The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-22 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.
(This Day).

THE SEWERAGE QUESTION.

A special meeting of the Metropolitan Board of
Works was held this afternoon in the Council Chamber,
Mr. Thwaites in the chair, to "consider the Report of
the Eagineer of the Board on the whole question of the
Northern and Southern Drainage, with comparative
estimates of different points of outfall, and modes of dis-
posing of the sewage."
Mr. NICHOLAY presented a n.iemorial signed by 74 of
the inhabitants of the southern division of Essex, and
representing 250,000 acres of land, or an extent of 400
square miles, in favour of the scheme of Mr. M'Lean
for making the sewerage available for agricultural pur-
poses, and not pollute the river with it.
A memorial was received from Mr. Morewood, of
Islington, in support of his plan for the Main Intercept.
ing Drainage of the Metropolis, but a motion that he
be heard in support of his plan was lost by a majority
of 18 to 10.
Mr. Hows asked to be allowed to withdraw his
motion, " that the outfall of the drainage works be at
Sea Reach," which was objected to by the meeting.
Mr. Hows then declined to proceed, and
Mr. WRIGHT moved the adoption of the resolution.
Mr. DALTON seconded the motion.
Mr. Howe rose to explain his conduct, when
Mr. LESLIE rose to order. The motion was too in-
definite. It did not state which side of the river the
outfall should be.
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting could afterwards
decide that question if they agreed that the outfall
should be at Sea Reach.
Mr. Rows said that eventually Sea Reach must be
the limit of their operations, and he urged its adop-
tic's now as being the best and cheapest course for the
board to adopt. His only wish to postpone the mo-
tion was that every other project should be first dis-
cussed. He considered it unfair for London to get
rid of that that was a nuisance to London, pollute
the Thames, and lay that nuisance at the doors of
their nearest neighbour. If they carried the sewers to
Sea Reach, he felt satisfied the agriculturists in its
neighbourhood would pay the board a good price to tap
the sewer and use its contents for manure, butam had
no wish to rest the motion on that, but the necessity
there was to carry the sewerage to Sea Reach.
Mr. DOULTON said the course now proposed was un-
precedented in their proceedings, viz., the objection of
the board to allow a member to withdraw his motion.
The object was no doubt to allow members prevent to
come to a decision at once on the motion. (Hear,
hear.) No valid arguments had been brought forward
iu opposition to the outfall being at Sea Reach, except-
ing as regards the costs. (Hear, hear.) His objection
to the outfall above Sea Reach was the necessity of re-
servoirs, whereas there would be a convenient discharge
at all hours of the tide at Sea Reach. He defended the
course he had pursued on this question, which was to
endeavour to effectually carry out the object they had in
view. (The hon. gentleman referred to some remarks
of a personal character made on him on a former oc-
casion by Mr. H. L. Taylor, which caused the
latter to rise to order. The chairman then inflicted
a very just rebuke on all the members relative to their
dealing in personalities, which he said caused ill-feelings
and an opportunity was watched to retaliate.) The
work they had in hand should be done thoroughly. He
thought it would have been better had the motion been
postponed until a decision had been come to on a motion
on the paper by Mr. D'lffanger.
Mr. SNOW moved that the motion should not be put.
Mr. WARE seconded it.
The amendment was lost by a majority of 19 to 15.
Mr. LESLIE said that the cost of going to Sea Reach
by Mr. Bazelgette's plans would be 4,718,4001. (Hear,
hear.) The question for the board to consider
was the best outfall, and after that, if Sea
Reach was so—as he believed it was—to seriously
consider whether they could not get there as effectively
and at a cheaper rate than that proposed by the en-
gineer. The object of the motion was to burke the con-
sideration of this outfall, and say that it should not be at
Sea-Reach, not even if it could be shown a saving of two
millions could be effected in the route taken. (Hear,
hear.) That saving in the expense might be effected
by their taking the outlet at Sea Reach on the Surrey
and Kent side, instead of on the other, as proposed
by the engineer. Such a plan would relieve the
Thames of the sewage of the intermediate towns.
Their existence as a board depended on their decision
on this motion, viz., whether they were the
representatives of the rate-payers or a small section of
the board. He condemned the meeting of a private
committee in that room one hour before the time of
meeting to devise operations and entrap votes against
having an outlet at Sea Reach. Such conduct, he said,
was disgraceful,' and he protested against it.
The CHAIRMAN said he knew nothing of such a com-
mittee, nor did the officials.
Mr. Hows—l admit it.
Mr. Lim.= urged on the board not to come to
a vote on the motion hastily, for they might ulti-
mately have to go against their will. He hoped
the Board would affirm the motion.
Mr. CAR?MAEL said that he was still of opinion that
the engineer's plan to go to Sea Reach was a " wild
and monstrous scheme." He called on the Board to
come to a decision on the question.
Mr. BRISTOW did not wish to exclude the Board from
taking advantage of an outfall at Sea Reach, and he
moved an amendment that the board do not approve of
the 4th plan of the engineer, with reference to this out-
fall. The hon. gentleman characterised the plan as one
of the engineer s.
The CHAIRMAN said it had been attributed to him, and
ho took that opportunity of stating it was not, but
that it was the engineer's.
Mr. BAZELGETTE (engineer) said that the outfall at
Sea Reach did not originate with him, but was the sug-
gestion of a member of the board. He thought it de-
sirable to provide a plan, in consequence, for the infor-
mation of the board. There were great difficulties attend-
ing its execution, but he was prepared to stand by his plan
in an engineering point of view, and that the estimate of the
cost was as economical as possible.
Mr. BRlsrow then pressed his amendment.
Mr. WILKINSON seconded it, but
The CHAIRMAN ruled it was out of order.
Mr. WILKINSON said he should oppose the motion.
Mr. LESLIE then moved an amendment that " the ou'•
fall be not at Sea Reach at the point indicated in the
4th plan marked D.
The CHAIRMAN ruled that was out of order.
Mr. SEELEY moved that the outfall should be at
Sea Reach at the point indicated on the 4th plan. He
moved it to vote against it:
Mr. WILKINSON seconded the amendment on the same
ground.

