The parishioners of St. Mary, Newington, met on Wednesday, in
the Vestry, to take measures for the repeal of the House and Window tax. Resolutions pledging the meeting to use every legal means to obtain the repeal were passed unanimously. A vote of thanks to Mr. Tennyson was also passed ; and Mr. Hawes's conduct was strongly censured.
The petition for the repeal of the House and Window tax from the parish of St. James, was signed by 2,450 householders out of 2,720.
A meeting of the Central Committee of the United Parishes of ' Westminster, was held at the British Hotel in Cockspur Street, on Monday evening, in order to receive the report of the Deputation which had waited upon Lord Althorp to ascertain the precise nature and extent of his proposed reduction of the Assessed Taxes. It was • stated by a member of the Deputation, that Lord Althorp had informed • them, that the House-duty would be reduced one half upon all houses • which had shops attached to them. The Deputation then asked him whether the relief would extend to licensed-victuallers, tavern-keepers, schoolmasters, apothecaries, solicitors, lodging-house-keepers, tailors, wine and other merchants who had counting-houses attached to their dwellings, ahem) working-jewellers and other artisans ? Lord Althorpt replied, that there would be no relief to any of them excepting sur- geons, law-stationers, " &c." who had shops attached to their houses, and ,who could make good a claim for exemption of three windows under the existing law. Lord Althorp afterwards stated, that he would remit one third of the duty on houses rated at less than 20/. per annum ; which would relieve 215,233 housekeepers. Great disappointment was expressed at the Government plan, and very strong language was • used by the Deputation on the subject. Lord Althorp heard every thing with great calmness, but said that it would be impossible for him to yield more than be had already done. The Licensed-Victuallers' Deputation bad an interview with Lord. Althorp on Tuesday, to urge upon him their claim to be considered as shopkeepers, and to participate in the relief to be afforded by the pro- posed reduction in the House-duty. Mr. Humphery and Mr. Hawes accompanied the Deputation, and strongly advocated the justice of their claim. Lord Althorp would only promise to take them into considera- tion, and communicate his final determination in writing.
A numerous meeting of the petitioners of Christchurch, Surry, was held at the Rotunda, Blackfriars Road, on Tuesday, for the purpose of adopting means to procure the repeal of the House and Window tax. Very strong language was used by the speakers ; several of whom declared their determination not to pay the tax any longer. The inhabitants of Shoreditch parish assembled in the church on lirednesday evening to the number of about four thousand, and passed resolutions against the continuance of the House and Window tax ; also one calling upon Dr. Lushington to resign his seat for the borough of the Tower Hamlets, in consequence of his voting against the ex- press instructions of his constituents on Sir John Key's motion. This resolution was carried unanimously, and followed by loud cheers. The strongest language was used at this meeting, in condemnation of the Ministerial measures generally; and several of the speakers avowed their determination to offer a passive resistance to the collection of the House and Window tax in future.
A general meeting of the inhabitants of the united parishes of St.
-George and St. Andrew, Holborn, was held on Tuesday last, to con- sider the same subject. Mr. W. Tooke, member for Truro, was in the chair. He made a long speech in favour of the repeal of the taxes. He was followed by Dr. White, Mr. ReynoldS, and other gentleMen, who spoke of the unequal degree of taxation upon the rich and the poor.
The Marquis of Westminster was only taxed 300/. ; while Day and Martin's manufactory in Holborn, which (Dr. White said) was hardly equal to the stabling of that nobleman, was taxed at 9001. Tradesmen, in consequence of such taxation, were borne down ; and within the last three years, he would be bound to say, there were not twenty in the united parishes able to meet their annual expenses. They were obliged tohold their leases, or retire to live upon the nionev they had realized themselves, or that procured through the industry of their lathers ; and they were obliged to support the rich landlords.
Several resolutiens, couched in determined language, were adopted. Many female. housekeepers were present at this meeting, and took great in- terest in its proceedings.
A requisition, signed by 240 electors of Southwark, has been pre- sented to the High Bailiff, calling upon him to convene a public meet- ing to consider the expediency of petitioning the House of Commons to repeal the House and Window tax, and to establish an equitable Property-tax. Another requisition, signed by 60 electors, has also been presented for a meeting with the same object, and also to consider the conduct of Mr. W. Brougham in voting against Sir John Key's motion. The High Bailiff has fixed Monday next for the meeting, in pursuance of both requisitions.
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