CUSTOMS, ETC., ACTS—POST-HORSE DUTIES. (Hansard, 21 July 1853)

§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he would now move, that with respect to post-horse duties, the following Resolution be agreed to:— That from and after the 10th day of October 1853, the Duties of Excise payable under any Act or Acts now in force on Horses let for hire, and on licenses to let-the same, shall respectively cease and determine; and in lieu thereof there shall be paid for and in respect of every license to be taken out yearly by every person who shall let any horse for hire, with or without any carriage to be used therewith, the following Duties of Excise (that is to say)—

	Duty.
	£	s.	d.
"Where the person taking out such license shall keep at one and the same time, to be let for hire.
1 horse or 1 carriage only And where such person shall keep, as aforesaid, any greater number of horses or carriages,	7	10	0
Not exceeding 2 horses or 2 carriages	12	10	0
Not exceeding 4 horses or 3 carriages	20	0	0
Not exceeding 8 horses or 6 carriages	30	0	0
Not exceeding 12 horses or 9 carriages	40	0	0
Not exceeding 16 horses or 12 carriages	50	0	0
Not exceeding 20 horses or 15 carriages	60	0	0
Exceeding 15 carriages	70	0	0
Exceeding 20 horses, then for every additional number of 10 horses, and for any additional number less than 10 over and above 20, or any other multiple of 10 horses, the further additional Duty of	10	0	0"

The object of the Resolution was to consolidate all the various duties where they were now liable to be paid into a single duty. The new duties had been calculated in such a way, by those most experienced in the matter, as to make a reduc- 585 tion to those persons who would have to pay them, of at least 60,000l. a year. The new scale of duties had been much considered by the principal persons amongst the owners of carriages and horses, and it gave them great satisfaction.