The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-10 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING., SEPT:L:I.24DRR 10, 1€47.

SANITARY CONDITION OF THE
METROPOLIS.
(From the ChronictO
The Government b:is just appoi:Aed the Special
Commissioners for inquiring into the means of im-
proving the sanitary condition of the metropolis. The
names of the Commissioners are—

Lord Robert Grosvenor,
E. Chadwick,
• Dr. Southwood Smith,
Professor Owen,
R. Lambert Jones.
Lord Robert Grosvenor has taken very great inte-
rest in the subject of sanitary improvement, and few
names could be more appropriately or advantageously
placed at the head of a Commission the object of
whose labours is to improve the sanitary condition of
this metropolis.

The appointment which will inspire the public
with the greatest confidence is that of Mr. Chadwick.
This selection may be regarded as a recognition of
Mr. Chadwick's past services in the cause of social
improvement, and as a security for the efficient
carrying out of the i.nportant and I.lborious under-
taking upon which he now enters.
On the appointment of Dr. Southwood Smith and
Professor Owen the same remark may be made with
not les3 justice. To no one cause can the interest
which the public has been at length induced to take
in the subject of sanitary improvement be more
fairly ascribed than to the unremitting exertions of
Dr. Southwood Smith ; while a great deal of the
valuable information possessed upon the sulject is
due to the scientific investigations of Professor Owen.
Upon the whole, the constitution of the Commis-
sion is calculated to give general satisfaction. Even
the great filth interest of the City will, we presume,
be satisfied that the claims of the Premier's consti-
tuents have not been overlooked. But perhaps it is
rather the public who ought to be thankful that
the Corporation has been so considerate towards Mi-
nisters as to consent to the appointment of only one
Commissioner—Mr. Richard Lambert Jones.

(From the Times.)
Much disappointment was felt and expressed during
the last session of Parliament at the omission of the
provisions with relation to the metropolis from the
Bill for the improvement of the health of towns, in-
troduced by Lord Morpeth.
It is to be observed, however, that those provisions
were necessarily general; and it was felt that others
of a more special character were required. Had the
contemplated Board of Health and Public Works
been authorised by the passing of the Act, it is pro-
bable, and indeed certain, that the duties of the Com-
missioners in relation to the metropolis must, in the
first instance, and for a long time, have been duties
of further inspection as to the practical means of
dealing satisfactorily with the complexities of juris-
dictions and interests, ending i❑ applications for other
and snore special measures of legislation.
Even the late Act authorising the guardians to in-
terfere, and, on the report of medical officers, to order
nuisances to be removed, appears from such cases as
have recently been presented to coroners' juries, to
have fallen a dead letter. The report on the sanitary
condition of the population, and the subsequent re-
ports of the Commissioners for Inquiring into the
Health of Towns, were occupied in making manifest
the evils, and the general principles of measures of
amendment applicable to the whole kingdom, with
special references to the metropolis, wholly incom-
mensurate to its magnitude. Even now, we believe,
it is not known to soma of the Commissioners of
Sewers what extent of sewers exist within their dis•
tricts ; still less is it known what proportion of houses
are drained into the sewers which exist. Nor is
it known what proportion of houses are properly
supplied with water; to what extent the existing
sources of water supply are sufficient or eligible ; in
short, we believe there are no fair approximations
even to a knowledge of the magnitude of new works
which may be required ; and, consequently, propor-
tionately vague notions of the sort and extent of the
administrative machinery which may be needed to
execute and maintain them. Seeing the pressure of
the evils, we understand it has been determined to
anticipate the close inquiries which were looked for
from the Board of Health and Public Works, and, if
possible, expedite the preparation of the special mea-
sures of practical legislation for the metropolis, by
the appointment of a special commission, which shall
proceed with investigations during the vacation, and,
if it can be done, submit results to Parliament when
it meets. We believe that the commission will be
announced in this night's Casette. Mr. Chadwick
will, of course, be one of the commissioners, as well as
Dr. Southwood Smith,—names identified with these
inquiries from their origin, and affording the public a
sure guarantee that the subject will be thoroughly
investigated. Mr. Richard L. Jones will represent
the Corporation.—Times.

