The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-18 00:00:00

STREET TRAMWAYS.

On Monday night at the rooms of the Social Science
Association, a paper was read by Mr. Jolts Noble on
" Street Tramways ; ought they to be constructed by
local governing bodies, or by private enterprise ?" Dr
Brewer, M.P., occupied the chair. Mr. Noble re-
marked that the only difference between the question and
the State purchase of railways, as he viewed it,
was that no great vested interests had yet been created
in tramways on public roads. The objection of the
Metropolitan Board of Works to undertake the construc-
tion of street tramways, on the assumption that such a
proceeding would meet with public dislavour, was not well
grounded, as in Liverpool the corporation had resolved
upon such a course without_ any serious public objection
being raised. He then proceeded to show that there
was no need for apprehension that the enter-
prise would not prove a commercial success, by
adducing the satisfactory results of the working
of similar undertakings in various cities of America.
In conclusion, he urged the necessity of a royal commis-
sion being appointed to inquire into the subject, and de-
termining whether it was better at once to authorise local
bodies to undertake the construction of street tramways
than conferring upon those bodies powers of purchase at
the end of 21 years; and he further contended that the
effect would be greatly to diminish the weight of the local
burdens, which had now by general assent reached their
maximum of oppression in the shape of rates. A discus-
sion ensued upon the paper, the chairman, who 1 ook part
therein, expressing a very decided opinion in opposition
to a suggestion offered that the Government should, as
they had done with the post-office and the telegraphs,
undertake the management and working of street
tramways. The hon. gentleman pointed out how such
an undertaking was irreconcileable with the proper func-
tions of Government, and how seriously it would
distract the attention of the Government from its legiti-
mate duties. He has decidedly objected to the Board of
Works taking upon itself such a work when the vestries,
which it represented were so unfavourable to the intro-
duction of tramways in the public streets ; yet he believed
the time would come when vestries would change their
feeling on the subject.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

Further restrictions, it would appear, are to be placed
upon foreigners inspecting our dockyards, for an order
has arrived at Chatham dockyard from the Admiralty,
giving direction§ that no foreigners are to be allowed to
inspect the yard unless by special order granted by the
Lords of the Admiralty. Other precautions will be taken
in order to prevent foreigners obtaining an entry into the
yards in company with others who may be natives of this
country. _ _ _

The -Iron Duke, 14, double screw, armour-plated, iron
ship, Captain Lambert, has made a preliniinary trial of
her engines at Plymouth. The en gives made 75 revolu-
tions per minute going out to sea, and 81 revolutions on
the return to the Sound. The machinery worked very
satisfactorily.

The necessary instructions have been received at the
Pembroke dockyard to proceed immediately with the
building of another gunboat similar to the Coquette, now
in course of construction at this yard.
A saving is about to be effected in the ropemaking at
the dockyards by turning to profitable account the refuse
from the hemp. This refuse has hitherto, as useless, been
burnt ; but it is understood that an offer has been made
to, and accepted by, the authorities to purchase this
refuse at £ll per ton, it having been found that it can be
used in the manufacture of paper.

On Monday afternoon the trial of the 35-ton gun at
the proof butts, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, was advanced
another stage with the same satisfactory results. Two
rounds were fired from the the gun with charges of 1201 b.
of pebble powder and similar projectiles, of 7001 b. weight
each. The force of the explosion caused the gun to recoil
up the inclined plane to the top at both discharges, return-
ing to the loading position-of itself. A number of mili-
tary officers were present to witness the experiments not-
withstanding the inclement weather. The final trial has
been postponed for a few days in order to allow time for
the gun to be examined. On that occasion it will be fired
with the maximum proof-charge of 1501 b. of powder.

A. NONAGENARIAN.—The oldest clergyman in. the
diocese of Oxford, the Rev. Thomas Walden .Haniner, has
just died at the great age of 92. He was vicar nf Little
Missenden, Bucks, for sixty years, and rector of Simpson,
in the same county, for twenty-five years. He was
formerly a member of Brasenose College, Oxford, where
lie graduated B.A. in 1803 and M.A. in-1307.
„..
BREAKFAST. —EU.S'S COCOA.--GRATEFUL AND COM-
FORTING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has
rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re
marks :—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which
govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a
careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa,
Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately
flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors'
bills. Each packet is labelled--JABos EPPS (C.: CO., Homoeo-
pathic Chemists. London. Also, makers of Epps's Cacaoine, a
very thin evening beverage. —Ad vt.