The Express.
London, England, 1852-06-30 00:00:00

CHARGES FOR METAGE AND PORTERAGE
IN THE PORT OF LONDON.

TO Tilt EDITOR OF Tilt DAILY NEWS.
common with many other parties in-
terested iu the commerce of this great city, I respectfully
request tour valuable aid in exposing some of the many
evils—indet d, I may nay abuses—perpetrated by the corpo-
ration under the pretext of "civic rights and privileges."
Tho fact is that, in consequence of the exaction of the dues
for metage and porterage, of which I and my fellow mer-
chants, with others, complain, the business of the port is
impeded and obstructed, the result being that the commerce
of the City of London is thereby much prejudiced in com-
parison with the charges levied at other ports, es-
pecially when we consider that in the present
day railway facilities give direct access to them,
and present so many advantages in the low rate of dues
as compared with those exacted in London ; added to these
the unwarrantable interference of the City official' is in
itself botonly a great annoyance, but an actual obstruction.
That the charges for clearing ships laden with corn
should exceed three and even four-fifths of the price levied '
in any other outport of the kingdom is of itself a commer-
cial monstrosity ; besides which, we have to deal with the
unnecessary taxes in the shape of metage and porterage
on fruit, and especially upon that valuable esculent for the
poor, the rotate.
Now, sir, I wish you to remember, and the public,
through your kindness, to consider the fact that these im-
posts consist not of legalised dues, but of insidious charges
under the head of " items for labour," never performed,
and the nature of which perhaps scarcely half-a-
dozen members of the corporation can define, much less
understand. They appear to have originated in feudal
times when the manual labour of the port was performed
by the members of the corporation personally, and it now
seems to us, in the nineteenth century, to be most sur-
prising, and, indeed, ridiculous, that imposts of such •
nature can have been tolerated up to the present day. In
this respect, however, the strides of enlightenment do not
appear to have reached the corporation of the city of Lon-
don, for 1 can tell you that the cost of clearing vessels laden
with corn alone to the port of London is nearly equal to
80,0001. per annum, while an equivalent amount of labour,
quite as efficiently performed, is done in the outports for
scarcely more than one-fourth that sum. For instance, the
charges in this port consist of the four following items :
viz., metage, fillage, hostage, and porterage. Now as only
two of these items can be understood, viz., the metage, or
measuring; and the porterage, or heaving out of the ship's
hold to the deck of the vessel, and from thence
taken at the expense of the receivers, the two
other items, termed fillege and lastage, are totally inali-
cable, and with charges upon fruit and potatoes, &c.,
must amount to a very large sum annually. Indeed, a tax
upon the consumer to the amount of many thousand
pounds.
The regulations of the body termed " fellowship por-
ters" are so totally inconsistent with an economical dis-
charge of labour, that it is disgracefal to the existing state
of things, free trade being the " order of the day." My
impression and that of others also is, that this body of men,
if they could, would readily get rid of the absurd regula-
tions to which they are subjected.
I find, by reading your valuable journal, that the matter
is referred to a committee-1 think it is called the " Com-
mittee for General l'urposes connected with the Corpora.
tion." The mover in the matter, if I recollect rightly, re-
quested to have a " special " committee for the investiga-
tion of the merits of the case—a matter, it should be borne
in mind, which has been before this said general purposes
committee since 183.5, or nearly 20 years. What hope can
there be, than, that this question will be justly settled
without especial reference ? The committee for general
purposes has virtually declared its inability to deal with
the matter, and therefore it is to bc hoped that, as due pub-
licity has been given to these facts, the mover of the reso-
lution will be supported by the foes of jobbery and exclu-
sive dealing in the corporation and by the public at large,
seeing that all parties are interested in it.
In conclusion, air, I would warn the corporation not to
attempt to stifle inquiry. The unjust " dues" and " privi-
leges" to which they now so pertinaciously adhere may be
wrested from their grasp at no distant day if they forget to
remember their responsibility as reoreeentatives of and for
the people. Surely the case of Smithfield ought to be to
them a sufficient warning.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
City, June, 1832. A MERCHANT.

