The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-20 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.

This board met yeatarday, at 12 o'clock, in the Coun-
cil-chamber, Guildhall, for the transaction of business.

BROMPTON-SQUARE AND HYDE-PARK.

A deputation from the inhabitants of Brompton, con-
sisting of Captain. Sir E. Belcher and Mr. J. Blore, at-
tended and presented a memorial in reference to the for-
mation of an opening through the north end of Bromp-
ton-square, leading to Hyde-park, as a sut)stitute for the
present long and circuitous route. They stated, in reply
t ► the chairman, and Mr. H. L. Taylor and Major Lyon,
that the cost of the proposed alteration would only be
501., and that they did nut apply to the Board for money,
but for power to carry it out.
Mr. LESLIE suggested, with respect to the practice
now growing up of presenting memorials to the board,
that it would be worth while for the Board to consider
how far it was desirable to receive ex parte statements
from memorialists who might present themselves to the
board from time to time, representing, perhaps, only a
few of the inhabitants of the district from which they
came.

TO° memorial was ordered to lie on the table.
SITE OF OFFICES FOR THE BOARD.

Mr. SEELEY brought forward a motion in reference to
the erection of premises for the accommodation of the
board, in which the committee previously appointed on
this matter were directed " to suspend the adoption of
any definite plan for the enlargement
,of the b*use in
Greek-street until it had been ascertained whether or not
it might be practicable to obtain a site in some more ac-
cessible situation."

This proposition led to lengthened discussion, from
which it appeared that the estimate of the superintending
architect f it the requisite alterations of the Greek-street
premises was 8,5001., which ineuded 34 rooms and some
fireproof apartments. This amount several members ob-
jected to expend on the Greek-street house, to which
various objections, both as to situation and general con-
venience, were urged. On the other hand, .Mr.Collinson,
Mr. Wright, and other hon. members strongly opposed
the expenditure of such a sum on any premises whatever
at present, stating that, in their opinion, alterations suf•
ficiently extensive and suitable could be effected in the
Greek-street offices at an outlay of 2,0001. to 3,0001.
Among the opponents of the resolution, advocated by
Mr. Seeley, was Mr. Leslie (lately elected in the room
of Mr. Hunt, fur St. George's, Hanover-square), a mem-
ber of one of the former commissions of sewers. Even-
tually, at the close of a three hours' discussion, the pro-
position of Mr, Seeley was carried.
METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.

Mr. WILKINSON moved " That it be referred to the
committee of works and improvements to take into
consideration and report upon a comprehensive plan for
making, widening, and improving streets, roads, and
ways for facilitating the passage and traffic between dif-
ferent parts of the metropolis." He said that, although
the first object for which the board wai established was
the cleaniiug and purification of the metropolis, yet in
his opinion other great works of metropolitan improve-
ment ought to be carried on pari passi. It was therefore
with no desire to interfere with the great sewerage ques-
tions that he bad brought forward the present motion.
The board had already referred it to the engineer to pre-
pare a plan in regard to intercepting sewerage, and until
that report was before the board he was not aware that
they would take any other proceeding in regard to the
main drainage. (Hear.) With respect to the quedtion
of improvements, he apprehended that the board had
already made a practical commencement in the appoint-
meat of a committee of works, but unless this committee
received some instructions from the board, it would be
placed in a position of considerable difficulty. It was
partly to avoid such an inconvenience that he proposed
the above resolution. As to the manner in which the va-
rious suggestions and improvements would come before
the committee, it might be by the board banding to the
committee a memorial, or in some other manner. His
desire was, that there should be first a general scheme,
and then that all local improvements, in whatever part
of the town proposed, should be made more or less de-
pendent on such general scheme. (Hear.) With regard
to the terms of the motion, they had been copied from
an act of Parliament in reference to metropolitan im-
provements ; and he now proposed his motion with the
concurrence of Mr. Wright wad Mr. Carpmael..
Mr. WRIGHT seconded the motion. He thought a com-
mittee of this kind was the proper precursor of a general
scheme of metropolitan insprevemente.
Mr. TURNER coincided with the motions but moved as
an addition the words, " And also for providing or se-
curing open spaces for the health and recreation, or other-
wise, of the inhabitants thereof."
Mr. DIFFANGER seconded the anaendrnent.
Mr. BURSLEII said that although he bad opposed the
reference of particular plans hitherto to the committee,
he was qatte willing to support such a motion as the
present.
Mr. HAWKES was of opinion that the motion should
be adjourned until the Court had considered and decided
where the funds necessary to effectuate such extensive
improvements could be obtained.
Mr. NICHOL4T observed, that the improvements con-
templated would confer a great boon upon posterity as

well as on the present generation ; and on this ground
he believed that the board might fairly go before Par-
liament and seek for taxing powers by which the board
might be enabled to apportion the rates over a number
of years.
Deputy HARRISON reminded the board that these im-
provements, if general, would involve the expenditure,
not of hundreds of thousands but of millions ; eiill he
thought the proper time to discuss the question of funds
would be when the estimate for some particular improve-
ment was before the board. He did not apprehend that
any plan would be reported on by*the committee before
ext session.

