At the Middlesex Sessions, on Wednesday, the Overseers of St.
Paul's Covent Garden appealed against a decision of Magistrates in Special Session, reducing the sum at which Covent Garden had been rated, from 2,812/. to 1,202/: Henry Robertson, treasurer of the Theatre, gave the following evidence— The Theatre has been let for the two last seasons to Mr. Macready. The gross amount of rent paid by that gentleman is 5,440/. There is, however, a further rent received from another source, which brings it up to 5,890. nit is the whole sum paid for the occupation. Oat of that rent, the proprielo-s pay for land-tax 345/. 12s. 8.d.; the poor-rate, 213/. is. 4d.—that is on a vain: of 2,8121.; there are the Rector's and improvement rates, 148/. 12s. 4d. ; Site water-rate, 841.; making an aggregate of 791/. 128. 4d. There were also pall the watch and firemen during the recess—that was 70/. There are expenses incuTed of 250/. for collecting rents ; aud there are then the average reteirs, which are 37/. per annum—that is on an average of five years. The annual
expense of keeping the scenery, wardrobe, and i
properties n repair, is at least a 1,010/. The repairs for the season of 1837-38 amounted to 2,200/. The Theatre is not insured, in consequence of the high rate of premium demanded. The cost of building the Theatre was about 300,000/. The value of the pro- perties is about 34,000/.
Mr. Bradberry, the machinist, said the " properties " were really Worth from 8,00a to 10,000/. and the fixed machinery from 3,000/. to 4,0001.—the thunder was always fixed, the lightning not. Henry Slo- man, the deputy machinist, valued the machinery at from 15,000/. to 20,000/. He took charge of the heavy machinery " Ariel " could not be reckoned in that class. The tailor said, the properties in his depart- ment were worth about 10,000/. The music librarian estimated the music at 1,300!.; the dramatic library was put down at 222!.; the organ cost 472/. Mr. George Robins knew that lately theatrical property had sadly declined in value : he would not describe it as desirable property —he had not got it to sell.
The Court amended the rate, by inserting 2,0001. instead of 1,202/. as the sum at which the Theatre was to be rated.
A large quantity of counterfeit coin has got into circulation lately, principally among the small shopkeepers in the suburbs. The colts are for the most part counterfeits of the new shillings and fourpenny pieces, and are tolerably well executed. A large number of French franc-pieces have also got into circulation as shillings.
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