The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-06 00:00:00

THAMES.

PRESERTATION OF LIFE F-ROM SHIP-

WRECK.

Smith and Elder.
Although these volumes chronicle the chief events
in the career of a governess, they do not partake of
the usual nature of such a work. Many eloquent
writers have descanted upon this theme, they have
described the dark days and the sleepless nights,
they have painted the various trials to which the
unhappy race has been subjected, whose object it
is to impart instruction to youth. In this story
there is an exception to the rule, for the existence
of Honor Haig, at Riverston, was perfectly free
and entirely
exempt from the thousand minor an-
noyances which seem to environ the path of a
governess. Perhaps some critical readers will aver
that such a state of things is not a likely one, bat if
others have overshadowed the portraiture, it is
allowable for an author for once to paint it in some-
what too glowing colours. Miss Haig did not find
roses without thorns, even in her beautiful retreat,
fur many troubles awaited her. There is something
about her character, which insensibly interests and
attracts, something that throws into the shade the
meritricious ornaments of Helen's style, and the
assumed dignity but affected demeanour of Sydney.
These
young daughters of the house were entirely
eclipsed by the governess of their little sister; they
are not prominently brought forward in
the tale, each has a singular story, whiob,
when told, she disappears from our notice.
The drama of Helen's life was enactd
soon after Miss Haig took up her abode in the
family of the Wynters, as the owners of Riverston
were named. We meet with a strikiug instance of
the misery occasioned by flightiness of conduct in
the episode of Mr. Beresford's ill-omened attach-
ment to Miss Wynter. In vain did the sensible
Honor interpose between the disputants ; one was
deficient in strength of character, and the other in
principle. The result was a premature and violent
dea;th for the injured, and for the injurer a long
life of remorse and regret. The romance of
Sydney's life was more prolonged and complicated
in its details, and it involved some others more or
less connected in the story. The relatien of Mrs.
Hammond's trials is one of a mournful and touch-
ing kind ; her tale is told in a simple manner, and
the mode of her introduction to Riveraton, and the
confusion that subsequently k nsued from her pre-
sence there, are skilfully contrived, so as to add
excitement and convey spirit to the work. Sons
will, no doubt, be pleased with Mr. Kingsley, who
is original in some parts of his character, and whose
eccentricities are revealed to us in a vigorous man-
ner.
His latent kindness of heart is also made
manifest through the veil of assumed sternness and
indifference. It is not an improbable conclusion
that we arrive at when we meet with the engage-
ment of this singular individual to the heroine.
Honor Haig was herself peculiar, and there was
something attractive to her in the incomprehensible
nature she met with in another. Those who desire
a well-written narrative, with some exciting inci•
dents and well-drawn characters, will be delighted
with the perusal of Riverston.

Yesterday a meeting of Royal National Life-
Boat Institution was held at its house, John-street,
Adelphi. Thomas Chapman, Esq., V.P., F.R.S.,
in the chair. We also observed present Captain
M'Hardy, R.N., Captain W. E. H. Hall, R.N.,
C. 8., General Blanshard, C. 8., Sir T. Herbert,
K. C. 8., Admiral Bullock, Alexander Boetefeur,
Esq., Captain Perrott, Montague Gore, Esq.,
Captain Washington, R N., George Lyall, Esq.,
and Rev. C. B. Gribble.
Mr. LEWIS, the secretary, having read the
minutes of the previous meeting.
A reward of Ti. 10s., was voted to the crews of
two boats for their prompt and laudable services in
rescuing the crew, consisting of six men of the
schooner Ocean, of Llanelly, which, during a heavy
gale of wind, was wrecked off Newhaven ox the Bth
ult. The vessel was seen to bear up for the harbour,
but from the shallowness of the water, she struck
on the bar. The two boats were then immediately
launcher?, and proceeded to the rescue of the ship's
crew, whom they safely brought onshore. The New-
haven life-boat was undergoing some alterations at
the time.

