The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-24 00:00:00

CITY OF LONDON COMMISSION.

The Royal commissioners met again at 32, Abingdon-
street, yesterday, and resumed their investigation.
Commissioners present :—Right Hon. H. Labouchere
(chairman), Mr. Cornewall Lewis, and Sir John Patte-
son.

Mr. Charles Pearson, City Solicitor, said that a com-
mittee of the corporation had requested him to appear
before the commissioners again, not in his capacity of
City Solicitor s• much as in the character of a very old
member of the corporation, to state circumstances with
which he was acquainted from having examined the
records of that body. He wished to address himself
first to the written statement put in by the Recorder,
with the view of supporting its contents. He would
begin with the receipts and revenues of the corporation.
The average receipts calculated upon an average of seven
years amounted to 190,0001. a-year, of which sum
44,0001. was produced from the City rents, 25,0001.
from the Finsbury rents, and 14,0001. more from out-
lying property. The fixed charges upon this income
amounted, on the same average of seven years, to
138,0001. per annum. Mr. Pulling had stated
in his evidence that a considerable portion of the
revenue of the corporation was derived from the
embankment of the Thames in Thames-street. That
was entirely a misapprehension—no such rents being
derived from that spot at all. The same witnes had
alleged that the corporation now derived rents from pro-
perty which had been built upon the ancient area of
Smithfield. Now a reference to a map which he had be-
fore him would show that Mr. Pulling had fallen into an
error also on this subject, because it would prove that
the open area of Smithfield which existed before the
great fire of London had never been circumscribed ; and
so far from encroaching on the space for the erection of
buildings, the corporation had actually expended from
20,0001. to 30,0001. in the purchase of property situated
near the market, with the view of extending the area.
Mr. Pearson then denied the charges of nepotism brought
against the present corporation. He said that Mr. Ac-
land had been called "Pearson's ferret," and a very good
ferret he certainly was, for his scent was so keen that he
could detect vermin in crannies where none had been for
60 years. (Laughter.) The trust eommitted to Mr.
Acland was of a most confidential character, and he
(Mr. Pearson) believed that that gentleman was a very
fit and honest man, although it was not by his recom-
mendation that Mr. Acland had been engaged by the
markets committee.
The Chairman asked if Mr. Pearson alluded to Mr.
Acland's engagement by the corporation in the opposi-
tion to the removal of Smithfield Market.
Mr. Pearson replied that he did, and also to the case
of the Citizen newspaper, in the purchase of which valu-
able property Mr. Acland had invested the sum of is.
(Laughter.) He (Mr. C. Pearson) had always thought
that the city suffered from the want of a local press like
thatlwhich existed in most provincial towns, and devoted
a proper amount of attention to municipal affairs. The
project with regard to the Citizen newspaper was intended
to supply the deficiency in the City and to secure the
publication of adequate reports of the meetings of the
corporation. It was never meant that the corporation
should be responsible for the comments or leading ar-
ticles in the paper. but shoul•l simply have one half sheet
of the paper devoted to reports of its meetings.
The Chairman asked if the witness simply meant that
a portion of the paper was intended to be set apart for
the corporation, like the official part of the Moniteur of
Paris ?
Mr. Pearson said that he did. Next on the subject
of the City accounts Mr. Pearson said he had no doubt
that these accounts might be kept with greater clearness
and simplicity than they were at present ; but it had
been an endeavour to accommodate old rules to new cir-
cumstances, which had prevented another form of ac-
count from being adopted. The witness then proceeded
to combat the evidence adduced by various witnesses
with respect to a declension in the character and social
status of the aldermen and common councilmen of the
City. He contended, in opposition to those witnesses,
that the " Corporators " of the present day were, in point
of wealth, intelligence, respectability, and commercial
standing, quite equal to the members of the corporation
at any former period. He next referred to the conduct
of the members of the corporation in the seventeenth
century and at the beginning of the eighteenth, showing
that the practice of selling places and applying the pro-
ceeds to the private purposes of the members of both
courts used to prevail to a flagitious extent. The cor-
poration at the same periods was heavily embarrassed
with debt, as the result of mismanagement, and the
Common Council, in order t• restore the sinking
condition of their finances, raised the redemption fee
payable on freedoms to 251. In those days also, large
numbers of policemen and corporate pensioners sat in
the court, and drew up and accepted contracts between
themselves and the corporation. All these malpractices
existed at the time when those "great merchants and
bankers," whose retirement some persons made matter
of disparagement and accusation against the present
corporation, formed part of that body. He (Mr.
Pearson) had no pleasure in raking up the misdeeds of
the living or the dead, but when they were taunted
with the absence of "great merchants and bankers
from the present corporation, he thought it was only
fair he should make this statement. The present state
of the corporation he believed would bear most favour-
able comparison with the state of things to which he had
referred. In his evidence before that commission, Mr.
Cotton, the late Governor of the Bank of England,
stated that, within the last 25 years, during which a
slur had been cast upon the corporation of the City, it
had borrowed one million and a half of money from the
Bank for public improvements, and repaid every part
of the principal and interest with perfect punctuality.
Witness himself first became a member of the corpora-
tion in 1817. At that time the corporation had bor-
rowed a sum of 75,0001. from one lof its own-trusts,
the Bridge House Estate, and a report was made by a
committee, suggesting that a rate should be levied from
the citizens to liquidate this debt. He (Mr. Pearson)
protested against such a proceeding, and succeeded in
carrying a motion which had the effect of extricating the
City from its financial embarrassment by a more equitable
course. Other reforms of a similar character were intro-
duced, among which was the requirement of a pledge
from every candidate for the office of alderman, that in
the event of his proving unfortunate in business he would
resign his aldermanic gown. Some gentlemen had
taken these pledges and faithfully redeemed them on be-
coming insolvent, and that without " lurching" for the
chamberlainship or any of the other offices in the gift of
the court, which, in the present day, no member of
that body could hold. Formerly there were retiring
places, with emoluments attached, for gentlemen who
had been unfortunate in business; but uow such was
not the case.

