The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-17 00:00:00

THE INDEPENDENT FREEHOLD LAND

The Earl of ABERDEEN observed that the proposed
undertaking was entitled to favourable consideration,
not only on account of the inconvenience and insufficiency
of the present courts, but also on account of the great
public improvement which would be effected by their
removal to the neighbourhood of the Inns of Court. He
had already communicated with the Lord Chancellor on
the subject, and the proposition had met with the noble
and learned lord's sanction: The undertaking, however,
was one of such great magnitude and public importance
that it would require much consideration, more parti-
cularly with respect to the means of defraying the neces-
sary expenditure.
The deputation explained to the noble lord the various
means by which it was proposed to raise the requisite
funds. These were the accumulation of surplus interest
arising from stock purchased with the suitors' money
not directed to be invested (and to which interest they
have no legal claim), amounting to 1,241,188/. stock ;
the sum of 201,0281. stock, the accumulated surplus of
the suitors' fee fund since 1833 after , paying all the
charges thereon ; the surplus fees paid into the Treasury
to the consolidated fund since the Ist of January, 1838.
It was submitted that, although out of these receipts
the pensions and compensations allowed to the holders
of abolished offices have been paid, that pensions or
compensations granted on effecting alterations of the law
for the benefit of the community at large should be paid
out of the consolidated fund, and not by the suitors of
the court.
The Earl of ABERDEEN remarked that the appropria-
tion of part of the "suitors' surplus fund" to the re-
moval of the old courts, and the erection of new buildings
on an improved site, would require mature consideration.
He would, however, investigate the subject, and have
an early interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He would in all probability see the Chancellor of the
Exchequer that day.
The deputation afterwards waited upon Sir William
Molesworth, Chief Commissioner of Public Works, at
his office, Whitehall, and submitted to the right hon.
gentleman the plans and estimates for the proposed
buildings. They also entered into a full explanation of
the inconveniences sought to be removed, and of the
advantages to be obtained, both by the suitors and the
public generally, by the purchase and appropriation of
the proposed site.
Sir Was. MOLESWORTH examined the plans and esti-
mates submitted, and inquired into the sources from
which the expense was proposed to be defrayed. The
right hon. gentleman intimated that it had long been
his opinion that the courts of law should be removed to
the place proposed, and promised to give his favourable
attention to the subject.
The deputation then thanked the right hon. baronet
for his courtesy, and withdrew.

SOCIETY.

