The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-17 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL.

A senczAL meeting of the Town Council was held on
Wednesday last, the Mayor, J. B. Lloyd, Esq., presiding.
The principal business before the council was to decide
upon Mr. Earle's motion for rescinding the resolution ,
adopted by the Council on the sth of October last, for
constructing a new street between Dale street, near Moor-
fields, to near the south portico of St. George's Hall.
On the motion of Alderman S. HoLms, the Council
resolved itself into a committee on the Improvements Bill ;
but not before Mr. WOODRUFF had elicited that no in-
tention was entertained of levying a special rate for carry-
ing out the improvements proposed.
Mr. EARLE said he had no desire to take up the time
of the Council with a discussion, but would content him-
self with reading the motion of which he had given notice,
and moving its adoption.
Mr. Alderman S. HOLM!, after disclaiming any desire
to embarrass the Council by asking it to rescind a portion
of a resolution connected with the proposed improvements,
seconded the motion. He should offer no apology for
asking the Council to re-consider so much of their previous
resolution as would enable them to withdraw a proposal
for constructing a street, the adoption of which, he
thought, had been somewhat hastily decided on. He was
the more emboldened to pursue this course, when he con-
sidered that it was merely a proposal to delay taking a
step which was not necessary, and which, once taken,
would be irretrievable. The other requirements of the
proposed bill would not be interfered with, and the
improvements intended to be carried into effect at the
north part of the town, and• in other places, would occupy
a year or two in their completion. In the construction of
a new street, he considered it necessary that it should be
such as to afford a means of carrying on the business traffic
of our great and important town. For this purpose,
according to his notion of a leading street, it should be as
straight as possible; that it should. be as nearly level as
could be ; and that it should present opportunities for the
display of ornamental architectural structures. Viewed in
reference to these principles, it would be found that the
proposed new street was very defective. It would be a
tortuous street. In length it would extend 2,660 yards,
whereas that proposed to be carried direct to Shaw's-brow
was 233 yards in favour of the direct line. As to the
level, it would be found, on examination, that, from the
proposed starting point of the new street in Dale-street to
its junction with Whitechapel, there was a fall of 22 feet
9 inches, or 1 iu 42; while the difference in level between
the latter point and the foot of London-road was 55 feet
3 inches, or 1 in about 21. This was an inclination
exceedingly detrimental to heavy traffic, as would be readily
admitted when it was borne in mind that the inclination
in Ranelagh-street was 1 in 32 ; besides, the crossing in
Whitechapel would be a great barrier to the widening and
improving of that important thoroughfare of traffic between
the north and south. This, he looked upon in itself a great
objection to the proposed street, for he hoped to see the
day when Whitechapel would be so improved as to render
it in reality a leading thoroughfare. These inconve-
niences, be might remark, were to be encountered merely
to descend from one elevated point to a lower one, while
from the latter point a still greater elevation lied again to
be reached. But what was to be gained, in carrying the
proposed line, to compensate for its crossing Whitechapel,
and landing us in front of the railway-station, after sur-
mounting the difficulties of level? In point of architec-
tural appearance nothing. The buildings would neces-
sarily, from their situation, present roof rising over roof,
gable towering above gable ; and, from the numerous
streets which it would intersect diagonally, it would pre-
sent a succession of acute and obtuse angles entirely des-
tructive of architectural effect. In making these remarks,
he wished it to be distinctly understood that he said
nothing whatever in relation to high level or low level;
that was a matter which was in no way connected with the
present question, and might justly afford matter for consi-
deration at a future time. The withdrawal of the pro-
posed street from the Improvement Bill would not in any
way interfere with the carrying out of the other improve-
ments. There would still be left sufficient to go to parlia-
ment for, and to occupy the Council in carrying ;into effect
for two or three years to come, during which time there
would be ample opportunity for considering the propriety ,
of the proposed street, or any other one; and, no doubt,
during that time suggestions of great value would b
brought under consideration, which it ought to be the duty
of the Council carefully to consider. As an instance, he
might allude to the very beautiful, indeed the splendid,
model of the plan submitted by Mr. Sumner, and now, by
the kindness of that gentleman, lying upon the council-
table. As he had remarked at the commencement, many
gentlemen had not had an opportunity of fully considering
bearings of so important a subject as the present. The
time had come for making a move in reference to the
improvements of the town, and it was very important to
have that move made in the right direction. Let them
not, by a precipitancy, be carried into the misfortune of
doing what they might speedily discover cause deeply to
regret; but let them have their improvements carried out
on a well-digested and fully-developed plan. All that was
asked for in the resolution proposed by Mr. Earle was to
pause in asking leave to construct a street which, if made,
might be found to be a great mistake. This view was con-
firmed by the opinions of many gentlemen, whose intelli-
genCe and good taste entitled their opinions to great con-
sideration. The speaker concluded by seconding the reso-
lution which had been moved by Mr. Earle.
Mr. Alderman GARDNER opposed the resolution. The
plan submitted by Mr. Sumner was, no doubt, a noble
one ; but he (Mr. Gardner) could not concur in the opinion
of Mr. Holme, when he represented the proposed new
street as composed of numerous nondescript angles. The
street from Moorfields to Whitechapel would be *only a
short one, and would not be a curve at all. It would onl
be, if he was rightly informed, a crescent. (Laughter.

