The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-26 00:00:00

LONDON GENERAL PORTERS' BENEVOLENT
ASSOCIATION.

Last night a very numerous meeting was held at
the School-room, Harp-alley, Farringdon-street ; Mr. G.
itOUTLIDGE in the chair.

The CHAIRMAN said that the present meeting was cello;
with a view of making known the objects of the amsocia-
Um' and obtaining an increased number of subscribes
amongst the porters themselves. They were already pretty
strong in number, the association counting over 2,000 mem.
bers ; bat there were at least 30,000 porters in London,
and they would be stronger byrodby. (Hear, hear.)
They were fortunate in having such men as Mr. S.
Gurney and Mr. G. Moore as president and trea-
surer of the association, and under such auspices
it was not likely to fail. They had already col-
lected a sum of between 3,000/. and 4,0001. That was
not a large sum when meant to afford relief to so large a
body, but if they were only trae to themselves—for God
helped those that helped themselves—that sum would soon
be doubled. He was sure they would receive considerable
aid from the employers of porters, but after all they must
mainly depend on their own efforts. (Hear.) It only re.
quired ss. a year to constitute a member, and surely when
they cousidered the advantages which members and their
families might derive from such an association as this, ss. a
year was not a great or unreasonable demand to make upon
their resources. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Hamar proposed the following resolution That
this meeting desires to express its satisfaction at the success
which has attended the London General Porters' Benevolent
Association, by which means a fund has beer raised for the
relief of the necessitous porters, their widows and orphans."
The objects of the association were to grant pensions to
infirm or permanently disabled porters within a distance of
ten miles from the Post-office, and to their widows and or-
phans. The porters were a numerous and a deserving class
of persons, and when they could do so much good by the
small contribution of Id. a week, he hoped they would all
become subscribers.

Mr. F. T. Isrrr seconded the resolution, which was sup.
ported by Mr. BALL, and unanimously adopted.
The SECRETARY read a list of subscriptions amounting to
Cr?. Se., of which 42f. was collected by Mr. Routledge--an
announcement which was received with loud cheers.
Mr. PARNEY proposed the following resolution :—" That
this meeting pledges itself to use its utmost exertions to
forward the interest of the London General Porters' Bene.
volent Association, by subscribing to its funds, and using
every possible means to extend and make known the
benefits to be derived from the institution." He
they would not merely adopt the resolution formally,
give it an effective support by becoming subscribers. If
they did so they might perhaps be able to relieve the 12
cases that would come before them in May next. If they
did not, they must reject eight or nine of these cues. He
therefore called on them to join the association. (Hear.)
Mr. XsanNDAL2 seconded the resolution, which was sup.
by Mr. Srevass, a porter in the establishment of
portedeir . Trower and Sons, who contributed the large amount
of 1151. to the funds.
_ _

The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Mr. LTraingtt, proposed the following resolution : "That
the porters of London desire to offer their grateful acknow-
ledgments to the honorary subscribers for the large and
generous contributions with which they have aided the
association, and to express their deep sense of the value c
such ready and liberal support."
Mr. RYMER seconded the resolution, which was adopted.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro•
ceedings.

PARLIAMENTARY AND RAILWAY CON•

XITTEEB.

HAMMIIISMITH, PADDINGTON, AND CITY JVNC-
Ttos R AILWAT. —The committee of the House of Lords that,
under the chairmanship of Earl Grey, have just concluded
their inquiry into the merits of this measure for a railway corn-
menciog by a junction with the Great Western, near Green-
lane•bridge, and terminating at the Broadway, Hammer.
smith, together with two branches to and forming junctions
with the West London Railway, and thence by the Metro.
politan or underground railway into the City, at an esti-
mated capital of 180,0001., report, as regards " the
number of houses to be taken and the consequent displace-
ment of the poor," that compulsory powers of purchase
given by the bill extend only to 51 house, or cottages
tenanted by the labouring classes, and that it is not expected
that inconvenience will be experienced, as although thee*
houses are within the limits of deviation, and may be
taken for the railway, only ten of them are upon the centre
line delineated on the plan, and that in the neighbour.
hood, the Latirrer•road, where these houses are all situated,
and adjoining it there are a number of houses in an unfi-
nished state, and which have remained so for years, partly
for want of funds and want of occupiers, but which are all
adapted for the labouring classes. Their lordships report
that the line will afford a speedy and convenient communi-
cation to those of the labouring classes employed in the
densely peopled parts of the metropolis, but who reside in
the suburbs.

CHEAP TRAM FOR mu WORKING CLAIMER ox THN
NORTH LONDON RAILWAT.—The following are the terms of
the special clause inserted by the select committee of the
House of Lords of which Lord Colchester was chairman :
"The railway company shall run a train every day in the
week, except Sunday, from Kingsland station to Liverpool-
street, City terminus, and one train from Liverpool-street
to Kiogsland, at such hours in the morning and afternoon
as nix y be roost convenient for the labouring classes residing
at or beyond Kingelanii, and having business in London. at
fares not exceeding ld. per paissenser for each journey,
provided that if in any period of six months it shall be
foundithat less than 100 passengers on the average shall have
been conveyed by each of such trains, the company, on proof
of that fact to the satisfaction of the Board of Trade, may
discontinue the running of such trains, but the Board of
Trade may at any time order the resumption thereof by the
company if it shall seem to the board desirable."
MERIOSETHISHIRC RAILWAY. —The bill for this proposed
railway has been withdrawn.