The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-08 00:00:00

THE CENTRAL CHAMBER OF
AGRICULTURE.
On Tuesday, a meeting of the Central Council and
deputed members from provincial Chambers was held at
the Salisbury Hotel, Fleet-street, London, Sir Massey
Lopes, Bart., M.P., in the chair. There was a large
attendance.
The Chairman, on taking his seat for the first time as
president, said he was deeply impressed with the impor-
tance and usefulness of Chambers of Agriculture, because
they were a great power, a recognised power, and bad
considerable influence on the councils of the nation. No
class of persons had suffered more from want of
combination, co-operation, and organisation than the
agriculturists, and he believed if the same unity had
existed some years ago as now existed, many of those ex-
ceptional burdens which had been imposed upon egricul-
tural industry would never have been successfully placed
upon them. (Hear, hear.) Now they had legitimate
means which they had never before possessed of making
themselves heard and ventilating their grievances. When
these chambers were first established they met with a
great deal of suspicion and antagonism—they were looked
upon as a sort of trade union combination of tenant interest
as against that of the landlord, but he need not say
there was never any ground for those objections. (Hear,
bear.) The discussions which had characterised their
proceedings had been most temperate and moderate, and
the language conciliatory ; and even on this question of
landlord and tenant the language had been more calcu-
lated to do away with those comparisons than to give
cause or reason for them—to cement rather than to dis-
turb the amicable relations, which he hoped would
always exist between landlord and tenant. (Hear, hear.)
During the six years the Chambers had baen established
they hai done good work. There were no less than 00
chambers affiliated with the Central Chamber, and in con-
clusion the chairman threw out several valuable hints,
which if acted upon would, he believed, considerably in-
crease the usefulness of the chambers.
The Chairman read the report of the Local Taxation
Committee, which congratulated the Chamber on the pro-
gress which had been made. Courts of quarter sessions
had in most cases petitioned Parliament on the subject.
and the committee had determined to pursue the same
course with regard to Boards of Guardians. The com-
mittee were of opinion that the question should he
brought before Parliament as early as possible in the
ensuing session, and if the Government did not throw out
in the Queen's Speech au intention of dealing with it, the
committee suggested that a deputation from the Central
Chamber, or others interested, should wait upon the
Government, and urge the necessity of a speedy conside-
ration with a view to a full and impartial inquiry into the
whole matter.
Mr. Horley (Warwickshire) moved, and Mr. Bence
seconded, the adoption of the report, which was agreed tc.
Professor Bund (Worcester) moved, " that it be an in-
struction to the Local Taxation Committee to use such
means as they think fit to diffuse useful information
throughout the large towns of the country upon the
subject of local taxation."
Mr. Caldecott (Warwick) seconded the motion.
Mr. Andrews (Somerset) suggested that means should
be taken to get grand juries to make a presentment on the
fubject.
The Chairman remarked that one great difficulty they
met with was that in large towns the smaller tenants did
not pay their rates to the tax-gatherer, but to their land-
lord in the rent, and the interest they took in the matter
was consequently limited. The amount levied in local
taxation was twenty millions annually, eight millions
being for local purposes, which was expended for the
benefit of those who contributed, and the remaining
twelve millions for imperial purposes, and as that was
universal in its object it ought to be levied on all classes.
This, he considered, was the strong point in their argument.
The resolution was then put and carried.
A long report of the courts on Fire Insurances was
read and adopted, and ordered to be printed and circulated
throughout the provincial chambers.
Mr. T. Rigby (Cheshire) then moved " that this Coun
cil in receiving the report of the joint committee on
weights and measures, adhere to its former resolutions to
the effect that all agricultural produce, except liquids,
should be sold by weight only, and that the cental of
100 lbs. is the standard most easy of adoption ; and that
chambers of agriculture be recommended to petition the
Legislature to pass such enactments as will establish this
plan." He argued that weight was the best estimate of
the value of grain, and was the fairest method of dis-
posing of it. The fact that maltsters and dealers were
opposed to the system was in itself sufficient to chew that
they gained an advantage over the farmer.
Mr. Willson (Leicestershire), seconded the resolution.
Mr. Wills considered that it would be impossible to
carry out the metric system, and hoped the Council would
not pledge itself to any course of action.
Mr. J. B. Smith, M.P., urged the importance of the
metric system, and pointed out the advantage it must be
to have a uniform system throughout the world. France,
Spain, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and Switzer-
land had already adopted the system, and it would next
year become compulsory in Germany. He believed the
Government were prepared to bring in a bill which would
make it permissive ; but what he wanted was that it should,
after the lapse of three or five years, become compulsory.
(Hear, hear.) If the public took up the subject,
warmly, and petitioned the legislature he had no doubt,
but that the result would be the introduction of the metric
system into England.
Professor Leoni Levi also advocated the system, and
said the inconvenience of the change suggested was greatly
magnified. It had not been attended with the slightest
inconvenience in any country where it had been adopted,
and by the time it became compulsory in England it would
be known thoroughly throughout the country.
Captain Cragie moved as an amendment " that this
Council, appreciating the advantages of the recom-
mendations contained in the report of the joint
committee, is yet of opinion that it is desirable
in the first place to afford facilities for an increased ac-
quaintance with the metric system, by introducing
instruction in its principles in public elementary schools."
He declared himself a strong a strong advocate of the
metric system, but said it was necessary that all classes
should be trained to it before it was introduced.
Mr. G. F. Muntz (Warwick) seconded the amendment.
After some discussion, Mr. Rigby agreed to withdraw
the words after " weight only," and the amendment
having been added to the resolution, it was put, and
unanimously adopted.
Mr. Hodson (West Kent) moved—" That this Council
urge the Government, when renewing the general
licensing system of the country to consider the unjust
pressure of the Malt Tax upon the growers of barley, and
upon the labouring classes who are the great consumers of
beer."
Mr. Arkell (Swindon) seconded the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.
The meeting then broke up.

