The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-21 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACB.

•

.... _
lee e., _ y meeting cf this company was bald .
yesterday at the Bridge-house Hotel—Mr. S. Laing,
M.P., in the chair.
The report, an abstract of which has already appeared,
was taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
congr itulated the shareholders on the successful opening
of the Crystal Palace. It was an undertaking worthy
of the age and country in which they lived. He then
entered into an elaborate statement respecting the
means adopted to insure the opening of the palace
on the 10th of June, the exertions made to
satomleeativemenottohindo
everything g
economise theu weexiipeaindiptuoraselbalet, the same
undonewhich could in any way enhance the value of
the undertaking to the public and the shareholders,
They all felt more or less disappointed
sum o
ointedaf 30tthoemelp.endf-
ture exceeding 1,000,0001. by the
this sum, 100,0001. included an expenditure on matters
that was not; foreseen ; but it was an expenditure on
matters that could be made available at any time, sad
realise a profit. A good deal of land had been purehan.
ed which could be resold at a profit. They had secured
the Dulwich wood, which was a property desirable to
hold their in hands, to prevent its being built over ; at
the same time it was exceedingly valuable property.
About 40,0001. was expected in the re-purchase of
land, the Dulwich-wood property, and 60,0001. is
providing refreshment accommodation for man and
horse. Taking this as a separate undertaking, be
had no doubt that the outlay of the 100,0001. men-
tioned would produce a rental equal to the interest
on the whole of the 300,0001. of additional capital.
With respect to the other portion of the excess in the
estimates, amounting to 200,000/., it arose from various
causes over which the directors had no control, such
as the rise in the price of iron:to the extent of 30 or
40 per cent., extra works in the fine arts department,
the water-works, gardens, and generally in works tend-
ing to enhance the value of the undertaking in an edu-
cational and artistic point of view. The industrial dee
partnaent was also made ornamental, and, in short, the
whole of the money was judiciously expended ; and the
company had full value in labour and materials for the
outlay they had incurred. They had ascertained the
extent of their expenditure and liabilities up to 1,200,0001.,
and there remained a further item of 91,000/. under the
management of Sir Joseph Paxton to complete the
waterworks and fountains ; and that gentleman had
no doubt that the sum would be sufficient, and prove
highly remunerative. On the whole, the directors be-
lieved that if the works were to be commenced again it
would be impossible to-execute them cheaper ; mistakes
had been made, and contingencies had arisen, but the
amount of them was small as compared with the novelty
and magnitude of the undertaking. They had done
everything thoroughly well and in first-rate style, so
that they had no fear of competition. With regard to
the revenue, they had derived a profit of 1,000/, from
the sale of refreshments. He was prepared to say that
if the system did not work well it should be abolished.
A great deal had been said against the sale of refresh-
ments within the building, but it was quite evident that
the most temperate people visiting this extensive build-
ing and grounds required refreshment. When it was
considered that between 300,000 and 400,000 persona
had expended 15,600/. in refreshments, being about
ls. a head, and there was hardly a single case of
intoxication among the whole, he said that fact alone
was sufficient to satisfy any reasonable person of the
1
necessity of refreshments and non-liability of the
working classes to drunkenness when the eyes of
respectable people were upon them, and when they
had extraordinary works of art and nature to
arrest their attention and induce inquiry. Drunken.
ness was only to be found in low and miserable localities,
and in private places. The receipts during the four
weeks from all sources amounted to 67,0901. The aver-
age payment at the doors was at the rate of 3,000/. per
week, and it had gradually increased, so that during the
present week they would receive 4,0001. for admittance.
They would extend the ls. admission to another day 111
the week, reserving one day for season ticket-holders,
and those who wished to visit the building on a select
day. The rental for spaces in the building up to the
period at which the accounts were made up amounted
to 12,259/., but it had gradually increased, and now
amounted to 30,0001. There were various causes in
operation to prevent the spaces being taken so rapidly
as they had anticipated, but, as these causes would
gradually be removed, the industrial parts of the build*
ing would be occupied by leading manufacturers, and
the other part as a large bazaar for the sale of vari.
ous things. He had no doubt that the receipts heti
this and other sources would cover the expense of main-
tenance and the interest on the borrowed capital, leaving
the receipts at the doors to meet a dividend on the share
capital. Their receipts averaged 3,0001. per week;
