The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-25 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

The expenditure upon the new cavalry barracks
at Colchester to the close of 1863 was £58,645, A
vote of £30,000 is proposed to be made in the cur.
rent financial year for the further prosecution of
the work, and it is calculated that £lO,OOO will bo
required in 1865 6.

Provision has been made in the Army Estimates
for calling out the Militia for 28 days' training. The num-
ber of men to be called out is 128,969, at an expense of
£738,783.

SIR JAMES TITATHEsoN has, it is said, during
tlio last 20 years, spont upwards of £300,000 in improving
the Island of Lewes,

-
Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund,

ANNUAL MEETING.

The twenty-third annual meeting of the sub-
scribers to the meritorious fund, which is in connec-
tion with the Provident Clerks' Life Assurance As-
sociation, was held last night at the London Tavern,
Bishopegate-street. John Abel ,Smith, Esq., ItLP.,
treasurer of the Fund, presided.
The following is the annual Xeportp
which was
read by Mr. W. T. Linford
-
The Board of Management have much pleasure in p. e
senting to the members and friends of the fund their 232
annnal report, and in congratulating them on the continued
prosperous condition of the institution. The income of the
year 1863 was as follows :--From annual subscriptions,
£697 4s; life ditto, £2l ; annual subscriptions of ss. and
upwards from members being clerks, 1817 8s ; donations,
£390 5s 61 ; interest, dividends, &0., £l,OBl 16s 4d :
the Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Association, being
the proportion of :bonus to December 31, 1862, £2,049;
total, £5,056 13s 102. The last-named item, v:z., the bonus
from life assurance, will doubtless afford great satisfaction
to the members, evincing, as it does, how completely the
two institutions mutually act and react to the benefit of
each other, and affording to the board at these divisions the
opportunity of largely increasing the list of annuitants.
By the very handsome contribution rode from this source
on the present occasion, the assets of the funds are in-
creased to £27,868. The sum of £225 15s 61 has been dis-
tributed in gratuities during past year. Pursuant to the
resolution of the last annual general meeting, an election
of annuitants took place, on the 28th May last, when the fol-
lowing were elected, viz. :—One clerk to an annuity of £35,
one clerk to an annuity of £3O, four widows to annuities of
£2O each, two widows to annuities of £l5 each ; making a
total of £175 per annum. Five annuitants having died
during the year, viz., four clerks and one widow, and one
annuity has been relinquished by a widow, whose cir-
cumstances no longer require it. There were on
the fund on the 31st of December last 65 annni-
tants, who were receiving collectively £1,195 per annum.
The board now recommend that 12 additional annuitants,
vis., 4 clerks and 8 widows of clerks, be elected. A resolu-
tion to the above effect will be submitted to the meeting.
The board have deemed it advisable to seek for two other
gentlemen, in addition to those at present appointed audi-
tors; and they have been so fortunate as to secure the ser-
vices in that_capacity of William Sander Higley, Esq.,
manager of the London and Westminster Bank, Lothbury,
and James Gray, Esq., Chief Accountant to the London
and County Bank. The above gentlemen having kindly
consented to act, have been provisionally appointed by the
board, and their election, in accordance with the rules, will
be submitted for confirmation at this meeting The board
cannot close this report without expressing the pleasure it
affords them thus laigely to increase the number of annui-
tants. To the merchants and bankers of London especially
the fund is deeply indebted for their generous and valuable
support, to which the increased subscription list of the last
two years bears ample testimony. Many new and impor-
tant mercantile establishments have arisen during the last
few years, and the board hope to see the means of the fund
still further increased from this source—but they cannot
lose sight of :he fact that the true strength of the fund
should be found in the contributions of the clerks them-
selves,—not only of those to whom the benefits conferred
by the fund are of serious moment, but of those who are
themselves removed by Providence from the fear of indi-
gence, and tc whom their less fortunate brethren have a
right to look fur sympathy and assistance in their hour of
need.

