The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-19 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF IVOMS.

Last evening a complimentary dinner was given at the
Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street, by the Chairman of
the Metropolitan Board of Works to the members of
that body and the metropolitan members of Parliament.
Amongst the company were the Lord Mayor, Sir B.
Hall, M.P., Sir James Duke, M.P., Sir J. V. Shelley,
M.P., Sir W. Clay, M.P., Mr. A psley Pellatt, M.P.,
Mr. Montagu Chambers, M.P , Sir Charles Napie.,
M.P., Mr. Masterman, M.P., Mr. W. Williams, M.P.,
Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Rose, Mr. Woolrych, secre-
tary to tse board, Mr. Nicholay, Mr. Offer, Major
Lyon, &c.
The usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured,
The CHAIRMAN proposed the " Army and Navy,"
coupled with the names of Major Lyon and Admiral Sir
Charles Napier.
Major LYON returned thanks for the army.
Adisiral Sir C. NAPIER, in acknowledging the toast
on behalf of the navy, said he felt very much obliged to
the company for the honour they had done him. Though
the navy had not yet had the opportunity which the
army had experienced of distinguishing itself daring the
present war (the enemy, notwithstanding his bold and
enterprising spirit, having kept so close in port that it
was impossible to get at him), he could assure them that
the navy was just as willing and ready as in former wars
to do those deeds of glory which had recommended them
to the favourable notice of their countrymen. (Hear.)
He was happy to say that by the direction of the present
Government—should the war continue—it would be seen
that there never was a navy sent to sea in such an effi-
cient state as the Baltic fleet would be sent this year.
The Government, ho was happy to s ty, had seen the
cessity of sending proper shipathere, and no vessels were
to be emplOyed that were not in good acting order. It
appeared that 200 gun and mortar boats were now ready
for the Baltic service, Ni ith a fleet consisting of 100 sail
and pennants. With these advantages be was quite
sure that, if it wore possible to get at the Russians this
year, either through Sweaborg or Cronstadt, they would
make a very severe example of them, and give a good
account of themselves to the Government. (Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave "Her Majesty's Ministers
and Sir Benjamin Hall."

Sir B. HALL, In returning thanks, said they were met
on this occasion for soz,al rather than political objects,
and therefore he should best discharge his duty, and act
most in accordance with the feelings of the company,
if he confined himself to the expression of his thanks
for the compliment which they had paid the Government.
(Hear, hear.) He conceived they were met here for
the purpose of supporting the operation of an act of
Parliament which ha I lately been passed, and that he
was invited because he was the author of that measure,
and the successful promoter of it. A quarter of a
century had elapsed since he first took his seat in the
House of Commons, and for nearly 20 years he had
represented one of the largest constituencies of the
empire. (Hear.) He had always hoped that the
. time would one day arrive when he might be enabled
to make some return for the confidence which had been
placed in him by preparing a measure of reform which
would produce good and great results ; and the moment
he accepted office he determined that a session should
not pass without his laying before the Government a
scheme for the better regulation of the metropolis, in
order that the various parishes might be brought into
that state of local self-government of which he had
always been the earnest and uncompromising advocate.
It was satisfactory to him to find that, notwithstanding
the difficulties he had encountered at the outset, the bill
—owing in a great measure to the assistance he had al.
ways received from his noble friend at the head of the Go-
vernment, who supported him at every step, and from his
noble friend the present Secretary of State for the Home
Department—had met with the greatest encouragement
and success. The bill had passed, and he was happy to
perceive from the reports of the proceedings of the
Board of Works, and from communications which
reached him day after day, that there was scarcely any
provision in a legislative enactment containing no less
than 250 clauses, which required alteration or recision.
So far the government had been successful in their en-
deavour to establish reform in the management of the
metropolis. And he was happy to say that another bill
of a similar tendency was about to be introduced—viz.,
an act for such reforms in the corporation of the City of
London as might be necessary in consequence of altered
times and circumstances. From what he had seen of the
draft of the bill, he believed it would preserve to the cor-
poration all those rights and privileges to which
they were entitled ; whilst at the same time
it
would give to the City of London those principles of
s e
ogaorvde r
on f-
local self-government which were enjoyed by our. large
provincial towns. With regard to the present bill, he
over the whole empire.
nweeendtonrelystoecbisewrvitehthtahtetmhe
(thepr principle c
Metropolitan;
le of al
Works). It was for them to determine whether that
and he might be allowed. to say that if, as the
They important duties to dia.
prineilhilaedwiansantyo
anbexemxutesnadnedd
Chief Commissioner for Public Works, he could render
charge ;
them any assistance, h. e begged they would call upon
him to aid them ; and if he ceased to be a minister, but
retained a seat in the house, he should always be readily
at their service. Ho should never forget the debt of
gratitude which he owed to the metropolis ; wad he was
proud of being the author of the bill which had called
this influential body into existence. (Cheers.)
Other toasts having bean given and responded to, the
company separated after a very agreeable evening.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.—LordStanIey of Alderley
will shortly introduce aGavcrument bill for the purpose
of giving effect to the recommendation of the Lords'
committee on the subject of agricultural statistics.
,THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH KENT RAILWAY.
—Yesterday, at the Surrey Sessions, Richard Beattie,
a watchman in the employ of the South Eastern Rail-
way Company, surrendered to answer the charge of
having, by neglect of duty, caused an accident of a most
serious description. The evidence was in accordance
with the particulars which recently
appeared in our
columns, and to show that the accident (which, as will
be recollected, took place in September last, between
New-cross and the Surrey Canal Bridge) was caused by
the prisoner's omission to shift the point, and by his
thetrains,
theth e company
Lours
ef
L
showing a wrong signal. It was elicited on cross-exami-
nation of the witnesses, that the prisoners duties Were
vaerdyrne,uiumceerdouths,e
andspe e that
a of
fsintre
attendance of the switchmen. The prisoner had. been
twenty years in the companys service, and was much re-
spected. Mr. Robinson, on his bard, urged that cri-
t
a momentary
act of forgetfulness. The jury returned a verdict of
mina' liability should not be attached to
guilty," with a recommendation to mercy on account
or the multiplicity of the prisoner's duties. The Chair-
moan, in passing sentence, said that such multifarious
duties, and so responsible a position as the prisoner's,
ought to entail a liberal salary. Looking at the pri-
sonelt's excellent character, he thought that justice would
be satisfied by a merely nominal punishment. Sentence
seven days' imprisonment. This lenient award apPearid
to give satisfaction to those present.