The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-29 00:00:00

about 100,0001. ayear, but notmore than 70,0001. hadbeen
collected during the last three years, showing that
30,0001. a year had been remitted on the cottage pro-
perty of Liverpool--(Hear, hear)—but, if this Bill were
passed, the occupiers of the cottages so exempted would
have to pay this 30,000/. But as the occupiers
fall upon
ierswould
be unable to pay this additional tax, it
the landlords, who were mostly small tradesmen,
who had invested some of their savings in house pro-
perty—he would, therefore, be directly taxed ; but if
the occupier were in a condition to pay it his rent would
have to be increased in order to enable the landlord to
do so. Thus those least capable of bearing such a tax
would suffer; and if mining, and other property was to be
exempted, he saw no reason why the poor man's cottage
should not be placed in a similar condition. Persons
who speculate in the building of improved houses for the
poor would be discouraged, and the poor would suffer.
Such speculations conferred a great benefit on society
by building cottages for the poor, because they supplied
the demand made by the poor for cottage accommodation,
but if any impediment were thrown in their way,
they would discontinue their speculations on account
of the improbability of obtaining adequate remuneration,
and the poor, as he had said, would suffer. No one
would lay out 100 Z in cottage property, if he knew that
he would have this additional burden imposed upon him.
They would not do well to put a stop to the demand fur
cottages, because the health of the poor was pro-
moted by a residence in them. They should also bear
in mind that the population was increasing at the
rate of 800 or 1,000 a day, and that the demand was
thus increased. The question, therefore, resolved itself
into this, whether they would throw an obstacle in the
way of the supply of that demand or not? If they
did put a stop to it the poor, instead of being domiciled
in cottages, would be compelled to reside in single rooms
owing to the high rent. Whole families were
now crowded in single rooms in houses badly
drained and ill-ventilated, and immorality ill-health,
and physical deterioration were the natural results, and
it was, therefore, the duty of the House to promote in
every way in its power the giving of proper home ac-
commodation to the poor. He was perfectly aware of
the present mode of excusal--(Hear, hear)—and, there-
fore, in his Bill he proposed carrying out the benevolent
principles of the Act of George 111., and at the same time
drawing a line of a different and more certain
nature between those who could and those who could
not pay rates. At present both magistrates and parish
officers were put to great trouble and expense in en-
deavouring to obtain the payment of rates, and the re-
sult was frequently this:—that the magistrates, owing to
the poverty of the persons summoned, often refused to
carry out the law, and that the money recovered did
not pay the trouble and expenses—(Hear, hear)—the
expense often being 6s. or 7s. for the recovery of 9d.
or lod.
Mr..o RIPPS —The Honourable Member for Wycombe
bad said that this Bill caused a ferment through.
out the country. He (Mr. Cripps) had pre.
rented twenty petitions in favour of this Bill.
He believed that the Bill would have an ef-
f, et quite different from that which the lion. Gen•
tieman opposite apprehended. He denied that houses
under 5/. a year should be exempted from taxation. He
had never heard from any one outside the House one
single word of objection to this Bill, which he considered
to be a most called for and excellent measure.
Mr. VERNON SMITH thought it would be better
for the House if Hon. Gentlemen would confine them-
selves to the Bill before them. The Hon. Member for
Stroud quite misunderstood the question, and he believed
that the speculators in cottages were anything but be-
nefactors to the poor, for a speculator would of course
build cottages as cheaply as possible, in order to evade
the payment of poor-rates. He denied that stock in
trade was exempted, and he considered that the
principle of the Bill, namely, that of charging the owner,
went to the foundation of the evils that at present ex-
isted, and it was a principle that he would wish to see
extended. His only objection was, that which was
urged by his Hon. Friend the Secretary- of State for the
Home Department, namely, that there was a Committee
sitting up stairs on the law of settlement.
Colonel WOOD was surprised to hear stated by her
Majesty's Government the grounds on which they
were opposed to the Bill. There was sufficient evi
dence of overseers and other functionaries on this
subject to show the evils that existed at pre-
sent, and which this measure would remedy. (The
Honourable Gentleman read an extract from the
report of the Commissioners of local taxation, com-
plaining of the present'inode of assessment.) In the case
of Merthyr Tydvil there were 8,000 cottages under
61. a year. Now, if the occupier was the owner of the
cottage, he was charged according to the rating, but
if he was not, then he was exempted. He
hoped that the Government would not prevent the House
from going into Committee upon this Bill.
Captain PECHELL said, that he always understood
that the object of the House meeting on Wednesdays
was, that they might calmly discuss measures which
they might not be able to enter upon at another time.
He was somewhat surprised that the Gallant Colonel
who had just sat down bad not spoken with his usual
calmness. He had told the House that the Act had
failed in Liverpool through the corruptness of the
overseers, who wished to overweigh the democratic
influence.—(Hear, hear.) He thought that it was
just the reverse. He conceived that they would be
doing a great injustice by not assessing the poor, fur
they would prevent them in the rural districts from at-
tending the vestry meetings. This Bill would prevent
pafties rated under 61. from attending vestries.
Colonel T. WOOD said that there was a clause pro-
posed in the Bill by which all parties assessed might
attend at these vestries.
Captain PECHELL said that the Bill was, in his
opinion, a total disfranchisement of the poorer classes
of Parliamentary electors. They said that they were
going to provide properlyjor towns, and they knew that
it was absurd to attempt to legislate in that way for any
large towns such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Li-
verpool. He thought that there would be a great diffi-
culty in passing this Bill, unless some provision was
made for the election of guardians.
After a few words from Mr. CRIPPS,
Colonel SIBTHORP said that there would be some
difficulty in the first place to discover the owners of
these small cottages, and where they did find them, as
their owners were poor people who did not get their
rents, it would be rather hard to call upon them to pay
the rates :from their limited means. This was a ques-
tion which demanded as much consideration from the
House as the case of the occupier of these tenements. If
the rate was not paid within a certain time, the over-
seer had a right to distrain upon the occupier, and who
in his turn had to look to the landlord for in-
demnification, by a reduction from the rent,
He thought that the cases of both owner and occupier
demanded equal consideration, and this Bill, worded as
it was, instead of giving a relief to the poor occupier,
gave the power of distraining upon him and oppressing
him.