It is intended to call out the Irish Militia in May
next. This is a practical answer by the Government to the
taunts of the " national" press.
TURKISH IRONCLAD& —The two new ironclads
which have been for some time in course of construction at
the Tersaneh in the inner Horn, are now completed, and
are said to do great credit to the Turkish Government and
its employ4s. The engines and all the fittings of these
vessels are the work of the Imperial factory at Yali-Kiosk.
—Levant Herald, January 25.
" THE FIGHT AT DAME EUROPA'S SCHOOL.”—We
understand that the Rev. H. W. Pullen, M.A., Minor
Canon and Librarian of Salisbury Cathedral, and the
author of "The Fight at Dame Europa's School,"
about to resign his Cathedral appointments, which h e
has held since the year 1863, with the intention of
devoting himself for the present to literary work.—Salis-
bury Journal.
THE WESTERN FISHERY.—Many Cornish boats
had very profitable takes of herrings during the past week,
and the whole of the salted herrings—the produce of the
enormous catch by Mount's Bay boats off Plymouth a few
weeks ago—were sold at 255. per hogshead. Active pre-
parations are being made at all the fishing stations for the
mackerel season, and a few hogsheads of fine fish have
already been taken and forwarded to London.
THE LATE MR. WILLIAM HAYES.—The late Mr.
William Hayes, senior conveyancing counsel of the Court
of Chancery, enjoyed a high reputation among lawyers.
Mr. Hayes was called to the Bar in 1818, but had before
that time practised as a conveyancer. At that time the
business of conveyancing had not been subjected to the
sweeping changes of modern reforms, and Mr. Hayes was
one of the few persons acquainted with the old property
law. The late Lord Langdale described him as the
" most farsighted lawyer he had ever known." Mr.
Hayes's acquirements were not limited to his professional
pursuits ; be was a classical scholar of some repute,
and contributed to the literature of his profession.
His treatise on the Elements of Conveyancing reached a
fifth edition and was highly appreciated, and his brochures
in the Solicitors' Journal were brilliant sketches. His
advancing years occasioned his withdrawal of late from
general society, where his animation rendered him a
general favourite, and he retired from ordinary practice ;
but he retained till his death the post of Conveyancing
Counsel to the Court of Chancery.

THE WAR.

