The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-22 00:00:00

(Stamped id. Additional.) [TWOPENCE.

ILTILVPTION OF PUBLIC AST4BLISBMBNIB
PROM LOCAL RATING.

An influential conference was held yesterday, at
the King's Arms Hotel, Palace-yard, Weetnibister, for the
purpose of considering the beet stein to be taken to secure the
introduction of a measure to effect a more equalised system
of rating, by discontinuing the exemptions of local taxation
which they at present enjoy. The chair was taken by the
Rev. A1:01:8113 CAUPAELL, rector of Liverpool, who was
supported by Sir Freda Baring, M.P., Sir J. Elphinstone,
M.P., Sir F.
_Smith, M.P., GeneralSieW. Codriugton, M.P.,
Mr. fames Wilsoo, M.P., Mr. White, M.P., Mr. Collier,
M.P., Q.C., Mr. C.Wykeham Martin, M.P., H. J. Locke,
M.P., Q.C., the rector and representatives of the corporation.
and pariah of Liverpool, the mayor and some aldermen end
the town clerk of Portsmouth, the town clerk of Devonport,
and other gentlemen representing Manchester, Harwich,
Sundmiaad, Greenwich, Woolwich, Deptford, Chatham,
Waltham Abbey; and, amongst the metropolitan parishes,
St. Margaret's, Westminster; St. Clement Danes, Bt. Mar-
' du-in-the-Fields, St. Mary-le-Strand, tit. Georgia, South-
wark, to
Mr.WOOLLOOMBE, town clerk of Devonport, said that a
Medea wombat at Bath on the Bth of September last, for
theperpess of tionsidering the beet means for giving effect
to tbe roxemeadation of the select committee of the House
of Cornesees. " That all property occupied for public pur-
poses should oases to be exempt from local taxation," at
which an association was formed for carrying that mown-
mandril= into effect. In answer to a circular sent round,
in accordance with the request contained in the resolution
passed at Bath, there were nearly 200 parishes and places
which had expressed the interest they felt in favour
of :the movement. Amongst the places were Li-
verpool. Obeeler, _Manchester, Sunderland, Chatham,
Devonport, Greenwich, Woolwich, Deptford and other
Influential plows. (Hear, hear.) AA to the mein question,
the great thing for consideration wme as to what steps had
better be taken to meet the case. They would, no doubt,
get their objeot attained more speedily, and stand in a much
better position, if they could indoor the government to bring
in a bill on their own reaponsibtlity, and carrying it out on s
plea which would be fair and just. He believed it would be
better for the interest of all parties connected with the move-
ment not to prase the government too strongly for any ex-
tremor measure, but rather that they should be satiated with
any fair and equitable proposition which the government
might make. Surveys had been made by direction
of the Poor Law Board se to what would be the
effect of the cremation of the exemption, and be
believed the result of these surveys were favourable to
the movement. He bad been minions to lay before them
what the opinions of the government wire. Mr. Sotheron
Hatcourt, the President of the Poor Law Board, had con-
sented to receive a deputation on the lit or 2nd February
nut. Therefore, until the interview with the government
took place, he felt they would be sating wisely not to show
any spirit of hostility towards the government. The question
was one which was supposed to be surrounded with many
difficulties, but be could assure them that there were no dif-
ficalties in the way whatever., for he believed if one or two
men of business were to sit down end consider the matter
they would be able to come to a conclusion which would
be satisfactory to them all. He felt it would therefore be
very unwise on their part to take up any ground in a
hostile spirit towards the government, as he believed
that the government really Intended to take up the matter.
If the government would not give what they wanted, with
the assistance they could give, they felt themselves prepared
to frame a bill and get it introduced very early next IMAM
After a few further remarks Mr. Woombe concluded by
stating the nature of the resolutions which would be
submitted, and that the whole expense of carrying on the
movement would he net by a subscription of a farthing fa
the pound on the rates paid during the past five years. He
then read letter' from Sir J. Villiers Shelley, M.P., Sir Da
Lacy Evans, M.P., Mr. What:mat, M.P., Bco., expressing
regret at their absence, but promising every support to the
movement to the House of Commons.

