The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-04 00:00:00

Meetings of Colliers.

On Monday one of the largest meetings of colliers
which has ever been held in .any part of the country
took place at Barnsley. To make the demonstration
in every way imposing special trains were run from
various parts of South Yorkshire, so that from an
early hour the town was quite alive with music and
processions of vast bcdies of men. At 12 o'clock
they assembled in Church-field, at which time there
could not be less than from 10,000 to 12,000 persons.
A procession was formed, and, preceded by 12 brass
bands, marched to the Beechfield grounds. Mr. J.
Normansell was called to the chair. He stated that
the South Yorkshire Association had during the past
year increased its number by upwards of 3,000, and
had paid large sums to the sick, and no less than
£620 to other trades requiring aid. For the purpose
of compelling all the coal raised to the pit top to be
duly weighed, and which in South Yorksh;-e was
considered by the miners of the first importance, they
had distributed. £1,513,, and had paid more than
£4,000 for strikes and lock-out;. The association
were paying ss. a week to the widows of all miners
who were killed while at work in collieries, and is.
per bead to every child under 12 years of age. They
were also establishing a rule for giving to members
a weekly allowance when unable from age or injury
to work. Such being the object of the association,
he entreated all miners who were not members to

join at once, as they would find it to their benefit to
ch so. Mr. David Mou!son then proposed the follow-
ing resolution in brief termts:----" That this meet-
ing of the miners of South Yorkshire, having felt
the benefits which arise from their being united to
defend their interests—benefits which appear in
their improved social position and the sef-respect
resulting therefrom, as well as the confidence in-
spired by the knowledge that they are protected by a
powerful organisation—resolve to continue their
efforts to extend the advantages of the association to
all t'ieir fellow-workmen, and, in order to accomp-

lish this, pledge themselves to use their best endea-
vours to increase the membership of the association
and generally to uphold the interests of working
miners." Mr. W. Ward seconded the re-olution,
and contrasted the present state of the mining body
with what it was in 1853,'when there was no union.
Mr. George Newton, Trades' Council, Glasgow,
supported the resolution. Mr. Philip Casey moved :
" That this meeting desires to tender its sincere
thanks to the men of Thorneliffe, who have for a
period of 36 weeks so nobly resisted the lock-out
imposed on them by their employers, and pledges
itself to support them to the uttermost in still fur-
ther contending for the points at issue, viz., weekly
pays and 5 per cent. advance. The meeting further
rejoices to find that the Drift, Staindrop, and Folly
Main men have latterly come forward to support tile
just claims of the men locked out, and expresses the
hope that they will continue to su-)port those claims
with all their power until a satisfactory arrangement
be come to." The resolution was seconded by Mr.
J. Wilkinson, and supported by Mr. Wlliams, of
Liverpool. Mr. Sidebottom then moved the follow-
ing resolution :—" That experience having shown
the system of inspection of mines under the Mines
Inspection Act is totally inadequate to the require-
ments of mining operations and the safe' y of those
employed therein, this meeting rejoices that the
matter bas been inquired into by a committee of the
House of Commons during the past session of Parlia-
ment with a view to its amendment, and tender its
best thanks to the Council of the Natiocal Associa-
tion of Miners for the efficient manner in which the
complaints of the workmen were kid before that
committee." Mr. Leigh seconded the resolu-
tion, which was supported by Mr. Holmes, Leeds.
Mr. J. Simpson then moved : " That this
meeting is of opin:on that the law in relation
to, contract of serv:ce between masters and
workmen is onesided and unjust, and ought to be
repeeled or amended, and seeing that the Select
Committee of the House of Commons have recently
declare i the law as it stands to be objectionable, this
meeting hereby pledges itself to support the execu-
tive committee, morally and peculiarity, in thei-
endeavo-y-s to amend the law by a bill on the sub-
ject next session of Parliament." Mr. Dronfield, of
Sheffield, seconded the resolution. Another meeting
of miners was held yesterday at Chesterfield, at
which 10,000 persons were present.

