The Sun.
London, England, 1829-10-05 00:00:00

THE BOARD OF %VIDE-STREETS.

(From the Dublin Morning Register.)
The Board of Wide. streets are now seventy-
,wo years in their labours ! They began at Par-

liament-street in the reign of George the Second,
and they appear to have now as great a gad for
new enterprises as if they had only commenced
operations yesterday.
Great improvements have been effected in
parts of the city by these Commissioners, but at
enormous cost, as will be seen by the following

statement :
Expended on Dame-street £206,646 3
South Great George's-street 11,029 6
Sackville-street
Lower Abbey-street 191,010 10
Sundry other streets
North Frederick-street 11,596 1
Westmoreland-street, D'Olier-street,
&c. 132,256 4
Fleet-street and College-street
Great Brunswick-street 14,880 1
North Cope-street
Wellington-quay
King's Inns quay 9,380 17
Merchants'-quay . 9,935 6
Cutpurse-row 9,936 11
Werburgh-street 5,757 15
Nicholas-street
Patrick-street
Migh-street and Corn-market 36,071 19
Wine. tavern-street 15;652 13
Skinner- tow, Christ Church-yard,
and Fish-shamble-street 2Q,304 16
Ditto 9,382 0
Ditto 5,419 17
High-street, &c 15,186 17
Ditto 17,581 0

Total £855,148 4 1
There have been receipts in rents and ma-
terials sold to the amount, probably, of the sixth
of the above sum ; but the balance is still very
enormous and, of course, it forms only a part of
the expenditure of this Board.

Our readers are aware that until lately the
funds of the Commissioners were aided by an-
nual grants from Parliament. These grants for
some years, during the secretaryship of Mr.
Peel, were as high as 19,0001. per annum.
They fell off subsequently to 10,000'. a-year,
and at length they were altogether witldrawn by
Mr. Goulburn. Mr. Peel maintainee, on one
occasion, that the citizens of Dublin had a right
to these grants arising from the less of their
Parliament. If they possessed such a right in
Mr. Peel's secretaryship, they did so in Mr.
Goulburn's, and that these grants were then
withdrawn, is, we presume, only to Je taken as
the declaration of the Executive that the labours
of the Commissioners ought to be Srought to a
close. The Parliamentary Committee which sat

in 1825 on the Local Taxation of Dublin, ex-
pressed themselves doubtful whether any new
works, to be defrayed by local taxation, should
be undertaken by this Board, and at the same
time declared it to be " at least questionable,
whether the benefits of any projected improve•
inetitgi to the people of Dublin, do not counter-
Vail the pressure of this tax." The existing
funds of the Commissioners consist almost alto-
gether of a tax on coals. It is the very worst
ta-1; tiniiOuld be invented or levied, and they
must be rare " benellti3" indegd which its pres-
sure would not countervail.

The records of the Commissioners furnish
many instances of prodigal and useless expendi-
ture; A.' an instance we need do no more
than mention, that geotding to a parnatrentary
document published last year they paid within a
few years 1,1141. 12s. 7d. for advertisements W
a newspaper (the Correspondent) which had,
notoriously, in that interval, not a dozen readers
in the city of Dublin. Their law costs have
been always enormous ; and as to the way in
which the business of valuation has been some-
times conducted we will leave the reader to
draw his inferences from the following passages
in the Fifteenth Report of the Commissioners on
Courts of Justice in Ireland :
LUNATIC, WIDE-STREET, AND VALUATION JUarr.S•---.
With respect to these juries, the panels of them are pre-
pared by the sub-sheriff and his clerk. Under the provi-
sions of the Wide-street Commissioners Act, a precept is
issued by these commissioners to the sheriff, by virtue of
which he is required to empanel and return a jury for put.
poses of valuation. A case has been brought forward in
the course of our present investigation, in which there is
but little doubt that a Wide-street jury was packed, in
consequence of a corrupt dealing with some person con-
nected with the sheriff's office. The parties whose pro-
perties were ordered by the commissioners to be valued,
having arranged among themselves the formation of a list
of names of persons from whom they anticipated a favour-
able verdict, forwarded this list, through their solicitor, to
the sheriff's office. By whose particular instrumentality
this management was there effected, we have not been
able to trace ; but it is cleat ly proved that the bribe to the
sheriff's officer was given by the parties to their solicitor,
together with the list, and that the plan was successful,
as several of the persons named in the list were actually
on the jury, and the valuation was accordingly excessive.
The solicitor, however, on his examination, has denied,
according to his recollection, the delivery to him either of
a list or money for such purpose, and positively denies
any payment of money by him, directly or indirectly,
into the Sheriff's office. However, in a similar case, in
which the sante solicitor was concerned, in the year 1816,
so fully impressed was Mr. Alderman Beresford, then one
of the Wide-street Commissioners, after inquiring into the
subject, that a jury had been somehow packed, that he
made a representation of the matter to the High Sheriff;
since which period a more respectable class of jurors has
been returned for making valuations under the Wide-
street Act. An increase of the remuneration of these
jurors was at the same time made from Is. to one guinea
per day; but though more respectable juries have since
that time been returned, it appears to have induced a prac-
tice, which has created much di-satisfaction, of confining
the selection of these jurors almost exclusively to mem-
bers of the corporati-n, an advantage which is greater
than would at first sight appear, as juries have continued
sitting for a considerable number of days. With re-
spect ro lunatic and valuation-juries, we have to make the
same observation.

