The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-13 00:00:00

ST. MARTIN'S HALL.

Our readers will probably remember that, a
couple of months since, we stated that St. Martin's
Hall was undergoing a complete renovation, and
that such alterations and improvements were being
carried out as would have the effect of rendering
the hall one of the most comfortable concert-rooms
in London. These alterations are now finished,
and they have fully established the truth of our
prediction. Instead of a gloomy, colourless room,
with its bare walls and heavy dark brown ceiling,
St. Martin's Hall is a cheerful, brightly-coloured
apartment, with polychromic docorations of a
character which harmonise with the architectural
design of the building. The ceiling is now covered
with ornament, the prevailing colours in which are
red, blue, white, and green. The panels arc covered
with a bold Elizabethan design in white, while the
mouldings are decorated with broad bands of colour,
broken by the introduction, in parts, of Elizabethan
ornaments. The walls have also been subjected to
polychromicai decoration, so that the effect of the
entire hall, as it now stands, is to present a fine
example of an interior of the Elizabethan period,
while, at the same time, that air of cheerfulness
which is so essential to a place of public amusement
has been secured. Nor is the .fringing the only
improvement that has been effected. The new state
seats have been imported into the room, and are
most commodious and comfortable. A contract
has been entered into for the supply of light re-
freshments; the new state entrance has been con-
structed ; and, last not least, a new and most ele-
gant orchestra has been erected. If these improve-
ments do not secure for St. Martin's Hall increased
support, we are much mistaken in our knowledge
of the British public.

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS•

The weekly meeting of the Metropolitan Board
of Works was held yesterday at Guildhall—Mr. J.
Thwaites in the chair.

The financial statement was presented, which
showed a total general balance of £130,195 17s. 41

AMALGAMATION OF COMMITTEES.
Mr. FREEMAN, pursuant to notice, moved " That
the Building Act and General Purposes Committee,
and the Works and Improvement Committee be
amalgamated."

Mr-. WRIGHT seconded the motion, which, after
some discussion, was carried.

REPORT FROM THE MAIN DRAINAGE COMMITTEE•

A report from the main drainage committee wils
then brought up, stating that they had. addressed
communications to fifteen of the principal engine
manufacturers in the kingdom on the subject of
designing, constructing, and erecting boilers, 01•
gines, and pumps capable of lifting continuousli
the requisite amount of sewage water, giving than
the requisite information, and inviting them t 0
tender.

Mr. BRISTOW, in moviug the adoption of the
report, said the committee had at present limited
the number of Qngincers invited to send in tenders,
but at any future time, if they should see fit, they
might extend the number to 20.
The motion was agreed to, and the names d
Messrs. Easton and Amos, of Southwark, Were,
added to the list, on the suggestion of Mr. Moreland'

ST. GEORGE'S, HANOVER-SQUARE.
An instrument was sealed appointing persons to
levy in the parish of St. George, Hanover-square,
the money required by the board, under the pre•
cept issued to that parish in January.

MAIN DRAINAGE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE

THAMES.

Mr. LEGG said that as the high level sewer 011
the north side of the river had been disposed of, he
considered the low level sewer on the south side of
the Thames next demanded the attention of the
board.

The CHAIRMAN said that this matter was already
under the consideration of the engineer, who Iv°
preparing specifications for carrying out the work,
and therefore he suggested to the hon. member that
this matter should stand over until he brought uP
his specifications.
Mr. CARFMAEL said when the engineer produced,
his specifications for the south side of the river, It
would of course be referred,to a committee for their
examination, in the same way as was already done
with the drainage of the north side.
The subject was then agreed to stand over, and
after disposing of somo uninteresting business the
board adjourned.