The,entrance, if made in the way proposed, would be as
good; a one as any-in Liverpool ; and he hoped the Council
would' carry ont the resolution they had deliberately
adopted, and not stultify themselves by rescinding it.
31r. STEWART said he had been actuated chiefly by a

Idesire to open up the dense mass of ill-ventilated: and
overcrowded property- in the neighbourhood of St. John's
Market. He must observe that the course of procedure
adopted in. this instance would have a great effect on the
opinion formed out of doors as to the value of their delibe-
rations; as they would, no doubt, suffer in public estima".
tion, if, under the conviction of good reasons,they one day
resolved on carrying into effect certain improvements in a
district, and changed their minds upon it the next. His
opinion was, that if a line of street could be opened up
from the police fire-station to the entrance. of the new
street, it would be a great public benefit, and would not
interfere in any way with the proposed improvements at
Shaw's-brow. In reference to the question of levels, to
which Mr. Alderman Holme had so pointedly alluded, he
(Mr. S.) considered the level of the proposed street from
Dale-street to Whitecbapel as good a one as could be got ;
from 'Whitechapel to London-road, he must admit, to be a
very different one, and not nearly so favourable for heavy
traffic. It had been said that the intersecting angles of
the various streets would form points for thirty-six grog-
shops ; but if that meant anything, it meant that there
would be thirty-six good corners for carrying on business
of most kinds. They had also heard a good deal about
distances ; these, however, depended a good deal upon the
starting point ; and if that were taken from the railway
platform, where a good deal of the expected traffic would
come from, or go to, it would be found a hundred yards
nearer than the other line. He had heard nothing adduced
which could justify him in changing his opinion, that the
level of the portion which went from Dale-street to White-
chapel would not be worse than Bold-street ; and in respect
to Mr. Holmes' assertion of the inclination of Ranelagh-
street, he (Mr. S.) was prepared to show, from the section
he had produced, that it was not correct. This would be
evident, when the section showed that a portion of the
lower part of the street was a perfect level, or very near it,
and that the part of the street from Cases-street to the
Adelphi Hotel was much steeper than had been repre-
sented. All he had to remark, however, was simply to ask
the Council to maintain its consistency, and adhere to the
resolution it had adopted on very mature consideration.
Mr. Alderman PARKER said he was an advocate for the
present line, mainly because it crossed so many small
streets, which it would be instrumental in ventilating.
Mr. Alderman BENNETT said he felt bound to persevere
in his support of the proposed scheme. He proceeded at
great length, and with much minuteness, to show that it
was in all respects the best plan which could be adopted.
It was the shortest between the two railways by 200 yards
An attempt had been made to change the resolution of the.
Council by fixing a bad name on the proposed street ; had
Mr. Earle, instead of calling it Grog-street, called it
Sanatory-street, the appellation would no doubt have
been much more truthful ; but to resort to such means as
he had done, reminded him (Mr. Bennett) of the alleged
policy of the old fishwomcn, who, when they found them-
selves unable to assail an opponent, or an object, by
means of argument, had recourse to bad names.
Mr. WOODRUFF, while deprecating the apparent in-
consistency of rescinding a vote which had been delibe-
rately come to by the Council, could not help being of
opinion, that even that course was preferable to persever-
ing in what might turn out a bad line of action.
_ _

11r. ANDER6ON should vote for Mr. Earle's resolution.

