5 MARCH 1836, Page 8

On Saturday, a considerable number of merchants, agents, and ship-

owners interested in the East India trade, met together at the City of London Tavern, and formed an association for the protection of the trade. It was determined to use every exertion to persuade Ministers to continue the low duty on Bohea teas for another year, instead of raising it, according to the bill of last year, from Is. 6d. to 2s. hi. per pound.

The proprietors of the Thames Tunnel had a meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Hawes, M. P., in the chair, to receive their annual report. It announced the resumption of the works ; that a new shield had been constructed, which weighed 150 tons, at an expense of 70001. ; and that, with the past experience, the work was progressing with the best prospect of a satisfactory termination. The length of the tunnel has been already extended eighteen inches. Of the 30,0001. advanced by the Government, 18,0001. remained in hand after paying for the new shield. In the lust year, 27,000 persons had visited the tunnel, and the sum received was 14871. ; which is an increase upon the receipts of the preceding year. The accounts were then adopted, and au election took place for three Directors and an Auditor.

A considerable number of landowners and farmers of Essex, Kent, Cambridge, and Surry, assembled yesterday, at the King's Arms Tavern, Palace Yard, and passed resolutions strongly disapproving of the Ministerial measure for commuting Tithes. They object to levy- ing tithe on skill and capital, and declare, " That the only just basis on which a perpetual rent-charge can be esti- mated, is the actual value of the land to let, the only intrinsic quality of the soil upon rhich sumo assessment can nave permanent operation."

Yesterday, about 150 of the principal newsvenders had a meeting at the Crown and Anchor, and passed a series of resolutions on the sub- ject of the proposed reduction of the Stamp-duty. The chief object of the meeting was to insist upon the circulation of newspapers post- age-free, the expense being paid for in the shape of a stamp. A Committee was appointed to watch the proceedings in Parliament. [All fair on the part of the newsvenders in the way of trade : but the Representatives of the People must act upon higher views. It is impossible to deny that any Stamp-duty will circumscribe to an enormous extent the reading of the People.]

There is to be a meeting in the Guildhall on Monday, to petition for the entiro repeal of the Taxes on Knowledge. The Lord Alayor will preside ; and Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Hume, and other leading Members of Parliament are expected to be present.

The Goldsmiths' Company give a banquet on the 9th instant, at their hall ; to which the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel have been invited.