The Express. — London, England, 1853-08-26 00:00:00

N rEim r()MMCNICATION IVITH THE tI'ESTEH.V tIPNTI.VEN T. ''olos than four first-class steam vessels left the M erse y yesterday for the Western Continent, viz., the United Saito' mail steam-ship Atlantic, Captain West, for • w York ; the British and North American screw steam ship. Taurus, Captain Little, for Boston ; the Liverpool and Philadelphia Company's screw stesm-ahip, City of Illeachester, Captain Robert Leitch, for Philadelphia e nd the South American Company's new screw steam sh,p, Brasili ~,, Captain Daniel Green, (or Bahia, Rio Janeiro, and Pernambuco, &c. The Atlantic sailed shortly beixe two pm. with tho usual mails, 218 paseengers, ▪ ngst whom was Coloael Crittenden, late Cnited Stites Consul far this port, brides 720 tons of general inerchaa diss on freight. Just before her departure copies of the London rooming papers we, e placed on board by Messrs. Willmer and Smith, of Liverpool, fur the prey; and news rooms 'Attie western continent. The Taurus being completely filled with cargo did not carry any passengers. The City of Mks• chests, had ISO cabin passengers, besides several steerage occupyiud berths, ands NU cargo of merchandise ou freight. The Bratiliera is the pioneer of cargo steamers for the Brazils. She had on board 20 punnets, and about g ui eoi.U. in specie, and 200 tons cargo of valuable merchax • sue would have been quite full of goods, had not the ship:nag regulations prevented goods fr an being taken to she last moment. The Brazilian laws as to shipping are very strict, and it is to be hoped that that government will adapt its customs to the pintoess of steam navigation. The Brarle ra carried out a large quantity of the productions of Manchester, and also of French manufactures. She will be 'acceded by the Olinda, on the 21th of September, and the Lusitama on the 24th of October next. The Braziliera earned out the English mails tor the South Coast of America. MoCKING ILL-TItE.4TMENT OF A FAMILI. At the Manchester city police-court, yesterday, • man named John Egan, a shoemaker, living in Dyke street, Angel-street, was charged under the new act with ill-treating his wife and family, and neglecting to support them. Inspectors Gifford and Wilson, of the Manchester and Salford Sanitary Association, received information, about 10 o'clock on Wednesday evening, that the prisoner had turned his wife out of doors, and after beating his children unmercifully, bad locked them in and left them to starve. The officers broke into the house, and found two children there in a most pitiable state, lying on the floor, without either bedding or covering. There was not a par ticle of food iu the house, and the children had tasted no thing during the day. One of them was 12, and the otoer, a girl..s years of age. They were taken to the workhouse, where they were properly 'Decried to, and shortly after wards the prisoner was seen rolling about the streets in a state of law:lonian, and w as taken into custody. A woman, who lives next door to the prisoner, said the latter bad subjected his family to constant ill-treatment. About three weeks ago he was drunk and beating his wife, who tied into witness's house; REM on Monday evening he wait beating the eldest child about the face. The prisoner's wife said her husband was able to earn from 20s. to 2:is. per week, but had scarcely done any work for the last four months. lle would sit down and work for about two hours, occasionally, and then go as ay to the public-house. lie had ill-treated her very much, and gave her four cuts on the head the Hight before her last child was burn. Of late he had been in the habit of lucking her out of doors, and she was obliged to play a sort of hide and seek with him to escape his violence. The prisoner's son, whose appearance presented a shock ing combination of emaciation and bruises, was in court, sad the magistrate observing that one of his eyes was closid, inquired the reason, when it appeared tikt he had been unable to open it since the previous morning, in con sequence of his father having kicked him in the face, and the probability was that loss of sight would result. The other eye was very much discoloured. The second child, a girl, had been placed in • basket instead of • chair until its spine hod !croon shockingly deformed. The whole family were a sail picture of neglect and misery. One of the hue hand's modes of torturing his wile was to twist an instru ment in the long hair of her head, and drag her about the house by it. The prisoner said he was prevented from working be cause hls wife went away from home for a fortnight at a time, and lie could not get on unless she were there to bind his shoes fur him. fie was willing to support his children. Inspector Gifford said he heard something of the pri soner's conduct • fortnight ago, and went to remonstrate with him, as he knew he could support his family if he would. Mr. Maude said, if it were not for the prisoner's intem perate habits, there was no reason why his family should not be in as comfortable circumstances as that of any other working man in tho town. Ile must certainly make an example of the prisoner, who had been guilty of such acts of cruelty as to bring bun fairly within the new act of par liament ; and the court was called upon to punish him to the full extent of the law. lie was, therefore, sentenced to bard labour for six al_•ndar months. Meantime, the family would be taken care ul in the workhouse. MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT O.V THE THAMES. Yesterday information was communicated to Mr. Higgs, coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster, and to Mr. Carter, coroner for Surrey, of the discovery yesterday morning of the bodies of two young men, named Peter Adams and Joseph Courtac, the former an apprentice, sod the latter barman in the service of Mr. Fred. John Western, licensed victualler and proprietor of the Bell Tavern, Addle-street, Doctors -commons, who were drowned on Sunday morning last under the following circumsttnees It appeared that on the Sunday morning they left their employers house for the purpose of bathing in the Thames. They were accompanied by the potman, and hired n boat, into which they all went. They proceeded to Westmin ster-bridge, when a match was proposed by the potman, who offered to swim against Courtue to Vaushall-bridge for a shilling. Previous to going into the water they urged Adams, who had but • little notion of swimming, not to leave the boat. Courtue and the potman were re- Nrning, and they saw Adams stripping, but before they could get up to him he had plunged into the stream. lie almost immediately exclaimed, " Help me, help me." Counts' went to his assistance, when Adams clasped him in his arms. A frightful struggle took place on the part of Courtus to dimmers himself from Adams, but who only clung closer to him, and they both then disappeared. The potman got into the boat and swam towards the spot, several other boats offering their assistance at the same time; but the unfortunate deceased sever again appeared. Adams was 17 sad Cantu, 2'2 years of age. The body of the former was found yesterday morning by Palmer, • lighterman, off Somerset House, and that of Courts* wee picked up on the Surrey side of the river, is the pariah of Christchurch. Last sight Mr. Higgs opened an Musky at the Three Horse Shoes, Milford - lane, Stroud, which wee adjourned is order to template the evidence. ST. CROSS HOSPITAL In connexion with this hospital, so recently before the Court of Chancery, the following handbill has boon ex tensively circulated : Falony.—£loo Reward. Pariah of St. Faith cues The Mastanhip of the Hospital of St. Cross.