The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1841.

PARIS AND ROUEN RAILWAY.

The following satisfactory statements respect-
ing this important .line of railway will be read
with interest by Englishmen as well as French-
men. It is a remarkable coincidence of circum-
stances, that while the most extraordinary un-
dertaking of the present day, the Thames Tun-
nel, was planned and executed by a Frenchman,
and the most superb line of railway, the Great
Western, was planned and completed under the
superintendence of his son, the engineer on the
Paris and Rouen Railway, the most important
yet attempted in France, is an Englishman; the
principal contractors for making the tunnels and
bridges are Englishmen, a vast number of the
labourers belong to the same people, and a large
amount of the funds have been raised by British
capitalists. Peace has already done wonders in
promoting intercourse between the two coun-
tries. Let us hope that its continuance may per-
fect the commercial relations, and increase the
friendship of two nations, whose alliance forms
the best security for the peace of the world.
REPORT OF THE CONSEIL D'ADMINISTRA-

TION TO THE GENERAL MEETING
PARIS, JULY 8, 1841.
GENTLEMEN—We beg to announce to you the accom-
plishment of the commission confided to us at the last ge-
neral meeting.
At that meeting it was resolved that the Conseil d'Ad-
ministration should appeal to Government for authority
to pay the interest at the rate of 4 per cent., instead of 3
per cent., during the progress of the works.
Our appeal, supported by your recommendation, has
been successful ; an " ordonnance royale" has authorised
interest at 4 per cent. during the works. We, in conse-
quence, have the honour to announce to you payment of
interest up to the Bth of Jvly, at the rate of 4 per cent.,
being 4s. per share.
You may remember, Gentlemen, the political difficul-
ties which surrounded us at the time of the last general
meeting of July 11, 1840. You did not believe they
would suspend the execution of our undertaking, and we
shared that conviction with you. It has been confirmed
by the readiness with which all the joint obligations
have been fulfilled, in proof of which we quote the
amounts paid up to June 30, 1841, namely, 12,602,000 f.,
of which 10,048,000 f. hare been invested in Treasury
Bonds bearing 4 per cent. interest.
If any doubt ever existed as to the completion of our
undertaking, the receipt of so considerable a portion of
our joint funds in the midst of so many difficulties, still
in the recollection of every one, but now happily termi-
nated, will show the vast resources and powerful means
of our Association. -
Our first care was to arrange the co-operation of the
various branches of the establishment, so as to secure the
most prompt and economical execution of the works
confided to each.
The engineers under the immediate direction of the
engineer in chief, Mr. Locke, were at once employed in
fixing the line and drawing up the parcellary plans.*
On the 12th December last, we forwarded to the Mi-
nister of Public Works the general plan of the line, with
all the required particulars, as far as Mantes, a distance
of about 30 miles, nearly 18 more miles than the Cahier
des Charges required.
On the 7th of April we also forwarded to the Minister
of Public Works another section of our general plan for
about 29 miles ; and at this moment, the plan of the
whole line is fixed.
You will perceive the importance and e;fficulty of the
labour comprising the " ensemble" and the details of
working ; rendered still more complicated by the various
documents which the law required us to furnish for the
Government examination of our plan.
With the plan, the parcellary plans were also carried
on with the greatest acti%ity; and as each section was
finished, it was immediately forwarded to Government,
in order that the various forms which the law directs
might be complied with.
These forms are numerous, and it is necessary that
they be fulfilled before the works can be commenced
or expropriation begun.
The general plan is to be successively examined by the
Prefects, the Engineer-in-Chief of the " Conseil Gene-
rale" of the Ponts et ChauSse6s, and the Minister of
Public Works. Approval of the general plan 'is con-
ditionally given upon the opinion of the Committee of
Inquest on the necessity of expropriation cf and other
local questions which arise out of the construction of the
railway. The proceedings are preceded and followed by
numerous delays ; the opinion of the Committee is again
to be submitted to the various authorities above named,
and it is only after careful examination of all the pro-
ceedings that final approval can be obtained.
We have had to comply with these forms for fifty-two
communes passed by the railway; our parcellary plans
are finished on the whole of the line; and, with the ex-
ception of a very few communes, they have been depo-
sited. Inquests have been held in thirty comrades, and
we have received the final approval of our plans for that
part of the line which lies between the junction on the
St. Germain Railway and Poissy.