Mr. BUCK said that, in the case of large towns din
agricultural districts, where people invested large
amounts of capital in business, the agricultural had to
pay for the parts of the district occupied by the esta-
blishments of manufacture. He thought the pre-
sent system of rating wholly inefficient, and he should
therefore give his fullest support to the Bill of the
Hon. Member.
Mr. G'RIMSDITCH said that this Bill would inflict
a very serious injury upon the poor; for the landlord of
a house was liable for the rate, whether the House was
occupied or not. In times of distress the rent could not
be collected, and under this Bill the landlord had not
only to be at the loss of his rent, but to pay
the rate also. That they might not be able in many
instances to do, and thus many poor people would be
driven from the only place where they could obtain
shelter. On these grounds he should vote against the
second reading of this Bill,
Mr. HENLEY wished to state the reasons which
would induce him to vote against this Bill. It was a
subversion of the present system of rating in this
country with respect to the poor man. The poor man,
under the present law, was, by consent, struck off the
list altogether; but now he was to be compelled to pay
it. Such a pressure could not be sustained by the poorer
classes, and therefore he should oppose the Bill.
Mr. ALLIX said, if the Bill did the slightest harm
he would not support it ; but he did not believe that it
would have an injurious effect.—(Cries of " Divide.")
Mr. CAREW supported the Bill.
Sir JOHN PAKINGTON was opposed to it, and
believed it would effect very great injustice, as it would
increase the difficulties of the labouring poor in pro-
curing cottages.
Mr. PACKE supported the Bill, and believed it would
have a most beneficial effect.

Mr. HUDSON objected to the Bill, on the ground of
its impolicy and injustice. It was said to be a measure
which would have a goOd effect towards the poor, but he
disagreed in that opinion, and thought it would operate
most injuriously in their regard.
Mr. BROTIIERTON thought it would be best to
postpone the measure for the present.
Mr. STANSFIELD thought, if this measure passed
it would be a disfranchisement of the rights of the poor,
and on that account he would give it his most decided
opposition.
Mr. WODEHOUSE would support the second read-
ing, as he thought the case in regard to the poor was
proved; still he thought, from other considerations, that
the Bill could go no further than that stage.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought, from the
„e—eat difficulties which would accompany the working of
the Bill that it would be found to operate in certain cases

