The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-20 00:00:00

THE CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY.

After our report left yesterday,
Mr. BILLINGS moved, and Mr. TlP:meson seconded, the
following amendment :—" That the house at Rockhills
continue to be occupied by Mr. Bewley, the general
manager, until arrangements are made for its ultimate
destination, and that in the meantime no expenditure be
incurred in a new residence for the general manager."
Mr. PUNCHES found fault with the refreshment depart-
ment. The porter and tea and coffee, he said, were espe-
cially inferior, and if a visitor wanted a glass of water, he
could not get it without waiting half an hour, and even
then it would probably be served Man unwashed beer-glass.
(Hear, hear.) There could he no doubt that numbers were
kept away from the Palace on account of the dearness and
bad quality of the refreshments. (Applause.) Smoking
at the Crystal Palace was also a great nuisance. (A
Mr. SAUNDERS thought Mr. Bowley's salary was not too
large. (Oh, oh.) He objected to the additional charges
to visitors which were springing up. Once being admitted
all portions of the ground should be free. (Hear, hear.)
Captain MACDONALD said, as an old engineer, he could
bear testimony to the admirable manner in which the
Crystal Palace was managed, and he earnestly warned the
shareholders not to quarrel with so talented and conscien-
tious a manager as Mr. Bewley.
After a rather warm conversation respecting Mr. Bewley
and Rockhillz.
The CHAIRMAN said he greatly regretted the manner in
which Mr. Bowley's name had been dealt with. The
company owed a debt of gratitude to that gentleman, and
the lose of his services would be the greatest misfortune
that could happen. He (the chairman), in the name of
his colleagues, strongly protested against the imputation
that Mr. Bewley was overpaid. When the subject of the
residence was first mooted, Mr. Bewley offered to have
his salary reduced, or to pay asum of money towards the
building, but the directors had too high an opinion of his
value to entertain the offer. (Hear, hear.) As to the re-
freshment department, the present contract expired next
spring. Smoking was forbidden in the palace, but not in
the grounds.
The amendment was carried by a large majority, and the
other portions of the report were adopted.
Messrs. Bicknell, Nasmyth, and Horsley were re-elected
directors.
After an unsuccessful atttempt to adjourn the meeting,
Sir CHARLES Fox moved a resolution of which he had
previously given notice, objecting to the opening of the
Crystal Palace on Sundays to shareholders, calling
upon the directors to close it and the grounds on those
days. Some of Sir Charles' arguments were received with
great disfavour. The motion was seconded by ?dr. J. GIRDLE-
STONE, who was frequently requested to • Cut it short,"
and whose opinions were greeted with derisive remarks and
final uproar. The arguments advanced both by the mover
and seconder of the resolution were that the admission of
shareholders was a desecration of the Sabbath, that it was
injurious to the material interests of the company, and
contrary to its character.
An amendment was moved by Mr. J. B. LANGLET, eon-
demning the '• offensive conduct " of a " small minority,"
and regretting that the general public were prevented
from going to the Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoons.
Mr. BILLINGS seconded the motion, and a discussion fol-
lowed. The attempt of any gentleman opposing the
amendment to speak was the invariable signal for uproar,
and the Chairman was several times obliged to call the
meeting to order. 11 hen ultimately put to the vote,
the amendment was carried by a large majority, amidst
loud cheers from the anti-sabbatarians, and a formal pro-
test handed in by Mr. Girdlestone.
A vote of thanks was given to the chairman at the close
of the meeting.