We have used our best endeavours to accelerate these
forms, but they are so many, and accompanied with
such delays, that it was but yesterday we received the
power of expropriation on the first section of our line
as far as Poissy, although it is twelve months since our
Bill passed.
This fact alone calls for reform in the state of the
law, and in the official regulations which embarrass Rail-
" way Companies.
It is true, on this point of the line we have met with
an opposition on which, notnithstanding the publicity
it has obtained from the public journals, we feel bound
to give you further explanation.
The town of St. Germain, whose claims were settled

by the Government and the Chambers, has thought fit to
appeal before the Inquest Committee against the line, as
fixed by the law, and approved in its general arrange-
ments by the Governtient.
In itself and in its form this appeal was inadmissible ;
it has been condemned by the most competent engineer
as striking at the very root'of our undertaking, destroy-
ing all the arrangements of our plan altering the most
essential conditions of the construction and working of
our line. ' Our opposition, founded on such powerful
motives, has been sanctioned by the decision of the Com-
mittee of Inquest, the Engineer-in-Chief of the depart-
ment of Seine and Ouse, the Conseil-General of the
Fonts et Chaussees, and finally by the approval of the
Minister of Publ:c Works. The question now is irre-
vocably fixed.
Whilst fulfilling the legal forms, and in spite of delay
of every kind, we have taken proper measures for the
prompt execution of the works..
Our attention was first directed to the tunnels, which
from their nature, might have presented the greatest dif-
ficulty, and in which many obstacles might be met is ith.
It was important to confide them to contractors whose
capitol, experience, and ability, would pres-ent the
strongest guarantee for their final completion, and after
various offers, the tunnels of Rolleboise, Tours he, and
Venables, were let to Messrs. Mackenzie and Bressey
upon conditions which would bear no comparison with
those tendered by other contractors. •
Messrs. Mackenzie and Brassey have already executed
vast undertakings of this nature in England to the entire
satisfaction of the different Companies contracting with
them.
The part of the line from the junction on the St. Ger-
main Railway to Poissy, including two large bridges on
the Seine, was also let, to Messrs. Mackenzie and Bras-
sey, as soon as the plan was approved. In this also the
vast differences in the tenders of the other contractors
left no doubt as to the considerable advantages offered by
Messrs. Mackenzie and Brassey ; since which the dis-
tance between Poissy and the Rolleboise tunnel has also
been confided to them on • most advantageous terms for
the Company. We are now able to judge from the-works
is progress, and properly appreciate the tclent and ability
of the contractors.
The works already let will be- finished on .the Ist of
March, 1843.
We have also contracted for the bridges of Oisel and
Manoir, which will be fir:shed by the Ist of January,
1843, at the very latest.
The works on all the other parts of he line will be
shortly put up to tender,
From the different mobs of execution, we have se-
lected that by contract, with a Cahier de Charges, and a
control which will secure the best, the most speedy, and
the most economical execution of the works. The choice
of this system is justified by experience in England,
where various plans have been tried.
We have also secured, by advantageous contracts with
five of the principal foundries, a supply 'of rails and
chairs for a considerable portion of the line. On the
chairs we hare ekected a considerable reduction on the
prices hitherto laid by other Companies.
At the
'.3ame time we have accepted the offer of a Com-
y powerful from its capital and experience, to con-
struct our locomotive engines and tenders at Rouen on
plans Axed by our Engineer-in-Chief, combining every
perfection and improvement, and at prices much beneath
those hitherto paid for engines bought in England or ma-
nufactured in France.
These machines will for the most part be constructed
in the workshops belonging to the Company, an arrange-
ment which give us the advantage of completely mounted
workshops for the future repairs of our engines.
The particulars of the contracts concluded, and those
in the course of settlement, which we have just read to
you are confirmed and completed by Mr. Locke's Report,
which we have now the honour to lay before you.
MR. LOCKE'S REPORT.

To the Directors of the Paris and Rouen Railway
Company.
Paris, 7th July, 1841.
Gentlemen—On the occasion of meeting the Proprie-
tors, it becomes my duty to report to you the progress
that has been made in the construction of the railway
from Paris to Rouen.
