The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-01 00:00:00

SOCIETY FOR TAB PROTECTION OP TRACI.

Yesterday evening • meeting of the members of
this society was held at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great
Queen-street, Mr. 13twourr in the chair. The report stated
that during the past year the society continued to enjoy the
confidence of every branch of the merosatile world, sad bad
received an teams* of 880 member. The total claims pro-
secuted by the moiety during the year had bees 170,4611.,
of which 46.61 W. had been recovered without coat to the
members. Many of the debts so recovered had Man bed or
doubt/al, er eves barred by the statute of limitetiees
was stated to be on the increase in
l , and other large towns, The maser
is the swindlers acted was to take offices in &Sweat
end then order goods from manufacturers and refer
places,
to each other ; bat they were sharply watched
is Us modem departments by the eonsty, she committee
bang for the most part acquainted with their handwriting.
Several at these depredators had been prosecuted with effect
the gooney, which had active branch sasociatims at
Rueter, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Cheltenham, Brighton, So.
The tutal receipts for the year amounted to 4,4231. Is. 104.,
sad the expenditure to 4,3321. ss. 114.; sad, including
Conlon, cash at bankers, dec., there was a balance of 2,7301.
Ile. Id. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of
the report, enlarged upon the advantages of the
society as wen in the large proportion of claims which had
bees raeovered through its agency. The loss prevented by
inquiry, although it could not be set forth in figure', was, be
bed no doubt, tar greater than the amount of debt recovered.
He regretted, how. Ter, that there were many simrions so-
cieties, which were no societies at all, but conducted for the
Meat of individuals who, however honest they might be,
yet they ought not to receive the support of the trading com-
munity. Mr. Michell seconded the motion, and regretted
that in too many instances the law sympathised with the
swindler, lie wished the society would urge this objection
upon Ile legislature. Mr. Taverner having supported the
motion, it was unanimously adopted. Thanks were they
voted to the masseur committee, the auditors, and solicitors,
when the proceedings terminated.

NEW POETTECNNIC OOMPANT.—A meeting of
the shareholders of this company we held yesterday at the
Polytechnic Institution, Nageat-street; Mr. Gurney, N.P.
in the chair. The report stated that the present number of
shares taken is 859, on 762 of which the first call ham been
paid, amounting to 7621. The 869 shares at 71. per alters
will yield 0,0131., and 616 donations tasks up 6,6281. A
loss at 8 per cent. bat been offered with which to commence
operations. The official managers having determined to offer
the property for sale by public auction, it is obviously inex-
pedient for this company to enter Into soy direct negotiation
for the perebecie until after the result of the auction Mall have
bees moartained. Should eligible terms of purchaes be
obteleed by this company from the official moaners of the
lase Polytechnic Company, it is probable that doodler call
will be forthwith male upon the shareholders not exceeding
61. per share. The whole oldie preliminary expenes of the
company up to the present date amounts to less than 2001.
The report was unanimonaly adopted, end the directors
having bean appointed, Mr. Gown moved, " Thar the
directors he authoriiied to ester into terms for the mdsee
ot thnbuildins. inclading the great theatre, for a sum not
exceediag 4,0001., on such terms as they consider beneficial;
and if they WOr into ruob onetract, to mak. a can on the
shareholders not elocading U. per slam" Mr. 81.11encia
semisded the resolution, which, attar some &bombe, wee
ee by a large majority.
ItZDVCTION 11l THE WINE DUTlES.—lnstructions
have hew received at the Liverpool Custom-house to reduce
W duties on wises, from yesterday inclusive, to 3e, per
gallon, sad to lower the allowance on drawbacks to 3e. per
The late fancy drug ball in St. George's-hail,
Liverpool, which woe attended by 1,417 persona, produced •
great el overly 3001. The oommates have made the follow-
Mg demean= :—To the Royal lailemarv. TOOL • 10 the
Ir aced
,
each
and lestherw sack 1206 ; the North
itiati_DWPgandm each 1206; end to the Noticed
latimair"7