—Whereas, by • staters weed Is the Mid Geo. 111. esp. 146, entitled, ' An Act t an the bang regulating and preserving parish sad other mimosa oghlethe,losptisins, sad burials in England; it ie enacted by the 14th section of the said ant, ' That if any person .hell wilfully destroy, deface, or injure, or care, or prom% or permit to be destroyed, defaced, or injured, meg see register book, or any part thereof ; every person re @Burnes, and being lawfully convicted thereof, shall be deemed mad adjudged to be guilty of felony, and shall be traaapeeted for the term of 14 years ;* and whereas woo bu wi/fally destroyed, defaced, and injured, or eaamd,am pressuld, or permitted to be destroyed, defaced, tad Wane • part el the burial register bookof the Parish of St. Faith, ms St. Cross Hospital, for the year 1850, by cutting ',the whole of one margin, part of another, and the bottom of the page, on which was entered a memoran dum of importance, and erring the designation of the minister who interred the corpse. Notice is hereby given, that the sum of 1001. will be paid by the undersigned to any one by whose evidence the person so offending shall be ' lawfully convicted thereof.'—lis• RY HOLLOWAY, Churchwarden of the parish and parish church of St. Faith cum St Cross Hospital.—St. Cross, Aug. 22, 1853." THE FIRE ANNIHILATOR COMPANY. TO THII IDITOIt OF TII2 ZXPRFAI9._ St a,—Some mistake the report or the investi gation with regard to the dispute between the secretary of the Fire Annihilator Company and myself as the patentee of the said invention compels me to request you to insert in your columns the true version of my statement, for instead of being represented to have said that on " finding that certain reports were in circulation calculated to injure the company I had ceased to have any interest in the patent," I Mated that the company having issued a prospectus which alleged that the patent was vested in the company, I did, in order to secure my rights, protest against the promulgation of such a misrepresentation, and tore up the prospectuses alluded to, as the company is only working under a condi tional license granted by me under my patents. As I am the largest shareholder in the company, as well as the propriaor of the Engliph and many foreign patents of my inv.intion, I trust you will cncsider it but just incorrect the misstatements into which your reporter has been led. 1 am, sir, your obedient servant, W. H. PHILLIPS. IG, Essen-street, Strand, August 25. SAMBRE AND MEUSE RATLWAY.—Traffic for the week ending Aug. 21. IKI3 (27k miles:open),49B/. 21. Id. Corresponding week, 1e.52 (24i wiles open), 2551. 15s. 14. MEETING OF MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES. Yesterday a meeting of the magistracy of Middlesex was held at the Sessions house, on Clerkenwell green, for the transaction of the ordinary business of the county ; Mr. POWNALL presided. The usual reports from the committees were presrnted, sad the recommendations contained in them were adopted. Anson the parliamentary papers laid before the court were the Assistant Judge's Salary Bill and the Militia Pay Bill. With reference to these, The CliAtiLyAN said the court would have learned with such regret that the fist named, the bill for increasing the salary of the sees tent judge, had not passed into a law. The business transacted at the sessions was of a very im portant nature, and required a mind of no ordinary chg. racier, and a knowledge of mankind not generally possessed even by members of the bench. The 0:b pi of the business of the court had no parallel M any court of sessions in the country. Mr. WiLds heartily concurred in the obienations of the chairman uo the subject of the Assistant Judge's `glary Bill, and proposed, in order that the whole bench might he put in possession of fall information upon the matter, for some future OCCAIIiOII, that the returns ordered by the House of Commons of the business of the court, should be printed end circulated. This was unanimously agreed to. On the motion of Mr. JOSIAH WILSON, the sum of 1,0001. was granted for the purpose of completing the store house for the lot Regiment of Tower Hamlets Militia, and • like sum for the 2nd Regiment of Tower Hamlets Militia. Mr. Henry John Hammon was elected surveyor for the district of St. Luke, Old-street, and Glass-house-yard. A memorial signed on behalf of the wardens and sub wardens of the House of Correction, Cold Bath-fields, was laid before the court. It prayed that the memorialists might be permitted to receive the amount standing to their credit in the Finsbury Savin,.s Beak, and allowed to have unrestricted control of their full pay, and in all other respects he placed on the same footing as the officers of the other prisons of the county. It appeared from the statements in this memorial that in 1837 a new scale for the regulation of the pay of the prison officers was adopted, under which they became entitled to receive from time to time an increase to the amount of their weekly pay, according to the length of their Teepee five services. The officers of the House of Detention and the House of Correction, Westminster, were permitted to receive the full amount of their pay, as the various jemmies were ordered; but at Cold-bath-fields the magistrates adopted the peremptory regulation of stopping the amount of the increases, and having them deposited to the credit oi the men in • savings bank, with the restriction that no por tion of such deposits should be withdrawn without the sanction of the magistrates. When compelled by urgent necessity to make application to the magistrates to draw on their accumulated deposits to meet exigencies which the could not otherwise provide for, the memorialists set forth that they were subjected by the magistrates to a rigid and humiliating scrutiny into their private affair', before they were permitted to receive even a small portion of a fund which they say is unquestionably their own ; sad in some cases the request has been complied with, en condition of their paying back the sum drawn by weekly instalments from their reduced incomes. They, therefore, prayed, ac knowledging that the originators of this regulation only in tended to benefit the officers and their families, that the court would order that for the future they mi g ht receive their full pay, without stoppage, and that t hey might receive the sums standing in their names in the savings banks. Mr. Tretren moved that the memorial be referred to the committee of the prison, who were actually considering the subject when the men got up this memorial. With regard to the memorial itself, and the terms in which it was drawn up, observations might be made ; but, considering the class of persons it came from, he did not think it necessary to allude farther to it. The motion was seconded. Mr. Aaxstaoxo moved as an amendment, seconded by Mr. Alderman LAWRIE:SCR, that the prayer of the memorial be granted. These magistrates and others warmly espoused the case of the memorialists, and urged that employers ought not to interfere with the value of the labour of the employed. The CHAIRMAN said these stoppages were made under a standing order of the court. Mr. Tcteren's motion was carried, and the amendment not pet. Mr. ARMSTRONG then gave notice that he should at the neat court move for the repeal of the standing order alluded to by the chairman. Some formal business wu disposed of, and the court ad journed. NATIONAL FREEHOLD LAND COMPANY. The quarterly meeting of the members of this so ciety was held last evening at the London Tavern, and was very numerously attended. The meeting was also • spe cial one, for the purpose of making some alteration in the rules. Mr. EnzsrzEa CLARKE having been called to the chair, the minutes of the last quarterly meeting were read and confirmed. WRITTIKOKAN, the secretary, stated that the pro- posed alteration of the rules had been suggested by a requi sition addressed to the executive committee, and was to the following effect :—That rule 5 be emitted, and that the ful -1 lowing addition be wadi to rule 10 :—" That when the fines on any unadvanced share shall equal the amount standing to the credit of the member on that share, the share shall be cancelled." Mr. Wnirrixonalt then read the following report of the progress of the society : QV RRRRR LT RIFORT OF TIM PROORESS OF TRU BOCIITT. Cash received for subscriptions and instalments:— May £21,674 18 3 June 27.626 18 1 July 26,981 3 3 Total £76,282 19 7 Repaid to members who have given notice to withdraw, including interest at the rate of 51. Bs. 4d. per cent., show ing the intent to which the society has been used as a saviags' bank : May £5,684 16 7 June 7,272 6 8 July Total £20,169 6 9 Advanced to members on luta chosen, showing the amount of land sold : May June 7,313 0 0 July 20,358 0 0 Total £32,560 0 0 Shares issued :—May, 2,435; June, 2,365; July, 2,407 ; total, 7,207. New members:—May, 645; June, 633 ; July, 665 ; total, 1,943. Estates purchased:—Stratford, 141 acres, 7,3301. The whole or part of the following estates, which were not eonsidered eligible to offer to the members, have bees sold by auction or private contract at a considerable profit— vis., Bromley, Bast Peckham, Broadstairs, Potter's Bar, I. Albans, Saffron Walden. All these estates, or portions of estates, have been re-sold at a profit, which will of course be carried to the general funds of the society. (Hear.) The progress of the society, as compared with correspond ing periods of former years, 12 as follows Shares issued during the mouths of May, June, and 1849 1,270 1850 704 1851 2,400 1852 4,649 1853 7,207 Subscriptions on shares during the same tieriod -1849 £ 883 4 9 1850 6,010 19 7 1851 22,595 6 11 1862 54,296 19 1 1863 Mr. WHITTINONAM stated that the directors had &m -oldered a neolutio• passed at the last meeting, requesting that in rotors the east of abstracts of title might be in cluded in the purchase money of the estate, end steps would be taken for carryin g it out in future. (Hear.) The CHAIRMAN invited inquiries from any of the MM. ben present, stating the readiness of the directors to answer them; but no questions were asked. Mr. BoxTaure moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr. Jackson, and unanimously agreed ie. The chair was then vacated, and retaken by Mr. Clarke, on the election of the meeting, in order to proceed with the special business. Mr. WHITTINORAM said it was proposed to repeal rule 8, by which all shares were forfeited on which the payments were in street for six months. As the fine on arrears for 1,2, 3, and even 4 and S months, was only a few pence, it was palpably unjust that the whole share should be for feited, where the arrears ran for a month leaser. (Hear.) The resolution for repealing the rule was then put and unanimously agreed te. It was also resolved that the following addition should be made to the 10th rule :—" And when the fines on any ad vanced share equal the amount standing to the credit of the member of that share, the share shall be cancelled." Mr. BONTEMPS urged on the members the duty of per sonally attending to the registration, as he understood that notices of objection had been pretty liberally distributed. The CHAIRMAN said it was to be hoped they would have this •ime revising barristers who were at least blessed with common sense, (Hear, hear.) it was the duty of the mem bers, not only to themselves, but to the society, to look after their political rights. In answer to complaints about the non-completion of roads on certain estates, Mr. Witirrivoiteas stated that the committee had it in serious consideration, whether it would not be better to delay the distribution of the estates until the roads, rte. were completed. The other course had been hither"; adopted, owing to the natural anxiety of members target into possession of their lots. Many members commenced cultivating their lots immediately, without waiting for the formation of roads, and made a profit of the land; but those whose object was to build were naturally desirous to have the roads made as earl? as possible. The CHAIRMAN stated, in answer to a question, that the Woodford estate would probably be allotted in the course of two months. Thanks were voted to the chairman, and the meeting then adjourned. Jvai: EASTERN COUNTIES Ran.wAy.,—At the annual meeting of the Employis Provident Fend of this company, just held, it was stated that the number of members amounted to 603, and that the total balance in hand We.s 1,1371. THE BRITISH EMPIRE MUTUAL FIRE ASSURANCE ' COMPAN Y. The annual meeting of this company took place at 12 o'clock yesterday ; Mr. Lows in the chair. rho fol lowing report was read by the Secrettay " The national system of tire assurance, based upon the mutual principle, founded by this eompaay tire years since, , hss continued up to the present time to meet with un abated prosperity. This system, which gives the security of an assurance against damage by tire to the masses of the population of this country at cost price, fosters the provi. dent habits of the people, by reducing to the lowest point the neeemary outlay. The directors of this company have popularised this principle by the establishing of branch offices and agencies, and the dissemination of information by means of the press, throughout the country ; believing that the principle of Mutual Fire Assurance requires only to be known, and understood generally, to be universally practised. They have also, during the put year, obtained the additional security of a guarantee fund of 200 : 0001., which has been effected, without interfering with the mutual principle upon which the company is founded. It is believed that very large proportion of the property in this country is un insured, affording ample scope for the operations of this company ; and the directors have urged upon the agents and policy holders of the company, earnestly to make known its features to persons not at present assured in a mutual office. With this view, also, nearly two hundred respectable persons have been appointed as additional agents during the past year. The business of the company Das very considerably increased during the past year, and the Imes have been, both in the year and from the commence ment of the company, less than half the premiums received, and it is considered that if the vigorous measures in opera tion for the sate extension of the company's business be ably seconded by the policy holders, still more encouraging »- Silts will appear in the year ensuing. The directors re ported last year that they had applied to government to re move a very onerous tax imposed under the Joint Stock Act, whereby every mutual office bad to pay a registration he of Is. per policy holder, which, seeing that the com pany has issued above 9.00 0 policies, amounted to a coml. 'able yearly sum. The directors are happy to state that, upon these representations, the above tax was removed, and the removal made to apply to all mutual offices, whe ther for fire or for life assurance. And if the suggestions the directors are about offering to government in respect to the partial abolition of the fire insurance duty are equally successful, two great obstacles to the spread of fire insur ance among the moues of the middle and working cluses will have been removed. During the last year 2,016 new policies have been issued by the company, assuring property to the extent of 940,5611., and making the total assurances ' effected 8,782 for 3,664,6811, sterling. The receipts of the put year have been 8,1241. 2s. led ., being—Premiums, 4,1071. 14s. 81. ; duty, 4,0161. 81. 2d. The total receipts frees the commencement of the company—Premiums, 12,3661. 18a. 3d.; duty, 12,4621.21. 21. ; total, 24,8281.00 64. The CHAIRYAN. in !Roving the adoption of the report, imiagratulated the meeting on the prospect which bad at- I Minded the operations of the society, and all those con anted with the office had done everything to insure ene mas. Mr. ISAAC Donser seconded the resolution, which was agreed to alter a short discussion. The proprietors present were unanimous in awarding !edit to the directors and the officers of the company, and la anticipating great advantages from the company. The meeting then separated. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 26, 1853. RAILWAYS. EASTERN Cot NTThS R.4ILWAY. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprie _tors of this company took pine yesterday at the Loudon . D. Wanuisavox, Esq., in the chair. The report, an abstract of which has already appeared in the Express was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in proposing its adoption, stated that it was bis conviction and that of his colleagues in the direc tion, that :the company was now in • state of progressive advancentent,and that if the directors retained the confidence and co-operation of the proprietors, it would—when the va rious new lines and new sources of traffic were opened, which would be next year—soon become one of the must prosperous and beat dividend paying lines in the country. (Cheers.) The motion for the adoption of the report having been put and seconded, Dr. O'lltxv expressed his disappointment that the capi tal account was not closed, and until it was he could have no confidence in any management, nor could he hope for any permanent increase of dividend. Ile thought, consi dering the low price of coke and other items of expense, and the low rate at which money could be borrowed, they ought to have a larger dividend than 64. a share, and until they had he would suggest that a reduction should be made in the chairman's salary—(oh, oh)—and he complained of the increase which during the last half-year had been made to the capital account, upwards of 100,0001. The CHAIRMAN had stated before that, if they desired to p on increasing the traffic, they must add to their capital recount ; but he had promised that • detailed statement should be given of any increase that might take place, and that was done in the accounts, which showed the addition to be not upwards of 100,0001., but 68,8911. A' PROPRIETOR complained of the charge made by the stockbrokers on transferring shares, and said the directors ought to devise some plan for putting an end to those charges, or at all events of reducing them to the rate charged for transferring consols. Mr. Mc LAIIRN entered his usual protest against that por tion of the accounts which referred to the Norfolk Railway. He was glad, however, to find that the loss on that account was not so great as it had been in previous half years. Mr. Box complained that there was no statement in the accounts of the Norfolk share stock on which they had to pay dividend. He repudiated the Norfolk agreement alto• gather, which he said they were not bound by, either legally or morally, inasmuch salt had been altered since it received the consent of the shareholders. He had been informed that to pay 51. a share on the Norfolk share stock took 12,4311,, while the bad only 2331. to pay it with. He un derstood that the Norfolk agreement would close in 1855, and he hoped before that time terms would be made more fair to the Eastern Counties proprietors. The CMALRMAN said the number of Norfolk shares on which they paid dividend was 49,842 201. shares. He con ' sidered it of the greatest importance that they should be on terms of amity with their neighbours, especially with the Norfolk Company. At the proper time he was sure that company (who were carrying out the agreement fairly) would be prepared to arrange terms for mutual working, which should be fair to all 'nein. At present it was impos sible to say what arrangements might be proposed. It was possible that they might include terms of union not only with the Norfolk, but with the Eastern Union, thus bring ime the whole three lines ander one system. He could , only say that the directors were anxious to be upon amicable ' terms with both companies, and would be prepared to deal with them liberally. The lass stated by the hon. proprietor far exceeded the actual amount. Mr. McWu= wished to know what were the arrange ments with the Southend and Tilbury Company. The CiIAIRMAN—They are that we should work the line at a given rate per mile, which hes been fixed under the advice of Mr. Gooch, our locomotive superintendent. The agreement is for ten years, but it is subject to revision. The resolution adopting the report was then put and car ried unanimously, also A resolution altering the bye-laws for the purpose of re quiring 1.4 days' notice of the name of any proprietor who might be put forward as a candidate for a seat in the I direction. - - . VICTORIA DOCKS. Yesterday the annual general meeting of this cram pany was held at the London Tavern. CHARLas Moan!. tax, Esq., took the chair. The following report was read : ' The board of directors have the satisfaction of in forming the shareholders, that the bill introduced by them into parliament, in pursuance of the resolution of the special general meeting, held the 29th October tut, received the royal assent on the 4:h inst. The act as passed gives the company all the powers which the shareholders were recommended at that meeting to apply for. It authorises the purchase of the Steelyard, and the construction of docks and other works to the eastward of the dock now in pro gress, with an entrance from the Thames, at Galleon's Reach. It empowers the company to create 500,0001. of additional capital, and confers additional borrowing powers to the extent of 166,0001. This amount of addi tional share capital exceeds by . 100,0001. the amount of the new shares which have been issued. The balance is sot required for the completion of the company's under taking, as at present designed, and the directors do not pro pose to issue it. But looking to the probable extent of the demand for increased and improved accommodation foe the shipping and commerce of the port of London, and to the means, which the large area of the company's land will afford of furnishing such accommodation, the directors an ticipate, that opportunities of profitably employing a further sum, in addition to the company's present capital and bor rowing powers, will hereafter present themselves, and that the power to issue new shares will then become a source of further profit to the shareholders. The aggregate of the company's parliamentary powers of seising money, stands at present thus:—Old shares, 400,000!.; new ditto, 400,0001. ; extra issue, authorised by act, 100,0001.- 900,0001 Old borrowing powers, 133,000/. ; new ditto, 166,0801.-299,0001. 1,199,0001. The act prolongs and extends the company's powers with respect to the acquisition of land, and allows seven years for the completion of the new works. Looking to the pro bable extent of the company's business, the board have con sidered that it would be very desirable that the line of the North Woolwich Railway should be diverted from its pre sent position crossing the intended site of the entrance Irons the river to a position to the eastward /of the deck. They accordingly entered into an arrangement with the Eastern Counties Railway Company, under which an act has been obtained by that company, empowering them to divert the line of the railway to the eastward of the dock. The old line will be retained as a goods line only, for waggons drawn by horses, under the control and regulations of the Victoria Dock Company ; and in this state it will be useful for the business of the duck. The new line of the railway will be more central and convenient with reference to the enlarged plan of the company's works. Strong representations have been made to the board of the barman which would be procured to the public, and of the profit to be derived to the company, by the construction of vaults under the company's warehouses on the jetties, for the storage of wines, spirits, oil, and other merchandise usually kept in vaults. They have also come to the conclusion that it would be greatly for the in terest of the company to enlarge and improve their ware house accommodation, by the addition of a first floor to the four ranges of warehouses on a single 11100 r, provided in the original plan of the works. They have accordingly ob tained from the company's engineer plans and estimates fur vaults and a Ant floor, extendieg over the whole area of the intended warehouses ; and being informed by him, that the expense of adding the proposed accommodation to the warehouses now in process of construction, will be much smaller than the cost of providing the same amount 01 at commodation at a future time, they have decided im eine ing with the eontractors for their construction at the eagi aeer'e estimates. This will give n acres of warehouse Soor in addition to the t sere. provided in the origimellwalsast. The engineer has represented to the board this* • WNW, basin of 18 acres in extent may be formed in the of the dock nearest to the river at a moderate wet, and that such a basin will greatly improve and extend the 01111111•111odation which the