most prejudicially. He would therefore feel bound to
oppose it, should it be pressed to a division.
Mr. BANKES thought it should be a general Bill,
hut rather than that any mutilation should take pace,
he would support the second reading.
The House then divided, when there appeared--
For the second reading
Against it S9
The Bill wa!reaojnosreitgYnently lost.
. , .
readingi
li ii r.
~:,ifiNathilk.,tlTlTLeknNialnl
Tenant
lliA.:hwßt I L L ( I R E L A N D ).
intimation that the Governmelnl'3°pti
a Bill u
ha.derseltwoatidnlg inonfirmed the ricliii:nolu).lldiml
enohovateddp
pledge
e receivedstehceomna
n(.l
he would theYretOre sign the
the subject. The House
imp l 3 move the secondthe
readingn Lill, and
a nodf
BERNAL OSBORNE said that he would not
Gentleman and the House,
itnbtelel.nrrp.iollse between the Ilon.Geo said
eof
provisionsorhieh struck at the
t
h
o
se
who formerly
tha Bill contained soreieiewason,
gs
zhetdt o be a pro-
cdonfe
root of all property.
thought that the landlords o)f Irnelean
scribed class.—(Laughter.
his opinions while he was in the state of ignorasnuch weerhe
most of the Members of the House were in with reGspwhti-t-
-the state of Ireland. But two years' residence.ee- i3l
that country, had convinced him that instead of their
censure the landlords deserved their sympathy.—(llear,
hear.) He had tenants in the south of Ireland who
were accustomed to owe him three and four years rent,
whom he was constantly obliged to forgive the whole

' amount to, and give them 401. or 501. to get rid of them.
quietly. He did not know what better tenant right
they desired. He would not oppose the second reading
if the Government would pledge themselves not to sanc-
tion the passing of the Bill.
Mr. MONAHAN said that all the Members of the
Government were unavoidably absent, and he, therefore,
requested the Hon. Member to postpone his motion.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD postponed the Bill until Wed-
nesday next.

- POOR AND HIGHWAY RATES.
This Bill was also postponed till Wednesday, 19th of
May.

COUNTY BUILDINGS' BILL.
This Bill was read a second time.
The House then adjourned.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES,
HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY).

GROUP I.

-18

The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of
the Bills comprised in this group, re-assembled this morning
at the usual hour in Room 30; Mr. W. 0. Stanley in the
chair.
THE SOUTII-EASTERN NORTH KENT AND

MID ZENT LINES.
The entire day was occupied in disposing of the clauses in
these Bills. The whole of the clauses were agreed to, and
the Chairman was directed to report to the House accord-
ingly.
This closed the labours of the Committee. The Commit-
tee met for the first time on the 11th of March.

GROUP VI.

SALISBURY AND YEOVIL, AND EXETER,

YEOVIL, AND DORCNESTEU.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. Ford, carrier, gave evidence in favour of the advan-
tages to be derived from a through competing line to Exeter,
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-
marrow.

GROUP XVI.
STOUR VALLEY (No. II.)
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Other evidence of a general nature was given in favour of
this line, and the Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to-
morrow.

