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    NATIONAL- LA1\ T D CONFERENCE, SNIG'S END, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

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    (From our own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

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  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    National- La1\ T D Conference, Snig's End, Gloucestershire.

    _NATIONAL- LA 1 \ T D _CONFERENCE , SNIG'S END , GLOUCESTERSHIRE .

    (From Our Own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

    ( From our own Jicjwrler . ) Tlie Annual Conference of Delegates from -aU parts of . tbe couutry , of the members of the National Land Company , was held this week at Snig ' s End . The _proceedings _< 5 qmmenced on _Monday . Great interest was occasioned , not onl y in the nei ghbourhood , Dnt throughout the _sorrounding districts , and

    daring the sittings of eacli day the Schoolroom was most inconvenientl y crowded , many who conld not' obtain admittance pressing against the windows , and thus effectually cii _° _camscribingtheTcntilation , much to the discomfort of the delegates , who good-naturedly Iwre the infliction , in consideration of the anxiety displayed to hear the discussions , and their own desire that all the questions argued , and all the complaints made , should be as -much circulated in the country as possible .

    It may he permitted , before entering upon the proceedings themselves , to advert to the appearance of this and the neighbouring estate , in order to give members at a distance an idea of the immense improvement effected in the course of the last two years , notwithstanding the various , and by no means li ght annoyances to -which the allottees were subjected by the petty jealousies of the neighbouring agriculturists . Avho saw with alarm the

    _efforts made b y the denizens of towns to free themselves from the chains of serfdom , which -a vitiated state of society threw around the life of "flie artisan fromthe hour of his appearance on the world's stage until the last scene , when the curtain dropped , and the framer of ¦ others' fortunes was permitted "to shuffle off this mortal coil , " and to obtain that peace in the grave which in existence had been denied _-iohno .

    Snig ' s End and the neighbouring estate of lowbands are mtnaj _^^ _rmil-wayj . hetyi _^ Tewkesbury -and _(^ ioucestor , in _^ -perhaps , the ' mo _^ _bes _^ M part of all England , whether as regards the scenery itself or the quality and fertility ofthe lands in the district . The former estate is placed in the level country , in close proximity to the high road , while the latter , with perhaps a more pleasing prospect , has , to counterbalance that , the additional distance of two miles placed between it and its different markets . At no season of the year does the country present a fairer aspect than -at present , and the country to which we refer has peculiar claims to the attention of the agriculturist , for it exhibits crops which far -excel anv observed on tbe line of road which

    lies between Birmingham and the town of Gloucester , Snig ' s End certainly proves the truth of the assertion , that spade husbandry in small allotments is far superior to the plough . The crops ofthe different allottees are ofthe most promising description—the wheat ripe and full in the ear—barley is most beautifully headed—mangel-wurtzel and Swedish turnips large—potatoes plentiful , and free from disease ; and the same remark of plentiful may be applied to all the other description of green crops , with the single exception of carrots , which has proved in some degree a failure . The cottages present a neat and clean appearance , and the greater part ofthe allottees , with a commendable taste , have combined the

    useful with the ornamental , by rearing vines and other climbing trees , roses , and different varieties of flowers , around their doors and at the end ofthe dwellings . The roads are well laid out , and , in short , the whole presents an -appearance as cheering as the best friend of humanity might desire , and offers a complete antidote to the calumnious reports which sought to reach the framer of the plan , by representing this work of his hands as a total failure _. It is the fashion now to patronise puhlic improvement , and it would be well to _safest to the Lord Alavor and the dignities of the City of London , to pay a visit to Snig ' s End and Lowbands , before settingabout their task of Irish regeneration .

    The first day of the _meetin' | ofthe Conference was occupied in " arranging preliminary matters . The Conference met at two o ' clock , hut there being only Mr . O'Connor and a few of the delegates _present , it was agreed to adjourn till a later hour in the evening . At seven o ' clock they _again re-assembled , and Mr . Sweet , of _Nottingham , was unanimously elected chairman . Mr . _Thilip M'Grath was elected secretary . The following delegates then presented their

    credentials : —Mr . Bostock , _Nottingham ; Mr . Sutton , Manchester ; Mr . G . "Wilson , London ; Mr Dowling , London ; 3 Ir . Tavlor , Ashton-under lyne ; Mr . C . Bagshaw , Sheffield ; Mr . G . Watson , Swindon ; _iMr . J . Irvine , Stockport ; Mr . D . B . Morgan , Merthyr-Tydvil ; Mr . J . Lord , Rochdale ; Mr . J . Ero * , ni , Preston ; Mr . J . Barding , Worcester ; Mr . 3 . Yates , _llanley ; Mi * . C . J . Clarke , Bristol ; Mr . « T . Hood , Tiverton . Deputies : —Mr . T . "Wheeler , O'Connorville ; Mr . T . Gilbert , Charterville ; Mi-. Greenwood , Snig's End .

    Mr . Wheeler claimed a right to sit as a delegate on the part of the allottees of O'Connorville . It was objected that the number of allottees was net enough , hut he found that while some places only contained two or three hundred members , -Other places coatained as many thousands , and "both returned but one delegate . The principle of numbers was therefore a defective one . lie would remind ihe Conference that there was a great amonnt of property sunk in the place which he represented _, laid in virtue ofthe stake held by the allottees in the company , and the influence which the decisions ofthe Conference niight have on their interests , he claimed the right of voting . His brother deputy from Charterville joined in this application .

