The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-04 00:00:00

PROVIDENT CLERKS' MUTUAL
LIFE ASSURANCE 'ASSOCIATION AND
BENEVOLENT FUND.
A special meeting of the Benefit Department was
held on Wednesday evening at the London Tavern,
R. H. Jones, Esq., in the chair, for the purpose of
altering, amending, and adding to the rules of the
asscciation.
The CHAIRMAN said the first thing he had to do
was to wish them a happy new year, which he did
with great sincerity—(Cheers)—and the next was
to introduce to them Mr. Philip Henry Byrne, their
new secretary— a gentleman in every way qualified
for the position he then held; and he might say he had
already shown by his exertions, and successfully so,
the great interest which he took in the institution.
The SECRETARY then read the requisition calling
the meeting, as well as the advertisement.
The CHAIRMAN said it was in conformity with
the re quisition that they had assembled on that oc-
casion, and he was desirous they should understand
that ie alterations they proposed to adopt emanated
entirely from the board. They would remember
that at the special meeting, on the Bth of February
last, he gave a pledge
_ors behalf of the board,
that the nomination of auditors should be placed in
their hands. He readily did so, as also did every
other member of the board, because they thought
it was a judicious and proper proceeding. The new
rules had been attentively considered by the board ;
their/actuary, Mr. Ratray, had seen and approved of
them, and Mr. Tidd Pratt was ready to certify them ;
and it was for the members to say vs Nether they
should be passed or not.
Rules from 1 to 10 inclusive were then put and
agreed to without any discussion.
Upon rule 11, altering the qualification of the
manager of the association to a life assurance for
5001. or upwards, instead of, as heretofore, fur 3001.,
The CHAIRMAN said the directors, in making this
alteration, had regard to the extraordinary progress
which the association had made during the past year,
and which they would have an opportunity of showing
at the meeting on the 21st instant. They thought
as the society increased in importance so should those
who conducted its affairs have a greater risk and
stake in its welfare.--(Hear.)
Mr. PHILLIPS said he doubted very much the expe-
diency of this alteration, for he had generally ob•
served that the most efficient and able men on the
management were those who had not the largest
interest, and he thought if small shareholders
were thus shut out the usefulness of the
board of management would be very much impaired.
He was the more surprised at the alteration, because
there ran through all the other rules such a remark-
able spirit of liberality, and because it seemed opposed
to the original intentions of the founders of the society.
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know what proportion
cf the members of the society were assured for up-
wards of 5001.
The CHAIRMAN said there were thirty-five members,
at 1,0001. each, twenty at sums averaging from 500/.
to 1,000/, and two hundred at 5001. each.
After some further discussion,
Mr. GOSBELL thought the proposed alteration would
have a tendency to increase the business of the
association, for those who were desirous of getting
on the directory would, if they were not sufficiently
qualified, augment their policy of assurance to 5001.
Mr. PHILLIPS observed that, in the remarks which
he had made, he had no intention of opposing any
general view on the subject of the new qualification,
but he certainly did not exactly agree with the gen •
tleman who had just spoken. it was not fair, he
thought, to compel a person who wished to become
one of the managers to increase his policy, because
the additional premium might prove a serious clog to
him, especially if he had a family and was in the re-
ceipt only of a small income.
Mr. C. REED thought it would be scarcely credit.
able not to pass this rule, after the board had maturely
considered it. They wanted men on the board who
had time to attend to the business of the association,
a desideratum which could not be expected of men who
had a limited income, and were unable to pay the
premium on 500/. Their time was less at their disposal
and consequently they could not render their services
so often as other members.
The resolution approving of the new rule was then
put and carried by a large majority.
Rules 12, 13, 14, and 15 were then agreed to
without any opposition.
With respect to the concession on the part of the
board, that the three auditors should be chosen
annually by the members, considerable satisfaction
was manifested.
On the suggestion of Mr. LLOYD and other gen-
tlemen the rule was amended in addition to the above,
so that the auditors for the future must be proposed
in writing by two members, in a notice addressed to
the chairman of the society at least fourteen days
before the annual general meeting, or at a special
meeting convened for that purpose—a list of the
candidates to be placed in the meeting-room before
the commencement of the proceedings. If more
candidates than the requisite number (namely, three),
the election to be declared by a show of hands, or, if
required, by ballot. The qualification to be an
interest in the association of the value of 2001.
The CHAIRMAN then submitted the following
amended rule for the approval of the members:—
" The assurances granted by this society shall be as
follows:

