The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-25 00:00:00

cossErruisNrs.

Last night the electors and non-electors of
Greenwich met in the Lecture•hall, at the invitation of
Sir Charles Bright, M.P., one of the members for the
borough, for the purpose of hearing from that gentleman a
statement of his political views. Mr. LOVIBONO, brewer.
occupied the chair.

Sir CHAS. BRIGHT, who was very warmly received, com-
menced by an allusion to the distress prevailing in Green-
wich and Deptford, and expressed the hope that in future
years there would not be a recurrence of such destitution.
Touching the question of reform, be said if the bill intro-
duced last session had been passed it would, on becoming
Law, have resembled the children who,after being taken by
gip,ies and disfigured by that tribe, were not recognised
by their parents. During the consideration of the bill he
expressed to members of the government his disapproval
of the introaluctiod of the clause disfranchising the dock-
yard workmen, and if the bill had been considered in com-
mittee he and othersrspresenting constituencies like that by
which he was sent to parliament would have brought their
influence to effect the rejection of a clause, she absurdity
of which was evident in the character, the skill and intelli-
gence of those whom it affected. He could not extol the
bill brought in by the late government, but he believed it
was a step in the right direction. Statesmen were not
their own masters, and were subjected to control in the
introduction of the measures they proposed, and they were
also obliged to consider the elements of which their own
party was composed, so that any wearers which might be
earned neat year or st any other time should be drawn up
in a spirit of conciliation. He believed the bill spoken of
in connexion with the present government bad undergone
the process of incubation and existed in tho ministerial
pigeon holes ; but although he thought it was quite pos-
sible that a bill worthy of support would be introdnoed, he
did not expect a bill to be brought in by the present govern-
'', meet with the intention of c.irrying it. The old tory spins
was still rampant and the tory party advocated monopoly
in commerce, intolerance in religion, and exclusive female-
, tion with the same spirit which marked their opposition
to the old Reform Bill, free trade, and catholic emancipa-
tion. He believed there were other reforms of almost
equal importance as parliamentary reform. The state of
our poor laws and that of our education were questions of
momentous interest He looked upon the defective edu-
cation of the poorer classes as discreditable to us, a nation
claiming to be one of the three great civilised powers, for
while thousands of children were toned uneducated and
miserably clad in our streets, small kisgdoins, such as
Bavaria, Saxony, and Switzerland, provided for the educa-
tion of poor children and undertook to clothe them when
their parents were unable to do so. He attributed the
recent military successes of Prussia in a great measure to
the education of it. soldiers. There were other questions
awaiting the consideration of parliament, including church
rates and the condition of Ireland. He feared the late
session was entirely barren of legislation, inasmuch as the
discussion of the reform question had occupied time which
would, under other circumstances, have been devoted to
the consideration of many bills of public importance. Re-
' ferring to the foreign policy of England, the honourable
gentleuum said he had perceived with satisfaction that we
had reversed the old system of having " a finger in every
pie." 'With the exception of a petty strife with the in-
habitants of Bliootan, we had been at peace with the
whole world. He considered the present Foreign Secre-
tary had dealt in a most satisfactory manner with the
question of the Alabama claims, which had bid fair to be-
come the cause of • serious dissension between the two
countries. He beano doubt that other nations who would
gladly see us at war with America, might perhaps taunt
us with cowardice, and say we evince an amicable disport-
. tion now that the North and South are united,
• and that we would not have acted in a like
manner before the termination of the war. It
was, however, unnecessary to reply to such insinuations,
because those nations knew our courage, and remem-
bered the hard knocks they received from us. Alluding
to the German question, the hon. gentleman said our in-
terest in the establishment of a colossal German empire
did notappear to hes* great as that of our nearest neighbours
who regarded it with unoonoeakd dissatisfaction. He bad
no doubt that after the Paris Exhibition a war would
take place between nations who, while now entertaining
hostile intentions towards each other, were interchanging
the most amicable communications and with the view
of being prepared for foreign complications, he thought it
highly essential that we should " put our own house ready."
A vote of confidence in the hon. gentleman was pro-
posed by Mr. BASS, seconded by Mr. Brat, and carried
ARM. dis.

WISBEACH WORAING MEN'S CLUB AND
INSTITUTE.

