The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-21 00:00:00

(Stamped, Id. AdditioilaL) [TWOPENCE

PARLIAMMTARY COMMITTEES.

POOR RELIEF (ENGLAND.)
This committee met again on Tuesday, Xr. Villiers in the
chair.
Mr. Yardley was examined. Re add, I was one of the
Thames police magistrates during the late extraordinary
severe weather. A very large amount of mosey was sent
to the office by the public, which I and my colleague die-
triliuted to the poor to the best of our jadgmeat We had
no means of ascertaining accurately whether the pemons ap-
plying for relief were proper objects, as we were obliged to
proceed in a great measure haphazard. I gave instructions
to the police to relieve no one without lookisg at their
hands to see if they had the horny hand of persons
accustomed to haru work. I have all along been
of opinion that police magistrates are not it persona
for dist,ributing relief in that way. My colleague distributed
his part of the fund chiefly amoug the women, awl he relied
In a great degree ou letters which those women brought from
clergymen of various deoominations. I bad no reason to
suppiree that there was any neglect whatever on the part of
the relieving officers of the parish. During the fourteen
veers I have been at the Thanies police-mut there was
hardly a day that there was not sonar complaint brought
before me againet some of the relieving officers. I always
investigated those eases, and invariably found them ground-
less. In all thine fourteen years I was lever obliged but
once to grant a compulsory order for relief. I did not com-
municate with the parish authorities as to distributing this
relief, because I considered it quite lodepeisieut of parish
relief. I distributed taW., M., and upwards, every day
for several weeks. . . .

By lied R. Cecil—The complaints I have referred to scaled
the pima autboritien were *heel, for went of adequate.
relief ; but, as I said been, I ethernet invariably found them
to be groundless. At the beginning of the late distress I
protested against pollee insrektrates being made distributors
of relief in this way. My protest was widely circulated in
the newspapers, and yet there was more money sent to us
this year than ever oluriug the whole previous eight years.
Taking the average of the laid eight years, the amount re-
ceived at the Thames Police.orlice for the relief of the poor
was 5001. a year. while the amount received this winter was
4.0001. I have refused vary emaiderable sums of money,
and 1 have also returned as much money as I possibly could.
By Sir W. Jolliffe—l know it has been stated is the
public prints that the poor-law system was insufficient for
the purpose, but that is not my opinion, nor do I believe it
to be the general opinion,though I have no special mean@ of
knowing.
The witness proceeded to say, in answer to further ques-
tions by different members of the committee, I observed a
marked contrast in the conduct of the people is applying for
relief this year as compared with that of the people in 1855,
when there was severe distress. In 1855 there was • strong
dispraition to riot, but this year the people were remarkably
well behaved. I have no reason to say that owing to the
religious prejudices of this country there was any unwil-
lingness to give relief to the Roman catholic poor. I re-
lieved many Irish Roman catholic@ on account ef letters
they brought from ROOM' catholic priests, who I consi-
dered were better judges of three who were really in dis-
tress than • police magistrate can he. 1 am of opinion
that money is a better mesas of relief than food,
because the poor know where to buy what snits
them best. I know that there is • public-house in my dis-
trice at which bread, ke., could be exchanged at any time
for money (at • lower rate than the real value), and also
for beer. la most cases, where bread was offered at such
places, the equivalent demanded would be beer. A strict
account is kept at the police-odthe of every item which is
distributed. This account is kept by the clerk, superin-
tended by the magistrates. lam sorry to say it is too much
the prude* to pay labouring men their wages at public--
houses, and that in too many cases the publicaa is the mid-
dleman, who employed those men.
Mr. Legg examined—l am chairman of the Board of
Guenther's, Bermondsey. The rental of the parish is
177,0001., and the ratable value, 136,0001. ; the population
in 1851 was 48,000. The espouse of supporting the poorwsa
rather under 17,000 f. a year. We had distress during the
late severe weather, sad the leather trade was in •
bad state. We had not to raise the rates or to increase the
number of relieving officers. So far as my knowledge goes
we had ample newest* relieve the distress. I have not
beard of any death from starvation in our parish ; we re-
lieved the poor in the usual way, partly by work and partly
by outdoor relief. I infer that when people don't aoftpt
in-door relief they can't be really in great distress, and I
can't help saying that the statement that the parish of
Bermondsey was on the eve of starvation is more than
exaggerated. I am of opinion that indiscriminate relief
Mods to demoralise the poor, and takes them off their own
resources. We use our own 'discretion as to giving relief in
kind or in money. Generally we relieve old people with
money.
The committee adjourned at 4 o'clock.