" A provision for the payment of a sum of money, of
not less than 504, nor exceeding 2,0001., at the decease
of a member.
" A provision for a deferred annuity of not less than
101., nor exceeding 1001. per annum; said annuity to
commence at not less than fifty-five years of age, and to
continue for the remainder of life.
" A provision for a similar annuity to the above, the
whole of the premiums to be returned (without interest)
in the event of a member's death before attaining the
specified age.
" A provision for an endowment for children, not ex-
ceeding 5001., on attaining the respective ages of four-
teen or twenty-one years.
" A provision for a similar endowment, the whole of
the premiums to be returned (without interest) in the
event of the decease of the party before attaining the ege
agreed on.
" A provision for an immediate annuity not exceeding
1001.

" A provision for the payment of. a sum of money of
not less than 50/., nor exceeding 2,0007., at the decease of
a party A, provided another party B be then living.
" A provision for the payment of a sum of money of
not less than 504 nor exceeding 2,0001., on the decease
of either of two lives that may be named.
" A provision for any other contingency whereof the
occurrence is susceptible of calculation by way of
average."
He said that the members would perceive that the
rule sought power to assure, with the exception of
endowments for children, double the amount they had
heretofore done.—(Cheers.) Under the amended
rule the directors confidently expected to be enabled
to transact a vast amount of additional business.
Recently they bad suffered in consequence of not
possessing the power which the amended rule would
confer upon the society. A clerk who was about to
be married wished to assure his life for 1,5001. In
accordance with the rules they were obliged to decline
the proposal, and the trustees of the young man
refused to allow him to assure for 1,000/ alone. Thus
they lost a policy for I,sool.—(Hear.) Looking at
the enhanced position of the society, and believing,
as he thought they would, that the directors would
exercise the same careful revision over the
nature and risk of the policies issued as they
had done when invested, on a previous occasion, with
the power of increasing the policies from 500/. to
1,0001., the members could not fail to be of opinion
that the alteration would prove most beneficial to
them.—(Cheers.) They would not, however, at the
outset take the whole risk of a few heavy policies, as
they would re-assure a portion of them, as was usual
in other offices. They could assure half their risk
upon large policies, and get a commission from the
offices which they might favour with any business of
this nature.
Mr. REED said the time had arrived when the
high position of the society rendered it necessary that
the directors should have power to issue policies of a
larger amount than heretofore, and cordially proposed
the adoption of the amended rule.
Mr. GOSBELL seconded the motion and expressed it
as his opinion that
,the alteration would work most
beneficially to the institution.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Verbal alterations in the rule with respect to the
appointment of nominees were agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN said the next rule as amended was
a direct, and he believed, an advantageous, concession
to the members. Some members had suffered from
the infliction of fines for the non-payment of their
premiums a month after they really became due.
The fines were proposed to be reduced one-half.—
(Cheers.)
Mr. BELL objected to fines altogether, for it fre-
quently happened that they fell with undue severity
upon the poor member, whose poverty alone com li
-
pelled him to become a defaulter.—(Hear, hear.) In
societies of this kind it appearekto him that there
was a want of sympathy with unfortunate poverty.—
(Vociferous cries of " No, no.") He had hoped that
the directors would have swept away the obnoxious
impost altogether. A stain was affixed to institutions
which adopted this principle ; but more particularly
did a stigma attach to institutions of a benevolent
character like this, which did so.—(No, no.) A
poor man assured his life to provide bread forehis
family when he ceased to exist ; but, if from any of
the many accidents which attended all human affairs,
he could not continue his payment regularly, they
punished his poverty.
The CHAIRMAN was opposed to the alteration, and
he believed when he said so he spoke the sentiments
of the board and of the members.—(Hear, hear.)
The concession proposed was a large and liberal one,
and if the discretion of fining or not fining members
who did not regularly pay their premiums was left to
the board, they wculd, he was sure, abuse it, so much
were they disposed to be lenient.—(Sear, heir.)

