The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-26 00:00:00

BUCJIINGSAMSHIRS POLITICS.

BUCKING/lOC WXDICZSDAT.
The annual meeting of the North Wed Bucks
and the adjoining portions of Oxfordshire and Northamp-
tonshire Agricultural Aasociation took place this day. His
grace the Duke of BCCKLYOKLM and CHANDOB (the presi-
dent of the association) took the chair ; and the company
comprised Sir H. Verney, M.P., Mr. Hubbard, M.P. the
Hon. R. Cavendish, Mr. H. Thorpe (the mayor of the
borough), Mr. P. R. P. Fitzgerald, Captain Pilgrim , Mr.
F. Verney, Mr. R. Hubbard, Mr. A. J. Roberts, Mr. P.
Box, and many other members and friends of the asso-
ciation.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer had been invited, but
the following letter, addressed to the eerwetary, will show
that the right hon. gentleman was unable to attend :
" 11, Downing-stavet, Whitehall.

" Bir,—l am directed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer
to request that you will have the gv3odnees to express to
the committee of the North West Bucks Agricultural
Association his regret that he will be unable to attend
their annualmeetangou Wednesday next. TheChaneelkw of
the Exchequer begs to place at the disposed of the com-
mittee the enclosed cheque for U. as a prise nett year for
any object which they may think proper, deeming merely
to suggest that it might be made a means of affording some
encouragement to cottagers or farm labourers in the im-
provement of their dwellings.—l am, sir, your obedient
servant, " 0. Emma WILOON.
" E. Bennett, Esq."

GAS STOKERS AND THEIR GRIEVANCES.—Last
night a meeting of gas stokers, employed in various parts
of the metropolis, was held at the Cambridge-hall, New-
man-street, Oxford-stress, for the purpose of oonudering
the best means of reducing their hours of labour from 90
to 60 per week. Mr. Geo. Brooke occupied the chair. He
said the gas stokers did not seek an incre.ss of wages, but
a reduction in the hours of their daily labour from twelve
to eight, and considering the fetid atmosphere in which
they worked, and its effect in shortening hfe, he thought
that their demand was entitled to recognition on the part
of their employers and the public at large. Since the last
meeting he had expressed a wish to the inspector of one of
the London to companies to visit the work'. Leave
was at first van him, but on his desiring to be accom-
panied by . Geo. Potter the hosed of directors were
communicated with, and the permission was withdrawn.
The secretary then reported that their demand
upon the directors of the gas companies had met
with a decided refusal. He advised the men to
unite together, and said he had no doubt that they would
thus ultimately obtain what they required. Instead of
working 12 hours a day and six extra on Sunday, they
wanted eight hours on each of the seven days and four
hours extra on Sunday. He expected a favourable answer
from one, if not more, companies shortly. Mr. Upshall
moved a resolution to the effect that the gas companies
having refitted to receive any deputation from the stoker,,
or make the alteration in the hours of labour which was
now required, resolved to perseverein the demand for sixty
hours a week instead of ninety. Dlr. Smith seconded the
resolution. Mr. Knight, in supporting it, said that gam fac-
tories were like penitentiaries, and he only wished that
their gates were thrown open and that the public were
allowed to see the condition of the men sod judge for
themselves. He wished some individual like the Lambeth
Amateur Casual would go to some of the works of the pa
companies, and send to the press an account of what came
under his notice. There were not more men in the pa
works now than there were ten years ago, notwithstanding
the extra lights which had been since provided, and there-
fore the men now employed had additional labour thrust
upon them. He really thought men who worked like
slaves, almost in • state of nudity, were entitled to con-
sideration, and to the moderate concessions they now
sought. The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously, and the proceeding terminated with a vole of
thanks to the chairman.

• SINGULAR FATALITY NIAR EXSTIIII.—An inquest
was held at Exeter, yesterday, before the city coroner, on
the body of a boy, aged 16, who died at the county hos-
pital under vary @angular circumstanced. It appeared
that about three weeks ago he picked up an arrow-head
about an inch long earl was playing with it in his mouth,
when he accidentally swallowed it. He had a sharp cough
for three days afterwards, when medical advice was
sought, and his parents sent him to the hospital. The
medical staff held several consultations on the ease, and
• decided that surgical operation would not remove the
substance, which from the symptoms was fastened in the
lungs. Gangrene set in, resulting in death. A post mor-
tem examination of the body showed that the arrow-head
wee in the lungs, sod stopped up the lower portion of the
windpipe. Dr. Huxley, the house surgeon, said it was
a remarkable ease ; the arrowhead would b preserved in
the museum of the hospital.
Ontnr33 PALscia.—Uits Ehm.Liitu DAY.-
WZDNEADAT, Sm. 2Q.—M=4llElam on payment. 3,217 ;
ditto by awe Nokias. 1,457 ; weal Aida% 4,674.