The Express.
London, England, 1851-08-21 00:00:00

Ine Court.

PROPOSED ACTION TO DECIDE A POINT IN THE
Comm NATION Laws.—A meeting was held at the Railway
Inn, Deansgate, Manchester, on Tuesday evening, com-
posed of di legates front the various trades, to take into
consideration what steps should be taken in reference to
Mr. Justice Erie's law, as laid down at the recent Stafford
Assize:, affecting trades union combinations. The meeting
was attended by front 20 to 30 delegates. A workman,
named White, presided. A delegate from London, named
Burgess, opened the business, and expressed his opinion that
the tin-plate workers of Wolverhampton, whose case was
tried at Stafford, were greatly wronged by the decision in
their case. lie stated that Mr. l'erry, the manufacturer,
who brought the prosecution, had been guilty of the must
arbitrary conduct, and that what the workmen had done
was called for in defence of their rights. Mr. Roberts
(called the People's Attorney-General), who has hail
the conduct of the eve at Stafford on behalf of
the workmen, was the next speaker, and, having been
called upon to state what would be the probable expense of
an appeal to the superior courts, spoke at sonic length. Ile
said they were proposing to go to the Court of Queen's
Bench to establish Baron Itolfe's law in contradistinction
to Justice Erie's. lie said Baron Rolfe, at Lancaster, in
the " Queen v. Feargus O'Connor and others," and again
at Liverpool, in the case of " Selsby v. Jones and l'otts,"
had laid it down that men might combine to persuade
others not to work for a particular master; whereas Mr.
Justice Eric, at Stafford, had held, on the contrary, that to
combine at all for such a purpose was illegal. In the pro-
ceedings at Stafford about IM/. had been expended in de-
fending the workmen, the greater part of which money had
had to be found by the lawyers themselves, and, if they were
to carry the case to the Queen's Bench, he would like to
have the best counsel he could procure to argue the ease.
Now Sir Alexander Cockburn, the Attorney-General, had
declared his own conviction to be with the workmen in this
case, and fur that reason he would like to secure that
learned gentleman's services. But money would be wanted,
and he estimated the cost of further proceedings at 2.0001.
lie expressed a strong conviction that the appeal would be
successful. A series of resolutions, expressing an opinion
that the Wolverhampton workmen's case ought to be taken
up by the trades generally, and in favour of steps to give
practical effect to the opinion, by means of subscriptions to
raise the required amount of money, were pasted before the
meeting separated.
THE• ST. ALBANS ABSENTEES.—The return of
Skaggs and Birehmore to St. Albans, from which, owing to
their visit to Boulogne, they had been absent since April
last, when they absconded from the parliamentary commit
tee, has excited some little sensation in that locality. It
appears' that after being discharged from the Mansion-
house, they repaired to the Great Northern Railway, and
arrived in St. Albans the same evening, where they took
up their quarters at the George lintel. It is said they feign
forgetfulness on all matters connected with local and elec-
tioneering affairs, and appear to prefer answering all ques-
tions and kind inquiries in French, with their proficiency in
which they edify their fellow townsmen. It has been
ascertained with considerable certainty, that Waggett has
emigrated to New York, one of the local police at Dieppe
having infurmed Forester that he saw him embark on
board for the purpose. Hayward is still understood to be
in France, and Edwards, who it will be remembered was
committed to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms, on being
liberated from Newgate on the day of the prorogation of
parliament, returned to his family at St. Albans, after a
period of four months confinement. Being committed for
a misdemeanour of what, in prison parlance, is called a mis-
demeanour of the first class, he was allowed in Newgate to
have what ho liked, and looked none the worse on the day
of his discharge when the formal authority of the Speaker
was issued for the purpose.
MEETING OF BIRKENHEAD IONDIIOII.=
terday a meeting of the bondholders of the Birkenhes
Dock Estate was held at the office of the trustees in Bir-
kenhead. The meeting was convened by circular, and was
understood to be public. Long before the hour appointed
(one o'clock) a great number of bondholders had assembled,
all evidently anxious for the business to commence, and the
generality expressing an opinion that it was high time some
preparation was made for payment of interest on account of
the bonds. Our reporter, on endeavouring to obtain ad-
mission, was refused by the secretary, certainly in a very
courteous manner, until he had an opportunity of consult-
ing Mr. Bayley, the chairman. After waiting a con-
siderable time, and the meeting having haul an oppor-
tunity of fully discussing the question, a note was sent
in to the chairman requesting to be informed whether
the meeting was intended to be public or private. Upon
this the secretary came out, and, although he stated
that the meeting was a public one, he added that
it was not considered advisable to have reporters present,
but that he would cheerfully supply an epitome of the pro-
ceedings alter the meeting was concluded. It is, of course,
unuseessary to say that this offer, however civilly intended,
was respectfully declined, and therefore the proceedings, so
far as the bondholders at large are concerned, remain
shrouded in official mystery.