A reward of 91. 10a. was also voted to the crew
of the Lowestoft life-boat, for putting off in her
with the view of rendering assistance to the
schooner Elizabeth, of Porttuadoc, which during a
fresh gale was recently drivan on shore on the Holm
Saud. The crew, consisting of six hands, were,
however, rescued by the Pakefield Life-Boat, which
has received salvage for its services. Both boats
are in connexion with the National Life-Boat In-
stitution, and are constantly rescuing the lives of
poor fellows wrecked on the dangerous Newcome
and Holm Sands.

A reward of 201. was likewise Toted to the crew

of a Pakefield yawl, in acknowledgment of their
praiseworthy and intrepid services, in rescuing the
crew, consisting of nine men, of the brig Spray, of
Whitstable, which was observed in an unn3anage-
able state in the Stamford passage on the 7th ult.
The vessel had lost her rudder, and was rapidly
sinking. Her craw jumped into the yawl, and
thus had their lives saved.

A reward of 121. was also voted to the crew of
the life-boat of the institution stationed at Lyme
Regis, for putting off in the night during an awful
gale on the 7th ult., with the view of rendering as-
sistance to any shipwrecked crews. The Lyme har-
bour at the time was absolutely buried by the sea
going over the piers ; and the run into it was tre-
mendous. Three vessels broke from their moorings,
and two drifted on the beach opposite the town,
and one sank in the hasbour. They were followed
by two other vessels, one of which went to pieces
almost immediately. Fortunately, the crews of
all the wrecks had taken refuge on board the Re-
venue
cruiser and other vessels. What these brave
life-boat men undergo is often terrible—raging
storms, fearful darkness, crashing thunder, destruc-
tive lightning, howling winds, wet, cold, fatigue
—all have to be borne, and all are borne in
a brave spirit. The life-boat is indeed the
symbol of heroism, anti is connected with many
daring and courageous men. "Ye gentlemen of
England who sit at home at ease," think of these
men, and see whether you cannot help in providing
such men with efficient life-boats on many an ex-
posed point of our coast.
A reward of 21. 10s. was likewise granted to five
men of Schull, on the coast of Cork, for putting off
in a boat at night to the rescue of four poor men
who had been capsised from their boat during a gale
of wind. _

LITERATURE.

.Rivirston. By
_Georgiana
_M. Craik. 3 volt

A reward of 5/. was also voted to the boat's crew,
for putting off and rescuing the crew, consisting of
four men, of the schooner Argo, of Great Yar-
mouth. The vessel's boat was bserved drifting
towards the Barber Sand, when her crew were for-
tunately taken out of her.
A reward of 71. was likewise given to the crew of
the Margate lugger Lively, in testimony of their
noble conduct in rescuing, at the risk of their lives,
three out of six of the crow of the San Roque, of
Villagarcia, which, during cloudy weather, was lost
on the Long Sand, on the 24th ult. Having observed
the mast-heads of a vessel sunk in the sand, and on
nearing it, seeing some men in the rigging, the
crew of the Lively lugger, with the courage that
has ever distinguished the boatmen on the
Kentish coast, launched their little boat and dashed
at the peril of their lives to rescue the drowning
men. After great difficulty, and occupying an hour
and a half in the work, the three poor fellows were
drawn by means of lines on board the skiff. Six of
their comrades had miserably perished before suc-
cour could reach them.

The institution decided to station life-boats and
transporting carriages at Brighton, Hastings, and
transport near Belfast.
About 3001. were paid for life boat houses and
sundry charges on various life-boats ; and 1,0001.
from the small funded capital of the institution, was
ordered to be disposed of, to pay for various new
life-boats, recently sent to the coast.
It was reported that, from official returns
made to the Board of Trade, during the terrific
gales at the beginning and end of last month,
fifty-three vessels wore wrecked on our coasts ; and
that 39 poor creatures met with a watery grave
on those disastrous occasions; many of them
might
have been saved it was said, had efficient life-boats
been in the vicinity. It was also reported that the
institution had no life -boats at Caistor, Winterton,
and Mundesley, on the Norfolk coast, where great
loss of life from shipwreck took place recently.
The society, however, have promptly offered to
station some of its best life-boats at some of
these places.
A sincere vote of condolence was passed to the
family of the late Mr. Francis Wilson, who was a
committee
its off titles
H institution,is fat
h e
r,ando ae
liberallmaetem biu member of
contributor
to
Wilson, was the founder of the
society.
The proceedings then closed.

liousard Plunkett: or, Adrift in Life. A novel.
By R. Cornwallis, author of " Yarra Yarra."

