The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-12-01 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Mr. Edward Speed, of Woolfall Hall, near Huyton,
says, that last spring he read the plan recommended by
Mr. John Formby for the preservation of potatoes, viz. :
to sow turnips upon potatoes, working the potatoes as if
the turnips were weeds, and then ploughing them after
the usual process. I adopted, says Mr. Speed, this plan,
clearing the turnip plants off the soil, and leaving them
at a distance of from seventeen to eighteen inches apart.
The potatoes came up beautifully, the haulm carrying the
turnip plant, which checked its growth for awhile. In
July the potatoes—a capital crop—were ripe, the haulm
went down, and the turnips succeeding grew a most ex-
cellent crop, some of them being thirteen and fourteen
pounds weight each.
THE WINTER Assizes.—The following is an analysis
of the calendar of prisoners for trial at the assizes for the
southern division of Lancashire, the commission for which
will be opened in the Crown Court, Liverpool, on the
evening of Monday next :—Murder, two; manslaughter,
fire ; stabbing, seven ; burglary, five ; stealing from
dwelling-houses, three ; robbery from the person, four ;
robbery on the high seas, one ; rape, nine ; bigamy, five ;
forgery, three; concealing birth, three; mint cases, three;
feloniously damaging machinery, one ; felony, one • horse-
stealing, one : total, fifty-three. This is the lightest ca.
lendar we have had at any of the winter assizes. One of
the cases for murder is that of the Earl of Derby's game-
keeper, at Knowsley, for which one individual was exe-
cuted, and for which another has just been taken into
custody. The other murder is alleged to have taken place
at Bootle ; and in that case a woman is charged with
having drowned her child by throwing it into the river
Mersey. _

THE GREAT BRITAIN STEAM-SHIP.—The late storms
have done serious damage to this noble vessel. A letter
dated on Sunday week says :—" Thursday's work has
finished her. Mr. Bremner has failed, as I anticipated,
in his breakwater, which was entirely washed away; the
sea made a clean breach over, swept away several sky-
lights on deck ; the ship filled with water to such an
extent that the cabin doors and bulkheads are nearly all
washed into the holds, and about the decks; the prome-
nade deck was covered with water; in fact, you might
almost say she filled, for every one on board had to fly to
the upper deck, and there wait till the water ran cut of
her; she was afloat, and thumping both forward and aft,
and her head is shifted more towards Tyrella watch-house
again. Mr. Bremner has given her up, and they at length
are going to take the masts out of her, together with her
engine ! I have not yet examined her bottom, but intend
doing so to-morrow ; if all I hear is correct, I am afraid
she is gone. She was pitching at times as much as three
feet."

