The Express.
London, England, 1866-08-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY. EVENING, AUGUST 29, 1866.

were employed in the houses of " mistresses- oa work from
wait:houses ; but a great improvement has been made in
regard to the age at which such hands wei e ou ployed.
populatio.l was considerable Mich being about
13-1,000 employed in the town on lace ; the materials
worked cost 1,715,0001.; the wages and profits 3,415,0001.,
and the net returns 5,130,000/. In regard to the hosiery
trade, there were at work 7,500 men and 3,500 women and
youths at wages from 6s. to 36e. a week, besides 4,250 men
working on hand-machines, and the trade gave employ-
ment us all to 17,000 males and 44,000 females ; the esti-
mated returns being 2,000,0001. The two staple trades of
Nottingham distributed 8,000,0001. last year, and furnished
employment to 520,000 workpeople.
In a paper read by Mr. GDORGE SENIOR, " On the
diminution of accidents in coal mines since the appoint-
ment of government inspeetors," it was stated that the
results of the applicationlof the acts of 100-55 relating to
the general working, management, and inspection of mules
had been to diminish very largely the loss of life amongai
the mining operatives, and especially in the case of ex-
plosions, wherein the saving of life amounts to nearly 50
percent., and in accidents in pit-shafts, where the loss of
life bad been reduced 40 per cent. The loss of life in 1864,
in raising 0,278 millions of tons of coal, was one in every
334 persons employed, and only one life was sacrificed in
raising each one hundred and ten thousand tons of coal.
The Rev. A. W. WORTHINGTON read some remarks " On
the disproportion between the male and female population
of some manufacturing and other towns." In substance it
stated that the proportion of females to males in the whole
population was 105 to 100, but where employment differed
in different towns and districts, and as men or women
found ready employment, one or the other predominated in
number. In the mining districts, of which Newcastle is
the centre, and that in which Sheffield stood, in Stafford,
in the barrack towns of Canterbury, Winchester, and Col-
chester men predominate, while in manufacturing districts,
like Manchester and others, and notably in Norwich,
there is an excess of women. In Nottingham there was
an extraordinary excess of women over men, and this was
also the ease in seaport towns like Plymouth and Bristol,
and it was still more marked in Liverpool. It is supposed
that female labour in manufacturing districts will increase
rather than diminish, owing to its comparative cheapness ;
but it is attended by serioua social and domestic
especishilliajz:venile mortality. The rate of illegitimacy was
also where there was an excess of women, and in
Notting that rate reached 10 per cent. of all
the births. It was suggested that she means of amend-
ment of this state of things was to be found in the pro-
motion of family life, and especially by leaving the wife
and mother to attend to her domestic duties, and
employers of labour were urged not to employ married
women. _

In a communication by Mr. THOMAS BROWNE "On the
transfer of real property," the history of the existing
systemwn twhasat traced from from its 7anliestantiniachearo,nia.ld itw which
pressed hard even on practically
inasmuch as they Were paid
by the length of the deeds they drew whether short or
long—and thus it might often happen that their remune-
ration was inadequate to the care and thought bestowed
on their work. It was urged that the present was the
moment for changing the system of the transfer of real
property, as statistical details were about to be obtained by
the Board of Trade of the acreage of landed property, and
the mode of cultivation of every acre. From these returns,
if they were attached to some standard survey map of Eng-
land, and duly apportioned by figures, used for reference, all
the landed property of England might, on the principle of a
limited liability company, be allotted into so many shares of
one acre each. These might be issued in the form of scrip, by
a government registry to the present owners of land upon
their affording satisfactory proof of ownership, and could
then be readily transferable, like other shares. This plan
need not interfere with the law of primogeniture, and
need cause very fewchange■ in the practice of conveyancing,
except in the abolition of obsolete forms.

Mr. lama I.lsYwoop, F.LS., read an elaborate and
comprehensive paper on the subjects required in the
Classic►l Tripos Examination, and in the Trinity College
Fellowship Examination at Cambridge.

*parting Entelligente.

TUNBRIDGE RACES.—Treemy.

