ARTISAN AND LABOURERS' DWELLINGS BILL.

The TOWN CLERK read a petition in favour of the Artisan and Labourers' Dwellings Bill, introduced into the House of Commons by Mr. M'Cullagh Torrens.

Mr MAWSON trusted that the adoption of this petition would receive the unanimous support of the Council; and as each member had had a draft of the bill put into his hands, perhaps the Council would allow him at once to move the adoption of the memorial.

The MAYOR asked whether there were not one or two objectionable clauses in the bill.

The TOWN CLERK: I think there is an objectionable clause that makes it compulsory on the Council to purchase property in certain cases. That, I think, must be modified.

Mr. MAWSON: The bill has received the qualified assent of the Government, and also of the past Government. These clauses would meet with modification in committee. The nature of the petition was such as to make it suitable for adoption.

Mr. HAMOND said that he understood the petition was in favour of the bill generally.

Mr. MAWSON: Yes; generally.

Mr. HARLE: Clause 20; that's the objectionable one.

The clause in question was read as follows:

If the owner do not within the period herein specified, and as herein prescribed, elect to effect the works required to be executed, or if he require the local authority to purchase the premises, then, and in either of such cases (if the amount of the purchase money or compensation be not previously agreed upon between the owner and the local authority), the local authority shall cause a valuation of the premises (including the site thereof) to be made by two able practical surveyors, not being officers of the local authority, and the clerk of the local authority shall send a copy of such valuation to the owner, and notify to him that the local authority are willing to purchase the same at the amount of such valuation.

Mr. MAWSON said perhaps the Town Clerk would arrange to make the petition suitable for the adoption of the Council.

Mr. R. B. SANDERSON thought that objection might be taken to clause 5, which made it compulsory to appoint an officer of health. There might be a difference of opinion on that subject.

Mr. HAMOND said he should not like that to be compulsory.

Mr. GREGSON remarked that the last time the bill came before them he opposed it. A good deal of odium had been thrown upon him by some nameless writers-a mode of attack which he held in thorough contempt, believing that a man who had anything worth writing should put his name to it. (Hear, hear.) At the same time he believed there were many good points in the bill, although, as Mr. Walpole had said, there were some clauses which must be

altered; and this being the case, he did not think he was entitled to that odium which those anonymous scribblers had attached to him. He thought he had been right, and that they decidedly were wrong.

Mr. Ald. PHILIPSON pointed out that, while petitioning in favour of the bill, the Council should take exception to the objectionable clauses.

Mr. HARFORD felt opposed to compulsory powers, but must say that he should like to see the Council possessed of such power as would enable them to act in such matters without having ever and anon to go to Parliament for the purpose. (Hear, hear.)

The MAYOR interrupted Mr. Harford, stating that it was agreed to refer the petition to the Parliamentary Committee.

Mr. HARLE said he thought the only objectionable clause was the twentieth, which had been read.

The MAYOR: Mr. Sanderson objects to clause 5.

Mr. HARLE: Well, perhaps if there was an officer of health appointed, we should always fancy ourselves ill. (Laughter.)

Mr. MAWSON: Mr. Sanderson will find that "officer of health" shall mean "sanitary inspector," or " inspector of nuisances.”

Mr. SANDERSON thought the Council should act much more wisely in leaving it to a committee to look after a matter of this sort. They might have powers left that they should not like when the bill became law.

The subject was then referred to the Parliamentary Committee, with power to affix the Corporate seal to the petition.

CHARITABLE ASSESSMENT.

Mr. Ald. SILLICK moved the sealing of a petition for presentation to Parliament, praying for an amendment in the law relating to parochial and other assessments to rates of property used for charitable and educational purposes. The matter had been referred to the Schools and Charities Committee, in consequence of a communication from the Town Clerk of Leicester. It appeared that up to a recent time all these institutions were exempted from rates, but a recent decision had brought them within the power of being rated. If that were so, many institutions would suffer most seriously. Therefore, he begged to propose that the petition be adopted at once. Mr. H. ANGUS seconded the motion.

Mr. Ald. PHILIPSON suggested the introduction of words "or subjecting them to limited liability," in case they could not obtain the entire abolition.

With this amendment, the petition was unanimously adopted.

COMMITTEE CHANGES.

On the motion of Mr. PLUMMER, seconded by Mr. HAMOND, Mr. C. F. Smith was appointed to the committee on which the Mayor (Mr. Ald. Hunter) had served before his election as alderman.

On the motion of Mr. HAMOND, seconded by Mr. POLLARD, the Mayor was elected to the committees on which the late Mr. Ald. Keenlyside had served.

NORTHUMBERLAND BATHS.

Mr. Ald. BELL presented the following report from Mr. Lamb, with reference to the Northumberland Baths:

These baths consist at present-1st, of five first-class baths (also two shower and one vapour bath, charge one shilling); 2nd, the tepid plunge bath (charge sixpence); and 3rd, the large cold plunge bath (charge fourpence); and they produced last year (ending 31st August, 1866) an income of £428 11s. 6d., and cost for superintendence, repairs, &c., but omitting interest on capital, £440 9s. 5d., showing a loss of £11 17s. 11d. The receipts from the three departments mentioned average, were about—

It will thus be seen that the small baths produce nearly half the income, and when it is taken into account that only one-eighth part of the water consumed is required for these baths, there is an actual profit in carrying them on. The alterations, contemplated by drawings, and which I recommend for your approval, show seven first-class men's, three second-class do., and five first-class ladies' baths; with the requisite waiting rooms, office, &c., all in old part of building.

A detached building is proposed to be erected on the vacant piece of ground on the north side of the baths for boilers, cistern, laundry, and washhouse.

