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1£ayJ, 18SS3.] THE READER. 437
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DOMESTIC DRAMA; OR, THE BRITISH MATRON A...
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MURDERS. On Saturday ovoning lust, Elija...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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"Hill-Tof' Or "V Alley-Bottom" Water? Th...
•„• fhe case of the Thames , even above Teddington lock ; Sconolyy because the purifying process is of ^ nature of iSntatiou , which renders water dangerous . to health , n ^ ialir in hot epidemic weather , and which is often W on i » the Thames water at the very time when it is imoed up for- distrib u tion through the town ; thirdly , Cr-ause the insalubrity of fermenting matter in water deonds less on its quantity than on its peculiar state of rtrtivitv which activity may he poisonly intense , while the uantity is so minute as not to cloud the clearness of the vater or be in any way palpable to the senses ; and lastly , hp use ia rainy weather the Thames , in its whole length , becomes discoloured by the "flood-tinge , ' and is so loaded with foul surface-washings , that common sense anticipates , science in dictating itsrejection . . . _ ; " 4 The gaugings and reports of Messrs . B , ammell , . . ^ ¦ \ ¦*'_* ^« m ««* K aII AVWIM A « % r TTTfrf % ^ n ^* XTPS \\ 9 l ^ . nMAtiTI / lAMfi t Y \ ciiiu tyvj ^ 11
Batenianj ana . xwiiiKoij an -icjmv « . »«;» "" S " ^? " » extensive practice , Tijear out the conclusions of the Board of Health as to the ample abundance of the Surrey up land water for the supply of liondon ; and as to the facility of collecting it by tile-ducts laid up to the springs , of conveying it by a cheaply formed culvert to Wimbledon Common , and of thence delivering it through iron mains to the existin <* London pipes , in which it would rise by its own pressure ( with the aid of a steam-lift for the highest levels only ) to the top of every house in the
metropolis-« 5 . Careful approximative estimates of the cost of executing denovo the entire works necessary for thus collectin ? bringing to London , and distributing to each house , at constant pressure , in unlimited abundance , this pure , sof t , sand-spring water , fresh and fresh from the Surrey hills are given in the Keport of the Board of Health , and confirmed by the engineering evidence , whence it appears that the e xpense would be fully covered by an average rate of 2 d . per house per week , being nearly 300 per cent , less than the average weekly rate ( 7 86-lOOrf . ) now charged by the monopolist water companies for intermittent cisternservice of river water , tainted with organic matter , and holding more than twenty tons of chalk dissolved in each day ' s supply ; of-which impurities the first is deleterious to health , while the latter causes a waste in soap and soda , in wear and tear of linen , in tea , malt , hops , dye woods , & c , estimated tocost the inhabitants of London above a million sterling per annum , which the change to
soft water would save . " 6 . It further appears from the said official reports and evidence that this water , when it has served its purpose , and taken the form of soil water , holding the drainage residua in suspension , may be removed by tubular drains from each house , and conveyed out of London in selfscouring ' sewers , at an average speed of three miles per hour , for an average drainage rate of 3 d . per house per week ; being less than half the present average cost of emptying cesspools and flushing the old fashioned sewers-of-deposit , which depress the health of the rate-payers , and increase the number of sick poor , and of orphans and widows , maintained at the ratepayers expense . the
" 7 . The saving attainable by combining public waterworks and sewage works withveach other , and with tho private-house water service and drainage works , so as to bring all under one consolidated management , is shown in the said reports to be ' so great as to admit of the existing wator companies being bought out , tho pure hill-top supplies being brought in from Surrey , ajnd tho improved distribution being accomplished , not only without any incroase of the present rates , but with a considerable reduction of existing charges , as well direct as indirect . " 8 . These estimates are substantiated , not only by official ovideneo , but also by practical experience . The town of Farnham , in Surrey , has been for sixteen years Bupplied with pure soft , hill-top water , collected , and
