Jersey Times 1848 - 2

At a public meeting convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the construction of reservoirs to supply water to the houses of St Helier, held in Mr de Ste Croix’s large room at 9 Library Place, on 11 February 1848.

The meeting unanimously expressed its opinion that this undertaking would be of the greatest utility to the town of St Helier, and that it was highly desirable it should take place.

With a view to ascertain the plan of execution, we well as the cost it might occasion, it was decided to open a Subscription to enable a committee to consult a competent Engineer, and to obtain the necessary plans and estimates.

The meeting named a committee composed of the Constable and Centeniers of St Helier, and of Messrs Ed Noel, Phil W Nicolle, Phil Le Gallais, P Hemery, Geo H Horman, Ed Nicolle Jun, Charles Godfray, William de Gruchy, John de Gruchy, H C White, Joshua Brayn, Thomas Gallichan, Michael Hocquard, Phil Nicolle, Thos Dorey, Phil Mourant, Chas Le Quesne, Wm. Le Quesne, Clement Hemery Jun, Henry L Manuel, David de Quetteville, J J Gabourel and R Pipon Marett.

The said committee was authorised to receive the amount of the subscriptions and place the same in the hands of the Treasurer, and to take all the required means to carry the decision of the meeting into execution. Peter Hemery was named Treasurer and G H Horman, Secretary.

The members of the committee were requested to receive the subscriptions as soon as possible, it being understood that, should a Society be formed to execute the plans which the committee shall have had prepared, the expense of the same should be reimbursed by the Society and the amount subscribed returned to the subscribers.

The first meeting of the committee was fixed for Thursday 17 February 1848 at 11 o’clock in the morning at Mr de Ste Croix’s room.

(Signed)

P Le Sueur, Constable of St Helier ^[1]

A Grand Tradesmen’s Ball took place on Tuesday evening last, under the able direction of Mr Tufferey, in the splendid saloon of Mr Maryon in Charles Street, St Helier. The guests were very numerous, more than one hundred persons being present at the agreeable festival. The dancing, we need scarcely state, was hilariously kept up to a late, or rather early, hour.

The embellishments and arrangements of the saloon, which were most tasteful and judicious, reflected the greatest credit upon the stewards, Mr Tufferey, and also upon Mr Maryon himself, of course the general superintendent of the evening’s convivialities of every kind. Mr Carter’s band attended on the occasion and executed the various polka, quadrille and gallopade music with great precision and spirit.

Mr George Chevalier was actioned by Mr Philip Jeune and Philip Le Boutillier to see himself condemned to pay them £100 by way of damages for having the cutter Ellin seized for having contraband goods on boards in the harbour of St Malo. The defendant pleaded that the said goods were on board with the cognisance of the Captain and that it was owing to the latter’s refusal to place them on the manifest that the seizure was effected. The case was sent to proof.

The meeting of the Constituency of St Helier, which was to have taken place on Thursday evening last, for the purpose of considering the Disenfranchising Bill now on its passage through the States has, in consequence, we presume, of the excitement on the subject of the French Revolution, then prevalent, been postponed to Thursday evening next and, we think, prudently so, for assuredly the subject to be discussed in a very important one and one which required calmness of deliberation, to precede deliberate decision. Until the question of the franchise to be disposed of by the Constituency, that of extended representation (unless the one could be made to accompany the other) must be premature, and cannot meet with that popular welcome which alone ensures the success of any agitation for political reform.

We are aware that the political system of the Island is faulty. Under it (and its abuses, be it added) many possess votes who have no title to the privilege, and others, double entitled to it, do not possess them at all; but this is no reason for or justification of an act of the States, the certain effect of which will be the considerable restriction of the elective franchise throughout the Island; and with no plea for the deprivation, but comparative poverty on the one side and assumed comparative political purity on the other: we say – “assumed” for the comparison is not very precisely demonstrable; and if the bribes are to be held unworthy of holding the electoral franchise, it is the inference to be that the bribers are the reverse of this unworthiness? Without desiring to be guilty of lese-majeste towards Wealth or Station – we opine not.

