The Express.
London, England, 1852-02-03 00:00:00

TRAORDINARY SCENE.

Yesterday, a meeting in this matter was held in
Vice-Chancellor Kinder'ley's court, before Master in Chan-
cery Humphry, for the general examination of Mr. leargus
O'Connor, M.l'., the ,lireetors, and others, to inquire into
the management and financial transactions connected with
the company's affairs under the act of parliament passed to
dissolve the company, to dispose of the lauds and property
belonging to it, and generally to wind up its affairs. The
hour fixed for the meeting was ten o'clock at which time all
parties, with the exception of Mr. O'Connor, who had been
siumstuned, welt present, and seine twenty minutes elapsed
before that gentlemaa, accompanied by his solicitor,Tt
peered, and Melt his seat underneath the woolsack.
OM% was isliewly crowded throughout the day.
bk. asemarp, who appeared as counsel in support et
the Ism maser, commented the proceedings with a
diva khan of the company's proceedings, übjeens,lo4
=lll, Coi!o"reurativerteitnidi
aims had sad locate members upon such terms ma mlght
NNW by moderate industry, to live in comps
anallatt mad independence. The title of the uncle
yes abelerards changed to that of the " Nationa=
Compose." A number of estates were bought, allotment.
made, 111.11minban located, and a large number of honneiMe
were istallisil is various parts of the kingdom. 'As eh.
ject of the 111.01801 inquiry was to examine the origimasea
and directors of the scheme with reform* to
the accounts, and the amount and application of the
wigs received on account of the company, to pet the
allailmsmager in possession of information to enable him
to carry sat the provisions of the act of parliament. Since
the appointment of Mr. Ooodchap, the official manager of
the court, that gentleman and his solicitors, Messrs. Tucker
and Sons, had gonu over all the estates and had obtained as
much information as possible, but this win found to be of
so deficient a description, that a personal examination of
the parties became absolutely necessary. A large sum had
been subscribes, and expended in the purchase of five
different estates, amounting to 100,0001. Three estates were
the Herringsgate, or as it win now called the O'Connor.
ville Estate, at Kickmansworth ; the Minster Level Estate ;
.

the towheads Estate ; the 'Mate at litnig's Bad ; and the
Great Dodford &tate. The object now was to earn-
lain the amount of mosey received, bow, where, and b
whom; sad with referees* to its ultimate application, ana
with this view he prepaid to examine Mr. O'coanor in
detail.

Mr. O'Connor was then sworn, and examined for nearly
live hosts; but as his evidence was principally a recapitu-
lation of that given before the House of Commons' com-
mittee, on the occasion of their inquiry into the matter, it
is unnecessary to repeat it here. He deposed that he did
not know bow much money was received on behalf of the
company between 181. i and 1816, but stated several times
over that the amounts of these transactions, as given by
Mum% appeared at intervals in the NortUm Star, and
recently in the Daily New. There were no doubt entries
of these matters in the ledgers of the Land Company, the
directors of which he would trust with anything, and
they had never defrauded the company of a farthing.
He :had never men these books. He was now •
creditor of the company to the extent of 7,6051.
it appeared in the mune of the evidence that
some of the estates had been sold since the eel of parlia-
ment prohibiting the disposal of them passed, and he tidy
O'Connor) had been told by Lord Campbell and Sir F. Pol.
lock that ke had a right to sell them and put all the mosey
in his pocket, though he believed that that declaration was
before the set pared. Witness was Om examined as to
the general powers be exercised in the purchase and sale of
lands, and was called mien to produce receipts and vouchers
fur the rine, bet could not, invariably referring the court,
on theft questions being put, to an account of the mosey
transactions he had published in the Northern Mar and
Deify New.. He was also questioned as to the particulars
of the respective allotments on the various estates, but gave
no definite information on a majority of them. When the
Land and Labour Bank was proposed in connexion with
the Land Ccepnyl be protested against it, and the bank
had new failed, swing 4,0001.
Mr. Roxburgh—Can you inform us, Mr. O'Connor, how
it was that portions of the great Dodford estate that had
been sold by you do not appear, as was required in the
schedule to the set of parliament ?
Mr. O'Ounnor—l think it is there.

