The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-13 00:00:00

No. 6002.

. ,
WA [Tim AN, MAYOR.
A COMMON COUNCIL, holden in the CH AMBER of the
GUILDII A LL. of the CITY of LONDON. on THURti-
DAY, the hith of FEB., 1894,
RESOLVED,
,Ji lIAT it appears to this Court that Coals imported
into the Port of London are subject to a very heavytax
ofos. 441. per Chaldron, and an extra 6d. if imported from New-
eaNtle, making together 9s. 10d. per Chaidron. That Coals
imported into any other Port In England pay at the highest rate
`a tax of es. est. per Chsldron only, and that in the principal
parts of the country they are subject to no Tax whatsoever.—
That the poor end industrious Housekeepers and Mechanics
residing in and near the Metropolis during a winter, and
ppm contrary winds, are subject to great hardships from the
I ish pi ice of Coals. That they feel it their incumbent duty to
state to the Legislature the present burthensome and oppres-
silt` nature of the Tax, and therefore that a Petition be pre-
sented to the Honourabe the House of Commons from this
'curt, preying such relief as to the wisdom of Parliament may
seem meet. WOODTHORPE.

W A ITH M AN, MAYOR.
A COMMON COUNCIL holden in the CIMIRER of the
C UMW ALL of the CITY of LONDON, on THURSDAY
the 12th of VKR ~ Ifk24, e
Rear) LIMO.
THAT it appears to this Court that a Redottion-bf
16.6 d. to ths. per Chaldron has taken place since the ces-
sation of the War, in the price of Newcastle Cents, at the Ship.
ping Port ; but, that no such Reduction has taken place in the
prier of Sunderland Coals.
That, takiwg into consideration the above Reduction, as well
as the repeal of the War duty of 3s. 2J. per Clialdron, toge-
ther with the very great reduction which there lus been in the
balite of Shipping, the cost of Provisions, and the rate of
iVages, no adequate reduction appears to have taken place in
the price of Coal in the London Market ; where, on the con-
trary, this important Necessary of Life has, at various recent
periods, maintained nearly the War Prices.
That the Report of the Coal and Corn Committee appears
merely to represent the conflicting opinions of interested Par-
firs, wiihout suggesting any other Remedy than the •ppoint•
aunt of 12 additional Meters ; while it is clear, from the Re-
tune. annexed to their Report, that such increase would
he perfectly ieadequate to the removal of the evils corn.
of.
Ti,at the !report of the said Committee states, that the prices
f Coal in the market do not appear to them to be excessive ;
het the Committee do not state upon what grormils they have
come to this conclusion; nor does it appear to this Court that the
Committee have considered, or enquired from any other Par'
ties than the Owners of the very Ships engaged in the Coal
trade. what elect the reduction in the value of Shipping. Wages,
and Provisions, ought to have had on the price of the Article
in the London market.

That it appears to this Court that the sole use of a Public
market. supported as it is at a great public expense, is to
;leant the community against imposition, by securing, amongst
ether thinsts, the supply of the Market at the true and fair value
of the respective kinds of Coals, with a reasonable profit to the
Dealer ; and that, if this principle were acted upon. it would
be the obvious interest elite Coal Dealer to obtain, and there•
fore he would be able to sell, his Coals upon the most mode*
rate teens. -
That a practice hi,s prevailed of Coal Merchants and Fee-
tors becomlitg'StemselvePPreighters, Whereby nominal or fic-
titious bargains are nadelar !frees parties acting in the double
character of Bayer and Seller, by which meetly excessive
prices are established, to the manifest Injury of the lower
classes, and of others who are obliged to purchase at a
season when the demand very much exceeds the quantity
which, upon the Parliamentary restriction of 424 Chaldrons
per day, can be delivered by the present limited number of,
Meters.

That it appears that the Public are open to Impositions by
reason of the precise description of the Coal not being speci-
fied In the Land Coal Meter's Ticket; there being, for instance
12 or 18 sorts sold under the denomination of Wall's End
('vale, the priers of which vary from 10 to 15 per cent. ; by
want of which sufficient description in the Meter's Ticket, the
Dealer has the power of selling Coal of the lowest value at
the price of the highest, to the manifest injury of the Public
end of the fair Trader.

