The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-18 00:00:00

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SOIREE.

The second soirée took place at the Hanover-square
Rooms, on Saturday evening, and was very numerously
and influentially attended by parties interested in the ,
Australian colonies. Amongst those present were—Wm.
Hutt, M.P., in the chair; Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.,
Lord A. Lennox, Sir E. Belcher, Right Hon. W. E.
Gladstone, Sir J. Carmichael, James Matheson, EA.,
M.P.; H. A. Aglionby, Esq., M.P.; R. M. Milnes, Esq.,
M.P.; C. B. Adderley, Esq.' M.P.• A. Godly, Esq.,
M.P.; E. Divett, Esq., M.P.; J. Anderson, Esq., M.P.;
Mark Boyd, Esq., J. Simeon,Esq., M.P. • E. Lennox Boyd,
Esq., &c. Ste., and about 300 ladies and gentlemen.
The speeches were of considerable interest as regards
the Australian colonies, but the address that had imme-
diate reference to emigration was that of Mr. Mark Boyd,
in introducing whom
Mr. HUTT said, it afforded hint much gratification to
call upon his friend Mr. Mark Boyd, a gentleman who
must be well known to them from his extensive connexion
with our Australian colonies, and his philanthropic and
influential exertions in the cause of emigration. To Mr.
Boyd were those colonies deeply indebted as their steady
friend and supporter, and he regarded his presence there
that evening with the more pleasure, as giving additional
interest to their proceedings.
Mr. Maim BOYD said—After the eloquent speeches
we have heard, especially that of the Right Honourable
Member for the University of Oxford, I confess that I
feel some hesitation in addressing this meeting, but
being called upon by you, sir, the tried friend to coloni-
zation, and e hose name is identified in grateful remem
brance with our Australian colonies, I shall best show
my appreciation of the compliment paid me, by tres-
passing very briefly on your patience. I had the plea-
sure of attending the South Australian Soirée last year,
and heard your lucid opinions on the important national
objects for which we are again met, and although I then
looked forward to similar successful reunions, I acknow-
ledge that, notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions
of Mr. Ridgway, the warm friend of our colonies, I did
not anticipate the brilliant assembly of to-night. I can
only account for my name being brought forward on this
occasion, from having been associated with some friends
in the formation of the Colonization Society, who have
laboured assiduously and anxiously in disseminating in-
formation, and affording assistance, as far as in our
power, to those anxious to serve in our colonies. It
would be ungrateful were I to omit acknowledging, on
this or any other occasion, how much the success of the
society is attributable to the powerful assistance rens
demi it by the public press of this country, whose
columns wale liberally devoted to copious accounts of its
proceedings, as well as to able commentaries in advocacy
of its objects. In the presence of the ladies I may mention
that amongst the most gratifying results of the labours
of the society have been the formation of kindred asso-
ciations of ladies in different Farts of the country—a
measure first originated and matured by my friend and
colleague in the Colonization Society, Mr. Logan, from
New South Wales, and for which it is but fair to state
we are deeply indebted to that gentleman. I need
scarcely point out in this meeting the advantages of such
societies, many of the duties devolving on which are
without the scope of any committee of gentlemen. For
to whom can the poor arid timid female better resort for
guidance and assistance in taking such a step, which is
always met with more or less difficulty, than to those of
her own sex, who can best understand her wants
and best employ their sympathies in relieving them? The
first of these as‘ociations was formed at Brighton, where
Mr. John Chapman, in that spirit of philanthropy for
which he is so distinguished, carried out Mr. Logan's sug-
gestions, and assembled a committee of ladies, whose
services have been beyond all praise in the cause of fe-
male emigration. It is quite remarkable now to watch the
increasing interest in our Australian colonies. In look-
ing at the Post-office Shipping List," I observe the
number of vessels fitting out for different distant
ports from London to be eighty-seven, of which
forty are for our Australian colonies. With
pride I state that the shipowners have entered
into this measure of emigration in a very liberal
spirit, no sordid feeling being shown in carrying out
this great national undertaking. The ships aro uni-
formly of the best description, well found and ably
commanded, and every readiness manifested to fulfil
to the letter the intructions of the Colonial-office and
the Commissioners of Emigration. In confirmation of
this I may mention that, during the twenty months
which have elapsed since this active emigration to Aus-
tralia commenced, no emigrant ship bound to our Aus-
tralian colonies from Great Britain, that we have heard
of, has met with au accident. Ido not, lam sure, re
quire to . inform the ladies in this new era, when they
come forward to assist us in so important a national
question, that in promoting emigration, and relieving
the distressed at home, they are aiding our commerce
by creating a body of most valuable customers for
British ,manufactures, as well as attached friends for
British connexion, who will be the means of increasing
the production of the staples on which our manufac-
turers depend, and further drawing forth those great
mineral treasures which have already constituted so
much of the prosperity of South Australia, and indica-
tions of which are daily presenting themselves in other
of the Australian colonies. Nothing so clearly proves
the vast field there is for the absorption of the
surplus labour of England in Australia, and
the illimitable extent of her undeveloped re-
sources, than to find that hitherto, with
all the emigration, wages in the colony have as
yet but very slightly declined. The ladies will be sur-
prised and distressed to learn that, from want of popula-
tion in New South Wales to consume the food of that
bounteous land, not less than 786,000 sheep and cattle
were slaughtered in one year for the tallow alone. This
is a sad reflection when we see the distress that prevails
in the mother country, and know that crime in many
instances is committed to gain admittance to our prisons,
where food is more bountifully supplied than in our
poor-houses. I had a letter last week from a magistrate
of Yorkshire who takes much interest in the question of
emigration, in which he mentions that he had sent five
persons to prison on a charge of incendiarism who bad
committed the offence to get into prison. What a diffe-
rent result had these deluded people emigrated! I beg to
offer my apology, especially atter my promise to be brief,
for occupying so much of your time; and in again thank-
ing you for the honour you have dune me in connecting
my name with the cause of emigration, I have only to
state that my friends and myself, in promotieg this
question, have felt it as a duty to the mother country, at
the same time laying the foundation of great and lasting
prosperity for her colonies.
The company separated at half-past eleven o'clock.

