The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-24 00:00:00

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY.

The "Improvement Committee" connected with the
City of London, have presented to the Corporation a
report of their proceedings during the past year.
Several of the statements it contains are of considerable
interest to the public ; the following being some of the
leading facts presented by the Committee :
The document sets forth that since the 27th day of
January, 1852, the Committee had continued the line of
street improvement from Queen-street to St. Paul's
Churchyard. They have received numerous claims
from the owners and occupiers of property in Basing-
lane, Bow-lane, Bread-street, St. Thomas the Apostle,
Friday-street, Great and Little Distaff-lanes, Little
Carter-lane, St. Mildred'k;-court, Great Trinity-lane,
Old-change, and St. Paul's Churchyard, entering into
and concluding treaties with several of the parties for
the purchase of their interests, upon fair and equitable
terms ; the claims amounting to 255,2731. 17s. 3d.,
which have been settled for 188,9291. 16s.
The Committee state that they feel they cannot but
congratulate the Court upon the extent of the improve-
ments thus far effected, as not only materially conducing
to the convenience of the great and increasing traffic of
the metropolis, but also in its adding to the character of
its buildings increased importance, while it has contri-
buted to the promotion of the health of its inhabitants.
The whole of the works have been effected at the cost
and charge of the city, from their own funds, and with-
out any grant, either Parliamentary or otherwise, to-
wards the same.

With reference to the projected street from Cannon-
street West to Earl-street, Blackfriars, a most impor-
tant branch to the Blackfriars-bridge, the committee
thus report:—

" We certify that, on the 22d day of April List, we pre-
sented a report to this honourable Court, stating that the
time had arrived at which it became necessary for us to
contract for the formation of the vault, for the new build-
ings to be erected from Queen-street to the Old Change ;
.but previously to finally determining thereon, were desi-
rous of obtaining the opinion of the Court as to the pro-
priety of making provision for the proposed new street
from Earl-street, Blackfriars, to fall into Cannon-street
West, at the point laid down by the City's architect in his
reports of the 21st day of September, and the 14th of
October, 1816 ;we consequently felt it be our duty to
report accordingly, drawing the immediate attention of
the Court to the measure, should they see fit so to do ;
and this honourable Court having been pleased to agree in
this opinion, and to refer it back for us to carry the work
inte execution, we duly contracted for the performance of
the.same, which is now proceeding with."
Arrangements, it also appears, are in a very forward
state with regard to effecting considerable improve-
ments in the vicinity of Threadneedle-street, Dowgate-
hill, and Mark-lane, at a further charge of 40,0001. to
the City, an agreement for the advance of such sum
having been recently entered into with the Union Bank
of London.

A considerable degree of interest having been mani-
fested by the public for the preservation of the ancient
crypt under Gerard's-hall Inn, in Basing-lane, and the
same being considered by the Society of Antiquaries
and other scientific bodies as desirable to be retained,
if possible, in that situation, as a curious architectural
remain, the Committee, after having advised with the
City's architect thereon, report " that they found
from the existing levels in the neighbourhood, that
its removal was absolutely necessary for the forma-
tion of the new street." They, however, directed correct
drawings thereof to be taken previous to its removal,
and also a model of the same to be prepared, which they,
recommend should be placed in the City Library.
They further state that, "having caused the remains to
be carefully taken down, they presented them to the
Directors of the Crystal Palace Company at Sydenham,
in the name of the Corporation, upon the condition that
they would remove them, and re-erect them in a suitable
portion of their property, with the view of handing them
down to posterity as a curious specimen of the early
architecture of the City of London." It is also stated,
that the Committee have recently received a communi-
cation from the said directors, who state they " consider
the offer as a pleasing token of the interest taken by the
Corporation in the great work in which they are en-
gaged ;" and that they have "given instructions for the
speedy removal of the crypt, and 'upon which subject
Mr. Wyatt, their architect, would shortly communicate
with the City's Surveyor."
With reference to that long existing eyesore, the
blank plot of ground at the west end of Chea,pside--
which, by the way, the public should know does net
belong to the city, but to the Commissioners of Woods
and Forests—the Committee report that so long since as
the 25th of May last, they had a conference with the
then Postmaster-General, as to the improvement of the
site, but that since that period " no further common-
cation has taken place."
It will be seen from what is stated above that the
Committee have been most assiduous in the perform-
ance of their unpaid duties during the past year, and
that certain observations which have been made during
the period, of their apathy and neglect of the public,
interests, are unjust and unwarrantable. This will.
,strongly appear when the fact is stated, that, within
the year, not less than 183 claims have been disposed of
after patient examination, and the awarding of smelt
ranging from 51., in some instances, to upwards et
16,0001. in others, embracing a total of 188,9291. 165.,
and throwing into the public way several thousand fed
of ground of enormous value, for the sole purpose of
facilitating the convenience of the public traffic, and
adding to the sanitary improvement of this great em-
porium of commercial enterprise.—Morning Advertiser.

