The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-11-14 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

lectures at the Collegiate Institution, on the three last
Thursdays of the present month, on Egypt, the Desert,
and Jerusalem, which he has recently visited. The re-
sults of his personal inspection of parts of the world such
as these, so renowned throughout all ages of the world,
cannot fail to be regarded with the deepest interest by the
antiquarian as well as the Christian ; and as the lectures
will be illustrated with views exhibited by the oxygen
light, we cannot doubt of the gratifying effect which will
be produced upon the audiences. We understand that
Mr. Higgins, with that disinterestedness which peculiarly
belongs to him, purposes to devote the whole of the pro-
ceeds of these lectures to the Liverpool Church of England
School Society.

THE STEAM-SHIP NIAGARA.—The passengers on
board this noble vessel on her recent outward trip, pre-
sented Captain Ryrie, her commander, with the following
testimonial : •

" TO CAPTAIN RYRIE,
" Commander of the Steam chip Niagara, from Liverpool to
Boston.

" DEAR San,—We, the undersigned, passengers in the
steam-ship Niagara, from Liverpool to Boston, now draw-
ing near to the termination of our voyage, cannot say
adieu without first expressing the deep sense of gratitude
which we feel toward the commander and officers of this
noble ship. Your unwearied watchfulness, your kind and
obliging demeanour, your readiness to do all in your
power that could contribute to the comfort of your pas-
sengers, together with the order and regularity that has
pervaded every department on board, merits and receives
our warm and thankful acknowledgements. And we beg,
in taking leave, to tender to you, and through you to the
officers under your command, this expression of our regard
and perfect satisfaction with the whole management of
the vessel which has safely borne us across the deep blue
sea.' Wishing you the enjoyment of every blessing, and
the realization of every good, we remain, your obliged
servants and friends." Signed by all the passengers.

THE POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.
IMPORTANT PAPER ON THE RAILWAY GAUGES.

In accordance with our promise last week, we now sub-
mit a condensation of the able paper read, by Mr. Benjamin
Smith, at the meeting of the Liverpool Polytechnic So-
ciety, held at the Royal Institution on the 6th instant, and
which commanded the marked attention and applause of a
large and scientific auditory.
Mr. SMITH introduced his subject by stating that a few
months ago, when conversing with some friends on the
causes of the continued commercial depression, and the
downward tendency of all railway stock, he happened to
mention his plan for the gauge which had suggested itself
to him several years ago, whilst making experiments upon
a railway, and which he conceived would, if carried out,
tend greatly to relieve commerce from its prostration, by
restoring public confidence in railway property, rendering
it a lucrative investment, and at the same time preventing
the competition in forming new lines at great original
outlay of capital, abstracted from general trade. He was
solicited to make his views known to the public, and he
consequently complied, The objects he had in view were,
—first, to relieve commerce and railway property ;
secondly, to arrest loss of life to railway passengers by
senseless rival lines ; thirdly, to expedite railway travel-
ling with safety and at moderate prices; and fourthly, to
effect a permanent settlement of the gauge dispute, with a
view to prevent further ruinous competition. He con-
sidered many of the new lines, projected or, in formation,
premature, and not likely to be remunerative. To pro-
vide for these, it was stated that, independent of
£30,000,000 of debenturesafloat, a liability of £130,000,000
still rested on the shareholders of railways in England ;
and he is of opinion that so long as this continues, and
the calls amount to perhaps two millions, or even one
million pounds per month, commerce must be drained of
its legitimate capital, and confidence cannot be restored.
Extreme competition by new lines against those formed
would be still more hazardous, by producing excessive
speed, extreme economy. insufficiency in the working
staff, and consequent endangerment of the public safety.
Mr. Smith proceeded to explain how the narrow gauge
railways of 4 feet q inches might be converted into the
wide, or mixed, gauge line of 7 feet wide, so as to admit
wide gauge passenger carriages of a new construction to
pass through the narrow gauze tunnels, " without occu-
pying more room than is now taken up by the narrow
gauge carriages, and without altering or enlarging any one
of the tunnels, bridges, or embankments, on the narrow
gauge lines, whereby the greatest speed, power, and safety
would be obtained, with the least rolling motion, friction,
wear and tear, and with the greatest eomfort to the pas-
sengers, by their being freed from all apprehension of
danger, in consequence of the atmospheric resistance being
lessened, and the centre of gravity lowered." He is de-
cidedly of opinion that the wide gauee is preferable to the
other, in point of power, speed, and safety, and 'that his
plan will eventually become the " national" gauge to the
extinction of the narrow gauge lines. The expense
would in the end be little more than nominal. The power
of the engines would have to be slightly enlarged, but the
atmospheric resistance would not be increased by convey..
ing a given number of passengers on narrow lines, for the
resistance is caused, not by the length of the trains, but by
the bulk of the carriages. Ho proposes placing carriage
bodies of the width and height, but of double the length of
the smallest used on narrow gauge lines, as low between
large wheels as practicable, and to put them to work on
the wide gauge rails proposed by him for the London and
North Western Railway from London to Birmingham, and
to be drawn by large wide gauge engines. The outlay,
spread over three or four years, for the additional rails,
would be about £2,000 per mile, the whole cost over 112
miles being £224,000,—a trifling sum to be temporarily
advanced, to put an end to ruinous competition and the
outlay of millions. The plan would, he states, sooner pay
all the cost. He trusts to attain, with ample engine power,
tbe highest velocities and the greatest steadiness. He
proposes the carriage body to be 30 feet long, or double
the present length. The body of the carriage is to be
placed between the wheels, and as low as possible—to
avoid the rolling motion at high velocities. The wheels
are outside the carriage, not underneath it, and they are
protected by plates, to prevent grains of matter being
thrown up, or the clothes, of passengers being soiled by
contact with the wheels.

