The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-18 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL,

A meeting of the Court of Common Council was held
yesterday in the Council Chamber, Guildhall. The Lord
Mayor presided.

THE SHEFFIELD CALAMITY.

Mr. It, N. Puiairrs, in alluding to this sad catastrophe,
said he would not expatiate upon the sad details of that
melancholy occurrence, as each day brought from the neigh
bourhood fresh details of desolation and distress ; and the
accounts as they appeared, instead of showing that the first
description WAS over-painted, continued to furnish treela in-
stances for public benevolence. He had been in communi-
cation with the mayor and town-clerk of Suffield, and it
appeared that not only had numbers of people lost their
lives, but the fliod had passed through the different streets
with such devastating power as to reduce the inhabitants to
the direst distress, not only rendering destitute the artisans,
but others who resided there, and who gave them their em-
ployment. A public meeting had been held at Sheffield, and
it was stated that 250 persons were known to have perished,
and the condition of the surviving sufferers was such as no
report could afford an idea of. .ZNot only had lives been lost,
but an immense amount of property had been destroyed,
and nothing but destitution and misery reigned around. He
was sure he should have the unanimous approval of the
Court, when he said it was a case which called for public
benevolence, and ono on which the Corporation of London
should stretch forth a helping hand. Ho should move—
" That this Court do contribute the sum of 400 guineas in
aid of the sufferers by the recent inundation in the neigh-
bourhood of Sheffield."

One of the members from behind called out " make it
£500," upon which there was a strong manifestation in
favour of the larger amount, and Mr. Philipps said he had
named the sum he had mentioned in the motion feeling sure
that he should meet with no opposition for that amount, and
he desired to have a unanimous feeling in the matter ; but
if the Court thought fit to suspend the standing order he
should most certainly support the larger sum.
A show of hands was taken in favour of tke suspension
of the standing order, and the motion, which was seconded
by the chairman, with the substitution of £5OO for four
hundred guineas, was unanimously agreed to.

_ .
THE PROJECTED CITY RAILWAYS.
Mr. Deputy Lott brought up a report from the Special
Railways Committee, with the draft of petitions to the House
of Commons, praying that they will suspend for this session
all legislation on the subject of proposed railway schemes
coming into the city, and that amendments may be made
in the Lands' Clauses Consolidation Act, and the Railway
Clauses Consolidation Act.

---
Mr. Deputy LOTT moved the adoption of the report, which
was agreed to.

THE HIGH BAILIFF OF SOUTIIIITARK.
A report was brought up by Mr. H. N. PhiliPPs) from the
Officers and Clerks Committee, "Oa the reterence to in-
quire into any circumstances affecting the fitness of William
Gresham, Esq,, to fill the office of Bailiff of the Borough of
Southwark."
The report was discussed with closed doors, but the result
was that Mr, William Gresham was re-eloeted to fill the
office of High Bailiff of Southwark.