The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUEsDAY EVENING, DECEIVIBER 9, 1862

would not disappoint them. (Hear.) One hon.
member had stated that the report was full of ano-
malies, but he could not help expressing his opinion
that it was the very best report that had ever been
made by any committee. (Cries of oh, oh, and hear.)
If the real object for referring the matter back was
to create delay and give an opportunity for other
gentlemen to come forward as candidates, it ap-
peared to that they ought to say so, but he
really could see no other object for the postpone-
ment. (Hear.)
Mr. ELLIS supported the amendment, and said
he was certain that no solicitor of eminence in his
profession--and none other ought to be selected to
this greatXorporation—would accept the appoint-
ment at the salary of £1,250 per annum.
After some further discussion the question was
put, and the amendment was declared to be lost.
A division was demanded, when there appeared—
For the amendment 36
Against it ........ ........... 95
Majority against the amendment' —59
Mr. Rows then proposed that the amount of the
salary should be £1,500 per annum instead of
£1,250;, but the standing orders of the court pre-
cluding him from doing so without notice, he gave
one to the effect stated for the next court.
Deputy HARRISON then asked his lordship to
appoint a day for the election.

Mr. H. L. TAYLOR suggested Thursday, the 18th
inst., which he said he would be the week before
St. Thomas's Day. (A laugh.)
The LORD MAYOR said that he had no objection
to fix the day named, and the court then adjourned.

seven feet greater span. In other portions where the
line goes deeper, and there is great pressure to re-
sist, the form of the arch is altered to give it greater
strength, and the crown is taken to a height of 19
feet. At no part are the foundations taken less than
five feet into the solid ground beneath the rails, and
wherever extra strength has been necessary the
whole has been driven like a shaft, and a solid ring
of the most massive brickwork above and below.
From end to end the whole work is set in a square
bed of solid concrete, covered in on the top with
asphalts to keep all watertight. Never, probably,
has any tunnel been planned so greatly in excess of
the strain it is required to bear. The easier por-
tions were constructed in 12-feet lengths, at the
rate of 72 feet a week—quicker than any work of
the kind has ever been accomplished ; but when
passing near churches or other heavy buildings a
regular shaft had, as we have said, to be driven by
skilled miners in four-feet lengths, and from the
great care requisite at these parts the works ad-
vanced but slowly.

Along the whole line all the stations are open to
the air, except two—that at Gower-street, and that
at Baker-street, which are underground. One of
these, however, by a serious of most ingeniously
contrived openings in the sides of the tunnel,
communicating with the forecourts or front gar-
dens of the houses above, is almost as well lighted
by daylight as those open to the air. The Portland
road station is lighted by domes above the tunnel
itself. The King's-cross station is as large, lofty,
and as well lighted as any of the best metropolitan
termini ;so also is that at Farringdon-street. The
Paddington station is, as a piece of construction,
marvellous for the skill with which a small but
most convenient terminus is made out of an odd
corner of the Great Western Company's ground
near the Bishop's-road bridge.
At present it is arranged to commence running
with no less than 90 trains a day each way, from
6 a.m. to 10 30 or 11 p.m., the trains starting at 10-
minute intervals during the busy hours. These
facilities will soon be further increased to trains at
five-minute intervals, with express trains going
through without stopping from terminus to termi-

us, and the hours of traffic will probably be ex-
tended to midnight. The fares even by first-class
will be lower than the present omnibus rates, and
twice in the morning and evening each way working
men's trains will run, taking passengers the whole
distance for id. per head.
As soon as possible after the opening it is intended
to proceed with the construction of the main line to
Finsbury. The-cost of the whole undertaking is
estimated at less than £1,300,000. Had it been taken
on a viaduct it would have cost nearly four times
this amount, and absolutely spoilt some of the finest

streets in the metropolis. Whether or not it will
be remunerative as a speculation has yet to be seen ;
but, paying or not paying, it must be a great con-
venience to the public.

7IIE RE-ASSESSMENT IN S 7. GEORGE
2.11 E ALA.R7YR, SOUTHWARK.

A considerable amount of excitement and dissatis-
faction have for some weeks past existed amongst
the ratepayers of St. George the Martyr, South-
wark, consequent upon a re-assessment of the pro-
perty of the parish and a large increase in the poor
rates. It is alleged by the ratepayers that the new
assessment has been made in an unfair and partial
manner, and that while the private houses and pre-
mises occupied by the humbler ratepayers and
smaller tradesmen have been re-assessed at a much
higher rate than heretofore, the public institutions
in the parish, such as the Surrey Theatre and the
public houses have been allowed to remain on the
old assessment. This partial mode of re-assessment
ha*, it in cnntpeilpfl. vitinttui tha poor rat° uiodo
under it, and in consequence payment of the last rate
made has in general been refused, while no less than
250 appeals have been made against it, on the
ground of the parochial authorities not having com-
plied with the Act of Parliament. Those appeals
came on for hearing last week before the magis-
trates at the Surrey Petty Sessions, who considered
that the appellants had good grounds for the
steps they had taken, but they postponed any
decision upon the subject until Wednesday the 17th
instant, in order to give the parish authorities an
opportunity of reconsidering the matter. Last night
a public meeting, convened by the portion of the
vestry who take part with the appellants, was held
in the school-room, Suffolk-street, and was presided
over by Mr. Sarell, one of the vestrymen.
A long discussion took place, and in the end a
resolution was adopted, by a large majority, to the
effect that, in the event of the magistrates deciding
against the appellants, the question be taken to the
quarter sessions, and that in the meantime the rate-
payers be advised to withhold payment of the rate.