The Chairman asked the witness whether he thought
these reforms had induced the higher class of merchants
to keep aloof from the corporation
Mr. Pearson believed, when there was mot the power
of lending large sums of money and no great patronage,
and when the corporation was not an avenue to court
favour, that great merchants found they could acquire
distinction by more easy means, and would not desire
seats in the corporation The witness then explained
the composition of the present Court of Aldermen. He
said it consisted of eight members who either were now
or had been members of Parliament representing large

constituencies, sixteen county magistrates ; thirteen
gentlemen had graduated fur the office by being mem-
bers of the Court of Common Council previously, and
Dine who had retired from business, and had ample
leisure, therefore, to devote to the dutief: of their
office.

The Chairman asked if the witness meant to assert
that the higher class of merchants were at present fairly
represented in the corporation.
Mr. Pearson replied that, in point of numbers, he
thought they were. Witness then denied that the cor-
poration had always " to be dragged at the tail of public
opinion," and quoted a series of its acts in regard to local
and national reforms to show that it had always acted in
the van of public opinion.

Mr. C. Lewis asked Mr. Pearson whether the opinion
had not been broached that if the land at Smithfield were
not used as a market it would revert to the Crown
Mr. Pearson had heard that suggestion made.
Mr. C. Lewis inquired if it was a correct opinion ?
Mr. Pearson was not able to say. As City Solicitor,
he had not been directed to look into the point. He
hoped the question would never arise.
Mr. C. Lewis : One witness spoke of an intention on
the part of the corporation to establish a dead meat mar-
ket at Sroitheolcif He (Mr. Lewis) had thought that

this might have been designed with the view of techni-
cally saving the right of the City to the land. •
Mr. Pearson did not believe that there was any inten-
tion on the part of the corporation to act at variance
with the views of the Crown in this matter.
Mr. J. Wood, the chairman of the committee of the
corporation appointed to watch the inquiry, attended to
state that the committee were ready to offer any further
evidence, documentary or oral, which the commissioners
might desire.

