The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-05 00:00:00

USELESS CHURCHES,

At noon this day Sir John Pakingtou w move the
second reading of the bill which will enable the Bisheo
of London, with the consent of the Arohbiehop
and the Church Building Commissioners, to take
away one great stigma from the Church of England in
the metropolis—the existence of fifty churches among
the narrow streets of the city, in not fifteen of which is
there ever seen a congregation of 100 persons

The Tractarian party, seeing in "consecrated ground"
something so holy that they shrink from the idea of
touching it, are earnestly engaged in enlisting oppo-
nents, with the view of throwing out this bill. As we
have once or twice said, let them be consistent ; let
them propose a law, making it sacrilege ever to " dese-
crate" the site of a church. Then we shall, at least,
understand where we are. But, at present, this is
neither the law nor the practice.
Within the last year or two the church of St. Benet
Fink has disappeared. A little before this, the church of
St. Bartholomew by the Exchange was removed, and on
its site was built the Sun Fire Office. In Fleet-street,
the site of the former church of St. Dunstan in the
West now forms part of the street, and the new church
stands on the site where formerly stood some cham-
bers in Clifford's-inn. Such is the present state of
the law ; and such is the progress of church-removal.
But each of these removals costs a separate act of Parlia-
ment. What the present measure aims to do is, to give,
in one act, the power which will otherwise have to be
obtained in a dozen or twenty more local acts. To get
those many bills through Parliament will waste much
precious time, and will cost as much money as would
build four churches ! Surely it is common sense to
provide for the whole case by one sufficient measure ;
and not to waste time and money on piecemeal legis-
lation.

Now, as to the general merits of the present bill.
These may be judged of by a single case.
A dozen years ago there stood, close by the Bank, the
church of St. Bartholomew. On no Sunday morning
had it so many as 50 persons within its walls. Just be-
hind the Bank, distant not 100 yards from St. Bartho-
lomew's Church, stood the church of St. Margaret,
Lothbury. The corporation found it needful to widen
Bartholomew-lane, and they asked the bishop to con-
sent to the removal of the church., His lordship merely
stipulated that removing that church from a place
where it was not wanted, the corporation should rebuild
it in a place where it was wanted. In Cripplegate
parish, not half a mile distant, there was but one church
among 14,000 people. The church of St. Bartholomew by
the Exchange was pulled down, and a new church of
St. Bartholomew was built in Moor-lane. The handful
of people who had assembled in the church by the bank
were transferred to St. Margaret's, distant only a few
yards. The Church of England lost nothing, not an
iota, on the one hand ; but she gained a good and spa-
cious new church, with a congregation, on the other.
Thus it was all gain, and no loss.
Now what was done is this one instance may be done
in a dozen others. At least a dozen churches now not
visited by 50 people each on the Sunday might be taken
down, and those little congregations transferred to other
churches close at hand ; and with the sums obtained
from the sale of their sites a dozen new churches, hold-
ing 1,000 persons each, with endowments for their
ministers, in the suburban parishes, might be raised in
the course of the next seven years. Here, too, it would
be all gain, and no loss. The church in the City would
be stronger, not weaker ; it would have lost merely a
stigma and a disgrace. But the church in the suburbs
would have gained twelve new churches, twelve new
clergymen, twelve new congregations ; and all this by
means of funds provided by clearing away what, in the
City, is an actual source of weakness and of disgrace.
But, aware that the facts of the case are quite against
them, the Tractarians call in the aid of a little popular
prejudice. First, they set up a howl about "disturbing
the ashes of the dead." But here, too, there is no other
safe course but that of appealing to facts. When St.
Bartholomew's Church was removed, was violence
dune to "the ashes of the dead ?" When St. Dunstan's
Church was removed, with vathts, burying-ground, and
tombs, what outrage was committed ? None whatever.
A large brick vault was first prepared., into which every
coffin, and every yes+ ige of human remains, were care•
fully removed. And only when this had been done was
the site excavated for the new buildings. _ _

