The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-17 00:00:00

SUICIDE OF LORD DE BLAQUIERE.

The lamentable circumstances attending the death of
Lord William de Blaquiere, of Beulah Villa, Norwood,
Surrey, aged 74, were on Friday investigated before
W. Carter, Esq., coroner for West Surrey, and fourteen
highly respectable jurors.
From the evidence of Caroline Brown, Mary Ann
Shaw, Mr. Street (surgeon), and other witnesses, it ap-
peared that the deceased nobleman had taken up his re-
sidence in the locality of Norwood for about ten months
past. Daring this period his charities and good offices
to the poor of the district'had been in accordance with
the course, he has invariably pursued. His health had
for some time been very indifferent, arising from a
lithotriptic disease, but latterly he had been seized with
an attack of small-pox—which had evidently affected
his Lordship's intellects; but this did not appear to be of
a suicidal character, and consequently he was not
watched so strictly as might have been seemed neces-
sary. On Tuesday night last his Lordship retired to rest
at an early hour; he awoke at about four o'clock on the
following morning, and asked one of his female
servants to bring him one of his pistols, which
was accordingly done. It was then not charged,
but his Lordship desired that his valet, Fran-
cis Johnson, should be called, and during the
absence of the female servant it would seem that his
Lordship loaded the pistol with a heavy charge of
powder and a large quantity of swan shot, and before
the valet could be aroused the report of fire arms created
the utmost alarm in the mansion, and on several of the
domestics rushing to his Lordship's chamber they found
him lying on the ground weltering in his blood. Im-
mediately the services of Mr. Street, of Nor Wood, sur-
gedn; were called into'requisition, but before the arrival
that gentleman his Lordship had ceased to exist. From
a post mortem examination the Noble Lord, it would
seem, had discharged the pistol into his mouth, through
the roof of which the charge had passed, and several
of the shots were found lodged in various cavities of the
brain, quite sufficient to cause death. His Lordship
must have been a great sufferer from disease, for a cal-
culus of unusually large dimensions was discovered in
the bladder; and this circumstance, combined with the
effects of the disease of small-pox, had doubtless pro-
duced that nervous debility which had so impaired
his' Lordship's mind as to urge him to commit self-
destruction.

The Noble Lord was a Peer of Ireland, and entered
the army in. 1791, in which he was actively
Several years, attaining the rank of full general in 1841.
Ma son, and successor,' Lord John, a captain of the 3d
West India Regiment, is the possessor of the celebrated
yacht America. engaged for

On the conclusion of the evidence, the Corona
summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of Tempo-
rary Insanity.

FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDEN We are sorry (says
the Birmingham Journal of Saturday)aTt:—d to have to record a
sad accident, which occurridedidl7Laeeresay ri.ay)emorening,
and
t ecSet.o, Stone Pit,
Ra
Russell's Hall
serious injury of two others. It appears thato mana
d o
Bat-laNck%se'llWahn Lanes, belonging
fe Colliery,
shaft
nbeys rsbkNal
skip,
Na:nrilf
men, consisting of six, had descende
and which has resulted in the death of and tne;
having reached the bottom, were
the scaffold which 'covers the shpuart
nve peps,
:r
snuffed
preparing
fheteodn alightoteios
f upont
e
sup-
posed that one of the men must"
lighted . candles which they had with them, and the
snuff falling through the• joints of the planking which
cot i
mv eer)e,d thust h e seuame
ap (and e
dthe it
ex p lcontainingesieh a quantity
Theaead felodinggas
()a h
ft
the
sump, which was of considerable thickness and weight, mo-
mentarily burst asnnder, and two of the men are said to have
been driven into the roadway. of the workings, but luckily
escaped without any serious injury. The other four men,
however, must either havebeen driven up the shaft and have
fallen, or must have dropped through into the sump, in which
five or six feet of water hav,ing collected, one of the men,
probably the first, having seen covered by the others or by
portions of the scaffolding, was found drowned. Two others
were taken out of the water alive, but very sadly mutilated.
The fourth was hurt, but not severely. The pit itself is well
ventilated, and the accumulation of gas was necessarily un-
foreieen in onsequencle of the .sump itself being covered by
1
the scaffold ng usual in such cases. The surname of the de-
ceased was 3 rooks, and the injured men are Benjamin Brad-
ley and Crispin. They were promptly attended by the
colliery surgeon. Bradley, we are sorry to add, is not ,
ex-
pected tra recover.
WESTMINSTER HALL.--The improvements which
have been going on fOr some time at, the south-western end
of WestminSter-hall are nearly completed. The flight of
steps leading up to the great corridor of the two Houses of
Parliament have been perfected, and a nureber of men are
engaged in' chiselling
.shields and other devices under the
large window. The windoW at the extreme end of the Hall,
in its improVed form, presents a Magnificent appearance, and
attracts the admiration of those who go into the hall. On
the left hand side of the hall an entrance, corresponding in
style with those leading to the courts on the right hand side,
has been completed, and is intended to admit the public to
the cloistera, and by that paage to the; new House of
Commons.
ANALYSIS OF THE BREVET.--The United Service
Gazette gives the following analysis of the numbers in the
recent Brevet:-Promoted to be Generals-21 line and 1
6 artillery, 6 engineer, and 1 marine, major-generals ; Major_
engineer lieutenant-generals; Lieutenant-Generals-46 line,
Generals-57 line, 2' artillery, , 3 engineer, and 3 marine,
colonels; Colonels-97 line (2 cavalry, 10 guards, 19 infan-
try, and 66 -half-pay); 15- artillery; 12 engineer, and 1 ma--
rine, lieutenant-colonels; Lieutenant-Colonels-81 line (3
cavalry and 81 infantry), and 2 engineer, majors; Majors
79 line (6 cavalry, 2 guards, 71 infantry), 21 pensioners, 17
artillery, 17 engineer, and 13 marine, captains.
Advices were received in the City on Saturday
from Sydney, bearing (late August 9, announcing two deplo-
rable catastrophes off the South Sea Islands. A large
whaling barque, called the Mary, said to have belonged to
Bermuda, was driven ashore on the Lachland Islands, where
the natives came upon her, and not only destroyed the ves-
sel, but murdered every soul belonging to her. The Lucy
Ann, from Sydney, had occasion to bring up it is thought
off the Murray Island, when the natives seized her, and hav-
ing possessed themselves of her wreck, they put the whole of
the unhappy crew to death.
CAUTION TO UNQUALIFIED PRACTITIONERS.-013
Saturday an inquest was held by Mr. Baker, at the Victory
Friar's-mount, Bethnal-gieen, relative to the death of
Elizabeth Wood, aged 39, the wife of a shoemakel, living in
Mount School, who was alleged to have died from the im-
proper administration of medicine by a female herbalist
practitioner named Scott. Mr. West, the surgeon who was
called in, said that the medicine, on analysia, had been found
to be composed of a mixture of herbs. He could not say that
it had caused death, but had he been applied to earlier Shemight 44Y0 recovered. Verdict, "Visitation of Gad."
i J '; ' ,