The lecturer produced a model, neatly constructed,
chewing how the narrow gauge lines may be converted
into wide (or mixed) gauge lines under the smallest tun-
nel, so as to admit wide gauge carriages, to pass through
the present narrow gauge tunnels, without occupying
more room thon the present narrow gauge carriages.
The rails are laid parallel, the narrow line being within
the wide one. The tunnel in the model represents the
lowest one between Holyhead and Dublin-14 feet 3 in.
in height. On the lines laid down under it are two neat
long passenger carriages, moveable, and with two sets of
six wheels to each ; the inneror smaller ones suitable for the
narrow gauge, and under the body of the carriage ; the
outer or larger ones outside the carriage, for the wide
gauge, and protected as before stated. The latter repre-
sents the proposed new wide gauge carriages, to be con-
structed and applied thereto : but both sets of wheels are
not to be applied to one and the same carriage. First
and third class carriages may be constructed upon the
same plan. The first class would hold 36 passengers, or
if built with toupees at each end, so as for each of the end
compartments to hold but 3 persons, (in place of six), the
carriage would accommodate 30 passengers only, and be
the steadiest at high velocities.
The model may be seen at Mr. Jones's, silver-smith,
Castle-street, where it has already attracted the notice of
many scientific men. We are not ourselves, sufficiently
versed in railway mechanics, to pronounce a decided
opinion upon the merits of Mr. Smith's plan. From
what we can judge, it is well worthy of an experimental
trial upon an adequate line to test its practicability. The
question is one of great importance, as involving the safety
of the travelling community : and we may add, of the
public purse in preventing further exorbitant outlay upon
new and crude railway projects, which hold forth no pro-
mise of becoming remunerative.

just as consistent in nominating Mr. Holmes as those who
supported Mr. Rushton's claims not long since.
Mr: WALTNEW briefly seconded the nomination of Mr.
Holmes, upon the ground that that gentleman had been
an admirable commissioner of highways, and that no other
gentleman was more fully entitled to the honours of the
civic chair.

