The Sun.
London, England, 1869-05-01 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY AND MUNICIPAL
ELECTIONS.

The Committee on rarliamentary and Municipal Elec-
tions reassembled on Friday, the Marquis of Hartington
in the chair. Mr. Burton, of Gravesend, chairman of
the Conservative Committee, the first witness called, gave
come evidence to the effect that intimidation prevailed at
the last parliamentary election for the county. A great
zany voters were prevented from going to the poll.

Major Bush, Bristol examined by Mr. Ward Hunt,
said that at the municipal elections there was little, if any,
bribery or undue influence; but there was some, though
not much, treating. At the parliamentary elections there
was a certain amount of bribery, persons being em-
ployed as canvassers and messengers simply for the
purpose of securing their votes. Treating was also exten-
sive, consisting of opening public-houses and holding tea.
meetings. At the last election there was an organised
system of intimidation. Large mobs were hired, who went
from one polling booth to another. It wa4 currently
stated in Bristol that these mobs were paid
some days after the election by two persons connected
with the Reform League. Had been informed that it was
arranged that if the Liberals were not well ahead at nine
o'clock on the day of the election, these "flying
lolunms" were to be let loose. Thirty or
forty of the rioters were convicted after the
election. The mobs he had referred to were paid at a
public-house in Broad Mead, and the police had to be
called in to keep order during the operation.
By Mr. Villiers : The snobs were composed to a large
►xtent of persons strangers to the city. If there was any
doting on the part of the Conservatives it was late
in the day, and was by way of retaliation. In the after.
noon there was a general disturbance.
To The O'Connor Don the witness said the mobs were
armed with bludgeons. A stone, weighing four pounds
and a half, was thrown through the window of one of the
Conservative committee rooms, and struck a gentle.
man who was sitting there. Believed that at a
public meeting held by the Liberals a week
prior to the election, it was substantially proposed that
the polling-booths should be taken possession of by
mobs.

By Mr. Leatham : The mob of which witness took most
notice, though numbering only 300, was, in his estimation.
A most formidable one.

By Sir George Grey: If it could be clone, it would be
well to close public business in Bristol at the time of an
election. The feeling in Bristol since the last election was so
strong that he believed that if another contest took place,
unless the police provisions were much strengthened.
there would certainly be bloodshed.

To Mr. Ward Hunt : In Bristol the feeling in favour of
the Ballot was not, he believed, on the increase.
Mr. Stokes, of Kingstown, was the next witness. His
evidence went to shew that bribery existed at the Dublin
municipal elections. At the parliamentary election in
1852 the polling-places had been much increased—a course
of proceeding which had a beneficial effect in preventing
riots. Bribery was common on both sides at the Dublin
parliamentary election.
After some further evidence the committee adjourned.

RATES OF FREIGHT AND CHARTER.

(From the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette.)

The tonnage loading on the berth for India, China, and
•he Cape of Good Hope amounts to 60,876 tons, and that
'or Australia and New Zealand to 46,795 tons.

Berth freights are somewhat firmer. The east wind
4revents arrivals, and disengaged ships are becoming
scarce.

More activity has been displayed this week in coat
freights to the East, nevertheless rates have not, in most
'ustances, much improved. Tonnage is in request for Shang-
hae, at 445.; Singapore, 255.; Yokohama, 405.; and Hong
Kong at 335. to 345. There is no new feature to notice in
homeward chartering, which is, if anything, slacker than
it has been for some time past.
For Valparaiso and a port in Chili 295. is offered for a
good-sized ♦essel, but for the other ports on that coast
&here is little inquiry.
The activity in chartering from the Guano Islands has
somewhat subsided, tonnage having come forward freely
to satisfy the orders recently received. Some further
orders are, however, expected daily.
West India and Brazil coal freights are firm at the last
quotations, Martinique and St. Thomas engaging most
attention. One or two orders for Havana would be moved
off at 18s. to 19s. Homewards, with the exception of log-
wood from Jamaica, there is but little to be had for ton-
nage from the West Indies.
Iron freights to the United States continue much the
same. A large ship can be placed for New York from
Wales at 21s. and 5 per cent. There is hardly any grain
chartering from Montreal, New York, &c.; and it is diM.
cult, in the absence of business, to give any reliable
quotation.
Iron is still going forward for Tagr.nrog by steamer,
and a good deal of tonnage is being engaged for the con-
veyance of a large quantity of iron for Cronstadt. Medi-
terranean coal freights are dull and languid, the rate for
Alexandria also observing a drooping tendency. Steam
tonnage is required from the Azoff to U.K. at 505.,
option of Mediterranean at 6s. 3d. ; from Sulina to
U.K. at 6s. 3d. Freights for sailing vessels shew no Im-
provement.

A very destructive conflagration brokeout 011 Friday
morning in the warehouse of Messrs. Brockes and Terlt,
colonial brokers, Mincing lane, and before the engines
reached the spot the flames extended to the warehouses on
either side of the burning building. The houses-numbered
22, 24, 25, 26, and 27 were materially injured It is reported
Vatiliaaagt