1843.) 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
13 
in theatrical amusements on Monday, the 26th Dec., at 
the fourteen theatres now open in the metropolis have 
been calculated as follows :—Covent Garden 350/.; Drary 
Lane 3500. ; Haymarket 220/. ; Adelphi 120/.; Olympic 
801. ; the Princess’s 2007. ; the Royal Marylebone 100/. ; 
the Surrey 140/. ; the Victoria 120/.; Sadler’s Wells 807. 5 
the Queen’s 75/.; the Norton-Folgate 90/.; the Pavilion 
751.3 the Garrick 60/.—Total, 20007. The following 
sums were taken at the popular saloons licensed to per- 
form musical entertainments :—Grecian Saloon 150/. ; 
Albert Saloon 100/.; the Bower 50/.; the Yorkshire 
Stingo 40/, ;—making a total of 2,400/. taken at the doors 
of the various places of theatrical and musical entertain- 
nt. 
Public Meetings.—On Tuesday, the half-yearly meeting 
of the London Dock Company was held, for the purpose 
of declaring a dividend for the half-year ending the 31st 
ult., and for the election of directors ; Mr. John Cattley, 
in the chair. From the report, it appeared that during 
the half-year ending the 30th November last, the tonnage 
of vessels entered into the Docks was 149,452 tons, against 
131,893 tons in the corresponding period of 1841, being 
®n increase of 17,559 tons. The earnings of the company 
for the six months of last year, ending with the 30th No- 
vember, were 182,655/. 4s. 3d. 5 and those of November, 
1841, 186,8787. 15s. Gd., or a decrease of 4,223/. 11s. 3d. 
The expenditure for the last six months was 105,482/. 
19s. 9d. ; and during the period ending the 30th Novem- 
ber, 1841, 105,288/. 17s. 8d., or an increase of 194/. 2s, 
1d. The directors recommended a dividend at the rate 
of 1. 17s. 6d. per cent., being more by 2s. 6d. than that 
agreed upon at the meeting in July last. The chairman, 
in explanation of the leading items of the report, observed 
that the Docks were progressing favourably, and that there 
was a balance of 191,429/. in favour of the company. 
There had been no new works erected in the last half- 
year. Although there was an increase in the tonnage 
since the last meeting, it would be seen there was no aug- 
mentation in the revenue. This arose from the greater 
number of corn-laden vessels that had arrived, the cargoes 
of which were not warehoused in the London Docks. The 
report was then adopted, and the dividend declared as 
proposed by the directors.—The half-yearly meeting of 
the Canada Company took place on the 29th ult. Mr. 
Ambrose Humphrys was elected a director, and a divi- 
dend at the rate of 6 per cent. on the capital paid up was 
declared. The Governor said that the sales in the crown 
reserves, up to the 24th November last, had been 33,963 
acres, whereas in the same period in the previous year 
there werebut 22,538 acres, showing an increase of 10,425 
acres. In the Huron tract, up to the end of October last, 
the sales had been 25,605 acres, and in the same period 
of last year 6,367 acres only. There had been also 25,000 
acres of the company’s, land in the Huron tract sold upon 
a new plan of receiving payment in twelve instead of six 
annual instalments. It was anticipated that the total 
sales of land in 1842 would amount to 100,000 acres, 
accounts having been already received of the sale of 
85,000 acres. The receipts of the company had been 
satisfactory, being above those of last year, and the 
ast instal u for the purchase 
of these lands had been paid.—The half-yearly meet- 
ing of the Imperial Slate Mining Company took 
place on Monday, Mr. W. R. Collett, M.P., in the chair. 
The report stated, that the company had recently become 
lessees of the whole of the slate mines, twenty square 
miles in extent, situated in the districts of Curraghbally 
and Killaloe, in the county of Tipperary. The quarries 
had been surveyed by Mr. Cubitt, the engineer, and all 
the liabilities connected with the purchase of the railways, 
machinery, and property paid off. The sales at the quar- 
ries and different depots during the past year showed a 
considerable increase over those of the preceding year. 
One thousand men were now employed in the principal 
quarries, which produced upon an average 10,000 tons 
of slate per annum. The profit upon the workings for 
the past year, after payment of expenses, showed a 
balance of 2,775/., applicable to the payment of a divi- 
dend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum.—The ‘half- 
yearly meeting of the proprietors of the Colonial Bank 
was held on Monday, Mr. Colville, M.P., in the chair. 