The third anniversary of this institution was
held in the public ball, Wisbeach, by • tea meeting
among the members and friends, and by • public meeting
in the evening, both of which were largely attended. The
i chair at the public meeting was taken by Mr. Jonathan
Peckover, the president. He was much gratified to be
able to report that the club appeared to be in • more
prosperous state than at any previous time of its existence,
and he hoped that it would long continue to progress.
They would remember that, at the previous anniversary
meeting, they had the presence of the Rev. H. holly,
the director of the London Working Men's Club and
Institute Union, and no doubt their present prosperity
was greatly due to that gentleman a able
advocacy on that occasion. He bad been invited to attend
the present anniversary, and was, at the same time, in-
; forn.ed of the position of the club. He had replied that
they appeared to be in so prosperous • state that he
I thought they could do without him, and that there were
many other clubs in England which greatly required as-
sistance and advice ; and he added that he felt it was to
the " rick and not the whole" that he must give his ser-
vices so far as he was able. The chairman added that he
believed that the came of working men's clubs and in-
stitutes was progressing in the neighbourhood. He (the
chairman) had been travelling in Scotland, and wherever
he went he inquired if there was a working men's club in
the place. He visited one in Dumfries, and when be went
in he found that a prayer meeting was being held. This club
appeared to be In a flourishing state, and had hundreds of
pounds in its savings hank. It had been started by a gen-
tleman who provided the funds, but afterwards the mem-
bers said they thought they should take more interest in
it if they paid something towards it. IVhen he (Mr.
Peckover) was at a town in the east of Scotland he had
ict7.lthaerehttleH. barefootedthebg if there wnasoanew, oftitounen*s
was
stopped for want of funds. He (Mr. Peckover) said,
" That's a bad job." " Yes," said Sandy, "it is a bad
job, for working men's clubs are grand things." Wherever
he went he found that the club at Wisbeach would bear
favourable comparison with most that he bed
seen. They wanted larger premises, but if they
could get their members and friends to work
for them, and above all if they got the assist-
ance of the ladies, he believed that they should be able to
get a good sum of money. Mr. Alfred Balding, the
honorary secretary, gave an account of what had been
done in the club during the past year. He said that a
working men's club and institute endeavoured to supply a
great many wants. The present might be justly termed
the age of working men. The upper classes were begin-
ning to recognise the right of the labouriog community to
share, as far as possible, in advantages which they en-
joyed, and in proportion as the working classes showed
themselves deserving and willing to possess these &dean.
sages they would be conceded to them. A prise was
awarded to Mr. F. A. Baker for an " Essay on the Life
and Trials of St. Paul," and another to Mr. W. T.
Stresder for an " Essay upon Working Men's Clubs."
The second prizes in both instances were awarded to Mr.
W. Digby. The first prize for reading was awarded to Mr.
A. Letts, and the second to Mr. Coubun. The meeting
was closed by the band playing the national anthem.

The Manchester Examiner says that there are to
be two addresses presented to Mr. Bright at Rochdale.
To-diy the workpeople connected with the hon. gentle.
I man's firm will have a tea
be party in the public ball at five
o'clock, and their address will presented at seven. Mr.
'bight will be present, and will make a speech on the
occasion. This demonstration will be confined exclusively
to the workpeople, who have got the affair up. The other
address, to be presented on Wednesday next in the theatre,
is more of a public and political nature.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCRUEOZOS OF ENGLAND.—
The following gentlemen having undergone the necessary
examinations for the diploma were admitted members of
the college at a meeting of the Court of Examiners on the
24th inst., vu.:—Messrs. James Reginald Stocker, Guy's
Hospital; Frederick Knowles, Farnham, Surrey ; and
George Hades, Ross, Hereford, students of Guy's
Hospital. John Davies Thomas, L.S.A.,Swansea; Nicholas
Marshall, St. Austell, Cornwall, of University College.
Daniel Costello... Canonbury-square ; and John Arnold,
LR.C.P. Lon., Demerara, of St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
Richard Leatock Edgeworth, M.B. Univ. Dub., Edge-
worthstown, county Langford ; and Thomas Mawhinny
Watt, M.A. Univ. Aben., Hallyjaniesdurf, county Cavan,
students of the Dublin School. George William Barran.
Bedford, of St. George's Hospital. William Alfred
Renshaw, Aston on-filersey (Manchester School); Alex-
ander Richardson Haughey, KIS. Univ. Aber., Itualimill,
county Antrim (Edinburgh and Glasgow); Frederick
Woolhouse, Sheffield ; Robert Carlyle Appleton, Stockton.
on-Tees ; Henry Vining Bryant, Hackney-road (of King's
: and Charles Tennant, Newbottle, Durham, of
the C • -cross HospitaL It is satisfactory to state that
out of the 69 candidates who have been undergoing their
examinations during the last three days, only nine failed
to acquit themselves to the satisfaction of the court, and
were consequently referred to their hospital studies for the
full period of six months.

