The Express. — London, England, 1853-02-28 00:00:00

DEPT' : N.O MO E T N FROM TILE PEACE CONFE- O THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. o n t t urday, the deputation appointed at the late of the Friends of Peace at Manchester, to present so s ad .to the Earl of Aberdeen, waited upon his lord skips a. i ppointasent, at Downing-street. Amelia those rue the followisth gentlemen :—T. Milner Gibson, C e , * ;l .• , Richard Cobden, Eq., 111. P., Joseph Hume, William Brown, Esq., M.P., George Hadtield, pf ;•.% Wm. Laslett, Esq., M.P., Joseph Brotherton, *. y , Joseph Croak , Esq.. M.P., James Bell, Esq., V. i nk Crossley, Eq., M.P., James Kenhaw, Esq., H T . .% , a. Wilkinson, Esq. ~ M .P.; William Ewart, Esq.. , J it. Smith, Esq., M, ~ Edward Miall, Esq.,M.P., J u RaC, ithant, Esq, M.P., Samuel Gurney, Rag , Edward Smith, Eq., Sheffield, Joseph ate ~ 4 .. Birmingham, henry Pease, Esq.„ Darling ga,. Gurney, jun., Esq , John Lee, Esq., LL.D., Liana , Ileyworth, Liverpool, Frederick Ashby, E s q., S. one s, George Edmunds, Esq., Birmingham, Ro bot ea Eq., Bristol, B F. Collins, Esq., Hull, Jhs N , Sot., Croydon, Itichd. Starry, Esq., Croy l!a-sett, Igighton, Samuel Lucas, Esq., m e m o iiiiam Edwards, Esq., London. Russell Jeffrey, Rs. J Burnet, Joseph Cooper, Eq., Rev. Henry uaar a,. , ales Delpia, Esq., James Ellie, M.D., Samuel Cdr , .1 , henry Stony, Esq , Thomas Beggs, E pkv. CI sq., iuiut Dukes, lie , . Edward Giles, John Jenkins, zoo red Reeling. Esq., J. Limey, Esq , Meagre. rem . , A -op Kendall, Jonas, itc. Hr, '1 GIO.SuN, N.P., introduced the depots *s by i tomtit's that it did out represent any particular i ssa bly, 'out one composed of gentlemen from Manchester, j aa g a ,l i all, and 1:160113 other parts of the country, who b a g op • at the recent Peace Conference at Manchester. Thole o ~.et was to call the attention of the government to R at , seg. - salting from large stethling armaments in time ed m e. -not merely with relation to the present moment, bat as a • oestion of permanent pricy. They wished the gonna at to endeavour, by diplomatic influence, to effect a m i t er in of theme armaments. Efforts haul been made to m a r t„ !cella of p ole, English nation agairst the French ✓oie nln nt and pep and much irritatii,u and alum had been di result, but this circumstance turniehed only an ad ditional reason for the adoption of the course of policy which I. :ad suggested. He wished to add, that the ob ject of t. depot ition was limited to the practical measures to whir had referred, and did not seek to enforce those abstrait ,ews on the peace question which some of the san k of the deputation individually held. Mr. Gibson t wos. Anted the secretary, the Rev. Henry Richard, toes tea the address. The 1 rl of Asexorre said that he had met any &pater n with whose objects be more completely agreed than th, mettle No one could more earnestly, be might say atop isionattly, desire the attainment of these objects aa a ass , ..ty for the peace of Europe than ho did, and he believe , : l..it by no other means could any government more status e promote the happiness of mankind, end bring real glor to this nation. These opinions he had not adopted Ineptly They had often farmed the subject of discussion we year 140 with his late eminent friend Sir Robert Peel; bat at tl. o period the state of Europe was, perhaps, more issoureb.. than it now is for carrying out the plans pro posed. Alinitting, as he had done, the duty of the govern ment, t: y mast consider the subject in a practical point of rongly desiring the attainment of this important 004• 4,14, y must look at the measures of a practical nature by who h it must be carried out. First, there was the inCeuce of their own example, and he might ay ea t• point that the military measures into which the goy, unmet lied entered (whether those measures were right or wrong) were entirely on the principle of defence, sod he thought they were not inouniietent with his views glimerly a apressed in parliament. What he meant to say wee, a.• it a country kept an army of 300,000 or 400,000 mea, the r_ was great danger lest they might be disposed to weir :he taste in which inch forces originated. But the sneageovots here were not at all of an aggressive chip nets, 1 here had ciliated in the country, as had been re marked, a strong feeling of alarm, and had the government dented it, they might easily . have availed themselves of this hal*, .04 have greatly incteued the armaments. But, wham., difference of opinion might exist as to the wisdom Of the lei asarcs adopted, and they were fairly open to eel bagel, their sincere desire had been to do nothing more than was ace. oary, according to the opinion of competent judges In each :emitters. He admitted that the danger of aggres liell bed Neu enormously esaggerated ; yet he thought that a treat country like ours ought not to be left at the y of even the most pacific nation. With respect to the delbute measures proposed by the deputation, ho doubted whether, in the present state of Europe, such proposals would be listen d to as favourably as they might have been ten yells ; but he again assured the deputation that, whe t/fee thin object was attained or not, it would not be for do wise of an inclination on his part to promote it. He mould Leep the subject constantly in view, and no ono meld at •r• earnestly desires happy a result than himself. Ik. CoIDIX, is seknowledgieg the kindness and cour tesy with which his lordship had received the address, re sulted that the deputation were unanimously desirous that, by means of diplomatic communications, an attempt should beam& to pat a stop ti the rivalry of hostile preparations which was carried on between ourselves and France, and, if possible, to effect a pro rata reduction of the forces of the two countries. Ile thought it would alley all irritation If it view publicly known that the two governments were Is frientl4 communication upon the subject. He was in constant correspondence with parties in France, in whom is had the most implicit confidence, and he was satis fied that there was no foundation for the fears at aggression from that country ; but if the go vernmeht were to enter into diplomatic communications wok France they would be in a position to contradict such alarm ing rumours authoritatively. Such a course was not with out precedent. and he cited the convention between Ame rica and England, to limit the amount of naval force te be kept by the two countries on the lakes which separate the United S.ates from Canada. Ile wished, in conclusion, to explain, that whilst many gentlemen present entertained conscientious conviedeas in opposition to war -oder every pretence, yet that they not seek by their piseenee to en, force Non his I the peastkal apth ase ' w h oga t h ey view.; but all tiler Ilmlefhiso.iltbniessode by mu gevan represente‘rthaiss and INORIONI SWOP le leer apse the multi. Pb'si r laa wl ersollite peernestisas fa timed pease; and Idthough the mad usetives of the pease party, as it was called, bona gres in sa d misreprsesstei, he had no doubt that hie be sastaissi by the public opinion of the • I HISII4 III IIto VOW millitrialto to Wry out prosaically the namable plea whisk they bad submitted to lir. Hume urged arm Lord Aberdeen, as the bead of the government, the nmeideration of this subject, on the pound of the itearmen expenditure, the war establish. ants costing 11.01161001. per annum. This bosun specially Inn the peculiar cirentiteMee Of the sentry, oswes by the dinivery of gold in Ausloolia. Alreedy the wages of by horn to affect the not ef re daction so seriously that the British namelholner itessld est compete with hie fore* enether. This wee e rest mercantile sad manufseturbrig esmilip e end dime isoneete feet be preserved. Th 3 only preothrbie way of lessning as on of production to which be had seined was by re moving many of the taxes which pressed upon inch; sad he looked confidently to the present government to n oon such proem. He saw , es small hope of mesh lussores b•itt adapted, wale s inimetion could be made is ear anal and military estsblimismnim P. Oruro air asked permission nsdds few words. Pram the position he occupied in enmeolin with mercantile ages, he had an opportunity of karaing the state of *Mon among the mercantile menmenity, met *sly in this ilentry but he might say throughout the world, and tin nily and very 'abusively in Preme. His belief was that there was no unfriendly feels' Prance towards this enntry until it had been excited by our own warlike pre med the eileinsten of the poss. But be feared uses them wee mire bad being moiled on both sides ref bed edited dew ISIS. He mess sae of those who be lling thud* pnneiple of wee wee in accordance will the of the New Toelment, but he admitted that this was not the time to argue that question. But on the mud of ordinary experience he thought that when two pen nations were arming Unmakes in this way, and Wisp with defiance at each other that the danger was very pin of their coming into collision. The war spirit was sneeni by inn means, and was more likely to proceed to 81111118 111Plesien. The consequences of a war would be wet dimness. The amount of property that might be 1111 M Mle GSM In our mercantile navy, and which could Nibs prolsobad inept by the good understanding of dia ling eatina, send mot be estimated at less than eighty mil lion Ile hid se doubt that a diplomatic negotiation of a ferniimsey mime between the two government" on the ~sMMtint einenaente could :not fail to exercise the '--WMune cm public opinion in both countries. lian's" re ply alert reply from the Earl of Aeaanaue, the dos WELL.KNOWN MADEIRA PACKET, 7118 Milt _T, is sow au the patent slip of Mr. Whtte, ship nailikr, at Portsmouth, being converted into a screw-pro. Paw She will be fitted with engines of 22-horse power Oaf. w the avoideace of the delays caused by calms is the thief object sought to be accomplished. As a sailing-vessel ale has proved - herself to be one of the fastest on the water, hivin g on some occasions beaten even the mail Rama packets themselves in the run home from Madeira. FUNERAL OP THE LATE BISHOP Or SYDNEY.