The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-10 00:00:00

KENSINGTON AND HYDE PARK.

Her Majesty ant H.R.H. Prince Albert have
approved of the plans which Sir B. Hall had the
honour to submit for the improvement of Kensing-
ton-gore and of Hyde-park. The old entrance,
together with the unsightly Barracks, are to be at
once removed, and Rotten-row and " The Drive"
to diverge by a graceful curve, and terminate by a
magnificent set of gates, in a direct line with the
Prince Albert-road, which has been formed by the
Commissioners of the Exhibition of 1851, upon
their estate at Kensington-gore. The road is un-
doubtedly the finest in England, being more than
half a mile in length, perfectly straight, and 100
feet wide ! It leads to Thurlow-square, and, by a
detour, through Bcompton-park, the Exhibition-
road, and thence again into Hyde-park by Princes'-
gate. The whole of the estate has been thoroughly
drained, and the soil being gravel, it is a dry and
healthy locality. The houses in the Albert-road are
the property of Mr. W. Jackson, and are designed in
what is now accepted as "the Belgravian" style of
architecture, the prevaiiing characteristics of which
are luxury combined with comfort. Those that are
finished are already sold, and Lord Cochran, Col.
Clifford, M.P., W. Jackson, EFq., M.P., Roger
Cunl;ffe, E q., the banker, and other wealthy per-
sons have secured town residences here. Some of
the interiors of these mansions are embelli,hed in
the highest style of decorative art by Mr. C. Schmidt
and his gifted staff of assistants. Opposite to this
palatial row of houses is an open area of great ex-
tent, held by Government, which gives a guarantee
that no buildings otherwise than of a public nature
shall cover it. The gates which terminate the
north end of the road at Hyde-park will be 136 feet
in width and 14 feet high. They will possess two
stone piers surmounted with groups in bronze, and
two entrances for carriages and pedestrians respec-
tivwly, and a stone lodge. The design is exceedingly
handsome, being adaptations of gates at present at
Elvaston Castle, near Derby, the seat of the Earl
of Harrington ; and those at Elvaston, by the bye,
were taken from models at Versailles. The railings
of the park eastward of the gate are to be thrown
somewhat back, by which a view of Kensington
wiil be obtained from a considerably greater dis-
tance than at present, and the inequalities of the
Kensington high read thereby removed.

TILE LEVIATHAN.

Yesterday the work of impelling the vessel forward

was entirely suspended, a 3 on the previous day, when,
through the fog, and the great point of clearing the
monster from the shipyard, owing to the cempany being
liable after that period to a monthly fee rental of 1,0001.,
having been gained, operations were suspended at an
early hour in the forenoNn. However, there was plenty
of work to bo done during the whole of yesterday, and a
large body of men, under the immediate surveillance of
Mr. Brunel and his assistants, were engaged making
active preparations for the resuming of launching opera-
tions on either Friday or Saturday at the outside.
While the preparations were going on yesterday for
the renewal of launching operations, an inspection of
the machinery used as the impelling power, led to the
elucidation of many important points, and the clearing
up of such matters in connexion with the scientific
principle upon which the hydraulic and !other pres-
sure is applied, which have not yet been laid before
the public, and consequently the question is in every
mouth, "How is this hydraulic power used, and how do
they make the monster take such sudden starts I" In-
deed this subject has been most inexplicable as up to the
present time placed before the public, considering the
peculiar, although, when minutely examined, the beau-
tifully simple process exhibited in the operations. First
of all, there is a cistern into which is pumped some five
gallons of water, this is forced through an iron inch-pipe
into a cylinder, and then acting on a pi-ton 7 inches in
diameter, this is driven forward against a heavy ram
which, in its turn, presses against the vessel's cradles
and impels the ship forward, when several such hydrau-
lic apparatuses, together with innumerable screw-jacks,
each worked by 9 or 12 men, and the hauling power
obtained at the stem and stern by means of two power-
ful engines, are brought to bear together.
Thus it will be seen that the process, although bring-
ing about such a mighty moving power, is simple in the
extreme. The hydraulic power is something wonderful
to contempla.e ; and, as an instance, an incident which
occurred t) Mr. Delaney, an assistant at the present
operations, might be alluded to. This person was en-
gaged COMO time hack in some hydraulic operations,
when a fissure was detected in the pipe leading from the
cistern into the cylinder through which the water was
forcing its way. Mr. Delaney placed his finger over the
fissure, and immediatly the water, like a sharp in-tru-
ment, penetrated through the flub. The pain caused,
as described by Mr. Delaney, was such as would be
occasioned by a sharp needle. To increase the weight
of the hydraulic power and keep do en the cylinders in
the present operations, it has been found necessary to
place several hundreds of heavy iron bars, each in fact
weighing 2 cwt., on the top of the cylinders.
In consequence of the suspension of eperations yes-
terday, a number of visitors, who had special
orders,
were allowed to go over the veesil and inspect her
extraordinary dimensions, and the greatest civdity was
observed by all the company's officers and workmen.
Sines the commencement of operations the vessel, up
to Tuesday morning, has been moved 103 feet 9 inches ,
at the fore-cradle.

- CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY MEETING,

(THIS DAY.)

The fifth annual meeting of shareholders of this
society was held to-day in Exeter-hall,—the chair-
man of the society, Viicount Ranehgh, presiding.
The SECRETARY real the following report :
"The Executive Committee, in offering their cDugra-
, tulations upo❑ the Conservative Land Society having
entered into its sixth year, have also the pleasing duty to
present a fifth balance-sheet and the annual abstract of
accounts for the financial year ending the 3ith Sept.,
1857. In reporting that the number of shares issued
during the past year was 1,102, making the totals for the
five years 13,616 shares ; that the amount of land sold in
1857 was 27,7391., and the grand total 211,238/. ; that
the balance this year in favour of the society exceeds
3,000/. ; that the reserve fund is now 9,3941. ; that the
cash receipts for 1857 were upwards of 56,000/ , and
that the total receipts for the five years now reach the
large sum of 312,5571., whilst the total amount of with-
drawals for the same period was only 43,7231. ; the
committee feel that there is not only cause to re•
joice at the past, but there are also sufficient
reasons to entertain confidence as to the future.
The subjoined tabular statement shows the total cash
receipts cf the four quarters for the year ending 30th
September, 1857, and the grand totals since the for-
mation of the Conservative Land Society :

Quarter ending Shares in Shares
progress. completed Total. Rece!pts.
-
Dec. 25,1856....... 144 54 £ s. d.
198 10,786 19 5
March 25, 1857 .... 362 82 444 20,061 12 10
June 25, 1857
Sept. 30, 1857 147 109 255 15,917 11 5
--- --,
Totals, Fifth Year 822 280 1,102 56,052 10 8
Totals of 1853, 1854,
1855, and 1856 10,516 1,998 12,514 256,504 17 9
Grand Totals to 1857 11,338 2,278 13,616 312,557 8 5