In the teeth of progress in England, and topsy-turviness in France, let us have no retrogradation in Jersey. Let the invaders of the electoral franchise be first put down; and the Island people will then listen to the voice of the Reform party – and not before.

Major General John Bell, CB, the new Lieut-Governor of Jersey, ^[2] arrived in the Island on Friday morning and was duly installed in his office in the course of that day. He arrived by the Courier steamer after a passage of only seven hours and 20 minutes, the swiftest on record, and was welcomed with every kind of official and public welcome and rejoicing.

T Bedbrook respectfully informs his friends, and the public generally, that he has just taken possession of the above Hotel, and hopes, by unremitting attention, to merit a share of their patronage. Well-aired beds, chops, steaks, tea, coffee etc. T.B. has a large commanding front room to let as a club room or for a society.

Gangs of fellows have been prowling the country parishes demanding cider to drink during the day as well as at night.

An operation for the removal of a diseased breast, while the patient was under the influence of chloroform, was performed on Sunday last by Doctor J Dickson in the presence of Doctor Brohier.

1 Eagle Terrace, near St Mark’s Church

Mr Philip Le Brun, Surgeon-Dentist (late pupil of King’s College, where he studied Dental Surgery under Mr Cartwright, the renowned surgical operator) has great pleasure in announcing to the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry and those suffering from decay or loss of any of their teeth, that he has discovered a method of carrying out dental economy in its fullest sense, at once unrivalled, having never yet failed in one case where his directions have been implicitly followed (the patients not being subject to pain or disappointment when these are carefully followed) from inflammation of the gums or loss of more teeth thus requiring fresh models and fresh pieces or the patients to suffer the mortifying alternative of going without teeth, his method at once puts the teeth, mouth and gums in a healthy state, eradicates scurvy and pain, fastens loose teeth, and gives them a pleasure in wearing these teeth, which fill up the vacancies, at once surprising and delightful.

The nobility and gentry of Jersey are respectfully informed that the Five Balls for the Season will be held at the Music Hall, Museum Street, under the patronage of His Excellency, Sir James Reynett and Lady Reynett. The fifth and last ball will take place on Monday 6 March, 1848.

Stewards: Major Moore, 35th Regiment, J Hume Esq, Robert Pipon Esq, Capt Meecham, Lerrier Godfray Esq, Lieut Robinson, RA

Gentlemen’s subscriptions

A ticket for five balls - £1 5s

• Tickets for non-subscribers (each) 7s 6d

Ladies’ subscriptions

• A ticket for five balls - 15s
• For two or more in the same family, each - 12s
• Tickets for non-subscribers (each) – 5s

No lady or gentleman shall be admitted without a ticket.

The subscription list is now open at Mr C Hartung’s Music Warehouse, Bath Street, where also tickets for non-subscribers may be obtained, Subscriptions to be paid in advance. Tickets non-transferable.

A full quadrille band will attend. Licencing to commence at nine and close at one o’clock.

To avoid confusion it is particularly requested carriages setting down or taking up should enter Museum Street from Belmont Road and depart by Philip Street.

Seymour House at La Rocque, Grouville, is for sale, or to be let for a term of years, with or without the adjoining land. This pleasant situation is known for its salubrity, as well as for fishing, wild fowl shooting, and early garden produce. The house is large, commodious and well finished with every convenience. It has stables, coach-house, sheds etc etc with a large, productive and well-stocked garden. Terms very moderate. Apply at the said house or to Mr Phil Falle, Leather Merchant, 3 York Street, or to Mr Jno. Ching, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, Broad Street, St Helier.

Several persons having reported that Mr Beghin had uttered unbecoming expressions with regard to the family of Louis Philippe, we are happy to be able to state that the Constable of St Helier has investigated the matter and has satisfied himself that the report was utterly groundless.

We regret to learn that on Wednesday week, Mr Francis Pinel, carpenter on board the Crapaud from Figuera to Jersey, was carried off deck by a sea, and drowned, and also that Captain Esnouf of the Fairy put into Plymouth on her way from Jersey to St Michael has met a similar fate.