Niter ReftweeLut —Yesterday, in the Com-
mittee of the Rouse of Commons, the case of the
Leads, Bradford, and Halifax Junction was opened, and
witnesses were called in its support. Further argument
and evidence were heard on the Oswestry and Ellesmere
Railways. and Mr. Pbinn, Q.C., conducted the case of the
South Wales Railway in opposition to the Monmouthshire
Railway's proposed new liner. The further hearing of the
Scottish North Pastern Railway is adjourned for considera-
tion of the proposed increase and alteration of tolls and
charges for passengers and goods. In the committee on the
Hell Docks further evidence was taken on the opposition
raised b 1 the Trinity House. There were no committees
sitting in the Lords.
. _ _

Nzw UNIVERSAL " PRIVAI7L " TELEGRAPH COM-
PANY.—On Monday the committee, of which the members
are General Peel, chairman. Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Mildnuiy,
Sir M. Ridley, and Mr. Agar-Ellis, met to inquire into the
merits of this company's bill, the object, as indicated by
counsel for the promoters, being the establishment and
maintenance, at a small Axed annual rental, of "private"
hoes of telegraphic commnuicatioa throughout the various
large establishments and districts of the metropolis and the
principal eities sod towns of the kingdom, by means of Pro-
femur Wheatstone'■ improved systems. It is proposed to
give each establishment a diatinet wire and private means
of communication exclusively its own, a desuleratum that
cannot be obtained unlearn by means of cipher under the
existing system. Mr. Jeyes, the solicitor, Mr. L. C.
Hartalet, and others having given evidence in oupport
of the bill, from which it appeared that the eompany bad
already laid down numerous seta of wires for large manufac-
turing establishments, private firms, and the proprietors of
newspapers. the committee unanimously decided on paus-
ing the bill.