The Chairman said he understood that the committee
intended to lay before the commissioners some sugges-
tions for improving the constitution and management of
the corporation ; and if that were so, it was desirable
that they should do it without delay, as the commission-
ers wished to conclude the inquiry as soon as possible.
Mr. Wood said that the committee would meet to-
morrow (this day), when they would probably agree to
some suggestions of the nature stated. Those sugges-
tions would be submitted to the commissioners without
dela

The Chairman then said—As at present advised, we
shall probably take no further evidence in this inquiry ;
but if we should see fit to do so, we shall give full notice
of our intention. Of course, therefore, we reserve to
ourselves the right of calling further witnesses if, on
examination of.the evidence adduced,, we should think it
necessary ; but, as at present advised, I repeat, the pro-
bability is that we shall not require to do so.
Mr. Acland said he was anxious that it should appear
correctly on the minutes of the commission how much of
the money of the corporation had actually passed through
his hands whilst he acted as the agent of that body in
resisting the Smithfield Market Removal Bill. Mr.
Scott. the ex.clerk to the Chamberlain, by the loose way
in which he had stated the amount, had made it appear,
and caused it to go forth to the world, that he (Mr.
Acland) had had to disburse the sum of 2,6501. on the
part of the corporation, which was a very great exagge-
ration. He (Mr. Acland), therefore, hoped the commis-
sioners would call for the production of the accounts
which he bad rendered to the corporation, setting forth
the particulars of the transaction.
The Chairman said that the commissioners considered
ifiev had already collected sufficient evidence. The
whole case was now fully before them, but if returns or
other documents should prove to be necessary, they
could easily call for them hereafter.
Mr. Acland said that he did not, of course. wish to
force any evidence upon the commissioners, and accord-
ingly withdrew.

The Inquiry, which has been of so protracted a dura-
tion, was then at length virtually, although not formally,
closed.

SPORTING INTLLLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S—THIIRSDV.
A thin muster and a quiet afternoon. But although a
small amount of business was transacted, the operations
were productive of a few changes, particularly in the
betting on the Liverpool Grand National.

Miss Mowbray was backed for about 2001. at 11 to
2 ; sto 1 the current offer at the close. Bourton was
nominally at 7to 1. Half-and-Half opened at 10 to 1,
taken to 501., but towards the close 12 and 13 were laid.
One bet of 1,300 to 100 is to be staked within a given
tine. Maurice Daley advanced to 16 to 1, taken ; and
16 and 15 to 1 were taken about Oscar. Crabbs moved
forward with considerable celerity-30 and 25 to 1 were
taken notwithstanding an even bet of 10/., that he is not
on the racecourse when the other horses pass the post.
In the City Circle in ;,the morning the first bet laid
against him was 1,900 to 15, after which the odds fell to
those just stated.

CHESTER CUP.-1,500 to 50 and 625 to 25, taken
about Peggy ; 2,000 to 50 about Dr. O'Toole, and 875
to 25 Sandhurst. Offers to lay 9to 1 against Newmin-
ster and Star of Surrey, coupled.

DERBY.-800 to 40-taken against Ruby; 500 to 20,
500 to 25, and 1,000 to 45 taken about Acrobat ; 625 to
25, and 550 to 25, about Wild Huntsman ; 1,000 to 25
Bessus ; 1,000 to 200 would have been taken about
Autocrat.
OAKS.-100 to 25 taken about Meteora.

DERBY 1855.-4,000 to 100, and afterwards 2,000 to
40 laid against Paletot ; 5,000 to 100 against Vandal,
and the same against Bonnie Morn.
CLOSING PRICES.
LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.
Sto 1 agst Miss Mowbray (11 to 2t. freely).
7to 1 agst Bourton.
12 to 1 agst La Gazza Ladra (taken).
13 to 1 agst Half-and-Half (taken).
15 to 1 agst Oscar (taken).
16 to 1 agst Maurice Daley (taken).
25 to 1 agst Crabbs (taken).
30 to 1 agst Burnt Sienna (taken).
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.
11 to 1 agst Red Lion (taken).
20 to 1 agst Diomecha (taken).
GREAT METROPOLITAN STAKES.
16 to 1 agst Lindrick (taken).
30 to 1 agst Rataplan (to 50/,)
GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP.
20 to 1 agst Vinlex (taken).
CHESTER CUP.
25 to 1 agst Peggy (taken).
35 to 1 agst Sandhurst (taken).
40 to 1 agst Dr. O'Toole (taken).
50 to 1 agst Horatio (taken).

