The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-04 00:00:00

THS HOLBORN VALLZT IMPBOVIJITHT.

Mr. H. i7iBlAcs7 the chairmen of Coal and Corn
and Finazzo:* Committee, brought up • report from that
committee, reoommendiugthe raiaingof the rum of 500,0001.
for the purprees of the Holborn Valley Improvement.
Agreed to.
LORD MAYOR'S DAT.

Mr. W. Hewyrr, the chairman of the General Purposes
Committee, brought up a report from that committee sug-
gesting several alterations in the arrangements for the
convenience and comfort of the guests invited to jimrteke
of the hospitality of the City of London at Guildhall as
the 9th of November, with a view to prevent the annoy-
ance and confusion that took place at the last and several
previous occasions.
It will be remembered that after Lord Mayor's day last
year grave comlaints were made of the want of proper
arrangements for the reception of the guests, the Lord
Chancellor and several other distinguished guests being
actually unable to obtain a seat, and the crowding and
crushing being of the most unpleasant description. Tbi
subject was first discussed in the Court of Aldermen, and
it was subsequently brought forward in the Court of
Common Council, where, upon the motion of Mr.'
lirGeorge, the unbitten was referred to the General Pur-
poses Committee, for them to consider what new arrange 7
went' should be made to obviate the evil' that were com-
plained of, and to report thereon to the court. The report
now brought up was the result, and the effect of it ap-
' peered to be that the inconvenience complained of arose
principally from toe large • number of guests being
invited. It appeared that each of the aldermen was
entitled by precedent to four tickets, amounting to
admissions for 100 persons, and all the other mem-
bers of the corporation had similar privileges, the
effect being that it was necessary to invite something
like 1,200 persons, whereas the hail mould only accommo-
date conveniently about 800, and under such circumstances
crowding and confusion could not be prevented. The
committee had been in connection with the Privileges
Committee of the Court of Aldermen upon the subject, and
that body were willing to forego their right to a certain
portion of the tickets to be allotted to them, as were also
other members of the corporation, and the committee
recomiuended in the result that the number of guests
should be limited to 810, for which ample accommodation
could be provided.
A somewhat warm and lengthened discussion took niece
upon the motion that the report he agreed to, and Mr.
M'George expressed his opinion that it would not meet
the difficulty, and he moved that it be referred back for
further consideration. He at the same time expressed

his opinion that the present system of providing the fonds
for the banquet on Lord Mayor's Day was an im-
proper one, and that it was • monstrous thing to call
upon the gentlemen who were just elected to fill the aloe
of sheriffs to oostribute • sum of 1,6001. towards the
expense of the banquet, t similar sum being paid by the
Lord Mayor. The sheriffs had the right to invite 100
guests, each one of whom coat them 151., and they of
course availed themselves of the privilege, but it appeared
to him that the corporation of London ought not to sanc-
tion such a proceeding, but the expense of the entertain-
ment of the chief magistrate ought to be paid out of the
City's cash, and the corporation should make all the neces-
sary arrangements as to the invitation of the guests.
Mr. H. L. Tsrton concurred in the opinion that the
present report was not satisfactory, but he defended the
system of the sheriffs contributing towards the cost of the
banquet on Lord Mayor's Day. He said it was • high
honour to fill the office of Sheriff of London, and they en-
joyed many privileges, such as admission to the presence
of royalty and to the very first society, and men of high
eminence as merchants and bankers were always ready to

come forward to accept the office with the con.dition; an-
nexed to it. (Hear, hear) He thought that many other
alterations besides those suggested by the committee rnigLt
have been made, and he did not see what right the thirty
junior officers of the corporation, who were always invited,
had to he present. They had leo no guarantee that the
aldermen would carry out the arrangement that was alluded
to in the report.
Alderman WILOON interposed, and said that the boa.
member need sot have any fear that the aldermen would
not carry out what they bad promised.
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said he should like to see it in black
and white. (Cries of " Oh, oh," and laughter.)
Alderman ALUM, the Lord Mayor elect, said that he
and his brother aldermen would do all in their power to
make the banquet elegant and comfortable for the guests.
At the same time he would observe that the expense of
the banquet was borne by the Lord Mayor and the sheriffs,
and they ought surely to be allowed to invite whom they
pleased. (Hear, hear.)
The amendment for referring the report back for further
consideration was then put and agreed to.
Mr. Rerun brought up a report from the Market Com-
mittee, recommending that the sum of 36,00 W. should be
expended in the erection of slaughter-houses at the new
Cattle Market, which was ordered to be printed, and the
court then adjourned.

ACCIDENT ON THE LANCASHIRE AND YORE.
SHIRE RAILWAY.—MANCHESTER, THORSDAY.—The roof
of • portion of the summit of a tunnel on the Lancashire
and Yorkshire Railway fell in this afternoon, blocking
the up line of rails. Fortunately beyond impeding the
traffic no accident has occurred.
ROYAL DISPENSARY FOR DISEASES OF THE EAR.
—The ball-yearly meeting of the governors of this
institution was bold at 10, Desmetreet, Soho-square; Mr.
J. F. Clarke in the chair. The report stated that during
the past year 5,168 patients were admitted, of whom •
great number were cured—tbe others materially relieved.
The chairman stated that • legacy of 5001. had been left by
the late Madam Tildesley de &ssett, which the committee
are happy to say will enable them to pay off part of • long
outstanding claim. Mr. Alexander Tuach proposed, and
Mr. J. H. Altmann seconded:—"That the warmest thanks
of the meeting are due to Mr. W. Harvey, the surgeon, for
his unwearied skill and attention to the increased number
of patients during the past year."
THE Lryzaroot, Corrow TRADE. —The depression
in the Liverpool cotton market ecetanues, and yesterday,
las a general rule, holden in order to effect sales had to ac-
cept lower rates. In the course of yesterday it transpired
that one firm, without exception the hired holders of
eet.on hi Liverpool, bad beau oompelled to succumb to
the pressure put upon them. The amount of Usk liabill.
ties is said to be very rest.