The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-25 00:00:00

TRADE WITH" THE WEST COAST OF

SOUTH AFRICA.

POST-OFFICE IMPEDIMENTS TO AUSTRA-
LIAN COMMUNICATION.

•_ _ _
Some time ago we stated that Mr. Hamilton, of Old
Hall-street, Liverpool, had chartered a vessel to convey
some iron bridge-girders to Aspinwall, for the use of the
Panama Railway, whose traffic is so rapidly increasing.
The girders were not ready for shipment by the barque
Hathorn, 445 tone, which had to be despatched on the
13th ; but as an evidence of the fast-growing trade be-
tween this country and the west coast, via the Isthmus,
it is worthy of remark that, though the Hathorn was
but a short time on the berth, and little care was taken
to make known ber intended departure for so unwonted
a destination (for a sailing ship), there were put on board
many hundred packages for the Pacific. These goods
will thus reach San Francisco, Valparaiso, Callao,
Guayaquil, and the other adjoining markets, most pro-
bably be disposed of, and further orders for fresh sup-
plies on the samples so sent be half-way back to England
again, before goods consigned by the route round the
Horn can have reached the west coast. The difference
in the cost of freight by Panama is scarcely appreciable
as compared with the gain of time, and the consequent
advantage of quick returns, by the Isthmus. Strange
enough, however, just as the superiority of this route
for rapid intercommunication is becoming apparent to
the mercantile world, and just as it becomes doubly de-
sirable that, by widely spreading the knowledge of these
facts, private enterprise should be stimulated to do by
way of the Isthmus what the Government of England
will do no way at all, namely, open a direct postal route
between England and our Australian and New Zealand
dependencies, the authorities at St. Martin's-le-Grand,
with the extraordinary infatuation which has recently
marked their pe►formances, have loaded all journals sent
via Panama with an additional rate of 2d., which, i❑ the
ease of newspapers, virtually amounts to a prohibition.
Thus, if our fellow-citizens on the other side of the great
American continent, from the extremity of Chili to
Vancouver's Island, and in our immense possessions
iu the Southern Ocean, would know what is going
ou in the mother country, they must pay an enor-
mous additional rate on their papers, or else be content
to receive the news after being ventilated by a voyage
of a third of the globe additional. But it is not oven
optional with them to make a selection. The additional
2d. must be prepaid, or else the paper goes round the
world by either Cape. Observe the hardship of
this. Hundreds in Australia and along the west coast
subscribe in advance the ordinary st►pulated sum for
their papers by the year, or two or three years, as the
ease may be. Suddenly one-half the cost of the paper is
added in the shape of postage. What is the English news-
vendor to dog If he pays the postage he knows not if
his subscriber will be willing to reimburse him ; if he
does not pay it he knows that his subscriber is placed at
a most serious disadvantage in receiving news—it may
be of the most ♦ital consequence in commercial matters
—from three to perhaps three times three weeks staler
than his rival in business, who is provided with intelli-
gence transmitted through the Isthmus. The excuse for
this new tax is the heavy expense of the Panama transit.
But in truth it is to mitigate some of the consequences in
loss of revenue occasioned by that incredible bunder
pointed out by Sir Cusack Roney in his late correspondence
with Mr. Rowland Hill. On the abolition of the penny
impressed stamp, except for postal purposes, the authori-
ties, so far from giving the colonies any scheme, which
was perfectly unintelligible, except in this one particu-
lar—viz , that the Canadian, West Indian, Austra-
lian, and other analogous readers of English journals
would thenceforth have to pay some 70 to 100 per cent.
more for his paper than before the alteration. Shamed
out of this absurdity and injustice, though not without
a stout defence of the plan, a la mode ele Balalclai•a, as
a piece of superlative wisdom and equity, St. Martin's-
le-Grand rushed into the opposite extreme, and struck
off both impressed and affixed stamp ; so that, while it
cost lid. to reoeive a London morning newspaper by
post in Liverpool, it was carried to the antipodes for no-
thing, as also to many parts of the European Conti-
nent. The preposterous sacrifice of revenue thus occa-
sioned was also demonstrated by the gentleman just
named ; but as he had secured his point in reference to
Canada, he cared not to continue the exposure. After
a while the authorities, calculating on the obliviousness
of the public, or careless as to whether the blunder were
remembered or not, revoked their folly to the extent of
imposing id. on every English paper delivered in the
colonies. But there is a combinat►on of the two ori-
ginal blunders, and a supervening third one, in the ex-
pedient now hit upon. The public are told that the right
way to send papers to certain parts is by Panama ; but,
in the same breath, it is announced that a fiscal barrier
is erected across the Isthmus, and that, without paying
this monstrous 2d., old news, and old news only, can be
received in the parts enumerated, some of them the most
important in the possession of the British Crown. Re-
pulsive as is the aspect the matter wears now, its pro-
spective features threaten to be still more obnoxious.
Though successive Colonial Ministers, Mr. Labouchere
included, have treated the question of direct steam coin-
munication with the Pacific as if no such places as Aus-
tralia and new Zealand existed, it is gratifying to know
that, both here and in the United States, and at Auck-
land, Melbourne, and at Sydney, progress is being made
in the organisation of means that shall give regular
and frequent despatches of mails and passengers be-
tween England and the antipodes, via the Isthmus.
But in proportion as this design is carried out, so will
the disadvantages increase to those who will not pay
the 2d. ; for as the transmission of news direct is acce-
lerated, so will news by the old round-about route
of the Capes wax more and more antiquated by com-
parison. That the pretence of the Panama Rail-
way tariff being the cause of 'the additional 2d.
is obviously absurd is proved by the fact that the New
York merchants find it cheaper to forward such bulky
and ponderous articles as coal and building materials,
and to receive coffee, pearl-shells, dye-woods, and all the
west coast produce across the isthmus, instead of in
sailing ♦essels by the Horn. Such being the case, it is
rather too great a strain on our credulity to be assured
that the British mail bags must be lightened, or those
interested in their contents mulcted in the fashion that
is to come into operation on the Ist of January next.
The Royal West India Mail Company now run their
boats to Colin, or Aspinwall, as the Americans call it,
and will soon, probably, complete the other half of the
service from the Panama side of the Isthmus to Mel-
bourne and Sydney, as they have such ample resources
and facilities of doing. But at present they ask for no
increase of remuneration for the existing moiety ; and
the least our British Post-office might do would be to
wait till such claim upon them affords some apparent
justification for their claim ou the public.—Liverpool
Albion of yesterday.

