The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-10 00:00:00

[STAMPED, Id. ADDITIONAL.]

could be made or improved for the convenience of the
upper classes—
, Lord DERBY—I cannot admit that they are. They are
for general sanitary purposes and general traffic.
Mr. Alarms' said all that was asked was that improve-
ments should be made for the benefit of the poorer classes
of society, to be borne by the local rates on the same prin-
ciple as street improvements. It seemed to him that in
regulating or re-arranging London, which had grown in •
very inconvenient manner, the convenience of all classes
should be considered. Why should not improvements for
the benefit of the poorer classes be carried out in the same
way as conveniencies for the upper clams! Meat, hear.)
Lord DERBY thought an act was passed last year by
which the government were empowered to lend money
subject to certain conditions. That bill was, he feared, a
desd letter, in consequence of the difficulties that had in-
terposed. If government lent money in this way there
must necessarily he some authority to see that the condi-
tions were complied with, and that proper and suit-
able accommodation was provided fo4the lower classes,
an accommodation that was equivalent to the rent paid.
He believed the difficulties of carrying into effect the act
ho had referred to were so great that it had led to nothing.
Mr. TOBItENSI, referring to the question raised by the
noble lord as to whether his scheme would pay, said that
, if the metropolis as a whole considered it would pay in the
interests of health, decency, morals, policy, and the pre-
vention of poor rates, that was his case. He did not ask
whether each block of buildings would pay, nor did he
wish to enter into • competition of rent, which should be
left to find its own level. They had, however, by petitions
to parliament, the assurance of the metropolitan inhabit-
ants from Chelsea to Shoreditch, that the wished to sub-
ject themselves to Ws Meal b 7
mg =els .they wosM be
!hit sNlitire bee.)
PVisltge• ear
The Hoo. A. KiNsallui ;egrMted that some clause had
not been inserted in the railway bills compelling coin.
panes to make provision for all cases of eviction. He in-
stanced a piece of land unused to this day on the Charing-
cross line.

Mr. TORILENI4 gave a similar example with respect to
several acres of land from which 2,000 persons were many
years ago evicted, and which remained as waste as a desert
in Farringdon-road. Overcrowding in St. Sepulchre, Hat-
ton-garden, and Clerkeuwell, had never ceased from the
time of the desolation.
Mr. CIiIiiKBIIANK said he was anxious not to be under-
stood in his previous remarks to oppose the interest of the
London poor.
Dr. Ni'ofrrniNovon hoped that the 300,0001. it was said
the City of London intended to spend upon the dwellings
of the poorer classes would be spread over the whole
nietropolis.
The Right Hon. G. J. O.),cHEN said he thought the
select committee of last session entertained the idea that
there must be a loos upon the operation of the bill, because
in compulsory purchase a higher price had to be paid for
the property than was the cue whenthere was an opportu-
nity of selectingfromthechespest localities. Thecompanies
that hadpronioted the model lodging-houses had been able
to choose their own sites at a much cheaper rate than they
could have done had they determined upon pulling down
I certain property and compensating the owners. It was
not, however, proposed for the State to repay the for con-
templated, but the rates of the metropolis. There was
Knee discussion as to whether the rates should be
laid upon certain districts, but ultimately it was
agreed that they should cover the entire me-
tropolis. A great distinction must be drawn be-
tween overcrowding and additional accommodation,
and the improvement of such accommodation as was in
existence. He did not see how they could with limited
space greatly increase the accommodation, or keep down
the rates. But certainly there might be much improve-
ment. All the property terniedin Mr. Torrens's bill," unfit
for human habitation," might be pulled down, and replaced
by something better. By these means, and in many dif-
ferent ways, the metropolis !specially, if the poor-rates
were equalised, would recoup itself.
Lord Decay—l suppose it is not fair to ask whether the
late government ciuue to any conclusion upon this sub-
ject` (Laughter.)
Mr. Goseime—l think I may say they came to the con-
elusion to support Mr. Tomas' bill.
After further conversation, • . .