It is proposed to lay new pipes for hot water to tepid plunge bath, and to make the boilers and pipes of sufficent size to heat the water for large cold plunge bath at some future time, as I believe it will be found profitable to put a glass roof over that bath and heat the water in it, so that it may be used throughout the year.

The cost of the various alterations shown on the plans will be £1,500, and of this nearly £1,000 is for the new detached building and boilers, which, if it is decided that these alterations shall be carried out, I would recommend be let by contract, but that all the rest of the work be done by mechanics and labourers employed by the Corporation.

Mr. Dodds, the superintendent of the baths, estimates that by these alterations his receipts for baths will be raised at least £300 a year, and I may say that the working expenses will not be increased, but rather diminished as far as regards repairs, and by the improvements in the boilers the heavy item of coals will even, for the additional hot water required, not be increased.

Although I have not contemplated any alterations to the large cold plunge bath in these plans, I would beg to draw your attention to it.

The revenue derived from it at present is only between £40 and £50 a year, but I believe if it were covered with an iron roof, having sufficient light and ventilation, and a portion of the stone pillars round it removed and replaced with metal columns, the income might be increased to at least £250 a year.

The above alterations, together with the re-modelling of the dressing boxes and the cementing out of the bath, would cost £1,500.

It will thus be seen that to make the Northumberland Baths complete, a sum of nearly £3,000 will have to be expended upon them, and I believe that anything less than what is indicated above would not be advisable.

I would beg to refer to the report of the Town Improvement Committee, dated 7th May, 1862, in confirmation of these views as to the cold plunge bath..

15th November, 1866.

[SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT.]

JOHN LAMB.

Since the above was written I have prepared a drawing of the alterations at the large plunge bath, embodying the views expressed above, showing the proposed iron roof, and re-modelling of the dressing boxes, which I recommend be still kept off the edge of the bath, so as to leave an uninterrupted corridor around it.

1st May, 1867.

JOHN LAMB.

Mr. MORRISON said that while they were on the subject of these baths, he might be permitted to make a single observation. When this matter was under consideration before, and Mr. Ald. Bell had shown how the losses had been sustained by the baths, he suggested that a change of administration should take place. It appeared there was one of these establishments of which a Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the managers.

Mr. GREGSON: Yes; the Gallowgate. A nice affair it is.

Mr. MORRISON said the report had gone abroad that he wanted Mr. and Mrs. Brown discharged, and they called upon him, and seemed very much hurt, as they supposed that he had alluded to them. He wished to say that he knew nothing of the merits of their case; and what he meant was that they had better have a change of administration at all the baths, as they were losing money by them.

Mr. GREGSON also desired to give an explanation which referred to the baths, and what he thought about them.

Mr. Ald. BELL: The matter is not before the Council yet.

Mr. GREGSON: The scheme is so absurd that I think it should be gone into at once.

Mr. Ald. BELL said the matter had been investigated by the Finance Committee, but they were unwilling to undertake the responsibility of recommending so large an outlay without the Council being made acquainted with it. He moved that the document be printed and circulated among the members of the Council.

Mr. SANDERSON seconded the motion, and remarked that it would be a question to ascertain whether the increased utility which it was thought would attend the alteration of the baths would justify anything like the expenditure necessary. With regard to the water, there were difficulties which would have to be gone into. Water did not altogether obey such laws as some of them thought.

Mr. Ald, BELL: Water companies don't at any rate. (Laughter.) The motion was agreed to.

THE QUAY EXTENSION.

Mr. Ald. BELL, in reference to a motion on the notice-paper as to the sealing of the contract with Walter Scott for the Quay Extension, said the fact was that the contract, as they might remember, had been let sometime ago to Mr. Marshall. Unhappily he had been unfortunate in business, and that contract at one time was thrown into their hands. He thought, however, it was now likely that they should be able to make some arrangement with the assignees of Mr. Marshall, by which means the contract would be carried out without any further interference on the part of the Council.

LEASES SEALED.

Mr. Ald. BELL moved that the Corporate seal be affixed to a lease for seventy-five years, to the trustees of Willington Free Methodist Chapel, of 900 square yards of ground, with liberty to build a chapel.

The motion was carried, nem. dis.

On the motion of Mr. Ald. BELL, the Corporate seal was affixed to a lease for ninety-nine years from the Master and Brethren of the Hospital of Saint Mary Magadelene, to John Kirton, of three plots of ground, situate in Saint Mary's Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to which the Council are assenting parties.

The following leases were also sealed:-Twenty-one years' renewed lease to Esther Bright, of property at Ouse Street; annual rent, 2s. 4d.; fine, £6 8s. 10d.; and the enfranchisement of the property for £50 18s. 10d. Renewed lease to Ralph Cook, of property in Quality Row for £394; and a lease for seventy-one-and-a-half years, to Lloyd's Chain Testing Company, of 1,100 square yards of ground at Walker; annual rent, £8; with a gate entrance, and right of way, and liberty of crossing; rent, 10s. for each of such liberties.

THOMPSON'S BEQUEST.

Mr. Ald. BELL reported on three petitions for loans under the Thompson Bequest from William Hawdon, D. Bowman, and Robert Wintrip. The sureties having been examined and found satisfactory, he begged to move that the petitions be complied with.

The motion was unanimously carried.

THE WEARMOUTH CHARITY.

Mr. Ald. INGLEDEW inquired whether the Finance Committee had made any progress in investigating the affairs of the Wearmouth Charity, which he had brought before the Council.

Mr. Ald, BELL: I am afraid we must plead guilty to not having paid that important subject the attention which it deserves. The deficiency of £10,000 must be our excuse. (Laughter.)