The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-08 00:00:00

LIGHT DUTIES ON SHIPPING.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, SAN. 5.—A public meeting of
shipowners and others interested in the trade of this port
was held this day at noon, for the purpose of petitioning
Parliament to abolish the light duties on shipping. The
Mayor presided.
Mr. Alderman LAMB, president of the Chamber of
Commerce, moved the first resolution, which set forth
the injustice and oppressiveness of the light duties, and
recommended the adoption of the suggestion of the last
Parliamentary Committee on this subject; namely, that
the expense of maintaining the necessary lights be de-
frayed out of the ordinary revenues of the state. In
couclusion, Alderman Lamb proposed a petition to the
House of Commons, in accordance with these views.

Mr. LOWREY seconded the proposition, and, as a ship-
owner, enumerated various facts to show the unfair ope-
ration cif this tax, which, ho contended, was in reality
for the protection of the revenue, and ought, therefore,
to be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund.
Mr. HUTT, M.P., supported the motion at some
length. He believed that the shipowners had reason and
justice on their side in the present movement, and that
no Government could refuse to listen to their demands
without culpable neglect. He thought the time was come
when it behoved all to use every attainable means for
the relief of the shipping interest. It appeared to him
that the position of the British shipowner was at this
moment one of a very critical character; and he did
think, that whether this country should hereafter retain
that large share of the commercial navigation of the
globe which it had long enjoyed, or whether it should
surrender that pre-eminence to other nations, was a pro-
blem which the wisdom and prudence of the next few
years would probably decide forever. The British ship-
owner was now engaged in an anxious struggle with his
foreign competitors, and under the many disadvantages
which now existed it really seemed as if the prestige
which we had long possessed was passing from our
hands. He was a member of Mr. Lyall's committee,
and it was satisfactorily established before that com-
mittee, that the carrying trade of the globe was no
longer in the exclusive possession of the British ship-
owner, but, on the contrary, that at the various ports
of South America, the Dane, the Swede, and even the
Prussian was often preferred to the British shipowner,
and obtained more readily their charter parties, and
even a higher freight. Not only had the British ship-
owner difficulties to contend with abroad, but at home
he was subjected to difficulties of no ordinary character.
He had difficulties in what he (Mr. Hutt) conceived to
be the unfair competition of railways. He called it un-
fair, because it did not arise out of natural circum-
stances, but parliamentary enactments. But this was
not all. The principles of free trade had been applied
to the manufacturer, the landowner, and the West In-
dian colonist, and their application to shipping was now
inevitable. What were they to do, then ? He could
not suppose that they would put their hands in their
pockets and sink quietly. On the other hand, he trusted
that they would demand of the Legislature the removal
of every possible obstacle. At the head of those ob-
stacles were the light duties, and he was glad to think
that efforts were at length being made to remove those
duties from the shoulders of the shipowner, and to
place them—where they ought to be—upon the state.—
(Applause.)
Mr. G. STRAKER said a few words in support of the
proposition.
Mr. W. RICHMOND maintained that the removal of
the light duties would benefit the consumer, not the
shipowner; and moved, as an amendment, that the con-
sideration of the subject be deferred for twelve months.
The amendment was not seconded ; and after some
remarks by Mr. W. H. BROCKETT, the original motion
was carried, with only one dissentient.
Thanks were voted to Mr. Hume, M.P., for his pro-
tracted labours in behalf of the British shipowner; and
after making arrangements for the presentation of the
petition, the meeting broke up.