Lord DERBY said he could only say there was not one of
the deputation who felt a greater interest in this question
than be did. It was a most difficult and painful subject
He could say for himself and his colleagues that it engaged
their anxious attention, and if they could see their way
to any method of meeting the difficulty, they should
be happy to carry it through, and to receive the asaistance
of those who had made the subject their study. This was
no question of party in any sense, it was a question of
humanity ; and at the same time humanity to which
should be applied the maxims of political economy. If any
mode could be shown by which the existing evils could
even be mitigated, nothing would afford himself and his
colleagues greater pleasure than to carry such a measure
through parliament. (Hear, hear.)
The interview then terminated.

Putt= RATEt Fon Hoarrran.—Several of the
incvd active public men of Liverpool have mooted the de-
sirability of the local hospitals being supported by a rate
levied upon the general inhabitants. This plan would, in
many cases, give increased funds and resources for ad-
ministering relief to very deserving institutions which are
often crippled for funds, while it would leave the donors
who at present support them free to devote their liberality
to educational or other purposes.
CASES IN THE DIVORCE COCRT.—There are 120
cases in the Divorce Court for hearing next term, corn.
mencing to-morrow, of which 84 are to be tried without
juries. In addition, there are 86 cases standing over to be
r..tstored to the list on notice.

TUE COMMON LAW CoußTn.—To-morrow, the
first day of term, the courts will be re-opened at the
usual hour. On the 31st March neat • portiun of the act
ordering fees to be taken by means of stamps will be
repealed. The salaries are not to be deducted, but the
whole fees by stamps paid into the consolidated fund.

- -
ICE IN A MAN'S BusiN.—On Tuesday night, at
as inquest held upon the body of a man who hill died sud-
denly, and whose body was removed to the dead house of
St. Ilargaret's parish, Mr. Hunt, the medical man in the
ca4c, stated that in making the post mortem examination
he found two pieces of toe inside the skull upon the sub-
stance of the brain. _

THE WAGES QUSSTION IN LANCANHIRE.—A
meeting of the Executive Committee of the North of
England Amalgamated Association of Loomers and
Drawers has been held at Bolton for the purpose of con-
sidering the proposed reduction of 5 per cent. in their
wages. All the principal places in North and East Lanca-
shire were represented. and aftersome discussion the meet-
ing decided to give preferenoe to the claim of the loomers
and drawers of Preston, and to authorise them to come out
on strike with 10s. per week relief, if the masters were
determined to reduce their wages instead of curtailing the
hours of labour in the present crisis. On Monday evening
the resolution of the executive was made known to the
Preston masters, who agreed not to reduce the wages of
the locomen and drawers, but to pay them at the some rate
as the Blackburn operatives employed in the same depart-
ment. This decision will virtually amount to an increase
of wages, for at present the loonier. and drawers of Black-
burn are paid on the average at a higher rate than those of
Preston. If the learners and drawers of Preston had been
brought out on strike ell the women in the town would
have been obliged almost immediately to suspend opera-
tions at the mills. A deputation from the weavers, card
room workers, &c., hare also had a conference with the
committee of the Master Spinners and Manufacturers' As.
sociation. The deputation submitted the resolutions
already published, to the effect that it would be better to
wlid short time than to reduce wages. and that if the mills
were only worked at the rate of four days a week the over
productioneausingthe present crisis would soon be redeem'.
The nomters'connittee intimated that the present state or
the cotton market was very peculiar, and that nothieg buts
reduction in wages could in any way meet the difficulty. lb -
garding short time, they argued that it was a matter of dis-
putable exiency, and concluded by ex pressing re•re„, t that
they could not comply with the suggestions of the opera-
tivea' deputation. On Monday night a deputation from the
power-loom weavers. &c., had an interview with a com-
mittee of the manufacturers regarding what is called "the
wheel system." The manufacturers proposed to reduce
the " dividend " from 527 to 507, and this the operatives
contended was equal toe reduction of 34 per cent. After
• good deal of discussion it was resolved that nu alteration
should be made with regard to the "sheet system "at the
time proposed, and that • sub-committee representing both ;
the employers and operatives should be
,appoirded to ,
arrange a proper " dividend " according to • the hicks on ,
the counter," and not by the wheel plan. On the same
evening there was a crowded meeting of operatives in the
Preston Weavers' Institute, to hear the reports of the .le.
potations appointed last Thursday night to wait singly ,
upon the employers at each mill, and to urge them to adopt '
short time rather than reduce wages. The general effect
of the reports was that the masters could not separately
agree to run their mills short time. The meeting after-
wards adopted the following propositions :—" That
we accept five per cent. reduction in our wages, and that
we work no more than four days per week until the state
of the market will enable the masters to increase our
wages to the same point they are now at ;" and " that the I
secretary of the Preston Power-loom Weavers' Association
be requested to prepare notices for posting in every mill in
the town to the effect that on and after the 9th inst. the
operative weavers are prepared to work at a reduction
of fi yelper cent., but that they will not bind themselves
to work more that (our flays per week." The factory
workers of Blackburn and East Lancashire ere manifest-
ing a very determined opposition to the proposed reduc-
tion of 5 per cent from their wages, and both the spinners'
and the weavers' associations are moving strenuously in
the matter.—Leeds Mercury.

