The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-04 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENINC-t, AUGUST 4, 1848.

-
• viding every necessary facility, and a simple apparatus
for cutting an! preserving the peat in any weather suf-
ficiently dry for out-door labour.
" Before the introduction of railways, the import of
coal into Ireland has been estimated'at from 2,500,000
to 3,000,000 tons per annum. The present average
may be taken at 4,000,000 ; but, supposing it to be
only 3,000,000, and that Ireland use but two-thirds
of her own fuel in future—not to speak of the Eng-
lish or other markets—there will arise a certain de-
mand for 4,000,000 tons of peat (taking it as only half
the calorific value of coal); and if there be added to this
2,000,000 tons, to be converted into 500,000 tons of
charcoal (a low estimate, indeed, for the United King-
dom), it may with safety be calculated that there will
be et least a consumption of 6,000,000 tons of peat an-
nually.
L;alculating that no more than 6,000,000 tons of peat
be prepared awl sold per annum, the estimates, taken
from data in the report to Government, will show the
result as regards income and expenditure, and the re-
venue to be derived.
" After deducting the prescribed 6 per cent. interest
on the paid up capital, and a suitable provision for con
tingencies, it is estimated there will remain an overplus
,if 160,0001. per annum, one•half of which will belong to
the proprietary, and the remaining half will be appro-
priated yearly to the amelioration fund.
" The cost of erecting drying-houses, &c., at each
station, will vary from 3001. to 5001., and need never
exceed the latter sum; consequently a very small por-
tion of the capital will suffice for ' plant;' the principal
amount being at all times available in money or stock,
almost immediately convertible.
" It is the hope of the society that the Irish labourer
will be encouraged in industry, by paying him according
to the extent of his labour. His payment shall be
weekly, unless a casual labourer or a seller of peat, when
it shall be prompt ; that he may be taught the value of
time by example, and induced to use it to advantage.
" It is intended, as land is cleared of peat, to divide it
into holdings, of an extent suited to the district, with
buildings of improved construction ; and to let some of
these farms to those whose industry has been most con-
spicuous at each station, provided they have saved suffi-
cient capital for undertaking the culture; and in process
of time it is also intended, under certain restrictions, to
provide the deserving labourer with a cottage and small
garden. In all cases power will be reserved to take im-
mediate possession should a division of holdings be at-
tempted.

".'ro Ireland the value of this measure may be esti-
mated by the fact that, when fully carried out, at least
one million of money will be paid annually for labour in
cutting peat alone, to the now but half•employed la-
bouring class, in addition to largo sums for carriage,
&c.; and from 2,000 to 3,000 acres of the most valuable
land may be reclaimed yearly, particularly fitted for the
culture of flax, which may be made to distribute at least
an equal annual amount.
" The exclusive use in Ireland of the patent right for
preparing peat and peat charcoal, principally by hand
labour, and not requiring expensive machinery, has been
secured to the society without purchase; the inventor
paying all expenses thereof, and receiving only a small
royalty on each ton of peat prepared for charcoal or fuel,
and actually sold.

"THE AMELIORATION FUND.

" The means for obtaining food, shelter, and comfort
being first placed within reach of the labouring class,
the next object of the society will be to improve their
mental condition. It is, therefore, intended that a build-
ing sufficiently large shall he erected at each peat
station, where the peasantry may assemble every even-
ing, except
be read
Sunday—thatead entertaining
publi-
cations
usefulgratification and
and
instruction,
and lectures given on the culture and preparation of
ertr
their
flax, with the object of introducing it into general
use throughout Ireland—thus affording constant
employment to almost every member of each labourer's
family—that lectures be also given on agricultural and
other subjects suited to their sphere in life, and tending
to their general benefit. In short, that every possible
effort be made to improve their social position, by giving
them permanent and comfortable maintenance, to be
earned by steady labour—providing dwellings deserving
the name of homes—opening to them and their children
means for moral and mental improvement, adapted to
their habits and desires—thus advancing their happiness,
and, it is hoped, securing their contentment.
" All expenditure for building reading and lecture
rooms, salaries to readers, lecturers, tki.; and purchase
of books, is to be defrayed out of the Amelioration
Fund;' also, of machines, and all other appliances for
the preparation of' flax; and the cost of seed sup-
plied to those desirous to commence its cultiva-
tion is to be repaid out of the produce of the crop.
Persons will be employed at each peat station
perfectly competer.t to teach the whole operation of sow-
ing and manufacture, whose business it shall be to in-
struct the peasantry, according to fully proved processes
which have been already carried into effect elsewhere;
and when the amelioration fund exceeds in amount
the necessary outlay for these purposes, it is intended
that the balance shall be applied to establish at each
station a loan fund, and an efficient dispensary, under
the Loan Fund Act. The surplus capital to be thus em-
ployed, it is expected, will generally extend those in-
dustrial pursuits of minor consequence, so beneficially
carried on throughout England, and 3o essential to public
good, but which hardy exist in Ireland, for want of
money circulation amongst the lower classes.

" BOARD Or AILELIORATIO/4.
" To consist of governors, members, and a secretary.
To direct and manage the establishment of reading and
lecture rooms, for the improvement of the labouring class
and others in the district, and carry into effcet the re-
maining objects of the society in bettering the condition
of the Irish people. Members of the hoard of ameliora-
tion to have no voice or responsibility in the direction
of the mercantile affairs of the society. •
" Members of the board or management to be ex-officio
members of the board of amelioration.