    Mr . Gilbert could support the statement of his friend who _hsd spoken . A largo amount of money had heen laid out on the estate of which he was an allottee both by thc purchasers and by the original allottee : * , a great deal of work was" also done on the estate from the beginning . There was much anxiety evinced on this occasion hy the allottees , and be trusted therefore that the Conference would grant tlie desires of those he represented . Mr . _M'Giain said he had not the slightest objection to give the allottees fair play ~ but if they admitted the princip le contended for hy Mi * . Wheeler they must extend thc right of representation with voting to all the estates . He was not disposed to admit property qualification at all ; he was surrounded hy democrats and that principle had

    always been disclaimed hy tbem . lie was disposed to question the soundness of thc principle advocated hy Mr . Wheeler , as a reason why the allottees should he represented here . They must be looked at as members of the National Land Company , and no more , and he was confident that appearing by deputy _onlythey would have full justice done them -on this occasion . Even supposing five members to each ofthe families on the estates they would have © nlyldOO persons , who would have thc power of -exercising five votes , the number of the estates in possession of the company heing five ; while the -whole number of 70 , 000 subscribers would only be represented by a few more votes _, lie trusted thai tbey would not be disposed to accede to their _request .

    After a discussion in which Mr . Suttox , Mr . Yates , and others took part , it was decided that the deputies should not be entitled to vote . Mr . Dixox then moved " That the business of this Conference commence at nine o'clock in the _mornins _* , sit till one o ' clock _^ thcn rise till half-past two , and sit till five o ' clock " Mr . Flood moved , as an amendment , that the Conference sit till seven o ' clock . " Mr Bostock seconded the amendment . Mr , ' Wheeixk supported the orig inal resolution . If _gentlemen wished to get through business , let them only make shorter speeches . A nuniher of the _delc-ates would have to he appointed to committeeOiud if thev were obliged to sit after thc day ' s proceedings , it would be unfau- upon them . Mr . Dixox would compromise the matter in deference to the wishes of a part of the meetmg ; lie

    would sit till six o'clock . - Mr . Scttox _, although anxious io get home , would not consent to sit till seven , for however much he wished to attend to his constituen _t s interests , lie Li _:-lso sought to attend in some degree to his own | 1 " health . _£ ; The question was then put , when there appeared : for the seven o'clock sitting , 3 , for the six o ' clock Pr Sitting , 6 ; majority , 3 . 3 . Mr . Dixox then rose to move , " That gentlemen » ' introducing motions be allowed ten minutes each , E and after speeches five minutes , and five minutes _^ ifor tie reply , and that no delegate be _allo-wed a _If-iongcr period . " 3 ? - - * * " Mr . Wheeler seconded the resolution , which was If carried unanimously . W Mr . M'Giuth then suggested that the old plan f Should be adopted , of bearmg the reports from the " members sent from the different districts with re-

    (From Our Own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

    spect to the opinions of the subscribers in their various localities . _ifr . Sweet thought that the Directors should lay their report before the committee in the first instance , and , having received that information , the Conference would be in a condition to come to a conclusion npon it . , "i After some conversation , it was agreed that the course suggested by Mr . M'Grath should he adopted . Mr . _Stnrox begged to request Mr . M'Grath to prepare , as on the last occasion , an outline of the resolutions passed at the Conference , with a summary of the proceedings , so that the Conference and the subscribers would have the whole at one view before tbem , ? Mr . M'Grath assented ; and the Conference afterwards adjourned till Tuesday . TUESDAY , August 7 . Morning Sitting .

    ' Tbe Conference re-assembled at nine o clock . Mr . Sweet in the chairl _„ ,. _^ „ _„ . ' Credentials presented—Mr . T . Oliver , Hull ; Mr . Halliwell , irewcastle-on-T yne ; Mr . Cleland , Glasgow ; Mr . J . Connell , Bradford ; Mr . Edwards , Teignmouth ; Mr . P . B . Pollett , Salford ; Mr . J . Gilbertson , Neweastle-on-Tyne ; Mr . J . Atherton , Bolton ; Mr . J . Smith , Birmingham ; Mr . J . Skevington , Leicester . . The delegates were then called on to deliver in their renorts from their respective districts .

    Mr . j . _Tatlob , said that' he had but little to offer the _Confewhcei-so _' _cfar as the wishes of hi _» _-eohstittiaris _^ had been heldj _**«^*^ diStric , t ' "list Monday , ana a resolution had been come to for winding up the company , providing there were no means of keeping Mr . O'Connor from being sued in the local courts as the resprescntative of the Land Company .. On all other _questions he was to exercise his own discretion . Mr . _Sciios ; With respect to the locality he represented , there was every shade of opinion and of party . He must say that they were not in a very desirable state at present . Several classes in Manchester thought it would be well to revert to the old plan , and they were of opinion that any deviation

    from it was wrong . Another class thougbt that the company should not goon , at all ; not that they doubted about the efficiency of the plan , but he believed himself that that class of men had in whole , or in greater part , joined the company as a matter of speculation , and with the view of making money by it . A great majority were of opinion that the company should go on , they having every confidence in Mr . O'Connor . With respect to merging in the new company , they were universally opposed to it . There were many who would gladly join it , but they were strongly opposed to the idea of assimilating the two companies . There were other matters to whieh he would require to call attention , bnt he would do

    so at the proper period , when thc questions to which they had reference came before the meeting . Mr . Bostock said he was instructed to lay the following resolutions , agreed to at Nottingham on the 31 st July , before the Conference : — *¦ That if it cannot he shown to the Conference that the company is in a solvent condition , and that it is or can he made a reproductive society , that its affairs ought to he wonnd up as soon as possible . " " That the Ballot be restored . " " That those memhers that have not paid up their shares do so by twopence per week per share . ' " That any member being more than three months in arrears be struck from the company ' s books , and forfeit to thc funds of the company all that he has

    paid . " "Tliat all paid-up members be allowed to draw out of the company that wish to _^ o so , and such members to receive their money in accordance to the decision of a ballot ; the incidental expenses of the company to be stopped , including . local expenses . , " That the local secretaries call a shareholders meeting to ascertain who wish to draw out of the company , and those remaining who wish to carry first mtenued

    the objects of the company out as , shall pay one penny per week per share to pay oil such member . " That the Conference appoint three Directors , ( including Mr . O'Connor , ) the one to be the corresponding _ and the other the financial secretary , and Mr . O'Connor be empowered to employ a practical agriculturist to visit every estate , to instruct thc occupants , and give a monthly report to the company . " " J . Wall , Chairman . " Mr . J . Ikvixe waa instructed io propose that ; the Conference should adopt some means to pay off the grumblers , who brought a bad name upon the

    company . . Mr . D . R . Morgan was instructed to say that his constituents had every faith in Mr . O'Connor , but thev wished to return to the good old system , and they trusted that some means would be devised to get rid of the grumblers . There were some of those in his district . They had paid some two or three shillings , which thev made a terrible row about . ( Laughter . ) Thc go _' od men were determined to go on , and they had every certainty that Mr . O'Connor would devise some means of doing so successfully .

