The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-13 00:00:00

THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE.

THE CENTRAL RELIEF FUND.

A meetingofilleC:eritni Executive Committee
was held yesterday afternoon in the Manchester Town.hall.
There were present the Earl of Doter fin the chair), Sir
J. P. K. Shuttleworth, Lord Egerton of Tattoo, Lord Ed-
ward Howard, Colonel Patten, M.P., Major Egerton Leigh,
Mr. T. Ashton, Mr. John Platt, Mr. G. L. Ashworth, Mr,
R. Gladstooe, Mr. N. Eckerslev, Mr. J. Fenton, Mr. J.
Goode r, Mr. R. Hetchisoo, Mr. J. R. Kay, Mr. H. Mason,
Hr. R. Madura Mr. W. Rathbone, Mr. M. Rosa, Mr. S.
J. Stern, Mr. J. Worrell, Mr. Gornmiasioner Farnall, Mr.
A. H. Heywood, and Mr. Madura, the boo. secretary.
Mr. MACLI:RIC reported that the total receipts in the past
week had bees 46,828 f. The balance in the bank was
370,551.14, besides 13.5211.. the balance of the New south
Wales fund total. 386,071/. During the week 2-,Ki inlets
of clothing had been sent oat.
Mr. FABNALL read the following report :
" To the Contr.' Executive Relief Committee
Manchester, Jan. 12, 1863.

My Lords and Gentlemen, —I beg to inform you that,
on the 3rd inst., there was a decrease in the number of per-
eons receiving parochial relief in the 27 union■ of the cotton
manufacturing districts, as compared with the number so
relieved in the previous week, of 7,:360. This decrease of
7,300 is explained as follows :—There is • decrease at
Ashton-under•Lros of 1,506, at Barton-upomlrwell of 13,
at Blackburn of 2,079, at Barnley of 913, at Bolton
of 183, at Bury of 62, at Clitheroe at 60, at Gantang
of 4, at Glossop of 26, at Hulingden of 843, at Lancaster of
S. at Leigh of 18, at Mamleafield of 41, at Manchester of 95,
at Oldham of 573, at Preston of 742, at Prestwich of 6, at
Rochdale of 58, at Saddleworth of 70, at Salford of 212, at
Stockport of 87, at Todmonlee of 91 ; making a total de. '
crease of 7.685. But there is an increase at (Thorley of 206,
at The Fylde of 64, at Warrington of 51, and at Wigan of 4 ;
making a total increase of 325, so that there is a bet decrease
of 7,300. Os the 3rd instant there were 253,146 persons in
the receipt of parochial relief ; in the corresponding week
of last year there were 65,406 persons so relieved ; there is
therefore an increase of 187.740. The per metese of
pauperism on the population of these unions is 12'8 ; in
the corresponding week of last year it was 3'3. The ex-
penditure in out-door relief for the week ended the 3rd
instant was 17,0821. is. 86. ; in the corresponding week of
last year it was 3,2621. 16s. Bd. ; there is therefore an in.
muss of 13,8191. sa. The sump amount of out-door
relief per head per week, both iu money and in
kind, on the 3rd instant, wee Is. &L . • in the
corresponding week of last year it was Is.2gd. The
maximum number of paupers which I have hitherto
reported to you was attained, by the 27 unions ad-
verted to, in the week ended the 6th ult.. when there were:
271,983 persons in the receipt of parochial relief; since'
then there has been a weekly decrease of pauperism ; on ,
the 3rd inst. there ware 253,146 person, unlined ; a de-
crease, therefore, of 18,837 paupers has taken place, and
am enabled to state that this decrease is mainly attribut-
able to the employment of some of the workpeople ; but
at the same time I am informed that until the supply and
the pprrtce of cotton, and the relative value of manufactured
goods, are more positively eemblished than they are at pre.
sent, even the partial employment of the mill hoods must
remain in • very precarious position. For the week ended
the 6th ult., the expenditure in outdoor relief in these 27
unions was 18,7214/. Bs. ; but the expenditure in out-door
relief on the 3rd inst. wars 17,0821. le. Bd. ; there is, there-
fore, • decrease in the lot week's expenditure of 1,6461.
In accordance with the arrangement made at your last
meeting, I have written to each of the medical officers of
the above unions to ascertain the extent to which typhus
fever prevails in their respective districts, and I shall be in
a position to report to you on this subject on Monday next,
On Friday last, I attended a meeting of the Chorlton
board of guardians, by previous arrangement, wheel I brought
wader their coesidention the complaint of the Messrs.
Birley that the Chorlton board of guardians, in fixing the
amount of parochial relief to be afforded to the workpeople
of the Messrs. Birley, took into account the amount of aid
which the Messrs. Birley gave them. I have now to report
to you that I have received the assurance of the guardians,
through their chairman, that they have not adopted this
course, but that, on the contrary, they have relieved each of
thou cases oe its own merits, to the beet of their judgment,
and irrespectively al the aid extended to them by the
Masora Birlay.•
Colonel Parrett, M.P., remarked that numerous inquiries
were being made of the members of the committee, both
individually and collectively, as to whether it was necessary
that the efforts being made in various parts of the country
to nise money for Lanewhire relief should be 000tinued
without relaxation. He thought the time had arrived
when some official statement from the committee should be
pat forth ass reply to such inquiries.
Or of the inquiriee refined to was conveyed by the fol-
lowing letter from Dublin, which was read:

"Dublin Central Committee for the Relief of Lancashire

Distrito', Ousel Gallery, Commereial•baildioge,

10th January, 1863.

