The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-26 00:00:00

Music-Nall Provident Society.

Very recently several members of the music-hall profes-
sion gave their concurrence to a project for establishing
Music-hall Almshouses, and an active 'working committee
was appointed for the purpose of devising the best means of
carrying the scheme into successful operation. In the course
of their deliberations they received many suggestions, which
indicated a somewhat general desire among the class whom
they represented that, in addition to the proposed alms-
houses, and worked by the same officers, there ought to be
founded an institution more provident in its character' and
a sick Fund was pointed at as being best calculated to
moot
the pressing requirements of music-hall professionals. The
committee were fully alive to the fact that the Dramatic,
Equestrian, and Musical Sick Fund was in existence; but as
the establishment of an independent sick fund was pressed
upon them by members whose opinions they considered en-
titled to respect, they resolved to convene a meeting of the
entire music-hall profession, with the view of having the
question ventilated, and that meeting was held yesterday at
Weston's, Holborn ; Mr. Holland, one of the proprietors,
presiding.
The CLIAIRMLN having stated the circumstances which led
to the present meeting being hold, admitted that the Dra-
matic, Equestrian, and Musical Sick Fund Association ex-
tended its benefits to the members of the music-hall profes-
sion ; but the committee of management was purely dra-
matic, and the Almshouses Committee thought it would be
well if they could succeed in having the constitution of that
executive body modified. With that object, accordingly, they
addressed a letter to Mr. Benjamin Webster, president of
the fund, requesting an interview, but their communication
was not even acknowledged. Thinking that the first request
might have miscarried, they wrote a second time. Mr.
Webster, however, still remained silent. Meanwhile it was
suggested from various quarters, why not have a sick fund
of their own. (Hear, hear.) That was the question they
had assembled to consider, and he would be glad to hear
remarks bearing upou the subject. The profession felt
somewhat annoyed at Mr. Webster's apparent discourtesy,
but he (Mr. Ilolland) confessed that if the Dramatic,
Equestrian, and Musical Sick Fund management were
placed upon a wider basis by the admission of the music-
hall element, ho would advocate the support of that insti-
tution, which had an accumulated fund of £1,600, and was
in the 12th year of its existence, rather than the establish-
ment of an independent sick fund for • those of the special
class who then surrounded him.

Mr. SLOMAN approved of both almshouses and a sick fund
for the members of the music-hall profession, but each
ought to be worked independently. If they attempted to
associate the two schemes in any manner, they might rely
upon it that the marriage would prove an unsuccessful
one.

Mr. ALLEN gave it as his opinion that nine out of every
ten members would prefer a sick fund for their own pro-
fession rather than contribute to the Dramatic Fund.

Mr. JULIAN said ho should not urge one word in defence
of the Dramatic and Equestrian Fund, for it required none ;
but he believed that those who supported the project of a
new fund knew very little of the incalculable good which
the old fund had been the means of effecting during the 12
years of its existence.
Mr. P. CORRI would not say ono word disparaging of the
Dramatic and Equestrian Fund; but the music-hall profes-
sion was at least as powerful as the theatrical. Indeed,
there were 20 music-halls to one theatre, and in London 46
music halls alone, and they would not submit to be treated
with either nonchalance or insult.

After some conversation, a resolution to the following
effect was proposed by Mr. Page, for 46 years connected
with music halls, and seconded by Mr. West:—" That a
sick fund be now established for music hall professionals
only."

Mr. J. W. ANSON, the secretary of the Dramatic, Eques-
trian, and Musical Fund, explained the cause of Mr.
Webster's silence. That gentleman had been away for
several days in Scotland with a shooting party, and it was
only yesterday that letters received during his absence
wore placed in his hand. The last act Mr. Webster would
be guilty of was discourtesy to any mau. Mr. Anson then
put before the meeting, in a few business-like sentences,
the practical advantage of contributing to a benefit fund
having the experience of twelve years' duration, and
backed up with an accumulation of .£1,600, in preference to
the establishment of a new fund for any particular branch
of the profession. He believed there would not be the least
objection to meet the views of the music-hall profession
with respect to an enlargement of the committee of ma-
nagement and an extension of the administration ; and if
an adjournment were agreed to, say for one week, he
would be prepared to lay before them not only a letter from
Mr. Webster, but a definite proposal regarding the future
constitution of the executive.

Mr. Anson's statement was accepted as in every respect
satisfactory, and tho proposed adjournment to Tuesday
next was immediately agreed to.
Thanks having been voted to the chairman for his con-
duct while presiding, and for the use of Weston's Hall, the
meeting separated.

THE ATLANTIC CABLE.—Lord Stanley has ae-
cepted an invitation of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
to be present at the banquet to be given to the layers of
the Atlantic Cable on the Ist of October. Messrs. T. B.
Horsfall, M.P., 5. B. Graves, M.P., and John Laird, M.P.,
will also be present.
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