The CHAIRMAN said it was a very agreeable duty
to ask the members then assembled to receive and
adopt the gratifying report just read, and he was
sure they would all participate in the pleasurable
feelings with which he was then impressed, in living
to see the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Association
make so great an advancement. (Hear, hear.) He
must, however, say that he was sorry the clerks of
this great commercial country did not help themselves
as they onght,and no one was more convinced than he
was, that it did not receive the cordial and general
support its istrinsio merits entitled it to. He would
not say one word of those to whom a guinea was
an object, but he felt there were many, and a very
great many, to whom that sum was quite insignifi-
cant who withheld their subscriptions from the
fund. (Hear, hear.) Many a clerk in the pursuit
of pleasure did not grudge to give five guineas for
a dinner at the Star and Garter at Richmond, yet
they did grudge to give one to the Benevolent
Fund, whose aim and object was to assist and re-
lieve their brethren in times of difficulty and
misfortune. It could not be because there was no
merit in the institution, or that an ill•feeling
existed against them, but there appeared to be a
reluctance on the part of many in a position to help
the association, which was not at all praiseworthy.
If he knew how to excite the benevolence of
those who yet withheld their support, he should
be only too happy to do so, but the great difficulty
was that he did not know how to get at them, arid
if there were any present that evening who were in
a better position with respect, to those of whom he
spoke they were at perfect liberty to represent his
feelings to them. (Hear, hear.) The Association
had in it all that was good and praiseworthy, and
having these elements it ought to take its proper
position amongst those admirable institutions which
were an honour to the English nation. (Hear, hear.)
When it was first established he knew its founda-
tion was sound, and it did give him infinite pleasure
to find that since that period it had steadily pro•
gressed until its income amounted to over 13,000
per annum. Those who bad contributed to this
beneficent end he was sure would feel adequately
rewarded by the reflection of the good they had
done and the good they
Were doing, and not-
withstanding the god-send they had received
from the Provident Clerks' Life Assurance
Association, he hoped they would all continue
to labour for the prosperity of an institution whose
object was so pure and praiseworthy. (Cheers.)
The motion of the chairman having been seconded,
it was put to the meeting
and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said, in order to avoid any diffi-
culty that might arise from the absence at any time
of the gentlemen who kindly acted as auditors, the
directors had elected two additional gentlemen who
had given their valuable
support to the institution
—viz., William Senders Higley, Dq., manager of
the London and Westminster Bank, Lothbury, and
James Gray, Esq., chief accountant of the London
and County Bank. The directors had given them a
most satisfactory report,
and he felt certain the
meeting would feel it a pleasure in confirming an
act of theirs—viz., the election of Mr. Higley and
Mr, Gray as auditors.
The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. R. H. /ONES, chairman of the fund, moved
a resolution to the effect that, on the 26th of May,
or some other day to be appointed, 12 additional
annuitants—viz., four clerks and eight widows—
be added to those already on the fund. He
said the Bacons that had attended them during the
past year had enabled them to make the great addi-
tion to the list of annuitants mentioned in the reso-
lution.assent to such a proposition, and he was certain they
would sanction the proposition
It was a gratification to ask them to
of the directors.
He had drawn out a few statistics to read to them,
but he would refrain from doing so, and simply tell
them that in 10 years they had doubled their capi-
tal—(hear, hear)—that since the commencement
they had given ,211,500 to 93 annuitants, that they
had given gratuities of £2,000 and upwards to
others, that they had lent £35,000 amongst 1790
members, and that they had lost but about 1 per
cent. in the repayments. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WELCH, deputy chairman, said it was with
the utmost pleasure ho seconded the resolution,
because ho felt it would give comfort and happi-
ness to these really deserving it. He regretted
that the leading clerks of the country abstained
; and although he
hfraodm
fgrievaian
egatthl
ye ma
ptpheeai
Ire
ds u ptpa o rt
ht a s 9
holding high
positions, he often failed in getting the guinea-
He regretted the small amount they re-
ceived in annual subscriptions, but he hoped
they would increase. He could tot tell why it
was, but it was a fact notwithstanding, that
scarcely oue of the names of those charitable persons
in the higher classes of society appeared in their
list. He was quite at a loss to account for such a
circumstance, because clerks were concerned in
obtaining luxuries from all parts of the world,
which were considered necessary to the effluent.
Another claim lie thought the clerks had upon the
public generally for support was, the large amount
they contributed amongst themselves for the relief
and support of their more unfortunate brethren.
The CHAIRMAN said it was a very agreeable duty
to put the resolution to the meeting. lie was not
quite sure he agreed with Mr. Welch in his obser-
vations relative to the absence of the 110,111(13 of the
charitable aristocracy from their Hats. (Hear, hear.)
He looked upon that already achieve with. very

