The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-18 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 18, 1861.

ADMIRAL FITZROY ON THE WARNINGS
WHICH PRECEDED THE LATE GALE.

THE 'PAROCHIAL AssEssimers BILL

The Bill to amend the Law relating to Parochial
Assaluneets al England, introduced into parliament by Sir
• Cones Lewis and Mr. Clive, has just been printed.
The pleamble of the bill, after reciting the Parochial
itoremmeete Act of the 6th and 7th William IV., cap. US,
and that of the 16th and pith Victoria, cap. 81, to -
date and sinned the statutes relating to the and
collection of county rates in England and Wales, states that
it is expedient that some more effectual provision should be
made for establishing one uniform mode of rating for the re-
lief of the poor in England, and assessing county rates. Clause
1 is merely as to the interpretation of terms, whilst clause 2
proposes to repeal the two acts referred to in the preamble,
the existing Parochial Assesameute Acts. But whilst these
acts are to be repealed, the third section provides that in
making amassment' the existing rule of rating shall be coo-
tiuued, viz. That every rate for the relief of the poor I
shall be made upon an estimate of the net annual value of
the several hereditanienta rated thereunto (that is to Day),
of the rent at which the same might reasonably be expected to '
let from year to year, free of all usual tanantie rates and taxep,
and tithe commutation rent charge, and deducting there-
from the probable average annual cost of the repairs, issue-
saes, sad other expeoace, if any, necessary to maintain
them rsotate to command such rent, and the net animal
value "WI be estimated accordingly under the provisions
of this act." Clause 4 is the one which will no doubt
smite the opposition of the parishes. It proposes " That this
pudica of the peace for every county shell, at the Michael-
mes quarter maidens after the commencement of this act, or
at scene adjournment of such Deadens, appoint any Dumber
of sucklentioes, not lea than lye nor more than eleven, •'
to be a bard, to be called the assessment Viotti for such
county for the anpervision and control of the valuations to
be made as hereinafter mentioned within such county, and
for the perfumeries of sulk other acts and 'duties as here-
inafter directed." Scythia 5 giros power to Jonas to '
point such assessment board at subserit quarter sew
stone, and to fill up vacancies caused by death or otherwise.
The councils of boroughs not subject to be reseed to any
county rate have the power of appointing an assessment
board tram their council, criesistang of not less than four
or mono than ten members, at their first quarterly meeting
after the paining of the act, and to All up vacancies from
time totiase. Clauses 8 and 9 enact that when there are
lass than five justices they am to constitute the board, and
pores all the powers of a board ; whilst 'setae 10 de-
clares that the authority of such justice@ shall extend over
every pariah locally situate within their county not being
within any borough for which an assessment board is au-
, *Grimed, and the authority of the bard appointed for a
henivilt to extend over every perish within such borough.
Sections 11, 12, and 13 provide for the holding of meet-
toga, and the members forming the quorum of such emcee-
meet boards, not being less than three, and give than
power to appoint and receive such clerks, surveyors, valuers,
and other officers, is they think necessary for the execution
of the act, and assign and allow salaries, wages, and remu-
neration to such officers respectively. It will be seen,
therefore, that thim clause will not only plate a large amount
of patronage in the hands of the several assessment boards,
but involve the several districts in a large amount of extra
taxation fur services of officials. Section 14 provides that the
proosedisga of the respective boards shall be entered in
minute books kept by the clerk of each board, to
be used as evidence, and to be opened for in-
spection, and the taking of extract therefrom by persons
rated or liable to be rated to the relief of the poor or county
rata, at reasonable times. By section 15, boards, so aeon
as vibration lista of the rateable property in parishes,
kc., shall have been made and approved by them,
shall send to the Secretary of State a report of their pro.
Deeding', epeelfying each of each parish and place, and the
total net penal value of the property therein, and shall, in
the month of January iu each year, send to one of such
principal Secretaries of Stale a report, showing the total net
annual value, according to the valuation in force, of the
'stable property in such parishes and places under their
control. Section 16 empowers each assessment board to
order from tune to time, from overseers and other persons
having the custody of any books of assessment of any taxes
citrates, parliamentary or otherwise, returns of the mina-
Peet et an pariah, and may require the production of rates,
and the parties on oath ; and clause 17 compels
sock eireneers to prepare valuation Este within three
months after the appointment of the board. Clause 18
Is calculated to involve the parishes in an enormous
amount of expenditure, as the assessment boards have the
power of ordering at pleasure Dew valuations of parishes
and districts, and appointing persons either to revise or make
sew plans or maps and carry out such valuations ; sod
clause 18 directs that such list shall be &peeked at a place
notified by the overseers for inspection, and at the expira-
tion of fourteen days such valuation list is to be trans-
mitted to the board.' By section 20 any person who may
kit himself aggrieved by any valuation list on the =
of unfairness or incorrectness in the valtatien et hie
temente, may, at any time before the expiration of four-
teen day. after the valuation list has been transmitted to
the board, give notice of such objections ; and by section 21
the board', after giving 28 days' notice, are to hold meetings
lobar such objections, and by the section following the
boards have power to direct further valuations,
and when corrected to approve the same. Clauses
ZI and 24 relate to appeals to quarter mi-
nions against valuation lists on questions of
principle, and the court have power to remit or alter such
valuations when they see fit, and the authority of stating a
case for the opinion of the Court of Queen's Bench, such
valuation lists when nettled to be considered an the valua-
tion lists until a new valuation list is substituted ; and by
section 28 the boards may direct new valuations and Dew
supplemental valuation lists at any time. Section 30 enacts
that after a valuation hat is approved no rate is to be
allowed unless made according to such list. Sections 32
and 5.3 declare that county and borough rates shall be
assessed according to Dot annual value, and that in such
assessments the valuation list shall be conclusive as to
amount of net annual value ; and clause 34 dates that
shin act shall not prevent a compensation for rata.
The boards are by section 35 empowered to make
spatial exemptions from rata; and by section 36, where
appeal" on objections are just, the bards have power to
award costs, and rite rerad ; and by the next section the
boards may allow compensation for returns ; and waken
38 and 39' authorise the payment of salaries, wages, do.,
to officers, and empower the boards to mailer's" money
to be borrowed to pay certain expenses. Clause 40 gives
power to overseers, c., to enter upon land" and premises
for making surveys and valuations, and a penalty for ob.
structing overseers. dc., in such surveys of 51. in each MO
may be enforced by the next section. By action 42 any
mason who wilfully refuses to attend in obedience to any
lawful order of the assessment boards, or withholds or re-
fuees to produce any rate-book, document, kr , is deemed
guilty of a misdemeanour ; and any one who, upon examine-
tion upon oath, gives false evidence, is to be deemed guilty
of, and will be subject to the pinatas of, wilful and cor-
rupt
,perjury. By sections 43, 44,45, and 46, persons are to
be allowed to take copies or extracts from rata gratia, COO-
stables are boned to execute orders of the boards, and to
authenticate services of notices, either by post or otherwise.
By section 47, until the valuation of the new lists under the
act have been approved, the assessments are to coutimie
oil the basis of the present Parochial Assessmenta Act.
Claim 48 enacts that all powers shall be good and effectual
for messing, levying, collecting, and ensoraing payment of
rates, and carrying the act into execution. Clause 49
enacts that the act shall only extend to England, and the
50th and last section enacts that the act shall take effect on
the Ist day of September, 1861.

