The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-16 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.) PAYMENT OF WAGES BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Mr. HUME said there was no necessity for the bill, and contended that it was impossible to legislate effec tually upon this subject. The truck laws ware always evaded, because the workman as well as the master con nived at it, and passing bills like this only raised hopes that never could be realised. It was surprising to see the amount of ignorance that prevailed, both in and out of doors, on this subject. The capitalist was the greatest friend of the working man, but the operative classes seemed to entertain a different opinion, and the only effect of bills of this nature was to foster that delusion. He therefore made a last appeal to the house and the Government to lend them no fur ther countenance, as the truck system was already stringently prohibited by law, and had been so prohi bited since the reign of George I. ; but it had been sys tematically evaded with the countenance and conaivance of the workman himself. It was useless, then, to pass such bills, and he should resist the motion for the second reading. Mr. CRAUFORD moved as au amendment—" That before any further legislation on the subject of the pay ment of wages be sanctioned by this house, a select com mittee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the laws affecting the relations of masters and workmen, and to report whether any and what amendment may be requisite in those laws." The hon. member reviewed all the past proceedings of the house in connexion with this question, remarking that it was fully twelve years ago since it was investigated by a Parliamentary committee. The evils of the truck system was then fully developed, though the committee did not recommend further legislation ; but during the last twelve years the whole of our commercial system had undergone a change. Free trade had been almost uni versally adopted with reference to trade and commerce, while at this moment a bill was before the house for ex tending the free trade principle to labour ; and since it was just possible that the evils reported twelve years ago could no longer be insisted on, they ought to have another Parliamentary inquiry int o th e ma tt er b e f ore the house agreed to any fresh legislation upon it. Mr. L. HEYWORTH seconded the amendment, be lieving that at this particular moment no more impor tant question could be pressed upon the attention of the house than the laws relating to masters and workmen. Mr. DRUMMOND said this bill had nothing to do with determing the rate of wages. The simple case was this—a mass of helpless labourers complained that they were defrauded by their masters, and they came to the house for redress. The truck system, in fact, defrauded them of a portion of their fair earnings ; and although this was not a time for using language which could set the men against the masters, it was yet not an Inopportune moment for removing the manifest injustice which the former complained of. There was no such thing as the truck system known in agriculture, it was confined almost exclusively to the m tnufacturing dis tricts, where the masters boasted of carrying the aristo cracy on their backs. The truck system was nothing more than the free trade of the masters for the robbery of the workmen, and, inasmuch as the real object of this amendment was to perpetuate the abuse, he should give it his decided opposition. Sir J. WALMSLEY believed that great abuse existed, and that many masters resorted to truck, to the great injury of their workmen, whom they made to pay much higher prices for their provisions than were demanded by the ordinary dealer. In the hosiery district this evil prevailed to an alarming extent, and he hoped the house would feel it to be its duty to interfere and remove the injustice. Mr. BOOKER, being a large employer of labourers, believed that further legislation was necessary on this subject. The truck system was an abominable system, and for the sake of the honest trader, as well as the in terest of the workmen, it should be put down by the strong arm of the law. Mr. BRUCE supported the bill in the hope that it would allay some of the angry feelings that unhappily prevailed at this moment amongst the work ing classes. The truck system was one of the evils they complained of, and since their complaint in that respect, at least, was a just one, it was the duty of the house to legislate for its removal. The existing law was defective, because the fines which it imposed upon the truck master were too small. For the first offence it was 101. ; for the second, 20/. ; and it was only made a mis demeanour, carrying a fine of upwards of 1001. on con viction for the third offence. Now, the change pro posed by this bill would make the fine for the first offence not to exceed 201., but the second offence would be treated as a misdeameanour, liable to the 100/. fine, and that, he thought, wonld be sufficient to check the evil. Mr. BRIGHT had observed an inconsistency in the course of the hon. gentleman the member for Hereford shire. He suggested this bill, notwithstanding that he had always been the advocate of a great national truck shop. (A laugh.) He had heard fifty speeches from the hon. member in favour of the 27,000,000 of people in this country being compelled to go to the Herefordshire and other farmers for their food. With regard to the bill itself, he was satisfied it would increase rather than diminish the ill-feeling thatprevailed in the manufacturing districts, because it would set loose a band of hungry informers, but there was no necessity for the bill. The extent of the truck system was vastly over-rated ; if it was not, and if it was carried to the length which some hon. members represented, the workmen had ample power within themselves to put a stop to the grievance without coming to the house for assistance. He ar g ued that the truck system could not be wholly stopped by legislation, but it was an error to suppose that it always operated oppresively upon the workmen. (Hear, hear.) There were instances where the existance of a truck shop in a manufactory was highly advantageous to the workpeople. There was nothing inherently wrong in the system itself ; but injustice did occasionally arise from the manner in which it was carried out by the master. No legislation could prevent the use of the system by the honest employer, because when his workmen found his efforts to provide them with cheap and good provisions was decidedly for their profit, they would connive at an evasion of the law. The bill, therefore, would be simply useles. Mr. FOSTER, who had charge of the bill, conjured the house to pass it, as the truck system invariably assumed the bad features which the honourable member for Manchester treated as the exception and not the rule. The system injured alike three parties—the workman, the independent shopkeeper, and the money-paying mas ter ; and since the bill was not based upon any new princi ple, but only amended the law as it already existed in the Statute-book, the house ought to have no difficulty in adopting the second reading, after which the bill would be referred to a select committee. Lord STINLEY objected to the bill on three grounds, he believed that it was unsound in principle, that it was unnecessary, and that it would be quite in operative if it were passed. Mr. MOFFATT opposed the bill, on the ground that, while it would do no good for the workman, it would considerably advance the interest of certain independent shopkeepers, and enable them to keep up prices. Mr. BOUVERIE said the real object of this bill was to stop the modes by which the existing law was evaded, and as it was one of the first duties of the house t o stop fraud, he insisted that they had no alternative but to pass it. He was ready to support the amendment as a separate and distinct motion, but to accept it as a sub stitute for this bill. Mr. PACKE reminded the opponents of the bill that if they wished to be consistent in their opposition, they should move the repeal of the existing Truck Act. For his part he should support the bill upon the obvious ground that the workman was entitled to a fair clay's wage for a fair day's work. Sir B. HALL had but too often witnessed the evils of the truck system in the mining districts of Wales, and he had no hesitation in saying that it acted as an oppres sion upon the workpeople, which the house was bound to remove by legislation. Sir G. GREY said it appeared to him that Parlia ment having sanctioned the principle of the Truck Act, the house ought to have no difficulty in adopting a bill for its amendment, so as to render it efficient and com plete. Now, there was no doubt that the existing law was evaded by the collusive payment of sages ; and as the first clause,of this bill would remedy that defect, he was prepared so far to support the bill. He was, however, decidedly opposed to the remaining provisions of the hill ; •and if they were to affirm the whole of the bill before they had an inquiry, he must oppose it. It seemed to hi m to b e use l ess t o a d op t it s prov i s i ons fi rs t a dt he's to have an inquiry to see if they had done right. Itwould be much better to have the inquiry first, though at the same time he was bound to confess that no legis lation could be devised that would not be evaded in some way or other. FO STER said all he wanted the house to do was to affirm the principle of the bill, and leave it for a com mittee to d ec id e how it should be' carried out. Col. BLAIR ,leclared that the effect of the truck sys tem was to enslav e the workman, because the master always took care to have him in his power by keeping him constantly in debt. Mr. CHEETHAM assured the house that the truck system did no t p re vail in Lancashire . Th e house then divided, wh en e• there appeared— For the second reading .................. 