You are aware that the great works of art, which from
their magnitude might retard the rapid advancement of
this undertaking, consist of the tunnels at Rolleboise and
Venables, and the four bridges across the Seine.
In accordance with your desire, I directed my atten-
tion to these works in the first instance, and, although
it was necessary to pass through 'many forms required
by law before any of them could be put in motion, we
succeeded in obtaining offers, and making contracts for
some of them, during the progress of our preliminary
operations.
We are indebted for the facility thus afforded us to
the Administration of the Ponts et Chaussees, who, with
much consideration, have expedited our applications with
great cordiality.
I cannot, however, forbear to state; that the delays
which have arisen in obtaining possession of the land,
more particularly in the district between Bezons and
Poissy, are such as to interfere materially with the con-
tract of the works there, which (although it was let six
months ago) cannot be proceeded with for -want of
the land.
The effect of this delay, caused, as I have understood,
y the extraordinary opposition of the tower of St. Ger-

main, has been to defer the opening of this part of the
line, from the summer of 1842, to the spring of 1843.
After the tunnels were put under contract, the first
portion of the line, from the junction with the St. Ger-
main Railway to Poissy, including two of the bridges
across the Seine, was submitted for tenders, and it was
ultimately let to a Company of experienced English
contractors (which had already undertaken the tunnels)
at a price very much below any offer made by the con-
tractors of this country.
The two remaining bridges were next advertised for
tenders, and in the meantime the line between Poissy
and the Rolleboise Tunnel (on which there is no heavy
work) was contracted for at prices still lower than those
between the St. Germain line and Poissy.
During this period the plans, &c., required by the Ad-
ministration of the Pouts et Chaussees have progressed,
and at this moment the plans and sections of the entire
line are completed, and deposited for their approbation.
The plans for the landowners are also much advanced,
and I have reason to believe that the whole of these
operations will be finished in the course of the present
month.
It appears, therefore, that the line is staked out, and
the plans and sections prepared for the entire distance—
that the portion from the junction with the St. Germain
Railway to Rolleboise, or Bonnieres, a distance of 37
miles, is under contract, and that all the tunnels and
large bridges are also under contract. Besides these,
offers have been accepted for the supply of about 7,500
tons of rails and chairs, as well as for the locomotive en-
gines for working the line.
The establishment of the workshops at Rouen, in
which some of these engines will be constructed, now
engages my attention, and I hope to have them in such a
state of forwardness as to enable the contractors for the
engines to carry on their operations in the spring of the
ensuing year. In the meantime, the contracting parties
will proceed with such parts of these machines as require
the greatest length of time, in workshops to be provided
by themselves.
On the remainder of the line, about 40 miles, there is
no work of magnitude, but preparations are making to
place the whole under contract during the present sum-
mer, so as to secure their completion by the time at
which the works already let are contracted to be done.
The progress made up to this time in the tunnels is
most satisfactory. At Rolleboise, nine shafts have be 6
sunk to the level of the tunnel, and two others are near
the bottom. The driftway which has commenced from
several of the shafts, has already proceeded 450 yards,
and the open cutting at each end is considerobly advanced.
The side walling at Rolleboise is nearly finished. At
Venables and at Tourville all the shafts are sunk, and
the driftway is in operation ; of the latter about 1,200
yards are already driven. These driftways will now be
worked at fifty different faces, and will, I expect, be
driven through the entire length of all the tunnels by
the end of the present year.
The bridges at Bezons and Maisons are also in a state
of forwardness, several of the abutments are founded,
and the masonry built up to the surface of the ground.
The coffer dams for the piers are in course of construc-
tion, and will all be finished during the present summer.
A large quantity of timber for the superstructure has
been procured, and materials in great abundance are now
ready to begin the works at several points.
The contracts for the works on the line already en-
tered into, amount to 600,0001. and from this I can form
a tolerably correct opinion of the cost of the remainder.
That opinion still is, that the capital of the Company
will be found amply sufficient. There may be expenses,
which I may be unable to controul, and against these I
wish to speak with caution ; but I feel bound at the same
time to state, that the requirements of the Administra-
tion of the Pons et Chaussees and the other public autho-
rities, have almost universally been distinguished by such
a degree of fairness, as to leave no reason to doubt a
continuance of the same spirit.
