The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-28 00:00:00

TRH LICENSED VICTUALLRRS' SCHOOL.

Yesterday the 49th anniversary festival of this in-
stitution took piece in Ashburnham grounds, adjoining
Cremorne.gardens, and the attendance was larger than on
any Moiler occasion previously. Dinner was served under
an immense tent, which, notwithstanding its vast dimen-
sions, was so inadequate for the purpose that a large over-
flow of company was compelled to have recourse to tables
improvised outside. It was estimated that there were
present about 1,800 gentlemen, and about half that number
of ladies. The chair was tikes by Mr. E. Wigram, a
partner in tbe well known firm of Reid and Company;
and among the visitors were Mr. Octavius Wigram, Mr.
Mosey Wigram, Mr. Alderman Wire, &o. The formal
toasts having been drunk, the children of the school, of both
sera, ware introduced into the tent, end ranged on
benches so as to be within view of the whole assembly.
Three of the sealer boys then delivered an appropriate
poetic address, one from • central position, and the two
others respectively from the right and left sides of the tent,
so that all might have the advantage of hearing it: besides
which the whole of the children joined in singing a hymn.
This was followed by the toast of the evening. The chair-
mu in proposing it said that on Thursday last he had, in
sumpany with the Rev. John Glennie, the inspector
of the schools of the London Diocesan Beard
of Education, visited the Licensed Victuallers' School;
said he had the authority of his reverend friend
kr B
osom the the education given was such as would
do basest to any similar establishment in this country.
Tho master also declared that during that year the morel
and religious conduct of the children had afforded general!
satisfaction. He was sorry that this was all be could offer to
the meeting in the way of congratulation. As regarded the
financial position of the institution, he must observe that,
the maintenance and education of 130 children, which was
about the average number in the school, involved an ex•
penditure of about 3,0001. per annum ; and, as the funded
property amounted to only 7,0001., the whole of this expen-
diture, with the eaception of about 2001., had to be supplied
by means of contributions. Oa examining the accounts of
the last four years, he found that in the first
three years, a period of an unusual prosperity,
the total amount of contributions was less than 2,2001. per
annum ; while in the past year the total actually fell short
of 1,3001., of which amount, moreover, 6001. was contributed
by porno's who were not members of the trade. What,
then, was the prospect of the school? What but utter ruin,
or at least such • diminution of its usefulness as must de-
prive it of ell claims to be considered an honour to the
trade ? (Hear. hear.) He then urged the assembly to
make the most strenuous exertions to place the school is a
better position, observing that with that view an appeal
should be at once made, not only to the five thousand
persona in the trade bat also to those who had retired
from it, and who be could not doubt would respond to a
proper representation, and that with combined and general
support from all who might be expected to contribute the
committee would be enabled to educate not merely 130
bat 250 children, which was the number that the school
was adapted to contain. He concluded by proposing " Pros-
=auto the Licensed Victuallers' School, which was
y responded to by the assembly. The result of this
appeal was the announcement by the secretary of sub-
seriptions amounting in the aggregate to about 1,2001,
leaving nearly 2,0004. still to be collected for the support
of the school during the ensuisg year.
The harmony of the subsequent proceedings was cond.
derably interrupted by attempts of Mr. Alderman Wire to
obtain a hearing, in spite of a manifest determination on
the part of numbers sot to concede it. Such was the
uproar thus engendered that the formal programme of the
evening was suddenly cut short; and the company who
still remained under the teat rapidly dispersed over the
gardens of Cremorne, which at puce assumed a most
hilarious and festive aspect, and maintained it up to a late
hour.