We have published the notice of a new appli-
cation which the Commissioners intend to make
to Parliament for additional funds. We believe
it has created general astonishment. The pro-
fessed objects for which thtse funds are required,
are, for the most part, such as it is monstrous
even to think of in the present condition of the
city. It certainly must have required some
hardihood to gravely talk of abating " projec-
tions," such as we witness in Nassau-street, at a
time when the begging-box is at every man's
door, and one-third of the houses of the entire
city are tenantless, or tumbling to ruins!

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, OCT. 3.

Henry Lacey, late a partner in the firm of Knight
and Lacey, was brought up on his petition to be
discharged. He was opposed by Mr. MAHON, On
behalf of Messrs. Alderman Key and Co., sta-
tioners, and Joseph Robertson, Esq.; and by Mr.
Salmon, of the firm of Cunningham and Salmon, In
person. Messrs. COOKS and DUNN were Counsel
for the insolvent.

The insolvent's schedule was of very great length.
The debts on the schedule, most of which have
been contracted since the bankruptcy, amounted
to 2,178/. 17s. 11d. ; debts owing to the estate,
1,7251. ss. sfd.; partly bad, and partly doubtful.
The insolvent examined—When myself and part-
ner went into business, in 1822, we had capital to
the amount of about 7001., the furniture and fix-
tures were worth 5001. more ; the amount of our
debts at our first failure in January, 1826, was about
60000/.; we had about 1001. in cash, after our
bankruptcy, to begin again with. Mr. Joseph Clin-
ton Robertson was the editor and part proprietor of
the Mechanics' Magazine, in which we had a con-
siderable share; Mr. Robertson was not the sole
proprietor; he received 5001. a-year for performing
the duty of editor; its circulation was very great,
at one time it amounted to 30,000 weekly. We had
also another work, called the Pulpit, which had a
good circulation; after our bankruptcy, Messrs. Ire-
land and Duckworth, the printers, of Fleet-street,
became our securities to the assignees, Messrs. Edw.
M‘floy and David Sydney, for the payment of the
debts owing on account chiefly of the Afechania
Magazine; and this work and the Pulpit were
then assigned to us by them. By a deed dated June,
1827, we assigned to Mr. Robertson—in considera-
tion of the sum of 1,2001., to be paid by bills—the
copyright of the Mechanics' Magazine. This was
done with the consent of our assignees. We re-
ceived some accommodation bills from Mr. Herne-
man, of Leeds, to the amount of about 600/. or
7001. The old debts of the bankruptcy were not
included in the bills we gave him in return. I be-
lieve a balance of those debts were included. We
gave him also a mortgage on our premises. Messrs.
Ireland and Duckworth, when we failed, were credi-
tors to the amount of about 5,0001. We assigned
them a large stock of the Mechanics' Magazine,
Pulpits, and stereotype plates of the Mechanics"
Magazine.
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER here interposed, and
observed, the examination had better be restricted
to that point.
Mr. MAHON then put in the deed of assignment
to Mr. Robertson. Mr. Robertson was the bona
fide proprietor of the Mechanics' Magazine.
Mr. CooKE, for the insolvent, said, if the Court
considered the deed of importance, the whole of it
must be read ; but the fact was, Messrs. Knight and
Lacey had assigned the copyright of this work fora
consideration, no part of which had been paid.
Examination of insolvent continued by Mr.
COOKS.—The consideration money was paid by Mr.
Robertson in bills; these bills were taken up by
Messrs. Bodden and Walters, solicitors to the Com-
mission of Bankruptcy; Messrs. Ireland and Duck-
worth also paid part of them, and ourselves the other.
To further questions, the insolvent said, that he
left the concern with only 71.45. in his pocket, and
the furniture of his bed-room.

