The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-21 00:00:00

MEETING OF MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES.

A meeting of Middlesex magistrates was held
yesterday, at the Sessions, House, Clerkenwell, for the de-
spatch of the general business of the county. Mr. PowxAm.
presided, and there was a full attendance of magistrates.
The usual report of the Committee of Accounts and Oe-
nen' Purposes was brought up and read by Mr. Maude,
the deputy clerk of the peace. Upon a recommendation
contained therein, the court made an order on the ,county
treasurer for the payment of bills, salaries, and demands, to
the amount of 9,7151. 4s. Ild. The account showed
the total expenditure to amount to 92,6121. 15s. 2d.,
On comparing this statement with that presented to the court
at the cenesponding quarter of last year, it appears
that the expenditure of 1852 sensed' that of 1861 by
the sum of 9,1191. 135.; and is accounted for under the
following heads, vii.: The three prisons, 5291. 11.• the eoro-
aare, MI. 45. 4d. ; County Asylum, Colney Hatch, 6,4061.
7e. 44. • the county bridges, 1391. 16s. 6d. • Sessions House,
Weetniinster, 1,1671. 19s. 10d. • law charges, stationery,
advertisements, and sundry incidental expenses, 6191
Tfe. 21. Total, 9.6991. ess. 2d. Deduct—less paid on ac-
mut of borrowed moneys for Harwell, 622 f. 14s. 6d. ;
lists, weights and measures and sundries, 661. 17s. 9d.;
leaving 9,1191. 13s. 10d.
The report was received and adopted.
Mr. )LAVDI read the annual reports from the County
Asylums at Hanwell and Colney Hatch. They were of con-
siderable length and gave a satisfactory account of the con-
elision of each of those establishments of the county.
The usual prison reports were brought up and read.
• motion stood on the paper, is the name of Mr.
Preshfield, for the appointment of a committee under the
Ysod 16 Vic., e. 81, for the purpose of " preparing a basis
K standard for a fair and equal county rate for this county."
In tie absence of Mr. Preshfield from illness, it was
weentland carried that the motion involved smatter of very
considerable importance, as as doubt the result of the ap-
pointment of the committee would be that the county rate
would be assessed upon a rental, half a million more than It
was at present, and more equitable is its operation upon the
shes geners,ily. .r. JOSIAH warm thought it was competent for an-
other magistrate to take up the motion.
The CHAIRMAN ruled to the contrary. Notice must be
given before that was done.
Mr. KINSHIRAD said when the re-assessment of the county
was made some years ago an increase of nearly a millboa
and a half was made to the rental, and the polios maw la
and made a claim of 6d. in the pound on the iateamod
amount, by which the ratepayer had to pay eamedsiag
like thirty or forty thousand pounds a year to the pollee.
Whoa remark was made upon the exorbitance of that nun
the answer was that it would be reduced, but he would ask
any magistrate present whether that had been so, and he
trusts!, therefore, that before the court took steps by which
an increase of the rental to the extent of half a million...
the chairman had stated, would take place, something
would be done to ascertain how this claim of the police
would be treated, as if the 6d. in the pound were again
demanded upon the increased rental a very considerable
additional burden would be thrown upon the ratepayers.
Mr. TVIDIRR moved "the presentation of a memorial
from the court to the Secretary of State for the Home De.'
partment in favour of the proposed abolition of grand juries'
within the county of Middlesex."
Mr. Serioant ADAMS seconded this motion without going
its entire length, which was supported by Mr. Witham, Mr.
Josiah Wilson, and other magistrates.
Mr. ARMSTRONG hoped the court would pause before it
proceeded to tamper with one of the most ancient institu-
tions of the judicature of the country—one which, since the
days of Alfred, had been one of the rights and privileges of
the people of England—and that the grand jury would not
be interfered with until another and more equitable tribunal
was provided.
Several other magistrates spoke upon the subject, and
ultimately Mr. 'turner withdrew his motion, and substituted
in its stead one for the reference of the matter to a special
committee to report thereon to the court.
This latter motion was carried.
On the motion of Mr. TUUNSTt it was resolved,—That
an application be made on behalf of the court to the Com-
missioners of the Police fur their concurrence and assistance
in carrying out the sth resolution, passed by the anti on
the 12th June, 1851, on the consideration of the report of
the special committee upon the duties and remuneration r f
coroners, and that a memorial be also presented from the
court to the Secretary of State for the Home Department
on the same subject.
This was duly seconded and carried. The object of the