" Dear e4,—Oar treasurer gent you 1,0001. (the 14th)
yesterday. During the week we have had many inquiries
as to whether more mosey ought to be collected for the
relief of the Laassebirsdistrees.

"There would seem to be the dawn of a better day for
your people--a alight diminution in the number of appli-
cants for relief aad rather improved prospects as to employ-
meat ; while, if we reed the accounts correctly, you must
have oe head an socncaulated (nod sufficient to cope with
wee the present ratio of demands upon it for four mean
to soma

" Our committee had • long discussion to-day, ending in
instructions to us to write you for a distinct answer to al
plain question—Ought they to discourage further collecting
and net on their oars, awaiting the mune of events!
Should the present noble fund become nearly exhausted,
the distreei remaining formidable and urgent, it were easy
to resume our work ; but the committee have their doubts
as to the wisdom of proceeding further at present. This
country is itself passing through • very trying seams.
There 11 ninth local distress—yet. in the face of these ad-
vane circumstances, the Irish people have liberally re-
opouded to the call addressed to them in behalf of their suf-
fering brethren.
" If enough has been done for these (as far as the present
time is concerned), we had better let the claims of our owe
poor take the moat prominent place until you shall be again
entitled to the foreground. We ask your candid opinion
mad wise counsel under them circumstances, and hope to be
favoured with your reply on or before Thursday, the 15th
instant—Tour very obedient servant (for self and co. hon.
seerstaries), "Tenses C. ScOrr.
" We have still on band more than 8,(0)111.
" J. W. Madam, Faq., Bond-street, Manchester."
Colonel Parris said be thought certain passages in Mr.
Ifernall's report, presented that day, would afford a tole-
rably cemelneiee answer to letters of this description.
Sir J. K. BECITTLEROETE mentiooed that in East Lance-
shire, owing to the failure of use of the manufacturing esta-
blishments, 1,000 extra persoos would be thrown upon the
relief funds this week, and he feared there would be many
simile:stoppages in the cotton districts.
The Earl of DERBY mid the answer to the letter from
Dublin would be that there were probably sufficient funds
in hand to meet the requirements of the next three or
four mouths, bat that the partiel improvement which had
taken place in the state of employment was considered very
precarious ; that, from calculations such as were laid before
the committee last week by gentleman of great experience
and information respecting the supply of cotton, it was
unreasonable to hope that there could be, under the moat
favourable circumstances, inure than three days' employ.
ment for the operatives during the year 1815:I, and that the
demand upon charitable aid was therefore likely to be of
very long oontirmauoe.
Mr. FAIIIIALL thought it would be a @object for extreme
regret, it, in the present serious position of affairs, any
attempt should be mode to diminish the contributions to
the relief hinds.

It was egred that the hon. secretary should reply to the
Dublin letter in themes of the fonegoieg remarks, sod that
be should call special attention to sintensonto colitained in
the rcceut reports by Chia committee, showing cicarly the
neces.ity of unceasing effort. on the part of the bene-
volent to meet the distress in the cotton manufacturing
district..

HoN. Sucusrkar said it was necessary to bear in
mind that in the sweet d any outbreak of disease DO pro-
yitiou bad been made in the estimate■ for such a con-
tingency ; and be called attention to a paragraph on the sub-
ject of further subscriptions in last mouth's report to the
'entre] committee.

Mr. M. Roes remarked that the continuance of the dis-
km would depend mainly upon the coatinuance or other.
wise of the American war, and there wee no indication at
preeset of any probable termination of that straggle.
Allusion having been made to a letter which app.gred in
the public papers last week, addressed by the Rev. Mr.
Williams, of Ashton-under-Lyne, to Colonel Wilson Pat.
len, the latter stated that he bed not seen the letter nor
heard of it till his entrance into the committee-mom, Mr.
Williams not having bad the courtesy to give him inti-
mation of it.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S. MONDAY.

The attends's°, this afternoon was larger than any that
has mustered at the Corner since the close of the pest
racing season, sad the betting was unusually heavy, certain
animals being supported for many hundreds ' • and the publi-
cation of the Chester Cup weights on Friday next will lied
to • still further increase of business. It will be perceived
from the list of closing prices which we append that specu-
lation on the Derby included a very large number of horses,
indeed more than have been known to be in the betting for
years at this early period. Some stiff commieaious
were still in the market, and those gentlemen
entrusted with the outlay of the money completely
tired out the layers. Lord Clifden gave further indica.
Was of the immense favourite he is sure—bar accidents—
to become, sod in the City during the morning he was
backed for fire hundred pounds at 6to 1. On assembling at
the corner the very first offer made was to " take 1,300 to
200 three times about the favourite." Those odds could
not be obtained, and backers finally accepted 6 to Ito
several hundred of pounds ; in fact, at the break.up we
question whether more than 11 to 2 could have bees
secured to anything like