Mr. Morris Salmon, of Fleet-street, printer, op-
posed the insolvent in person on behalf of himself
and partner, Mr. Cunningham. He stated that lie
was a creditor for 1081. for printing a work entitled
Public Characters.—(A laugh.)
Cross-examined by Mr. COOKE—I have received,
as a security, a considerable stock of " Pulpits."—
(Laughter).—They were sent to us to prevent our
striking a docket. We consented not to do this,',
and also discharged an action to recover 40/.
Mr. COOKE—Did you ever issue such an adver-
tisement as this ?—(heading)—" In the press and ,
shortly will be published, a copy of the schedule of
Messrs, Knightand Lacey; showing how two young

men cats enter business with a capital of 500kp*Ild
in a short period become bankrupts for 60,r
and fail a second time for 20,0001. Price 6(1:-,.
Mr. Salmon—Yes; I thought by exposing tPe,,„
I skould get my debt.— (Great laughter.)
Mr, Salmon then examined insolvent—Mare itr:
any interest in your brother's house in St. Pse:-
Ch urch -yard ? Insolvent—No.
Do you not mean, if you get your discharge °is;
this court, immediately to commence business there
Insol vent —No.
wg
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER—Suppose he
will not be disreputable for him to do so, on'ff
you can chew that he has property there 014
Might. td be given up to his creditors. I have het`,
this long find irrelevant examination with paties
because I did not wish that any creditoi
have the slightest occasion to say that his oppoit',,,,l
was not attended to. " Your qttestions," said
learned Commissioner, " to the insolvent have W;;, ,
very properly answered, and he will be discharge:et
VIV COURT then appointed Mr. Alderman P.,e'd
the assignee, tail pronounced the insolvent entit'o
to the benefit of the Act, and ordered him t°
forthwith discharged.
erej
James William Morris, a person so bewhisk /,
'and mustachioed, as to strongly resemble a ne`l4,l
imported ourang-outang, was brought up from_,,{,
King's Bench prison, on hispetitiott ;,,P he
He was opposed by Mr. HEATH, oti Zoo
host of ladies (lodging-house-keepers), with'irl,
he had -contracted debts of varionrr
the assumed names of Captain Grant, Mr. Wa!
Mr. Wall, &c.
After the examination had proceeded same W,
it was ascertained that the insolvent had not card
reedy described various residence' whirs 10_4'
contracted debts, and the. Chief Commissioner 441"'
sequently dismissed the petition.
Mr. HEATH said, the insolvent had assumes
many shapes as Proteus, but if he had any difficiPti,l
in supplying the omission of his multitudinous risei,
and descriptions, he could refer to the various Off
tia returns with which he had favoured so 11°

parishes in the metropolis.
As soon as she insolvent had mounted the
female in the gallery fainted, and was carried 004,
Thomas Delves, a genteel-looking man, waf
posed by Mr. Hodson, and four other creditors.,lo;
The opposing creditor said he lent the
2001. to start in business, and he'ivished to 101
few inquiries relative to the manner in which::lo
disposed of some of his. property, particidarly a I
quantity of wine and spirits, which he had,
before he went to prison.
The insolvent said he had been recomme
~,It
his doctor to drink wine, in preference to 50
liquor or spirits; " so," said he, " I ordered ~
dozen of wine, and some acrd bran(ll',his
COMMISSIONER—WeII, and what became of ,L,„
wine and spirits ? Insolvent—l have drank it Or