THE MURDER OF THE EARL OF DERBY'S GAME-
KEEPER.—At the St. Helen's Petty Sessions, on Tues-
day, Henry Robinson was charged with being one of a
gang of poachers who shot Richard Kenyon. one of the
Earl of Derby's gamekeepers, in the month of November,
1843. It will be remembered, that at the time before
stated, a gang of poachers, to the number of ten, entered
the preserves of the Earl of Derby, at Knowsley, in the
night time, and an affray took place between them and
the keepers. One of the gamekeepers, named Richard
Kenyon, was shot. Five of the poachers, in a few days
afterwards, were apprehended, tried, and convicted. One
of them, named Roberts, was executed, and the other
four were transported for life. Henry Robinson, al-
though not apprehended, was tried at the same time, a
true bill found against him, and a warrant issued for his
apprehension. It appeared that, atter the keeper was
shot, Robinson made his escape, and in a month after.
wards enlisted into the 48th Regiment of Foot, where he
has been ever since.
SIR WILLIAM M. STANLEY'S BIRTHDAY.—This
event was celebrated on Tuesday, with the usual festivi-
ties, at Hooton-hall. On the lawn, in front of the
house, a spacious marquee was erected, elegantly decora-
ted, in which upwards of 500 of the tenants enjoyed a
substantial dinner, consisting of no fewer than seventy-
two dishes. Upwards of 200 of the children attending
the Eastham schools were plentifully regaled with roast
beef and plum pudding in the servants' hall. Other per-
sons, to the number of one hundred, consisting of the
servants of the hall, their friends, &c., &c., dined in ad-
joining apartments. Subsequently, an adjournment took
place to the park, where a number of old English sports
were indulged in, such as foot, hurdle, and sack racing,
at the close of which an immense hamper of wearing ap-
parel was distributed amongst the poor of the neighbour.
hood. The fashionable visitors at the hall enjoyed the
varied scenes amazingly. There was an excellent band in
attendance, which played from Eastham to the hall and
back again, at the head of a numerous procession of the
tenantry and others.
WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—The usual meeting of
this body took place on Tuesday last. The balance in the
hands of the treasurer was stated to be £1,777 19s. It
was reported that up to Monday seven new cases had
been admitted into the fever house, making in all twenty -
two ; one death had occurred during the week; four pa-
tients had been discharged, cured, leaving seventeen in
the house. The Poor-law Commissioners requested, as
appeared from letters sent to he Board, to be furnished
with forms and returns as to the election of medical offi-
cers for Tosteth-park, preparatory to some more efficient
plan being devised for affording medical relief to the poor
of Toxteth-park and "West Derby. The clerk reported
to the Board that he had forwarded to the overseers of
Liverpool a copy of the resolution of the Board of Guar-
dians, of the 10th instant, expressive of its desire to con-
tinue relief to all paupers belonging to this Union. Not-
withstanding this communication, followed by a personal
application to Mr. Gray, of the Liverpool office, he (the
Clerk) said he had not yet obtained an answer on the
subject.
FRIGHTFUL CASE OF STABBING.—We are sorry to
have to record another of those unfortunate col-
lisions in whi h the use of the knife has been re-
sorted to, with, we fear, too great a probability of
a fatal result. The particulars of the case, so far as we
have been able to learn, are as follows :—At about one
o'clock on Tuesday morning the attention of the police was
drawn to a squabble between two seafaring men in South
Castle-street. When they came up it was found that one of
the men was stabbed in the belly. The other was imme-
diately arrested, and on him was found a large broad-
pointed clasp-knife. The injured man was conveyed to
the Northern Hospital, where it was found that the wound,
from which his bowels were protruding, was a little below
the navel, and about two inches long. His name is
Charles Winslow, and he resided at a boarding-house
in Barton-street, having recently arrived from St. John,
N. 8., in the Champlin, of this port. [The above ap-
peared in a second edition of the Standard last week, and
is correct in every particular. The unfortunate man died
on Wednesday night. The prisoner's name is James
Hunter. A coroner's inquest will be held to-day.]
DEATH FROM STARVATION.—On Friday, a labouring
man, named Stephen Lowry, dropped down from sheer
exhaustion and starvation in Harrington-street, and died
almost immediately. On Thursday he was taken into the
employ went. of Messrs. Woodall and Jones, wholesale
grocers, of Matthew-street, as an extra hand, and he left
home on Friday morning without his breakfast. He lived
in Cumberland-street, and had a wife and three children,
of whom he was passionately fond. His means were ex-
ceedingly slender, and sooner than deprive the family of
the little bread and cocoa they had for breakfast, he went
away without tasting a morsel. After he had dropped
down, he was placed in a car, and was being conveyed
home, when he breathed his last. He had been eighteen
years in the army, and would have received his Bd. a-day
pension next week. He was a man of excellent character,
and his wife is a woman of sober and industrious habits.