dock will afford to shipping, to steam vessels, and the coal trade; and that hia by thig to a great extent the accommodation for wnee expensive coastractions would be required in the new "Olin to the eastward, it will enable the company to redeem the met of these. The board have agreed with the eentreelith tot Ike addition of this work also to their comma at the engireels estimate. The enlargement of the ecespeay's ung by the creation of the new shares, sad eke purchases and works which have been eliMith have rendered necessary a new arreepensat with the contractors respecting the company's opting of panto lag them a lease of the works. By their origied contract the °Wrath= were booed to accept a bees of Ike dock on terms whisk would have secured to the the share holders 6 lf of per that. es the original share eapital of 400,0 W, with ha surplus proles, provid provided caesium de clared their dstenniastion to great each teeth by the Ist of the present mouth. This atipalatiee eared to athompUsh the object of guaranteeing a hit return on the share segkel as soon as this was increased to 800,0001. It also appeared to the board very desirable to procure a considerable pew longation of the period for granting or declining to grant the lease, in order that the shareholders might have mom time and opportunity for deciding on a question, the bear ings of which might be altered by the new elements intro duced into the plan of the company. With these objects in view, they have stipulated with the contractors in the agreements rendered necessary by the zoodificatioss of, sad additions to, the original contract—That the period, within which the shareholders must elect to grant, or not to great the lease, shall be prolonged to the Ist December, 1864. That if the lease be granted it shall extend to the payment of 6 per cent. on the enlarged capital of 800,0001. with the interest on borrowed money, and equal division of all surplus profits—that all the company's expenditure of every kind shall be included in the total amount, the interest on which is to be thus secured—that 5 per cent. interest shall be paid on calls on both classes of shares during the con striation of the works, as well as upon money received from the shareholders is advance of rails, and that the security to be given to the company for the performance of the stipula tions the lease, shall be increased from 100,0001. to 160,0001. Notice has been given to the holders of the original shares, ' that they may way up their shares in full, if so disposed, receiving 5 per cent. interest on the sum paid in advance. The directors propose to offer the same facility to the holders of the new shares, as soon as they are in a position to do so." Mr. ROYER moved, "That the various arrangements en ', bred into and in progress with the contractors, and detailed in the report, be now approved and confirmed." This having been seconded, was passed unanimoudy. Captain VALLIANT moved, "That the Board of Directors be now reduced to 7, and that 3 constitute a quorum." This was likewise passed. Mr. HAILITIOOD moved the re-election of Mr. A. Ken- ST. ANDREW'S AND QUEBEC RAILWAY. nedy and Mr. T. A. Gibb as members of the board, which The half was agreed t o . ye arty Mr. WILLIAMSON moved that Messrs. Charles Morrison holders of this company-meeting of the Class A share was held yesterday, at the offices, and J. Kenwird be re-elected, and were re-elected accord- 26, l'srliant.:nt-street. I:luxe's EDWAISIts, Esq., was in ingly. the chair. The CHAIRMAN moved the re-election of Mr. Cummins, ft The '4CitnchrtY read the following report : the arglitor, which was carried. , , In presenting their half-yearly report, the directors 'rat adoption of the report was moved by Mr. R. HART- wool : advert to the fact, that railway undertakings in KsNnxDY, which being seconded, was passed unani- Br .tish North America, continue to awaken increased, in mously. t'oest, and that an impetus has been given to this Ouse o f Thanks Laving been voted to the chairman sad board, , enterprise, which bids fair, ono distant period, to ?lace our the meeting adjourned. I British North American Colonies in a high position, both W.—..--. After a vote of thanira to the chairman the meeting I separated. NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION RAILWAY. Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of the share holders was held at the London T Mr. J. MIDDLE TON in the chair. The SECRITARY read the report, which stated, "That at the last ordinary meeting, the directors reported that they would be prepared the next meeting to state the course which they might be advised to propose for adoption with reference to the state of the company. The liabilities of the eseapany, both ascertained and contingent, continued to be a source of anxious consideration with the directors, but no difficulty, it was apprehended, would arise with respect to the ascertained liabilities when the proper time came for liquidating them. The directors had all along entertained the most sanguine expectations, that from the i importance of the district possessed by the line, arrange meats would be made with another company, which, while relieving the shareholders of their liabilities, would also I give the shareholders a return on the capital expended on i the works, but as yet they had failed in securing so de • sirable an end. With regard to the future course of this company, it appeared that one of the three following courses was open for adoption :—First. To bring this company under the provisions of the Railways Abandonment Act. Secondly. To apply to parliament for a new bill, limiting the powers to the making of that portion of the line, already considerably advanced, from Wath to Bedale, seeking powers in the same bill to sell this portion of the line. Thirdly. To await the course of events, with the view of making arrangements for the sale of the line prior to obtaining such an act. Upon the first point, under the best advice the directors could take, they were of opinion that such a course would, in all probability, after discharging the existing render a further call neoessary to defray the heavy expenses such a proceeding would involve. Upon the second point, the directors were advised that the few miles of line from With to Bedale, proposed to be carried out, would be com pleted for a very small sum of money, in addition to the amount already in hand, and adjoining, as it would, the existing railways in that district, they believed that it might be worked with advantage, or might meet with a pur chaser. By this means the capital already expended upon that portion of the line would be made remunerative, and certain of the liabilities be made available. On these grounds, therefore, the directors were of opinion that the adoption of this course would be the most advisable, and they asked therefore for discretionary powers. The direc tors, having regard to the existing financial condition of the company, and of the outstanding claims on its fends, did not deem it prudent at present to make any further spay ' meet to the shusholders by way of interest." The following was the balance-sheet for the half-year ending the 27th of July, 1863: " Dr. To balance, Wth of January last, 15,6211. 61. 9d. ; profit on sale of 5,0001. Consols, 831. ; on account of arrears of call, 1291. Bs. 10d. ; interest and dividends, 1771. Is. 2d.; Wath contract (rents), 171.45. 6d.; transfer fed (in cash), 11. 156—Total, 15,9291. 16s. t. Cr.—By travelling, 801. 19s. ; poetises, stationery, ad vertising, and miscellaneous, 601. 18s. 104. ; solaria, 1301. ; P law charges, 9381.10 e. 9d . interest on calls, 3,1461.3 e. 94. ; balance (Throe per Cent. Consols at 94 cat 9,6621.10 a. ; in Commercial Bank, 2,0061. 12s. 11d. ; hand, 61. Os. 9d.), 11,6741. 3s. 16,9291. 