THE HOTEL PROPRIETORS.
A petition, of which the folloa ing is a copy, was pre-
sented to the House of Commons on Friday last by Mr.
Masterre an :
"The Humble Petition of the undersigned Proprietors of
Hotels, Taverns, and Victualling Houses in London
and its neighbourhood,
"Most humbly sheweth:
" That your petitioners are proprietors and keepers of
hotels, taverns, and houses licensed and used for the sale
of wines and spirituous liquors and the general accom-
modation of her Majesty's subjects.
"That before your petitioners obtain licenses to em-
bark in their respective trades, and to enable them to
provide accommodation for the public, a considerable
outlay is required, frequently at a total sacrifice of capi-
tal and exertion, and at present, from depression of trade
and concurrent circumstances, with but precarious pros-
pect of return for their investment.
" That the position of your petitioners, as traders, has
become of late years more hazardous from the easy tran-
sit by railway of persons who, when formerly visiting
the metropolis, were by their stay the inmates and sup-
porters in trade of your petitioners; and also by the de-
parture for country residence of many who used with
their families to reside in this great metropolis, and by
their dealings with your petitioners, greatly contributed
to their success in trade.
" That, notwithstanding their loss of business from the
causes alleged, your petitioners are compelled (in the
hope that a respectable appearance may aid them),to keep
up their houses and establishments at a great expense.
" That, besides the large rents to which your peti-
tioners are subject, and the expenses contingent upon oc-
cupying spacious houses, your petitioners are obliged to
retain trustworthy servants for the protection of the
property of the public visiting their establishments.
" That the Parliamentary and parochial calls upon
your petitioners are so frequent and burdensome as to
hinder them of a fair chance of profit and return for the
exertion and anxiety in their respective trades.
" That of the heavy and pressing claims upon your pe-
titioners, the charge under the head of assessed taxes is
most unequal and unjust, because it imposes upon them
a tax in respect of their trade premises, trade servants,
apprentices, and even labourers, equally with the noble-
men and gentlemen who use their mansions and keep
livery servants for their own individual comfort, whilst
your petioners are too frequently obliged to rent large
houses and keep servants in the anticipation of profit,
which, for the reasons urged, does not accrue.
" That your petitioners, in submitting the inequality
and hardship of being similarly charged for their trade
premises, trade servants, apprentices, and laboures, with
noblemen and gentlemen, whose mansions and servants
so largely contribute to the luxuries enjoyed, beg leave
most humbly to assure your Honourable House that they
do not desire to shrink from their fair and equal share
of taxation with their fellow-tradesmen, but would cheer-
fully submit thereto.
" That your petitioners beg leave most humbly to draw
the attention of your Honourable House to the afore-

going statement of facts, their present liability to window
tax upon their trade houses, the increasing and heavy
rates of duty charged for their trade servants, appren-
tices, and labourers, and also to the charges for servants
detiganted ' waiters'—burdens to which no other trade
is liable; and your petitioners most humbly and ear-
nestly beg that your Honourable House will consider of
the hardship of their case, and bs pleased to grant them
such relief as may seem to your Honourable House to be
just and proper."
This petition was signed by upwards of 220 of the
most respectable proprietors and occupiers of the hotels
and victualling houses in London, and deserves the
serious attention of the Legislature.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.—On Saturday Mr. Claude
Lyon, Mr. radii) F3.l7de( v, ard Mr. Frederick Beek(ord,
appeared before the magistrates at Richmond, on a
charno of hzving obstructed the police in the execution
of their duty. Mr. Bull, the landlord of the Castle
Hotel, Richmond, was implicated in the affair. The
defendants had been dining at the Castle, and, previous
to leaving, amused themselves by throwing a quantity
of oranges, and other things, at the two opposite houses.
Mr. Abbott and Mr. Brewer took offence at their con-
-1 duct, and remonstrated, hut without effect. The police
wen: then clled, and a regular row ( nsued;
Th 6 court,
end, ulti-
mately, th, caonstables wei-e severely Leaten.
atter hearing the evidence, a fine of 51. each on
Messrs. Lyon and Sydney; and Messrs. Deckford and
• Bull wen A 20g, each,