The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-08 00:00:00

MARYLEBONE VESTRY.

THE RECENT CHARGES OF JOBBING AND
MISMANAGEMENT AGAINST THE WEST-
MINSTER COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS.

On Saturday, at the meeting of the Mar;ieb ono
Vestry, the Rev. Dr. Spry in the chair, the principal
special business of the day was to consider the report of
a committee appointed to investigate the allegations
against the Court of Commissioners of Sewers for West-
minster, and part of Middlesex, made in a pamphlet
published by Mr. Leslie, a member of the Court, to-
gether with the reply of the Commissioners, by order of
the Secretary of State. The question appeared to excite
considerable interest, and nearly all the members of the
vestry, who happen also to belong to the Commission,
were present. _ _

WArrs, the deputy vestry clerk, read the report,
which, after setting forth that the Committee had bad
the co-operation of various other metropolitan parishes,
which had sent deputations to assist in the investigation,
proceeded to state " that the Committee, as well as such
deputations, were unanimously of opinion that great
abuses have existed in the management of the Commis-
sion of Sewers, the whole of which abuses they consider
to have arisen from the irresponsible constitution of the
Court. The Committee, therefore, recommend that
petitions be presented from the vestry to Parliament,
praying that the Sewer Commission may be based upon
the truly English principle of representative right, and
that the representatives at thatßoard be in future elected
by the ratepayers of the several parishes, in such a
manner as the wisdom of the Legislature shall decide,
the Committee believing the present system of nomina-
tion and irresponsibility to be fraught with evil,
contrary to the best interests of the ratepayers,
and opposed to the sacred, popular, and just
principles of representative and elective right.
• Mr. H. C. WILSON said, as chairman of the committee,
when the report just read was agreed to, it became his
duty to move the adoption of the report by the vestry.
The circumstances which had given rise to the appoint-
ment of the committee were the allegations of jobbing,
and mismanagement made against the Westminster
Court of Sewers by Mr. Leslie, a member of the vestry
of the adjoining parish of St. George, Hanover-square,
and also of the same commission. The charges against
the commission were of so grave and
ed it
serious a
that the Secretary of State had e necessaryharac character,
m
'call upon the court to answer tl em, dwue
th iwchhitehheyanhsawdedrohnee
in the shape of a Pamp—
would venture to assert was no answer at wtaalsl.
the con-
stitution of the m
Suffice
it to say that they were convinced that i
omuisssoiot. such an
had created the evil,
and they were desirous
fh e
repre-
sentation, ecporme
m co
prove an alteration as would
a remedy. The
time bad arrived when o
*ss'on should be elected on the
principles
seintation, and that those who paid the rates should have
a voice in the selection of those who were to disburse
them. He would now move the adoption of the report,
and would, if the motion was carried, move a subsequent
resolution, empowering the committee to draw up a
pet4i94 for posent§g94 1344,14014, •

Mr. SODEN seconded the resolution. If there was no
other ground for making a determined attempt to abo-
lish the sewer commission, the present unconstitutional
and irresponsible constitution of the court was sufficient.
Mr. CHARLES ELLIOTT differed entirely from the views
taken by the mover and seconder of the report. He con-
sidered, with regard to the constitution of a body like
the Court of Sewers, a more mischievous system could
not be adopted than by making-it a representative board.
He (Mr. Elliott) had been a member of the Sewer
Commission for a great many years ; ten years,
had, however, elapsed since he Lad set his foot
in the commissioners' board-room, and he would tell
them the reason—it was because he was disgusted with
their proceedings. (Hear, hear.) The board was always
attended by a parcel of builders and surveyors, who were
continually squabbling and jobbing to get sewers made,
which would be of advantage to themselves, and doing
other acts which were for their own profit, and their own
benefit. (Cries of "Hear, hear," and cheers.) The reason
he objected to the representative principle was because he
thought a court for such objects as the Court of Sewers
ought to be composed of scientific men, and that such
men ought to be paid for their services. It was
true that Mr. Saunders, the chairman of the court
for many years, was a scientific man, and so was
the late chairman, Mr. Donaldson ; but they could not
expect gentlemen to lose their time and trouble for no-
thing. He considered that all such commissions ought
to be in the bands of Government, and that the chair-
man, at least, should be a surveyor or a scientific man,
and receive a Government stipend.
Mr. Hope, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Solomons, Mr. G. Daniell,
and several other gentlemen spoke upon the subject.
Mr. Wu.soN replied, and, on the question being put,
the report was adopted unanimously.
The matter was then referred back to the committee
to draw up a petition to Parliament, which was to be
presented to the vestry on Saturday next.