16e." The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report and balance-slisel. In reply to questions from Mr. MAIUMITON, The CHAIRMAN said that, in addition to the capital already expended, the completion of the live or six miles re ferred to would involve an expenditure not exceeding 40,0001., and that oat of the 60,000 shares, about 40,000 were payable shares. The motion was then agreed to. The CHAIRMAN moved a resolution giving the directors discretionary powers to the manner recommended by them selves. This having been seconded, it was moved by Mr. B•xen, and ascended by Mr. BARLOW, that the third coarse men timed in the report, namely, "to wait the coarse of events with the view of making arrangements for the sale of the line prior to obtaining such an act" should be adopted. On a show of hands the amendment was lost. On a second show of hands the original resolution was also rejected. The CHAIRMAN observed that the effect of this decision was that the company must remain in its present position for six months longer. The mating then separated. BRISTOL AND BXETBR RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of shareholders in this undertakin was held yesterday at the White Lion Hotel, , Bristol, , chairman of the company, pre- siding. The usual preliminaries having been disposed of, the Secretary, J. B. Badham, Esq., read the report of the di rectors, as published in the Express of Tuesday last. The cash account, the important features of which have likewise already appeared, was then presented, after which The CHLIIIMAN said, in moving the adoption of the re port he expressed his *cadence to tho ultimate prosperity of the line. Mr. Bairratu, in seconding the motion, bore testimony to the assiduity and care with which the directors had con ducted the business of the company, which in point of genuine prosperity he regarded as standing second to none in the kingdom. SZCCOXBII, one of the auditors, adverted to an allusion in the report to the North Devon Line, and called attention to some remarks of Mr. The, the chairman of the last-named company, as enunciating principles which the directors of the Bristol and Exeter Company would do well to be on their guard against. After a few further ransacks the teporkwas adopted, the dividend of 4i per cent., as recommended in the report, ucclared ; and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. as regards their moral and social advancement. From the far west of Cahads, to the Atlantic, sources of wealth are being developed, which must ultimately find their way into the markets of the werld. To keep pace with this move ment, it is essential that the St. Andrews and Quebec Roil wily should be carried forward with all possible vigour, to its ultimate point of attainment—namely, immediate com mercial intercourse with the great trunk lines which are intended to traverse, through their whole extent, the exten sive and populous districts of Canada and the rich valleys of New Bruasseick —inasmuch as such connexion aff man the only medium for securing a permanent communication be tween the British North American provinces and the parent state. The St. Andrews and Quebec Railway, is a fractional but essential part of the vast enterprise. It is one of its distinguishing features, that it has gained to it self the credit of being first in the field ; it has also become ' an object of increased interest, as it commands the only out let of East and West Canada, through British territory, to the Atlantic. In regard to the result of operations during the pre sent year, the directors are enabled to report that the construc tion of the Railway is steadily progressing towards the completion of the first section of the line. They had, in• deed, hoped to have announced that the line had been par tially opened for traffic ; but the progress of the works having been, up to May last, from causes unforeseen, com partitively slow that event has been unavoidably postponed. One principal cause of delay has arisen from the contractors having, at an early period of their labours, experienced con siderable difficulty in the shipment and transmission of their plant and materials. The last winter in New Bruns wick also was extraordinary in its severity and continuance. In addition to these obstacles, the amount of labour at the command of the contractors was, at the commencement, ex ceedingly limited. In order to carry on the works with any degree of rapidity they found it necessary to obtain ex cavilers and labourers from this country. During the present year upwards of 1,000 persons have been sent oat from England by the contractors. The works are, in cow sequence, now being prosecuted with more vigour. It anticipated that the first 13 miles, to tho point where the railway crosses the Fredericton Road, will now be shortly opened ; that distance, according to the engineer's report, baying been nearly completed and part of it run over by the locomotives. With regard to the remaining portion, the only thing required is the laying down the necessary timber and rails. It will be completed by the time any rolling stock can be got on the spot. In addition to the 13 miles, 18 miles are in a sufficiently forward state to afford the prospect of completion during the present year. The cuttings and embankments, as will be seen by the section, arc in an advanced state. From the number of men ens• pitied on this portion of the line, the contractors contem plate having their locomotives in a very short time at work in the (meet. As soon as the line is opened for passenger traffic up to the paint where it intersects the Fredericton geed, preparations will be made at St. Andrews for de positing lumber and affording accommodation for that and other goods traffic, which will be brought upon the line so won as it is completed to the forest. The traffic arising from the conveyance of log-wood, the demand for which is constantly on the increase, not only in the city of St. John, but likewise at all the eastern ports of Maine and Mama ehusetts, will, it is believed, be considerable. The works have suffered little damage from the effects of severe weather, with the exception of the slopes at Katie' Cove, which slipped in two or three places. These have been made perfect at the expense of the contractors. In the surveying department the directors have to report that a survey has been made, and an excellent location completed to the White Beaver Bradt, a distance of 45 milts, or 23 miles beyond the limits of the contractor's pre sent operations. In addition, considerable improvements have been made in the location of the line, by which great savings will be effected. Not the slightest fears are enter tained that the quantities will be confined within the esti mates. As the undertaking developer itself the paying capabilities of the line become more and more apparent. The contractors have added their testimony on this point, and stated that the further they penetrate into the coantry the more they become convinced of the enormous traffic that must per over the road. The construction of the second section of the line, to the Grand Falls, has engaged the attention of your directors ; but they are unable, at present, to lay before the shareholders &sufficiently digested scheme for extending the operations of the company to that point. The directors feel the vast importance of the mea sure, and will use their utmost endeavours to aid its accom plishment. The line will then join that portion of :be road to be constructed by the government of Canada, sod, at' Quebec, unite with the great line now in course of construc tion by the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada Company. When this is accomplished it will necessarily constitute this undertaking one of the most important of the present age to British North America. The local government have issued further debentures, to the amount of 11,0001., as payment on their shares in the railroad company. It is anticipated that a further call of 21. per share will be shortly made." The following is the balance-sheet to June 30: Payments : Amounts paid on calls in advance, 11,0411. 13s. 10d. ; balance in hand, 2,0111. 135. 6d.; total, 13,0,561. 9s. 4d. Receipts: balance in hand on last account, 5,8901. 8.1.7 d. ; sums paid on calls in advance, 7,1211. Os. 9d.; Mr. Thomp son, 451.; total, 13,0561.95. 