CS
BS

PARISH OF ST. BOTOLPH, BISHOPS-

GATE.

Yesterday a vestry meeting of the inhabitants of this
parish was held in the vestry-room, for the purpose of
l making a church rate, in pursuance of an Act of Partia-
ment, made and passed in the sixth year of the reign of
to
sf his Majesty King George the Fourth, chap. 176, and for
the transaction of other business connected with the
o
parish; the Rev. Dr. Russell, the rector of the parish,
le
a presided.
3T 4 The CFIAIRILAN said the first business on the paper was
the making a church rate, and ho had the satisfaction of
9.
stating to the meeting that for the next 10 years the
h•
t. 'i rate would be 100 guineas less than it had been for the
r-
10 years preceding, and 525/. less than it was when he
r-
first came to the parish. The rate, as they must be
as
aware, was made under an Act of Parliament. The
al churchwardens had the 'slaking of it, but they must do
h o in public vestry.
Mr. PERRY said, so far as the commutation of tithes
a
d was concerned in reference to the act referred to, the
churchwardens could no doubt levy a rate, but he denied
s,
it that without the authority and sanction of the vestry
assembled they could do so in respect of any expenses
r-
relative to the conducting of the worship of the church,
-;-
is such as the payment of organist, pew-openers, and so
). forth.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the whole of the sum now
o
levied as church-rate, was so levied under the Act of Par-
s-
h
)f at:tient for commuting the tithes of the parish. By that
act it was ordained that a sufficient assessment should be
IT
made, to cover the sum 2,5001., which had been corn-
y
muted in the shape of the tithes of the parish, end
d therefore it was not an assessment on the inhabitants,
)1 but it was only carrying out the requirements of the
A act. Since he had come into the parish the sum had
r. been reduced by 5251.
No. Mr. PERRY still thought that the commutation of the
tithe had nothing whatever to do with the conducting of
if the public worship in the church. That was a matter
if which appertained exclusively to the inhabitants, and it
i• ' was for them in vestry assembled to sanction such ex.
E enditure.

Mr. ABILIIIAIIS was of the same opinion. The act of
Parliament merely related to the commutation of tithe
in respect of the rector ; it had nothing whatever to do
with the other expenses of conducting public worship in
the church. However, as they bad appointed, last
Easter, the officials for whose benefit a portion of the
rate now demanded was to be apportioned, he thought
they could not do otherwise than provide for the pay-
ment of them.
Mr. BRIGGS, the churchwarden, said the rate wag
yearly decreasing, as during the past year it had been
fivepence and fourpence in the pound per quarter, it
was now only intended to ask a rate of three-pence in
the pound.
A rate of threepence in the pound for the purposes
required was accordingly agreed to.
Mr. Pxaay gave notice that at next meeting he would
make a motion to the effect that all sums appertaining to
the expenditure consequent on the celebration of public
worship in the church be separated from the general
vote taken for that purpose, under the Act for the Com-
mutation of Tithes.
giThe CIIIMICKWARDEN then said that he bad next to ask
the vestry to vote him a rate for the relief of the poor
for the current quarter. He was sorry to say that such
rate would be somewhat high, as he found they would
require to strike a rate to the extent of ls. sd. in the
pound. He had also the disagreeable intelligence to
give them that next quarter there was every probability
of the rate being higher.
After some discussion the rate was agreed to ; and
the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Dr.
Russell, for his conduct in the chair.