Mr. WARE would cordially vote for the motion, but
was decidedly averse to the amendment, which he
looked upon as contravening the terms of the Act of
Parl'ament, for the latter did not, as he read it, give the
board any power to provide open spaces for the reorea-
tior, &c., of the people of London.
Mr. Rows would vote for motion and amendment,
deeming that the means of providing placesof recreation
for the people ought to be one of the prime 'duties of the
board.

Mr. CARMAEL and Mr. DOULTON't agreeing in the
motion, strenuously opposed the amendment ; whilst
Mr. LESLIE objected to both. The board had had 60
months given them to cleanse the Thames from all the
sewage.- Nearly 5 per cent, of that time had now elapsed,
and the board had not yet got a plan. He had seen how
previous boards bad been diverted from this important
matter by the sewage manure question, and he predicted
it would be so with this board, if they allowed their at-
tention to be distracted by other affairs. Moreover, these
improvements did not press. His advice was, that they
should put down on the business paper, a; the first mat-
ter to be taken up, their intention to inquire how Mr.
Bazalgeite was proceeding with his plan. It was their
fault if that officer did not inform them every time they
met what progress he was making. (Ob.)
Mr. EL L. TAYLOR cautioned the board against adopt-
ing the amendment, which, if agreed to, would throw
too much work on the committee. Unless the board
guarded itself, he was fearful 104, sooner or later, this
committee might dominate over the board ; and the way
to prevent this was to pass a_ regulation by which every
document laid before the Committee should first receive
the sanction of the board. In fact, -all proposals for im-
provements should come before that board in the first
instance, and then, if the board saw fit, they would refer
the propositions to the committee. (Hear, hear.) As
regarded Hanipstead-heath, to which he supposed Mr.
Turner's amendment more particularly referred, he
begged to remind tbat gentleman that the hoard had at
the last sitting decided against adopting his (Mr. Tur-
ner's) motion on that subject, and therefore this matter
could not he referred to the committee.

Mr. SEELEY and Mr. BEVAN having expressed their
concurrence in the original
_motion,
The PRESIDENT put the amendment of Mr. Turner,
which was lost, ani the motion of Mr. Wilkinson,
which was adopted.
A brief discussion ensued between the President and
Mr. Leslie in respect to the conformity of the resolution
with the Act of Parliament, after which the subjoined
addition was made, "That instructions be given to the
committee that no plans or schemes whatever be enter-
tained by the committee from individuals unless referred
by this board."
On the motion of Mr. DOULTON, the undermentioned
resolution wll3 l aised, " That the state of the Effra, one
of the main lines of sewer under the jurisdiction of this
board, be referred to the works committee for immediate
inquiry, and to report as to the best means of remedying
its present very dangeeous and defective condition."
Tne other business transacted possessed no general
interest.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD.

