The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-09-28 00:00:00

THE Linqtro6l, STANDARD.

MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL.

Yesterday a special meeting of the Town Council was
held, for the purpose of determining upon the report of
the Health Committee, on the claim for compensation by
Mr. William Shaw, by reason of his not having been re-
appointed to office in the township of Everton, under the
Sanatory Act.
In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. Ald. D. HODGSON
was called to the chair. _ . .

Mr. DRIFFIELD read the report of the Health Commit-
tee, which stated that, at a meeting held on the 13th
instant, it was agreed to recommend the Council to give
Mr. W. Shaw an annuity of £l5O, being the amount of
his claim for compensation, and two-thirds of his salary,
as surveyor of Everton, and that the said annuity be
charged upon the general rates for the township of
Everton. _

Mr. AMBROSE LACE proposed the confirmation of the
report. The Committee, taking into consideration the
great services of Mr. Shaw, had unanimously agreed to
recommend the amount of compensation named in the
report. He might observe that the annuity would not be
paid out of the general borough fund, but out of the
Everton rates.
Mr. Alderman TURNER seconded the motion.
Mr. EYRE EVANS should be glad to hear the Town-
clerks' opinion on the legality of the proposed compensa-
tion. It seemed to him a very large amount of compen-
sation for scarcely any services whatever. Mr. Shaw had
certainly been a very active politician, and he (Mr. Evans)
supposed that to be one reason why the annuity was pro-
posed to be granted. He (Mr. Evans) had heard nothing
of the meeting of the Health Committee, which recom-
mended the annuity, for he was indisposed at the time,
but had he been there he certainly would not have sanc-
tioned it.
The TOWN-CLERK stated that Mr. Shaw's claim came
under the provision of the sanatory act, by which it was
enacted that any clerk or other servant who should not be
retained under the operation of the act, was to be entitled
to an annuity, regard being paid to the amount of loss
sustained. In dealing with other cases of a similar de-
scription the custom had been to award two-thirds of the
salary as compensation. under the general provisions of
the municipal act. Counsel's opinion had been taken as
to the mode in which the compensation should be awarded.
Mr. EVANS—The question then was still open to dis-
cussion in the Council, and he would move that the
amount of compensation be £5O per annum instead of
£l5O. Looking at Mr. Shaw's age and his incapability
to render further service, the compensation should be
upon that scale, because ifMr. Shaw had become altogether
incapable he would ask on what ground could they grant
him even any compensation at all. He was " done up,"
and were they to grant him-compensation after his ineffi-
ciency. The proposition amounted to absolute nonsense,
and it was carrying their power over the public funds too
far. The amount at the most should not be more than
£5O, and indeed, he did not think it should be anything
whatever, but he (Mr. E.) supposed that they must grant
him something in compliance with the act, which was in-
troduced at Mr. Shaw's instigation, to suit his own pur-
poses. According to Mr. Shaw's account, he was
entirely wound up."
Mr. SHAND contended that it was nothing more than a
legal compensation for the loss of services and salary.
He denied Mr. Evans's statement, that Mr. Shaw was
incompetent. He had always been a zealous officer, and
was ready to go on with the duties of his office, had he
not been deprived of them by the new act. The Council
should take into consideration the loss he sustained of
£250 a year, and vote him the compensation.
Mr. EVANS.—Yes, for an equivalent in labour.
The CHAIRMAN must call Mr. Evans to order.
Mr. PARKER remarked that it was not fair that an in-
dividual's character should be attacked in the manner
which Mr. Evans had attacked Mr. Shaw, and all because
he had realised a little property during the term he had
been in office, which was highly creditable to him. It
was too bad to brand and attack a gentleman who had
for many years discharged the duties of his office with so
much zeal.
After a little further discussion, the original motion for
the allowance of the annuity of £l5O was agreed to,
and the Council adjourned.

EXHIBITION OF THE LIVERPOOL ACADEMY.
(THIRD NOTICE.)