delivered ati constant pressure , as above described ; while Croyclon and Rugby aro examples of towns enjoying improved aorvice and roducod rates by tho proposod consolidation of water supply and drainage . A system cheaply availablo for 300 houses must , a fortiori , bo cheaply avaifablo for 300 , 000 , nor doos" there appear to bo any sufficient roason why London should bo loss excellently watorod than Famham , or loss economically administered than liugb y and Croydon . " 9- Tho Government Metropolis Wator Bill , now under discussion boforo a ooramittoo of tho House of Commons , lalls uttorl y short of tho requirements of tho metropolis , as aotorminocl by the above sciontifio and practical ovidonco , and by tho strong manifostions of public opinion during uio
swoop of tho late poatllonco . In rospoot of tho oxcosjuvo wator ratos , tho Government moasuro proposes only thoir partial and insufficient reduction ; its provision for tho control of tho monopolist companios by tho Secretary of hiato would in proctico provo nugatory ; its alllrmation of tl ' o principle ( now univorsally concodod ) of tho constant mipply afc ) , i glx progaurO ) ifl Couplod with t ho sanction of iwo yoarn' delay for its introduction , which dolay it has » o < m computed will entail on London more than 200 , 000 ? . of w i ci 8 < orn-costs , and which dolay tho experience or Wolvorhampton and other provincial towns has shown w > »> o unnecessary . But tho main ovils of tho Government wittor bill uro first , that it ignoros tho strongly attosted Hiipopio nty of tho soft spring wator from tho Surrey hills , , ln ( "' oo tly sanctions tho continued rooourso to tho conl
" , «( / aUoy-drain BourcoH , bv permitting Thames water J , J tllkon > ^ r tho supply of London , abovo To ddington JuociK ; Hocondly , that it maintains tho prosonfc , unooono-Z li flovoranco of wator and drainage works ( public m Si ? J , lvafco ) ' wllioh *>« fj' » t to *> ° combined ; , ' and , tradv ; ail ( l porpotunfcos tho oxistorico of tho monopolist hir M ff : i IT l ) ftnio 8 > whioh aro univormilly dotostod nW ! " ] u ' , . ^ of London , and which might " bo bought annum llHhocl > with a m ^ inS of about 200 , 000 ? . por nurJf" Tll ° l ) ills of fc" ° ol ( l wator oompunios , sovon in mail n 0 W" I ) omlinS boforo tho mud eonnnifcfcco , aro in innnf rOHl ) O ( ir'H « vpn more objectionable than tho Clovorn «
lovv « ' . tll 0 ir «« noral drift boing to oontinuo tho Hun « li « d / ° x ltianfc rfttoa * ° r impure valloy-drnin wntor " I'Pttoj j to sanction tho outlay of another million Knd . a
quarter ( which will ultimately fall on the public to pay ) for patching up a system incurably bad ; to extend the powers of . the monopolist companies from , waterworks to sowers ; to exempt them from even the nominal supervision contemplated in the Government bill ; and to defer for periods varying from five to seven years , at a cost exceeding . 800 , 000 ? ., the introduction of the constant supply at high pressure , which ought to be given forthwith . " IX . The bills of the two proposed new water companies , " known as the Watford arid Wandle Companies , are also in the highest degree objectionable , as involving the ruinous principle of competition with multiplied capitals , multiplied establishment-charges , and multiplied costs of all kinds , in the same limited field of supply—a principle which has never yet been known to secure good service at
low rates , but has invariably issued ( as in the seven years ' contest between the London water companies from 1810 to 1817 ) in the ruin of the weaker companies and the coalition of the stronger against the public , who are thus saddled with a virtual monopoly , and made to pay for the squandered capital in the shape of exorbitant rates for bad water . The Wandle Bill is , moreover , objectionable as proposing to take water from one of the condemned valleydrain rivers ; and the Watford Bill is also objectionable ( though in a less degree ) , as proposing a subterranean source , doubtful as to the abundance and continuity of its yield , accessible only by steam-pumps , and involving the employment of a chemical process to fit the water for domestic use . Both bills empower the levy of rates far exceeding the estimated cost of the pure hiE-top water from Surrey .
tf 12 . The metropolitan water companies are stated to command upwards of eighty votes in the House of Commons , and their great wealth enables them to secure the attendance of numerous witnesses prepossessed in their favour , as well as to retain the ablest counsel to defend their monopoly , and to make the worse appear the better cause ; while no ; such resources are available in defence of the public interests , the House of Commons having , on Friday , April 1 st , rejected the petition of the Sanitary Association to be allowed to appear before the water committeej and to show cause on behalf of the public against the pending bills .
