The Express.
London, England, 1850-01-19 00:00:00

PROTESTANT DISSENTING DEPUTIES.

Yesterday the Annual General Meeting of Protest-
ant Disowning Deputies was held at the King's Head,
Poul.ry ; Jonx REMINGTON MILL, Esq., in the chair.
The report for the put year detailed at great length the
action taken by the committee with respect to the question
of church rates, the India Marriage Bill, the India Property
Bill, the Rev. Mr. Shore tad the Ciergy Relief Bill, the
Charitable Trusts Bill, the Australian Colonies Bill, the
Titles of Congregations (Sootland) Bill, the new Post-ofilos
regulations, and the grievances affecting diseenten
generally. These grievances the committee ascribed
to the connection between church and stab. They
recommended the adoptiem of petitions against
the Regius Donuts, for the entrance of dissenters
to the universities, and tor the removal of those restrictions
g fly which premed on them, and of those privileges
which were granted to the established church to the great
injury of the Cementing body, and which tended to impede
the advancer of civil and religious liberty. The report also
strongly recommended to dissenters to avail themselves of the
franchise, through the instrumentality of the freehold land
societies, le a means of promoting civil and religious liberty.
Mr. EVANS, in moving the adoption of the report, said a
moat important ease reef,: ctiag the church rate question was
now pending before the Court of Exchequer Chamber. On
' the decision of that question it depended whether the church-
wardens of a parish, with the sanction of a minority, could
impose a church rate, which had been disapproved of and
rejected by the majority. It was impassible to say now that
question would be decided ; but whatever it might be, it was
desirable that the dimming body should consider what
course they would adopt. (Hear, bear.) If it were decided
contrary to their views and wishes, he was sure that steps
would be immediately Limn to impose a church rate in
plays where it was now not even thought of. (Bear, hear.)
With respect to the extending of the elective franchise by
means of allotments, he considered It deserving of the sup-
port of the friends of civil and re l.gique freedom ; but they
should be careful to 'more: a on the working classes that it
was not intended by these alinements to offer them a means
of subsistence independently of their flexions in their seve-
ral callings. He recommended to the deputies and to the
dissenters generally more energy than they bad heretofore
exhibited.

The CHAIRMAN said that the question of church rates
had become more iwportant in comae queue' of the first re-
p.,rt of the commission appointed on the motion of Lord
Ash!ty, stating it as their opinion that the district churches
should be made district parishes. (Hear, hear.) If they
were not on the alert, the amount of shurth rates would pro-
bably be doubled.
Mr. BIDGOOD enforced the necessity of mere energetic
action, and rccomm oded that the main work should be done
by the general laxly, instead of by a committee. As at pre-
sent oonwituted the deputies had not the confidence of the
general Andy.
Mr. EVANS said that he sympathised in the observations
of Mr. Didgood, but did not agree that the course proposed
by him would infuse new vigour into the body.
After a few words from the DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN, the
motion was put and adopted.
The accounts for the year showed receipts amounting to
3741. lfis. The disbars. ments amounted to 1981 3..
The committee for the neat year were chosen, and a vote
of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

ADULT DRAT AND DUMB INSTITUTION. A
meeting of the committee and friends of this useful and
interesting institution was held yesterday, at the board-
room, 26, Red Lion-square, Bloomsbury. Front the report
it appeared that the inmates have progressed most sciatic-
toriiy in learning the different trades carried on at the asy-
lum, and the most gratifying results have followed the eget,
ti.)n of the committee. It appears that, in furtherance of the
object of the charity, a public dinner (the first in connaxioa
with this institution) is about to be held at the London
Tavern. Lord Ashley is announced as chairman, end
among the present list of stewards are the names of the Earl
of Effingham, Lords R. Grosvenor, Teignmouth, Sher-
bourne, D adl!y Stuart, and the Bishop of St. David's.
GREAT EXHIBITION OF 185 E—MUTING AT
Sairrtm.n.-011 Thursday a large and inflaeatial meeting
was held in the Council Hall, Sheffield, for the purples of
receiving a deputation of the commissioners appointed by
her Majesty to make arrangements for the great exhibition
of works of industry of all nations In 18.51, and also to ap-
point a local committee to carry out the proposed obj. ct.
The Mayor (T. Birk., Esq.) presided. Capt. B. Ibbetson at-
tended as a deputation, and all the leading merchants and
manufacturers of the town, and several of the principal
gentry, were present. The Mayor read letters from the
Duke of Norfolk, the Hal of Arundel and Surrey, Earl,
and Mr. Parker, M.P., regretting their ins.
bility to attend, but expressing a desire to promote the ob.
ket of the meeting by any means in their power. Capt.
Ibbetson having addressed the meeting, resolutions were
adopted expressing the desire of tee meeting to cooperate
with her Majesty'a commissioners in the undertaking, and
appointing a local committee for Steal/11d to carry out the
desired object.