A meeting of those gentlemen whose views are favourable to reform was held on Saturday afternoon at Mr Ph De Ste Croix’s room, Library Place. Mr Robert Pipon Marett (Advocate) took the chair, between two and three hundred persons being present.

The principal speakers were Messrs Charles Le Quesne, Edward Nicolle, Jun., R P Marett, T Le Gros, Mr Healy and George Messervy.

The following resolutions were passed:

1. Proposed by Mr Charles Le Quesne and seconded by Mr Edward Marett: “That the population of this Island is not sufficiently represented in the States, as they are at present constituted. That from this fact numerous disadvantages happen to the Island in general which all good citizens must endeavour to cause to disappear by uniting together and attempting, by all legitimate means, to introduce into the constitution the modifications which will place it more in relation with the necessities and circumstances of the present time.”

2. Proposed by Mr Edward Nicolle, Jun, and seconded by John Matthews, Esq: “That with the view of arriving at this result, a petition be addressed to the States, requiring of them to admit into their assembly an additional number of members, elected by the people; and to pass an act to this effect, which, after receiving the sanction of Her Majesty, will become the law of the land; the act to be as follows:

• That the new members elected be 14, one for each rural parish and three for the Parish of St Helier. In this manner, reckoning the Constables, the country parishes would have two and St Helier four representatives, a proportion which cannot be regarded as too elevated, when we consider that this parish contains in itself about half the population of the whole Island.
• That they be elected by the rate-papers of each parish, respectively, in the same manner as are the Constables at present.
• That the election of these additional members taken place on the same day every three years and, in the event of death, or any other cause, a vacancy occurring amongst them before the expiration of the term fixed for the duration of their office, the person chosen to fill it shall remain in office only until the next general election.
• That the constituents of each parish be not restricted to choose their representative from among the residents of their respective parishes, but have the right of choosing over the whole Island the person they think most worthy of their suffrage, provided the latter have the necessary requisites of qualification.

3. Proposed by Mr N Le Quesne and seconded by Captain Charles Bisson: “That a petition be drawn up and that a committee be appointed in each parish to invite the inhabitants to sign it. A committee for the Parish of St Helier was named, and that committee war requested to co-operate with the country members in order to appoint a committee in each parish.

A parish meeting was held on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in Mr Philip De Ste Croix’s rooms, Library Place under the presidency of Peter Le Sueur, Esq, Constable. Several applications were made by persons who consider they were over-rated, and a few were lowered.

Messrs Frs. Le Maistre, John Le Brocq, F Bertram, John Syvret, John Godfray, the four Centeniers, the Churchwardens and the Procureurs du Bien Public, were named as a committee to examine the Constable’s accounts for the next year.

Messrs Joshua Le Bailly, David De Quetteville and James Gautier were chosen as members of the Committee of Roads. Messrs Ph Nicolle, Edward Coutanche, John Le Cronier, Philip Tocque, Charles Le Gallais, Daniel Trachy Jun., Philip De La Haye, Elias Rive, John Primery, Charles Roberts, John Le Brocq, Jun., and William Le Quesne, son of John, were chosen as Inspectors of Roads for the different Vingtaines. Mr James Baker was also chosen as Vingtenier for the Vingtaine du Mont Cochon.

A meeting of the Proprietors of the Town Vingtaine was held in the Victoria Saloon on Tuesday at which the report of the committee appointed to examine the accounts of the Procureurs of the Vingtaine was produced and gave rise to a stormy discussion which ended in a resolution moved by Mr Le Sueur being carried by a majority of 57 to 53 to the effect “that the Procureurs be ordered to convene another meeting within three weeks’ time to proceed to the election of new Procureurs and that in the meantime the report of the committee be printed.

We must again draw the attention of the authorities to that portion of Val Plaisant immediately in the rear of Pembroke Terrace. It is quite impossible to pass along the road without being really stifled with the dreadful stench which constantly emanates from the open sewer and which must cause putrid fever, or some dreadful disease, to all those living within range of the malaria if speedy measures are not adopted for its immediate removal.