Mr. Itoabursh—Yoa ►ad better look at the act. This it
web a gigantic stemma that we gull get eawfwasil if we an
cot careful.

Mr. O'Connor—lt is a gigaatio scheme, sir, and I have
been greatly contend by it.
Mr. Itozburgh—lt would appear from the various ac-
counts to the House of Common, that ou have reeeived
18,0001. ea account of the company sines 1'818?
Mr. O'Connor—Yes, more than that, I dare my.
Mr. Rozburgh—Well, what have you dame with it?
Mr. O'Connor—All the accounts have been published in
the Deily .Yeses and Northers Near.
Mr. kozburgh—flat we cannot find say materials in them
to test the correctness of the statements they eontela.
Mr. O'Connor—lt is published word for word is the
Dade New. 1 got the twirticulaes from the peaebook of
the Gloucestershire Bank. I have, I may state, is this
movement spent 160,11004, to improve and elevate the con-
dition of the people and em abused fur it ; whereas, if •
middleman or a nobleman bad dose it, it would have been
very different If Prima Albert had built these cottages
and located these land., there would have been aloes to
promote them is every street in London, fur the benefit of
these poor people, under the patronage of the philanthropic
prince; but now, if my Lord or Lady Nincompoop hap-
pen to be driving through their satetes, tad the daughter
in the carriage happened to say, " Lor mamma, bole at
those beautiful eottages," the anxious parent pulls down
the blind, exclaiming, "My dear, it was that ruffian
Yearges O'Connor built them." (Loud laughter.) Mr.
Grey, who, at the instance of the House of Commas, re-
ported on the accounts of the company, had • "sofa full "
of receipts and vouchers, and might sit on them. (Laugh-
ter.) You are Wowt me the most noaseasical vestiges;
I know what you want is to juggle me.
The remainder of Mr. O'Connee's evideece wee
gives in such • semi serious, bet insulting meaner, as
called frequently fur the marked reprobation of the Master,
whom he turned to on use omenion with the utmost non-
chalance, anti milked to have • " pinch of snot," • wooden
box full of which he throughout the day drew supplies
from, using it every now and then as • tattoo on the table
during the pause. between question and answer, at the
close of many of which he deliberately shook his fist at the
leaned counsel, exclaiming loudly "You ruffian." He did
I not keow • man of the name of " Cotton," but knew • man
i maimed " Worsted," and asked the learned counsel if he
• meat " Piddle:unit," fur " Diddlecumb." The learned
tomensel (at (our o'clock) must be hungry, aid if he
liked he would order h,m • mutton chop. (laughter.)
This was all that he (the witness) on one taxman had one
day at O'Connorviile, when he stuck it on the tongs and
fried it fur himeelt. (laughter )
The Master-Will you he good enough to look at thee
ledgers, Mr. O'Connor, to refresh your rut mory ?
Mr. O'Connor (balancing • ledger in his arms amid loud,
laughter) _-But just look what thundering books they arc.
'I be Mastor—Thundering or nut, you must du it.
(Laughter.)
Mr. O'Connor—Oh, you can get it from the Doily News
sad in the " Ners"—(laughter)—all I received sad paid.

The Meta—W. Rost pet yea to the trouble of looking
at these books.
Mr. O'Coomor—Oh, dear, I could sot look at them
(Laughter.)
Mr. Roxburgh--.We shall require you to-morrow.
Mr. O'Cottuor—l cannot he here ; I must be at the

Mr. Roxburgh—l think you will find that the Nimmons
of Ode court has precedence over the Home of Commas'.
Mr. O'Connor—Have you done with me ? Will you let
me go? You have been examining me nearl♦ gee hours.
Mr. kl'Grath end Mr. Doyle tell me that the directors have
all the books, showing the wages and other matters paid.
M'Orath is one of the most amiable men in the world—
(laughter)—and he tells me all the books nave been given
up ; and lld•Grath is use of the most honest and independ•
est mire.