But let them consider the inconvenience which the
abolition of the rule would occasion, in not being in
a position to depend upon the payment of premiums,
if no penalty was attached to the observance of
the rule. They would also lose the interest on their
money, which was an important consideration in the
present high price of the funds.
Mr. TARRANT considered that there might be some
cases in which it was desirable that the board should
have the power to rescind the fines. He begged to
move that the directors in any case have the power,
if they see good reason, to rescind the fines payable
under the rules for the non-payment of premiums,
which was seconded by Mr. Bell.
After some discussion, the motion was withdrawn,
the opinion of the majority of the members present
being opposed to it.
Upon rule 28, which has reference to policy-holders
going abroad,
The CHAIRMAN said the board, after consulting the
prospectuses of nearly all the assurance offices of
London, proposed the rule as amended.
A MEMBER said whilst he believed the alteration
was a step in the right direction, and he gave his
cordial approbation to it, yet, on the other hand, the
additional premium might check the enterprise of
young men, who believed they might better their for-
tunes in another land. He himself had had to pay an
office 2.5/. over and above his ordinary premium, and
he hoped the time was not far distant when the names
of places in policies of assurance would be abolished
altogether.—(Cheers.)
Mr. RATRAY (the actuary) proposed the addition
of " not being seafaring men, which was adopted.
Mr. TOOLE inquired if, ist the event of his holding
a policy on the life of a person who, without his
knowledge or that of the board, went abroad and died
beyond the prescribed limits, the policy would
be paid.
Some discussion ensued upon this point, but no
definite determination was arrived at. It was un-
derstood that if a person assured in the office
violated the • conditions prescribed in his policy
that he forfeited his interest in it, and destroyed the
interest held in it by any one else. It was under-
stood that the board was vested with a discretionary
power in such cases. The rule, as amended, was
unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN said the following rule was a very
important one, and he believed it would operate most
beneficially :
" Policies will become void if the person whose life
has been assured shall die, by suicide, by duelling, or
by the hands of justice. But such policies shall not.
however, be deemed void so far as regards any other
person or persons having a bona fide interest therein,
but upon due proof being given, the association will pay
or allow the amount of such interest, to such person or
persons as may be legally entitled to receive it ; any
balance of such policy shall be forfeited, but the mana-
gers shall have power, after due consideration of the
circumstances of the else, and having especial reference
to the length of time the party has been assured, to pay
the whole or any part of such balance to the family of
the deceased In such manner, and in such propertion as
they may deem fit; in like manner, should any person
assured upon his own life die as aforesaid, at a time when
his policy was in his own po•seasion, the managers shall
have power in their discretion to pay the whole or any
part of such p,,licy to his widow, children, or other rela-
tives as above mentioned."
Mr. RATRAY explained that this rule was of the greatest
advantage, as it would have the effect, in the event of
a person laying violent hands upon his life, of en-
abling the person interested in the policy (due notice
thereof having been given) to receive the amount, as
if the assured had not died by his own hand. If the
policy were in the hands of the suicide no benefit
would accrue ; but the managers were, he thought,
properly vested with the power, if they saw good
reason, of placing the family of the deceased in the
same position as if he had died a natural death.
Mr. REED inquired if the board were aware of
the fact that persons had assured their lives, assigned
the interest to other parties, and committed suicide—
would the board entertain such a case ?
A DIRECTOR said their great object should be to
make their policies perfect instruments, so that the
holders of them should not be damnified by any act
of the assured, such as travelling abroad or commiting
suicide.—(Hear, hear.) If such a case as that
mentioned by Mr. Reed occured, of course the matter
would be carefully looked into.
Mr. LLOYD said persons in the case cited might
have disposed of their policies for a fraudulent con-
sideration. Persons had obtained policies, and im-
mediately disposed of them to their solicitors for the
benefit of their families. Such cases had happened—
they might happen again ; and as a door might, under
the rule, be opened to fraud it was their duty to
guard against its commission. The payment of such
policies should be left to the discretion of the board.
Mr. RATRAY said all offices paid assigned policies ;
when consideration was clearly shown they were
invariably paid. The plan proposed by the rule had
been some time in practical operation in other offices.
Mr. SMEE (one of the medical officers) explained
how it first came to pass that policies were void
if the life of the person assured died either by the
hand of justice, duelling, or suicide. One day a
person in extreme difficulties assured his life, and
immediately after invited the directors of the assur-
ance office to dine with some of his friends, at his
house. After dinner he said to the directors, " Gen-
tlemen, it is right that I should introduce you to the
parties to whom you will have to pay the amount of
my policy when it becomes a claim." The next
moment the unhappy man took out a pistol and shot
himself. Assurance offices, with a view to their
protection, subsequently rescinded the rule which
made such policies payable ; but of late years they
were rendered good and valid claims if held by
another party.—(Hear, hear.) He need hardly re-
mind them that love of life and a desire for its suffi-
cient protection were implanted in our nature.—
(Hear.) Assurance offices were as much open to
fraud as any other mercantile bodies—(in illustration
of which Mr. Smee cited the following story, which
he said was an " Irish one")—" A person assured
his life and placed the policy under the care
of a friend for its protection. The friends
quarrelled, and the holder of the policy
prepared several fraudulent documents tending to
show that the person mentioned in the policy was
dead, and its amount was duly paid. Eight years
after the man, whom the office supposed to be dead,
walked into the office, where he was told that he had
died some years before.--;-(Laughter.) The man
exclaimed, " Why, you have not a better life in your
books."— (Laughter )
The motion was carried unanimously.
In reply to Mr. REED,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the different classes of
assurers were all placed upon a level as regarded the
payment of the expenses of the office.
The meeting was then dissolved.
A meeting was then held to elect three
auditors.