Mr. S. HOLME, in proposing Mr. J. Bramley-Moore,
said that he had hoped that after the feeling displayed last
year Mr. Moore would have been unanimously elected.
He (Mr. Moore) deserved this honour from his attantion
to the affairs of the Dock Committee—from his ability in
conducting parliamentary contests of great duration and
intensity, and from his uniform gentlemanly conduct. Mr.
Holme then proceeded as follows :—When I recollect that
only a year ago, 170 firms, many of them the leading firms
in the town, presented him with a requisition that he
would still retain the chair of the Dock Committee, I
think I need not add much more to show that if he is
elected he will discharge the duties of the office with credit
to himself, and with advantage to the community. (Ap-
plause.) lam told that Mr. Moore is to be rejected be-
cause he is unfavourable to the rating of the docks. I
differ from him on that question as much as any of those
gentlemen who have recently entered this room ; and
when you, Mr. Mayor, have vacated your present office, I
doubt not that I shall be found in friendly controversy
with you on this topic. There are great and fundamental
principles connected with our national government, and
with our social condition ; and difference of opinion on
such a subject may lead us to exclude from power those
who, by exercising that power, may change the laws, or
disturb the balance of good government. Such was the
question of education a few years ago. Mr. Moore was
found amongst the majority on that occasion ; Mr. Holmes
was then opposed to the manifest wishes of the electors.
But I hope, sir, that on a question such as rating, which
is one only of detail, we are not come to such a pass -that
a gentleman in all other respects eminently qualified, is to
be branded by exclusion from office for maintaining his
convictions rather than sacrificing his independence of
character. If such is the principle to be acted on in fu-
ture, then, sir, I confess that a seat in this chamber will
cease to be an object of ambition to the high-minded, the
intelligent, and the independent. A few years would see
the composition of the Council sadly deteriorated, and the
majority of its members would be bewildered in managing
the vast estates committed to their care. I admired the
spirit of Mr. Moore, when some time ago an emigrant
ship had fever on board, in the Queen's Dock, and, when
the captain refused to move her, Mr. Moore went himself,
got men, and had the pest-house immediately hauled out
and anchored in the river to prevent contagion. (Ap-
plause.) Mr. Holme argued further in support of Mr.
Moore's claims, as entitling him to the honour.
Mr. Alderman MOLYNEITK briefly seconded the nomin-
ation of Mr. Moore, and said that he heartily concurred
in every sentiment which had fallen from the elequent
proposer of that gentleman.
The Council, after one or two 'members had spoken, di-
vided, and Mr. Moore was elected by a majority of two,
there being for Mr. Moore 30, and for Mr. Holmes 28.
For Mr. Moore :--Messrs. J. Holme, Morris, Hill,
Briscoe, yrer, Horsfall, Littledale, Hornby, Tinne, Rim-
mer, obinson, S. Holme, Tobin, G. Booker, Gardner,
Lloyd, G. H. Lawrence, J. Booker, Jones, Mann, Hodg-
son, Aldermen Swainson, Nicol, Sands, Wood, Molyneux,
Bent, Turner, Chilton, and the Mayor.
For Mr. Holmes :—Messrs. Langdale, Walthew, Wood-
ruff. Thomson, Preston, T. L. Hodson, Aikin, Holt,
Henderson, Ferguson, Toulmin, Ilarbord, Rogers, Wag-
staff, Danson, Johnson, Bennett, Parker, Poole, Beck-
with, Watson, Hindley: Benn, Fisher, Aldermen J. Law-
rence, Cooper, and Procter.
The newly-elected Mayor having, amid loud applause,
been introduced by his proposer and seconder, and sub-
scribed the usual declarations, took his seat, and addres-
sed the Council as follows :—Gentlemen, I beg to express
to you my heartfelt thanks for the honour you have con-
ferred upon me. I take it PS a mark of your good opinion,
of which I may very well feel proud. lam well aware of
the difficult position in which you have placed me, more
particularly when I look around me and find how my pre-
decessor has performed his duties to the satisfaction, I
am sure, of every man in the town of Liverpool—(hear,