Mr. Hoxbargh--We are all independent men.
Mr. O'Connor—you are not an independent man. You
are a ?Whim. (Sensation, and laughter.)
The Nester here interposed.
Mr. O'Connor—(laughing)—Oh no ; he is s jolly fellow.
I make him laugh. You know he wants to juggle ins. You
have examined me five hours and have not asked me one
single word connected with the Land Compaq. Have you
dune with me now ?
Mr. Roxburgh—No; nor am I likely just yet. It may
be • long time before.
Mr. O'Connor—Oh, my God! Oh, dear! oh, dear!
Will you have a pinch of snuff? (Laughter.)
The Master—Allow me to look at that book.
Mr. O'Connor (lifting it up)—Oh, dear! ob, lor ! Now,
have you anything more to ask me ? Ho's been at me rise
hours. I'll take a hatchet, and cut your head off.
(Laughter.)
The Master—Did you take any entries from this book to
make out the amount you have alluded to?
Mr. O'Connor—Nu; M'Orath tells me you have the
honks, with all the wagts paid; and he is one of the most
amiable, and upright, and honest men in the world.
The Master—We shall hare another opportunity of
judging of his amiability.
Mr. O'Connor—Don't bother me any more, you old rut
flan. (Understood to be directed to Mr. Roxburgh, who
was about to resume his question.) Examine *Grath.
Come up, M'Orath, now, and be examined. (Loud
laruhter.) Come up, 11.Grath.
Mr__ . Roxburgh—None of the books we have show tbo cx-
pedllture.
Mr. O'Connor—Hold your tongue, you ruffian.
The witness here directed first one fist and then another
at the learned counsel, and 11.111 abont to direct also one of
the smaller ledger', at him.
The Muter (with remarkable mildnesa)—Really, Mr.
O'Connor, you must not do that.
The Muter here retired into one of the side rooms, fol-
lowed by the learned counsel, and in the interim Mr.
O'Connor, addres.ing some one in the crowd, exclaimed.,
" Here, now, do you get on the bench." On the return of
the Master and lir. Roxburgh,
Mr. O'Connor, addressing the latter, said—Ah, you ruf-
fian, will you have a pinch of snuff?" and on the Master
taking bus seat, " Silence, gentlemen, for the noble lord."
Mr. Roxburgh—Have you any books at all?
Mr. O'Connor—None.
The Master—Did you ever have any ?
Mr. O'Connor—l never had any. I cannot come here to-
morrow ; I must be at the House.
The Muter—The Speaker will be ready to excuse you, if
there In any necessity. (Laughter.)
Mr. O'Connor—Will you excuse me ?
The Master—No, I cannot excuse you.
(Mr. O'Connor here laughed outright.)
The Master—l adjourn these proceedings until to-morrow,
when Mr. O'Connor and all parties must be present.
Mr. O'Connor (putting on his hat, and retiring laughing)
—Oh dear, Oh dear.
The court then closed at 4 o'clock, it being arranged that
Mr. O'Connor should to-day be examined on the accounts,
as published by him in the Daily News and Northern Star,
and thus terminated the first day of these extraordinary
proceedings.
A large crowd of people followed the witness into the
Lincoln's-inn court-yard, and through Lineoln's-inn-flelds.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

MEETING IN MARYLEBONE.

