The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-22 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.

The weekly meeting of the board was held yes-
terday, and the following letter was read :
" iJ, Cheater-square, Feb. IR, 1868.
" Dear Sir John.—lt is now nearly nine months since
I intimated my intention of resigning my position as a
member of the Metropolitan board of Works in conse-
quence of my many other engagements not permitting
me to give the time necessary for the discharge of the
duties of that office. I was, however, at that time
informed that rumours prejudicial to my character and
position were being circulated, which iodated me to
delay my resignation pending an inquiry into the.
truth of these rumours, to which inquiry I not only
sweated, but earnestly desired and even demanded.
The Metropolitan Board of Works solemnly under- !
took such investigation, in which they have been engaged •
during the past three months—arriving at length at the
adoption of a resolution by a majority of twenty to seven
distinctly affirming th..t the statements affecting me have
not been proved. This conclusion, however, is so unsatis-
factory,
both for the board and myself, that it appears to
me there is but one course open for me to pursue—via., to
take such proceedings as I ma be advised before a pro-
perly constituted legal tribunal as will more clearly and
emphatically disprove the ellegatione brought against me.
Your board, however. having terminated the inquiry so .
far as I em concerned, I now revert to my original inten-
tion, and beg herewith to resign my position as a member
of the Metropolitan Board of Works, inasmuch aa my
engagements during the time which has elapsed have sos
only not diminished, but eousidmbly increased. It oily
remains for me to acknowled_x the courtesy and considers),
Mon which have been extended to we by • large majority
of the members of the board during my connexion with
that body, and to snare you that although my official
relations with the board now cease, I shall always have
pleasure, whether in the Howe of dommone or elsewhere,
in promoting the varied and important interests committed
to your charge.—l am, dear Sir John, very faithfully your,
Few. Doeuron. To the Chairman of the Metropolitan
Board of Welke."

Another long discussion took place in reference to the
Furness contract for the Thames Embankment, conse-
quent on 'a motion by Mr. Le Breton which was with.
drawn and the following carried in its dead on the
motion of Mr. Tureer :—" That the board is of
opinion that the charge against Mr. Roche of
having promised to support Mr. Foram in his applica-
tion for the embankment contract on condition of Mr. Fur.
new undertaking to take the granite he might require from
the Lundy Granite Company is destitute of foundation.
That the only connection of Mr. Roche with the trans-
action consists in his having, /his character of a solicitor
employed by the Lundy Company, to draw up and obtain
the signature of Mr. Furness to a entreat to take his
granite from thatoompany, in pursuance of Rearrangement
privately made with the company by Mr. Doulton. That
the course taken by Mr. Roche was not intended by him
to operate, and did not in fact operate, in any way to the
prejudice of the public interests. That such a course is,
nevertheless objectionable in itself, inasmuch se any con-
nection whatever, whether of a business or professional I
character, between a member of the board and a patty who
• lass contracted, or is in treaty for a contract with the
board, in reference to the subject matter of mush contract
or treaty, is calculated to shake the confidence of the
publics in the integrity of its proceedings." The board
adjourned shortly afterwards,

UNIVERSITY COLLZOE HOSPITAL.- —OR Wanes,.
day last his Graft the Duke of Cleveland. B. G., visited the
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arrangements for the skit preparatory to his taking the
chair at the email feettval of that institution o* Tuesday
next.
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