The Education Voluntaries met with a slight defeat at Halifax
last week. A meeting to take the matter into consideration was convened by the Mayor, at the instance of a numerously-signed requisition. Mr. .Akroyd, whose exertions in behalf of his own factory hands have made him popular, moved a resolution, to the effect that the meeting would Approve "of a general measure of national education which shall not su- persede existing means of instruction, or the voluntary efforts of indivi- duals, or denominational or other bodies or classes, but supplementing it by local taxation, under local management." Mr. Abbott seconded and Mr. Stores Smith supported the resolution. It was met by an amend- ment, proposed by the Reverend W. Walthers and seconded by Alder- man Crossley, objecting to "all Governmental interference in the educa- tion of the people." On the first show of hands, the Mayor could not decide whether the amendment was carried or not; on the second, he 'decided that it was negatived by a small majority. The original resolu- tion was then carried by a considerable majority " ; and a petition to Parliament, founded upon it, was adopted "almost without opposition."
The first report of the Committee of the Oxford Working Men's Edu- nation Institute, just issued, shows that the experiment has been sue- nessfuL The Institute appears to be managed on the principle of Mr. Maurice's College in Red Lion Square. There are 250 members ; the classes are gratuitously taught by members of the University ; and the attendance on each is very respectable.
Birmingham has taken the lead in a new public institution. About a year ago, some five-and-twenty working men clubbed their means for evening recreation. Five formed a band ; another Was secretary, another storekeeper ; draughts, chess, swings, puzzles, were provided—the whole at the cost of a penny a week each ; including the rent of the place of meeting. The experiment was suocessfuL Out of it has sprung a "Public Recreation Society" ; at which as many as fifteen hundred people, at a penny per head, have attended of an evening; the ordinary attendance being five hundred. The receipts of this society are 20/. per week;. the expenses 61. For this they provide swings, an electrical machine, single-stick, and fencing, gymnastics, reading, chess, &e. There are also musical performances by a band and chorus formed of the members of the society. The rooms are open from five to ten on week- days and from two fill ten on Sundays; and the whole is conducted with perfect order and decorum, showing what working men can do for themselves. The women of Leicester held a public meeting in the Town-hall of that borough on Monday. Mrs. Woodford occupied the chair. There were present about two hundred middle-aged women of the working class, and the chief spokeswoman was a Mrs. Wigfield. The subject of deliberation was the injustice of the laws relating to women—those laws which deprive a wife of all control over her own earnings and offspring ; and it was resolved to petition in support of Sir Erskine Perry's motion for a revision of the marriage-laws. It was also resolved, with one dis- sentient, not to support Mr. Dillwyn's measure introducing flogging as a punishment for " wife-beaters."
The Cumberland. coalowners having been obliged to reduce the price of coals to compete with the Scotch, they were compelled to lower the wages of the colliers about 8d. a day : the miners all struck ; but a por- tirm of them soon -returned to work, and the rest, it is expected, will follow their example. When coal rose in-price, wages were augmented; so that the present reduction appears to be quite equitable.
At the Darlington County Court, on Wednesday, Dr. Jackson obtained a verdict for 161. 12a. 6d. against Mr. Wooler, for his attendance on Mrs. Wailer. The claim was resisted, on the grounds that Dr. Jackson had falsely described himself as "surgeon," though never examined; that he had styled himself " M.D." on the strength of a Bavarian diploma obtained without residence ; and-that he had unskilfully and improperly treated Mrs. Wooler. Mr. Wooler's counsel said, his client would pursue this matter on every opportunity until the individuals who (if at all) administered arsenic to his wife were brought to condign punishment. On hearing the verdict, Mr. Wooler declared he would not pay a farthing—it was his wife's bleed- money.- Mr. Jackson was drawn home in a carriage by a multitude, amidst shouts- of triumph.
A Coroner's Jury at Tipton have returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against Mr. Tamlyn, a medical practitioner, for causing the death of Mrs. Aston by unskilfulness as an accoucheur.
At Portsmouth Quarter-Sessions, last week, Charlie; the clerk at the gun-wharf who absconded with 11001. of Government money, was tried.for embezzlement. The Jury convicted him of larceny only. Charlier begged for mercy, pleading what important advantages he had sacrificed by his crime ! The Recorder said it was a very serious case (tolling for exemplary punishment; and he sentenced the convict to five years' penal servitude.
Mr. W. G. Atkinson, a music-seller at Hull, has accidentally shot himself dead with a pistol which he was trying in a gunmaker's shop.
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