The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-31 00:00:00

whole the system had worked smoothly since the
first three months.

To Mr. Lowe—Upon goods not paying duty, and
having no unit of entry, tf e statistics of entry were
not satisfactory. If importers were r. quired to
produce the invoices and bills of lading, the collec-
tion of statistics would be facilitated; but although
the Board of Customs had now the power to require
the Foduction of these documents, it had never
been exercised, and he should be very unwilling to
' recommend it. The merchants would consider such
a requirement as inquisitorial and causing loss of
time. It was true that the statistics were collected
chiefly for the benefit of those who were required
to give the information, but he thought it would be
impossible to induce them to produce the original
documents. If the unit of entry was extended, and
the requirements of the Board of Trade were modi-
fied, he thought sufficiently accurate statistics could
be obtained.

To Mr. Dalglish—He thought that the present
mode of obtaining information was better than re-
moving the tax and rendering importers liable to
penalties in case of incorrect returns.
To Mr. W. 0. Foster—The vexation and trouble
arising from these charges were traceable rather to
the necessity of obtaining information for statistics,
and not from the payment of money; but there
were very few complaints now made.
To Mr. Lowe—The extension of the unit of entry
to an imports would put a stop to many frauds in
passing dutiable goods as free goods.
Sir T. Fremantle was then examined by the Chair-
man in reference to the ls. 6d. stamped bill of
lading upon exports, and stated his belief that the
system had tended to. increase the value of the
statistical returns of exports, the Customs officers
being able to compare the different bills of lading,
or shipping bills, with the ship's manifest.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock until
Friday, the 13th of June.

THE IMMORALITIES OF THE HAY-
MARKET.

A numerous deputation, composed of noblemen,
clergymen, and tradesmen of the district surround-
ing the Haymarket, waited on Si:. S. Grey, yester-
day afternoon, for the purpose of calling his atten-
tion to the disorder and immoralities prevailing in
the Haymarket and neighbourhood.

Lord CALTHORPE introduced the deputation, and
stated that their object was to lay before Sir George
Grey a memorial regarding the vices and immorali-
ties which prevailed in the Haymarket. He would
be glad if the interview should result in the dimi-
nution of the evils of which the deputation. com-
plained.

Dr. H. YATES then addressed the Home Secre-
tary, and stated that he had letters from the Earl of
Shaftesbury and Sir C. Eardley, regretting that
they could not accompany the deputation, but ex-
pressing their concurrence in the efforts now being
made to abate the evils in and around the Hay-
market. Dr. Yates then read a memorial, numer-
ously signed, which set forth the great prevalence
of prostitution in the Haymarket and the surround-
ing thoroughfares, and in Marylebone and Isling-
ton. The prostitution the memorialists attributed
to the great number of brothels, gin palaces, oyster
rooms, refreshment houses, low dancing and concert
rooms, and casinos in the various localities. The
memorial went on to say that the proprietors of
licensed houses encouraged prostitutes to assemble
in such houses, more particularly after 12 o'clock,
when the casinos were closed. It was suggested
that it would be advisable to compel the proprie•
tors of public houses and refreshment rooms to close
their houses between the hours of one and four, or
one and five in the morning. If the present laws
were not sufficient to secure that result the memo-
rialists prayed the Government to introduce a bill
which would be sufficient if not entirely to remove
the nuisances at least to mitigate them. Dr. Yates
then said the deputation represented all denomina-
tions of the community. It would have been easy
to have procured the signatures of thousands of
persons in the districts he had mentioned. A feel-
ing had been exhibited in the minds of the public
that the time was come when something' must be
done to do away with a public scandal and a great
shame to the nation.

Sir G. GRET remarked that in the memorial, it
was stated that the evils were unrestrained of which
they complained. Did the memorialists mean that
the evil was unrestrained in the streets or in the
houses ?
A number of voices—ln both.

The Rev. G. DAVIS stated that ho and others had
visited the refreshment houses which were so much
complained of. He believed these houses were on
the increase. The reverend gentleman having de-
scribed some of the dancing rooms he had visited,
said he had afterwards gone to the Haymarket,
where he had seen crowds of women who had left
casinos and concert-rooms. These women were soli-
citing passengers. The speaker aftewards went into
several of the night-houses, where he found more
prostitutes, who accosted every gentleman who
came in.

Sir G. GREY said there was no doubt about the
evil, but the question was how far the present laws
were applicable to the case, and what new laws it
would be necessary to pass in order that the evil
might be met. With regard to the closing of houses,
as the deputation suggested, that would require a
modification of the existing law. As regarded the
houses that were brothels, the existing law could
deal with them, and he would like to know what
steps had been taken to put those laws in force.
A member of the deputation said the holders of
certain houses evaded the law by not taking out a
license.

Mr. CLARKE, of Jermyn-street, said he was en-
gaged by the parish authorities in prosecuting the
brothel-keepers. The result was, that several of
the brothels had been shut up, and their keepers
were suffering imprisonment.

Sir G. GREY said as regarded the houses that
took out licenses, their excuse, when they were
charged with harbouring prostitutes, was that they
did not know it. There was no doubt they
did know it. He had in one ease institutedapealed
proceedings, and a conviction had followed.
That conviction had, however, been p
against, and the ease was now before the Court of
Queen's Bench.
The Hon. GEO. BYNG said he had, as a magis•
trate, refused licenses in several instances, but the
magistrates on the bench at Clerkenwell sessions
had afterwards granted them.
In answer to some remarks touching the licensing
system and the police,
Sir G. GREY said he believed the police did their
duty. There was no doubt that the whole licensing
system must soon come under the revision of Par-
liament.
sellittlmight not be this year, but it would
be the next. At the same time he did not think
anything could be doneuntil
That the me": a
the the magistrates put
to the fullest extent into force.
gi.strates had not done, and he did not
think any legislation could take place until the Go-
cable to the evils enti4
vernment saw hew far the
present law was appli-
Mr. ADAMS compcomplained of the bands of music in
the streets, remarking that those bands drew the
prostitutes together.
Sir G. GREY replied that it wasa competent for
householders to order the bands
goay and to pro-
t
pro-
secute the players if they did. not w
After some conversation, in Which NI r. S. Morley
they
and others took part,
Sir G. GREY said the difficulty was that
could only deal with outward appearances. Lb was
sure the state of public feeling would never
alloweev
the introduction into this country of the licensing
system, as carried on on the continent. They would,
in dealing with the evil, have to submit to some
inconveniences. 1

Dr. YATES said the refreshment houses that: took
out a license and had no shop were the worst.
Sir G. GREY said that a conviction had been ob-
tained against the keeper of one of these houses and
if that conviction was confirmed, prosecutions would
be instituted against others.
Sir H. VERNEY said it was quite true that the
public feeling would never allow the continental
licensing of houses to be introduced here, but young
men ought not to be subjected to the temptation
which prostitution held out to them. He desired