The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-06 00:00:00

REPORT.

From the statement of accounts herewith submitted,
it will be seen that the receipts for the past year ending
31st of December, 1854, amounting to 2541. 15s. 4d., ex-
ceed those of the previous year, ending 31st of Decem-
ber, 1353, viz., 2141. 16s. 7d. by 391. Bs. 9d.
The expenses have been proportionately heavy, conse-
quent on the extended working of the classes and main-
tenance of the library; the balance therefore to the credit
of the present year shows but a small increase on that of
the former year.
On referring to this result, the committee caanot but
regard it as satisfactory evidence of the growing import-
ance of the institution, the resources of which have so
fully met the increased demands of last year.
The working of the several classes has been highly
satisfactory, and reflects credit on the gentlemen in
charge of them.

'The lectures which, have always formed so important
a feature of the institution, have during the past year beeti
characterised fur their general attractircnes., and have
been well attended. The presence of a number of the
members' friends on these occasions sufficiently attest the
growing appreciation in which this branch of the insti-
.

tution is held.
The evening school in connection with the institution,
has always formed a distinct subject of attentive consi-
deration ; the committee have had the pleasure during
the past year of enrolling no less than 68 boys on the
list of pupils, and it has always been a source of much.
regret to them that the school-room has hitherto been in-
capable of accommodating more than 30 of that number.
The removal of the school to a larger room has, however,
obviated that difficulty, and the committee have now
the gratification to report the number of pupils on the
list at 76. The attendance since the beginning of the
present year has been more than usually satisfactory,
and such as to give every reasonable hope of the school
attaining, in a short time, that popularity and success
which is so earnestly desired by the committee.
In the report presented to the annual raecting in Feb.
last, the committee had the pleasure of congratulating
the members on the acquisition of what was then consi-
dered the permanent institution building; they have now
the pleasure to inform the members of a still further ad-
dition to the accommodation, provided by the kindness
and liberality of the railway company, by means of the
remaining portion of Brunswick-house, which having be-
come the property of the company since February last,
has been fitted up by the company, and extra rooms thus
given fur the purposes of the institution.
By this arrangement the inembocs have the advantage
of a larger and better lecture room, reading room, and
class room, while the library is removed to an equally
convenient room as that lately occopicd by it, and the
school occupies the old lecture room, by means of which,
a greater number of pupils is received, and its usefulness
thereby much increased.
The benefits thus conferred ou the institution aro of a
nature and extent so apparent, as to be self-evident to
every member.
Especial thanks are therefore due to the directors for
this generous repetition of their kindly interest and care
for the welfare of the institution.

The thanks of the members aro also due to those gen-
tlemen who have acted as vice-presidents, by whose
patronage and support the institution has gained so
much during the past year, and to those gentlemen
whose donations and honorary subscriptions form so large
a portion of the funds of the institution.

The committee have had under consideration the con-
stitution and arrangement of the present rules, and hav-
ing carefully gone into them with a view to their revi-
sion as more applicable to the present position and cir-
cumstances of the institution, they have determined to
submit them in the altered form exhibited in the library
and reading-room, pursuant t ) Rule No. X., for the ap-
proval and adoption of the members.
The committee cannot conclude without again re-
ferring to the progress of the institution during the past
year, and earnestly request the best attention of the
members and their friends to the urgent necessity for
their stEady and unanimous support, in order to con-
tinue the institution in its present sphere of usefulness,
and add to its means of carrying out still more
largely and _ satisfactorily those mutual benefits
and advantages which are its aim 'and object ; and by
keeping in remembrance the success which has attended
their past exertions, let every member add greater vigour
to their efforts in future, and seek to render the insti-
tution deserving of a continuance of that popularity
which bas hitherto marked its advancement.

The Vice-Presidents, Honorary Secretary, and com-
mittee, retiring from office, in accordance with rule No.
IX., are eligible for re-election.
NEw RULES.

The new rules proposed by the committee were read
seriatim by the Secretary, and agreed is nem. con.. from
No. 1 to No. 9.