2 vols.

Whittakar.

The author of this work has certainly great skill
in constructing a story and arranging its compo-
nent parts. The characters are numerous, and,
for the most part, aptly sketched ; but it is to be
regretted that he should not have been more cau-
tious in the introduction of some passages met with.
They are more akin to the Met-Attire of foreign na-
tions, than appropriate in au English work of fic-
tion. The most striking of the scenes, the most
vigorous of the descriptions, and the most interest-
ing of the characters, are not those involved or in-
cluded iu the sad mysteries and sombre shadows
of suspicion ; hence, it is to be hoped that in an-
other production, we may meet with the author's
talent divested of such drawbacks. Some of the
events, relating to the young outcast, who walks
the wilderness of the world atone, are exceedingly
well described. We have life in its varying phases
pictured before us in many a diverse land. The
story commences and concludes at home, but in its
course it wanders far and wide, from " the bright
and rolling waters of the gorgeous Mississippi, to
the lofty banks of the Yana Yarra."

MARKET NEWS.—(This Dap.)

CORN EXCHANGE.

The present week's arrivals of English wheat up to our
market, coastwise and by land carriage, has been very
moderate, and the show of samples here to-day was limited.
In the demand, however, we have no improvement to
notice, but there are no sellers on lower terms.

The imports of foreign wheat are only 7,130 quarters,
yet the trade ruled heavy at almostinominal quotations.
Barley was very dull, at barely Monday's decline in
♦alue.

Thero was very little business passing in tho malt trade
on former terms.
We were heavily supplied with oats. Good dry samples
sold at previous rates ; but damp parcels were the turn
lower.
Beans, peas, and flour were dull, at Monday's currency,

••••••..,........,

Oats. 1 Flour.
160 1 1,550
4,210 1 —_ _

I
35,050" 1130 ticks.

CONFESSION OF MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
—A young woman, who gave the name of Emma
Middleton, which is believed to be a fictitious one, was
brought up en remand, charged on her own oonfeesion,
with the wilful murder of a newly-burn child, at
Brighton, seven months ago.
There is considerable mystery hanging about this
case. The pris oner has been in custody three weeks,
and at the time she confessed that she had assisted is
strangling a child to which her fellow•servant gave birth
she was the inmate of an asylum for fallen women in
Mount-terrace, IThitechapel.
Inspector Griffin, of the K division, after reading the
prisoners confession at length, said that lee had frequently
communicated 'with the superintendent of police at
Brighton, who in formed him that every posssible inquiry
had been made, and no confirmation of the prisoner's
story could be ascertained, nor was it proven that any
cook in a gentleman's family had absconded suddenly, as
described by the prisoner. He had obtained possession
of an original I etter, written by the prisoner, from which
it appeared that her real name was Aana Brown. It
was probable, as suggested by Mr. Selfe, that the pri-
soner had adopted the name of Emma Middleton, in
consequence of reading a novel of that name. The
prisoner had attempted suicide in prison, and be was
afraid her mind was affected—one of her brothers bad
died in the Crimea, and another was murdered by the
sepoys in India.
Mr. Yardley—Then she is very much to be pitied.
Insvlctor Griffin said the prisoner had written
a lett'ar to a friend since she bad been in prison, and it
' wan in his possession. She there stated that she was
not in custody for any theft but for something very
appalling.
reqMuer.st
Yedaridaitytsoairdemtalinatd litihsecopllreisaognueer,
when he (Mr. Selfe) would preside, and he wo?ldcomp
untilMr Ss
oat' baddal y
y
with the request by again remanding the prisoner t 1
Wednesday, at which time he hoped the inspector
iwouldshe
complete his inquiries. He asked the prisoner f
had anything to say.
lThe prisoner in a very petulant manner turned round,
the dock, and exclaimed, " I have said too much
already. I have nothing at all to say."
Mr. Yardley gave directions to Roche, the gaoler, to
look after the prisoner very carefully.