That it appears that Ships have had to wait 10, 12, 14, 16,
and, in many cases, 18 days for Meters, in consequence of the
number now appointed being so inadequate to the prompt dis-
charge of the Ships as they arrive, which detention occasion-
ing. as it does, an extra expense of 4/. or U. per day to every
Ship so detained, necessarily adds from 3s. to bs. per Chat'
Oron to the price which the Public must pay for such Coals ;
imolves the Dealer in the necessity of keeping a largeresta-
Hislinient of Craft, and a larger stock of Coals afloat ; and
creates an apparent and artificial scarcity of the article, when,
in fact, there may, and frequently does, exist a surplus supply,
thungli, owing to the skive stated causes, the same cannot be
brought into course of delivery, and has, in fact, little more
effect upon the Market than it would bate if the Coals still re-
mained in the Pits at Newcastle.

That there ought not to exist any delay in the discharge of
Ships coming into this Port with Coals, and that therefore,
there can exist no reason why the number of Meters should
lilt he increased to snch extent as will best insure the imme-
diate delive►y, pros ided such increase can be effected without
imposing any new charge upon the Public, and without reduc•
Ing the emoluments of the Meters below that rate which
seems likely to insure au honest and faithful discharge of their
d ties.

That from the rear 18'.0 to the year 1810 the Meters did not
earn more than ISOI. to VON. per annum each, though the prices
prot,ision., and of the other necessaries of life, were 30 or
to per Cent. Welter then they now a►e ; but that the Meters
mou earn. upon the average, more than 2801. and nearly 3001.
per annum each.
That to remedy the evils already described, it is the duty of
this Court to direct that at least 40 additional Meters should
forthwith he appointed; so that the number should be MS,
itisteail of I ; which inerrase may be made without in the
slightest degree adding to the expenses that now fall upon the
Public, and without reducing tbe emoluments of the Meters
below 9110/. per annum.
That in future the real and full description of all Coals.
sold, ought to be specified iu the Meter's Ticket, under a:
penalty.
That all possible measures ought to be taken to pot a stop to
the practice of persons being suffered to impose upon the Pub-
-I.e, by acting in the double character at Buyer and Seller, and;
being thus enabled, by fictitious Sales, to regulate or affect the
I tire of the market.
That the reduced price of labour, and the diminished iutluei
of property in general, ought to produce a proportionate re-
duction in the price of Coal at the Shipping Ports ; and that,
uniescNitch reduction should take place, it will become the
duty of this Court to apply to the Legislature, to permit the
Open and unrestricted admission of Inland Coals, or to adopt
uch other measures as may seem best calculated to relieve
Inhabitants of this Metropolis from a Monopoly, which
"'" so materially enhances the cost of so important a nacos-
ctry of life.
WOODTHO&PE.

R,EFUGE for the OMIT rrtrrit—The SEVENTEENTH
ANDIIVEJIKARY DANNER of this Institution will be
held at the City of London Tavern. Bishopsgate Street, on
THuItSDAY the 46th day of Fob. )€54.
His Royal Highness the Duke of YORE, President, i 0 the
Chair. STILWAIDS.
111. Hon. Earl of Taakerville John Masterman, Esq.
?.!.e Hoe. Mr. Jamie* Best Robert Milligan, Esq.
bit G. Robinson, Bart. M.P. Francis Payola'. Eaqt
tie*. R. Dawson, Esq. M.P. Thoseas Plummer. Esq. s
Robert Hichens, Esq. George Oliver, Esq.
George
K Es* Thotmas Towle, Fog.
urorge , Benjamin Wainer. Xiq.
N'' q'elosk precisely.
Ticket., • , ritAie treasurer, Stewards.
C. olotaittee, Seeretnry;' _ '5 • of *4 SoperlattiiOnti
itrn
Hackney Road and ; wute at the Bev of the. Tag
_ _

ROBERT CROSBY, Secretary.