16 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 



new institution should have an annual festival at the London 

 Tavern. Great care should be taken that the funds were ap- 

 plied solely to the legitimate object, and this was provided for in 

 the resolutious about to be proposed. These vera, of course, 

 Duly general outlines of the scheme ; it would be for a com- 

 mittee to consider them, suggest alterations, and report to a 

 future meeting. Among those, not farmers, from whom sup- 

 port might fairly be looked for, were cattle salesmen, corn fac- 

 tors, and millers, country baukers and solicitors, landlords, and 

 implement makers. In conclusion, he trusted the objectw ould 

 command an amount of support commensurate with the ex- 

 tent and importance of the class for whose benefit the insti- 

 tution was designed (cheers). 



Mr. Thomas Batson moved tbefirst resolution, viz., "That 

 this meeting having heard Mr, Alderman Mechi, cordially 

 approves the project submitted by him for the founding a col- 

 lege for the reception of unfortunate and distressed farmers, 

 their widows, and orphans, considering that the magnitude 

 and importance of the agricultural interests of this country 

 justify and demand the establishment of such an asylum for 

 the befriendment of those connected therewith, once in re- 

 spectable and affluent positions, but by misfortune reduced to 

 comparative poverty and indigence." Having been for some 

 years intimately connected with agriculture, he felt the greatest 

 pleasure in supporting Mr. Alderman Mechi in the good work 

 which he had commeuced. He had a deep sense of the im- 

 portance of the object, and felt confidence in its chief 

 promoter, 



Mr. T. Scott, in seconding the resolution, said, while the 

 object had his entire approval, he hoped the institution would 

 be conducted on such a plan that many persons might receive 

 assistance in their several own localities. 



A suggestion from Mr. Halkett for including market- 

 gardeners in the action of the institution having been met with 

 a very clear expression of dissent, the motion was put and 

 carried. 



On the motion of Mr. Chandler, seconded by Mr. Skel- 

 TON, it was resolved : " That, subject to royal assent, the title 

 of such institution be, The Soyal Agricultural Benevolent 

 College." 



Mr. Lawson, of Edinburgh, moved the next resolution, viz., 

 '■' That the privileges and benefits of such college be restricted 

 exclusively to the bona fide farmer, who has followed that oc- 

 cupation in the United Kingdom, as an exclusive means of 

 support, for a minimum period of not less than twenty conse- 

 cutive years ; whose holding, either as tenant, or proprietor 

 and tenant, during that term, has not been less than fifty acres ; 

 and that the like restrictions attach to the widows and orphans 

 of farmers who, during their lifetime, had not fulfilled the 

 above conditions." Having just travelled 400 miles, he had 

 posted down to that meeiiug expreasly to support Mr. Alder- 

 man Mechi in his excellent scheme, which he now felt sure 

 would be carried to a successful conclusion (cheers). There 

 was scarcely a trade or calling in the country which had not 

 some benefit society or charitible institution connected with 

 it; and why, he asked, should agriculture remain an exception 

 to the rule ? 



The resolution, after being seconded by Mr, Winkwortb, 

 was put aad carried. 



Mr. Jonas Webb moved the following resolution: — 

 " That this meeting, being impressed with the importance and 

 paramount advantage of concentration cf object and purpose, 

 in the successful establishment of an institution of this cha- 

 racter, esrnestly recommend the devotion of the energies of its 

 promoters aud the appropriation of its funds as they may 

 accrue, specially — 1st. To the in-door support of those who are 

 the successful candidates for its bounty, by the temporary 

 occupation of a building adapted to the purpose. 2nd. To 

 the erection of an asylum, in such locality within 25 miles of 

 London, on such site as shall be presented by free gift for the 

 purpose, and possessing advantages of easy communication, 

 &c., of a character consistent withthe magnitude of the inte- 

 rest it is to represent, and the extent of accommodation which 

 will be required for the purpose of the college. 3rd. To its 

 permanent endowment. And while highly approving the 

 system of out-door pensions, defers its adoption until the in- 

 door principle is fully and successfully developed." No good 

 could be done without a large number of annual subscriptions, 

 and he (Mr. Webb) trusted, therefore, that they would be 

 forthcoming. 