Yesterday a numerously attended meeting of the
friends of parliamentary reform in the parish of Marylebone
was held in the Marylamp° Coon' house, for the purpose of
considering the best means of advocating the principles put
forward by the Parliamentary Reform Association. The
chair was taken by T. K. PIIITCH4II,D, Esq.
The following letter from Mr. Hume, !LP., who was ex-
pected to have presided, was read :
" Burnley Hall, 28th Jan., 1862.
" Sir,—l should have been ready and wilting to take the
chair at the reform meeting at the Court-house, on the 2nd
Feb., but I shall not he in London before 10 and 11 at
night. I hope there will be zeal and unanimity in the
cause, as I fear, from the reports that have reached me, that ,
Lord John Russell's proposition for reform will fall far
short of the wishes and the wants of the community.
" I am your obedient servant, J. Hera."
The CHAIRMAN said that he had been suddenly called
on to preside on the present occasion, in the absence of
Mr. Hume. He should therefore merely state that the pre-
seat meeting was called together to advocate the following
principles of reform—lst, such an extension of the fran-
chise as would confer the right to be registered as an eke-
tor upon every man of full age, not subject to any legal
di ability, who for twelve months should have occupied any
tenement, or portion of • tenement, for which he should
be rated, or should have claimed to he rated, to the relief
of the poor. 2nd, the adoption of the system of vets by
ballot. 3rd, the limitation of the duration of parliaments
to three years. 4th, such a change is the arrangement of
the electoral districts as should produce a more equal ap-
portionment of representatives to constituents. sth, the abo-
lition of a property qualification for members of parliament
Thew were the measuren of reform which the people of
this country demanded, and he would recommend them not
he diverted from their pursuit by the ery of invasion.
(Hear, hear.) There must be a strong pressure from with-
out upon the government, in order to secure something like
• satisfactory measure of reform. They should bear in
mind that the benefit of the last Retiree Bill was in a great
measure neutralised by the Chandos claim. (Hear, hear.)
A large proportion of the present House of Commons con-
sisted of military men and railway men, and till its compo-
sition was changed, which could only be done by changing
the present system of representation, they could never hope
fur liberal measures or a reduction of taxation. (Hear.)
Sir BENJAMIN HALL said that if the franchise
in counties, which was now • 501. one, reduced to
a 201. one, and the franchise in towns, which was now
a IW. one, reduced to • SI. one, was all
that was to be afforded to them la the shape
of reform, together with the Times they might well call
it a "very meagre reform in the popular representa-
tion." One of the greatest evils of the old re-
form bill was the system of registration which
it required. (Hear, hear.) And to demonstrate this,
he would mention what happened in his own ease. lie
occupied a house at the bet/inning of last year, and not
being able to register last November, he must wait until
next November, so that he would be two years in cialupa-
tion of the premises before he would be smutted to vote for
a candidate for the city of Westminster. Now, his idea
with regard to registration was this, that it ought to take
place mach more frequently than it does at present, and
this poiat of frequent registrations, though not dwelt on
generally, was most deserving of public attention; for if
there were more frequent registrations, or if the