great pride, because it had been done by the city
and the clerks themselves. (Cheers.) He thought
indeed it was the bounden duty of the clerks to
make this institution, as far as they reason-
ably could, a self-supporting one, and he looked
with pride upon its present position. Although he
would not quarrel with Mr. Welch if he brought
them £l,OOO from the west, or reject the amount,
yet he did hope that the clerks themselves would
see the great necessity of putting their shoulders to
the wheel and thus place their institution in the
highest position by their own efforts, (Hear, hear.)
The resolution was carried unanimously.

mr.L,OYD moved a vote of thanks to the trus-
tees and treit:urer. He was certain he need not
wara
,in praise of those gentlemen.
say a single
They all knew how muckthey owed to them, and
:.
they also knew what an eh:,eellent friend their
treasurer had been. (Cheers.) h.:: was rejoiced
that the fund had nearly arrived at tte..`t point to
which he wished to see it comp, as they cot,2d now
pay their annuitants, within a fraction, from the
interest on their invested fund. (Cheers.) He
thought if more were given in shape of
gratuities, a very beneficial result would
follow; and with respect to the higher clerks with-
holding their support, he thought it arose from the
false shame of being put down as clerks that pre-
vented many from subscribing. He thought if they
could surmount that feeling of false pride, all we ild
go well. He could not understand a man being
ashamed of his position, and he felt that he who
was so, would never arrive at a very exalted
station in society.
Mr. MINTON seconded the motion. He also
thought that if more was given in gratuities end
relief afforded in sickness, it would greatly iucrease
their members.

Mr. LINFORD then put the resolution, and de-
clared it carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said nothing could be more gra-
tifying to him than the vote they had just passed.
Mr. Baling, one of their trustees, he knew was only
kept away by his invitation to the Speaker's dinner,
which was a sort of command, and although Baron
Rothschild was too ill to attend, he was certain
that both he and the other two gentlemen, Mr.
Prescott and Mr. Hanku, took the most lively in-
terest in their welfare and prosperity. (Cheers.)
With respect to the observations of Mr. Lloyd,
he felt there was much force in them; but
he (the chairman) must say that some of
his most valued friends had been clerks. (Loud
cheers.) It was a very difficult thing to give away
money without doing more harm than good;
and to insure its being used properly in its
distribution the greatest judgment and discre.
tion was necessary. And with respect to giving
relief in sickness, he thought it a shame and a dis-
grace for a principal to let a clerk want in sickness.
(Loud cheers.) He did not think it was right that
the Fund should be expected to stand in place of
the duty the principal owed to his suffering employe.
At the same time he was glad to be able to assure
Mr. Lloyd that every application for aid had been
granted after proper examination of the merits of
the case. For his own part he should not be afraid
to go even a little faster than the board, though they
were very right to keep the fund in such a state that
annuitants should always be sure of their money.
(Cheers.) He found there was nothing on his paper
that would afford him an opportunity of returning
his thanks to the directors fur the great care they
had bestowed on the fund for the past year, so
he would be guilty of a little irregularity, and
move a vote of thanks to them, trusting to the
meeting to'give him a seconder.
The motion was immediately seconded by about
a dozen gentlemen rising to contend for the honour,
and carried unanimously.
Mr. JONES, on the part of bis colleagues, returned
thanks.

Mr. DAWSON moved, and Mr. REYNOLDS se-
conded a vote of thanks to the auditors, and

The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, said
he could not over-estimate the value or importance
of Mr. Scudamore joining the Fund, occupying as
he did so distinguished a position in the Post•office.
The motion was carried.

Mr. SCUDAMORE said he was almost ashamed of
receiving so many thanks for doing so little. He
hoped it would, as time progressed, become harder.
(Hear.), He had been a clerk all, his life. (Hear.)
He entered the Government service as a clerk, and
he hoped to do so until he was pensioned and
turned off. (Laughter and cheers.) He should
like to see all the Government clerks giving their
support to the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund.