But, again we repeat- -what is proposed to be done,
will be done, either by piecemeal, by single local im•
provements, or by one well-considered and combined
measure, directed by the ecclesiastical authorites.
Surely the latter is the most expedient plan.
Another cry is attempted to be raised, of the bud-
ship of refusing the parishioners any voice in the matter.
But this charge is untrue. The parishioners will have
abundant opportunities of making their voice heard ;
but they will not have an absolute veto. This the law,
as it now stands, does not give them. The present bill
establishes no new principle ; it merely follows in the
footsteps of previous legislati ,n.
Against this demand, that the inhabitants should have
a veto, there are obvious objections. The very groand
of the whole proceeding is the notorious fact, that; in
various parishes in the City, of real resident inhabitants
there are scarcely any. To make the consent of the in-
habitants necessary, would be practically to give to six
or eight individuals the power of pronouncing a veto on
the proposal to remove their church. Now, who will
say that a little knot of persons like this, finding tiat
the absolute power of stopping the whole plan was de-
posited in their hands, might not sometimes abuse that
power, and refuse to give their consent, except upon
some grossly unjust terms ? Hence the veto is not
lodged with them ; but should any parishioners ever feel
aggrieved at the proposed removal of their church, they
will have abundant opportunity of lodging their objec-
tions, and of gaining for them the fullest hearing.
Still, although the merits of the bill are very great,
we know what may be done by the vehement and un-
scrupulous opposition of a party. We saw, about two
months since, the same little knot of persons, who are
now opposing this bill, succeed in throwing out the bill
applied for by the rector of Stoke Newington to enable
him to rebuild his parish church. A rector was actually
refused permission to rebuild his own church ? The
reason alleged was, that he proposed to establish pew-
rents. But the true reason was, that the Tractarians
feared that a good parish church would injure the
prospects of a voluntary church of their own, a sort of
" St. Barnabas," which they had there established.
Rather than their own chapel should find its attendants
lessened they would refuse to the rector of the parish
the right of rebuilding his own church. But what is
now heard ? That the very man whom they thus set up
as a rival and an opponent to the rector of the parish,
has just seceded to Rome!
And are these the persons who ought to lead the
House of Commons on matters of church policy ?--
11forning Herald.

THE ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

We now give the continuation from our first edition
of yesterday of the evidence adduced at the adjourned
inquiry held at the Sheriff's Court, Red Lion-square, as
to the death of the child Alfred Richardson.

Mr. William Coulson.—l reside in Frederick-place,
Old Jewry. lam a surgeon. On the 16th of last May
I made a post modern examination of the body of the
child by order of Mr. Wakley, the coroner. The bladder
was gone, and I could form no opinion as to the cause of
death from that examination. (The witness here exhi-
bited the forceps, the staff, sound, and other instruments
used in an operation fer lithotomy, and explained the
process of the operation.) Either of the three stages of
the operations fur lithotomy may be performed in a short
space of time when there is no casualty.
By Mr. Clarkson.—Since I have written my book I
have known of five cases where the knife has missed the
bladder and gone between the bladder and the rectum,
and two of them were operations performed by very
skilful men. In introducing the finger, I have myself
been in doubt whether I had entered the bladder or not.
These, I believe, are casualties among skilful men which
frequently occur. I should be sorry to impute in-
efficiency or neglect from such a cause. I have per-
formed the operation myself in two minutes, and I have
had a patient on the table for more than an hour. Except
in casualties, the operation for stone is a very successful
operation up to the age of 22.
By Mr. Ballantine—l have given my evidence to a
gentleman from Mr. Steele's office. lam an old ac-
quaintance of Mr. Wakley's, and he publishes my lec-
tures. I have performed very nearly 100 operations for
lithotomy, and such a mistake as this never happened to
me. I can't say how long I might be before I discovered
I had not entered the bladder. I don't think that I
have exceeded five minutes in performing the operation
in the case of a child. A patient's life may be risked by
not having all the instruments required for an operation
at hand.

