The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-02-26 00:00:00

LOCAL MEETINGS.

LITERARY AND PHILoSOPHICAL SOCIETY. —At the
meeting of this society on Monday last, Mr. J. B. Yates'
presided. Mr. J. Parham read a paper on the essence
and nature of body, the general design of which was to
show that all material objects having been created, must
have been emanations of a divine power or will,—that
that power still pervaded all things, and was an essential
part of them. The world was therefore an assemblage of
divine powers, and the so-called properties of matter had
only a conditional existence. A paper was also read by
Dr. Thompson on Dr. Reid's theory of storms. Hb
pointed out how very simple it was for any seaman, with
the knowledge of the rotatory character of storms, to es-
cape them altogether, or, if caught in them, to escape in
tho shortest possible time. A want of this knowledge
often drove seamen deeper into a hurricane, and they were
really doing the worst for their ship when they imagined
they were taking the safest course.
ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCLIZEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—
The fortnightly meeting of this society was held at the
Royal Institution, Colquitt-street, on Wednesday even-
ing, the Rev. David James in the chair. Mr. J. A. Pic-
ton stated that the prizes for architectural designs would
be confined to those studying as pupils merely, and that
clerks in, architects' offices could not be regarded in the
light of students; but those who were not articled pupils
would not be excluded from the competition. The same
gentleman presented several parliamentary documents of
interest to the profession from Mr. Robert Rawlinson, of
the sanatory board, of London, a corresponding member
of the association. A discussion took place relative to
Dr. Chowne's " air-syphon" system of ventilation, the
sublect being introduced by Mr. Chas. Reed, the secre-
tory ; but the general opinion of the members seemed to
be that the doctor's plan would not be attended with
success. The paper of the evening was read by Mr.
Thomas Duncan, the deputy borough engineer, on
" Rubble Walling," and a short discussion afterwards
ensued, the thanks of the society being conveyed to Mr.
Duncan.

SELECT VESTRY.—The usual fortnightly meeting of
this body was held on Tuesday, the Rev. Rector Camp-
bell in the chair. The Workhouse Committee recom-
mended that the salaries of the medical officers should be
reduced from £l9O to £7O a year. Mr. Hodson strongly
opposed this recommendation, and moved an amendment
to it. A long discussion followed on the subject, after
which the amendment was negatived by a majority of 12
to 9.—A case of overcharge in the account of Mr. Bing-
ham, draper, Brownlow-hill, who supplied the industrial
school with flannel, was brought under the notice of the
vestry. It appeared that he had charged 4s. 10d. per yard
for flannel, which two respectable referees declared not to
be worth more than 2s. 3d. per yard, whilst a third valued
it at 3s. per yard.—Mr. Willmer withdrew his motion for
rescinding the resolution of tneFinance Committee against
the application of the new regulation to rates now due.
He considered it would be unfair to those who had paid to
relieve those who had not.—Mr. Dover called attention
to the cost of the children in the industrial schools. It
amounted to from £l5 to £lB per head, while the cost at
the Orphan Asylum was not more than £9, and at the
Blue Coat Hospital from £lO to £ll. At the same time
the number of the children in the workhouse was as great

['ellre the Industrial Schools were opened. In answer
to a question from Mr. Earle, Mr. Dover admitted that his
calculation included the cost of the building ; but, under
_ _

