The Sun.
London, England, 1820-08-08 00:00:00

A`GIII{A UT:IIRAv REPORT.

-Import:l' from the SELECT (TOMAH ITEE on PETITIONS
'complaining of ASWICULTIiItAI. DI!U'RESS, &c. Or-
Ifered, by the Rowe of Commons, to be printed, Bth July,
• 1 He.

(Concluded from our Paper of yesterday.)

• A great difference of price between the returns
from the Corn Exchange-, and, those in the fac-
tors' letters has • been shown, to exist in each of
the six weeks preceding the 15th November,
1.818, wherein it appears sometimes, that the let-
ters give., an advance of price, whilst the Corn
Exichauge return. shows a fall, and vice yersa7,.
particiiarly• in the last of the six: weeks, :when
gt...at fall took place 'in the Corn Exchange re-
ttlFll, 'but no Correspondent depression, according
to the factors' letters. The average of Kent and
E,sex i 5 als6 stiewn atthe,sarne time to be much
art variance With the rot:yr:ls.°f the Coin:.Fxchange;
the- ftra,tive of -the six reeks-..there 3s; 4d. above
the price of thoSe eount;es,. the sixth week
2,1. below them ; from these circumstances,
the witness thinks that an•inference may be drawn
thatin:tliese flve. V;deks the Corn 14.;xchange re-
turn. was influenced by artificial means, so as that
the ,poris mere kept open that quarter-day by '2d.
in spite. of a• counter effort, .which he states to
tell made in the .la.St week, WitickNy in-
tenti2d to shut them; in that week a fictitious
sale of Soo. tell wheat,.to the extent of 1000 guar-
tets„ vs as' made upon the market, at a price of
QEis. which was ety.ered in the inspector's,rettirn,
a-ud.bciug-much. below the average price, Iw4 of
coursean influence in depressing the return price
of that weel4.but not so as to :effect the object in
view, as the potts• did, as above stated, open that
quarter; day by 2d.
__.
. A very striking in,tance of fraud, is stated also
to have been practised •at Liverpool, which was
not 'Cli-,tected' till it excitkl• observation on the
part of the retfeiver- in London. On that occa-
sionfr.ettitns..were made to the following clreCt
tiitaTttrs of British wheat, at 50s. per quar-
ter; whilst.ithe true: average of the market was
trOrn-;68:s. to. 7,05. ; ,2,000 qUarters of Oats, at 18s.
For-,rva.iter,---whilSt the true average was 235. to
; I,ooo,quarters of I.3eans, at 355. per quar.
tert!.whilsti.the true average was 48s. to 505.;
tlaftit4: of Yease,at 3.8-s. per quarter, .whilst
the true.average was .48s to 515.. The parties.
by wbOrn those-returns. wereanade, Were under-
stoOttio be considerable holders of British Corn,
tinc.Uwere inkluced to resort to this mode of re-
ducing the genera' averages, to promote the.pur-
pos'e•of their gpecultttioo; and to render more
improbable the ports being opened for the im-
portation- of Foreign Grain ; from' the careles
manner in ,which the .business ofthe inspector had
been conduoted, this fraud escaped detection in
Liverpool,- „-
But, notwithstanding your..Commtttee haVe re-
ck.,ivedvo proof of frauds beyond .chat are here
stated:, they are• of opinion,. that there are some
circumstances ,-particularly arising .from the mode
pursued of• Computing the average ruling price,
afford great and obViou,i' facilities to fraud;
0;c1-34:facili ties-exist too without violating-the let-.
Verethe law.• They have not been practised
hitherto, partlYbecause -the extent to which they
exijtlias.not Been -generally known and partly
beCanse in .fornier:,times the inducement was not
so strong .as at, present ;, within the last few years
trio:re'e•ttetiSlVd speculations" in Foreign Corn have
I;een On than formerly. 1t is obvious,
that:lvhilst thediffereoce is-so great betWeetk the
Ci,intinentat, knd the • British price of corn as at
pr6semt,the hitter being.. on an average. double
el4.price of the' foriner, every temptation -exists
to-e, ,`et. hige: quantity
.of Foreign Corn, and
to. shut. the .ports ;. and as the importation
is fixed ..at eighty shillings,' which is also
sn.pposA to. b4s "the lowest price at which it can
heitrown,-theirrarket price will (except at parti-
Ctitat periodSy and under peculiar circumstances)
be.lvithin avory foW shillings of the import price,
and of course tlle,approach to the quarter-day is
1!:.2.t1y to produce, a •Strpggle between the parties
concerned, according to their respective interests.,
fittlte' earl/ pe-riolls of the Corn Laws, the im-
port price, was -lixecV So much above the remu-
nerating.-market price, that an occasion for such
trirb-cfleS, and consequent perpetual speculations
.... -I—, •
ootrid -rarely occur nor waS..the difference be-
til?+ekti'the •Britislrand Qontittental price at that
th:tie. Oort§ideralle, as to excite so much inte-
rem as not exists. . ..