Mr. J, Withox, M.P., said that he bad been in communi-
cation with Mr. Sahara &scone., the president of the
Poor-law Heard, on the subject, and that gentleman would
have been in town on that occasion to have reoeived a depu-
tation from the meeting bad his health permitted him to do
so; but as the Lon. gentleman proposed that a deputation
should visit him early to February, be (Mr. Wilson) thought
it would be better to suspend any independent action on the
part of the meeting—seeing that the government were me-
wed to bring in a bill on the subject, ►nd in favour of their
movement—until after they had seen Mr. Botheron Estcourt.
In fact he felt it would be more oourteous to the government
for them not to take any action in the matter until they knew
what retirement intended to do. (Hear, hear.)
Bit F. BAIIINO, said they had bad a committee of
the Hones of Commons, end they hod bed the experience of
Mr. Hardy, of Mr. Eateone, and of the late Chancellor of
the Exchequer, and also had the unanimous expression of
that committee, In support of the claim made by the preeent
looking ; and also, in addition, they had a speech of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer in support of the creation of
the exemption, which had been read to them by Mr. Wooll-
comb.. He therefore entirely agreed with Mr. Wilson that
it would be inexpedient to take any action approaching to
hostility towards the government until they hail seen what
measure was intended. They might. however, appoint a com-
mittee to send • deputation to Mr. Emmert, with power to cell
• meeting afterwards, suppoeing the result of the interview
should need such • proceeding. He objected to the idea of
raising • farthing in the pound, as suggested by Mr. Wooll-
combe ; for it was in his opinion moat inexpedient to corn-
tome taxation so early in • movement. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WOOLLCON lir here read • letter which Mr. Eatcourt,
the President of the Poor-law Board, had sent to Mr. Wilson,
stating that he should be moat happy to receive a de.
potation on the let or 2nd of February.
Mr. COLLIER, Q C., thought that government
might be Influenced with the consideration that if they did
not do the thing themselves, the parishes and towns would
do it for them.
Mr. Aldermen Caorrxn (of Liverpool). proposed that •
committee be appointed to wait upon Mr. Elothelon Est-
court, the President of the Poor-law Board, to ascertain the
intentions of her Majesty's got-eminent as to the rating of
publics offices cow exempt from rates, the committee to have
power to call • meeting of the representatives of those
towns, parishes, 6.c., interested, and to report tho result of
such interview.
The Mayor of PORTSMOUTU seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.
The deputation was then appointed, and after some fur-
ther discussion the proceedings were brought to a does.

LONDON; BBIOIITON, AND SOUTH COAST
RAILWAY.