This pleasant little reunion was inaugurated to-day under
somewhat favourable auspices. The weather with the exception
of a slight shower or two, keeping tine, and the attendance behig
quite up to the average. The course, which is pleasantly situated
by the side of the river Medway, is within half-a-role of the
town. The number of pleasure-seekers was very large, while the
professional racing men were well represented. The and con-
tained live races, six being apportioned for to morrow. The
sports commenced at 2 o'clock, and terminated at a.
Tug LADD& PLATS (Handicap) of 40 soya, for all *gm
Winners extra. Halt a mile.
Mr. E. W. Taylor's Voihynla
Mr. Mason's Duke of Cambridge
Mr. Franks' Lord Waldegrave
The following also ran :—Besse, Goldylocks, Astonishment,
Newnham, La Muth, Bayleat, and Owlet.
Betting: 6 to 2 agst Bessie, 7 to 2 agst Ooldylocka and 6 to
1 agst any other.
THE Two-YEAR-OLD STAIRS of 6 son. each, with 40 added:
for culla, Bst 101 b ; and Shea, gat 71b; winners extra ; certain
allowances. The winner to be sold for £3OO.
Mr. Johnson's Diamond
Mr. England's Lady Pam 2
Mr. Wadson's Pevensey
The following also ran :—Bawaney, Vigor and Bonnyaide.
Betting; 7 to 4 agst Pevensey, 2 to 1 eget Lady Pam, and 6 to 1
agst any other.
THE TUNBRIDGE HANDDIAP Of 10 KM. each, 6 ft, with 60
added ; winners extra. A mile and a half. (16 subs., 6of whom
pay 2 soya each to the fund.)
Mr. liamerton's b c by Erogenic...
Mr. Eager's Maid of Erin
Mr. York's Kingmaker
Olivia aloe started.

1
2
s

Betting ; Even on 011;ia, and 7 io2eTsch apt the Frogmore
wit and Maid of Erin.
Tan SZVENOAHS Svesivn of 5 lova. each, with 20 added; for
all ages ; selling and other allowances. Five furlongs. (S subs.)
SightingaD's ®burg 1
Mr. Marsh's Isabella 2
_ . _

Betting: 3 to 1 on Elburg.
THE SersitY HANDICAP PLATE of 30 son., for all ages. Etre
furlongs.
Mr. Marsh's Isabella 1
Mr. B. Ledger's Bay Leaf E
Mr. J. Mason's Duke of Cambridge S
Betting : even apt Bay Leaf, 5 to 2 apt Isabella, and 4 to 1
apt Duke of Cambridge:

BETTING AT MANI
ST. LI

.-TCZSDAY.

-.. —.--.
Even on Lord Lyon (t and off) 2000 to 60 apt Knight of the
4 to 1 and Savernakeit&of) Crescent (t)
7 to 1 Rustle (of) 40 to 1 Raptd Rhone's
12 to 1 Strathconan(off) dam colt (of)
20 to 1 Westwiek 40 I

THE DERBY.

1000 to 70 apt D'Estournel;fi—liio 1 agst Ilombastes(off,
IWO to 60 Marksman (off) t4oto 1)
1000 to 40 Julius (t) 2000 to 93 Grand Cross (t)
000 to IS Dragon 3)

LICHFIELD RACES.-TIMSDAT.

Tim ANSON PLATE (Handicap) of SO lova ; winners extra.
Mr. Phillips's Wave
Mr. Turner's Coleus°
Mr. Lincoln's Zisca

The following also ran :—Humphrey, Havannah, Lady of Rank,
Bluecap, Foreign Slaw, and The Rock.
A aiwumrskis of 10 sons. each, for 2 and 3-yr-olds
penalties and allowances. Half.a.mile.
Marquis of Hastings's Prodigal 1
Mr. W. T. Copeland's Fredericia
Betting 6to 1 on Prodigal.
nig COLD CUP (Handicap) of 100 son. in specie; winners
entra. One mile.
Duke of Beaufort's Lord Ronald
Mr. E. Buckley, juu.'s Wynnstay 2
Mr. lildson's Edgbaston
The following also ran:—.lice Leo, Wild Briar, Little Ellen,
and Gundrede.

Betting: Even on Lord Ronald, 11 to 2 agst Alice Lee, 6to 1
agat Wild Briar, 10 to 15 eget (Modred°.
To ANGLESET PLATE of 40 /AWL ; weight for age; selling and
other allowances. Six furlougs.
Mr. Rickards' Cantharides 1
Mr. T. Cliff's Ruth Caerhydon
Mr. Hallord's Foreign Stamp 3
Betting: 6 to 4 agat Cantharides, 7 to 4 eget Ruth Caerhydon,
to 2 :tot F.reign Stamp.
TIIE FLTLNO STAKES of 40 som., added to a sweepstakes 01
I ass. each winners extra. lialf a mile.
Mr. T. Stevens's Cranbury .
Mr. Drake's little Clo ....
Mr, Barbera Locket Lucy

1

Tom Coke and Polka also ran.