166 Against it ................................. 56 —llO gly n eg atived, and the The amendment was acco rdin second reading of t he bill havin g been agr ee d to, i t was ordered to be referred to a select committee. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. This bill was passed throu g h comm ittee p ro and ordered to be recomm itted this day fortnight , Jurnia, FISHE RIES (IRELAND) BILL. On the order for the second reading of this bill, Mr. BUTT moved that the bill be read a second time this day six months. Sir J. YOUNG strongly obje cted, on the part of th e public, to the provisions of the bill. After a few words from Mr. NAPIER, the motion Wu agreed to, and the bill was thrown out. EXCHEQUER-BILLS BILL.. The Exchequer-bills (1,750,000) Bill was read a third time and passed. a BANKRUPTS. Mr. W. WILLIAMS moved for a return of the num ber of bankrupts in the year 1852 ; of the amount of debts proved under, and the amount of debts owing to, the estates of the said bankrupts, stating the amount of tack debts sold, and the amount collected by the official Pesngnees.—Agreed to. FREIGHT MONEY. Sir G. B. PECHELL moved for returns of the several puma of freight money received by the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital since the 17th day of February, 1852,, with the date of such payments, and whether on public or private account ; and of the name of the ship THE SUN, FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA. (Front the Morning Chi onicle.) The views which the Duke of Newcastle so ably and perspicuously stated, towards the close of last session, with reference to the future government of Jamaica, and which received the unanimous approval of both Houses of Parliament, have, it appears, likewise met with the concurrence of the Assembly of that island. The intentions then ex pressed by the Colonial Secretary have been em bodied in a bill, " for the better government of the island, and for raising a revenue in support thereof ;" and that measure now awaits only the decision of the Legislative Council to become law. There can be little doubt that, in nearly all its most important provisions, it will obtain the as sent of that body ; and, in order to facilitate this result, the Assembly has passed a resolution to the effect that it will not, in this instance, insist on its right of refusing to entertain amendments, on the part of the Council, in the money clauses of bills which it has sanctioned. The main object of the measure is to transfer the executive functions hitherto exercised by the House of Assembly, and by various boards, to a committee of four salaried officers, to be nominated by the Governor—three of whom are to be selected from the House of Assembly, and one from the Legislative Council. This committee "shall, together with the Governor, constitute and form a body, to be called ' The Board of Executive Com mittee,' of whom three shall be a quorum ;" and this board shall performall the duties, and be clothed with all the powers and authorities previously im posed on, or vested in, the Commissioners of Pub lic Accounts, under the local Act of 15 Geo. 111., and other measures of the Colonial Legislature. By the 17th clause of the bill, " The right now ex isting in every member of the House of Assembly to propose a vote of money shall, from and after the appointment of the Executive Committee, un der certain limitations, " cease and determine ; " and it shall not be lawful for the House of As sembly "to originate or pass any vote, resolution, or bill for the imposition or appropriation of any tax or impost, to or for any purpose, which shall not have been first recommended by a message of the Governor to the said House of Assembly, or by the Executive Committee for the tiie being." And further, " the sole and exclusive power of proposing or originating any vote of money shall vest in, and be exercised by, the Governor, by message to the said House of Assembly, or through the Executive Committee for the time being, as such organs of Government, or by one of them, under the authority and direction, and upon the sole responsibility, of the Government." The 21st clause of the measure, defining the duties of the Executive Committee, and the limits of their authority, is as follows .—" The duties of such Executive Committee shall be to assist the Governor in preparing the annual estimates, in levying and disbursing the public moneys, and in the general administration of the finances of the country ; and it shall be the duty of the said Executive Committee, when they shall be required so to do, collectively and individually to advise and assist the Governor in the general administration of the affairs of this island. And, in like manner, when so required by a minute, in writing, under the hand of the Governor, to give their opinions and views in writing, and at large, on all matters submitted to them ; and, in like manner, it shall be the duty of the said Execu tive Committee, and of every member thereof, when so required, in writing, as aforesaid, to advise on, prepare, and perfect all estimates, ways and means, papers, messages, answers, bills, and other proceed ings which the Governor shall deem advisable to he submitted or communicated to either branch of the Legislature, or to any person or persons whom soever ; and it shall be lawful for the Governor, by a minute in writing under his hand, which minute shall be published in the Gazette, by authority, and also transcribed in the books of the said Executive Committee, to direct and appoint that the service of any particular part or parts of the general ad ministration of the island be performed by any par ticular member of the said Executive Committee, and, by a like minute, to be published and tran scribed as aforesaid, from time to time, to vary or alter the particular service of any such member of the Executive Committee. And it shall be the 1 duty of each member of the Executive Committee, to whom, from time to time, such particular service shall be appointed, to executive and per form the same accordingly. Provided neverthe less, that, notwithstanding anything herein con tained, the Executive Government of this island shall continue to be discharged by the Governor, and on his responsibility, in the same manner as heretofore it has been, either when the Governor has heretofore acted alone or by and with the advice of his Privy Council. And provided also, that nothing herein contained shall vest, or be construed to vest, in the said Executive Committee, any right or power of appointing to any office ; but the whole patronage and right of making all such appointments shall continue in the Governor as heretofore." The 22d clause, setting forth the Ministerial agency of the Executive Committee, declares that one or more of that body "shall, in their respective Houses of Parliament, be the official organs of the Governor for all intercommunication between the Governor and such Houses respectively, and for the authoritative disclosure of the po licy of the Government on all questions, political, financial, and administrative, which from time to time may therein respectively be come the subject of consideration and discus sion." A proviso is added, to the effect that it shall not be imperative on the Government, or on their official organs, to make any disclosure of such policy . _ . The present bill proposes no change in the consti tution of the House of Assembly. But it enacts that the Legislative Council shall, in future, be composed of seventeen members, five of whom—in cluding one member of the proposed executive com mittee—may be holders of offices of emolument ; and the nomination of the members of the Council is vested in the governor—subject, however, to the paramount authority of the Imperial Government to appoint or remove as it may think proper. This Council shall " use, exercise, and enjoy the same powers, privileges, rights, and immunities, as the present Council of the island, when sitting as a legis lative council," have hitherto exercised and en