The above returns, compared with those of the previous
year, show only a decrease in the total number of share:
of 111, and of 1,7981. 144 3d in the cash receipts, but
compared with those of 1855, the increase in the shares
this year is 113, and the cash receipts tc the extent
of 3,936/. is Bd. The increase under the bead of
withdrawals this year, over that of 1856, reaches the
small amount of 4481. 7s 21. In the item of income
the decrease in fees and interest is 4721. 12s 8d
against an increase of 4321. 33 4d, also in interest and
fees, so that the actual diminution is 401. Os 4d. On the
other hand, under the various items in the expenditure,
the decrease is as much as 7791. 12', against which
must be placed 1101. 16s, for expenses for two years of
registration on behalf of the allottees, 331. Os 51 increase
of outlay for meetings, and increase of 8411. 4i 5d in
bonus and interest paid to the shareholders, so that.,
exclusive of the last item, the reductions in the expendi
tore amount to 6351. 158 7d. The total amount of lams
offered to the members for the year ending the 29th
September, 1857, was 34,7441. 17s 6d ; the total amount
of unsold plots on various estates at Michaelmas, 1856,
24,732 10s ; total, 59,4771. 7s 6d. The total sale on
the allotment of 1857 was 17,0891. 17s 61 ; the total
sale of the stock on hand, inclusive of the St. Margaret's
Mansion and unallotted land, during the past year was
10,6501.; total land sold in 1857, 27,7391. 17s 6d.
Grand totals of land sold, to September 30tb,
1857, 211,2381. 18s 11d, The returns for the
business during the present quarter, which will
end December 25, extend only to the Bth instant.
total cash receipts to 30th Sept. 1857, 312,5571 8s 51 ;
receipts from 30th Sept. to Bth Dec. 1857, 7.152/ 138.8 d;
total cash from al sources, 319,7101. 24 11 ; with-
drawals from Sept. 30th to Dec. Bth, 1857, 3,9881. 10.,
ld. The total shares, in progress or uncompleted, taken
up the Bch Dec. 1857, were, 11,112 ; completed shares
to same date, were 2,606 ; total shares to Dec. 8t1:,
1357, 13,718. The returns of the register of order et
rights are as follows :—Completed, 2 606 ; drawn, 2,807;
seniority, 1,457 ; total, 6,870 ; deduct, rights exercised
on estates, building advances, &c, 4,198; unexercised
riehte, 2,672. The last share on the register by seniority
T the drawing of Dec.loth (this day), will be about No.
7,834, a .d the last share issued to Dec. 8, was No. 13,718.
During the past five years the society has alloted no less
than 32 estates. The St. Margaret's mansion and land,
and the Marshfield estate, Stamford-hill, are net in
eluded in that number, as their :a'e was effected by
private contract. With the return of peace, and with a
diminution of the monetary pressure, the committee
entertain the confident expectation that building opera-
tions will be actively renewed, after such a long stag-
nation. Ail Atees on each estate may then be in a
better position to consider whether, by a combination
amongst themselves, a scheme for the erection of villas
la and ou4es can be profitably carried out, at a compara-
tively small outlay on the part of each bolder of a plot.
The society at present possesses five unallotted estates—
viz., Manchester, Winchester, Tunbridge Wells, Brigh-
ton, and St. Margaret's. The only addition to the board
during the past year has been the election of Lieutenant-
Colonel Augustin ;Myrick, in place of Lord Alfred
Churchill, who resigned. The list of patrons and gene-
ral committee has been increased by the names of Vis-
count Pevensey, M.P., Hon. Ralph Dutt la, M.P.,
W. B. Beach, Esq , M.P., E. M. Archdaq, Esq , M.P.,
and M. Scott, Esq. The following members of the
executive committee retire from office by rotation, bat
are eligible for re-election, namely :—Viscount Ranelagh
(chairman), Colonel Brownlow Knox, M.P. (vice-chair-
man), J. C. Cobbold, Esq., M.P., Hon. W. E. Dun-
combo, Robert Steven, Esq_, and Rev. J. W. Worthing-
ton, D,D., who offer themselves for re-election. During
the last year there were two contests in East Sussex and
West Kent, in which the members who obtained votes
in those counties through the society were enabled to
exercise the franchise. The general election alter the
dissolution of Parliameot last March tested the political
opinions of the general body of allottees on the society's
estates. The executive committee, in their reports
Of March and June, had the gratification to resiar
the good faith with 'which nearly all the allottees
had acted. At the Registration Courts in the au-
tumn, the claims of the members for various coun-
ties were generally successful, although contradictory
decisions of some of the revising barristers, as to the
value of the land which will give a 40s freehold, have
been again given. On the Forest Hill Estate the 501
plots, deelired two years ago to be insufficient by one
barrister, have been pronounced by his successor this
year to bo ample. Oa the Reacisng estate the 501 plats
