The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-20 00:00:00

Metropolitan Board of Works.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the Metropolitan Board
of Works was hold yesterday at the offices, Spring-gar-
dens—Sir John Thwaites the chairman, presiding.
Mr. DALTON called the attention of the board to the fact
that Mr. John Thwaites, their chairman, had received the
honour of knighthood from her Majesty, and in doing so
said—As her Majesty has done our chairman the honour of
conferring on him the honour of knighthood, which we all
rejoice to see, I think ft is a compliment conferred on the
whole board—(hear, hear).—and I trust that he may be
blessed with health and strength to perform the duties of
his office for many years to come. (Cheers.)
Mr. SAVAGE proposed that the words of Mr. Dalton be
entered on the minutes of the board.

Mr. NICHOLAY said there was no doubt the board was
very much pleased at the compliment that had been passed
upon them through their chairman, and he hoped that he
would long occupy the position he now so ably filled.
(Hear.) He then seconded the proposal of Mr. Savage, and
it was agreed to.

The CHAIFMAN then said—Gentlemen, I thank you for
the expression of your kindly feelings in reference to the
honour which her Majesty has been pleased to confer on
myself. It has been truly stated that it is not so much an
honour to myself as to the board over which I have the
honour to preside. I think this board will not object to
enter on its minutes the letter which I received from Sir
George Grey, as it is a part of the history of this board,
and ought to be recorded on the minutes of their proceed-
ings. I, therefore, propose that the clerk shall be instructed
to enter that letter ou the minutes of their proceedings.
The suggestion was acceded to.

Mr. POLLARD, the clerk to the board, read communica-
tions from the St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Vestry, St. Mary-
lebone Vestry, Strand District Board of Works, St. Saviour's,
Hackney, Westminster, and Whitechapel District Boards ;
the Paddington, St. Mary Stratford, Kensington, and Shore-
ditch Vestries ; the Common Council of the City, and
from Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Norwood, protesting against
the proposed grant of £lO,OOO to the engineers.
They were ordered to be entered on the minutes of the
board.
Mr. Sam; the solicitor to the Wuxi, ;brought up the

new Fire Brigade Bill, of which he had made the following
analysis :—The metropolis is defined to comprise all parts
within the jurisdiction of the board. After the Ist of Jan,
1866, the duty of the board shall be deemed to be. to extin-
guish fires and protect life and property from fire, and for
that purpose they shall have the power of providing and
maintaining an efficient force, properly equipped. The
board was also empowered to purchase buildings and land
for stations, stables, and dwellings, houses for the firemen,
and to contract to lay down telegraphic communication
from one station to another. The sixth clause gave them
power to purchase the existing plants of the Fire Brigade,
together with their offices and building. The force was to
be constituted under the command of an officer, to be called
the chief officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The
chief officer and men of the Fire Brigade were to be ap-
pointed and removed to the pleasure of the board. The
board was to regulate salaries, pensions, and rewards for
services. They were also to have power to make arrange-
ments for the purchase of fire escapes, or to contribute to
the funds of fire escape societies. The powers of the brigade
were next defined, and the police were overpowered toassist
them in the execution of their duties. To meet the ex-
penses of the brigade every office that insured against fire
will have to pay £35 per annum fox every million pounds
sterling of property they insured fn the metropolis, and the
contributions are to be considered as specialty debts due to
the board, and recovered accordingly. The Treasury was
to contribute a sum annually, not exceeding £lO,OOO, ac-
cording as Parliament might vote it. The board might,
with the consent of the Treasury, borrow £40,000 for the
purposes of the act. Then followed various miscellaneous.
provisions for regulating officers, penalties for chimneys on
fire, recovery of penalties, audit of accounts, and of establish-
ment of a salvage force, for employing the force beyond the
metropolis, and to permit the brigade to be used within
the metropolis, for special services, on terms to bo agreed
upon. The board was empowered to levy a rate not exceed-
ing id. in the pound, to be raised like the rates under the
Metropolis Local Management Act, except that the beard
was to issue a warrant to the overseers, who were to collect
the money with the poor rate.

The board adopted the general principles of the bill, and
referred it to the Streets Committee to consider the clauses
in detail.

Mr. BAZALGETTE brought up the report of Dr. Lotheby
and himself relative to the nuisances created by certain
manufactories at Crossness. It went into the details very
minutely, and described them as intolerable nuisances, and
very injurious to the health of the officers connected with
the Main Drainage Works.
The report was referred to the Main Drainage Committee,
with power to take such steps as were necessary to remove
the nuisances complained of.

The routine business having been disposed of, the board
adjourned.

Extraordinary Charge of Using Threats.

