The Bee-Hive. — 1872-12-21 (London, England)

LIBERAL MEETING AT CREWE.  On Monday evening, a public meeting of the Crewe branch of the West Cheshire Liberal Association was held in the Town Hall, Creive. Mr. Eaton presided. The Rev. W. A. Blake (Crewe) moved :  That this meeting, desirous of continuing its unabated confidence in her Majesty's Government, trusts that its coming action may witness a bold and progressive policy in all that concerns the civil and religious liberties of the people. Mr. Martin Heath seconded. the resolution, which was unanimously passed. Mr. W. G. Latham (Sandbach), whose introduction to the meeting as the future member for Mid-Cheshire elicited the loud cheers of the audience, moved the following resolution : That, in the matter of parliamentary reform, this meeting urges upon the Government the necessity of at once making a redistribution of seats, and of extending to counties the same franchise which is now in force in boroughs ; and that in the opinion of this meeting it is imperative, in the general interest of the country, that there should be a readjustment of the incidence of local taxation, and a great reduction in the national expenditure. Mr. Teasdale seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr. Wilson, Manchester, and passed unanimously. Mr. Jefeoate (engineer) moved, Mr. McNeill seconded, and Mr. George Potter supported the following resolution, which was unanimously carried : That this meeting, having seen the unjust prosecutions that have taken place under the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, urged upon Parliament to repeal the said Act, as this meeting considers there is sufficient power given under the common law of this country for the punishment of such offences as are contemplates in the Act in question.  Mr. J. W. Fluddlestone' Q.C., and one of the Conservative members for Canterbury, was on Wednesday married to Lady Diana Beauclerk, dam-alter of the Duchess of St. Albans. The ceremony was solemnised at All Saints, Knightsbridge, by the Bishop of Winchester.  On Wednesday night, in the Central-hall, Darlington, a publio meeting was held to denounce the slave trade, and to strengthen the hands of the Government in seeking its suppression. Mr. Joseph W. Pease, the member for South Durham, presided, and, in opening the proceedings, spoke in the highest terms of the abilities and personal character of Sir Bartle Frere, saying that his appointment was in itself a guarantee of the intentions of the Government. The Rev. Charles New, of the Livingstone Search expedition, and Mr. Benjamin Millard. were among the speakers. Resolutions, in accordance with the objects of the meeting, were passed unanimously.  On Wednesday the jury, empannelled to inquire into the death of Sarah Hooper Martin, at New Hampton, returned an open verdict, at the same time recommending that a reward for the discovery of the supposed murderer should be offered by the Home Some time ago a girl named Nancy M'llean servant with Mr. Whittle, residing near Bolton, was, it was said, enticed to a Roman Catholic Refuge by her sister. Application has since been made at the Refuge for M'lrean, but the authorities refused to restore her. The Bolton Board of Guardians thereupon informed the Local Government Board of the affair, but the reply was that the Board could do nothing. An account was afterwards sent to Mr. Newdegate, M.P. and at the meeting of the Guardians on Wednesday letters were road from Mr. Newdegate asking for the names of the superior and priest of the convent, or of the Bishop connected with it. He promised to co-operate with the Board in assisting Whittle to recover the girl. The Board resolved to place the necessary documents, Bce., at his disposal.  A public meeting was held in the Town Sall, Birmingham, on Wednesday, in support of the principles of the Liverpool Finatunal Reform Association. M-. J. S. Wright presided, aud the speakers included Mr. Peter rlylands LP., Rev. Arthur O'Neil, Mr. A. Jones, Mr. Wm. Trant, and others. A resolution was passed, approving of the principles or the Financial Reform Association, and pledging the meeting to support it by all means in its power. It was resolved, "That this meeting believes that the time has now arrived when decisive steps should be taken in Parliament towards financial reform." A. petition was adopted ;pointing out the extravagant expenditure of the country, and asking Parliament to repeal the duties on articles of food, pending a more complete system of reform.  The journals of Alsace announce that the environs of Strasburg are completely inundated, and that the rise of the 111 continues in disquieting proportions.