The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-12 00:00:00

DEFICIENCY IN TUE CITY POLICE FORCE.

On Saturday, at a special meeting of the Court of
Aldermen,
The LORD MAYOR said the commissioner of the force
had informed him that he had nut the full complement
of constables allowed him by the corporation. He was in-
formed that there were at the present moment no less than
SO policemen deficient of the appointed number in the City
force, and bad heard from the chief commissioner that the
attempted burglary at Mr. Alderman Carter's, en Corn-
bill, a few days since, was nut discovered in consequence of
the eflicer of that district being withdrawn for the purpose
of attending an execution at the Old Bailey. (Rear, hear.)
He would not give any opinion to the court as to the pro-
priety of increasing the pay of the men, or of lowering the
etandard of height, but he understood thine to be the
main points upon which the question turned—a ques-
tion which the police committee of the Court of
Common -Council had referred to the Court of
Aldermen, under the impression that they themselves
had no power to interfere with the question of pay. Whilst
doubting very much whether the Court of Aldermen had
such power, he was of opinion that the Court of Common
Council was fully empowered to deul with the gm stiou in
all its bearings. lithe court agreed with bine in thinking
so important a subject deserviug of immediate cocaidere-
lion, they would autboriae him, by a resolution, to lay the
communication to which be had referred before the Court
of Common Council, in radar that the question might bo
disposed of at the next meeting of that body. (11. ar )
Alderman LAWRENCR s,aid the power of interft ring in
such a case as that now brought forward rested with the
court, the Secretary of State, and the Commissioner of
Police, who must settle the rules, and a reference to the
Court of Common Council would rather increase the diffi-
culty than otherwise. (Rear, hear.) The lowest descrip-
tion of constables were too baily paid ; and if tie court
could raise their wages they would do so ; out such an act
must be performed with great caution, as they were sur-
rounded by the metropolitan force, whose remuneration was
not better. Ile was prepared to lay down a p'..:n to obviate
the present difficulty, namely, by reducing the standard of
height, or agreeing to raise the pay of those who received
very small sums two shillings a week, reckoning from the
month of September last. (Hear, hear.)
Alderman T110111460:4 said he did not see how any possi-
ble good could arise from referring the subject back to the
Court of Common Council. On the contrary, he thought
that much evil might raise from such a course being
adopted. lie thought the suhject should be referred to the
police committee. (Hear) If the pay of the City force
were raised, dissatiefeatiou would ba created among police-
men in the other parts of the metropolis. It might be found
expedient to alter the standard of height. At present no
man wee admitted into the City force unless he stood 13 feet
8 inches, and he (Alderman Thompson) knew no reason
why a roan of 5 feet 7 inches, or 5 lett 6 inches, should not
be eligible. It was not the height of a men that constituted
the qualification for optic? officer, but his health, strength,
activity, and integrity. (hear.) lie moved that tht ques-
tion be referred to the General Purposes Committee, to
examine and report upon.
Alderman Wins seconded the motion, which was put and
. carried unanimously.
I The LORD MAYOR—I hope that the eommittee to whom
I it is referred will deem it their duty to meet immediately,
became the police, one and all, have signed a respectful
memorial, asking fer en iocrease of pay, the principal
ground of their appliecim being the fact of their hying in
the City, where rent is so very high. (Hear.)

MARYLEDORE FREE LIBRARY. 27, GLOCCESTER-
PLACE, NEW ROAD.—The first tree library estahlishe.l in
the metropolis will, we are informed, be opened ta
January, 1844. Its doors will be opened to the 'made
gratuinuily from 10 a.m. ti 110 p.m. This will ensbla all
clews to avail themselves of its advan!oges, which v^ lye
no donbt they will readily do, as th^ collection of is
such as to gra,ify a large variety of reedit".
LIVEP.I`OOL (NATCRDAV).—On Saturday
the Il•itish and North American rcyal mail stionship
America, Captaia W. J. C. Lang, sailed from the Mersey for
Boston and Halifax, with the u.ual European mails, only
plesengcr=, ands large and general carpe of mcrettandise
on freiah.. Prior to her iiiparto.c M"-srs. Willow and
Smith, of Liverpool, news•agents, were enabied to place
nopies of the Daily News of this noi nista on Ward, fur the
press end news-rorma of the westf-a contineat,
tEta, .N:p

The wurki, ti 1: • kloWli. and it it
h Ted 11:at it 1114ty :o :1-..aa next auninia7. iJa
Wedseaday the cum., ail began to ci gouts slung that
pnrtion already in work for pas.enger name—Rut., bona the
()raikite Junction •Aith the South Wths lute is It: tens*.
fez fte,s, Hertz 1. X..