Betting : 11 to 10 abet Cranbury, 3 to 1 agat Little Go, 5 to 1
agat Locket Lucy.
IMR St AJESTVS PLATS of 100 guineas. Two miles
Mr. R. Sutton's Elland 1
Mr. !Mum's Lady Calthorpe
Mr. Balfour's Lady of Rank

Baba antf iffilitarn.

ADMIRALTY, AUGUST 28. AeeolterwwwTa.
Sub-Lieutenant F. A. Gataker to the Ocean.
Second 31aeten J. 31. Lloyd, to the Dee ; IL W.
Campion, to the Nimble.
Engineers J. W. Nott and F. Pugh to the Victoria
(additional), for disposal.
First Class Assistant Engineers B. Taylor and J. It. R.
Pothm, to the Victoria (additional), for disposal ; A. Law-
ton, to the Royal George.
First Class Acting Assistant Engineer S. Chaulter, to
the Asia, for service in the Valiant.
Second Class Assistant Engineers C. R. James and R.
Jag°, to the Victoria (additional), for disposal.

CHATHAM, AUGUST 28.
This morniug the whole of the troops attached
to the battalions of infantry at this garrison were drawn
up on the general parade-ground, Chatham barracks, for
the purpose of witnessing the presentation of silver
medals and gratuities which had been awarded by the
Duke of Cambridge to a number of non-commissioned
officers and men of various regiments at this garriaon' for
long service and good conduct. The troops having been
formed in square, the names of the non-commissioned
officers and men selected for decoration were read out to
the troops, and these were afterwards presented with their
medals in the presence of the whole of the depots. The
following are the non-commissioned officers and men to
whom medals were awarded :—Sergeant J. M'Carthy,
106th Regiment, medal and gratuity of 151.; Sergeant W.
Goode, Ist battalion Bth Regiment, and Sergeant C.
Mayner, let battalion 22nd Regiment, medal and gratuity
of 101, each; Private G. Cleaves, let battalion 20th Regi-
ment, medal and Si. The following non-commissioned
officers and men were awarded medals without gratuities:
Sergeant J. Madden and Private J. Ryan, Ist battalion
15th Regiment : Private J. Jones, 45th Rent ; and
Privates C. Stanford, T. Rokelly, and F. Kahern, lit
battalion Bth Regiment.

TROOPS FOR THE CANADIAN FILONTLER. -
Intelligence was received in the city yesterday, to the
effect that it was contemplated by the government to
place two or three battalions of volunteer infantry, a
corps of cavalry, together with a wing of a regiment of
the regular service, and • battery of artillery on the
frontier duty immediately. The force will be stationed
on the Niagara frontier, and a portion at least in
the vicinity of the town of Welland, under canvas,
where the regular eight days' drill will be put
in by the volunteers—these to be relieved by
other corps u soon as their usual term is completed.
The 10th Royals, and Governor-General's Body Guard
leave this city on Friday morning, as part of the corps of
observation to be thus formed, to be joined by the 13th
from Hamilton, with that portion of the regular force
ordered into camp. The recent determination of the
Militia authorities to place the whole volunteer force
under canvas has resulted in the movement taking the
form it has ; but the concentration on the Niagara fron-
tier is no doubt dictated by prudential motives. The
government have been actively in communication with the
Commander of the Forces in making these arrangements,
and by the time the volunteers move everything will be in
readiness for their reception.—Torurzto Globe, Auguatl4,

CoNTILicT I'01:1.0PATION COMPANY (LI-
MITED). AND OVEREND, GURNEY, AND CO.
(LIMITED).