From the LONDON GAZETTE.—Tueaday, June 29.

spf !Elven:

Annens Aronwow, Dalton.ln.in-rs—nicinncsohlre, tanner, to m-
issile July 1t and Aug. 4, at It, at Manchester Cow t. Solo.,
Hid lArocnool, and nab and Co.. Manchester ; off. asslit., Volt,
Menriersers.
11000 s Laver Criers and EDWARD CIIABLIM Crests. Stratford,
Dm. bedew% July I and Aug. If, at It, at Bannaltallotrect.
ffels„ Mambas and tram Mardrobnplace, lenton%comnatiso; off.
Mologball.nrest.
Wawa Dowse. Leisater, from, July 9 Sal 80, at lei, at the
petit MY at Noilloglra. SoN., Kerr& Liekliter,
OWN" OW. sY Map" andosbeas ; sr. wig., Bittleston,
Setakehm.
Joss Amy Du'''. Mira 01/I.almet4ced, carpsater,
Jelly II at I, sad Ang. 111 at 1, at But., Brown,
rirspoir=tr.= Oroom,
lrasasnacs twist 'plasm. July 19 and Avg. 9, at
11, at Lads Coast. Sol., bison. Lid.; off. amid., Hope,
Leeds.
Hens? !bloc?, Unlosotreet Last, Ilibalagspla, Ironmonger, July 12
and Aug. 10, at 11, at besbettalloftent.immeh.BtoryetNewequare,
lasolit's•lns ; at. swig., Stano4sll.
MAR= Matto, Matiolasa. City, ono art sok merchaut,Jul,
al Ituo. 9. at 11, at laspylislAlrest. Solo, Mealkrc. mow,11
=o9t,".l.Boo=stratti.B. 11.811814 8 "
Joss WNITTA.M. pork-pia% Itllaosdenad, draper, July S at I,
and Avg. 12 at 11, at rnll4Sost. dol., Manse, Ironmonger-
lane, Cheapside ; off. us*, Comas, Ailsricanbury.

INKLARATIOIMI OF
Cum Thum Imam Agberary, mew—let dl.. of le. Gd.,
• 11. tag One edament Saturdays, at Groom's, Abehurch.
Amain Samilw niTtlie kiddy-street, wholesale tunic—let die. of
Ihtely. seti Ora sabacquent Elaturdaya, at Groom's, Ab.
imams Jame. Illesnd, woe draper-Ist die. of Is. ad., July 1,
W Ina seleanset Thersim, at litanafel A Basingball-street.
ham Nuns and Itoaurr Jolla Lerma, Ilieheacourt, Lime street,
• merchants-Ist div. et la, July 1, and three subsequent
Thanadaya, at Graham's, Chlmanatzeet.
bairn Leone, Gripptegata-twildiap, City, umbrella manufacturer
• &v. of
ingb 17a, Jabuly 1, an Wee subsequent Thursdays, at nuts.
In% fissme
Len J. nmit aa2. Cheaet. t Ferthenelreet, latent—let dlr. of Id.,
Wit. and three subagent Merdayr, at Chorea% Abehurch-
-1011211,112. Sldatnrateest. Illnapastenreet, sad Cheap.
iAlh
Thinmanderer ea. et In. hay I, and three sable.
quit apot Ordint. Oilmoritroot.
Minim Ikamo. Laorpsol awl Woke monimaat—lst Liver-
Won a. Rd ifey fillesqpiet ralsg, at Tame%
ins Sam TIMPINIMINIA M. 71kikaorroar, noeshoat—
Welsra at WI
Hi. as assont le tah.ollo.te4gest.moll. sod oralospoot
ft. llsoneg,
CFATIFICATISB to be grenieLeMes sem be Mee te die mem
et th• dog of maw.
July V. W. WM, dadbernagb. IMAM, dreger—July
W. B. Fran" Kapieneppe.ktull, draper—J(4 21. G. Her-
bert, Yak, Rasa sager—My 11. V. O. Moararrat, Dukitatreet,
GIVVINIf ides nerebant—July 11. A. Tarrant, Bah Hol-
t& 1. W. Teel sat H. Rotas. lath, Soaser-
414trenum1L—idg IS. J. lobom. dater
la boar—July IS. W. B. Faelab, al, Mendreger
—July N. W. Odtatian. Ilsaira. sea neolioat—July IL
D.C. U. Man landenelsen On. U. A. ll• Ker.
row, Rho loge—Juirlf& Ilitao.Brightltoise,
and Inseinane beam July $2. F.
Mbar. Feeestrest.lll4l=—Jely 22. G. *halo&
and B. Fanny. Nires—ioil Sherlock,
Hulas, Lotattal, lolner.—Jely W. PM, Fenebureh.street.
City, War—July 2J. B. lithely Rune, lannestdre, joiner—July
22. W. Walla, Brantley, Yorktida. sloth manufacturer.
PARTNERS HOS DINOLVF.D.
J. Um% om4fi. Remo, jun..F.llerroo, B. /Wends, Jams Mot.
so% edia Mien. NM J. Were. Meabrough, Terkelere, gem
Men, L W
WAD usemboureroomo far as royals B. itylands,Jams Theta,
Ms ane.
R. J. Ilkalsm sal L. labar. M. Augesenagerads, Brad.
J.broigdt and B. Steel, Keenegley, Torkddre, lasi boners.
&arms% W. Warwick, sad W. R. Osborn. lisktiater, cal an-
arts.
J. Mesa en J. 1913, Pembroke.
J. Gonowirsd, ow. R. thrtmesolltr.. J. OlenosokilllL. and Junes
Ormased, Larsabbe. eillasors lir as regards James
Desensing.
B. Ramrod end J. Ihmutood. Lincolu'ainu, cabinet
mama
It. littelmee gel D. Coiled, Thrswl-street, Sphaltelds, manner-
' ed.,
_ebelaida.
A. IL OMAR% T. Weiner, and G. C. Hope, Lower Seymour-street,

