The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-23 00:00:00

THE REGISTRATIONS.

MIDIDLESEX.—Yesterday, the lieta for Hammer-
smith, Chiswick, Fulham, Kensington, and Chelsea, were
revised by Mr. Shadwcll, at the Sussex Arms, Hammer-
smith. In the Chiswick list, the claim of Finlay Mackenzie,
made on account of joint possession with his uncle of two
freehold houses, was objected to by Hr. Payne, the Con.ser-
satire agent. Mr. Ross, the uncle, was examined, mid
stated that the property was his ; but that he had given his
nephew permission to put his name on the list for it. There
had been no conveyance to the nephew-; he possessed no
power to sell, nor bad he any other right in the property
than the permission of his uncle to put down his name in the
list, on account of it, for a 40s. qualification. The name was
expunged. Mr. James complained that the overseers of
Hammersmith bad entered objections in every case where
the voter had changed his residence. This was a great in-
justice, because the voter having no notion of the ob;ection
would not attend to prove his qualification, and, con-
sequently, would be disfranchised. The overseer said the
lint of objections was publishei on the church doors. The
barrister thought the over-eers, when they objected on ac-
count of change of residence, should either give the party
notice or put themselves in a position to prove the qualifica-
tion. In the St. Luke's, Chelsea, list the name of H. J. Comp-
ton, woo proved a beneficial interest of 161. a year
in an original lease for 63 years, 14 of which were
unexpired, of the Cadogan Arms Rotel, Sloane-street,
and premises adjoining was expunged, the barrister
holding that the claim should have been made for occupancy
instead of leasehold interest. The claimant was informed
that he might claim successfully next year as an occupier;
but he said that the franchise was not worth the trouble and
expense consequent upon obtaining and defending it, and he
should therefore not repeat the claim. Another voter named
Coulson, who occupied a house, 38, Arthur-street, Chelsea.
of which he had an original le.ue of 63 years, at a ground-
rent of 5/., the property being worth from 30/. to 40/., was
also disfranchised on the same ground. Mr. English, who
proved his qualification as occupier of 38, Cadogan-place,
against an objection made by the Liberals, claimed costs ; be
said be had been objected to three or four years running, and
by both parties, and Mr. Payne having objected to
hem, sent to him, tendering his services iu defence
of the vote. (Laughter.) Mr. Payne observed that
his objection was made last year, and that the name
of the voter was then expunged.—Mr. English : Yes, upon
some trifling ground. The qualification remains unaltered,
and yet the vote is now allowed. (Hear. hear.) I have
been brought up here 70 or 80 miles to defend my qualifica-
tion in consequence of the interference of the agents, who
have no business with the votes at all. (Hear.) The re-
gister would be much purer, and the Lona fide voters would
be subject to mueNless inconvenience, expense, and iojustke,
if such pettifogging interference was not allowed. If the
voters of Middlesex would consult their own interest, they
would not subscribe anything to the agents for the revision.
(Cheers from all parts of the room.)—Mr. Payne: Bravo!
Rouse. (A laugh.)—The Barrister could not give costs.
It was quite clear there was sufficient ground for the objec-
tion last year, or the name would not have been expunged.
In the Kensington list a Mr. Best, who claimed on account
of a purchased land-tax of 625. 6d.a"year, which he described
as a freehold rent-charge, was objected to by the Liberals It
appeared that the land-tax was originally purchased of the
Land Tax Commissioners, about the year 179.5, previous to
the 42nd (leo. 3rd, which enacted that land-tax annuities,
purchased after the passing of that act, should be held as
real, instead of personal property, and in the absence of
the deed allowing when the annuity in this raw
was first assigned over, the claim was disallowed. Mr.
Stocken who claimed for " two houses on lease," in Knights-
bridge, producing more than 100/. a year beyond the ground
rent,was objected to by the Conservatives, and on praying his
qualification the objection was withdrawn, and the claim
allowed. The claimant then applied for costs, on the ground
that the objection was frivolous and vexatious. Tne agent
then said, in that ease he should press his objection; the
description, " two houses on lease," was ambiguous and in-
sufficient. As the barrister had no power to amend it, he
must strike out the name. The Barrister said, as the claim
stood, it was impossible to understand whether the two
houses were held on lease by the claimant, or let by him on
lease to another party; he should therefore expunge the name.
PROVINCIAL EAST SUSSEX. According to
one statement, the voters who have hitherto sap!) rted
Conservatives and those of liberal opinions are nearly
eqnal. Should a contest occur, therefore, it will be a sharp
one.

CAMBRIDGE has gained fifteen Liberal votes.
DovE.a.—The like number of Liberals have been
added to tho Dover lista.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday, a court was held fur the dispatch of
public busintss.
TILE FREEDOM OF THE CITY TO LORD GOCOH AND SIR
HARRY Sxrra.—The LIED MAYOR presented letters from
the two gallant generals, acknowledging the receipt of the
resolutions of thanks Of the court, and the freedom of the
City, for their gallant services in India.—Ordered to be en-
tered upon the journals. His lordship also presented a letter
of thanks for the donation of 1001. from the Ragged Union
Committee.—The letter was entered upon the journals of
the court.

