The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-04-28 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE HIGHWAY BOARD.

An application having been made to rate the water
water works at Kensington, the Law-clerk said it was his
opinion the Commissioners were not liable, the works be-
ing public property, and not a beneficial interest.

.
The CHAIRMAN read a letter from the workmen em-
ployed at their water works requesting to be heard by de-
putation, which was granted, when the deputation said it
appeared that th- Board bad been told by Mr. Tomkinson
that it was not the fault of the masters that the men had
turned out, but the fault of the employed. They begged
to say, the workmen had never made any demand for an
advance of wages, or reduction of the hours of labour, or
any thing in connexion with the document the masters
required them to sign.
The CHAIRMAN assured them the Board would not in-
terfere between the masters and the men, either directly
or indirectly.
A report from Mr. Weightman, as to making a sewerin
Great Howard-street, for draining some land belonging
to Molyneux and others, was read. It recommended
that the sewer be constiucted, which would involve an
outlay of £llOO.

Some discussion took place on the subject, and it was
moved that the sewer be made.

Mr. LAWRENCE objected to the expenditure of any
money for such a purpose at present, seeing they hail no
funds at command. They had expehded money illegally
already: anti ahour 1900 or £llll whi..h wax Apen
deputation money, would have to be refunded if they did
not get their I .

In reply to a question put by Mr. Lawrence, the SE-
caETARY stated that. they were indebted to the batik

Tne CHAIRMAN said he was not aware they had ex-
pended any money illegally.
Mr. A SPINA LL said he supposed what had been stated
WAS merely to frighten them, but he himself would not be
frightened—he would do-all he could to torwattl the bill
of the Highway Board; and use all his efforts to overturn
that of-the Corporation.
After some further conversation. it was agreed that the
conversation should he deferred. and another survey made
before any expense was incurred.
Mr. GLADSIONR, in-reference to the interview which
had taken place the previous week with Messrs. romkin-
son and Johnson, as to the strike among the workmen,
proposed a resolution to the effect, that, without prejudice
to existing rights, and taking into consideration the diffi-
culties in which the master trade-men are placed, owing
to the turn-out, the Board do not press inconveniently
any parties who are under contract to execute work for
the Trust.

The resolution was seconded by Mr. KILSHAW, and
ad:pted.

Mr. GLADSTONV gave notice of the following motion
for the next meeting:—" That as it appears from the
proceedings of the Town Council at the special meeting
held on Tuesday, the 21st instant, that the Sanitary Bid
promoted by the Council received almost unanimous ap-
proval,—that that bill contains many important provisi-
ons for the sanitary regulations of the borough which are
not contained in any bill promoted by the Board,—that
the Council have also under consideration a plan for af-
fording an ample supply of water fur domestic and manu-
facturing use and for public purposes, and that a parlia-
mentary contest on the several local bills now before
parliament, all having for their professed object the bene-
fit of the public, would be attended with great expense to
the rate-payers and public funds.—Resolved,—That it is
not expedient or necessary for the public interest to pro-
ceed further with any of the bills promoted by this
Board."
Some conversation ensued on the subject of Mr. Glad-
stone's motion, when the Chairman observed that they
had better reserve their discustion until the next week.
Mr. GLADSTONL—The Board will perhaps not be in
existence next week.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

A special meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday,
to consider the report of the special committee on Lord
Lincoln's bill, and on the sanatory bill of the Council.
Toe Town clerk commenced reading the report from
the special committee, extracts from which we subjoin :
" That they now bring before the Council the bill which has
been prepared in order to amend the present Health and Police
Act, and to int oduce into the borough such or the provisions of
the bill of Lord Lincoln as are necessary to ensure the efficient
working of the several purposes of paving, sewering. draining,
and cleansing, with other sanatory regulations, combined under
the management of the Council.
'• In their consideration of the bill, the committee have been
deeply impressed with the importance of a cheap and abundant
supply of water, not only for domestic use. but for cleansing
sewers, streets, courts, &c., and other public purposes.
" Acting under the advice of Mr. Hawksley, the committee
proposed to the directors of the Liverpool and Harrington Com.
party to purchase their icorks, subject to the approval of the
Council. The directors. however, refused this offer, stating
that they considered it far behiw the va:ue of the works, and
the negotiation therefore terminated.
" Mr. Haw,sley was also requested to turn his attention to
the sir! ject of the general and independent supply of water
from other and better sources than those now made, and he ex-