    He was instructed to make inquiry if any grievances existed amongst the allottees . He found there were , and hc trusted the Conference would take these grievances into consideration . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Lord said that the branches he represented thought it desirable to pay off the grumblers , and thev believed that-might be done by mortgaging one or other of their estates for a sufficient amount to pay off all claims , then to merge the company into a new one on the principle pursued by the building fund , to be carried on by those members who were wUlinff to do so .

    Mi * . J . Browx said that in the district he represented there were five ofthe branches which took no part in the local proceedings , but so far as he bad received instructions they were to the effect that he should support a resolution to get rid ofall those grumblers who did nothing in the way of _payinir their shares , and after a certain time to exclude _~ all members who did not conform to the rules adopted by the Conference . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Watsox said that a part of his constituents ( the Banbury branch ) had carried a proposition unanimously * that , the company should not amalgamate with the new Company ; that the disaffected members should be paid off , and the Directors reduced to three , including Mr . O'Connor ; and that

    they be not allowed to alter any laws the Conference might propose . From Swindon he had received the following instructions : — " That the company be putlunderthe Building Societies Act , so that members * be compelled to pay regular instalments , with fines if not paid at the proper periods . That for members wishing to withdra _' w means be adopted to pay them off , but no shareholders to get money back until the shares were paid up . That the ballot fce restored for the benefit of the poorer members . That we have confidence in Feargus O'Connor to carry out the foregoing , and that all attempts to legalise the company bo set aside . That if the Conference does not agree to something like tliat pointed out in the above and other branches

    that the Company be wound up . " The O'Connor-Tille branch insisted on the allottees on the different estates having a legal title to their holdings , to be given them at the earliest possible period . To oppose the winding up of the company . To get the ballot restored with such alterations as might restore confidence to the unlocated members . In the event ofthe company being transferred to a building society , to take care that the rents should be apportioned to the value ofthe soil and the nearness to good markets , so that there might be a certainty of the allottees being able to pay them ; and to support such measures as might tend to the speedy location of the members . The Newbury branch were unanimous in then * desire that the " company should not be wound up .

    Mr . J . _Dabmso said that the feeling in his district was that the grumblers ought to be paid off , and , with a trifling minority , they were all of opinion that the company should be carried on . Mr . _Jj . YATEshadnot received instructions from any of tbe branches composing his district , but they had held a public meeting , and be could glean from the opinions expressed there what were the wishes of his constituents . They were all opposed to winding up thc company . With regard to the grumblers , they thought their shares ought te be paid up . With regard to the merging into a new company , they were decidedly opposed to it .

    Mr . Bagshaw : His instructions were to go under the old system , and tore-establish the ballot . They had confidence in Mi * . O'Connor , and hoped he would devise some means of raising money to pay off the grumblers . They did not desire to merge into the new company . They also suggested that those unpaid-up members should be compelled to pay lid . per share , per week ; 3 d . for two acres ; 4 d . for three acres ; and Gd . for four acres , per week _, or in default to be struck , off the books . They desired that the Directors should be reduced to three—two besides Mr . O'Connor ; and that , if at any time it should be necessary to employ a clerk , they have power to do so . That the company should not on any consideration be wound up , and that the ballot be re-established . That the Directors be not onucctcd with thc Chartist Executive , and

    (From Our Own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

    that they have nothing to do with any other company . . ' T Mr . C . J . Clarke : The opinions of Bristol were decidedly in favour ofthe continuance ofthe company but they desired to impress on Mr . O'Connor the benefit of getting the company legally-established They thought that they ought not to pay tlie ' dissatisfiea members the smallest amount of money . In his district about sixty had paid 2 s ., between fifty and sixty 3 s ., and they were the dissatisfied ones . The branches concurred entirely in opposing the winding up tho accounts . Mr . T . Flood : The resolution received from his constituents was , that they had the fullest confidence in Mr : O'Connor , and desired to cry quits

    with the dissatisfied members . Mr . T . Gilbert said that those he represented were decidedly averse to the winding up of the company , believing it possible that measures might be adopted to carry it on . They thought that the holders ' of two or three shares might purchase _. from the dissatisfied members . He was glad to learnthat the greatest grumblers were those who had paid least , and therefore it would be no very difficult matter to buy them off . It was suggested that money clubs be formed in different districts , for the purchasing of shares , and they thought that by this

    means the object might he effected ., If the society could not be legally established , they wero wilj . i j | g to go on in the fullest confidence in Mr . O'Connor , and they'trusted that means would be adopted to locj * teth balloted but unlocated members , belicjing-ns _tijJS did that ? flb _^ _conftdencej-fould-be restored " till those men" were located . They suggested , therefore , that an immediate call should be made of ls . 3 d . on every member of the compny , balloted or not—located or not . * The located members were anxious to make some sacrifice , in order to meet the case of those members who were balloted but not located . The Chairman : 390 was the number balloted .