IBRAHIM PACHA AND SUITE AT
PORTSMOUTH.

PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—lbrahim, with all his suite, re-
mained at the George Hotel on Friday, resting from the
fatigues of his voyage across the Channel, and receiving
officials who called to pay their respects. Both Ibrahim and
Soliman Pacha frequently appeared at the bay window
smoking their chibouk, ar d in consequence numbers of people
assembled in front of the hotel to take a look at these illus-
trious strangers. The party dined quietly at the hotel, but
were joined by Major Dickson, equerry, and Mr. Briggs, an
old acquaintance of the Pacha, he having formerly held the
situation of British Consul at Alexandria (this is the person
who gave the valuable information to Lord Nelson that led
to the victory at the Nile). The band of the 13th Regiment
performed in the entrance hall of the George after dinner.
On Saturday, soon after breakfast, Ibrahim and suite,
attended by Major Dickson and Mr. Briggs, proceeded in four
carriages to the dockyard, where they were met by the Com-
mander-in-Chief, whose barge, with the Admiralty state
barge,avere in waiting. •In these barges the party embarked,
and arcompanied by Sir Charles Ogle, Captain Chads,
Capt. Pasco and Mr. Gage Morris, the flag-lieutenant, pro-
ceeded to the Royal Clarence victualling establishment ; they
were received by Captain Superintendent Carter; Mr. Town,
the master attendant ; and Mr. Grant, the store-keeper, who
conducted the party round the yard. His Highness saw the
buiscuit-baking by steam in full operation, with which be
was much pleased, and he expressed himself gratified at the
mills for grinding corn, and the admirable arrangement of
the provision stores. Admiral Sir Charles Ogle left them at
the victualling-yard, under the guidance of Capt. Pasco, of
the Victory. At half-past ten the party left the Clarence
Yard in two barges (which we should have stated before)
displaying the Egyptian flag—red, with three silver cres-
cents and three silver balls, and proceeded to the royal
yacht Victorid and Albert. Captain Crispin and Lieutenant
Robson had the honour of receiving the illustrious party and
conducted them round the vessel, which they very much
admired for the accommodations and chaste decorations she
exhibited.
From the royal yacht the party proceeded to the Excellent,
gunnery.ship, where they were received by Captain Chads
with manned yards, guard: of honour, the ship's gunwales
lined with seamen, and with colours at the mastheads. They
remained on board the ship upwards of an hour, witnessing
someshot and shell practice, quick firing, musket and cutlass
exercise, &c. In witnessing some shot practice made with
the rolling motion attached, one of the Egyptians of the
suite volunteered to direct and fire the gun, proving himself
no novice at the work, for at the very first shot he struck
and knocked away the canvas target. As there is consider-
able difficulty in pointing a gun with the rolling motion,
Ibrahim Pacha and his party were highly delighted at their
countryman's success. The quick firing exercise filled the
decks of the Excellent with a dense smoke, there being no
breeze to disperse it; but this did not seem to disturbor annoy
the visitors, who appeared to take pleasure in the smell of
gunpowder.
After Captain Chads had presented his officers to the
