The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-18 00:00:00

Four ran.

Yesterday morning the workmen of Messrs. Crook,
contractors, commenced at the eastern end of Leaden-
hall-street, laying down a specimen of cast-iron carriage-
way pavement. A similar pavement has been, it is
stated, laid down in America, with success. The speci-
men is being placed under the direction of Mr. Hay-
wood, the engineer to the City Commissioners of Sewers,
who advised the spot alluded to for the experiment, as
being one calculated to put it to a severe test. The
patentee is General Knapp, of the United States.
CONSOLS.—The rise yesterday in Consols, notwith-
standing the large expenditure in the present, as com-
pared with former wars, was not nearly so great as in
previous instances of the announcement of peace. On
those occasions, however, there was a vast difference in
the point to which prices had first descended. At the
peace with France in 1801 there was an improvement
from 59',1 to GG, and shortly afterwards to 70. After the
treaty of Amiens, in 1802, the movement was from 701
to 79. On the restoration of the Bourbons, i■ 1814, it
was from 611 to 701 ; and after the Battle of Waterloo
it was from 537, to 59?„

TEE NEW SUPERANNUATION FUND.—We believe that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided on altering
the provisions of this bill, as it at present affects the
official; of the civil service, to the following, which,
although not as liberal as their petition craved for, yet
is an improvement :—Contributions to the fund alter 20
years to cease. The rate of pensions on leaving to be
4.l2the after 10 years' service, and 1.60 th additional for
each succeeding year. Retirement will be permitted at
60 years of acre, but to be compulsory at 65. In cases
where an officer or clerk dies while in the service, his
family will be entitled to an amount oat of the fund
equal to his year's salary.
ENGtialH AND AUSTRALIAN COPPER MINING COM-
PANY.—There was a special meeting yesterday of the
proprietors of the English and Australian Copper Min-
ing Company, to take into consideration the financial
position of the company. A proposition has been laid
before the directors by Sir Wm. Foster, to purchase the
works in Wales and CornwaN at a valuation, which the
board thought fit to leave entirely for the consideration
of the shareholders at the meeting. A long discussion
ensued, from which it appeared that the pressing liable
lities were to the extent of 56,0001., which the directors
thought might be best met by the sale of the Spitty
Works. At the request of several shareholders, Sir Wm.
Foster made a definite offer of 50,000/. for these works,
which was accepted by the meeting.
THE SURREY GARDENS COMPANY.—Among the pro-
jects which have been started for the amusement and
rational entertainment of the people, those which join
the arts of music and painting with the more brilliant
and startling displays of pyrotechny will always stand
foremost. To cultivate the taste of the public for good
music no one has laboured more assiduously than Jullien.
His name guarantees something worth hearing ; and he
now proposes, by taking the musical direction of the
Surrey Gardens, to extend the area as well as the acreage
of his operations. Under his able direction harmony
will be brought to the doors of the million. Moderate
prices of admission, and every attention to the comforts
of the auditory need only be given, and the Surrey Gar-
dens Company will be a public benefit. It stands high
in quarters able to judge in such matters.
THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Jan. 17—The Royal
Mail Company's steam-ship Parana, Captain Baynton,
sailed this afternoon with the fortnightly West India and
Pacific mails, 59 passengers, Lieutenant and Mrs. Fitz-
maurice, Ensign Hatrick, Rev. T. Ashe, Rev. and Mrs.
Davey, Dr. Muller, &c. ; 8,0001. value in specie, 12,000/.
value in jewellery, and a full cargo of general merchan-
dise. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Sultan, Captain R. W.'Evans, sailed this afternoon
with the mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gib-
raltar, 32 passengers, specie, for Oporto, value 1,00./. ;
Lisbon, 19,350/. ; Cadiz, S,4lsl.—tota), 28,765/., and
the usual cargo. The Engine, Captain Joy, will leave
for Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria on Sunday morn-
ing next with the India and Mediterranean nails. The
Alma, Captain Burney, with the homeward portion of
the India and Mediterranean mails, is expected about
the same day. The screw steam-ship Manilla, advertised
to sail on the 23d inst. for Malta, Constantinople, and
Balaklava, has been withdrawn for the present.
CRYSTAL PALAM—SPILLING DAY, Jan .17.—Ad.
missions on payment, 640 ; ditto by season tickets, 170 ;
total, 810.
CRYSTAL FALLON—Return for six days, ending Satur-
day, Jan. 12. Admissions, including season ticket
holders, 5,140 ; amount received for admiesione, 1881. 16s.