No. 28. " The West Front of Antwerp Cathedral."
D. Roberts, R.A.—We consider this one of the finest
pictures in the exhibition, and most creditable to the
artist. There is an immense quantity of elaborate paint-
ing, in the cathedral itself, and in the buildings by which
it is surrounded. The hazy kind of atmosphere in which
it is seen, is given with great truth. One feature of the
picture, which strikes the observer, is the decided lean of
some of the houses in the foreground. We believe, how-
ever, that this is in strict keeping with nature and reality.
The same deviation from the perpendicular may be seen
in Chester, and many other old towns.
No. 30. "At Large." A. Corbould.—This painting
contains a bay horse and a brown pony, both of which
are very excellently painted. The bay is quite a Land-
seer animal, beautifully painted ; and we could manufac-
ture out of the brown pony a most splendid cob. Indeed
we do most decidedly think, that had Landseer painted
the body of the animal in question, he would have made
him a cob. We should ourselves have certainly done so
with a horse of the same build. The painting is altoge-
ther most meritorious.
No. 34. " Cockle Gatherers on the Llanstriddian
Sands, South Wales." E. Duncan.—This is a very
clever painting. There is nothing elaborate about it : on
the contrary, it is rather sketchy. The mist, however,
which characterises the picture, is splendidly painted ;
and the whole makes a very first-rate picture.
No. 40. " Fete Champetre." H. Andrews.—One of
the most singular and most talented pictures in the exhi-
bition. As a whole, it is not effective ; but it is most ela-
brate in detail. The figures and faces given are perfect
miniatures, most splendidly painted. It is full of merit
of a very high order.
No. 59. " A Green Lane—a Scene in North Wales."
H. J. Boddington.—This is one of the favourite subjects
of the artist, and is a delightful picture. We shall have
to speak of his other pictures as they present themselves
to us. - - _

No. 87. " A Shady Brook, with Figures." F. R. Lee,
R.A.—The artist is one well known as inimitable in land-
scape painting. We are perfectly certain, however, that
we never saw a more splendid painting from his easel than
this. The foliage throughout is finely painted ; and
in particular the bridge on the right of the picture, with
the beautiful lights introduced, is excellent. 'Whoever
may be the fortunate purchaser of this picture will gain a
treasure.
No. 129. " Pdtrait of a Lady." R. B. Falkner.—We
are not at all aware whether this picture is, or is not what
it purports to be—a portrait. That it is a splendid paint-
ing, however, is certain. It has none of the hardness of
outline of some of the portraits of the exhibition ; and is
in every respect a picture of great merit. Had it attached
to it the name of Sir Thomas Lawrence, few people would
doubt its being the production of that artist.
No. 182. " Portrait of a Lady," R. B. Falkner, is an
effort of the same artist, even more in the style of Sir
Thomas Lawrence, and very clever. The lady, we can
fancy, is depicted in the bower scene in Romeo and
Juliet. The style is flowing and easy ; and, unlike many
portraits, the portrait is a picture. We consider this as
one of the most splendid efforts in the exhibition—
certainly the first in rank amongst the portraits.
No. 191. " The Floating Harbour, Bristol." .1. B.
Pyne.—This artist has some peculiarities and affectations
which we regret to say we cannot appreciate. The picture
before us is on the whole a good one, beautifully treated ;
but the yellow colouring is affected and bad. There may
be in nature such an atmosphere as that in which the
floating harbour it seen ; but we never remember witnes-
sing it. The picture, however, has very great merit.
No. 22. " The Sands at Little Hampton, Sussex," by the
same artist, is a pleasing sketchy piece, but has the de-
merit of the artist's affected manner of colouring.
No. 228. " Portrait of a Lady." TV. Huggins.—We
have already referred to this painting; but we have not
done it justice. It is one of the best portraits in the ex-
hibition—we beg pardon—one 3f the best pictures, for
'the lady we never saw. We know, however, that Mr.
Huggins seldom misses a life-like likeness ; and the finish
of the body, and other accessories of this portrait, are
very fine.
No. 229. " Boat passing a Lock in the Erewash Canal,
Derbyshire." H. Dawson.—A beautiful landscape. We
have heard it remarked, by no mean authority, that the
picture is injuriously divided by the horse track of the
canal. The best answer to this objection is, that it is
natural. The whole scene is beautifully painted. The
approaching storm is seen in the foliage of the trees on
the right of the picture, and in the lights given in the
general treatment of the landscape.
No. 201. " An Autumn Morning." E. Willkns, Sen.
A pleasing picture.