hear)—and feel my own inability to dsscharge those duties
in the manner in which they have been discharged' by
Mr. Horsfall. It shall be my endeavour to tread in his
footsteps, but I repeat that I feel I shall fall short in per-
forming the duties of the office in the manner they have
been performed by my predecessor. Gentlemen,. I shall
follow his example, in making myself the Mayor of Liver-
pool, and not of any one section or party. (Cheers.) In
doing so I look for your support, for without it, I am sure
I shall have no chance of keeping order in our proceedings.
I am sure, however, that the support you have always
given to my predecessor you will also- extend to me. I
hope you will allow me this opportunity of thanking you
for the patience with which you have always listened to
me when I have addressed you in this place. Cheers.)
DOCK COMMITTEE.—The proceedings comprised a re-
solution confirming the agreement made with Lord Derby
for the land at the North Shore. As the agreement was
not entered on the proceedings, this portion of the pro .
ceedings was referred back to the committee, after a
vain attempt to induce the Council to allow the Mayor to-
give the particulars of the agreement. Mr. Thomas Ro-
binson' Mr. James Holme, and Mr. George-Booker were
elected members of the Dock Committee. Mr. T. B.
Horsfall proposed Mr. Bean in opposition to Mr. Holme,
but the motion was rejected by a majority of 42 to 13.
THE TOWN-HALL.--It was resolved by a majority of
33 to 15, to leave the use of the Town-hall for balls, &c.,
in the bands of the Council.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The following gentlemen were
appointed :—Messrs. G. H. Lawrence, Hornby, S. Holme,
J. Holmes, D. Hodgson, J. Lawrence, Procter, Turner,
Svrainson, J. Booker, Hill, Cooper, T. B. Horsfall, LW-
tiedale, and Parker.
WATCH, &C.,. COMMITTEE.—Mr. Parker, after men-
tioning that the amalgamation of the Watch and Health
Committees had not been found to work well,. proposed
the following gentlemen as the Watch Committees, it
being understood that a Health Committee should also be
appointed, and that the officers of the Watch Committee
should still continue to give all the assistance they could
in carrying out the resolutions of the Health Committee :
—Messrs. Walthew, Woodruff, Preston, Stitt, Thomson,
Benn, Ferguson, Rogers, D. Hodgson, Jones, Poole,
Parker, Geo. H. Lawrence, Johnson, Turner, and Tobin,
the Mayor being ex-officio a member.
IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.—WITI. Nicol, S. Holme,
R. L. Jones, T. Robinson, T. Toulmin, Win. Bennett,
R. S. Henderson, John Bent, William Fisher,. James Ai-
kin, and R. C. Gardner.
LAW COURTS COMMITTEE.—J. B. Lloyd, R. B. Hill,
E. Molyneux, J. A. Tinne, D. Hodgson, Josias Booker,
S. Holme, J. H. Turner, and James Parker. Mr. J. B.
Lloyd said that every effort would now be made to go on
with St. George's Hall.
MARKETS COMMITTEE.—James Lawrence, J. Cooper,
John Woodruff, T. Kaye, James Parker, John Briscoe,
T. Toulmin, J. B. Lloyd, H. G. Harbord.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE.—Edmund Molyneux, George
H. Lawrence, R. C. Gardner, T. Chilton, D. Hodgson,
Thomas Littledale, Thomas Kaye, A. Swainson, Thomas
Rimmer, It. L. Jones, G. ,H. Horsfall, J. A. Tobin,
Thomas Wagstaff, John Briscoe, and Hugh Neill.
GAOL COMMITTEE. —The Mayor, James Aikin, R.
Benn, John Holmes, Hugh Hornby, D. Hodgson, - Thos.
Sands, William Nicol, G. H. Lawrence, T. B. Horsfall,
George Holt, J. A. Turner, and any other member of the
Council who may be a borough magistrate.
TOWN-HALL COMMITTEE.—The Mayor, D, Hodgson,
A. Swainson, T. Sands, G. H. Lawrence, James Law-
rence, and T. 8.. Horsfall.
THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.—J. A. Tinne, H. Hornby,
W. Walthew, J. Holme, J. G. Morris, J. Tyrer, J. Fer-
guson, T. L. Hodson, H. Neill, J. Bent, H. G. Harbord,
J. Stitt, William Bennett, E. C. Hindley, Thomas Rim.
mer, and James Parker.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER A COMPREHEN-
SIVE PLAN FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MUNICI-
PAL BOROUGH.—W. Nicol, J, A. Tinne, J. Aikin, H.
Hornby, S. Holme, W. Bennett, G. H. Lawrence, H.
Neill, T. Robinson, R. S. Henderson, and J. A. Tobin.

