The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-25 00:00:00

S N 7 DECEMBER 25) 1845.

pense. The rooms were to be so contrived that an
ample quantity of light would be secured to each,
while every set would be perfect and independent of
others. Each dwelling was to be supplied with water
at the rate of 40 gallons per day, and with a sink,
and the means of carrying off refuse and ashes
through a shaft accessible from the scullery. The first
building which the association purposed to erect would
consist of twenty-one sets of two rooms, and ninety
sets of three rooms, of various sizes, each having the
above conveniences attached, thus furnishing dwellings
proportioned to the requirements of different families,
and to their means of payment. In cases were there
were two bed-rooms, each bed-room would have a sepa-
rate entrance from the sitting-room, and the larger
bed-rooms a fire-place. Under the slate sink in each
scullery would be a galvanized coal box, there would
also be a meat-safe fixed against the external wall.
The living rooms would be furnished with a range,
boiler, and oven, and the shutters in the ground-floor
rooms so contrived as to form a table during the day.
A considerable space in the front of the building,
formed by the projection of the wings, would be en-
closed by iron rails, so as to afford a protected space
for the children of the residents. A large space would
also be left at the back for a drying groun. The com
mittee of works bad carefully examined all the systems
and plans that had been suggested for ventilation,
but they regretted to state that no plan had
come under their consideration which appeared
to them sufficiently secure from the danger of
failure to warrant their adoption of it. Accord-
ing to the present mode of assessment, each set of
rooms having four windows was liable to 7'4d. per week
window duty, while a similar set of rooms in the Albany,
or in the inns of court, or in either of the universities;
was liable to a tax of only lid. per-set—a special ex-
, emption in favour of the wealthier classes. The directors
confidently hoped that an alteration in the mode of
rating would shortly be effected. The plans for the
new building were now complete, and only awaited the
official seal of the authorities under the Metropolitan
Building Act for the commencement of the works.
Since September, 1841, 1,155 shares had been allotted,
almost entirely among the wealthy and aristocratic
classes. By the financial statement it appeared that
7,9631. 10s. had been received; 2,0941. 3s. 7d. expended;
and that 5,8694 6s. sd, remained in hand.

On the motion of the Earl of RADNOR the report was
received and adopted. The Noble Earl remarked that
the Metropolitan Association for the Improvement of
the Dwellings of the Poor was one of the most humane
and useful institutions he had ever heard of, and ex-
pressed his willingness to promote its object by every
means in his power.
A PROPRIETOR inquired whether the directors had
entered into any contracts for the erection of the
works.

The CHAIRMAN replied in the affirmative. A con-
tract had been taken for 12,3451. The directors were
sanguine in the expectation that the works would
be completed within twelve months from the present
time.--(Hear, hear.)
The SECRETARY, for the information of the meeting,
observed that it had been calculated that the rents, at
fixed, at sums varying from 3s. to 6s. 6,1„ would realise
a total rental of 1,472/.

After some other formal business, thanks were voted
,o the chairman, and the meeting separated.

RAILWAY IN TELLII;ENCE.
THE RIVAL LINES TO WINDSOR.
STAINES. WEDNESDAY EVENING.—This afternoon, a
very numerous meeting (nearly twe hundred being pre-
sent). of the inhabitants of Staines, Stanwell, Ashford,
Bedfont, Feltham, Wraysbury, Littleton, and Lareham,
was held at the Literary Institution, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the railway schemes proposed
to pass through those parishes. The London and South-
Western Company was represented by Count Eyre and
Colonel Hendorien (two of the directors), and Mr.
Drake, one of the solicitors; Mr. William Chadwiel,,
vice-chairman, and the following provisional directors of
the Windsor, Staines, and South-Western Company
were also present:—Messrs. Frederick Ashby, J. T.
Bet borough, Captain Currie, RN., Charles Finch, and
Apsley Pellatt. There were likewise present—A. H.
Wood, R. Taylor (Lord of the Manor of Staines), Rec.
Mr. Govett (Vicar), Dr. Heale, Dr. Simmons,
Henry Asliby (banker); R. S. Mawe, Messrs. E. and J.
Ashby, Holgate, Baker, Maunder. Maddeford, Allcutt,
Slarke, Harris, Rickman, South, Jackson, J. Adams, W.
Reed, &c.
Mr. R. S. Mawe, of Ashford House, took the chair.
Mr. CHADWICK, deputy-chairman of the Windsor,
Staines, and South-Western, addressed the meeting at
considereble length; and pointed out the great advan-
tages and conveniences which would accrue to the inha-