DRAINAGE OF WOOLWICH.
About three years ago the commissioners of the
town and parish of Woolwich, in consequence of the
numerous complaints sent to them of the nuisances
arising from the want of drains, caused plans and
specifications to be made for the purpose of effectually
draining the town by the construction of suitable
sewers. The estimate for the construction of the
sewers amounted to 15,0001., and in order to effec-
tually clean them and render them as pure as pos-
sible it was recommended by Mr. Roe, who furnished
the plans, that sluices should be made to allow of an
ample supply of water passing through the sewers
for the purpose of thoroughly cleansing them, at an
expense of 5,0001. additional. About the time the
plans were completed the sanitary measure of Go-
vernment for large towns was anticipated to be made
a legislative measure, and, to save the expense of a
separate Act of Parliament for Woolwich, the
parishioners decided on waiting until the Government
measure was passed, to take advantage of the rules
laid down in it. The Government measure was with-
drawn at a late period of the session, and the period
being now near at hand for giving notices of ap-
plication for new Acts of Parliament or increasing the
efficiency of former Acts, the Commissioners requested
thrt a vestry might be held to take the sense of the
parishioners as to the propriety of still applying for
local powers to make the necessary sewers, without
waiting for the Government measure, which may be
again postponed, the want of drainage being the
cause of more numerous complants than ever, owing
to the increasing population of the town and number
of new buildings recently erected. A vestry meeting
was accordingly held yesterday, and adjourned by
consent to the Town-hall, for the purpose of taking
the measure into consideration, the Rev. W.
Greenlaw, M.A., Rector, in the chair, supported by
Mr. Morgan, churchwarden, and several of the com-
missioners of the parish. A resolution was proposed
by Mr. Chubb, seconded by Mr. Baily, that it would
be advisable to apply for a Bill to extend the powers
of the commissioners for the purpose of constructing
sewers, and levy a rate to defray the expenses of the
same. The motion was met by an amendment by Mr.
Hudson, seconded by Mr. Jones, that it was not ne-
cessary to discuss the subject until after the Govern-
men measure was brought forward, and the amend-
ment was carried by 23 to 12 for the orignal motion.

CHILI AND THE PAClFlC.—Letters from Valpa-
raiso to the 2Sth June state that on the Ist of that
month the President delivered his address to the Chilian
Congress. Alluding to the expedition of General
Florez, he attributed its overthrow to the active and
powerful application of the English constitutional
and to the prompt measures taken by Spain to suppress
it. He likewise announced that a provision had been
made for the payment of the interest on the national
debt. The President concluded by recommending the
establishment of a National Bank. Exchange—From
the scarcity of silver, both bullion and bar, partly
caused by the limited amounts lately received from Bo-
livia, and from the heavy remittances that are due in
England, the exchange continues much against England,
as the following quotations of the transactions in ex-
change just made will show, viz., Bills at 90 days, 43d. ;
bar silver, 10 dolls. sc. per mark ; hard dollars 12 per
cent. premium. Freights--Nitrate, from Iquique to
London or Liverpool, 41. es. and 5 per cent. Copper
ores to Liverpool, 4/. 10s. and 5 per cent. ; ditto to
Swansea, 5/. and 5 per cent. Light freight, from Islay
and Arica, 6L to 6/. 10s:, and 5 per cent. to London or
Liverpool. Two English vessels have been chartered
this month here to take wheat from the coast round to
Monte Video at 31. and 5 per cent. Those rates could
not now be obtained ; freights are declining ; and there
are no charters offering for Huano. Wheat to Rio
fetches a freight of 31. its. 6d., and 5 per cent.—The
differences between Bolivia and Peru had not yet been
settled.
Last night, at S o'clock, a meeting of the " De
Beauvoir Town Improvement Association" was held at
the Jolly Farmers, Church-road, ki oad, ngsland; J. R. Ives,
Esq., of Doctors Commons, in the chair. The meeting
was attended by a great number of house proprietors and
tenants of the district, and amongst other subjects
brought under their notice was the sanitary condition of
a portion of the district, relative to which a very long
correspondence had taken place on the subject with Mr.
Pulley, clerk to the Board of Guardians of the district of
St. John's, Hackney, of which the Beauvoir town forms
a portion, was read to the meeting, and as no benefit had
arisen therefrom, it was unanimously resolved that a
memorial be laid before Lord Morpeth, and that he
may be pleased after a perusal of the correspondence,
surgeons certificates, &c., to give such directions as will
cause the matter to be taken up by the pr.tperly consti-
tuted authorities. No doubt is entertained of his Lord•
st,ip giving the subject his attention. The effectual
drainage and ventilation of such localities where the
poor are huddled together, by which fever is engendered,
and the health of a populous neighbourhood may be en-
dangered, is a matter of the most vital importance ;
and although each and every one are equally interested
therein, still while the landlords can get their rents, the
health of their tenants becomes, in their estimation, a
matter of minor importance, and nothing but the most
rigid and compulsory measures can extort from them a
quota towards the expense of the removal of nuisances
by which the lives of many are endangered, and their
own property depreciated in value. The meeting broke
up at an early hour, after the usual Tote .of thanks to
the Chairman, &c.