— Oallatarday morning the mortal remains of the Right LT. Wallas Grant Broughton, D.D., late Lord Bishop of !Sydney, and Metropolitan of Australia, were consigned Is the tomb with due Wlcmnity in the metropolitan church date province of Canterbury, so the presence of a vast DUISI• ber of penons, who flicked from all quarters to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the venerable prelate. At doyen o'clock the largo bells( the cathedral began to toll, and the funeral procession was formed in the Dew's Toni, from which it moved slowly to the south door Or the church. It was led by a large body of Oen in their surplices, followed by the lay f the cathedral, and upwards of 100 choristers and otadents of St. Augnstine's Missionary College. On enter ing the cathedral, the lay clerks and choristers commenc-d aoletna service appointed by the church of England to be mid at the humid of the dead. As they moved along ore, tney chanted " I am the resurrection and the oaf.' " I know that my Redeemer liveth," and "We heetiyht nothing into this world." These were followed by hMafium alm Dim Custoiliani''), and by Peilm (" Bomine "). Both ;minis were chanted with great effect. The prices of the day were simple and earnest. All pre. twat %pewit to feel deep:y that in the death of Dr !trough, tee the church, and particularly the church in Australia kM a devoted servant and a zealous friend. ELECTION EXPOSURES TWO MORE M.P.'s UNSEATED. CONTROVERTED ELECTION COMMITTEES. BRIDONORT R. SIR R. PIGOT U. On Saturday the inquiry into the allegations set forth in a petition against the return at the late Bridgnorth election was resumed, and the decision of the select com mittee was delivered, declaring the election of one of the sitting inemben—Sir Robert Pigot—to have been a void election. ----- The inquiry has occupied eight days, having commenced on Friday, the 18th inst., and during that time • large numaer of witnesses have been examined. On the re assembling of the committee on Saturday, at one o'clock, Mr. E. James, Q.C., replied on the whole cats for the petitioners. The address of the learned gentleman occupied exactly an hour ; and as soon as he had coucluded the room was ordered by the chairman to be cleared, which was done accordingly. The committee remained about an hour and • half in de liberation, and when the public were again admitted the chairman read the following decision : " We find that Henry Whitmore, Esq., was duly elected to mynas • burgess at the last election fur the borough of Bekletuorth. "We find that Sir Robert Pigot was not duly elected as • burgess at the last election fur the borough of Bridg north. t' We find that the last elution fur the borough of Bridgnortlt was a void election, so far as regards Sir ILbt. "We find that the said Sir Robert Pigot was, by his agents, guilty of bribery at the said election. " We find that one Joseph Mason was bribed at the said election bys bribe of 101., but that he was not so bribed with the knowledge of the said Sir Robert Pigot." Mr. Whitneyl thin made an application for the payment of costs so far as regarded tbo petition as against the return of Mr. Whitmore. lie said if ever there was a case in which • committee should feel bound to give costs it was this ease. They had now arrived at the eighth day of the inquiry, and be appealed to every hon. member of the com mittee whether there had been a shadow of a case proved as against Mr. Whitmore • on the contrary, be contended that there was net the slightest evidence to connect Mr. Whitmore with any of those allegations in the petition. The Chairman asked if Mr. Whiteley was going to apply as regarded any of the specific allegations as set forth in tbo petition ? Mr. Whateley replied that such was his intention. The Chairman again desired the room to be cleared; and, on the public being again admitted, he said the committee were of opinion that, without prejudice to the case, there was prima /brie ground for going into the question of corns, and the committee would be reiuly to hear counsel on that point on Monday, at 12 o'clock. Mr. James said, is that case he would make an applica tion on the same question against Sir Robert Pigot, for re sisting the petition. The committee then adjourned to 12 o'clock this day. FROME. HON. COLONZI. BOTLI I.INBEATID. - The select committee appointed to report on the petition against the return for the last election for the borough of 8 rose, met for the lint time on Saturday, Mr. 0. A. Hamilton, chairman. The petitioner in this cue is Mr. Robert Westley Hall Dare, of Wilmington-house, Essex; the sitting member being Colonel the Hon. Robert Boyle. Mr. fierjunt Wranghain and Mr. Montage Smith were counsel for the petitioner ; and Mr. Serjeant Kinglike and Mr. Wild appeared for the sitting member. Mr. Serjeant Wrangham, in opening the case, said it was aUM which he could open with great pleasure —a pleasure in which he was lure his learned friend, Mr. James, would • entirely sympathise with him, as it was no !IN of bribery or treating, with which description of eases they had been both too cognisant for the last eight or ten days. This was a mere question of law, if he might sell it so, to decide whether the hon. member (Colonel Boyle) was entitled I to be elected or to sit and vote as member of the House' of Commons, or whether all the votes given for him at the I last election for Fronts had been a mere nullity ; and whether the petitioner, being the other candidste, ought not to have been returned at such election as the only person capable of being elected. There were only two candidates, Colonel Boyle, the sitting member, and Mr. Han Dare, the petitioner. Both gentlemen were put in nomination, a show of hands took place, and notice was given to all parties who took part in the election that Col. Boyle was dis.lualified in consequence of holding an office or place of profit, which was a new office created since the act of Queen Anne, cap. 7, had passed, which rendered the holder of any such office created after that date incapable of sitting or voting in the House of Commons. The office which Col. Boyle holds is that of secretary to the most illustrious order of St. Patrick, which the petition alleged to be a place coming under the pr..rlsions of that statute. Mr. Naylor, of the Crown-office, proved the writ and return for the last election for the borough of Frome. Sir W. Betham, Ulster King of Arms, proved that he has been an officer of the Order of St. Patrick since 1807. The order was founded in 1783. lie thinks no letters patent were ever passed for the foundation of the order. The Hen. Colonel Boyle is secretary to the order. He was invested the 12th September, 1837. The secretary to the order is entitled to receive 601. as a fee for every new knight of the order created. The fees go through his (witness's) hands, and he hen paid Colonel Boyle those fees for the creation of several knights since 1837. Cross-examined by Mr. Wild—Witness has searched for letters patent for the creation of the order, but could not find any, and believes none were ever issued. There is, first, a warrant issued by the King (or Queen, as the cue may be), and then a fiat, prepared by the Attorney - Genera l and signed by the Lord•Lientenant There is no sign-manual in 'MARA!, t firpiME4tlile r ii d eict ancilll2...teer retary of the witness first saw that document in 1837, wheitt - Iral r ati to him to be recorded in his office, and it was recorded. He should say Col. Boyle was not appointed by the Lord Lieutenant. The lint secretary to the order was Lord Debris, who was appointed the llth March, 1783; the next secretary was Sir Rickard St. George, appointed in 1792 ; the seat was Sir Frederick Faulkner; the