The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-19 00:00:00

TH.II PAROCHIAL ASBESSMBNTS BILL.

Yesterday a committee of the representative
council of the parish of St. Marylebone met at the Court-
house, Marylebonolane, to take into consideration the bill
now before parliament, which proposes to amend the law
relating to parochial assessments in England.
Mr. EDWARD HODORS was unanimously called to the
chair, and stated the objects of the bill, which he'
warmly outdenused as as uncalled-for interference with the
met pries* of kcal self-government. lie dwelt upon
tbe power of appal it afforded to any person who might feel
aggrieved by eAlkwas or Incorrecenest in the valuation of
property, which appeared to him to be totally insufficient
and unequal to the appeal granted under the present ar-
rangement.
Mr. Film= said the strongest objection he had to the
bill mason account of clause 4, because it gave umilledlor
power to justices of the peace for every county to appoint
any number of such justices, of not less than 5 nor more
than 11, to be "'the Assessment Board," and three to form
a quorum. Nothing could be more just than their present
ratio and power of appeal, and if this bill were to pass they
woulsys immediately appointed an immense staff of *Eters
and clerks in various degrees, house agents, valuers, imslotbentr
to form a moat objectionable inquisitorial body. This part
of the bill made it so detrimental to local self-government
that, without going Into the bill any further, he should
move " That thceParochial Assessments Bill introduced by
the government is most objectionable, both in principle and
detail • totally destroying the government by the local an•
thorities of their own affairs, and transferring the power tit
an irresponsible body of making assessments in the different
localities; the law now providing a complete remedy for all
parties aggrieved by the present mode of amessmants, the
measure is altogether unnecessary, and this meeting moons
mend the vestry to petition against the bill, and to offer the
most strenuous opposition thereto?' !Hear, bear.)
Mr. WINGFIELD secondedthe resolution. _ _ _

The VESTRY CLERK read communications he bad received
from the parishes of Camberwell, St. Mary Newington, and
Liverpool, areuly denonocing the bilL
Mr. TAY/2.a supported the resolution. Last year it was
a bill for equalisation of rules for the poor, but policy bad
induced the government to keep that question, oat of
might, although that would be its ultimate result'. It war
• step in direct opposition to local self-government and the
interlude of the ratepaying public, as the magistrates were
irresponsible men, and much more interested in a high than
• low rectal. (Rear.) The bill afforded no proper redress
is case of injustice, and all interested in local self•govern-
moot should make an energetic stand against it.
Mr. IYlrrAuoan, jun., was in possession of facts showing
that in many pariahs& the parochial assessment was 50 per
cent. under the property tax assuaturnt, and therefore did
not bear comparison with the high rating of Marylebone and
some other weetusil parishes ; and when they made a ery
about equalisation of poor rates, they seemed to forget Una
great difference of rating. (" Hear," and applause.) All the
parishes on the south aide of the Thames had their °Denby
rate too low. Ile had no doubt the public generally would
esrry on the opposition they bad by that meeting initiated
against a bill which must operate badly and most unjustly,
particularly upon the female ratepayers, a large number of
whom were in every parish.
Mr. NICROLAY warmly denounced the bill, which, be
said, was totally unnecessery, inasmuch as the ratepayers at
present were fully satisfied with the local government in the
matter of asseumeata, without any such officious ministerial
interference as was now sought.
Several other gentlemen having warmly supported the
resolution, it was put to the meeting and carried unani-
mously ; and it was resolved to communicate it to the mem-
bers for the borough, with a request for their • co-operation
in au opposition to the measure. It was she agreed to in-
vite the cooperation of the various metropolitan parishes in
opposition to the bill.

THE ENFRANCHISEMENT OF BIRKENHEAD.

