CITY OF LONDONDERRY. 
of expenditure ; but the last three have been discontinued since 1821. Of straw beds above 470 
were granted in 1830, and of soap above 16libs. 
The Flax Fund is a separate and important branch. Soon after the establishment of the 
Penny Society, it was suggested, that, in addition to relieving the poor, something might be done 
to awaken their industry, and the most obvious mode appeared to be the promotion of flax spinning. 
In 1817 a grant of £10 was made from the funds, and for several years the branch society pros¬ 
pered. In 1818, 1820, 1822, 1829, and 1831, the funds were aided by collections at charity 
sermons, to the amount of £178, £263 (including a donation of £100 from the bishop), £131, 
£141, and £141 6s. 3 d. In 1831, indeed, they had been completely exhausted, from the want 
of purchasers for the yarn manufactured. The Irish Society subscribe £20 annually. 
Security is required for the flax intrusted to the spinner, which is generally from 1 to 2 lbs. 
The yarn is weighed, and examined, and, if all be found right, the spinner is paid, and supplied 
with flax anew. The payment varies. From Is. 4 d. a spangle, the original allowance, it gradually 
fell to 10 d., owing to the decline of the linen trade —the committee conforming, although reluc¬ 
tantly, to the depreciated market prices, to avoid the appearance of patronizing the interests of 
commerce, rather than those of benevolence. However, although a diligent spinner can scarcely 
earn 2|d. a day, the applicants are too numerous to be constantly employed. The number of 
spinners is between 400 and 500, and the average quantity of yarn manufactured annually, was 
found in 1830 to be about 7657 spangles. 
The report published in the present year (1835) gives a favourable account of the funds. 
Their prosperity is chiefly due to an increase in the price of yarn, and a reduction in the quantity 
of flax issued. The report concludes with a tribute to the memory of the late Hon. Mrs. William 
Knox, whose zeal for the interests of this institution, had continued unabated after her removal 
from Derry. 
On the lstof January, 1835, there was a balance of £13 3s. 5jd. to the credit of the ladies’ 
penny society, and of £266 19s. 4d. to the credit of the flax fund. On the 3rd of July, 1835, 
the subscriptions to the parent society amounted to £172 10s. 7 d. 