We understand that Messrs. Woodall and Jones will very
thankfully receive any subscriptions, however small, for
the widow and children. The inquiry at the coroner's
inquest showed that the deceased died of disease of the
heart, but there seemed to be no doubt that it had been
brought on by want of food.
HIGHWAY BOARD, THURSDAY.-Mr. Procter called
the attention of the board to a letter published in the
Mercury by Mr. W. Santley, jun., one of the collectors,
and more especially to one passage, which appeared to
complain of a want of sympathy on the part of the board
with their servants. Mr. Procter said that of all men
Mr. Santley could not complain, for he came there at a
salary of £BO a year, and had now £220. Mr. Santley
was called in, and disclaimed any intention of bringing
such a charge against the board, but declined stating what
was his meaning. After some conversation, during which
it was remarked that things had come to a pretty pass if
a master was to be censured by his servant, it was re-
solved, on the motion of Mr. Procter, seconded by Mr.
Kilshaw, that the Chairman, Mr. Kaye, and Mr. Law-
rence, should confer with the Watch Committee, (Mr.
Santley being employed by both boards,) and then Mr.
Santley could state his cause of dissatisfaction, wising
out of his situation as collector, before them, as he might
be more inclined to do so before a private committee than
before a public board. Mr. Wa!thew presented to the
board a report of the auditors, which was to the effect
that the accounts were in a most satisfactory condition.
The improved mode in which the books are kept, as well
as the strict accuracy of the accounts, reflect the highest
credit on the ability of the treasurer, Mr. Capes Ashlin,
and prove that the onerous duties of the department have
been discharged with exemplary fidelity, unceasing care,
and attention ; and they deem him, therefore, deserving
the unanimous approbation of this board, and hope that
its successors, in making their arrangements for carrying
into effect the provisions of the Sanatory Act, will not
overlook the valuable services of this officer. Signed by
William Walthew, James Procter, James Denton, and
James Ackers. Mr. Lawrence said there was not a more
deserving officer in Liverpool connected with any public
board. The Chairman announced that a summary of the
yearly accounts was now ready, and that any of the rate-
payers would be furnished with a copy, free of expense,
by applying at the office. Mr. Duncan reported that the
tower at Green-lane waterworks was now up to within
thirteen feet of the finished height, and that the other
portions of the works were proceeding satisfactorily. The
forming of the cooling ponds had been retarded by the
weather, but they would be completed in time for the
works.

THE ACCOUNTS OF THE HIGHWAY BOARD.—The an•
nual statement, from the Ist of October, 1845, to the 30th
of September, 1846, has just made its appearance. On
the general account we find there has been expended (with
the exception of a balance now in the hands of the tream-
rer of £2l Os. 4d.) 162,682 16s. 4d, The receipts have
been £59,042 16s. 10d., including the balance in hand last
year of £1915 14s. Ild.. and the amount now due to the
bank on the general account is, £3639 19s, 6d. On the
paving and flagging account there was an expenditure of
£26,384 I6s. 10d. ; street watering, £2020 19s. 6d. ; the
Kirby water project, (engineering and Parliamentary ex-
penses,) £1942 19s. 10d. ; and salaries £1499 10s. 3d.;
making a total expenditure, as given in the accounts under
this head, of £31,848 Is. 4d., the receipts being only
£29,282 16s. 9d. The expenditure on*the sewerage ac-
count was £13,047 11s. 4d., the receipts £10,078 ls. 10d.
On the water-works there bad been an expenditure of
£17,766 3s. 4d., and in this part of the account there was
a balance due to the bank of £1531 9s. sd. The paving
and flagging rate produced £23,764 13s. 10d., the sewer-
age rate £6324 17s. 10d., and the water rate £3082 6s. Id.

