The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-16 00:00:00

VESTRY .MEETING AT DIRNIINGHAM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Bls)—Knowing that your columns are always open for
the insertion of communications on public matters I make
lln'aPnrogy for requesting a similar favour for the following :
The town of Birmingham has usually been governed
under the tutelage of a local Act of 23,1 Geo. 111., and
the powers of " government" rest in the Guardians and
Overseers. This Act has worked very well hitherto, but
in November, 1923 (the ruling powers here having re-
solied to mend it), notice was given that application
would be made for leave to introduce a new Bill. From
that time until a few days ago the inhabitants heard no-
thing more of this, and were indeed very much surprised
at seeing in Aria's Gazette of the 9th instant, a
notice to assemble at a Vestry Meeting, and take into con-
sideration the new Bill. Be it noticed, and it is worthy
of notice, that Monday the 16th instant (this day),
is the latest day on which Private Bills can be introduced
into the House of Commons, and the Guardians, fixing on
Friday for the Meeting, actually allowed the inhabitants
but one day. The heads of the new Bill—its clauses—.
its general tenor, were not (as is customary) published
and distributed among the inhabitants—in truth, it would
teem as if the Guardians intended taking the town by sur-
prise. It however got abroad that this new Bill was not
altogether such as the parish could assent to, an item be-
ing annexed to it authorising the discharge of the High
Bailiff's expenses annually, to be paid by a twopenny rate on
' the parish, to the amount of about 1,0001. This, and other
circumstances, excited curiosity, and the Vestry Meeting
00 Friday was the most numerous, perhaps, ever seen in
this town. Mr. Paul Moore James (one of the Guardians)
introduced the Bill by a very lengthened detail of its
elanses, purposes, and intents, and denied that any inten-
tion ever existed of including the payment of the High
Bailiff's expenses in it,—but, to the astonishment of the
Meeting, Mr. Knight (who is also a Guardian) denied, by
implication, the truth of this affirmation, asserting that
such had been the intent, and that to his knowledge it
was to be included in the words " and for other pur-
poses," when it might, by a post facto movement, be
quietly attached, by way of rider, to the Bill. This was
''not attempted to be contradicted. Matters had thus opened,
in limine, when Mr. Bird, a gentleman of very great and
Unbending public spirit, opposed the reading of the Bill, on
the fair ground, that it was establishing an unallowable
,precedent, that there was no necessity for its immediate
legislative existence, and that next session would an-

ewer equally with this. A strong debate ensued; Mr.
IL Spooner declared himself of Mr. Bird's opinion, but
insisted that the Bill was most necessary to give validity
to the indentures of 500 parish apprentices, rendered in-
. valid by a recent doctrine of Lord Tenterden. The ques-
tion, however, was of too much importance to be stifled.
Mr. Bird persisted in his motion of adjournment, the Bill
Ass not read to the Meeting, and the majority in favour
of adjournment was most overwhelming. Now for the
imPortant matter of this letter—in spite of the feeling of the
Parishioners, so decidedly expressed by this majority, it is be-
lieved that the Guardians mean to introduce the Bill, thus
Illieotad, into Parliament! If this be done the town will
e'ertainly petition against it; but the trouble and expense
thus incurred, by this attempt to lay aside the decision of
the Meeting, will he great,—and the money expended,
against the wish of the town, and in opposition to its ex-
pressed desire, must yet be paid by the town, for the
town; for the Guardians, as Mr. Bird very truly said,
" hold the purse-strings of the people," and can, out of
opposition, expend an illimitable sum in vexatiously op-
Posing the inhabitants.
Such is a plain statement of facts. Its publication in
271 g Sun, which has obtained general circulation here,
will be productive of much good ; and, through the same
Means, Members of Parliament cannot fail becoming ac-
quainted with the history of this case also.
I am, &c.

LYNX.

• LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.
--Oa Thursday a general meeting of the Leypayets of
Manchester was held in the great room of the Town Hall,
in King-street, for the purpose of considering what mea-
sures it is desirable to take, relative to the proposed object
of the Committee of the Liverpool and Manchester Rail-
Way Company, of introducing the Rail-roul, and its loco-
Motive steam. engines into Manchester. Mr. Ogden took
the chair. After some discussion between Messrs. War-
tea, Bellhouse, and Grundy, OR the subject, motions were
put seriatim from the chair. On the 6th Mr•. Candelet
moved an amendment, to the effect that " the leypayers
would resist the erection of any arch over Water-street,
Which should be less than 17 feet high." The motion was
not seconded. On the motion for the appointment of a:Com-
inittee, 11ir. Prentice moved- as an amendment that their
_expences should be limited to 501. The amendment was
negatived, and the original motion was then put and car-
ried with one dissentient voice. The other motions Were
passed unanimously.—Manchester Gazette.