DERBY.
20 to 1 agst Ruby (taken and offered).
22 to 1 agst Autocrat (taken).
22 to 1 agbt Wild Huntsman (taken).
40 to 1 agst Bessus (taken).
OAKS.
4to 1 agst Meteora (taken).
DERBY, 1855.
50 to 1 agst Paletot (taken).
50 to 1 agst Vandal (taken).
50 to 1 agst Bonnie Morn (taken).

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

CUSTOM HOUSE, FEB. 23.

ENTERED INWARDS.—The Violet, from St. Michael's ;
Lionne, Gravelines ; Debut, do. ; Eliza, Sanderlik ; Mary
and Ellen, Taganrog ; Serpent, St. Michael's; Wander
ingsmanden, Christiania ; Amor, Newharlingersiel ; Zul-
cika, Alexandria; Flying Childers, Canton; Harvest,
Baltimore ; Gomelza Adelaide, Bombay ; Arab, Salonica ;
Jeannette, Trieste ; Chieftain, Callao ; Agenoria, Ter-
ceira, ; Mary Suryead, Malta ; Margaretha, St. Übes ;
James and Emma, Gravelines ; Coqueta, Santander ;
Margaretta, Aoyer ' • Rubens, Mauritius ; Thea, Grave-
lines ; Pla.ntae.euet, Sydney.
ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—Tho Maria Chris-
tina, for Santander; Alexandrina, Algoa Bay; Nassau,
Singapore ; Superior, Demerara ; Admiral Zoulman, Syd-
ney; Thomas Mitchell, Calcutta ; Sea Queen, Kurrachee ;
Hope, Africa ; Governor Maclean, Cape Coast Castle ;
Capernicus, Port Philip ; -Cornelia Henrietta, Sydney ;
Princess Helene, Valparaiso and Callao ; Lusitania,
Oporto ; Oriental, Port Philip ; Wanderingsmanden,
Christiania, Dram, and Moss ; Rubens, Mauritius ; Lord
Strangford, Jersey and Guernsey.
CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.--The Melanie, for
Melbourne.

LIVERPOOL, FEB. 23.
The Royal Sovereign, from Baltimoro, has arrived at
this port. with the remainder of the crew of the Victory
from St. John's, N. 8., to London, abandoned at sea,
Jan. 29, lat. 40 N., long. 63 W.
The Charity (s a), Paton, sailed this morning from Gree-
nock for Portland ; weather moderate.
Arrived—The Coosawatte, from Savannah ; Atholl,
Caldera ; Caledonia, Alexandria ; Adeline, do. ; Savant,
St. John's, N.B. ; Iris, St. Stephen's, N.B, ; Alex. John-
ston, do. ; John Huntley, Halifax • Duoro (s s), Oporto ;
Elizabeth, Odessa ; Miltiades, Norfolk, Va. ; Margaret
(a), Havre • Bradno, St. Michael's ; Charm, do. ; Ara.
mints, Mobile ; S. G. Given, New Orleans ; Shalatta, do. ;
Amelia, Seville; Mary Marsden, Marseilles; West Point,
New York ; A. Z., do. ; Crichton, Laguna ; Cintra, Lis-
bon ; Victoria, Malaga.

DEAL, Feb. 23.—The Harriet Ewings, which has arrived
in the Downs to-day from Baltimore, reports haying expe-
rienced very heavy weather as far as the banks of New.
foundland, and to lat. 39 N., long. 53 W., and also a severe
hurricane from the S.E., which shifted suddenly t• the.
West, and blew dangerously, when the vessel fore down
the cargo shifted, the decks filled, and the ports washed
away. On the fifth of Feb., in lat. 43 N., long. 41 W.,
saw the wreck of a largeship, waterlogged, and with mast
and spars alongside. The Middle Banke Buoy has been
towed in, and landed at noon to-day.
FREDERICKSHAVEN, Feb. 16.—The Honrietto Kirstine,
Middlesborough to Skive, put in here yesterday, and will
require a new bowsprit; Emanuel, Copenhagen. to England,
has put in leaky, and with pumps choked, and is dis-
charging.
Tho Alliance has been stranded at Enos, and is declared
not seaworthy.
The Esperance, of Bordeaux, ran ashore at Querquerille,
and has gone to pieces.