4 d. The Clutters...s, in moving the adoption of the report, said he had nothing to add to the information so fully given in the report. He would, however, call atten tion to the unusual circumstance of a letter having been addressed to the shareholders by Captain Short land, R.N., and which having been forwarded to the direc tors, they now laid on the table, and if it was desired it would be read. The letter was accordingly read, and its substance was an account of a visit paid by Captain Shortland, who is stationed on the coast of New Brunswick, to the works which he reported as progressing favourably ; bat the principal point to which the attention of the meet lug was drawn, was an expression of his regret that a bill for 1,0001. drawn by the Colonial Board of Directors, having been protested by the board here, which he said was calcu lated seriously to injure the credit of the company . The CHAIRMAN said the explanation of that circumstance was contained in a letter addressed to Lord Fitzwilliam, the chairman of the company. The letter was read and accounted for the protesting of the bill, by the fact that an authority was given to the Colonial Board to draw for any money required for the works, in erase of emergency only ; but it having been since arranged that the contractors were to be paid in Eng land no such emergency had occurred, and the Colonial Board had only themselves to blame in taking such a step, without the sanction of the Home Board. A SHARRHOLDRI said the explanation was quite satis factory. -•- • • - - - - - The CHAIRMAN said that he wished it to be understood that this was not a question of the credit of the company, but a private question between the Home and Colonial Boards. The report was then adopted, and the meeting separated. DUNDALK AND ENNISKILLEN RAILIVAY. The stated half-yearly meeting of this company will be held on the 30th inst., when the following report will be submitted by the directors : " The directors, In submitting the results of the put half-year's working of the line, have to report that the gross receipts, u compared with the same period of the previous year, have been fully maintained, notwithstanding the low of a portion of the north-cut traffic, caused by the opening of the Belfaat Junction line to rortadown, the comparative results being, viz.:— Su Months to 30th June, To 30th Jane, 1852. 1863. Poseur? Traffic Meteltaadiee and Parcels 1,671 711 .. 1,G38 13 3 The sued care has been taken to equalise the expendi ture of this with the pest haltyears, as shown by the an nexed account. The balance now available. with a slight addition from the reserve fund, will ensble a dividend of six shillings per share to be paid as heretofore. And your directors, in recommending its payment, may here refer to the satisfactory increase of the weekly re ceipts of the current half-year is a guarantee that the surplus to be anticipated will more than counterba lance any deductions now made from the reserved fund. The board have much satisfaction at being enabled to state, that the contract for making the extension of your line from Cutleblayney to Enniskillen, a distance of 43 miles, was fi nally closed in the early part of last month with Mum. Moore and Killen, for a sum of 235,0001., which includes all materials necessary for completion of the line. These parties have agreed to accept payment on terms which are deemed highly satisfactory and advan tageous to the company; and they undertake to have the entire line open throughout at the expiration of the year 1854, in the following sections :—Ballibay, first ; Clones, second; Enniskillen, third. Judging from the vigorous manner in which the works are now being proceeded with, the director' have every reason for relying on having the first section to Ballybay open at Christmas. It is but due to the landowner' in the several districts, to here bear testimony to the friendly spirit and desire to facilitate which they evinced, resulting greatly to the advantage of the com pany, both in point of time and means. The remaining portion of the lands, in the county of Monahan, is also in the contractor's possession ; and the lands throughout the county of Fermanagh will be in their hands by Christmas, so as they may commence that portion of the works early in the ensuing year. The report from the engineer-in chief, hitherto annexed, will more fully set out these arrangements, which, it is hoped, will meet the approval of the shareholders. The negotiations with the Exchequer Loan Commissioners have been brought to a satis ,oool.. factory termination for a knin of at 4 per cent. The suit pending with .he Ulster ltiilway Company (al luded to in previous re port), for cost of alteration of guage on that company's lints, has met with an adverse decision to that contemplated by the directors; the sum lodged in court, and appearing in previous half-year's accounts, has been paid over to the U'Aster Company, and is now finally trans ferred to the cost of construction. The attention of the altar /holders must have been already at tracted by OA attempts of an embryo company (the Bel fast and West of Ireland Company, and its Cavan and Mo naghan branches) to project schemes, which if allowed to ripen, would vitally affect the interests of this company. Your directors have, conaeouently, closely watched, and counteracted throughout these movements, by a timely opposition ; and, they rejoice to state, an effective one. The directors understand that it is the intention to revive this scheme, and it may arise that the shkreholders at a future meeting will have to consider the course which should be I taken by the board in this matte'—whether by an active opposition against the scher.,e, or by the promotion of branch linen to Monaghan and Cavan, in connexion with other companies whose Interests are similarly this i n volved with company. DUBLIN AND BELFAST JUNCTION RAIL IVA The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held in Lublin, on Wednesday; Joax BAHLUW, Esq , chairman of the company presiding. The report of the directors contains the following pas sages Your directors in submitting to their proprietors the accounts of receipt and expenditure of capital, together with &statement of revenue for the halt-year indiog 30th June last, beg to refer to the latter, in which it will be found that the receipts for passengers and merchandise have exceeded those for the corresponding 1.41832 by 6,1921., and have only fallen short of th e re t urns o f th e summer half-year by 5381. The following is a comparative statement of the returns of these two sources of income : -- ------ • June, 18.11. Dec. 1952. JUilf, I 853„ No. Amt. No. Amt. No. Amt. Pareenger, 66,334 £10,799. 90,487, £16,110. 66,173, £14,990. tdereMuuit,4 1,997. 3.30. 3,497,, Totals X 12,795 X 19,575 X:5,9x7 whence it will be seen that the go.sds traffic is steadily in creasing, and it is expected that the great accommodation afforded to this branch of the company's business by the opening of the Boyne viaduct will necessarily increase the receipts of the line. The viaduct, though not yet completed is in a very advanced state ; early in the year tears were entertained that it would not be opened by the time eon traeted for, vie., in May, a period looked forward to with mirth anxiety, as the passage over the Boyne would then be more than usually desirable, on account of the opening of the Exhibition. Under these circumstances the directors caused to be constructed, under the superintendence of tho company's engineers, a temporary roadway, which, though severely tested by the officer appointed by the Railway Commissioners, bore satisfactorily the great weights placed upon it for that purpose ; and the traffic has since June last been conveyed over it. The nett balance to the credit of revenue fur the past year is 16,7631. 15s. 5d., to which is to be added the balance from the previous halt year 4,1901. 8.. 3d. ; making together a sum of 20,934/. 