,
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LOCAL RATES.—H. Hornby,
J. Parker, J. Cooper, J. Booker, W. Bennet:-,, T. Little-
(!:-.1c,. S. Holum, T. Poole, J. Ferguson, and W. Fisher.
• . Coly.smsrrEE.—R. S. Henderson, R. L.
Jones, Bennett, William Preston, J. Bent, R.
M. BeckwiLd, John Woodruff, R. C. Gardner, and Ed-
ward Langsdale.
CHURCH EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE.—E. Molyneux,
H. G. Harbord, G. H. Horsfall, Thomas Littledale, John
Ferguson, John Briscoe, and Thomas Wagstaff.
OBSERVATORY COMMITTEE.—J. Aikin, H. Danson,
R. B. Hill, J. Tyrer, R. Benn, J. Stitt, H. Neil, T. L.
Hodson, and W. Fisher.
PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY FROM FIRE.—W. Ni-
col, G, H. Lawrence, J. Aikin, Josias Booker, Edward
Langsdale, H. Hornby, A. Swainson, J. Ferguson, R.
Benn, and James Johnson.
FERRIES COMMITTEE.—J. N. Wood, J. Aikin, W.
Mann, R. Benn, W. Fisher, R. L. Jones, and T. Wag-
staff. _

VV
THE WATER COMMITTEE.—The following gentlemen
were proposed on the water committee :—J. A, Tinne, J,
G. Morris, S. Holme, H. Denson, J. Cooper, J. Fergu-
son, William Bennett, H. G. Harbord, J. Poole, and W.
Nicol.
Mr. FIARBORD moved, as an amendment, that the gen-
tlemen who constitute the health committee should also
constitute the water committee, and that it be competent
for the health committee to appoint from their number
five, six, or seven, to act as a water committee. His rea-
son for doing so was, that they were obliged to support
two sets of men when one would answer quite as well ;
besides which, it would have the effect of promoting unity
of management.
Mr. THOMSON seconded the amendment.
The motion, even after being amended, that three of
the committee should be added to the health committee,
was lost by a majority of 37 to 16.
Mr. PARKER then moved an amendment to the
effect that the existing water works for the supply of the
town be under the management of the health committee,
and that the powers of the water committee be confined
to such measures as are necessary for carrying out the Li-
verpool Corporation Water Works Act of 1847. He
wished the water committee to be as at present, but to
confine its own operations to the carrying out of the Ri-
vington Pike scheme, supposing it must be carried out at
all. After the water was brought to The town, he consi-
dered that every thing connected with the distribution and
supply should be under the management of the health
committee and the borough engineer.
Mr. BENNETT seconded the motion.
Mr. S. HOLME said it appeared to him that there was
a determination to prevent the water committee from
carrying out their bill fairly, and in a manner consistently
with the principle which it involved. When the time
came for the measure to be fully adopted, he would meet
Mr. Harboid, or any body else, and show to the Council
and to the inhabitants, that it would be a blessing to the
town when the provisions of the bill were, as he expected
they would be, faithfully carried out. So far as re-
garded the borough engineer, he admired his Indus.