joyed, together with such other rights, privileges, and immunities," as are conferred upon them by the new act. They are deprived, by the 14th clause, of their functio ns an d pr i v il eges as a pr i vy or ad ministrative council, or as a judicial body ; but, by clause 4, they are enabled to " use, exercise, and enjoy the like politi ca l p owers an d aut h or i t i es o f initiating or originating any legislative measures (provided such measures shall not involve the im position of taxes, or the appropriation of the public money) as are used, exercised, or enjoyed by the House of Lords in Great Britain." The qualifica tions of the members of the Executive Council are thus defined :—"No person, except the five holders of offices of emolument, as aforesaid, shall be sum moned to the Legislative Council, unless he shall be possessed, in his own right or in that of his wife, of a freehold estate in this island of the annual assessed value of 3001., or upwards, or shall pay taxes, public and parochial, to the extent of 301. on real property in this island, held by him in hi s own right, or in the right of his wife, or to the extent of 501. upon property, real and personal, in this island." We have said that there are to be only five salaried members of the Legislative Council ; but this is a prospective arrangement, which is not intended to affect that body as at present consti tuted. At this moment, six of its members hold offices of emolument—viz., the President, the Major-General Commanding the Forces, the Bishop of the Diocese, the Chief Justice, the Attorney- General, and ie Hon. Mr. Turner. The bill does not propose to deprive these functionaries of the seats which they now hold, but merely suspends the power conferred upon the Council of originat ing legislative measures, so long as there shall be more than five members of the body holding offices of emolument. The rest of the measure has reference to the manner in which it is proposed to raise a sum of 27,5001., which is to be paid annually by the island, for a period of thirty-three years, in liquida tion of the principal and interest of a loan of 500,0001., to be advanced by the Mother-country, at the rate of 34 per cent. ; and provision is also made for obtaining a further sum of 25,0001. annu ally, " towards defraying certain expenses of the Government of this island." These payments are to be secured by a duty of 51., upon every 1001. of the value of all " live and dead stock, goods, wares, and merchandise," imported into the island of Jamaica—which duty is to be levied so long as the respective sums of 27,0001. and 25,0001. shall be payable ; but, after the annual payment of the former shall have ceased, the duties on the above mentioned articles are to be reduced to 21. per cent. on their value. It was to ensure the introduction of a measure for the establishment of responsible Government, and also to release the colony from the " dead lock" which had supervened from the want of harmony between the House of Assembly and the Legisla tive Council, that the Colonial Secretary proposed the above-mentioned loan of 500,0001. on the part of the Imperial Government. The final clause of the present bill specifies the conditions on which the contemplated change in the Constitution of the colony is based. It is as follows :—" This act shall not come into operation until an act shall have passed the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain, pledging the guarantee of the United Kingdom for or vessel in which the treasure was conveyed, and of the captain or officer commanding the same. EXPIRING LAWS. Mr. G. BERKELEY moved for a select committee to inquire what temporary laws of a public az,d general nature are now in force, and what laws of the like nature have expired since the last report upon the subject ; and also, what laws of the like nature are about to expire at particular perio ds, or in consequence of any con tingent public event ; and to report the same, with their observations thereupon, to the house :—Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Attorney-General, Mr. Solicitor-General, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Freshfield, Mr. Hume, Sir J. Young, Mr. Fitzroy, Mr. Hayter, Mr. Peel, and Mr. Cardwell :—Power to send for persons, p a pers, and records. Three to be the quorum. Agreed to. The other orders were then disposed of, and the house adjourned at a quarter-past three o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. HOUSE OF COMMONS-MARCH 16. PAYMENT OF WAGES BILL. order for second reading read ; motion made and question proposed, "That the bill be now read a second time :" Amendment proposed to leave out the word " That" to the end of the question, in order to add the words " before any further legislation on the subject of the payment of wages be sanctioned by this house, a select committee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the laws affecting the relations of masters and workmen, and to re port whether any and what amendment may be requisite in those laws,"—instead thereof :—question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question :" —The house divided ; ayes 166, noes 56. AYES-166. Acland, Sir T. Goderich, Viscount. Michell, W. A'Court, C. Gere, W. Moody, C. Adderley, C. Greenall. G. Morris, D. Bailey, Sir J. Grenfell, Chas. Mostyn, E. Bailey, C. Grogan, Edward Mulgrave, Earl of Ball, J. Grosvenor, Ld. R. Mailings, J. Bass, T. Gwyn, H. Napier, J. Beach, Sir M. Hale, R, Newark, Viscount Hendrick, G. Raiford, Sir H. worth, Lt.-Col. J. Berkeley, Hon. C. Hall, Sir B. Oake.s, J. Blackett, J. F. B. Hamilton, Lord C. O'Connell, D. Blair, Col. J. H. Hamilton, G. A. O'Connell, J. Hooker, T. W. Harcourt, Col. F. Packe, C Pouverie, Hon. E. P. Hayes, Sir E. Pechell, Sir G. Brady, J. Heard, J. Pigott, F. Brockman, E.D. Heathcote, Sir W. Potter, R. Buck, L. W. Henley, J. Price, W. Burghley, Lord. Herbert, H. Pritchard, J. Butler, C. Herbert, Sir T. Robartes, T. Butt, L Herbert, P. Sanders, G. Byng, CL Hervey, Lord A. Sawle, C. Campbell, Sir A. Higgins, G. 0. Sibthorp, Col. Castlerosse, Viscount Hilyard, R. C. Smijth, sir W. Child, Smith 'Lindley, C. Smyth, J. G. Cholrnondeley Lord Horsfall, T. Stafford, A. Christopher, Robt. A. Hughes, W. Stanhope. J. Clifford, Lt.-Col. H. M Hume, W. Stanley, W. Cobbett. J. M. Ingham, R. Stirling, W. Coboold, J. C. Mon, S. Strickland, S ir G. Cogan, W. H. F. Jermyn, Earl Stuart, Lord D. Compton, H. C. Johnstone, J. Sutton, J. Cowan, C. Jolliffe, Sir W. Thicknesse, R. Crossley, F, Jones, Capt. T. Thornely, T. Disraeli, Hon. B. Jones, D. Tollemache, J. Drinnl inrig, Vis. Kendall, N. Tudway, R. Drummond, M. Keogh, W. Vernon, G. Duffy, C. G. Knatchbull, W. Villiers, F. Dundas, F. Knight, F. Waddington, H. Dunlop, A. Lacon, Sir E. Walcott, Admiral Dunne, Col. Langton, H. G. Walsmley, Sir J. East, Sir J. Langton, W. H. P. G. Walter, J. Egerton, W. Lennox, Lord A. F. Watkins, Col. Egerton E. Lennox, Lord H. Wells, W, Emlyn, Vis. Liddell, H. G. West, F. Fagan, W. Liddell, H. T. Whiteside, J. Feilden, M. Lockhart, A. E. Whitmore, H. Ferguson, J. Lockhart, W. Williams, W. Fitzgerald, Lt-G.Sir J. Lovaine, Lord Willoughby, Sir H. Fitzgerald, W. Lowther, Col. H. C. Wise. A. Fitzroy, Hon. H. Lucas, F. Wyndham, Gen. F ley, J. Macartney, G. Wyndham, H. Fox, W. 3fackie, J. Young, Sir J. Freestun, Col. W. McTaggart, Sir J. Freshfield, J. Maddock, Sir T. 11. TELLERS. Frewen, C. Macguire, J. Fuller A. Massey, W. Forster, C. Gardner, R. Maunsell, T. Bruce, H. A. NOES-66. A leock, T. Grey, Rt Hon Sir G Patten, J. Anderson, Sir J. Hadfield, G. Pilkington, J. Baird, J. Hanmer, Sir J. Richardson, J. 8.. ,, ,,, T. Bustle, Alex. Roebuck, J. Barrow, W. Heywood, .T. Russell, F. C. Bell. J. Hume, J. Russell, F. W. Bright, J. Matching, E. Scully, F. Brotherton, J. Hutt, W. Shaft° R. Chambers, T. Kershaw, J. Smith, R. .`heetham, John Kirk, W. Smollett, A. Dalrymple, Viscount Lowe, R. Stanley, Lord Dive t, E. Miall, E. Thompson, G. Duncan, G. Milligan, R. Tomlin, G. Elliot, J. Milner, W. Warner, E. Fergus, J. Mitchell, T. Wickham, H. W. Goodman. Sir G. Moffatt, G. Wilkinson, W. Goold, W. Monck, Viscount Gower, F. Montgomery, Sir G. TELLERS. Grace, 0. Norreys, Lord Craufurd, E. 11. J. Green, Capt John Otway, A. Heyworth, L. STATE OF TRADE. (From the Manchester Guardian of yesterday.) - MANCHESTER, March 14.