ANTICIPATED VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO MAN-
CDZSTER.—It is repoited that the General Purposes bon--
rcittee of tho Manchester Coi2uration intend to ask the
Queen to inaugurate the monument erected in honour of
the Pence CoasoiL .in Albert-square ; and it is fur.her
stated that the ceremony wi'l take place in November.
The statue, given by the late Mr. Alderman Goadsby,
has been completed, and al*nost every other detail finished.
The memorial will be protected by a railing, which it is
said will be the most chaste of anything of the kind to be
found in Europe. The utmost confidence prevails as to
her Majesty's acceptance of the invitation ; and no doubt
whichever member of the royal family has the duty of
inauguration, the citizens wi'l give a right royal welcome.
—Manchester Courier.

-Alh`byv,at
tart •Al Ortubr,
CA DI PI

HER MAJESTY.

The weather since the Qeeen's arrival in the
Highlands has been most favourable, and her Ma'
jesty, with the members of the Royal family, has
taken out-door exercise almost daily. The favou-
rite walks and drives have been visited, and out-
door rambles and sports have been indulged in•
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh
are busy in the pursuit of deer and game, and have
enjoyed excellent sport.

VISIT OF TIIE PRINCE OF WALES TO DUNRODIN."
The Prince of Wales has accepted the office of honorarY
colonel of the Northern Brigade, composed of the Caith-
ness Volunteers. His royal highness will assume the co'n-
mand of the brigade at the forthcoming review at DO'
robin about the Ist Octobe”. Great preparations aro ha,'"
made at Dunrobin for the visit of the prince and princess.
The Earl and Countess of Caithness have been invited to
meet them at Dunrobin Castle.
The Earl of Bective and Lady Madei'ne TaYl°ll;
have loft Pitfour for Mar Lodge, on a visit to the Dylan'
Countess of Fife.
The Earl and Countess of Dudley ai:ived at In-
verness on Wednesday last, and on Saturday left f°l.
Banavie on their way to the Back Mount.
The Earl and Countess of Seafield have arrived
at Balmacaan, the" seat in Glen Urquhart.
Viscount Chelsea and Mr. H. Chaplin have ar-
rived at Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square.
Lord and Lady John Manners have arrived at
St. Maiy's Tower, Dunkeld.
Sir Henry and Lady Cecilia Des Voeux during
the past week received a largo party at Drakelow, near
Burton-on-Trent, for the Derby races.
DEATH OF SIR ALEXANDER P. GORDON-CU3I3IINe.
=We have to announce the death of Sir Alexander
Penrose Cordon-Cumming, of Altyre, Dart., which tooka
place in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon, after a long an
painful illness, which he bore with fortitude and resigna-
tion. At his death he held the office of deputy-lieutenant,
of Moiayshire, and was lieutenant-colonel of the Elginsbir°
Rifle Volunteers. Ho leaves a widow, the only danglite,t
of the Rev. Augustus Campbell, rector of Liverpool. lie
as
succeeded by his son, William Gordon Gordon-Cumming'
who is in his 18th year.
We have to announce the death of Mr. Charles
Cecil Martyn, who expired at an early hour yester-
day morning at the family residen6 in Whitehall-gardens'
In 1841 Mr. Martyn, in conjunction with Lord Bruce (the
late Earl of Elgin), was retui aed fo.: Southampton. °1
state of the poll was :—Lord Mace, 648 ; Mr. Charles °eel
Martyn, 645; their opponents, Captain Mangles and ljr;
Hutchins, being thus defeated. The election led to a long
and expensive committee ; in fact, it is said to have
tailed a cost of about £60,000 on the parties opposing tus"
petition. Owing to the enormous expense, Mr. Marty'',
well as Lord Bruce, did not frrther seek for senator;
honours. Of late years Mr. Mat:,yn has participated With
his family in supporting the turf.