I and my friends.
COMMISSIONER—How long were you in dri
it? Insolvent—Fire weeks.
COMMISSIONER—HO Vt, much did you take
prison ? Insolvent—None, Sir.
COMMISSIONER—What did you drink mere. 1r
solvent—Milk and water.
esteP
COMMlSSlONER—Well,yonappear in good h
I should have supposed that after having_ drat* to
freely of wine 'and spirits, a sudden transitisl/
milk and water would almost have caused destiliof
(Laughter.) Insolvent--The wine was toitio
good, and I am recommended to refrain from fir, ill
COMMISSIONER—Of course there are no spirit-/.prison ? Insolvent—There is none"
(Bursts of laughter.)
The opposing creditor then said that the 161
vent had contracted debts with nine tailors. ii%
It turned out, however, that there were onil
tailors.
i°ll.
The opposing creditors said, that shortly be 60
the insolvent went to prison, he contracted
debts and pawned the articles ; a dock, in Pet'
lar, was pledged after he was arrested. ad
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER said, this was 0.10
the most impudent attempts he had witness be
some time. The insolvent had pretended. to
brought into his present state of insolvency IS 7",,
sequence of illness, and yet he had drunk int
mense quantity of wine and spirits just beforre
went to prison ; and, at the Barrie time, hsd_e
frauded numbers of tradesmen out of their 5-0
perty, for the purpose of pawning. it. The Cad
would be remiss in its duty, were it not to relish
the insolvent for the longest period under tho_nelii
section of the Act. At present the Court wwer
order the case to be adjourned, to obtain a Insre_ivept
plicit account of the manner in which the /one?
had disposed of his property, arid when he 010"
again the Court would give its judgment.
MEETING OF THE COPYHOLDER-
g Of
THE MANOR OF HAMPSTEAD. •
CoPl'
A meeting of the General Committee 0 A0$
holders was held at the Workhouse, Hampstevlrol
Friday evening, in consequence of a letter recta,,
by their Clerk from Sir 'F. Maryon Wilson, ))""
Lord of the Manor of Hampstead. 00
The Chair was taken by T. SHEPHERD, Eegltml
inquired how the Committee was constituted ;_:77,0(
general conversation then took place as to therijeri,
of the Committee to act for the body' of CoPibiler:
who are about 340 in number. The minutes.oo"
mer meetings were refery`ed to as fai back tteoitr•
when it was thought they might receive an/ c`Lttt
to
nication from the Lord of the Manor, 304 ter"
the body of Copyholders.
he Pf
The letter was then read by the Clerk, t-
port of which was to
" Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson would be hs or
meet the Copyholders, either at Chalton 090
at his Steward's, Carey-street." -
The object of this meeting does not apPoi'v, the
A lengthened conversation then ensued. 0
.hell'
probable object of the Lord's wishing to: meet 00);
(there not having, been any previous commusict
their many grievances as Copyholdersl.aud tuvrst'
Bill, which it is reported is to be brought int°
liament in the next Session. •
It was resolved— epd
oetio
That Thos. Shepherd, Henry White' rd
William Wingfield, Esqrs., should meet t"ehooter
the Manor of Hampstead at his Steward 's
at 00
Carey-street, on the 20th of October nett,
o'clock, and 'report the result of the meeting tQ
CopPholdere. - .
°
NEWARK, SATURDAY EVENIXO<d v
meeting is to be held at twelve o'clock on Monday, ',re°
is expected to be numerously attended. A spacioooo4
has been taken for the occasion. Mr. CnAs. PtAig,
the agent of Mr. Serjeant WiLnx, is here, engelleu tor
taining statements of the cases of theejected elector.oo,
laid before his principal. Invitations to attend 11°057
ing were sent to the Dukeof NawcAsms, to Mr. Sr
ten
and to Mr. Serjeant WILDE. His Grace •bee vr,eetil
courteous apology, 'which will be laid before the ;0010f,
and will explain his reasons for declining to be PL, Airfi
well as the motives from which he has acted. Frg!`" ifivoe
no reply has as yet been. received. Mr. S01°11;1,16.0
has signified his intention of being present, 1,"100 bet
met by an escort of his friends at Bsidpion la, be ••
miles from the town), on Monday morning. rot Is
music, to usher him into Newark, is talked e..4e" 1,0
arrangement seems to be adverse to the pod :110i
Learned Setjeant and the more judicious eirii olf
friends. It is thought, therefore, it will be yetAot or
with. It is understood to be the intention of the otell
Serjeant to remain in the neighbourhood for •
ten days, in order to canvass the electori-
•1111,
BIRTHS.
On the Ist inst. at Bonehill, in •Staffordebire'
Jane Peel, of a son.

MARRIED. Vib" -Moo ts
On the 29th ult. at Willoughby, Mr. P. .0010-.
Catherine, second daughter of Mr. Cro?per, of
Spa, Worcestershire.

DIED. relict
On the 30th ult. at Harrogate, aged 7S, Lfrcel;°f tilt
of the Rev. G. Anderson, and only surviving °I--
late Hall Plumer and Sir Thomas Plunaer. ----1
.., -- ~ ---„., ,—y- U.SG'
FEINTED AND I'UZLIsfrED 3y MURw, - ° •
711 E Ollrics, 112, SZSAVD) 1.."4"'s