they were going on increasing, but in the winter they
must expect a decrease. Next year the fountains and
waterworks would come into operation, and the new
railway from the West-end, near Buckingham Palace,
would be opened for traffic, which would greatly increase
the facilities for visiting the Crystal Palace. The re-
sources of the Brighton Railway were taxed to the ut-
most in conveying 10,000 or 12,000 persons backwards
and forwards within a very limited time. But when
the second railway opened for traffic the receipts would
be considerably increased, and the public more ex-
tensively accommodated. He then remarked with
regard to the value of the 200,000 shares in the under.
taking. Supposing an extreme case, that!no dividend
on them was forthcoming, the working and other ex-
penses of the establishment being defrayed from rents
and sources he had mentioned, the shares would be
worth par, or 5/. each, as life-tickets of admission to
the building and grounds. He concluded by stating
that Mr. Fuller had resigned the office of managing
director, that it was owing to that gentleman's great
zeal and exertions that they had oommenced and carried
through the undertaking, and in consideration of his
great exertions and services the board had awarded
him a sum of 4,000/. When he told them that Mr.
Fuller had managed the purchase and sale of land to the
amount of 300,000/, for the company, and by which they
had gained a net profit of 50,0001., he thought they
would not consider he was more than paid. As that snra
included money out of pocket for staff, drawings, &c.,
he believed 4,0001. was a very moderate and reasonable
amount. (No, no.)
Mr. GILPIN, amidst considerable uproar, protested
against a paragraph in the report respecting the success
and advantages resulting from the refreshment depart-
ment to the company and the public, and concluded by
moving an amendment to the effect that it might be
omitted from the report.
Mr. FORKDON seconded the amendment.
Mr. lIORSELEY entered into a statement to show from
the result of the past four weeks that the receipts from
various sources during 39 weeks of the year, allowing
13 weeks to be unproductive, would produce a total of
259,183/. a-year, and, deducting 52,0001. for working
expenses, would leave 207,183/. to pay interest on loans
and dividends on the shares, amounting together to
1,300,000/. (Cheers.)
Mr. Alderman WILSON complained that the capital had
been increased from time to time from 500,0001. to
1,300,000/., and that the statement of accounts was not
satisfactory.
Sir J. PAXTON stated, in reply to a question, that
the present consumption of water at the Crystal Palace
was from 40,000 to 50,000 gallons per day, which were
supplied by the Lambeth IVaterworks. The artesian
well on the company's estate was now yielding 100,000
gallons per day; they bad a very large surface of water
to fill up about the grounds, which would take some
time to accomplish. With the exception of two or three
months in the summer, he believed their well would
supply all the water they required. In addition to that
they had the drainage of 200 acres collected in the forts
of a lake in the lower part of the grounds, which
would he available. Thera would be an ample supply
of water next year for the fountains, which, he believed,
would form a greater attraction to the public than all
the other attractions put together. (Applause.) The
fountains would not be put into play until after the lit
of May next. They would not be put into operation
this year. They had made experiments on the working
of some of the fountains, and the result had been very
satisfactory. He would pledge himself that the addi-
tional sum of 300,0001. would be sufficient for all that
was at present contemplated.
Mr. Gwen, M.P., a director, defended the board
from the imputations of Mr. Aeolyud
newrtmso.ualnd
RWhaeivl
ssetoaant,emdaon,
sditniiarieci
yearth e a tchn
sa-
tisfactory the
statementendof t hoof
t h said-
thatt
a t
ply to a question, that when the receipts on joint accounts
pwould
Ir4e, coeoio7.
;30a,n0d0Ot Lt andal i tahbem B. e r
thati gh t oanmou n Railway
tw
amounted to 44,000/. the Crystal Palace Company
ou( 1 would b;
divided in the proportion of four-sevenths
to the Crystal
Palace and three-sevenths
to the Brighton Railway
Company.
After some further observations, Mr. Gilpin with-
drew his amendment, and the motion for the ado tion of
the report was carried unanimously. P
Resolutions were passed authorising the directors to
borrow 300,0007., re-electing the retiring directors and
auditor, and confirming the bye-laws of the company.
The meeting was then made special for the considera-
tion of a proposition for allowing the shareholders free
admission to the palace and grounds on Sunday, but it
was explained by the chairman, that the opinion of Sir
R. Bethell, the Solicitor-General, on the subject, was to
the effect that it was a subject of very serious doubt,
and, if acted upon. would probably endanger the validity
of the charter. Under these circumstances the proposi-
tion was withdrawn, and the matter was lest to be settled
by Parliament.
A cordial vote of thanks to the chairman and directors
concluded the proceedings.