were passed formerly without opposition, but this year
the votes were struck off on objections which your cam-
Mittee believe to be untenable. Qualifications can now
be obtained through the instrumentality of the society
in the following counties:—Middlesex, Surrey, Essex,
Kent, Herts, Sussex, Berkshire, Worcestershire, Lin-
colnshire, Nottinghamshire, Hampshire, Somersetshire,
Lancashire, Yorkshire. The executive committee have
to announce that, until further notice, the rate
of interest on completed shares and shar.is in
progress paid a year in advance and upwards will. con-
tinue at 5 per cent., payable half yearly one month after
Lady-day and Michaelmas. The total amount of profit
divided amongst the investors in the five years was
15,8101. 103. 103., and this has enabled the permanent
members to realise 6 per cent. for the first, third,
fourth and fifth years, the bonus in the second year prior
to the Criineari war having been 7 per cent. The corn
mittee have now the high satisfaction to decnre the
bonus for the year ending at Michaelmas, 1857, to be
6 per cent. per annum on all uncompleted shares, exist-
ing in the society on the 10th of December, in respect
of which shares lots on estates have not been taken, and
such bonus of 6 per cent, will be added to the accounts
of the several members in their pass-books, as provided
by the rules. The holders of completed shares and of all
shares on which subscriptions have been paid of a
year in advance and upwards will be entitled to
receive the additional 1 per cent. Over and above the
guaranteed 5 per cent. paid hall-yearly), and the amounts
due to the members on this head will be included as
usual in the interest warrants to bo issued one month
after next Lady-day, 1858. In order to increase the
sphere of usefulness of the society the committee propose
certain alterations to be made in the existing rules at the
special meeting this day. It is not intended to interfere
in any manner with the former mode of investment,
whether for the purpose of holding shares for interest or
for obtaining land. The changes in the rules will there.
fore not depart from the system under which the society
has so prospered ; but the committee desire to avail
themselves, if they should deem it expedient, of the full
powers conferred by the law relating to Friendly and
Benefit Building Societies. To developo still farther
building operations, and to make advances on every
description of security since, modifications and amend-
mints in the rules are necessary. It is also expedient
teat the committee should have a discretionary power as
depositorsaccounts, nalelto wpiang
ttohetrheeenreacefiixptedoframteoneifesinotenredate,ptohsiet
in money
this
e fLorargine evsutimngenotf
havetici pa
bt ienegn i nb
etohnegahnt n't ue a
the
hper oefiffit se.
mode, which the committee have been compelled to de-
cline to receive on account of the rules. Investors
having derived much benefit from the total repeal of
the rule imposing fines on unadvanced shares, the com-
mittee propose an alteration in rule 43, in favour of
the allottees, by diminishing the accumulative effect of
the fines on advanoed shares. The Conservative
Land Society having become a prosperous reality,
and the effects of p 'litical and commercial transitions
having been carefully watched and studied the com-
mittee have comae to the conclusion that they ought to
be ready for a state of things when it may be requisite
to contract business in corns directions, and to enlarge it
in others. The committee, in conclusion, cannot but
express to the shareholders their sincere acl howled
ly de ios
npintl ainnycuehad
for
oere/S theleuf t
puhraaolrsmpc oeenrnifiiteyd
harmonious
anf c
the
he
ments for the friendly tone of feeling which has been
uniformly aa rsti
iodecni aes n,t y
,h
aaunin-
terruptednvdeunifor m
accomplished
no exertions will be wanting on • the
part of the xacu-
tive committee to secure future success."
The report was agreed to unauimou-ly, and the
retiring oflicera having been re-aected, the pro-
ceedings terminated.

- CRYSTAL
-
CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANT.—A meeting' of about 40
proprietors in the Crystal Palace Comp;:ny was held
yesterday, at the London 'Cavern—Mr. Sotheby in the
chair. The report of the shareholders' committee, an
abstract of which we published on Monday, having been
submitted to the meeting, the Chairman moved the
adoption of the report, and stated that tho commitie.
did not wish to interfere with the directors, but ratht r
desired to assist them. lie thought it was but fair to
give every gentleman credit for his proposition ; and the
directors having given node, of their intention to issue
life athnissiors on the surrender of shares to recite: the
capital, it was but fair to state that. t'.:at was a proposi.
tion of Mr. Fuller two years since, and that it was
because he was opposed by the i.vhole of the other
directors that ho retired from the board. After some
o nversation, the report was adopted.