BOURBAKI'S ARMY IN SWITZERLAND.
GENEVA, February 3.
The hopes which were based on the reported generosity
of the Germans have, unhappily, been disappointed, for
General Manteuffel has not countermanded the pur-
suit. An ominous despatch which arrived yes-
terday says that fighting is going on up to the
very frontier, and the conquerors are pitiless. Nine hun-
dred men have been interned at Neuchatel. Twenty-
thousand French were near Pontaller, close by the
frontier, and four thousand of these were pushing on to
Sainte Croix, where the Swiss division, commanded by
Colonel Bontemps, is stationed. In fact, they are crossing ,
the frontier anywhere and in any way, they came even
over the mountains, though the frost is terrible. Swiss
charity is exerting itself the utmost. The very children
are buying cigars for the " poor French." The entry of
the army began on the Ist at 5 a.m., and by the
afternoon of that day an immense quantity of muni-
tions and artillery, including mitrailleuses, were brought
across the frontier; but the Germans, late in the day,
made a great effort to cut off the retreat of the fugitives
near Fort de Joux and Verriers. It cannot, therefore,
be said that Prussia acquiesced in this retreat,
for she is endeavouring to prevent it at all hazards, wishing
to take the army into Germany. Otherwise we must sup-
pose the desperation of the pursuit is only intended to
augment the booty and increase the number
of the dead, and it is impossible to believe
this. The French were massed in large numbers
in the Val-de-Travers, and a good many got into the
canton de Vaud. Some melancholy spectacles were to be
seen along the frontier. The whole of the population of
little border villages have come into Switzerland with such
of their goods as they could carry, bringing them in carts
drawn by horses, cows, or men, and all weeping. Switzer-
land, though neutral, has to bear her share of the burdens
of war, and has already contracted a loan of 15,000,000 f..
though she will be in some degree indemnified for her
expenses. The Convention agreed on between Gene-
rals Clinchant and lerzog provides that the
French army shall deposit its arms, its artillery, its equip-
ments and munitions, which shall be restored to France
after the establishment of peace, and after the settlement
of the expenses incurredby Switzerland. Further arrange-
ments are to be made respecting the horses, and the
waggons which brought food and luggage will return
empty to France. The carriages bearing the treasure and
the mails will be given into the keeping of the Confede-
ration, which will give an account of them, independent of
the settlement of expenses. The execution of this article
is entrusted to the supervision of a mixed
commission of French and Swiss officers. The officers
of the fugitive army are to keep their arms, horses, and
effects. The Confederation decides on the places of
internment. The generals have the privilege of choosing
their place of residence. The officers will be sent to
Zurich, Lucerne, St. Gall, Angovia, and Interlaken.
They must give their parole in writing that they will not
leave the place of their internment without permission.
They must provide for themselves, being allowed, for
the staff, 6 francs per day, and for other officers 4 francs.
They may wear civil costume if they like. Should
they break their parole, they will be sent to Luziensteig.
Swiss troops are to guard the French soldiers, in the pro-
portion of from one-fifth to one-tenth of those guarded.
The French soldiers will have daily I lb. of
meat, 1i lb. of bread and vegetables, and
10 centimes in money. The non-commissioned officers
will have 25 cents. They may get employment if they
like, but are not compelled to do so, and their corre-
spondence will be free. They are under the Swiss military
law in case of insubordination, and are expected to be in-
doors at 8 p.m. The Federal Council has under-
taken to pay the loan of 15,000,000 f. necessi
tated by this influx of residents, in six years.
Great uneasiness has been created in Geneva by the
report that some of the French troops were passing
through Gex, and were aiming at reaching Lyons, with-
out having to enter Switzerland by the road between
Geneva and the Jura. But in case they should be pur-
sued by the Prussians, the war would rage
along the frontier, and all the available forces
of Geneva have been called out to meet the emergency.
Every preparation has been made to receive the unex-
pected guests, and even ecclesiastical buildings arranged
for their reception, being warmed, lighted, and sup-
plied with wine. Collections are being made on behalf of
the prisoners. The whole ordinary system of affairs is
thoroughly disorganised, and for several days the export
of merchandise has been suspended. Orders have been
given at all the railway stations for the immediate supply
of bread to Neuchatel.

THE PROVISIONING OF PARIS.
Up to Saturday evening 17 trains of provisions hack
arrived in Paris, and the work of revictualling proceeds
on all sides. The English War Department and Admi-
ralty are assisting. All day on Sunday, and again on
Monday, forty labourers were engaged at the Royal
Victoria Yard, Deptford, preparing two thousand tons of
provisions, principally salt beef and preserved meats,
such as are issued to the Royal Navy, for immediate
transport to Paris. In the river, embarking a portion of
these provisions, are her Majesty's ships Buffalo, M edusa
and Valorous, and in a few days further freights will be
taken by the War Department store-ships, Lord Panmure
and Earl de Grey and Ripon, which are expected imme-
diately in the Thames from Ireland and the Western
yards. Orders have also been issued, directing that the
men and boys recently employed in the bakery at
Deptford Victualling Yard are to be immediately re-
engaged, if possible for the manufacture of biscuits for the
poor of Paris, and twenty-four ovens are to be kept at
work night and day until further orders. Messrs. Peek,
Frean, and Co., despatched to Paris on Saturday from
ten to eleven millions of fine navy biscuits, weighing more
than 700 tons, and occupying 10,500 packages.
Grievous complaints are made by English firms,
to the effect that they have been induced to send
provisions, but could find no one to buy them. Messrs.
Christy and Sons, of Fenchurch-street, write :—We sent
goods to Dieppe for the revictualling of Paris, and although
the French Government officials promised to take all after
seeing invoice and bill of lading, yet when the steamer
with our goods arrived on Friday there was no one there
to receive our goods or purchase anything. There are
several English firms in exactly our position, and we
hear they are returning home, as no business can be done,
and they have all their goods left on their hands, with the
option of sending them to Paris or returning them to
London.