The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-05 00:00:00

WORKING MEN'S CLUB&

The movement for the establishment of clubs for
the working clams gathers strength daily, enlisting the
active sympathy of men of all rank" and clams.. The St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields Club was opened last week ; the
Colonnade (Clare-market) Club, commences its winter see-
don this evening ; and clubs are about to °Demean°
active operations at Holloway, Forest-hill, and Hod-
deaden. The clubs already formed are fulfilling
the expectations entertained when they were started.
At Wednesbnry there are more than 300 members ; the
premises have become too small, and the old Town-hall is
now rented. At Scarborough there are 1,000 membees, sad
the police list" and the public-houses are almost empty.
At Birmingham the Newhall-street Club has 400 or 500
supporters. The Soho Club increesee in vigour and useful-
' neck having now 200 members.
A very large number of clubs are in course of forma-
tion—Derby, Bolton, and Birkenhead each moving for
several, and others being in a more or less advanoed state
in North Shields, Homerton, Bromley, Torquay, and Fal-
mouth. There is, too, a very general feeling in favour
of the modification of mechanics' institutions, and the
adoption in their management of the club element. One
of the latest instances is that of the Davenport Institu-
tion, where a cricket-club, newspaper', games, concerts,
and other recreations have just been added, and the Rev.
H. Sally has, in the character of representative of the
Working Mess' Club and Institute Union, addressed a
meeting in advocacy of the present and contemplated
changes and improvements.
Several of the provincial unions of institutions are taking
up the subject of clubs very warmly. The Southern
Counties Adult Education Society will, at the con-
ferenoe to be held this week, have the subject pro-
minently brought forward, and the Worcestershire
Union is about to discuss it. The South Stafford-
shire Association, however, takes the lead, having held
meetings and aided in the formation of clubs at Dudiej,
Stourbndge, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Wednes•
bury, Sedglsy, Brierly-hill, and Pensnett. At the con-
ference held last week, at West Bromwich, presided over by
Lord Lyttalton, and attended by, among others, the Rev.
Henry Sony (of the Central Club Union), the Rev. G. D.
Boyle (of the Handsworth Club), and Mr. J. A. Langford
(of the No. 1 Club, Birmingham), a reeolntion in advocacy
of the claims of the club movement was, at the suggestion of
the noble chairman, unanimously adopted.
It it highly probable that a great meeting in connexion
with the Central Union of the St. 51.itthias (Salford)Club
will shortly be held in Manchester. An influential requisi-
tion is being got ready, requesting Mr. Layard to take an
active pert in a monster meeting in Southwark, where
Dearly 150 working men have already engaged to join a

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Betore Mr. Commissioner Goldberg.)
IN RE CABBIC/L

Mr. V. Lewis renewed the application made on a previous
day for the unction of the court to the registering of •
deed of arrangement, and suspending the proceedings in
bankruptcy under the 186th section. The bankrupt is a
publican, at Ratcliffe, owing about 5001. The deed was one
by which the requisite majority of creditors agreed to accept
• composition of ss. in the mond.
His Honour said the act required him to be satisfied
that the proposal was reasonable and calculated to
benefit the general body of creditors. Here there was
nothing to show that they would get rd. in the pound. much
less 51. Until ht had some evidence of that he should not
annul the bankruptcy.
Mr. Lewis said he could not bring the money into court
until the bankruptcy was annulled, became the bankrupt
could not give a title.
the
The Commientear—That would be putting the cart before
hone.

Mr. Lewis said it had been done in several canes. The
court might make an order for the registration of the deed,
and a conditional order for annulling the bankruptcy on
five shillings in the pound being paid into court.
His Honour did oot think he had power to make such •
conditional order. The act required him to be satisfied that
there wu something for the creditors. The only evidence
at present was the affidavit of the debtor himself.
The Registrar—There is also this fact—that notice his
been given to all the creditors, and that none of them
appear to object.
Ultimately the matter was ordered to stand over.