William Cooper, tho secretary to the London Engineering
and Iron Shipbuilding Company, was yesterday placed at
the bar of the Mansion house, before the Lord Mayor,
having been apprehended by Detective-sergeant Funnel!,
upon a warrant signed by his lordship, charging him with
having used towards Capt. Symonds threatening language,
and causing him to go in bodily fear.
Mr. Wainewright appeared for the complainant, and Mr.
Wontner appeared for the defendant.
Mr. Wainewright stated that the defendant was the
secretary of the London Engineering and Iron Ship-build-
ing Company, of which the complainant was the chairman.
The defendant had unfortunately latterly given way to
intemperance to such a degree as to call for some remon-
strance on the part of Mr. Symonds. Since then the de-
fendant had behaved in a very extraordinary manner—
carrying horse-pistols about with him, and sharpening
knives and daggers, which he said he was going to use
against different people. On the 13th instant Mr. Symonds
wrote to Mr. Cooper a letter of remonstrance, and received
in reply the following letter:—" My'dear Sir,—l have re
ceived your letter of the 13th instant ; the contents of it I
do not understand. lam not aware of anything terrible
in my conduct. I have warned you, not once but twice,
before not to cross me. I now beg to say that I intend
summoning a special meeting of directors on Tuesday
next, the 16th instant, as I consider the contents of
your letter so deeply involve the interests of the com-
pany of which I have the great honour to be the secre-
tary, that I must have these charges investigated, and
that, too, sans peur, sans reproche.—l have the honour
to be, sir, your most obedient, Wm. COOPER:.
On Saturday night last the defendant called at Mr.
Symonds'house, and wished to see him, and on being told
that he was out he said if he saw him he would do for him.
In fact, the defendant's conduct had become so peculiar
that the only conclusion to be arrived at was that his mind
was deranged.
Mr. Edward Symonds was examined, and said he was a
captain in the Royal navy, and was the chairman of the
London Engineering and Iron Ship-building Company, of
60, Fenchurch-street, of which the defendant was secretary.
lie had known the defendant about 15 years, having been
during that time intimately associated with him. He in-
troduced him to the company of which he was secretary.
About three weeks ago ho observed the defendant to be
very excited in his manner, and noticed certain irregulari-
ties in his attendance at the office; and although he had
previously received any remarks from witness in perfect
good humour, he appeared latterly to become excited upon
the least possible:difference of opinion. The letterproduced,
and which had been read by Mr.Wainewright, was in the de-
fendant's handwriting, and he received it in answer to one he
wrote the defendant on the morning of the 13th. On the
night of that day, about half-past ten, the defendant, with
his wife, called at witness's house, in Adam-street, Adelphi,
and asked to see him. By his instructions the housekeeper
denied him, and defendant said he would write him a letter.
He then went into witness's office, and remained there about
an hour, and he heard him leave the office and call the
housekeeper to tell her to give that letter to that fellow,
and toll him it was his last chance. (The letter which had
been produced was the same.) He hoard defendant stamping
and knocking his stick on the floor, telling the housekeeper
not to be afraid him, nor to be afraid to give him the let-
ter, and said it was lucky for the that he was not at
home, or he would knock him down and do for him. Wit-
ness said he was not actuated by any malicious motive, but
rather the contrary ; but ho must say he was afraid his life
was in danger from defendant's conduct.
Sergeant Funnell said he apprehended the prisoner on the
previous evening about five o'clock. He and Sergeant
Scott saw him in a cab, and got in after him. He (witness)
caught hold of his hands and told him he could not let him
go as he had firearms about him. Defendant said he had a
loaded pistol, and he took from his trousers pocket a small
seven-chamber revolver, loaded and capped. He told the
defendant he could not loose him yet as he believed he had
a dagger strapped to his leg. Defendant said he had not,
and would show him. Witness, however, caught hold of
his leg, but he only found the sheath of a dagger buckled
, on his leg. The dagger he afterwards found had been
, taken away for safety. In defendant's pocket he found a
' purse full of cartridges.
Tho Lord Mayor said he could not think of allowing the
defendant to be at large after what he had heard.
Mr. Wontner suggested that an early day should be fixed
The defendant was accordingly remanded until this day
(Saturday).

The Poonah has arrived from Alexandria with
£22,876.