Several candidates were proposed, and the following
gentlemen were nominated :—Messrs. Lloyd, Wood,
and Hooper.
A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Chair-
man and directors for their unabated zeal in promot-
ing the interests of the institution.

`The CHAIRMAN returned thanks on his own behalf
and on the part of his brother directors. All their
meetings had hitherto happily terminated in the same
way as those of that evening ; and be trusted they
would ever retain the confidence reposed in them on
that as on all former occasions. As regarded the
nomination of auditors, the board of management had
steadily avoided interfering in any way with the free
choice of the members.—(Cheers.)
The meeting then separated.

ABSCONDING OF A CLER/E.—A person named
Stratton, who held lie situation of clerk in the Aylesbury
Savings-bank, has, we hear, absconded with a large sum
of money with which he had been entrusted by an aged
relative. It appears that he had absented himself from
the office on false pretences, and that the suspicions of
his principal, Mr. James, were first aroused against him
by the production on Wednesday last by a person named
Faulkner of a book containing items to the amount of 301.
in the handwriting of Stratton, and bearing no folio num-
ber for the ledger, nor any manager's check. Mr. James
immediately Milt instructions to town to have the
Julindur, bound from London to Adelaide. searched,
while he himself proceded by mail-train to Liverpool, in
the hope of intercepting Stratton there. Stratton,
however, had sailed under his own name, with his
wife and two children for New York, by the steam-ship
Canada, on Saturday. Application has since been
made to the Secretary of State, in the hope that Go-
vernment would obtain the delinquent's arrest in Ame-
rica. Unfortunately, however, the treaty in force between
the two countries would not authorize any interference,
unless to his other crime he has added forgery. Hopes
are entertained that Stratton's defalcations extend over a
short period of time, and to an amount exceedingly
small when compared with the property which ho has
left available to cover them.

SINGULAR FIRE IN THE ClTY.—Yesterday forenoon
r
smoke issuing in dense bodies from the premises
Bush-lane,
John Boswell, a wine cooper, in Little
Cannon• street, clearly indicated that fire hadol;BrgEo_k.negniaonul:
The engines of the London Brigade, V
m e
n County,foun
found
and
that parishesth the
flameflames
quickly
were
burningattended,slwee7iwah
theen the
cellars,firehous., but
running, not merely under Mr.
. B
were_ got to. 'work,
Tofheweantegrinewsere thrown into the
and under spowerfuleveral others.streaai s
basement, but it could not reach the flames. The patent
smoke proof dress Was therefore sent for, and Bridges,
one' of the officers, having put the same on, he entered
the cellars, where he found a quantity of crates, straw,
&c., on fire. By pumping cold air into the dress,
Bridges was enabled to continue a considerable time
amongst the smoke, and thereby direct the water in the
proper quarter, but the fire was not extinguished for
several hours. The damage done, however, is not con-
siderable, except by water. A spark from a lanthorn, it
is presumed, was the cause of the outbreak.
KOSSUTII'S SECRETARr.--M. M. Diosy, private
secretary to Louis Kossuth, and formerly editcr of the
Hungarian paper Magyar- Zsido, has recently arrived in
London. M. Diosy accompanied Kossuth in hit flight
sa far 01 Trausylnuise--Jewish Chronicle.