term of residence was limited to a shorter period,
the persons so qualified to vote would come into
the possession of the franchise sooner than even
if the principles of the association were carried out.
It was most heartily to be wished for that in
any bill to be brought forward, such miserable
disgraceful boroughs as Bt. Albans should not be
retained. He was one of those who had had the misfortune
to sit on the St. Albans committee, and knotting as he did
the villany of the place, he would wish to Ile it struck out
from any power of influencing the popular representation.
But if it was to be retained, unless it was to have the bene-
fit of vote by ballot, they might as well band it over at ones
to the tender keeping of the Earl Verulam or Mr. Edwards.
And although he was one of those who thought it much
better to select men for their character, and to look up to
them rather than pledge them to any specific subject, rely-
ing on them to do what was just and equitable, yet it
had come to such a pass that unless men declared for vote
by ballot, they were hardly fit men to sit in the Commons
house of parliament. (Hear, hear.) As regarded the
question of the more equal distribution of electoral dis-
tricts, from what had lately appeared, he might have to
regret the loss of a portion of his constituents, but never-
theless when the time of trial came he should abide by the
wi.hcs of the electors, having no doubt that a portion of
them would find him a seat in the representative assembly
of the nation. (Cheers )
Lord DUDLEY STUART, who was received with loud
cheers, said that as he and his hon. colleague had engaged
long ago to attend the meeting at St. Pancras, which Was
arranged and publicly announced before the present meet-
ing wu beard of, he hoped it would not be eonsidered as
any want of respect if they were obliged to lam that meet-
ing sooner than they otherwise would. (Hear, hear.)
lie confined he did not feel sanguine that the coming Re-
form Bill would be of such a description that it would be
looked at with satisfaction. If, in entertaining that opinion,
he was doing. injustice to those at the helm of affairs, no
one wculd rejoice more than he, and he would be the first
to acknowledge it. But he feared that the reform beverage
would nut suit their stomachs, and, therefore, it was neves-
wiry to hold such meetings as the present in order to obtain
something of a satisfactory quality. (Hear, hear.) For hie
part he would vote for any measure of reform, but if the
measure did not embody something like the principles ad-
vocated by the Reform Association it would nut and it
ought not to give satisfaction. (Hear, hear.) And if
he was not indisposed to swept of any things
le.• it was because he should not look upon It as a final
measure. (Hear, hear.) Ile hoped they had done with
the nonsense of final measures. (Hear, hear.) He would
accept it as a means of getting those other measures to
which the people of this country were entitled. He sin-
cerely wished to see the people of this country fully, com-
pletely, and freely represented. (Hear, hear.) Ile wanted
a real representation of the people, and those who wished
to give them a real and not • sham representation must vote
for the ballot ; by that he would test all reformers, and
try if they were reel reformers or not. They might appear
l to wish to Iwo the people represented, but in reality they
wished the landowners or the millowners to return the
tnemberA and not the people who alone ought to do an.
(Hear, hear.) The people ought to be protected in
order to give their vote freely. Let any malt *hew
him any means by which this could be done except