Mr. Frederick Carpenter Skey examined—l reside in
Grosvenor-street, Grosvenor-square. I have been sur-
geon of St. Bartholomew's Hospital for 28 years, and
am well acquainted with the operation of lithotomy. It
is the duty of a surgeon or his responsible officer to see
that the bowels of a patient are opened before such an
operation. If I have a house-surgeon or dresser who
knows my practice. I do not think it necessary to
scrutinise every instrument laid upon the table for an
operation. I differ very much from Mr. Coulson in
this matter. The point in which I differ from Mr.
Coulson is in what he calls casualty. What I call a
casualty is in the exhibition by a patient of a large
prostrate gland, or the stone breaking, or a very large
stone. I should not call making a blunder in the way
we have heard has occurred in this case a casualty.
Mr. Bailantine—Do you consider that to be an acci-
dent such as may occur to a skilful operator.
Mr. Skey— Certainly not. I have never seen such an
accident occur to skilful surgeons. If it had, I don't
think a skilful surgeon would be long in finding it out.
I should not think much of a person who had only ope-
rated from 10 to 20 times making such a mistake, and
slipping the knife out of the groove. I cannot help
saying, with great regret, I think in this case there was
a decided want of judgment in keeping the child upon
the table for an hour and a. half, or it would have been
so even at the end of an hour. Thu question of stone in
the bladder ought to be merged in the safety of the
child, and it ought to have been taken earlier from the
table.
Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Wilkins--I have
been in practice as a surgeon since 1822. I had been
about four years in my profession before I performed an
operation for lithotomy. I once cut a child for stone
with
without finding a stone in the bladder. It is an event
that has occurred to many. I don't think I differ much
cyAaid na,m medicals brethren.
nßai..vfieel Steeleaad erasama
then s
ol
iscwi
toorrn. reside i de
con-
cerned 1, m
Lri mn.
for Mr. Cooke.,
in this case. It appears from Mr.
Evans' bill of costs that he received 100/, from me, and

