The Express.
London, England, 1866-11-24 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED TRADE SOCIETIES' REFORM
DEMuNsTRATIO.Y.

List evening a numerously attended meeting of
trades delegates was held at the Sussex Hotel, Bouverie-
areet—Mr. Groace POISES in the chair—for the purpose
of syringing the details of the proposed demonstration,
but more especially to consider the position in which the
r°:=ing committee and secretary are placed by the
of the solicitors of Mr. Simpson, the leaseholder ef
Ashburnham-grounds, to allow that place to be used for
the purpose intended. The Chairman said, with regard to
the correspondence which had appeared in reference to Ash-
burnham-powids, he had no hesitation in expressing his
belief that the parties were moved by those who were
determined to throw every obstacle in the way of the
trades and of reform. They had been threatened with an
injunction from the Vice-Chancellor in the event of their
determining to bold the demonstration in Ashburnham-
grounds, and in reply they had stated their intention of
adopting one of two courses—namely, to hold the proposed
meeting, or to claim indemnification for what they had
expended in the making of preliminary arrangements. As
the committee could not get Ashbumham-grounds except
by force, they had endeavoured to find a suitable place for
the holding of the demonstration. They had been making
inquiries respecting Lord's Cricket-ground, and had sent •
telegram to the chief person connected with that place,
but who, instead of replying to them, sent back
their telegram, thus putting them to an expense
of nine shillings. They had applied for Kennington-
oval, but the proprietor told them he would lose his
lease by giving it to them. They hail been mama:earful
in an application for the use of Vineeet-wpare, Weennin-
'ter, in consegnonce of the absence of the Dean. The
Agricultural Hall was engaged by the Smithfield Cattle
Club Committee, and they could not get a delinita answer
respecting the Crystal Palace until after a special meeting
of the directors. The Secretary (Mr. Hartwell) stated
that, with a view to obviate the difficulties which would
surround the committee in the event of their failing to
find a private place for the holding of the demonstration,
he had that day written a letter to Lord John Manners,
to the effect that the committee, having perceived that he
had given permission to the trades of Ed i..burgh to meet
in the Queen's Park, asked his lordship to allow the trades
of London to meet in Hyde-park or the Green-park, end
requesting him to receive a deputation on the subject.
Mr. Hartwell added that he had requested the Chief
Commissioner of Works to send an immediate reply in
order that the committee might be able to take action at
that meeting, and Lord John Manners sent a reply by re-
turn of post stating his readiness to receive the deputa-
tion as requested. The secretary further reported that an
enclosed place in the vicinity of Dromptou would in all
probability be procured for the demonstration. A resolu-
tion expressing the determination of the delegates to
retain Ashburnham-grounds until another place had been
found was unanimously adopted. The secretary stated
that from 200 to 300 mounted farriers would head the pro-
cession, and the branches of the Reform League had offered
to bring up the rear. A ballot was then taken for the
order of the trades in the procession. A resolution in
favour of the insertion in the morning papers of an adver-
tisement calling on the employers to close their places of
business on the 3rd of December was unanimously agreed
to, after which the proceedings terminated.