pressed to your committee his clear and decided opinion that an
abundance of water, of the softest quality, may be procured at
a sufficient elevation to enable a constant and unlimited de-
livet y to be afferde to all parts of the borough. without the aid
of steam o. other machinery; and at a cost which would enable
a considerable reduction to be made in the rates now charged
upon the consumers.
_ _

.•‘ The quail!), as well as the quantity of the water supplied
shoidd be fully considered ; and your committee are decidedly
of opinion th•t sufficient attention has not been pain to these
c risiderati ns in the plans now laid before Parliament by the
Highway Board for a further supply to the town ; and they are
advised by eminent engineers, that if those works were com-
pleted in the manner proposed, they would not a -ord an acte-
rpiate and constant supply; that the water is not the best that
can be procured, and that from the manner in which the work,
are proposed to be constrncted. they w;11 be most costly in ma-
nagement, and entail a heavy rate upon the inhabitants and
property of the borough.

"Your committee have also considered the two bills intro-
duced by the Higtm ay Board. As th se bills are not only ex-
ceedingly ohj cticnable in themselves, but directly at variance
with the principles of the sanatory bill your committee have
prepared petitions against them, which the,- n w propose to the
Council for adoption, and recommend that the most vigorous
opp sition be offered to them.
Y, ur committee have also had before them the bill of the
T, xteth park Commissioners, against which, as interfering with
the sanatory bill, as tar as respects the part of Tor eth-park
within the borough, your committee al-o submit a petition, and
recommend the Council to oppose the bill.
Your committ e have also con,idereet the bill intrrduced by
the Liverpool and liarrinerm Water Works, which appeared to
lour committee so objectionable. as affec ing the interests of the
public, and the tights of the Corporation, under the cxisti g
acts, that they have presented a petition against it, and ale pre-
pared, if directed by the Council, to oppose the bill in commit.
tee."

On the motion of Mr. LACE the report was adopted,
Mr. BIRKETT observing, that some parts of the report,
with reference to the bill of the Highway Board, were not
agreeable with the facts.
Petition's were adopted against the bill of the Highway
Board. and against the Toxteti. Park Improvement Bill.
Mr. BOOKER suggested the appointment of a sub-com-
mittee from the Council and The Highway Board to settle
their dtfferences at home; but Mr. LACE said as the
Council had already determined to proceed with their bill,
he conld not see on what principle a reference to a sub-
committee was now proposed.

The TowN-cLeax then proceeded to read the pre-
amble and clauses of the Liverpool Sanato! y Regulations
Bill.

On clause G being read, which repealed the acts of the
Highway Commissioners for paving and seweriug the
town,

Mr. PROCTER objected to it, but declined to divide the
;he Counc,l.

Clau.e 82 provided that the Council might let any un-
occupied or unproductive property, to defray expenses.

