The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-22 00:00:00

NEW BEER TRADE,

The Seventh. Annual den'eral Meeting of the Sub-
t:t.tribirs of the Metropolitan New Publican's Protection
Society, and others connected with the above trade, was
held yesterday at the London Mechanics' Institution,
for the purpose of receiving the Report of the Commit-
tee for the last 3 ear ; to determine the manner in which
the sum voted for the Pension-fund should be appro-
priated ; and to elect officers for the ensuing year.
The Chair was oken by Mr. Peary at hall-past four

o'clock. He said, as it was their wish that he should
preside over them he would do so, and he would not
detain them longer than to say that he regretted that
the meeting was not more numerous, and that they had
not got a Chairman better qualified than himself. It
was a general meeting, and it was the duty of every
Member to attend it, as upon that occasion the Com-
mittee came before the members to justify their pro-
ceedings. He then ca led upon the Secretary to read
the Report.
Mr. BISHOP read the Report. It recapitulated

the proceedings of lest year respecting the Beer-law
Amendment Bill, by which the beersellers obtiined the
privilege of keeping open their shops to a liter hour,
and other important privileges, upon condition that the
qualification for a license should be raised to 1.51. in
London and other large towns, 1 I/. in other towns, and
81. in what were called the rural district. Searctly
bad the Act come into operation when a new reading
was put upon its clauses by the authorities of the Ex.
cisc. The Committee, and those who conceded the
qualification, understood that the 151., 11/., and 8/. re•
spectively, was to be the fair annual value of the house
and premises held by the applicant for a license, but the
Excise authorities considered and contended that it was
to be the rating value. Such a reading was never for
a moment contemplated by the Committee. The Ex-
cise ultimately referred the quotient() the law officers
of the Crown, and they were compelled to say that the
questions left to the law officers were fairly put. On
the 30th October, 1840, the Secretary was made ac-
quainted with the answer, and it was against the trade
—they were of opinion that, the law made it imperative
upon the Excise to take the rating value, and that the
overseers had no right to consider in any way the an
nual value. As it was certain that the Excise would
act upon that opinion, and as it would destroy at least
two-thirds of the existing houses, the Committee com-
municated with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A
deputation bad an interview with the 11,ght Hon. Gen-
tleman, the Chairman of the Excise being present.
They urged upon them the great detriment which such
a reading of the Act would prove to the public, to the
revenue, and to the beer trade, and that the clear un-
derstanding among all parties, while the Bill was going
through Parliament, was, that the value should be the
clear annual value of the house and premises, and not
the rating value. Tee Chancellor of the Exchequer
had admitted that the literal carrying out of the Act
would be attended with some inconvenience and diffi-
culty, but as to disturbing the law as it at present stood
he would not be a party to it. He advised them to
allow the law to take its course, in order that experience
might enable them to see bow it would work, and to
suggest the proper remedies. The Committee were
consequently obliged to submit, but they complained
that good faith had not been kept with them. Another
question had arises between the trade and the Excise.
Formerly when a beerseder let his house a license was
granted as a matter of course, but the Excise autho•
rities bed letter 4 declared that the license would not
be granted until the name of his successor appeared on
the tate-book. In consequence of the remonstrances
addressed to them, however, they had subscquertly come
to a different conclusion. The It-port then referred
to the annual steam-boat excursion and dinner, ‘vi ich
had contributed considerably to the funds of the So-
ciety. There had been only ten informe.tions against
the Society in the course of the year, and out of these
there had been but two convictions, in both of which
trifling penalties had been inflicted. The Report com-
plained of the want of co-operation on the part of the
country trade, and suggested the importance of unity,
energy, and perseverance in carrying out the objects of
the Society. •
The statement of receipts end- expenditure for the
past year, showing a sum of 2801. placed to the credit
of the pension fund, and 1201. for the use of the Society,
was then read by the Secretary.

Mr. HOLLING moved the adoption of the Report,
and Mr. S. FARRELL seconded it.

The question was put and agreed to unanimously.
The SECRETARY then called the attention of the
meeting to the regulations which had been prepared by
the Committee for the apportionment of the widows
and orphans' fund. He would first real them for the
meeting, and then they would be put by the Chairman
seriatim. The Secretary then read the regulations as
follows :

" 1. Agreeably to the 33d Rule, the widows or the
orphans of any beerseller are eligible to the benefits of
the pension fund : provided that, prior to his death, the
said beerseller was a member of the Society, and a
contributor for not less than three successive years, to
its funds.

