The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-06-20 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARa

free trade ? Mast free trade go.the whole length, and re-
move restriction from blood stained machinery ? (Loud
applause.) Free trade it slaves the principle fairly car-
ries them to. (A voice—" No, no.") Well, lam quite
ready to receive the tone of that " No, no," in abatement
of the force of that argument, elicited perhaps in the at-
tempt to drive us to the wall in an extreme, when the
gentleman who spoke last asked who would touch tobacco
or snuff derived from slave labour,.or clothes made from
slave labour, or soil his fingers with gold dug by slaves.
Was not that the same sort of an attempt to drive
at the extreme, and be an extreme. (" No, no.")
And will not a comparison of these two arguments—
(Interruption.) The felt unfairness of an extreme in the
other case is precisely what I want to produce. lam not
pleading for extremes ;. I am showing the absurdity of
pleading for extremes. (Hear, and applause.) Well,
now, sir, I have in the second place to say—this I am led
to also by what has dropped from some of our friends—
that it is not as a partisan of the West India proprietors
I address this meeting. (Hear, hear, and applause.) I
have no connexion, directly or indirectly, except in the
way of acquaintanceship,and friendship, with West India
property. I have not a farthing connexion with it, never
had, and never expect to have, and so far I am not open
to the retort which men so easily make who judge of others
by themselves. (Rapturous and continued applause.) It
so happens that the West India proprietors have, as I
think, been very badly used ; and so far I feel with them
and for them. (Applause.) It so *pens that, as I
think, they have got reason and justice in their present
complaint and moderate demand ; and as such I am their
willing advocate. (Applause.) After quoting a circular
written by Lord Glenelg, the colonial secretary in 1835,
in which the Government pledged their faith that no risk
would be incurred by the owners of West India property,
the rev. doctor proceeded :—The West India proprietors
did not hesitate to go upon the faith of such an assurance
as this, and expended considerable sums upon their pro-
perty, improving it, availing themselves of opportunities
afforded in endeavouring to make the best of the appren-
ticeship system, both as a matter of property and prepa-
ration for the coming freedom ; and then, in the midst of
this, while they were struggling through this—while
maintaining their ground as well as they could—while
still doubtful, and all hearts were anxious about the suc-
cess or the non-success of the great experiment—when
all who had laboured for the emancipation of the slaves
were anxiously watching the result of this great nursery
of freedom ;—in the midst of all this, the fatal act of 1846
passed the lgislature, stultifying their own arrangements
—their assurances on official authority—and throwing the
men who had estimated upon their good faith into the
dust, exclaiming in the proverb which I have before
quoted to,you, Who would depend upon a British Act
of Parliament ?" k Loud and continued applause.) This
is a hardship ; and I ask if what is called a tax—a tax
said to be 4s. upon the lacouring classes of this country—
is the tax, I would ask, of even so much as a penny in the
pound, if it should amount to so much, upon sugar—to
be refused, in such circumstances of oppression, of hard-
ship, of disappointment, of expended outlay upon pro-
perty on the guarantee of a great nation, reduced after-
wards by a single stroke to nakedness and barrenness,
because the guarantee is broken ? (Hear, and applause.)
England stood by and saw the guarantee given and bro.
ken ; and now those who invested their property upon the
faith of that guarantee, come to England and say—lt may
have been a misfortune, it may have been wrong, we
won't say it was altogether wrong, we have not been alto-
gether right, we don't claim perfection—we might have
improved our properties more perhaps, though we did
what we could : but you stood by and saw it ; and we
ask, will you throw us, naked and unprotected, to fight
against slave labour, where the men arc tortured to be
made to labour, when they are made to work eighteen
out of twenty-four hours, whilst our free labourers work
only four or five ? Will you throw us upon this ? (Hear,
hear.) Sir, I asked it at first as a matter of fairness and
of justice ; but now, further, I ask it as a matter of po-
licy even applying to the idol, cheap sugar. (Hear.)
Will you put the estates in the West Indies out of occu.
pation ? " Sixty-nine estates have been abandoned in
the last year in one island alone," which must presently
be a wilderness of jungle. Will you throw the British
West India estates out of cultivation ? and will you, as
they are thrown out of cultivation, the inevitable result
of perseverance in the present bill, will you throw your
own supply of sugar upon slave-grown sugar—will you
throw yourselves into the bands of Brazil or Spain—will