PUBLIC MEETING FOR OBTAINING A RE-

DUCTION OF THE DUTY ON TEA

On Wednesday, a public meeting convened by his,
Worship the Mayor, in compliance with a numerously_
signed requisition presented to him for that purpose, was
held in the Sessions-house at twelve o'clock, The atten-
dance was extremely large, the building being densely
crowded in every part. Among the gentlemen present
were Wm. Brown, Esq., M.P., T. Thornely, Esq., M.P.,
Messrs. Earle, Scott, Corrie , Hornby, Rawson, Turner,
Winch, Moore, Horsfall, Nicol, Buckley, Crosbie, Grant,
Duckworth, Brocklebank, Hosack, Bushby, Balleney,
Harrison. Rathbone, Steains, Adam Hodgson, W. Dick-
son, Harding, Thompson, Fry. J. A. Scott, J. Cropper,
E. Cropper, Findlay, Brodribb, S. Holme, and Langton.
The MAYOR having taken the chair said, in com-
pliance with a requisition which had been presented to
him he had convened that meeting of the inhabitants of
Liverpool, in order to afford them an opportunity of
considering what measures should be adopted for the pur-
pose of procuring a speedy and very considerable altera-
tion in the existing duty on tea. (Hear.) It was need-
less for him to make any declaration of his own individual
sentiments. To speak candidly, he had permitted no
personal feelings to influence him in deciding as to the
propriety of calling that meeting—no feeling either of
sympathy or disapproval of the object they had in view.
It was quite sufficient for him to know that a numerous
and influential body of his fellow-townsmen of all shades
of political opinion, were desirous to meet and express
their opinions upon that important subject. He had
only to express his hope and confident expectation that
their proceedings would be marked with moderation, and
with a due regard to those difficulties which might appear
to stand in the way, fiscally speaking. But he did hope
that the parties present would, above all things, demon-
strate that they were influenced not merely by a desire to
promote the interests of a class, but to secure, what he
was sure they could secure, a great and important benefit
to the entire community. (Applause.) The Mayor con-
cluded by reading the following letters, which had been
received by the secretary to the association, from Mr.
Entwisle, member for the county, and Lord Sandon.
[Mr. Entwisle stated that he fully participated in the anx-
iety to procure some modification of the now excessive
duty on an article of almost universal consumption, and
that the meeting would have his best co-operation in the
llouse of Commons. Lord Sandon said he was fully
sensible of the vital importance of a large reduction in the
duty on tea, with a view to extending, or even maintain-
ing at its present amount, our commercial intercourse
with China, as well as to extend the consumption of a
wh desome, agreeable, and unintoxicating beverage. He
also thought that from the nature of the article, that any
reduction of the specific duty would ere long be compen-
sated by such increased consumption. He considered,
however, that a not inconsiderable reduction in the re-
venue must for a time be the result, and would be a fear-
ful obstacle to their wishes. He hoped the finances next
year would be found in a condition to bear some little
hazard, and there was certainly no better subject for the
experiment than tea-1
WM. BROWN, Esq., moved the first resolution, which,
together with all the others, will be found in our adver-
tising columns. He stated that our object must be to in-
crease our direct trade with China, and he proceeded to
show, at some length, by reference to statistical and his-
torical facts, that we can do this without materially im-
pairing the revenue, or unnecessarily alarming or embar-
rassing the Chancellos of the Exchequer, who feels the
great responsibility that rests on his shoulders, to be able
faithfully to comply with all our public engagements, and
sustain the honour and dignity or the nation. He gave
an outline of our China trade from its commencement,
from which he showed the fluctuations that have taken
place with the rise and fall of the duty on tea. In 1667
the East India Company sent out their first order for
4001bs of the best lay, as it was then called. In 1747 the
duty was reduced 25., and it quadrupled the consumption.
In 1768 the duty on black tea was reduced Is., and the
consumption increased 80 per cent. In 1773 the duty
was re-impcsed, and we lost that 80 per cent. From that
period we come down to 1784, when Mr. Pitt, under the
commutation act, in order to stop smuggling, and to add
to the comforts of the people, reduced the duty from Is.
and 6 per cent. ad valorem duty to 121 per cent. The
result was, the consumption rose from 5,000,0001b5. to
21,000,0001b5. in 1795. In 1795 the duty was raised to
20 per cent.; and from that period to 1833, when the
charter of the East India Company was abrogated, there
was a continuous rise of duty at nine various periods; and
at the latter date the consumption, though more in pounds,
was less per head than in 1795. Mr. Brown then com-
batted the objection that China would not be able to pro-
duce a sufficient quantity of tea, and concluded by press-
ing upon the public at large the necessity of aiding in the
movement for the reduction of the duty on tea ; inas-
much as it was only by enlisting the almost omnipotent
voice of public opinion in their favour that their efforts
could be successful.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE rose with great pleasure to
second the resolution which had been proposed by the
honourable member for South Lancashire, who bad put
the question so clearly before them that he had left little
for him to say. There were other things as well as tea
on which a reduction was desirable, such as tobacco and
coffee; and more especially the community ought to come
forward to do away with the most odious and scandalous
monopoly of the day—the salt trade to the East. (Hear,
hear.) There could be no doubt that a reduction in the
duty on tea would confer great benefits on the town of
Liverpool in particular. As they were aware, the East
India Company's monopoly was only abolished in 1833.
Up to that time we had comparatively no trade with
China; but since 1838, the tonnage to China from this
port had increased from 8,000 to 23,000 tons. (Hear,
hear.) The importations into this port had gone on at
the same rate. Up to a short time ago, the importations
were only 3,000,000 lbs. ; during the last year they
amounted to 17,000,000 lbs. This, however, would give
but a faint idea of the extent to which the commerce and
the other advantages of a relaxation of the duty would go.
If London imported 34,000,000 lbs.. he knew of no rea-
son why Liverpool should not do the same. (Hear.)
He would tell them the reason why we did not import as
much now. It was the exorbitant duty—not for the want
of a consuming population. We had a larger population
than London. Within two hours' journey from Liverpool
there was a population exceeding that of the metropolis ;
and if they consumed in the same proportion, the great
bulk of the trade would be brought to Liverpool, as he
felt assured it ultimately would. (Hear.) And it ought to
come here. Liverpool was the natural place for the ex-
ports, surrounded and backed by four or five millions of
people; and it was the natural place for the imports too.
Why should the Yorkshireman or the Lancashireman be
supplied with tea from London, when he could get it so
much nearer home, and at less cost ? It was the exorbi-
tant duty that put it out of the power of the bulk of the
people to consume it as they would. Yorkshire and
Lancashire together contained more than double the in-
habitants of the county of Middlesex and Westminster.
(Hear, hear.) Therefore, as the trade of this district be-
longed to Liverpool, the only place of import, it was
clear that the consumption of tea ought very largely to
be increased in this locality and in the northern parts of
the empire, which derived their supplies from this port.
(Hear, hear.) The only time he bad had the honour of
addressing a public meeting in his life was in that build-
ing, on the sugar and coffee question. (Hear, hear.)
Since then they had acquired considerable experience,
and that experience fully justified the most sanguine ex
pectations entertained at the time. In 1801, the con

