Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1871-07-21 (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England)

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1871.  A DEPUTATION from the Evangelical Affiance had an interview with Prince Gortachakoff on Saturday as to the oppression of Lutherans in the Baltic provinces. No distinct assurance was given on behalf of the Czar, but the interview was considered favourable.  TUE verdict on the Eltham murder case is exciting strong feelings. The murdered girl's father complains that the verdict was hasty, and that important evidence was withheld. Pook's father, on the other hand, recommends Government to offer a reward for the discovery of the murderer, and he will aid in finding out the culprit.  ME GLADSTONE'S silence on the decision of the Lords is severely commented upon. While any rash declaration or precipitate course would have made matters worse, the country is getting impatient-to learn what steps are to be takcn to vindicate the credit of the Commons. The abolition of purchase by Royal warrant is recommended. it is confidently expected that Mr Gladstone will make a full statement this (Thursday) evening as to the course to be adopted.  M. QUERTIER'S budget scheme has been rejected. Instead of the Customs' duties he pr'posed, a tax will be levied on the home consumption of moinfitctured produce.  ITHE "tax imposition" at Stockton continues to be the one subject of comment. A considerable amount of feeling is being evoked, and an indignation meeting of tax-payers is threatened. Correspondence, which is necessarily guarded, indicates that the Stockton Commissioners, who obtained security from a Hari lepool defaulter, had neglected to adopt the same precautionary measures nearer home; and more singular still, whilst one defaulter is thrown into prison during the time his deficiencies are recovered, the other collector is at large, apparently relieved of all responsibility for his past shortcomings. The "why and the wherefore" of these roundabout proceedings are not apparent to the public, and we are afraid that long-suffering class is Lot likely to have the questionable pleasure of receiving satisfaction for its extra payments so long as the present apathetic position is maintained. In the meantime the recently impressed collectors (Messrs T. W. Pybus, J. Brotherton, Walton, and J. Appleton) are prosecuting their unpleasant duty with the strictest impartiality. On Friday two ot them attended a committee meeting of the Corporation, and made their demand. Some gentlemen of the committee were desirous of paying the extra tax, but one or two others objected; the consequence was the retirement of the collectors, and on Saturday morning bailiffs were put in possession both at the Borough Hall and Gas Works. From the first named premises a number of chairs were removed, and from the other some pigs of lead were taken, andj placed in durance vile at a public house. On Monday, Mr James Robinson, assistant clerk to the Commissioners, who is also assistant town clerk, interviewed the collectors in possession, and paid their demands, with costs. Dietrainte have since been made upon one or two other large taxpayers. From the general disgust which prevails, we anticipate the duty of the collectors will become more and more disagreeable as they proceed.