Leotard, the accomplished performer on the
trapeze, has at length performed once too often. He has
had a bad fall at Madrid and broken his leg.
THE CHARGE AGAINST PRESIDENT DAVIS. —We
shall not be so forgetful of our honour—we shall not so in-
sult our readers—as to point out how baseless is this scan-
dalous charge against the gallant gentleman, who, under
the most fearful provocation, would not and did not reta-
liate on the Federals for their atrocities. We hope that
President Davis will not fall into the hands of his enemies.
If he does he will doubtless be murdered. President John-
son will not care for the protests of England and France,
if such protests have been sent to Washington. If Presi-
dent Davis is to suffer a felon's death at the North sure we
are that he will meet his fate with the calmness, fortitude,
and dignity that becomes a pure patriot, a brave gentle-
man, and a devout Christian. President Johnson may
murder Jefferson Davis—will murder him if he has the
opportunity, but he cannot foul the great and glorious
name of his victim.—lndez
THE ALLEGED E3IBEZZLEMENT BY A RAILWAY
SECRETARY.—Since the shocking death of Mr.
Wholon, the late secretary of the North Western Railway,
an examination of the accounts of the various charities and
concerns of which ho was treasurer, or of which he had
the management, has been made, and it appears that,
though the books have not been kept in a systematic
manner, no deficiency has yet been found in any of them,
except the North Western accounts, in which defalcations
have been discovered to the extent of £39,000, for which
the company are responsible. It is thought that a further
deficiency may still appear. The deceased was unfortunate
in his speculation as a shipowner. Just previous to the
break out of the war in America he embarked in the cotton
trade, being part owner of some mills in Preston, and this
speculation has proved an unprofitable one. It is stated
that in addition to these ho had speculated largely in the
Confederate Loan, and has been a sufferer to a very large
amount. Great anxiety is felt by some of the holders of
securities as to tho genuineness of the signatures attached
to the debentures deposited with them. Mr. Alcock, the
chairman of the company, is at present on the Continent,
and nothing will be kuown until he has been communi-
cated with.—Mandester Courie,

Mr. HARTLEY seconded the motion.
After some explanations the motion was carried
unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN next moved the adoption of a bill
for the amalgamation with this company of the
Cleveland-Railway Company. The bill gave power
to construct two short ironstone branches, seven
miles and two chains in length, in the northern
portion of Cleveland.
Mr. J. W. ppAsr, seconded the motion, which was
carried.

The CHAIRMAN moved that the meeting approved
a bill for making and maintaining the East and
West Yorkshire Union Railway.
Mr. SEYMOUR seconded the motion, which was
carried.

The meeting was then adjourned for a week.

LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER.

Yesterday a special general meeting of this com-
pany was held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Pimlico, for
the purpose of considering several bills now before
Parliament ; Lord Sondes in the chair.

Mr. W. E. Johnson, the secretary, having read
the notice convening the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN said the following were the bills
in which the company were interested, and to which
the shareholders were asked to give their sanction :
A bill to authorise the company to make connecting
railways and to widen parts of their existing railways
in Surrey, and to acquire additional lands ; to pro-
vide for the abandonment of a railway authorised by
the Crystal Palace and South London Junction Rail-
way Act (1862) ; a bill to authorise the company to
make a short connecting railway at Beckenham, and
to abandon certain authorised lines ; to make provi-
sions as to the working of their traffic and that of
the South-Eastern Railway Company ; to confer
further powers to the Kent Coast Company, and
exemptions
_from dues and privileges at Broad-
stairs, Ramsgate, and Margate ; a bill to . provide
for a contribution by the London and South Wes-
tern Railway Company to the undertaking of the
London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company,
and for the user by them of part of that under-
taking ; a bill to authorise the construction of rail-
ways to connect Deal and Walmer and Dover, in
the county of Kent ; a bill for authorising the Lon-
don and South Western Railway Company to make
new works, and for the amalgamation with their
undertaking of the undertakings of divers railway
companies, and for authorising arrangements re-
specting divers railways, and for regulating and in-
creasing the capital and borrowing powers of the
London and South Western Railway Company, and
for other purposes. Those bills had been before
described to the shareholders.

Mr. Newman, the solicitor to the company, hav-
ing read the heads of the bills,
The CHAIRMAN moved formal resolutions approv-
ing them, which were agreed to, and a vote of
thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND SOUTH LONDON
JUNCTION.

Yesterday a special meeting of this company was
held at the Victoria station, Pimlico, for the pur-
pose of considering a bill to authorise the London,
Chatham, and Dover Railway to make connecting
railways, and to widen parts of their existing rail-
ways in Surrey, and to acquire lands to provide for
the abandonment of a railway authorised by the
Crystal Palace and South London Junction Rail-
way Act, 1862. Sir C. Roney was in the chair.
The solicitor having read the heads of the bill,
The CHAIRMAN proposed a resolution formally
approving it, which was carried, and the meeting
separated.

E. MOES
LONDON HAOUNSESD, 813
S S
154, 155, 150. 157, lifinories; 83, 84, 85,88, 89, Aldgate
506, 507, 508, New Oxford —street ; 1,2, 3, Hart-street
137, 138, Tottenham-court-road ; 288, Euston-road
Also, Bralford, Yorkshire.