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 amount
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
not only in the sugars produced in each country
but also in those of different estates, and even of
different crops and boilings of the same estate, it
requires a practical eye 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 depends upon the
slightest shade. Under such circumstances it was
not surprising that sugars should be differently as-
sesse.l by different men in different localities. Such
differences, however, gave rise to numerous remon-
strances, and a remedy lately suggested imme-
diately met with the concurrence and urgent
recommendation of many of the leading houses in
the trade. Thiswas 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 kePping samples
of all disputed qualities for future reference, would
soon fall into a uniform system. Accordingly, two
rooms in the Custom-house, Thames-street, with
good light and northern aspect, properly fitted up
and so painted as to prevent as far as possible any
reflection of light from-the walla, have been for
some weeks past appropriated to the purpose. The
benefits likely to accrue from the perfect unit or-
anity_ of assessment, as well as the convenience and.
',saving of time from the proximity' of the Custom-
' house to Mincing-lane, have been appreciated
by the various dock companies and wharfiugeis,
all of whom have afforded every assistance, with
the exception of the London 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 mime-
rows. 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 equitab'y towards all engaged in a
most important branch of the commerce of the
country.

THE CHAPLAINCY OF THE HOUSE OF COMIONEL—Th 0
Rev. Henry Drury, M.A., prebendary of Salisbury, and
vicar of Bremhill, near Chippenbam, 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.
Au announcement which has appeared in some of the
papedi that Mr. Gamier had resigned is not strictly cor-
rect, the fact being that the Speaker intends exercising
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 com-
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.
STEAM-SHIPFING.—The reduced number of steam-ships
for sale sufficiently indicates the continuance of improvm d
demand for this description of property ; more particu-
lady as ri g4eds screw steamers of the largest class. East
Indian affairs have induced the company to engage all
the suitable large screw steamers offered for the convey-
ande of troops to India during the last month ; son e
steams ships not 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
experience a fair demand for moderate-sized screw ves-
sels for purchase as well as charter. •Paddlewheel
stea►nera, 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.)