.—Yes-

OSBORNE, WEDNEADAY, AUG. 20.
Iler Majesty, the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred,
Princess Helena, and Princess LOaka accompanied by the
Earl of Liverpool, Sir Hamilton an Lady Seymour. and
attt•ruled by the uguil suite, embarked at 4 p.m., in the
Fairy, at Osborn-Pier, and proceeded to Southampton, to
meet Prince Albert, on hii return from London.
The royal party returned to Osborne at half-past seven
o'clock.
The Earl of Liverpool and Sir Hamilton and Lady Sey-
mour were the only addition to the royal dinner party
yLsterduy. ----
The Chancellor of the EaChCqUCT haS returned to
scat, Itickleton-hall, near Doncaster, from Drumour. his

GENERAL LAND DRAINAGENY. AND IMPROVE-
MENT COMPA

The first ordinary general meeting of this company
was held yesterday at the company's offices, No. 52, Puha-
ment-street, Westminster. The chair wiL4 taken at three
o'clock, by Mr. Ker Seymer, M.P., chairman of the com-
pany.
In the report, which was read by the secretary, Mr. W.
Clitl4o, it was stated that steady progress had twen made
by the directors since the last mcsAing. The capital lived
by the act of parliament was 18,1/001., of which 18,900:. hail
been subscribed. Numerous applications had been made
for assistance. The directors had selected for drainage up-
wards of 3,000 acres of land, and had determined on the
erection of buildings and the carrying out of other agricul-
tural improvements to a considerable amount, and the tennis
and arraugements adopted were such as would atfordample
remuneration to the sharehobtrs, and, at the same time,
amply repay landowners for the expenditure incurred.
The CRAIRMAN said that, is moving the adoption of
the first report, he felt that he ought not to be entirely
'Aleut with reference to the powers and prospects of the
company. Thu powers obtained were so great that
considerable responsibility attached to those who were
engaged in carrying them out, and he should he
very sorry if they were not able to exercise tlwm
for their own benefit and for the public good. In speaking
of the public good, he referred particularly to the agricul-
turd interest—the landlord, the tenant, and the labourer
t an interest which he still Imalieved to be the most important
r one in this country, and with which the welfare of every
other interest was very closely connected. lie did not
speak of the general public, because experience showed
that if the agriculturists did not produce bread and beef
iii sufficient quantities, and at sufficiently low prices, the
beef-eating and bread-eating public knew where to go for
them; and the competition to which agriculturists were
now subjected was one great reason why lie attached great
importance to the operations of the company. It could nut
be denied that the law of entail had ben, to a certain
extent, injurious to the agricultural interest. In travelling
about the country, they saw many estates which were being
cultivated under great disadvantages; they. saw land Ull-
drained, and farm buildings either existing where they
oaght not to exist, or so inconveniently constructed as to do
inure harm than good, especially in reference to the
waste of manure. Considering how some of the
land of this country seas occupied, it was surprising
how the rent had been paid. Certain it was that it could
not continue to be paid tinder previa circumstances, and
hence the improvement of buildings end drainage, especially
in the case of estates under settlement, was an object of
national importance. The gentlemen who constituted the
subscribers of that company were not persons who were in
the habit of taking shares; they had joined the company on
public grounds, and with a view to the benefit of the landed
interest, feeling that, unless great exertions were made,
this nation would not continue to hold the position of the
foremost agricultural nation in the world. During the last
session of parliament a bill was brought in to extend to the
erection of fartu buildings the powers uf the Private Drain-
age Act. It was thrown out by the House of Lords; but,
even if it had passed, he did not think they would, as a
compaity, haVC been materially injured by it. Experience
bad ithowa that the operations which they wished to pro-
mote with regard to entailed estates, could not be
secured in the ordinary way. (Rear, hear.) It was
necessary that a company should be formed to
make advances far the necessary operations, and to assist
the laudowner. It might he objected, and indeed it had
been, that as other companies hail powers for improving the
drainage of limits, there was nu necessity for such a com-
pany us this. It must, however, be obvious to every one
that acoumpany for draining alone was not sufficient. If,
by improved drainage, were indirectly introduced a better
description of cattle, those cattle would require shelter,
and therefore powers for the erection of buildings, as well
as for draining purposes, were necessary for the complete ine-
provemeut of agriculturist estates. 1t5,000,. might appear
to be a small sum to be paid up by a company which was
to be engaged in such extensive operations. It must be
oh-erect', however, in the first place, that in many cases it
would out be necessary, Mr the carrying out of the powers
of the act, that any money at all should be advanced.
lie hoped that before they again met many contracts would
have been approvecl by the commissioners, and the company
be steadily working in various parts of the kingdom.
V. SHELLEY, deputy-chairman, seconded the
motion. Ile said it was impossible to travel about the
country without seeing that in the agricultural improve-
nwuts which had been carried oil for many years, a great
deal of annuey had been absolutely thrown away on a bad
system of drainage. The directors of that company did riot
bind themselves exclusively either to deep drainage or to
shallow draivage iu every cue they would take tare to
• adopt that system which was most likely to be successful,
• and which could bring the quickest return.
The report was the adopted unanimously.
The retiring directors Mr..). V. Shelley, Mr. Cobbold,
M.l'., Mr. 11. Currie, MA'., and Mr.S.Nl.reto M.P., were
re-elected ; and alter a vote of thanks to the Chairman the
meeting separated.