. . . .
Mr. I3IRKt•;TT thought this a most arbitrary clause, and
was certain it would never be passed by Parliament.
Clause 86 convulsed the Council with laughter. It pro-
vided that the dirt, dust, night soil, and filth collected
from the streets, sewers, and cesspools, should be vested
in the Mayor and Corporation.
The clauses from 87 to 92 were passed. The words "if
required" were added to clause 93, which provides that no
house shall hereafter he built within the borough without
a pr per privy and ashpit.
Clause 102 was struck out. It provided that it should
be lawful for the coroner to require the medical officer (to
be appointed) to make post mortem examinations.
Clause 106 was viewed as a mist valuable one. It pro-
vided that from and after the passing of the act, all fur-
naces employed in woi king any engine, mill, factory, dye-
house, brewery, bake house, gas works, or steam-boat,
shi uhf, when practicable, be so constructed as to consume
their own smoke.

he TOWN-CLERK remarked that a simple apparatus,
su Tested by Mr. Grantham, t( r consuming smoke, had
been tried with complete success on hoard of the Birken-
head onats. It saved fuel, and created additional steam,
and would, if generally adopted, be found extremely valu-
able.

Clause 110 provided that no beast should be killed ex-
cept in the licensed slaughter-houses of the town.

The word " exchn-ive" was added to 138. It provides
that all churches, chapels, schools, or builsiings, used for
the education of the poor exclusively, or any land, build-
ing, or other property belonuing to the Council under the
provisions of th s act, shall not be liable to be rated.
Mr. BRAMLEY-NIOORE expr<ssed his anxiety to have
some clause or proviso introduced, by which the existing
rihts and privileges of the Deck Estate should be pre-
ser

After some discussion, it was agreed that a clause to
this tff-ct should be drawn up by the Town-clerk and Mr.
Worthington, the dock solicitor, and submitted to the
Council.

Clause 148 provided that the owners of property not
exceeding £lO per annum, nett annual value, should pay
rates instead of the occupiers.
The TOWN-CLERK said, that, with reference to this
clause, a memorial had been received from the Liverpool
Houseowners' Guardian Society, in which they stated
that tr make the owners liable to the rate, would be to
commit an unconstitutii,nal and partial act.
Mr. J LAWRENCE called attention to the 150th clause,
which provided that a deduction of £l5 per cent. shall be
allowed In assessin_ rates on the owners of 'remises not
eneeeding £lO annual value.

. _ . ........_.
Mr. Bt RKETT moved that clauses 148 and 150 be struck
out. •

The Council divided, when there appeared—for the mo-
tion, 17; against it, 16. The clauses were accordingly
expunged.

All the remaining clauses were passed nem. con. ; and,
upon the motion of Mr. LACE, the bill, subject to the al-
terdtions, was approved of.

_ - -
Mr. HORSFALL said he had got a clause to propose
It alluded to the propriety of closing the dram-shops and
public-houses on the Sunday ; and It was a scource of
pleasure in him to state, that the credit of originating the
measure had emanated from parties who were themselves
engaged in the trade. It had been stated by Mr. Higgins,
in Council, that, on an average, the sum of £4OOO was
taken every Sunday in the dram-shops of Liverpool. By
the police returns it appeared that there were no less than
3.315 persons brought before the stipendiary magistrate
on the Monday mornings of the past. year for drunken-
ness, while only 6.050 were brought before him on the
whole of the remaining days of the week. The Coroner's
accounts bore testimony to the fearful number of cases in
which infants had died Irom having been overlain by their
drunken mothers on the Saturday and Sunday nights.
His resolution was to the effect, that the dram-shops and
b er-- hops of Liverpool be open from one to time o'clock
on the Sunday, (though this was more than he should
give if he had any chance of succeeding,) and that they be
closed after three o'clock until Monday morning.
Mr. SANDS seconded the motion. but Mr. BIRKETT
raged the t ropriety of postpor.ing the measure until neat
Council, arid allowing the parties aggrieved to have a
hearing, and Mr. PARKER said tlia, he stood upon as
high moral ground as any man ; and he contended that
aithough public houses might afford a facility for desecrat-
ing the Sabbath, yet that much of the evil ersted in the
tact that railway trains laden with pa,sengers arrived in
the town on that day, and tLat steamers were plying on
the river. After some further remarks, Mr. HORSFALL
akreed to postpone the subject until the first meeting of
the Council 'in May, when lie said he should certainly
bring it tot ward.