[TWOPENCE

THE METROPOLITAN SEWAGE QUESTION.

Sir Stafford Northoote, President of the Board
of Trade, received • deputation yesterday on the subject
of the disposal of the sewage of the metropolis. The de-
putation, which was introduced by Mr. Culling Haribusy,
M.P., was composed of the following gentlemen Mr. East,
Mayor of Kingston-on-Thames ; Mr. Councillor Priest and
Mr. Wilkinson, bowncleric,alsoof Kingston-cm-Themes ;Mr.
Walpole, chairman, and Mr. Bidgood, a member of the
Surbiton Commissioners ; Mr. Bawl', clerk to the Hamp-
ton Wick local board ; Mr. Bedwell, chairman, and Mr.
Strawbridge, a member of the East Moulsey loc.d bout! ;
Mr. Sidney Smith, chairman, and Mr. Alfred Oilea, •
member, of the Wimbledon local board ; Messrs. Merry-
weather and Phillippa, members of the New Mahlon local
board ; Mr. R. J. Bates, of Long Ditton ; and Mr. Clayton,
Hook Pariah.

Mr. WALPOLE explained the object of the deputation,
which was the formation of a suburban board to dispose of
the sewage between Staines and the drainage system of
the Metropolitan Board, their representation, being the
result of a conference recently held. The deputation be-
lieved the Metropolitan Baird hail done their work well,
and they viewed with apprehension that the bill of the
Conservancy Hoard was creating powers antagonistic to
those of the district, who, if they took up the subject and
did their best to dispose of the sewage, thought they
might reasonably ask to be relieved from the danger of
the Conservancy Hoard being able to attack them.
Sir STAFFORD NoRTHC,YrE said the object brought be-
fore bun was well deserving of serious •consideration. lie
would point out that the bill which had been referred
to was not introduced by Mee govermeest, but by the
Thames Conservancy, in pursuance of the directions
contained in the act of parent of last session. He
had looked at the bill, and clearly it appeared to be limited
to giving effect to the intentions of parliament as expressed
last session. The act of last session was evidently a
government measure. It was taken charge of by the late
government, and the present government came into oflice
just as the bill reached it. last stage. They did not then
know the whole of the merits of the case. The govern-
ment had since been asked whether they would this year
bring in a bill to complete the arrangement, but they
stated it was not a matter which properly belonged to the
government, and the board had better proceed itself. At
the same time the government would feel it their
duty to watch the proceedings of the bill, and take
notice of any suggestions offered for their notice. The
deputation would see it wan essential to the whole
scheme that some arrangement should be made for purify.
ing this portion of the river, otherwise the whole that
had been done was worth nothing, and there would be a
breach of faith with the water companies, who undertook
a considerable portion of the expense of preserving the
navigation on the understanding that they were to have
water lit for drinking. It was essential, some way or
other, that this portion of the river should be purified.
As to the steps for purifying it, that was another ques-
tion. Upon so large a question he should not like to
pronounce an opinion offhand, and it would be necessary
for him to communicate with the Home Secretary and
with the Duke of Buck' h, the Privy Council having
taken up the question of the health of towns.
A MEMBER of the Dv.eurarime remarked it was essential
to bear in mind that the rations then made were
all from persons interested low the point at which the
water companies draw their water from Hampton and
upwards. The deputation wanted the water to be as pure
as • river can be below as well as above that point. In
his individual opinion, he believed the only method by
which effectual drainage could be made was the eventual
construction of a sewer parallel with the Thames, begin-
ning at the river Mole, and coming all the way down until
it meets the Metropolitan system.
The Ptutaturnr inquired whether he understood the
feeling of the deputation to be that the government should
in some way assist in the formation of a suburban board
of the character described by them!
The deputation replied in the affirmative.
Sir STAFFORD NoIiTHCOTE having elicited a few other
points as to the views and wishes of the deputation, they
then thanked the right bon. president for the courtesy
with which he had received them, and withdrew.