NEW APPLICATIONS OF THE PRINCIPLE OF
ASSURANCE.

One of the most novel, but by no means one of tjf
thatleastof p
usefurlociadpihg againstplication s ofal
thel h
tpriennciupmleeorofusassurance; 11*
and contingencies which beset the sale and modriffitg
land. It might be questioned whether this is a kind of
business which could be legitimately or profitably trans-
altiees of
acted By an assurance office, were it not that the success
of a society, which has been several years in existence/
and whose main feature is the assurance of imperfect
titles, has placed the matter beyond all doubt. We
allude to the Law Property Assurance and Trust So-
ciety, which occupies no mean place among the modern
assurance companies of London. The object for which
it has been established is carried out in various ways-
For instance, it remedies defects in titles by assuring
such as are good holding ones, but unmarketable in con-
sequence of some legal defect ; it assures the value of
mortgaged property, in order to make loans perfectly
secure, and to enable borrowers to obtain a larger ad-
vance ; and it likewise undertakes to pay off a mortgage
or loan at stated periods, so that the property may go
to the borrower or his family unencumbered. The so-
ciety also offers to confer important advantages on
persons interested in leasehold, copyhold, and lifettold
properties. When a lease expires, or a life drops, this
description of property is lost to the owner. Now, the
society engages, when either of these events happen, to
pay the value of the property, or to put in new lives ;
thus, as the prospectus states, "practically converting
such properties into the value of freeholds for all Inv'
poses of sale and mortgage." These undeniable boons,
which are well worthy of being secured by the payment
of a fair amount of annual premium, cannot but greatly
assist the legal profession and others in the management
of property. The society also includes within the scope of
its operations the ordinary business of a life assurance
endowment, annuity, and guarantee association. In re-
gard to life assurance it has adopted certain improve-
ments which are calculated to render that invalu-
able invention for meeting the wants of society
as perfect as human ingenuity can make it. Among
these may be mentioned, the non-forfeiture of a policy
when a party is unable from temporary difficulties to pal'
his premium in time, he being allowed, on giving due
notice, to charge the premium upon the policy to the
extent of its then value ; the right of an assurer to ob-
tain a loan on his own security to the amount of the
premiums he has paid, by simply depositing his policy
with the society ; and also a provision by which those of
precarious incomes are permitted to pay any sum they
can afford, however much or little, in the year, and to
have the full benefit of the sums so paid without forfeit-
ing their policy for non-payment. When a society of
such undoubted respectability and high standing as the
one in question offers such advantages, it cannot fail to
obtain a very large amount of public support.

BERLIN WATERWORKS COMPANY.—It was mentioned
some months back that a concession had been granted
by the King of Prussia for the supply of Berlin with
water, and the prospectus of the enterprise, under the
above name, was issued yesterday. The proposed capital
is 350,000/.' in 101. shares ; and according to an arrange-
ment with Sir C. Fox and Mr. Crampton, to whom the
concession was granted, and by whom it has been made
to be
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years—namely
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until 1881, during which they
asenenmuarpdeidvii'denent,ditobfeilnog
whole period, all between 10 per cent, and 15 per
cent. shall be equally divided between the Govern-
ment and the company, the Government possessing the
power when the profits exceed 15 per cent. to require a
perrgiosvnoenrand the calculation of revenue
reduction in the charges. The population to be supplied
supposition of 74,000 families being
annualrate of 11., which, after deducting
iesx
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expenses, will leave 62,0001., or
capital. The water is to be
Spree, two miles distant from
tpalhbr2;:cuctjuit :rylei ,d.B fafinerodrmwtchoetrenhktei.n, company
and high supply. Interest at the rate of 5 per cent. is
to be paid during the construction of the works, and is
to be reckoned in the capital ; while, with regard to the
position of the company at the termination of their ex-
elusive privilege in 1881, it is stated that the Govern-
ment theai3i e optionvaluati
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eh absoinaL tohfedirir
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equitable composed of London merchants.
THE RAPPIST SPIRITS. —Madame Palsky narrates that,
during her visit to the United States, the physician ac-
the Hungarian refugees paid a visit to the
Rappists, and asked whether his father was in heaven ?
Three Raps answered " Yes," while the father of The
worthy doctor lives in good health in Poland. 'J.-I'e
spirits likewise were at a loss to guess how old the doc-
tor's lady was ; they added ten years to her actual age.
When the doctor began to protest against these manifest
falsehoods, Miss Fox coolly replied that she and her
sister were not responsible for anything the spirits said,
as they, in fact, could not tell whether the spirits who
manifested themselves were veracious or lying epiri d
That there were lying ones amongst them they had ictill
out by experience.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

SPORTING NOTES.—No. CCCXCVI.