you make yourselves more dependent upon Cuba, Porto
Rico, and Pernambuco—and will you expect from the
tender mercies of slave-dealers, that when they have got
the monopoly, they will give you cheap sugar ? (Loud
applause.) Where are now the indignation with which
abolition was called for—the energy with which emanci-
pation was followed up—the freedom with which compen-
sation was voted ? Where is all the eagerness, the zeal,
the earnestness of our friends. the Society of Friends ?
where are they ?—are they with us or against us ? Let
them tell Lord John Russell now whether they are or are
not against us—let them say in the face of England if
they are for slavery or not. Are they for continuing
these slavers, these steamers, this passing of human be-
ings between. the tropics? or are they for such a change
in the law as will prevent this ? Let them speak out !
(Loud applause.) [Mr. John Taylor—" We are for a
change in the law.") I hope the gentleman speaks the
known sentiments of the body ; and that it may go from
this great meeting, which I can tell you is likely to pro-
duce its genuine influence upon the measures of the go-
vernment—(hear, hear)—measures which, up to Thurs-
day night, were not determined upon, which are to be
brought forward on Friday, and which cannot safely be
proceeded with, by say ministry, without paying some
regard to such a demonstration as this. (Applause.) I
hope it will go from this meeting, that a gentleman took
upon himself—(laughter)—to answer for a highly respec-
table body of Friends, that they are with us. (Loud
applause.) I feel that I have already occupied much of
your time, sir ; but a word to the government as well as
to the people upon this point. My lords and gentlemen,
you cannot afford to lose the colonies. (Hear.) Your
East India possessions, even with the overland passage,
will be of little value to you, if you lose another America.
(Hear, hear.) My lords and gentlemen, look to it. There
is a point at which humari patience ceases. (Hear, hear.)
I do not preach that it ought to cease ; but I tell you, my
lords, there is a point at which it does cease ; and I tell
you there is a point of irritation at which individuals and
owners of West India islands may cease to look for the
protection of Great Britain, and throw themselves upon a
nearer and a readier arm for help. (Loud applause.)
My lords and gentlemen, look you don't provoke that
recoil in the West India islands. (Hear.) Look how you
strengthen the arms of America, perhaps destined in'the
next great shock of the world to cross the Atlantic as a
conqueror, and retaliate all those woes ever inflicted upon
her ! (Applause ) Take care, then, how you tamper
with a great interest like the West India colonies, provi-
dentially given to you—carefully and wisely to be main-
tained—judiciously to be mane.; ed—kindly to be has_
banded in their difficulties. (Loud applause.) You have
done much for it ; it has cost you much (hear, hear) ;
you have derived the benefit from all that you have ex-
pended upon it. (A voice—" No, no.") Oh, sir, lam
persuaded there is not a member of her Majesty's Go-
vernment would say " No, no," to that branch of my
statement. You have derived a benefit every way—you
have derived safety from the west, and transit to the east.
(Loud applause.) You have a revenue derived from it,
and it is supporting it. (" No, no.") You have a colo-
nial revenue, and you must not call that expended upon
establishments there a tax upon Great Britain. Much of
it is levied upon the spot ; and this colonial revenue will
be destroyed if the property from which it is derived be
destroyed. (Hear, hear.) You will ruin also those hn-
ports into your colonies of your own manufactures; and,
hear me, lords and gentlemen, there is a chance of get-
ting a little support from some who' in other respects
might be disposed to oppose us. (Hear, and applause.)
They are anxious that there should be a free import of
our manufactures ; but we are shutting off that demand
from the West Indies, and for throwing their estates into
jungle—their negroes to nakedness, and to living under
the branches of trees. (" No, no.") You will do so, if
the estates are destroyed, as if a proprietor be ruined, all
who depend upon him must be ruined. Will you force
them to try more and more, as they are already, to do
without their employers, working but a few hours in the
day or week ; for if they get as much as, by help of the
remarkable production of the soil, they are able to sub-
sist upon for the remainder of the seven days, they will
not have further aims. My lords and gentlemen, take
heed what you are about • don't throw away the West
India colonies ; and remember, it is in the outskirts of a
great country that symptoms of decrepitude first show
themselves. (Loud and continued applause.)
Mr. CHRISTOPHER BUSHELL seconded the resolution;
and the amendment to it was moved by Mr. W. BROWN,
M.P., and seconded by Mr. CLAYPOLE.
The last resolution was moved by Mr. H. LITTLEDALE,
and seconded by Mr. JONES; and after the usual vote of
thanks to the Mayor, the meeting separated at near five
o'clock.