next was Lord Forbes, appointed 17th March, 1828; and the next was Col. Boyle, appointed in 1837. The King is sovereign of the order, and the Lord Lieutenant is grand muter. Wit noes has invested 18 Lord Lieutenants in his time with the collar of the order. Mr. J. Herr, a clerk is the Chief Secretary's once, Dublin, prodneod the warrant under the royal signature in 1837 to hold as inweallimen of Colonel Boyle as also the warns% iris& in 1833, regulating the fel me o t f ar ge different dims of the lair. The /OM WWI liog deuced, and the committee having bin iiiiinnatios sees a timer past 4 o'clock until 8 &oink is the I•4llwiden M 1M public, TM NM. Cillliinan ma the eammittes have come to the following insenlim • That di Ake et eeeretuy to the most illustrious order of et Pat a Y as 11111111 or pLce of profit under the crown, ereeMa dace the NA Oinbor, 1705, and " That Colomitho 131/11. Robert Edward Boyle, by reason at hi balding wesil ogee, was not capable of being elected a buCifor the Wei* of From. at the last election." iimunittos thug aijsurnal to this day. OZATHAM. On Saturday the essmittee re-assembled at 11 o'clock, Mr. BRAWSTON in the chair, and remained until 12 o'clock in deliberation, when, on the opening of the emanaittee-room, Mr. Merewether, Q.C. proceeded with his commentary oa theme as made out by the petitioners, and pointed out what he conceived to he the various discrepancies. The learned counsel, in the mown of his adios, which mem pied some hours, took the liberty to within and voodoo the discretion of the edit's. WI tke poem, maLlaina s eLthz way in which they bed es-minted on contained in the endow,. He pointed eat, in a strain more dictatorial than salve, gad perhaps altogether uncalled for, that the melons o f amnesties on those dis closures, norm& saississ, sissii be diesestineed tar the fa tore, not for the mite et kb dies% we of the esmedtles, but for the sake et moms desew, whisk opoodonte Ms, re quired that the ether aide lone ea opportunity of justifying themselves bare they wee palliely con. , dewed. Henry Bradshaw (who la the evidanee given by Mount, it will be remembered, solleited Sir Frederick Smith for • pensioner's place in Greenwich Hospital, but who it was asserted by Mount came out of the committee-room with 3 sovereigns in his band, and exhibited them), was then called and examined by Mr. Bodkin. Was 80 years of age, and formerly kept • lodging-house on Chatham-brook. Mount was once • lodger of Ida, but Mount was not present when Sir Frederick asked witness for his vote. "Mount," said the witness with emphasis, "is a perjured man, let him be wherever he is." (Laugh ter .) Could not help being ex cited on this occasion. Had been at sea daring the first American war in a king's cutter, and had served in the dockyard at Chatham 27 years, and there had bees nothing against his character either on sea or shore. Sir Frederick came to the alley door where witness lived and asked . him for his vote, and witness said he would give it him, Mount was not present. Saw Sir Frederick after this at the Sun, and asked him if be would get him into Greenwich Hospital, but Sir Frede rick never gave him a proper or punctual enswer—he nei ther said yes nor no. Witness tbosght he was most wore out, and should like to end his days in the college. Asked Sir Frederick if he could get him into Greenwich, and Sir Frederick said he did not know. Voted for Sir Frederick, and the bribery oath was put to him when he voted. Never ' dada, the canvass, or at any period during his life, Iv. COLTOd a single dolt for his vote, and never came out of the Sun with three sovereigns in his hand. It was a long time sines he had three !sovereigns. Nothing of the kind ever passed. Wished Mount was there, face to face, and he (witness) would shame him. Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Kinglake—About 12' years ago he had sold Mount a donkey. Met Sir Frederick promiscuously the first day he saw him, on the military road. Went to Sir Frederick, and said he was come to give him his vote, and Sir Frederick shook hands, and said, " Thank you, Mr. Bradshaw ; I am obliged to you for your rote ;" and witness said, " Your'e welcome." Sir Frede rick came a second time to witness for his vote, not, as witness thought, understanding him the first time, and wit ness a second time promised his vote. Witness subse quently went up to London to Sir Frederick Smith's office —(laughter)—ice some square, he did net recollect. Saw Sir Frederick at his office in London, and asked him if he could get him into Greenwich. Sir Frederick said he did not know whether he could or not. Sir Frederick ordered for witness muttonchops and a pint of stout at his office, and afterwards went with witness to the Admiralty to see if he could get him into Greenwich, but there was no ad miral there—(laughter) —and witness returned by the Gravesend boat to Chatham. Did not receive ant money on the occasion. On the occasion of theing Sir 1' reds rick at the Sun Inn, Sir Frederick said to wi ness. I" You are fond of reading tracts, Bradshaw, and if sou come to-mor row morning to Lady Smith, she shall get you some. (Laughter.) Witness went at two o'clock in the afternoon and bolted up stairs. Lady Smith said, " There are the tracts, Bradshaw, will you take a glass of wine," and tilled witness • bumping glass, ' adding, "Now, Bradshaw, if you want any ni:we ' tracts I'll give them to you." (Laughter.) Sir Frederick did not promise to get witness into Greenwich. Promises were like pin crests. There were no 51. notes between the tracts. Never mentioned to Mount that he (witness) had spoken to Sir Frederick abOut getting into Greenwich. Witness was a " lone " man, and had no " minus." Sir Frederick "stood amused like " on seeing witness in Lon don. Sir Frederick said he would get him into Greenwich if he could, but did riot know has influence was strong enough. Mount was employed in emptying privies (Laughter.) Witness could not say anything about Mount's honesty. Mount had never robbed witnetia, but hod told a good many lies. When Sir Frederick came out of the committee room at the Sun Inn, witness thougt it was hide " his occasions." (Loud laughter.) And at the conclusion of his evidence (having in the course of it stated he believed his intellects were not so good as " they was said to the committee and counsel, " Ain't I a funny old cove 1" ' (Laughter.) Thu committee then adjourned to this day at 11 o'clock. CAMBRIDGE (BOROUGH). On Saturday the committee, consisting of Mr. Vernon Smith, Chairman, Mr. Hildyard, Sir J. Villiers Shelley, lion. J. W. Percy, and Sir U. W. Dulkelty, met to consider the allegations in the petition against the return of Misses. Aston and Macaulay, charging bribery and corruption. Mr. Serjeant Kiiiglske Q.C., opened the ease for the petitioners, stating that the candidates at the last election were Messrs. Macau!ey and Aston, and Messrs. Adair and Mowatt. The election was held on the 7th and Sth July last. The number of registered voters in the tons of Cam bridge was 1,880. The number of voters that polled was 1,546. The numbers at the close of the poll were for Macaulay, 821 ; for Aston, 803; fur Adair, 737 ; and for Mowatt, 672. The learned counsel then proceede , to call attention to the electioneering economy of Cambridge. This was not the first occasion on which there had been an inquiry of this kind with reference to Cambridge. In 11539 there was a similar petition, and then their sitting member was unseated. The name of one Samuel Lawton would become 'amiliar to the committee in the course of these proceedings. In 1813, 1815, and 1317, there had been other petitions. At the election for 1852, the two present sitting members, Messrs. Aston and Macaulay, appeared in the field, and worked with a jsint committee. One of their principal agents was Mr. Smut Sheen, and the chairman of their committee, Mr. Charles Ball, with a number of other gentle men, mere or less mixed up in the election, and who, iu the course of the proceedings, would be found to have taken an active put. Among others, Mr. Fawcett, a surgeon ; Mr. Thomas Parke Naylor, • barrister, and brother of Mr. Charles W. Naylor, a printer, through whose hands elms of money, that would be shown to have been corruptly spent. would be proved to have pared. Persons of the name of Long, Taylor (a shoemaker), and Austin, would also be proved to have kept up active communications together. By means of this organisation, a large number of voters were, without doubt, bribed with 101. notes, by systematic arrangement. The system pursued by Long, who was the chief agent in carrying it out, was to select from the list of voters the names of those most likely to be bought by means of subordinate agents. Long first dealt with those who would take promises of payment; then with those who might be made to deal with other voters, On the day of election Long took up his abode at the Butcher's