29 MARCH 1856, Page 3

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Some time since, a committee was formed in Staffordshire called the "Anglo-French Free-Trade Association." Its object is to promote the carrying out of the principle of free-trade with France in ingot! to -pottery. In order to take up their position before the country, the com- mittee determined to hold a public meeting ; and at their summons ton -or twelve thousand people gathered together on Easter Tuesday, in the -Market of Hanley in the Potteries. Mr. Edwin Albut, the Chief Bailiff of Hanley, presided over the meeting. The principal speakers were 'Mr. Bodley, Mr. Smith Child M.P., Mr. Oliveira M.I'., the Honourable F.

L. Gower,-and Mr. John Macgregor M.P. The proposition was, that we should admit French wines, and that the French should admit pottery, at low duties, so that a reciprocal trade might spring up ; England having the advantage of wholesome beverages, and -France, what she so much requires, an ample supply of pottery for domestic uses. Mr. Bodley stated that Staffordshire pottery is very popular in France ; and that at the Paris Exhibition the French wanted to buy everything in the Staf- fordshire department. He believed that the French Emperor is a Free-trader ; and he read extracts from the letter of a friend stating that a Senator had fold him that the Emperor intends to make large reduc- • Lions in the tariff this session. Mr. Oliveira narrated what he had done to bring about a reduction of duty on foreign wines. In 1853 he hid waited on M. Drouyn de Lhuys, M. Ducos, and M. Magne ; who all assured him of the desire of the French Government to reduce the tariff; a desire they could not realize because war broke out in the fol- lowing year. Mr. John Macgregor said—

"I believe it to be the disposition of the Government of France to reduce the duties upon pottery. I had the honour of knowing the French Emperor when he was in this country, and in my own house he has frequently con- versed with me upon this subject. He considered that the ties of nations ought to be enduring ; that the best bonds between two countries are those which affect their mutual and material interests."

The meeting resolved that an immediate reduction of the duty on fo- reign wines is indispensable, and would increase the revenue; that the relaxation of the duty on French wines would induce the rench Go- vernment to reduce the duty on pottery. The meeting also resolved to petition Parliament in this sense.

The annual meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Association of Literary and Mechanics Institutions was held in the Manchester At/m- ire= on Saturday. The Bishop of Manchester presided; and made the union a handaome present of books, to show, as he afterwards explained, that he, was anxious to mark the sincere respect he entertained for the movement, and that any support he could give should not be wanting. The report showed some peculiarities. There are now enrolled in the association eighty-five literary and mechanics institutions and mutual improvement societies. Of this number, seventy possess an aggregate of 16,139 members ; of whom 15,130 arc males and 1009 females, exclu- sive of daily scholars ; and there are 126,632 volumes in their libraries. There are 6517 pupils in the evening classes in connexion with fifty-six of these institutions. It was observed that there had been a marked in- crease in the female classes ; that the libraries had not received great ac- cessions during the past year, while the issues of books had somewhat de- `creased, the attractions of newsrooms having predominated; that the free itinerating library, although still on a small scale, had been attended with the most satisfactory success ; and that throughout the district of this as- sociation the system of giving lectures was falling into disuse from their want of support, except where they were of the character of academic or

• class lectures.

The distinctive feature of the meeting, however, was-an expression of opinion by the Bishop of Manchester against the proposed public exa- minations by the Society of Arta. He regarded it as a "serious and fatal mistake" of that society to undertake to hold examinations in the month of June and to allure to them young persons from Manchester and other distant places, under circumstances in which they could afford no adequate guarantee either for the nature of the examination or its adaptation peculiarly to the wants of those who attended—when, above all, it ooul4 provide no moral gqgrantee as regarded the superintendence of these young people, and no fiscal guarantee as regarded the expenses they would incur. It was attempting to do for the people of the North- ern districts what they could do better themselves. They have among them men in every department of science, art, and literature, inferior to none in England. They ought not only to give rewards for high quali- fications, but to foster every grade of merit in every age. If they un- dertook the examinations, they could also do what the Society of Arta could not—exercise a check over morals, and withhold certificates from the morally unworthy.

These observations were received with much approval ; and, on the -motion of Mr. Malcolm Ross, the Central Committee was directed to • consider and report on "the possibility and desirableness" of carrying out the Bishop's suggestion.

