The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-01-07 00:00:00

THE PARISH CLOCK

Mr. LAYCOCK said, that before the commissioners pro-
ceeded to any other business he had a question to ask with
respect to the parish clock. He understood that an annual
charge of £4 was made for attending to it, which the last
meeting agreed to pay for the last three years ; he wanted to
know whether it was intended that that annual charge should
be continued ?

The CH AIRMAN apprehended that it would. In Liverpool
a regular charge was made for winding up and regulating the
public clocks, and that charge was defrayed by the corpora-
tion.

Mr. GREEN said the circumstances of the Corporation of
Liverpool were very different from those of the Commission-
ers of Birkenhead. He understood that many parishioners
had expressed their determination to oppose the payment of
any money for this purpose, on the ground that it was illegal.
He had been told that when the charge was first brought be-
fore the commissioners they rejected it; but when it was
carried the other evening it was upon the understanding from
Mr. Mallaby that it had been promised to be paid by the
commissioners.

Mr. MALLABY explained that he then stated that the
clock was put up at the instance of a section of the commis-
sioners, Mr. Russell and others.

Mr. GREEN.--Bat not of the board

.. ----
Mr. MALLABY thought there had been no order regularly
made for it, and he had stated that there was no minute of it
in the books.

Mr. GREEN repeated what he had heard, that when the
proposition was before them in the first instance the com-
miesioners rejected it.

Mr. LAYCOCK said the proposal was at that time made
that the charge should be made upon the parishioners, but it
had not been formally brought before the commissioners,
and indeed he himself well recollected that Mr. Russell de-
termined not to press it. The matter consequently dropped.
He now asked the question—and his object was not so much
to undo what had been done as to have the matter thoroughly
understood—whether that board would sanction Mr. Knox,
or Mr. anybody else spending £4 a-year upon a clock, or
upon anything else, without the commissioners having some
cognizance over the clock ? He would suggest that the re-
pairs of the clock, and the duty of attending to it, be assigned
to some committee who probably might get done whatever
was wanted for less than £4, in which case there would be a

saving

Mr: MALLABY said it was upon the express condition of
the clock being considered public property that the com-
missioners agreed to pay the bill submitted to them by Mr.
Knox.

Mr. LAYCOCK observed that if some committee were re-
quested to direct their attention to it, they would see that
there was only a proper expenditure on behalf of the clock.
Mr. GREEN enquired whether the clock had been ascer-
tained to be public property ?
Mr. MALLABY replied in the affirmative.
Mr. GREEN said he had been told that some parties con-
nected with the church objected to the clock being considered
public property.

Mr. MALL ABY.—Then if they do I should object to the
payment of the money.

- A CommlssioNEß 'mentioned that the money had not yet
been paid, and expressed an opinion that the parties would
not allow the clock to be considered public property. He
enquired whether they could not remove it if they thought
proper ?_

Mr. MALLABY considered that they had no right to take
it down any more than they had to take down the church.
Although the pew rents were the property of Mr. Price, and
he had a right to them as a remuneration for his expenditure,
the church itself was the property of the parish, and the
clock and the bells were as much the property of the parish
as anything else.

Mi. LAircocic suggested that if the committee to whom
the business of the clock might be apportioned, were to put
themselves into communication with the authorities of the
church, all might go on harmoniously.
Mr. MALLABY said that Mr. Robinson had been directed
to forward a copy of the resolution of the last monthly meet-
ing on this subject to Mr. Knox.

Mr. GREEN repeated that he had been told some parties
intended to oppose the rate on the ground of the illegality of
this charge. He wanted to know whether the commissioners
could lay a rate, and whether such a charge would be legal?
Upon the poors' rate it would be illegal.
Mr. MALLABY said it would be illegal on the poors' rate.
Mr. GREEN enquired then what right the commissioners
had to make this payment ?
Mr. MALLABY replied that whatever the commissioners
might think was for the public good, whether in the erection
of buildings, or the maintainance of clocks, that they were
allowed by law to do. If they choose to set up a clock in
the market-place they could do it.
Mr. GREEN observed that that case would be different
from the present, inasmuch as the clock would be upon their
own premises, and for the public benefft.
A COMMISSIONER expressed his opinion that the clock
was the property of the parish because the church was the
parish church.

Mr. GREEN thought the church was not, strictly speaking,
the parish church.

Mr. INIALLnny said the act of parliament expressly pro-
vided that it should be considered the parish church. Every
man had a right to be buried there—not that he chose for
himself (laughter), but his succecsors might bury him there;
and he must say that the fees were less in their parish than
in any parish around. The ministers' fees, including all
expenses, for a pauper buried were 65., whilst in no other
parish in the hundred were they less than 7s. or 7s. 6d.

Mr. GREEN said it would be'a pity for the sake of £4, or
whatever the amount tn:ght be, to excite any ill feeling in
the parish ; but he was led to believe that such would be the
effect, because there were parties who strongly objected
to it.

A COMMISSIONER observed that there were discontented
spirits in every parish.
The CHAIRMAN said there could be no doubt that this
clock was a public benefit.

Mr. GREEN : I think not. I cannot see it from my own
house, for instance.
The CHAIRMAN : But you can hear it.
Mr. GREEN : No, I cannot.
The CHAIRMAN : I can, and 1 live further: from it than
you.

A COMMISSIONER: Mr. Green, you have no ear for a
church bell.

Mr. GREEN said he wanted only that which was right.
The CHAIRMAN : To show the utility of the clock, I
regulate ray own clocks by it.
Mr. GREEN said he objected to the charge, because he
was fearful that it might not be proper and just.
After a few words from Mr. APPLETON, the conversation
dropped.

