The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1872-02-03 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

HUDDERSFIELD MECHANICS  INSTITUTION. ANNUAL MEETING.  The annual meeting of the above institution was held in one of the class-rooms, on Saturday evening. Mr. J. Dodds, president, occupied the chair, and there were also present—Messrs. E. Huth, W. Marriott, C. Mills, J. Bate, J. Lowenthal, A. Sharpe, J. Burgess; Revs. J. Hanson, Williamson, Ramadan, Johnson, and others. The PRESIDENT said—At the close of another year it was their duty to present a report of the labours in which they had been engaged during the past year. He was very sorry to find that there were so few members present, but perhaps they might lay this unction to themselves, that the members had such implicit confidence in the committee that they did not consider they required so much watching. There were other reasons for the paucity of members. It so happened that this year there was no change in the committee, and therefore there was no election except what was merely formal. So far as he was concerned, he might say that he had been connected with that institution since 1844, and he could honestly say throughout the whole of that period the institution had never been served by a more careful, painstaking, and earnest committee than it was served by now. He had referred to the report of 1845, in which year he joined the institution, and he had compared the state of the institution then with its present position. Those who had long been connected with the institution would remember that they had more than ordinary difficulties to contend with in the earlier part of its career—difficulties which the younger members knew nothing at all about. They had, he contended, prejudices with regard to education, many people believing that the working class should not receive anything beyond the simplest elements of education. He was glad to say that they hadoat lived that period, and he trusted that every child in the country would not only receive the elements of education, but would receive an education far beyond that. In 1844, the number of fortnightly members was 430; in 1872 they numbered 1,109; annual subscribers in 1844, 65; in 1872, 258; fees from members in 1844, £152; in 1872, £437; received from annual subscribers in 1844, £100; in 1872, £346; volumns in the library in 1844, 1,773; in 1872, upwards of 5,000. In addition to the above, there was, in 1844, a debt of £l9O hanging over them; they were now thankful to say there was a balance in hand which amounted to a much greater sum. With regard to the future prospects of the institution, to his mind one of the greatest changes in the position of Mechanics' Institutions would be brought about by the operation of the Education Act, which would make a marked difference with regard to the education of the humbler classes, in this as well as in every other district. Some people seemed to think that the Education Act would render unnecessary, to a large extent, an institution such as that. That idea had not taken possession of his mind; on the other hand, he believed that the importance and necessity of Mechanics' Institutions would be increased rather than decreased by the operations of the Act. Certainly the committee in future years would have to recur to the original intention of the promoters of Mechanics' Institutions, who never intended that they should do the drudgery of simply giving elementary instruction. He trusted that in a few years the committee would be wise and intelligent enough to provide for those altered circumstances. They were gradually leading in that direction, and it was their intention to give a higher class instruction than they had hitherto done, without disorganising the internal working of the institution. (Hear, hear.) The SECRETARY (Mr. Bate) then read the following report :  "Your committee have the pleasure to present a report of the work done at the institution during the year just closed ; and it is a source of gratification to them to have it in their power to record that the present state of the institution in its different departments clearly shows that it possesses within itself real life and vigour, and faithfully performs the work for which it was established, and for which it receives such kind and liberal support. The buildings throughout are maintained in good and substantial repair, and the internal arrangements are convenient and well nigh complete; great attention being constantly paid to cleanliness and order, and to the careful ventilation of the rooms. The institution has proved itself to be a valuable aid in the work of education, and has done much towards the improvement of those who have had little or no chance of attendance at school. It has also been of invaluable service in strengthening and advancing the knowledge gained in the day school in earlier years; and many have come to its class-rooms to add other subjects to their knowledge, and are now profitably and pleasantly engaged in pursuing the higher branches of useful education. Your committee have observed with much pleasure that there is a deeper and more widespread conviction of the necessity of providing instruction for the thousands of poor children growing up around us, and they surrender their trust with the sincere desire that, as time advances, and measures are being passed by the Legislature, having for their object the better education of the people, this institution will still further adapt itself to the wants of those for whom it was founded. The progress of the institution during the last six years may be estimated by the subjoined table :  the only bit of passion in his life, his love-for KATE DOUGHTY; this ROGER could not have forgotten, and the Claimant had not the slightest idea of it. Other blunders in reference to Stonyhurst were equally fatal to his case. A great county demonstration, in which about 6,000 persons took part, was held on Monday night in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. W. R. CALLENDER, jun., Esq., J.P., occupied the chair, and resolutions expressing fidelity to the Crown and Constitution, distrust in the administrations of the present Government, and promising support to the extension of Conservative principles, were passed. Miss Musgrave, matron of the Suffolk General Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds, committed suicide on Tuesday morning by throwingiherself out of a window. Death was instantaneous. She had given notice to leave. The Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the circumstances attending the loss of the Megeera reassembled for the twenty-second time on Saturday morning in No. 11 committe-room of the House of Commons; Lord LAWRENCE in the chair. All the commissioners were present. The Right Hon. H. C. E. CHILDERS was called and examined by the chairman. He said—l was First Lord of the Admiralty from December, 1868, to March, 1870. The first time I heard anything of the Maga3ra was a few days before I took office, after it was known I was to be the head of that office, from Sir