es he considered it £lB,OOO-throwii away

...HE DISTRICT PROVIDENT SOCIETY.—The annual
meeting of the friends of this society was held on Tues-
day, the Mayor in the chair. The report for the past
year was read by the Rev. R. Appleton. It regretted
that, while the great objects of the society, since its com-
mencement in 1829, had ever been kept in view, the pub-
lic had not offered them proper support. The visitors
had fallen off from 462 to 105, hut still 106,638 14s. 74d.,
or an average amount of £lO,OOO, had been collected in
small sums in deposits. The committee referred with
satisfaction to the amount of unsolicited deposits. The
amount which had been expended on occasional relief had
been £21,955 2s. ld., and the number of'cases 258,516.
The subscriptions of 1849, as compared with the amount
collected in the previous year, showed a deficiency of
£177 3s. 6d. The donations had also fallen off, being
less than those of 1848. The extraordinary calls during
the past year, owing to the visitation of the cholera, had
reduced the balance in the treasurer's hands to £356125.,
a sum greatly inadequate to meet the anticipated de-
mands. The accounts having been read, the various re-
solutions given in our advertising columns were carried
unanimously. [This society deserves more liberal sup-
port than it has ever received. Though contending with
some difficulties from want of support by those who,
having ample means and abundant leisure, might do
much for the encouragement of the humbler classes in
economy and industry, and much for the amelioration of
human suffering, it still continues vigorously to pursue its
career of usefulness. We have pleasure in calling fa-
vourable attention to this institution, because we regard
it as one eminently distinguished for the soundness of its
principles. It should be the almoner of all who desire to
encourage the deserving poor, to assist in the formation
of good habits amongst the indigent, and to aid the
needy without risk of bestowing gifts upon idle and dis-
sipated impostors.]
LADIES' CHARITY.—On Tuesday the annual meeting
of the Ladies' Charity was held in the board-room, at
the Blue Coat Hospital, the Venerable Archdeacon
Brooks in the chair. The following report of the pro-
ceedings for the past year was read :—ln the month of
April last a statement was laid before the committee by
the treasurer, showing that, if the same amount of relief
as had been granted in the then preceding three months
were continued to the end of the year, the charity would,
at that time, be involved in a debt to the extent of up-
wards of £4OO. It became necessary therefore, either to
encumber the charity with this heavy burden, or materi-
ally to contract its operations and narrow the limits of
its usefulness. In this emergency the committee called
together a general meeting of the trustees and subscribers,
when it was decided to alter the fifth rule, and to limit
the relief to " poor married women, having two children
(instead of one, as heretofore) living at the time of their
application, and who had been resident in the district
therein described two years, instead of twelve months, as
previously." But, even with the assistance gained by
the adoption of this painful alternative, the Ist January,
1850, finds the charity in debt to the amount of £l2O 6s.
sd. The committee know from experience that many
deserving objects have thus been shut out from procuring
relief, and they cannot but feel that this partial success of
their endeavours to equalise the receipts and expenditure
of the charity has been attained at a great, though una-
voidable, cost. This is shown by the numbers relieved
during the past year, being 1,866 against 2,325 in the
preceding twelve months. The accounts showed that
the receipts for the past year amounted to £BB3 ss. Id.,
and the disbursements to £966 18s. 5d., which, with a
balance against the society on the let of January, 1849,
of £36 17s. ld.' left a present balance due to the treasu-
rer of £l2O 6i. sd. The report and accounts were then
passed, and, after the transaction of some routine busi-
ness, the proceedings terminated.
HEALTH COMMITTEE.—The weekly meeting of this
Board was held as usual on Thursday, Mr. Parker in the
chair. The medical officer reported that, during the past
week, there had been 162 deaths in the borough, being 17
more than in the previous week, and 40 fewer than in the
corresponding week of 1849. Contracts for the construc-
tion of sewers were accepted from Messrs. Johnson and
Robinson, Duckworth, Housley, and Murgatroyd. A
memorial of the association of warehousekeepers prayed
a reduction of their rates. In consequence of the serious
depreciation in the value of their property, the parochial
authorities had been induced to reduce their rates, and
the memorialists desired the Health Committee to reduce
their rates in the same proportion. After some conver-
sation as to the power of the Committee to reduce the
rates, Mr. M'Knight and another gentleman, who attended
as a deputation from the warehouse-owners, were intro-
duced to the board. Mr. M'Knight explained the object
which the memorialists had in view, which was to have
the rates reduced, on account of the depreciation of their
property, and he brought under notice of the Committee
several instances in which he considered an excess of
rates bad been demanded. It was ultimately agreed to
refer the matter to a sub-committee, to make inquiry into
the matter, and report. It was intimated that the rates
would be paid under protest until the legal powers of the
Health Committee under the Act of Parliament should be
ascertained. A statement was read by the clerk, to the
effect that Mr. Rose received at the rate of about £2O for
three months for removing the refuse from the markets.
Mr. Godfrey called attention to what he understood was
the fact, that formerly Mr. Neilson paid £5O a year for
being allowed to take the refuse of the markets, while
Mr. Rose was now paid £lOO for removing it ; he would
not give anything for it. During a conversation on the
subject, it was stated that Mr. Rose's terms included the
supplying of a number of extra sweepers at his own ex-
pense ; and as to the refuse, though it might formerly have
been purchased, its value had deteriorated, and no one
would now give anything for it. The matter dropped
without any resolution being come to.

THE LIVERPOOL UNITED GAS COMPANY.—The annual
meeting of shareholders in this undertaking was held on
Tuesday last, at the Royal Hotel, Mr. W. Fosbery in the
chair. The report, which was read by Mr. Carson, the
solicitor, stated that the business of the company had re-
covered, in a great measure, from the depression which
existed in the corresponding half year of 1848. "By the
company's act of parliament, the financial year terminates
on the 30th of June in each year ; but thi directors had
prepared a statement of the accounts for the half year
ending on the 31st December last, and they recommend
that the dividend for the last half year be at the rate of
41 per cent., that is, £4los. per share on the£loo shares ;
£1 2s. 6d. per share on the £25 shares issued previous to
the Ist Nov. 1849 ; 7s. 6d. per share on the £25 shares
issued subsequent to that date. The directors have plea-
sure in stating that the foregoing dividend will be payable
entirely out of the profits of the half year, the previous
two half-yearly dividends at the like rate having been
made up out of the then reserved fund of the company.
The directors under the authority of the resolution passed
at the meeting of the shareholders on the 21st day of
August last, to sell 940 £25 shares, had, under the dis-
cretionary power given to the board, issued 500 of such
shares, which were sold by auction on the 10th of October
last, when the capital of the company was augmented by
the sum of £12,500, and the premiums obtained on such
sale realized the sum of £9,178. The directors reported
that they had not thought it advisable to exercise the
power of borrowing, placed at their discretion. They had
disposed of the company's property in Queen-square, and
the new offices at Newington would be ready for occupa-
tion in the ensuing summer. The report was adopted,
and the dividend declared to be paid on the 26th instant.
Mr. Lewin Mozley, as one of the directors, thought he
could assure the proprietors that up to the 31st of Decem-
ber there was an ample fund to pay 44 per cent. on the
profits of the half year. On the 30th of June, the ac-
counts would come before the proprietors, and he had no
doubt they would be satisfactoay. The directors saw
every probability of the Owne rattle' dividenlbeing con,
tinued.