The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-03 00:00:00

THE DUTY ON SUGAR.

An arrangement with reference to the assessment
of duty on sugar has recently been made by the
Commissioners of Customs, which is likely to prove
advantageous. The duty on sugar varies in amen at
according to quality; and to guide the officers in the
settlement of quality certain standard samples are
approved by the Treasury. As, however, the cha-
racteristics by which quality must be decided vary
n only in the 'sugars produced in each country
but also in those of diffsrent estates, and even of
dfftrent crops and boilings of the same estate, it
requires a practical eya to determine the question.
The appearance of any particular sugar is also much
affected by the light in which it is seen—sunshine
or reflected light giving a false tinge or colour—an
important matter when everything dependsupon the
slightest shade. Under such circumstances it w, s
not surprising that sugars should' he differently al-
sesse by different men in different localities Sulli
differences, however, gave rise to numerous remota-
strinc,2s, and a remedy lately suggested imme-
diately' met with the concurrence and urgent
recommendation of many of the leading houses in
the trade. This was simply that all sugars imported
into London should be assessed at one place, and
by one set of officers, who, by the constant practice
and experience so acquired, and by kn- ping samples
of all disputed qualities for future reference, would
soon fall into a uniform system. Accordingly, two
rooms in the Custom-house, Thames-strn t, with
good light and north..ern.a.spect, properly fitted up
and so painted asv to prevent as far as possible any
reflection of light from' the ,walls, have been for
some weeks past appropriated to the purpose. The
benefits likely to accrue from the perfect unifor-
mity of assessment, as well as the convenien e and
saving of time from the proximity of the Custom-
house to Mincing-lane, have been appreciated
by the various dock companies and wharfingers,
all of whom have afforded every assistance, with
the exception of the Loudon Dock authorities, who
declined unless specially authorised by each indi-
vidual merchant using their dock ; and the plan
appears to have entirely succeeded, judging from
the paucity of appeals, which were formerly nume-
rous. It is therefore desirable that the dealers in
general should endeavour to aid the Revenue
authorities in this attempt to remove fiscal difficul-
ties, and to act equitably towards all engaged in a
most important branch of the commerce of the
country. •

THE CHAPLAINCY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Tht,
Rev. Henry Drury, M.A., prebendary of Salisbury, and
vicar of Bremhill, near Chippenhan3, will be the new
chaplain to the House of Commons, in the room of the
Rev. Thomas Gamier, B C. L., rector of Trinity Church,
Marylebone, who has held the appointment nine years.
An announcement Which has appeared in some of the
papers that Mr. Gamier had resigned is not strictly cor-
rect, the fact being that the Speaker intends exercisieg
the privilege which has been enjoyed by his predecessors
on their elevation to the chair—that of personally ap-
pointing the chaplain to the house prior to the corn.
mencement of the next session of Parliament. Mr.
Drury was appointed to his prebendal stall and to the
vicarage of Bremhill by the late Bishop of Salisbury, the
Speaker's brother.
STEAII-SHIPPING.—The reduced number of steam-ships
for sale sufficiently indicates the continuance of iMprov, d
demand for this description of property ;.more particu-,
larly as regards screw steamers of the largest class. East
Indian affairs have induced the company to engage all'
the suitable large screw steamers offered for the convej.
ance of troops to India during the last month ; Bon
steam ships riot yet in port have also been conditionally
accepted for this purpose. Several of the leading builders
have made important contracts for new ships, and we
experzence a fair demand 'for MOderate•Sized screw ves-
sels for purchase as well as charter. Paddlewheel
steamers, other than tugs, now on the market being not
of a class suitable to existing inquiries, will account for
the number of these we show for sale,—(Circular of
Messrs, Alfred• Brett and Co.)