sumption of coffee in this kingdom was 750,000
The duty was ls. Gd., and the consumption per head
about one ounce._ The contribution per head to the re-

venue was lid. In 1811, when the duty was reduced to
7d., the aggregate consumption rose to 6,390,000 lbs.,
and the consumption per head increased from one to
eight ounces. (Hear, and cheers.) Now at the time of
this reduction in the duty, did the revenue suffer ? No :
the contribution per head then amounted to 4d. This
alone would show that there was no danger in making
a great alteration in the duty upon any article of general
consumption. In 1821, the expenses of the state required
fresh duties to be put on, and many of the government
officials had told him that there was no duty so much
liked as that on coffee ; it was so clean, so nice, and easy
to be collected. (Hear, hear.) But this was no reason
why they should put their hands in the pockets of one
class of the community rather than another. In 1821,
the duty was raised to Is., and the consumption was
7,000,000 lbs., being actually less than in 1811, when the
duty was 7d. (Hear.) This was a very strong fact. In
1831, the duty was reduced to 6d., and the consumption
jumped up from 7,000,000 to 21,842,000. Was there any
loss to the revenue by the reduction from Is. to 6d. ?
None whatever. (Hear, bear.) And what was the effect
on the consumption of the population? It was from 3oz.
to lib. 50z., and the contribution to the revenue was Bd.
per head. (Hear.) Here was a great gain to the Chan-
cellor, and a great addition to the comforts and enjoy-
ments of the people. In 1841 the consumption rose
from 21,000,0001b5. to 27,000,0001b5. The duty remained
the same, but the consumption had been progressive ;
the contribution to the revenue was tenpnce per head ;
and the amount consumed Ilb. 7oz. In 1841, when
the duty on colonial coffee was reduced to 4d., and
on foreign to 6d. per pound, they found again an increase
in the consumption, from 11b. 9oz. to 11b. 10oz., and
only a deficiency of one penny in the revenue. This
was soon made up. In 1844, the consumption rose to
44.000,000 lbs. ; but in 1846, which was as early as could
reasonaoly be anticipated, he had the satisfaction to tell
them that for nine months of 1846 the consumption had
been at the rate of 46,500,000 lbs. or two pounds per
head, and the contribution to the revenue 10d. per head.
This brought them up to the present time; and the
increase was so astiinisbing, and the reduction so large,
that he had no fears whatever as to the effect of any
reduction that might be made in the article of tea. He
thought it might be done with the greatest safety to the
revenue, and there was no doubt it would add largely to
the comforts of the people of the country. (Cheers.)
The calculation was, that 1 lb. of tea required 5 lbs. of
sugar. He based his calculation on 4 lbs., as he wished
to be within the mark. And if the increase in the con-
sumption of tea were 20,000,000 lbs., the increased con-
sumption of sugar to meet that increase would amount to
35.000 tons, which would bring the Chancellor the enor-
mous amount of £735,000. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.)
He felt he had trespassed too long upon their time, and
he would, therefore, conclude by expressing his entire
concurrence in the resolution which be had the honour to
second._ (Loud cheers.) _