There was a very remarkable gathering at Haley Hill, near Halifax, on Wednesday, to establish a Working Man's College. For some years, Mr. A.kroyd, of Haley Hill, has maintained a series of schools suited to the wants of his workpeople —not only day schools in his mills, as re- quired by the Factory Act, but an infant school, and an evening school for young men and women. These efforts have been successful; about 1500 pupils attend the schools. In order to give the plan greater deve- lopment, and afford an example of what may be done for education, Mr. Akroyd resolved to convert the evening schools into a Working Man's College, for the purpose of.continuing the education of the factory hands from the ago of thirteen to manhood. He therefore called together a number of friends, and obtained the sanction of a public meeting to his scheme. Among those present on Wednesday, were Mr. W. E. Forster of Bradford, Mr. John Hope Shaw M Leeds, Mr. E. B. Wheatley of Mirfield, Mr. Stansfeld of Tralifax, askirDr. Booth the Chairman of the Society of Arts. The *ohm took an encouraging tone on the subject of education generally; fully adopted Mr. Akroyd's proposals, and ap- pointed a " committee of practical men " to give them effect.

Dr. Bothell, Bishop of Bangor, is waging fierce war upon certain of his flock, Some time since, a petition signed by three Members of ,Parlia- ment, twenty clergymen, and some hundreds of laymen, was pre- sented to the aged prelate, pointing out the prevalence of Dissent in the diocese - of Bangor, - and attributing that to the insufficient number of services provided' for the wants of church-goers. The petitioners, who have given pledges for their anxiety to promote the efficiency of the Church, avow their belief that in numerous initauces only one service is performed where the performance of two ;seri-n..4_18 is-enjoined by law; and they pray the Bishop to take steps to -remedy the evil. This petition provoked the episcopal anger. In a cor- respondence with Mr. W, Owen Stanley M.P., the Bishop designates the petition as " an insolent attack and bill of indictment"againot himself. He looks upon Mr. Stanley as the dupe of the Reverend P. C. Ellis, the insti- gator of the agitation, and expresses his surprise that Mr. Stanley has been

induced to countenance Mr. P. C. Ellis's " presumption and folly." Dr. Bi- thell had on a former occasion admonished Mr. Ellis to desist from his in- decent conduct in sending communications to the newidaspers. He had reminded Mr. P.11is that he was bound to obey the " 7 admonitions " of his diocesan ; whereupon, says the Bishop, Mr. "had the as-

surance to tell me that my remonstrances and the admonitions which I had given him were not godly admonitions." But, continues the ve-

nerable prelate, "I bear him no and, though my hope of his being reclaimed has been hitherto disappointed, I should still hope and pray that God's grace may cure him of his presumption and. folly, and get the better of his self-conceit and self-will, and impenetrable obsti- nacy." Mr. Stanley does not escape the wrath of the Bishop ; who lectures him soundly on his weakness and want of reason, his pertina- cious adherence to his own opinions however absurd and unreasonable, and the stubbornness of a self-will that prevents him from confessing that he is wrong. As for Mr. Fill- the Bishop is determined to proceed against him, not by a commission, but by a letter of request to the Court of Arches.

Manchester seems greatly disappointed at the withdrawal of Mr. Lowe's Shipping Bill. On Thursday, a considerable number of gentle- men of various shades of politics met in the Mayor's parlour. —Mr. Tho- mas Bazley in the chair,—to " take action" on the. subject. The up- shot of the consultation was a strong expression of regret that Govern- ment had not persevered with a measure which would have commanded a majority in the House of Commons; and a resolution to establish an association to be called "An association to obtain the right appropriation of the Liverpool Town-dues," for the purpose of cooperating "with the Corporation of Manchester, in order to secure with as little delay as pos- sible the abolition or due appropriation of these unjust exactions."

Mr. Hamilton-Nisbet [late Mr. Christopher] and Mr. Stanhope, two of the Lincoln County Members met some of their constituents- on the Boston Corn Exchange on Wediiesday, to communicate their views, on the Agricultural- Statistics Bill. Both Members are in favour of the col:- lection of agricultural statistics, but both objected to the mode of Obtain- ing them proposed by the Government. Mr. Hamilton-Nisbet charac- terized that mode as "insidious and delusive," and warned the farmers against it. What they are prepared to support is a bill providing for 'a return of the acreage under cultivation ; and they will resist a bill for obtaining a return of the produce per acre.

