The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-15 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN SE WERS.

A. special meeting of the Court was held yesterday at
their house in Greek-street, Soho ; Mr. R. Jebb in the
chair. There were also present the following commis-
sioners :—Colonel Dawson, Mr. J. Hawkshaw, Mr. T.
Gibson, Mr. G. Smith, Mr. T. Hawee, and Mr. L.
Redhead.
The Secretary read the usual financial report, from
which it appeared that the balance in hand on the 11th
of November was 45,7621. ; checks drawn, but unpre-
sented, 1,879/. ; available balance, 43,8831. ; and the
deposit account amounted to 120,0001.
The first resolution was then proposed and passed to
carry out the recommendation of the general committee,
made the 10th of October last, for raising 140,0001. on
loan from the Clergy Mutual Assurance Society.
In reply to a question from one of the commissioners,
the CrrainltaN said the money would not be required
before next year.
THE GREAT DRAINAGE SCHEME.
Colonel DAWSON *as anxious, now that apprehension
as to the intention of Parliament had subsided, to express
his opinion of the importance of proceeding speedily
with the works for carrying out the main drainage
scheme, for which authority to raise the money they bad
resolved upon borrowing had been obtained. On the
sth of September an order was passed by the Court to
the effect that steps should be taken to raise a sum of
300,0001., for which purpose they were empowered by
the act of last session, and also to enter into negotia-
tions for the purchase of land, and to take other ne-
cessary steps for proceeding immediately with the wain
drainage works as soon as the money had been raised.
That order contemplated the raising of a loan of
300,0001., and they bad completed an arrangement
under it to the extent of 140,0001. It might be satis-
fretery, under the circumstances of the present com-
mission, if the chairman would state what arrangementsi
had been entered into for raising the remainder of the,
money, and also the progress made towards the com 4
nienoeinento of the works,. He did not ask for a del

[PRICE SD.

tailed statement, but be -thought it desirable that the
should be informed generally what had been done, and
also whether they would be shortly in a position to
advertise for tenders. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in reply, stated that negotiations were
now pending for raising a further loan of 150,0001. with
anotbes company, and for 10,0001. on loan from another
party, and which, it would be remembered, made up the
160,0001. to be raised in addition, to make up the
300,0001. With reference to the works, the elmutiA-
sioners would see before them the reports of professional
men %Om had gone into the scheme ; but they were at the
present time awaiting a further repot t from their own
engineer, which it was considered wise to have befort_
proceeding. but it would be ready in a fenv days.
C Morel DAwsoN thought that as little delay as Possible
ought to be allowed to intervene, fur the health of the
metropaiii was of the utmost importance, and the works
should he forthwith carried out.
The CHAIRMAN said, that as there was a commissioner
whose assistance he feared
now present (Mr. Redhead)
he should lose in the new commission, betook the oppor-
tunity of expressing the high sense of respect be enter-
, tained for the numerous suggestions the present commis-
sion had had the benefit of, and particularly with regard
to the great work in question. That -gentleman had
some time ago laid before the Court some valuable in-
formation with regard to flushing sewers. The matter
was at present under the consideratioir of the engineer,
who would be kind enough probably to state at what
period his report would be ready. • •
Mr. BAZALGETTE, in reply, said he was not in n posi.
tion to go into the matter at present. He had examined
the scheme, and the plans were in a forward state, and
he thought it might be carried out at a moderate cost.
Colonel DAWSON supposed the object of. referring the
great drainage scheme to the consulting engineer was
to ascertain whether it could not be carried out at less
cost ' • though that was a good object, the delay it occa-
sioned was to be regretted.
The Ciiiikuke observed that, in Ac matter involving
solarge.an expenditure a 9 3z1:1_00,0001.„ which bad been
spoken of as necesaxy--tercaFry out the scheme from
beginning to end, any diminution of the expense-was a
material object ; and while au engineer of great practi-
cal experience considered that the expenditure might be
decreased without impairing the efficiency of the plan,
the committee would hardly be justified in commencing
the works. In a few days the report of that engineer
would be prepared, and they would then be in a better
position to act.
The Court, after making some formal orders, then
adjourned.