Yesterday there was a large attendance in the
chambers of Vice-Chaneellor Stuart, Lincoln's-inn, in con-
sequence of motions which were to corns on in the Omits
of these companies.
Mr. Linklater, on behalf of the liquidators in the cue of
the Contract Corporation, applied to the Chief Clerk (Mr.
Peaks) fora call upon the contributories to the amount of
no less than 30/. a share. This was the signal for a storm
of objections. They were chiefly of a technical character ;
but three shareholders alleged that they had protested
against having their names put down hi the list of contribu-
tories, and that their cues stood adjourned. They there-
fore declined to be made the subject of any order while
the matters in dispute remained undecided.
The Chief Clerk suggested that the order for the call
might be made, provided that the liquidator agreed not to
enforce it before those questions were determined.
Two of the objectors expressed themselves willing to
accept this arrangement, but the third refusing,
The call was ordered to be made, payable on the let of
October, but not to include the names of the three gentle-
men in question. It was also arranged that the order
itself should not be formally made till thelstof September,
so as to allow certain other oontributorles to appeal to the
Muter of the Rolls.
Mr. Linklater, in reply to a question, said that the call
was in addition to that previously made by the company
of 15/., and he regretted to add that it would not be the
last. The melancholy state of the meets was such that
the whole amount of the shares would be required.
The Chief Clerk —Will not the amount of the call in
some degree depend also upon the melancholy circum-
stances of some of the contributories?
Mr. Linklater—Yes, and I may add that some gentlemen
that were at first very much opposed to the amount of the
call have upon reflection changed their opinions, and they
now regret that it is not larger. (Derisive cheers.)
In the case of Overend, Gurney, and Co., Mr. Lewis, of
Ely-place, appeared on behalf of Mr. F. Dundee told a
hundred other shareholders interested to the extent of a
quarter of a million, and prayed for leave to inspect the
books and papers of the company. Mr. "Lewis supported
his application by a reference to the various winding-up
acts, and by a reference also to what he submitted was
the common sense and justice of the case. If there
were ten thousand shareholders, they were all putative,
and the books were in reality their own property. He
read an affidavit of a Mr. Howell, setting forth the chief
points in the history of the concern, with which the com-
mercial worlds. only too familiar; and stating his opinion
that such an inspection as was asked for was absolutely
necessary, in order to put the shareholders in posserron
of the true facts relating to the formation and the ruin of
the company. It else mentioned that Messrs. Young and
Co. had been solicitors of the late firm of Gurney and Co.,
of the new company, and of the liquidator'. He (Mr.
Lewis) did not dwell upon this circumstance as in any
manner impeaching thehonour of Messrs. Young, but he
submitted that it was impossible for them legitimately to
act in capacities necessarily so adverse.
The Chief Clerk—But you don't show in what respect
the inspection for which you ask is necessary.
Mr. Lewis—lt is necessary for the protection of the
interests of my clients, upon whom a call has been made of
101. a share. They contend that the transfer of the busi-
ness was tainted with fraud, and that therefore they are not
liable.
The Chief Clerk—But "apposing that you found out all
you want to know, would that save your clients from the
call?
Mr. Lewis—Yes ; for we contend that many of the cre-
ditors of the new company were creditors of the old firm.
Mr. Lewis then road a supplementary affidavit of Mr.
Howell respecting the committee of supervision. Ono of
these gentlemen, Mr. Oppenheim, was a pure creditor to
the amount of 15,000/. • another, Mr. Orissa, was
directly a creditor for a similar amount, and indirectly for
21,000&, while be only held SO shares ; and the third, Mr.
Kingscote, a pure shareholder, was incapacitated by ill-
ness from acting. He therefore urged that the committee
could not be taken as representing the interests of the
shareholders, and in point of fact, though appointed on
the 10th of June, they had as yet done nothing.
Mr. Mackenzie, who appeared on behalf of Mr. Milford,
a holder of 50, and of Mr. Abbott. a holder of 100 shares,
observed that there were 2,300 shareholders, and it was
absolutely impossible to allow every one of them to come
forward with applications like tl.at of Mr. Lewis, whose
object, it appeared to him, was to obtain a fishing inquiry,
with a view to their future course. His client, however,
had a definite object, which was to take proceedings against
Messrs. Gibbs, Barclay, Gordon, and Read, the directors
of the new company, for issuing a prospectus stating,
amongst other things, that the old firm would guarantee
the new one from loss upon the business they were about
to take over, and for the goodwill of which no lees than
500,000/. had been paid—a statement they would never have
made if they had made proper inquiries before, and upon
the faith of which his clients bad bought their shares. At
the same time he (Mr. Mackenzie) could quite understand
that, as a firm like that of Overend and Gurney must have
been in the secrets of half London, it would be very oh-