    Mr . Gil * jeht : With regard to the bonus and thc ballot , they were of opinion that if richer men leaped over the heads of poorer men , tbat some good should accrue to the company from this also . This w ould really be tlie way to get rid ofthe grumblers . They suggested that no less bonus than £ 5 per acre should be taken on every acre ; they would thus be purchasing their right , and the company would not be losers . That not more than half of any estate be appropriated to bonus members ; and with regard to located members , they suggested that security ought to be given to them . He thought , in that case , that half a year ' s rent would be paid by the allottees , for he was convinced they would make any sacrifice in order to secure the good of the company .

    Mr . Wheeler said that he intended to reserve some of the observations which he wished to make until thc question of the estates was before the Conference , but he would take the opportunity of making one or two remarks . The members at 0 ' Connorville were not indifferent spectators of the general interest ofthe company ; they yet trusted that the plan would be earned out in all its entirety , aud were , therefore , opposed to the company Being broken up . They thought that the adoption of the ballot would restore confidence to the members . They were opposed to the company being merged into a building society , but if such should be done he trusted due attention would be paid to the claims of

    the allottees . The chief object they had in view in sending a delegate was , to endeavour to procure their leases at a fair remunerative " rent ; this was the consideration of all others the most important to the allottees : without a certainty of obtaining security for the labour and capital they had invested in the land , they would never be placed in that firm and assured position so necessary to their success . He had various propositions to bring hefore them at a fitting opportunity , relative to the school property , the unoccupied land on the estate , and return of aid money , < fcc , by purchasers : unless they allowed persons wishing to dispose of their allotments an opportunity to do so on reasonable terms , they were inflicting injury on thc company as well as the

    allottees ; the claims ofthe company upon the allotments were so heavy that they precluded their effecting sales . He trusted they would give these subjects due attention , as thc welfare of the company depended upon the prosperity ofthe allottees . Mr . Greexwood would take another opportunity of bringing before the Conference the wishes of the allottees of Snig ' s End . Mr . Wilsos said that the opinions of the men of London were very various . There were a great number of branches in London , and generally they wished to go back to the old rules . Since the attempt to get enrolled or registered had not succeeddd , they were willing to p lace every confidence in Mr . -O'Connor ; but with respect to winding up of the nnmnnnv -fJhpv _sn _, H t . liov /» A » lrl TiAf . + n _* _trn " _-Iiof _infn

    consideration until they had the statement of the Directors before them . They wished to establish the success of the company , and therefore they placed full confidence in Mr . O'Connor . Mr . Dowlixg had little to add to what had fallen from his brother delegate . The general impression was , that , if possible , the company ought to be car ried on under the old rules . With respect to confidence in Mr . O'Connor , they were well contented to place their scrip in his hands , tobe at his disposal , because they believed his simple word to be better than any act of Parliament in England . ( Hear , hear . ) He was aware that a general feeling existed in favour of buying off the discontented

    member-. After a few words from Mr . A . Cielaxd _reo-retting the absence of Mr . D . Sherrington , who ou _<* -ht to have supplied his place ; ° Mr . W . Halliwell said that at a meeting held at Newcastle , the question was debated whether the company should be wound up or not . The parties who conducted the opposition were men who had bought their four-acre shares for thirty shillings , and they , acting on Mr . O'Connor ' s statement , that hc would give twenty shillings in the pound , were anxious to receive their monev , and so pocket so much profit . ( Hear , hear . ) The good men there also had confidence in Mr . O'Connor , whose word they thought better than twenty acts of Parliament . The men of South Shields were

    anxious that no money should be returned to the discontented members , but they had no objection to allow a transfer ofthe shares . Tliey proposed also that they should return to the ballot system , but that some difference should bo made in tlie _arrangements . They proposed that every member should pay threepence on each ballot , and that all members who should be located should pay threepence also . They proposed to adopt thc bonus also , but they desired that such bonus should go to the general fund , because by thc present system the person benefitted by the bonus was actually receiving his benefit out of other people ' s money . Mr . J . Cox . veij . had not received positive written instructions , but he had received verbal onesand

    , these were decidedly to trust to Mr . O'Connor , and they hoped also that means would be taken to get rid oftho discontented members . They had adopted the plan in Bradford , that every member who did not come forward with his subscription in accordance with the rules of the Conference , should be struck off the books , and they had carried that plan into effect . ( Hear , hear . ) lie had a plan which hc proposed to lay before the committee , which would , he thought , meet the wishes of all , even of the grumblers , ( near , bear , and laughter . ) Mr . Oliver was instructed that the company should be wound up , so that those who were really anxious should remain , and proceed to carry out

    the objects ofthe _National Land Company . . Mi ' . Edwards , like other delegates , had received no instructions . He thought that the dissatisfied members ought to be dealt with in a different fashion from that proposed by other members . Hc dealt with them very summarily , for he struck their names off the books . He thought it was sec-sawing with them to deal with them otherwise . The great majority of the names so struck off had paid very little , if they were a legal body , they had the right of doing so ; if they were an illegal body they could do so , for they were beyond the law . ( Laughter . ) Some stringent measures should be applied in order to get rid of these men . Mr . Atherton reiterated the opinions of the last

    member . Mr . Gilbertson , after giving a report ofthe same character as the preceding delegates , said that his constituents proposed , that a penny per share should be paid by each member for the first year , whether located or otherwise . Thoy were opposed fo the merging of the old company with thc newthat they would not . Mr . Pollett , said that if he wero to act up to his instructions , he had very little to do , as his constituents had left the consideration of the question to his discretion . He might say , that they appeared to agree with the opinions of the others , that the company should not be wound up . The delegate expressed the same , or nearly the same opinions as nearly all the other delegates . __ Mr . Skevixgton and Mr . Smith also stated that their constituents did not desire the company to bo broken up . There was a considerable degree of apathy on the question , but the proceedin « s of the Conference , if they recurred to ihe old systcm oi

