mr. Hiooixs.—We should like to know the principle on
Which you intend to award compensation ?
Mr. itowissNissoN.—Yes, we should like to know that, in order
-that we may be enabled to judge whether it is practicable.
Mr. HAWKESLEY said he was not prepared to say on what
principle the compensation would be awarded until after the
Tidal Commissioners' report.
Mr. BARRETT, on the part of the Duke of Bridgewater,
handed_ in a statement of the amount of damage his grace's
onlropest..
y was likely to receive, with the view of fixing the
..ount of compensation.
,21/. HIGGINS stated that he had put in a similar statement
4111 t had been rejected by the Corporation. He should like
wonKilltwv whether
'i e the
water or compensation which he was to receive
Th ,!;,e in money
tiealar owN CLERK.—That was not a statement of the par-
be re Power, or the particular amount of water which would
bill erh;red; but it was a proposition to insert a clause in the
tbeMis I,Pelling us to purchase certain works.
assaitts'r asked Mr. H.awkesley for informatio regarding
'oshipan, of water supplied by the Harrington Water Works
81r. te,*
Whicht
that
stated that he had received the information
tot, th,ss Posseseed under a pledge of confidence, and he would
rfore, give it.
wished the surveying officers to take a note to the
at he had asked for the information and that it had
bet refused.
kforn ,AG E.—Mr Stanistreet you sail you could give us all the
s„ anon ne required.
issaSl STANISTREET could give the information
thatqued, ntullnder the present circumstances he thought it would unfair to the Corporation to give it. He highly appreciated
the feelings which had guided Mr. Hawkesley in his decision in
Withholding it. The examination of Mr. Hawkesley was then
PSoceeded nith, and after a protracted conversation it was
closed. "
Dr. DUNCAN.—I am a medical officer of the town of Liver-
pool, and I have Ive been appointed to that officeoofftbliye
tiCmeorpseocrrae:
lion, although have not as yet been approved tary Of state. For several years I have paid attention to the sana-
tory state of Liverpool; and I have prepared tablesaLtehse state
Of mortality in Liverpool as compared with Other
rate of mortality is higher in Liverpool than in any other town
ish England. During these inquiries I have turned my atten-
ion to the question of water supply; and I think one of the
very, first importance, with reference to the sanatory condition
si 'le town. The supply delivered now is intermittent,—l
11-„°4ld say three days in tbe week, at intervals of from half-an-
sefr..4lt to two hours each time. Complaints have frequently
ho made to me by the inhabitants of cottages, and court
tinsdes, that the supply did not remain on a sufficient time,
Nomalso that it came on at inconvenient . hours. The
'1;04 are obliged to ;seep their water in their apartments
material;Zsteili in such vessels as they can afford ta purchase, which
aconceive to be most inprious to their health,
.as thIS
la's,t_tet,K,e.pt in vessels it imbibes part of the poisonous
ites. latch is floatng in the atmosphere of these courts and
seven';saome courts, however, cisterns have been erected ;
ItsZilsts„`„ais mode is not by any means so good as if there was
topi) supply. In many of the courts it is impossible to
ols; assst free from the poisonous air emitted from the cess-
s oh",,,,independent of this the action of the air is more likely
Iliveree the lead when in an exposed state than if it. were
e wat in which case the water becomes impregnated with it.
4,14 h.ich is at present supplied in Liverpool is clear but
ante is good and wholesome for drinking, as only one
-Pas come to my knowledge where the water ha not
tlwroth with the constitutions of the individuals using its but
iatereor..dio.,mestic purposes there c.aw-b. e no doubt that soft
sh
pt Meru"; be much better. I think it extremely important
eets e. 'mould be a constant supply of water in the courts andt„ated'~indeed, teted' indeed, so much so, that in a report which I pre-
iSta shYeeaterday to the some, I recommended them to
it' the „„sWater constanly oof the districts. I think that
si,:ood"n".'hc authorities were to adopt some means of bringing
b:ta constant supply of water into Liverpool, that it
Alper is most beneficial to the community. Although the
slain s th Hink 'th good, clear, and wholesome as at present sup-
tvh. ary p a softer water would be better for domesticand
as urposes. Estimates have been made on the subject,
10,0,000 "°,? that, by procuring a softer water, a saving of
nensper annum on the article of soap would be effected by
Or fete ' e of Liverpool.
w words of cross-examination by Mr. PART,
1(001 kn,:;"IsTREET rose to cross-examine the witness.—l
ow,w, that! the mode in which London is supplied. I don't
volers of is on the intermittent plan. I do not blame the
No
the anytoperty for providing
.receptacles for the water
No nil is periodical. During a number of years the
dear eistesa''e of supply has been intermident. I know that
saeser. / 8, are more often adopted than stone, although much
sis. 4 in Luotild say to the amount of .e 20,000 on the quantity
s(c'etns rirerPool. I know that in many courts there are
tiaftened ected. Ido not think that the water is anything
141,Pstie ,)nr the process of boiling which it receives for most
Iclea rPoses. Of course there is a deposit of calcarious
nostter hi ter it reaches a certain heat, at which time the solid
1.41141 he idePosited ; but at a less heat than that its hardness
41,001ncreased. I have made no analysis of the water in
88 Ye
ests,
esae‘i isTitems—But so far as sanitary purposes are
st4oli ssihrpt do not object to the quality if the quantity was
laoera, and ? Oh, certainly not; that is for flushing the
11. at he i such things Mr Rushton state tht was a
s_loas thful water 'D
eost far o you concur with liman Withat opi-
Of .._°ll the Ti_arinking is concerned. Speaking in your re-
bosater in health of towns, you do not speak of being in want
Rare that ~,s,_l%erpool, and as to its quality you are also silent.
e arise front the fact, that up to that date (1844) there
t yo„ mplaints
br mad against it ?—I am not aware of the
"%al. Pu - 'Peak o I
edf; but know I mentioned it in a report pre-
blish
sindsoineents • Mr.. Stanistreet then read an extract from
sir When it wasPo'.l, with the view of showing that, at the pe-
osaa:::.bpouiint.: published, no complaints had been made..
to na na Liave you, Dr. Duncan, arecommendation to
i:;nsuthbejetcotwonf. baths and public fountains?
ttolic would be of the utmost importance to have
wter orn
fin, —e conversation had ensued,
illta• his Came forward to amend his evidence, relative
1