" 2. The amount payable to a widow, shall not, in
any case, exceed ten pounds ; to an orphan, five pounds;
but not more than ten pounds to any one latbily:
" 3. No application from, or on account of, a widow
or orphans, will be received after the Lippe of one year
from the death of the me.-nber, nor if at the time of his
death he was more than nine months in arrears.

4. Upon application to the Secretary, a blank form
will (if all arrears are previously paid up), be di livered
to the party applying ; which form is to be filled up
agreeably to the directions thereon ; and when signed,
and attested by the signatures and addresses of tour
recommending subscribers (of whom not more than two
can be on the Committee), it is to be returned to the
Secretary, for the Committee.

" 5. Should the party applying be in a state requiring
irnrneliate assistance, a statement to that effect should
accompany the applic:tion ; upon receipt of which the
Committee may, at their first ensuing monthly meeting,
vote such sum (not in any case exceeding .5/.) as may
appear expedient.

" 6. No application received after the last day of
July, in any }ear, can be included in the list to be sub-
mitted to the general meeting in the October follow-
ing ; but it. will be entalad to be insert-A in the first
list made out subsequently.
" 7. Prior to the annual general meeting in October,
a lint shall be made out by the Secre•ary of the appli-
cacts who have given the required notice ; and the
names and addresses of the same shall be sent, at least
seven days prior to the day on which the meeting-is to
be held, to every member of the Snciet}, accompanied
by or appended to a notice of the time and pl ice of
raecVng ; so that, sh-,uld it be necessary to proceed to
a bll'ot, the list of applicants so sent may serve as a
voting or balloting paper.

" 8. On the day oftba annual meeting, immediately
after the Auditors' annual financial statement shall hare
bean disposed of, the amount proposed to be appro-
priated to the widows and oThans, as recommended by
the Committee, stall be stated by the Chairman, for
the approval of the subscribers (but which sum shall
not exceed one-eighth part of the total sum reported as
due to the pension fund). After which, the list of
applicants shall be read to the meeting by the Chair-
man (prior to the election of officers for the ensuing
year). And if the amount so declared will allow ten
pounds to each widow, aad five pounds to each orphan
(but not exceeding t*.n pounds to any one family), the
applicants shall each receive an order on the Treasurer
for the amount, deducting any sum previously voted by
the Committee, as per Rule 5 ; but if the number of
applicants be too many to allow such apportionment,
then a ballot slid' take place ; and the candidates ob-
taining the greatest number of votes, shall be declared
the successful parties. The ballot to be limited to two
hours, and to commence and close at the time fixed by
the Committee in the notice or circular.

"9. The parties who may be unsuccessful at any
election will be at liberty to apply again, but not where
a spcc!al objection shall hays been taken against such
individual, and confirmed by a vote of the general meet-
ing. But no candidate will be put in the list more than
three times."

The first regulation having been put from the Chair,
Mr. HAwiaNs moved the introduction of the words
" provided the widow be in necessitous circumstancet."
The amendment having been seconded by Mr.
LATHAM,

Mr. Bl3llo£ objected to the amendment, on the
ground that the rules had been maturely considered by
the Committee, and they considered that it would be an
inquisitorial prying into the circumstances of each party
applying.

- -A- SUBSCRIBER called on the Secretary to read the
33a section of the enrolled rules of the S.,:ciety.
Mr. 131stitoP then read the section alluded to, which
provided for the object of the amendment.
Mr. IlAwKnis pressed his amendment. That meet-
ing might alter any rule of the Society if it pleased.
Mr. BISHOP Fuld he assured the meeting that they
bad no such power. In order to obtain that power, a
special meeting must be had.
The CHAIRMAN said that a notice of such a meeting
must be g;ven to every Subscriber.
The original motion was put and carried.
The 3d rule was put and carried.
On the 4th rule having been proposed,
Mr. Paosssft moved the inscition of the words
that no member shall be qualified to give such a re-
commendation unless he be a subscriber to the Society
hs," which was cearietl.
and 8, were then pasted without oh.
forse corl:vi.e7ms7
6t

On the list rul being submit! el,
Mr. WARD inuved that the words in the rule after
general meeting" be erased, which amennment was
carried.
The rule as amended Ramthen put and carried.
The CHAIRMAN then read the form of an application.
There was but one apPeation to the Society at this
mcctivg.
The meeting then proceeded to tied, a new CoM-
talltLee ctltl*catitig Ur t;goe idto to c:tot
Secretary and a Collector. Ihe meeting then adjourned.