__—
CHOLERA AT ST. PETERSISCHG.—According to private
accomats from St. Petersburg, of the 10th, the cholera
was racing with great violence, and had imposed a sacri-
fice very distressing to the Imperial court. The Grand
Master of the Ceremonies, Count Woronzow-Dashkoff,
formerly envoy at Stuttgart, Turin, and Munich, died,
at Peterhoff, on the nig,lit of the Sth, from the effects of
this malady. The count fell ill on the 4th, but went 00.
the sth to Peterhoff, in opposition to medical advice,
and there celebrated the anniversary of the Emperor's '
attempted to cure it by taking large draughts of Welters
b
water and effervescent lemonade. The deceased was in
clerk, who has ab-
sconded, metropolitan police of an
birthday. Here he was seized.m_weiltt,,rheoßpethoor.idear:
property
hgalarnddßarnes, aged 16,
formationCasa-nog
y ewas
i Z
receivedo s B Et i I'
poboFys
t4t 4hOe
bills.l
7xolc.oinntabainnikngnolte929:a.
and
771.
enndißsnsaehiamdvgin,geoekh carryingl rid,
of
sfbaßl bnEe eindenrdys
slender
ralavtwmeLiverpool
eha, e
of his employers.
thoa hair,
London
nl otnoggtehti thin
he face.e
cash
-boxy
light sandy
about 5 feet 2
He is supposed to have come
large orenwtanredot
jaa, 7dbetehnenzettedo AtMorerikil
or Australia. A.
apprehension, nalnordnvinalnilnys

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
OIIS OF:Lotai(YESTERDAY.)

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at 6 o'clock. E •
Lord LYTTLETON presented a petition from Corn,
wall against the sale of intoiicatiug liquors on Sunday ;
also a petition from Beverley, in favour of the admit'.
• tiottiofSieseriterti into the University of Oxford.
"N'ATION'AL EDUCATION (IRELA_ND).
GRAN:VILLE:Iaid- on the --table the report of
thalteleetrenniirlittee on national education.
' Earl' of EGLINTON; as a member of the corn.
rifitteei expressed. his entire dissent from, and disappro-
' hatiOn of, the- report. He said the fact of a committee
oft n. of their leoxfships,.consisting mostly of men of con-
• tideribleParliamentary experienuet and of official know-
ledge; having sat' 41 days; examined the most intelligent
wltnetises' which could be found in Ireland, and taken
evidence which would fill the, largest blue book ever laid
on the table, and yet having conic to no decision on the
important subject committed to them, involved such a
degree-of absurdity, if not: * total dereliction of duty
that he must take the-earliest opportunity of washing his
binds of the whole transaction. The decision the co n-
mittee had come to, if decision it could be called, he
-believed would be unsatifactory to the whole of Ireland.
--'llarl.GrECANVlLf.E.said it was an unusual course for
si,teed/beriWho was in a mihority in the committee to get
troread repeat in the house his objections to the repoO.
earl'ortglit to have proposed an amendment in
disititnittfie 'be disagreed with it: He (Eirl Grooving).
eacte#leteidithatthe great Majority of the people of ire-
- tarra'were-in.faveir of the present system of national
education.
• • 'Earl of DERBY 'jUstified the conduct of his
noble friend, bY treating that the Whole of the committee
.wrdtaireub tirthelntimation of Earl Gran-
.7tha he did:not intend to divide the committee upon
nitherresOlbtions. which he-bad prepared,-and by his divid-
ing oil tlie'question that the committee should report their
anti'. not accompany them with any re-
. ' titori:' That question was carried by a majority of: 9;
. 7.1 his rightjhon. frien& saw be was in a
:rnieeritYr he' did not, prcille's•iianyanaendniettt; '
of -PINTSIXIWNE justified the course
e: •
43-',oEpr some further discuSsirin,' the subject dropped.
It 1/qItCHANT 'SHIPPING BILL.
Thlinifticliimsiiearougbreommittee
era hin •
'PORTIA 13, CHAPELS BILL.
Lid L'i-V*otcitt atutudinints 6 this bill was brought.uß
c • -
•sd
rulle:41:-7i3/ HIGHWAY' tiltrEsL.
" tifff'*ati4earl 'a'siciiria erne;
'SAVINGS BANKS BILL:
d?nrifilittee.' •
1-51PROV'ENIEN'tcIttEt
•L "•The house:Went into committee on this bill. • ;
•
upon clans° '5,
The' Earl -of DESARt thought.pat too much power
• given to the commissioners,: with reference to fixing
-4119 bounisfigsa,towns. thought that these bairn-
darietshorild beset but in the IzincOn Gazette.
Aftei afew 'viorda from Earl 01tANVILL; which ;were
tdtairyliisauclible in the gallery,
'''..Thty,nirttrse Wit-agreed to. •
A Cianagit'd to' 24 inclusive were agreed to.
Otriiiatlse 25,
Earl-of DES ART moved the substitution of 201.
• ftir'22t.; qnalification of the comthissionert.
Earl'Gß-ANYILLE thought 201. was too high a sum.
The nin.endment was withdrawn,
The-clause was then agreed to, as were also clauses 26
to