Pacha, the party left the Excellent, and proceeded to the
Victory, where Captain Pasco received them under a royal
salute, ship dressed and yards manned; he conducted them
round the ship, pointing out and explaining where Nelson
fell, and where be died. Captain Pasco, having served as
flag-lieutenant to that hero, was the very person to show the
Victory, and his Highness the Pacha listened with much in•
terest to the account detailed by one wl o felt so much per-
sonal interest in the narration. On his Highness and party
leaving the Victory, another salute was fired.
The party now landed at the dockyard, and were again
joined by Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, his secretary, Mr. Haig;
his flag-lieutenant, Mr. Morris ; also by Mr. Fincham, the
master builder; Messrs. Purdo and Brown, masters at-
tendant; Lieutenant Hall, director of the police, and several
other officers. Taking a cursory look at the Nelson, 120,
now under the process of being coppered, and a passing look
at the ships fitting in the basin, the party, conducted by Sir
Charles Ogle, went to see the new building-slips, which his
Highness very much admired, particularly the corrugated iron
sheds built over them. He went on board the new steam-
frigate, the Arrogant, of 1,800 tons, and appeared to admire
her proportions, Mr. Fincham, her builder, explaining and
answering various questions put to him by the Pacha re-
specting her. The party was now conducted to
the iron and copper foundries, where the process of
casting was exhibited, also rolling out the sheet copper, and
the manufacture of nails. The blacksmith's shop was a
scene of much interest. Here the two steam-hammers, in-
vented by Mr. Naysmith, were seen at work, one of 50 cwt.,
and one of 30 cwt. The process of driving a small nail with
the larger hammer was shown, and the expeditious way in
which large masses of red-hot iron could be welded together
by this powerful machine was also exhibited. The contrast
between this hammer and heavy work done by hand was
proved by a large mass of iron being put under the sledge-
hammers of 14 powerful smiths, who hardly made an im-
pression on it. The party now viewed the works at the new
steam basin, where the excavations are nearly completed,
and the basin wall in a state of forwardness, under the
talented contractor, Mr. Peter Rolt. The steam saw-mills
were next visited, and the new atmospheric saw-mills, which
were in full work. But the block-making machinery ap-
peared to attract more attention from the strangers than
anything else. Mr. Taplin, the talented mechanist of the
yard, proceeded to show the whole process, from the rough
elm log to the finished block. The making of the shivers,
the pin, and brass bushing, &c., all attracted the fixed atten-
tion of Ibrahim Pacha and his son.
The party finished their inspection of the yard by viewing
the hydraulic testing-machine. A strain of 76 tons was put
on an anchor and cable by Mr. Wilcox, the engineer. It
had been intended to show them the rigging-lofts, &c., but
as his Highness had made an appointment to see the troops
on Southsea Common at four o'clock, and it now being past
three, it was now given up, and the Pacha and suite re-
paired to the George Hotel for some refreshment.
THE REVIEW OF THE TROOPS OF THE LINE ON
SOUTHSEA COMMON.

