The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-07 00:00:00

A ATE•OOLLECTOR'S REPORT.

This report stated that the total amount of the
rates was 241,675/. 31. 2d. ; of that, 184,3421. 14s. id.
had been collected up to the 81st Deo., 1855, leaving a
deficite the
of 57335/. 9s. ld., to recover which would re-
quire issue of 25,000 summonses and 15,000 war-
rants. The report enumerated the staff engaged in
collecting the rates, and suggested its continuance for
the present.
The CHLIIIIIA.N said; that in future the Board, as a
Board, would have no rates to collect, and would not
require a staff after the collection of the arrears of rates
to Dec., 1865. The Board would, in future, levy the
amount of rate required from each of the parishes
who would make arrangements for the proper collection
of these amounts.

The report, after some discussion, was received.

The ACOOIINTANT reported that it would take him a
month, with six assistants, to balance the sash Recount
and the works' account, at an expense of Gil. ISs. sd.,
and produce it for the information of the board and the
public.
The Cilium( said he thought this very desirable,
and it was approved by the board and ordered to be
carried out.

The report of the committee appointed at the last
meeting was brought up and read. The committee sug-
gested that there should be two seals—one a large one
for stamping deeds and official documents, the other a
small one for correspondence. For the first they pro-
posed the design should be the royal arms in the centre,
surrounded by those of the counties of Middlesex, Sur-
rey, and Kent, and the cities of London and Middlesex,
with the inscription "Metropolitan Board of Works ;''
the small seal to have the arms of the four counties and
the inscription.

Mr. L. TAYLOR moved the adoption of the report,
which having been seconded,
Mr. TUENBIt took an objection to the inscription.
The motto should be indicative of the principle on which
the board was constituted and hal to act, and he pro-
posed as an amendment that the following words should
be added—" Liberty, order, and strength." (Laughter.)
The amendment was not seconded.
Objection was taken to the board ordering two peals.

Major Lrom said he thought it would have been bet-
ter for the committee to have decided on one seal, which
was all that was required, and reported to the board th•
expense. He thought " Liberty, equality, and frater-
nity" a• appropriate as that suggested by Mr. Turner.
(Laughter.) He moved the adoption of the report so
far as it agreed with th• large seal only.
This having been seconded,

The CHAIRMAN put the amendment, which was lost,
10 only voting for it and 17 against it.
An amendment was then proposed that there should
be two or more seals as might be required, but only one
design which was carried.

It was now discovered from a letter received from Mr.
Wyon, that the counties of Essex and Surrey had no
arms, those of Guildford and Colchester doing duty for
the above counties. (Laughter.)

Seine difficulties arising as to which (if two or more
seals were ordered) should be considered the corporate
Deal ; and the letter of Mr. Wynn, it was moved by
Mr. LAWMAN TAYLOR, and seconded, that the subject be
referred back to the committee for further consideration,
and to report thereon, which was agreed to.
The report of the committee on the duties and sa-
laries of the officers was then read. It stated that an
enginesr she old be elected, and that he should devote
the whole of his time and attention to the board, attend
the meetings of the board and the committees, advise
them on all engineering questions, and prepare the ne-
cessary plans and specifications required. He would
have to superintend and report on all works carried
on under the board, and discharge all such duties
as were connected with such engineering works.
The committee asked for further time to consider
and report what should be the amount of salary
paid him. The clerk should be designated " The
Clerk of the Board," and his duties should be
to attend all meetings of the Board and the Commit•
tees ; to take minutes of all proceedings before them,
and to act generally under the direction of the
Board and the Chairman ; and to be a gentle-
man capable of advising on legal and other points
that might arise. H• would be required to give up
the whole of his time to the duties, and the salary
be 8001. per annum.

The COMIIIIISIONIE suggested that one of the joint-
stock banks should be selected as treasurer, and that
the moat favourable terms be obtained from them.
The COMMIES/RONNE% asked for further time to report
on the salary of the accountant, and the duties and
salary of the superintendent architect of metropolitan
buildings.

Major LYON asked if it was necessary the clerk should
be a lawyer ?

The CsuirouN said no doubt the board would bere
after find it necessary to appoint a solicitor, to whom
they might refer all questions relative to actions, kc. ;
but, at the same time, he thought it desirable a legal
gentleman should be elected as clerk, to advise the
board and commissioners on various points that night
arise at their meetings.

Mr. Deputy HARixsox said the committee in framing
their report had the appointment of a legal gentleman
as clerk in view. The committee had no desire
to make appointments bearing large salaries. He
hoped they would agree with them that 8001. a year
was not too much for a clerk, and on the other hand
sufficient to obtain the services of a qualified gentleman
(Hear.) He proposed the adoption of the report.

Mr. Howe seconded the motion.
The motion was ultimately carried unanimously.

Major LYON proposed that in future no street ihould
be less than 40 feet in width, and no alley less than 20
feet in width.

Deputy HARRISON was of opinion that the considera-
tion of this question had better be postponed until after
the appointment of the architect.
The question was referred to the committee of bye-
laws.