Couoseas' Qces•i oY Flacs.—His lordship then pre-
sented the following communication from Mr. Payne, the
coroner of the City of London •

To the Right: llonouvablc the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons
of the City of London, in Common Council assembled:
My Lord and Gentlemen,—l beg leave to report to this hon. court
that in August, 1845, I revived the ancient practice of holding inquests,
or courts of inquiry, incases of ft re—ilproceeding which had long been
in disuse, but which appeared to me, from the frequency of these
destructive occurrences in numerous part, of the country, to be mast
desirable to resume. . .

That each inquiries were formerly part of the coniner',, duty may
be seen by a reference to the oW treatises on the Crown-law, ae well
as the ancient statutes of the realm, and inasmuch as the power to
hold such courts has never been taken from the coroner, I was led
to resume the exercise of it from a conviction of its great importance
and utility.
The example has been followed, with public benefit, in minus parts
of the kingdom, and has been the means of bringing to jo.ctire tuany
offenders who, in all probability, would never have been discovered
but for the investigations in the coroners' courts. It has also met with
the approbation of the chief justices and other judges before whom
these caves were tried, as well as many magistrates and members of
the corporation, and the Times and other public journals.
I have further the satisfaction to state that notwithstanding the
city of London and borough of Southwark contain more property than
any other local district in the kingdom, the only fires reported to me
within these districts, within the last twelve months, as being of
sufficient importance to require investigation by a jury were, in
London nine, and in Southwark two, a list of which I have sent
herewith. Of these some were incendiary and others accidental, and
the expenses paid by me to constables, witnesses, &c. in those inves-
tigations amount altogether to the sum of 201. lik 2d. I mention this
because there is at present no provision made for the payment of those
expenses. I have not charged my own fees for holding those inquests,
preferring to show that my object has been public utility rather than
personal emolument ; and it will be a great gratification to me if my
endeavours to render my office increasingly useful are approved of by
the corporation, to whom I owe the favour of my appointment, as well
as attended with success.—l have the honor to be, my lord and gentle-
men, your faithful servant, Wittaxm PATNIL
Temple, 22nd September, 1846.

Mr. PRENDERGAST, who listened with impatience to the
contents of the letter, said the idea of a coroner sitting under
such circumstances as were represented was an absolute
farce. Ile had never heard a chief justice or any other law
authority say that • coroner had any such power as that
which had been described as having been exercised by the
Coroner of the City of Landon. As that gentleman had
been kind enough to favour the Court with the communica-
tion he should move that it be laid upon the table. He was
sure it ought not to go to a committee.
Mr. DAwsoN rose to move as a " rapid" amendment upon
the motion, that the coroner's letter be referred to a commit.
tee to consider and report. He was convinced that the
practice which had been revived by the care and energy of
the coroner would be very serviceable to the community.
(Heir, hear.) It was the firm belief amongst the authorities
at the fire offices, that many fires originated otherwise than
by accident, and the perfect performance of the duties of
coroner was calculated to increase the sources of detection.

Mr. STEVENS seconded the amendment. The course pur-
sued by the coroner gave additional security to life and
to property, and the court ought to feel indebted to Mr.
Payne for having revived a practice which, though evidently
good, had fallen into desuetude.—Mr. BOWER was decidedly
opposed to the amendment. The committee, if referred to,
would probably recommend the giving away of money upon
the occasion, and the insurance officers were very well able
to take care of their own interests without the assistance of
the corporation. (A laugh). The letter was then referred
to a committee by a large majority.
TOWER-STREET IMPROVEMENT. Deputy FINNIS pre-
sented a petition from the inhabitants of Tower Ward,
praying for improvement in Great Tower-street, which was ,
referred to the Improvement Committee.
BALL AT GUILDHALL.—Lord DUDLEY STUART and other
members of the Literary Association of the friends of the
Poles, appeared with a petition, requesting the use of the
Guildhall on some day after the 9th of November, for a bill
and other entertainment+, in behalf of the distressed Poles.
It stated that although since 1844, when the last ball was
given for their benefit, the number of the refugees had some-
what diminished, their sufferings bad received but little
mitigation, and that the government of that unfortunate
country were persevering to the most cruel system of
oppression.
'Upon the motion of Deputy PEACOCK, seconded by Mr.
Hour, the prayer of the petition was granted by the unani-
mous voice of the court. _ _ _

Lord DUDLEY STUART said, that as he knew the court
had business of great importance to transact, he would not
trespass upon their time by any lengthened observations.
Ile thanked them in the name of the association, of the refu-
gem, and of the whole nation of Poland; and he would
merely add, that the court must form some idea of the ser-