jectionable to make any indiscreet 'disclosures concerning
their affairs. lie should, therefore, be perfectly content
if the liquidators, who were officers of the aunt, would
themselves undertake to prepare by the Ist of November
a report containing the information he sought.
The Chief Clerk did not think the court could give any
facilities for obtaining information on which to found pro-
ceedings for fraud. The object of the inspection cieild
only be to ascertain the rights and liabilities of the share-
holders.
Mr. Clements (of the firm of Messrs. Bircham and Co.)
appeared for the committee of supervision, and urged that
these gentlemen who enjoyed the confidence of the share-
holders, had felt it their duty to iiiffer considerably from
the liquidators, had actually called a meeting of the share-
holders to complain of their conduct, and were most
anxious to obtain a full investigation of the aft:ilea of the
company. At the same time they wished to have their
powers defined, and in particular they required for the
efficient di.charge of their duties to he supplied with
copies of various documents which the liquidators had
withheld from them.
The Chief Clerk—What is the use of the supervision
without access to documents? Suppose I were auditing an
estate, and I were told that them wax 20,000!. lent upon a
mortgage, but when I asked to see that mortgage it was
refused me, of what good would it be for me to pretend to
audit the accounts
Mr. Clements said that his application on behalf of the
committee had also the assent of Mr. Peaks, who was
the holder of 2,000 shares.
Mr. Harding (a liquidator) was surprised to hear the
statement of Mr. Clements. There bad been no refusal to
produce papers ; but there were some documents which it
would do great harm to disclose; and, in fact, harm had
already been done by things getting abroad which ought to
have remained private. His fellow liquidator (Mr. Tur-
quand) and himself bad a report in progress which
should shortly be laid before the Viet-Chancellor, and
which would contain the information sought, respecting
both with regard to the formation of the company and to
its subsequent history.
Mr. Lewis was quite sure that no such disclosures
would come out through the instrumentality of the liquid-
ators as would satisfy him.
The Chief Clerk thought that discovery mast in some
way be made.
Mr. Maynard, who said he represented creditors to the
amount of 800,0001., and also Mr. Lucas, who was a large
shareholder, agreed that there ought to be a full investiga-
tion, hut thought that it would just now be highly dan-
gerous to allow the papers of the firm to be ransacked.
Mr. Harding would suggest that a meeting should bo
held under the direction of the court, and that the share-
holders should be directed to appoint one of their number
to represent their interests. The assets would be very ma-
terially prejudiced if various matters connected with them
were made public.
Mr. Lewis—l will undertake to make nothing public.
Mr. Harding—We are preparing a statement which will
be ready on this day week.
Mr. Lewis—But will you postpone the call till then?
The Chief Clerk—What effect do you suppose that that
statement would have upon the call?
Mr. Lewis—We should then he able to take steps to
strike off names from the list on the ground of fraud.
Mr. Harding—Now we have got at the real object of
this application ; but surely as that is to suspend the call
it would have been more fair to have taken out the sum-
mons openly for that purpose.
The Chief Clerk—Would it not be possible to appoint
some one person to make the investigation on the part both
of Mr. Lewis's clients and of the committee of supervision.
Mr. Lewis—l would consent to that.
The Chief Clerk—l think there must be an order to in-
spect, but it meet be sub modo—some arrangement must
be made as to the terms on which it is to be carried out.
The order will require some care iu framing it, so as to
prevent it from interfering with the liquidators, who have
important duties to perform.
Mr. Clements—l think it right to state that the com-
mittee of supervision cannot subordinate their inquiries to
those of Mr. Lewis.' clients.
The Chief Clerk—l cannot make more than one order.
I would suggest that you should try to come to some
understanding as to who shall be appointed; but if that
cannot be done I shall exercise my own discretion •, and in
the meantime I will adjourn the gunnies till Thursday
next.
The court did not rise till half-past five.

GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.—
The eighty-third half-yearly meeting of the share-
holden in the General Steam Navigation Company was
held yesterday, at their offices, 71,Lombard-street ; Mr.
John Wilkin in the chair. The report of the director, and
a statement of the accounts for the half-year to the 30th
June last were read and unanimously adopted. The cus-
tomary dividend of 14s. per share (being at the rate of 10
per cent. per annum) was declared, and the cordial thanks
of the proprietors were voted to the chairman and direo-
tors for their continued and successful exertions in the
management of the ootapany's affairs. The meeting then
separated.
The rinderpest, or something as fatal continues
to break out in various parte of the Slid Riding of York-
shire. Some farmers have lost sheep andothees pigs in
numbers, and hem and there the true rinderpest appears
among the cattle. One of the latest outbreaks is at Roo.,
whirs upon one farm 11 beasts had to be shot.