Last night a public meeting was held at the Commer-
cial Hall, Sing's-road, Chelsea, for the purpose of hear-
ing an explanation from a deputation of the board of
directors of the new and peculiar features of this society.
The chair was taken shortly after eight o'clock by W.
Eykelbosch, Esq.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings of the
evening, said in all the world's history such a thing has
never been told of before as the perfect mastery our
land and building societies have gained over paltry selfish-
ness and any bad feeling that would maintain distrust
and disunion amongst working men. The plan of these
societies is so simple and so sure, that the least taught
man sees his way clear and easy to winning for himself
and family a large step towards comfort and the world's
respect. Bad and wasteful habits give way to the manly
virtues of foresight wherever men can become owners of
wholesome and pretty cottages with good gardens, at
the same cost as they used to pay for their wretched
single rooms. Every man who can claim to be right in
head and in heart glories in the sight of our labourers
thus becoming better men and better off by means of
their own small savings managed by their native sense
of justice and fair play. The Independent Land
and Permanent Building Society has no other ob-
ject than to extend the benefits already won by
so many of our mechanics and labourers to the large
class who have not as yet had them placed within reach.
The way this society goes about its work is soon told.
A. large piece of ground is bought by uniting the shil-
lings of many hundreds of members, the hedges and
ditches are removed, roads and drains are made, the
whole cost is reckoned up, and proper-sized lots are sold
to the members at a fair share only of that told cost.
Thus it sells to the poor man a small plot at the same
price that large estates are bought by the rich man ; be-
sides, this society saves its members from all law ex-
penses and difficulties, which would most likely amount
to four times the price of any one lot bought by itself.
Good drains and roads are made, and just so many rules
are laid down as to the use of the plots se are enough to
protect such owner against nuisances or injuries from his
neighbours. Every one who wants a plot has his
name entered, and -the number of his shares goes
into the ballot-box, to decide who shall have
best choice. All the expenses of making a perfect
title were paid by the society, and the price may be paid
by small weekly and monthly sums, spread over any
length of time. between five and fifteen years. To suit
such as required it, part of the plots will have cottages
built on them by the society, and be balloted for and
sold on the same terms, and at a far cheaper rate than
any single member could build for himself. The way
the society contrives to raise money sufficient to supply
a large number of members wanting plots without delay
is also easy to show. The mortgages to this society
have four per cent, interest added to the money ad-
vanced, and secure a constant inflow of portions of the
money laid out, and the interest thereon. This money
being used again as fast as it comes in, gives an increase
whic allows of good interest being paid to members
who subscribe for interest only. Thus, the mortgages
of one set of members lying at the society's bankers are
made to serve as securities to that large class called
investing members, who are glad to get at least double
savings bank interest, without risk, and the society is
enabled to. meet the wishes of any number of pur-
chasers without laying them under obligation.
(Hear, hear.) Investing members may withdraw the
whole or any part of their money at any time by giving
one month's notice, and have five per cent interest, and
all shares ieft until realised will take equal portion of
the profits, and be entitled to the benefits now first
offered to holders of realised shares. (Cheers.) Holders
of realised shares will have the right to claim from the
society the purchase of an estate of their own choice, to
be held for their lives at a rent equal to 5 per cent. on
the puchase money, may expend money upon it, and
regard it with all the interest of ownership, and bequeath
it to their families by assigning a policy of assurance to
the society of a sum equivalent to the purchase money.
This society is enabled by the act of Parliament under
which it is enrolled, to offer to its members advantages
superior in kind and degree to those conferred on com-
panies or incorporations by either act of Parliament or
Royal charter; viz., members on their property acquired
by means of this society cannot become liable in any case
beyond the subscriptions from time to time due upon their
shares, and if a member is not a mortgagor to the,
society, no claim can be made even for continuance of
subscription. The rules are certified by authority to
contain nothing illegal or contradictory • that its tables
are safe, and may be fairly adopted. The affairs of the
society are under the entire control of the members, and
an annual report must be made of its accounts for their
use. Members are not compelled to take allotments on
any estate which does not suit them ; all rights may be
reserved or sold, and members wishing to sell their rights
have only to take them to the governors of Bethleheni
Hospital, where they will readily receive 1001. for every
3/. of secured ground rent, and providing a house is not
wanted, a builder will be found who will be glad to pur-
chase the allotment at a premium. An exclusive feature
in this society is, that any member may choose a plot
for himself in any locality suiting him, and have an ad-
vance of the purchase money and the means of erecting
a dwelling thereon---(cheers)—upon terms certain and
most advantageous. The full amount of each share is
advanced, their being no charge for premium or com-
mission. If, unfortunately, a member should fall into
temporary difficulties, time will be allowed him by the
directors. The chairman then entered at length upon
the benefits to be derived from encouraging habits of
saving and frugality, and after thanking this meeting for
the patience with which they heard him, and stating he
should have great pleasure in answering any questions
that might be put to him, resumed his seat amid ap.
plause.
Mr. RITCHIE, after the very able statement that bad
just fallen from the chairman, thought it would be a
work of supererogation for him to occupy the time of
the meeting at any length. He (Mr. Richie) then drew
an • interesting comparison between two men in the
employ of Mr. Brassey, the great railroad contractor-
-the one a careful Belgian, who ultimately became a land-
owner, the other an Englishman, who did not exercise
so much prudence, and still remained a workman. He
concluded by moving "That this meeting views with
peculiar satisfaction the new features of the Independent
Land and Permanent Building Society in providing a
i
machinery whereby the middle and humbler classes n,
and around London, as also the manufacturing and rural
districts in the provinces are provided with neat, whole-
some, and well regulated habitations, at a cost of less
than one half of the rent they now pay for their present
miserable hovels, and in due course of time become pro-
prietors of their own house and ground."
Mr. DOIIBELL had great pleasure in seconding the
resolution.
The CHAIRMAN then put it to the meeting, and de-
clared it carried unanimously.
Mr. WHEELLER then moved the second resolution as
follows—" That this meeting expresses its entire ap-
proval of the constitution and operation of the Inde-
pendent Freehold Land and Permanent Building
Society, and pledges itself, as far as possible to aid its
progress..
The resolution having been seconded by Mr. CIITMORE,
was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.
Various questions having been put, and satisfactorily
answered,
Mr. NEWMAN moved, and Mr. HILLS seconded, a
vote of thanks to the chairman.
The CHAIRMAN, in acknowleding the compliment,
said he thanked them heartily, and he hoped that the
proceedings of that evening would have the effect of
placing him upon intimate terms with the most of them.
A large number of shares having been taken, the pro-
ceedings terminated, having been of the most satisfactory
character.