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
I (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, Nov. 15.
COLLECTORS OF RATES.—Our neighbourhood 'has
been particularly unfortunate in the it selections lately.
Southampton has had four defaulte::s, Newport one, and
Cowes one, and this ono the collector of the poor-rate,
assessed taxes, highway-rates, ant f property- tax. The
collector should have given security to the parish, and it
was generally supposed that he had done so, but now
that there is a deficiency on the poor-rate of 150/, it
has been found out that he had not done it. This town
has been so repeatedly robbed by the, parties selected to
collect the raga (one; but a few stars since,.took up-
wards of 9001.), that it is quite unpardonable' that the
parish cfficers should have allowed it to happen again,
the vestry having resolved that security should be given.
TITHES.—The Rev. E, D. Scott has given notice to
the tithe-payers of this parish (Northwood), that be
will allow five per cent. to all who pay him up all those
due on October Ist, if it is done cn or bcfc,re the 26th.
Ho used to offer is dinner, hut it was no_go, as many
ho attended only paid part, and others went not at all..
FOUND WANTING.—At the meeting of the Mechanic's
Benefit Society, on Monday last, a bag containing
71/. 10s. in gold, which the stewards thought had been
placed in the iron safe on the last club-night, was found
missing. For security the iron safe is placed in a
wooden chest having three locks; there are three secre-
taries, each having the key of oue of the locks, so that
even the iron safe cannot be got at without the know-
ledge of all the secretaries. All the locks were locked,
but on the secretaries unlocking them the gold was
missing, a bog containing between 9L and 101. in silver
only was left. The secretaries went together to place
the gold and silver in the safe. The-silver was de-
posited, but it is suppoied that one of the secretaries, by
mistake, put the bag of gold into his own pocket. As
he is a local preacher, he of course Must have done so
by mistake. Still, as he has left the town, and as his
wife and children cannot give any satisfactory account
of his whereabouts to the police, the members have not
all the best opinions of the missing preacher, for whom
a diligent search is being made.
SOMETHING NEW, AND NOT QUITE RIGHT.—A
number of inen were employed yesterday (Sunday)
morning filling the ice-house adjoining Trinity Church
in this town during the morning service, they having a
view of the congregation, and the congregation a view
of them daring the whole of the service. We do not
recollect an ice=house having beets filled before so early
in the season, and certainly pot on the Sabbath-day.
We, question, indeed, if any cleigyman or minister ever
before witnessed such a. scene from his pulpit in this or
any other part of England.
.4:4X P.M., Nov. 16.—N0 tidings of the Herman yet.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, Nov. 15.
The Royal dinner circle yesterday included her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Lady in Waiting to
her Royal Highness, the Baroness do Speth, the Duke
and-Duchess of Bedford, Lord and Lady John Russell,
Lieut. General Wernyss, and Colonel the Hon. C. B. and
Mrs. Phipps.
The Queen walked in the Home Park and the Slopes
this morning.
The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince
Alfred, and Princess . Alice, took walking and pony
exercise.
Prince Arthur and the Princesses Helena and Louisa
were taken out in an open carriage.
Prince Albert, accompanied by The Duke of Bedford,
went out shooting this morning, attended by the Earl
of Listowel, Lord Charles A. Fitzroy, and Colonel F.
H. Seymour.
he Duchess of Orleans visited her Majesty at the
Castle to-day from Claremont, and partook of luncheon.
The Duke and Duchess of Bedford and Lord and
Lddy John Russell left the Castle to-day.
The Royal dinner party this evening included her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Lady in Wait-
ing to her Royal Highness, the Baroness de Speth, the
Speaker and Mrs. Lefevre, Colonel the Hon. Charles and
Mrs. Grey, and Sir Henry St. John Mildmty.

UNDAY.
The Queen and Prince Albert walked in the Home
Park and Slopes this morning.
The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the
yoimger branches of the Royal Family, walked in the
Hdme Park.
tier Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert,
the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal, the Ladies
and Gentlemen of the Court and the Domestic House-
hold, attended Divine service this morning in the private
Chapel of the Castle. Her Royal Highness the Duchess
of Kent also attended the service.
The Hon. and Rev. Gerald Wellesley officiated.

Mr. F. Bigge had an interview with Earl Grey on
Saturday at the Colonial Office. Lord Harris had also
an Interview on Saturday with the Noble Earl.
The Oxford University Commission had a meeting on
Saturday, at the official residence of the !First Lord of
the Treasury, in Downing-street. Present—The Bishop
of Norwich, the Dean of Carlisle, the Master of Pem-
broke, the Rev. H. G. Liddell, the Rev. Professor
Powell, the Rev. G. W. S. Johnson, and the Rev. A. P.
Stabley (Secretary).
Lord and Lady John Russell arrived at Pembroke
Lodge, Richmond Park, on Saturday, from Windsor
Cathie.