The following is an abstract of the report of the
dirseion, to Le submitted to the meeting of proprietors on
Thursday next
" The accounts for the half year, ending 31st December
Wet, shows that the amount of capital raised to the 31st
December, 181.8„ is 8 169,0201., consisting of—Mortgage
debt, 1,781,4861.; debenture stook, 294,70 W. preferemoo
• 1.474,2811.; consolidated Kock 4,618,6541. Total:
8,169,0201. The total amount of capital expended daring
the past half year is 297,6811„ of which 100,1961. Is for plant
fin working the West-end lite • plant, stations, &0., on the
Lewes and tickfield line ; the comundatirm of 4,000/. per
annum, being one moiety of thelised manual tollofB,ooo2..Far
ablate the West-end of London and Crystal Palms Railway
Company, as explained in the 'semen; sad esessigef the'ad-
ditional works contemplated by the compabyt. capital bill of
last session. A further sum of 188,3864 has been expended
on new works is pas shown in the capital account.
It is satisfactory to the dirrogress, ectors to be able to armounos that
a still further amount of the Four per Cent. Debenture Stock
het been taken up during the "withal( year, the total amount
issued at this date being 3006001. The demands made upon
the directors for this stock have hitherto kept pace with their
Issuing powers, so that it has not been necessary to make
may public announcement of their being prepared to dis-
pose of allotments. They take this opportunity, therefore,
of reminding the shareholders that any amount of this stock
which may be required to replace mortgage bonds fallim due
am be obtained by them or by their Mem& who dre a
that Gime security.
"The gross revenue for the hill-year has beet 447,4231.,
showing an increase of 16,0021. one the oorreepowling ben-
pear of 1857, and maids' the reessee of the yeti 1858
ninoent to 791,9031., or 11,4051. in excess of the previous
year. Of this Increase of 16,06214 10,3501. arises in the
leaching tratlie, 1,0711. in the goods traffic, and the remainder
Is chiefly the per onstage on the traffic of the West-end and
Crystal Palace line, retained by this company as the snow-
iness for working the local traffic on that branch. The re-
covery from the commercial crisis of 1857, together with the
general improvement in trade, has caused the traffic to re-
sume its onward course; it has also been assisted hy the
opening of the Pimlico terminus for the traffic of the South
Coast, and the directors' experience of the advantages already
derived from the facility thus afforded to the public confirms
their expectation' of the Mill greats, results which will at-
tend the completion of the Victoria, Station sad Phalle°
Railway. These works are being rapidly proceeded with;
the most important is the bridge crossing the Thames,
which is being carried on with great spirit, and the
contractor his sanguine expectations that the whole will
be completed before We time fixed, namely, the lot June, 1860.
The working expenses of the past half-year are in excess
of those of the corresponding half-year of 1867; this is ac-
counted for by the con of working the main line trains over
the West-end line, and also by that of working the local
trams on that line, appearing for the first time among the
expenses. The proprietors will find at the credit of the re-
venue account the rum paid by the West-end company for
this latter service, which, until the line was opened through-
out, bad been applied to meet the expenditure. A considerable
coat has also been incurred in substantial repairs to theengine
and carriage stock,which, perhaps, might be fairly considered
as coming under the head of renewed ; on which account,
however, the proper amount his been expended, six engines
having been replaced or rebuilt at the coat of revenue during
1868. A sum of 2,4081. has been expended in completing
and Improving the ballasting of that part of the Hastings
line which was re-lald in the spring of 16.58, and the cost has
been plead to the debit of the Permanent Way Improvement
Account. The Increased traffic having left a larger available
balance, the directors have placedto the credit of that amount
the sum of 10,0001., instead of the 4,0001. ordinarily to
applied the revenue of 1868 will thus have contri-
buted 13,0001. towards its extinction, • result which
cannot fail to be satisfactory to the proprietors.
In order to satisfy the urgent wishes of the principal land-
omega In the district traversed by the Shoreham, Hatfield,
and Horatian line, the directors have agreed to apply to per-
, lemma for powers to make a deviation in the northem
portion of that branch, which however will not increase the
originally estimated cost. As regards the southern portion,
the directors may state that the plane for carrying the line
over the River Adur have now received the approval of the
Admiralty, and the approach of the favourable season will
enable the works to be commented and rapidly proceeded
with. The directors have taken the necessary steps for the
promotion in parliament of a bill to sanction this deviation,
sad they have availed themselves of that opportunity
to apply for powers enabling the company to conclude the
arrangements already sanctioned by the shareholders for the
team and purchase of the Mi Suseex and the Lewes
and Unified Railways—to widen the Montpelier-road
bridge, so as to give better access to, and improve
the Brighton terminus—and to construct the short spur line
at Norwood, in accordance with the arrangements made with
the Mid Kett Comply, as reported last half-year. The
constant and heavy expense incurred in maintaining the
timber viaduct, which carries the Horsham line across the
Held Mill-pond, renders it desirable to replace it with a solid
embankment, and Menses for the purpose are also inserted
in the bill. The proptietors will recollect that in the year
1856 powers were obtained by a new company to extend this
company's Epom line to Leatherhead. This line will
shortly ba ready for opening ; and the directors have entered
into an arrangement to lease it with powers to purchase, at
any time within three yam, for 40,0001. of this company's
five per cent. stock. The neoesmry step have bean taken to
obtain parliamentary reaction confirreing this arrangement,
and also for a further extension of the line to Dorking.
Various schemes appear likely to be brought under the coo-
-1 sideration of parliament in the approaching session, which
will receive the careful attention of the direotore. Several of
the metropolitan railway companies appear to approve highly
of the site selected for the Victoria Terminus, and numerous
whams have been set on foot with • view to connect them
with It. Among other projects of the present year, the
directors have to notice two lines, promoted by independent
parties, In coatiouation of the !did-SOW' Railway, one ex-
tending from Pctworth to klidhurst, and the other from
Polhorough to Arundel and Littleheropton. A line has also
been promoted from the West-end of London and Crystal
Palace Railway at Brame, to join this otiocany's railway
at the new Norwood station it demands the support
of the directors, because, if properly carried out, it will
to the means of providing an improved access to the
West-end, and will enable the constantly 'screwing local
traffic of the attractive district traversed by the West End
of London and Crystal Palace line to be more efficiently
worked by bedng separated from the main line trains.
The directors regret to inform the proprietors that differences
have arisen with the London and South-Western Railway
Company, in consequence of that company not only having
agreed, in contravention of treaties, and without the know-
ledge of this company, to take • lease of the Portsmouth
lialwry, but having subsequently refused to admit this
oompany as joint parties to the arrangement. The directors
have exerted their beat power', sad offered liberal concer-
ning, with a view to prevent • rupture ; and in the present
stale of the location, they trust that the proprietors will
leave the matter in their bends. It may, however, be
Mated that on the 29th December, the South-Western Com-
pany took violent possession of this company's line at
Havant, obstructed the pelage of all the trains for about
six hour", and forcibly attempted to carry the traffic of the
Portsmouth Railway over this company's line between Ha-
vant and Hiles Redoubt, before the tense amed conditions of
such user bad been settled by the arbitrator, se required by
the Portsmouth Railway Amendment Act, 1868, and not-
withstanding previous notice from this company that, in the
absence of those arrangements, such neer could not be per-
mitted. The course so taken enforced the necessity of ob-
the
taisnoirpupbrol=dtion,
buftrodamethquese Ctoiourntooff Chancery. Railway into the joint station at Portsmouth is oil! f the The
S ward-
Iso tt
Western Company to carry the traffic of the Portamouth
un-
decided. The proprietors may, however, rest assured that
the directors are most reluctant to enter open's conteq, and
that, in any step which it may become necessary to take, the
interests of this company will be consulted and protected.
The net amount at the credit of the revenue, account, after
providing for all preferential charges, is 164,8311., out of
which the directors recommend the payment of a dividend of
31 per cent. for the hall-year, amounting to 161,649, leaving
alwlsoce to the credit of the current half-year of 3,1821., and
making the dividend for the year 1868 amount to 6 per cent.
Three of the directors, namely, Leo Schuster. Chaise Lush-
ington, and John Empire, go out of cflioe by rotation,
and being eligible for re-election, offer themselves accord-
ingly. One of the auditors, James Reeves, Esq.. retires by
rotation, and being eligible for re-election will offer himself
accordingly."