; by the ballot, and he would consider his propo.ition.
Net no one prlstoded to suggest any other means by which
the voter could be protected from unfair and unjust influence.
Let them, therefore, unite and be firm in demanding,
above all things, vote by ballot as a part of any measure of
• idiom that might be proposed. (Hear, hear.) These were
his sentiments, and he was glad to have that opportunity
I of expensing them. (Hear, heat.) Ile should now lesvo
them to attend the meeting at St. Pancras. (The noble
lord, aneompanied by his colleague, then left the meeting.)
Mr. CHARLES FREETH proposed the first resolution,
to the effect that the prime minister of the crown having
signified his intention to introduce a measure of parka.
soentary reform during the ensuing session, the people
should lose no time in giving an effective expression to their
wishes, and this meeting would, therefore, declare that any
measure which did not embody the principles put forward
by the association would fail to satisfy the expectations of
the people. On the question of reform he hoped all would
be united. (Hear, hear.)
Admiral Sir CHARLES NAPIER, who came forward
amidst loud applause to second the resolution, said he was
afraid ho might have been thought guilty of " indiscretion"
—(laughter) —in coming forward before his old con-
stituents once more, but the mode of their reception
made him feel perfectly certain that ho retained Bair
good will. (lieu, hear) 01 course, he regretted, as lie
told them before, that he was nu longer their representative,
and the more so bemuse if the government had told him
that he was going abroad for only a few mouths instead of
for three years, as he imagined, their connection need never
have been terminated as it did. There was nut one word in
the present resolution in which he did not most fully
acquiesce. Any reform bill which might be offered to them
would be of no possible use unless it embodied the prin•
eiple of voting by ballot Ho perfectly remembered, when
he stood for Greenwich, asking a man to vote for him who
told him, "My heart is with you, but I have a large
family, and I can't vote for you.' Ilis reply was, "If the
tones did not deal with him, all the radicals would, and
that would do just as well." '• Oh," said he, " I have a
house on Bayne'whill, and that house is worth to me a
whole street of radicals; and how is it posaible that I can
vote for you ?" The man was quite right. Ile (Sir
Charles Napier) was not a rich man, but he would
give 6001. to be In parliament this session, to capose ell this
waste and profusion. They were at that moment in so help-
less a condition that Louis Napoleon, if he so desired it,
could make a coup on the country which would surprise
every one of them. (No, no) Even with their weak means
he know what ho could do against France if he was em-
ployed, and when they knew that France landed 10,000
men within ten days at Civita Vecchia, in 7 or 8 steam ves-
sels, there was no reason why the same thing might nut oc-
cur elsewhere. (Nu, no.)
Sir J. lIARE supported the resolution. Ile recom-
mended them, above all things, to insist upon the ballot;
because he had known many a poor man to be reduced to
beggary from the want of it.
The resolution was put and carried unanimously.
Mr. P. GRAHAM moved the nest resolution, to this
effect that the members of the borough be requested to aria
upon the government and the House or Commons, a messing
of reform in conformity with the principles advocated by
the Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association.
Mr. It. MITCHELL moved the following reeolutioa:—
" That the members for the borough of Marylebuno are
hereby respectfully requested to use their utmost endea-
vours to obtain a reformat the Commons House of Parlia-
ment, and to impress upon the house the strong desire that
exists in this pinch for such reform in accordance with the
principles of the National Parliamentary and Financial Re-
form Association." lie said it became them to show the
government that they were men of action, and men who
would insist on the concession of their rights. (Hear, hear.)
The Rev. Or. BURNS seconded the resolution. He said
there could be no doubt that if the members of the present
government had been in opposition for the last seven years,
they would all have advocated what was advocated in that
meeting. (Hear.) He was in favour of the extension of
the suffrage to every man untainted with crime. (Cheers.)
There never was a period of greater union between the
working and the middle classes. The jealousy which ca-
lmed between them a few years ago had in a great degree
subsided, and this was a time when all who loved libert
ought to unite in a final and momentous struggle. lie ho
they would not allow themselves to be disunited from t tie
teal object. 1 hey had reason to believe that the govern-
ment measure would at least double the franchise, and so fir
it would be a good.
The resolution having been agreed to,
Mr. SODEN moved the adoption of the following
petit ion :
" To the honourable the Commons of the United King-
dom, &Sc. The humble petition of the inhabitants of St.
Marylebene--Showeth,
" that your petitioners have, from the passing of the Re-
form Act in the ye.ir 1832, regarded the practical operations
of that measure with great interest, and alter an experience
of 20 years they are compelled with regret and disappoint-
ment to declare to your honourable house that it has failed
to give to the people what was intended by its framers and
propounders, via , a fair and equal representation of the
commons of this kingdom
" That it has come to the knowledge of your petitioners,
that her Majesty's government have in their contemplation
a measure further to amend the representation.
" That in order such amendment may avoid the defects
and supply the omissions which rendered the former mea-
sure inadequate for the end proposed, your petitioners are
firmly of opinion that a large extension of the suffrage, to
include, at least, every ratepayer, is imperatively called for;
that the ballot, or secret voting for members of parliament,
is essential to protect the freeman in the exercise of his
franchise; that the duration of parliaments should be
limited is three years, in order to secure responsibility of
the ellsetsd to the electors ; that the property qualification
far assmbess should be discontinued as unnecessary; and
that these all the electoral distriete end boundaries should
be shored sad re-arranged, so that population, intelligence,
sad property may be more equally represented than here-
tofore,

" That your petitioners, frilly convinced that without
some such measures es your petitioners have indicated, it
will be vain to expect satisfactory results either iu the well-
being or the contentment of the people, earnestly pray your
honourable house to pass such a measure as will effect •
settlement of this question so important to the interests of
your petitioners and of the country on the principles set
forth in this petition. And your petitioners will ever pray."
Mr. DIFFANGER seconded the motion, which wits
adopted.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro-
ceedings.