The liquidators of the Hull Flax and Cotton Mill
whichr_cim:Loh:
C°rnPanY, which failed in September, have made a call
of 25/. per share en the shares, in addition to the 1001.
has already been paid in full. On the 501. shares
0n1y.40/. bad been paid, and the holders of these are
pay 121. 10s., and an additional Si. On the
25/ areal only ball has been paid, and the call on them
is 121. 10A. and an additional 21. 10s. The authorised
capital of the company Was 375,0001., the proportion
paid up at the time of the stoppage being 244,567 k 10s.
The number of shareholders is 140, and the further claim
upon them, in addition to the loss of all their capital,
must involve much misery.
THE " CLUB SCIENTIFIQUZ " AT PARIS.—MEETING
OF INVENTORS.—
be opened in Paris nMonday,ew club—the
the l6st he i
eNn No
Scientific
cmcb
leurb,
...._w iol
of
which the basis was laid down at the monthly dinner
held by the scientific editors of all the Paris journals.
These editors will form the centre of the new club ; to
which, however, will be soon added the most distin-
guished savants of Paris. By a novel arrangement,
which may be considered as the most fortuitous part of
the scheme, there will be held a meeting every Monday
evenimr., where inventors will be at liberty to developsh
which
their to those prejudices and that red-tapism hie
their ideas. Then,by the initiative aid of the preses,raendiviilni
2+,111 rule our :.v..adetuieß and learned societies, .
ub
he leas apprehenaion for useful and itnporLeaentl
being neglected and despised. If these wk
had been held before, surely Fulton could not
carried his invention to the United States, neither would
t.
;ttvnenettiinl:
a Frederic Sauvage and Cort have died insane orea
broken.—Communiatta by Dr. LadkU. hharve

THE :SIJN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 6, 1851

the Legislature necessary for the metropolis. That
declaration on the part of the First Commissioner,
if carried out, would relieve the Board from many
difficulties in regard to the outfall. The Board was
quite willing that the outfall should be extended
to Sea Reach. He was prepared to admit that the
point fixed upon by the Board was not so good as
that indicated by the referees. He considered that
their reasons were sufficient and. conclusive. The
Board was quite willing, therefore, to extend the
outfall to Sea Reach, provided that the ratepayers
of the metropolis should not be required to pay the
expenses of that extension, but that those expenses
should be provided for out of the national fund, as
suggested by the First Commissioner at the con-
ference on the 20th of November last year.
Sir B. HALL—I did not say the expenses should
be defrayed out of the national fund.
Mr. THWAITES—WeII, lam careless to the
fend out of which the money oomes, so that the
ratepayers are not burdened with the charge.
Sir B. HALL—I never said anything as to the
manner in which the money was to be raised, either
directly or indirectly.
Mr. THWAITES—I understood that the addi-
tional expense should be provided for out of the
national resources. _
_ _ .

