The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-01 00:00:00

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ADULT EDUCATION AND EVENING SCHOOLS
IN SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE.

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The fourth annual conference of the South Staf-
fordshire Amociatioe for the Promotion of Adult Education
and Evs nine Schools was held on Monday last at West
Bromwich. The proceedings oommeeoed with the business
meeting, which was held at the rooms of the Christian
Institute, at twelve o'clock, when the chair was taken by
Lord LINTELTON.
Mr. J. Joins, the secretary, read a report of the past
year's operations. The committee commenced by congra-
tulating the members and the delegates from institutions in
the union on the encceesful operations which bad marked this
Fast year, and expressed their belief that the emaciation
would sou overcome the difficulties; which generally attend
the establishment of a new institution. By returns received
from seventeet institutions it appeared that the number of
members in these societies is 2,296, and in nearly every came
an Manisa bad bees reported since last year. The number
of book. in the libraries of sixteen institution' is 11,363, and
nine institutions had 482 students in their various classes
last winter. These returns, however, do not include several
night schools, which pay the institution fee in order to be
able to send candidates to the Society of Arta' examina-
tions. The committee then noticed the special fea-
tures of the past year in the work of the institution,
which have been both numerous and important. In Decem-
ber last the committee obtained the terms, of Hr. J. C.
Buckmaster, from the Science and Art Department, South
Kensington, who had visited the different schools in the
district, ad bad given a considerable stimulus to the
'Mama classes. It was matiefactory to find that although
three years ago there was but a single institution class in
South Staffordshire for inestiotion is any scientific subject,
and that one attended by scarcely WA-dozen students,
last year chemistry classes were held at Dudley (two),
Kilmer, Congresses (two), Wedneelcury, Wolverhampton
(two), sod also a clam for geology at Wolverhampton Work-
ing Men's College, and another for practical mechanics,
and that the number of students in the several clashes, in-
cluding a large proportion of artisaos, was about 170.
Heating; had also been held for an extension of the know-
ledge of geology and botany. The subject of working ma's
clubs had also occupied the attention of the committee, and
clubs had been formed at Wedncebary, West Bromwich,
Sedgley, Brierley Hill, and Penenett. The number of candi-
dates whose =MI wore gives in for night schools was this
year upwards of 300, and of them 210 were examined at
twelve centres. The examiners had awarded 37 fins grade
certificates including four intermediate certificates and 59
second grad*, being a total advance of 64 candidates since
1862. They call particular attention, however, to the fact
that the general character of the work sent in this year is
mot egad to that of 1862. At the Society of Arts' exami-
nations this year 82 candidates presented themselves and
worked 115 papers, being an advance over last year of 23
candidates sad 28 papers. At the examinations of the
Science and Art Department 58 candidates were examined,
and of the 38 successful students 24 belooged to classes coo-
ducted by the society's agent. During the year the com-
mittee have undertaken the superintendence of the (Lm-
bridge Local Examinations, held at Wolverhampton. In
December last, 39 candidates were examined at Wolver-
hampton—four for the manor examination, and 311 for the
junior. In the hats of successful candidates, South Staf-
fordshire maintained the high position of the preceding
year. The committee have determined to adopt ant year
the scheme of elementary examinations in 000nexion with
the Central Committee of Educational Heim; and the
Programme is only a slight modification of the ow
for last year's examinations. They have also decided to
offer several prizes of books for the best away on each
of the following subjects :-1. " How the working
mica home may be rode more healthy and comfortable
2. "The proper uses aod common abuses of intellectual
instreetion for the working classes." and also for the best
collectioa of Dudley fossils, South Staffordshire minerals,
and local plants. The report then goes on to notice with
regret the removal from this district of the Rev. J. P.
Nome and the Rev. H. R. Sandford, and to lament the
death of the Rev. T. H. Campbell, of Wolverhampton, who
bad been • zealous supporter of the society. The total
income of the association during the past year, incln
51. 6e. in hand at the last ressex:Lof the armistice, bad
been 7161. 4s. 6d. • and the ture 2304 9s. 9d. The
balance due to the treasurer, which in last year's statement
wasp tit_down as 331. 18e. 44., had been reduced to
_ _ .

The BCCIUTAILY neat read a report from the Examiners
of the Night School candidate., which stated that the num-
ber of candidates had increased from 156 in 1862 to 210 in
1863, but the somber of schools and institutions sending
candidates remains the name as last year, viz., 21. Of these
210 candidates 31 pined the first pads certificate, of whom
11 were thought worthy to be put in the first class ; 59
pined the mooed pads artifice* of whom 10 were placed
in the first clan, while 120 tailed to reach the required
standard. By comparing these results, with those reined
last year, it will be seen that they indicate a great falling off
in the quality of work done, as in 1862 out of 156 candidates
there ware 29 who bad obtained first padre certificates, of
whom 14 were is the first class; end 61 who obtained
second grade certificated, and 20 of those were in the first
alma The number of failures this year is 15 per cent.
greater thee last year.
The report was adopted.
Lord Lytteltou was re-elected president, Mr. R. L
Chance treasurer, Mr. Langley ssaetary to the exeminers,
and Kr. Joao general witwstary ; and a committee was
named for the year ensuisg. Boma otter local institutes
cram upon apphoation, added to Me mica.