REFORM MEETING AT LEICIATER.—A requisition,
signed by upwards of 100 inhabitants, having been presented
to the Mayor, E. S. Ellis, Esq., his worship convened a
public meeting, to consider the propriety of petitioning par-
liament in support of Mr. Baines 's motion for the redaction
of the borough franchise to 6i. • The meeting
was held on Tuesday evening, in the New Hall, Leicester,
when upwards of 1.200 pervious were present. The Mayor
presided. Mr. William Biggs moved the first resolution :
That, in the opinion of this meeting, a liberal extension
of the suffrage is a reform imperatively required by the
spirit of the age, by the advancement of general intelligence,
and by the progressive increase of population ; while it is
also no less due and demanded as a fulfilment of the
promises which have been held out to the people
sines the pawing of the Reform Bill of 1582."
Mr. R. Harris seconded the motion, which was supported
by the Rev. C. C. Coe, and carried unanimously. Mr. J.
Whetstone moved "That this meeting regards with high
satisfaction the measure introduced to parliament by Mr.
Edward Baines, extending the franchise to every Gi. mem
pier in boroughs, as a step in the right direction ; that such
bill i• worthy of the united and ardent support at all true
reformers, whether of the electoral or non-electoral body ;
and that it is the duty of every liberal constituency in the
kingdom to urge upon the members of the House of Com-
mons the paramount obligation of doing all they can to pro-
mote its success." Mr. Wm. Richmond, a working man,
supported the motion, which was also carried unanimously.
A petition was then adopted, to be signed by the chairman
and presented to parliament A vote of thanks to the
Mayor concluded the proceedings, which IMO maintained
throughout with great unanimity.
THE POLISH REFUGEES AND THE PATRIOTS
SLAUGHTERED AT WARSAW. —The Polish refugees in this
country, sympathising with the sufferings of their fellow
countrymen at home, and with a desire to do honour
to such of them as fell in the late emesle at Warsaw,
designed to have yesterday a solemn mass and requiem cede
belted for them in the Roman Catholic Chapel, Warwick-
street,
Regentetreet. They went to the expense of erecting
a catafalque and clothing it with black cloth, decorated with
the national emblems of Barmatia, and also ea
special choir to *log the "De profundis" and othe chants
peculiar to the cetemomy. When the time arrived for the
celebration, the chapel was thronged by an anxious
crowd deeply impressed with the solemnity and sacred
character of the service in which they were about to par-
ticipate, but what was their amazement when
the mitred ecclesiastic, said to be the Bishop of Dora (ro-
hahl a diocese in partibus) whose presence at the altar they
as an honour to their compatriot dead,
fenrard and announced that the intended service could not
tithe plies within the sacred walls of that building, upon
taiwlLrostad that, being, in fact, apolitical demoostration, it
be an act of desecration °alas part if he allowed it to
The indignation of the congregation was intense.
y could not understand how such a thing was possible in
a free country, but the greeter portion of them attributed
the bishop's conduct to instructions received from the Base-
rho minister, the chapel being that set apart for the use of
that legation.
Puntac-nottaz lacznale.—Tbe general licensing
meetings were held on Tuesday. In the case of Nathaniel.
einaincialy known as Nat Laughers, whoapplied fora license
few the "Omani= Coffee-haw,'! the license was greeted.
Carnet's applicationl for a license for the Coach and Horses,
in 64 Martin's-lane, was refused.

THE VOLUNTEER SHAM-FIGHT ON EASTER

MONDAY.