A grand concert, we perceive, will be given on Monday,
at the Concert-Hall, when Mrs. Sunderland, Mr. John
Parry, and Mr. It. B. Blagrove (of the nobility's concerts,
London,) will be present. The latter gentleman is the
celebrated performer on the concertina, and will play two
of his most admired solos on that fashionable instrument.
CURIOUS AFFAIR.—It will be in the recollection of our
readers that a reward was offered for the discovery of a
cash-box' alleged 'to have been stolen from the shop of
George Smith. grocer. St. James's-street. Through the
perseverance of Mr. John Ashton and Mr. Roberts, ac-
countant, the contents (X 552) have been found near Roch-
dale ; and on reference to our advertising columns, it will
be observed that the creditors can have a dividend imme-
diately on furnishing their accounts to Mr. Roberts.
THE CORPORATION BATHS.—We are extremely glad to
find that these establishments are rising still further in
the estimation of the public. As a specimen of the sub-
stantial benefits which they are conferring on the poor, we
may state that at St. Paul's baths during the past month ,
no fewer than 7917 persons bathed, and 7572 dozens of
clothes were washed, &c. The receipts for baths amounted
to £6l 9s. 6d., and for washings £l5 15s. Gd. Some of
our readers may not be aware that for one penny a person
can wash for six hours as many clothes as she can get
through in that time, during which some parties wash from
twelve to fourteen dozen ; and, moreover, without any
extra charge the articles may be dried and mangled at the
establishment. Twelve dozen of clothes, washed, dried,
and mangled for a penny ! Is it possible to carry economy
further ? It would almost seem practicable, for we learn
that, on striking a balance of the accounts for the last
twelve months, there is a considerable sum in favour of the
institution, after defraying all expenses, and the amount
has been paid into the bands of the Corporation treasurer.
The establishments are, therefore, " self-supporting," to
all intents and purposes ; and, for this reason, as well as
because they are amongst the very greatest helps towards
the sanatory improvement of the town, we hope to see Mr.
Parker's benevolent purpose soon carried out—viz., to
have them at work in every ward in the town. The funds
of the CorporatiQn cannot be devoted to a better object.

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH IN LIVERPOOL.

This important addition to the Railway facilities, pos-
sessed by the town of Liverpool, was first brought into
working order yesterday afternoon, in a temporary room,
fitted up over the carriage depository at the Lime-stree
station. At present it is only capable of being worked
in communication with Manchester, and there is
no connexion along the London and Birmingham line
beyond Rugby. The workmen, however, are actively
employed in laying the wires for the remaining distance,
which will no doubt be completed by the time that the
Company get into possession of their permanent station
in Tithebarn-street, opposite the end of Exchange-street,
East.
By the politeness of the clerks in attendance at the
station, we were enabled to witness the facility with
which messages are sent and answers received. As an
example of the almost instantaneous travelling of the
electric fluid, we may state that from the moving of the
handle of the telegraph to the corresponding movement
of the needle, not a quarter of a seconds interval
is perceptible ; • yet to move the needle in Liver-
pool, the fluid has to travel to Manchester and
back—a distance of over sixty miles. The under-
standing between communicants at each end is most
accurate; indeed mistakes appear so thoroughly guarded
against as to be almost impossible. Whilst at the station
the arrival of a vessel (the Mary Amelia, Capt. Long,)
from New York, was transmitted to Manchester in a
space of time not exceeding one minute, and in another
it would be recorded upon the slate in the Manchester
Exchange. A private conversation was also held by a
gentleman connected with the Liverpool press, with one
of the editors of the Manchester Guardian, who was
summoned per telegraph from his office for the purpose.
As soon as the arrangements are completed, the informa-
tion received from the various telegraph stations, the
London markets, and any other commercial, or other
intelligence, worthy of being transmitted, will be written
up in the room, which will be open to subscribers paying
two guineas per annum.