The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-24 00:00:00

BEER TRADE SOCIETY.

Yesterday a general meeting of the members and
subscribers to the Asylum Fund. was held at Anderton's
Hotel, Fleet-street, to receive from the oommittes a state-
ment—• of the amount received and expended on account
of the Asylum, at Nun-green, and other important circum-
stance, connected therewith; also as to the time and man-
ner at which it is proposed to elect the candidates to fill up
the twelve vacancies, and the best means of realising an
endowment for the sante." The chair was taken by
Mr. STALL WOOD. !

- - - •
The CHAIRMAN said the object for which they were as-
sembled was, in fact, to hear what had been dose as re-
garded the erection of the asylum, and to determine what
steps should be taken for its completion. As to the means
of raising an endowment fur the asylum, though last in
order, it was not least in importance. (Hear, bear.) It
was not enough to place the recipients of relief in the
asylum; something must be done to supply them with
comforts when they were there ; or else the
purpose for which it was erected would have
been only partially accomplished. However great
their difficulties might be, he trusted that they would be
enabled to surmount them. With that view the trade
must be canvassed; nor must they forget to apneal to those
who were cont.ected with the trade, some of whom bad al-
ready assisted them, sad it was hoped would be joined by
others in rendering yet further aid. lie woul l now call
upon the secretary to read the report of the committee.
The Smear/air (Mr. Bishop) then read a report of the
past proceedings of the society, more especially in reference
to the origin and progress of the asylum, of which the fol-
lowing is an outline: In the earlier years of the society's
existence the repeated attempts made to alter and
amend the laws regulating the sale of beer gave
full and anxious employment to the committee.
The settlement of 1810 enabled them to turn their atten-
tion to other objects, and lone of the first to which they
applied themselves was the providing assistance for old and
decayed members. For the better accomplishment of this
purpose it was at length determined to erect an asylum;
and large subscriptions having been promised, including
200 guineas from one firm, and 100 from another, ou the
Otis of January, 1850, the committee proceeded to consider
the plan. A resolution was adopted declaring the de•
sirableness of erecting an asylum r aged and decayed
beer-sellers ; and after some delay in consequence of fresh
parliamentary proceedings in reference to the beer-trade, in
August, 1850, the committee obtained from the members
power to obtain land. Allusion was then made to
the purchase of an eligible site of land at Nun-
Green, Peckham, and a contract for the construction of the
building. This was followed by an account of the laying
of the foundation stone by Lord Monteagle oa the 9th of I,
Juae last year. The building was finished, in accordance
with the terms of the contract, within the pelted of six
months; and on the 9th of December, 1852, the trustees ob-
tained possession. It was now found that the asylum
would not be fit for habitation ti'l there had been a consi-
derable additional expenditure. The following was given
as the present state of the account—Under the head of re-
ceipts: Amount received on account of donations and sub-
scriptions to this day, 1,061/. 10s. 6d.; received on account
of balances—dinners 1851 and 1852, and excursion 18:4,
1361. 9s. 4d. ; sum withdrawn from Commissioner of Na-
tional Debt, 1,1001. ; interest on ditto ditto, 131. Os. sd. ;
sum advanced by trustees, 2001.; total, 2,5111. Os. 3d.
Disbursements: Paid for purchase of laud, 6501.; pre-
liminary expenses, including obtaining land fur eeection
of asylum, %I. 3s. 4d. ; expenses day of laying foundation
stone, 791. Is. 9,1.; payments for work done at Nun•green,
drain.ige, &c., 391. 2s. 2,14 paid builders on account, 1,4001. ;
paid architect on account, 901.; printing, advertisements, cir-
culars, postage., &c., 431. Is. 4d. ; Mr. Ashley, solicitor, on
account of law charges, 201. ; rtpaid trustees in part. 1001.:
total, 2,349'. Bs. 7d. Tue balance was therefore 1611.115. &I.
To this sta•ement was appended the following : Contract
for erection of asylum, 1,6731. ; estimated amount of extras,
1271. ; paid in part, 1,4001. ; balance presumed to be due to
builders, 4001. ; estimated cost of fittings and fixtures to
complete asylum, 2001. ; total sum required, 6011. •
Dissatisfaction was theta expressed at the circum-
stance that many of the leading firms connected
with the beer trade had not subscribed, although
they had all been written to, and many of them had actu-
ally promised ; but thy committee thought that if there
were a little of that gentle pressure which a good customer
could so well apply, few of them would be deaf to the ap-
peal. As regarded the present state of the asylum, at was
stated that one .house was already finished and occupied,
though, as shown by the balance-sheet, 6001. more must be
expended before the whole would be fit fur habitation. It
was also mentioned incidentally that there had been voted
from the commencement, out of the funds of the Metro-
politan Beer-trade Protection Society and the Pension Fund,
no less than 1,0001. for the relief of widows, orphans, and no-
-es.itous members of the trade ; and it was added that all
persons who participated in the benefits conferred by the
Protection Society, could scarcely refuse to assist in sup-
porting the asylum. The committee concluded by dr-
daring that there were twelve vacancies to be filled up in
the asylum, a declaration which they hoped would meet
with the approval of the society at large.
On the mottos of the Climaxes, the report was adopted
unanimously.