The half-yearly meeting of the proprietore of this com-
pany was held yesterday at the Euston-terminus, Easton-
square. Sir Samuel Morton Peto presided.
The report of the directors, which had been circulated
among the shareholders, was read as follows :
The accounts for the past half-year, submitted herewith,
show an ag;regate increase of receipts, as compared with
the corresponding period of 1851, to the extent of 8,177/.
125.; of which 2,063/. its, 7d, is derived from passenger
traffic, and 5,500/. from carriage of merchandise. In the
working expenses, on the other hand, there is a decrease,
as compared with the above period, of 5,493/. 13s. 7d.
(Here follows a comparative statement of the receipts
and expenditure of each half-year from Dec., 1860, to Dec.,
1835, showing an increase in the gross receipts of the rail-
way from 77,0311. to 130,3331., and in the net from 39,3011.
to 65,5831., the percentage of expenses having varied dur-
ing the same period between 43 and 57 per cent., the pre-
sea rate being 49.67 per cont. A similar account of the
steam-boat traffic shows an increase in the receipts from
6,0771. to 23,9711., the balance in favour of this branch of
traffic being 2,8811. for the past half-year, against 1,007/.
in I he corresponding period of last year.)
The number of passengers conveyed in excess of the
corresponding period of 1851 is 1,355, and the ton-
nage of goods is increased by 11,422 tons. In the aihount
entered under the head of merchandise traffic
are include.l the receipts for carriage of live
stock, which exhibit a satisfactory increase. There is an
Increase in the Irish live stock traffic convoyed dosing the
past half-year as compared with the corresponding periods
of the years 1853 and 1851 from 21,030 to 73,951 ; and in
the receipts from this source from 4,747/. to 10,3971. The
projectors of the Vale of Clwyd Railway, a live proposed
to be made from Rhyl to St. Ass ph and Denbigh, seek in
their application to Parliament to obtain running powers
over the Chester and Holyhead line ; the directors having
endeavoured, lent without success, to strange with the
projectors, have been compelled to lodge a petition against
the bill. In compliance with the resolution passed by the
proprietors at the last roasting, your directors have, in
conjunction with the shareholders' committee, met the
directors of the London and North-Western Compeny for
the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for car-
rying out the working agreement approved at the meeting
referred to. The attention of the board and of the com-
mittee has bean occupied with the details which have, up
to the present time, delayed the completion of the arrange-
ment ; but there is every reason to expect that the agree-
ment will be sealed in the coarse of a few days. The
subjoinel report of the engineer is satisfactory us regards
the state of the permanent way and works. During the
past half-year that portion of the lino between Chester
and Saltney Junction has been relaid, and a new bridge is
in course of erection over the Forydd River. The railway
having been opened for traffic since the year 1848, it be-
comes necessary to make provision for the outlay which
will annually be required to renew the permanent way.
It will be seen from the accounts that, daring the past
half-year, the stun of 3.370/. 03. 3d. has been expended
under that head. During the current half-year a farther
outlay will be required fir renewal of the stearn-boats,
for which purpose a fund has been crested, and of which a
large portion is still unexpended. The net earnings of the
undertaking during the past six menthe yield. after fullypro-
viding fordebenture interest and other first charges, an avail
able balance of 33,0807. 16e. 101. In consegnence, however,
of the non-completion of the issue of the second preference
stock, and the large amount of the company's capital thereby
rendered unavailable for the purpose ofliquidating the claims
to meet which the shares were created, the directors have
been compelled temporarily to apply the revenue resources
to this purpose. Under these circumstances, the directors
raencoeme,mbuent,l
0 ntht followingndersta dispositionunderstanding
thb paymentof the roefvtehneu e -divi-
dendsl be deferred until it, can be ma.de without prejudice
e
to the general interests of the proprietors :—" That 1,0001.
be added to the fiend for renewal of steam-boats. That,
from the remaining sum of 32,0801. 16s. 10d., a dividend
be declared of 12s. per share on the first preference abates
of the company, comprising all arrears up to the 31st Dec.,
and amounting to 25,200/. That en the second portion of
the second preference shares a dividend be declared at the
rate of 5 per cent. per annum, amounting to 6,633/. 10s.,
( leaving a balance of 2471. 6s. to be carried forward to the
current half-year."

The CHAIRMAN, in 'Roving that the report and ac-
counts be adopted, said—l had hoped that the arrange-
ment under the agreement with the London and North-
Western Company might have been considered as vir-
tsally settled, but I am sorry to say we have not yet
been able Ito affix the seals of the two companies to it,
though we have every reason to believe that before the
board separates this afternoon the agreement will be
signed on the part both of this company and of the Lon-
don and North-Western. I think it due to the com-
mittee appointed by you to co-operate Ns. ith the directors
in negotiating the agreement to say that we have re-
ceived from them, during the last six months, the most
valuable aid. I need scarcely remark, that in an agree-
ment of this important character—(although we have
been met in the most friendly spirit by the London and
North-Western board)—there were many points of de-
till necessarily demanding our attention, which gave
rise to discussion, and in arranging which considerable
time was occupied. In al! those matters the board has
received very valuable assistance from this committee,
and I have great pleasure on my own part, and on
the part of my colleagues, in acknowledging the high
sense we entertained of their services. I shall have also '
to ask you to continue that committee in office during
the next six months, and for this reason—in carrying
such an agreement into effect—(supposing we should, as
I expect we shall, close it with the London and North
Western this day)—it is obvious that many questions of
detail must necessarily arise, in dealing with which it
will be a very great advantage to the independent
members of your board to have the advice and as-
sistance of those who have already rendered us such
effectivepresen tp
oasiid.
ti 0 (oCfhteheer s. )In
c,
in
pan
y,I callingn d
thatattentionto
accountsthe
000rifr 81258,p05064nd'.1 ascoin-
exhibit an increase from passenetghrieeordse
receipts, however,
withho
wtheevecro,rdreospnoont corresponding period the
~.. periodtotal
of 1853, which you will remember was the year of the
Irish Exhibition. With respect to the goods traffic a
very marked improvement has taken place. As to the
cargo boats, I will call attention to the fact that the
first cost of the boats, with the exception of the In-
bernia, has been under 10,0001. ; while the receipts
which have arisen from them for the past half-year
have amounted to 15,196/. for the sea passage alone,
and through their instrumentality an increase of traffic
has been brought upon the railway of 14.3171. (Hear.)
In merchandise and minerals I am sorry I cannot report
the same increase as to the slate traffic which I hey)
been able to do is former years. The tightness of the
money market has materially checked building opera-
tions during the past year throughout the whole country,
which of course has resulted in a diminished demand for
slates ; bat I trust that the return of peace will, by remov-
ing the existing monetary pressure, speedily bring us
back to a more satisfactory state of things in this respect.
1 In the item of locomotive charges, I may mention that he
hire of waggno, RhiCtt has been gouB4. to be 10 onerous