(From the &nix Advertiser.)
The greatest intermit continues to be felt in the
forthcoming volunteer retiew, and notwithstanding the op-
position that has bees met with, it still promises to be agreat •
merest. Thuraday Lord Itanelagh bad an interview
with the Mayor of Brighton, at the Town Hull, to explain
hie plan of operations, at which several intluential gentle-
men had been invited to Le present. His lordship entered into
the details of his plans with the greatestresdioess,andstated
that he was determined to go through with the work be hod
taken in hand, although the opposition lie bad encouutered
had been much greater thee he had expected. The follow-
ing are the principal details of Lord Ranelagh's statement :
The operations of Easter Monday will not be under the
control or supervision of the governnient. They will Ls
conducted entirely by the voluateen themselves. Lord Bane-
high himself undertakes the responsible office of comnander-
in-chief. He will be assisted by Lieut.-Colonel Loyd
Lindsey (colonel of the Berkshire Volunteers), and Lieut.-
Colonel Cole, as quartet-mater-generals; and, doubtless,
there will he then officers on the staff. But each battalion
or Inigade will be left to the command of its senior officer ;
for Imitative, in the case of the Sussex Artillery Brigade,
Lieut.-Colonel Estrike ; anti that of the 3rd Batta-
lion of the Blume: Hides, LieuL-Colonel Mocireoen—both
.
alms of many year** experience the British army.
With respect to the volunteer' generally Lord Ranelegh
(who has Mansell had many yam' experienoe in different
parts of the world, both os the staff end otherwise, apd is
now colonel of the South Middlesex Volunteers) expressed
great confidence. Ile had seen them at. Ohiselherie arid on
other acessions act admirably under very trying aroma- .
Stinted, and he believed they would go through all the
movements requisite on this occasion. The number of
volonteree that will take part in the prooeedinp will, Lai
Itanelagh anticipates, in consequence of the opposition he
had met with from some of his fellow-commandants, be
under 20,000, consisting chiefly of those of Middlesex, Sur-
rey, Rent, and Sussex, with the Cinque Porta Artillery. A
great many of these will, doubtless, come down to Brighton
before the Monday, and will meet and fall in on the
Level according to their oorps. Six dela* a.m. had
been fixed for the departure of the first train from
London on Monday moruing ; and it will probably be nine
before the last gets off. They will not be brought into
the Brighton station, but "landed" in front of the new
shed which has just hoed built on the west side of the Lon-
dim line, on the site of the chalk hill, now wholly removed.
Here is an open and level space on which thousands of men
can be formed, and, what is more, here is a road with an
Outlet on the Montpellier-road, and by this road the volun-
teers will leave the station without interfering with the
ordinary traffic. They will march down the Montpellier-
road, cross the Loudou.road, peas along the Viaduct-
terrace, and debouch upon the Level.
The arrangenieuta as to the Same: corps, who are to
meet their Brighton and metropolitan comrades, are not
quite settled ; but those trout West Sussex will probably
be set down at the Hove Station, while those from Fast
Sussex will get out at Fainter. The rendezvous of thee*
corps will probably be the Old Steiuu or the Pavilion
grounds, and there seems to be au idea that the whole of
the Stumm Artillery should constitute one brigade, and the
Sussex Milks anoth-er. But of all matters apperthining to
the Sussex Corps timely notice will be given.
The Level well be the grand rendezvous. The centre of
it—the green sward—will be kept for the volunteers, who,
as they arrive, will be formed into battalions and then
marched off to the field of action—the Race-hill. But they
will not reach this by the mine mote. As we have shown,
the ant part of the force will have arrived in Brighton
before the last part has left London ; and yet it is de-
sirable that all the force should arrive on the Downs about
the same time ; one of the great points in military tactics
being to avoid a tail. To accomplish this end they will
proceed to the hill by different routes varying in length
according to the time of their arrival, by which means Lord
Banelagh anticipates that by half-pus 11 the whole of the
men will be on the bill. Ile number he estimates at from
14,000 to 20,000, and there will probably be five or six
brigades. The marsh through the town will probably
occupy an hour and a half or two hours.
At the Grand Stand the Lord-Lieutenant of the county
(the Sari of Chichester) will be stationed, and the brigades
will march past his lordship. Aa they do so they will be
within hearing of the inspiriting strains of the band of the
6th Dragoon Guards, now stationed in Brighton, and who,
by the kind permission of Colonel Calthorp, will be in
attendance. _ .

The idea is, that the volunteers should represent • re-
treating or retarding force, falling back before, but pre-
paring to receive au enemy's army, landed at Shoreham, and
who are marching out of Brighton to give battle. The for-
mation will be that of two lines of defence. On arriving at
UN end of the short mune, Use Ist, 2nd, and lid Brigades
will forma line facing the Grand Steed. This, the first line
of defence, will probably be about a mile in length. And we
may here mention that the Sussex Brigades will occupy a
pontion on the left of this line. The engagement will
commence by the Artillery on the extreme left
opening fire on the imaginary pursuing enemy, and
(the skirmishers having been driven in) the whole
line retiring before the enemy, who are supposed to
drive them from their position. In he retreat they will
form squares to resist amain, and perform other evolutions
possible under the circumstances. Meanwhile the 4th, sth,
and 6th brigades will have marched on past the Industrial
Schools and will have deployed in line, forming the second
line of defence (in rear of the first line) on a ridge which ex-
tends from the Industrial Schools to Ovingdean. A third
line of defence is within the bounds of probability : and if
deemed practicable there is plenty of ground available for
the purpose—a third ridge extending I•ehind that just de-
scribed, towards Stammer. But leaving that out of the
question for the present, we may return to the first
line, which will continue the retreat, the artillery holding •
position on the left, and disputing the advance of the
imaginary enemy, covered by the rifles (Sussex Brigade).
Atter the Ist line has retreated through the 2nd
line, the latter will advance, drive the supposed
enemy back across the intervening valley, and regain
the heights at first occupied by No. 1 line, while No. 1,
having reformed, will occupy the position on the ridge in
rear, which was first held by the second line. To give di-
versity to the movements, it' is intended that the mounted
rifles shall charge through the line, and otherwise take part
in the action.

