The Express.
London, England, 1866-11-10 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS,

flabsti ants iffilitarg.

ADMIRALTY, NOV. 9. -ArPOINIMENTS. —Assistant-
Burpon—Dr. John R. Burke, to the Medusa.
dasistant-Clerk—J. W. Davey (additional), to the
Princess Royal.
Naval Cadet (norninated)-11. B. Ommanney.
Aetvig First Clam Assistant-Engineer—G. Brewer
(Imnornumerary), to the Formidable.
second Class Assistant-Engineer—E. Tricker (additional),
`to the Reindeer.

CHATHAM, Nov. 9.
The Hercule!, 12, 1,200-horse power, ironclad
frigate, building at this dockyard, is being rapidly pushed
forward, and notwithstanding that she was commenced
only a few months since, so great bag been the progress
effected that she has already two tiers of plating, of nine
inches and six inches respectively, already bolted to her
port and starboard broadsides. Her iron main deck beams
Imvs all been fixed, and her watertight compartments
completed. Some delay, however, is likely to arise in the
further progress of the work, in consequence of the diffi-
culty experienced in obtaining the proper supplies of iron
from the °retractors.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 9.

- - •
The Irresistible, 68, screwline of battleship, Cap-
tain John &MUNI, C. 8., left Portsmouth for Southampton
water this morning.
The Bellerophon, 14, iron frigate, Captain B. Tatham
the Wivern, 4, iron screw turret ship, Captain li. F.
Burgoyne, V.C. ; and the Research! 4, iron screw sloop,
Commander B. A. Stott, have come into harbour to repair
defects. The Terrible, 21, paddle frigate, C^.ptain J. B.
Commerell, V.C., bar also been docked for the same

Pugnpeedy, 3, screw vessel, Muter Commander Charles
Burney, sailed to-day for the Channel Islands.

PROPOSED EXTENSION OP VICTORIA-PARS.

Yesterday a deputation, consisting of Mr. John
Holms, Dr. Hammersley Black, Messrs. John Plummer*
George Gayland (churchwarden of Hackney), Mark Coles,
George Dornbusch, Crompton. and Marshall, waited spon
Lord John Manners, on behalf of a society lately formed{
for the preservation and extension of Victoria-park. The
deputation was introduced by Mr. Plummer.
Mr. Jolts HOLIES stated that the deputation sought to
obtain his lordship's assistance in the preservation of Vic-
toria-park, by preventing the further erection of buildings on
the north ride, and by favouring the extension of the park '
by adding to it the Hackney-marshes, of 345 acres, the
downs of 50 sores, the common of 30 acres, and London-
fields of 2l acres, which would make, with the present area
of Victoria-park i 220 awes), • spacious park area of
672 urea. The West-end parka, including Kensington-
gardens and Battersea-park, amount to 1,500 acres, which
gives 500 acres of park to every 766,000 inhabitants—so
that the proposals of the deputation would only place the
inhabitants of the East-endon a par with those of the West-
end. In the East-end there is a great need of fresh air
and open spaces, owing to the vast population there being
choked with poisonous or polluting factories. As the old
antagonists of the Victoria-park—the gas companies—were
moving again, the people of the Tower Hamlets, who were
grateful to his lordship for his former support, appealed to
the government, through him, not to permit the oecupa-
tion of ground of so much importance to the public health.
The overseer of Hackney has reported upon the
importance of open spaces being secured for the people
before the current of speculation, now set in, sweeps all
away. The society of which Mr. Helms was presidset
was preparing plans and details of ownership of property,
in order to submit to his lordship, as the people of the
Tower Hamlets were determined to contest with the gas
companies the question of breathing places for the popu-
lation there.
Dr. BLACK explained, in answer to a question by Lord
John Manners, that it was the intention of the society
represented by Mr. Flohne and the deputation to promote
the removal of the property lying between the marshes and
the perk, and make the whole into an enlarged park.
The people of the East-end had set their fates against any
further encroachment of gas companies.
Mr. GOWLAND said there was money lying in the Bank
of England, produce of public land,which might be avail-
able for park extension. The gas oompamee were all-
powerful and the people feared them, and were jealous of
their parks.
Mr. MARK COLES and Mr. MARSHALL corroborated Mr.
Helms 's representations as to the packed condition of the
population so justly seeking protection at his lordship's
hands.
Lord JOHN MANNERS made several very pertinent in-
quiries .s to whether the deputation had matured their
own proposals. For himself, he was certainly anxious, as
far as might lie in his power, to promote the public health
and convenience of the people. It struck him,however, that
the deputation went far beyond the preservation of Vic-
toria-park ; they proposed the creation of a new park. He
did not think the Rouse of Commons would furnish funds
for that, but would expect metropolitan funds to provide
for any future park. Had the deputation seen the Metro-
politan Board ? Did not the proposal before him rather
lie with that body to consider? No gas companies had
been to him; indeed they were not required to give notice
to his office of their proceedings. He should have pleasure
in giving such attention as lay within his province to any
plans they might wish to lay before him.
Mr. Homes tendered several explanations, and having
thanked his lordship for his courtesy in receiving the
deputation, they withdrew.