Mr, ;Errs moved a vote of thanks to the chair-
man.

Mr. LLOYD, in seconding it, referred to the sub-
ject of the foundation of a school for the children of
clerks, and said he was quite prepared to fulfil the
promise he niqde last year, as soon as a committee
was appointed.
The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the vote, said
he had not lost sight of the proposition of Mr.
Lloyd, and he might depend upon it he would do all
in his power to aid him in his praiseworthy
endeavour.
The proceedings then terminated.

THE UNITED STATES SANATORY COMMISSION.—
A meeting was held on Saturday evening last, at
Messrs. Wheeler and Wilson's, 139, Regent-street--the
Hon. Freeman H. Morse, U.S. Consul, in the chair—and
which was attEnded by all the principal Americans in Lon-
don, in order to organise a committee to work in conjunc •
tion with one formed in Paris, to obtain subscriptions in
money or goods for the great Fair which is to be held in
Now York on the 28th of March, for the benefit of the
sanatory commission. Judge Winter, in an eloquent speech,
explained the object of the society, which is to pant addi-
tional aid to wounded soldiers, whether Federal or Confe-
derate, and also to assist in the sanatory arrangements of the
army. No doubt thousands of lives have been saved through
the efforts of the commission, and thousands more of crippled
and wounded soldiers passed on to their homes, and aseisted
with money and clothing. More than 70 millions of
dollars have been collected in the States for the commis-
sion since its foundation ; but even this large sum is
inadequate to the calls made upon their funds, owing to the
immense armies that are in the field, and the unhealthy
climate in which some of them are engaged. The Anglo-
American Committee, therefore, propose to obtain subscrip-
tions from Americans residing in England, and from any
other parties who are interested in alleviating in some de-
gree the horrors of this unhappy civil war. Cyrus W.
Field, Esq., stated that Mr. Elliott, of the firm of Glass and
Elliott, telegraphic cable manufacturers, has offered, with a
truly noble /iberality, 1,000 tons of coal, raised from his
own collieries, and which ho will transport free to a port
for shipment, and no doubt many others will be found to
interest themselves in this purely philanthropic measure,
which is not a party question, but one of general interest to
all who would wish to relieve suffering humanity from what--
ever cause. A subscription list was opened in the room, and
a.permanent committee formed, The Hon. F. H. Morse was
elected president, C. W.:Field, Esq., R. Hunting, Esq., and
Judge Winter, vice-presidents; and Mr. Starr, of the firm
of Wheatley and Starr, of Cheapside, hon. secretary and
treasurer. Dudley, Esq., U.S. Consul at Liverpool, ex-
plained to the meeting that Messrs. Guyon ani Co., of
that town, had offered to carry by their ships goods in-
tended for the fair free of all charge, and he (Mr. Dudley),
would receive and ship all which wero forwarded to him.
Messrs. Wheatley and Starr will receive goods in London,
and the treasurer any subscription that may be sent to him.
It was also made known that several of the nobility, and
many other ladies were engaged in collecting articles
for the fair ; amongst others, Miss Fanny Kemble. is
making a collection of valuable autographs, which, no
doubt, will realise a considerable sum. We hope that those
parties who have been doing a large and profitable business
with America, will follow:the noble example of Mr. Elliott,
and contribute to the necessities of their suffering brethren
in the States—putting aside all the party feeling; for,
although the United States Government do all that energy
and unlimited means will allow, still the private and volun-
tary aid of the Commission in assisting :the sick and
wounded of both parties in the camp, the hospital, and the
prison, cannot be overrated ; and thousands on thousands
of both Federals and Confederates wilt shower blessings in
after years upon this humane work,
During the late severe weather it became neces-
sary to issue an extra allowance of fuel to the troops at
Aldershott.
The bullion operations at the Bank yesterday
comprised an influx of 127,000 in bar gold, and
the withdrawal of 82,000 moveroigns for transmis-
sion to Alexandria.
The issue has been announced of the balgrace of
the Ottoman Loan of 1863, specially reserved in
April last. The present holders have a preferential
option of subscribing to this operation in the pro-
porticn of one new for every three existing bonds.
The nomber now to be emitted is 100,000 of £2O
each, bearing 6 per cent. interest from the Ist of
January last at the price of 66.