THE ROI3BEHY Or JEWELL/RT. AT PORTSMOUTH.--A
reply to a❑ application of the mayor and magistrates of
Portsmouth was received yesterday (Sunday) from the
Home Secretary, tc the effect that her Majesty's pardon
would be eVended to any accomplice in the late burglary
at Messrs. Emmanuel's of that port, who shall give such
information as shall lead to the conviction of the offender
or offenders. This is an addition to the 100/. reward.

MEDICAL OFFICERS UNDER THE

BOARD OF HEALTH.

The following instructions from the General Board of
Health to local boards on the duties and qualifications of
medical officers of health tnay he useful in relation to the
pending choice of officers of health by the new metropo-
litan authorities
"The officer of health is appointed in order that through
him the local sanitary authority may be duly informed of
such influences as are acting against the healthiness of the
population of his district, and of such steps as medical
science can advise for their removal ; secondly, to exe-
cute such special functions as may devolve upon him by
the statute under which he is appointed ; and thirdly, to
contribute to that general stock of knowledge with regard
to the sanitary condition of the people and to the pre-
ventible causes of sickness and mortality which, when
collected, inethodised, and reported to Parliament by the
General Board of Health, may guide the Legislature in
the extension and amendment of sanitary law.
" The duties of the officer of health will be to the fol-
lowing effect :
" 1. He will make himself familiar with the natural
and acquired features of the place, with the social and
previous sanitary state of its population, and with all
its existing provisions for health—namely, with the
levels, inclinations, soil, wells, and watersprings of the
district ; with its meteorological peculiarities ; with the
distribution of its buildings, and open spaces, paved or
linpaved, of its burial-grounds and lay-stalls • with the
plan of its drains, sewers, and water supply ; with
the nature of its manufacturing and other industrial
establishments ; with the house accommodation of the
poorer classes, and their opportunities for bathing and
washing ; with the arrangements for burial of the
dead, and with the regulations in force for lodging-
houses and slaughtering-places, for the cleansing of pub-
lic ways and markets, and for the removal of domestic
refuse. And if he be the first officer of health appointed
in his district he will, without unnecessary delay, fur-
nish to the local authority a connected account of these
matters so far as they relate to the public health, mak-
ing thereon such practical suggestions as he may think
applicable.
"2. He will invite communications relating to the
sanitary wants of the district from the resident clergy,
the medical practitioners, registrars, relieving officers,
and other persons or societies engaged in the visitation
of the poor.
" 8, He will take the best means in his power to be-
come acquainted from week to week, and in times of
severe disease from day to day, with the deaths and
sicknesses in his district ; and he will inquire to what
extent they have depended on removable causes.
"4. With the assistance of such subordinate officers
as the local board may empower him to direct and su-
perintend he will watch his district, taking care to
bring its several parts under examination as often as
their sanitary circumstances shall require, and especially
observing those places which have previously given oc-
casion of complaint, or been subject to sickness. He
will inquire as to the cleanly, wholesome and weather-
proof condition of houses ; as to their due ventilation
and not overcrowded condition ; as to the efficiency of
their drainage and water supply ; and as to the absence
of dampness and offensive effluvia in and about them.
He will examine from time to time the drinking waters
of the place, and will observe whether provisions are
offered for sale in any damaged or adulterated state
that is hurtful or illegal. He will occasionally visit all
burial-places, and see whether they give any ground for
complaint, and he will habitually observe the slaughter-
ing-houses of the district and other industrial establish-
ments which are liable to emit offensive (especially
animal) effluvia.
"5. He will report to the local board weekly, annu-
ally, and at such intervening times as may require it :
" Weekly, on all deaths (classified according to age,
cause, and locality), and, so far as may be practicable,
on all important sickness of the district ; on such
newly-observed unwholesome conditions as the local
board can remove; and on the completion, progress,
or neglect of improvement in matters previously re-
ported on.
" Annually, on the sanitary transactions of the year
(especially as to the removal of former evils, or the crea-
tion of new establishments for sanitary purposes), on
whatever incidental changes have been wrought in the
physical state of the district, and on the sickness, mor-
tality, and atmospheric conditions of the period—using
for these reports, as far as convenient, tabular forms and
other compendious arrangements ; and in every case
where he refers to an existing evil, stating what sanitary
rule, measure, or appliance he deems best for its mitiga-
tion.