I paid him that money. It was my 019 h money. On
Thurs day, the 11th of May last, Mr. Cooke called upon me
whille I was examining a witness before the examiner of
the Rolls Court, and said he wished to see me about a
child which bad died after an operation in the Royal
Free Hospital. He said he thought an action would be
commenced against him, and I asked him to give me
the name of the attorney. He gave me the name of
Mr. Evans, of Gray's-inn. I called and saw Mr. Evans,
and asked him what the matter was about, and he told
me, and said he had applied for an inquest, and that Mr.
Wakley bad consented to hold one, and that an order
had been issued to exhume the body of the child. He
said he was acting under the advice of some pleader, and
that he had told him of some disturbance which had
recently taken place about Mr. Gay, who had been one
of the surgeons of the Royal Free Hospital, and it would
be better for the hospital, whatever might be the result
of the case, that Mr. Gay should not get hold of the
facts relating to the death of the child. I asked Mr.
Evans, by way of suggestion, whether he did not think
his clients would agree to submit the matter to arbitra-
tion, as I was a governor and took great interest in the
hospital. I agreed fully with Mr. Evans that an inquiry
of such a character would tend to the injury of the esta-
blishment. Mr. Evans promised to see the mother of
the child on the subject ; but he previously suggested
that the parents would be entitled to maintain an
action for the loss of their child under Lord Camp-
bell's Act. On Friday, the 12th, I saw Mr. Evans
again, and he told me be had not seen either the father
or mother, but he had sent to the mother, and expected
her there every instant, and almost as he said those
words the mother came Mr. Evans wished me to see
her alone. I declined to see her at all, and requested.
him to confer with his own client. He then saw her,
while I went into the clerks' room. Mr. Evans in about
five minutes came and said she refused the arbitration,
and in such a manner that he thought I had better see
her. I then saw her in presence of Mr. Evans, and
urged upon her to agree to the arbitration, adding that
I was quite sure everybody connected with the hospital
would do what was right, and I was quite sure that all
the surgeons, and even the committee, would join in the
reference. I told her there were always two sides to a
question, and that whatever might be the result of a pub-
lic inquiry it would be injurious to the hospital. She said
she only wanted to ascertain what were the facts as to the
death of her child, but expressed herself unwilling to
agree to the arbitration, and said she would see
her husband on the •subject. I told her to tell
her husband that the inquiry might be as ex-
tensive as he liked,, as well as the powers of the
arbitrator, and that he should have the power also
of dismissing any officer he liked, and to give the
parents compensation under Lord Campbell's Act. I
told her they might appoint the arbitrator so as they
would appoint an impartial person ; that the arbitrator
might be a barrister or a medical man, or both, if the
parents liked. The mother said compensation was not
her object. Some one called upon her, and offered to
repay the expenses she had been at, and she would not
take either a hatful or a roomful of gold. I called the
next morning to know the result of the interview with
Mr. Evans and the father of the child, but he was not
at home, and Mr. Evans came to me at the Rolls Court,
and handed me a paper, saying the arbitration was de-
clined. On Tuesday, the 16th, Mr. Evans called upon
me and told me that he had obtained medical evidence
respecting the case, that he was perfectly satisfied he
could make nothing of the inquest except for the purpose
of information to found an action under Lord Camp-
bell's Act. He had seen the parents, and the parents
wish to settle the matter, "if you will pay a sum of
money." I said it was an unpleasant position for me to
put to my client, and it was a matter upon which I must
act upon my own discretion one way or the other ; that
I felt as much for the hospital as my client, and pro-
bably I should do more than my client would. I said, if
I mentioned it to him, or it was thought for a moment
my client gave any money, it might prejudice him as a
medical man. I told Mr. Evans, as I felt I must in
such a case act upon my own responsibility I requested
a few minutes' time to consider. Mr. Evans said he
would not act himself without a written consent from
the father, and he would go into Holborn and get it,
while I considered what I could do. He said his own
expenses were very heavy indeed, but did not name the
amount of them. He had paid expenses out of pocket,
and he would take 1001. for compensation and expenses.
Mr. Evans went away for about 20 minutes, and then
came back with the authority signed by the father, stat-
ing he was satisfied with the medical evidence, and
wished to withdraw the inquest. I then asked him if
there were any parties in the background through whom
the matter might gain publicity, as it was simply pub-
licity I wished to prevent He assured me positively
that there was not, and I then offered him 501. and 501.
a month hence, in order to insure that this matter should
not be made a subject of public discussion in the
newspapers. He assured me that there was no chance of
the circumstance getting into the public press, and
declined my proposition to receive the money in two
sums of 50/. and agreed that if I gave him the 1001. and
the matter became public in any way, he would return
me the money. (Laughter, in which the bar joined.) I
gave him the 1001. by check, which I produced. It was
not crossed by me.
By the Coroner—l never consulted Mr. Cooke, either
directly or indirectly, as to the payment of this 1001.
Mr. Evans wished me to send the father of the child's
withdrawal of the inquest to Mr. Wakley, but 1 re-
fused to do so, and I told Mr. Evans to do it himself. I
had no communication, either directly or indirectly,
with the Mr. Wakleys. Neither of the Mr. Wakleys
knew anything of the matter, as far as* I am aware of.
By Mr. Ballantine—My impression is, that 1 should
not have settled the question had Evans not produced
the father's letter. I paid the money to prevent the
publicity of an inquest, knowing that under any circum-
stances it would be injurious to the hospital and Mr. Cooke.
Ido not look to any one for the 1001. I have paid. I
have made no claim upon any one, and may not get a
penny of it back again. I think the governors ought to
pay the 1001., but if they are shabby enough not to
do so, I shall not ask them a second time. I have
looked over Evans's bill of costs, and have no hesita-
tion in saying that it is twice as much as it ought
to he.