A FAANER Igor AFRAID OF FREE TRADE.—The
important hum of Cessford, in the county of Roxburgh, was
let last week to Mr. Bell, Marcheleugh, at an advice, of
1501. per annum, the present rent being 1,4001. Mr. Bell
belongs to that industrious, enterprising, and consequently
successful, class of farmers for which Roxburghshire is so
much famed. This class is well supported by the Duke of
Roxburgh, who gives all kis tenants 19 year leans, founded
upon the most liberal system of farming ; and se he does not
socoursge the breeding of vermin in the shape of game upon
his estates, his tenantry have little to complain of. At pre-
vent there is not a word about protection amongst then—
Daily Mail.
DEATRUCIIVE FIRE AT CAVERSHAM PARK HOUSE.
Yesterday morning • fearful fire broke out at Cavershun
park 111111114011, about two miles from Reading, the seat
of William Cnwsbay, E'q, the great irrnmsater, and chair-
man of the York and North Midland Railway Company.
Before daylight a dense batty of smoke was observed in the
house by several of the servants, and they being under the
impression that • portion of the building most have taken
fire, instantly dispatched messengers to Reading for
the engines, thinking by their timely application to
avoid any outbreak. By eight o'clock, and before their
arrival, the times bunt forth with amazing fury in the
second floor of the eastern wing of this extensive maasioa.
In a short span of time the entire mansion was in a blase.
Several engines from Reading reached the nese of confla-
gration a little before 9 o'clock, bet it soon became evident
that all attempt to save the budding was hopeless. At 10
o'clock the roof fill in with a tremendous wash, and all
hope of rescuing any more of the furniture was then at ea
end. To Nave the conservatory and stables was now the
object of the fire-brigade, and this they succeeded in doing,
fur at a late hour yesterday afternoon the fire was prevented
extending itself beyond the mansion. At the time of our de-
spatch being forwarded the fire was still raging, and the
damage done by this confinration cannot he computed et
less than 10,0001., as in addition to the distraction of the
house, some most valuable furniture has been lost. We
have not been able to ascertain whether the property is
insured.

WRECK OP THE HOTTINGUER. To Thomas
Court, regri tto find, on my visit to Hilmoo-
heal point this day, that the Hottioguer has broken, and a
quantity of deck plank., washed ashore. Only one
named Samuel Greggs, taker off the wreck this mormiag,
had been saved from the number that remained cm beard.
The master, usfortunataly, had sugared. All the Arklow
bogie are out. I have made the best arrangements with
coast guards and police to look after them on their arrival.
Mr. Walsh, the receiver of droits, has just come here, and
appears determined to take the property as derelict which
may be got la which interference will only entail uncalled
for expense. It would be desirable that the acting party in
Liverpool foe the ship, Ike , would write to me parities In.
structions to take charge of the property. I think, If Wee'
they hold moderate, this goods in the lower hold, width am
valuable, could be saved by divers ; the lower deck being
under water, it will be difficult for the Arklow men to
break inv. There is no power here to keep them from
the wreck. The master of the vessel feU on Monday even-
ing. The survivor is vary poorly, and his recovery la un-
certain.— I am, sir, ito., Francis Harper, Arklow, 16th
January, 18/rd.—There was a meeting or shippers and others
I interested in the cargo, held yesterday at the °Moe of Messrs.
'golden, Brother', Liverpool, and it was unanimously re-
solved to send a tug•boat to the wreak, on the proviso. how•
ever, that I4CCINI la saving any of the cargo would only en-
sure payment.