Mr. Paoseart moved the following resolution :—" That
in order to complete the asylum, and render it fit for the
reception of its inmates, the committee are hereby em-
powsred to borrow, by mortgage or otherwise, a sum not
exceeding 0001., and that such stun be exclusively applied
to the finishing and rendering habitable the Beersellers'
Asylum, at Nun•green, Peckham." He said he did not
despair ef the raising of the 6001. entirely by subscriptions ;
and all that was done by the resolution wu to empower
the committee to raise it by mortgage, in order that the
betiding might be at once completed. As to the surplus
laud, he thought the disposal of it was the greatest calamity
that could betel the society. (Hear, bear.) Having
taken the trouble of going through the sales of
the adjoining land, be found that the Pint plot
which was only 50 feet in depth, sold for 1101.; conse-
quently their land, with a depth of 120 feet., might be ex-
pected ultimately to realise 3001. (Hear, hear.) At present
there was only one house in the road ; but he had no hesi-
tation in saying that, within twelve months, the road would
be covered with budding. of a respectable character, and the
land would, as a matter of course, be improved proportion-
ably in vales. The committee would certainly not shrink
from the performance of their duty on account of the
'pithy or indifference of others. (Hear, bear.) As more
than 2,0001. had already been spent, there could be little
difficulty in obtaining 6001. on mortgage ; but he hoped that
if the monkey were thus raised, it would soon be paid off b 7
means of contributions. He believed that, in adopting thus
resolution, the meeting would be acting in the best manner
for the furtherance of the main object.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. MILLI..

Mr. L 101177002 wished to know what was to be done
towards endowing the asylum, after the building had been
completed.
The Cnatnisnis admitted that the question wee a very
important one. The first object, however, was to finish the
asylum, and, when that had been done, they suit then rely
upon the assistance of friends in supporting the inmates.
Several promises had already been given.
The 81ICSITMIT had the pleasure of informing the meet-
ing, that a highly enaptiotable pauses& bad stated that he
would send in a tan of male Ow omit bininia tie the first
and second year, and wash' tabs UM tint the intimates did
not go to bed thirsty. (Chews.)
Several persons cal/ed Hr the name C f this gentleman, in
orde►, as they said, that if might be held up aa an example
for imitation.