    (From Our Own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

    the ballot , would tend _tadjspel all that , and encourage members to sub j _^^ H _^§ _?^ _w . ? _l _§ # _? ' and _so _J _^ 'so _/ . a funl _^^ _^^ he _^ Wpl _^^ _ptfto _fcftei . _givingatamaiiv , _Wmfev * _* lsei jughtibe . decided , oh . '' _, _Tbei-V was- nc _^ Png money Jrpm theiiiembers until _tf & tmnir sHMm be decided * _* *??• _« f _hadjvariofis _wsblu _^ ns _^ _Wl _^ vould be suffi' cienttoreferto _^ _theWwheni'tlie'liitters to which ; they applied came before the Conference . _^ _-3 _^^ _P _^ ° _" tKen rose to inake the state - _mrat tor / the Directors _TTonn \ _n _thn . _iUin _« _n-. n «

    _^ M _^ _Perfectly well understand * the delicacy _M s-position _; at ; that m 6 _" merit , Snd therefore he _^ as not _toi offer tlie , shadow of an opinion , _^¦ _pHW ; le _^ e ; _i-te ;; _Conference to decide _Fhetherjthey _^ should keep on , or at _oncowind u * _hecompany . He was determined to" abide b y _> _wbatever mi ght bo the decision _oifthe company , and he could only say , that _ifijfluy , decided on brealcing it up , they ; would reh e _|* e , _niinfrpm a great deal of trouble and anxiety ; bat _^ bn tho ¦ other hand ; if th ey- decided iipon j _^ Seping * it on , he would not' shrink _fronrraTiy 1 iuijjubb j xie

    _^*? _W « _" "J J * . "" s _* _- " - ou .: ; _- _nnj .:-i _^* nj |; vi ft tho _' first- place , theiij _* comi 0 l 0 j _&! _¦^ B y _^^ ' _^^ afemenisl _^ _cli' - ' Iia _^ Ta _^ tf from the different members ; arid he hoped the Conference would attend to thisj that this was an " early , or rather an -Intermediate , Conference , their annual meeting not being necessary before the month of November . First , then , with regard to the important question of registration they must be aware that poor men , whatever amount they had paidwhether one shilling , two shillings , three shillings , or four shillings—had a perfect claim to

    the consideration of the company , as much as any other person , whatever amount he might have paid ; but , at the same time , there were a great many obstacles in the way of arranging business where so many trifling sums had to be considered ; still , he said , they had an equal right to know what security they had , and whether it was likel y tbey should have a return for their money . This was the question that had puzzled him , because they knew that if , the company were registered , this would stand then in the same position as other _companies . He did not know

    whether they were aware thathc had obtained a mandamus against the Registrar to register the company , and that the case had already been twice before the Court of Queen ' s Bench . Mr . Justice Patteson , than whom there was not a sounder lawyer on the English bench , met every one of the objections urged by the Attorney- Genei * al , who was opposed to tbem , and gave judgment in his ( Mr . " O'Connor ' s ) favour . From July to November there was no Court sitting , and , therefore , any delay now arising , was occasioned by the Attorney-General , who interposed every obstacle he

    could devise to the fulfilment of the object they had in view . But even now , with the judgment of the Court in their favour , tbey were not an illegal society . Justice Patteson said , he did not see that the law against the ballot interfered with this case , because it did not matter whether two years or two hundred years elapsed before a person might be located , and , therefore , he did not think the ballot illegal—so far with regard to the registration . That was as far as the case had gone in the Queen ' . s Bench , and it had been in all cases decided in their favour . ( Hear , hear . ) "With

    regard to the winding up of the company , that he left entirely in tlieir own hands , only impressing this upon their minds , that , notwithstanding the refusal oftho Registrar , the Committee that sat on the National Land Scheme last year , in their reply to the Ilouse of Commons , recommended them to allow Mr . O'Connor to wind up the company , or to legalise it by an act of Parliament , and Mr . Henley , the member for Oxfordshire , said , that as 70 , 000 had signed their names to this plan , and only from 200 to 300 had beon located , it shouldnotbe opposed by Parliament . As soon as they found that the affairs of the

    company had been conducted with perfect honour and accuracy ; and that so far from his having received anything from the company , the company were owing Mm a considerable sum ; and , therefore , thoy at once acceded to the legalisation of the company . If the judgment of tho Queen's Boneh was in their favour—as on the former occasions—then there was an end of the question at once , for the Company would be registered , or whether would they wish him to ask Parliament to pass an act legalising tbe company at once , without waiting for registration '*; The House of Commons never refused to receive the

    recommendations of a committee , especially if that committee were unanimous . He had asked Sir George Groy and tho _Attornoy-G-eneral , whether or not , in the event ofthe registration not being completed , they would pass a law to enable him to wind up thc company . Tlie Attorney-General promised to communicate with him before the Conference , but he did not do so . He was too busy to do so then , but whether he was too busy to do so now , he could not say . There were three questions before the Conference : First , the registration consequent on the decision of the

    Queen's Bench ; { second , an Act of Parliament to legalise or to wiud up the Company ; and Third , tho location of the members , as ori g inall y proposed by the company , or as required by the circumstances of the case now . He had come to a decision on this point , which he would , at the proper moment , lay before the Conference . Inthiscasehe would ask them to remember , that in dealing with 70 , 000 persons , having different opinions and different views , spread over the whole of the country , and communicating daily these opinions and these views to the office—ho wished them to

    remember that in dealing with this large class , the subject must he very difficult , and the anxiety consequent on it , consequently great . He had always been in favour of the ballot , and Mr . Justice Patteson having now decided that the ballot was not illegal , he was more in favour of __ it than ever . "With respect to the third , question before the Conference , the proposition he had to make was , that where sixty allotments were to be located , one-third of these shares should be given to the' members already balloted , but not located ; another third to those who were not balloted for

    yet ; and another third to those who Bhould be entitled to them by reason of the bonus . Another thing to which he sought to draw attention was , his liability to be called into the County Courts . That was alluded to by one of the delegates , and with respect to the case which came on for trial at Northampton , he had onl y to say this—that had not * Mr . Roberts—moved by a fooling of delicacyacknowled ged that the writing on the back of the certificate was his , when it really was not ,