Water-street Station.—First series of experiments-
-619,861 gallons ; 880 cwt. of coal consumed. Second se-
ries, after the well was down .a month-599,955 gallons ;
91 cwt. of coal. Third series, at the higher level, the en-
gine working twelve hours-406,929 gallons ; 72 cwt. of
coal.

Soho-street Station.—First series of experiments, at
lowest level-666,633 gallons ;..65.ewt. of coal consumed.
Second series-644,119 gallons. ; 72: cwt. of coal. Third
series-478,754 gallons ; 57 cwt. of coal, the engine work-
ing twelve hours. _ _ _

Bevington-bush Station.—First series of experiments-
-360,288 gallons ; 331 cwt. of coal consumed. For the
second and third experiments the same quantity of water
was allowed for this station, and the same quantity of coal.
Windsor Station.—First series of experiments-809,831
gallons ; 54 cwt. of coal consumed. Second series-
-804,291 gallons ; 55 2-10ths cwt. of coal. Third series,
the engine working night and' day-792,545 gallons ; 49
cwt. of coal.

Green-lane Station.—First series of experiments-
-1,406,531 gallons; 52 cwt. of coal and 26 cwt. of slack
consumed. Second series—no, experiments. Third se-
ries—no experiments, the quantities being given the same
as before.

These made the total quantity of water in these wells
at lowest level and on the first series of experiments,
4,277,418 gallons ; at the second series of experiments
4,173,824 gallons, and at the third series of experiments
3,670,724 gallons.
It was then stated that, deducting the condensed water,
the actual supply was only 2;500,000 gallons of water that
could be delivered to the inhabitants, being about seven
gallons a-day for 450,000 inhabitants, and the Water
Committee, under these circumstances, recommended the
Council to proceed without delay to the Rivington Pike
scheme, the quantity of water to be found in the red
sandstone of Liverpool being entirely insufficient for the
wants of the inhabitants.
After two memorials from ward meetings on the water
subject had been read,
Mr. LACE moved the confirmation of the proceedings.
He observed that the late experiments bad all shown that
the red sandstone would be pumped dry in a little time,
and very naturally so, because the rains from heavennever
descended into it ; and these results had fully verified the
professional opinion of Professor Ansted, who had exa-
mined the strata, and also the opinion of Mr. Cunning-
ham ; and, in fact the committee of the House of Com-
mons were so fully satisfied that an adequate supply from
the neighbourhood of Liverpool proper could not be ob.
tamed, that they declined to hear any more witnesses.
What, then, were the council to do ? Were they to dot
all round Liverpool with wells ? Now, at Rivington Pike
the rain guages h d shown that there were 25,000,000 of
gallons daily to be obtained, and with the exception of
Aberdeen, the water was the purest that could be ob-
tained. Some said—" Oh, but you are going to give us
rain water !" Why, the people of Liverpool were now
drinking rain water and also the water running from pri-
vies and water-closets. (Oh ! oh," from Mr. Parker.)
Perhaps Mr. Parker did not know that in drinking Liver-
pool water he might be drinking the distilled essence of a
water-closet. (Loud laughter, and applause.) Then, it
was said, "Oh ! but you will tax us heavily." Now, he
did not believe that the taxes would be heavy : there
might be heavy expenses connected with the Pike scheme
in the first instance, but afterwards they would be light,
and the council must recollect that they had, many
months ago, agreed to proceed with the Pike scheme by
majorities of 28 to 4. Besides, the council must recollect
that they were under a penalty if they did not keep up a
supply of water; and Mr. Harwood Banner had candidly
admitted that a continuous supply was not obtainable from
the Harrington wells. Then, with reference to the use of
salt water for watering streets and extinguishing fires, the
shopkeepers would, in the first place, object to it, and in
the next the insurance companies would not insure if it
were used, He, therefore, recommended the council to
Proceed with the Pike scheme as the most feasible scheme
that had been propounded, and he observed that if there
was any real ground of complaint, it ought to be against
those who had compelled the corporation to purchase the
Harrington and Bootle Water Companies. He concluded
by defending the conduct of the water company through-
out the whole of these protracted proceedings.
Mr. TINNE seconded the motion, and said that, though
his constituents had requested him to pause before he pro-
ceeded with the Pike scheme, he regretted he could not
comply with their request. The Pike scheme had had to
encounter opposition from many quarters, and particularly
from those who wished the corporation to supply the town
upon the old cistern system, Some were for the Bala
Lake system, and others were for using the river water ;
but he believed the Pike scheme to be the best that the
council could adopt.
Mr. JOSIAS BOOKER rose to move an amendment. He
admitted that the Water Committee and the Town-Clerk
had discharged -their duty in Liverpool and London with
great assiduity and ability. He doubted whether the
Council were acquainted with the provisions of the Ri-
vington Pike Act. He then read some of the clauses of
the act, to show that 71 millions of gallons of water must
be sent down the Douglas and the Yarrow, and two mil-
lions of gallons to a canal, and large compensation was to
be given to mill-owners, and bridges and other works to
be made, and all at the expense of the Corporation.
(Hear, hear.) Now a dry summer would impose enor-
mous expenses upon the Liverpool Corporation, because
large pecuniary compensation, something like ten pounds
sterling a day, must be made to some of the mill-owners
if they ran short of the quantity of water stipulated to be
given them. He read the opinion of Mr. Wickstead, to
the effect that the anticipated supply from the Pike would
most probably fall short in dry seasons, and he (Mr.
Wickstead) was of opinion that the pipes from the Pike
to Liverpool alone would cost as much as Mr. Hawksley
had estimated the whole expense of the scheme at. He
read an extract from the pamphlet published some few
years ago, by Mr. S. Holme, in reply to Mr. Harmood •
Banner, in which the writer stated that he had a most
abundant well in Liverpool ; so abundant that he was
throwing away 80,000 gallons of the purest water daily,
and that no matter how the Harrington wells were
pumped, his (Mr. Holme's) well could not be drained.
The Pike scheme was costing £630,000 ; the new sewer-
age of the town would cost £635,000 ; altogether the
cost would be £2,000,000. Want of employment was
creating Liverpool chartists, and the overtaxed shop-
keepers of the town were to be commiserated. He
moved, as an amendment, that the whole question be
referred to Mr. Robert Stephenson, to investigate fully,
and report upon the locality from which the best
supply of water could be obtained.
The MAYOR said that Mr. Stephenson's opinion had
been already obtained by the Water Committee.
Mr. HARBORD seconded the amendment in a speech of
some length, in the course of which he advanced a great
number of objections against the Pike scheme, principally
upon the ground of the impurity of the water, there being
a great quantity, as he said, of vegetable and other dele-
terious matter to be found in it.
Mr. SAMUEL HOLME followed, in a very able and elo-
quent speech in defence of the Pike scheme. He reviewed
the three schemes which had been agitated—the increase
of the supply from local wells, the Bala Lake scheme, and
the Rivington Pike scheme—and he had no hesitation in
advocating the latter scheme for several reasons. One
was, that it would in the end realize an annual profit to
the inhabitants. He was of opinion that the purity of
the water there had been established beyond all question,
by the scientific and practical men who had been employed
to test it, and that Liverpool would be for ever disgraced
in the eyes of the country if the Corporationstopped short
now, and were satisfied with an intermittent supply.
Upon the motion of Mr. Hodgson, seconded by Mr.
Parker, the debate was adjourned until Friday.