operation. The contemplated line would not only open
a communication between Staines and the town of Brent-
ford, but it would also connect Staines with Richmond
and Kew. He expected some gentleman was present on
the part of the Great Western Company, to give such
explanation as the meeting might require. As some mis-
apprehension existed is the minds of many persons with
reference to the extension of the Great Western Rail-
way from Paddington to Lambeth, he could assure the
meeting that, according to the notices that company had
given, they could proceed no further. They had applied
for no powers to enable them to go either to London or
Waterloo bridges.—(Hear, hear.) The South-Western
projected line would enable passengers from Windsor,
Staines, and their vicinities to proceed to London-bridge
—an accommodation and an advantage which could not
fail to be considered of the highest importance.—
(Cheers.) The policy which had always been advocated
by the South-Western Company had been to charge the
very lowest possible amount of fares, and to give to the
public all the advantage of cheapness which it was pos-
sible for them to enjoy. He was quite convinced, when
the saving to be effected in point of distance, and ex-
pense was taken into consideration, independently of its
connecting Staines and its neighbourhood with every
part of London, that the South-Western scheme could
not fail to be looked upon as by far the most superior
line, in every respect, of the two.—(Hear, hear.) Mr.
Chadwick concluded by expressing his desire to give any
further explanation the meeting might require.
THOMAS ASHBY, Esq., then rose and said that, be-
lieviog the line proposed by the South-Western Com-
pany to be the only one which would confer any benefit
on the neighbourhood, he felt great pleasure in proposing
the following resolution, which had his most cordial
support :--" That this meeting, having considered the
relative merits of the projected schemes (for affording
railway accommodation to the parishes and places before
mentioned in the notice calling this meeting) as pro-
moted by the Great Western and South-Western Rail-
way Companies respectively, are of opinion that the
lines proposed in connection with the latter railway are
calculated to accommodate the traffic of the district in a
manner far superior to that projected by the Great
Western Railway Company, in addition to which they
offer a position and choice of stations in London, which
it is utterly impossible to obtain by means of any lines
connected with the former, and this meeting, therefore,
pledges itself to support the Windsor, Staines, and
South• Western schemes by every means in its power."
The resolution having been seconded by WILLIAM
REED, Esq., of Bedfont.
Mr. Rao:mos said he hoped there was some one pre-
sent on the part of the Great Western Company.
The CHAIRMAN put the question to the meeting, but
no answer was elicited.
Mr. APSLEY PELLATT observed that he had always
taken a deep interest in the well being and prosperity of
the town and its neighbourhood. The prospect of their
having a railway to connect Staines with the metropolis
had now assumed a position of so favourable a character
as to enable them to make combat with even that power
rut body, the Great Western Railway itself.— (Hear.
and cheers.) The merits of the South-Western branch,
I coupled with the wishes of certain partie: in very high
quarters at Windsor, led them to look forward to the
most satisfactory results. He would remind the nu et-
ing that the Great Western Company were only seeking
for powers to extend their line from Paddington to Nine
Elms, and no further. He was happy to state that
there were no fears entertained of their meeting with any
opposition from the landed proprietors. The town of
Staines, especially, had given to the scheme a vast
aed large amount of support. With reference to the
mode which was adopted a short time since at Windsor,
of packing the meeting hell at the Town-hall, by per-
sons sent there by the Great Western Company, he must
say it was not to the credit of Mr. Saunders, and others
connected with that establishment, to have adopted such
unfair means to carry their measure.—(Hear, hear.) He
had only to hope that those assembled would afford such
support to the South-Western scheme as would give a
tone to other meetings of a like nature which take place
in the neighbourhood, and where the Great Western
people would be afraid, as they were to-day, to show
their faces.—(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.)
Colonel HENDERSON having entered into several ex •
planations of the plans of the South-Western Company,
and expressing his regret that no one was present to
explain the proposed plans of the Great Western Com-
pany, because he was sure the superiority of the one
over the other would be so manifest.
The resolution was put by the Chairman, and carried
unanimously.
Dr. MALE rose to propose the second resolution,
which was to the following effect:—" That petitions to
both Houses of Parliament be prepared, in accordance
with the last resolution, and that the Members for the
county of Middlesex be requested to present one of such
petitions to the House of Commons, and to support the
prayer thereof." The Doctor said—After the unanimous
feeling which had been manifested by the meeting,it was
almost superfluous to add a single word in commendation
of the line. The townspeople of Staines had carried for-
ward their project against one of the most unprincipled
confederacies ever formed.
The resolution was seconded by the Rev. Mr. G OVETT,
and unanimously adopted.
After some further discussion, in which Mr. Ritehings,
Mr. [litigate, and Mr. Kerr took part,
It was moved by Mr. ADAMS, and seconded by Mr.
BAKER, that the resolutions should be advertised in the
London papers, and copies of them transmitted to the
London and South-Western; and the Windsor, Staines,
and South-Western Railway Companies.

SCILLY—Wind N.N.E.—Off port, Cairo, New York, for Li-
verpool.
PILL, Dac. 22.—Arrd. Canton, Quebec.