LONDON FEVER lIOBPITAL.—The fig ninth meet-
ing of this institution was held on Friday a , at the
Freemasons' Tavern ; the Right Hon. Lord Moetag
Adept, took the chair. Among those preempt werriirett
Owen, Esq. (Hoc. See.) John H. Allem, Fag., (3. Q Also,
Esq., James Bennett, N. G. Buchanan, &C.,
Beery J. Hodgson, Esq., T. M.D., J. 11.
Jones, Esq., N.D., Southwood Smith, Esq., N.D. (sue el
Biophysicists. of the hospital), and George Reed, Fag.
(reudent medical officer). Dr. Southwood smith read the
report, which showed that the number of patients re-
=sifting in the hospital on the 31st of December, 1859,
was : Affected with typhoid fever, 7 ; scarlet fever, 18 ;
ether diseases, B—total, 33. The number of patients ad-
mitted daring the ear 1860 was; Typhus fever, 25;
typhoid fever, 1M ; fe , 32 ; scarlet fever, 96 ; other
diseases, 144—total, 391. Of those there were dis-
charged recovered : from typhus fever, 15 ;
83 ; febriseler, 31; marl= fever, 97 ; total, 328. =id,
er seat to other les=tals :2lbtpkuid fever, 2 ; other diseases,
1; total, 3. Died fr= ty us, 10 ; typhoid, 27 ; scarlet
fever, 12 ; other diseases, ; total, 78. Remaining in the
hospital, December 31, 1880 : Typhoid, 9 ; scarlet fever, 5 ;
other diseases, 3 total, 17. The report also stated that
there had been a steady decree= ia the prevaleeee of fever
in the metropolis during the last three years, but it did not
therefore follow that it night not again, and suddenly,
become epidemic. Fluctuation was one of the most
striking characteristics of this disease. The monthly
atheirssoes indicated a remarkable evenness in the pre-
valence of fever during the put year. The daily
average number of patients in the hospital during the
past year was 30. In 247 only of the total admissions were
the tut* characteristic marks of fever present, so that the
large proportion of 144 must be considered labouring
under as
er some other form of acute disease of which fever was
the umesquesee, not the case. Of the whole number of
admissions, 127, or nearly one-third, have been domestic
servants. This class of patients were, fur the most part,
in a better state of health than a greater number of the
general patient., and the mortality is proportionately lees.
By tie prompt removal of these servants into the ward., of
the hospital, 127 families had been at once relieved from the
demister• aaziety, and danger inseparable from an outbreak
of fever at their bowies. The balancetheet showed that
the ballutee in band at the commencement of the year was
• Ai.: the total expenses had been 2,128/. 18s. 10d. ;
sad &we was sow a balsam of Mi. 17s. 241. due to the
treemer.