26 FEBRUARY 1848, Page 6

Ste Probintts.

Meetings in opposition to the increased Income-tax are becoming general. They have been already held at Liverpool—a very large and influential one, opposing increase, and calling for an equitable distinction between real property and professional income; at Derby, Gloucester, Reading, and East Retford. One spirit of strong objection pervades all. More meetings are in preparation at most of the important towns.

At Liverpool, on Tuesday, a large meeting of shipowners and others canvassed clause by clause the North American Passengers Bill. They objected to the space (12 superficial feet) provided for each passenger, as insufficient: it should be 14 feet for adults, and 7 for all under ten years of age. The diet was unsatisfactory. A clause making it obligatory to carry a cook was required. The requirement to carry a Government su- perintendent was very objectionable, and so was any proposal to require surgeons. Every ship, before clearing out, should be inspected by a Govern- ment medical officer.

On the requisition of divers Essex landowners, the Sheriff convened a county meeting to petition against the Jewish Disabilities Bill: the meeting was held on Thursday. Speeches having been made and petitions proposed against the bill, counter-resolutions were proposed, and carried by a con- siderable majority.

The inquest at Westbromwich on the men who perished by an explosion of fire-damp in Heathfield Colliery terminated on Friday sennight. The number of miners who were killed in the pit or have died since amounts to eleven. The evidence disclosed the usual recklessness of precautions among the men. The verdict was " Manslaughter " against Meek, the ' doggy " ; the Jury considering that his negligence in not testing the air before the men went to work had caused the accident.