The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-25 00:00:00

RATING OF CHARITIES.

DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER.
A large and influential deputation waited upon Mr.
Disraeli, at his official residence in Downing-street, at
three o'clock yesterday afternoon, on the subject of the
ettmption from parochial rating of the various public
charitable institutions throughout the country.
The deputation consisted of the representatives of the prin-
cipal charities in the metropolis, Bristol, Buxton, Brighton,
Chichester, Cambridge, Derby, Gloucester, Hertford,
Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Taunton, Lincoln, Worcester,
Winchester, Southampton, Leicester, Hull, Manchester,
Newcastle, Truro, Stockport, and Wolverhampton,
Amongst the members of Parliament present wero
Viscount Curzon, Mr. Baines, Mr. Beecroft, Mr. Seely,
Mr. Banks Stanhope, Mr. J. W. Malcolm, Mr. J. 0.
Harris, Colonel Pack; Mr. E. Heneage, Mr. Michael
Bas 3, the Hon. W. Berton, Major Cornwall Legh, Mr.
C. Gilpin, Professor Fawcett, and Mr. Roebuck..
The deputation was introduced by the Earl of Har•
rowby.

It was arranged that Mr. Baines should speak on
behalf of the hospitals and infirmaries, the Rev. Mr.
Champneys on ecclesiastical institutions, Mr. Charles
Reed on Sunday schools, Archbishop Manning on Catholic
institutions, and Dr. Johnson and Alderman Salomons C2l
behalf of other institutions.

The Earl of ITAIIROWBY remarked that the deputation
represented nearly all the charities in England and Scot-
land. He pointed out how detrimental to those
charities was the present system of rating. In
one case as much as MO a-year was taken, and
in all the usefulness of the institutions was materially and
injuriously affected. What the deputation asked was
a return to the old principle of the law which
by the decision of the Lords in the case of the
Mersey docks, had been altered. What was needed,
he thought, was the introduction of a bill which would
allow charitable buildings, in accordance with the wish of
ratepayers, to remain unrated.

His Royal Highness the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, as Presi-
dent of Christ's Hospital, pointed out that the rating of
that charity would materially work adversely to that
institution. All they asked was to be left as they were.
Fle fully felt for the case of all institutions both large and
small, and heartily endorsed all that had beer,
urged in favour of exemption for charities.

BAINEs, M.P., referred to the Leeds Infirmary,
which, be said, hal not been assessed to the poor rates,
for it was felt that such a course would greatly reduce its use-
nat institution was about to be much enlarged, and
existed entirely for the benefit of the poor, there was a
very strong conviction that it would be a ,greata,calamity
if the rating principle were applied. Many of the schools
in Leeds, he was informed by the vicar, would have
to be closed if they had to pay rates. He trusted
that the Government would see their way to
pass an Act in accordance with the wish of tht,
deputation, which would be the most popular Act they
could pass, and one that would be hailed with satisfaction
throughout the country.
Mr. Hot.nE, treasurer of Guy's Hospital, pointed one`
the immense share of relief afforded to the poor by thee`
hospital, and earnestly trusted that this would not be
diminished by the curtailment of its funds in consequence
of the rates that had to be paid.

The Rev. Mr. LINGHASI, rector of Lambeth, having
urged the case of national schools,
Archbishop MANNING stated that the exemption at,
charities from rates would not only be an act of kindness,:
but also one of political wisdom. Representing as he did
so many unendowed charities, he could say of six of
them that they were called upon to pay £5O a year
each, which proved a great burden. Those who were
relieved and cared for by these institutions would other-
wise be chargeable to the parish. He thought it would
be possible to frame a bill which provided for proper
examination of the charities claiming exemption—a course's
which would prevent any injury being done to the
re venue.

The Rev. Dr. Johnson, the Rev. Dr. Sale, of Sheffield,
the Rev. Dr. Yorke, Alderman Salomons, and Mr. Thomas,,
of Bristol, having supported the prayer of the deputation,
Others desired to speak, but stopped at the request of
.uord Harrowby.

Mr. DISRAELI said the subject was deeply interesting to
the Government, and he was sure also to every person
the country. He had listened with great interest to the
statements those around him had made in illustration of
the principles they would enforce ; but he had other dutiej
to perform in an assembly not always so agreeable as thi*
and in another place, where his presence was greatly looked.'for,
for. (A laugh.) Before he went, however, he would say
that he thanked those who had attended for drawing the,
attention of the Government to a social question un-
doubtedly of great importance. It was true this was not
the first deputation which had represented the subject to
those who were members of the Government ; but it was
not by any neglect of Lord Derby that the question had -
not been broughtpublicly forward, for his lordship brought.
it under the notice of his colleagues and took means for its
still further consideration in the autumn. The unhappy
illness of his lordship, however, commenced, and though
it was not out of the memory of the Government, there
had not been a moment since he had been at the head
of the Government to give to the consideration of the
question. The statements which had been made that day
should, however, be considered in a spirit adequate to
the occasion and to the importance of that assemblay.e.
(Cheers. )
The deputation thanked the right hon, gentleman and
retired.

BAD MEAT IN LONDON MARKETS.-At a meet-
ing of the City Commissioners of Sewers it was stated that
in the preceding fortnight the market inspectors had con-
demned 6,1351 b. of meat as unfit for human food. It con-
sisted of 83 sheep, 12 pigs, 10 calves, 14 quarters of beef,
and 49 joints of meat ; 5,4611 b. of it was diseased, 5001 b.
was putrid, and 1741 b. was from animals who had died
from accident or disease, all of which had been destroyed
in the usual manner.

REDUCTION OF MINERS' WAGES IN CUMBERLAND.
—The wages of the millers employed at Lord Lonsdale's
collieries in and around Whitchaven have been reduced ten
per cent. A deputation from the miners recently waited
upon his lcrdship's agents, and notified their willingness to
be reduced five per cent. The deputation, however, were
informed that the depressed state of the coal trade ren-
dered further reduction absolutely necessary, but were
assured that as soon as the trade revived their wages
would be advanced. The men are now, therefore, work-
ing under the ten per cent. reduction.—Leeds &ening
Express.

DRUNKENNESS.—The number of persons pro-
ceeded against for drunkenness and disorderly conduct per
each 1,000 of the population in 1860.67 was : At Cambridge,
2.09 ; at Colchester, 1'81; at Coventry, 3'17 ; at Derby,
9'04; at Great Yarmouth, 3.79; at Ipswich, 2.70; at Lin-
coln, 2'91; at Northampton, 2.43 ; at Shrewsbury, 9'17 ; at
Walsall, 2'46 ; at Worcester. 7'65 ; at Birmingham, 4'49;
ist Leicester, 4'62 ; at Norwich, 1.25 ; at Nottingham, 2'13 ;
and at Wolverhampton, 4'14. Norwich would thus appear
to have been of these sixteen towns the least disgraced in
1866-67 by outrageous drunkenness, while the most un
favourable figures stand against Shrewsbury.

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