The troops will return into the town by two routes. A
portion of them will move off in the direction of the Rot.
tingdeanevad, and so enter Brighton by the Manse-parade;
the remainder will re-enter the town by the Lewes rood.
They will still remain under the direction of the several
commanders of brigades. It was generally allowed on
Thursday evening, that one of the most difficult points
would be to get the men home again. And, certainly,
looking at the extent of the route through the town to the
Bace-hill, and the op hill nature of the ground over which
the volunteers will have to make their way, there inn be no
question that a hard day's work is cut out for them.
The ground will be kept by the Surrey Mounted Rides,
assisted probably by a detachment of Dragoon Guards. and
also by the county constabulary, under Lieut-CoL Mackay.
A correspondent writes:—" AA the period ahes for
Lord Ranelagli's proposed sham fight, near Brigh pproacton, on
Easter Monday, there appears to be a falling off on the part
of some Metropolitan volunteer regiments, and the field
day at Wimbledon will, no doubt, be a much more impos-
int affair, so far as numbers are concerned. The last laces-
skin from the Brighton proposal has been that of the North
Middlesex Rides ;I Viscount Enfield, M.P., as colonel,
having taken the sense of the effectives upon the subject at
a numerously attended parade, they decided in favour of
Wimbledon by an overwhelming majority. AMON thirty or
forty bands only being held up so favour of Brighton. As
en equivalent for not going to the sham tight, the 29th are,
it is understood, about to appeal to the lieutenant-colonel,
to permit them to have • march out to Hampatead-heath
on Good Friday afternoon for skirmishing and light infantry
drill, and blank cartridge firing, as well as to march to
Wimbledon on Eaater Monday. The North Middlesex will
also panicle foe inspection on Saturday afternoon next at
Regent's Park Barracks at 5 p.m., and march out. and on
Sunday next they parade at 2 p.m. in the inclosure of
Morningtou-erruent, to march headed by the band to
Christ Church, Harylebone, when by the permission of the
Rev. L. L. Davies, the rector, the Rev. Wm. Williams, the
chaplain, will preach his inauguration sermon. To-day
Thursday) Lieut.-Colonel Biggs intends to take the sense
of the 20th or Railway Rifles as to going to Brighton or
Wimbledon. Amongst the regiments going to the latter on
Faster Monday it is stated are—the Hon. Artillery Com-
pany, the Victoria Rifles, the North Middlesex, the lit
Middlesex Cavalry and Artillery, the 4th Middlesex, the
City of London Brigade, the greater proportimiof the
Queen's, the Civil Service, the London Seottish, and Indeed,
with the exception of the South Middlesex (Lord Bane-
high's own regiment), most of the largest and important
metropolitan corps."

•
Tins CHINA TRADIL —We understand that pre-
liminary steps are being taken to form a company for the
purpose of riming steamers on the Yang-tre-Khing, end
that Captain Mame, lately in the employ of Menne. Dent
sad 00., in China, is engaged in the andertsk-
Mg. We beer also of a steamer building by Laynt.
Birkenhead, for Messrs. Jardiae, Mathews, and
Co. Two on the Clyde, for Mesas. Apsar and Co.,
ese newly ready to be launched for thews. lan%
psod mhos, and another laid down for the same
One for Meets. Lyall, Stall, and Co. is shortly to
yid'down, and three are said to be ordered at the yard
of lbws. mere and Co., Blackwell. From America the
Airs Dart and Hankow have already sailed for Hong Kong.
—Loader sad Chins Telegraph.
HANCISMZ, 81131711LD, AND bacouranisit
RAILWAY. —The Wahl expenses of this company's railways,
wiggle( man, tells, dal), he., from Jan. Ito March ti
186,1 arasested to PAK, as against 52,9661. Slaked of
et
se stated yesterday) for the corresponding period
DM.