There was an educational oonlerenos in the afternoon, at
which papers were read and some interesting topics dis-
closed. A dinner was given at the Dartmouth Hotel, and
there WU tea for the night schcol candidates at St. George's
HalL In the evening a public meeting was held, at which
Lord Lyttelton again presided.

SVSPICTID Roseau Or MILITAIT DICOBATIONS.
—Jams Andrew, • tall seedy looking manorascherged at
the Liverpool Police-ocinrt, yesterday, with having stolen •
number of decorations and imago* apparently belonging
to a military officer. The primer was ono into castody
whilst attempting to dispose of the articles at the Mop of •
local tradesman. Amongst the articles produced was •
gold ornament of • K.C.8., for which be wanted 30s. Oo
being searched at the police-oifice there were found in his
possession • jewel and ribbon of • K.C.B. ; • star with a
silver plate in the centre bearing the inscription of one of
the battles of the Indian campaign of 1843 ; a
large and handsome gold seal, on which was engraved
• coat of arms with three fieurede-lis mom •
shield and the motto " Ft 11121911 Trues ;" the
star of a K.C.B. ; • Smaisive gold mourning sing with
• diamond in the centre, with the inscription " A sister's
gift; " a small silver medal with "Bobraing " and " Femur
pore" mounted on the bars ; a mailer gold jewel of •
; the broken pieces of • larger one ; a small silver
medal with the imoription Chilliaawala "sad " Goojerat ;"
a meal star with ribbons attached, the centre bearing the
words " llnhanijpoor, 29th Dec., 43 ; " a large silver medal
with ribbon attached, and the woods Bohm° and Ferose-
pore sag rayed on the bars, and on the rim the words."Lieu-
tenanteolooel R. J. 11. Birch, lith Regiment, No. 1."
This medal was one of those issued to the army of the
Butlej. Another Punjsub medal with the name of the amine
officer war found upon him, together with other articles.
The primmer was remanded. The police will gladly receive
information. _

SING CLtl DISOOVIRY or AA ILLicrr Waisicr
STILL.—An uoexpected discovery of a large whisky still, in
full operation, was made on Saturday in a retired wood a
few miles to the west of Newcaetle-on-Tyne. A water-butt
had been stolen from Coalborn Farmhouse, near Win-
laton, and the traces left behind is rolling it sway afforded
a clue to its destination, which was followed up by police
',anecdotes Stephenson and Thompson of the Durham County
Constabulary. It lead them through woods, fields, and even
standing corn for about three miles, and then suddenly ter-
minated at the brink of a cliff, about 60 feet high, at a
solitary place called Milkhonee Bore. On looking over the
edge of the cliff the officers were astonished to finds whisky
still in full operation, and n ',limas, named Thomas Carr,
and his wife attending to it. On seeing the police, Carr and
his wife ran off so speedily as their legs would carry them,
closely followed by the officers. The woman was soon run
down, and secured by passing her arms round a tree and
handcuffing her in that 'oakum. Thompson had followed
the man, and in the chase through the hushes got his face
severely scratched. Just as be got near to Carr, the latter
picked up a large atone, sad was just on the point of throw-
ing it at Thomoson, who, however, saved himself by reship(
upon him and bringing him to the ground. A severe struggle
was maintained with great determination for some time
between them and was only terminated by Stephemou
coming to Tholitheon's madame. John Carr. the brother
of the male prisoner, was afterwards appreheuded as an
accomplice. The officers found fourteen gallons of "wash"
near the still, end about four gallons of nearly complete
whisky. The prisoners were taken before the county bench
at Gatos/mad, on Tuesday, and were remanded.
A Coors FIRM) 2200 FOR KEEPING AN ILLO:IT
STILL AT HOLL. —On Tuesday a cooper, named George
Harding. residing. on the Efecele-romd, wee summoned
before the stipendiary magistrate at the Hull Poliov court,
on a charge of keeping_ an illicit stilL It *poems that at
the early part of September the excise anthorities received
information of an illicit still being carried on at an unoccu-
pied dwelling-bats., No. 8. Osborne-street. The police
ware acquainted with the fact, and a visit was paid to the
house. The place was securely fastened, and they had to
break in the back way. They then discovered a complete
apparatus for the manufacture of spirits, and also about 100
gallons of fermented wash. The still was mired, and in-
quiry made, when it was found that the house was talented
by the defendant, and npoo being told of the discovery
which had bees made, he admitted that the illicit distillery
was his. In defence he now stated that be had been maim-
factoring the spirits merely as an experiment. The Stipen-
diary considered the defence highly improbable, and be
timed the defendant 2004 and costa—the full penalty ordered
by the act.
MUNIFICENT LIOACT TO TER LIVERPOOL ROYAL
INPIRMARY.—The late Mr. F. Blade. 0100, son of
Mr. Hinds., formerly a aolicitoe at Liverpool, has bequeathed
the sum of 1,000/., finial legacy duty. to the (wads of this
valuable institution.

Marie Antoinette's hair, during her imprison-
ment. Demme completely colottrims. Sm.* changes of colour
may now itc completely restored by Herring's Magnetic Brushes,
etc.. of which Dr. Hassan reports:—. I regard them as the most
perfect lahrhee hitherto made, u respects their mechanical
construetroo, and their magtietleal action." They are the
remedy for grey hair. neuralgia, rheumatism, de —N.B. Coun-
terfeits' ar
ming made.—Oft4e, SB, Bastostiat sines, London.
—4otelLJ