CROYDON UNION WORKHOUSE.
Yesterday, at eleven o'clock, an investigation took
place before Mr. Richard Hall, Assistant Commis-
sioner for the district, into certain charges of
mismanagement brought against the majority of
the board of guardians of the Croydon Union and
their officers, by certain members of the body. The
meeting took place in the beard-room, and was
well attended. Mr. Ball, who conducted the
proceedings by order of the Poor-law Board,
explained at the outset
,that he was there to inquire
into and report upon the facts brought forward, and
that he was ready to hear what either party bad to
adduce in support of their respective views.. The
investigation then commenced, the Rev. John Ran-
dolph, the Rev. George Randolph, and Mr. Byron,
taking the principal part in support of the charges
brought forward, while Mr. Blake and Mr. Fairley
were most conspicuous in defence of the mode in
which the affairs of the union had been conducted.
Witnesses were called on either side, and a long and
rather violent discussion took place on the different
points, with respect to which the parties were at issue.
The inquiry lasted from eleven to five o'clock, during
which time a great mass of statements were made on
the different heads of charge, these statements being
interspersed with observations and reflections from
either side in such a manner as to render any detailed
report of the proceeding impossible, if it were desir-
able. It was evident throughout that a great deal of
angry feeling existed in the board, and though the
Assistant- Commissioner did everything be could to
confine the inquiry to facts, and to avoid violent
recriminations, he was not uniformly successful in
doing so.
The first charge gone into was, that the master and
matron had shown an unwillingness to employ paupers
in such work as they were competent to pertorm. On
this head, the complainants proved that the white-
washing, painting, tarring, cleansing of cesspools,
sweeping of chimneys, cooking, baking, and general
domestic service in the workhouse, were performed
by persons hired for the purpose, instead of being
done, as in other unions, by the paupers them-
selves. Mr. Blake, and those who sided with him, en-
deavoured to show, on the other hand, that whenever
the inmates of the house had been found qualified to
do or assist in the kinds of work indicated, they had
been obliged to do so without remuneration,:and that
where wages had been given to independent labourers
it was when there was no pauper available for, or
capable of being trusted with, what it was wished to
carry out. It certainly appeared from the evidence
that the master and matron had employed people out
of the house to do what in other unions was done by
the paupers ; but ithe board of guardians had given
its full sanction to that course of management. In
the second place, it was charged against the master
that he did not keep the paupers in a due state of
subordination. On this head no formal proof was
adduced to support the charge, while Mr.
Blake brought forward strong evidence to show that
it was unfounded. As, however, that evidence was
collected from the entries in the offence-book,
which is kept by the master, Mr. Byron contended
that it went for nothing, alleging, as a third charge
against the master, inaccuracy in keeping his books,
of which he established tw o instances. The fourth
charge against the master was, that he had ordered
bad meat to be dressed, the proof in support of
which, however, only amounted to this—that on one
occasion, during the warm weather, he had permitted
a gof mutton which was rather tainted to be
roasted and used. The fifth charge was against the
master and matron, but only amounted on examination
to this—that they had given two pints of beer to men
who had brought coals to the workhouse, stinting
themselves of their proper allowance in order to
make up the difference to the union. The 6th and 7th
charges set forth that the master, and the matron when
her husband was master, had received, from butchers
under contract to supply the house, extra allowances
for their tables, and that false entries had been made
in the meat accounts, in order to cover those allow-
ances. Neither of these charges were established,
although hostile witnesses were examined in order to
prove them. The eighth subject of investigation was
the propriety of dismissing a carpenter, a bricklayer,
two servants, three nurses, a messenger, an
assistant baker, an assistant tailor, and a shoe-
maker, all at present receiving wages at the work-
house. With respect to a large proportion of
these, the evidence and the practice of other unions
appeared conclusive that their services might be
dispensed with, and the paupers might be substi-
tuted for them. The utility of the miller's services
having been discussed, and the propriety of a reduc-
tion of expenditure canvassed, the next question that
was brought forward was whether a lower salary
ought not to be paid to the two relieving officers, the
master and matron, and the porter. The last and
perhaps the most important point discussed was the
consumption of beer, wine, and spirits. The beer
consumed amounted to 2571. Bs. per annum, and
the wine and spirits to 1221 Bs. 61 This expenditure
was contrasted with that in other unions, and appeared
to be considered excessive by Mr. Hall, who subjected
Mr. Hubbert, the medical officer, to a close examina-
tion on the subject. Mr. Hubbert, however, insisted
that he alone was the proper judge of what relief in
this way was necessary, that he had only prescribed
beer and wine where, as a professional man, he thought
they were necessary.
Mr. Hall will lay the result of the investigation
before the Poor-law Board, who will decide upon the
various questions raised during the day's proceedings.
It is due to the master to mention that a certificate
was produced, signed by a long list of medical gentle-
men, and bearing high testimony to his exertions and
zeal while the cholera was raging in the workhouse.