Considering the peculiar formation of this Company,
the novelty of the system on which the works are being
executed, and the difficulties which invariably attend ray
deviation from old established habits, I think there
is every reason to be satisfied with what has already
been done. I wish, however, to be permitted to state,
that if in my endeavours to introduce into this Com-
pany the results of the experience acquired in England
during the development of the railway system there, it
should appear that an attachment is shown to English
customs, I trust that the Directors of the Company will
at least give me credit for possessing no motive but that
of wishing to employ all the means that appear to me
useful and economical in the construction of the work
committed to my charge, without reference to the country
from which they are obtained.
This undertaking is of too great a magnitude to
justify any deviation from the course which shall secure
to the Company its early completion ; and although, as
you are well aware, I have invited and made some efforts
to combine more French enterprise in the construction
of the works than we have yet obtained, I am neverthe-
less of opinion that we ought to adhere strictly to that
line of conduct which will best secure the object we have
in view, regardless of any observation that may be made
elsewhere.
In conclusion, permit me to express my confidence in
the final success of this undertaking. Whatever difficul-
ties might at first appear to exist, are now overcome.
All the heavy works are undertaken by men wholare able
to execute them ; the rest is easy.
I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
(Signed) JOSEPH LOCKE.
a lTarhgeernuacmceurmouulsattileolnaysofweeaphiatvtze,
imnetouwritliiiahn
in 'some way compensated by the stability which the
ad
vs
et
hcaanu et
leide
immediate necessities of the Cortipany require. This is
' possession of so much capital gives to our Viidertaking.
As we have before stated, almost all these furl& have
been invested in Treasury Bonds bearing 4
terest. However secure and advantageous this in.Tst-
ment may be, we feel that it was not for such a purpose
thee you confided your funds to us, but that we should
employ them as quickly as possible in carrying on the
works. pe,' cent. in-
According to the statutes, we are bound to call upon
you for one-tenth every three months, and on the 12th of
this month a fifth call will become due.
When this clause was inserted in the statutes, it was
important that we should present to the public and the
Government, by the immediate realisation of a great por-
tion of our capital, all the security which they had a right
to expect; that end being attained, no doubt can now re-
main respecting the completion of our joint engagement,
and a further accumulation of capital in our hands would
be useless, and even contrary to the intention of the sta-
tutes. All that is required for the future is that our
supply be maintained so as to ensure all possible dispatch
in carrying on the works. For that purpose we request
that the future calls, instead of being imperative, may be
left to the discretion of the Conseil d'Administration.
The proposition which we have the honour to lay
before you on the subject, will not allow us to anticipate
the calls before the expiration of a year, we only desire
the nower of making them according to the necessities
of the undertaking, preserving always during the said
year, the period fixed by the statutes between each call.
According to Art. 49 of the statutes, we have given
notice in the circular of our proposition for modification
of Art. 7.
This modification will be submitted for your consider-
ation, and if you approve it, it will remain with you to
authorise us to take the necessary steps for obtaining the
State's consent.
In conclusion, gentlemen, since you confided this great
undertaking to our care, a considerable portion of the
joint funds has been realised.
The plan of the line fixed ;
Parcellary plans for 36 out of 52 communes deposited.
The inquests terminated in 30 communes.
Contracts signed for upwards of 39 miles, about one-
half of the entire line, including four bridges over the
Seine, and about 5,889 yards of the tunnels, the most
difficult and tedious parts of the works.
The works of the four tunnels, and two of the bridges
are in rapid progress.
A third part of the iron rails has been ordered, and is
now in the course of delivery. ,
A supply of engines is also secured.
This, gentlemen, is the result of our labours during
the past year, in the midst of political difficulties, which
have affected all the affairs of the country, and parti-
cularly the great public undertakings, and which, from
the very nature of our undertaking, might have fallen on
our Company most particularly.
We have happily overcome these difficulties, and we
have complied with the greatest part of the formalities
which tended most to retard our operations.
If we have met with serious difficulties on certain
points, they have been amply compensated by the favour-
able reception of our plan upon almost all the extent of
the line ; from the authorities in general we have met
with the greatest kindness.
The Committees of Inquest have every where endea-
voured to reconcile the requirements of our undertaking
with the local interest of the various parties, and up to
this moment we have not had occasion to appeal against
any of their decisions.