RILLS FOR RAILWAYS AND PCBLIC IMPROVE-
MENT.—Yesterday the examiner* of standing orders of both
houses of parliament declared that those orders bad been
complied with in respect to the following Lilts :—(Before
Mr. Smith).—Salford Borough, Carliele and Fentith Roads.
Dublin and Wicklow Railway, York Improvement, Dir.
zuingdam, Erdington, and Sutton Colditeld Railway, Dub-
lin and Drogheda Railway, Rolywood and Bangor Railway,
Waveney Railway; London, llunmow, Clare, and limy
81. Edmund's Itailway—thin bill was withdrawn. (Before
Mr. Frare).—Portsmouth New Docks and Railway, Leather-
head and Dorking Railway North-Eastern Railway (s,dd
Valley Brooch), North-Exetern Railway Marmon*
Branches), Brecon and Merthyr Tydeil Jucctian Itadway.
The Isle of Wight Ferry Bill was postponed unlit }ads,
next. _ _

LIFE-BOAT EXPERIMENT. TRAAIORE, NEAR
WATERFORD, J.All. 17.—We have bed to-day a moat saw
easeful trial of the new lifeboat, which the National lifeboat
Institution sent to this place • week or two ago. Site was
healed down to the beach, and launched in a Very heavy
surf, blowing • gals from 8.8. W., and was pulled out
through all the breakers in • most galluit manner, and
behaved so well that she was the admiration of an immense
multitude, who witnessed the affair. The crew were com-
posed of fishermen and coefoguardmen, who volunteered on
the spot. This edmirabls lifeboat is on the plan of Mr.
Teske, and was built by the Megan. Ferretti, of Limshoute.