Mr. Ballantine said, so far as his case was concerned,
he had called all the witnesses ho considered neces-
sary to the inquiry. Mr. Evans had written him a
letter, saying he was obliged to be out of town on
the previous day, but why he was absent then he
could not tell. He shbuld certainly have liked him to
be examined. He did not know whether his learned
friends proposed to call any witnesses.
Mr. Sergeant Wilkins said he did not intend to call
any witnesses ' • but, at the same time, if the jury wished
to call or Mr. Ballantine wished to call his client, Mr.
Wakley, jun., he was prepared to give the fullest ex-
planation.
Mr. Parry said, that Mr. Wakley, as a public man
and a judge, bad had his character publicly assailed, and
therefore, with that straightforwardness of character
which bad distinguished him through life, he tendered
himself as a witness before that jury, to state everything
he knew concerning the matter. At the same time, he
disputed the right of the jury legally to enter into any
other question than the circumstances relating to the
death of this child.

Consulerable discussion ensued upon this point, and
the jury, having been appealed to as to whether they
wished any other witnesses to be called, consulted to-
gether, and the foreman announced that it was the opi-
nion of the jury that Mr. Evans should be examined
after the evidence given by Mr. Steele.
Mr. Evans was again called, and not answering, he
was ordered to be summoned for Friday next, to which
day the investigation was again adjourned.

INAUGURATION OF THE RAILWAY
PROM ANTWERP TO ROTTERDAM.

) Railway opening of the
took D
placeutc Boenl gi a n (
Monday
n Ad .anyt wl
last.
andßo
Among
t-
ttheroTdshaemewho took part in the ceremony were the represen-
tatives of the Governments of Belgium and Holland, the
burgomaster and principal officials of Antwerp, Mr.
Samuel Laing, M•p Sir Joseph Paxton, Messrs. Jas.
Aswell and George Withes, Mr. Gehoul, with other
gentlemen. At nine o'clock in the morning a special train
left the within station at Brussels, and conveyed a nume-
rous company (including many of the principal share-
holders) to Roozendael, a town of some importance, and
the place fixed upon for the inauguration. There Bel-
gium was officially received by Holland, Mr. Borst,
governor of North Brabant, the appointed representative
of the King of Holland, offering his congratulation to the
Minister of Public Works and those who surrounded him.
The station was ornamented with a number of flags, one
bearing the inscription, " Railways 'are the principal
cause of unity between nations." A very cordial under-
standing seemed to exist between the two populations,
and the country people hailed the opening of the line
with enthusiasm. The Dutch bands played the hymn
of the Belgian Revolution, and the Belgians the national
songs of the Netherlands.
The company having traversed the line, returned to
Antwerp,
where the banquet was provided, covers being
laid for 125, Mr. Laing occupying the mid ile of thetable, supported by Mr. Teichman and Mr. Noel. After
the dinner,
Mr. GEIIOI7I. rose to propose the first toast, " Leopold
the First of the Belgians, and William the Third of the
Netherlands." He said the undertaking which they had
met to inaugurate would be the means of opening ne w
relations between Belgium and the Netherlands, draw
closer the ties between the two nations, and afford a
rapid and economical system of communication with the
west of Europe.
The toast was received amidst much applause.
The minister of the Netherlands, in proposing pros-
perity to the Antwerp and Rotterdam Railway, said,
there was a gentleman connected with the company who
held an eminent position in a neighbouring country, who
devoted all his time and intelligence to the accomplish-
ment of those great undertakings which develop the ge-
nius and prosperity of nations—he meant Mr. Laing,
the hon. President of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham.
(Cheers.) He would not allow the opportunity to escape
without thanking that gentleman for his hospitality, dis-
played to some artists who represented their country at
the recent Exhibition presided over by the Queen of
England, and would add to the toast the health of Mr.
Laing, and success to the Crystal Palace at Sydenham.
The toast was cordially responded to. Several other
toasts concluded the ceremony. _

The line is ooustructed in a most substantial manner,
and the various stations present a very elegant appear-
ance; the rolling stock is also of a superior description,
and credit is awarded to the directors for having opened
the line many months previous to the time mentioned
at the formation of the company.

