The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-13 00:00:00

PROVIDENT CLERICS' ASSOCIATION.

On Wednesday evening a meeting of the members of
the benevolent department of this institution was held
at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street ; T. Ha,nkey,
Esq., M.P., in the chair.
The SECRETARY (Hr. W. Linford) read the following
report and balance-sheet :
" The Board of Management beg to submit to the mem-
bers and friends of this fund their sixteenth annual report.
The income for the year 1856 has been as follows :
Donations, 310/. ss. ; 315 old subscribers 4161. 15s. 6d. ;
49 new ditto, 66/. 18s.; 4 life ditto. 42%; subscriptions
from assurers—viz , 2,234 at 55., 5581. 10s.; 79 at les.,
39/. 10s.; 2 at 10s. 6,1 11. 1.5.; 13 at 205., 13/.; inte-
rest, dividends, &c., 671./., l2s. Bd.; total, 2,143/. 10s. 2d.
The above sum exhibits an increase of 1611. 18s. 3d. upon
the income of the preceding year;; while, on the other
hand, the expenditure has been somewhat augmented by
the endeavours of the board to bring this valuable institu-
tion more fully before the notice of the public, and by
the increasing expenses attendant upon the election
of annuitants. On the 30th May last,
in pursu-
ance of a resolution of the preceding annual general
meeting five additional annuitants were elected, viz.—
One clerk to an annuity of 25/. ; four widows to annuities
of 15/. each. Two annuitants have died during the year,
and the number at present on the fund is 46, for a total
annual BUM of 815/. The board now recommend that
additional annuities, not exceeding 757., be granted. A
resolution in accordance with the above will be submitted
to the meeting. The gratuities awarded to deserving and
necessitous members during the year amount to 146'. 10s.
The applications for loans continue to be extremely nume-
rous; 118 loans, for an aggregate sum of 2,303/. 10s., have
been granted during the past twelvemonths, making a
total of more than 25,000/. - advanced in this manner
since the system of
granting loans has been in operation.
The present capital of the fund (which has been increased
since the last report by 6121. 13s. 6d.), now amounts to
16,086/. 6s. 2d. Although this result doubtless presents
some reason for co,ngratulation • and although much good
has certainly been effected, the board cannot but feel some
regret that after a period of 16 years an institution possess-
ing such peculiar claims to sympathy and support in a
great commercial community, should nothavereceived them
in a far greater degree, both from the body it was origi-
nally intended to benefit, and also from the general public.
The board, however, though somewhat disappointed by the
result o ltheir past efforts, cannot tut believe that, among
a class possessing, as the clerks of this country must, a
high degree of education and intelligence,
the value and
importance of such Rif institution
ple Provident Clerks'
Benevolent Fund will in time be, we it deserves, fully ap-
preciated. In making the recommendation which they
have done for the election of additional annuitants, the
board feel they have gone as far.as prudence will permit ;
they fear, however, that the amount will be inadequate to
meet the cases likely to be brought forward. They there-
fore beg to urge most strongly upon the present members
the desirability of making the institution known as widely
as possible,. and they call upon the clerks as a body
to examine for themselves the principles upon which
it is founded, and the benefits which it confers.
While thus appealing to the clerks, the board cannot, how-
ever, but feel that they have good ground for seeking also
the aid of the principals, to whom the welfare of their
clerks must ever be a subject of deep importance. • The
board, therefore, trust, by bringing this fund fully 'before
the notice of the commercial public, many of whom have
not yet contributed to its aid, probably from the fact of
being unacquainted with its distinctive features, that an
amount of support may be secured which will speedily en-
able them to meet the case of every deserving applicant.
The balance-sheet has been duly audited, and can be ob-
tained by any member of the fund on application.
(Signed) "THOMSON HANKEY,
"
The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, you have heard Chairman.
the
report read, and the statement of accounts, as well as
the balance-sheet of the association, which has been
some time in the bands of every member, and I really do
not think that they require any particular remark from
me to recommend them to your approval and adoption.
(Hear, hear.) It is now 16 years since this association
was first started, and, as the report states, it has not, per-
haps, made so much progress as the managers desired.
It had not, I confess, made quite so much progress as I
could have hoped—(hear, hear)—but at the same time
I cannot say that I think any one is justified in as-
serting that it has made no considerable progress, be-
cause, when we remember that from the funds of this
institution very nearly 50 persons who have been brought
up under similar circumstances to those who formed it
have been relieved—(hear, hear)— it must be a source
of gratification to us that we have effected so much
good. (Hear, hear.) Ido not think it can be otherwise
than to a considerable degree satisfactory also to those
merchants, bankers, and others who in the first instance
by their contributions started the formation of this in-
stitution ; but it undoubtedly would have been more so
if the institution were now conferring greater benefits.
I can only attribute this state of things to want of time,
and I hardly believe that those who really consider the
subject and its great advantages can feel otherwise than
disposed to support it. (Hear, hear.) I can well under-
stand that there are great difficulties in the way of giv-
ing that support to the institution which those who are

perhaps in easier circumstances of life would gladly see
it receive. I have been too long connected with those
i❑ the position of darks in London not to be aware of