WESTMINSTER FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY

The second annual meeting of the members of this
society was held last evening at the Parthenium-rooms, St.
Martin's,lanr, P. E. BARNES, nig., in the chair.
j Mr. O. 11UtJ(EFT (the secretary) read the annual re-
port of the committee, of which the following is an

extract :
The committee subntit to the members a report of the
society, and in so doing they have much pleasure in being
again enabled to present a favourable account of its comb-
tion. its progress is best marked by the increase of its
members. The number of shares now held is 1,319, in-
clusive of those taken up on the Moulae' estate, and
the total receipts of the society since its formation
amount to 7,9681. Is. fid. Impressed with the magnitude
lof the interests committed to their care the committee
have persevered in the course which received the approba-
tion of themembers at their tint annual meeting, they have
accordingly bent their efforts, not to merely numerous and
rapid purchases of estates, but to the acquisition of willies-
tionable good ones, such as should sustain the credit ut the
society, by the undoubted value of each of the particular
allotments. Of the many offers made, the committee have
thought it expedient to accept only one—namely, for the
purchase of 24 acres at Reigate (where there arc a large
number of members), at the price of 3,0001. This estate
will be allotted in the course of the present autumn. Your
committee are now in treaty for an estate iu Middlesex, in
a locality suited to the requirements of many of their mem-
bers. As to the estate at East Moulsey, the committee have
to report that the division of it has been completed in the
most satisfactory manner, and several houses are in course of
erection, the restrictions which they introduced into the con-
veyances have met with entire approbation and have most
materially enhanced the value of the property, and the
committee have the gratification of pointing to this pur-
chase as an ample testimony of the correctness of the
principles adopted by the society. The land was bought
for the sum of 4,7251., and it has been distributed to the
allottecs at 5,5821., or about 17 per cent., inclusive of all
expenses, while in some other societies the increase on
the original cost has been nearly 100 per cent., or at the
same rate at which estates of such other societies had been
allotted. The Moulsey property would have cost the allot-
teesl nearly 12,0001., instead of 5,8001. No charge has
been made to the mortgaging members fur ia-
terest on the money advanced to them, except the
very trifling amount of interest on any sum tem-
' moony borrowed to complete a purchase, while
being put into immediate possession of their allotments they
are placed iu a position of reaping the earliest advantages of
which their freeholds are capable. The committee feel it
incumbent to record their deep sense of the invaluable ser-
vices rendered to the society by the land committee, to
whose practical experience may be attributed the advan-
tageous purchases already made, and their acknowledg-
ments are specially due to Messrs. Vine and Pemberton,
the purchasers on behalf of the socisty, fur the gratuitous
superintendence and indefatigable attention given by them
to the society ; and through their rid the expense of allotting
the aloulscy estate is less by some 2001. than it would other-
wise have been. With regard to the constitutional and
political results of the East Moulsey and Reigate estates, I
the somraittee may observe that 140 additional freeholders
will have votes for the western division and about 130 for
the eastern division. Already the names of 50 new freeholdera
appear on the list of voters for the former electoral district, and
the Reigate purchase, in addition to its being one of the most
eligible building sites in the county, is within the
boundary of the borough, which comprises about 200 votes,
occupying houses chiefly in the hands of one landlord,
while the occupiers of the allotments of the members will
be independent of similar influence. The committee re-
commend the following alteretiun in the rules—' That of
the number of allotments in every future purchase, a por-
tion, not exceeding one-half, shall be offered to members
(according to seniority of membership) who shall agree to
pay up the whole cost of their allotments, together with a
charge of 5 per cent. on the amount of such cost to be ap-
plied towards the defrayal of the general expenses of this
society; and the remaining sillutments shall be
exclusively devoted to the other members in ro-
tation, all parties jointly ballotting for priority of choiee.'—
The effect of this alteration will be to enable the society to
purchase whenever a desirable opportunity offers, and con-
sequeutly to expedite the subscribing members obtaining
their allotment. In advising this step the committee have
sought to avoid what they conceive to be a most objection-
able clement, namely, the practice of ballotting for allot-
ments, the tendency of which is to induce reliance upon
' chance and not upon the prudence and forethought of the
members. The committee cannot conclude their report
without adding their own testimony to that already borne
by the members in their re-election of the solicitor and the
secretary at the last meeting to the untiring zeal and very
great ability with which Mr. G. E. Denims and Mr. O.