The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-10 00:00:00

PARISH OF ST. PANCRAS.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the vestry of SL Pancras, held
at the Vestry-rooms, Gordon-square (Mr. Churchwarden
Howarth in the chair),
Mr. Aldis and a deputation of ratepayers waited upon the
vestry, to call the attention of that body to circumstances
which had arisen in that parish, consequent on the death of
one of the assessed tax collectors, and which it was to be ap-
prehended would disqualify upwards of 1,500 borough
electors from being on the ensuing register. Mr. Aldis
stated, that although Mr. Lorant, one of the poor-rate col-
lectors, had been appointed as the successor of Mr. North-
cote by the Assessed Tax Commissioners, yet, through their
neglect, the necessary books would not be placed in the
collector's hands before the 17th or 18th of July, and it was
well known that the law compelled the payment on or be-
fore the 20th to qualify. The people were ready to pay their
rates, but there was no one to receive them, and the proba-
bility was that upwards of 1,500 electors residing in Sinners-
town and part of Camden-town would be disfranchised. The
ratepayors considered the vestry, as their representatives, 17ere
the proper persons to interfere in the matter.
Another RATEPAYER observed that he had occasion to see
Sir Benjamin Hall, one of the borough Members, that morn-
ing, and the Hon. Baronet considered the matter of very
serious importance, and had suggested, if a deputation of the
vestry were appointed, he would at once accompany them to
the Board of Stamps and Taxes, and insist upon some step
being taken to prevent the contemplated disfranchisement of
so many voters,
Mr. Lorant, the collector, was sent for, and, in answer to
questions by the vestry, said that he was appointed by the
Assessed Tax Commissioners to succeed Mr. Northcote, and
collect his arrears, on the 26th of June, but had not yet re-
ceived the necessary books for the purpose. The amount
requiredto be collected was 2,4001. from 1,540 persons. He did
all he could to get the books, and was told he could not have
them before the 17th. He was in hopes to get them by
Monday next.
Mr—DOUGLAS said, that while Mr. Lorant was collecting
the assessed Taxes the poor-rates would go uncollected,
which were equally necessary for the qualification of voters.
His idea was, that the vestry should go at once to Lord
John Russell on this subject, and point out to his Lordship
the necessity for repealing the rate-paying clauses of the
Reform Bill, under present circumstances, and this strong
case. These Assessed Tax Commissioners had the power
of disfranchising, if they thought proper, half the con-
stituency of the kingdom.
After some discussion, it was resolved to appoint a deputa-
tion to wait upon Sir Benjamin Hall, and accompany the
Hon. Baronet to the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes, or
take such other measures as they deemed necessary for avert-
ing the apprehended disfranchisement of so large a number
of electors.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)

THURSDAY, JULY 9.
Messengers from the Lords brought up the following Bills,
to which their Lordships had agreed :
London and Birmingham Railway (Aylesbury Railway
Purchase) Bill, without amendment—London and Birming-
ham, Grand Junction, Manchester and Birmingham Railway,
Amalgamation Bill—Ayrshire, Bridge of Weir, and Port
Glasgow Junction Railway Bill—Midland Railway (Burton-
upon-Trent to Nuneaton Branch and Ashby Canal Pur-
chase) Bill—Newcastle and Berwick Railway Bill—Glasgow
Southern Terminal Railway Bill, with amendments—Eastern
Counties Railway (Epping Extension) Bill, with an amend-
ment.