THE BURNHAM MURDER.--AYLESBURY, SATURDAY.—
A report has very generally been spread in this neigh-
bourhood that Moses Hatto, who is awaiting his trial
for the brutal murder of his fellow servant, Mary Anne
Sturgeon, at Burnham Abbey, near Maidenhead, in
November last, had made a full confession of his guilt
to one of the county magistrates, and that he had given
a detailed account of the manner in which he perpe-
trated the deed. Inquiries which have been made of
the officers of the gaol show that there is no foundation
whatever for the statement, and some anxiety has been
evinced as to the manner in which the reports obtained
such general circulation. It seems that Hatto, who is
a mild, unassuming young man, has been very attentive
to the instructions of the chaplain of the gaol in which
he is confined, but has never uttered a single word which
can be construed into an admission of the grave crime
with which he is charged. No further evidence than
that adduced before the coroner has been obtained, and
serious debts are entertained whether that which at pre-
sent is in the hands of the police will be able to procure
a conviction. It will be remembered that after the
murder Hatto rode out on his master's horse as far as
the Maidenhead station, a distance of two miles, and
that a shirt is missing, which is supposed to be the one
he wore on that night. Although no means have been
left untried to find this shirt, the police have hitherto
failed in their endeavours. An important link in the
chain of evidence is therefore wanting. The prisoner
will be tried at the assizes which will be held at Ayles-
bury in March.
THE LATE SUSPECTED HOMICIDE AT CARDIPP.—The
magisterial investigation touching the recent alleged
murder of a woman named
.Catherine .M‘Carty, in a low
part of Cardiff, known as Little Steam-mill-row, of
which some particulars have already appeared, has been
brought to a conclusion, and has resulted in the com-
mittal of the suspected person, Bridget Dempsey, to
take her trial at the next assizes for manslaughter.
CHARING-CROSS BRIDGE.—The directors report to
Parliament that the cost of the proposed widening and
conversion of the bridge into a horse and carriage bridge,
with new approaches, alteration of existing ones, works,
additional capital, and tolls, is to he repaid yearly
means of funds, consisting of 180,0001., by shares, and
030,0331. by loan, which under their acts they are autho-
rised Ito raise, and that after deducting the sums re-
luired for purposes authorised by their acts, there will
remain unexpended a surplus of 106,930/. applicable to
the proposed alteration and new works, and that so
much of the alterations and works as will not be made
by these means will be made out of money to be raised
on the credit of the preeent surplus revenue, which
amounts annually to upwards of 2,0001.
FIGHTING AND FIDDLING.—Nero, we are told, fiddled
while Rome burned, and a placard posted upon the walla
of several of our buildings, on Wednesday, indirectly
asserts that some humbler performer will contribute a
cimilar arr. no pa to en annihilation of SAaslopol
or Cronstadt. The announcement referred to intiniate.4
that " Her Majesty's 80 gun frigate Cressy, fitting out
at Sheerness, is in want of petty officers, able-bodied sea-
men, artificers, and a good fiddler,—Sunderland Herald.

Leone.
The Waterwitch, 8, Commander Gardner, was off
Grand Taboo.
The Polyphemus, 6, paddle-sloop, Commander Phillips ;
Alecto, 5, paddlu-sloop, Commander Crofton ; and the
Ferret, 8, Commander Macdonald, were off Lagos.
The Philomel, 8, Commander Skene ; and Crane, 6,
Commander Miller, were on the south coast.
The Plumper, 11, Commander Wharton ; and the
Antelope, 3, Lieutenant-Commander Young, left Sierra
Leone for the Bights on the 13th ult.
The Volcano touched at Goree on the 22d ult. ; Tene-
rife, the 29th, and sailed the 2d inst. ; Madeira, on the
3d, and left on the 4th. The St. Jean d'Acre, 101,
Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, was at the latter island.
The Volcano encountered a•very heavy gale about 150
miles off Cape Finisterre, in which she lost her main-
topmast, and nearly her mainmast, which was with dif-
ficulty secured (her rigging being of wire), with extra
shrouds. She also lost her quarterboats. She was close
to a totally dismasted vessel during the gale, but could

render her no assistance.
Lagos affairs are again very threatening, and we are
informed Admiral Bruce was forming a larger expedition
than any hitherto sent against that place.
We regret to announce, on the authority of letters
from Australia, that Captain Sir Everard Home, of the
Calliope, senior officer on the Australian station, was
very ill. He had imprudently been on an exploring ex-
cursion to some unhealthy islands, contrary to good
advice. -
Mr. A. H. Boyd, mate, R.N., is appointed to the
Frolic, 16, Commander Nolloth, at Spithead.
About 150 workmen are daily employed on the Marl-
borough, 131, new screw three-decker, building in this
dockyard, and are making great progress. Some of the
outer planking has been already commenced.
The keel of the Shannon, screw, 60, is nearly com-
pleted ; but from her intended extraordinary length (25
feet longer than the Princess Royal, 91), some alteration
will be required in the slip and shed to enable the work
to proceed.
The new 80-gun sailing ship Colossus is ordered
to be brought down from the ordinary and placed in the
fitting-basin, ready for docking. We believe the object
is to cut and lengthen her amidships, and adapt her to

the screw.
The Simoom, 18, iron troop-ship, Captain Smith,
will haul into, the factory basin to-morrow, ready to go
into the steam dock to have her defects made good with-
out, delay. .
The Sphynx, 6, paddle-wheel sloop, will be removed
from the steam to the fitting basin to-morrow ready for
docking.
The Princess Royal, 91, Captain Lord Clarence Paget,
is setting up her lower rigging and shipping her cabin
furniture. _ .