The remaining clauses of the bill were then agreed to,
with some verbal amendments, and the bill passed
through committee, and the house resumed.
ACKNOWLEDMENT OF DEEDS BY MARRIED

WOMEN.
his till went through columittee.
' - MARRIAGES
'This g bill ,Wtql tlkewis pas.;ii ttirough cpraTittee,
"fitiii hoive ttlen adjourned. •

, ,

OF., COM2vIONS—•-(fESTERDA.Y.)
,Thfk-SPiAiElt took ttif3'cliiii.‘at 12 o'clock. •

.. ~

.PRIVATE BUSINESS.

Warr4 Estate,Bilt wa.4 read a third time, and Caton's
Thieurce Bit! was:read a secnnil
PROCEEDURE BILL.
owing to.the lateness of the session,
.iiithdrew this bill, but stated that he should renew it
:the ,very first opportunity next session.

BRIBERY BILL.
, Thelouse then went into committee on this bill,
.0a clause 33,

Sir,PITZROY KELLY moved to insert the follow:-
,‘ing_declaration B) do solemnly and sincerely de-
clare, without any. equivntation or mental reservation
..whatever; that I have not knowingly made, authorised,
or sanctioned, and tbat,l' will not at any time hereafter
knawingly,maker authorial', or sanction, any payment on
:aectount. xd Any electioo, otherwise than through the
.alectiort .officer save <as St oeptetd • and allowed by, the
. tOoranpt,Praetices•Pieiention Act, 1854.'"
objected to this declaration.
• ..Mr. LA33O/ITCEIESE-said there were 'two important
:queitiona .foe 'the oovntnittee to decide ; first. whether
• theretehool,d be.aay declaration at all ; and, secoridll, it
• tiseraahould4,,what.terms the' declaration should be in t
,Now,. assuming- that- a declaration was tieces*ary, ,he
thoughlthe.ona now .proposed was most inadequate for
the purpose, • •
IL: RUSSELL should be glad to have the
opinionsof Mr. Walpole on this subject.
_Mr. WALPOLE said he preferred the declaration as
it stood ire the bill.

lIILDYARD supported the amended declara-
tion.

..Lord SEYMOI7R observed that this declaration was
,t® be taken at the nomination and at the table. Now,
the member was often abroad when he was returned ;
and how could he make the declaration at the noinina-
tioa (Bear, hear.)
14r4.11;ENLBY preferred the amended clause to the
onein the bill ; at the same time he should be glad to
hear- it explained what was meant by expenses " on
account of the election."

::-.Id.r..WALPOLE had no wish to press the declaration
as it stood in the bill, if the committee thought the
.amended .one more explicit.
. Mr. V. .SMITH objected to the word "hereafter'
and "without any equivocation- on mental reservation
whateiver,”,, the- latter 'as being . insulting to the party
arrho would have to make the declaration.
Mr. ROBERT PALMER confessed that the declara-
iion did not gig •faranough,• hut at.the same time he did
not' think there was any necessity at all for a decla-
ration.

After a few words from Mr. VERNON,
Sir JOHN PAKINGTON said there could be
440 : more effectual - check to bribery than a de-
claration to. be taken by the member, but
be, would suggest that the word " expenses "
should be added to the end of the declaration, after the
-words " on account of."

