The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-19 00:00:00

ItAOGED SCITOOLS.

A memorial was read ~by Mr. NS OODTIIIMPIE, signed
by John Frannie Wollaston, Eeq., of Clkster terrace,
Chester-equare ; the Rev. James Cohen, of Cloadeslcy-
square, Islington; Lewis Andrew Jmtct, Esq., of 78. Wait-
wick-street, Delgrave-raal ; Mr. George Wileon, of Tothill-
street, Wegminoter ; Mr. Andrew Walker, City mission-
ary, Rochester-row, Westniinster, and other*lntereo.d he
ithe Year-stret and Duck-lane " ragged schools aud dormi-
tory," situated in Old l'ye-street, Westminster, stating
"1 hat these schools have been in existence for the past ten
years, and now occupy premiers which were formerly a
I notorious thieves public-house. That there have been
I admitted during the past year upwards of 300 boys and
girls, the children of the moat destitute and depraved
parents. Of the girls, upwards of 20 have, daring the year,
gone to situations, and ore doing wed. That the industrial
chew and dormitory was originated and is kept up for
the purpose of affording a ell 44 of mato enminals an
opportunity of retrieving their lost character. This alit-s is
made up only of thieves, who are well known, or who
having to en Cons ict,ll, are recommended by the ehaplains
of prisons its haring mmtifested a desire to forsake th; r old
habits. That dining the first year upwards of 42 of the
ahoy. class have than received, from 16 years of age and
upwards; scorn bar,: been restored to their friend,., iii have
lsen sent out as emigrants, and one of the number who h.:,
evinced an cacclleat disposition is acting no teacher, mid
has given great satisfaction. Th.,t upward, of 20 of this
criminal class have been sent from the City of Londoi,
prisons. That these institutions ore entirely supported by
voluntary contributions; th it the institution is conducted
by three officer.—two male mid one fcmsle, who rcaide upon
the pren.ies, and whose united salaries amount to 10t11. per
indium, that the premises are held on lease St a rental of 20%
a year. That the committee of management have no pro-
perty, funded or otherwise, for the berm:tit of the MAP teion.
that they have not, on any former occasion, receiv,,l soy
grant from the City for their institution. That the insti-
tution comprises the usual broaches of a plain education,
with industrial employment for both males and females;
and praying that, under these circumstances, and viewing
the great success which has attended these m•titutions, your
petitioners humbly pray fur the favourable eensider 'Lion of
your hon. court, and that a grant may b, made in aid of
the above-mentioned objects from the funds of this City."
Mr. BENNOCII supported the application; which was
opposed by Mr. Da JEUSEV, who mortal the previous
question, which was carried, tho application being, as a
matter of course, paused.

TIIE ELECTION ACTS AMENDMENT DILL._

Deputy HARRISON, the chairman of teTrreedain,
Committee, brought up a report, with the draft of a new
clause of the Election Acts Amendment Bill. The clause
was to the effect " that the returns heretofore made at the
great court of wardntote on Plough `..:ally, to the pre-
cepts of the Lord Manor for holding the wardmotes on St.
Thomas's-day, shall, from and after the passing of this act,
Ise made at a great court of wardmote, to be holden by the
Lord Mayor on the 31st day of December in each year,
mile., the same shall happen to be Sunday, and then ou the
to!lowin,; day, instead of Plou4li Monday." Tile worthy
deputy moved that the clause lona on of the bill.
This motion having been seconded,
Mr. 11. L TAYLOR moved as an amendment the fol-
lowing:—''That immediat, ly after etch election of Cons
men Councilmen in the several ward+ a return ho made to
the Lord Mayor of the names of the members so elected
and signed by the presiding officer, and that a copy of the
wee be also forwarded to the Town Clerk."
A long discussion followed, the material features of which
were by no means valuable to the general public, several
m rsonalities being indulged in during it.continuance, inter-
esting only to tile parties theinsekes. Tho ramalioling
having continued for a long period was at length termi-
nated by a ilicisisn, when there appeared—
Ivor the report of the committee
For Mr. Taylor's amendment
After a very long discussion, in which Mr. William Jones,
Mr. &emelt, Mr. T. 11. Hall, Mr. Deputy Harrison, Mr.
Iluwen, and others joined, upon a clause proposed to be in-
troduced into the Election Act Amendment Bill, with re-
ference to the common councilmen neting immediately upon
being sworn into office, it was agreed to witkdraw the
clause. It is intended to pass a by-law of the corporation
to regulate the time and mode of return of the elections, so
that the delay hitherto experienced may be avoided.
The court unanimously agreed to refer it to the Free-
doms Committee to prod cute the bill in parliament so
they may be advised, and thus concluded the proccediom
of the year, by completing a measure of reform, which it is
feLourvently hoped will prove advantageous to the citizens of
don.
Adjourned.