The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-20 00:00:00

SZVZNOAI&

Tito fifth half-yearly report of the directors states
that the works have programed satisfactorily during the
past half year, and they have every reason to expect that
the anticipations expressed at the last general meeting will
be realised, via., of the completion of the line by the sprim
of this year. It will be remembered that the board Let
year introduced a bill into parliament for an extension of
their line from Otford to Maidstone, passing through the
important districts in the vicinity of Wrotham Town, Mal-
bug, and West Mailing. This bill was rejected for non-
compliance with the standing orders of parliament. The
board have thought fit to introduce a bill iota parliament
this session for a similar line to Maidstone, and aloe a line
"ringing out of the lame at Ightham, and peasing oy Peck-
ham and Hadlow to Tonbridge. B these extensions
not only will important local dithricta be accommo-
dated now altogether without railway communication,
but also a large traffic from Maidstoue,Tonbridge, Toobridge
Wells, Hastings, and St. Leonard's will be brought over the
company's line. This bill has paused standing orders, and
is expected to be read a second time on Monday next.
These extensions, if granted by parliament, will necessitate
the doubling of the line to Sea/moths. The tunnel, viaduct,
and bridges have been constructed for a double lioe, and
sufficient hand has been purchased, so that the earthworks
sod permanent way only are additional, and it is expected
that these may be completed by the Ist of May next. The
original estimate having been for a single line only, it is
necessary to apply to parliament for au increase of capital
to meet the additiooal outlay. A line has been pro)seted
by the Soutb•Eastern Company, pausing from Lewisham,
by Seveuoaks, to Tonbridge, to which, in the interests of
the shareholders, the directors feel it necessary to give their
most strenuous opposition.

THAMES EMBANKMENT AND RAILWAY
(SOUTH SIDE).

Yesterday the Commissioners appointed by the
Crown to inquire into and report to parliament on this
question met at the offices of the commission in Victoria-
street, Major General Jaen, in the absence of the Eight
Hun. the Lord Mayor, in the choir. Present. Captain
Calton, RE., Commander Borstal. Mr. J. Thwaitea,
Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, Mr. Miasma,
C.E., and Mr. Henry Kingecote.
Mr. H. H. Bud, C.E., of Robert-street, Adelphi, de-
scribed an elaborate plan for an embankment ou the south
side, from Nine Elms to Southwark-bridge, solid, with
trifling exceptions, to be constructed in the form of a river
wall, with dusting docks on the inner side, with atom by
openings in the wall. A public road would run on the top
of the river wall from Lambeth Palace to Blackfnara
Bridge, between 40 and 50 feet wide. There would he
appresches at various places from the new road to the
shore, with sluices for flushing the docks, at as estimated
cost of 469,00 W. It was proposed that a body of river
police should regulate the docks. The embankment would
greatly improve the navigation, protect Lambeth from the
overflowing of the tide, increase the public facilities for
tranait. sod accommodate the densely populated districted
South Loudon. _ . . . . .

Hannyr, merchant., of Earl-street, Westminster,
proposed embankments both on the northern and southern
side, with a road stud four lines of railway, and on the south
a canal between the embankment and the shore from Lon-
don-bridge to Bstterses, into which the craft would pees
through locks as atTeddingtoo, the stream being dammed up
at Battersea, and the current of the river thereby checked. The
embankment. ou the south side would be 170 feet wide, with
warehouses soil residences, and on the north boulevards end
gardens. The cost of the entire undertaking would be
about live millions sterling, and he proposed to employ
5,000 sappers and miners in the construction of the work.
As compared with the Seine and other European rivers, the
Thames was a disgrace to a civilised country.
Mr. T. Moans, architect, proposed a causeway, 70 feet
wide, on piers 100 feet apart, between Nine Elms and Bank-
side, Southwark, level with the bridges, at an estimated
met of 500,000/.
The commissioners then adjourned.

THE ADULTERATION Or Bas•D.—Out of thirty-
two samples of bread recently analysed by the Lancet
Analytical Sanitary Commiesion, alum was found in seven-
teen samples, or more than ono-half. The quantities ranged,
per quarteru loaf, between 25i1l grains and 15,4'06 grains ;
and per sack of nisetr-two 41b. loaves, between 5 on. 4 dwt.
and 33 on. 2 dwt. It appears that, as • rule, the more re-
epectable high-priced laskers who buy the beet door. and
sell superior breed, do not nuke use of alum, for the em-
ployment of which no necessity whatever exists. The prin.
sepal reason why alum is so generally used by the bakers
who sell cheap bread is, that they are thereby enabled to
use • less expensive Bone, and to import to it the Dolour and
appearances which belong to dour of superior quality and
of higher price. That the additi of a powerful substance
like alum, and in the large quantities detected by the
Lancet Commissioners, is prejudicial to health end is pro.
ductive of derangement of the digestive organs, is well as-
certained. The adulteration of bread with alum is noe-
-1 teary to law, and bakers using it are liable to punishment,
' both under the Broad Act as well as under the recent Bill
for the Prevention of Adulteration ; the former act is,
indeed, rarely, and at long intervals, enforced; bat the
latter, as respects the adulteration of bread as of ether arti-
cles, is inoperative.

Printed sad Yob&boa by Mug= Lips HaLTJ of Me. &
Lambinistreet. In the qty of London, Muter, at the
Mee, b loonberd-street, In the Precinct of Whitchiere.—
Titoseway. YElfWeitt 20, lote.