The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-15 00:00:00

COLONIAL SOCIETY.

A meeting of the members of this Society took place
yesterday afternoon, at their rooms, in Waterloo-place, with a
view to consider the propriety of forming a Colonial Club
in connection with the Society.
Colonel Sir DUNCAN APDouGALL was moved into the
chair.

Mr. SHARPE then addressed the meeting, stating the ad-
vantages that might be expected from the formation of a
club, not as the mere means of enjoying social comforts,
but as affording an opportunity whereby those in this
country who were interested in the Colonies, and Colonists
themselves visiting this country, might communicate with
each other. The real cbject of the meeting was to secure
a place to which these classes of gentlemen might resort,
and at which all of them might, more easily than elsewhere,
obtain every possible information on Colonial matters.
Such a body might advantageously advocate the interests of
the Colonies in this country. With this view it was pro-
posed that the Club should be in connection with the So
ciety, and that none hut members of the Society should be
allowed to belong to it. Ile then moved a resolution de-
claring that a club be instituted, &c.
Mr. MALLALIEu thought that the meeting ought to be
furnished with details before agreeing to the resolution
which pledged it to the formation of a club.
Mr. C. CLARK enforced the same view of the matter,
and suggested a resolution to the effect that the meeting
declared it was desirable to form a club, and, therefore,
appointed a Provisional Committee to inquire into the
matter and to report to the Society on the subject.
After some conversation on this suggestion,
Mr. SHARPE, whose only desire was to proceed in the
best possible manner to attain what he deemed to be a de-
sirable object, incorporated the suggestion into his reso-
lution, which was then carried unanimously.
A Committee was appointed, votes of thanks were passed
to the Honorary Secretary and the Chairman, and the
Society then adjourned to the 15th of January, when it was
o meet to receive the report of the Committee.

GENERAL ANNUITY ENDOWMENT

ASSOCIATION.

Yesterday the annual meeting of this Association was
held at the City of London Tavern, Joseph Jackson, Esq.,
in the Chair, which was most numerously and respectably
attended. The report read by the Secretary was most
satisfactory and gratifying. It appeared that this useful
Association was founded in the year 1829 by Mr. George
Walter. The capital of the Association now amounts to
upwards of 120,0001., and above 2,200 members. The
plan of granting reversionary annuities is of a very novel
description, and the large amount of the annuities now
paying to the widows and orphans of the subscribers exceeds
any institution of a similar nature. It was stated by the
Chairman that the first class annuitants were receiving an-
nu.ties exceeding 800/. per annum, and whose husbands
jointly had not paid more than 1,300/. to the Society. The
second and third classes in nearly the same proportion.
Thanks was then unanimously voted to the Chairman
and arectors for their indefatigable exertions, and the
meeting broke up highly gratified.

''HE NEW COLLIER REGULA-

TIONS.

The collier regulations just brought into operation in
the port of London, unite in securing two advantages—
the; free navigation of the river, and the interests of the
coal-consumer. It rarely happens where there are so
many conflicting interests that the public are gainers in
every point of view. The immediate duty of the Port
Committee is to keep open a free transit, and for accom-
plishing this object in the only impartial manner, they have
determined to admit all colliers into the pool, to discharge
their cargoes in the order in which they enter the port.
Upon the old arrangements of the coal trade, it is use-
less to waste a breath, their mischievous operation being
so well known ; but it is well for the public to be aware
that the resolution to admit every collier to the privi-
lege of lying in the stream of the river, free of ex-
pense—to discharge her cargo in her turn—has laid
the foundation for the overthrow of the great mono-
poly which has so long existed in the coal trade. Every
coal-o;vner is now assured of his regular turn for deli-
very, and fifteen days for discharging his cargo. Formerly
the coal trade was entirely in the hands of the factors, who,
however ready they might be to sell upon an advance of
price, never let the public reap any advantage from a dimi-
nution of the demand. Their list of vessels sold certified to
the harbour-masters what vessels were to enter the Pool.
These officers have now only one plain duty to perform—
first come first served. It is astonishing that it was not
discovered long ago how extremely ill-judged it was for the
Corporation of London to allow their officers to become
the mere tools of the factors in regulating the monopoly.
It is calculated by those who look deeply into the abuses,
that upon the new system it will be impossible for the com-
bination to exist for twelve months longer. One thing, how-
ever, is indispensable—the officers must strictly perform
their duty.