The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-19 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY.

After our report left yesterday,
A long discussion took place on the Sunday ques-
tion, respecting which several notices of motion had been
given. One was by Sir CHARLE3FUX, who had given notice
of his intention to move—" That, consistently with the
spirit of the company's charter, the palaos and grounds
shall be closed on the Lmd's Day, and no expense what-
ever incurred in keeping them open for the visite of share-
holders, or the admission of other parties." And another
was by Mr. G. F. Citronella, " That this meeting con-
sider the opening of the Crystal Palace to the public on
Sundays is contrary to the law of God, is a violation of the
company's charter, and is prejudicial to the pecuniary pro-
spent; of the company and it requests the directors not
to allow any more Sunday openings to take place."
Sir C. Fox's resolution, however, was not moved, but
Mr. Chambers's was, and Sir C. Fox seconded it.
Mr. BAITER LANGLEY moved an amendment affirming
that it is highly desirable to afford greater facilities for
the educational cul,ure and rational recreation of the pub.
Sc, and that the shareholders ought not to be excluded
from their own property on the Sunday ; and requesting
the directors would apply for a supplemental charter to
ask for a repeal of the "obnoxious clause" which pre-
vents the Crystal Palace being open to the public on
Sunday afternoon.
A discussion ensued of some length, the supporters of
the motion advocating it on religious grounds, while those
who were in favour of the amendment contended that the
opening of the palace on Sundays would have a tendency
to draw persons from the public-houses. There was no
novelty in the arguments on either side, but the meeting
was startled by a lady, who was stated to be
a Mrs. Laws, standing up to speak in favour of the
amendment, which she supported, she said, "in
the interest of the lady portion of the population
of this metropolis." After she hail cooked the dinner,
washed the children, and prepared herself on the Sunday
forenoon, she was quite ready in the afternoon to take •
tripto the Crystal Palace to look at her own property,
and she denied that this was, as Mr. Chambers had
alleged, a violation of the laws of God. What did he
know about it! Had he had a special revelation? If he
had, he ought to tell them about it.
On a show of hands the amendment was carried by 12
to 32.

Another discussion was then raised on a matter arising
eat of the same subject.
Mr. Maser complained that the Sunday League, who
were entrusted by the directors with the distribution of
nhareholders' friends' tickets admitting to the palace on
two Sundays in the year, virtually sold the tickets by
giving them only to persons who purchased a Sunday
League ticket, and he moved a resolution requesting the
board to direct that the tickets be distributed direct from
the offices of the company.
Mr. Barren LANGLIT indignantly denied the charge
made against the Sunday League ; and
Mr. lilortm. said no money was taken except in accord-
ance with the advertisement.
Mr. LTDDEART moved se an amendment that no free
admissions on Sundays be panted to non-shareholders.
The motion and amendment were both negatived ; but a
poll was demanded for the amendment, and Sxed to take
place at the Crystal Palace on the 31st instant.
The meeting was then made special to consider the de-
sirability of appiying for a supplemental charter enabling
the directors to grant building leases of such parts of the
outlying lands of the company as are not required for the
purposes of the undertaking.
eiraritime moved a resolution authorising the direc-
tors to apply for a supplemental charter. Before adopting
a building scheme they would submit it to the shareholders
for approval. . .

MT.IONIDES moonded the resolution.
Dr. Barstow opposed the motion. There were no out.
Ding lands which they could build upon without spoiling
the palace grounds.
Mr. Dialt said he thought no supplemental charter was
aseded, and he moved an amendment, that the matter be
Prpostponed till the directors have prepared a full statement
ctat is proposed to be &me with the surplus lauds,
and that that statement should be submitted to a special
smiting.
The CHAIRMAN said the directors would adopt the
amendment._

The amendment was then agreed to, and after a cordial
vote of thanks to the chairman and directors and the staff,
the proceedings came to a close at a quarter past five
o'clock, harinj lasted four hours and a quarter.

THE INCREASE IN THE INCOME TAX. —The
following statement, supplied to us by the armor of
taxes in this district, will be of service, showing the
range which has recently occurred:—The charge for in-
comes mode by trade or professions will be 541. in the
pound for the whole year ending April 5, 1868. Oa chief
rents, interest, irc., the tax of 4d. in the pound having
been paid or received up to the 24th of June last, the legal
charge frora that date to the end of December will be at
the rats of 501., and for the quarter ending April 5, 1858,
sd. For example, take a chief rent of 201. per *MUM.
The Ant quarter, already paid, OD 5/. at 4d. was Is. Bd. ;
the second and third qnartent, now doe, on 101. at 50. is
da. 7d. ; the fourth quarter, due April 5, 18614, on 5/. at sd.
will be 2a. Id. ; tr.tel, 201. at sil. is St 4(1. But for facility
of calculation and to avoid fractions it would be mere
advisable to pay or receive on all sums due at the present
time at the rata of 6d. in the pound, so that on the
quarter ending April 5,1868, there will only be • charge
of 4(1. due r as the tint quarter.—Manchretn Examiner.
THE Nam PALACE Or WESTMINSTER. —Two large
atone statues are now placed in the niches allotted to them
at the entrance to the' Clock-tower-porch," in New Palace.
yard. This porch leads to the Speaker's garden and the
Members' private entrance. The statue on the right
approaching the Houses of Parliament from New Palace-
yard is or of William the Conqueror, and that on the left
of King John. The whole of the arcade facing the Speaker's
residence is now rapidly approaching completion. Orna-
mental gilt gas lights, in unison with those already erected,
are now being fixed over the twelve archways of the arcade,
and the illuminated glass windows will be completed before
the reseenibling of parliament In fact, this addition to
the buililind will by that time be all but complete. The
two marble drinking fountains in the House of Commons
long gallery, where the committee rooms are situated, are
new permanently Axed and available for nee.