THE SHEFFIELD 111EATRE.

- - -
'The inimitable Wright, of Adelphi renown, made his
boW to a Sheffield audience on Monday in his original
char.acter of Brassy Popjoy in Harvest Home, and he
has'eince enacted the parts of Joe Grumley in Domestic
Economy; Marruaduke Magog, in The Wreck Ashore;
Mr.! Buntail, in My Precious Betsy; 13i11y Lackaday, is
Sweethearts and Wives; the unobtrusive Paul, in Paul Pry.
In each of these characters, which he has made peculiarly,
his Own, Mr. Wright's raciness and humour have de-
_ _

lighted the audience. If the reception of this most po
puldr comedian has not been so enthusiastic in Sheffield
as in other places, or rather if the houses have not been
so large as might naturally be expeeted. the fault must
be attributed, we believe, to the carelessness of the
management. The town was not made acquainted with
his 'appearance on the Sheffield boards until the last
night or two. How should they? His engagement was
not 'announced either in the Times or Independent. This
is a practical illustration of the inutility of street pla-
cards compared with advertisements in papers of large
circtilation, which find their way into every house in a
district. A placard can only be posted in a small num-
ber 'pf places; many persons never take the trouble of
stopping to read them; they are very soon covered; and
we cannot pity the ill success of a manager who has not
even studied one of the great arts of good fortune in the
present day—the art of attaining universal publicity.
The' crowded state of our columns precludes a more
lengthened notice of the business of the theatre during the
present week.—Sheffield Times.

E ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—We announced on
Friday the feats which had been performed on the preceding
day with the new submarine telegraph between the French
and English coasts. On the same day the curiosity of pas-
sengers in Fleet-street and the Strand was attracted by the
layink, down of new wires between the City and Charing-
crosl They are cased in gutta percha, like those of the sub-
marine telegraph, and laid in zinc tubes beneath the outer
edge of the pavement, from half a foot to a foot below the
surfaje. At the telegraphic congress held lately at Vienna,
it waagreed by the deputies from various lines that the
samel alphabet should be used through all the German-
Austtian telegraphic union, and that the apparatus in use at
Vienna should be adopted. Vienna journals announce, also,
that Dr. Steintieil, director of the Austrian telegraphic lines,
has discovered the means of causing the electric fluid to travel
any diStance, however great, and that as quickly and as
safely, as the shortest distances. It has hitherto been found im-
possible to cause the telegraph to transmit signaltifor a greater
distance than a few hundred miles; so that Dr. Steinheil'-
discotery is the most important recently made in connexion
with this marvellous invention. Being adapted to existing
lines, Fall lines may be united, and dispatches can be forwarded
from one extremity to the other without any interruption.
One iinmense advantage of the discovery will be to prevent
delay from the crowding of dispatches at any particular sta-
tionas, if they cannot be forwarded by the direct line, they
can b 4 forwarded just as quickly by any other line, even that
whicq may be the most roundilbout. Thus, if the lines were
establiished, a dispatch might be forwarded from London to
Paris,' via Trieste or St. Petersburgh, as quickly as by Calais.
Dr. Steinhell keeps secret for the present the nature of his
discotery.—aforning Paper. •

TIE LINEN TRADE.—COIIIIIIOII weft yarns are to
be had at present at lid. to Bd. per bundle cheaper than on
Friday last, and stocks are so accumulating that several
spinners are said to be about to put their mills on short time,
to stop further reductions, and keep down the prices which
flax otherwise supposed likely to realize. In cloths there
is little, doing. Ballymena market was, on Saturday, ex-
tremely dull, manufacturers refusing to submit to a decline on
the ground that weavers, owing to emigration, are scarce, and
that wages are rising; so also in Coleraine and Armagh. In
light drills, linen lawn handkerchiefs, and 26 and SO-inch
lawns, there is still a good business being done. Damasks and
diapers continue depressed. •The latest intelligence from St.
Thomas, Vera Crnz, and Tampico is to the' effect that mar-
kets are flat, the prices unfavourable, and stocks heavy.—
Banner of Ulster.