The adjourned meeting of the Council on the water
question took place on Friday, the Mayor in the chair.
Prior to the chair being taken, it transpired that Mr.
Harbord had caused copies of a letter, written by himself
and addressed to Mr. Holme, to be distributed in the
room. The circumstance was noticed by the Mayor, who
remarked that it was quite an irregular proceeding.
Mr. DAVID HonosoN said, that the great opposition
to the scheme of the Council was, on account of the enor-
mous expense it would entail on the town. The conduct
recently pursued by the Council had indeed produced an
amount of agitation, and a want of confidence in them,
in regard to financial matters, which threatened an almost
dismemberment of society. (Hear, hear.) He did not
object to the improvement of the town, and the outlay of
money for general purposes ; but it should always be
borne in mind that when rates were laid there should be
a consideration as to the class likely to be called on to
to pay them, and their ability to do so. If anything
tended to destroy the confidence of the Council, he
thought the universal feeling of the public against them
on the question then under discussion would tend to do
so. They would, he felt assured, be assailed from
Council-day to Council-day, till they tried to remedy the
excesses in the rates they had laid—(hear, hear)--ex-
penses which would not have been felt in the same way
twelve months or two years ago as they are now. It was
perfectly notorious to every man that the distress was
unprecedentedly great ; and as a proof of it, he could
state that there was actually more plate offered by persons
of distinction, in order to raise money temporarily, arising
out of the depression of trade, than could be taken up by
parties in the habit of engaging in such transactions. He
had listened with great attention to the discussions on
the water question. anxious to hear what sound reasons
had been given for agitating the constituencies and de-
stroying the confidence which ought to be given to the i
committee, and he was prepared to have voted against a
continuance of it. though it might appear that they were
stultifying themselves ; but he was bound to say the ar-
guments
and statements confirmed the good and judicious
conduct of the engineers and committee. They had acted
wisely and well. Though it would require with him
strong grounds for opposing the decision of the commit-
tee, he did ssy that circumstances might arise to induce
a change of opinion ; still he thought no great degree of
popularity would rest on those who voted for carrying out
the scheme, and he had heard it said that not one man
who should vote for it would be returned to the ne,:t
Council. He had cautioned the person making the de-
claration not to use threats, as not one of them would
have any effect on him, and, he believed, none on the
Council. The Council was quite right in the course it
had adopted. and so far as he had yet heard, he was pre-
pared to give it his support. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WOODRIIFFE said the question was a most impor-
tant one, affecting the property and health of the inhabi-
tants, and more particularly the poorer classes ; and he
was not yet convinced that they had not a supply of
water, and could give that supply. As to the cost of
procuring water from other sources, and whether the en-
gineers were correct in their calculations, he would leave
the matter to more competent persons. There was, how-
ever, a strong feeling out of doors, that the thing was
only a job. That feeling extended to every person in the
ward he represented, and, he believed, amongst a great
Portion of the inhabitants of the town. He considered
that, if the Council adapted the decision of the commit-
tee, they would do an injustice to themselves ; and that
the public would not be satisfied until they had further