The Government and the Ponts et Chaussees, have on
every occasion shown the greatest interest in the success
of our undertaking, and we fully rely on the continuance
of their valuable assistance.
All the data upon which our calculations were founded
have been confirmed by the contracts hitherto signed.
The contracts for the most important and costly works,
have not exceeded the first estimates. These works will
be finished on the Ist of March, 1843. The remainder
present no difficulty, and can cause no difference in the
estimated expense. They will shortly be put in hand, so
that they may be finished at the same time as the others.
We are confident in the successful termination of our
labours, in the undertaking confided to our charge. Our
Report, we hope, will induce you to join us in that con-
viction, and your approbation will be the best reward o
all our cares and anxieties.
Parcellary plans are those plans which indicate the land
required for the railway.
t By the word " expropriation" is meant the power to take
the land required for the railway.

THE SUN FIRE-OFFICE BUILD ING.— ine
dispute between the City authorities and the Sun Fire-
office is at last terminated by the consent of the latter
body to set back the building to the Act of Parliament
line, and to round the corner at the south-east of Bar-
tholomew-lane. The Commissioners of Sewers will pay,
as the value of the land thus appropriated to the public,
such a sum as may be determined upon by Mr. Cocke-
rell, the surveyor, the Sun Fire-office, and some stranger
to be appointed by themselves. The Directors of the Sun
Fire-office have acted, in the opinion of the citizens, most
unwillingly, and ungraciously; and they think that it would
lu ve been much more creditable to these Directors to
have.conceded to general convenience what was never
equitably theirs, than, by persisting in forming this pro-
jection, to have compelled the Commissioners of Sewers
to appropriate public monies to an improvement in which
the Sun Fire-office was really as much interested as the
public themselves.
A tunnel, two miles in lengh, for the transit of
coals from the Spital Tongues co' 'ery, near Newcastle,
to the River Tyne, is nearly completed, and 101 be
opened early nest year.—lnventor's Advocate.

FLANDERS AND DUTCH MAIL.
BRUSSELS, SEPT. 16.—The Journal du Commerce of
Antwerp has received a private letter from the Hague of
the 14th September, with the folloning intelligence :
" I hasten to let you know that Baron Verstolk Van
Zoclen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has just tendered
his resignation to the King, who has accepted it this
morning, and immediately appointed M. Van Zuylen
Van Nivelt to fill the office ad interim. It is said that this
sudden retirement is to be attributed to a difference re-
specting Limburg."
We learn f.om Liege that some Dutch officers have
lately arrived in that city with a commission from their
Government to bespeak arms in our manufactories.
They have announced this intention in a visit which
they have paid to the burgomaster. We rejoice at this
circumstance, which is a happy augury for the future re-
lations of the two countries.
BRUSSELS, SEPT. 17.—The King and Queen of the
Belgians leave Paris to-day, and are expected at the
Palace of Lacken to-morrow, where her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Kent is also expected on Friday, on her
way to England from Germany.
Nothing is more singular than what has passed, and
what is still passing, respecting the accession of the
Grand Duchy of Luxemburg to the German Customs
Union. While the King summoned Commissioners to
the Hague to enable him to judge of the commercial re-
lations best adapted to Luxemburg, this treaty of union
was signed at Berlin. Now, while the Commissioners
are still engaged in discussing the advantages and the
dangers of this treaty, Prussia takes possession of all
the frontiers. Of a treaty of commerce which consti-
tutes one document, some articles only are published, and
among them the most important, that relative to the im-
portation of corn, the parties seem to intend to negotiate
respecting the others. One might be tempted to ask
who is deceived in this affair, the King of Prussia, or the
people of Luxemburg ?
P.S.—We had written thus far when we received from
Luxemburg the important news that all the measures for
carrying into effect the accession of the Grand Duchy of
Luxemburg to the Customs Union are suspended, and
even that the Prussian Custom-house officers, who were
already in Luxemburg, have received orders to return to
Prussia.
These facts clearly prove that the ratification of the
treaty, if not refused, is at least suspended. —Echo du
Luxemburg.
THE HAGUE, SEPT. 16.—1 n the sitting of the Second
Chamber to-day, the Project of Law for the Conversion
of the Funded Debt into Active Debt was the Order of
the day. It was adopted by a majority of 42 to 10.