[TWOPENCE

THE CANADA CLUB.

The Canada Club entertained at dinner last
evening, at the Albion, Alilersgate-street, the delegates
from the British North American Provinces now in this
country, consisting of the Hon. Messrs. Macdonald, Car-
tier, Henrylouland, and Galt from Canada; the Hon. Dr. Tupper
and Messrs. , Ritchie, and Archibald, from Nova
H Scotia ; and the on. Messrs. Mitchell, Titley, Fisher,
Johnson, and Wilmot, from New Brunswick. Mr.WATILLI4,
M.P., presided, and the company included, besides those
already mentioned, the Earl of Csuuarvon, Sir J. Peking-
ton, Lord Bury, Mr. Kinnaird, ht.P., Mr. T. Baring, M.P.,
Mr. Roebuck, M.P., Lord Wharncliffe, the Lord Mayor,
Sr E. Head, Sir F. B. Head, Vioe-Admiral Sir R. Mundy,
Sir C. M. Simpson, Sir Daniel Gooch, Governor Hincks,
and about GU other gentlemen.
The Earl of CARNARVON, in a speech of considerable
length, contended that the connexion between this country
and her colonies is saved and confirmed rather than de-
stroyed by responsible government. The proposed Con-
federation of our North American provinces would be •
ver7 little departure from the existing principles of consti-
tutional government while there would be a broader
theatre and a larger body of actors. At the same time
the Federative government contemplated was in its nature
a delicate and artificial arrangement. The first condition
necessary to it was, in his opinion, that it should provide
carefully for the relations which must' subsist between
the parts and the whole, and that while on the one hand
the parts—by which he meant the several States—
willingly entered the Union, retaining all the powers re-
uisite for the ' el their local Swallow
era& ' ea the other band. to lb•
availed maple parrs asli to uphold *diislity.
Snt the to secure the proper cohesion of the entire body.
After noticing various objections to the proposed con-
federation the noble earl concluded with stating that the
subject was under he consideration of the government,
and that whatever measures in their opinion would tend
to make these previsions at once more competent and
more powerful would secure not only their warmest sym-
pathy but their most zealous support.
-•- -

- Sir J. PAKINCTON also spoke hrilficir in reply to the tout,
observing that it had been his 4 fortune when at the
Culunial-office to lay the foundation of that system of free-
dom in the ease of our colonies which had been productive
of such satisfactory results, and that be would be happy
to lend all the aid in his power to his noble friend near
him in carrying out a similar policy towards those great
dependencies, which constituted our glory sad pride.