The resolution waa seconded by Mr. CeESSINGHAM, of 

 Carsbalton, and adopted. 



On the motion of Mr. Reeve, of Norfolk, seconoed by Mr, 

 Ravenscroft, the following resolution was agreed to :— ■ 

 ' That farmers of every religious denomination be eligible for 

 election who shall not be less than 60 years of age, except ia 

 special instances of bodily injury or infirmity, permanently 

 disabling them from following any occupation as a means of 

 support; in such cases, 45 years be the minimum age; for 

 widows, 55 years of age ; for children, 7 years, aud remaining 

 until 14." 



Mr. Maddison, of Spilsby, moved, and Mr. Bruce se- 

 conded the next resolution, viz., " That the selection of the 

 committee, pro tem , from .he list of subscribers, of not less 

 than ten nor more than sixteen (one-half of which number to 

 be farmers or landowners), to consider and prepare the bye- 

 laws and regulations, apply for a charter of incorporation, and 

 generally to prepare the scheme of management and future 

 operations of the college, be placed in the hands of Mr. Alder- 

 man Mechi ; such committee to report, at a meeting to be 

 called in May next, the issue of their deliberations. 



The Chairman said the meeting might rely upon it he 

 would endeavour to make a selection which would give confi- 

 dence to the agricultural community at large (Hear), 



The resolution was then adopted. 



On the motion of Mr. Causton, common councilman of 

 the City of London, seconded by Mr. J. Cutts, of Little 

 Bardfield-hall, Braintree, it was finally resolved : " That every 

 subscriber of lOs. 6d. per annum be entitled to one vote in all 

 elections ; every subscriber of one guinea per annum be entitled 

 to two votes ; every subscriber of more than one guinea per 

 annum be entitled to two additional votes for every additional 

 guinea so subscribed. And that every donor of ten guineas 

 and upwards be considered a life subscriber, entitled to one 

 vote for each ten guineas so given, at every election, and be 

 eligible as a member of the council." 



In reply to a question from Lord Feversham, 



The Chairman said he apprehended that persons who 

 gave £50, or any large amount, would be entitled to votes in 

 respect of their donation, independently of their rights as 

 annual subscribers. He further stated that the committee to 

 be appointed would report to a meeting to be convened about 

 May next. 



Mr. Wren Hoskyns, in moving a vote of thanks to the 

 chairman, deprecated any notion on the part of farmers that 

 the proposed institution was to be a substitute for providence 

 on their own part ; and, after expressing his admiration of the 

 chairman's energy and courage, declared it to be his strong 

 conviction that the new institution would be a flourishing one. 



Mr. Lawson seconded the motion, which was carried by 

 acclamation, aad 



The Chairman briefly returned thanks. 



Before the meeting separated the subscriptions, paid and 

 promised, amounted to nearly £2,000. 



FURTHER EXPORT OF STOCK. — On Wed- 

 nesday, Dec, 21, the large and beautifully built A Iship 

 " Lloyds," Captain Harrisan, left the London Docks, 

 Laving on board a valuable collection of live stock, con- 

 sisting of twenty rams from the well-known flock of 

 the' Messrs, Sturgeons, of Grays, some shorthorn bulls, 

 and the prime stallion "Iron Duke," bred by Mr. G, 

 Townshend, of Stony Stanton, Leicestershire, which 

 took the first premium at the recent meeting of the 

 Leicestershire Society as the best horse for agricultural 

 purposes. The whole of these have been carefully 

 selected by Mr, H, Strafford, and are exported by Mr. 

 Weston T. Tuxford. Tbey are destined for the Sydney 

 district of Australia, Every possible attention has been 

 given to the building of the stalls, &c,, to convey the 

 animals safely over to the antipodes. The bull and 

 stallion boxes are lined or padded with drugget, whilst 

 the animals stand upon a carpet of cocoa-nut fibre. 

 This has been done with a view to guard against the 

 known evils of cold which have so frequently cut short 

 the lives of some of the finest animals that have been 

 shipped from this country. The stock is consigned to 

 the or4er of Messrs. I. and J. Gorrick, of West Maitland, 



