The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-19 00:00:00

DREADFUL FIRES.

(From the Norwich Mercury.)
These criminal and wide-wasting proofs of the dreadful alte-
ration in the feelings of the class which was once the most
peaceful, industrious, and moral, still continue.
On Monday morning last, about five o'clock, a fire was dis-
covered in a shed on a farm of Admiral Sir George Martin, at
Wiggenball St. Mary Magdalen, but by prompt exertions was
extinguished, with about 101. damage. There is every reason
to believe it was the act of an incendiary.
On Monday evening, about seven o'clock, a stack of wheat,
containing about 100 coombs, belonging to Mr. Gilbert, stand_
ing on his farm at Freethorpe, was wilfully set on fire and wholly
consumed.

About seven o'clock on Tuesday evening an off barn, be-
longing to Mr. Robert Colk, of Ridlington, was discovered to
be on fire. The North Walsham engine was soon on the spot,
as were hundreds of persons, all anxious to afford assistance.
Fortunately the wind laying in a favourable direction, the fire
was confined to the barn where it first broke out, which, with
its contents, (about four lasts of oats), were destroyed. There
is little doubt but this is the act of some vile incendiary.
On Friday se'nnight, about six o'clock in the morning, a fire
broke out on the premises of Mr. Samuel Skoyles, at Ark, by
which a cart-shed and stable were entirely destroyed. There
can be no doubt of this fire being the act of an incendiary.

On Saturday night, many of the inhabitants of Yarmouth
were alarmed by the fire engines rattling through the streets at
a late hour. They were sent for to extinguish a fire which
broke out in the stack yard of Mr. Copeman, of Hemsby, about
nine o'clock that evening ; but, notwithstanding every exertion,
two stacks of oats and one of peas were consumed, and it was
with great difficulty a barn was preserved. The damage is esti-
mated at 400/. There is no doubt that this was the act of an
incendiary.

On Monday evening some outbuildings on the Crab-hall
Farm at Magdalen, near Lynn, was fired by an incendiary, but
timely assistance arriving, the flames were got under before
much damage was effected. There were some stacks conti-
guous to the spot where the fire originated, but fortunately
they escaped the conflagration.

On Monday night a fire broke out on the premises occupied
by Mr. Walker, of Saxlingham. It was not discovered till,
long after the family were in bed, and a barn containing about
eight lasts of wheat was destroyed before it was got under. On
the following morning, at about six o'clock, a stack belonging
to Mr. Ives, of Wood Palling, was found on fire, but it was
extinguished before any material injury was done. There
were three strangers in Holt on Monday forenoon, whose man-
ner and conversation excited suspicion. Hand-bills were
printed and circulated, and one of the men is now in custody,
but his examination has not yet been taken.

Despatches were received this morning at
the Colonial-office from Malta, dated Nov. 2, from Gi-
braltar, dated Nov. 10, and a bag was also received from
New South Wales.

On Friday last a very numerous and respect-
able meeting of the rate-payers of St. George's, Hanover-
square, was held at the Riding School, in Chapple-street-
Grosvenor-square, for the purpose of taking into consi-
deration " the extraordinary increase of the rates, the in-
equality of the assessments, to hear the report of a Com-
mittee appointed to investigate the same, and consider the
propriety of adopting the new Vestry Act ;" the Right
lion. Sir G. WARRENDER, Bart. M.P., in the Chair.
Mr. GIBLET, one of the Committee, being cal'ed upon by
the Hon. Chairman, stated that the rates of the parish
had been increased 100 per cent. during the last five
years. The expenditure of the past year was 88,0001.,
the amount of the assessment for this year 113,0001.,
being a surplus revenne of 24,0001. A deputation waited
upon the Vestry to suggest the practicability of reducing
the rates for the present year, in consequence of which
they (the Vestry) have agreed to do so to the amount of
22,400/. ; also to discontinue an annuity of 2001., which
had been granted to the late Vestry-clerk ;to enforce the
rates from the Rector, collectors, and other parish officers,
who have hitherto been excused. Mr. GIBLET concluded
with the following resolution, which was seconded by
Mr. PERRY, and carried unanimously :—" That it is
the opinion of this meeting that a❑ excess of rate
of 18,000/. and upwards has been levied by the
Vestry; that to preserve the tranquillity of the parish, and
prevent the embarrassment which would otherwise accrue,
the rate payers do pay with all convenient speed, the rates
for the halt-year due at Michaelmas last, the Vestry having
pledged itself to a reduction of 22,400/. in the half year
ending Lady-day, 1832, being twenty-five per cent. upon
the whole year's poor-rate." At the suggestion of Mr.
Cnowurr, a clause was added to this resolution respecting
the New Police. Mr. SouRAY proposed, and Mr.
THORNHILL seconded, the following resolution, which was
also carried unanimously :—" That this meeting most
earnestly recommends the rate-payers of this parish to
adopt the Act pas-ed (luting the last Session of Parliament
entitled—' An Act for the better regulation of Vestries,
and for the appointment of auditors of accounts in certain
parishes of England and Wales.'" A Committee was
therefore appointed to carry this resolution into
effect. Messrs. WATictNs, J. DUNCOMBE, CRAWLEY,
GUTHRIE, REDMAYNE, and ARBER, severally addressed
the meeting, pointing out various instances of gross abuse
and mismanagement, some of which astounded the meet-
ing. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the Com-
mittee and to the Chairman, and the meeting dispersed.