- -
Mr. ROEBUCK. in returning thanks for "The Rouge of
Commons," maid that it was, in his opinion, an assembly
which not only represented the people of England,
but represented them well, and that any attempt
at what sue called reforming it would not im-
prove it, although it might make it more ac-
ceptable to the people of this country. The House
of Commons had of late been made the object of much
clamour, but in what one instance, he would, ask, had it
failed to do its duty? That was a challenge which he
fearlessly threw out, confident that it could not be
answered. Those who made the charge against the House
of Commons of neglect of duty knew that it could not be
sustained, and the real truth. was that all the clamour
which was now raised against it was got up for private
ends. (Cheers.)

MR. Lows, RP., AND TEE REFORM LEAGUE.—
Mr.
, Lowe, M.l'., writes the following letter from
" Drayto?Manor," the seat of Sir Robert Peel, to the
Times ' Mr. Besles says, •I deny that the Reform
League has accused Mr. Lowe of charging the entire work-
ing class of this country with venality, drunkenness, or
other misconduct.' The following resolution was moved
and carried at almost all the meetings held bythe League:
' That this meeting desires to enter a solemn protest
against and its denial of the charges of venality, ignorance,
I drunkenness, and indifference to Reform, brought against
the working classes in the last session of parliament.'
No one can doubt that this is pointed at me • and
every one who has read the quotation in Mr. Bealea's
letter knows that those wards referred to the lower
port of the constituencies in which venality and
other miscouduct exist, and not, as the resolution says, to
the working claming. hirst, the meaning of the passage
was perverted by leaving out all reference to the consti-
tummies. For this Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bright had to
apologise in the face of the House of Commons. Then
the device was adopted of protesting against words which
were never used in the counexion which the protest as-
sumes. The Reform League might bays stated what I
really said, and the inference I drew from it. They pre-
ferred to protest against what they well knew I did not
say. They had a choice between truth and falsehood : for
the purpose of working on the minds of the people they
preferred falsehood ; they must abide by their choice, and
endure the exposure they have deserved."
ST. GEol:OE, HANoVER-SQUARFL—At the usual
weekly meeting of the committee of works for the parish
of St. George, Hanover-square, held yesterday, the chief
surveyor. Mr ' Richman reported that a number of thereto-
payers of the parish had written complaining of the nom-
removal of the snow, and threatening to take proceedings
against the vestry fur not carrying out what they termed
the provisions of the Metropolis Local Management Act.
The threatening litigants resided in Chapel-street.
Greevenoesquare, Denbigh-street, Eaten-place South,
Eaton-square' Katmeterreee, St. George's-square, and
South-street, Park-lane. In reply, he begged to report as
follows :—" If during the latter four days in last week the
vestry had employed, had it been possible, o thousand
carts end three thousand men, sea bad expended even
3,000 f. in the removal of the snow, not one of the above
places would have been alf-rcteil, inasmuch as the thorough-
fares of great traffic, ouch as Piccadilly, Park-lane, Bond-
street, Knightsbridge, Grosvenor-place, and the ap-
proaches to the railway station, would have tint to be
cleared, and before strength could be applied to remedy
any of these complaints the snow would have melted
away, as it has done." The committee coincided with the
surveyor, and passed a resolution that the complainants
be informed that everything had becu done in the emer-
gency respecting the removal of the snow from the
thoroughfares of the parish.
TILE LoRD PRESIDENT or TUN COUNCIL IN
BelSTOL.—Yesteniay the Duke of Buckingham paid a visit
to Bristol for the purpose of distributing the medals,
prises, and certinottes awarded to the pupils of the
Bristol Trade Schools. Ilia graced upon his arrival, was
received by the Right Wershipiu, the Mayor (Mr. K. S.
Robinson), by whom he was entertained at a henilsorne
banquet laid in the council chamber of the Council-house,
and at which most of the leading funetionaries ri! the city
were present. Amongst the guests were the Right Rev.
the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol ; the Very Rev. the
Dean of Bristol, Dr. Elliott ; the Rev. Canon Ma.ely, Rev.
Canon Norris, Rev. Canon Ginllestoue, Rev. Canon
Knight, the Master of the Society of Mr rehants, ,tc. The
presentations were nerds in the splendid leurqueting.luill
of the Guild of Merchant N'enturme.