ABOLITION of the LIGHT DUES.
A public meeting of ship-owners, and other persons
interested in this question, was yesterday held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The chair was
taken at one o'clock by Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P.
The meeting was well attended, and among those
present we observed Sir James Duke, M.P., Mr. Moffatt,
M.P , Mr. Forster, M.P., Admiral Codrington, Captain
Washington, F. Philips, Esq., &c.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the
meeting, said, if the consideration of the present question
was one which only affected the interests of the city of
London, he would not have consented to occupy the
position which he then held, as chairman of so respectable
and influential a meeting as that which he had the honour
to preside over. It was, however, a question not of local
importance, but one which affected vitally the interests
of the whole country.—(Cheers.) The Hon Gentleman
then went into a brief review of the efforts which had
been made upon this subject. It was in the year 1821
a petition was presented to the House of Commons, pray-
ing for an inquiry into the subject. The prayer of that
petition he supported, and subsequently obtained a Com-
mittee to inquire into the subject of the lighthouses of
the country. The report of that Committee brought to
light a considerable amount of grievance, but still that
Committee did no go far enough, although it was a move
in a right direction. The report of that Committee
showed that one half of the lighthouses in the kingdom
were the property of private individuals, held upon leases
from the Crown, and the Committee recommended that
upon these leases running out they should not be again
renewed by the Crown. Notwithstanding this recom-
mendation, and the promise of Mr. Iluskisson, made to
him in his place in the House of Commons, that the
leases should not be renewed, nine of these leases, which
had expired, were t enewed by the then Chancellor of the
Exchequer (Mr. Goulburn). 'lbis act was not
only a most gross breach of faith on the part
of the Government, but an act of oppression
upon the merchants, which entailed upon them
the loss of the enormous sum of 480,0001. In the
year 1834 he supported a Bill empowering the corpora-
tion of the Trinity House to purchase the remainder of
the private leases of the lighthouses of the country.
Eleven of these lighthouses had accordingly been pur-
chased at an expense of 1,182,0001. It appeared, from
a return made to the House of Commons, that the
amount of light dues paid by British and foreign vessels
in the foreign trade was 48,7001, whereas the amount
of light dues paid by British vessels employed in the
coasting trade amounted to the large sum of 308,0001.
This was most unfair to that portion of British vessels
employed in the coasting trade, which was
always considered as the nursery of seamen
for the British navy ; and, unless some of
these oppressive charges were removed the coasting,
trade would be ruined, for it would not be able to com-
pete with the recently-increasing number of the rail-
ways of the country. The Honourable Member went
on to say that it was the duty of the Government to
support the light-houses. France and the United
States paid all the expenses themselves, and why
should not this country do the same ?—(Loud cheers
He did not wish to cast any reflection upon the Elder
brothers of the corporation of the Trinity House, and, in
conclusion, called up.Nonnthththogsebpurtesaegnittattoinunehitaedinevfeorrmbeinegn
aaknedn
nthnethGinogvebrnumt
aensttrntonga
n
be successful in removing
effectual
f sense
evtaiof
fol agitationri oitnsusdruoe whichp,ntp.o.opposition
removing
hFoonabuses,
the present grievance.--)--(Cheers.)
Mr. FORSTEI!,
.M 1, moved the first resolution :
"That an association be formed, to be called the Asso-
ciation of Shipowners for the Abolition of the Light
Dues,' for the purpose of adopting such measures as
might be deemed requisite to further the interests of the
association, and to obtain the abolition of the unjust
and oppressive dues."
Mr. pothips, who represented a large shipping interest
in the United States, seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. MITCHELL, who was deputed by the merchants
of Leith to attend the meeting on their behalf, moved
the second resolution, appointing a committee to carry
out the objects of the Association.
Mr. Wm-exams, from Ireland, seconded the resolution.
He represented the Dublin Steam-packet Company, and
as an instance of the unfair mode of levying the dues,
he would state that the company which he represented
Paid between 5,0001. and 6,000/. per year under that head.
Between Dublin and Liverpool there were but four lights,
and the sum paid by that one company was more than
sufficient to pay the expense of the whole of the lights.
Mr. BURRELL, of Plymouth, supported the resolution.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. MOFFATT, a memorial to the
Board of Trade, praying relief from these dues, was
then agreed upon.
A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman, and
the meeting broke up.

SURREY SESSIONS.
William Laurence was indicted for stealing, from Mr.
Bowerman, butcher, of Bermondsey, twelve trusses of
hay, four trusses of straw, and three bushels of oats, on
the 18th of December. Mr. Charnock prosecuted. The
prisoner was described as being a butcher's porter.
John Pluck said that he delivered 36 trusses of hay
at the premises of Mr. Bowerman, in Cottage-row, Ber.
in"dseY, on the 17th December. He could recognise
the trusses because instead of adopting the usual mode of
tying the two bands different ways, one being tucked to
the right and the other to the left, witness always
tucked both his bands to the left.
Cross-examined—Had not the slightest doubt but
that the hay he had seen at the station-house was the
hay delivered by him to Mr. Bowerman.
Thomas Towers, a person in Mr. Bowerman's em-
ployment, had received the hay from the last witness,
and stowed it away in the loft. On the day after the
hay was delivered his attention was called by his master
to a truss
of bay lying in the middle of the public road.
That he immediately recognised as being part of the hay
he received from Pluck. On going into the loft with
Mr. Bowerman he missed twelve trusses of hay, three
trusses of straw, and a quantity of oats.
Policeman M 240 produced two samples of oats, one
taken from the stock of Mr. Bowerman, and the other
from
the premises of the prisoner, which appeared the
same.

Mr. Bowerman confirmed the testimony previously
given respecting the receipt of the hay and the discovery
of its loss.

West, the policeman, deposed to going to the prisoner's
premises, and finding a quantity of hay, straw, and corn,
part of which was produced in court. While inspectin
the premises the prisener came up, and as soon as he
learned that there was an inquiry going on went away.
Mr. PAYNE addressed the jury on behalf of the pri-
soner.

The jury returned a verdict of Guilty ; and he was
sentenced to seven years' transportation.