" 13 . The unfairness of this position js increased by the equivocal composition of the committee itself ; which comprises the author of the pending Government bill , uncounterpoised by any member known to have specially studied the advantages of the Surrey hill-top water , and of the proposed consolidated arrangements for its cheap delivery and removal . " "Under these circumstances , the committee of the Sanitary Association feel it their duty , in the first place , to protest , on behalf of the public , against the finality of any decision which may emanate from a tribunal so inadequately constituted , so imperfectly informed , and so exposed to bo misled by one-sided evidence , as the water committee now sitting ; secondly , to appeal to the
metropolitan Press for that free audience , and that impartial sifting of the question which Parliament has seen fit to deny ; and thirdly , to warn the London water-consumers and rate-payers , that their interests will certainl y be overruled in committee , and one or more of the obnoxious bills now pending become law , unless public opinion be speedily brought to loear against the threatened perpetuation of the water monopoly , and in favour of pure hill-top water , with consolidated arrangements for its delivery and removal , at a largo reduction of existing rates . Signed on behalf of Committee by " M . W . Lusignan , M . A ., " 1 -g « Ajwiius Babnktt , M . D ., J- Socrota ; ics . " CiiABiiBS E . Walsh . J
" 10 , Crai ( f '» Court , April , 1852 . " Water Supply Dbapt Bill . —Tho Committee of the House of Commons wound up a long- inquiry on Tuesday by agreeing to a Draft Bill . This measure provides that after 1855 no water shall bo taken from below Teddington Lock ; that all reservoirs within five miles of St . Paul ' s shall bo roofed in , unless proper nitration be proviclod ; that all water shall bo conveyed through pipes or covered aqueducts ; that all \ Vater distributed shall bo first filtered ; that a
Government inspector shall visit and report on any proposed now sources before they be used ; that complaints may be made to tho Board of Trade ; that all engines used to force water shall consume thoir own smoke , and that all wator distributed shall ho supplied at such a pressure a . 4 shall roach tho top story of every house . Suoh are tho main provisions of tho Bill , which , it is said , has givon satisfaction hoth to tho companios , and tho promoters of tho Government moasuro .
1£Ayj, 18ss3.] The Reader. 437
1 £ ayJ , 18 SS 3 . ] THE READER . 437
Domestic Drama; Or, The British Matron A...
DOMESTIC DRAMA ; OR , THE BRITISH MATRON AND HER RIGHTS . Mb . Hakowoll , Soorotary to tho Hampstoad Wator Works Company , married in 185 ( 1 ) . Since that poriod ho has booomo tho fathor of eight children : and within those throo yoars disputes havo arwon bofcwoon himsolf and tho lady who may proporly bo tormod his botfcor , at loast stronger , half , u » to who Hhoulcl havo tho custody of tho children . Mrs . Hftkowoll was in tho habit of admonishing and othorwiso worrying hor husband in tho prosonco of tho children ; and thin habit
reaching- a climax , Mr . lEukowoll ' contrived to translor Jun wife and family to Boulogno , whoro , it appoars , thoy livod until lust October . Suddenly , howoyor , Mrs . Hak « woll loft that convenient place pf traiisportation , and appoarod with hor infants ut tho " official rosidonoo" of tho Socrotary . As ho could not uccommodato thorn , thoy woro trnnsforroa to Hawloy Oottago , and afterwards to " ' various placos , " kopt conooalod from thoir father , and , as lio allogos , Jll-fcrbaloa by thoir mother , Upon this Mr . Halcowojl took nmasuros to obtain thorn , and , with tho assistanc e of his b rother and othoiB , earned , thom . off from their last abode Undor thoeo
circumstances , Mrs . Hakewell invoked tHe law , and on her behalf Mr . Kenealy , on ; Monday , applied to 'Mr . Justice Maule for an order on Mr , Hakewell , commanding him to bring his fine children into court . The case was argued before tho Lord Chief Justice in the Common Pleas on Wednesday , and it was ruled that the father of legitimate children has the custody of them , and that the Court in this instance had no power to interfere . No sooner was this trial over , than ]\ frs . Hakewell , who . was in court , espying her husband as she left it , seized upon him ,-and clenching his arm tightly , declared she would not loose it until her children were restored . In this conjugal state the couple and their attorneys entered a cab and drove off .
