The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-10 00:00:00

THE NEW PERFORATED POSTAGE STAMP.

In consequence of the many complaints that have
been made by the public respecting the present adhesive
postage stamps at the non-adbeelve nature of the gum
when it becomes dried, whereby an immense number of
letters on which the postage has been pre-paid, the stamp
very frequently comes off by the friction they are exposed
to in the bags—especially those to our colonies, the West
Indies, the Cape of Good Hope, India, Australia, New
South Wales, the Mediterranean, and tropical climates—
by which much inconvenience 'has been experienced, as
the parties receiving them having had not only to pay
the postage again, the stamp having rubbed off, but in
numerous instances the letters have been greatly delayed,
particularly to those countries to which the postage must
be pre-paid in the United Kingdom, Aden, India, or (if
by the overland mail via Marseilles), Brazil, Buenos
Ayres, Australia, South America, the Cape of Good
Hope, &c., and many parts of Europe.
To prevent any further complaints on that point, the
Commissioners of the Board of Stamps (Inland Revenue
Office, Somerset-house) have for some time had it under
their special consideration to discover some means to
obviate any effacing of the stamp by friction. After
numerous experiments they have found that by perfora-
ting the (Queen's heads) postage stamps, and adopt-
ing a chemical gum prepared on purpose, they
will not only resist the change of climate (heat),
but friction—as by the perforation they be-
come so strongly adhesive that nothing will deface them.
To carry out this great improvement, during the last
few weeks, the employes in the stamping department
have been actively at work over-hours by the new
system. At present there are only three perforating-
machines in operation (by steam) but others are being
constructed. A vast number of these stamps were yes-
terday forwarded through the General Post-office, to the
Postmasters in the different parts of the United Kingdom,
Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and
all the large manufacturing and commercial districts%
Southampton, Plymouth, and the principal sea-ports.
They will be issued to the public generally on Monday
next. Henceforth the postage stamps will be all per-
forated, a desideratu that has long been wanting to
secure the stamp on the letter, both resistible as before
stated, to damp, heat, or friction.

REFUGE FOR THE DESTITUTE, DALSTON.—The annual
general meeting of the friends and subscribers to this
institution was held yesterday at the London Tavern
Mr. J. G. Hoare, the treasurer, presided. The report
stated that the institution had been in operation for
forty eight years, and that at the close of the year every
ward was full. An important letter
.had been received
from Colonel Jebb, the inspector of prisons, stating that
it was the intention of Government that after two or
more years' confinement and reformatory process at
Brixton, the best cases should from time to time be se.
lected and sent to the Refuge, to stay for a period of
about six months, thus enabling them to enter domestic
service without the prison stigma on their character.
The average weekly number of inmates during the year
had been 70, and the total number in the institution
through the year was 144. Of this number, 67 had left
the Refuge, and of those sent to service only one had
returned to crime. The balance.sheet showed the total
receipts from all sources to amount to 3,3261. 10s. ld.,
and after all the expenses had been defrayed there was
left a balance in hand of 122/. 6s. 10d. Lord Radstock
moved the adoption of the report, which was carried:
The officers for the year ensuing having b. een
appointed,
a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the
meeting equated.