The Dauntless, 24, screw frigate, Captain Ryder, is
progressing in the hands of the dockyard riggers. Very
few men have entered for her.
Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, the Commander-
in-Chief inspected the Volcano, at Spithead, this morn-
ing, preparatory to her coming into harbour to be paid
off.

WOOLWICH, JAN. 14.
PROMOTION.
Lieutenant WilHain Greet (1840), who has had the
command °Utile Crocodile, 8, receiving ship, stationed
off the Tower, for the purpose of serving as a rendezvous
for entering seamen for the Royal Navy, is promoted to
the rank of Commander.

APPOINTMENT.
Mr. Warner, recently serving as gunner in the Fire
brand, paddle-wheel steam-frigate, -is appointed gunner
to the Fisgard flag-Ship at Woolwich, and entered on
his duties this day.
The Vulcan iron screw steam troop-ship, Commander
Edward P. B. Von .Donop, arrived off Gravesend on
Saturday afternoon, and cast anchor there for the pur-
pose of landing 24 soldiers, 18 women, and 88 orphan
children, brought home from Bermuda and other islands
in the West Indies, the orphans being the sons and
daughters of soldiers who had died of the late prevalent
fever. The soldiers, women, and children were sent
by the North Kent Railway to Chatham, where the
depots of the regiments to which they belonged are
stationed. The Vulcan left Gravesend about 11 o'clock,
and arrived at Woolwich about 1 o'clock p.m., where
she was brought up at the dockyard, for' the con-
venience of landing the three companies of Royal
Artillery she brought home from Jamaica, Barbadoes,
and Bermuda. The companies landed at the dock-
yard at 3 o'clock p.m. to-day, and marched up to the
Artillery barracks, headed by the band of the regiment,
the widows and children having been previously landed
under the immediate superintendence of the Rev. Mr.
Wright, one of the chaplains of the garrison. Colonel
Willis, Lieutenant-Colonel Lake, Brigade-Major Bing-
ham, and Captain Riddell, were present at the land-
ing of the companies, and accompanied them to their
barracks. The widow and four children of the late Mr.
Thompson, who died while serving as band-master of
the 56th Regiment of Foot, also landed at Woolwich.
The total number brought home by the Vulcan was 250
soldiers, 50 women, and 166 children, all in very good
health. The voyage out and home of the Vulcan, under
Commander Von lonop, presents some interesting fea-
tures when examined in detail, and the following is from
unquestionable authority :—This fine iron screw steam-
ship left Spithead on the 11th of September, and arrived
off Bermuda on the night of the 3d of October, when a
pilot who came off having informed Commander Von
Donop of the prevalence of fever on the island, he used
his discretionary power very judiciously, and left the
same night, without communicating farther with Ber-
muda for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he arrived on the
9th of October, and landed the company of artillery
there which was intended for service at Bermuda. On
the 14th of October the Vulcan left Halifax and commu-
nicated with Bermuda on the 20th, but the fever still
prevailing, Commander. Von Donop held on for Bar-
badoes, where-he arrived on the 31st of October, and

landed the company of Royal Artillery intended for ser-
vice at that station ; and having embarked the company
ordered home, he left Barbadoes on the 4th of Novem-
ber for Jamaica, where he arrived on the 10th of the
same month, and disembarked the company for that
station. On embarking the company ordered home, he
left Jamaica on the 18th of November, and arrived at
Bermuda on the 3d December, when he learned that
the fever had abated, and the island become healthy.
Under these altered circumstances he left Bermuda
on the 6th of December, and arrived at Halifax on the
12th, and having embarked the company he left. In
the first instance he started from Halifax for Bermuda
on the 14th of December, and arrived there on the 22d
of the same month. On the 25th he had completed
taking on board the whole of the soldiers, women, and
children, and left on that day for England and arrived
at Portsmouth on the 13th inst. The Vulcan, during
her voyage out and home, steamed 21 days, and in that
period went over 3,000 miles. She was under sail 79
days, and proved herself an excellent sailer, and during
her 79 days of sailing went over 11,000 miles. The
time she remained at anchor was 24 days.
The Melampus, 42, frigate, in charge of Mr. Jackson,
Assistant-Master-Attendant, at Sheerness dockyard,
arrived here yesterday at 2 p.m., towed by the African
steam-vessel, and was taken into the basin to receive on
board, for conveyance to Devonport, the engines and
boilers of the Algiers, 90, screw steam-ship now ready
for launching at Devonport.