With the consent of the meeting, the amendment was
made a substantive motion.
The CHAIRMAN then put it to the meeting, and de-
clared it to be negatived, which rejects the discharge at
point D.
[We shall give the conclusion in our late edition.]

The long-expected monster bell, to be placed in the
Clock Tower of the New Palace at Westminster, has at
last arrived at ita destination, uninjured. It is now
being raised from the billy-buoy moored by the side of
Westminster-bridge, and will shortly be placed on a
temporary erection in order to test it before its being
finally placed.

The Gazette d'Aix-la-Chapelle announces that M. Felix
Pyat, who was lately arrested in that city for making
use of a false name in a passport, has been sentenced
by the tribunal cf police of Aix-la-Chapelle to four weeks'
imprisonment.

A petition forthe dissolution of the Justice Assurance
Society is expected to be heard before Vice-Chancellor
Kindersley on the 3d November.

According to a telegraphic meesage received from
Odessa, dated the 20th October (new style), the expor-
tation of corn from Gheisk—a port opposite Taganrog,
on the eastern side of the Sea of Azoff—has been prohi-
bited. It is also alleged that an expectation prevailed
that the prohibition will be extended to all the ports in
the Sea of Azoff and Black Sea, in consequence of the
scarcity and high prices of provisions.
Amongst the notices of marriage posted up at the
rnairie of the first arrondissement of Paris is that of M.
Emile de Girardin with Mlle. Wilhelmina Brunold,
Countess de Tiefenbacb, daughter of Jean Brunold, de-
ceased, and Anna, Countess de Tiefenbach, widow by a
second marriage of Prince Frederick of Nassau.
The Journal de St. Petersburg of the 12th publishes

the programme of the solemn entry of the Emperor and
Empress of Russia into that city, after the coronation ;
it is the same as that which was adopted at Moscow.

A letter received from Berlin of the 19th announces
the arrival in that city of General de Kisseleff, the Rus-
sian ambassador at Paris. It says also that the Grand
Duchess Constantine of Russia intends to leave St.
Petersburg on the 20th to make a tour in part of Ger-
many.

THE CHARGE AGAINST STOWELL.—Yesterday at the
Surrey Sessions true bills were returned by the Grand
Jury against Stowell the informer, and was called upon
to plead in the usual way. As he did not answer to his
recognisances, they were estreated, and returned by the
Clerk of the Peace to the Sheriff.

CRIME IN WlLTS.—Notwithstanding that there has
been a great increase in the population during the past
15 years, there has been a very great diminution in the
number of offences committed. The total of offences in

1841 was 1,138, cost to the county, 4,3421. le. 8,1. In
14356, 601 ; cost to the country, 2,474/. 15s. 4cl.
Wilts Standard.

THE BIGHT MAN.—The man who was "struck with
astonishment," wizhout resisting it, has been sent to the
atext peace convention.

MR. OLIVEIRA, M.P.