Arms, in a bedroom, in which he saw the voters, and where these transactions were chiefly carried on. After the election, however, he (Long) adopted a very novel plan of remunerating those who had voted under a promise to pay. Accompanied by two females he promenaded Cam bridge, and, as they passed by the residence of any parti cular voter, one of his female companions handed the voter ' a 101., or two 51. notes, carefully sealed in an envelope. ' Some of these were sent by post, and the learned counsel ' here produced a specimen of the presentation, directed to a Mr. John Sharman, of Cambridge. It was sealed with the head of Milton—(laughter)—but the important part of it was the pest-mark, which was dated July 16, 1852, and contained • 10/. note. In numerous cases it would be proved that Long delivered these money envelopes himself. Au extensive system of treating also prevailed. As would be well known to honourable members, there were certain parts of the town of Cambridge called Barnewell and Castle End of not the most reputable cha racter, and in these not very classic suburbs it would be proved that a great deal of beer circulated, and that Mr. C. W. Naylor, the printer, distributed the orders for it in the form of printed refreshment cards. Oue Dealtry asked lllaylock for his vets, and told him if he voted for Aston and Macaulay it would be all right; and Taylor, it would be proved, gave him 11. After the election he had other sums, amounting in the whole to 101. Other voters were asked if 101. would do them good, and afterwards received it. Receipts for this money taken from voters who accepted the brihes, would be produced in corroboration. One voter was promised 154, but, only receiving 10k, subsequently became dissatisfied. After enumerating other cases, the learned setjeant concluded by calling Henry Askham, who deposed that he was a voter of Cambridge. Knew Mr. Peed, the solicitor for the sitting members, who placed him in the situation of door-keeper at the committee rooms in Trinity-street. Frequently saw Messrs. Ball, Barker, Field, and others go in and out. J. Ha lock was employed at the Swan at the lastelection, and did his best for the conservative interest. Witness re ceived M. from Long. Witness subsequently saw aM. Nurriak about her husband's vote, and gave her one sove reign. Told Long Nurrish wanted more money, and Long I tr ur ez- 1 - 7 - - ....nth*? sovereign with directions to give it.tia Charlotte Nurriah stated that Haylock came to her house shortly before the election, sad she had som e conversat i on with him about her husband's vote. On the Tuesday be fore the election he came and :gave her a sovereign, and after that she received three more. Taylor also called on her subsequently and gave her four sovereigns, subsequently rrcerved from Taylor another sovereign. Had in all 101. The money was tor the vote of her husband, who always voted for the tones, and told her husband she had received the money before he voted. The committee adjourned to 11 o'clock this day. CLITHEROE. On Saturday, when the select committee re-assembled, Mr. E. James, Q.C., proceeded to sum up the case for the petitioners. He contended that the case was one that seriously affected the sitting member, and those whose :racy f p o t r ion him an coed bez y rov e ed. tei ft proved j l e i t e l h t e hat , e a ue s/s ee ten i i e was neeemary to put an end to before any candidate could contest the borough on honourable principles. The peti. tion had originated, not from party motives, but from a desire on the part of respectable persons who were anxious to purify the borough. The greater part of the responsi- bility rested with the working man's committee, which was formed ander the sitting member's auspices, and the sitting member was liable; and the petitioners, after the facts which had been disclosed, fully relied on the committee doing them justice. Mr. Pigot, on the part of the sitting member, asked for on adjournment, for the purpose of consulting Mr. Ser. jeant Kinglake as to whether they should call any wit nesses or not, to rebut the allegations of the petition. ' The committee snouted, and the inquiry was adjourned till to-day. THE SPEAKER'S second parliamentary dinner was held on Saturday. The following gentlemen attended:— Right Hon. B. Disraeli, Right Hon. Lord Mandeville Right Hon. Lord Stanley, Right Hon. Lord John Manners, Right Hon. Lord Claud Hamilton, Right Hon. Lord Naas. Right Hon. E. Walpole, Right Hon. Sir John Pakington, Right Hon. R Christopher, Right Hon. G. Sankt, Right Hon. Sir John Trollop. , Right Hon. J. W. Henley, Right Hon. C. Forrester, R ight Hon. W. Hertford, Right Hon. J. Napier, Admiral Sir Thomas Herbert, K.C.8., Captain Hon. Arthur Duncombe, R.N., Sir Wm. Jolliffe, Sir F, Thesiger, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. Forbes Mackenzie, Sir G. A. Hamilton, Mr. Stafford, Mr. Cumming Bruce, Mr. H. J. Millie. Marquis of Chandos, General Sir Geo. Berkeley, K.C.8., and Mr. Bateson were unavoidably absent. The right hon. gentleman will hold his first levee on Saturday, March d, at ten o'clock. THE BIIZAK-DOWN OP TUE AtrirritAusx.—The following are some particulars of this untoward event in addition to those which we published on Saturday by elect trio telegraph The Australian, Captain Hoaeason, sailed for the Cape and Australia on Thursday, at 4.40 p.m., and put back leaky on Friday evening at 6. With the wind at W.N.W. she made 10k knots, and reached 60 miles W.S.W. of the Eddystone, when, shortly after midnight, three test of water was discovered in her engine rooms. This increased to four feet and a half, and nearly elfin gobbed the port engine fire. The two engine room en• gin.. and the two injection pumps were set to work, but with little effect. The ship was therefore put about at 3 o'olock, and on reaching smooth water the leak was re duced four or five inches per hour. On entering the Sound she had three feet in the engine room, and her cog-wheel is a little out of order. A very heavy gale prevailed during the night, and carried away her port life-boat. ELECTION OP A 1101(1811 BISHOP Or NOTTING NAIL—CardinaI Wiseman arrived in Nottingham on Mon day lest, for the purpose of presiding over the election of a Romiah Bishop of Nottingham, to succeed Dr. Hendren, who has for some time past been labouring under great in firmity, and who is about to retire into his monutery. The Dean and Chapter, together with t"c Cardinal and his secretary, M. Searle, assisted at mass, at the church of St. BATIIIItmI. on Tuesday morning, after which the cathedral was cleared of the congregation, and the canons returned and resolved themselves into a chapter, the Cardinal, as me tropolitan, presiding. The election, as also the nomination, was by ballot. It is not known who is elected ; but, amongst others names, are the Very Rev. Canon Cheadle, Canon Waterworth, of Newark ; Dr. Manning, and Drs. Moore and Weedall, of Birmingham. We hear that the course to be ((Wowed at this election will be similar to that pursued in some of the Irish dioceses ; namely, to send to Rome the three names who have the preponderance of votes, called respectively Myrna, Dignior, and Dijnissinm, the Pope appointing one of them. THE EXPRESS, MONDAY E%"ENING FEBRUARY 28, 1853 THE LOSS OF LIFE ON THE OREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. INQUEST ON THE BODY OF MR. GIBBS. On Saturday morning Mr. Wakley held an lo go/4c at the Feathers Ina, adjoining the Ealing station, on tto body of James Gibbs, Esq,, of Clifton-park, near Bristol, one of the directors of the Great Western Railway, who was killed on that line, on the morning of Thursday last. Captain Wynn, the Government Inspector of Railways, was in attendance on the part of the railway department of the Board of Trade. The jury proceeded to view the body, which lay at the Ealing Station. 