The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-05 00:00:00

NATIONAL EDUCATION UNION.

A meeting of Vice• Presidents and others in connection
with the National Education Union was held yesterday
at the Westminster Palace Hotel, when the follow-
ing resolutions were passed :-
1. That this meeting strenuously urges all friends of
religious education carefully to note without delay such
deficiencies in public school accommodation as may exist
in their own neighbourhoods, and at once to set on foot
active measures to supply what is needful; and that the
Executive Committee be requested to circulate, for
suggestion and general guidance, such information as may
appear to them desirable. 2. That inasmuch as the
principle of the Elementary Education Bill is to
place voluntary schools and rate-founded schools upon an
equal footing, and to encourage an honourable spirit of
emulation between them—it should be our earnest de-
termination, and that of all who sympathise with us, that
in this rivalry, voluntary schools shall not suffer from
any apathy or indifference, or any want of generous en-
couragement and support. 3. That the (projected)
Manual on the Elementary Education Act, pointing out
the bearing of the various clauses (1) upon existing
schools, (2) upon the provision maintenance,
and management of new schools, whether (a)
voluntary or (b) rate-provided, be published for general
circulation, after revision and approval by the Executive
Committee. 4. That the principal objects for which the
National Education Union was formed having been
secured in the bill which has passed both Houses of Par-
liament, preparations be made by the executive com-
mittee for bringing the proceedings of the union to a
close.

The secretary reported that he had received 460 letters
all but one expressing sympathy with the objects of the
Union.—The chairman (Mr. Cowper Temple) said this
was perhaps the most interesting of all the meetings of
the Union, because their previous meetings were in a war-
like capacity, while now they were met to congratulate
themselves on the success of their efforts. He might say
that the main objects of the Union had been achieved.
Mr. Charles Buxton, in moving the first resolution,
dwelt on the great aid the Government had been afforded
by the Union. It appeared to him that the Government
set aside all those party questions that had divided
the country as to the manner in which education ought
to be carried out. Earl Harrowby seconded the
resolution. The resolution was carried unanimously. The
second resolution was moved by Captain F. H. Egerton,
who observed that no man who entertained a Christian spirit
could disagree with it. Sir William Denison seconded it,
observing that although he did not wholly approve of the
Government bill it was perhaps better the denomina-
tions should be left to fight their own battles in reference
to minor matters, and that the Union should be dissolved.
—At the suggestion of the Earl of Harrowby, the words
"to encourage an honourable spirit of emulation between"
was struck out. Mr. Talbot having spoken to
the resolution it was carried unanimously.—Mr. Francis
Powell moved the third resolution, observing that although
as the Bill now stood they could not but feel some lamenta-
tion at the sacrifices they had made, he felt that a spirit
had been shown, the beneficent effect of which would
he felt for many years to come. Colonel Grey, M.P.,
seconded. Mr. Burleigh proposed the fourth resolution.
Mr. Austen seconded. On the motion of Lord Denman,
seconded by Mr. Burleigh, a vote of thanks was accorded
to the chairman, which terminated the proceedings.

ANOTHER PROSECUTION OF DIRECTORS,
At the Mansion House yesterday, the Hon. Jas. 'robin,
Mr. Andrew Clark, Mr. Josiah Robert Pearse, Mr. Philip
Lincoln Carman, Mr. William Frederick Tritton, and
Mr. Herbert Lloyd Thomas, directors of the Com-
mercial Indemnity Corporation of Great Britain
(Limited), now in course of liquidation, were
smrmoned before the Lord Mayor for issuing
a prospectus relating to the company knowing the
same to be false in divers material particulars, with intent
to defraud. A warrant is out against Mr. John Braith-
waite, the managing director, for the same offence, but he
has it was alleged, absconded. Mr. George Lewis,
solicitor, conducted the prosecution ; and the defendants
were represented by Mr. Omerad, Mr. F. H. Lewis, Mr.
Gould, Mr. Mullens, and Mr. Maynard.
In opening the case, Mr. Lewis said he appeared on
behalf of a gentleman named Schleman to prosecute the
defendants for issuing a false prospectus, keeping a false
register, and other acts of a criminal nature, and he
thought when his lordship heard the facts he would
be of opinion that a fraud had been committed,
more gross and.scandalous than any of those disclosed by
recent inquiries in the city of London. On the 28th of
September, 1868, a company bearing the same name as
that of which the defendants were directors, was regis-
tered, and the Hon. Major Jocelyn, Mr. Taylor,
Colonel Paget, and Mr. Hodges, of whom they
had heard in connection with the Monarch
Insurance Company, were directors of that company,
which was wound up by special resolution in December
1869. The second company, of which the defendants
were directors, was then registered, and business was corn
menced on the Ist January, 1870, but its career was very
short, for it was ordered to be wound up in June. Not
a single share in the company was subscribed
for by, the public, but in order to induce the public to
effect insurances a small prospectus was issued, stating
that the capital of the company was £250,000, of which
£73,790 was subscribed, and £26,290 paid, although they
knew perfectly well that such statements were
false. Further than this the qualification for
a Director was fifty shares, fully paid, but
the defendants did not pay anything whatever on the
shares standing in their names. An agreement appeared
to have been entered into with the first company to pur-
chase their goodwill for 29,715 shares, some of those
marked as fully paid up and others partially so ; and the
debts of the first company were also to be paid by the
second. These debts amounted to £2,860. By the
articles the directors agreed to pay the large sum of
£7,500 for promotion money, the promoters being them-
selves • so that the company started with a debt of
210,000, against which they had no capital. During its
continuance the company received £l,OOO in premiums
and the insurances amounted to no less than £220,000.
Mr. Schleman insured for £3,000, and he had a fire ; but
' when lie made his claim he found the company was being
wound up, and, under the circumstances, he thought it
right to take the opinion of the Lord Mayor whether such
proceedings were to be allowed in the City.
Evidence wss then given in support of the case for the
prosecutism..

One of the witnesses, Mr. Parry, the liquidator of the
company, said that he had not received a penny towards
the liquidation. The defendants appeared as the holders
of fully paid-up shares, but he could find no trace of any
payments by any of them, except Mr. Tritton, who had
paid £5O into the bank. 9,715 shares were
credited as fully paid, and 20,000 were credited
with 2s, 3d. paid, leaving £1 7s. 6d. to be paid, in virtue
of an agreement with Mr. Wheeler, the liquidator of the
first company for the purchase of (rood will.
The inquiry was then adjourned till this day week,
and the Lord Mayor intimated that he would accept
£l,OOO bail for each of the defendants, and their own re-
. cognisances in a similar amount.