STEAM COMMUNICATWN WITH

AUSTRALIA. _ _
TO THE EDITOR, OF THE DAILY NEWS.
your paper of Sept. 2 I observe a letter
from Mr. Davidson, of Hull, respecting " Steam na-
vigation between Singapore and Sydney," in a note
to which you refer to the remarks which you did me
the honour of extracting from the "Voyage of the
Fly," on the necessity for a post near Cape York in
Torres Straits. In this out-of-the-way corner of the
kingdom I have little opportunity (except through
your journal) of learning what is going forward in
these matters, but as I feel much interest in them, you
will perhaps excuse my laying before you the follow-
ing observations.
It appears to me most desirable, not only for the
interests of the company working this route, but for
the general benefit of the Eastern Archipelago, that
the company should enter into •as intimate and
amicable relation as possible with the Dutch East
Indian Government, should look to that nation for a
great part of the support on which they are to rely,
and endeavour therefore to accommodate both its
Government and public (if the latter can be said as
yet to have a distinct existence from the former) by
all the means which will not retard the rapid com-
munication between our own possessions. During
.bout eight months of the year, from March namely
to November, the Dutch at Batavia have no
means of communicating. with their eastern pos-
scasions (Timor and Moluccas), except by a war
steamer dispatched on purpose. A regular monthly
communication at trifling cog, would, therefore, be
of great importance to them, but of still greater to
these islands whose resources might thus be rapidly
developed, and their commerce speedily put on a
better and freer footing than at- present, and one
eventually more profitable to all parties. The de-
struction of the spice trees by Government authority
in order to keep up the price, which was formerly an
annual operation, would no longer be possible in the
open face of the world. Publicity alone is wanting
to put an end to such practices. Now, there are
not wanting indications on the part of the
Dutch of their wish to adopt a better commercial
and political system than they have hitherto acted
on, if it could be done without injury to their re-
venues. A great high road through their dominions
would be one of the strongest incitements to such a
change. Let a monthly English steamer travel this
route full of sharp observers and eager speculators,
and the Dutch would be compelled to take care that no
glaring faults should meet the eye of the one, and that
legitimate fields of action should be opened for the ope-
rations of the other. I thank, then, it will behove the
company about to start, to take lar;ely into account
the nature and capabilities of the Dutch possessions,
through which a good part of their route will lie.
Among other things, it appears to be important
that there should be calling or touching places at or
in the neighbourhood of Sourabay and Coepang.
The first is quite obvious, and no doubt forms part of
the company's plan. The second will not at first be
so inviting, but will, I think, be advisable for the
purpose of creating a traffic. Coepang itself is but
little out of the route, and durint the easterly mon-
Bs 000tnh
aarffeo
trodshegofooduoadn, anchorage and
doriolagndthinegw
epsl
taecrel sy.
monsoon in the northern part of the straits of
Lemao. A station, however, might perhaps be formed
in or near the strait, of Rottee, which would serve
during both seasons, and would be in the direct route
of the steamer. From this point sailing vessels, even
pr, ahus could at all times reach, not only Coepang,
but Banda and Amboyna, without much difficulty.
It would not be easy to overrate the importance
to those places of a certain passage to windward at
all seasons of the year, instead of having to wait
for a change of monsoon. An easy road into, and
frequent communication with, the Spice Islands,
would surely be an event in the history of the " Far
East."