—More favourable advices from this country, together with rather smaller receipts than had been looked for, are stated in the American ad vices to have given additional strength to the previous advance of lc. to Ic. per lb. from the lowest point in the price of cotton at the various markets. Generally, too, freights were higher, being lc. at New Orleans, where the rate of exchange ranged 7to 71. In tone and spirit, the market is worse than it was last week, and the business effected has been more inconsiderable than on any day for some weeks back. It is difficult to judge of prices ; they have been so little tested by offers. We do not think buyers have found a greater giving way, as com pared with last Tuesday, than Id. per lb. in yarns of the lower and medium counts. In goods of all kinds prices are again somewhat against producers. But, although spinners and manufacturers are becoming more anxious to take orders, they do not add to the depres sion by any undue anxiety to effect sales. Much sur prise has been occasioned by the failure of the highly respectable firm of Messrs. Gladstone, Bond, and Co., merchants of this city. ROCHDALE, March 13. —The flannel market to-day has been extremely flat, and the amount of business trans acted has been very limited, with little or no change in prices worth notice. The wool market has been quiet, and prices stationary. HUDDERSFIELD, March 14. Business is generally considered quieter than usual at this season, but that is easily accounted for in the unsettled state of our rela tions with Russia, and the high price of provisions at home, the latter of which, under any circumstances, would exercise a depressing influence on the manufac tures of this district, which are consumed for the most part in the United Kingdom. 11EALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. (Prom the Report of the Registrar-General. ) The week that ended last Saturday produced a con siderable increase of mortality, the deaths in London having risen from 1,135 in the previous week to 1,343, the number now returned. Changes in the weather appear to have acted injuriously on the public health ; the mean temperature fell below the average on Friday in the preceding week, and continued to fall on three following days. On Monday it was only 34 deg., or nearly 6 deg. below the average ; on Wednesday it rose to 49.3 deg., which is 9.4 deg. above average ; on Thursday it rose to 54.5 deg., or 14.3 deg. above the average. The variation in the mean daily temperatures of Tuesday and Thursday amounted to 17,8 deg. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1844-53 the average number of deaths was 1,083 ; which, if raised in proportion to increase of population, becomes 1,191. The number returned last week, therefore, ex ceeds the calculated amount by 152. • Deaths from bronchitis rose in the last two weeks from 106 to 147 ; those by pneumonia from 81 to 103. The total number caused by the diseases of the respira tory organs is 295, while the cerrected average is 257. The total number referred to the class of epidemic dis eases is 254, the corrected average being 222. Last week the births of 946 boys and 854 girls, in all 1,800 children, were registered in London. The average number of nine corresponding weeks of the years 1845-53 was 1,491. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 30.229 in. The mean daily reading was above 30 in. on every day, ex cept Friday. The highest mean was 30.539 in. on Sun day ; the lowest 29.962 in. on Friday. The mean tem perature of the week was 43.8 deg., which is 3.7 deg. above the average of the same week in 38 years. The mean daily temperature was below the average on the first three days ; it was considerably above it during the rest of the week. The highest temperature was 63 deg., on Thursday ; the lowest, 25.5 deg., on Monday, making a rage of 37.5 deg. The wind blew from the north-east on Sunday, and mostly from the south-west on the last five days. MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS. NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, MARCH 11. Zymotic Diseases Diseases of Uncertain Seat Tubercular Diseases Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 55 Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of Respiration 295 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations ll Premature Birth and Debility 49 Atrophy 44 Old Age Sudden Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 43 Causes not specified DEATHS PROM ALL CAUSES Population Deaths in cone- Deaths Enumerated. sponding week in the West Di s t r i 1851. of 1853. Week. cts North Di s t r i cts 490, ,396 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts ........ 485,522 ..... . 334 South Districts ...... 616,635 Totals ......... 2,362,236 Ma1e5.......... Fema1e5......... 1,427 1,343 689 654 BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males 946 854 Females Total 1,800 LONDON, THURSDAY - ErtNING, MARCH 16, 1854. the liquidation of the said island debt to the extent of 500,0001. nor until this Act shall have received her Majesty's royal assent ; and a procla mation of such assent having been given shall be made by the Governor, and upon and immediately after such proclamation, this act, and every article, clause, matter, and thing therein contained, shall commence and take effect. Provided, never theless, that such assent shall be given, and such proclamation made, within twelve calen dar months next after the passing of this act." There can be no doubt that the Impe rial Government and Legislature will cordially concur in giving effect to the wise and salutary changes which the Assembly has so frankly adopted ; and we confidently trust that the operations of the reforms so judiciously suggested by the Secretary for the Colonies, and so promptly accepted by the local Legislature, will . be speedily visible in the po litical, social, industrial, and commercial progress of one of our most important colonial dependencies. invitation, and he should not have gone there this time had he not been requested. The complainant gave the most unqualified denial to the statement made by the prisoner, who was then re manded for the attendance of the complainant's father, who left London the same morning. Robert Cheshire, the driver of his own cab, was sum moned for using a horse unfit for hire. Mr. Charles F. Chubb said that he had bee spending the evening with some friends on Wednesday last, and was returning home about two o'clock in the morn ing, when he hired the defendant to drive him to Battersea, from the stand at the Cheapside end of St. Paul's-churchyard. He did not notice if the horse was in a fit state to perform the journey, but got into the cab, and soon fell asleep. When he awoke he saw the driver leading the horse at a walking pace ; but not being in a hurry he went to sleep again, from which he again awoke to find the driver still leading the horse in Pimlico. He remonstrated with defendant, and told he was going a long way round, but the defendant only said the horse was tired, and would soon be better, upon which assurance complainant once more gave himself up to slumber, and the next time he awoke it was only to find the horse at a stand still, and a policeman deliver ing his opinion to the effect that the animal was "baked," and complaint was, therefore, obliged, at five o'clock in the morning, to get out in the middle of the King's-road, and to walk home over Battersea bridge. The defendant said the horse had been a journey to Brixton and back that evening, and was therefore very tired ; but in the morning he called in the veterinary surgeon, who found the horse had been suddenly seized with inflammation of the lungs, from which it died on the following day. The complainant said, under those circumstances, he would not press the charge, believing the defendant had already suffered sufficiently in the loss of his horse. Alderman Muggeridge said, as it was not proved the horse was not fit for work at the commencement of the journey he must dismiss the summons for want of juris diction, as, if there was any offence at all, it took place in Westminster. LAW INTELLIGENCE.—March 15. COURT OF CHANCERY. FORCES V. LIMOND. This appeal from the Vice-Chancellor Stuart was opened on Wednesday last, and the arguments were continued to-day. The question was whether the defen dant, as trustee of a deed for winding up the affairs of Messrs. Lyall, Mattheson, and Co., of Calcutta, was liable to the plaintiffs for a 10 per cent. dividend on two bills for 2,0001. and 1,6631. that sum having been paid to the other parties to the deed. The Vice-Chancellor held that the defendant was not liable, because there was no proof of the plaintiff's accession to the deed, and because they afterwards received dividends on the whole amount of their debt from the official assignee in insolvency. The Solicitor-General, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Willes were heard for the appellants. Mr. James and Mr. Hemming in support of the decree. The reply of the Solieltor-General is to be heard on Saturday next. SOUTHWARK. —Robert Blakely. cab-driver, badge No. 11,197, was summoned by Henry Rogers, inspector of cabs inside the Brighton Railway Terminus, London Bridge, for assaulting him in the execution of his duty, he having prevented the defendant from exacting from a lady more than his legal fare. The officer stated that recently the Brighton Railway Company had opened their terminus for the reception of all cabs, and witness was employed to regulate them and prevent confusion. When the three o'clock train arrived at London-bridge on Saturday afternoon, the defendant was on the rank near the platform with his horse and cab, and a lady went up to him and requested him to drive her to the Eastern Counties Railway Sta tion, Shofeditch. The defendant demanded two shil lings of her as his fare, when the lady appealed to wit ness, asking if such was his legal fare ? He went up to the defendant and told him that his fare was only eighteen pence, and requested that lie should take the lady for that. The defendant became very insolent, and refused to take the lady, when he ordered him to quit the terminus. Instead of doing so he drove to the fur ther end of the station ; and while witness was endea vouring to prevent him from taking another fare, he tried to run over him, and it was with some difficulty that he could get out of his way. 