The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-09 00:00:00

UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION.

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The fifteenth annual meeting of this Association was
leld on Saturday, at the institution, Whitehall, at two.
It was expected that Lord Ellenborough would have
1-Tesided, but as the hour for commencing the proceed-
ings bad passed, and -his Lordship not having arrived,
Major SHADWELL CLERK said that Lord Ellen-
borough had been compelled to go to Woolwich that
morning, and had not yet returned, but be hoped he
would before the proceedings had terminated. In the
meantime he would move that Rear-Admiral Sir Charles
Nalcolm should take the chair.
The motion was agreed to, and
The SECRETARY proceeded to read the minutes of the
hat meeting, and the fifteenth annual report of the
Council, which stated that the Council, in sub-
mitting to the meeting their fifteenth annual, report,
are enabled to announce the completion of the exten-
sive additions and improvements undertaken last year.
The Council congratulate the members on the nearer
approach to the complete fulfilment of the objects of the
association, and they feel justified in expressing their
conviction that the institution will not suffer by compa-
rison with the best of its class in the British empire,
while it possesses features of interest peculiarly its own.
The Council are much gratified in stating that, not-
withstanding the necessity of closieg the institution
-while the works were in progress, the aggregate number
of visitors is but little short of that in the pre-
cecEng year ; thereby showing the increased inte-
rest taken in the institution. In the course of the
year the Council have caused 1,500/. Three and a Quarter
ter Cents. stock to be sold, ar.d have applied this sum,
together with a portion of the life subscriptions received
during the same period, to the cost of the repairs, altera-
tions, and fittings of the building, library, and collection,
nd ti legal expenses. The funded property of the Insti-
ution now consists of 1,5001 Three and a Qtarter per
Cents., besides 3451. 3s. 10d. Consols, being money sub-
scribed towards the erection of a lecture theatre.
The income for the ensuing year may be estimated at
Annual subscriptions
Rent of house
Interest oa 1,5001 47 0 0