for that purpose. He quite agreed with the Board
that there should be no open sewers.
Mr. TIIWAITES—What do you mean?
Sir B. HALL said he thought it extremely de-
sirable that all channels for the sewers should be
covered. Then, with regard to the outfalls, he was
quite ready to admit that if the outfalls wore made
according to plan IP, it would meet the immediate
requirements of the metropolis ; but what would be
the coesequ-nce if he were to sanction that plan f
His impression was tint if they were to stop at
B* they would immediately be proceeded against,
and be compelled to abandon that withal, and he
did not think the Board would suhjeot itself to such
risks. The more the question was gone into
the more did it become the feeling of the public
that the point of discharge should be much lower
down the river than at B*, and he thought the
point selected by the referees was the best point of
discharge that could be determined upon. Then,
with respect to the funds necessary for meeting the
extra expense that would be incurred by carrying
g a
Tlispvidvele::lrvawiatetklaer; dit
he
esnts lactitnahvwact:tdatti hvio
the
hpif7eh:Giritwanfn.
(nt, rene
tisltaa,
the point of discharge down to Se% Reach, he re-
s
ly
r.
nde noptne,farthingirertwiaiiaonmrtedodewn"saturtwedohsn Gut
ahlodi
hoilleamadtidtert
notur
nagree
uponwith
a q Mae
s-
ton of finance. This was a great work entrusted to
the Metropolitan Board—a work that would last
for ages and generations to come, and ought to be
carried out in the best, the most geuerons, and the
most liberal spirit. No doubt every consideration
,ought to be given as to effecting the work with a
pr Ter economy, but at the same time, he would
repeat, the views of the Legislature ought to be
carried out in a liberal spirit, and so vast a work
ought to be accomplished without too minute a re-
gird for erpeuse. It was said that the metropolis
was placed in a different position from that of other
towns, and Liverpool had been referred to ; but Li-
verpool was an exceptional case. It had old charters
of iiicorporatiou under which the borough had the
power of taxing the whole world. The shipping
dues were very great and were extended over the
shipping of all countries. The proceeds of those
duls and other powers possessed by the corpo-
ration were so great that they were able to
effect large improvements in the town of Liverpool.
But that was not the case with other towns. Man-
chester was also cited. That city had but
recently received municipal powers, and yet
no town in England had improved so rapidly
as Manchester. The only source of revenue,
however, which Manchester possessed was a Gas
Company, the proceeds of which were not very
large. But supposing they were it oaly proved
that the inhabitants were taxed by means of pay-
ing for gas that which they would otherwise have
to pay iu the shape of a rate. Many improvements
had been effo3ted in Manchester out of funds paid
by the people of that town ' • he thought, therefore,
that the metropolis was placed on precisely the
same footing as Manchester.
Mr. TIIWAITES said London had been for many
years neglected, there being no governing power
whose duty it was to carry out improvements ; a
large amount, of arrears had therefore accumulated,
a 11.1 tile Board bad now to grapple with the burden
by means of an increased direct taxation, instead of
by a slower and indirect mode of taxation.
Sir B. HALL said the metropolis was preciselynn
the sates footing as Manchester was when that city
first received municipal power. In neither case
were there any funds whatever to draw upon except
the rates.