PRICE SD.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.—A court-martial was
ordered to assemble to morrow morning, at nine o'clock,
on board the St. Vincent, to try Commander Patten and
the officers of the Osprey, for the loss of that vessel, but
the inquiry has been postponed in consequence of the
non-arrival of some important witnesses.
The Comet steam-vessel, Lieutenant- CommanderJohn-
stun, took forty sacks of biscuit and forty sacks of Indian
meal from Westport to Dugort, on the 18th. A letter
from her, dated Westport, Dec. 19, says :—" Her Ma-
jesty's ship Comet has now anchored at Dorench, some
six miles from the anchorage at Wana-head, our usual
anchorage, having returned from Achill-bay, whither she
had been with biscut and meal. The town of Westport
was convulsed on the evening of the 18th by some two
or three thousand of the country people, who assembled
before the houses of the principal merchants, demanding
a reduction in the exorbitant price of flour and meal,
also of provisions generally, especially of oats. After
an harangue with some of the millers and merchants of
the place, they returned to their starving families very
much dissatisfied. The shops were closed, and a good
deal of alarm was experienced. The military were
under arms at the barracks, but did not make their ap-
pearance. Indeed, the multitude were peaceable, and
paraded with the stipendiary magistrates. They prin-
cipally assembled from a place called the Irish Ough-
sowe, about three miles out of Westport, to the south-
ward. . . . A few more parishes' are expected in
shortly—all as hungry as people living in the mountains
without anything to eat may needs be expected to be."
The Resistance troop-ship, Commander Lowe, was re-
moved from the basin this evening.
The Drake lighter arrived to•day with stores from the
eastward.

The,Penelope steam-frigate has Aitken on board her
powder and shells to-day ; her present armament is as
follows :
On the upper deck—Two 42-pounders, 10 feet long,
84 cwt. ; eight 421 b. carronades.
On the main-deck—Eight 68-pounders, 9 feet long,
65 cwt. ; two 68113. carronades; and two 421 b. carronades.
Boat guns--Two 241 b. carronades ; one 121 b. carro-
nade ; and one 61b. long brass gun.
Total for ship's armament . 22
Total for boats' armament 4

Grand total 26
The Sidon steam-frigate, Captain W. H. Henderson,
C. 8., arrived this morning from Woolwich. She is
ordered into the harbour to have some alterations made,
and has come in this evening.
WOOLWICH, DEC. 23.—The Mastiff surveying vessel,
Master-Commander Thomas, and her tender, the Wood-
-lark, will be paid off in a few days, and recommissioned
by Commander Becher, R.N., of the surveying service,
and for some time past employed in the Hydrographer's-
office at the Admiralty.
- The Sidon steam- frigate, Captain W. H. Henderson,
C. 8., left Greenhithe on Friday last, for Portsmouth.
The Amphion steam-frigate, Captain Williams, is
nearly rigged, and will be ready for trial in a few days,
previous to proceeding to sea.
- The Medea steam-vessel, Comander Hammond, will be
completed about the Ist of January next ; and it is ex-
pected she will proceed to the Mediterranean, for duty at
that station.

The Geyser steam-vessel, Commander Brown, will
leave Woolwich soon, being now ready for sea. Her
destination is not known.
The Rosamond steam-vessel, Ccmmander J. Foote,
has nearly completed her retittinz, and is reported to he
the vessel destined to relieve her Majesty's steam. vessel
Thunderbolt, Commander Boyle, at the Cape of Good
Hope ; the latter having been upwards of four years in
commission.

The Rhadanianthus, steam-vessel, for troops, Master-
Commander Aylen, left Woolwich on Monday for Ports-
:mouth, where she is to receive her final sailing orders, it
being uncertain whether she will proceed to Malta, the
coast of Scotland, or the coast of Ireland.
The Centaur steam frigate went down the River on
Saturday, and returned on the following day, although
the trial was satisfactory, as she requires to be fitted
here with spare gear. It is now expected these fittings
will occupy about ten days, when she will be navigated
to Portsmouth by Mr. 11. Davy, master-in charge, and
the crew who brought round the Encounter steam-
frigate.

The La Hogue steam•guard ship was towed from
Blackwell to Deptford, yesterday, to receive her steam
machinery.
The Fearless steam-vessel, Master-Commander 'Wells,
left Woolwich on Monday, for Chatham, having had a
thorough repair of her hull and machinery, in addition
to new boilers.

uurnl'Olfgdgnat`npairs Miring the -ia§t three months,
and is now nearly ready again for service. The per-
formances of this vessel on many occasions have re-
flected great credit on her designer and constructors,
and it is probable she will outlive and be of equal,
if not greater, service than many of more modern con-
struction.

Vessels in Harbour—The William and Mary yacht,
bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Sir J. Gordon
Bremer, K.C.B. and K.C.H.; the Ceres tender, Black
Eagle, Lightning, Amphion, Porcupine, Teazer, Minx,
Charon, and Centaur steam-vessels ; the Mastiff sur-
veying-vessel and her tender, the Woodlark, the Cocka-
trice ♦ictualling transport, and the Sulphur, depot for
the Royal Marines.
In the Basin—The Growler, Medea, Rosamond,
Geyser, Avon, Gorgon, Dwarf, Monkey, Tartarus,
Niger, and Janus steam-vessels.
In Dock—The Vixen steam-vessel.

Colonel John Hewes, Royal Marines, has accepted the
retirement, which promotes Major Wearing to the rank
of Lieutenant- Colonel.

In consequence of an alteration respecting the trans-
porting of convicts to Van Diemen's Land, 200 will
shortly be sent to Woolwich, in addition to the present
number, for labour in the dockyard.