The Handelsblad expresses great satisfaction at the
adoption of this law.
THE HAGUE, SEPT. 17.—The Second Chamber adopted
by a majority of 42 to 9 the Project of a Law respecting
the Reduction of a portion of the National Debt
PETERSBURG, SEPT. 17.—The Emperor left Yarskoye-
Selo on the night of the Ist instant, and took the road
to White Russia.
DUTCH FUNDS.—AMSTERDAM, SEPT. 17.
Money. Bills.
Actual Debt, 2% per Cent
Ditto, ditto 5 per cent.
Amen Syndic,4g per cent..... ........ 9134 92
Ditto, ditto, 354 per cent 7534 76
Commercial Company, 4% per cent 155% 156
Ditto (1835 and 1837) 5 per cent.
Loan 1837, 5 per cent. 97 97%
Exchange on London, One month l2 05
Two months
Hamburgh, One month 35 75
Two months 35 50
Dutch Papers, Sept. 18.
BELGIAN UNDS—Bitussittr, SEPT. 17.
Actual Debt, 2% per Cent.
Rothschild's Loan, 5 per Cent :101%
Loan of Thirty Millions, 4 per Cent :: 93
3per Cent .....
71%
(1840) lOl%
Loan of City, 1932, 4 per Cent 90%
Society of Commerce, 4) per Cent 93%
Bank of Belgium, 5 per Cent.— ...... 74%
NationalSeciety.
Exchange on London (short)
Brussels Papers, Sept. 17.
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, SEPT. 10
five per Cents. Metalliques - 107%
Four per Cents. 9B
Three per Cents.
Bank Shares 1572
Zeitung, Sept. 14
HAMBURG BORSENHALLE, Sum 14.
Bills. Money
Austrian 5 per Cents.
Bank Shares 1605
Anglo-Russian Loan 10.54 105%
Russian 5 per Cent. Ist series, Certificate
Inscription, Ist Se•ins lOl% 10154
Russian 5 per Cent. Hops and Co. 3d and 4th
Series
Ditto in Certificates
New 4 per Cent. (1840) 8638 Fti
Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent 50% 5054
Ditto 5 per Cent
Polish Bonds
New ticket
Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent
Norwegian Loan, 1834, 4 per Cunt
Spanish, New 5 per Cents. l6
EXCHANGES ON LONDON.
HAMBURG, SEPT. 14.-13 si.—Two months, 13 4
aux, Suer, 11.—Three months, 6.18% Money.
BREMEN, SEPO. 10 —Two months, 6 12.
Rum, SEPT. '2. —Three Months, 3954.
S•rocknoLm, SEPT. 7.—Seventy-five days, 12. 0.
• PRUSSIAN FUNDS.—BERLIN, SErr.',l2.
Bills. Money,
St. Schuld. Sch., 4t per cent. lOl% 104%
Prussian English Loan,lB3U, 4 per cent 102 1013 r
Exchange on London, three months 6 18%
—Prussian State Gazette. Sept. 13.

Thirty.eeven•

CHARTISM.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR—A paragraph in the Miscellaneous of yo-ar paper
of Wednesday, the 15th instant, stating that a Chartist
meeting was to take place at Salisbury on that day,
and that, if the Council Chamber was refused, it would
be a torchlight meeting ; as a regular subscriber to
your paper for the last two years, r beg to observe that
your informant may be a torch light incendiary, but the
Chartists of Salisbury deprecate all torchlight meetings,
of whatever nature they may be ; and, was your infor-
mant as peaceably inclined as the Salisbury Chartists, he
would not be ashamed of his name. _

I am, Sir, yours, most respectfully,
JOHN WILKINSON, Sub-Secretary
to the National Charter Association of Great Britain.
Market-place, Salisbury, Sept. 17, 1841.
[The paragraph was taken from a local paper.—
ED. Sun.]

THE RECENT STRIKE of MASONS
AT THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
In the daily journals of last week there appeared para-
graphs, the substance of which was, that the masons
employed on the works of the new Houses of Parliament
had struck in consequence (as stated in the reports al-
luded to) of the arbitrary conduct of their foreman, Mr.