The scene now changes . Mr . Arnold , the sitting magistrate at Westminster , is about to take up his hat and walk , when Mr . Uicholls , a solicitor , rushes in , states how Mr . Hakewell is in the custody of Mrs , Hakewell , and asks for the interference of the Court . " Mr . Hakewell , " he continued , " is in a very unpleasant position . The attorney on the opposite side has declared that he will stick to the lady for fifty * years . The lady has declared that she will stick to her husband , and is at this moment tightly holding him ; and in their present state of mind escape for Mr . Hakewell is hopeless , and he has accordingly entreated me to communicate his position to your worship . "
Mr . Arnold suggests that the husband should come into court , when , if they were all sticking together , as described , he should be sure to see the whole party . Mr . Mcholls immediately went for Mr . Hakewell , who , in two or three minutes , entered , evidently in a state of great trepidatton , tightly secured in the grasp of a very powerful looking woman , who exclaimed in a loud tone , . " Here I am ; the injured wife and mother of eight children . " Mr . Arnold- —Pray , madam , do not be so excited . Mr , Hakewell , after a vain endeavour to escape his wife's custody—Pray , sir , permit me to be free . Mrs . Hakewell hereupon exclaimed—By the laws of God and man we are man and wife , and nothing shall separate us !
Mr . Hakewell looked at his partner , who had pinned bun against the rail of the . dock , with an air of anxious concern , and then cast an imploring eye towards the bench . Mr . Arnold—You must not be clinging to your husband in this way . Mr . Hakewell—I solicit your protection , sir . Mrs . Hakewell—He is my lawful husband , and nothing shall separate us . Mr . Arnold—Don ' t be foolish , madam . I will not have a scene here . I say , endeavour to calm yourself , and release your husband . You are now committing an assault upon him by clinging to him in this way . I cannot permit such conduct here . Mr . Evans , the lady ' s solicitor , having introduced himself , said that he had no other feeling in this matter , than to endeavour to settle it amicably . If Mr . Hakewell and his wife were but allowed a few minutes together by themselves , such , he was sure , would be the result .
Mr . Arnold—Surely this is not the way to settle it amicably , clinging about a man in this way . Have you not influence enough over the lady to induco her to calm herself , and release her hold of her husband . If he make an information on oath respecting her conduct , it may bo my duty to call upon her to find sureties . Mr . ITakewell—I wish to do so . Sho has threatened
inc . Mr . Arnold directed the husband to enter the witnessbox , which his wife at length permitted him to do , upon Mr . Arnold ' s assurance that ho should not leavo the court . Mr . T . Hakowell then deposed to tho assault committed that afternoon , as proviously described , and then pressed for as much protection as tho magistrate was willing to afford . Mr . Arnold , after again reasoning with Mrs . Hakowell , took Mr . Evans ' s word that ho would uso his infJuonco over
hor , and , in addition , required her to enter into hor own recognizances to kocp the poaco for six months . Mr . Hakowoll and friends loffc in tho cab whilo tho lady was entering into tho required recognizance , sho having proviously promised that sho would not porsovoro in tho conduct that had brought hor there . But this was not all . On tho samo day three mon and throo women woro summoned boforo Mr . Boadon at If ommorsmith for stealing ono of tho children from tho custody of its mother ; but , alas , tho squabbles at Westminstor provontod tho " parties" complaining from arriving in time , and tho summons was dismissod .
Murders. On Saturday Ovoning Lust, Elija...
MURDERS . On Saturday ovoning lust , Elijah Noon , a plastoror , wont to a public-houHo in St . Gilos' called tho North Star , to rocoivo his wages from his brother , Mr . Thomas Noon , builder , who usually paid his mon at this house . In consequence of his not coming homo at twolvo o ' clock his wife went to fetch him , and mot him on tho way , when it appoarod that sho continued to upbraid him for his conduct until thoy reached thoir house . On reaching homo tho wifo told hor husband , in tho prosonco of thoir daughter , thirteen years of ago , who luvd boon sitting up , that ho was a good-fornothing villain for stopping out so luto . Ho mndo no ob-Borvation , hut appoarod to bo groatly annoyod ,. although ho was tipsy at tho timo , and shortly after ho omptiod his
monoy out of Ins purso on tho tablo , when liis wiio told him that ho could go out and trout other people , hut could not trout hor . This put him , in a passion , but ho spokonot a word , and ho wont to u sholfin the room and toolc olTun old sword which was kopt thoro . Ho drow it out of tho shoath , which ho throw on tho lloor , and thon struck his wifo acrosfl tho back with tho flat part of tho sword . Tho daughter unlocked tho door of tho sitting-room loading into Uio stroofc , and triod to pull hor mother out l > y hor right arm , but sho would not go , and whilo sho wan doing this , tho fathor , who hold tho sword in both hands , run it into 14 a wifo ' a loft side , and eUo foil partly in | ih , o etr , oot ami
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 8, 1852, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_08051852/page/9/
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