THE ROAD COMMITTEE

Mr. MALLABY read the proceedings of this committee,
from which it appeared that the owners of property in Price-
street and Beckwith-street were constructing sewers in those
streets, and that the Road Committee had directed the sur-
veyor to inspect the works as they proceeded, without the
owners having given any notice to the commissioners, or the
streets being upon the town's books as public streets. Mr.
Mallaby, after reading the proceedings, submitted, with
great deference, he said, that this was most irregular on the
part of the committee. Every check that was vested in the
general body was violated if the committee would take upon
themselves duties which did not devolve upon them. He
wished to speak with all respect upon this subject, but at
the same time he wished it to be understood that when the
commissioners delegated specific duties to a committee, it
was to those duties that they ought to confine themselves.
They did not know the legal consequences of recognising
what they had no control over. They seemed to have drawn
a sewer under the cogniiance of the commissioners, as if
done with the approbation and recognition of the commissio-
ners, when, in reality, there was nothing of the kind, If
gentlemen thought proper in Qconstruction of their streets
to lay down seIN ers, and give pe commissioners notice of
their intention, the commissioners could direct their survey-
ors to see that those sewers were constructed in a proper
manner, with specific exception against their being consi-
dered adopted, or binding upon the commissioners to adopt ;
and it would be of great importance if the Road Committee
were not to recognise any of them without directing the atten-
tion of the general board to the subject.

Mr. COLE said the attention of the general board had been
directed to this matter. The Road Committee had reported,
in the first instance, that the work had not been done well,
and the report was read in their proceedings at a former
meeting. If there had been any objection to what they had
done, it should have been taken at the time.

Mr. MALLABY said the general body ought not to be
driven to the necessity of watching every step of the commit-
tee. He did not know whether there was anything in the
books before on this subject ; but if there was, the attention
of the commissioners should have been directed to it, and if
he had been aware of it he would have so called their atten-
tion. It was, however, just as easy for Mr. Potter, when the
work was about to be begun, to call the attention of the com-
missioners to it, and to see that it was carried on properly,
without binding the commissioners to adopt it.
Mr. COLE observed that regular notices would have been
given to that effect, but the surveyor had taken cognizance
of the work in the first instance, and called the attention of
the committee to it fron-s the commencement to the comple.
tion. It would be well, however, for the future, if the Road
Committee were given to understand, and all parties making
sewers as well, that their sewers would not be recognised
except the proper notices were given.

A COMMISSIONER observed that this was very proper.
Mr. COLE added that what the Road Committee had done
in the present instance, they had done more from ignorance
than anything else.

Mr. AIALLABY said, then, in confirming the proceedings
of the Road Committee it should be expressly stated, that the
general body would not adopt any sewers made in this man-
ner, unless the proper notices had been given in the first in-
stance.

Mr. LAYCOCK observed that Mr. Cole had stated in the
first place that the Surveyor reported that the work was not
done according to the commissioners rules ; ❑ow, he wanted
to know how often he reported after that ?
Mr. COLE replied that the Surveyor reported that he had
visited, and was satisfied with the construction of the work.

Mr. APPLETON said the work was progressing in a way
that was not satisfactory to him, and he found fault with it.
He was anxious it should be done properly, otherwise serious
expense might have been incurred, but he was not aware that
there was any point of law to stop the committee.
Mr. COLE complained of the non-attendance of the clerk
at the meetings of the Road Committee, to record the pro-
ceedings.

Mr. JACKSON asked the law clerk a question, with regard
to the power of the commissioners to fill up the cellar-holes.
Mr. MALLABY replied, that any holes made in the public
streets since the act of parliament was passed, the com-
missioners might fill up without any notice, and charge the
party with the expenses of it. As to any holes in the public
streets before that time, or any nuisance, such as projecting
steps, the commissioners could not remedy them without
expense. He suggested, however, that all such cases should
be adjudicated upon by the general body before proceedings.
giving the parties proper notice, and doing it at their own ex-
pense.

Mr. GREEN suggested, that whenever any thing was re-
commended to be done by the Road Committee, they should
also send an estimate of the expense. If there was any
committee of that body which required a great deal of look-
ing after, it was the Road Committee.
Mr. JACKSON said, he liked vastly this perpetual rapping
at the Road Committee ' • but he would say that this com-
mittee had hard work to do.

Mr. GREEN : No doubt—because you do a great deal too
much. .

------
Mr. JACKSON : The best way to silence you is to put you
upon it.
The proceedings were then confirmed in a motion which

~.el~r~'

LIGHTING AND WATCHING COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee were read and cc
firmed without any comment.

MARKET COMMITTEE

This committee's proceedings being read, Mr. JACKSON
pointed out the necessity of the prison being better lighted.
The proceedings were confirmed with the understanding that
the subject of complaint should receive attention.

NUISANCES

The LAW-CLERK reported, that after much discussion it
had been arranged that Mr. Ball should plead guilty to the
indictment preferred against him, upon condition of being
allowed till the Ist of June to repair the road, and if he did
not do it then, the commissioners should do it and charge
him with the expense. The court were applied to for the
costs of the prosecution, and although it was resisted the
court granted it, for they directed Mr. Ball to pay the costs.
In answer to a question from Mr. COLE, it was stated that
notices had been served upon Mr. Stephenson to remove an
alleged nuisance on his premises in Church-street, but no
further steps had been taken in the matter.

Mr. COLE and other commissioners called upon the
general body to follow up the notices by a prosecution.
The meeting then separated.

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held
yesterday, in the Custom House, Revenue Buildings. The
following members were present :—Messrs. Sands, Horsfall,
Holt, Holmes, Middleton, Molyneux, Nicol, Bulley, Shand,
Smith, Ripley, Tobin, Chapman, Chilton, Aikin, Sandbach,
and Barclay.