" 6. He will attend the local board when required,
will be present at some convenient appointed place as
often as may be needful for the receiving of complaints,
and in whatever is to be done for the abatement of un-
wholesome conditions will give all fitting instructions,
superintendence, and aid.
" For the proper performance of these duties special
qualifications in science are required. These lie in pa-
thology, including vital statistics, and in chemistry,
with natural philosophy.
"In pathology, because the science implies an exact
study of the causes of disease in their relation to the
living body—a study of what they are, and how they
act, and why they seem to vary in operation.
" In vital statistics (properly a section of pathology),
because by analysing the composition of various death
rates, and by learning how the pressure of particular
diseases differs under different circumstances of climate,
season, dwelling, age, sex, and occupation, definite
standards of comparison are gained, without which the
officer of health could not estimate the healthiness or un-
healthiness of the population under his cherge.
"In chemistry (accompanied by microscopical obser-
vation), because without such aid there can be no accu-
rate judgment as to the impurities of air and water, dan-
gerous impregnations of soil, or poisonous admixtures in
food ; and because the same science also guides the ap-
plication of deodorising and disinfectant agents.
"In natural philosophy, because many nuisances are
traced, and many questions as to ventilation and over-
crowding are answered by its laws ; further, because by
its aid, the officer of health studies the atmospheric
changes, and learns the climate of his district, important
steps in proceeding to speak of its diseases ; and finally,
because natural philosophy, in conjunction with chemis-
try, renders him competent to report on many manufac-
turing processes alleged to be hurtful to health, and on
the sufficiency of such means as are employed to reduce
the evils ascribed to them.
" The branches of knowledge here spoken of are parts
of every extended medical education, for curative and
preventive medicine are founded on a common basis ;
but they are not the parts which have most direct rela-
tion to the treatment of disease. The most distinguished
practitioner of a neighbourhood may, indeed, happen to
be alsci the person best qualified for a sanitary appoint-
ment ; but the reverse must often be the case, for not
all members of the medical profession can afford equal
leisure to cultivate those distinctive studies ; and it will
imply no disparagement of men, actively and skilfully
engaged in the treatment of disease, if the special quali-
fications in question should sometimes be found in other
members of their profession rather than in them.
" On the other hand, it is important for local boards
to know that the best training for the general duties of
the medical profession is also the best training for the
duties of an officer of health ; and, in choosing among
candidates, who have not previously held sanitary ap-
pointments, those who have to elect may properly lest
on the evidences of general aptitude for a medical career,
especially where testifying to methodical and industri-
ous habits, to competent powers, with some previous
discipline in scientific observations, to sober judgment,
and to thorough conscientiousness in the investigation
and statement of facts.
" The duties of au officer of health will not usually be
inconsistent with his devoting a portion of his time to
certain other professional engagements. But, where pos-
sible, it will be well to debar him from the private prac-
tice of his profession-1, because the claims of such
practice would be constantly adverse to those of his
public appointment, the duties of which (especially at
times of epidemic disease, when his official activity would
be most needed) private practice could scarcely fail to
interrupt and embarrass ; 2, because the personal rela.
tions of private practice might render it difficult for him
to fulfil his frequent functions of complaint ; and 3, be-
cause with a view to the cordial goodwill and co-opera-
tion of his medical brethren, it is of paramount import-
ance that the officer of health should not be their rival
in practice, and that his opportunities of admonitory in-
tercourse with sick families should not even be liable to
abuse for the purposes of professional competition.
" Objections of this nature will not generally hold
against the officer of health being professionally con-
nected with the medical school or hospital of his town.
Provided such engagements are not of too engrossing an
amount, its will conduce to the efficiency and estimation
of an officer of health that ho be thus kept conversant
with the practical aspects of his profession, and have
given some security- for keeping pace with its scientific
progress.
" It may happen that the extent of duty to be re-
quired from the officer of health in a particular district
would not justify the local board in allotting such a
salary to the office as would enable its holder to dispense
with the income derivable from private practice. But
in cases of this description the object would be equally
fulfilled if the local boards of neighbouring towns or
districts would combine in engaging and remunerating a
properly qualified person, on the understanding that he
should be precluded from private practice, and should
act as officer of health for the two or more boards con-
curring in the appointment.
" Dec. 20." " W. COWPER, President.