The Express.
London, England, 1850-07-31 00:00:00

REPRESENTATION OF LAMBETH.

List evening a meeting of the @laden of Lambeth was
held at t►e Horan Tavern, K •nniagtos, to nadirs the resig-
nation of Mr. C. Pesten, and to hear the opinions of any
I/n*lnm* who might present himself as a candidate fur fill-
lag the vacancy is the representation of the borough. Mr.
J. Hunt, oat of the churchwardens, presided Mr. Pearson
was not present. The chairman having observed that the
sinters were called upon to exercise a most important right,
said be should rot &Baia them with say remarks of his own,
bat at eau Bandon the gentleman who claimed their
suffrages. Mr. Williams. who was accompanied ►y Mr.
Thompson, M.P., and Sir Joehus Walmaley, M.P , then
addressed the 'Bootleg. He would not have come forward to
sell it their support bad he not been assund that a large
number of the electors entertained opinions in aceordence
with his own. His opinions were well kaown, and he could
sot do better than refer to his votes whilst he was a member
of the House of Commons. He had givens vote which
was against the interest of the people; by the people he
meant the productive clams, and he was as Freud of brig
one of the working claims as be should be if he bad
the noblest blood in h:s veins. Mr. Williams having at
some length referred to his parliamentary module, con.
eluded by saying, if he had the honour of being returned
t, perliament, he should endeavour to procure an equal dis-
tribution of taxation, sad should devote his belt exertions to
their good. In reply to a question es to the property qualifi-
estiwu of members of parliament, the hon. gentleman said,
in Scotland the only qualification was being elected by the
pevle, and that was the only qualifilation he shotrel ac-
knowledge. To a question whether in the event of his being
elected he would appear annually before his etnttitnent•,
he reviled he would, and that if a majority of the elector.
demanded his resignation, he would place his seat at their
disposal. In reply to another question, Mr. Williams said
►e considered that church and state ►ad no co:lnutile with
each o her. (Hear) The 111 v. Mr. Barnett having said a
few words, Sir J. Walnut., and Mr. G. Thompson addressed
the meeting, and called upon the electors to support Mr.
Williams; after which a racAntioet pledging the meeting to
do so was carried, and thanks having bees given to the chair-
man, the proceeeiege torminated.

MEETING AT THR WALWORTH LECTURE HALL.-
List night • public meeting at the alsetoes was also held at
the Lecture Hall of the Literary Institution, Carter•etnst,
WILIWOrdi. to hear en explanation of the political sentiments
entertained by John Hind* Palmer, Req , one of the =adj..
dates for the representation of the borough ; Mr. Knott in
the chair. Mr. J. Hinds Palmer was loudly cheered, and pro-
ceeded atones to state the principles on which he roue; the
suffrages of the *levers of lAmbetb. He assured the meet
ieg that no man was better able to know the wants of the
people of Lambeth than him►elf Daring twenty years he
had been • resident in the borough, and had joined in all the
political movements that had taken place during that
period. Unlike the honourable gentleman already in
t►e field, he could not call in aid any past
services in parliament ; but his determination, if ho-
noured with • seat in parliament, was t e vote for an
extension of the elective franchise, and thenbolition of the
property qualification of members. Toe vote by ballot ap-
peared to him to afford the only means of protecting she
elector in the independent exercise of his franchise. He was
also in favour of triennial parliaments, and would aid is
Joining to accomplish other sweeping reforms connected
with the espeoditure of the country which the public so
lnully and so justly demanded —On the motion of Mr.
Hedge, seconded by Mr. Fussell, • resolution recommending
Mr. Palmer as well worthy of the support of the electon.
and pledging the meeting to adopt measures to secure his
return, was unanimously adopted A oorreepondent
rates that " Air. Mull (of the Noeco•Jomistl has
declared that his name war put forward without his
sanction or e meurrenu, and declining to enter the
contest—Mr. D. W. Wire has received • requisition signed
by 1,00) electors. but it is salt refuses to come forward.—
Mr. Alderman Salomon, also declines i and of the other
gentlemen, whose names have been bruited about, nethiog
farther has been heard."