The CstalbllAN was antiwar, of any obligation to se-
crecy ; the gentleman teaseled to was Joseph Carter Wood,
Beg (Cheers.)
The resektion was thee serried unanimously.
Mr. iaoll Moved the following : " That it is parties-
laslytifisemeary that the persona connected with the beer-
trade, as well as the members of the society, should re
their boa efforts to income the society's leads, not only by
obtaining new subscribers, but by urging on brewers sad
others by whom they are supplied, the amenity at onstri-
buting to the Bestseller.' Asylum Fund." He warmly de-
Elided the beer-trade againet the charge of @Roo
morality, declaring that more immorality was ' on
after 12 o'clock, when the beer-houses were closed, than
while they were open. (Hear, hear.) If the members of
the trade were not lukewarm with regard to their own in-
Waste, each a stigma could rest upon them. (Hear.)
As to Sir John Pakington's bill, had it been carried, the
effect would have been that half the beer houses would have
been closed. (Hear, ;hear.) He hoped that a successful
appeal would be made to the beer-trade on behalf of the
asylum, so that its full benefits might be speedily extended
to those for whom it was designed.
Mr. A6llllOBl, in seconding the resolution, said he
knew one eminent firm which had promised 1001. Even
thoee who would not support the Deertrade Protection
Society, might still be asked to assist the asylum. (Hear.)
The resolution was then adopted.
Mr. LATIUM moved, " That this meeting leaves to the
discretion of the committee the time when, and the condi-
tions under which, the successful candidates shall take
possession of their apartments in the asylum, feeling assured
that the time will not be protracted beyond what circum-
stances may render unavoidable."
The resolution was seconded by Mr. BESWICIL, and
agreed to.
The Seek AAAAA then stated that noplicatiens, on behalf
of eligible candidates for admission into the asylum, would
be received up to the last day of April, and that any sub-
scriber could, by applying to the office in Threadneedle-
street, obtain a form to fill up.
Oa the motion of Mr. SHBOLOCK, seconded by Mr
LIGHTFOOT, it was resolved—" That a list of subscribers
and donors be made out and printed, with the number of
yews of membership, and number of votes entitled to."
Committees were appointed to canvass for subscriptions
in the several districts ; and the meeting terminated with a
vote of thanks to the Chairman.

TOURNAT TO JUBBIER AND LANDEN TO lIA6BELT
RAILWAY COMPANY.—The half-yearly meeting of the
shareholders in the above company was held at the com-
pany's offices in Brussels on the 17th inst., It. W. Kennard,
Esq., in the chair. From the report, which was read by
Mr. Westwood, the secretary, it appeared that the gross re-
ceipts of the two lines during the second half-year of 1852
amounted to 458,4701., making the receipts for the whole
year 848,062 f , showing a satisfac•nry increase. A saving
hail been effected in the coat of management of 10,6001.
The total expenses during the ball-year, including 5,770 f.
balance of income tax for 18.51, amounted to 10,3191, leaving
a net sum of 210,0001., or a dividend of Bf. 40c. (6s. Bd.) per
share, which will be payable on and after the Ist of April.
The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the
'directors and chairman, and the meeting separated.

COLLIERY EXPLOSION -IMMENSE LOSS
OF LIFE.

WIGAN, WZONSIIDAT hour.
A fearful catastrophe has occurred this day at
Ina, near this town. About oat o'clock this afterimen
an eaploeion iif fire-damp happened at *as of the pits of
the leee Dell Coal and Cannel Company, restal,ing In a
dreadful lose of life. The pit in question is the Arley Mine,
and is 416 yards deep. The workings are very extensive,
and about one hundred and sixty men and boys were em-
ployed in it, cud were at work as usual this morning.
At noon a number of them (it is said übout 60) came out of
the pit to dine, and before they returned-the foul air ex-
ploded. At the time of the accident there were, as far as
can be ascertained, about 100 persona in the pit. The ex-
plosion has not only greatly injured the workings in the
mine, but done much damage to the shaft. The
consequence was that the . gages. could..not descend
to the bottom until the ileums to the shaft had been to
some extent repaired. This ROM occupied till about half-
put four o'clock, and at.that time Mr. Darlington, the ge-
neral manager of the company, and a number of men
descended to enter the workings. Prom they hour till about
baltpast five o'clock twentj-four persons were brought
out all living. hut one of them in a dying state.
Since half-past live to the hour when our report left (eight
o'clock) no dead bodies had been brought up, and the exer-
tions of time men engaged had been confined to repairing
the air-ways in the pit, to restore tho veutilation,
that the survivors (if any) might breath pure
air. Very large qusatities of bricks and timber were being
taken down the pit to rebuild the stopping, and it was
not thought likely that any bodies would be brought up for
several hours. It is improbable the, any of the unfortunate
workmen still in the mine are alive, us the sulphur, or
" choke•dain is said to be very strong in the workings.
The general belie! is that not fewer than seventy or eighty
lives have been sacrificed, but, owing to the great con-
fusion which necessarily prevails, it was impossible to ascer-
tain anything correctly. An immense concourse of people,
including a large nunabn of relatives, were crowding round
the pit-brow.