" Amelioration district committee to be appointed by
the amelioration board, and to be composed of Protes-
tant, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Dissenting
ministers of the parish, with other leading inhabitants.

AIIELIORATION AID OR
_BENEVOLENT72'ReSr FUND.

of those parties who may be desirous of promoting the
pfurnodpobseedfothrmate,dunfodrerrtelreiarbinogvethde enominationa
separatee Itv ois nt contributions
shareholders, or participating in the mercantile trans-
actions of the society. Such contributions are to be
benevolent
objects contemplated, without becoming
amount to the credit of the trustees, to be invested by
an
into
naanknowthe bankers
ledgine acknowledgment
then
nsociety,same,
w ,
and
will
diplan place the
cthieetmy, ifnrote mhticmapeittal otsimtoce,kaosfththee IsairdishnoAntmrieblniotrinantisonshSaoli
amount to 501.; and the amount so invested shall stand
in the names of the said trustees, and the entire profits
accruing thereon shall be added, as dividends are declared,
to the amelioration fund. Thus the amelioration aid, or
benevolent trust fund, would assist the double purpose
the society has in view, by enabling them both to em-
ploy and improve the people."
Having gone through the foregoing statement, Mr.
ROGERS proceeded to explain more in detail how all the
proposed operations were to be carried on, by referring
to the drawings hung round the upper end of the room,
and answered several of the objections which had been
stated against the project. In conclusion, he dwelt
strongly on the powerful properties of charcoal as a de-
odorising and disinfecting element.
The Rev. Mr. STODDART moved the first resolution,
which was to the following effect:—" That this meeting
is of opinion that the discontent of Ireland is mainly
attributable to the miserable condition of its people, and
that the most effectual mode of removing it is by pro-
viding them extensively with the means of remunerative
Irishe
ffemployment."AMecftrt.erFai T
fewz w
questionsseconded
Mr.the D
Ev Er. resolution,
relating which t
o passed unanimously.
the estimates, had abdyb remunerativee
employingen a n answered
e tr
he ed mb
labouryi
may
Mr. ROGERS
General BRIGGS proposed a resolution to the following
effect:—s'
a:a
cutting
nfound a
peat,
rt thea ne
converted into charcoal for agricultural, sanitary, do-
mestic, and manufacturing purposes, and thereby also
rendering the land fit for immediate cultivation."
This resolution having been seconded by General
M'LEOD, was also carried.
Mr. G. Tuomesom proposed the last resolution, which
was nearly as follows :—" That the principle upon
which the Irish Amelioration Society is founded will
afford practical means for the continuous employment
of the Irish peasantry ; and that this meeting pledges
itself to give it every assistance, whether by subscrip-
tion to the amelioration aid fund, by taking shares, or
inducing others to do so."
Having been duly seconded the resolution was carried.
General M'LEOD then proposed, and Mr. LANGBOURN
seconded, the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman ;
after which the meeting separated.

TUB LATE MURDER AT CHELTENHAM.—The ad-
journed inquest on the body of Mr. John Mulcock, who
was murdered on the polling-day of the late Chelten-
ham election, has been at length brought to a close.
No new facts have been elicited calculated to lead to the
discovery of the perpetrators of the crime. The jury
returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against some per-
son or persons unknown."
BOILER EXPLOSION AT PRESTON.—On Wednes-
day afternoon an inquest was held before Richard Pal-
mer, Esq., the coroner for this district, on the bodies of
severs persons who were killod by a boiler explosion at
Messrs. Cooper and Carrington 's mill, in this town.
Tho deceased were three men, including the engine-
tenter, Robert Wilkinson, and four women, rulers in
the mill. Four et them expired on the day of the acci-
dent, which occurred about half-past eleven o'clock on
Monday last ; and the other two breathed their last on
the following day, After hearing evidence, the jury re-
turned the following verdict:—"Accidental death, caused
by the bursting of the boiler ; and the jury are unani-
mously of opinion that considerable blame is attached
to the engineer and manager, in working the boiler at a
higher pressure than it was calculated to bear."
EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY, AUGUST I.—Re-
turn of cattle, grass, &c., for the London markets,
over the Eastern Counties Railway, for week ending
July 29. Cattle Department—Beasts, 305; calves, 114;
sheep, 9,432; pigs, 732. Granaries Department--Malt
4,322 qrs. ; wheat, 2,436 qrs. ; barley, 70 qrs. ;
oats, 615 qrs.; beans, 44 qrs.; peas, 40 qrs.:—total,
7,527 qrs., equal to 15,054 sacks; fluur, 6,836 sacks;
seed, 917 sacks :—total, 22,107 sacks. General
Merchandise—Meat (dead), 142 tons, 10 cwt.;
poultry, 16 tons, 17 cwt., 2 qrs.; fish (fresh), 134 tons,
5 cwt.; fruit and vegetables, 189 tons, 5 cwt.; ale and
porter, 259 tons, 11 cwt.; wines and spirits, 48 tons, 19
cwt.; wool, 117 tons, 16 cwt., 1 qr.; general merchandize,
2,492 tons, 16 cwt.:—total, 3,401 tons, 19 cwt. 3 qrs.—
Milk, 19,838 quarts; bread 52 cwt.
ARREST OF ANOTHER CHARTIST IN EDINBURGH.--
the
meeting Monday night John Grant, while on his way to
meeting upon the hill, was taken into custody. We be-
lieve the charges against him are similar to those made
against Rankine and Walker.—Edinburgh Advertiser.