£1,462 4 0
This estimate did not include the sums to be received as
life subscriptions. The total amount of life subscrip-
tions received since the foundation of the institution is
5,5441., of which sum about 4,000 h has been recently laid
out in the purchase and alteration of the new premises.
The Council regret that the large outlay of the past
year for general purposes has compelled them to
limit the amount expended on the library to the sum of
127/, but they will not fail to apply a larger proportion
of income to that branch as their means improve. The
Council cannot refrain from adverting to the intrinsic
value of the library. The collection now comprises
8,100 volume:, including the best works of reference
upon almost every subject. Since the last report ac-
ceptable additions have been made to the museum in its
various branches, including Chinese objects. Lectures
were delivered at the institution during the season of 1845,
and were well attended, although the want of proper
accommodation was much felt. At the last general
meeting it was resolved that the secretary be directed
to open a book to receive subscriptions towards
the building of a lecture theatre, aad other required im-
provements. There have been received on this
account 3411. The subscription continuing open,
it is hoped that additions will still be made
to the above amount ; a lecture theatre only
being wanted to enhance the capabilities of the
institution. In pursuance of the resolution pas-sed at a
special general meeting held in July, 1845, a clause has
been added to the laws, section 4, requiring the payment
of an entrance fee of one pound by all members joie-
' ing after the Ist of January, 1847. The eight members
of Council who retire by rotation, are—Lieutenant-
Col. W. H. Cornwall, Colds. Gds. ; Edward Jekyll, Esq.,
late Capt. Gr. Gds.; Lieut. Henry Raper, R.N., F. R.A S.;
Captain G. Parlby, H.P., late 4th Dragoons; Captain
Percy Grace, R.N.; Sir Charles F. Forbes, M.D., K.C.11.,
&c.; Captain M. H. Sweny, R.N.; Major-General H.
G. A. Taylor, C. 8., Madras Army.
Then followed an abstract of the accounts, and a list
of the subscribers to the lecture theatre.
The adoption of the above report having been moved
by Captain LLOYD, R.N., and seconded by Lieutenant
Neceronsote, it was unanimously adopted.
The SECRETARY, in answer to a question from a
member, said that the institution was free from the pay-
ment of rates and income-tax. He then read an alter-
ation proposed to be made in the rules, to the effect that
the rooms should be open daily for visitors, but the li-
brary for members only, who would have access to it
throughout the whole year until 10 o'clock at night.
This having been agreed to, the next subject brought
under discussion was a motion proposed by Captain W.
F. WATKINS, of the Bombay Artillery, to the effect that
the widow of their late porter, John 'Wilson, who had
died while in their service, should be put on pension.
The Gallant Captain went on to say that the widows
of private soldiers did not receive any allowance from
the Government. He thought that the Hon. Members
of the institution would be glad to have the opportu-
nity afforded them of assisting the widow of their ser-
vant, and called upon his Gallant Friend, Captain
Grover, to second his resolution.
Captain GROVER said he would decline to second the
resolution, as he had been one of the members of the
Council appointed to inquire into the circumstances.
Captain UHILPOTTS then seconded the resolution.
Major CLARK said, that it appeared that there had
teen some neglect in this case, as the housekeeper had
!considered that the deceased, while in a fit of apoplexy,
/was tipsy, but so soon as the mistake was discovered
every assistance was given to the unfortunate man. A
Council had been summoned, in which the case was
sone into, but they did not think they would have been
ustified in expending the money of the institution for
-any other purpose than that for which it had been sub-
scribed by Hon. Members; and to show that the Council
bad done all in their power in the present case, he would
call upon the Secretary to read the minutes of the
Council assembled upon that occasion.
The SECRETARY having read the minutes,
Major CLARK stated that, in addition to the trans-
frictions there recorded, the Council had paid to the
idow of the deceased the sum of five pounds towards
he expenses of the funeral.
The Cuainmear then put the resolution.
An HON. MEMBER inquired what was the number of
else family of the deceased ?
Capt. WATKINS stated that there was a large family,
but that they were all provided for.
Colonel Fox moved as an amendment that inquiry be
Meade into the pecuniary circumstances of the widow,
and theta hotel; be opened in the hall for the purpose of
receiving the names and amounts of those members who
would subscribe towards the relief of the widow.
Colonel Honnswowne seconded the resolution.
The Clammier, having put the original resolution
which was negatived, then put the amendment of Col.
Fox, which was carried unanimously.
Col. Fox then proposed that the management of this
subscription should be left in the hands of the Council.
Captain GROVER seconded the resolution, which was
also unanimously agreed to.
The following members were then elected to supply
th 3 vacancies in the Council : Lieut. 11. Raper, U.N.,
F.R.A.S., Cap'. M. 11. Sweny, 1.1.N.' Major-General
11. G. A. Taylor, C. 8., Major-General W. D. Cleiland,
11.E.LC.5., Col. Henry Godwin, C. 8., Lieut.-Colonel
Robert Barnewell, H.E.1.C.5., Lieut. Col. E. Sabine,
R.A., Major-General T. Kenah, C.B.
Major CLARK then stated, that with similar feelings,
though with not quite so much of the imperial mode of
expression with which the hero surveyed his Auritectica,
or golden house, so might the honourable raembers of
the institution now look upon the building in which they
were assembled. They would, however, observe a vacuum
as they came up the stairs ; and as nature abhor-
red a vacuum, so it was to be supposed that
lion. Members would express their abhorrence of a
vacuum in this institution, by placing their names with a
certain figure or figures placed opposite in the book,
which was opened for the purpose of receiving sub-
scriptions towards building the new lecture hall.
1/e would, therefore, suggest that those favourable to
the object should put down their names for any sum they
pleased.
A vote of thanks was then passed unanimously to
Mr. Taylor, the architect, for his active and disinter-
ested exertions in behalf of the institution in the ex-
tensions which took place a few months ago.
The CHAIRMAN then declared that the business which
they had been called 'together to transact was con-
!lhided, and again expressed his regret at the absence of
Lord Ellenborough. He was satisfied, however, that
nothing.., but the important duties which he had been
4
;lied
The upon to discharge would have kept him away.
Chairman having left the chair, and Colonel
3l"hiswortb, one of the- oldest members of- the instie
t utmujo
ionpr lareesennut proposedaving be
that been voted into it,
Sir
thet thanks of the meet-
ing should be given to Charles Malcolm for his
valaable services on that occasion. He was a practical
illustration of the memorable
Russell,ioremark of Sydney
John Smith with respect to Lordthat he would
take the command of the English Ileet if it were offered
t o him, for Sir Charles consented to take aieeh air imme-
siiatcly on being informed of the unavoidable absence of
lord Ellenborough.—(Hear, hear.)
The motion was seconded by Sir BE. JAMIN SMITH,
and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, ani the
xneeting broke up.
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