The Magistrates of Shropshire anxious to establish a Reformatory for juvenile offenders, formally proposed to the Hereford Magistrates a joint institution for the two counties. The proposal was communicated at the Easter Sessions, by Lord Bateman. The Hereford Magistrates directed the Lord-Lieutenant "to thank the Salopian Magistrates for their offer, and to state that the Court was not at present prepared to entertain it."

The Mancheeter Magistrates have also under consideration the pro:- priety of establishing a juvenile_ Reformatory. A preliiiiinary meeting to deliberate-on the subject was held in the Town-hall on Wednesday ; the Mayor in the chair. The general feeling was that any such institti7 tion should be established for the whole Salford hundred of Lancashire, and perhaps extend into Cheshire as far as Stockport. The Magistrates also unanimouely resolved, "that institutions intended for the detention and benefit of juveniles ought to be established under the authority of Parliament, and to be supported at the public expense ; that it is only under such a system that efficiency can be anticipated ; and that it is de- sirable to urge upon her Majesty's Government and upon Parliament the necessity of giving, by an act to be passed during the present session, the same facilities for the erection and maintenance of such' institutions as now exist for the erection and maintenance of prisons ; that all the powers conferred by the 17th and 18th Victoria, chap. 74, in Scotland, ought also to be possessed in England." A committee was appointed to take steps in furtherance of the resolution.

An association has been formed by noblemen and gentlemen of Suffolk, called the " Suffolk Shrievalty Association," for the purpose of keeping down the expenses of the High Sheriffs. One of the reforms to be effected is the discontinuance of the "javelin-men," and the substitution of the county police, who are to have extra pay from the county funds. When Sir John de4is and Mr. Justice Wightman entered Bury St: Edmunds, on Monday, the High Sheriff received them without javelin-men and trumpeters. Next day, the Chief Justice fined Mr. Areedeckne, the High Sheriff, 1001., for neglecting to provide javelin-men. In doing so, he censured the Association and its objects—its purpose was to relieve the gentry of Suffolk at the expense of the ratepayers of Suffolk. The employ- ment of the police is illegal. They cannot be employed in lieu of jave- lin-men without detriment to the county : if the officers are called from their stations to perform this extra duty, thieves would have an oppor- tunity of exercising their vacation unchecked. The Chief Justice absolved Mr. Arcedeekne from blame except that he had allowed himself to be persuaded by the Association to omit the javelin-men—in other respects he had behaved handsomely : Sir John hoped the Association would pay the fine. Lord Henniker, one of the members of the Association, wished

to make an explanation; but the Chief Justice declined to hear him. - There is an insiiianie-company called "The Protestant Fire and Life In- surance Company," which places on the top of its policies an open Bible: It started three or four years ago and although it issues fire-policies, its business is more connected with litre-policies. The custom of the company is to transfer its fire-policies to other offices. In November 1854, it trans- ferred two policies, one for 10001. another for 15001., to the County Fire-. office • Mr.. Beaumont,. the secretary' of the latter, expressing in writing his readiness to accept policies from the Protestant Company. Out of this ar- rangement arose a legal question, whether the letter of Mr. Beaumont bound. the County Fire-office to pay the sums assured the Protestant Com- pany having broughttmactrom which was tried on Tuesday at the Kingston Assizes, against. Mr. Beisuracitt,to recover the two sums of 10001. and 15001. above mentioned. The trial led to singular revelations. The chief wit- nesses were Mr. G. Bain Director, Chairman, and Treasurer, and Mr. El- derton, Secretary, of 'the Protestant Compatjy. One of the two policies transferred was issued to Mr. Middleton of Hull. The County Fire,off ee applied repeatedly, bohin vain,-for payment of the premiums. On the 1£th December last, a fire destroyed. Middleton's property. On the 21st, Bain paid, with a private cheek, 491. to the County Fire-office, on account of both policies ; and, under crose‘a mireition, he said he was not awir.i