As to Lombock, little, perhaps, could be done with
it at present ; but if the steamer pass through the
straits of Alass, as is probable, she will find it to her
advantage to heave to for an hour, to purchase stock,
and thus may be laid the foundations of a free native
trade with that island, which may ultimately rise into
importance. On the north side of the fine island of
Zindana, or Sandalwoc,d Island, is Paddasway Bay,
which would be directly in her route should any
establishment be hereafter formed there. This is also
a free independent island.
I still adhere to my opinion of the superiority of
Cape York over Port Essington, as the nearest coal-
ing place to Sydney, for several reasons, but for this
especially, that Cape York is snore distant from
Sydney in time than in space. None of the calcula-
tions respecting the route which I have seen appear
to take into account the intricate nature of the navi-
gation among the coral reefs to the southward and
eastward of Cape York. In traversing them the
steamer will often have to go at half-speed under the
most favourable circumstances ; she will Ise compelled
to anchor at night while among them, and to pause
during the day when the sun comes ahead of her.
I think we might safely assume that that part of
the voyage will be from 24 to 48 hours longer
than would be calculated from the mere distance as
measured on the chart implies. She will also be al-
ways liable to such accidents as grounding in that
neighbourhood, which, although not likely to be fa-
tal, must yet cause delay and expenditure of coal,
and render it highly important that assistance and
fresh supplies should 'be as close at hand as possible.
I observe that Mr. Davidson mentions " squat-
ters" in connexion with Port Essington. I would
beg to ask him what they are to do there ? What
are they to squat for—and what are to be their occu-
pations ? Sheep would not live, or would have no wool,
and, from 1) r. Leichardt's recently published journal, it
appears that his horses and cattle, as also himself and
party, suffered greatly from the climate when they de-
scended from the high table land south of the Alli-
gator river to the flat country within 100 miles of the
coast. Few men would be tempted either by the
pleasure or profit of residing there to breed buffalos,
yet what else they could do Ido not know. The com-
munication with New Guinea, which he alludes to,
is obviously more easy from Cape York. The tri-
pang also, or beche de 'tier, is infinitely more abundant
and more easy to be procured among the coral reefs
of Torres Straits than about Pert Essington. had
the Bugis once discovered Torres Straits, nothing but
its greater distance would prevent them entirely
deserting the other part of the coast. Mother of
pearl shells, tortoiseshell, and cocoa-nuts are even now
to be procured in some quantity from the islanders of
the northern part of Torres Straits.
I do not advocate the abandonment of Port Essing-
ton : if a Chinese or Malay colony can be located
there, so much the better; let them try what they
can do. I only doubt the probability of its " rising
into a place of importance," either in five or any given
number of years; and wish to impress upon those
concerned the far higher importance of Cape York or
its neighbourhood as a commercial post, and a point
commanding the navigation of the neighbouring seas,
whether traversed in sailing vessels or steamers.
I am, &c. J. BEETE JUKES.
Sept. 7, 1847.
Geological Survey of Great Britain,
Yofrytty Evan, Denbighshire.