'firotder tO o..xplain fully'. these facilities of
fraud, ~liich arise Out of, the present,,inode of
dotrzptvting the aggregate average,: it •is iu
tO;iefer to the paper ili the-Appendix inarked
which the amount of the. Weekly Sales
for tht year. I .43 9, in -each of the twelve districts
r; speir irelyr .is si.Ct forth. It yill be_seen, that
the. ,averair• weekly ,sales, in the .sixth district
f4innfift' only 'to :P39 quarters 6 bushels ; in the
to
.3(4l.:quarters buShels; and in the
oinihy-to, I 31:ttgartel's 3 bnsitels.:- • ••
qttatilitks hre-ollcipusly.
.1191)1( to be ?f.4;.i.ted. upon to a,great.ektent" by
purchases made at; a tritlingz-sacrifice ; and as each
district forms .alike.a.itivklfth 'of the aggregate,
form -a fou rth,;_—ariaan v. undue
.influence
C'''patpd thprep- . pi:Once-a 'great alteration
u 1 Vin. t price on w e opening 'or shutting.
porti-dp,p,n4 ; thus, if the price was acl-'
.6;ticed 4s• threw districts„ the aggro; ate.
Id b • fiCed, s. ; . if Bs. is. 6d. sand. •
v/In ~.• in
iirlopOitrow▪ ; great...ellt upon the. aggregate
p;ri.c.e•n=inst follow, thercup'on., it.is true,
~that if
. Lt.more rigid execution of the_.B4t should bring.a
.lter..quanti4::V.of, corn into the: returns.of these.
ist,rj,4t:s, the f cility of inflikence ,over the price,
e dimtUished an proportion ; hat st. I the
cempu tatiomxit "-rthe. -averages tieon &c ivideud.Of
tat 'et t itiff three or four
qu4n I. ).-to o • •-• •
• 4- , thol • • - -
•twelVQ •paiug, compa.T.almty..srna.o., . gnat
tO.,i-Jaitencc the "aogg. Ogate price, by,
ratißn.;....carrkd,, on. in ,thoesti:sreOleT districts,
wour(f-slolexist...-
vccurrenCebf
-•
k great
.your
.ornlyntree.venture to pro-
pose, that tEr total quantity of corn sold in the
139 towns of the twAlve districts should, by the

:receiver of corn returns, be thrown together and
cast up ; alio the total amount of the money for
which the same was sold, and the money divided
by the number of quarters ; thus dividing-once
only to find the aggregate average price, instead
of extracting it by the complicated calculations
before described. The average total of weekly
sales in the 139 towns, according to the paper in
the Appendix marked (B) imotint in the six
weeks, ending the 13th May last to %55114
quarters. This quantity, drawn from so many
different markets, appears to your Committee to
be above the means of any fraudulent influence ;
and as a more rigid execution of the law will add
considerably to the quantity of corn now brought
into the returns,-the difficulty of fraud will be so
much further increased, as in the opinion of your
Committee, to remove all apprehension of such
au-occurrence hi future.

Your Committee think that a new Act may be
necessary to authorise the computation of the ag-
gregate average price in the manner thus pro-
posed ; the dii ectioti of the Act of the 44th Geo.
111. cap. 109, as to the manner of computing the
aggregate averages; is not very definite ; but one
uniform practice has prevailed since that period,
which of itself may be supposed to have deter-
mined the law, and make a new Act necessary.
Your Committee have particularly turned their
attention to an examination of the effect that
would be produced,as to the opening or shutting
of the ports, by adopting the mode proposed of
,computing the average, instead of that at present
in use ; as they are sensible that if the opening
of the ports was likely to be retarded thereby, it
would be productive of an effect which at pre-
sent is not in the contemplation of the House.—
They therefore directed the receiver of corn re-
turns to compote the average price of each of the
six weeks ending the 13th May last, in the esta-
blished mode, and in that proposed, which is ac-
cordingly set forth in the paper marked B and C.
by which it will be seen that the'difrerence is very
trifling, so as rarely in any instance to exceed the
fraction of a shilling, and that fraction more fre-
quently higher than lower according to the mode
now practised. Should tilt proposed mode be
adopted; the returns from the inspectors to the
receiver in London, may be made exactly in the
same form and manner as at present. It will be
the business of the receiver,..whett the returns are
all come in, to add the quantities altogether, and