'end subsequently inspected that portion of the line where the accident happened. The only marks of violence observable on the body were a severe gran and indentation of the skull and temple on the right aide ; the applltraUCP of the lino where the accident happened indi cated notti'ulg peculiar, all evidences of the frightful occur react having been removed by the company's officials. One circumstance, however, shows the extraordinary impetus which must have been upon the carriages at the time. The Coupling ift.llll broke, u Captain Wynn measured the dis• t .nce, and found they ran up the banks obliquely fur Gil yards. On the return of the jury, The body of the deceased was identified as that of James Gibbs, Req., of Clifton-park, near Bristol Ito was about years of age, and earned on business as a vitriol manu facturer. He was a director of the Great Western Railway Company. Hr. R ;island Brotherhood examined—l am ono of the , contractors for maintenance of the permanent way of the Great Western Railway at Bristol. I was 'in one of the carriages at the time the accident happened on Thursday morning, about three-quarters of a mile from the Ealing station, on tho up line. After the accident happened I ran back 300 or 400 yards to stop any train. I saw the clerk of the Keynsham station coming, and 1 then went and aonsted Mr. Gibbs after be was (reed from the carriage. He appeared to he quite dead, but I did not see much blood about him, except from a bruise in the head. Mr. Lane was assisting him. We laid the deceased's body on the slope and covered it up. Mr. Michael Lane examined—l am one of the engineers of the Great Western Company. I was in the train at the time the accident happened. I was in the last compartment of the same carriage in which deceased was, and assisted to get him out of the broken carriage. There was a convul sive movement, but he appeared dead. The face was very purple, and there appeared a great bruise over the temple. The deceased was lying outside the carriage, which was trawl upside down, and the roof was on the line. Mr. Henry Sinsmonds, one of the directors of the Great Western Railway, examined—l war in the same compart ment with deceased at the time of the accident. I did not see him taken out. In reply to the coroner, the jury stated that they saw no necessity for a post•mo•tem examination. Evidence of Mr. Simmonds continued—Just before the accident I felt the carriage a little oscillate, and in an in stant I was thrown oat, and could bear nothing, nor s►e nothing. There were four compartments, and two of the compartments of the first class carriage were sub-divided. We were in a subdivided carriage. I thought we were off the line from the oscillation, and in an instant I was so cooped up that I could neither move biked nor foot. I travel by the same train four or five times a week. We (the director►) are perfectly at a loss to account for the accident. The board have not reprimanded suy one on account of the accident. We are making inquiries with a view to a remedy. We conceive that it was an accident that no foresight or in genuity could guard against. We adopt every precaution, and the train is examined at every chition. We were tra velling at the time at the rate of about 40 miles an hour. The express travels at acme parts at 50 miles an hour. The engine driver is instructed to stop the train as soon a. he possibly can when carriages are off the line. We have a travelling porter on one side of the tender of an express train, to keep a look out that the train is in order. The only cause which could be attributed for this accident Was the impetus on the train after the coupling irons broke._ _ Mr. Brotherhood recalled—l did not notice anything par ticelar in the action of the carriages until we got to Ealing. have been connected with the line eighteen years. I have nu official connexion with this portion of the line. I ex amined the it oriagee after the accident. I saw a great deal of iron broken. I think the coupling-irons breaking was the cause of the carriages running up the embankment. There was only one carriage behind the two which ran up the embankment. There were three tint-elan carriages in the train, and before them were two second-clan carriages and a luggage van. There was, I think, no injury to the second-class carriages or luggage van. 1 do n 't think there was any injury to the c.irriages in front of where the couplings broke. 1 1 The broken coupling-irons were hero produced to the jury. One of the ends of th e li n k was comp l ete l y 'broken off. Alexander Turner, the travelling porter, said—l was acting as Unveiling porter to the express train at the time of the accident. I sit with my back to the engine, and looking towards the train. The first I saw was the b allast flying. I immediately jumped up and stopped the driver. I was the length of the tender from the driver when I first saw it. I held up my hands. and the driver saw me and he reversed his engine, and shut his steam off directly. The brakes were at the same time all put on. Just as we reached the second bridge I saw the carriages were going up the embankment. I first saw the carriage' off on the ‘. bank" side. When I saw the carriages going up the bank we had arrived at the second bridge, about five miles and a quarter from London. We were nearly pulling up at that time, and I think the engine had her engine reversed before the carriages separated. The distance of the place where the train stopped was about half a mile from the spot where the accident happened. I can't form any idea of the cause of the accident, except it was the breaking of the " scroll " iron. The "scroll " iron goes through the end of the carriage to maintain the spring. I have been on the line five or six years. I do, upon my oath, say that Ido nut know anything to recommend by which such an acci dent would be prevented in future. We have every com munication that I consider can be used for express trains on the Great Western Railway. I could communicate with •••.eriner by jumping on to the engine in an instant. I don't believe that the couplings were broken when I first saw the carriages off the line. The driver shut off his steam and reversed Ms engine instantly. A passenger in one of the second - else, carriages told me that he felt no shock whatever, and did not know that any accident had happened. I cannot tell what first caused the accident. The rails are in • good state, as far as I know, where the accident happened. I never had cause to com plain of their state. We have to go slow at the Acton cutting. Gravel is laid down at night by the ballast layers. I examined the trains myself at every station be fore the accident, and the fitters go round at every station and strike the wheels with hammers. If they ring they know they are not cracked. That is the teat. If the rails are bad it amy duty to report it to Mr. Tyrrell. I think at the time the accident happened the train was going at the rate of about 45 to 48 miles an hour. That would be our highest rate of speed between Reading and London. Lower down it would be 50 miles an hour. The weed has been rece:itly reduced from sixty miles an hour. We have been in the habit of going sixty miles an hour with the same description of train without accident. Robert Harle.—l was driver of the engine when the and dent happened. I have been a driver on the Great West em line for twelve years. Before the last witness spoke to me I saw gravel flying up on the side of the engine, and that induced me to blow the guard's whistle, and reverse the engine, and apply the tender brak e . I think there were two brakes on the carriages, and one on the tender of that train. I shut off my steam and reversed the engine, before receiving the signal from the last witness. The Coroner—The question is, whether the sudden re versing of the engine is not likely to huddle the carriages all up in a heap, and create more mischief and a greater coll lion ? Mr. Gooch said it would not do so, as the impetus on the airtime' would send them on although an engine was re- Ver ..4: Evidence (continued—We had gone about 900 yards after I first saw the dust flying before the accident took place. I cannot account for the carriages getting off the line unleu it was that the scroll iron broke. I cannot make any sug gestions to prevent such an accident again. We were tra velling at from 45 to 48 miles an hour. Ido not examine the carriages before starting from a station, but it is my duty to examine the engine. I had never complained of the rails at this pan. Mr. Brotherhood was recalled,Und said he was acquainted with the qualities of iron. It appeared good; but Thurs day last was bad weather for iron. The Coroner remarked that human bones were equally brittle in frosty weather and more liable to be broken. In answer to a question, Mr. Brotherhood stated that he accounted for the end of the link being torn out, in the following way :—when there was a sudden s hock the wheels bound against the museum, and then no doubt the coupling broke. They were strong enough to carry a train five times the weight of the train in gametal:in but if screwed up teo tight it might fracture anything. There were no new wheels on this train at all. Mr. Daniel Gooch examined—l am locomotive engineer of the Great Western Railway. My duties are not affected by the accident, but it is my duty to ascertain, if possible, any cause for the accident. I have not been able to disco ver the cause of it satisfactorily. There were no new wheels to that train. The line was newly made. The only thing we can trace it to is the "scroll " iron being broken, and that supports the weight of the carriage. That might occur by the weight of the wheel striking hard from oscillation against the " scroll " iron. The " scroll" iron is excellent iron, and there is no defect in it. There was no unusual weight in the particular carriage in which deceased was. There was nothing but the cold to affect the carriage iron on that morning, that I am aware of. Coroner—Have