The petition of the manufacturers of Spital-
fieds to the House of Commons will be immediately fol-
lowed by one to the Lords, the prayer in each case being
that the Legislature would take off the duties on the im-
portation of thrown silks, thus enabling the manufacturers
here to purchase their material on the same terms as is
done by the foreign manufacturers ; also praying that steps
may be taken to protect the trade against smuggling. A
deputation, consisting of some of the largest silk-inanufaF-
,turers, also waited on Saturday on the Board of Trade in
,support of the same principles. This class of men have
hitherto been so remiss in their own interests, as to leave

*hair cause in the handsoithethrowsters; the conse-
quence has been, that the true interest of the silk-mann-
facturer has been imperfectly, if at all, represented to the
Government. This was stated to the parties during the
Present conference with the Board of Trade; but they
were given to understand that relief would be speedily
afforded them. It is feared, however, that only a partial
reduction of the duty is at present contemplated, as
the influence exerted in support of the duty is very con-
siderable.— Times.

STATE OF TRADE.-- Business continues
languid. Complaints respecting it have been general
throughout the week. Water twist is almost the only ar-
ticle which is understood to remunerate the spinner.
Other kinds are still in a state of great depression. Since
our last, several meetings of spinners have taken place, for
the purpose of considering the propriety of either working
short time, or stopping altogetl.er. At present no general
determination has been adopted, in consequence, it is
stated, of some of the wealthier spinners objecting to come
into any arrangement. In the mean time, however,
general have given notice to their hands of an inten-

tipn to stop in about a week, and ;;;;;;;no; are but
partially at work. These mills arc exclusively engaged
1° fine sinning. Goods continue without improvement.
In the tiner descriptiOns, such as muslins, of all kinds,
the demand is worse than ever. These are the kinds still
woven by hand, and the manufacturers are rapidly turn-
ing off their workpeople, a circumstance of very un-
usual occurrence at this season of the year. Printers
for the country trade complain, with very few and trifling
txeeptions, of the languid state .of the demand. What
IS called the spring trade should now, from the intro-
, ductiou of new patterns, which always takes place at this
season, be brisk ; yet this is not the case, the country
buyers are supplying themselves so sparingly, that the
stock which the printers have provided, in expectation of
the ordinary demand of the season, will, it is appre-
hended, have a considerable surplus. It is probable that
some amendment may take place when business to the
north of Europe is resumed. At present, the severity of
the weather keeps the Elbe frozen, and shipments cannot
be made. It is feared, however, that twist for that market
cannot, for some time to come, receive any impulse from
'flit quarter, as the quantity already shipped, and now
WaitiOg at Hull, and the port of Goole, for the opening at
the riverg is very considerable. About 20 ships, princi-
pally freighted with yarn, are in this state; their cargoes
Will amount to about four millions of pounds. A little
re-action has shown itself this week in cotton. A general
feeling that prices had been at their extreme point of de-
••pression, would be the first harbinger of improvement.—
Manchester Gazette.
On Thursday night last, a most daring rob-
bery was committed at Leicester, which was effected in so
expert a manner that none but members of the London
Rang could have accomplished it. It was one of the
" cleanest " things which has been " done " of late years,
and the amount of the property stolen is about 3,0001. in
value. It appears that a banker's parcel, containing notes
of the above value, was given to the guard of the Globe
Sheffield coach, to be conveyed by hint to a banker's (the
agent of the country banker) in London. It is said that
the guard was " touted" (watched and followed) from the
Bank, and that, while he was in the yard of the Bell Inn,
at Leicester, on Thursday night, the property was extracted
from his coat pocket. Information of the robbery was
sent off to London by express, as soon as it was discovered,
to prevent the notes being changed at the Bank in London.
It is believed that the robbery was committed by some of
. the "family men" who were seen on the road to the late
fight between Ward and Byrne, at Leicester ; and if the
Police fail in recovering the property, what the law cannot
!each will; in all probability, be effected by negotiation. It
441tpposed that the property, by this time, has found its
...
""Y to the French metropolis.— Observer.