    Mr . Gubbins would not have recovered the 21 . 9 s . 9 d . which he had got , much less the 5 _f , 5 s . He had not got much hy Ms motion , for the action had cost him about 10 / ., while he had his 21 . 9 s . 9 d . for his pains . He had recovered 21 . Os . 9 d . onl y on the admission of Mr . Roberts that the signature was his , when , in fact , it was not so . It had been decided that he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was not accountable for any sums during tho time they were provisionall y registered , and the

    (From Our Own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

    greater / , proportion , of , the money had' come in in ; that time ; It was ' on thatj > lea onl y ihat Mr : Gubbin _? : gbt . judgment . " S _* o _* ' much , then , Jpr that .. ; i " _|? pw ,. it ; had been , said that some of ¦ 'thyme _fl 1 w _* _id . ; _fed ' . got , four-acre- _s _^ rip , for which they ; fead paia . ' _ra _^ now the hardihood to _aBk 20 * . for it . Now , the purchasers had no claim on the company , even if they did sue them . That was the position in which this company stood . ; Any complaint that had arisen had arisen ' from the men who purchased thoir shares for 7 _s . Qd . and . sought to make a profit of them . That much

    with regard to dissatisfied men . With regard to merging the company into the new company , the delegates must throw tbat out of the question , I * could not be done . It would be a complete estoppel on the new company . He wouWino _^ . therefore , deal ; _J' urther with that _pai't _^ f tHe _^ business . * _i-They Svere all aware of the _ _disadya _^ . estates , but when ' * _? y _^ . _ca _* me ;' -. to . _loolj' at ¦ these roads and these houses and look _^; tbe crops that were _grow-i iiig there , they _"yonld _. _-he thought , admit that , _atralLevents , _no '; great time had been-losty . et _^ _ffift _^ _tbi _^ _a- _^ _iwbyea _i's : hoi _waYpreparedftb _sSy _^ K a _^

    all the nations of the earth , who overstocked the labour market now . They would find that the land which was now lying idle would soon be covered with cottages and crops ; and those would be found to sanction this plan who now spoke deridingl y of it , because lie was . the promoter of it , It must be so , or thero would be a revolution in the country . They were coming upon times when the peop le would not consent to see the work done by machinery , and themselves starving , when the land was lying idle , and they could do so much better by labouring upon it . He had this to be thankful for—if for no more—that ho had

    developed the plan which they were met that day to consider , and which he would pledge himself would bo fully carried into effect at no distant day . There were grumblers now , but tbe Conference would see those very grumblers asking to join them , because they would see it was their interest to do so . One question was mooted as to the propriety of having an agricultural Director ? Wh y , tliere was Mr . Doyle ; he had devoted himself to

    agriculture for two years ; he had read all the books on the subject , no man was a better practical farmer than him , and it was only necessary to look at his laud to prove it . It was said also that the Directors should be reduced . There was the financial secretary . He ( Mi * . O' Connor ) had nothing to do with the money —they could not discharge him , for all the money passed through his hands , which was again passed by him to Mr . M'Gowan , and b y Mr . M'Gowan to the bankers . Then he had

    a secretary to himself , but tho company did not pay for him . He had prepared the balancesheet , and he had examined Mr . Doylo ' s balance-sheet ; his own had been submitted to Mr . Gray , and audited by him , and they would see that they were in a manner , not surpassed by any balance-sheet ever prepared before . Tliere would be no difficulty in understanding it . He had also brought his banker ' s book , aud they should see that also . The

    whole had been a work of much labour , for with the multiplicity of small sums coming into the officers , it was not easy to keep accounts correctly . Now , when ho told them that they had available property to the extent of 1 G , 000 / . ; the company owed hiin some 3 , 000- * . or more , to whjch was to be added some 1 , 100-:. or l , 200 _f ., but that he assured them he should not press for . Some objection had been urged to the bonus , but the Conference should roniomber that if it wore

    not for the bonus Bromsgrove could not have been located . The company bad to boast of that which seldom fell to the lot of other companies to boast of—there was not one penny charged for legal expenses . He , as their representative , had not been summoned for tmy one farthing by any tradesman or solicitor : they had , therefore , not been put to any expenses on that account . He now camo to tho question that had been raised as to the allottees , andthe disadvantages under whieh they laboured . Mr . O'Connor then explained the advantages the allottees had had ou entering , and the fact that thoy had paid no rent since they had bceu in possession . They had

    had ample time ; thoy were aware of all the circumstances of the case under which they entered ; he was determined , however , that if the forthcoming year's rent were not paid , they should be compelled to leave . He was not astonished to find that these personshaving paid no rent wore exceedingly anxious to obtain leases of the property . The people had had ample time the Directors did _notwish to press them when they were not well able to afford it ; and as proof that it was their object to confer ou them all thc advantages they could , he woiild mention one matter . He received a letter from tho Curate of Minster Lovel , asking what ho would be permitted to obtain the school-room on that estate

    for , as he was desirous of instructing the people on tbe estate . Ho replied , that he would take no rent , that he Avas welcome to the use of it . He did come thore ; the people were fond of him ; and yet , because it was said that this was a Socialist plan—a Communistic planthat it was framed by the Infidel Feargus O'Connor—the Bishcp of Oxford was asked to discharge him , and measures were taken which compelled that gentleman to resign his situation . ( Shame , ) He could not give a better proof of tho reproductive _principle of this society than the fact , that even if only 30 , 000 out ofthe number ofthe subscribers were to remain true to the company , thoy , by subscribing three-halfpence a week , would realise

    a sum of 13 , 000 / ., which would pay all claimants . The speaker then wont on to show how much mig ht be effected for this sum . He had told them what they had to do , and he would now leave the matter in their hands , confident that they would adopt such means as they thought proper for the object of benefitting the subscribers to the National Loan Fund . [ After some conversation , arising on some of the points adverted to in Mr . O'Connor ' s address , the matter dropped , it being understood that the subject should be resumed in the evening . ] The Election Committee was then appointed , the members being—Messrs . Edwards , Sutton , Munday , _Skevin- _^ ton , and Taylor . The Conference then adjourned .