you any suggestion to make of a prac tical nature, with a view to prevent a recurrence of such au accident ? Idr. Gooch—No, I have not. The iron is tested and sounded at every station, and every precaution is taken. The couplings were sent to a blacksmith in the village to be broken, so to test the quality of the iron, and en being brought back it was found excellent. There being ne further evidence, the Coroner said, acci dents of this kind created great alarm in the public mind, and it was not at all likely to be allayed when the evi dence which could be obtained as to the causes of such accident were so unsatisfactory as they turned out to be in the present instance. Under all the cir cumstances he thought the jury could come to no other conclusion than that the deceased gentleman had been accidentally killed. That investigation would not, be thought, be without some advaventage to the public. It was a remarkable fact that when persons travel ling in a railway carriage became alarmed, the first thing they did was to look out of window, and nothing could be mere dangerous, for if an accident happened, they received injuries, from their head knocking from side to side bt the window, and death ensued. From the appearance of the right temple, be had he doubt that such was the case with the unfortunate deceased gentleman, and concluded by again exprrasing his opinion that, from the evidence, it was impossible to fit blame or culpability upon any one. The jury unhesitatingly returned a verdicuor " Acc , - dental death." One of the jury directed the at.t ntimi of the company to the bad state of the rail on the down line. LINENDRAPERS' CHARITABLE ASSOCIA- TION. The annual dinner of this important and rapidly extending charitable institution took place on Siturday last at the Louden Tavern. The festivity was tul:y attended, about 300 gentlemen sitting down to dinner, and including several of the leading merchants in the trade. The chair was taken by Lord John Russell, who had • most cordial reception en his entrance, and was warmly cheered in the course of the evening. The secretary, announced the total of subscriptions to b• 4,0731. were recommended to appropriate a sum exceeding 1,500(. of the profits from estates to the pa; mint of directors for services rendered in connexion with tat.ia.. The fem. paid to members of the Property Committee hare amounted to 1,3021. 16a. Sd. During the past year an alteration has bean made in the rules of the society, the purpose of wl fah was to change the time for holding the annual meeting from November to February, in order that the members might have the accounts and report of the part year before they were called upon to elect directors for the next year. The directors who in accordance with the rules will retire at the coming annual meeting, are, Mr. John Moore, Mr. George Palliser, Mr. George Monek, Mr. John Harris, Mr. Alfred Joseph Larking, Sir Joshua Wahnsle M.P., Mr. James Harmer, Mr. Willi a m Champness, Mr. William Simpson. and Mr. Frederic Rowten ; and each of those gentlemen is eligible for re-election." The remainder of the document complains of the deci sions of the revising barristers, and urges all parties requir ing the franchise to enrol themselves in the society. The report was earried unanimously, as was also the rmelee. tion of the outgoing director.. Auditors were elected, aced thanks having been voted to the chairman and directors, the proceedings terminated. RAILWAYS. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was held ca Saturday at the Albion Tavern, Alderegate•street, Mr. E DENISON, M.P., in the chair. Wrote affixing the company's seal to the register, The CIIAIIINIAN observed that at least one half of the original shareholders still remained—a proof that they, at least, had tolerable confidence in the undertaking. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hoonas would like to know how they were to get out without a lum ? (Hear, hear.) The CIIAIUM %X believed the hoe. proprietor belonged to a profession which was paid for giving advice. He himself did not. (Laughter.) The report, an abstract of which has appeared in the Ex ' press, was agretd to unanimously, and a dividend declaim/ at the rate recommended. . The issue of Four-and-a-II df per C..nt. Preference Shares, authorised at the meeting in August last, was ap proved and confirmed. The retirin.t director, were re-elected; and the Chairman stated that the board had determined that in future one director shellac' actually retire by halite every half year, in order that there might be an infusion of new blood. ' Mr. Ileiours proposed the following resolution "That it be an instruction to the directors forthwith to close the capital account of the company." The CHAlltiLiN said this was proposing what was simply impossible. Tho resolution was immediately rejected, only three or four hands being held up for it. A motion of Mr. Ili:onus fur a vote of thanks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for acting as aroitritor be tween that company and the Landon mad North-Western Company, was rejected as uneereeetry, the. cheirinen ob serving that the right hon. gentleman had sufficient occu pation without having to receive that company's thanks. Mr. GREY moved that the board should be authurised to apply to parliament for powers to r a i se 500,000/. to pres id e for the exigencies contemplated by the Chairman. The motion was seconded; but, in consequeece of some remarks as to the impropriety of raking such a :ep without due notice having been given to all the shareholders, it was withdrawn at the suggestion of the chairm n. The business of the ordinary meeting having been thus terminated, an extraordinary meeting was held fur the pur pose stated in the notice, and, amidst a desultory discussion, the following bills were submitted and approved :- 1. A Bill to authorise the Great Not thern Railway Com pany to make a branch from their Railway to Bedford. 2. A Bill to amend the Ana relating to the Great Norther* Railway Company, to authorise an increase of capital, and the construction of a cut from the Stamford Canal, anal for other purposes. 3. To consider and approve, or otherwise, Certain arrange ments between this company and the Autbergate, Nettang ham, and Boston, anal Lectern Junction Railway Company. While the last-mentioned bill was being submitted to the meeting, a very warm altercation took place between the Chairman and Mr. Josiah Wilson. The latter gentleman having asked the former whether be meant in that cue to repudiate, the Chairman indignantly replied tied he would not answer such an impertinent question ; and re torted upon Mr. Wilson by accusing hire of having, as auditor of the South Yorkshire Railway, attached his sig nature to accounts which were fallacious on the face of them. This rejoinder elicited significant allusions to Mr. Hudson, amidst which the Chairman advised Mr. Wilson to go and dine with that gentleman ; and the scene ter minated with uproarious but vain attempts on the part of Mr. Wilson to obtain a hearing in his own defence. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thank, to the Chairman ; having lasted between five and six hours. yi vr t, "IMIIIMIIMIIIMSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I I IIMIMIIIIIIIPI- IMIIIII MIII . BRUARY 28, 1853 3 A !FE ON THE OREAT mere dangerous, for if an accident happened, they received were recommended to appropriate • sum b .. ex cee di ng ll RAILWAY. injuries, from their head knocking trom vide to ride et t h e 1,500 1 . alba pro fi ts front estates to the pa, meat of directors window, and death ensued. From the appearance of the for sarvioes rendered in connexion with e5t..... The fees. ~ • BODY OF MR. GIBBS. right temple, he had no doubt that such was th e case with paid t o numbers of the Property Committee have amo un t e d : 1 r Mr. Wakley held an in- uljoiuiegl6.. U. During the past year an alteration has the Ealing station, on •gexpri .awing his opinion that,. from the evidence, it was bean made in the rules of the society, the par •of wl bah beanfortunate deceased gentleman, and concluded by to 1,3021. *A te ' impoessible to fix blew* or culpability upon any one. . was to change the tims for holding the annual meeting ' 4 , Esq., of Cliitou-park, near The jury unhesitatingly returned a verdictut " Ace- from November to February, in order that the member, •. of the Great Western Railway, dental death." One of the jury directed the at't ntiiiii of might have the accounts rt of the past year before on the morning of Thursday the company to the bad state of the rail on the down they were called upon toel ec t e d, rectors for the next year. . rnment Inspector of Railway s , line. The directors who in accordanc e w i t h t h e rules will retire a -- at the coming annual meeting, are, Mr. J o h n M oore, Mr. 1 1 rt of the railway department o f George Palliser ' Mr. George Monek, M r . J o h n Harris Mr. w / 1 . w the body, which lay at th e LINENDRAPERS' CHARITABLE ASSOCIA- Alfred Joseph Larking, Sir Josh ua Wahnsle M.P., Mr. rally inspected that portion o f M TION. James Harme r , M r . Willi am Champness, r. William happened. The only marks o f Simpson, and Mr. Frederic R owten ; ta d each of those body were a severe pras e a n d The annual dinner of thi s imp or t an t an d rap idl y - gentlemen is eligible for re- e l ec ti on , I temple on the right aide ; the extending charitable institution took place o n S i t urilay The remainder of the doc ument comp l a i ns of the deci- l i *the accident happened indi- last at the Louden 'Tavern. The festivity was t ok. &ions of the revising banisters, and urges all parties requir- ing the franchise to enrol themselves in the society. The • .idenees of the frightful occur. attended, about 300 gentlemen sitting down to dinner, and by the company's officials. One including several of the leading merchants in the trad e . rePort was ef ,,, i , 'd umunmously, as was also the re.elee. , The chair sou taken by Lard John Russell, who bad • we the extraordinary impetus tion of the outgoing directore. . the carriages at the time. The moat cordial reeeiition nn hie ..,r. .,..... ..,.1 .... ---.1- Auditors were electful_ and th 5.1.1........ 