The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-22 00:00:00

REFORMATORY AND REFUGE UNION.

Exeter Hall has been filled to overflowing upon the
occasion of this Union holding its anniversary. Every
inch of space on platform, galleries, and vestibules was
economised, and shortly after seven o'clock the doors of
the hall 'were closed, there being no room for numbers
attempting to gain admission. The Earl of Shaftesbury
presided, and amongst those present were Sir T. F.
Buxton, M.P., Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P., Sir Uharles
Fox, Mr. G. Hanbury. Mr. Macgregor (Rob Roy), Rev.
J. B. Owen, Rev. Dr. Osborne, &c. The first part of the
evening was devoted to the musical efforts of 700 children,
who sang a number of pieces with great spirit, and elicited
two or three genuine encores. These children were con-
nected with the various refuges and homes of London, and
their clean and orderly appearance excited general admira-
tion. The shoeblack brigades were in their red uniform, as
were also. some of the children from the Home for Little
Boys. The little girls from the various homes were
prettily dressed, and as their " books of the words" were
in covers of different colours, the platform presented a
gay appearance. When several musical pieces had been
sung a public meeting was commenced by the audience
joining with the children in singing the Old Hundredth
Psalm. The Rev. J. B. Owen then offered prayer,
after which a brief report was presented of the objects
of the Reformatory Union and its present position.
The. Union was formed in 1850 to assist the various
institutions established throughout the kingdom for
the benefit of juvenile delinquents, vagrant and
destitute children, and the outcast and homeless poor. In
1858 a female mission was established, which now employs
six missionaries, and has been the means of rescuing
upwards of 2,300 young women. There arc 291 institu-
tions connected with the Union, and 22,554 inmates.
The Union has made grants to refuges, &c., amounting
to £13,160 ; grants for emigration, £2,167 ; grants
to -penitentiaries, &c., £2,654. The income for
the year ending March 31, 1868, was £5,008.
The Earl of Shaftesbury, in a brief speech,
advocated the claims of the Union, and especially
alluded to the need existing for more suitable
accommodation for little girls. The Rev. Mr. Scott
addressed the workers of the society upon the encourage.
meats they had to pursue their work. Sir C. Fox, who
had recently returned from Canada, described' the modes
of work amongst the outcast and abandoned there and in
New York. The Rev. W. J. Van Meter, New York,
spoke -of the success of efforts in America for the welfare
of the children of- the poor. Mr. Macgregor and other
gentlemen delivered addresses, and the meeting closed
with the National Anthem.

A man named Patrick Foley has been brought
into Cork, charged with being concerned in numerous
Fenian depredations, amongst them the extensive robbery
of revolvers from tll6 shop of Messrs. Allport, in the prin•
cipal street in that city, in the daytime. This is deemed
an important arrest.

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