GROUP XVIII.
CIEUSITATETZECILIVZ AND ox.romax
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
To Mr. ALEXANDER'S cross-examination, Mr. Hawkeshaw
replied that he had made his examination of the strata at
Cheltenham on Saturday and Sunday last, examining the
plans and sections on Saturday, and going over the ground
next day, in which he was occupied for four hours. Several
pits had been dug, both by the order of Mr. Stephenson and
Mr. Brunel. From the levels of the water in these pits he
had ascertained the tendency of the water in the strata, and
he was satisfied that the works of the railway would not at
all exhaust the water in the wells on either side of the course,
although to the extent of a hundred and fifty, or, as Mr.
Milne conceived, to the extent of two hundred yards on
each side. There were two modes of obviating the difficulty,
one—the longer—by inserting the culverts, which would oc-
casion some little inconvenience; and the other, by building
the walls first, which would be a shorter plan so far as the wells
are concerned, but which would draw the water from them
to a much larger extent. The time, however, occupied would
not be longer, even on the more protracted system, than six
weeks; for he had himself executed a much larger work in
that period. There was a canal which had proved from its
depth and width inconvenient for the traffic which came
upon it, and it was conceived necessary to use boats of twelve
feet beam, and drawing four feet and a half of water. In
order to adapt the canal for such vessels it required
to be both deepened and -widened for a length of
sixteen miles. The canal was closed for five weeks,
and during that time the water was all drawn off, the puddle
taken out, the canal widened to the requisite extent, the
locks taken down and rebuilt, and walling of stone to the
length of several miles erected to protect the banks, the
water was again let on, and the canal was in use. A portion
of this cutting only passed through the wet clay, where there
was the flow of water, and he did not conceive that any
difficulty would arise on that account, or that the
substantiality of the works would in any way be affected
by that circumstance, for he had himself about a year and a
half ago built a chimney a hundred and fifty feet high, of
brick, near Bolton-le-Mosrs, on a quick sand. In fact it
would be considered a matter of no difficulty whatever.
The Earl of LINCOLN observed that the Great Victoria
Tower, at the Houses of Parliament, was built on the wettest
sand he ever saw.
To Sir WALTER -Teams, the witness replied that the work
was of such a nature as to enable the contractor to put a
great number of men on at once, so that he believed the
work would be half executed in the time that was taken in
talking about it.
To Mr. BunKE, on re-examination, Mr. Hawkeshaw re-
plied that the inverted tiles were not likely to choke,
although they were laid upon wet sand, and if such a cir-
cumstance did occur it was easy to make a drain to relieve
them. With respect to the wells, they might be affected to
some extent, and a compensation could easily be made, and
even during the construction of the works a supply of water
for the inhabitants might readily be obtained.
Mr. Simpson, a civil engineer, chiefly connected with
waterworks, and who has much to do with the waterworks
in London, stated that he had examined the strata of
the sand bed of Cheltenham personally, and had not the
slightest doubt as to the facility with which the water
would be directed into its usual course even during the
construction of the works. There was certainly some
running sand, but the wet sand was agglutinated to some
extent byy clay and other surreptitious matters.
To Mr. ALIXANDER, the witness replied that he had
known Cheltenham for some years, but had only examined
the strata particularly during his professional visits, and be-
lieved that no permanent inconvenience would arise, although
the wells might be affected during the construction of the
works, but they would regain their original level within
a month after they were finished. The inverts he should lay
upon a flat tile; deemed that quite a sufficient foundation for
the purpose. The retaining walls are to be of 3i brickwork,
laid in cement and hydraulic mortar, a substance which had
of late years been much used by civil engineers in the
formation of waterworks. The prices for the several
portions of the work were, in his opinion, very hand-
some ; they were to be Is. 6d. per cubic yard
for excavation, 255. for brickwork, and 355. a yard for
brickwork in cement. In the event of the water coming
in, he would keep it down by sheet-piling; and
even should the water percolate underneath, the evil might
easily be repressed by a sewer. But he had had very great
experience in the construction of waterworks—he should
think to the extent of 1,250,0001.—and had made a great
extent of perfectly water-tight brickwork; indeed he could
take the Learned Gentleman at the present time to places
forty yards below the Thames, where he would be as dry as
he was then.

Mr. ALEXANDER. expressed his sense of the kindness, but
begged to decline the invitation.
Mr. Cubitt stated that he had had forty years' experience
as a civil engineer. He could confirm the previous testi-
mony as to the goodness of the prices proposed for the work
of this excavation, and also that which had been stated with
regard to the facility with which the work could be executed.
In order to show the nature of the strata, Mr. Cubitt pro-
duced two specimens of the sand taken from two streets in
Cheltenham, one a remarkably fine dry sand, and the other
a coarser sand, mixed with small pima of stony clay. He
believed the work could not be done in one month, but it
might be completed, he believed, in two; and, in his opinion,
the draught of the water from the wells would only be a
temporary inconvenience, lasting for a short time.
Several engineers from Cheltenham, who are intimately
acquainted with the district, confirmed the previous testi-
mony.
Mr. Ball, a land valuer, stated that he estimated the value
of property to be taken at 164,69 A—that in Cheltenham
alone being 85,000/. The quantity of land required is 141
acres.

Mr. Saunders was recalled to state the difference of the
fares in favour of the Great Western Company.
This closed the case for the promoters, and it was agreed
that Mr. Alexander should open the case of the landowners,
for whom he appeared, to-morrow.
The Committee then adjourned.