From the report, it appeared that the losses the bank had 
sustained beyond the reserved fund, were calculated at 
about 50,000/. The profit made during the half-year left 
an available balance of 14,3617. 1s. 5d., from which the 
directors proposed to declare a dividend of 2 per cent. for 
the half-year, being at the rate of 4 per cent. on the paid- 
up capital. A motion for postponing the declaration 
of a dividend, and another for reducing the salaries of the 
directors from 3,500/. to 1,5002. per annum, were nega 
tived by a large majority, and the report of the directors 
was adopted.—On Wednesday the half-yearly meeting of 
the Royal Santiago Mining Company was held. From the 
report it appeared that the produce of the six months 
ending the 31st August was, 5,683 tons of copper, which 
fetched at Swansea 55,008/. 9s. 11d., which the balance 
of last account increased to 56,3657. 19s, 2d. A diminu- 
tion in the proceeds of the mine had occurred since the 
previous half-year, which had caused the receipts to be 
less 5,0002., and had, been, paid as import duty under 
the new tariff. The expenses for the same period, includ- 
ing the Income-tax, amounted to 31,5137. 11s. 6d., being 
an increase of about 3,000/. over those of last year ; but 
it was accounted for by the erection of new buildings 
and machinery for the more extensive working of the 
mine. The net profit on the half-year was 24,852/. 7s. 8d., 
from which the directors declared a dividend o 
per share. After some reniarks from Sir Samuel Scott, 
Bart., Mr. Thornton, Sir Isaac L. Goldsmid, Bart., the 
Hon. Leslie Melville, and other proprictors, the report 
was adopted—The Quarterly Court of the South Sea 
Company was held on Thursday. A long discussion arose 
on the prospects of the Company and the management of 
its affairs ; after which it was resolved that a dividend of 
one and three quarters per cent. be declared on the Com- 
pany’s stock for the last half-year, and that the dividend 
warrants be paid on the same day as the Government 
Annuities. The Chairman said there was not sufficient 
money to make up the dividend, and that the deficiency 
would, as usual, be made good by Government. 
Southwark.—It was announced, about a fortnight 
since, that Tegner of Winchester had interdicted the 
performance of a concert for a charitable purpose in St. 
Saviour’s Church, on the ground that no such perform- 
ance ought to take place in a sacred edifice. On Friday, the 
Standard and other papers announced that his Lordship 
immediately wrote to the committee to ascertain what they 
calculated as the amount likely to be realised by the per- 
formance ; and on receiving their reply that, on a rough 
estimate, they expected to have received between 150/. and 
200/., after paying the expenses, the bishop transmitted a 
cheque on his bankers for the larger sum, with a letter, 
stating that he would not allow the cause of charity to suf- 
fer by his conscientious scruples. Since the above state- 
ment appeared in the daily papers, Mr. Sturmy, on behalf 
of the Committee for conducting the proposed perform- 
ance, has addressed a letter to the Morning Chronicle, 
stating that no such donation has ever been received, 
and consequently giving a total denial to the statement as 
to the Bishop of Winchester’s alleged gift of 2007. to the 
schools; the fact being, that the Committee have not 
received one shilling towards the expenses incurred 
by them. : 
Hanwell Lunatic Asylum.—On Christmas Eve, the 
matron gave her annual musical entertainment to the 
female lunatics in this asylum. Nearly 300 patients were 
present, with a large number of visitors, among whom 
were two of the visiting magistrates and Mr, Mainzer, who 
added to the interest of the festival by singing two or three 
melodies in the course of the evening. After the patients 
had partaken of tea and cake, they danced with the at- 
tendants, and were then amused by listening to several 
simple ballads sung by the matron and others. At half- 
past eight, refreshments were distributed to each patient ; 
after which the Evening Hymn was sung, and at nine 
o’clock they all retired in the most orderly manner. These 
entertainments to the insane, simple as they are in them- 
selves, are found to have permanently beneficial effects. 
For five years the experience of the officers at Hanwell 
has proved them to be powerful moral agents for the good 
government of lunatic asylums, and for the improvement, 
comfort, and happiness of their unfortunate inmates. 