whether this was done before or after the fire at Hull. Mr. James—" Now,

ask you, upon your oath, sir, (and I advise you to be cautious,) whether you sent that cheek until after you had heard of the fire ?" Witness—" I had not seen any letter from Mr. Middleton ; but I think I had heard of the fire before I sent the cheek for the amount of the premiums that were due." Mr. James—" As you were the treasurer, perhaps you can give us some idea what amount of funds the Company possessed at this time." Witness- " No, I cannot indeed ; I have not got the books." Mr. James—" Surely you can give la some idea what amount the Company had at their bankers ?" Witness—" No, I cannot." Mr. James—" Had they 491. ?" Witness— "Yes, I will swear they had 49/. ; but I cannot say how much more." In the course of his further examination, Bain said that he could not tell whether a claim had been made on the Company for 12/. arising out of a fire at Plymouth. .The Company continued to Issue fresh fire-policies—indeed, some had been issued within the last few days. [Here Baron Alderson re- marked that the examination was verging towards a criminal charge ; and he cautioned the witness :] Bain then retracted what he had said, and affirmed that the policies were., life and not fire-policies. He admitted that the Company bad MI. or 1001. in hand, but he would not go beyond that." Mr. Elderton, the secretary, said that Mr. Bain had asked him to sign the check of 491.; which was paid to the County Fire-office principally on account of his having heard of the fire at Hull. The-defence was, that Mr. Beaumont had intended there should be an honourable and not a legal arrangement between the Coinpanies, and that the County Fire-office had been fraudulently dealt with. The Jury said, they were of opinion that no legal agreement had been made out. A ver- dict was then entered for the defendant upon the plea relating to the agree- ment, which was the substantial question in the case. Upon the plea of fraud, Mr. James consented that the Jury should be discharged from ex- pressing any opinion.—Verdict for the defendant.

At Bodmin Assizes, on Wednesday, Hans Hansen, a soldier of the German Legion, was convicted of the murder of Charles Jacobi, a comrade, on Maker Heights, Plymouth, by striking him on the head with a large stone. The conviction rested on circumstantial evidence. When last seen together, at night, both men were intoxicated, and Hansen was carrying a stone under his arm. The convict was sentenced to death.

At Kingston Assizes, on Thursday, two cases of compensation for hurts sustained in railway accidents were decided : in each 7501. damages was awarded,—to Mr. Hurst, who lost the use of one of his legs in the New Cross crash ; and to Miss Thomson, who was badly hurt near Reading. Both "accidents" occurred on the South-Eastern Railway.

Some time since, a commission named by the Bishop of Durham pro- nounced the Reverend A. J. Howell, incumbent of Darlington guilty of drunkenness : the Bishop has sentenced him to be suspended for iwo years.

-Great improvements are to be carried out at Cardiff. The Marchioness of Bute has given instructions for the erection of a new street from the town to the docks. It into be sixty &IA in width, withrerescents and squares, and to.be_planted its entire length with trees. Large bodies of men have been set to work. The Marchioness is also about to erect almshouses, and has determined to, turn a large piece of land into gardens and orna- mental grounds. Two new banks are to be opened in Cardiff—by Bailey and Co., and Wilkins and Co. ; and with these improvements and signs of pros- perity the extension of the dock accommodation is taking place. A new college is to be erected dta test of 30,000/. artlineaff,' for feiiiale-Orp-hins of the clergy, in connexion with Hord's Charity.

A gigantic floating landing-stage, for the use of Channel and seagoing steamers, is in course of construction at Liverpool. It will be 1000 feet long, and will cost 140,0001. ; the expense to be defrayed from the town- dues.

The large cotton-mill of Mr. Threlfall, in Regent Road; Salford, was burnt down on Monday night. The loss is estimated at 14,000/., covered by insurances : about 250 people will be thrown out of employment.

Some miscreant placed a "rail joint saddle" and some stones on one line of rails of the Newport and Hereford Railway, near Llanfihangel. The driver of a train on the other rails saw the obstructions, and they were re- moved. The saddle and stones were placed on a steep descent; and had a train descended it while they were there the driver could not have avoided a disaster.

Highwaymen are not extinct ; although nowadays, they seldom venture on horseback. Mr. Blackmore, of Creech Wills, was returning in a gig from Exeter with his son. Near his home, three masked men each with a pistol, stopped the gig; presented the pistols, in five minutes find taken 7001. from -Rlackmore and were gone. Scarcely a fortnight ago, Mr. Blackrnore on his return irom Exeter, found that burglars had recently been in his houie. Both he and his house must have been well watched : where were the police ?

Thomas Jones, who murdered Dr. Hope, the surgeon of a hulk at Ports- mouth, was hanged at Winchester on Saturday. Before his death he exhibited penitence, and sent a confession of his guilt to the relatives of Dr. Hope. It is said that the facts elicited at the trial, showing that the discipline of the hulks tends to brutalize the convicts, may probably lead to their abolition.