NEW CHURCH IN•ST. MARY NEWINOTON, SURREY.
—The Lorrimroe estate, the property of the Dean and Chapter
of Canterbury, situate in the rear of the Surrey Zoological
Gardoins, and abutting on Kennington-common, has for some
years, been. occupied chiefly as garden grounds; but during
the past and present summers upwards of 1,000 new houses
have been erected thereon, and have for the most part be-
come inhabite,d. Nearly 2,000. more houses are about being
built,' and it has consequently been resolved, in order to pro-
vide for the spiritual wants of this comparatively new town,
to erect a new district church, and in the course of the last
week workmen, employed by Mr. Myers, the builder and
contractor, 'have commenced excavating the foundation. The
edifice will be of a neat plain style, and constructed of
Kentish rag-stone.
DEJANIRA AND HER HERCULES IN SWITZERLAND.

—Adelaide Swerte hits just created a terrible sensation in the
quiet valley of the Chamouni. Her lover, an apothecary,
of the name of Carlh, had allowed her access to his drug
closet. In consequence of some deep resentment, treacher-
ously dissembled, however, the damsel having possessed her-
self of a quantity of fulminating cotton, introduced it into
the lining of a neckcloth, with large folds falling over the
breast, and presented it to Carlh on his going out shooting.
She had remarked that when, in the enjoyment of his pipe,
sparks had often fallen on his shirt front. Not returning to
the village, search was made in the mountains, where he was
found with his neck and skull horribly shattered.
THE CONVICT CAUTY.—This convict, who was
not long since sentenced to transportation for the attempted
robbery at the Westminster Bank, is now a prisoner
in Weltefie'd gaol, the original sentence not having
been at present carried out. Through what influence, or
from what circumstance, Wakefield should have been chosen
as his place of detention, has not transpired. It is only
known that Cauty, in the course of his predatory career,
was largely connected with gambling-houses, as proprietor
and otherwise, and in that capacity became possessed of the
notes and cheques of several distinguished patrons of the
play fraternity; and it has been surmised that some influ-
ence may have been exerted in his favour to procure the
partial. commutation of his mislauleut.