The list of probable starters for the Great Northamp-
tonshire Stakes which was published yesterday requires
a little: correction. From in‘ormation received, as po-
'kerne; a say, I have reason to believe that Molasses will
supers, ?.de Termagant as the representative of Low
Clifdem's interests, that Butler's horse will be Gossip,
and th at Lucio and Lampedo will have to be added to
the ilst of starters. Lucio was backed for a goodly sum
Yesterday at the West-end-3,000 to 100 taken in the
first ins tance, 5,000 to 200 afterwards, and a sprinkling
of smaller investments were made at 25 and 20 to 1, the
latter the extreme laying price this morning. Count
Batthyany's chance with his brown son of Charles the
Twelfth and Conflict, Hambletonian, is, in my opinion,
ground and condition considered, a very fair one ; and I
think I may safely recommend the Count's nomination
as being the best in the "long shot" department.
Young Bradley will have the mount. I have as yet
been unable to discover which is to be the Fyfield horse;
the public have backed the Confessor, but it was ru-
rnoured about last night that The Dandy would turn out
to be the animal. Defiance still maintains his position
as first favourite, there being no lack of layers, however,
at the price, 9 to 2. Hobby Horse is anything but
firm ; a very little opposition would send him to the
rightabout.
To-morrow I shall publish as complete a list, as under
existing circumstances is obtainable, of the major portion
of the horses preparing or intended for their North amp-
ton engagements.
THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF.

DERBY STEEPLECHASES, &c.
WEDNESDAY.
The HURDLE RACE HANDICAP of 5 sovs. each, and 30
added, the second to save his stake. 2 Miles. 10
Subs.
Mr. Mundy's The Hero, aged, 9st 121 b ...(C. Boyce) 1
Mr. Callaghan's Geraldus, 6 yrs, 9st 101 b 2
Mr. Saxon's Sir Robert, 6 yrs, I.ost 101 b 3
Mr. Rickard's Sir Harry, 5 yrs, 9st 131 b
Mr. Choyce's c by Drayton, out of Spring's dam, 4
yrs, 9st 21b
Betting-5 to 4on The Hero, 3to 1 agst Sir Robert,
and 7to 2 agst Geraldus. Won by two lengths ; the
same between second and third.

---
The MIDLAND STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP Of 15 sovs. each,
10 ft, ancl_s only if declared, with 100 sovs. added.

4 Mlles. 15 Subs. -
Mr. Choyce's Springs, 5 yrs, Bst 121 b (carried 9st 41b),
(Holland) 1
Mr. Wycherley's Shinrone, aged, 9st 101 b 2
Mr. Dolman na Ringdove, aged, Bst 121 b (carried

9st 41b) 3
Mr. Balfe's Daphne, 6 yrs, 9st 51b 4
Betting-6 to 4on Shinrone, 3to 1 agst Daphne, 4to
1 agst Ringdove, and 10 to 1 agst Springs. Won by a
length ; two lengths between second and third.
Owing to a misunderstanding in the directions given
to the riders by the clerk of the course, Boyce, from a
belief that they had to go thrice round, made no effort
to win in passing the stand the second time, and went
over the ground a third time by himself. On returning
to scale he claimed the race, but after investigating the
Matter, the stewards awarded the stakes to Springs,
who, according to the evidence of the clerk of the course,
ran the proper distance.
The SELLING STAKES of 5 sovs. each, and 30 added, for
four-year-olds and upwards. Three miles. Six subs.
Mr. W., Denham's Bobtail, 4 yrs (601.), lOst 31b
(Debeau) 1
Mr. Hi tchock's n Cropwell, aged (1001.), 12st 71b
Mr. Hassall's L'Agnean, 4 yrs (1001.), list 31b 3
Mr. Choyce's Nimrod 4 yrs (1001.), list 31b 0
Mr. Holland's Ottoman (601.), list 71b 0
Mr. Maltby's Wild Hero (801.), 12st 0
Betting-2 to 1 agst Cropwell ;4to 1 agst Wild Hero
and Ottoman ; and sto 1 agst Bobtail. Won by a
length. L'Agnean a bad third.