mown&
T. shalom and W. Welch, Newton Heath, Laacashire, menuhc.
tures&
T. Sherd, Aberdeen, so far as regards the North British AmiteJa.
ohm Lon and investment Company.
T. stespass and A. Hilbert, W alai etaffordshire, booluellers.
A. alleluia and T. Skelton, Nang Tabor, Yorinhlre, stone deleera.
' T. Taylor and!. William., Manchester, Moen.
Boehm Taylor, Mary Tr) ba, and Anna Tay kr, Leech, milliners, no
far so regards So Ala Taylor.
J. Waterhouse and J. W. Jildsley, Newsholme, Yorkshire, worsted
spinners.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
. . . a. .

Bougie Julp land 2S, at the Crow
Betel, Glaegow.
Tams' Howse, Edinburgh, essonninion agent, July 6 and 27, at the
Knows of Clay and Mack, advertising agent., Edinburgh.
Thecae ACC*Li.vu, Glasgow, brick builder, Jaly 6 and 27, at the
Globe Hotel, Glasgow.

WHALE-FISHING HT ELECTRICITY.—qIe New
Bedford (U.S.) Mercury gives an account of some interest-
ing experiments, illustrating the effect of electricity to faci-
litate the capture of the whale. The most prominent fea-
tures of this now method are thus described ; " Every
whale at the moment of being struck by the harpoon is
rendered powerless, as by a stroke of lightning, and tliere•
fore his subsequent escape or loos, except by sinking, is
wholly impracticable; and the process of lancing and se-
curing him is entirely unattended with danger. The ar-
duous labour involved in a long chase in the capture
of a whale is superseded, and consequently the
inconvenience and danger of the boats losing sight
of or becoming separated from the ship is
avoided. One or two boats only would be required
to be lowered at a time, and, therefore, a less number both
of of icers and seamen than heretofore employed would be
ample for the purposes of the voyage. The electricity is
conveyed to the body of the whale from an eleerro-galvanic
battery contained in the boat, by means of metallic wire
attached to the harpoon, and so arranged as to re-conduct
the electric current from the whole through the sea to the
machine. The machine itself is simple and compact in con-
struction, enclosed in a strong chest weighing about 3401 be.,
and occupying a space in the boat of about three-and-a-half
feet long by two in width, and the same in height. It is
capable of throwing into the hody of the whale eight tre-
mendous strokes of electricity in a second, paralysing in an
instant the muscles of the whale, and depriving it of all
power of notion, if not actually of life."