The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-24 00:00:00

FREE TRADE FREEHOLD LAND
SOCIETY.

Last night a very large and influential meeting of the
shareholders and supporters of this successful society was
held at the Hanover-square Rooms. Among the gentle-
men on the platform were Lieut.-Colonel Dickson ; S.
M. Martindale, Esq. ; Thomas A. Pott, Esq. ; Jenkin
Jones, Esq. ; Rowland Stagg, Esq. ; E. Solly, Esq. ;
George Tyler, Esq. ; F. Twynam, Esq. ; T. C. Grattan,
Esq. ; R. Tress, Esq. ; T. C. Inwins, Esq. ; Captain
John Bishop-Culpeper; Major-General Sir W. Clayton,
Bart. ; H. E. Canney, Esq. ; W. Dickinson, Esq. ; J.
Gate, Esq. ; J. Gimson, Esq. ; W. S. Hodgkinson, Esq. ;
S. P. Hook and F. West, Esqs., solicitors to the society ;
and Mr. Vigers, surveyor.
Shortly before eight the chair was taken by T. C.
Grattan, Esq.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the evening,
said, in despite of the unfavourable state of the weather,
he felt happy in the presence of so many ladies and gen-
tlemen, who had favoured them with their presence—it
was an honour he deeply appreciated. It was by mere
accident that he occupied the position he did. They had
been disappointed, through indisposition, of the attend-
ance of the gentleman who had promised to fill the chair
that evening, and in the emergency he could not refuse
the solicitations to preside. The dense fog prevailing
had upset all their arrangements. The programme had
been most beautifully arranged—everything was in the
most precise order—hut the state of the atmosphere had
upset them all. Although it had done all this, yet it had
done them a great favour, it showed the society by the
large attendance this evening, that the public at large
do take a great interest in the success of the Free Trade
Freehold Land Society. He would not enter into the
object of the meeting, that would be done by the gen-
tlemen who would follow him—he would conclude by
calling upon Mr. West to move the first resolution.
Mr. WEST, in moving the first resolution, said—At
this time he need not enter into the working of freehold
land societies, they were well worked out, and perfectly
understood by every one. Since the establishment of
the first freehold land society in 1850, up wards of
4,000,0001. had been subscribed, and estates to the value
of between 5,000,0001. and 6,000,000/, had been pur-
chased and distributed among he could not say how many
members. Freehold land societies prevent the person
wishing to purchase a plot of land from goingtoacer-
tain class of persons, he would call them jobbers. After
an estate had been purchased, roads made, drains laid
down, it was distributed among the members at the
wholesale price, which effected a very large saving. This
society had two very important objects in view ; the first
and main one was to place it in the power of every man
to obtain a piece of freehold land—(cheers)--the second
one was to offer a sound and secure investment for the
savings of the industrious. He was sure that most of
them would bear him out in the assertion that if a per-
son wished to purchase a 40s. freehold, out of a free-
hold land society, the expenses of solicitors, conveyancing.
title, &c., would amount to one-half or two thirds of
the price of the ground. In this society all that expense
is obviated, and the member gets it conveyed to him with-
out one shilling of the expenses. As an investment for
saving, the security was most complete. There was no
fear of depreciation, but a clear and decided gain, the 401.
invested soon becoming 601. Not so in building socie-
ties, which many of them, no doubt, knew to their cost.
(Hear.) In some societies, a list of which he held in his
hand, the shares brought 861. premium and more ; in
another, 361. shares, brought 101. premium ; in another
the 601. share brought 201. This society, established
only on the 15th of August last, had issued 1,300 shares,
and possessed a subscribed capital of 60,0001., and all
this has been effected in the short space of three months.
He thought he need not say that such a society as this
deserved their utmost confidence ; he begged leave,
therefore, to move—" That the rapid progress made by
this society, and its firm establishment, demand the con-
fidence of the public, and entitles the committee of
management to the thanks of the shareholders."
The CHAIRMAN, after passing a high eulogium on Col.
Dickson, called upon him to second the resolution.
Colonel DICKSON, after thanking the chairman for so
flattering a compliment, said he had merely done his
duty, and he had done no more than any of his collea-
gues, with whom he had the happiness of being sur-
rounded. Mr. West had told them of the success that had
attended the society since its foundation, on the 15th of
August last, and that in only three months they had
disposed of 1,300 shares. Another large society—he
(Col. Dickson) would not mention names, because it
would be unparliamentary, but this he would say, it was
not the National—had disposed of 1,500 shares, but to
effect that they had to visit twenty-one places : viz.,
Norwich, Brentford, Kingston, Croydon, Reigate,
Hampstead, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Colchester, Great
Yarmouth, Gravesend, Greenwich, Woolwich, Deptford,
Rochester, Stratford, Derby, Nottingham, Liverpool,
Putney, and Ealing. Now, look at the expenses that
must have been incurred in holding those one and
twenty meetings ; we have had but one meeting ;
and we have issued 1,300 shares. (Cheers.) Our
expenses have been a trifle or mere bagatelle ; economy
in societies like ours is everything. It did not do to go
headlong the first year, for we all know the difficulty of
pulling in, the difficulty lay not in the expenditure, but
in recovering the effects of a lavish outlay ; therefore,
economy was the safest, the wisest, and the best course
to follow, and that course was followed by this society
in all its proceedings. (Cheers.) As one of the foun-
ders of this society, he (Col. Dickson) assured them it
deserved their utmost approval, and that approval he was
proud and happy to say, up to this time it had received.
And when he could bring so pleasing a statement of
affairs before them, he did not think he was asking too
much, if he asked one and all present to give the society
their combined and hearty support. (Cheers.) The
gallant gentleman then read the resolution, and resumed
his seat amid applause.
The resolution having been put to the meeting by the