'Witness then got on the platform, when the defendant drove alongside and struck him with his whip, and drove away. Mr. Wontner said that he did not deny the facts spoken of by the officer, and his client expressed his regret that he should have acted so foolishly. Mr. Combe said the company, in bringing forward the present charge, bad acted very praiseworthily in pro tecting the public from frauds. He should fine the defendant 10s. and costs, and in default commit him for seven days. VICE-CHANCELLORS' COURTS. WENS AND ANOTHER V. ELITES AND OTHERS. The question in this case was, whether the effect of the recital of a debt in a deed executed by the testator (there being no covenant or agreement to pay the debt) was a sufficient acknowledgment of the debt to keep it alive as a specialty debt, and take it out of the Statute of Limi tations, under 3d and 4th William IV., c. 42 The arguments were commenced but not concluded when the Court rose. FULLARTON V. ROWLAND. This case has been mentioned upon former occasions, upon a motion for an injunction to restrain actions by Dr. Rowland against bankers for the recovery of money placed to his account. The plaintiff alleged that she had lent the money to Dr. Rowland to assist in founding a hydropathic establishment near London, which bad not been carried into effect. At the hearing the defendant intimated that he had no objection to an order being made, it being fully understood that he in no way ad mitted the truth of the plaintiff's allegations against him. Mr. Tripp now mentioned, on behalf of the plaintiff, that it had been arranged by consent that all further proceedings should be stayed, the terms on which this should take place being agreed to. His Honour now made an order sanctioning the ar rangement. Mr. Chandless, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Surrage, and Mr. Rawlinson appeared for the defendant and other parties interested. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS—March. 15. (Before Mr. Serjeant Adams, Assistant-Judge.) Henry Joseph Perry, a respectable-looking lad, was in dicted for having stolen half a 101. note, the property of the Wesleyan Reform Association. Mr. Parry appeared for the prosecution. From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner had been employed in the office of the Wesleyan Reform Association, but was dismissed about three weeks before this transaction. On the 24th of January a letter con taining half a 101. note was sent to the association by a gentleman named Kershaw, of Gomersall, Yorkshire. This letter never reached its proper destination, and the prisoner subsequently went to a person in the employ of Mr. E. T. Smith, the lessee of Drury Lane Theatre, and asked for an advance of money on the half note, stating that he was a son of Flexmore, the clown. The servant declined to comply with this re quest before speaking to Mr. Smith, and the prisoner said he would call again. Mr. Smith was informed of the application, and when the prisoner repeated his visit, he saw him, and suspecting that some fraud was con templated he gave him into custody. The half note was afterwards found to be that which had been stolen with Mr. Kershaw's letter ; and the statement about Mr. Flexmore of course proved to be a false one. The pri soner stated, at length, that a man in the Commercial road had made him almost drunk, and had told him what to say and do in the affair. The jury found the prisoner guilty. ge lli n lj ;. P e a n rrz on sa n i e d et t e h: prisoner was a very e t badon d boy. The m for stealing some hymn books, and his father was not aware of his dismissal until three weeks afterwards. He bad been addicted to keeping late hours, and had made a groundless accusation against one of the gentlemen, to the effect that he had been in the habit of taking him out to masquerades. It was suggested that a reformatory institution would be the best place to send him to. The Assistant-Judge regretted that there was no place in existence to which he c.mld send him. It was to be hoped that there soon would be. He should remand the prisoner, and in the meantime apply to Capt. Wil liams on the subject. The prisoner was then remanded. WESTMINSTER.--Thomas Gooden, a boy 16 years of age, was charged with stabbing Robert Faulkener, a lad of about the same age. Three witnesses were examined, from whose testimony it appeared that the accused and the wounded boy were employed at the Westminster Marble Works. On Tues day, Faulkener and Hannan both took some work to do at the same time, and there was some rivalry between them as to which would complete the task first. Hannan succeeded in accomplishing his two or three minutes be fore the other, and Gooden jeered and taunted Faulkener upon the circumstance, until the latter threatened to " give him something " when they got out into the street. The day's work being over, Gooden, Faulkener, and 60 or 70 others left together, when Faulkener pushed Gooden and struck him in the ribs, upon which Gooden took a large clasp knife from his pocket, and opening it declared with a filthy expression that he would stab him. Faulkener threw his arm round the other's neck to disarm him, when Gooden plunged the knife into his belly, and with his bowels protruding in his hands, the wounded boy, aided by Hannan, was taken to the surgery of Mr. Pearse, 10, Regent-street. Mr. G. Pearse proved that on the boy coining to him, he found a large quantity of his intestines protruding from a wound in the left side of his belly. He returned the intestines and dressed the wound, which was an inch and a quarter in length. It had been inflicted upward, and the knife might have penetrated an inch and a halt. A fatal result being apprehended, the wounded boy's deposition was taken by Mr. Arnold at his father's house, and the prisoner was remanded. THAMES.—John Mitchell, a coal-whipper, 40 years of age, was charged with violating the person f his step daughter, Mary Ann Daley, aged 12 years. The girl who was sobbing loudly during a great part of the investigation, said that her father, as she termed the prisoner, came home on Tuesday afternoon rather the worse for liquor. Her mother was then from home. He took hold of her and placed his hands ahout her person in a way that frightened her very much indeed. She tried to get away from him, on which he offered her 6d. to lie down on the bed with him. She said she did not want to lie down, on which he begun pulling her about again, and tore her frock. He then threw her upon the bed, and got upon it afterwards. (The girl then described the criminal assault committed upon her. The magistrate had much difficulty in eliciting the particulars. Her evidence left no doubt that gross violence had been used towards her.) The prisoner said he had been the best of fathers to the girl for nine years. He sent the girl on the Tuesday on a few errands, and went to meet his wife, the girl's mother, who was employed daily in High Holborn, but he missed her. On returning home he was astounded by the landlady's accosting him, and saying, " Oh, Mr. Mitchell, we have had a nice job with your daughter. She was lying on the floor drunk, and we had to carry her to bed." He laid down on the bed, and was aroused by the girl's mother, who frightened her daughter into making the charge. The prisoner's wife, who appeared very indignant, here exclaimed, " It is false, it is false, you villain, and you know you have ruined my poor daughter." The girl was recalled—She said her father sent her out for a quartern of rum, and gave her part of it, and then sent her out again, and it took effect upon her. After her father had gone out she fell down in the passage, and was carried to bed. When her mother came home she was fast asleep, and her father was fast asleep on the bed alongside of her. In conse quence of what her mother saw [the girl described cer tain appearances] she awoke her, and asked her what her father had been doing to her. She was too frightened to tell her at first, but her mother compelled her to do so, and she relat e d a ll th a t h a d occurre d i n t h e presence and hearing of t ie prisoner, who said nothing. Mr. Alex. Carson, surgeon, of No. 121, Cock-hill, Ratcliff, who had been called in to attend the girl, found her in