    Afternoon Sitting On resuming the sitting at half-past two o ' clock , Thc CiiAinMA ** read several communications . Mr . Edwards , on the part of tho Election Committee , reported that they found' Messrs . Wilson and Dowling were duly returned as delegates for London . After some questions put to Mr . O'Connor , anil a discussion respecting the infraction of thc regulations of last Conference , Mr . Hakdikg moved : — "That thc company should continue its operations under tho provision of the best means thc company can devise . " Mr . llALLiwELii seconded the motion .

    Mv . Sutton moved , as an amendment : — " That the company should be wound up . " " Mr . Olivee seconded the amendment . After a desultory discussion , in whicli Messrs . "Bostock , Flood , Skevixcto . _v _, and other delegates took part , he _question was put to the vote , and thc original motion was carried by a g' _* cat _majority ,

    (From Our Own Jicjwrler.) Tlie Annual Co...

    ; Mr . B _^ ock then * _rnW'l : % _=--. < That _. ' . in the ' opinion pf this Conference " , the National Land Scheme can pcmadc rcpvoductivc ;'';; i ' -f = ¦ ' y .-. ' ¦ < . _v-:. Sccondcd b yMr . _Jll 0 RGAX * ' ; . * . ; _/^' s ; a » _wti _^ i gaye rise t 6 a _iverf lengthened disoussion _^ m ; which Mr . -Munday : and btlierdelegates ' took _parkas tojwhethcrtli _* e land ' would reproduce a * rental , and ' _support the allottees . . _i _v , j Messrs . _Oani-n-j- , _Wi * EBLKn , _iand-Cl , ELAN _* " _* , scve « I » W . « poke , on the part of the allottees , , admitting ' ' that the land would elearly yield them % ' aii indepen _*' dencc , although , at first , they ; -ffere' obliged to en » dure great hardships , which rendered it necessary tliat they , should ask the patience of the company for * a short , time longer . - '• . ••'• ¦ . ' . ¦ ' : ¦ ¦ _- _' . s '

    r Mr . ¦ _C- _^ _Cossor replied . Be contended that they ( the _Directora ) could net _carrfrol the seasons ; and ¦' as to the capability of two or three acres of land . for supporting a family , he woi ? M show—from other _w ioujnals than the Northern Star—that that was tho' % _^

    case * ,,,, .. _..-. - The * discussion , after the withcti ' . _'nwal of the mflhi tion , fell ! , ' The _following'delegates were the ? . appointed an Audit SbmmiKoe- . - --Messrs . ' _Edwaaa _^ Harding ,- _¦* . Lord , Sweet , Brawn ,. Bowling , and J _4 ji « tan _^ . The Conference then adjourned . Os _^ ; _;** _" '' _- _^ _^ E _^ _5 _SKS _©* AY , _AroijST-8 . \ -: _«' - _j , { . ¦ ,-. ,. _! . .. ' Mortong Sitting . . " ! . The ! roll linving * _beew called , on . _theTnoKb-n off Messrs ., SkevikotOn and ' _MIT 5 DAY , the _minors "* wcreC readhnd _confirmed ; . f'Credentials _wepethenpresertfedfrom . T ; _Spader ** - - ' from the . _Brightondistrioft . ' - . ¦¦ - _,. The : _Chainnan- ' _ofttlie- Finance _Committerr obtained leave to _dclhytheir-jenort until the _aftersuoai Sitting . . '; ¦;;; ; , .-. ; . ¦ : ; :, , ;

    Correspondence- was thsn * read from . Mmr 8 __^ Beattie and Bradstinw ,. relhdiive to certain claims ' they , as _^ llottees , had 1 upon' the company . " ;* * ' ; ; -Mr * . _^ Cunic ' . explained' the ' , _cis-cumstances _lindoP _* which . the Directors nad ?' reft _* 8 ei * l . to . comply with ? these ' claiths > as also did' Mr _* _J 0- " _* Cbnnbr . The laBi "* ' Conference had c ' _crta-i'rfl'y decided : that Mr Brad _~ shaw _, ohe . ofthe claim'hntg ,. * jhou _*! d be paid the sum- ' of -630 by way of loan ., . but ,, © wing , to the funds of ; the company , it had Wea impossible , to comply " , withithe . claim ., ... /' . . ' ¦ " ' * . _;•* " : '¦¦ "* -- -- ¦¦ -- ¦ - _¦¦¦'¦ : ¦ J ¦ ¦ 1 I

    . _^ _- T "' . ;" . ' ... » -. _~ - _,.. _~ _,. ¦\ Mr . 0 ! C 65 Sohapbl 6 gisedifhoi . hatluse'daiivharsb " _expressiohs'towards Mr . M _** E _* eltand r whose character ' he highly eulogised . Mr . _O'Cossor theS proposed _•¦ — ¦ _* _** * That , henceforth , members who have paid-up _s-Lill be located upon the following terms _^—viav r one-third to be assigned to ' members who havo beea balloted , onethird to be balloted for by paid-up members , and one-third to be assigned to paid-up members who . shall pay tho highest amount of bontt- _* . " Mr . Lom _* - seconcled the motion .