Allen, and that they had resolved not again to resume
their labour until the cause of their grievance was re-
moved. The fact of works of so great an importance as
those of the new Houses of Legislature being suspended,
naturally caused a very considerable sensation, and as it
is a matter of importance to the public that it should be
properly informed of the real nature of the case, our re-
porter waited yesterday upon the contractors, Messrs.
Grissell and Peto, and the former gentleman very kindly
furnished him with facts, the detail of which will put
this affair in its proper light. The masons employed up
to Saturday night week numbered 222, and the whole of
them, principally provincial, belong to the " Birmingham
Union of Masons." This union was established for the pur-
pose of protecting the labourer against the master. So
far so good ; but union being strength, may be turned
to other purposes than those it originally professes, and
may, as in this instance, become a powerful instrument
of intimidation. The men in a body have no fault
whatever to find with their foreman, and so, we are in-
formed, they have expressed themselves ; but a few, six-
teen or seventeen, have considered themselves ill-used,
and, to redress their wrongs, all must act up to the spirit
of their compact, and strike. Two months since the
contractors received a letter from the masons, requesting
them to receive a deputation. The contractors consented
and met the depuation, when a number of grievances
were related. They, the deputation, prefaced their
complaints by stating that Mr. Allen was an arbitrary
man ; and, as an instance, he had refused to allow a
mason to leave his work to bury his mother. This cer-
tainly was a very severe accusation to make against a
man, and the contractors sifted it to the bottom. They
had the foreman confronted with the men, and he then
stated that a man did apply to him for permission to leave
his work for a time that he might go clown into the country
to bury his mother. The foreman was willing to grant
him his request, but when he asked for three weeks' ab-
sence, the foreman said he could not keep his bench empty
that time, and, if he went, he must take his chance of
being employed on his return. This statement satisfied
the deputation, and they agreed that the foreman had
not been harsh. Another grievance, however, was
raised ; and that was, the men could not have their beer
where they liked—they were confined to two houses of the
contractors choosing. The contractors said they had
chosen the houses nearest the works ; but to conciliate
the men they would strike one off, and allow beer to
come from the one at which they held their meetings,
the Paviors' Arms, Millbank. The deputation expressed
themselves satisfied, and nothing again occurred to dis-
turb the harmony that existed until a fortnight since.
It is the custom in all public buildings to give por-
tions of work to masons that occupy a certain time in
completing, and if one man, from being a better or quicker
workman, completes his job before the time, he is
called a " chaser," and the united exertions of the men
are put in force to expel him from the work, unless he
consents to work at the speed laid down by the Commit-
tee of Masons. A mason finished a " headway" two
days before he should have done according to his fellow-
workmen's rule, and a meeting was held, at which he
was lined ss. The man appealed to his foreman, Mr.
Allen, and the latter mentioned the circumstance to the
contractors, who desired the foreman to encourage the
man, and support him against the body that oppressed
him. Another meeting of the union was held, and it
was resolved, that unless this man, who had only faith-
fully discharged his duty, was dismissed, they would
strike. Upon a re-consideration, they thought that too
weak a ground, and got up a charge against the foreman,
which was to the effect that he wished them to do
more work in one day than they were inclined to think
a fair day's work ; and that, when they did not do
this, he made use of intimidating language towards
them, and after alluding to many what we consider child-
ish annoyances that they had suffered, the letter concluded
by stating that, unless Mr. Allen was discharged,they would
cease to work from Saturday week. The contractors,
having no fault to find with their foreman, determined'
not to be influenced by this spirit of insubordination, and
to maintain him in his place—the result of which was
the masons fetched away their tools on Tuesday last.
The contractors having seen a paragraph in the papers,
in which it was stated that Lord Ashley had consented
to present a petition to the Commissioners of Woods and
Forests on behalf of the masons, Mr. Grissell waited upon
the Hon. the Commissioners, and ascertained that the
statement was totally false, the Commissioners assuring
Mr. Grissell that, had such a complaint been made, they
should either have referred the matter to him, or at the
least, solicited his presence.
Yesterday the Commissioners of Woods and Forests
sent a letter to the contractors, stating that whatever
they. the contractors, might suggest, they, the Commis-
sioners, would assist them in carrying out, as far as lay in
their power. Thus the affair remains at present.—
Observer.