The Express.
London, England, 1867-08-27 00:00:00

EQUALISATION OP POOR BATE&

Lest evening a meeting of the ratepayers of the
East-end of London took place at the Vestry-hall,
St. George's-in-the-But, for the purpose of pretentieg •
testimonial to the Rev, Mr. M'GRI, the incumbent of
(. hristchurch, Watney-street, in recognition of his efforta,
extending over many years, to promote the equalisation
of poor rates. The testimonial consisted of a handsome
eight-day clock, together with a ificent dinner Derek*
of plate, the whole being of the value of 21101. The in-
scription on the testimoaial plate stated that it was gives
to the rev, gentleman as a recognition of his efforts to pro-
mpt:: the equalisation of the metropolitan poor rates.
The CH/LIBMAN (Ile. C. & Bailer, M.P.), iu introducing
the business of the mesein4, spoke in high terms of the
laborious exertions of Mr. WGill in promoting everything
which was for the good of the district. With respect to
tun equaliwitien of the poor-rates, that settle:nen had
brought to the subject great ability and immense labour.
The statistics he bad compiled with the view of promoting
as object so desirable es far as the east end was concerned
were enormous, and he could not but regard the recent
measure of Mr. Hardy as a step in that direction. Mr.
M'Gill had also rendered great service to the district by
his efforts to establish a museum and library, and by the
part be took in she promotion of the But London Work.
big Men's Exhibition ; and, above all, the inestimable ser-
vice he had rendered to the district by his religiois teach.
in 3 and his coastant efforts to alleviate the sufferings of
the poor had long endeared him to this quarter of Lon-
don. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.)
Mr. DOSIOVAS, the secretary of the committee, stated
the circumstances which led to the testimonial, and added
that at least four-fifths had been contributed in the dis-
trict, and that the Bishop of London not only fully con-
curred in the movement, but had sent • handsome contri-
bution. (Cheers.)
Mr. Munro, the chairman of the board of guardians,
Milo-end ; Mr. Herbert, the senior churdhwarden; and Mr.
Spence, chairman of the Limehouse board of guardians
sad the Rev. Mr. Scott, also added their testimony to the
untiring efforts of Mr. M'Gill, and agreed that although
circumstances had prevented carrying out the full plan of
the equalisation of the metropolitan poor rates. Mr.
Hardy a bill was the thin end of the wedge. and that before
long • measure go much wanted in this district would be
carried.
The CHM num( having in a few suitable words presented
the testimonial to the rev. gentleman,
Mr. leGitt acknowledged the gift which had been made
to him by his parishioners and others with the most heart-
felt gratitude. He stated that when he first cams into the
parish it was in a season of dire distress, and many people
were actually dying of starvation. At that very time,
while the poor rates at the West.end were not more than
sirpence in the pound, in St. George's-in-the-East they
were no is than 4s. fiat. ; and he found that the people se
the East-end were actually working not for their im-
mediate ntsghbours, but for the rich populdion of
the West-end, and this being more particularly the case
with the Spitalfields weaver and the dock labourer ; tied,
therefore, the conclusion which forced itself on his mina
was that those parishes ought to contribute t.• the relief of
the poor at the East-end. This it was that kd him to
make the exertions he had, and he was gratified to find
that they had been so far successful as to attract general
&doziness to the subject, and to lead to the passing of the
bill of Mr. Gathorne Hardy, and also the union Rating
Bill, which bad effected great good is the ceilidh. The
rev, gentleman narrated the progress of the movement,
and gave some startling instances of the manner in which
the present system of unequal rating operated. He was
received with great cordiality.
On the conclusion of his address, on the proposition of
Mr. G. RYMER, seconded by Mr. HANKRIDGE. • vote of
thanks was given for the use of the Vestry-kill ; and a
cordial vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by the
Rev. Mr. M'GILL, and ascended by Mr. 1311CIUDAN, con-
cluded the proceedings.

Several children living in Birkenhead have
nearly lost their lives through eating Calabar nute, which
were mimed op with rubbish removed from premises when
s Ere recently occurred.