Woolwich.—On Saturday last a meeting of the inhabi- 
tants was held for the purpose of making a rate for the 
repairs of the church, and other disbursements of the 
churchwardens. The probable expenses of the ensuing 
year having been submitted to the vestry, it was moved 
by the churchwardens, that a vote of twopence in the 
pound be granted ; on which an amendment was moved 
by Mr. Colquhoun, that the churchwardens be empowered 
to pave the path leading from Church-street through the 
church-yard to High-street, and that a rate of threepence 
in the pound be granted, to enable them to carry this im- 
provement into effect. The churchwardens stated, in 
reference to the last rate, that many had not paid it on 
account of poverty, and only two or three had objected on 
principle. The rate of 3d. was then carried, only one 
hand being held up against it. 
Mortality of the Metropolis.—The number of deaths 
registered in the week ending Saturday, Dec. 24, 1842, 
was 833 :—males 395 ; females438. Weekly average, 18:38- 
9-40-41—males 467; females445. The occurrence of 
this mortality in the different districts was as follows :— 
West Districts 128 ; North 144; Central 149; East 205 ; 
South 207. 
Wrobincial Netos. 
Incendiary Fires.—On Sunday week, about 11] at night, 
the rick-yard of Mr. Hine, of Newnham, near Baldock, in 
Hertfordshire, was fired, and the whole produce of the 
farm, with the exception of some hay, was entirely con- 
sumed, consisting of five ricks of wheat, two of oats, two 
of barley, and one of clover seed. The damage is esti- 
mated at upwards of 2,000/. In Derbyshire, on the same 
night, the stack-yard of Mr. Naylor, of Pleasley, was 
fired; and before any assistance could be given, a barn, 
containing about 40 loads of wheat, and 5 stacks in the 
yard, were destroyed. In Lincolnshire, on the previous 
Friday, three stacks of straw, from which the corn had 
been threshed out in the course of the day, were burnt on 
the farm of the Rev. T. H. Rawnsley, at Halton. A stack 
of hay and some straw were fired, on Monday week, on the 
farm of Mr. Brackenbury, at Aswardby, in the same 
county. In Suffolk, on Wednesday week, the Red Barn, 
at Polstead, near Hayland, was fired and destroyed. This 
barn obtained notoriety about eighteen years ago by the 
murder of Maria Marten by William Corder. The amount 
of property burntis calculated at about 300/.,and the autho- 
rities of the district have offered a reward for the appre- 
hension of the incendiary.—On Saturday night a fire broke 
out at Tingewick, Bucks. Farm and other property to a 
considerable extent was destroyed. The Duke of Bucking- 
ham attended from Stowe, and exerted himself in arresting 
the flames ; his grace’s engine and fire-brigade were also on 
the spot. The flames were visible for miles roune. 
few weeks ago two incendiary fires took place at Steeple 
Claydon, a few miles from Tingewick : 
Ashburton —The fifteenth annual distribution 
of the 
Christmas bounty of the ate Wm. Gifford, the translator 
of Juvenal, wags made by the appointed trustees to the 
poor of the parish, on Christmas-day, immediately after 
morning service. Twenty poor aged persons, 10 men and 
10 women, were presented with 50s. each, and 200 shilling 
loaves of bread were given to as many poor persons : thus 
providing a seasonable relief to 220 poor families every year 
“for. ever.” 
Aylesbury.—The Aylesbury News of Saturday states 
that the of the I tax in that neighbour- 
hood have caused much dissatisfaction, and have given 
a great deal of unnecessary trouble. “ Parties from all the 
surrounding villages (some of them labourers, earning 
but 10s. or 12s. per week), were compelled to attend at 
the Court-house on Monday, and were kept waiting two 
or three days, thus losing their time, and being put to 
expense and inconvenience. In many cases the costs of 
the appeal amounted to more than three years’ payment 
of the tax sought to be imposed.” : 
Birmingham.—The National Conference held their last 
sitting on Friday. In the morning of that day they ne- 
gatived a motion rendering the Clergy and dissenting 
Ministers ineligible to sit in Parliament; and after a long 
discussion of the details, adopted the “ People’s Bill” 
without a division. ‘In the evening, they resolved that 
Mr. Sharman Crawford be requested to move in the House 
of Commons, at the earliest possible period, for leave to 
bring in the bill adopted at this Conference, with an un- 
derstanding that he will consider himself pledged to all 
those details of the measure which are necessary to secure 
the just representation of the whole male adult population 
of the United Kingdom; such details to include equal 
electoral districts—vote by ballot, no property qualifica- 
tion, payment of members, and annual Parliaments. 