strike the general aggregate average.
Your Committee are of opinion, that in order
to insure a due execution of the law, some fur-.
titer enactments and -regulations are necessary to
be adopted. In the first place, they think that
the.Boardof Trade should be fUrnished by law
with greater means of general superintendence
and direction than they at present possess. Se,
condly, they 'think it necessary to observe, that
the inspectors have not at present an adequate
salary for their trouble. The country inspec-
tors are paid ss. only for each return, and though
:the Magistrates have a power to increase that al-
lowance out of the county rates, it does not ap-
pear to have been done in any instance.
The inspector upon the Corn Exchange appears
to be adequately paid by the proprietors thereof,
and the receiver of corn returns is appointed by
the Treasury, and it is presumed.he either is or
may be stiffitiently paid for the due execution of
his office, which is certainly an office of great trust
and responsibility, and requires the constant at-
tention and utmost 'vigilance of Those employed
in it.

Your Committee are also of opinion, that va
rious other regulations might be adopted, tha
would tend to the obtaining of .more correc
retons. _ _ _

_
The inspectors should be furnished with direc-
tions and,printed'forms for making up their books
and returns ; the latter have
.indeed been lately
supplied to . them by the _receiver ; their books
should he open -to inspection,. under regulation,
to buyers and sellers, so far as relates to their
own individual sales or pUrchases,, the average
price, of each town should be posted in ,the market-
place so soon as the same has been cast up, and
again aCthe Opening of the .Market on the subse-
quent market-day, and the total quantity of
corn and total of money should be given at the
same time.
Your. Committee are of opinion, that though

is proposed to ascertain the aggregate price which
is to govern the. foreign trade, by the total quan-
tity received from all the towns in the twelve dis-
trietS-added together, yet that it may Ue useful
to ...shew the weekly average of each district and
quantity sold therein.
' The inspectors should every quarter produce
their books to a general or petty Sessions, to have
them .examined and signed by the Magistrates
thereat; and it is 'also expedient that 4. Weekly
aggregate of the twelve maritime districts, with
the qtlantity and price;shou Id be published in the
Gazette.. .
Your Committee think it necessary here shortly
to advert to certain provisions of the 31st of. his'
Ihte-MajeSty,unde-r which returns were made'ol.;
the prices of Corn frorn the, inland ,cealtnties; and
Which'still continue hi .611.1ormity- thetko to.'be
receiVed and made up, and Weekly published in
the Gazette'; that Act recitbs that, whereas it
,would be highly useful that an •ticcourit should be
obtained
.of ,the prices at which the several sorts'
'are sold iu. the •several' inland
and other counties of the kingdom, from .which
returns were not herein-before directed to
he_ made,, in order that a register thereof
may be foridnekl and published, for the information
and benefit of, his Majesty's subjects. The Act
then proVides .for. the appointment inspec-
tors, and the 'general execution in, like manner
as is provided respect to the maritime coun-
ties, and the returns then received are.entered in
tt book kept for that purpoSe once in eyery•week,
cc an abstract of the average prices 'Made up ,end,
computedi in a manner hereinti4ore respectiVelyi
.directed, from ail the returns:i'eceived,
.I's welt
:from the several.districts of the ividtivelte
tune counties, of England and Wales, as from the
icounties, cities, andk. towns tliereinbelcire men-
tioned ;" and this total is denominated the aver-
age of England and Wales. Your Committee

trace - evrnll,-land compared die prkes
returnea by this total of inland and maritime coun-
ties, with the .price of the maritime countipsonly ;
the difference is trilling, afid varies so as some.:
times to be above and sOrnt4times belong- the prices
of the rharithne districts: Comparative prides
will be seen in the paper marked ( D.) ; the in.:
land counties therefore might be added, if thoUght
advisable, to the maritime, in order to form the
governing price. But. yodr ComMittee do not
taketipon themselves particularly to recommend
this alteration in the law, as- the maritime confi-
des alone have been taken as the basis on which
to form the governing price, under the ACt of the
55th of his late Majesty.
Upon the same principle on Which..the prices
of the inland counties have been ascertained and
published weekly in England, it would be de-
sirable to direct similar rettirns, to be made weekly
also from Scotland and Ireland. From the for-
.mer country it: may be done without any fresh
enactments, as cptarterly returns still cominne to
he received. from those Under the directions of -tire
31st, and forlite same reasons, that there should
be published quarterly in the Gazette, average
prices, made up. from the returns received from
the whole of the United Empire.
It appears reasonable, that Irish corn should
be considered as British corn, when sold in the
Britiith market, and admitted as such into the
returns. •