Mr. Dixox, wine and spirit dealer, read some calcula-
tions from official documents as to the effect of a reduction
on another article hitherto made, to prove that such re-
duction had not diminished the public revenue, but had,
on the contrary, augmented it. It would be in the recol-
lection of many in that room that, early in the present
year, the duty on brandy was reduced from 225. 10d. to
15s. per gallon—a reduction of nearly one-third. Mr.
Dixon then read a table from which it appeared that, not-
withstanding the extensive reduction of duty, such was
the increased consumption, that there would be an actual
gain to the revenue of about £60,000, in Liverpool alone,

during the present year. The reduction made on wines
had also tended to increase the revenue. Mr. Dixon pro-
ceeded to remark that if a reduction of duty on articles of
luxury, the consumption of which was confined to the
more affluent portion of the community, had led to an ac-
tual •increase of revenue, bow much more forcibly would
the principle apply to an article absolutely required by
every class of society ? (Applause.)
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. H. HORNRY moved the next resolution. He said
he had never yet heard an argument against the reduc-
tion, to which it would not be an insult upon the common
sense of the meeting to take up its time by a reply.
(Applause.) The advantages which the commerce and
manufactures of the country must derive from an increased
consumption of tea, and the benefits which would thereby
accrue to all classes, were so obvious and manifest to all
who had paid attention to the subject, that he felt he
should be trespassing unnecessarily upon their time and
patience if he spoke at any considerable length.
P--

Mr AortsFALL, in seconding the resolution, said the
question of the reduction on tea was perhaps the one that
was exciting more general interest at present among the
commercial community than any other. The importer
and the consumer, the merchant and the
were all deeply interested in the question. They were ht,
ginning to feel its importance, and they were met that
day to make a firm but a rational and respectful remon-
stance to her Majesty's government on the subject. He
was of opinion that a trifling reduction would net extend
commerce and manufactures, and that to effect that im-
portant object there must be a large and substantial re-
duction. He was not one of those who would declaim
against any tax or duty irrespective of its bearing on the
revenue of the country, but when all they asked was, that
the same principle be adopted to tea which had answered
so admirably with respect to coffee, surely they had a right
to expect that her Majesty's ministers would give their
calm and dispassionate consideration to the subject, and,
if they did, he entertained not a doubt of the conclusion
to which they would come. He then referred to the year
1745, when the duty was reduced from 4s. per lb. and 14
per cent. ad valorem, to 2s. per lb. and 25 per cent. ad
valorem, and he asked what was the consequence? In the
fiveyears preceding the reduction, government got £175,000
while in the five years subsequent to the reduction, they
got £318,000. He also referred to the year 1783, when
the government reduced the daty from 119 per cent. ad
valorem to 12.1 per cent. and again he asked what was the
consequence? Those who argued against this reduction
immediately said that government would lose nine-tenths
of the revenue, but instead of the revenue falling off nine-
tenths it only fell off one-half, and the consumption in-
creased from 5,000,000 to 16,000,000 lbs. annually. At
present the trade to China was suffering to a very great
extent. The shipment of manufactured goods from this
country to China during ten months of this year was 40
per cent. legs than during ten months of last year. He
concluded by directing attention to the vast extent of the
Chinese territory, to the teeming population of 350,000,000
of that country, to the extent of our commerce and manu-
factures at home, and to the vast field of enterprise and
usefulness which was open to us, and which, he was ccn-
vinced, an ample reduction on tea would give us at the
present moment. Relying on the support of the peeple
of this country, and on the representatives of the people
in the House of Commons, with such a cause as was now
in hand, he could not doubt that her Majesty's govern-
ment would attend to the representations which the pre-
sent meeting would make.
Mr. ADAM HODGSON said he had great pleasure in
taking a part in the proceedings of the meeting, because
be believed it was only the beginning of the end of a
series of exertions in which many of them had now been
engaged for a period of nearly thirty years. Tea was
taxed in the place of its growth. It was taxed four or
five times between the place of its growth and the coast.
It was taxed at the coast again, and at last it fell into the
merciless hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
gave it the coup de grace of 200 per cent. It was now
quite notorious, from the testimony of judges and magis-
trates, and all who bad anything to do with the ad r
nistration of justice in this country, that a very large
proportion of the crime coming before them might be
traced to habits of intemperance ; and those who were in
the practice of visiting the dwellings of the poor would
bear this testimony also, that the most destitute as well
as the most hopeless cases of indigence they met with
might be traced to the same unhappy cause. He believed
that the lowering of the duty on tea would not only have
the effect of extending our commerce and manufactures
to an indefinite extent, and our relations with the bound-
less regions of the east, but that it would confer one of
the greatest boons on our own population. (Great ap-
plause.) He was persuaded that there was scarcely any
sanitary measure proposed, or which had found its way
into Lord Lincoln's bill, that would have a stronger
tendency to produce the desired objects than a reduction
of the duty on tea. He felt satisfied that that duty would
net be maintained, and he concluded, amidst great ap-
plause, by expressing his confident assurance that their
victory was close at hand.

