The Express.
London, England, 1847-12-24 00:00:00

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

----
This convention, which wee ratified on Monday
last, establishes the following regulations;—That after the
36t inst. the principal exchange of international or foreign
correspondence shall take place twice a day. that is to say :
I. On the pert of France, by Boulogne and by Calais al-
ternately. On the part of Great Britain, by Dover.
11. The mail by way of Boulogne shall leave Paris daily
et eight in the evening, and shall re/eh Boulogne next day
at four in the morning, and London at half-put ten in the
morning. The mail from London by the lame route shell
be despatched daily (Sundays excepted) at eight in the even-
ing. The mail shall he delivered to the Post-office of 800.
loene next day at half-pat two In the morning, and shall
reach Paris at half-past tea in the morning.
111. The m►il by way of Calais shall leave Paris daily ►t
noon, and shall reach Calais at ten at night, and London at
half-past four next morning. The mail from London by the
same route shall be despatched daily (Sundays excepted) at
eleven in the morning. The mail shall be delivered to the
Post:office of Calais at rise on the evening of the same day,
and shall reach Paris next day at half-past four in the
morning.
IV. The einveyance of the mails between the port of
Dover on the one part, and the two ports of Boulogne and
Calais on the other part, shall be effected, provisionally and
by way of experiment, in the manner following :-1. The
French packets shall oonvey the mails, out and in, between
Calais and Dover ; that le to say, they shall convey the
French mails to Dover, and shall bring back to Calais the
Eoglish mails. 2. The British packets shall convey the
mails, out and in, between Dover and Boulogne; that is to
any. they shall convey the Enrlish mails to Boulogne, and
shall bring back to Dover the French mails.
V. The system of service established by the preceding
article shall continue for one ear. At the expiration of
that period it may by common consent be either modified or
continued for another year, and so on.

ELECTION OF COMMON COUNCILMEN.
BILLINGSGATE (8).--The poll for this ward was
re-opened at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and finally closed
a* 4, when Mr. Ald. Sydney, M.P., announced the numbers
to he as follow, : Curling (Dep.), 107 ; Williams, 108; Ro-
twria, 107 ; Bower, 105 ; Phillip., 101; Barnes, 104; Knill,
101; •Causton, 68 ; Piper, 67. The worthy alderman having
deel.red the find 8 gentlemen duly elected, the candidates
severally returned thanks, and the proceedings terminated
with a vete of thanks to Mr. Ald. Sidney,
Poltrsoxer.—The following is the result of the
pollifig for this ward :—Wright (Deputy), 155 ; Christie,
149; Parker, 119; Jutsum, 152; Hayward, 133; Dunferd,
108; Killby, 150 ; Thomson, 133; *Vial, 76. The first eight
were declared elected.

REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX.
Yesterday morning a meeting of the rate-payers of
St. Martin's-inthe-Fields convened pursuant tea requisi
tion of upwards of forty of the inhabitant househo:ders, was
held in the vestry room adjoining the church, " to take into
consideration the window duties, and their effect as nor&
the health of the-metropolis."
Mr. W. H. DALTON, senior churchwarden, took the chair,
and said that the window tax was objected to, not only by
rate-payers, but by every one except the Chancellor of the
Exchequer. It was objected to on account of the inequality
of assortment, bet still more with reference to its effect in a
sanitary point of view,
Mr. Cosnarr read the report of the late committee of
vestry which stated that although public interest in regard to
the window duties had not in the least abated, and the agi-
tation of the subject both in and out of parliament had met
with inertia/ad support, hitherto the exertions of the com-
mittee had not been attended with any favourable result.
Changes in the administration of affairs of the country
and the agitation of measures of free trade, combined with
other causes, had been the reason for not priming the
matter on the attention of government. Them obstructions
now no longer existed, and the onoralttee trusted that in-
Waal legislation would remiss its share of attention from
parliament, and that all imposts whereby the health of the
public is affected would be removed. The eowtruittee consi-
dered the time bad arrived when, with propriety, this tax
might be abolished.
• M. La Santo:: mooed the adoption of the report.