With regard to the time occupied in performing the
distance between Antwerp and Rotterdam with the por-
tion of the line now opened, it is calculated the journey
will be performed in four hours, whilst under the old
system it took from 9 to 10 hours.

FREE TRADE FREEHOLD LAND

SOCIETY.

Last evening, a general meeting of members of the Free
Trade Freehold Land Society was held at the Freemason's
Tavern, Great Queen-street, in pursuance of a requisition
presented to the executive committee, to consider and de-
ten-nine certain proposed alterations in and additions to
the rules of the society, and also to create one hundred
rights of choice, fifty from the ballot division, and fifty
from the seniority list,

Among the gentlemen present on the occasion, wve ob-
served—Lieut.-Col. Dickson, one of the trustees of the
society ; Henry Canney, Esq. ; W. Dickinson, Esq. ; J.
Gate, Esq.; Joseph Gimson, Esq. ; Jenkin Jones, Esq. ;
Thomas C. Unwin, Esq. ; Tyndale, Esq. ; F. West,
Esq. ; 'Tigers, Esq. ; Elioart, Esq. ; Astbury,
Esq , and many other highly influential gentlemen and a
large number of shareholders.
Shortly after seven o'clock, the chair, on the motion of
T. C. LTNwiN, Esq., seconded by W. DICKINSON, Esq., was
taken by Lieut.-Col. Dickson.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings of the even-
ing, said he would call upon the secretary to read the
notice of the meeting, after which they would proceed to
the consideration of the additions and alterations proposed
to be made to the rules of the society.
The SECRETARY having read the notice convening the
meeting, was about to read the alterations, when
The CHAIRMAN said, as the reading the alterations would
necessarily take up much valuable time, and as they were
in the hands of the members, he suggested they should be
taken as read, as they would be taken separately.
This having been agreed to,
Rules 2 and 3 were then, after a short discussion,
agreed to.

-Mr. DICKINSON then moved the following be substituted
for Rule 4 :—Every member, on receiving an advance from
the society's funds shall pay, in addition to his subscrip-
tions, quarterly, the sum of ls. per share for each share
advanced, as a contribution towards the cost of manage-
ment and other expenses of the society, until the amount
advanced shall have been wholly repaid ; and in case of
non-payment, the sum may be deducted from the first
subsequent payment of the member for his subscription on
his share. All sums paid as quarterage on unadvanced
shares prior to the alterations taking efect, to be trans-
ferred to the credit of members' subscriptions.
Mr. CANNEY said, it gave him much pleasure in second-
ing the proposition of Mr. Dickinson.
In answer to questions put by some of the shareholders;
The SECRETARY said, the effect of passing the alteration
proposed would be to entirely abolish the quarterage fees,
except on shares advanced. (Cheers.)
The CnAinmAN then put the, motion to the meeting, and
declared it carried unanimously.
A SHAREHOLDER then moved that the following amend-
ment be made to Rule 11, with respect to withdrawals :
" If the withdrawal be made within six months, the fine be
2s. per share; exceeding six months, and not exceeding
twelve months, ls.—after which time no fine shall be pay-
able ; but the executive committee shall have full power
from time to time to alter the amount of withdrawal fine."
Mr. CANNEY said he did not approve of the whole of
the amendment proposed, especially the latter portion.
He, therefore, should move that the words " but the exe-
cutive committee shall have full power from time to time
to alter the amount of the withdrawal fine," be expunged.
The rule as proposed by Mr. Canney was then put by the
Chairman, and declared carried unanimously.
Mr. ELIOART then moved an amendment to Rule 22,
respecting the quorum of the executive committee, which
was adopted.
_

A. short discussion then took place upon the motion of
Mr. Tyndale, to reject the: 23d Rule, respecting the num-
ber and election of the members of the executive committee
who retire annually.
Mr. J. JONES thought the proposed new rule a good one.
Mr. CANNEY said, as great unanimity prevailed in the
executive committee, he thought it would be as well if one
half of them were to retire annually, but to be eligible for
re-election. He begged to move an amendment to that
effect.