GROUP XXI.

the Bills comprised in this group re-assembled at the usual
hour this morning; Mr. Baring in the chair.
RocnDALE CANAL (SALE TO ri/ANCLIES-
TER AND LEEDS RAILWAY).
The whole of the day was occupied with general
evidence in favour of this sale. The evidence went to show
that the affairs of the canal, which had involved an outlay of
upwards of 780,000/., were in a very depressed condition, and
it would, therefore, be for the interest of the proprietors of
the canal, as well as the public, that this sale should be
effected. _

Mr. BAIXEs addressed the Committee for the opponents of
the measure at some length, contending that the railway,
company were anxious to make a tool of the canal, and sa-
crifice the interest of the public.
The Committee then adjourned.

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 29, 1817.

port, which would be preferred by steamers on account of its
greater safety.
Cross-examined by Mr Sergeant Munrwr—He would
prefer Kirkcudbright as a sailing port before Annan.
By the CiLantatax---He would rather accept a ss. freight
from Kirkcudbright in preference to a 7s. 6d. freight from
Annan.
By Mr. Sergeant MURPHY—The distance from Belfast to
Girvan was, perhaps, 52 miles, and to Kirkcudbright about
70. There was a great choice of ports accessible at all times
on the coast of Ayr. He preferred Lock Ryan to Kirkcud-
bright.
Mr. John Leathern, flax-spinner, Londonderry, said that
the population of that town was 20,000. It had a large and
increasing trade, and the exports and imports would be ex •
tended by the formation of the railways which were now in
process. The exports from Derry in the last year were in
corn, 22,000 tons; flax, 4,000 tons; eggs, 14,459 boxes;
pigs, 16,379 • butter, 75,000 casks. The trade of Belfast
was greater ;hail that of Londonderry, but he did not think
that the exports were so great. They had a considerable
import trade. Newcastle sent them coal, coke, machinery,
glass, salt, soda, and other articles, and received in return
corn, provisions, and flax.
Mr. SergeantMunpriv said that he was as much interested
in the traffic as the other side was, and, therefore, he thought
it would be unfair to take up the time of the Committee by
cross-examining upon this point.
Sir THOMAS PHILLIPS said that, provided they were not
afterwards met by the other side with the argument, that
they had not shown an equal amount of traffic with theirs,
he would be quite willing to drop further examination on
this point.
The Committee suggested that he should confine himself
to a few agricultural witnesses.
Mr. Kennedy, of Kirkland, was called—He had property
in Roxburgh and Kirkcildbrightshires, and leased properties
in the counties of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Ross, Suther-
land, Argyle, and Inverness. He paid a rental
for these lands of some 6,0001. per annum ; he paid in addi-
tion for wintering stock 2,030/. Ile understood that the
extent of land leased by him was 200,000 acres, and that
his ordinary stork of sheep was 45,000. He was also a
cattle-dealer. He calculated that from the east of the water
of Urr there would be sent into England, of fat cattle 3,000;
half-fat, 16,000 ; fat sheep, 69,000; lambs, 30,000 ; store
sheep, 15,000. To this would be added, by the Kircudbright
branch, fat cattle, 2,000; half-fat, 18,000; fat sheep, 20,000;
store sheep, 20,000. He had framed these calculations on
very careful data, and he thought he was justified in think-
ing them correct.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant MURPHY—At present
half-fat cattle were sent into England by Stanmore and
Arundel, and so on ; fat cattle were sent to Liverpool by sea,
and were shipped at the various ports on the coast. Four-
fifths of the Galloway breed of cattle were sent to the east of
England. The Northern Counties Union to Penrith would
answer for their store sheep and cattle, and the Lancaster and
Carlisle line to Northallerton (if short and cheap) would
afford them still further advantages.
Re- examined by Sir T. PHILLIPS—The line to Penrith
being only 18 miles long would not be of any very great ad-
vantage to them, and to avoid trouble they world rather go