anufacturer

Mr. THOMAS BLACKBURNE was the next speaker.
He referred to the moral effects which might be expected
from a reduction of the duty, and said that then very
many would give up the public-house, and would remain
with their families around their comfortable firesides.
He drew a graphic but reelancholy picture of the drunk-
ard's haunts and the sober man's home, and concluded
by saying that not only upon physical but upon moral
grounds it was high time that the obnoxious impost upon
tea should be abolished.

Mr. SAMUEL HOLME, on rising, said that as the em-
ployer of some hundreds of mechanics and labourers in
Liverpool, he felt that he should be shrinking from his
duty if he did not express it as his firm conviction that
not only a great reeuction should be made in the duty on
tea, but that it should be repealed altogether. (Cheers.)
He believed it would have the effect of so increasing the
commerce of England with China, and would so re-act
upon our manufactures, as not only to benefit the working
classes of the country, but also the merchants, the ship-
owners, the tradesmen, and all classes of her Majesty's
subjects. There were political questions upon which men
might and must differ, but this was a question which men
of all parties could unite in advancing. He would fear-
lessly assert that no minister wielding the destinies of
Britain ought to refuse to lend an ear to the expression of
opinion given at this meeting against the present tax upon
tea. It was a monstrous injustice that the poor of the
country should be obliged to pay as much duty upon an
inferior quality of tea as the nobles of the land did upon
the best quality. So much did he desire to see a reduc-
tion of this duty, that if it could not be done without
affecting the revenue, he, for one, would gladly pay an
increased property and income tax to make up the defi-
ciency ; and he was sure such an increase, under such
circumstances, would not be unpopular in the country.
(Loud cheers.)

Mr. HENRY WINCH delivered an excellent statistical
speech, the design of which was to show that the revenue
would benefit by the reduction.
Mr. BRODRIBB seconded the resolution in a very ani-
mated speech, which was at intervals loudly cheered. lie
contended at great length that the reduction of the duty
would open up an unlimited trade with China; that the
revenue derived from the increased consumption of tea in
this country would very soon be even greater than now;
and there was no time so favourable for the reduction of
that duty as the present time.
[A memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, to be signed
by the Mayor on behalf of the meeting was then adopli#.
It expressed the opinion of the memorialists that the IRE-
sent exorbitant duty on tea deprived large portions of the
community of a wholesome beverage—that the reduction
would materially extend the trade with China—that it
would promote the moral improvement of the industrious
classes, and that they thought no serious loss would accrue
to the revenue. They therefore entreated their lordships

