The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-21 00:00:00

JULY 2
*;.-

COFFEE AND EATING-HOUSE
KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The half-yearly meeting of the subscribers to this excellent
institution was held yesterday evening, at Anderton's-Hotel,
Fleet sh eet.

Mr. Brion-mt.; was called to the chair, and said that he should
occupy the time of the meeting but a very few minutes. They
were called together that evening for a most important object.
They had been convened by circular, as well as by adver-
tisement, to transact their usual half-yearly business, and
also to elect officers for the ensuing year. From this state-
ment he had no doubt they would consider he was justified
in his conclusion, that their business was most important—
(Hear)—for could there be anything of greater import-
ance than the selection of gentlemen who would give up their
time to carry into practical operation the views for which this
society was instituted. Such were the gentlemen whom
they should entrust with the management of their affairs,
for it was by these means alone that they would be enabled
to raise sufficiency of funds to meet the demands that had
been and were still imposed upon them.—( Hear, hear.) The
next business:, was to hear the committee render an ac-
count of their doings since the period when they had been
elected, and with which he could safely assert, on the part of
hithse!t and his fellow-committeemen they would fuel amply
repair!. They would also hear the report of the auditors.
After that the election of the officers would take place.
There was a very important motion to be brought under
their consideration by their tried friend Mr. lingers.—
(Hoar, hear.) In giving notice of this motion, the
terms of the Act of Parliament relating to these
societies had been complied with, the same having been read
at two previous meetings. It now, therefore, rested with
them to deal with it as they might think best.—(Cheers.)
He trusted that upon this and every other subject that might
come before them that evening every gentleman who might
address them would be listened to with patience and atten-
tion. There was no other notice, but before concluding he
would mention that the sub-committee would be glad to ad-
vise with their friends with regard to the proposed excursion
to Brighton.—(Hear, hear.)
The SECRETARY then read the circular calling the meet-
ing, and the minutes of the last meeting, which were con-
firmed.
The SECRETARY then read the report, from which it ap-
peared that the funded property of the society was not
increasing, as in former years, which, however, could be ac-
counted for in a satisfactory manner; and that the annual
subscriptions, upon which- they mainly depended,. amounted
to the same as last year, but a large increase was expected
in this source of revenue next year. It also appeared that
the committee had resolved to divide themselves into sub- -
committees, and with the assistance of the secretary, to try
all their efforts to increase the number of annual subscribers,
which had been resorted to once in two or three years
with considerable success. The report further stated
that the excursion to Herne Bay, in July last, had
afforded much gratification to their friends, and left
a surplus profit of 18/., together with a donation from the
stewards of 51. ss. The ball at the Crown and Anchor
Tavern had realised 111. l4s. 6d., and the dinner at the Free-
masons' Tavern 601. The decrease in the particular of dona-
tions was to be attributed to not having received donations
from newspaper proprietors, who would be waited on in the
ensuing year. 100/. had been added to the funds during the
past year, while the interest on the money invested amounted
to 60/., making a sum total standing in the name of the
trustees of 1,749/., and leaving a balance in the treasurer's
hands of 12/. 2s. 2d., together with several donations. The
report also stated that the committee wished to call the at-
tention of the meeting to the circumstance of their being
without a patron since the death of the Marquis
of Westminster, but that General Sir De Lacy Evans, after
being applied to, had sent a letter to say that he would use
all his influence to induce some noblemen to become patrons
of the society, and thus retrieve the loss they had sustained.
—(Hear, hear.) The committee had referred the difference
which had taken place at the last meeting to Mr. Tidd Pratt,
the barrister appointed to certify the rules of friendly so-
cieties, who confirmed the vote of the former meeting, and
stated that any person subscribing annually was entitled to
vote and speak at their meetings.
It was then moved and seconded that the report be adopted,
which being put from the chair, was carried.
The CHAIRMAN said it now devolved upon them to pro-
ceed with the election of a president for the ensuing year.
Mr. HARE said he felt great pleasure in performing a duty
which he was now called upon to discharge, to nominate as an
eligible person for the high office of president of their society
a gentleman with whom they had been associated, whom he
had ever found most diligent iu performing the most arduous
tasks, and one who by his zeal and unassuming manner had
acquired the esteem and gratitude of their association—he
meant Mr. Conneybeer.—(Cheers.) It was unnecessary to
add more than that if they elected the gentleman he had
just named, he would exert himself to the best of his ability
to tread worthily in the footsteps of his predecessors.
Mr. CmstArr seconded the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
Mr. CONNEYEEER briefly but appropriately returned
thanks, and stated that he would do all in his power to ad-
vance the best interests of the society.—( Hear, hear.)
The thanks of the meeting were then voted unanimously
to Mr.: Binmore, the president for the past. year, for the
zealous and efficient manner in which he had discharged
his duties for the last two years.
The CHAIRMAN said, he was not prepared for that mark
of their esteem ; but for the flattering manner in which his
friend had introduced his name, and for the equally flatter-
ing and spontaneous mode in which it had been received, he
felt deeply indebted to both.—(Hear, hear.) In returning
them his sincere thanks for that grateful tribute, he begged
to assure them that he felt more than ten times remunerated
for any labours he might have Undergone in the discharge of
those duties which they had dune liim the honour to confide
to his custody, and that he would ever look back to that
moment with unalloyed gratification and pride.—(Cheers.)
He must now call upon them to elect their vice-president.
Several persons present were nominated and seconded, but
declined accepting the office for that year, promising, how-
ever, that in their case, should their services be required in
an official capacity, that they would act if called upon at the
next election.