1--- __._.. NATIONAL FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the above societ y V , was held on Thursday at the Lo n d on T avern, Sir Jusisca WALMSLLY, president at the Society, in the chair. Immediately after the opening of the proceedings, Mr. HOLDER, a shareholder, moved that the meeting stand adjourned to that day fortnight, to be then holden at half-past six in the evening, according to previous prac tice. The speaker complained generally that the sugges tions of a commit , ee recently appointed had not been at tended to, and that sufficient information had nut be , n given to the shareholders as to the purchase and particulars of the various estates. The hour of holding the meeting was most inconvenient to working men, who could not at this season of the year atrird to lose day's wages. After some further observations condemnatory of the proceed ings of the directors, Mr. Holder concluded by moving his amendment. Mr. COBDEN came forward to address the meeting, and was received with loud cheers. He said that great com plaints had been made of the hour of meeting; but if the convenience of working men was to be the consideration, he as a working man was conveuienced by the earlyintting. his evenings being mor t gage d to other duties. Certain mem. bees had complaints to make, but could any one complain that the dissentients were not well represented ? Surely there wasno want of counsel to plead their cause. (. Hear," and a laugh.) A committee had been appointed to confer with the directors, and they Mid Messrs. Hollingsworth and Stringer at the prevent meeting, and fully competent to support the case against the directors. That being the case, and seeing they bad gone to the expense of the roam, and that they had a good average attendance, he begged te move that the secretary proceed to business by reading the minutes of the last meeting. The motion having been seconded, Mr. Faxxcia said that there were 7,510 town members and 6,sooconntry members ; and therefore according to the principle of universal suffrage, the town, had a clear ma jority, and should regulate the hour of meeting. (Hear.) Mr. HYAst suggested that there were enough members present to keep the meeting open until night, if the dire,. tors refused the adjournment. The amendment of Mr. Cobden wan then put, and there seemed to be considerable doubt among the members an to which way they were voting. Hands were held up mare than once ; and at last, amid much confusion, the amendment was declared to be carried. The SECRETARY attempted to read the minutes, but • disorderly discussion ensued, at the end of which Mr. Cob den withdrew his amendment, in order that the report of the committee presented to the last meeting might be read, before going into the business of the present. The secre tary then read the report of the shareholders' committee, the substance of which was, that the officers of the society had refused them certain papers necessary for their invests. station, and that, therefore, the committee had passed certain resolutions, calling on the directors to give reasons why the accounts of the estates were not published, and also for the change in the system of allotment, which was ori ginally one lot for one right, as nearly as possible, of 301. value. Another resolution requested an inspection of docu ments. The report further embodied a correspondence be tween the committee and the secretary, the upshot of which was that the directors were willing, in the terms of the re solution of the quarterly meeting, to meet and consult with the committee, but were not prepared further to azree to their requisitions. There was a supplemental report, de tailing some unsuccessful negotiations for a postponement of the annual meeting. The publication and circulation of this report having been agreed to, The CHAIRMAN asked if it was necessary to have the an nual report read. (" No. no.") lie did not meats to de tain them long, but he had made a few memoranda rela tive to the progress of the society, which he would with permission read to the meeting. The society was esta blished in 1849, and the receipts of the first month were 1,7781.; in the next year, 1850, the receipts were 19,7871. ; in '5l they were 96,201/. ; and last year, 1852, they had risen to 192,0701., making a total of money r ece i n a since the commencement of the society and up to December last of 309,00G1. (Loud cheers.) Ninety-eight estates bad been bought containing 2,940 acres, at a cost of 311,0001. ; 28 of these estates bad been distributed of the value of 98,0001., 31 had been partially distributed, leaving 39 yet to be distributed. The interest paid to shareholderd in 1851 amounted to 8601., and 3,0001. of reserve fund was about to be distributed among the shareholders. He men tioned these particulars, because it was necessary to distin guish between the reserve fund, which was allotted for die tribution, and the guarantee fund, which amounted to 5,9711. The interest at present to be distributed would be 101. 16s. Bd. on certain shares, and the lots distributed to shareholders were 3,895. He was sorry to say that the claims made for those persons to whom shares had been allotted, and who to all intents and purposes were fully entitled go be placed on the regirtry, had been rejected. (Hear, hear.) It was impossible for any thinking man to understand the reasons which had been given for that re jection. He himself had an allotment at Stoke Newing ton, for which he paid 431., and when that claim was brought before the revising judge, it was objected that it had not cost 501., although a gentleman had offered him six guineas annually for it in perpetuity, and to build houses on it. He (Sir J. Walmeol.y) asked eight for it, thinkieg he might make four freeholder, and at last his claim was admitted. But his claim was no better than hundreds of others that had been rejected, rind therefore it was quite clear that the law required amendment. He hoped that the attention of the society would be directed to this question. Now, much warmth of discussion having been exhibited on many subjects connected with the society, he felt bound, on the part of the directors, fairly and fully to say, that in no case hail they acted, directly or indirecty, otherwise than for the benefit of the society, and without reference to their own pecuniary advantage. (Cheers.) And he would say on his own behalf, and on that of those with whom he acted, that they had not joined the society with any pecuniary object. (Hear, hear.) If he had he would have been grievously disappointed. (A laugh.) lie had joined it believing that it would advance the interests, moral, social, and political, of his fellow men, and he believed that although there might be differences of opinion, yet that the good sense of English men would repudiate the unjust and unfair charge. that had been made against the directors. (Loud cheers.) He would not dwell a moment longer on this painful subject. It was the first time in his life that he hail even a suspicion of his honest and straightforward course cast upon his charac ter. (Cheers.) They had done him justice, and he thanked them heartily for electing him again as oneof their direc tors, but he could not consent to retain that Case while any slur upon his character should be sanctioned by a large portion of his fellow men, and, therefore it was his intention to retire from the direction. (Loud cries of " No, no.") It was now his duty to move that the re port which had been printed and circulated among the members be taken as read. Several shareholder. rose in different parts of the room, and expressed their hopes