Yesterday morning a highly-influential meeting
of the Lading merchants in the Birkenhead district was
held at the Woodside Hotel, for the purpose of receiving
the deputation appointed to wait upon Mr. John Laird, to
ascertain his views with regard to coming forward as a can-
didate, is the event of the measure introduced by the
go-
vernment pining into a law. The gentlemen forming the
deputation, consisting of James Beasley, P. IL Dove, Edwatd
Thompson, B. Derbyshire, J. Aspinail,. and W. Hadfield,
Fags. having yesterday morning waited upon J. Laird,
Esq.:attended the meeting at the above hotel, at half-part
IMO o'clock, when J. BLABLET, Esq.. VAS requested to
preside, in the absence of Mr. 8. Ledward, who was from
home.
The CHSIBILDI said, in compliance with the request ex-
at the prehminary meeting, held on Friday evening,
J. Aspics Mr. Derbyshire, and the other gentlemen,
waited upon Mr. Laird that morning, for the purpose of
bearing what that gentleman's sentiments really were on
the most popular subjects of the day. This was done in
consequence of some gentlemen having expressed a desire
to know what Mr. Land's political feelings were—whether
he was a bigoted conservative or moderate in his political
sentiments, and would support measures not men. As he
bad just stated, they waited upon Mr. eaird that morning,
and be had expo:weed his views brieflyon the most important
topics that were agitating the public mind. The first subject
to which be alluded was the church rates, that they all knew
had been much discussed in that township. It was a
vexed question, and Mr. Laird was of opinion that it was
one that should be settled on some permanent bails.
(Hear, bear.) He should like to ho a little more read up
before giving a decided opinion, but as a general principle,
he wished that protestant dissenters should enjoy every
toleration, and he was most decidedly opposed to their
being celled upon to pay for the support of a church which
they did not. attend. (Hear, beer.) In reference to foreign
politics, Mr. Laird expressed !aimed(' decidedly in favour of
non-intervention, and on that he would give his support to
Lord Palmerston's government. (timers.) Next, with re-
to the army end navy. )Ir. Laird was strongly in
favour of reducing the expenditure of both those depart-
mental; but he wished it to be distinctly understood not so
as to impair the efficiency of the country to repel any foreign
foe. (Cheers.) Hs (Mr. Lard) looked upon the volunteer
movement as a great means for making these reductions
with regard to the army and navy. He (the chairman)
thought they could not find a moreefficient man to represent
them than Mr. Laird. The great stake he hail in the ship-
ping interest would, in his (the chairman's) opinion, entitle
him to a meat at the Admiralty, and greet advantages
would be secured to the country from his experience.
in reducing the expenditure. (Cheers). With regard
to the inceme tax, Mr. Laird was of opinion that it
was most unequally assessed, as it was clear that
the trader paid more than his fair share, and
on that point he thought there should be a more
equitable adjustment of that measure. (Chasm.) With
regard to the election for Birkenhead, he said he should be
very sorry if there should be a fierce opposition to his re-
turn, or any bitter feeling displayed, and rather than
such should be the are, he would rather not come
forward.

DARRTIMME then moved the formation of a re-
quisition committee, and in doing so mid he had great
pleasure in supporting Mr. John Laird, with whom he had
worked at the Dock Board, and he did not think there
ociuki be found a more efficient man to represent them.
Mr. E. THOMPSON seconded the motion, which was un•-
nisnously adopted, and a committee was at once formed for
earying out the objects of the requisition.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMrITEES, &C. --STA NDINa
ORDIRa Cossime.—This committee at their first sitting
aura to the following decisions upon the reports presented
by the examiners, all to DOC14•011t/IICO with the standing
ceders :—That in the case of rho hyl ifirbour Bridge nod
Railway, the standing orders be dispensed with, melded
the promoters abandon the pilotage clauses and deposit
amended plans and swamis. Tbe mime decision was given
in the owe of the South Staffordshire Railway, and the
Frosterley and Stanhope Railway. The committee hare
also decWed in the case of the Uxbridge and Rickmausworth
Railway, and Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Railway that the
standing orders may be dispensed with, rind that the parties
may be permitted to proceed with their bills. The committee
have also decided that the standing orders ought not to be
d
with in the cue of the Cheltenham and Bourton-
c=ted r Railway, and Cowes and Newport (purebase of
quay, kc.), but that in the case of the manse areaway's bill
for exteesions, the orders may be dispensed with.
POLYTECHNIC IfieTITUTION.—MY. Ramadan is
giving his entertainment on " Old Roglieh Soap and Bal.
Tna.it_ALAAdinEt.isei—onOsszonSllpaarntieumot, Dag. —dit..7oobNy.
bai,"=illy at the Polytechnic Institution to crowded
and a audiences,
RACILY,NTAL
SIMMOR Mee* 523; total 1,8:30.