The following regiments assembled on Southsea. Common
at half-past three. The 3d (Buffs), under the command of
Colonel James Dennis; the 13th Light Infantry, under
Colonel J. C. Squire; and the 74th Highlanders, under
Colonel Crabbe, formed an extended line from the bridge on
the Common to the Fire Barnes, the whole about 1,700 or
1,800 men. The Lieutenant-Governor, Major-General Sir
Hercules Pakenham (taking the chief command) was
early on the common, atttended by his Aide-de-
Camp, Captain Pakenham, G.G. ; Colonel Daley, Major of
Brigade; Town Major White, and a number of field officers
on horseback. The field was admirably kept by the Royal
Marines, whose force in barrack being principally composed
of recruits, did not turn out, nor were the Royal Marine Ar-
tillery on the field ; their omission must have been from some
mistake in the general order. There was a vast assemblage
of persons on the ground; every vehicle, from the superb
carriage to the humble donkey chaise, was put in requisition,
and it appeared that all the inhabitants of the towns
and neighbourhood had turned out to witness the spectacle.
Precisely at four the carriages containing the strangers were
seen approaching; they drove opposite the centre of the line
of troops, and on alighting were received by General Paken-
ham, with a general present of arms and salute. The Paella
and party walked up to the right wing and passed down
along the line, and then took up a position in front,
when the regiments marched past before them
in slow and quick time. Sir Hercules proceeded to
put the troops through some evolutions, advancing
in line, forming the several regiments into separate squares,
throwing out their light companies, firing along the,whole
line " independent firing," with occasional volleys. At half-
past five Sir Hercules and his staff, and the field officers, dis-
mounted, and Sir Hercules presented them to his Highness
the Paella. The Scotch band of the 74th were now called
out, and they played several Scotch national pieces of music.
The six pipers of the 74th, dressed in kilts and huge bear-
skin caps, also marched backwards and forwards before the
Royal Egyptians, playing the " Highland Laddie " and
other Scotch airs. They attracted much attention. His
Highness now thanked the General and the officers for the
great pleasure that had been afforded him in seeing the Bri-
tish troops of the line, and having made some highly com-
plimentary remarks on their steadiness and general appear-
ance, he quitted the field.
At seven the Pachas with their suite repaired to the
Admiralty House to dine with Admiral Sir Charles Ogle,
who had invited a number of officials and ladies and gen-
tlemen of the vicinity to meet them, and they returned
to the George to sleep at half-past ten o'clock,
having had a most fatiguing day's work. They were all
habited to-day in the Egyptian costume, the two Pachas
plain black loose vests and trousers, red conical caps' withorna-
black or blue tassels, and with plain sabres : their only
ments were thesilver and diamond decorations on the
the others wore similar dresses, but some had light
some green-coloured vests and loose trousers.-ewhich had been
This morning (Sunday) the Lig,h_tcli'ilanduring his stay at
at eight
placed at the disposal of Ibrahim ra
10),oclr(t)csmk,oaunthd, caatmiei a
idf down
tbluerbreasts;
andsts;
embarkedharbour'snmouth ll board
to
and Mr. Briggs'
her Major Dickson and
and steamed out to Spithead to
her from the vietoria
there dressed in colours. At eleven
the Canopus, 84,. lying the
s ngiggsSigh
der a royal salute, and with maimed yar. Is.
receiving him under o'clock he and his suite went on board her, Captain Moresby
P The party returned went over
nilaurs'd'aguaiwnaltdresd ofa saaillultleo,ltu'heasitiedamer steer-
ing
itr°isr stated that after looking at Cowes, Osborne House,
Isle
hoaf Cowes,
look
returning at
ttol eS
tkocw"nt,haen and probablyarty wll
an eight o'clock dinner at the George Hotel, and will finally
leave Portsmouth for London some time to-morrow.
EAST COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
SUNDAY ArrEnN 00N
, HALF-PASS ONE.—lbrahim Paella,
Solim 'an I aclia, General Ibrahim Bay Sidi, M. Carabet
Effendi, First Secretary ; Captain Mustapha Effendi, aide-
de-camp ; Colonel Bonfort, E. M. Joubret, interpreter, and
a large suite, has just arrived at the Medina Hotel, East
Cowes, en route to Osborne House. Five carriages being
ready they proceeded through the grounds to inspect the
new buildings, which are proceeding rapidly to completion.
The staircase to the grand observatory tower being now
completed, and it being a remarkably fine day, a splendid
view was obtained of the Solent, Spithead and Portsmouth

Harbours. After inspecting the royal grounds and
plantations, Ibrahim Pacha, and suite returned in the

i 03,41 barge to the Lightuipg 40417044 which had

brought them from Portsmouth. A splendid luncheon was
prepared by the landlord of the Medina Hotel, East
Cowes, and sent on board the Lightning, for the illustrious
visitors to partake of on their way to Southampton, at
which place Ibrahim Pacha and suite were going to in-
spect the docks, &c., and to return to Portsmouth this
evening.

THE PACHA'S VISIT TO LONDON.
Last evening an express was received at Mivart's Hotel
from Maor C. Dickson, the equerry in attendance on Ibra-
him Pacha, to the effect that his Highness and retinue would
leave Gosport by an early train this morning, and might be
expected to reach the hotel shortly after ten o'cloCk.
The Pacha and suite will not breakfast at Portsmouth, that
repast having been ordered to be prepared by their arrival
from the railway.
All speculation as to his Highness and suite going to Ascot
Races is, to say the least, premature.
Sir Robert Peel, and a host of the aristocracy, called yes-
terday afternoon to learn if the Pacha had arrived.