, .
EN' GIASH AND' CAMBRIAN
ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
An csxtraordjnary general meeting of this society
was held at the (Aces of the society, Bridge-street,
Blackfriars; on Thursday, the 12th instant, for the
purp?se of electing additional directors and making
certain alterations in the deed of settlement. Me.'
Murray, one of -the afreetori, was called to the chair.
Amongst the
,proprie,tors present we noticed the
following gentlemen :-;--Mr. Fenning, of Fenning's-
wharf, London-bride; Mr.-Halse, of Sloane-street;
Mr. Whitelock, of Clerken well • Dr. Wane, Mr.
Hannam, of Brighton ; Mr. Guy, of Bury St.
Edmunds ; Mr. Curtis, of Norwich ; Mr. Lawrance,
of the Engineer Li`e Assurance-office • Mr. Chalmers,
of the Home of' Commons; Mr. Bra'dley, of Batter-
sea; Mr. Middlemist, of Milford-wharf;' Mr. Wiz,
of Balham ; Mr. Cox, of Great Queen-street , Mr.
Ilodges, of her Majesty's Stationary-office Mr.
James, Mr. Verrey, Mr. Wickens, Mr. Busfield, of
Penning's- wharf; Mr. Teuton, of Cheapside • Mr.
Hughes, of Liinehouse ; Mr. Leplastrier, Mr. l‘foz 1 y.
Mr. Turner, Mr. 'Williams, of Barnett, Hoares,
and'
Co., and several others.
The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings of the day
by calling upon Mr. C. W. Bevan, the manager of the
society, to read the advertisement convening the
meeting.
The CHAIRMAN then briefly adverted to the pur-
pose of the meeting, and pointed out the necessity that
existed to alter several clauses in the deed of settle-
merit, which he Would read seriatim, and explain as
he proceeded. The first clause proposed to he altered
was the 13th, which gave power to policy-holders of
1001. to Wend and vote in all the affairs of the
society, which the directors considered should either
be totally abolished oilimited to a larger amount.—
(Hear, hear.) '
' The clause *as then read, whereupon
Mr. JAMES' rose and said that he was sure the direc-
tors had nothing to fear from the policy-holders. So
long as they continued to conduct their business trans-
actions in the straightforward manner that they did
now they would command the support of the policy-
holders ; but alter this clause as it was proposed from
the chair, and that confidence would cease.—(Hear.)
Mr. LAWRANCE really did think that the policy-
holders ought to have the right of voting and speak-
ing on the affairs of the company, for that was one of
the inducements to make investments. His ex-
perience in these matters satisfied him that it would
be unwise to withdraw that privilege, for the mo-
ment they closed their doors to the policy-holders
people would begin to suspect that there was some-
thing wrong, and they might ultimately abstain from
supporting the company.—(Hear, bear.) His im-
pression certainly was this—if they wanted their bu-
siness to, go on progressing as it had done already,
they ought to court the attendance of the policy-
holders, rather than shut their doors against them ;
and he therefore hoped the meeting would pause be-
fore they sanctioned the proposed alteration.—(Hear.)
Mr. FENNING said the directors of course would
be guided by . the wishes of the meeting, and as
it seemed to be the general impression that this clause
Ought not to be disturbed they were quite ready to
withdraw the proposed alteration.—(Cheers.)
The motion was accordingly withdrawn.
Mr. BEveze said the next clause proposed to be
altered was the seventeenth, which related to the
number of shareholders who should constitute an ex•
traordinary general meeting. At present the clause
required that thirty shareholders should be in attend-
epee before any business could be done ; but as the
majority of the shareholders lived in the country
tbdre was great difficulty in getting so many together.
It was therefore proposed to reduce the number from
thirty to twelve, who should represent 6001. instead of
1,0001. of the company's capital.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. WICKENS said the next clause proposed to be
altered was the twentieth. The meeting was aware
that if an vacancies occurred at the board between the
ordinary general meetings the directors had no power
to fill them up without calling an extraordinary meet-
ing for the purpose. Now it was proposed that the
clause should be so altered that the directors should
have authority to appoint new directers to fill up va-
cancies, without calling an extraordinary meeting,
whose election should be subject to the approval of
the proprietors at the next general meeting. It was
also proposed to take power to increase the number to
fifteen, if it should be so thought fit.
A PROPRIETOR asked if that would not add to the
expense ?