time. If the scheme were to go on ' they could not lose Woodruff, Preston, Holt, Henderson, Toulmin, Royden
anything by a delay of a month, neither would the truth Harbard, Rogers, K iye, Gtrdaer, Higgins, Bannett
lose anything; and he put it to them as gentlemen of Parker, Booker, and Thomas Lloyd • with Alderme
common sense and justice, in the name of the ratepayers, J. Lawrence, Cooper, and Procter
was there any hurry, and was there a pressing emergency
—(yes, yes)—why they should thrust it down the throats
of the people. There was, as he had said, a strong feeling
out of doors, and he hoped the Council would consider
the claim made by the inhabitants, accede to their wishes,
and postpone the matter for a month. He had heard a
great deal for and against the scheme in Council, and a
great many opinions out of doors, but he was not satis-
fied ; and he, with his colleague Mr. Thompson, went to
Rivington Pike, to ascertain, if possible, the quality and
quantity of water. They not only examined all the
streams, but brought samples of the water, which Mr.
Thompson had with him, and could produce if necessary.
It had been said the water stank, and was not in sufficient
quantity for the supply of the town. They walked a dis-
tance of twelve or fourteen miles, tasted the brooks and
rivers, and took tests ; they also took occasion, when they
saw a house or met with an inhabitant, to ask a question
as to the quality and quantity of the water. With one
exception they all agreed that there was an abundance of
water, and that the quality was good likewise. (Hear.)
Mr. Woodruffe then mentioned the names of several per-
sons who had resided at the Pike for fifty years, whose Asm
testimony bore out what he had stated as to the quality price
and quantity, and they: also added that they never saw Ciu
the stream dry, even in the greatest heat of the summer- 144

SECOND EDITION.

Standard-office, Twelve o'clock.

""--'''''"..,t....---

SEMEZ:T.]

COAL.
BOROUGFI OF LIVERPOOL
SUPPLY of COAL is required for the late
BOUCLE WATER WORKS.
Tenders to be sent in before Eleven o'clock on the 26th in-

Town Hall, 9th June, 1848,

THIRD EDITION.

Standard-office, Two o'clock, p.m.

!re is no new feature in our Share Market this morning_
all amount of business has been without any change in
a. The quotations made were as follows :
,ster and. Birkenhead, 133-; Do. .e 22, 8.1 d; Bolton & Bury,
Leeds preference, 3/9 b p; London 4-shares, 16/3 p;
• No, • Grimsby 4-shares. " • -1! Do. Darks