Chairman, it was carried unanimously.
Mr. MARTINDALE, in moving the second resolution,
said—That after the clear, lucid, and forcible manner in
which the claims of the society had been laid before
them, he would leave that, and touch slightly upon
another part of the subject. To enter into the prin-
ciples of the Free Trade Freehold Land Society
would be impossible, from the length of time it would
necessarily occupy ; but this he would say, that it was
their wish and their desire, first, to elevate the position
of the shareholders in the social scale ; second, to ex-
pand a taste for the arts and embellishments in the con-
struction of houses, and their third desire was to succeed
in carrying out the two first mentioned. Of the vast
importance of such an object none could entertain a
doubt. In every part of the world was their language
heard, in every part of the world was their power felt.
Most of us had heard the American anecdote, that where
there was a riot and a pound of tea, there, in ten minutes,
was an English frigate sure to appear for its protection.
(Cheers.) He could not better describe this country
than in the language of one of old, o' John of Gaunt :
This royal theme of Kings, this seeptred Isle,
This earth of Majesty, this seat of Mars
This fortress built by nature for herself
Against Invasion and the hand of war !
This happy breed of men, this little world;
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves us as the office of attack,
Or as a sure defence at home
Against the envy of less happier lands ;
This blessed plot of earth !—this realm !
This England !
(Great applause.) Is it not worth while to have a plot
of land in that same England ? (Applause.) Why, for
the trifling pleasure of foregoing one cigar a-day a man
would pay for his freehold. (Applause.) Besides other
great advantages, this society possessed a register for
the disposal of the rights obtained to choose allotments
on the estates of .the society, where the shareholders
may positively realise sums varying from 501. to 1501.
for as many shillings. If this was not a strong argu-
ment, he did not know what was. He had great
pleasure in moving the resolution as follows :—" That
the now fully recognised and appreciated principles of
the society leave no doubt as to its ultimate success,
and warrant the continued and energetic support of its
members."

Mr. Urrwric felt much pleasure in seconding the resolu-
tion. The plans before the meeting would convince
every person present that the committee had done some-
thing—and that something entitled them to the support
of every one present. Those fortunate enough to pos-
sess allotments on the estates of the society might, with-
out the slightest difficulty, realise from 301. to al. pre-
mium for the property. It was proposed on the estate
situate at Beckenham, to build villas, and certain plans
were laid down so that one allottee would not be allowed
to depreciate the property of another by the erection of
a building not in conformity with the rest. (Cheers.)
At Camberwell it is proposed to erect houses of the
value of from 251. to 301. per annum. This class of houses
was more required than any other, and a more eligible
situation for the erection of such could not be found.
Mr. C. Dickens in his excellent publication, "House-
hold Words," said the poor clerk with his 1501. a year,se
had the greatest difficulty in the world in finding a hou
suitable for himself and his family, he must take any
accommodation he can get or put up with the m ostiueen.
venient lodgings. By the plans of this society,
eini:
o
some extent would be remedied. It was determine'
tion of this society in all future purchasesfe,
rteothoebitar
sihnenroet.
only the best, but the very best property
holders. (Cheers,) and
The resolution was then put by the Chairman,
carried unanimously.
Mr. JENEIN JONES then rose to move the theiuryd rere-
solution, and said, judging from appearances/.
mark he might
' make would be occupyingdesirous of
devoting to the
the time that
ladies and gentlemen seemed
taking of shares.
although
(al laout
gt ehd.
He (Mr. Jones) couldhheawveuunlod
roubtjheee-r
tion in moving the resolution,
not have had this meeting held until
he h
those two beautiful estates among
ter.) Immediately
surveyor had made his report,
tttmeesylv he ad
. L
_
nearly every member hof theeXecutive committee doubled
his shares, so anxious waesryhe to possess a slice of those
person who was fortunate
desirable estates ; and every
enough to get
might calculate upon the '
reali-
sation of from /0
to 100 per cent. for his capital. lie
would not further detain an anxious assembly, but sim-
plymove—" That the wide-spread formation of freehold
land societies throughout England incontestably proves
that their advantages are thoroughly understood by those
classes, and the people more especially benefitted by
them ; and however they may differ in particular objects,
they
are of great national importance, and admit of fur-
ther extension,'

Mr. H. E. CANNEY briefly seconded the resolution.
The CHAIRMAN then put it to the meeting, and declared
it carried.
In answer to a question asked by a gentleman in the
body of the meeting,
Mr. VIGERS, the surveyor to the society, said that on
the Camberwell estate the allotments would be 15 feet
frontage and 50 feet depth. On the Beckenham
estate, within view of the magnificent Crystal Palace,
the allotments would consist of 37 feet frontage, and vary