that the President would not persist in his resolution of leaving the society. Questions were then asked as to point, of detail, to which satisfactory answers were given ; after which, Mr. HOLDER rose, and disclaimed any personal motives against the directors, especially Sir Joshua Walmsley and Mr. Cobden, both of whom he held in high respect. He complained of the personal taunts against his poverty, and added that working men like himself were the best calcu lated to know what working men required. (Hear, hear.) He did not look upon the increase of receipts as any sign of prosperity, seeing that it only increased the outlay for inte rest if it was not spent and distributed in estate.. The interest for the Croydon-park estate alone came to 8001. per annum. (Hear, bear.) He must repeat, looking back at what had occurred since the last meeting, that he was not satisfied with what had been done. He trusted that the president would not consider these observations to apply to himself. Mr. E. CLARK defended the directors, and declared that it would be impossible to obtain respectable men for the di rection if they were not treated with proper consideration. Mr. CROWDER asked the chairman did he think it right that the directors should trade in laud. - --•- -- --- The CHAIRMAN could only speak for himsolf—he did not trade in land. Mr. COWAN was anxious that directors should have no advantage over other shareholders ; but after all, the best reliance was upon their honour, as any special case might be easily evaded. The report was then passed. The following is an abstract of the most important facts : It begins with a comparative statement of the progress of the ;society, from which it appears that whereas in 1850 the new shares taken up were 5,019, and the money received amounted to 21,2571. 16s. 10d., the new shar.a in 1652 were 22,251, and the money 192,0711. 9s. 7d., with some further details, which will be found in Sir J. Walmaley's first speech. It then says On reference to the balance-sheet it will be seen that while the receipts for the year amounted to 192,071/. Os. 7d., the repayments have also re a ch e d th e large amount o 28,2631. 9s. 3d. The balance of profit available for the purpose of dividend i 4 3,1611. 19s. 3d.; and the directors have resolved to credit each unadvanced share with profit at the rate of 101. 16a. Sd. per cent. per annum, which dividend, it is estimated, will nearly exhaust the balance in hand. As intimated in the last report, your directors, at the commencement of the year, had under their . . consideration the subject of remuneration to the working, directors, and in accordance with the opinion then ex pressed, it was resolved that a sum of 500/. should be placed at the disposal of the Executive Committee, for managing the business of the society; and the Property Committee NEWMARKET RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held on Saturday, at the Loudon Tavern. Mr. It. G. C. FAKE is the chair. The report stated that the results of substituting an east and west line, connecting Ipswich and Cambridge, fur the line from Chesterford to Thetford, had been that the Eas tern Counties Company had afforded them the moat cordial as7;stance on all occasions. By an act of last sesdon they obtained power to purchase the original line at 131. a share, and they bad row applied to parliament fur power to pur chase the Bury line whenever a satisfactory agreement could be made. The general opinion of the district was, that there will be a very remunerative traffic over the new line, in which the directors rally concur. 1 hey had already received an offer to lease it at a price which u ould pay the shareholders considerably more than 3 per cent. ore their outlay, but the board refused to entertain the proposition, because they were unwilling to adopt any measure which would interfere with the declared policy of the Eastern Counties Company, of placing all the lines in the eastern district of the kingdom under one system of management. The directors have no doubt that the line will be completed within the parliamentary estimate. It appeared from the accounts that 403,0001. had been re ceived from the formation of the line up to tho 31st Decem ber last, and 446,7001. expended, leaving a balance of 6,000/. For the Bury Extension, the receipts amounted to 77,3031., the expenditure to 50,6001., leaving a balance on the capital account of 26,6001. On the revenue ace ount the balance was 6,1721. ! The report was adopted ; a dividend of ss. per cent., free of income tax, on every 251. consolidated stock, de clared; Messrs. Ball, M.P., and Captain Denny, outgoing directors, re-elected; Mr. Baker re appointed auditor; and a vote of thanks passed on the chairman. EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Saturday, at the London Tavern, H. Bnucs, But., in the chair. Ihe report stated that the nett balance of the half-year's revenue was 12,5531. His. 2d., which, after paying deben ture interest, left a sum of 5,1671. N. 6d. applicable to the payment of interest on preference shares. Application had been made to parliament for power to capitalise arrears of interest on preference shares, and to make other arrange. menu relating to the capital, and also for power to extend the line across the river Nar and along the quays of Lynn for the purpose of affording such facilities for the landing of goods and dispatch of vessels as would place Lynn in • position to compete successfully with neighbouring ports, and to accommodate the improved class of coasting vessels now in use, and to obtain u share in the trade with the nu merous continental porta now in course of development by means of steamers. From these facilities the directors ants. cipated a large increase of traffic. The assent of the pro prietors would be asked to this bill at • future meeting to be convened for the purpose. Deferred warrants fur the arrears of interest to 3lst January, 1852, Ind been issued on the 101. converted shares in order to assimilate them to the shares issued to the creditors which bear interest from that date. The CHAIIIMUI moved the adoption of the report, which, alter a short conversation, was agreed to. A resolution, suthorisiag the application of the balance in hand to the payment of interest due upon the new stock, 1849, to the 31st of January, 1853, when registered, was next proposed and carried. The directors and the auditor, who retired by rotation, were re-elected, and an allowance of 5001. per annum granted, as an acknowledgment of the services of the board, but a subsequent resolution debarred the directors frem charging their pers.mal expenses, incurred in travelling to and attending the board meetings, to the company. A vote of thanks to the chairman and his co-directors closed the proceedings. SOUTH YORKSHIRE RAILWAY. On Friday the half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the London Tavern ; the Right lion. Lord WitAaNCLIFPI in the chair. The report of the directors, which has already appeared in these columns, was taken as read, hut a supplementary report was read by Mr. liandfield, the secretary, which stated that the directors held a board at Doncaster, on Sa turday, and, at the request of the general manager of the Great Northern Railway, they appointed a deputation to endeavour to agree as to a toll. Mr. Denison intimated that ls. might be recommended if agreed to. This was communicated to the South Yorkshire directors, but on the return of the deputation it was intimated that 21 cwt. per ton would be required also, with no further charge for the line beyond Barnsley, which belongs to another company. The advances made by the deputation on Sa turday were formally withdrawn by the South Yorkshire, and on Tuesday morning the Great Northern coal traffic was stopped on the South Yorkshire, and a provisional ce 1 lagreem entorStua w a s o c r o t m h e e to G rf o a n t Wednesday t n h e e s r d ntri br ti f e o before A p ' C e hdanas usual on their payirg ls. 6d per ton until the case was heard. The engineer's report having been read, The noble CHAIRMAN', in a speech of some length, moved the adoption of the report, and entered into a narrative, interesting only to the proprietors, of the present state of transactions between this company and the Great Northern. Mr. DENISON, chairman of the Great Northern, gs also spoke for two hours on the subject of that company's I's•— po•itiun in relation to the South Yorkshire. a, . • •• 7 A discussion ensued, in the coursa of which it w as indi- p s ' • • cated that all matters in dispute were likely to form the : • . subject of legal ckcision. A dividend of 4 p er cent., not - payable until the matters in question are settled, was de- - dared. The retiring directors, with the exception of Mr. Deni,onl who declined to continue a director, were re elected, and the meeting was adjourned to 12th May, after a vote of thanks to the noble chairman and directors. ,`: -