at once upon the main line.
Sir THOMAS PHILLIPS was proceeding to call Mr. Hunter,
the second largest cattle- dealer in Scotland, to corroborate
the evidence of Mr. Kennedy, but the Committee intimated
that they were satisfied on this point, and would prefer hear-
ing evidence on the Canobie coal trade.
Mr. Wright, manager of the Duke of Buccleuch's mineral
fields, was intimately acquainted with the minerals of the
district. At present the districts of Galloway were only sup-
plied by coal from England, and the cost of Newcastle coal.-
at the different ports might be taken at 16s. Bd. per ton. B)
the opening of the Canobie branch an abundant and cheap
supply could be procured. The length of the fields in the
upper series was three miles, and the coal was found in six
seams of an aggregate depth of 35 feet 9 inches. The coal
was of a very good quality, being equal to West Cum-
berland. In the lower series there were four seams of an aggre-
gate depth of 19 feet 6 inches. The price at the pit's mouth
was ss. 10d. They could be delivered in Dumfries at about
Bs. 6d., and in Kirkcudbright at something under 10s. Be-
yond the quantity used
.for district consumption, he calcu-
lated that a considerable quantity would be shipped at the
port of Kirkcudbright. The coal was adapted for coking,
and could be delivered at any of the stations of the Glasgow
and Ayr Company at 20s. per ton. The estimate of con-
sumption of coke by the lines connected with the Dumfries
Company:was 40,000 tons, and out of this quantity he thought
Canobie would supply one-third. lie thought that the in •
terests of the Canobie field would be better cared for by the
Dumfries Company, because the Caledonian might rather
choose to encourage the coal which would come the longer
distance upon their line.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Mullions—He had no
experience of railway management, further than that he had
frequently sent coals upon railways. He thought now as he
thought last year, that if the navigation were equal, and the
rates the same, Annan, as being the nearest port to the
Canobie district, would be preferred.
Re- examined by Sirl'Hostas Putuars—Kirkcudbright was
not contemplated last year as a shipping port.—(Laughter.)
Mr. Christie agreed in the evidence given by Mr. Wright,
of the minerals of Canobie, both as to their quality and
extent.
Mr. Fawcett, proprietor of certain coal-fields on the line of
the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway, said that considerable
quantities of coal would be transmitted along the proposed
Brampton line.
Mr. Liddell, provision merchant, Brampton, proved the
preference given by the district to the scheme of the Dum-
fries and Carlisle Company over that of the Caledonian.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Munratv—He did not
know which of the schemes passed through the town of
Brampton.—(Laughter.)
Mr. Sergeant Muttony—Do you, in fact, know anything
at all about it ? (Laughter.)
Witness—lf I knew I would tell you.—(Laughter.)
Mr. Carr put in papers, showing the amount of traffic,
&c., from Newcastle to Glasgow.
Mr. William Anderson had acquainted himself with the
extent of the trade by steam from Glasgow to Newcastle,
and it did not exceed 300 tons. The whole amount which
would be abstracted from the Caledonian Company by the
Dumfries Company would be 4,9901. 75., or, deducting 45
per cent. for working expenses, 2,774/. I4s. The loss to
the Caledonian Railway on the Dumfries and Edinburgh
traffic would be as equal to 27 miles of their line, and to
compensate for that loss he brought upon their line at
Gretna a large amount of traffic, for which they took no
credit in the original prospectus.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant MURPHY— He had heard
that this traffic was omitted in deference to the opinions of
the Railway Commissioners. He had heard that this formed
an element in Mr. Locke's design. He had, when examined
last year, mentioned only the port of Annan as a shipping
station for coals, because no other port then existed.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow, at twelve