(Hear, hear.)- ln what he slated, he alluded to the prin- Tlj
cipal stream. He had no object in view but getting at a `;'l
knowledge of the truth, and he felt himself bound to give Ml/3
that truth whether for or against himself. (Hear, hear.)
A gentleman, who was a medical officer of the Chorlton LIV
Union, had assured him the water was good, and there was Havin
plenty of it, and so highly did he value it that he was supplies
about to bring the Pike water through pipes to his house, very uni
instead of using his own well. He had made some en- abroad,
quiries as to the Rivington Pike scheme being offered to ciliate d
T 1 -
Manchester, but from all he could learn, it appeared the last Iv'
plan alluded to, and which was brought under the notice given
of the Manchester authorities, was that of the South how&
Lancashire Water Works Company, who, by their act of with;
parliament obtained powers to purchase the Turton reser- Flo
voir, and get the drainage of the Rivington Pike district. fau- r
He thought the course he proposed of a month's delay line,
could not make any difference ; and when they considered pat
it was at the wish of the ratepayers, who were to find the
money for the works, and they might be the sufferers,
there should not be any objection made to it. The rate-
payers at present felt severely the pressure of the times,
and all the money would be taken from their hard earn-' ,`a'
ings. He could bear testimony from the experience of
his own business as to the pressure of the times, and the g,
inability of the people to pay rates. The pledges now
came from people of influence and the most respectable
portions of society, and if he had £20,000 he could lend S.'.
it on boxes of plate, and valuable security. (Hear, hear.)
He appealed to the council that they should, instead of
deciding the question hastily, give some consideration to
the .rate payers, and he asked them in the name of the
constituency he represented, who held a large meeting,
and were unanimous in favour of a postponement. He
did not say they would not have the scheme, but an op-
portunity would be afforded of getting other opinions and
further information on the subject. If they did not do
that they would never satisfy them, and it was not a time
to go in direct opposition to the great body of the rate-
payers. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. PARKER next spoke for forty minutes, in opposi-
tion to the Pike scheme, which he said " was very like a
whole," an expression, perhaps, better understood out of
door than in the council. The dramatis persona of the
drama were—first, the chief engineer, versed in hydraulics,
Mr. Hawksley ; the next was Captain Francis, a gentleman
whose name was not known to be in the military or navy
list ; and the third was Captain Francis's son, who took the
guage. He complained that one servant of the Corpora-
tion—Mr. Hawkesley—(No, no, from Mr. Lace.)—Well,
at all events he was in the pay of the Corporation, and had
been allowed to send in reports to the Water Committee,
which were read, whilst Mr. M`Donald's was put under the
table. That was neither fair nor just, and he took that as
a specimen of the unfairness with which the Water Com-
mittee had acted. With regard to the capability of the
Pike yielding the necessary quantity of water, he thought
Mr. Woodruffe had made a straightforward statement, and
he would not support Mr. Booker's amendment. Mr.
Harbord had been attacked by the " Goliah of the Council,"
Mr. Holme, who had knocked him down, and smashed all
the gallipots in his surgery, for having " changed his
views" upon the water question. (Laughter.) But he
(Mr. Parker) remembered Mr. Holme doing the same, but
" under different circumstances," for it should be borne in
mind that, in 1847, when the question was mooted as to
whether the salary of a certain officer connected with the
Corporation should be raised, Mr. Holme made a powerful
speech against it, whilst in 1848 he changed his opinion and
voted for that very measure. The committee seemed to
think that Mr. Hawksley was invulnerable ; but surely he
had not been dipped in the Stygian Lake, and there was,
perhaps, still room left for one arrow to reach him. Mr.
Parker here read a letter of Mr. Hawksley's, in which the
latter had stated that the present works were sufficient for
present purposes ; and he stated that, till it could be proved
that they could not get sufficient water from under their
feet, he could not be satisfied. A great deal had been said
about the Green-lane water; but he (Mr. Parker) had
been amongst a number of old women, who washed, and
they told him that, by the use of that water, there was a
saving, as compared with the Harrington water, of soap
used in washing. (Hear.) Mr. Parker next paid a high
compliment to Mr. Newlands, and complained that that
gentleman had not been consulted upon the water question.
He' thought that the Water Committee had placed that
gentleman in a wrong position in not consulting him, and
it was generally thought that the reason was, that though
his opinions were not generally known, he was, onsidered
as an " anti-Pike man." (Hear.)
Mr. MANN supported the water committee. In the
first place. he doubted the possibility of obtaining a suf-
ficient supply of water from our own locality ; and next,
he was favourable to the Pike scheme, believing it to be
the best yet brought before the public, and if it were
carried through, the original cost would be all, the public
being merely called upon to pay, in the shape of a reduced
I water rate, what they had hitherto been paying to the
companies as a water rent