Mr. LABARE said that es one of the committee be thought
the rate-payers entitled to a more detailed amount of their pro-
ceedings then that contained in the report just read. They
should know whet had been dens since two years ago,
when they were appointed; and with their permission he
would bnefly inform them. It would be recollected that
they ware appointed in Mareh,lB46, taco-operate with other
parishes, and to act under the guidance of Lord Duncan,
who brought the matter before the legislature, but who was
foiled in his object by pressing measures then before the
hones. The committee. conjointly with the metropolitan
delegates, bad published pamphlets on the subject of the
window tax, 'simulated them in every parish, and drawn up
petitions, which obtained a large number of signatures, but
which were never presented. The next thing that frustrated
their effort" was the change of ministry, and since then
Lord Duncan had had no opportunity of bringing forward
the subject until the present time. On the Bth of this
month the delegates met at the Marylebone Courthouse,
when it was resolved to approach the government by •
formidable deputation, enlist the metropolitan members in
their cause, and create as much agitation out of doors as
possible. That was how the question stood at present.
They must now not rest from their labours, but go to work
with twofold energy.
Mr. COBBITT said the only way to bring the matter before
the government was as ooe of sanitary reform. When it
was urged a. a question of money, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer said be could not remove so large a source of
revenue. They might reasonably hope for sanitary reform
when they found it one of the chief features of the royal
speech. Mr. Cobbett then alluded to the recently published
tables of mortality in the metropolis, showing the deaths
for the week to the 11th of December to have been 2,418,
while the average for the live previous years was but 1,048.
There could be no doubt that influenza prevailed to a great
extent; but there was no doubt, also, that something like
malaria afflicted the health of the metropolis. The question
of sanitary reform had certainly advanced, but sufficient was
not said of the baneful effect of the window tax, of the ob.
struetion of light and air. Was not the pure air sent for
their health and a rength of any icaportauce / Sanitary' re-
form, he mei.itained, was of no use without the abolition of
the window tax.
Mr. Witee said that in the question of sanitary reform
the government was in advance of the people. The govern-
ment had appointed a sanitary commission, the secretary of
which was Mr. Austin, a gentleman connected with an asso-
ciation for improving the healli of towns, The report of
this association, which must have been approved of by Mr.
Austin, the government officer, stated that "the window
tax operated most injuriously; it was even more injurious
than the tax upon tood." The report stated, moreover, that
they might rather to offer a premium to builders to let in as
much light and air as possible, than to erect houses with the
lowest number of windows.
Mr. CUAUDIES also spoke in favour of the repeal of the
window tax. As • botanist, he could affirm the importance
of light to plants; and why should it not have the same effect
on the human frame ; The repro.. of the committee having
been adopted—
Mr. ))stones, late churchwarden, moved " That it is the
opinion of this meeting that the window tax is detrimental
to the health of the metropolis, and should imme.iatoly be
abolished." The resolution having been carried—
Mr. Wattle mover that a petition be prepared, embody-
ing the above resolution, end presented to parliament by
some member hereafter to be chosen, and that such petition
be signed by the chairman on behalf of the vestry, and the
resolution was carried.
On the motion of Mr. WEFT, seconded by Mr. Le 13!:ETON,
a comm,ttee was appointed to mint in the movement Ea the
abolition of the window tax.
JauEs WYLDB, Esq., said that having the honour
of a seat in the Souse of Commons he would willingly un-
dertake the presentation of the petition, and would do all in
his power to get the window tax abolished. lie knew some-
thing of the dwellines of the poor in London, especially in
that parish, and consequently knew of the insufficiency of
light in their dwellings. He spoke chiefly of those who did
their work at home.
A vote of thanks was passed to the churchwarden', and
the meeting broke up.

METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION FOR IM-
PROVING THE DWELLINGS OF THE INDUS-

TILIOUS CLA&3&S.

The annul meeting of the proprietors was held
yesterday at the offices in Colenion.strect. Sir RALPH
Howanu presided. The minutes of the previous meeting
having been read, Viscount hi ottPETH moved, and Vise cent
EIaIISOTON seconi.ed the motion that they be confirmed,
which was carried. Mr. Joseph Toynbee was then re-elected
to • place at the board of directors, and Mr. llorace Wil-
son elected a new direeese in the place of Mr. rowlee, who
retiree. Mr. Hurry was or,
re-elected an auditor,
Mr. C. GATLIPP, honorary secretary, then read the report,
of which the following is an abstract:
In the second report of the dirt ctors the shareholders were informed
that an agreement fora lesse for 99 pure. at • rental of 901. per an-
num, had been entered into with the Brewers' Company, for a piece
of mead opposite the church in the Old Pancras-road. The th-
rums have now the gratification of slating that the buildings are
bat apinuching completion, and that the whole will be tit for habita-
tion arrly in February next. Tbey have also the satiefac ion of in-
tonsing the shareholders that, even in their present unfiabbed state,
52 sets of rooms hare been applied for. The buildings are five stories
in height, • plan which was of Met conceived to be objectionable, as
likely to came difficulty in letting; but the contrary has proved to be
the fact, ae the whole of the rooms in the upper story, and the ms..
jority of those on the third floor have been the first selected by the
applicants. This is g tributable partly to a decreased rent in propor-
tion to the height, and partly to the arrangements made for avoiding
the neeessity of conveying anything up and down stains, except arti-
cle* of daily oonsurtaptioo. water being laid on, and facilities being
afforded in each dwelling for the discharge of liquid and dry refuse.
An itourance has been effected on time buildings to the extent of
4,0001., in the AireSt9llllo,tr Fire (gce, • sum which Is considered to
be sufficient, the whole of the building being nearly fire-proof. The
director. In Veir last repoetstated their inability to ado', t a satisfactory
ustemof ventilation, and, in addition to the difticultyof devising a plea
which could be made effeeineein abuildine not under the exclusive con-
trol and management of their own agents, they find that the expense
would be such as to endanger the titaness of the whole plan u • remu-
nerative undertaklng. The staircases, however, bare been provided
with Kite's patent ventilators, which, although not eupplying the
houses with warm air, as aas so much desired, will, from the situ-
ation of the staircases in the centre ..f each house, have the effect of
keeping up a contact supply of fresh air. arrangements hare been
entered into with the New kiwi. Oomp.ny for a supply'
of water at a oonaideratde reduction in the price usually charged.
A deputation hom the directors had en interview with the Chan-
cellor of the F.xcheguer, on the 15th of November last, on the subject
of *reduction in the window duty on three dwellings. This tea, as
at present iesessed, cremes with great severity on dwellings of this
elms. None of these hours hare more than four windows; were each
home a separate cottage, it would la, entirely exempt from the tax ;
hot bum the present mode of assessment, ten of theee dwellings an
charged at the rate of a forty-wlndowed house. The deputation wen
informed that if the association would submit clauses which would
relieve their dwellings from the operation of the tax, and at the same
time protect the revenue from ion, by parties being admitted to the
exemption who let lodgings to tenants of a higher clam, or who let
todeings to the working cismw without affording the like sanitary
arrangements, each chimes would receive consideration. Your direo-
tors, therefore, feel that as your objects were appreciated and pro.
rooted by the late advisers of the crown, no her Majesty's pre-
sent advisers see equally disposed to aid your effort/ for the
improvement of the dwellings of the Industrious dames;
and the directors therefore call upon the emaciation to
ow their heat exertions to citable the government to carry
any mesenre that may be introduced, for admitting to the habita-
tion. of the poor an unlimited supply of light and air. The director.
beg to call the attention of the shareholders to the expediency of