IRISH AND SCOTCH DISTRESS.
We still receive painful communications respecting
the need of food, seed, end clothes; and, at the request
of the secretary of the United Relief Association, we
give insertion to the following letters recently received:
H.M.S. Scourge, Greenock, N. 8., April 19, 1847.
MY DEAR SIR—You will justly charge me with being
very remiss in not having acknowledged your kind note
enclosing Miss Colville's 11., and the 41. from your asso-
ciation for poor Mrs. Gamble of Surgeview.
I have just returned from the neighbourhood of Sligo,
having been there with seed corn for Sir Robert ;Gore
Booth, and I only received your letter on my arrival, and
at the same time one from Mrs. Gamble, acknowledging
the receipt of the 51., and, with much gratitude, begging
of me to express her thanks. lam happy to say 20/.
has been set to her.
I must thank you to acknowledge the very great kind-
nees of my unknown friend "E.'s" gift for the same
family. Should you have occasion to send her any more
a letter, directed to " Mrs. Gamble, Surgeview, to the
care of Mr. Rowe, postmaster, Bellmullet," will reach
her in safety.
lam very glad the association has taken up the seed
question so earnestly. Ido hope it may be met by the
people, and yet I fear in many cases it cannot, as the
poorer landholders have no money ; and the landlords
will not or cannot advance upon the growing c ops. I
think in some cases they may hold back from fear, as,
from the fact of the sowing being so restricted, the
opinion has taken deep root that if they sow others will
reap ; yet this would be removed if sowing became
general.
In the neighbourhood of Sligo Sir Robert and lady
Gore Booth have done much geed, and it would be
well for Ireland if all the landlords took as much
personal interest in their property as he does.
There is a degree of cleanliness and comfort
throughout his estate which speaks more than
words could do of the care taken of the tenantry. Lord
Palmerston's property adjoins Sir Robert's, and he, too,
has been doing a great deal of good. A healthy looking
man, or a strong horse in the neighbourhood, is at once
said to come from " Lissadele." A portion of Sir Ro-
bert's property (not more than 1,000 acres) is a sandy
isthmus, the send of which extends over about 2,000
acres, the half of which is the poverty of J. Gethins,
Esq. On this sand reside about 60 families (numbering
about 300 soul.). The sand is a moving mass, and the
drift bra been so great that many of the cabins are hid
from view altozether, the sand being on a level with the
tops of the chimney-hole. Sir Robert has got an emi-
grant ship (which his brother has bought) on her way to
Sligo Bay, intending to pack off 300 of his tenantry if
he can, with the view of enlarging his farms to 15, 20,
and 25 acres. I believe he intends also to send those of
his tenants who may have their habitation upon this
sandy district. I went into the cabins in one of the
villages, called T3allyconnels, in the parish of Drum-
cliffe, barony of Carberry, belonging to Mr. Gethins.
The drift sand caused a cleanly appearance to both out-
side and in. The entrance resembled that of a rabbit
burrow, and you had to crawl upon hands and knees
to accomplish the task of getting inside. There
was misery within the walls. A poor man sat en one
,ide a small peat fire, and an old woman on the other;
upon a log of wood. The old men was quite naked, and
a skeleton form ho certainly displayed. His bed rug was
the only thing he had over his boulders; this was his
only covering by day or night. His limbs were much swol-
len at the extremities, and his tongue was like a piece of
raw beef. I saw this poor old man the day before (Sir
Robert having taken me), but on the occasion I speak
of the surgeon was with me. He said he was be•
yond medical interference. ',However, I insisted upon
their getting him some rice, not with any hope of the
poor old man recovering; he is past that. In another
and an adjoining cabin lay a poor old woman in bed,
literally skin end bone, her legs, her arms, her chest,
were frightful; her stomach was swollen very much,
and she said she was in much pain; indeed, whilst stand..
ing by the side of her one of her paroxysms of pain came
on, distorting her features fearfully. We desired them
to get her rice, and feed her by small quantities at a time.
These poor creatures are in great destitution, and ought
not to be allowed to exist in such habitations, or on such
a wilderness. I have no doubt there would be great diffi-
culty in ejecting them, but I am strongly of opinion '
some other place should be provided for them. In each
of the cabins we visited, one or two such eases were to
he found, confined to the aged and the children ; those
of the family who were able to work were out on the
roads or planting bent (a sort of rush which grows on
the sand, and prevents its drifting.) The district was
very healthy ; no fever or dysentery.
I am now going to the Shetland or Orkney Islands
with meal, and sail to-morrow. I have a great many
letters to write, which must plead my excuse for this
hurried one to you.—With many thanks to your com-
mittee, believe me, my dear Sir, very truly yours,
J. CRA.WFORD CAFFIN.
The Rev. G. H. Stoddart, &c.

