The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-14 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

-
A Court of Common Council was held yester•
day, at Guildhall, at which the LORD MAYOR presided,
and as this was the last court before the annual election of
common councilmen on St. Thomas's Day, there was a full
attendance of members.
Alderman HALE brought up a report from the City of
London School Committee, recommending certain addi-
tions to the salaries of the masters in the different

classes.
The report was agreed to unanimously.
Mr. F. DRESSER koGERs asked the chairman of the
Local Taxation Committee whether that committee was
taking any steps in relation to the movement that was
going on out of deers, upon the subject of taxation in the
City of London!
Mr. LAWLEI said he was aware of the movement referred
to, but as yet the committee had not had any opportunity
to take steps in the matter. lie might states however
that the movement referred to not only had his personal
sympathy, but he could also state that it had the entire
sympathy of the committee. (Hear, hear.)
A report from the City Lands Committee was then
brought forward upon the letter of Mr. Alexander Mel-
ville, and recommending that the picture painted by him
representing the ceremony of the presentation of the free-
dom of the purchase is Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
should be d by the corporation at a sum not ex-
ceeding 5,000/.
This motion led to a very long and animated discussion,
and in the first instance it was moved that the debate
should take place with closed doors. This motion, how-
ever, was negatived, and an amendment to the effect that
the report do lie upon the table was, on a division, de-
clared to be carried. A division was demanded, when
there appeared—For the amendment, 92 ; against it, 59 ;
majority, 33.
Another amendment was then moved to the former one,
which was now put as an original motion, that the re-
port be referred back to the committee, for them to take
steps to ascertain the value of the picture in question,
and the price at which it might be purchased by the cor-
poration after It had been finished to thcir entite ea-
tisfaction.
The second amendment was eventually put, and declared
to be lost, but a division being demanded the numbers
were declared to be—Against the amendment, 76; in favour
of it, 64 ; majority against the amendment, 12.
Various other amendments were proposed, all of which
were negatived, divisions, however, being demanded upon
each, which kept the court in a state of confusion for a
very considerable time. At length
Alderman WATEKLOW proposed, as an amendment,
that the court declined to purchase the picture, but
referred the question to the City Lands Committee what
amount of compensation should be awarded to Mr. Mel-
ville for the trouble he had taken in the matter.
This amendment was negative].
Mr. Cox moved as an addition to the first amendment
" that the petition do he on the table, and that this court
do decline to purchase the picture."
This was carried, upon a division, by a majority of 55,
the numbers being—For the amendment, 75; against it,2o.
Another division was about to take place upon the ques-
tion of adjourning the court, when it was discovered that
no alderman was present, and there was consequently "no
court." An abrupt adjournment therefore took place at
half-past o'clock. leaving the question precisely in the
stone state it was in at the commencement of the pro-
ceedings.

REFORM MEETING AT GREAT YARMOUTH
A crowded meeting was held in the Corn Exchange in
this town on Wednesday evening. The Rev. Mr. Shelley,
unitarian minister, presided ; and on the platform were
Mr. Cremer, who attended as a deputation from the
National Reform League, and Messrs. G. Blake, W.
Livingstone, T. Downing, J. F. Neave, &c., all prominent
local advocates of extensive modifications in our represen-
tative system. The chairman, referring to the present
position of Yarmouth, said he would not again rake up
the miserable revelations made before the royal commis-
sioners, but be believed that both sides were heartily
ashamed of what they had done. Mr. Cremer addressed
the meeting at great length, and the local speakers were
Messrs. Neave, Turgay, Harrison, Livingston, De Coot,
and Crane. Mr. Livingstone stated that a 7/. qualification
would add ROO new voters to the Yarmouth constituency,
and a 6/. one 2,500, when the tones would have no chance
of again returning Sir E. Lacon. Resolutions in support
of the objects of the National Reform League were passed
unanimously, and at the close Mr. Cremer put this notable
question to the audience, " Do you believe that vote by
ballot would have the effect of putting an end to corrup-
tion and bribery in this town? " As one man, the assembly
rose rn maw, and cried vehemently " Yes!"
NATIONAL REFORM UNION. —The second of a
series of meetings held under the auspices of the Glossop
branch of the National Reform Union was held in the
Wesleyan Schoolroom, Old Glossop, on Tuesday evening,
Mr. F. Buckley in the chair. After stating the object of
the meeting, and pointing out the great importance of
every person present being activelyintemted in promoting
the present agitation of the reform question, the chairman
called upon Mr. J. France, who moved a resolution calling
the earnest attention of the people to the present aspect of
the reform question, and declaring that nothing but a full
and comprehensive measure of parliamentary reform would
satisfy their demands. Hr. M. Smith, who attended as a
deputation from the central executive, seconded the reso-
lotion, which was carried amidst applause. Speeches were
delivered by the Rev. T. Atkin and the Rev. J. Wilson,
which were warmly received by the audience.
THE REFORM LEAGUE.—The Clerkenwell branch
of the Reform League, which has played a prominent part
in connection with the reform movement, it having been
the first to commence the holding of open-air demonstra-
tions. held its annual meeting last night, at the Union-
hall, St. John's-square. for the purpose of electing the
officers for the ensuing year, and to receive a balance-sheet.
Mr. J. Coffey, the chairman of the branch, was unani-
mously re-elected, as were also Mr. Blanchard, the lion.
secretary, and Mr. Mackay, the treasurer. The ordinary
business having been transacted, a resolution pledging the
meeting to support the proposed Reform League demon-
stration at the opening of parliament was moved by Mr.
Blythe, seconded by Mr. Weston, and supported by Mr.

Bnglity.
NAVAL COURT MARTIAL.—A court-martial was
held at Devonport on Thursday, on board the Royal Ade-
laide, guardshir, in Hamoaze, for thetrialof Thomas Tow-
nley, a private in the Royal Marines Light infantry, be-
longing to the 60th companyof the Woolwich division, for
tiring a rifle, loaded with gunpowder and ball, at Sergeant
Robert Urquhart, Royal Marines Light infantry, belong-
ing to the 72nd company of the Woolwich division, his
superior officer, with intent to murder him. He was
found guilty and sentenced to transportation for life.
[Adcertisement.l_HoLtowaY's Oirrtawr AND
im.ta —Ready to Meld —Every good and generous person feels
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to afflicted humanity, Ms noble remedies reach the seat of
every malady, whether It be on the surface, or hidden in the
darter Melba of the Interior of the !system, and thus extirpate
it, if that be possible. Plainly printed instructices for the
guidance of invalids envelop every par-Lige of them restoratives,
the reputation of which h not only European batextmadathrough-
oat Um globe.