RISE IN THE PRICE or BELEAD.—Yesterday there
was a further advance in the price of bread, the charge
now being 9d. the 41b. loaf of inferior quality, and lid.
for bread of the best description.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
Henry Williams, a young man, dressed as a porter: was
brought before Mr. Alderman Hughes Hughes, charged
with breaking five panes of glass.
It appeared that he went into the Red Cow public-
house, Long-laue, about two o'clock in the day, and was
served with a pint of porter. A gentleman was eating
a chop, and the prisoner worried him till he consented
to drink out of his pint of beer. For the sake of peace
the gentleman consented reluctantly to taste it, 'and this
encouraged the prisoner to be more troublesome, for he
then insisted that they should mix their respective por-
tions of beer, and drink from the same pot. The gen-
tleman would not assent to this, upon which the prisoner
sat down upon the table where the gentleman was taking
his luncheon. The potboy remonstrated against such a
breach of manners, and was immediately knocked down.
The landlord then interfered and turned the prisoner out
of the house, and he, in revenge, smashed five panes
of glass.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES HUGHES asked if he was sober.
The officer said he appeared to be quite sober. Ile
assaulted each of the four constables, whose aid was
required to convey him to the station. Even there he
behaved with violence, and refused to give his name and
address.
The prisoner gave no explanation, and seemed to be
still in the same perverse and saucy humour as on the
preceding day.
Mr. Alderman HuonEs HUGHES adjudged him to be
imprisoned one month for assaulting the policeman, and
to be further imprisoned 14 days, in default of sooner
paying 6s. 6,1. for the damage.
William St. Leger, a cloth jobber, was charged with
stealing two pieces of cloth, the property of Mr. Wade,
a manufacturer, carrying on business in Basinghall-
street, Leeds, and keeping a stock in town, at the ware-
house of Mr. Ainsworth, No. 18, Aldermanbury.
Mr. Wade stated, that he last saw the cloth safe en
the 29th of November, and he missed it on taking stock
on the 2d of December. The prisoner frequented the
warehouse, being occasionally employed by Mr. Sykes,
who occupies the warehouse jointly with Mr. Ainsworth,
though each trades separately on his own account. On
returning from a visit to Leeds on Friday last, he
renewed his inquiries to discover the two ends or
lengths of cloth, and met with a part of one piece
at the shop of Mr. Morgan, a piece-broker and tailor,
in Cloth fair. He went in and asked Mr. Morgan,
if he wanted to buy a new coat. Mr. Moreau replied,
" No; I am a tailor." Witness asked if he wanted
any cloth. Mr, Morgan's answer was, " I don't want
any flannel." Witness assured him it was cloth, and
not flannel, he had to sell. Mr. Morgan said he could
not offer him cloth so cheap as he could get it. He had
bought a rifle green at 4s. 6d. the other day. Witness
begged to see it, and instantly recognised it as the cloth
which he had lost, and which had cost him 7s. a yard.
Mr. Morgan produced him a second length of the same
cloth, which he had purchased at the same price of the
same per-on. From his description some suspicion fell
on the prisoner, and upon his being taken to Cloth-fair,
Mr. Morgan identified him as the same person.
Mr. Alderman H. HUGHES asked how he could iden-
tify his cloth ? Mr. Wade said he knew it by the list
and by the colour, having been wrongly dyed. The
two pieces bought by Mr. Morgan measured each six
yards. The piece lost contained 29 yards.
Mr. Wontner's clerk cross-examined the witness, to
show that the prisoner might have been authorised by
Mr. Sykes to sell the goods, and that the prisoner was
employed in hawking cloth.
Mr. Wade said Mr. Sykes was not his agent, nor a
partner with Mr. Ainsworth. Witness never employed
the prisoner to sell a yard for him.
Alexander Morgan, of Cloth-fair, said he bought the
two remnants at 4s. Gd. a yard from the prisoner, last
week. He considered 4s. 6d. a good price. Yorkshire
cloths were so deceitfully made, the trade were afraid to
buy them at any price. They used shodda, or a mix-
ture of old and`new wools, and, beautiful as the face of
the cloth might seem, it dropped to pieces as soon as it
was worn.
Mr. Wade (somewhat fiercely) put the cloth in his
hand, and asked if he meant to swear there was any
shodda in that ? Mr. Morgan said he hoped not, but to
detect the fraud in Yorkshire cloths puzzled good judges.
Cross-examined—Had known the prisoner several
years. He had offered him 50 pieces of cloth for sale.
Mr. Ainsworth said he was an agent, and was em-
ployed by manufacturers to sell cloth. He employed
persons to sell on commission, but he had not employed
the prisoner. he had never authorised the prisoner to
sell the missing piece of cloth.
Mr. Sykes said he sometimes sold cloths for Mr. Ains-
worth if he happened to be out, but he had not sold the
two pieces of cloth that were missing, nor authorised the
prisoner to sell them.
Mr. Wontner cross-examined him. He declined pro-
nouncing on the value of cloth by the light after two
o'clock in the day. He did not like the light between
two and three o'clock as well. He did not like to decide
on the value by the feel of the cloth. There were al?out
a dozen tests to judge a cloth by, but nothing equal to
seeing it by the proper light. He had rifle greens, but
they were either coarser or finer than this. He con-
sidered it cheap at 4s. 6d. a yard.
Mr. Alderman IL HUGHES thought the prosecutor
should have en opportunity of looking after the rest of
the cloth, and remanded the prisoner for further exa
mination.