lir. WICKENS—The maximum remuneration of the
directors has already been fixed; and, of course, the
more new directors the present board appointed the
less they would receive, which was an excellent gua-
rantee to the proprietors that none would be appointed
unless they were absolutely required.—(Hear.) It
was also proposed to increase the qualification of each
director from 50 to 100 shares.
A resolution, embodying the proposed alterations,
was then moved
,from the chair, and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. BEVAN said, the next clause proposed to be
altered, which was No. 42, had reference to the pre-
ceding clause, and it provided that no proprietor
should be eligible for election to a seat at the board,
unless he bad held 501. worth of stock for six months
previously, a condition which had operated very pre-
judicially to the interest of the company, since it not
unfrequently happened that a man of eminence and
standing in the commercial world was disposed to
join them, but he could not do so owing to this re-
striction under six months.—(Hear, hear.) If, for
instance, they had the chance of getting a Rothschild
to join them, he could not do it for six months, and
therefore it was proposed to alter the clause so that a
proprietor who held 100 shares should be eligible ten
days after' ho had signed the deed of settlement.—
(Hear, hear.)
A resolution authorising this alteration was pro-
posed from the chair and carried unanimously.
Mr. WICKENS said clause 44 was admitted to be an
error in the original deed, and the clause as it now
stood was contrary to the Act of Parliament. Speak-
ing of the persons eligible to be elected as directors,
it referred to them as " duly qualified policy and
shareholders." Now, inasmuch as the Act of Parlia-
ment restricted the directors to shareholders only, this
was clearly a mistake, and it was therefore proposed
to remedy it by striking out the word " policy:
Mr. James remarked that policyholders were ad-
mitted to be shareholders in mutual companies.
Mr. Wicxerrs—This is not a mutual company.
A resolution authorising the alteration was then
proposed and carried unanimously.
Mr. Wicxaas said the next clause proposed to be
altered was the one relating to the qualification of
auditors. It provided that the auditor, previous to
his election, should have been a holder of 10 shares
for six months previously, and it was now proposed
to reduce the time to ten days, and increase the
number of shares to 25.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. JAMES hoped the alterations would not apply
to the present auditors.
Mr. WICKENS said it would not.
The proposal was then put to the vote and carried
unanimously.
Mr. WICKENS said—By clause 157 no proprietor
could hold more than 5001. worth of stock. It was
proposed, however, to repeal that clause, and allow
any one to hold as many shares as he thought proper.
Mr. LAWBANCE—Let him have them by all means,
—(Hear, hear) •
A resolution was passed, like the others, authorising
this clause to be struck out.
Mr. WICKENS said he had another clause to suggest
to the meeting. As the deed of settlement stood then
there was no power to cancel shares, and it was pro-
posed to insert a clause, providing that in the event of
the calls on any shares remaining unpaid for a cer-
tain time, or the holders of any shares becoming in-
solvent, the directors should have power, after due and
proper notice, to cancel such shares.—(Hear.)
Mr. LAWRANCE apprehended that there would be
no objection to extend the period for payment if the
party holding the shares applied for it ?
The CHAIRMAN—None whatever.
A resolution was then passed, sanctioning a clause
to authorise the directors to cancel all shares which
should remain in arrears for six months.
This closed the business of the day, so far as it re-
lated to the alteration of the deed of settlement. The
Chairman, however, announced that under the exist-
ing laws of the society it would be necessary to
hold a pro forma meeting this day fortnight, to con-
firm the alterations.
The following gentlemen were next unanimously
,elected as directors, namely :—Robert Chalmers, Esq.,
of the House of Commons and Thurloe-square, Ed-
mund Bick Bradley, Esq., of Battersea; Robert. Law
Middlemist, Esq., of Milford Wharf; Samuel Wix,
Esq., Balham.
Mr. James Hutton, of 46, Moorgate-street Public
accountant, was also unanimously elected to fill up
the vacancy in the number of auditors occasioned by
the election of L. Middlemiat, Esq., to a seat at
the board of directors.
Mr. BEVAN said the substantial proceedings of the
meeting being now at an end, I may, perhaps, be
allowed to state the exact position of the society and
the progress which it has made since last meet-
ing.—(Hear, hear.) We met here, you will re-
member, on the 26th of July last, (our annual
meeting), since which period we have got
rid of 1,000 shares, and upon referring to the books,
I find that from that date, up to the 12th of No-
vember instant, we f
received 141 proposals for po-
licies, 106 of which have been accepted.—(Hear.) Of
those proposals 98 were accepted at t_he ordinary
rates, and 11 declined.—(Hear, bear.) Twenty-four
are now waiting for examination, and yesterday as
many as 20 proposals were brought before the board,
as your chairman can confirm and your books will
show.—(Hear,-hear.) In the time I have mentioned
we have, in point of fact, issued 86 policies and ac-
cepted 106 proposals : 20 are now actually before
your board, and I have not the least doubt whatever
that before next week is ended, we shall have
I issued ;ante thin 0110 rileY day glace the list