The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-03-16 00:00:00

HEALTH OF THE TOWN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SlR,—Resuming this subject, and in reference to the
observations made by " Spondoeus " in your last publica-
tion, I would further remark that there is not a doubt of
both speculations proving highly remunerative, provided
they are placed under able management, and the mem-
bers of committees selected be of active business habits.
What I allude to is the formation of a joint-stock com-
pany for erecting or rebuilding a superior description of
cottages for the working classes, in lieu of the .miserable
hovels now occupied by the poor of this town and suburbs,
and likewise the incorporation of a company to provide a
capacious cemetery or cemeteries, beyond the'precincts
of the borough, that the plague-spot of having interments
made in the midst of a dense population may be for ever
removed. Liverpool will then stand preeminent for being
a pleasant healthy residence, and the stigma of .being the
most unhealthy town in England will be obliterated, or
remembered only as a past event of our local history.
Whilst on this subject, I would notice the vast number
of houses in the outskirts now in progress, which are of a
very inferior class, both in regard to size, and also the
want of proper conveniences and accommodation : more-
over, bad materials are used in the construction. This
ought not to be permitted by the Town Council, unless
their motto is " Esto perpetua"—that is, " Jerry build-
ing." In self-defence, therefore, the owners of respecta-
ble premises should unite, and take an interest in the
scheme recommended for their adoption, and encourage
it by their countenance and support, as it would to a
certainty enhance considerably the value of property in
Liverpool, which would soon be evident by the augmented
rental produced in consequence.
In conclusion, I will briefly urge upon the considera-
tion of the authorities, the necessity for making proprie-
tors of this inferior sort of property liable for the parish
or borough rates ; otherwise I fear that the funds at their
disposal will ere long be very small, and " beautifully
less," at the same time that the demands upon them are
hourly on the increase ; most probably they will ulti-
mately be left with an empty exchequer ;—the Conversion
of large residences into small tenements having a tendency
to drive the ratepaying portion of the inhabitants beyond
the limits of the parish, and in their place subs'tituting a
class many of whom are recipients of parish relief,—in
other words, introducing a mass of pauperbm,—or, to
use a vulgarism, completely turning the tables. To
counteract this evil, and to prevent the most direful con-
sequences to the parish and corporation funds, the only
plan is the one I have suggested.
10th March, 1847. DACTYLUS.

HARBOUR OF REFUGE AT HOLYHEAD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

London, Victoria Hotel, March 13th, 1847.
Sin,—ln acknowledging your valuable services in oppo-
sition to the bill of the Chester and Holyhead Railway,
and particularly your prompt issue of an excellent typo-
graphical plan of the proposed harbour of refuge at Holy-
head, I beg to notice some errors into which you have in-
advertently fallen, in your excellent editorial comments in
the Standard of the 9th instant.
You observe as follows :—" We are not favourable to
monopoly of any kind ; but though the City of Dublin
Steam Company have enjoyed a monopoly for upwards of
half a century, or nearly so, of the carrying trade, we can-
not but admit that they have deserved it." &c.—So far
from the company having enjoyed a monopoly, the reverse
is the fact—that company have, during the last fifteen
years had to contend with the most powerful opposition,
and in no instance has competition been more active, and
I will add, more effective. To that very competition, and
its influences, the Dublin company were always exposed,
and who can tell to what extent that company ~like other
companies, might not have fallen into abuse of their trust,
and either by exorbitant rates, or neglect of the conve-
nience of the public, have merited censure, hid they not
constantly pressed upon their attention the necessity of
performing the service of carriers, on the lowest terms,
and in the most efficient manner, under the certainty that
if they failed, competition would do their duty to the
public. That the Dublin Company have so long, and to
so large an extent carried on the trade with Dublin, is
solely attributable to the fact, that no other party found
they could conduct it more effectually or on better terms.
I have also to observe that this Company has been in
existence since 1824, and not for " half a century."
I am, sir, yours, &c.,
C. W. WILLIAMS.