Mr. J. JONES said he did not altogether approve of the
amendment; yet, as a member of the executive committee,
he begged to second the motion of ➢Zr. Canney. Ile
thought that, by so doing, he should give the best proof
possible of the unanimity that prevailed in that committee.
He thought the motion. of Mr. Tyndale would not have the
effect that gentleman desired.

The motion of Mr. Canney was then put from the chair,
and was rejected; and the rule, after an explanation by
the solicitor (Mr. West), of the form of voting papers to be
adopted, was agreed to, as were some others.
Mr. DICKINSON then moved that the following be sub-
stituted for rule 32 :—That if any member of the execu-
tive committee, trustee, or auditor shall resign or shall
become bankrupt, insolvent, or insane, or shall make an
assignment for the benefit of his creditors, or shall have
any judgment or execution against him, his estate or ef-
fects, or shall be or become a member of any committee
or managing body, or a trustee of any similar society, he
shall thereupon cease to be such member of the executive
committee, trustee, or auditor, as the case may be, of this
society; or when, in the opinion of a majority of the
general committee, present at a special meeting called for
the purpose, any member of the executive committee,
trustee, auditor, or other officer of the society shall be
guilty of neglect or improper conduct, such general com-
mittee shall have the power at once to remove him from
office.

TMhre. GATECHAIRMAN begged
thte on second
put
it
to h e t
he proposal
meeting,
and declared
it carried unanimously.
The various other alterations having been disposed of,
The CHAIRMAN said they had now come to the more
pleasing portion of the proceedings of the evening, namely,
the ballot. (Cheers.) But before going to that part of
the business, he wished to ask if any gentleman had any
questions to put, as the officers of the society were present ?
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know whether the Free
Trade Freehold Land Society had become a building so-
ciety ?
Mr. WEST, the solicitor, said, by act of Parliament all
societies were registered as building societies, though in
fact they were freehold land societies.
Various questions having been put relative to the Cam-
berwell and Anerley estates, and answered by the solicitor
and surveyor,
The scrutineers were then appointed, and the ballot-
wheel was given into their custody. The seals having been
verified anti removed, the following numbers were drawn :
-*420, *657, "3163, 2615, 2466, 780. 1873, 3096, 1731,
475, 1866, 3053, 2574, "502, *5BO, 1946, 1197, 1413, 1878,
1348, 2653. 873, *5Ol, *194, *258, 2729, 2279, *1738,
"1739, *lO7B, *1079, *lOBO, *740, *824, *877, 2964, *225,
*340, 30q, 1507, 1544, 2.t47, 1942, 1938, 2145, *512, *640,
1911, 2369, 2538. -Those marked * are grouped.
A vote of thanks having been awarded the chairman,
Lieut.-Colonel DICKSON begged leave to thank the meet-
ing for the compliment paid him. He assured them all
that it gave him great pleasure to meet them at meetings
such as the present. His services were always at their
command. (Cheers.) It was always with pleasure that
he assisted at anything calculated to promote the prosperity
and further the interests of the Free Trade Freehold Laud
Society. (Loud cheers.)
The proceedings, which gave much satisfaction, then
terminated.

THE LONDON GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 3d day of July,
1854,

Her IVlajesly in Council was this day pleased to appoint
the Right Hon. Granville George Earl Granville, Chan-
cellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to be a member of the
Committee of Council on Education.