considerable pain, and his examination of her, the result of which he described at length, left no doubt that recent violation had taken place, and that she had sus tained considerable injury. Charlotte Cooke, the landlady of the house in which the prisoner and his wife have been living, said the girl was brought home tipsy, between 6 and 7 in the evening, and she put her to bed. When the prisoner came home he said, " Where is my Polly ?" Witness said she was up stairs, and asked him if he had given her anything. He said he had not, and affected to be surprised when in formed the girl was in liquor, and went up stairs, where he remained. Nathaniel Archer, a gentlemanly-looking man, sur rendered to take his trial on an indictment charging him with having indecently assaulted police-constable 315 N division. Mr. Ballantine appeared for the defence. The evidence of the prosecutor was of a peculiarly dis gusting and revolting nature. The learned counsel for the defence denounced the charge as a base and infamous concoction on the part of the prosecutor. He was proceeding to point out some important inconsistencies in the policeman's evidence, when The Assistant-Judge interrupted, and took the opi nion of the jury as to the necessity of Mr. Ballantine to proceed further. The jury intimated they were quite satisfied, and that no imputation whatever rested on the defendant. Verdict—Not Guilty. Mr. Ballantine said proceedings would b• taken against the policeman. The defendant left the court with a large number of friends. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD CIRCUIT-MARCH 15. At the sitting of the Crown C our t this morning, Mr. Justice rightman said that, in consequence of a communication which he had received, he feared that the new commissioner would not arrive before Friday ; and, therefore, it would be better to say at once that the Nisi Prins business would not begin till Saturday, and that then the Court would take only common-jury causes, and that the special jury causes should be made remanets till the next assizes, unless the parties agreed to change the venue to Gloucester. Mr. Keating suggested that the Court might, under the statute in that behalf, take one day from the num ber fixed for Shrewsbury, and continue here till Tues day, instead of leaving on Monday, according to the pre sent arrangement. His lordship acceded to this suggestion, and so the commission-day for Shrewsbury will be postponed from Monday to Tuesday. It was arranged that one of the special jury causes in which the parties have agreed as to the facts, and in which the only question is one of law, will be taken as a common-jury cause, and so saved from further delay or expense. It is confidently said that one of the leaders of this cir cuit will be the new judge. 'This mitt:tour is circulated with so much circumstantiality that it is almost universally believed. There can be no doubt that any of the learned gentlemen who now have the leading business on this circuit would be eminently qualified to fill the vacant seat ; but of one of them in particular, it is said that the Chancellor, in whose hands exclusively this appoint ment rests, knows him well and believes him to be one of the best lawyers at the eimmon Law bar. Mr. Whateley, Q.C., ark Mr. Keating, Q.C., assisted to-day in trying prisoners. Mr. Ingham committed the prisoner for trial. THE COAST GUARD. —At all the coast guard stations a boat's crew of the oldest hands are retained, in order that the stations should not be entirely under the control of inexperienced persons. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—Fifty thousand Cures have been effected by Du Barry's delicious Revalenta Arabica Food, without medicine, inconvenience, or expense (as: t saves fifty times its costin other remedies). " Twenty-fiveyears nervousness, constipation, indigestion, and debility, from which I had suffered great misery, and which no medi cine could remove or relieve, have been effectually cured by Du Barry's Food i n a ver y short time. W. R. Reeves, Pool Anthony, Tive r ton. , " Eight years' dys pepsia, nervousness, debility ? with cramps, spasms, and nausea, for which my servant had consulted the advice of many, have been effectually removed by Du Barry's delicious food in a very short time. I shall be happy to answer any inquiries. Rev. John W. Flavel, Rid lington Rectory, Norfolk." "Three years' excessive nervousness, with pains in my neck and left arm, and general debility, which rendered my life very , miserable, has been radically removed by Du Barry s excellent. food. Alexs. Stuart, Archdeacon of Ross, Skibbereen." —" Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness at the stomach, and vomitings, h as been removed by Du Barry's excellent food. Maria Jolly, Wortham Ling, near Diss, Norfolk." Copies of testi monials of 50,000 cures (including those of Lord Stuart de Decies, Major-General Thomas King, Drs. li re , Shorland, and Harvey (gratis). In canisters, with f u ll instructions, 11b., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6d. ; 51b., lls. ; 121 b., 225. ; super-refined, 51b., 225. ; 101 b., 335. The 101 b. and 121 b. carriage free. Barry Du Barry and Co., 77, Regent-street, London ; also, Fortnum, Mason, and Co., purveyors to her Majesty. Piccadilly. [ADVERTISEMENT.] -- Holloway ' s Pills the greatest wonder of modern thnes.—They correct bile, prevent flatulency, cleanse the liver, purify the system, renovate the debilitated, strengthen the stomach, increase, the appetite, invigorate the nerves, promote health, and re instate the weak to an ardour of feeling never before ex perienced. The extraordinary daily sales of these in valuable pills in all parts of the globe astonish everbod convincing them that there is no other me di c i ne in 'ex istence equal to Holloway's pills for removing the com plaints which are incidental to the human race ; they are, indeed, a blessing to the afflicted, and a boon to those who suffer from any disorder, internal or external. —Sold by all druggist, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244 1 Strand, London. CROWN COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Wightman.) Samuel Johnson was indicted for the wilful murder of Mary Johnson, alias Walsh, on the 11th of October, at West-Bromwich. Mr. Huddleston conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Scotland the defence. The prisoner and the deceased had cohabited for some time as man and wife, and both having gone to a neigh bouring fair or wake, unknown to each other, and there accidentally met, they went with some friends to drink at a public-house. Some words having arisen between them, and deceased having abused him and kicked at him, he gave her two violent blows with his fits on her forehead and another on her side, -which killed her on the spot. Guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to transporta tion for life. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. GIIILDHALL.—James Cain was placed at the bar, before Alderman Muggeridge, charged with the follow ing offence : Sarah Watts said she lived with her parents, in Three Tan-court, Redcross-street, and at an early hour in the morning she was awoke by the prisoner, whom she found almost in a state of nudity in her room, sitting on her bed. He said he came to call her, as it was time to get up ; but on her awaking her sister an alarm was given, and the prisoner then dressed himself and went down stairs. The prisoner did not live in the house, neither had she invited him into her bedroom. He did not lay hands upon her on this occasion, but he had done so on the night previous, and she had great diffi culty in getting from him. The prisoner alleged that he had been on terms of in timacy with the complainant, with whom he had kept company for the last two years. He also said he had frequently been to complainant's bedroom before by her SPORTING NOTES. SENT TO COVENTRY. The meeting at Coventry on Tuesday was a marked suc cess. Tho course was crowded by people of all classes and conditions, and the muster of the betting brotherhood was comparatively large. Fine weather, too, rendered the pro ceedings doubly attractive and pleasant. For the legiti mate events the fields were good and the racing interest ing, but the steeplechases were decided and unmitigated failures. Indeed, until the telegraph board announced three runners, it was generally expected that Bourton would be left alone in his glory to walk over for the Craven Steeplechase. Spring, however, was started to oppose the winner of the Liverpool Grand National; and Vainhope, although evidently " unfit " and lame, ran to assist his stable companion Bourton, and to secure the added money. 