    On the motion of Mr . _"Edwab-bs-, seeonded hy Mr . Harping , the motion of last Conference , relative to a quarter of each cstato being appropriated to balloted members , era compensation of £ 5 per shara given in lieu thereof , was rescinded . Mr . Connell had proposed a plan , to his locality , which had boen entirely approved of , and would submit it to the Conference as im . amendment to that of . Mv . O'Connor : — " That members be located by bonus instead of by ballot ; that 300 members should each pay £ 1 por yfear , and then _, ballot amongst themselves for a member to be

    located , they to pay back tho interest of tho money and the principal by instalments . " Me entered into elaborate calculations to show its practicability , tho calculations being based on the principles of a building society and a money club . Mr . O'Coxxon showed that it would act well as a local arrangement , but that it would be impossible to carry it out as a national plan , and _vrouid effectually bar thc legalisation of the company . Mr . Hahdixo expressed similar views to those of Mr . O'Connor , and expressed doubts whether its complexity would not be a barrier even to its local adoption .

    Questions were then asked by Mr . Oliver , relative to the money invested in the redemption furd , and whether it could be applied to tlie bonusfund . Mr . O'Coxxor assured him that it could . Mr . _Skevixgtox was in favour of the balloting being carried on in districts , the country to be divided for that purpose . Messrs . Morgan , Irvine , and others , showed its impracticability , and expressed their approval ofthe perfect fairness ofthe systcm of balloting previously adopted .

    Mr . MififDAY moved : — " That the members be located by ballot , and that each member bo allowed an extra chance in the ballot , by paying an extra amount in the shape of extra ballot shares , and that the member being so located he allowed it in his rent charge . " He expressed his opinion that it would be more fair to tlie poor members , than the system of bonus . Tho amendment was not seconded . Mr . Sauxdgus was in favour ofthe p lan laid down by Mr . O'Connor , as it would give satisfaction to all the members , whether they were in favour of bonus

    or ballot . He trusted they would ' allow members to purchase the shares of the dissatisfied , and place them to their credit in the bonus account , a weekly subscription should also be entered into by the members , until all were located . Mr . O' _Ooxxou ' s motion was then adopted . Mr . Bagshaw mqved , and Mr . Taylob seconded : — " That lid . per share , per week , bo paid in continuity by all members , whether located or unlocated , but no member holding more than four shares should be required to pay for more , unless he chose . "

    Mr . Bostock wished to know whether a member purchasing a quantity of shares , would havo to pay the lid . upon all the shares so purchased . Mr . O'Coxxon explained that they would , or it would be open to collusion . Mr . Bostock thought they should take some steps to induce members to pay up their shares before they levied this extra tax upon them . lie thought it would prove impracticable , and would binder them from paying up . Mr . Stnrox _thought it would be breaking faith with those who , on Mr . O'Connor ' s suggestion , had purchased shares , if they levied this extra amount upon them . Mr . Yates : Parties purchasing shares should be allowed to have them placed to their credit in tho redemption department .

    Mv . Harding thought it imperative they should disengage themselves from the dissatisfied , ' by selling or mortgaging the rent charge oftho estates . Mr . O'Coxxon : That would bo the very worst plan of winding up the company . Mr . Oij . bertsox asked a question relative to tho transfer of shares , wliich elicited remarks from Messrs . M'Grath , Carl " , Edwards , Dixon , and others , in which it was clearly elicited that _pm-chaso shares had not boon anil could not be ro-.--.-irod as bonus , but if a member had paid £ 2 on his own account-, and purchased another share on which 10 s . had been paid , tlio sum would be placed to the purchaser ' s prior share , ami lie would stand on the company ' s books as having paid £ '_ ' 10 s . Mr . Muxbay inquired the number of paid-up shareholders , and in reply it _w-vs stated that they amountcd to about 17 , 000 . -

    Mr . Tavi . or : Supposing that out o ? 17 , 000 shareholders , 11 , 000 were dissatisfied , nnd the r _. uiaiiiitig 0 , 000 _purchased their shares , hc thought they ought not to be called upon to pay the 1 » il . per week on these purchased shaves , but only ou thuse for which they stood thc ballot . Mr . Edwards asked tlie Directors if thoy _coukl enforce the pavment ; the local secretaries could not obtain levies , thev were victimised for ( heir expenses _, lie had " dealt summarily with the grumblers , and turned them out ; . thc paid-up members had a licence to grumble . Mr . O'Coxxon thought it would be better to wind up the affiiirs oi ihe company li the shareholders would not abide by the decision of their delegates . Mr . Taylor : They had now given them the stimulant of the ballot , which would induce mauy to pay up .

    Mr . Smith considered it would be only a recommendation , and that the members would not pay until it was legalised . Mr . Dowlikg thought the ballot would induce them to pay up ; his constituents had lost all hopes since the bonas had been adopted , but that would restore confidence . It was then carried that they resolve themselves into committee . Mr . Gilbertson moved , " That branches or individual members be allowed to purchase the shares of those who are dissatisfied , and apply thc same

    either to pay uptfieir own shares , or , it paid up , : _o go as bonus . " Mr . Skevixotox stated his constituents were ol the samo feeling as those of Birmingham . Liitlr money would be paid _ufitil it was legalised ; there was but little inducement to purchase the shares ut the dissatisfied ; ho thought thoy had better m _* S ' pend operations tntil after the decision in the Queen ' s Boneh . Mr . Bostock understood , from the reports given in , that the members would have confidence it" the ballot was adopted , and dependence placed in Mr . O'Connor , regardless of thc law .

    Mr . Skhvixotox explained , that it _ilicy entirel y abandoned any idea of getting legalised they mi ght restore confidence , but not wbHc they remained in a state of suspense , continually endeavouring to gctlea _* alised _, but ; failing .-A discussion then took place as to whether _t-he company was now under provisional registration or whether it was out of the pale of the Taw ; and whether thoy could scratch members who had not complied with the calls of the company . Mr . O'Coxxon promised to obtain the best legal opinion and putlish it in thc ensuir . " Northern Star . = - ¦ ( Continued to the Eighth page . ) ¦

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• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 11, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_11081849/page/1/