ST. JAMES'S PALACE, JULY 4.
The Queen has been pleased to a n
Churchill, to be one of the Ladies of tplrißt Jane, Lady
Bedchamber in
Ordinary to her Majesty, in the room of Caroline Augusta,
Countess of Mount-Edgcunnbe resigned.
ST. JAMES'S PALACE, JULY 4.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Caroline-Augusta,
Countess of Mount-Edgcumbe, to be Extra Lady of the
Bedchamber to her Maiesty.rßEET,
JULY
1.
The QueenDh?WsbNeeinNpaleSased to appoint the Honourable
John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton to be Lieutenant-
Governor of the Province of New Brunswick.
WHITEHALL, JULY 1.
has The been pleased to constitute and appoint
GeneralC2u W illiam Thomas Knollys to be Lieutenant-
O Major
ever-nor of the Island of Guernsey, in the room of Lieu-
tenant-General Sir John Bell, K.C.B.
HITEHALL, JULY 3.
The Queen has been pleased to present the Reverend
Charles Maclean to the church at Kinloch Likart, or Kin-
loch I,inchart, in tho parish of Coutin, in the presbytery
of Dingwall, and shire of Ross, vacant by the transporta-
tion of the Reverend Grigor Stewart, late Minister there-
of, to the church and parish of Rogart.
BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, JULY 3.
The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received,
through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy
of three French Imperial Decrees from hr Majesty's Am-
bassador at Paris, continuing to the 31st December next
the facilities afforded by former decrees for the importation
and transport of various articles of food, viz. :
The first prolongs the action of the decrees of the 3d and
18th of August, of the 2d September, of the Ist and 12th
October, and of the 3d of December, 1453 ; and those of
the 11th and 16th of January of the present year, removing
certain dues and restrictions on different articles of sub-
sistence.

The second prolongs the action of the Decrees of the sth
September and 3d December, 1853, which exempted car-
goes of corn and flour, of rice, potatoes, and of dry vege-
tables, from the payment of navigation dues.
And the third extends the facilities granted by the De-
cree of December 17, 1853, for the transport of corn and
flour, rice, potatoes, and dry vegetables between Fiance
and Algeria, in foreign bottoms, the same to extend to all
such vessels as shall have left the port in which they load,
previous to the 31st December, 1854.
OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, JULY 1.
Royal Regiment of Artillery—Francis Cotterell, Gent.,
to be Veterinary Surgeon, June 24.
COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORD LIEUTENANTS.
East Riding of York and Borough of Kingston upon-
Hull—Gamel Augustus Pennington. Baron Muncaster, to
be Deputy Lieutenant, June 8 ; Cristopher Sykes, Esq.,
to be Deputy Lie -tenant, June 19.
County of Northampton—William Alleyno Cecil, com-
monly called the Lord Burghley, to be Deputy Lieutenant,
Fitzpatrick Henry Vernon, Esq., to be Deputy Lieuten-
ant, June 28.

Royal Bucks Ring's Own Militia—Ensign Edward Pen-
ningtonSoltau to be Lieutenant ; Ensign Lawrence Hall
to be Lieutenant, June 26.
2d Regiment of the Royal Surrey Militia—John Richard
Molineux, Esq., to he Lieutenant, June 27.
Dorset Militia,—Ensign Davis. to be Lieutenant, vice
Davenish, promoted ' • Wm. George Swinhoe, Gent., to be
Ensign, vice Davis, promoted, June 28.
Royal Wiltshire Militia—Archibald Farquharson, Gent.,
to be Lieutenant, June 21.
East Kent Regiment of Militia—AugustusWalter Lewis,
Gent., to be Ensign, June 20; William Haylet Curtis,
Gent., to be Surgeon, June 26.
Hampshire Militia Artillery—The Right Honourable
James Howard, Earl of Malmesbury, to be honorary
Colonel Commandant, June 22.
Hampshire Regiment of Militia—Thomas Buckner Henry
Valentine, Gent., to be Lieutenant ; Stewart Harvey Bruce,
Gent., to be Ensign, Juno 26
[This article is substituted for that which appeared in
the Gazette of Friday, June 23.)
Hampshire Regiment of Militia—Tanfield George Head-
ley, Gent., to be Lieutenant, June 10.