It was stated yesterday that Admiral Sir Charles Napier,
who so long represented Marylebone, would be proposed as
• candidate for Lunbeth. S:r Charles, as is well known, is
4.f the Rut liberal opinions.

ELECTION OF SIIERIFFB.—This morning the offi-
ew dee'azation of the poll was made in the Guildhall, by the
Lord Mayor: For Mr. litlgkinson. 519; for Mr. Butler,
Majwiry for Mr. lioglottoson, 420. After some spteebte
by the friend. of the eandida•te, Mr. Bodakinson was de.
clued duly elected to serve the office of sheriff for the ecsning

year. -
EIBIBITION OP 1851.—COMMENCEMENT OP THE
Bl:flame° —The commi-sionen of Woods and Farests yes-
terday delivered over to the executive committee the ground
to be appropriated to the building for the reception of the
articles sent for the xhibition in 18.51. Messrs. F.ix and Hen-
derson, the contractors for the building, immediately com-
menced their 'shouts by staking out the ground.
BVILDERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION,—Yesterday
the third 1 meeting of the friends and supporters of
this charity was held at the London Tavern, Ili.licptigate-
street ; Mr. Wm. Cubitt, M.P . in the chair. The report
of the directors for the year ending 24th June, 1850, stated
that during that period the contributions to the charity
had exceeded the expectations of its most sanguine sup-
porters, though, considering the various trade; with
which builders were connected, the result might have
been fairly anticipated. The donations and subscrip.
tins during the past year amounted to nearly 1,0301.;
the annual ball, which was celebrated in January, produced
a profit of 981, and at the anniversary dinner in June last,
upwards of 4001. had been contributed to the fund, of the
society. The institution has at the present time 1,6006 in-
vested in the Three per Cents. Of this sum 5001. had been
contributed for the special purpose of erecting almshouses,
which was one of the principal objects of the founders of the
society. The first election of pensioners was held in October
last, when four persons were chosen from a large number of
candidates, and the directors had resolved on another election
in October next, when five pensioners would be admitted
to the benefits of the society. Is moving the adoption of
the report, the chairman said that the Builders' Benevolent
Institution was a charity which deserved a large measure xf
public support, and, considering the influential position oc-
cupied by the trade, he did not doubt it would become one
of the first and most useful charitable institutions is the
metropolis. Mr. George Bird, the treasurer, stated that
sirce the report had been drawn up, an additional sum of
2001. stock had been purchased. A vote of thanks was then
passed to the patrons and officers of the society, and the
outgoing directors having been re-elected, the proceedings
terminated.
FIRE AT DEPTFORD.—ShortIy before four o'clock
this morning as alarming fire, by which three persons nearly
lost their lives, happened on the premises belonging to Mr.
R. D. Featherstone, a baker, carrying on bueiness in High.
street, Deptford. The flames commenced, from some unex-
plained cause, in the bakehouse, and were discovered by
Mr. Featherstone, who was awoke by a suffocating sensa-
tion. Having jumped oat of bed, he found the flooring of
his bedroom so hot as to nearly burn the flesh off
his feet. He managed to take two of his children
out of bed, and having opened the window, he
dropped them to the crowd below; after which he
made his eeespe by the sanas:meaos. The en ire belocgieg
to the dock-yard was quickly on the spot, and was followed
by Mr. Henderson, the chief °Meer of the South London
brigade, from the borough station, and, owing to the exertions
of the police and firemen, the flaws were eventually extin-
gashed, but not until the bakehouse was burned out, end
the front residence severely damaged. The premises of Mr.
Danridge, printer, next door, and Mr. Almond, shoemaker.
adjoining, were also much damaged. The parties were all
insured.