The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-25 00:00:00

PUBLICOLA.

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—Allow me to call your attention to the following
fact :—Last evening on the extreme end of Blackfriars-bridge,
surrey side, a concourse of persons were assembled on the
pavement to witness a most disgusting scene—three mem
apparently drunk, fighting and endangering the lives of the
quietly disposed by causing them to deviate from their course,
and go into the road, which at that hour (8 o'clock) was
crowded with omnibuses.

The fray had occupied twenty minutes when, for the first
time during the riot, I saw a policeman (362 City). The
party had by this time moved on probably sixty yards,
Surrey side. I urged the officer to dispel the mob ; he
refused, saying, I have no authority beyond the bridge.
Surely, Mr. Editor, the populous district of the Black-
friars-road ought not to be left without the assistance of one
of these very useful functionaries for the space of half an
hour. A more disgraceful scene I never witnessed. Hoping
you will call the attention of the proper authorities to this
statement. The brawl had not ceased when I left, nor was a
Metropolitan policeman to be found, although a woman,
apparently the wife of one of the men, was screaming
" murder" lustily.—l am, Sir, &c.,
August 24,1846.

G. P.

THE TITHE COMMISSION.
The following is the report of the Tithe Commissioners for
England and Wales :

Tithe Commission, Aug. 12.
Sir,—lt is our duty to report to you the progress of the
commutation of tithes in England and Wales, to the close of
the year 1845.
e have received notices that voluntary proceedings have
commenced in 9,623 tithe districts ; of these notices 29 were
received during the year 1845.
We have received 7,031 agreements, and confirmed, 6,704;
of these 67 have been received, and 88 confirmed during the
year 1845.

5,489 notices for making awards have been issued, of
which 944 were issued .during the year 1845.
We have received 3,916 drafts of compulsory awards, and
confirmed 3,376 ; of these 592 have been received, and 555
have been confirmed during the year 1845.
We have received 8,995 appointments, and confirmed
8,660 ; and of these 657 have been received, and 741 con-
firmed during the year 1845.
In 10,080 tithe districts, as will be seen from the above
statement, the rent charges to be hereafter paid, have been
finally established by confirmed agreements or confirmed
awards.
We have in our possession agreements and drafts of awards,
as vet unconfirmed, which will include 867 additional tithe
districts; and make a total when completed of 10,917 dis-
tricts in which the tithes will have been commuted.

We have to repeat the assurance which we have happily
been able to give in all our former reports, that the processes
of commutation are going on, on the whole, tranquilly and
satisfactorily.
We have adverted, in two former reports, to the state of
the law under what is called Lord Tenterden's Act.

We have to express our deep regret that that law remains
as uncertain as ever. While this uncertainty continues, it is
impossible for us to adjudicate with any justice to the parties
in very many cases which await our decision, and in which
proceedings are necessarily suspended.
We have before explained the very serious delay which
must result from postponing these cases.
All the alterations and fresh powers which we have ven-
tured to suggest in our two last reports will be carried out,
if a Bill now before the Legislature should receive the royal
assent this session. We have the honour to be, Sir, your
faithful and obedient servants,
W. BLAMIRE,
R. JONES.
To the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., &c.,
Home Office.