Sir B. HALL.—I wish you distinctly to under-
stand that I never had a glimmer of such an idea
in my imagination, or that I said anything that
could possibsy lead any person to such a conclusion.
I never in the slightest degree, directly or in-
directly, indicated that the Government would
advance a penny, or that Parliament would sanc-
tion any advance.
•Mr. THWAITES said it was not at all necessary for
his purpose to dispute the question. The cost for
extendirigt'ueoutfall from. B* to Sea Reach was esti-
mated at 1,500,0001. It would hardly be just to
impose a tax upon the ratepayers of the metro-
polis to pay that additional charge. The referees
had considered what districts ought to be taxed in
aid of the ratepayers of the metropolis, and from
the data given by these gentlemen he found that
the districts, including persons residing 10 miles
from the sewers, would have to contribute 3 per
cent. of 150,0001. towards the additioual outlay of
1,500,0001. Would so insignificant a contribution
be an equivalent for the extension of the ontfall ?
He thought the referees would on reflection agree
with him that it would be better for the Board at
once to present those districts with the 150,0001.,
and permit them to carry out a sealed sewer of their
own, instead of accepting so inadequate a contribu-
tion. After all, the whole matter turned entirely
upon a question of finance. It had been asked, why
were the metropolitan representatives so tenacious
on the matter of taxation as not to be prepared to
take the sewage down to a point of outfall which
it was desirable should be adopted 1 It must be
remembered that when the Board of Works was
formed, the funds for carrying out the drainage of
the metropolis were exhausted, and Parliament had
come to a decision that no further grants should be
made for Parliamentary improvements, but that
the metropolis must take care of itself. The Board
was called into existence to face an immense debt
which was left to them as a legacy by their prede-
cessors. As a municipal body they were denied
every power which a merely provincial corporation
possessed for the improvement of their town. Li-
verpool was a case quite analogous to that of the
metropolis. The corporation of Liverpool had con-
structed magnificent docks and had made other im-
provements, not by posFeesiug the power of direct
taxation, but by an indirect mode of taxation—
namely, by the levying of dues upon the :shipping
passing and entering that port, and by other means.
But in London there were no such resources. Al-
though they had omnibuses and cabs tearing up
their streets any tax imposed upon those ve-
hicles found its way into the public exchequer,
and not into the hands of the Metropolitan
Board of Works. If there were coal dues, they were
absorbed by carrying out improvements in an area
consisting of one sqiiere mile, and were not extended
to improvements in an area of 117 square miles.
Many other towns and cities had the me ins of tax-
ing themselves or possessed property from which
they derived a revenue applicable to local improve-
ments. The members of the Metropelitan Board of
Works not having these means were not disposed to
plunge altogether into any expensive undertakings
unless they saw that a valuable consideration would
be derived from them for the ratepayers of the me-
tropolis. He repeated, therefore, that if Sir B.
Hall was of opinion that the outfalls should not be'
at 13*, but should be extended to Sea Reach, the
Board were ready to carry out that plan provided
the funds were forthcoming. But from what source
they were to come he would leave it for the right
hon. baronet to explain. The Board had a right to
ask that they might be suppliel with the means fur
carrying out these improvements. They were unable
to make bricks without straw. It was idle for the
public or for Sir B. Hall to expect the Board to
carry out these works while funds were withheld
from them. For the considerations he had thus laid
before him he hoped the right hon. gentleman
would not require an extension of the area laid do wn
by Parliament, and would not sanction any scheme
which did not confine itself to the metropolitan area.
In reference to open channels he ventured to say
that Sir B. Hall would scarcely endorse the con-
struction of works which upon the very face of them
it must be obvious would be most injurious to the
public health ; and, lastly, as to the extension of
the outfalls, that was a question he left wish con-
fidence in the hands of Sir Benjamin ; and begged
in conclusion to say that every member of the
Metropolitan Board felt an anxiety for the
speedy settlement of this important question ;
and he hoped that by means of this conference
it would be so relieved from the difficulties with
which it had hitherto been beset, and would be
brought into such a shape by the friendly con-
ference of the engineers, as to determine what the
area should be, and whether the points of discharge
should be at B* or Sea Reach. These were engineer-
ing points on which he had no doubt the referees
and the engineer of the Board would come to a satis-
factory conclusion. We come to you (said Mr.
Thwaites) in the best spirit, and we feel the utmost
confidence that you are disposed to meet us in the
same spirit, and that you are as anxious as we are
to bring this most important matter to a close ; and
I trust that means will be placed at our disposal by
which we may be enabled to carry out this gigantic
work to a satisfactory conclusion.
Sir B. HALL—I quite agree with you that it
would be desirable that this matter, which has been
under consideration for so long a period of time,
should be settled and brought to a close as soon as
possible. But after the obser rations you have made
it may be convenient that I should state what has
taken place. On the 23d Dec. I received your plan,
and on the 31st of that month, notwithstanding the
holydays, I placed the plan in the hands of the re-
ferees. On the 31st July they made their report, a
copy of which I transmitted . to you on the same
day. Therefore, as far es this department is con-
cerned, not one day has been lost in the considera-
tion of this important matter. I hope and believe
that the conference this day will lead to a satisfac-
tory conclusion. I will now refer to the three objec-
tions to the plan of the referees to which you have
called my attention. You say that the metrop 'lite!'
area comprises 117 square miles ; but that the re-
ferees; with a view to the main drainage, have com-
prised within their area not less' than 354 square
miles ; and you say that this involves an increased
size of sewers three or four times greater thee is
necessary if the main drainage be confined to the
metropolitan area. My object when I proposed the
Act of Parliament was the purification of the river
Thames by cleansing it from all the impuri-
ties that may from any source run into the
river within the metropolitan area, and I con-
sider that it is your duty to carry out that
provision of the Act. I don't wish you to do
n.tere. But then you may say that the referees
have included a larger number of square miles
in their plan than is proposed by yours. So they
have, and why ? The reason is that a great deal of
drainage comes down front far-off districts into the
Thames, which is within your area. Now, I think
it is the duty of your Board to intercept all impu-
riti a that flow into the Thames within the area of
the district under your control and supervision. But
as this may be A matter for the referees to consider,
I think you would do wells
appoint one or two
members of your Board, h
confer with the referees. your engineer, to
you rro.qTullirv: Au?
tEos—intlefrelp
tunderstand
nagyeocuomc oinrrgefc_rtoly,
m
Sir B. 11
e ALL—This
that
places beyond the metropoalitvaenrydisimtrii)cotr.tant
point,
is
and I should be !torrY,
it. Take, for instance, any
. any misunderstanding
should arise respectink,
that falls into the Thames
conceive that if
stream, call it stream A
within the metropolitan area,, , I
:_aitt
which renders
,
there is any impurity in that sot
the Thames pestilential within the ;metropolitan
area, such impurities ought to be intereepi.4-.14'
Mr. Tnwitaus—Then all contributory
therea treaLl'
is
to the Thames must be intercepted, for
scarcely any stream which, strictly speaking, can
be said to be free from impurity.
B
cases you would have no tidal streamatuatlli,nannidatnhye
navigation of the river would be destroyed, as it
would be left without water, What the Board are
required to do is to removo any impurities that are
created within the metropolitan
in-
tercept any nuisances within that
boundary,
atare and
a.
Alter this point had been fully dimmed,
Sir B. HALL obeerved that it was more a manor
for the consideration of the engineers than for him
to enter upon, and repeated that his intention and
the intention of the Legislature was, that the
Thames should be cleansed from all impurities that
flowed into it within the metropolitan area, and it
wog be the duty gi Ow DOl4 tig PROtdcl. P44_00.1_,_
___ __ _ _ ______