3 to 1 was laid on Bourton ; but so numerous were the takers, who, doubtless, .alculated on the many probable accidents and the glorious uncertainty of the sport, that those odds were at the start reduced half a point. Bourton's success was not for an instant jeo pardised, although, on making the turn for home, a simultaneous shout of " Spring wins" was raised on the Stand. After charging the last flight of hurdles, however Bourton went up to Spring, passed him without an effort, and won in a canter ! Seven started for the Selling Flat Race, which was the first event decided. The encounter was remarkable only for the defeat of the favourite, Telegraph, and the some what equivocal running of the Spanish .lack filly. Bull's Eye, the winner, was not mentioned in the " ring." Battery made nearly all the running, and won the Co ventry Handicap somewhat cleverly, beating a field of eight. Georgey was the favourite. He lay off until ap proaching the distance, when he failed in his effort to reach Wellsbourne and Battery, who were then settling down in earnest to their work. Carroll, who for many months has been suffering from severe illness, rode Little Davie. He is now almost restored to health, and is quite capable of again figuring with effect in the pigskin. The Selling Steeplechase occasioned rare fun. Slashing Painter, Stretford Lass, and Widow Machree were the only starters. They ran without let or hindrance to the Radford Brook, where Widow Machree fell, and Stretford Lass, who was following close behind her, struck her on landing, and also came heavily to the ground. Slashing Painter was then put at the water, but he displayed a decided disinclination to face it. Tasker spurred and whipped him, the spectators hallooed and hounded him on, but all in vain, he could not be got over. In the mean time Sait had scrambled up and remounted the Widow Machree, and was more than half a mile head. Slashing Painter was then not persevered with. Shetford Lass, too, was missing, and her rider was lying stunned upon the ground. Widow Machree was thbn, therefore, left alone to go over the course. On being put at the Radford brook the second time she had not forgotten her former disaster. She refused, and could not be persuaded to leap it. After a lapse of about five minutes, during which time every effort was made to get her over, the Stretford Lass suddenly showed again in the race, and went to work to catch the Widow before she leaped the brook. In this effort she nearly succeeded, but when within a short dis tance of her, Sait, who had dismounted to clear the way, succeeded, with the willing help of the shouting spectators, in dragging the Widow through the water. Shetford Lass, however, went on in hot pursuit, cleared the brook, but at the very next fence again came to the ground. The Widow then passed the post alone, amidst the decisive cheers of the people. On returning to scale an objection was made to Widow Machree, but this, like the horses, also fell to the ground. It was, however, supported for a time with many noisy protestations, but the owner of Widow Machree declared, with much feeling, that he had not won a race for eight years, and the consideration of his ill-luck evi dently silenced the objectors. Tom Gurney won the Free Handicap Hurdle Race, and Theodine the Handicap, which closed at three o'clock on the day of running. March 16. A FRESH MAN. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TADCASTER RACES--YESTERDAY. STEEPLECHASE. Diana 1 Maley Won in a canter by eight lengths. The folio wing also ran :—Blue Bonnet, Priam g. Juan, St. Mark, and Mary Barnton. WARWICK AND LM CHASES.- ACCEPTANCES for the GR. .MINGTON STEEPLE -MA.Ron 24. ,ND ANNUAL. About four st lb Oscar ll 8 Lord George ll 0 Agis Vainhope Peter lO 6 Spring Trout Need wood 9 10 Lobster ACCEPTANCES for the FRE . Two st lb View Halloo 9 10 The Marquis 9 6 Crabbs J umpaway 9 2 Star of England Princess 9 0 Comeaway 8 12 Burnt Sienna 8 li Seaman C HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. miles. st lb The Alp 9 12 Star of England 9 7 Geraldus 9 6 May Day 9 5 Sir Philip ACCEPTANCES for the FREE Three at lb Cerrus (50/4 9 9 Dearest Mae (301.) 9 9 Graziella (601.) Slashing Painter (201.) The Linnet (501.) st lb The Old Rake Theodine Gerard Ringleader 8 7 I HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, miles. • st lb Widow Machree (201.) Stretford Lass, late Take Notice (301.) 8 9 The Miner (201.) EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK COMPANY. The subjoined letter relates to the position of the East and West India Dock Company. The points suggested are such as might be discussed more appropriately at a general meeting of the proprietors than in any other manner, but, as this concern is among the few in Lon don who deem it desirable to avoid publicity, it is not surprising that those who wish for inquiry or reform should feel it necessary to adopt more efficient methods of obtaining attention : " Sir,—Some weeks back you noticed the meeting of the East and West India Dock Company, the private nature of which precluded your giving those details which are fur nished by other dock companies, and which are interesting to a great number of your readers, as bearing upon the trade of the country. " This, and the reduced dividend, have attracted my attention ; for as men's purses become lighter their percep tions are apt to grow more acute. A reduction in the stock from 170 to 107 in a few months, and a diminution of dividend from 64 to 5 per cent., at a time of unexampled commercial activity and prosperity, are startling facts. " I would ask, then, if the company participate in this increase of trade ? I s there the same activity displayed, amid the competition for business, in behalf of the interests of the East and West India Dock Company as is exercised in behalf of other dock companies? Do all the directors give their warehousing business to the docks, and, if they do not, because they find the wharves cheaper, have they taken any pains so to modify their rates as to be satisfactory to the merchants while remunerative to the docks? "Has the enormous sum expended in making a commu nication between the docks been a judicious outlay? and has it been done with the approval of the practical officer, of the company ? " Can the affairs of the company be more profitably con ducted by the constant attendance of three active and well paid directors, acting under a small board of general direc tors, also paid sufficiently to attend to its inter eats, than by the present system of 40 directors, each rendered rather supine than active, and perhaps less careful of the ten dency of his acts under his one-fortieth share of responsi bility ? " These and other questions are well worthy of their at tention, and between this time and another general meet ing I advise their earnest consideration, when a discussion in the presence of reporters may serve to elicit a knowledge f their pos.tion, t.• ventilate the company by public opi nion, and place its interests on a surer foundation.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, " A PROPRIETOR OF EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK STOCK. " The London Docks pay a dividend of 5 per cent. on a capital of 3,638,3101., while the East and West India Dock Company, with superior accommodation and capabilities, pay but the same dividend en a capital of 2,065,6681.!" SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. CUSTOM HOUSE, lams 15. ENTERED INWARDS.—The Auguste and Meline, from Bremen ; Hendrick Hudson, New York ; Schoonderloo, Rotterdam ; Jane Cockerill, Kertch ; Tyro, Leghorn ; Anne Sophia, Falkland Islands ; Cambrian, Jamaica ; Delea, Gibraltar ; Mystery, Shanghai ; Robert, Newstadt ; Orient, Valparaiso; Stratford, Sydney; Vrouw Aaljtie, Ditzum ; Confidence, Galatz ; New England, New York. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Pembroke shire Lass, for Malta • Zwasntina, Konigsberg ; Sarah Maria, Malta ; Concordia, Dantzic ; Cambrian, Jamaica ; City of Hobart, Hobart Town and Melbourne ; Concord, Constantinople; Hendrick Hudson, New York; Industry, Dunkirk ; Hilda Charlotta, Buenos Ayres ; Orion, Gee long ; Stratford, Mauritius. CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.-- The Oscar, for Stettin ; Freundschaft, H am b urg h ; M ar i a , St e ttin; Jeannette Phelipinie; Port Adelaide ; Lucy, Trinidad ; Hendrika Margaretha, Copenhagen ; Great Britain, Mon treal ; Queen of Britain, St. Lucia ; Barbaras, Cape of Good Hope ; Roeharapton, Adelaide ; Brisk, do. BATH STEEPLECHASES.—MARCH 31. WEIGHTS for the GRAND OPEN. About tour miles. st lb Royalty 9 8 Vengeance 9 8 Farmer Columbine 9 6 Old Rake Cervus Linnet Chester Stanley 'Tiny ITEZPLECHASE. About four miles. st lb The General Carrig ll 0 Diana... lO 7 San► Hood lO 5 Victress lO 2 Physician Burnt Sienna 9 12 Geraldus Theodine Sir Philip WEIGHTS for the SELLING E. st lb Blue Stockings ll 7 Archy ll 7 Widow Machree Countess Greek lO 10 Emma WEIGHTS for the STAG Hu: st lb lodine Stratford Lass (late Take Notice) lO 7 Stanley Linnet Axa TT STEEPLECHASES. About piles. four st lb Gipsy Bess lodine Stanley Axa Venus Stag Acceptances for each of or before Tuesday, March 2 st ll► Black Lottery Priest lO 8 Effendi Brown Ditto 9 12 The Nigger the above to be declared on 1. CHELTENHAM SPRING MEETING.