erecting a dormitory for single men, similar to that established in
George-street, Bloomsbury, by the Labourers' Friend Society, which
Imo been attended with the greatest saivese, newts every bed being
occupied nightly la that establishment; but, previohaly to coming to
• determination on thin point, teey wish to consult the share,
holders nn • measure which will entail the neeemity of an additional
call. The total number of shams which have been taken amounts to
1,101. The each aceuent of the annpony, up to the haffi of Sept. last,
hushotMg • batman of Metal. Bs. id. remaining from last year,
showed • total of receipt. amounting to 13,8111. sa. Id, and ex-
penditure to 9,9101. 135 , which lett a halarce of 3,3371. Ins. ed. There
were ahems taken to the amount of 30,0001. out of the 100,0001. which
was the proposed capital of the association; and the amount for
which the present shareholders were liable to be culled upon to pay
in satisfaction of their shares wu 14,2101.
Lord it. GROAVIPIOR moved the adoption of the re-
port. He begged to congratulate the meeting on the posi-
tion which the association had rained. It was that position
which they had so ardently desired, and which promised
such sivisfactory results. The fact which they had proposed
to demonstrate to the public was the excellent accommoda-
tion which could be afforded to the working classes at a re-
munerating price, and by paying a boa rent than they now
pay for very inferior accommodation. They (the association)
had not exactly accomplished that object; but from the num-
ber of applications for lodgings he taw no ground for
supposing that the expectations which bad been formed
would be disappointed. Since the project had been first
set on foot other societies had taken up the same
Ws, and he believed they might claim the credit of having
lams the muse of the establishment of the Model Lodging.
Imam in George-street, and also of the dormitories which
leed since been erected in St. Giles's. Therefore, if they bad
Me no more than that they might consider their exertions
ads to have been thrown elev. It would be seen that the
' intern was something like five per cent. ; but even if it was
ire than that, they would not' be dissatisfied. They had
bon at a very great expense for paying for the cheerer, and
had incurred other expenses which would no: fall upon a
Wider ; therefore he considered that there were even better
I prospects before them. The Chancellor of the Ex.
chequer had desired them (the committee) to ez.
emu' their ingenuity in order to get themselves
exempted from the window tax, oa account of
the new building of the association ; but he thought the
shortest way of effecting this object would be to reperl the
tax altogether. The fact was, that it was the people who
could not pay that tax, and not the people who could, who
suffered front the deprivatioe of light and air. To be sure,
the money market and the state of the revenue were not such
u to encourage the Chancellor of the Exchequer to be lavish
in taking off taxes ; but he hoped that the ingenuity of the
friends of the association was not so completely at fault as to
prevent them from discovering some means of avoiding pay-
• anent of the tax in this instance,
Dr. S. Sarni seconded the resolution. Whatever the
defects in the working out of their objects might be, he felt
that none could be mote sensible of there defects than the
IlaoCiatiOn themselves; they had gained some knowledge
from experience, and he could not but think that their next
effort would be both cheaper and mere complete. He hoped
therefore that those who looked at their bui!dings with a
view to inquire into their merits, would not consider them
as pretending to be perfect, but would rather re-
gard them as what the association wee able to do
upon making their first *Toms, and would compare that
the present
to u important object in the
building ea it easily is with what the people for whom it was
designed are obliged to pay at present for any inferior ee-
tLisampwrollee:mdlienb:xril'of ttiteddhwreienlgllingar
window tax, he would fear topoferesntleitainetTuriatiytahyhthorcpeopealitehnadtmathethe,
but If they
regard to its amusement they (the association) would reap •
st, aoe ofvfi it"com3
court,
make
nd a
all
al. h
Iwef4masththandienemffnertiffeor:awtiertnhtgorilewiterohwaicheuswreew;mitnefcaongirptrrrYewwtmdhieringtheye
li"mihouuPareltntodamizieraptathahlbyletlemii much more for their building than those who
nns