Midland ito,
d ; Waterfoi

0 I CO .1,

IF From official returns it appears that the amount of traf-
fic for the last week, on 3,791 miles of railway, was
£185,320, thus accounted for :—.£97,028 for the cone „t„
ante of passengers only, £47,885 for the carriage of goods,
and a remainder of £40,407 for passengers and goods to-
gether, not respectively apportioned ; being an increase of
£4,142 over the corresponding week of last year, when the
mileage was 2,957. The average earnings per mile were
£49, whilst in 1847 they were £6l.
Grain, cattle, food, and merchandise for the London
markets, via the Eastern Counties Railway, for the week
ending June 10 :—Beasts, 2,048 • calves, 102 ; sheep,
8,263 ; pigs, 601; grain, 12,912 sacks ; flour, 5,834 sacks ;
meat, 182 tons ; poultry, 16 tons ; fish, 190 tons ; fruit
and vegetables, 210 tons ; beer, 163 tons ; wines and spi-
rits, 105 tons ; wool, 52 tons; general merchandise, 2,255
tons ; milk, 20,204 quarts ; bread, 71 cwt.
'SELECT VESTRY.—The usual fortnightly meeting was
held on Tuesday, the Rev. Rector Campbell in the chair.
Messrs. Watson and Urquhart were appointed to the
Workhouse Committee. The principal resolution of this
committee which was confirmed, was to the effect that the
number of Protestants and Roman Catholics in the Work-
house should be ascertained, and that the Roman Catholic
inmates attending divine service on Sundays be attended
by an officer of the establishment. The Industrial School
Committee reported that Mr. Gillespie, the master, had
requested to withdraw his resignation. Acceded to.—A
letter from the secretary of the Medical Relief Committee
was handed in, recommending that three dispensaries be
established at the north end of the town, at which the
poor should daily receive suitable medicines. Mr. Wylie
opposed the plan as injudicious ; the Rev. Rector Brooks
expressed his approbation of it ; and ultimately it was
decided by the laws of the Vestry that seven days' notice
of motion must be given to each member in reference to
the proposition. At the suggestion of Mr. Ferguson, it
was decided that a meeting of the Building Committee be
called forthwith, and that Messrs. M`Taggart and Browne
should be added to that committee.
BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—The first general
meeting of the newly constituted board was held on
Tuesday. Messrs. Highton, Bailiff, and Lightbound
attended and took their seats, they claiming to be elected
in consequence of Messrs. J. S. Jackson, Ravencroft, and
Watson not being duly qualified, at the time they were
elected. This led to a discussion, in the course of which
considerable personal feeling was evinced. The Town-
clerk being appealed to, said that if the three gentlemen
objected to were disqualified, the circumstance would not
entitle the three next on the poll to take their seats,
though it might be a reason for a new election. The
newly elected commissioners took the usual declaration of
qualification, as also did Messrs. Highton, Bailiff, and
Lightbound. The gentlemen named were requested to
withdraw, but refused. Upon this Mr. Laird moved to
dt hoe
so, thateffeacntd the tphreoyp
osshi
toi
nunl dwbae e
was
wj
tcitiedd hr
a,
wnu t, he
he rseafmu seegde
nt 0..
tleman proposing that at the next and future meetings
policemen be stationed at the door to prevent all parties
entering, except the reporters and those whom the Town-
clerk should declare duly elected commissioners.—Mr.
Bryans then took the chair, and after the appointment of
the committees, Messrs. Highton, Bailiff, and Lightbound
left the room.—Mr. Laird moved an instruction to the
Ferry Committee to consider the propriety of reducing the
ferry across the river to one penny, and also to establish
weekly contracts on a scale similar to those paid yearly.—
Mr. Fox seconded the motion.—Mr. Green said it would
be well for the Ferry Committee to consider whether they
might not reduce the fare to one halfpenny, and run time
boats constantly from both the Woodside and Monks'
Ferry.—The motion was carried.
THE NATIONAL CONFEDERATION.—The first meeting
of the members of this Association was held on Thursday
evening last, at the Portico,—Mr. J. Ferguson in the
chair. The chairman, in his opening address, stated in
an able and comprehensive manner the objects of the
members. Mr. Pool read the report. which detailed the
evils of indirect taxation, the cost of the collection of the
exorbitant amount (general and local), and embodie.: the
following heads :—" That all necessary taxation shall be
equitably adjusted, and be, as far as possible, direct.
That capitalization of income shall be the basis of assess..
meat. That economy and retrenchment in the public
expenditure be enforced. That the poor-rate be made
eor
local
national (to be assessed on capitalized income,) and free
from government centralization. That all local taxation
shall be equitably assessed. That all docks, and corpora-
t i
rates . andT That
ttheeere publicnemy a
npdrore retrenchment
beme
nats assessed
in sslnecl local
expendi-
ture be enforced." The report was received with much
approbation. Mr. Heyvvorth moved its adoption, which
was seconded by Mr. John Smith in a lengthy speech,
and carried unanimously. The second resolution,
prohibiting the introduction of party politics was also
carried unanimously. Mr. Woodruff, who moved it,
deprecated party feeling being introduced into public
bodies, as detrimental to general interests, and urged an
union of all parties for the general good. Mr. J. R.
Jeffery moved the next resolution, expressing his opinion
that the unanimity of the Confederation was a sure augury
of its success. The other resolutions were passed with
equal cordiality. Mr. Pool, in seconding that for the
appointment of a committee, called the attention of the
meeting to the necessity of the burgesses looking after
their own estate, (the corporate trust,) and taking every
opportunity of testing the sentiments of their representa-
tives on the question of rating the dock estate to the
relief of the poor, and other local rates. (Applause)
It.was agreed that the members of the association in each
ward should elect one person in each ward in conjunction
with their respective chairmen. After some other busi-
ness as to regulation, &c., the meeting separated.