On Tuesday. ihe 21st inst., a large meeting was held
in the Town Hail, Pontefract, to receive Mr. Oliveira.,
one of the members for the Borough, and after some 01,-
servateles neole by the Chairman,
Mr. OT,VEIRA spel:e as follows :—Gentlemen, when
last I addres,eri you in this hall, we were engaged in the
prosecution of a great struggle against one of the fore-
most Powers of Europe, in defence of the rights of an
ancient ally, whose existence,-as an independent State,
was threatened by the advances of a neighbour, whose
traditional policy for centuries bad been the gradual, but
entire acquisition of the territory, and the final extinc-
tion of the Ottoman empire. The power of Russia had
gradually increased until her military resources became a
menace to the rest of Europe ; armies trained to the
highest state of discipline, more numerous than any in•
ternal exigencies rendered necessary ; fleets of gigantic
proportions, useless but for aggressive objects ; arsenals
of military and naval stores, which had been the labour
of years to construct and concentrate, the very strength
of which was a secret to the rest of the world. The at-
titude of defiance assumed by Imperial Russia towards
the Ottoman Porte proved beyond doubt to the rest of
Europe, that, in the opinion of the late Emperor of
Russia, the time had arrived for prosecuting a design,
the accomplishment of which had been dictated by his
ancestor Peter ; steadily kept in view by the Czars Irons
his time, and had become in the minds of the people a
prophecy, the fulfilment of which was a mere question
of time. A dispute about the holy places, and the pro-
tection of the Greek Christians in the Principalities, led
to the first overt acts of aggression. It is no injustice
to charge the late Emperor of Russia with the undoubted
design of possessing himself of the shores of the Bospho-
rus and the capital of Turkey. His conversations with
Sir Hamilton Seymour, and hie undisguised interference
with the affairs of Turkey, left no doubt as to his real
purpose ; and his known determined character, added to
the immense warlike resources which he bad accumu-
lated, proved to Europe that the decisive blow was
about to be struck. The Western Powers at length re-
solved to check the advance of Russian ambition, and if
Austria and Prussia bad cordially united with France
and England, it is more than probable that the great
calamity of war might have been avoided. The Go-
vernment of Lord Aberdeen was accused of want of
vigour and resolution. I was always one of those who
approved of the wise and prudent course adopted by the
Governments of France and England, by endeavouring
to avert that greatest of human evils, and I feel assured
that it was that very forbearance which, when war
became inevitable, imparted to it the popular and un -
vernal support which it met with from all classes of the
people. Only one short year since the country resound.
ed with the cry of prosecuting the war with vigour.
Never were sacrifices submitted to more cheerfully than
were those which the war imposed upon all classes ; and
the sad disasters of 1854, with the terrible loss of life
and treasure in the Crimea, only served to stimulate the
whole nation to those great efforts which brought forth,
at the commencement of the present year, an army well
equipped and equal to any service, as well as a naval force
the like of which the world had never seen. The spirit
of the British people rose equal to the emergency, and
when the first faint accents of the acceptance at St. Peters.
burg of the Austrian Proposals reached this country
incredulity was mingled with disappointment. Ido not
exaggerate the temper of the nation when I say that an
all but universal will resounded amongst all classes, that
one campaign, and one great effort on'the part Eng-
land, were necessary to vindicate the greatness of the
country, and pat a termination to the contest, which
should be alike durable and satisfactory. The Congress
met at Paris, and all the objects for which arms were
taken up were obtained. The Allies, acting with an
expedition as remarkable as the good faith which dic-
tated their conduct, evacuated the enemy's territory,
and in removing their armies and fleets from the scene of
action presented to Europe a splendid proof of their dis-
interestedness and generosity. It is impossible to view
the noble conduct of France and Sardinia, in connection
with Great Britain in that important conjuncture, with-
out seeing in the future alliance of those countries the
best guarantees of peace, as well as the great benefits
that must accrue to mankind by the union of such en-
lightened nations. Russia, on her part, in reference to
giving up Kars, Ismail, and Rend, and the rectification
of theßessarabian frontier, exhibited some signs of her
accustomed temporising policy, and the retention of the
Island of Serpents seemed to show the reluctance
with which concessions requiring an abandonment of
territory were acquiesced in. But the dignified and
united aspect of England and France speedily removed
all apprehension upon those points. It is to be hoped
from the generous expressions of the Emperor Alex-
ander, that a piece which inaugurated his reign may
be durable, safe, and beneficial to all the parties
to the treaty and a blessing to Europe. Let us not for-
get, however, that to be prepared is to be safe; and I hope
that no Government will hereafter lose sight of the para-
mount necessity of maintaining such forces, naval and
military, as will cause Great Britain to be prepared for
any emergency that may arise, without those lamentable
sacrifices which were made at the commencement of the
war just terminated. This, I feel assured, is the true
interest of the country, and will in the end prove the
most practical economy. In glancing at our relations
with other countries, I am sure you will agree with me
in the gratification I feel at all differences with the
United States having been adjusted. Disastrous and
terrible as any war must be, how fatally would the great
cause of civilisation, of commerce, of international friend-
ship suffer from so um atural a conflict as a war between
the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is
