Star.
London, England, 1830-07-22 00:00:00

ALLEGED MISMANAGEMENT OP THE CITY
COMPANIES' FUNDS.

Yesterday a public meeting of the Freemen and Liverymen of
the City Companies was held at the Queen's Anna Tavern, Cheap.
side, foe the purpose of having the proceedings adopted by the free.
men of the Patten Makers' Company laid before them, and to adopt
soma plan for the complete enfranchisement of all the Compan'As in
the City. The meeting was called for twelve o'clock, but in con.
sequence of the thin attendance of freemen, it was nearly one o'clock
when the Chairman, Mr.Waldegrave, citizen and innholder, took
his seat.
The SECHNTAZT (Mr. Price) read two reports, detailing the pro-
gress made by the Patten-makers towards obtaining the accomplish.
meat of the objects they had in view, viz. to have the election of the
Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants versed in the Brethren of
the Company generally. and to ascertain in what manner the revenue
of the Company is disbursed. It at that a rule Nisi for a Man-
damus had been obtained by the Committee appointed at a public
mating of the freemen of the Company, which would have the ef-
he Gleaning the question as to the legality of the Court of As.
*butts at rest, and decide the whole of the subjects of complaint.—
That rule had, however been enlarged, and it would be argued
next Teem. The Repots concluded by calling on all the freemen
Botha Companies, similarly situated, to form themselves into a
Goma Committee, for the purpose of forwarding the objects of
the Conunitee of the Patten-makers' Company, the struggle being
ono it importance to them all, and the decision of which would de-
cide the (ate of others.—.(applause.)
A motion to print and circulate the Reports was then carried.
The CHAIRMAN said his Company (Innholders) were placed in
a similar situation to the Patten.makers. He .bad applied to the
Clerk of his Company foe an inspection of the books to ascertain
how the property of the fraternity sou disposa of, and it was re-
load, notwithstanding that officer was told that by an Act of Par.
Inuent be was subjected to a fine of 1001. for refusing to allow any
entrialter to see the books. [The worthy Chairman here read the
1 Chou of the Act of Parliament to which he had alluded.) He
Olinidered that the officers of all the chartered Companies were
only trustees for the time being, and were merely entrusted with
their funds to relieve their poor and decayed brethren—(applause);
but they not only compelled-the members to pay money, but when
asked how the money was applied, the only answer was, " what
is that to you ?"—(hear, hear) The Courts of nearly all the City
Companies were illegally constructed, and, consequently, what-
ever was done by them was it legal also. The Charter did not say
that the Masters, Wardens, a Assistants were to elect themselves ;
but that they were to be elected by the body of the Freemen, who
might remove them if their conduct was improper. Their assump-
tion of wcr was impertinent, and an insult to the Freemen at
large. applause.)
4o
hind ELTON detailed some of the proceedings of the Patten
Makers' Court, with a view of proving the bad management of the
funds • as one instance of neglect, a former dealt died, having ap.
repeated 400 L to his own use, the whole of which was lost. He
MOW that the only mode of checking the tide of corruption in that
Company, was by forming a general committee of the various cont.
panics of the city, which he moved should be now done.
A Gentleman, in seconding that motion, paid a high coin.
pliment to the 'ph* of those members of' the Patten Makers'
Company for proceeding as they had done. He had applied to the
Muter dills Company (the Plasterers') for an account of the re.
ariposar.d expenditure, and that worthy gentleman said he knew no
aim about it than a child unborn. (Hear.) He then applied to
the Clerk, who referred him to the Court of King's Bench, if lie
was diseatisfisd—amessure which the Cleric, who is &lawyer, woulu
doubtless have no objection whatever to. (Laughter.)
The Cliasnuarr said be coca asked a person who had served the
office of Master if he knew the amount of the rental belonging to
his Company ? and that person replied, " Curse my wig, I :now
nothing about it; I leave it all to the clerk." (Laughter.) The
money so received was not intended to pay for dinners and wine,
and cosch.hire (laughter), but for the support of poor and decayed
members; and if the conduct of the officers was fair and upright,
they would have no motive for keeping the freemen in the dark ;
their conduct showed clearly that there was something mysterious,
which they did not wish to be brought to light. (Applause.)
Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting ; members of va-
rious Companies tendered their names to compose a Genetal Cont.
mince; and thanks being voted to tb Chairman, the Meeting
broke up.

Amongst the equestrians on Coustitution-hill and in
Hyde-park yesterday, were the Duke of Cumberland, Earl Grey, and
Lord Ellenborough.
At the meeting of the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge, which took place on Tuesday, for the purpose of ad-
dressing his Majesty on his accession, a Rev. Divine proposed to
add to the Address, a request that his Majesty would be pleased to
abstain from giving Sunday dinners. This evident approach to the
puritanical times of Cromwell, was got rid of by the Archbishop of
Canterbury recommending the Society to proceed so the order of
the day.
Sir Sydney Smith yesterday attended his Majesty's
Levee at St. James's Palace, on bis appointment as Lieutenant.( 4.
neral of Aladin.; ths preferment conferred on him so honourably
and promptly by his present Majesty. Sir Sydney, however, ro
doubt how the skitases of the notice, attended in his Admiral's
uniform ; but the uniform had the new facings—namely, red. lie
was decorated with several orders, with three sashes, au.

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