ACCIDENT TO MAJOK-I:I.N.:KAL SKTIOCII. —On
Saturday last Major-General S‘ymour, deputy ranger of
Windsor Great Park, having been in waiting un the
Queen at Osborne as equerry, retetiu.d unexpectedly in the
afternoon of tliat'llay to his residence, ](wily-;cove, in the
Great Park, and learnt that hie family had left to enjoy a
few hours' skating on a pond not tar distuut. The general,
who is a capital skater, immialiately followed, and on his
arrival cot ... ienced skating, but nut being informed of •
dangerous piece in the ice, skated on a part which gave
way, and sank in the water to a ,14itli of 1.1 feet. On
rising to tl.e surface the treach.:rons ie., again gave way,
and again the general sank. An alarm being given, the
keepers immediately proceeded with a ladder and rope to
his rescue, and fortunately arrived jest at the time as he
again ruse to the surface, and succeeded in rescuing their
master from his perilous position.
ltaibw.te AGILEEIIENT.—A "quadruple agree-
ment" has been concluded between .he Great Western,
the Bristol and Exeter, the South Icedm, and the Louden
and South Western railway imispiunce. Its object is to
avoid bickerings and competitions in future. it is pro-
posed that the ariangemente shall be is perpetuity, and
the sanction of parliament, as well ea of tie shareholders
in the various companies, will he sou.dit to it. A joint
committee is to be foruied, which will iletern,ine every
future question that may arise between the companies;
and in case of the joint committee la ieg unable to agree,
the services of in arbitrator are to be c.dled in. Large
sums have been squandered in ii:sput, lied rivalries be-
tween the Greet Western and the immlon and South
Western, and the policy of '• and peace" now
about to be adupttd must ho productive of great mutual
benefit.
FitogeS TO inquest was held At the
Union Workhouse, l'ershore, on Monday last, before C.
Best, Esq., on the body of a peer old nti.,n, about 70 years
of age, who was found dead in a ditch by the side of the
high road lending to Ilettc.ril, and about :teak distant front
Pershore, on the morning of Saturday last. Edwin Meet,
a travelling tinman, stated that about o'clock on Friday
night last ho overtook deceased in the road under Tiddes-
,abo
ley Wood. When he first saw him he i5..3 in a stooping
mpwti ayait, omn He helpedpicthtyedchaminieupo,panrosditeahayrick Limyr oni for
atieuldt
near the road. He then put the deceased through the
hedge by the rick, and there left him, and went on to
Persbore. Mr. Joseph Phips saddler, was passing along
the high raid near Tiddesley 'Wood, about 7 o'clock on
Saturday morning, when he saw the deceased lying in the
ditch by the road side opposite Mrs. Milward's hayrick.
On further examination lie found the man was quite dead.
He was lying in the !Dow, bad no shirt on, and was very
thinly clothed. Thomas Hunt, blacken/id], of Detford,
corroborated the statements of last witnesa,and in addition
stated that he met deceased the night before, about
7 o'clock, coming along towards Persbore in company with
another man, a short distance from where the body wee
found. Verdict, " Death from exposure to the cold."—
Worcestershire Chrosiok.

,1

BROWN and POISON'S CORN FLOUR
for CHILDMINE DIET.
To obtain extra profit by the sale other kinds are sometimes
oßered instead of DROWN and POLSON'd.
"John Brown," ••John Poison,- is sispiednn the makers on
each packet.