Another resolution was passed, requesting Mr. Duncombe 
to support the Bill. A plan was then adopted for the 
future operations of the Conference, which included public 
meetings in the various towns of the country, for the pur- 
pose of circulating addresses to the electors, and entreat- 
ing them to vote only for such candidates for seats in 
Parliament as may advocate complete suffrage. The plan 
included a form of address, setting forth the grounds of 
making the appeal, and urging considerations to induce 
electors to pledge themselves to the course proposed. A 
form of pledge was also given, and suggestions for bring- 
ing it into public favour. The general object of the plan 
was to address the electors, obtain pledges from them, 
ahd by this means to obtain a register of the friends of 
complete suffrage, and consolidate the movement.—On 
the same day, the Chartists held the last meeting of their 
Conference. The conduct of the complete suffrage party 
in separating from the Chartist members of the Confer- 
ence, was strongly condemned by Mr. Feargus O'Connor 
and other speakers, who characterised it as a “ want of 
good faith,’’ and endeavoured to pass a resolution to that 
effect. After a long discussion, this resolution was with- 
drawn and another adopted, in which the words ‘ want of 
good taste ” were substituted. The ‘‘ People’s Charter ’” 
was then considered in its several clauses, and it was re- 
solved to keep pace with the complete suffrage agitation, 
by promoting in all parts of the country an agitation in 
favour of the charter.—On Monday, the Anti-Corn Law 
League had a festival at the Town-hall, at which from 
1200 to 1400 persons were present. Mr. Scholefield, 
M.P., presided, supported by Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, 
and other active members of the League. Mr. Sturge 
also made his appearance, but took no part in the pro- 
ceedings. The meeting was addressed at some length by 
the Chairman, by Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, and other 
gentlemen, and a subscription was commenced, at which 
about 200/. were collected. 
Brighton.—The last sale of the property of Messrs. 
Wigney, the bankers, of this town, took place last week. 
The property being fully mortgaged, realised but little 
beyond the sums lent upon it, although the amount came 
up to the expectations of the assignees. The competition 
was spirited, but very few of the particulars have any 
general interest. One item among the shares is curious, 
as a proof of the little value of American speculations. 
It consisted of “ Four certificates of Shares in the Mis- 
souri and Arkansas Clamorgan Land Association, United 
States, for 3667. each.’’ For this lot there were 81x com= 
petitors, and the selling price was 62. ~ 
Bury.—On Saturday last the Rev. Jonathan Ackroyd 
was brought before the Petty Sessions of this town, 
two charges—first, for being a rogue and vagabond under 
the Vagrant Act—and, secondly, for having obtained 
money under false pretences. It appears from the evi~ 
dence that the prisoner had levied contributions in various 
quarters, by representing that he was the incumbent of a 
church or chapel at Skircoat, near Halifax; that the 
church was in debt upwards of 2,000/., owing on a mort. 
gage ; and that he was obtaining contributions to liquidate 
the debt. He furtherstated that he had performed the church 
duties and services there for a period of ten years gratui- 
tously, and that the building was still in connexion with the 
Church of England. The police, on receiving intimation 
of these proceedings, conferred with the Archdeacon, who 
said that he had received upwards of 300 communications 
regarding the prisoner; and from these and other circum- 
stances, it appeared that he had been receiving great 
numbers of contributions in the neighbourhood of Bolton 
and Bury. The Archdeacon further said, that not a penny 
of the contributions had been paid to the funds of the 
church, and that the prisoner had received a large amount 
not in the books. When he was apprehended, a book 
was found in his possession, entitled, ‘* A list of the names 
of minor contributions towards the liquidation of a debt 
upon Christ Church, Skircoat, Halifax, Yorkshire, 
amounting to upwards of 2,300/.”” The amount received 
by the prisoner, as stated in this book, was 7920. I]s, 6d.; 
but other books and letters, also found in his possession, 