Mr. Eau.LE, after a satirical fly at Mr. Parker, our local
engineers, and a portion of the press, contended that the
best talent had been called into requisition by the water
committee, and by that they ought to abide. After a some-
what wild and incoherent harangue, verging upon person-
alities, he said that great injury would arise if the Pike
scheme was postponed. He wished that the unemployed
operatives should be set to work upon it.
Mr. Nicol. supported the Pike scheme. He thought
the water from that locality must of necessity be purer
than that which was derived from the downfal in and near
Liverpool.
Mr. DANSO followed on the same side of the ques-
tion, entering into a variety of statistics with a view to
show from the charges of the water companies, and the
cost, if the corporation worked the present wells, that
the Rivington scheme was the most desirable. If the
council carried out the scheme, he felt satisfied that here-
after the public would be exceedingly thankful.
After cries of " Divide !" Mr. Huatt HORNBY urged a
postponement, in order that the inhabitants of Liverpool
might have the means of forming a deliberate judgment
before the Council committed itself. If we had not a suf-
ficient supply of water, was the course proposed the best
to supply the deficiency ? He hoped, however, that the
committee would consent to a postponement of the
motion, seeing that it would form no impediment to their
hereafter reconsidering the question.
Mr. JAMES HOLME followed with similar remarks. Mr.
J. B. LLOYD also supported the committee, as did Mr.
V. HIGGINS, Mr. TOBIN, and Mr. HOLT.
Mr. LACE, in replying, said that all the committee
asked as yet was that their engineer might go and survey
the land, ask different parties at what rate works could be
done ; and then they should come to that Council and re-
port whether or not it was expedient to go on with those.
The numerous complaints of deficiency of supply received
by the health and water committees showed the utmost
necessity for proceeding ; let gentlemen remember that
a month's delay might cause the expense to be £50,000
more. It would take a month or six weeks to make the
necessary surveys, and if Europe was settled in that time,
iron would go up in price, and they would lose by that
and other matters £50,000. He concluded by a defence
of Mr. Hawksley, and the refutation of two assertions in
the Mercury of Friday.
A division then took place on Mr. Booker's amend-
ment, which was lost by a majority of 18, namely,
FOR MR. BOOKER'S AMENDMENT :—COUnCiIIOrS
Messrs. W. Walthew, J. Woodruff, R. S. Henderson, T.
Toulmin, T. Royden, H. G. Harbord, J. Rogers, G.
Booker, T. Kaye, R. C. Gardner, W. Bennett, J. Booker,
and Thomas Lloyd. Aldermen—Messrs. J. Cooper and
J. Procter.-15.

AGAINST IT.— CouncillorsMessrs. F. Shand, J. Thom-
son, Jas. Holme, W. Rathbone, J. G. Morris, W. Pres-
ton, James Stitt, R. B. Hill, T. Littledale, jun., J. Tyrer,
H. Hornby, J. Aikin, G. Holt, J. A. Tinne, S. Holme,
J. A. Tobin, V. Higgins, H. Danson, J. B. Lloyd, W.
Earle, J. Parker, J. Plumpton, G. H. Lawrence, A.
Lace, R. Benn, and W. Mann. Aldermen—Messrs. D.
Hodgson, James Lawrence, W. Nicol, E. Molyneux, J.
H. Turner, T. Chilton, and the Mayor.-33.
Mr. WOODRUFF then moved as a second amendment,
the postponement of the question for a month.
Mr. THOMPSON seconded the motion.
Mr. COOPER spoke against the Pike scheme. He bad
been born and brought up within a mile of the intended
reservoir. Some of the best and some of the worst water
might be had there; in summer the rivulets were shallow,
and in winter they occasionally poured down in torrents
as wide as the hall in which they sat, and no bank of a
reservoir which Mr. Hawksley might be able to construct
would be able to restrain them.

Mr. BENNETT contended that the supply to be obtained
from Rivington was greatly exaggerated. It would be
advisable to postpone the matter for a month, and to
bring Mr. Hawksley before the Council.

RATRBONE- in a warm,and rather ill-natured,
speech, supported the scheme, stating that there was a
Company contemplated who, upon the evidence now
before Parliament, would take up these water-works, if
the Council did not proceed with them.
Mr. D. HOOGSON moved an adjournment, which was
seconded by Mr. PARKER.
Mr. LACE said there was no idea whatever of taxing the
inhabitants ; the only object was to carry the inqiury
through.
The Council then proceeded to the vote, when there
appeared for the amendment 20, and for the original
motion 24, upon which the Mayor declared the motion
carried.
For the original motion :—Councillors James Holme,
Rathbone, Morris, Stitt, Hill, T. Littledale, jun., Tyrer,
Hornby, Aikln, Tinne, S. Holme, Tobin, Danson, J. B.
Lloyd, Earle, G. H. Lawrence, Lace, and Mann; with
Aldermen D. Hodgson, Nicol, Molyneux, Turner, Chil-
ton and the Mayor.
For the amendment :—Councillors Wal thew, Thomson