A petition is at present preparing at Hull, on the
subject of munici- pal reform, the object of which is to place the close corporations of the kingdom on such a liberal footing that they may be fairly open to such of the inhabitants- of the cities and boroughs of the kingdom as may be considered by their fellow-citizens best fitted to fill the muni-
cipal offices, without distinction of sect or party. It is, we understand, intended to intrust the presentation. of this important document, which may be considered the first of a series, to Mr. Hill, the new member for Hull.—Leeds Mercury.
Lieutenant Drummond has been on an official visit to Winchester, by direction of Government. The researches of this gentleman are directed to several important objects, embracing an inquiry into the public charity schools, with a view to correct the morals of the rising generation, and thereby prevent crime ; to investigate the present state of the Poor-laws, in order to meliorate the condition of the poor, and
relieve the community, if possible, from a portion of the present ex- cessive impost of the poor-rates, which presses so heavily on all de- scriptions of property. Lieutenant Drummond's investigations also extend to the manner in which the appointments of the Magistrates to local jurisdictions are made by corporate and other bodies, to ascertain the best means of effecting some improvement in the present system ; and comprehend an improved regulation for a more efficient police throughout the kingdom.—Hampshire Chronicle.
A very curious affair has taken place during the week at the village of Lockington, which has diielosed, at least to our minds, a most ex- traordinary fact. This fact is, that the Clergyman of the village has been in the habit of receiving from the servants of the farmers a species of tithe on their wages ; from those on wages under 5/. a year, 6(1. ; and from those on wages above that sum, is. By an odd coincidence of cireinnst:mces, we have reason to believe this custom has not only been broken in upon, but extinguished in Lockington. On a day, we have not been able to ascertain which, a young man of the name of Dodsworth was called upon by the collector for his shilling. Not having one, lie told the collector he must wait till his wages were paid. The collector replied, "I must have it immediately ; borrow it of your
master." The lad was obstinate, and eventually refused to pay at ; in which resolution he was joined by several others to the number of fifteen. This altercation ended in an appeal to a Magistrate at Bever- ley; who in vain counselled the young man to comply with an old custom. Perseverance in refusal led, on the part of the dernandant, to the exaction of what was called his legal claim, 4d. in the pound, and finally to the apprehension of three young men, who were fully committed to gaol for three months by, we believe, the Rev. Mr. Blanchard. Further consideration has, however, dictated their liberation without compromise, and they returned to their homes on Thursday. Surely some better way of remunerating the clergy may be devised than taking for their support part of the wages of farmers' servants, many of them under twenty years of age. Can it surprise any one that claims of this sort should create dissatisfaction and discontent? Ought a moment to be lost in putting an end to this odious and oppressive system Rockingham.
Notices to quit have been served on some of the independent elec- tors of the borough of Dudley who voted for Sir John Campbell, and other miserable acts of political revenge are being resorted to. Nor is this mode of election warfare confined to the Anti-Reformers. At Walsall, the non-electors, partisans of the unsuccessful Reform candi- date, Mr. De Bosco Attwood, have commenced extensively "exclusive dealing."—Birmingham Journal.
Amongst the items in the poor's cash-book of St. Peter's Hospital, at Bristol, is a sum of 1,300/. paid to the Steam Packet Company for transporting Irish vagrants during the past year.
Mr. Richardson, of Aber-Hirnant, Merionethshire, has, within the last two years, 'enclosed upwards of one thousand acres from the Berwyn Hills : a large portion of this land has been planted, other parts
drained.; push-ploughed, and,brought into tillage, and have produced ex- .
traordiaary returns in white and green crops, particularly barley, oats,
flax, turnips, and potatoes. Buildings have also been erected, bullocks are stalled, and flocks of rethers are fattening on the produce of land which was never before considered worth a shilling an acre. On Thursday last week, upwards of one hundred persons, Mr. Richardson's tenants and labourers, sat down to a substantial Christmas dinner in a new barn on the mountain of Maes-Hir ; the Welsh harp sounded on the wild hill.side, and the day was passed in harmony and hilarity. The landlord's health was drunk with enthusiasm and sincerity, for the blessings consequent on employment were fully appreciated by the industrious class assembled. We hope this judicious example will be followed.—Shrewsbury Chronicle.
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