The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-01 00:00:00

TURNPIKE TRUSTS.—A Parliamentary return, obtained
by Sir W. Jolliffe, M.P., as to turnpike trusts, has been
published, showing the receipts, expenditure, and debt
in England and North Wales from 1834 to 1850. The
tolls have decreased from 1,400,0611. in 1834, to
1,082,616/. in 1815. The total receipts in 1834 were
1,707,2921., and in 1850 1,159,8491. In 1834 the ex-
penditure was 1,654,4881., and in 1850 1,156,5391. The
bonded bebt in 1834 was 6,845,5441. when the interest
unpaid was 974,6581., while in 1850 the debt was
6,236,4961., and the unpaid interest 1,574,5601.
THE VALE or THE TRENT.—Few except those who
know well the fine vale of the Trent, which is one of the
richest and most beautiful sweeps of pasture land, can
form any idea of the dreary picture it presented during
the flood. The course of the magnificent stream, which
winds its silvery way through scenery exceedingly pictu-
resque, was not traceable, and all that met the eye was
one vast sweep of water, which, but for the trees and the
tops of the hedge-rows rising above the surface, a stranger
to the country might mistake for a sea.
THE LAW OF EVIDENCE.—An important bill to amend
the law of evidence has just been printed by order of
the House of Lords. Husbands and wives are to be
examined, except in criminal or adultery cases, as well
as all parties to actions, but communications between
husband and wife during marriage are not to be disclosed.
Cases may be tried at nisi prius without a jury. Further,
it is proposed that costs may be awarded to a prisoner
indicted and acquitted.
PLYMOUTH, Nov. 29.—The royal mail general screw
steam-ship Mauritius, Captain B. J. Elder, for Cape de
Verds, Ascension, Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Cey-
lon, Madras, and Calcutta, left here to-day, at two
o'clock, with the mails and a general cargo, after having
had her engines adjusted, and taken in coals, in the
Hamoaze. She takes out a good general cargo, and a
very heavy mail, including all letters and papers that
reached Plymouth by the north mail this afternoon.
THE EFFECT OF WHAT IS "LOOMING IN THE FUTURE."
—A rumour having got abroad as to the Chancellor of the
Exchequer's intention to propose certain changes in
Parliament by which the duties upon whisky and rum
would be increased, a sort of panic has arisen in the spirit
trade. For the last few days the dealers in Glasgow
have been paying duties upon their stock in bond, and
at Greenock on Thursday, besides a considerable sum
from Paisley, there were several thousands of pounds
paid into the Excise and Customs. The steamer Duke
of Cornwall, which arrived last night from Campbel-
town, was full of whisky above and below, there being
scarcely room left on her deck to move between the
casks. It is said .
to be the intention of Government to
equalise the duties this country and England, raising
the one and lowering the other. There were also
rumours afloat that foreign shoes, paper, glass, timber,
and several other articles paying duties to a large extent
under the Customs and Excise, are to occupy places in
the Budget among those from which the taxes are to be
removed.—Greenock paper.
ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN GOLD.—The Nestor and
the Glenbervie have arrived from Sydney, New South
Wales. The former brought 12,295 oz. of gold, valued
at 49,1801. ; the latter had no gold on board. The
Stata, from Port Philip, has also arrived, but she does
not bring any remittances in the shape of gold.