The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-20 00:00:00

Metropolitan Taxation.

A deputation, representative of nearly the whole
of the metropolitan vestries and district, waited on
Lord Derby yesterday at his official residence ill
Downing-street in reference to the bill introduced
into Parliament by Mr. Ayrton and Mr. Tite for the
purpose of levying a rate of 4d. in the pound over
the whole metropolis for the purpose of metropoli-
tan improvements. The deputation was introduced
by Messrs 11. Lewis, M.P., and T. Chambers, M.P.
Mr. Harvey Lewis, having introduced the deputa-
tion, called upon Mr. Jonathan Salter, who drew
his lordship's attention to the hardships endured
by the poor ratepayers, from whom the amounts due
could be collected with difficulty. Mr. Salter after-
wards read a memorial, which entered into a state-
ment of the accounts expended by the Board of
Works, contending that the powers of the board
were too great, 'and likely to be used to the prejudice
of the ratepayers.

After some further conversation, in which it was
stated that when the Metropolitan Board asked for
a further extension of the coal and wine dues, the
Government, through Mr. Goschen, replied that
they would not extend those dues unless some im-
provement rate were also made,
Lord DEBBY said the deputation did not seem to
have any case, as it was not a question of fresh
taxation, for the proposed rate was within the unli-
mited power of taxation of the board.
Mr. SALTER said, as there was nothing in the bill
to do away with the unlimited power of taxation,
they contended that the 4d. rate was an additional

tax.
Lord DERBY admitted that the power of the board
was not limited, but the alteration made by the bill,
was that, whereas its previous powers were exercised
upon the occupiers of property, they would now be
exercised on owners ; and although the latter inigb_,
in some cases recoup themselves, he rather suspect'
that in the majority of cases they would not be
able to do so. His lordship then quoted extracts
showing that there was a limitation as to the rucc
of imposition. What he, however, wished parti-
cularly to draw their attention to was that the Ties-
tion was not a new one, but was taken into conside-
ration by the late Government; and he held a memo,
randum in his hand which showed that Governwen
consented to continue the coal and wine dues for fiv'eo
years on condition that animprovement rate should b
also made. As soon as the existing Government cam
into power they had been much pressed to introduce
the bill, but they thought it would be much better
for the Metropolitan Board to do that, and thee'
following the example of their predecessors, they
promised to support it. Ho was afraid he ccu
not hold out any hope that the Government would
recede from their decision. II did not see how .
good faith or honesty they could refuse to carry 011
t
the promise they had given.
The deputation then withdrew. itteo
It was afterwards arranged that the coital
,o
should combine with 'Cho Common Council, and
join in a united action against the bill.

her Majesty the Queen, through Sir Thomas
K.C.8., has forwarded her usual liberal annual
subscription of £5O to the National Lifeboat Institution.
We are informed that Mr. Ralph Earle, the
Se-
cretary to the Poor-law Board, has tendered his resign''.
tion to Lord Derby.
A meeting of the Schools Inquiry Coallissi°3
was held at 2, Victoria-street, yesterday. Present:_ Lord
Lyttelton (in the chair), the Dean of Chichester, Pr*
Temple, Mr. Arland, M.P., Mr. Baines, M.P., Mr.
ster, M.P., and Dr. Storrar. The Secretary, Air' 'Will
attended the meeting.
THE FACTORIES ACT EXTENSION BILL.---At 3
largo meeting of the Nottingham Chamber of
Commerce'
held yesterday, most of the principal lace and hosier-3' 11',33.,-
nufaeturers of the town and neighbourhood present, t";
following resolution was unanimously passed :—" Th3t
is desirable that all lac and hosiery warehouses should
be under the same law; and it is the opinion of thlr:
Chamber that the provisions of the Labour Begul3t,i,„°ct
Bill, with some modifications, will satisfactorily prc"--
the persons employed in the lace and hosiery tracn
and the Chamber therefore desires that the lace Al',
hosiery warehouses be exempted from the operation °'
the Factory Extension Act."
AN EXAMPLE TO CHURCH BUILDERS.--On W
nesday last the ceremony of laying the first stone of toll
new church at Thornton Hough, Neston, Cheshire, too
place, when Mr. Hurst, who is its founder, and
who iS
cost,
providing schools and a parsonage house at his
own
addressed a few homely words to those assembled, do
ing that in the new church there would be no charge ra,hat
for its occupation, that it would be entirely free to all,
the
when inside the church door ho and they would
toll,
church
same foot, that any ono who went early to
and wonting thereand before him would or could take proced°
of Limself in roped to seats.