The Express.
London, England, 1868-08-01 00:00:00

REMOVING TOLL OATES.

Am animated contest is in course of progress at
Dunkeld, N. B. The populations of Birnam and
Dunkeld are on the one side, the representatives of
the Duke of ATHOLZ on the other, the course of
fray some obnoxious toll-gates, and the place of
battle a bridge. When a former Duke of Anima
erected the present bridge of Dunkeld, it was with
the understanding ensured by Act of Parliament,
that he should levy tolls until its coat had been de-
frayed. This, it is maintained, has been done
long ago. The accumulated sums received
from horses, carriages, and pedestrians since
the bridge was built, have, it is insisted,
re-cooped its coat, and left a handsome
margin over, notwithstanding which the toll
continues to be levied. It is this alleged breach of
faith which has produced a small civil war. The
once dreaded name of REBZOCA has made its ap-
pearance in the north. The bridge gates have
been destroyed by an indignant mob, and
have been replaced and guarded by the
determined bridge trustees. The leader of
the destroying party is a fugitive among
the hills, but, thanks to the encourage-
ment and sympathy of the entire district, is able to
laugh at the police. Meanwhile the people are
passing over Dunkeld-bridge by thousands, and
flatly refusing to pay toll. They ask to be prose-
cuted, and that the assumed power to levy a fine
may be enforced. The new toll-gates just put
up have been repeatedly threatened by a cla-
morous crowd; and were only saved a few
evenings since by the personal interposition of a
popular local magnate. The case of the public is
simply that when the Duke of ArnoLz of his day
determined to erect the present family
residence, he thought it necessary to shut
up a right of way the Dunkeldiana
had enjoyed from time immemorial. In
compensation, he built this bridge over
the Tay continuing the road southward, and
formingthe mail route to the north. The people of
Dunkeld complain that they can obtain no state-
ment of accounts from the agents of the present
duke, and that, as the bridge has long since paid
for itself, it is now public property by law. The
last stage of the quarrel is that a threatening
crowd was dispersed by the promise that these
accounts should be forthcoming. If, say these
sturdy Scots, the balance is seen to be against us,
we will pay toll peaceably until it is wiped out.
But if, as we believe, the bridge receipts are in
our favour, we will continue to destroy its gates
and refuse its tolls until the question is settled
by law. To this end vast crowds meet almost
nightly, and it will be curious to see whether the
public or the duke has to give in.

Ix the course of the Parliamentary Session
which closed yesterday, the House of Commons
" divided" 168 times. The measure respecting
which this last appeal was ofteneet made, was
the Election Petitions Bill, the discussions
thereon leading to no less than 32
divisions. Thirteen times did the House
vote upon the Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Bill
before the measure was withdrawn. The Scotch
Reform Bill sent hon. gentlemen into the lobbies
on ten occasions ; the Irish Reform Bill on nine.
The divisions at the various stages of the Esta-
blished Church (Ireland) Bill were seven in all.

THE Eight Hours' Act is now in force in the
Government establishments of the United States.
On the 20th instant the following order from the
War Department was published at Washington :
Congress having enacted June 26, 1868, that "eight
hours shall constitute a day's work for aU labourers, work.