fearful to contemplate the evil consequences that would
spread over the world by such a calamity. Without go-
ing into the causes of the disagreement upon the recruit.
ing question, and that of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, in
reference to Central America, I must say that Lord
Palmerston showed a forbearance, mingled with dignity,
which warded off what for some time assumed the ap-
pearance of a most unmanageable difficulty; and 111 r.
Dallas, as the messenger of peace, fulfilled his mission
in a manner worthy of his high character. The aspect of
Italy is too grave to be passed over in silence. Mis-
government, tyranny, and oppression have long exercised
their withering influences over the greater portion of
that fair and fruitful soil. It is difficult to say how far
foreign countries are justified in attempting to enforce
liberal ideas or institutions upon other States. The ex-
perience of our days, since the time of Canning, shows
but little advantage in the propagation of institutions un-
suited to foreign people. Intervention, as a general
principle, is most objectionable—and has usually been re-
warded with ingratitude by the very parties benefited.
It is to be hoped that the noble example of Sardinia may
spread, and that the fine countries—the seats of ancient
liberty and refinement—the cradles of the arts and
sciences—and amongst the most productive in the agri-
cultural riches of the earth, may partake in •the general
spread of prosperity and happiness which a well regu-
lated liberty has given to other nations of the world.
This must be a work of time, and can hardly be hoped
for at the bands of the imbecile rulers who now possess
those countries. Danger to the peace of Europe may
arise out of this question, and serious complications
follow. But if France and England are united, and pur-
sue a vigorous and just policy, great benefits will be the
inevitable consequences to those oppressed people, with-
out exciting the active sympathy of absolute govern-
ments. For these objects, as well as others, I have
already pointed out that England must be in a position
to maintain and carry out, if necessary, by force of arms,
the great principles thus advocated. Gentlemen, I will
now turn to home affairs. During the last session of Par-
liament a great deal of activity was exhibited at the com-
mencement, and a great variety of measures were intro
duced ; but at the end we find a very small amount of
business actually done. When Parliament first met, the
attention of the Government and the country was di-
rected to the prosecution of the war. Peace came sud-
denly upon us, and a universal suspension of busi
ness appeared to come over public men. The Go-
vernment prepared for a great struggle, had been
devising the means for placing the character of the
country upon the highest footing, when suddenly they
found themselves engaged in revising and, diminish-
ing estimates, decreasing materially every branch of
the public expenditure, and in every way devising eco-
nomical measures. Our present Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer has accomplished the transition from a war to a
peace budget with consummate ability. His prudent
adjustment of the burthens of the war by so small an
addition to the permanent debt, and a continuance of
some necessary taxes, meet with very general support.
Whilst Parliament was sitting, and Ministers were en-
gaged in the important arrangements brought about by
the peace, an active, though discomfited, Opposition did
not fail to add its feeble efforts to endeavour to embarrass
her Majesty's Government. Several motions were
brought forward with a view to these purposes, but in
all cases they were defeated ; and the policy of Lord
Palmerston was vindicated by large majorities in the
House of Commons. Amongst the measures that were
checked was the Passing Tolls Bill, which was opposed
by powerful local interests, and referred to a select
committee. The measure itself is too good and equitable
to doubt its entire success next session. The Church
rate question, in which you take a deep interest, made
great progress. Sir W. Clay's bill passed a second
reading with a majority of 221 to 178. Its ultimate
success, however, was prevented by a proposal to intro.
duce clauses, which bad the effect of defeating it. Next
session the measure will be reintroduced ; and I trust
it will meet with success. Two measures of great public
utility were passed—namely, the Joint Stock Companies
Bill, and the Partnership Amendment Bill, both having
important bearings upon commercial affairs. The Go-
vernment have intimated their intention to issue a pro-
gramme of all their proposed measures for next session,
by which time will be saved and due consideration given
to the progress of legislation. I have given to Lord
Palmerston's Government my cordial support, and shall
continue to do so. Although not possessing any great
amount of strength, there is no party in which the corn
try has equal confidence. I think I may point to my
public conduct whilst your representative, and to all
the votes I have given in the House of Commons, as
being most precisely in unison with the opinions I ex-
pressed at the hustings when I sought your suffrages.
I shall pursue the same course, and whenever the time
comes to solicit a renewal of your confidence (which
cannot be distant), I shall do so fearlessly, and in the
entire conviction tbat I have used the trust confided to
me with a due regard to national interests, your local
rights, and an honourable adherence to those opinions
which won roe your support. You are aware fast since
I have been in Parliament my inquiries and exertions
have been more especially directed to one question. I
have always thought that it would be conducive to the
real interests of the country, and to the progress of sourd
and useful legislation, that public men should, instead
of dabbling in many topics, c ,nfine their labours to
those subjects which have formed their serious study and
observation. Now it happens that my pursuits and
occupations for many years past, by very extensive tree
vels and ascsoiation in foreign countries, led coo to pal