~.., ............
Mr. TnwArrES—But we have to provide for 6
very large amuunt of Government property which
does not pay one shilling in rates.
Sir B. HALL—There you aro mistaken. It is
tree that public offices do not pay directly in the
shape of rates ; but if the Crown does not pay
rates, it pays by way of contribution under protest
a sum equal to the rates, with the exception of the
Reyal palaces and the Houses of Parliament.
;f tee euestiou is to be viewed as one of finance,
lon must not only teke into consideration the
amount to be expended, but you must also eon-
ii:d r the utuount upon which the aesessment is to
be made, and then you will arrive at the main fact,
viz., the amount in the pound sterling which is to
be paid by the ratepayers. Toe rateable value of
the metropolis was at the present time, in round
nutubere, 12,000,0001. sterling. There was every
leaven to believe, looking at the past and what
would certainly happen, that the area would in-
crease, and the amount of prepay over which the
Board would have the power of levying rates would
consequently eleo inate-ially increase. But, taking
the vales et 12,000,0001. ; and assuming that the
Board were required to expend 5,000,0001. sterling
the questionevas what would be the amount thrown
u;-,on the ratepayer for carrying out those peat
works woich Parliament had delegated to the
Board. Supposing the Board had no means of
getting the money except uoil tile security of the
ates ; supposing that no guarantee should be
given by tee Government or Parliament to enable
the Beard to raise the money, the probability was
hat they would not be able to obtain it at less
than 5 per cent. interest. Now, if the Board
ttrkeai:.
es
hose 5,0 s
ot
atle levied
01.,
dp,oeotroete
the
payable
et.amitouwnion 50
tuido yfre2ir,BoBw3ilat.h r
api
en-
t re
annum. That sum distributed over 12,000,0001.
sterling would not require a rate of sfrd ,
it being sd. and one farthing and 9.loihe.
If the money were obtained at 4i per cent. it would
require a rate to be levied amounting to 253,0101.
which would make the rate less than 54d. ; and if
the money were bad at 4 per cent. the annual sum
required would be 232,7511., making the rate 4id.
in the pound. Therefore, although this was a very
greet work, and woul I require a large sum to carry
it out, yet it would cost the ratepayers, on the
most unfavourable calculations, not more that
ie.,d. in the pound. He would ask was that
such an enormous charge that they ought to be de-
terred from proceeding with the work on the best
end most comprehensive manner.
Mr. THWAITES said the amount certainly did not
sound very large, but it must be borne is mind
that this was in reference to one work only, and
would form only one par: of their expenditure.
There were the expenses of the district boards and
of the local drainages to be added, and he was quite
sure he was addressing gentlemen sufficiently ac-
quainted with the monetary world to know that it
would be au impossibility for the Board to go into
the money-market and raise 5,000,0001. of money
without the aii of the Government.