Upon rule No. X. it was proposed by Mr. Hart, and
seconded by Mr. Tandy, that the following addition be
made to rule No. X. :—"And no member of the com-
mittee shall at any time derive, either directly or in-
directly, any pecuniary advantage whatsoever from the
funds of the institution, and no member of the committee
shall be competent to accept any situation or office of
emolument connected with the institution until a period
of six months has elapsed from the date of his resig-
nation."

After discussion, Mr. Hart's amendment was put to
the meeting, and declared to be lost.
Whereupon the rule No. X. as proposed by the com-
mittee uas carried.
The remaining rules, Nos. XI. to XVII., were then
read and agreed to.
It was moved by Mr. Macaulay, and seconded by
Mr. Humphries, and resolved—That the new rules now
read be adopted, and ordered to be printed and distri-
buted among the members.
Resolved—That A. Morgan, Esq,,J. Beattie,Esq:,

A. Scott, Esq., W. F. (,4odion, Esq., and J. M.
Thorne, Esq., be elected vice-presidents of the institu-
tion for the ensuing year ; and that F. J. Macaulay,
Esq., be elected houorary secretary for the same period.
Resolved—That the gentlemen who have offered

themselves for re-election as members of the managing
committee, be re-elected acconlingly ; and that the va-
cancy now existing in the committee be filled up during
the present year, as the committee may seem fit. .
Resolved,—That Lewis Crombie, Esq., be elected
president of the institution for the eneuing year.
Resolved—That the thanks of the members are due,
and are hereby tendered by this meeting, to the president
and vice-presidents, for their co-operation and support
during the past year.
Resul•ed--That the thanks of the members are due,
and are hereby tendered by this meeting to Mr. Macau
lay, the honorary secretary, for his past year's services.
The meeting, after a vote of thanks to Mr. Macaulay,
for his conduct in the chair, then separated. By order
of the committee.

T. STANFORD, Secretary.
Brunswick House, Wandsworth Road.
22d February, 1355,

SALE OF THE BERNAL COLLECTION.--The sale of the
first portion of this collection commenced yesterday, at
the rooms of Messrs. Christie and Manson, and was
roost numerously attended. The property submitted
consisted of the beautiful specimens of porcelain, which,
with the portraits, will extend over eight days' sale.
The biddings were spirited, and the lots realised large
prices.

MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK AND Loss OF LIFE, -In-
telligence has been received at Briitol of the total loss
of the schooner Statira, Captain Williams, wrecked on
the Laugharne -Sands, about tme miles nearer to Pen-
aine than the spot where the ill-fated Queen of the West
recently met her disaster. We regret to add that the
captain, the mate, and two seamen were drowned, one
lad only escaping to narrate the circumstances. As far
as can be gathered, either Caldy light was again, as in
the case of the Queen of the West, mistaken for the
Tuscar light on the Irish coast, and, consequently,
the vessel stood boldly on ; or, what is more pro-
bable, the heavy sea and foggy weather deceived the
mariners, and thus led them on to their elestruction.
The lad states that, immediately upon the vessel going
ether e the captain and crew took to the boat, but they had
hardly left the ship before the heavy sea capsized the
boat, the mate and two seamen being almost immedi-
ately drowned.. The captain clung to an oar and floated
for some time, but he at length became exhausted and
sank to rise no more. The lad who escaped was three
times washed from the boat, but ho eventually succe(ded
in holding on to it, and reached the shore in safety,
though in a dreadful state of exhaustion. On his arrival
at. Laugharne the inhabitants took every possible care cf
him, and furnished him with food and shelter. It is a
somewhat singular fact that the deceased. Captain Wil-
liams was in Australia when the gold was first dis-
covered, and having amassed a considerable sum of
money, returned home and invested his earnings in
several coasting vessels, the wreck of one of which has
unfortunately been the occasion of his death. The
Statira, when wrecked, was laden with copper ore for
Messrs. Mason and Elkington, of the Pombrey Copper
Works, from Devoran, in the Truro river. It has been
found, upon examination, that the vessel, having struck
upon sand, was comparatively uninjured, and that, had
the captain and crew remained upon it, in all probability
their lives would have been spared. As it :s, the copper
dre is likely to be recovered.