Your Committee having received some intima-
tions
of frauds committed Under-the warehousinoH
provisions of the 55th and the 31st Geo. If f.
and that -foreign corn was taken from under. the
King's lock and thrown upon the market, pro-
ceded to make some inquiry thereupon, butt were
,not able to discover that any :such frauds had
been actually committed. They are of opinion,
'however, that it would be useful to provide a
check -against such an occurrence, by not only
measuring the corn into the warehouses, but oc-
,tasionally gauging the quantities, and measuring
them out again, as well when the locks are taken.
oil for home consumption,as•for exportation.
It had also. been suggested to your Committee
that frauds had been committed by intrOducing.
Foreign Grain into ships taking cargoes coast-
wise, going out .half loaded, and tilling up with
Foreign- Corn on their voyage : but no evidence'
has been adduced to establish the existence of
such a practice. It has also been said, that flour
has been introduced from the United States of
America, through the medium of our colonies-; and
one witness has stated, that, a mercantile house
at Liverpool offered to supply him through that
medium ; but your Committee have received no
further testimony thereof. They are :certainly
of opinion, that it is highly desirable that the
:officers of the customs should, Under the direction
of Government, be ordered vigilantly to guard
against any attempt of this natitre,-to-deleat the
object of the Legislature.—Sth Ju1y,1139.0.

.-WviotesTtAL, N00.5,--The great Annual Fair
on Magdalen Hill, near this city,. was held last
Wednesday. There was a'good supply of Cheese,
and prime dairies (both uc s .avid old) met with a
brisk sale ; but for.that of an inferior kind, the,
demand was small, and much remained .unsold,.
The prices were: Old Cheese, 745. to 7.88. per
cwt.; New,:s4s. to Gas. ; Ordinary, 28s. to 38s.
The Wool trade Was dull ; Swint Down Sold,
from 365. to 425, .per,,tod. There was a very poor.
show Of Horses, for which. there was scarcely any
demand. The finenes-s of the day qttin.cted
much company, and • the. hill presented a
scene of unusual, gaiety. Some of the light
fingered gentry attended, bit we have .not
heard that they were particularly successful,
in their Collections: Seven cheeseS were stolen
from Mr. Askew,. of Queen-street, Sahsbury,
One of which was afterwards found in a hedge at
no great distance from the fair. BarhaM and
Paterson, the constables, :seized. two E. O. tables,
with all 'the apparatus'necessary for effecting the
nefarious , purposes of .their, owners ; some scales
were alSo seized, in consequence -of having in-
correct balanees; which, With the E.-O. tables,
were yesterday condemned by the Magistrates.
In the evening a monkey escaped from one of
the shows, and ran :off in the direction of ail,
comb, followed by a large party of.tnen and boys,
whom he completely distanced,nnd evaded fUrther
pursuit, by changing his course: , Not long•nfter
he sprang from a hedge near the turnpike-gate
and attacked a child, -which R, yputtg- man was
• carrying in his arms, who in, his-fright let it,fall,
but it happily
snstained:little or no injury. Jo-
cho therm made his, way into this city, and entered
the Cricketers public-house., near, the Solie-
bridge, from whence he was. driven by 4..d0g•;•
lie then pursued his course into tie. town, and,
took refuge in a yard at :the back'. of the
.India Arms Inn. Beifl6-4:agairr 'disJuiblid by
dog, he ascended some
,he sprang toen-attic chamber-of the_ next house,
wheye-: he casement :was brokett, __apk Ahrdst-
head, ins the poise. .diqudied
glee% ,who: ,11 e .W 1.03
dislodged .frb,rn this situation; and d v:Rivi4d into
t)* yar(LAY43.7(& he :wa,szttkjiell, hut inpt ;till. lot had
s,eliefelli:bitten•the nog, of the man who seared
him.

IColonM BAcw FIT, has received str official gorn-
flounichtion from Governme.pt, in answer .to his
111.?.1)Iica4iup, . • Supporting L. tnf.‘moriat Qoin the
:Met:chants of -Carrick' on Suir, informing LIM;
that Carrick is, ,for one 3.'ear 'Certain,. to `big open
to all.theprivpegts of a sea,,Tort, for the expor-
tation Of cOin; bntter,, p4l;;S:c., zna'ltharif,
during that pltriod, this mna,ure shall:be found
not to prejudice the revenue, thc regtilation•Niill
be rrulde , permanent. .NVe need not (..xpatiafe'
upon the.advantages of this circumstance to the.
ttading Tand• agricultural --int,,rots 'of' the .C6litr,
't ; ifor ppon the; zieltyi t t ficl.. pr,i'sdireraiice trifleich, onall orciifY6K tcili?inel Ifilswell is aliVe
A' eciii public dit ti 041:2-11(06ik:ii el Ileed4l.)`' r:
1 '-gfAc'ltYai sithriiefiktilecf. "ii hare; it.fevi iii'jr-ii lag°,
difiNlP.43VslioiAlliEtilisi, orNixestan,l)ld,kgetTlite,
: which, on. being opened, was found -to 43iffiliti
the extraordinary number of ;six young ones, all
alive ;