the great dlfficulties with which they have constantly to
contend. (Applause.) It is impossible for me to forget
it from day to day in the discharge of my duties at the
Bank of England, and if I were possibly inclined to do
so, the position which I bold as an Income-tut Commis-
sioner would prevent it, from my having 0 sit day by
day to hear those heart-rending appeals and statements
that are made by many of the members of that class,
who are interested in such an institution as this.
(Hear, hear.) It is impossible I :-A; A-, oue possessed of
that information hot only not to commiserate but to be
able to appreciate fully the diffisulties with whioli this class
has to contend, and undcUbtedly they' have had far
greater difficulties to contend with during the last three
or four years than during an average of 20 years pre-
ceding. (Hear, bear.) At one period there appeared
to be a constant diminution in the price of almost every
article of food, but during the last four or five years
there has been a continual rise in the price of every ne-
cessary of life, whilst 1. feel satisfied that the remunera-
tion paid to clerks has not received that addition—l
will not say that ought to be made to it—but
which the altered circumstances has appeared to render
necessary. (Applause.) Ido not make these remarks
in a spirit of grumbling towards the employers of labour
of all kinds, because it is a difficult question to enter
on, nor will I now presume to enter on such a discus-
sion, but I only ailude to it to show that there are
causes in operation which have a tendency to diminish
that portion of a prudent man's income that allows him
to lay by for old age, or immediate pressing wants, or ,
to devote to objects of charity to assist hie less fortunate
fellow-labourer. (Hear, hear.) These causes have un-
fortunately been in operation for a considerable period,
and I confess that I do not see
any great pros-
pect of their immediate amelioration ; but at the
same time I do not think that on tbat account
that an institution like this should be regarded
otherwise than with deep interest. Those; who are in
employment, whilst feeling that their salarieii are not in-
creased in proportion to their expenditure, should bear
in mind that there are vast numbers of their fellow-clerks
and labourers who are unable to obtain employment, and
are suffering from causes over which they have no con•
tin), and that it is the duty, and should be considered a

privilege by those whom Clod h;;;Vletised with compara•
tively easy circumstances, to extend towards them not only
their sympathy, but substantial assistance. (Hear, hear.)
This institution has not been formed on auy rigid scale
of economy, but on the broad principle of benevolence,
by trying to induce those who have the means of doing
so of becoming members, and by their small contribu-
tions meet cases of severe distress and suffering of every
kind. Entertaining that feeling, as all appear to do, I
hope that notwithstanding the difficulties you have to
go on and prosper. The time may
c
may see a change for the better, and then
e
we ould gladden the hearts of all to know
eventcho:aninttd,:en wedbhn
t it
ein w with
it will a
time of adversity, means had been found
with which to increase the number of annuitants. It
is with such feelings that I venture again to re-
commend this institution to your warm and cordial
support, and I trist that it will receive that increased
support that the managers will be able to increase the
annuitants—remembering that an incrsase of annuitants
does not occasion a proportionate increased charge
against the institution, the present machinery being
capable of carrying out the obiects of the institution
threefold without additional expense. (Hear, hear.)
Having ventured to make these remarks, I leave the
matter in your hands, trusting that you will feel with
me that the institution is deserving of support, and that
you will continue' to support it. (Rear, hear.) I now
move " that the report and balance sheet now read be

received and adopted, and that the same be printed
and circulated at the discretion -of the board." (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. PIKE, a member, seconded the motion with feel-
ings of pleasure, and congratulated them on the suc-
cessful and prosperous state of the affairs of the
institution in both departments. (Hear, hear.)
He appeared there as the representative of a
number of members to express his and their satisfaction
at the gratifying state of their affairs. (Hear, hear.)
One of the most valuable features of this department
was the annuities paid to widows and to decayed mein.
hers, and it had been a subject of great regret for years
past to him and his friends that the benefit of this de
partment could not be extended so as to avoid all un-
certainty as regarded the result of the elections. To at-
tain that object he suggested that the present mode of
election should be done away with and left to the board,
by which the expenses of the May meeting would be
saved, great inconvenience to members got rid of, and a
,bruleiatihmtebefowritthhdeirrawngreat saving of expense, trouble, and anxiety to the can-
didates, as well as disappointment at not succeeding.
the annuitants.
At the end of this year, after they had divided their
of one tenth, to
bo-
nuses,al-
locating h eo
uethoughtrhai f of tt
thewas profits, fif a,tvs6infsrta.
instead
the benevolent fund. By getting rid of the elections at
least all. a-year would be saved, which would be en&
cheowever much they must have
cient to provide for three annuitants. lie also thought
tt that ami tn aer
e. portion
vt
Ah Be wicoicf
currentt
shaei
db
demandstahlaant
regretted the absence of Mr. Abel Smith, his absence
that night had been ably supplied by the hon. gentleman
then in the chair. (Hear.) From the remarks of the
chairman he gleaned that there was a kind feeling en-
tertained by him towards that body of men who sup-
ported this institution, awl every one who had
Beard his remarks roust have been touched with their
truth, and which indicated to his mind that the lion.
gentleman must have entered with real sympathy into
the real position of the clerks not only of London but
of the whole country--(applause)—and that he had
placed his views in relation to them before the meet-
ing, in a manner for which they Were
touch indebted
to him. (Hear, hear.) The report stated that the
benevolent department was not suppetted to the extent
it should be, and its provisions warranted. That was
to be lamented ' • but he 'did !Ali know whether it was
to be attributed to the fault of the present subscribers
or of that body of clerks who were unconnected with