early and favourably to consider the subject, and adopt
such measures as would lead to a very great reduction of
the duty on tea.]
Mr. Thornely, M.P., rose for the purpose of assuring
the meeting that he had listened with much attention to
the instruction which he knew

be show

this important subject from the merchants of Liverpool.
He was satisfied they had made out a strong case. and
that, at the first opportunity, if not immediately, the le-
gislature would see the necessity of complying with their
memorial. He hoped he should soon have tl:
of congratulating
wishes

pleasure

Upon the motion of Mr. Alderman Nicol, a vote of
thanks was then passed to the Mayor, and the meeting
separated at a quarter past three o'clock.

SUPPLY OF WATER FOR LIVERPOOL IN 1771.—At
the Highway Board, on Thursday, a curious old docu-
ment was exhibited. It was an estimate of the expense
of making a canal from the Infirmary at Liverpool through
Walton and Derby to the coal districts. As one of the
inducements for adopting the scheme, it is stated that
from the heights of the canal the whole town and port of
Liverpool may be supplied with water, which will rise to
the tops of almost all the houses and ships' masts, with-
out the use of engines, in cases of fire. In the estimates
of the proceeds from the canal there is an item of £2,000,
being at the rate of 4s. upon 5,000 houses. A meetir
was convened at the Exchange, on the 4th of
1771, to take the project into consideration.
DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.—The Chairman stated
that having received a letter requesting stone for the base
of Mr. Iluskisson's statue, which is to be placed in the
area opposite the Custom-house, it was thought more
complimentary to order it at once, and this had been done
by the Sub-committee of Works.—The Marine Sub-
committee reported the services of the Magazine life-boat
to the crew of the Harlequin, and recommended that a
gratuity of 15s. should be given to the master, and 10s. to
each of the crew, for their services. In consequence of a
communication which bad been made to the Chairman, it
was agreed to defer the grants until further inquiry had
been made into the facts of the case.—Mr. Horsfall sug-
gested that a representation should be made to the con-
servators of the river against steamers getting up their
steam immediately opposite the Albert Dock. The Chair-
man was authorised to communicate with the Corporation
on the subject.—The Sub-committee having inquired into
the complaint against Mr. Drury, clerk in the harbour
master's office, of being engaged in the block and pump
trade, and he having admitted being in business, it was
recommended that he should be required to relinquish
business, or give up his situation, the salary of which was
30s. per week. Mr. Drury had asked for a week to con-
sider of the course he should take, and this had been
granted to•him.—The receipts of dock and light dues at
Runcorn, for the month ending 24th instant, were stated
to be £44 ss. 2d., on 170 vessels and 8826 tons.—The
following Sub-committees were then re-appointed :
Works—Messrs. Nicol (chairman), Middleton, Wood,
Aikin, Shand, and Sandbach. Marine—Messrs. Hen-
derson (chairman), Tobin, Lockett, and Mann. Ware-
house Management—Messrs. Molyneux (chairman),
Saunders, Rankin, Bold, Henderson, and Mann. Har-
bour Masters, &'c.—Messrs. Bold (chairman), Chilton,
Royden, Kendall, Saunders, and Adam Gladstone. Fi-
nance—Messrs. Molyneux (chairman), Rankin, Hough-
ton, and Honfall,

SANITARY CONDITION OF
PARTS OF LIVERPOOL.

'DITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STAN

LETTER• X%

'DA RD,

" Property has its daties as well as its rights."

FOUL STATE 0

DWELLINGS, A

ND Til

I H A STY' OCC OPATION OF NE

-BUILT ROUSES, SOUROES

OP DANGER—(continued).
I remember, in 1845, a family went into a small house
recently built, and occupied but a very few months pre-
viously by n party who had rented it. This family sue-
-4.d the former, presuminA, that the previous occupancy
a, .gainst the
Ti previous tenancy is re-

nendation, an
3g a new hous

d ahnost warranty

risk of enterir

tory ground fo
not the exile]

efore scarcely ailed any-

zed with rheu

,ed in the ordinary way,