The Press.
London, England, 1853-07-23 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

THE OFFICE or COLONIAL SECRETARY in the island
of Tobago is now vacant, Mr. J. Thornton having ac-
cepted the office of agent and secretary to the Gene-
ral Screw Steam Packet Company at Calcutta, at a
salary of 1,0001. per annum.
THE HALF-YEARLY REPORT of the London and
Westminster Bank, which was presented at Wed-
neslay's meeting, showed that the net profits for
the past six months, after making provisio t for all
bad and doubtful debts, paying the income tax, and
setting apart 2,0001. towards the new buildings in
Lothbury and Bloomsbury, amounted to 54,5251. Bs.
11d. Out of these profits the directors declared a
dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum upon
the paid-up capital of 1,0 0,0001. The payment of
this dividend leaves 24,5251. ss. lid. to be added to
the surplus fund, which now amounts to 133,6891.
lbs. Ott.
TES TERMS on which the LAND TAX may be re-
deemed are reduced by a bill just printed. This bill
provides that the consideration for the redemption
of the land tax is to be less by 171. 10s. per cent.
than the consideration fixed by the 42nd George 111.,
c. 116, sec. 22 and 23.
THE ST. KATUARINE.S DOCK COMPANY held their
half-yearly meeting on Wednesday, when the usual
dividend of two per cent. for the six months was de-
clared, and 9,0001. carried to the reserve fund, which
now amounts to 39,000/. Sir John Hall, who has
been secretary from the commencement of the com-
pany, has been lately compelled to resign his office,
owing to failing health. He retires with a super-
annuation allowance of 1,2001. a year.
A NEW COMMON COUNCILMAN for Castle Baynard
ward was elected on Tuesday, Mr. G. J. Cockerell,
coal-merchant of Earl-street, being the only candidate.
GRIEVANCES exist among the London policemen,
which have threatened to terminate in a strike.
They assert two grounds of complaint,—lst, that they
are compelled to go to church in uniform, and
obliged to sit in a particular part of the church ; and,
2ndly, that their pay is insufficient. There are
three classes in the force—the highest receiving 21s.
per week ; the second, 18s. 4d.; and the thi,d, 16s. 7d.
Various meetings have taken place among the men
on the subject.
A Btu. for the better care and reformation of
juvenile offenders has been laid before the Commons
by Sir J. Pakington and Mr. Adderley. Under its
provisions reformatory schools may be established
and convicted children sent to them, and detained
until sureties are found for them. The Treasury
may grant a sum not exceeding 10,0001. for the pur-
pose or aid of a reformatory school.
LORD HARROWBY'S CHURCH-BUILDING ACTH AMEND-
MENT BILL will not be proceeded with further during
the present session.
THE Lout) MAYOR has issued invitations for a
dinner this (Saturday) evening to her Majesty's
Ministers and a distinguished party of the nobility,
members of the House of Commons, and other gen-
tlemen, and their ladies. His lordship gives a second
grand civic entertainment on the 2nd August next.
LEAVE to bring in a bill to authorise the closing of
burial-grounds in towns has been obtained by Lord
Palmerston. By this measure it is intended to extend
to parishes beyond the metropolitan districts the
provisions of last year's act in regard to burials in
London.