—APRIL 12. WEIGHTS for the GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE. Cer tain winners extra. Forfeits to be declared by the 23d of March. Four miles. st lb Oscar ll 5 Vainhope Lord George ll 0 Need wood lO 7 The Marquis lO 4 Spring Trout lO 0 Victress lO 0 Crabbs Maurice Daley at lb Sam Hood 9 8 'View Halloo 9 8 Cock crow Teddeeley The Admiral...... 9 0 Sir Philip ..... 9 0 ni Colubine Comeaway Royalty Burnt Sienna 9 0 'IMES FOR 1854. .ROIL. I Northampt on 29 A.bergavenny 30 'RIL. Catteriok Bridge 19 Abe rgavenny 2O York Spring 25 Mahon 27 AY. Lothians and EdinburghlB Lewes l9 Bath 23 Li verpool Hunt Spring 24 Epsom . 30 TE.. Bib ury 2B Stockbridge ........ 29 Ludlow 30 Winchester BO 'L V. Stiourbridge St amford Nottingham Go( dwood Rip on 9 10 ... 9 10 RACING F. MA. Warwick Spring 21 Catterick AP Croxton Park ............ 4 Epsom 5pring............ 6 Cheltenham Sprin g ......12 12 Newmarket Crav en .... .17 Newmarket F S 1 Chester Spring 9 Lothians & Edinburgh 11 Newmarket S S l6 Shrewsbury lB Mancheste r JU 7 Ascot Heath.., l3 Newcastle-on-Tyne 20 Hampton 2l Carlisle 26 JIT Newmarket Worcester 4 Lancaster 6 Mansfield ll Liverpool l2 Ipswich 13 ...17 _lB _2O ...25 _Bl SALE OF BLOOD STOCK, the pr operty of the Duke of Richmond, who is declining the turf :—Harbinger, 5 yrs old, by Touchstone Cucko , o, 235 guineas ; Pharos, 4 yrs old, by Touchstone Refi •action, 125 guineas ; a bay colt, 3 yrs old, by Van Trom p Reel, 25 guineas ; a brown colt, 2 yrs old, by Rob ert de Gorham Wil derness, 18 guineas ; a chesnut colt, 2 yrs old, by Chatham Evasion, 56 guineas ; a brown filly, 2 yrs old, by Epirus -- Reel, 52 guinea ; bay yearling filly, by Red Hart -- Reel, 56 guineas ; brown yearling filly, by Red Hart Coral, 21 guinea s ; bay yearling colt, by Red Hart Refraction, 37 gc Linea% LIVERPOOL, MARCH 15. The Marion, arrived from Bombay, sailed from that port Nov. 3, and from Ascension Feb. 6. Left at Ascension— Her Majesty's ships Atholl, Tyre, and Crane, steamer Tortoise, ship Premier, and barque Palm. The Dyson, for Jamaica, and the John Wood, for New Orleans, were boarded on Monday evening, off Port Lynas, putting back through stress of weather. The David G. Fleming, ashore on the Devil's-bank, has got off, and docked. _ _ The Reliance, hence for Portland, in the Clyde, leaky. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Agnes Gilmour, bound west, Feb. 20, lat. 26 N., long. 43 W. The Dante, from Newfoundland, Feb. 26, lat. 32 N., long. 40 W. ..._. The Abana, from Dundee, for Pernambuco, Feb. 2, lat. 6 N., long. 20 W. The Wildflower, from Calcutta, for Havre, March 1, lat. 37 N. long. 31 W. The Ellen, of Liverpool, for Demerara, lat. 48, long. 12. COUNTRY MARKETS. EDINBURGH HAY AND STRAW MARKET MARCH 14. There was a fair supply of straw of all descriptions in the market. The prices were as follow : Oat straw, from 6s Od to 8s Od per kemple of 16 stones tron ; wheat do., 7s Od to 8s Od ; barley do., 5s 6d to 68 Od. Hay from 12d to 00d ; new ditto, Od to Od per stone. EDINBURGH MEAL MARKET—M./moll 14. There were in the market to-day, 20 sacks oatmeal, each weighing 2801bs imperial, which sold thus :--20 at 21. 7s, 00 at 01. Os Od, and 0 at 01. Os. DALKEITH MEAL MARKET—MARCH 13. There were in the market to-day 57 bags of oatmeal, 00 of barleymeal, and 2 of pot-barley. Sales dull. The top price of oatmeal was is up ; the second 3d up, and the third Os Od up. Pot-barley, the top price is up from last market. Oatmeal, per sack of 2801bs First. I Second. Third. imperial Barleymeal, per ditto Peasemeal, per ditto Flour, per ditto —a Od —s Od —s Od Pot-barley, per ditto LEEDS—MARcu 14. There have been very m Aerate arrivals of wheat, and the supplies are reported as falling off in the agricultural markets. Nevertheless the trade here rules extremely heavy, and it is difficult to effect sales at current rates. We quote prices 2s per qr. lower than on Friday, without leading to any extent of business. Barley, beans, and oats all tend downwards, with a very limited demand. Other articles as before. NEWCASTLE—MARCH 14. The wheat trade was very quiet at a decline since this day week of 2s to 3s per qr. Barley is lower. No change in other articles. COAL MARK :T.-MARCH 15. ;he close of the market :- 1 Wallsend, &c. Prices of Coal per ton at t, 8. d. l Carr's Hartley 2O 6 s. d. Cookson's Hartley l9 6 Bell's Primrose 17 0 Davison's West Hartley 19 9 Braddyll 2O 0 Hasting's Hartley 2O 6 Framw e ll ga t e l9 0 Holywell ....................21 t Hetton 2l 0 Ho Nerd's West Hartley Haswell 21 0 Netherton 19 9 Lambton 21 3 Old Adairs 18 6 Plummer 2O 0 Stobart's Hartley 18 0 Russell's Hetton 21 3 Tanfieht Moor lB 0 Cassop l9 9 Tyne Main .. . ........ .......18 6 Heugh Hall . 20 0 Walker Primrose .........17 3 Woodhouse Close 17 6 .' West Hartley .... ....... ...19 9 Birchgrove Graigola 27 0 Cowpen Grey's West Hartley l9 6 Wallsend, &c. Harvey Wylam 17 6 RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 15. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market closed with a dull and heavy feeling :—Caledonian, 273 ; East Anglian, 44 ; East Lancashire, 153 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 664 ; Leeds Nerthern, 134 ; London and North-Western, 101 ; Man chester, Sheffield, an d Li nco l n, 214 ; Midland, soi ; North British, 83 ; South-Eastern and Dover, 184. BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 15. STOCK EXCHANGE.—This market was steady to-day, and business quite up to the average. Midland stook was done at soi. LEEDS, MARCH 15. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There has been a little more busi ness done on 'Change this morning. Holders were firm, and prices are without material change. The following are the closing quotations :—Great Northern (A), 10 ; Midlands, 60i ; North &affords, 6 dis. MANCHESTER, MARCH 15. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was a little more life in the share market, but still the business was not large. Prices were firm :—London Stock, 101 ; Dovers, 3-16 n.p. ; ; Blanches ter and Birmingham (C Quarters), Midlands, 60i ; Sheffields, 21g. 818 T HS. OF A SON. On the 12th inst., the wife of the Rev. John Oste , M.A., senior curate of Scarborough. On the 13th inst., at Dover, the wife of Captain Martin dale, ROyal Engineers. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 13th inst., at Sonthbourne Parsonage, East bourne, the wif e of the Re v. R. W. Pierpoint. the wife itfheeolf4Dthaniineslt.Hay inst., at Newington -pl ace , K en ni ng t o n, EBq. MARRIED. On the 4th inst., at Duisburg, in Rhenish Prussia, E. T. Dundas, Esq., of Manor, N. 8., to Everilda, third daugh tor of the Rev. Mordaunt Barnard, rector of Little Bard field, Essex. On the 14th inst., at St. Giles's, Camberwell, William, eldest son of W. H. Hall, Esq., of Rye-terrace, Peckham rye, to Annie Eliza, youngest daughter of C. Edwards, Esq., of Rye-lane, Peckham. DIED. On the 13th inst., at Jubilee-street, Stepney, in his 71s year, Thomas Ely, formerly of the county of Essex, 46 years a clerk in the Bank of England. On the 14th inst., at Dalston, in the 66th year of her age, Sarah, relict of the late Edward Seaton, Esq., Sur geon R.N. On the 14th inst., at Doncaster, suddenly, after a few hours' illness, Augusta, daughter of Mr. S. C. Norris, of 16, Bloomfield-street, Finsbury-circus. On the I 4th inst., at Glocester-terrace, Hyde-park, John Crosby, Esq., formerly of H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth, in his 92d year. LONDON: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG. of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Thursday, March 16, 1854. Tnr, INDIA Th tt the Ra Bills on Sento Pars her notice, 2s. 1)1 el. the C ART-112 charter impression or a "TILBURY k More, A.R.A., office on palm entitle to sele at the public E 444, West ql THE AC capit transacted. 1.0 on application CONTE Dc TilE CC Lord H and Ireland, I the ltkth Apt 11 such persons as several Dockp Patterns of t Deptford, and Office. No tei of treaty, nor agent for him e Every tendei and bear in the the.," and muzi a letter Sign, bound with tin formance of th WAR WO "LIFE ASSUR friars, London .others, at mo Voyaging, and 1 THE B Every deser Assurance Us Preml••ms One•half of to policy hold, Annuities grat endowments. Po ides ind No charge Stoney rece Acme • g' - ' agricultural tc Apply by :1 respectability SCOTT Acr umi Annual The Ret.orl and of th , pI May be bad o Head Office. There may Mei ttly i•re Present Posit The -tamp Society. LEA SAUC and al. Roar and by its tc Perfectly d 4 The daily guard to hes Sold by tt London, an, and Sons, I chants, Lon N.B.—Tc and PERP", rEI T ATI Pat rh'srmacte The long "while it ter to embitter oppointtner of a most I space of th these Disc' lig at the r of taste or toilet table Sold in t Separate at. This protracted street, and LW ; Hann BRITIS MOI R ON Tr! INF I Just Pu Sll origin climate twenty Debilit Urinar ings , of conditi GeoN Charb David John Samu Sir Jo Leone John six 1 01. t