On Monday, the Committee of the whole Court of Common
Coun- cil sat in the CouncilChamber of the Guildhall for the purpose of aiding the Municipal Corporation Commissioners, in proposing a system of Corporation Reform. There were nearly one hundred men hers pre- sent. Mr. Pritchard was appointed Chairman. Mr. Pearson proposed the appointment of a Sub-Committee to examine the evidence taken before the Commissioners, as it was impossible that a large number could sit to hear the whole of the statements made by the witnesses. He should propose that fire members should sit from nine in the morn- ing till one; and be succeeded by five others who should sit till five ; when they, in turn, should be relieved by five others, who should sit till nine. As soon as the examination of the evidence should have been concluded, it was his intention to move a string of propositions for the improvement of the Corporation. After a good deal of con- versation, Mr. Pearson's proposition was acceded to ; and it was deter- mined the Committee should meet at nine every morning, with the ex ception of Thursday, when a Court of Common Council would be held on other business.
At a meeting of the Court on Thursday, a petition from 310 mer- chants and traders in the city of London, calling on the Corporation to oppose a bill about to be brought into Parliament for continuing an act authorizing the collecting of tolls and rates on East Smithfield, was re- ferred to the City Lands Committee, and an instruction to the Mein- bers for the City to oppose the bill in Parliament was agreed to. The report of the Committee appointed to take into consideration the pro- jected market at Islington was presented. It recommended that the establishment of the market should be opposed ; and the report was adopted.
The commencement of business by the London and Westminster Bank has brought them into collision with the private bankers of the city, who refuse to allow to the new establishment a participation in the advantages of the clearing-house. The reason assigned is, that this is alb gether a p ivate a mi gem.nt for the persoi al eouvemei cc of the banket s.
The sale V tea at the India House proceeds slowly. The quantity of Congous refused amounts to nearly 14,000 chests. Mr. Travers, en whose account the teas were purchased 011 the first day at the small advance on the upset price, has given them up ; although, contrary to the opinion of the Board of Directors, who say that the sale was il- legal, he maintains that he has a right to hold them. Yesterday the sale was adjourned to Monday next. The Company have declared that they do not intend to send to the out ports any teas for sale. The election for a Secretary to Lloyd's, in the room of the late Mr. Bennett, took place yesterday ; and terminated in favour of the chief clerk, Mr. Dobson, by a majority of 191 votes.
The proprietors of the Westminster Gas-works sent word on Satur- day to the Theatres and their principal customers, that in consequence of a strike of the men, the gas would be extinguished that night at ten. The Imperial, Chartered, and Pheenix Gas Companies, are also in dif- ficulty for the same reason. Lt some cases dim demands of the men, who have formed it very extensive union, have been complied with; but numbers have been dismissed, and others have refused to work.
The halfpenny paid at the Post-office for every newspaper put in after six o'clock, which now goes to the two Inspectors, is, after the 5th of April, to lie paid into the general revenue of the establishment.
There was a inecting at the Theobald's Road Rooms on Saturday, on the subject of Mr. O'Connell's law of libel. Sir. O'Connell, his son John, and Mr. Fergus O'Connor, attended. Mr. O'Connell ex- plained the principles of his bill, and was very well received by a nu- merous auditory.
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