Mr. V. SMITH sailhe should adhere to his amend-
Anent.

Lord J. RUSSELL did not think there was any ne-
LeeSsity. for retaining those words.
Sir ,F KELLY !IA no objection to omit them. •
Mr. .PENTINCK insisted that they ought to define
.what election expenses were,' before they Idled upon
•,ICandidates to. make this declaration, or the bill would be
-apitfall for him. •-
• The words obk:cted •to were then struck out of the
declaration.. • • . •
Sir J. PAKINGTON then moved the insertion of the
words "the expenses:of" towards the end of the decla-
ntion. ,
,The•ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it would be dan-
gerous to. insert these words. •
,Mr..VEtoloN and •M r. HILDYARD suggested difficul-
eties in•tlie way of thesleclaration. The former said the
ohndidate was often in th.e field two years before the
-:tileotihn—ineurring expenses ; while the tarter observed
4h4 menibers. often, paid the expenses of the reAster of
el"tOrs;.•anti.sul:serihed to the race fund of their district.
N.(417 Would thesebe expenses incidental to the electi.,a I 1
KELLY said it was intended to add a proViso
tV one of ttokatanses meet such cases.
Mr. LA.BO LTC HEIM was afraid the effect of this bill
veleta: be..to leap:Were/m.llone men out of the house,
.:1444,11tistadtaild, t rues e ti, of lax who would not
Al,„itutduit_ 15_ thia -deo4iration, although they had
3 31"trt.' (awar.' hear.) The, declaration
Nawfakelf. ainhiguity Jana h
that ;itivaimill hwt no. hesitation in' sLay
,f9r, tehiautho.• - ,lower t".Migit standard of morality
e waareonairkabl
'',lvl,,,,t4lll4'o3o,l4l,TriCprei.et.-EVIvGinEgN44.ERet 9s.aAgearm4ost .effi ca.-
• toi., take/4,41i to _prove at= -bri her °,'''a4ei- of-the house was
..113:itt;roacacto:Ipqsalishtisth.attnt
dithaninceadYe‘e'illialtetow;.nlipthkethin___;:olipsr;e9l::id.(l4)l
man.: whry, had.:tbeitheri hen
cor-
ruption could hesitate.tosubscri to —te
Sir J.: PAKINGTON ,micr nob4teboY:fyilirtilla3:4Samarus:
. claratiom What,wurs, abjeoted,to.,,,, a4eolobjected to it de-
was vague and uncertain in its terms. He
erton that
,suggested the postponement of this .declaration inerc7frdre;
:t4at it might be so amended as to• render ititmeitning
explicit and clear. • ,
Mr. AGLIONBY said if they rejected the declar:ation
of, se.niernber there was only.one other remedy against
bribery, and that was vote by ballot. (Hear.) He ob-
jected to.any provision which should make subscriptiOlks
to charities or race funds on the part of members legal,
as that would bes only opening the door to wholesale
bribery. (Hear.)
Lord LOVAINE would never subscribe to a declara-
tion which bad to be read with the light of a lawyer's
conscience. (A laugh.)
Mr. M. MILNES was also opposed to the declara-

tion.
Lord J. RUSSELL said, for many years he had been
opposed to any declaration, owing to the state of the
law as regarded bribery ; but now that it had become
necessary to render the law more clear and efficient, he
Could not understand why a member should object to
n'ake a declaration that be had not knowingly violated
tIIe'LLF, which had been so amended as to place its
meaning beyond all question or doubt. (Cheers.) He
• FYggeeted that the words "on account of any election"
r ould be left out of the declaration, with the view of
these words, " for.or in respect of any election,
as
liirnta4ned in the 19th clause." (Hear, hear.)
to' ea if, the, declaration were agreed
man Would be safe
i,4 es he went to t"e conti-
nent anr4kg the el eti.. would" at once
decide tlie
-d4laration. If whether or not lbey would have sty
wo'uld be time eat.a.heqld .be curried in the affirmative,
.el*rati6-13 "u-gilin•Prepose the erniii of the de-
. After sorne,.obFervat;c-it' f'. T ri •
Libintu., au-1- IVlr - rpm Lard uROSVENOB,
atZG,ERAT I"4"O,tTE,
Huggeeteti.that the verbal amend-
. ,

•%.