THE ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT

AT DISS. _
NORWICH, THURSDAY.—The trial of Blofield John
Rix, and Henry Senior, for an alleged extensive
system of embezzlement, to the extent, it is said, of
upwards of 10.0001., at the bank of Dyson and Tay-
lor, at Di.s, which wes arranged to take place at the
General Quarter Sessions for the county now sitting,
has rather unexpectedly been postponed. Rix, it may be
remembered, had been the principal clerk, or rather
manager of the bank, for many years. Senior was
also a clerk in the establishment. After Mr. Dyson's
death, Mr. Taylor was about transferring the business
over to Harvey end Hudson, bankers of this city,
and on the accounts being inspected, prior to the
clrnge' serious defalcations were detected. Even-
tually Rix was committed for trial for stealing
3001. in bank-notes it ncl 2001. in gold, the
property of Mr. T. L. Taylor, the surviving
partner in the firm. Rix was further charged
with emb(zzling 3001. the property of his
employer, Senior was charged with stealing 5001. in
bank-notes, and on another occasion 201. A few days
ago an application was made to the judge at cham-
bers, and a writ of certiorari was obtained in order
to try Rix at the assizes instead of at the General
Quarter Sessions ; but, on a similar application being
made on behalf of the prisoner Senior, before another
judge, it was delayed. So stood the matter this day,
when it came under the notice of the Court.
Messrs. Evans and Palmer attended to prosecute ;
and Mr. O'Malley, with Mr. Hodgson, appeared for
Senior.

Mr. O'Malley said he had to make an application
on behalf of the prisoner Senior, who had been com-
mitted for trial on two charges of larceny. He had
been informed that those charges had been aban-
doned, and that indictments for embezzlement and
conspiracy had been preferred in their place. He
therefore contended that the prisoner was entitled to
his release, as he was not prosecuted or detained on
the charge on which he was committed.
Mr. Evans replied—According to the warrants
which detained the prisoner Senior, he could not be
liberated unless in the due course of law. If, there-
fore, other indictments were preferred which could
not be tried in that court, the law certainly had not
takea its course.

Mr. Palmer hoped the Court would not allow Senior
to escape the ends of justice, as he was connected
with the embezzlement, more or less, of a sum not far
short of 10,0001. Seven indictments for embsasloment
were preferred against him, one of which involved a
sum of 5001.

The Court declined to interfere, but it was under•
stood that a writ would be moved for, and that the
charges of embezzlement and conspiracy would be
persevered in, and that both parties would be tried at
the next assizes.

Ma. SIDNEY HERBERT :a PLAN OF FEMALE
EmaiwrioN.—Yesterday, at a meeting held in Mary-
t e purpose
Mary-
lebone, a parochial association in aid of the central cora.
promoting this object,
subscriptions, headed by one
Dudley Stuart, wire con-
tributed towards the funds.
,The second assembly of the Plantagenets took
plaee, at the Hanover. square Rooms, on Wednesday
awSstuene established, mblei
to sah2eldl,. h
and forfrom Lord
evening, the 2d instant, and was attended by upwards
of 300 persons. Adams's band was in attendance, and
delighted the company with the excellence of his music.
The refreshments were of the first order, and the whole
went off with brilliant eclat.
CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD Reavrev.--Traffic for
the week ended Dec. 30, 1849:—C. and H. Main Line,
1,068/. 19s. 9d.; Mold, 801. 2s. 4d.; steam-boats, 474
7s. 6d.—Total, 1,195/. 18s. Bd.
We have to announce the death of George Powney
Thompson, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Service, of spas-
modic affection of the heart and liver, at Agra, on the
11th of November. He was
,judge of the Sudder Court,
North-West Provinces, having served the East India
Company thirty.five years in the Judicial D.- partment,
without having visited England during that period. He
was distinguished as an upright, honest, and valuable
public servant and sincerely regretted by a large family
and many friends.

Nearly- all our mackerel boats have put to sea.
Yesterday, one ,of the Hastings boats caught 600 a
mackerel, about score of which were sold in Brightyn
at Bd. and Id, ea.:b.—Brighton Gazette.