Singort Manse, Portree, Skye, March 30, 1847.
Sir—l am advised to apply to your society for relief
for this parish, consisting of upwards of 3,000 souls,
almost all now in a state of destitution,
greatly aggra-
vated by the prevalence of measles and typhus.
Some Christian friends in England placed small sums
of money at my disposal, with which I have been enabled
to relieve a great amount of suffering by giving food,
medicines, and paying sick nurses and other attepdance.
I am called on also very frequently to assist, and in some
instances to defray the whole expense necessarily in-
curred in burying the dead.
Every one acquainted with the Highlands mast re-
member that the funds for the benefit of the poor were
intrusted to the minister and his elders for distribution ;
and though the case is now altered, in consequence of the
poor-law having come into operation, still those in dis-
tress think the minister is the only person to whom they
should apply, and from this circumstance, coupled with
the unfortunate state of the parish, were it not for the
kindness of some clergymen of the Church of England, I
would sooner leave my people altogether than be obliged
to witness, not only daily, but hourly, sufferings which I
could not alleviate.

The supplies of oatmeal, the only food sent us by the
central board, have been hitherto limited and irregular,
and in the intervals between each supply the people have
suffered severely. I could describe scenes I have wit-
nessed that scarcely would be credited in England.
The famine is likely to be prolonged far beyond this
year, for the want of any seed of any kind to be laid in
he ground. There are hundreds of poor families in this
parish, who have patches of land for potatoes, and which
must be waste for want of seed. The potato crop being
an entire failure none can be got for love or money in
this island. Can your society do anything to alleviate
our distress? If so, let it he done speedily; aced time is
now passing away, and though we have applied in dif-
ferent quarters no help is held out to us. May God
lend us help, and that right early. Leaving our cause
in his hands, whose is the silver and the gold, and who
can turn the hearts of those who are more favoured than
we are towards us in the time of need.

I am in great haste, your obedient servant,
ANGUS MARTIN.
The Rev. G. H. Stoddart, M.A., Secretary,
United Relief Association, 40, Leicester-square.

Romelee, Kanturk, Ireland, April 8.
Dear Sir,—l have the pleasing duty of returning to
you and the United Relief Association heartfelt thanks
for the benevolent donation of V. for the relief and
clothing of the destitute children and females of my
vicinity. This enables me to add many a sufferer to my
list this morning. May it please the Almighty to return
a blessing fourfold to those generous benefactors of the
destitute who so literally fulfil the desire of their Lord—
" When I was an hungered ye gave me food; naked, and
ye clothed me."
Already the altered appearance of the children who
have been for some months fed at the school, and taught,
is remarkable. As those who have received new clothes
come to the window to be reviewed each morning, it is
indeed a pleasing sight; and I bless God, who has en-
abled me, assisted by the sympathy of the humane, to be
of some use in this afflicted country. There is nothing
more necessary now for the poor than clothing; most of
their wretched garments are threadbare.
I propose shortly (D.V.) giving an extensive order
for home-made flannel. This will give employment, and
render clothing less expensive. Irish made flannel is a
most durable article, well suited for the poor.
I have thus trespassed on your time, knowing that you
are generously interested for the suffering poor of this
much afflicted country.—l have the honour to remain,
Sir, your faithful and obliged servant,

MARGARET NEWMAN.

Elm Cottage, Cheam, Surrey, April 16.
My dear Sir,—l have been urgently requested by a
friend in Mallow to supplicate your committee for a
grant of clothing to the ladies' female relief association
of that town. My correspondent, who is their secretary,
is the wife of Richard Barret, Esq., J.P., chairman of
the board of guardians, &c.
With your permission, I will make a few extracts
from her letter to me, on the subject of the prevailing
distress.

Speaking of the fever which is now raging in Mallow,
she says, " several of the poor people are walking about
literally dying, and when you recollect that those who
recover are obliged to creep about in their old, disease-
infected clothes, you will not be surprised at the rapid
spread of disease. Only imagine to be lying day and
night in the same miserable. rags, without any
change whatever, when, if there could be a
change of clothing provided for those few who
recover, their old rags might be burned. Instead of
this, the pestilential covering of the dead is eagerly
grasped by the living, to cover their emaciated frames.
If we could but procure some clothing for them, it
would be the greatest boon. An old cotton gown,
without any under garments, is all such poor skeletons
wear. Were I writing to a lady, I might tell of such
wants as would amaze the women of England. I assure
you that nearly everything in this house which could
be converted into clothing—such as sofa-qpvers, cur-
tains, old carpets, coverlets, &e.—have disappeared long
since.

Our committee is trying to give employment to a
number of poor women, and we hourly witness such
scenes as no pen can describe. Our funds are so small
that we cannot afford to give away gratuitously. I see
by the advertisement of your valuable committee that
they propose to make grants of clothing. They little
know the incalculable benefits that will ari.',e from this
branch of their brnevolent exertions.
I am not capable of delineating the deplorable state
of the poor in this neighbourhood, nor c add you bear
to hear it. Yet all this and a thousand fold worse is
the actual experience of multitudes of our fellow-
creatures.
You will bear with me while I implore of you to use
your influence with your truly valuable committee to let
me have a grant of clothing for distribution by our
ladies' committee amongst these poor people, to whom
we are endeavouring to give employment. I assure you
that in many cases it is dangerous to come into contact
with them; and even our servants, though generally