DEATH FROM DRINKING BRANDY.—Yesterday an
inquest was held before Mr. Baker, at the Town of
Ramsgate, Wapping, on the body of John Colbert, a
dry-cooper. It appeared, that on Monday the deceased
got employment in the London Docks; be was engaged
near the Brandy-quay, where it was discovered he bad
tapped a hogshead which contained over-proof brandy,
and from which he extracted about a pint, which he
drank, and shortly after became insensible. He was
attended by Mr. Malcolm, surgeon, who applied [the
stomach pump and other means, but without effect, and
he died the same night. Verdict, " That the deceased
died from taking an excessive draught of over-proof
brandy."
ALLEGED DEATH FROM REMOVAL FROM AN Hos-
PITAL WHILE UNDER TYPHUS FEVER.—COLCHESTER,
THURSDAY.—Last evening concluded an inquest which
had occupied not only the entire afternoon, but several
hours on the preceding day, and had excited a very
strong feeling throughout the town. The subject of it
was the death of a woman named Sarah Kerridge, who,
while engaged as a nurse at the Colchester and Essex
Hospital, was seized with typhus fever, and while suf-
fering under which she was ordered to be removed to the
union house. Public opinion was roused by the suppo-
sition that her end was accelerated by exposure in that
state to the cold. It was stated, a delay occurred of at
least half an hour, during which the woman remained
in a cart, the wind (it was stated by one of the wit-
nesses.) blowing very cold. The jury, after consultation,
returned a verdict, " That the deceased died of typhus
fever, but the jury regretted her removal from the hos-
pital, arising from the circumstance of that institution
not having a fever ward."
THE NEW MODEL PRISON, CLERKENWELL.--YeS-
terday communications were forwarded to the magistrates
for the county of Middlesex, requiring them, after the
28th instant, to commit prisoners for trial, and those re-
manded for further examination exclusively to the New
Model Prison, Clerkenwell, named the Middlesex House
of Detention, which after that date will be open for the
reception of such persons. This prison contains one
thousand separate cells, fitted in the same manner as the
Pentonville Model Prison, with stool, table, hammock,
and lavatory. The entire building is in the form of a
cross, the chapel forming the centre, and the four wings
on either side contain 250 cells each. Persons under
detenzion will be kept strictly apart, even the exercise
grounds and gratings for the reception of visitors are so
constructed that they can neither see nor speak to each
other.
THE HEIR OF ABDOTSFORD.—From a War-office
notification in the Edinburgh Gazette of last night, it
appears that Lieutenant Walter Scott Lockhart, of the
16th Light Dragoons, has been permitted to assume the
name of Scott, in addition to that of Lockhart.—North
British Mail.
T. Winterbottom, son of Lieutenant Winterbottom,
Ist Life Guards, has just joined the riding establishment
at Maidstone as a cadet.
His Excellency the Bavarian Minister and the
Baroness de Cetto and family have left town for
prightop, where they purpose passing the autumn.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCTLI
Yesterday a Court was held for the dispatch of
business.

Deputy PEACOCK gave notice of a motion for
making some improvement in the Irish Society.
Mr. WIRE said that he had intended to give notice
of a motion relative to the sanitary regulations of the
city of London, but he had been given to understand
that the Commissioners of Sewers meant to adopt im-
mediate proceedings upon the subject.—(Hear, hear.)
Deputy PEACOCK said that the Commissioners were
engaged in the consideration of this important ques-
tion, and it was referred to them to prepare a Bill
for powers to improve the sanitary condition of the
City accordingly.

THE CITY SMALL DEBTS- COURT.
Mr. BURN brought up the report upon the Act for
the more easy recovery of small debts and demands
within the city of London and the liberties thereof.
It stated that the committee heard the City law au-
thorities upon the provisions of the Act, and referred
it to Mr. Bullock, the Judge of the Sheriff's Court,
to consider and report as to the proposed establish-
ment of the new court, and the requisite rules and
regulations for its government; that the committee
havinr, also considered the 23d clause in that Act,
whereby the court was authorised to order that the
judge, clerk, bailiff, and officers of the court should be
paid by salaries instead of fees, recommended the court
to direct tha. the payment of the chief clerk should be
by a salary of 500/. out of the fees. That the Act came
into operation on the 29th of September, and the
Court must give at least one month's notice of the
place where, and of the day or days on which the
Sheriff's Courts were to be held ; and that the Com-
mittee, after consulting Mr. Bullock, recommended
that till such time as the Court of Requests may he
in readiness the said Courts be holden in the Guild-
hall, and that the first be held on Tuesday, the 12th
of October, at ten o'clock in the forenoon ; the
second at ten, on the 19th; and the third at ten, on
the 26th of the same month; the judge having ad-
vised that the holding of the Court once in every
week• will be sufficient at the commencement.

The report was agreed to unanimously.
CITY BUILDING LEASES.

Upon the motion of Mr. WIRE (in the absence of
Mr. Blake), it was referred to the City Lands, Bridge-
house Estates, and Improvement Committees to con-
sider, consult with counsel, and report to the Court
whether in their opinion it would be fur the interest
of the Corporation if building leases on its estates were
in future to be granted for 80, instead of the now
usual term of 61 years, and whether such change
could be made without peril to any of its rights or
privileges.