Mr. Chislett was among those who refused, but was ulti•
mately induced to accept the office.
Mr. HUMPHREYS, the treasurer, was then re-elected, and
brialy returned thanks.
The committee were then elected, and the five auditors of
the past year, with the exception of Mr. Ricci, whose place
was supplied by Mr. Jones, were re-elected.
The CHAIRMAN said, he had now to call their attention to
the last business of the evening, namely, the motion to which
he had alluded in the few opening observations he felt called
upon to address to them that evening.—(Hear.) That mo-
tion was in these words.—(The Chairman read the motion,
which was to the effect that the pensions of the society be
raised, for the males from ss. a week to Bs. a week, and for
the females from ss. to 6s. a week. )—This would certainly
affect the finances of the society, and was consequently a
matter of very grave consideration. But, whatever determi-
nation they might come to with respect to this matter, he
was sure it would in the discussion receive full justice at their
hands.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. RoGERS said, they had heard from their chairman that
the question was most important.—( Hear.) That was un-
questionably the case, inasmuch as it concerned them all in-
dividually; for there was not one amongst them who could
fore see what might occur to himself or his family ; and he
trusted, therefore, whatever might transpire upon that oc-
casion would not be regarded in a personal point of view.
He would now state the grounds which had induced him
to propose this increase in the pensions; but if would be
necessary first to mention the reason why he proposed an
excess for one sex. The cause of his making this difference
was, that, as they were all aware, men, when advanced in
life, would require some little assistance in culinary matters;
for all of them were not domestic men, and even some of
them might have been brought up at sea. Besides,
13/. a year would barely do more than keep a man from the
workhouse. He therefore believed that if they gave
him 201. a year they would enable him to procure
some few of the comforts of life, besides showing to
their subscribers their desire to do all they could with
the funds at their disposal.—(Hear.) With respect to
the females, though ls. increase might be considered very
small, yet, considering that their requirements were not so
great, and that they stood less in need of assistance than the
other sex, from
,their domestic character, he thought even
that sum would be of advantage to them, a fact which in-
deed must be familiar to every one in society.—(Hear.)
Looking at the effects of this increase, independently of the
advantages that would result to the recipients of their
bounty, would it not tend to procure for them that patronage,
the want of which they so much deplored? How could they
ask for patronage from a nobleman for an institution
which had been nine years in existence, and out of
which only two persons had been relieved ? He
believed, therefore, that the more liberality they dis-
played, the more would their society increase in
prosperity.-4 Hear, hear.) Now, they were all anxious for
the increase of their funds, and what better means, if they re-
garded the subject in a broad and comprehensiv!i
could be devised than making those funds flow in their
legitimate channel, and disperse them among those for whose
benefit they were originally designed. It would have the
effect of bringing new members to their society, their funds
would necessarily increase, and the further they carried their
object still greater would be their increase. He hoped and
trusted, therefore, that they would act with liberality and
kindness that night, for they were all born but not buried,
and they could not foresee what calamities might yet befal
themselves or their families.
The resolution was seconded.
Mr. HAKE said, he considered that the course recommended
by the last speaker would be most injudicious, and so far
from having the effect predicted would have quite a diffe-
rent tendency, and concluded by proposing that the question
be adjourned sine die.
This amendment was seconded by Mr. FRENCH, who ex-
pressed his opinion that the small number of subscribers for
the past years demonstrated the impolicy of the increase
contended for.
After a few words from Mr. ROGERS in reply, the amend-
ment was put from the chair, and carried unanimously.
I The meeting then separated.
d

The lovers of flowers will have an unusual treat at
the Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens on Wednesday next,
when the Royal South London Flcricultural Society hold
their (last but one) Miscellaneous Flower Show. The prizes
are on an unusually liberal scale, and, combined with the
attractions of the gardens, must ensure a crowded attendance.
BENEVOLENCE.—Mr. Alderman Copeland, the trea-
surer to the King College Hospital, has just received, in aid
of the funds for the erection of a more healthy and extensive
College Hospital, on a more suitable spot, the singular but
handsome donation of three hundred and twenty-one pounds
and tenpence, from an anonymous subscriber. The only Big:
nature appended to the note by the benevolent donor, was
" Anonymous, per E. and F., in aid of the funds for the erec-
tion of an hospital on a more extensive and suitable scale."
Tom Oliver, the celebrated pugilist, and "master of
the ceremonies" at pugilistic contests, is now in "durance
vile" in Oxford gaol for following his professional avocation
in the late pugilistic issue between Gill and Norley. His so-
journ will last three weeks.
THE ROBBERY AT GENERAL GROSVEN 011'9.—At
Marlborough-street Police-court yesterday, John Jones, the
late valet of General Grosvenor, was committed for trial,
charged with having stolen 95/. in bank-notes and a quan-
tity of jewellery, the property of his master; a woman
named Ann Stokes was also committed for having partici-
pated in the robbery. No new facts were elicited at this
examination. Jones repeated his former statement, that he
took the property for the purpose of display, and luta d-!cl
to return it, but he get drunk and was taken to the
station.

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