Sir B. HALL—That is another question. lam not
speaking of the mode iu which the money should
be raised ; I am only speaking of the amount of the
money required for carrying out this great work ;
and the next question is, whether you will refuse to
carry the outfall down to Sea Reach for the
sake of saving a rate of lid. in the pound (for that
is the difference in cost between extending the out-
fall to Sea Reich, which every one admits to be the
best point for discharge), and stopping at B*, near
Erith Church, with all the risks and contingencies,
and certain opposition, which will attend any
attempt to form the outfall at this point ?
Mr. THWAITBS—Lm I to understand that in
your opinion the outfall ought to be at Sea Reach
S'r B. HALL—Yes.
Mr. TINVAITES said it was impossible to doubt
that Sea Reach was the beat outfall, but then it
was said the metropolis ought to be charged with
it, while the Board was thoroughly convinced that
it was not. Was it the opinion of Sir Benjamin
that Parliament would not contribute towards the
expense/
Sir B. HILL—Yes.

Mr. THWAITES—,Then there is an end ; and we
are to expend 1,500,000/. more money than is re-
quired by the wants of the metropolis.
Sir B. HALL said, in answer to a question, that
he was not prepared to tray whether the Govern-
ment would afford its aid by way of guarantee to
the Board in raising money on more easy terms
than it otherwise could do. It was a matter which
rested entirely with the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer. If the Metropolitan Board thought proper
to wait upon that gentleman he (Sir B. Hall) would
be happy to attend any meeting and hear what the
galnaad
believedt h a that he hadit would had
Chancellor of the Exchequer might say' on the sub-
jfeeeretnce. He
He hoped opevery
d
beneficial results. The question was what course
they were now to pursue. The referees had 86
sub-
mitted to him a plan. Ho was not wedded to that
plan. If he could be shown that there
were falla-
cies in it, or any errors,
referees themselves would • immediately correct
them. The Duly object they had in view was
to devise a filial and
pomprehensive scheme
suitable to the
Purpose, and then to carry it
out. Tho best course, therefore, would be for the
Metropolitan Board ti appoint two members of
their Board assisting themselves with their own
engineer to meet the referees, and he was quite sure
they would enter into the whole matter in a goodi
I s irit and would be able to arrive at some.cone u-
I ij- '• h might be satisfactory to all parties.
,c
sion wit.
Mr. THwzrEs assented,
withdrew., at*
-
to that proposal.
After thanking the
Right lion. baronet, the de-
putationera conference which lasted
more than two hours.

Oof the workmen whe fell
the ruing of the Entre.
potente Antwerp was retoued alive at about und-day on
i.,,„day, after being buried for four days 1 He was fag.
formed by p.anke and beams,
tened up in a sort of cavity
and he existed .n rice 8.-0,1 ,;agar, of which fortunately a
quantity was near b:ro. He had received no injury, bit
was much affected in mind by long-continued emotion.
It was reported that groans had been heard from amidst
the ruins, from which it would appear that another MI
ill lig box* Om 11