AL-. GREGSON begged to remark that if the building
for the public Library and Museum were to be put at one
side of the proposed high level bridge road, it would be
very awkward. To obviate any difficulty arising on this
account, he would suggest the propriety of acquiring
property farther up towards Islington, so that the site of
the building might be moved upwards in that direction ;
and recommended that the blocks of property between the
Railway-station, at Lord Nelson-street, and Commutation-
row, should be purchased, in order to enable the Council
to give full effect to the architectural beauty of St.
George's-hall.
Mr. PICTON had been at first adverse to the proposed
line of street, but, in that view, he had been overruled,
and did not now regret that hei had been so overruled.
As to probable architectural appearance, he would remind
the Council that many of the finest streets in Europe were
not level, neither were they straight. This was true of
the High-street of Oxford. which was not a straight
street, and yet it was considered to be among the finest
streets in Europe. The same might be said of the
Quadrant, in Regent-street, London.
Mr. Malrx was satisfied that a line of street, a con..
siderable portion of which would have an inclination of 1
in 23, would not be suitable for heavy traffic; he should,
therefore, support Mr. Earle's motion. Mr. Alderman COOPER would gladly . support any
motion which had for its object the defeat of the improve-
ments.

Mr. Alderman S. i 101.3171, in explanation, begged to
say that he, as mayor, in accordance with the custom in
such matters, had not taken any active interest in the
discussion, but had submitted to, rather than concurred
in, the resolution. As regarded the sanatory view of the
question, he might be permitted to remark that he con-
sidered it open to great objection. Preston-street, one of
the worst localities in Liverpool, in a sanatory point of
view, was left untouched by it. He entreated the Council
seriously to re-consider this question, and to go for an
improvement bill which
_would enable them to effect the
really necessary improvements so much wanted at the
north end of the town. _
Mr. EA:IILE said much very irrelevant discussion had
been indulged in by several of the speakers ; but the
various opinions expressed showed that the public opinion
which Mr. Parker treated with disdain, was not absolutely
without some signification. He looked on it as fortunate
that he (Mr. Earle) had to answer the various opinions
expressed relative to his motion, and to do it before a
batch of Aldermen. (Laughter.) First, he must 'allude
to the opinion of the Alderman of his own ward, Aber-
crombie Ward, as paramount. That gentleman had said
the street in question was not to be a curve, but a crescent.
He thought a man must have an extraordinary squint in
his eye who could perceive that a crescent was not a curve.
(Laughter.) Another Alderman had made a bow-wow
speech, but it had not in the opinion of him (Mr. Earle)
made a very deep impression on the meeting. Mr. Picton,
' he could well enough understand, was willing to go neck
and crop into any measure which promised to have the
library completed in his reign ;—(a laugh ;)—still he could
not, following him, perceive any parallel between this new
street and the High-street of Oxford ; but he could see an
analogy between Regent-street and this pet one, and that
was in the eccentricity of its angles. In Regent-street
they had to put up screens to hide those angles. Am I
right ?
I Mr. PICTON : Quite right.
_ _

Mr. EARLE concluded' by saying, that, not having a
taste for roundabout speaking as some of the gentlemen,
he should conclude by simply pressing his motion.
Mr. Earle's motion was carried by 35 to 16. The fol-
lowing are the names :—For :—Messrs. Aked, Anderson
Mellor, Woodruff, Bradley, Moss, W. Nicholson, M'auffie,
Godfrey, Tyrer, Hornby, Holt, Banner, Fernihough, J.
Holme, John Gladstone, jun., Mann, Shand, Fleming,
Tobin, Earle, Houghton, Hodson, John Nicholson, Beck-
with, Robertson, Halhead, Langsdale, Bold, Dover, Cooper,
Bent, Toulmin, S. Holme, and the Mayor. Against
Messrs. Avison, Jeffreys, Wagstaff, Brancker, Neill,
Johnson, Picton, Henderson, Clint, Stewart, Hoyden, Greg-
son, Bennett, Preston, Parker, Gardner, and Molyneux.