3s. Bd. available for the dividend. Your directors, there fore, recommend that • dividend of It 2s. 6d. per share be declared and paid to the proprietors entitled thereto (that being at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum on the @bares upon which all calls shall have been paid), after which there will remain to be carried to the credit of the current half-year about 2,0001. The bill which your direc tors promoted, and which received the assent of the proprie tors In August last, has in this present Bandon received the royal assent. tinder this act the company are empowered to pay off their ISlOVgages or bonds as they become due, from the funds received from the Dublin and Drogheda Railway Company, in repayment of the expenditure on the Navan branch add to that company. It also coota:ns powers to apply the amount received from that company for interest which accrued on the amount expended on the Navan branch during the period of its construction to the liquidation of interest on the mortgage or bond debts of the company. This will account for the circumstance of the sum of 14,6311. Bs. 84., which last half year appeared as an item in the capital account, being now placed to profit and loss. ' An act of parliament has passed for tile formation of n line of railway from Portadown to Dungannon, and your direc tors have every reason to believe that the works will he commenced forthwith. Proposals have been made to this company to aid in the construction of a line from Dungannon to Omagh, a continuation of the abovementioned, which, when completed, will connect your railway with London ' derry and the north direct. Your directors are disposed to give this project their most favourable consideration, when the proper time arrives. From the report of your engineer in-chief, Sir John Macneill, you will learn that the whole i t of the line is in good working order. In a former report your directors announced their intention of laying down a ►econd roadway on a portion of the line, which is now in progress!, the rails having been purchased previous to the late advance in the price of iron. " • The report, which appeared to give general satisfaction, ' was unanimously adopted; as was also a resolution de claring a dividend at Use rate of 6 per cent. on the paid-up ; capital. INVITATION TO LORD PALMERSTON TO A DINNER AT DERBY—It having been etated that Lord and Lady Palmerston were about to •ieit Melbourne at the latter end of this week, a meeting was called in Derby, on bloodAy last, by circular, signed by the mayor, to elicit expression of opinion as to the desirability of inviting the noble vis count to a public banquet. There were present at the meeting, which was held in the dining-room of the Rapt Hotel, several professional gentlemen and tradesmen of the borough ; and the chair was taken by the mayor, who explained the object of the meeting. After some conver sation a resolution to the effect that the mayor he requested to communicate to Lord Palmerston tke wish of the meet- ing, end to arrange for an interview with the noble lord to appoint • time for the banquet to be held, wax pro posed by 11. Motley, Esq., seconded by 11. F. Oishorne, Esq., and carried unanimously. The meeting then broke up.—Derby Mercury. TESTIMONIAL TO JOHN SADLEIR, ESQ., M.P.— Nearly four hundred shareholders in the London end County Bank have presented their respected chairman, Mr. John Sadleir, M.l'., one of her Majesty's Lords of the Treasury, with three very elegant solid silver candelabra, valued at 630!., as a mark of their admiration of Mr. Sad lier's munificence in contributing the sum of 4,5001. towards founding a provident fund for the officers of the establish ment. The ceremony of the presentation took place at Mr. Sadleir's residence, 11, Oloucsater•square, Hyde-park. It is stated that the National Provincial Bank of England, following the example of the hon. member fur Sligo, has voted the sum of 5001. for the creation of a similar f ool; and other large batikiag establishments in the City intend adopting the same wise and generous policy. FRENCH MERCHANTS AND OCEAN PENNY POST AI:Ht.—There is no correspondence in the civilised world so disproportionately and exorbitantly taxed as that between Great Britain and France. The postage one letter, weigh ing a quarter of an ounce, between London and Paris, is 104.; but if it weigh half an ounce, it is charged ls. 3d. Still in no direction is travelling cheaper than between these two capitals. The railway companies offer to convey a man though as large as Daniel Lambert, from London to Paris for 11. allowing him a week for stopping at different towns on the way in France ; helping him up and down at • dozen stations, and doing for him services which no letter demands at the bands of • Postmaster. But the present charge on twenty letters, weighing in all ten ounces, between London and Paris, 11. ss. This most disproportionate and anoma lous restriction on their correspondence is coining to be felt very sensibly, especially by the commercial communities on both sides of the Channel. As • token of the interest with which the merchants in France regard the efforts to abolish this restriction and establish a universal ocean penny postage, some of the most wealthy and influential houses in Avignon, Marseilles, and ether towns in their vicinity, have subscribed and just sent to London about 400 francs, to aid the move. mein in behalf of the great postal reform. As a proof of their sympathy with a measure which would unite England and Franc more closely in the bonds of goodwill and good neighbourhood, ' and diffuse social happiness throughout the world, this contribution is a generous and welcome gift. SERIALS, &C., BT POST FOR PRUSSIA.—The Post muter-General has issued the following notice : " On and from the lst of September next, printed periodical works, prices current, and commercial lists, sent in the mails be tween the United Kingdom and Prussia, vffi Belgium, will be liable t• the undermentioned reduced rates of postage; the Prussian Post-office having undertaken to collect the Belgian transit postage, which has been heretofore charged in this country. Periodical works, if not exceeding 2 on. in weight, ld. ; if above 2 on. and not exceeding 3 On, 6d. ; if above 3 on. and not exceeding 4 011., Bd. ' • and 2‘.1. for every additional ounce, up to the weight of 16 ounces, be yond which weight no such publications can be forwarded. Three rata will be chargeable, as well on the despatch of periodical works from, as upon their delivery in, the United Kingdom. With respect to prices current and commercial lists, posted in the United Kingdom and addressed to Prussia, they will be forwarded free of postage : they must, however, be stamped as newspapers, and not exceed 2 ots. in weight. Those received in the United Kingdom from Prussia will be liable to • postage of ld. each on delivery." THE LATE DISASTROUS FLOODS IN WALES. — Several inquirin by the authorities of the various counties in South Wales have been held and are pending, relative to the damage sustained and the bridges destroyed in con sequence of the recent severe floods. They appear to have been extraordinary deluges, and as a necessary result, the injury sustained has been very heavy. In the county of Brecon alone 16 bridges have been entirely destroyed, whilst 14 have been materially damaged, UMW, in tact, almost requiring re-building. To put then in repair will cost 3,500!., wtilst in one locality in Radnorshire, near Builth, 1,0001. will be requisite. An immense portion of the road between Merthyr and Brecon had been carried away, and had it not been that the old road, after heavy re pairs, had been available, all traffic must have been stopped. The foundations and abutments of the bridges have been totally destroyed, and in some cases the materials carried so far away as not to be available for a new structure. The suddenness of the flood has been a matter of surprise to all, and the volumes of water were immense. The damage to the crops, hay, gardens, embankments, Cie., has been most disastrous, and no fewer than 30 lives have bees reported to be lost, whilst cattle, sheep, etc., have been swept away in numbers. DEMAND FOR HIGHER WAGES BY LETT/It-PRESS PIUNTERB.—On Wednesday evening a meeting of the as sociated letter-press printers of Manchester was held at the Red Lien Inn, Salford, for the purpose of taking into con sideration whether an advance of wages should not be de manded for men who earn then living as supernumeraries in various printing-offices in that city, more especially news paper offices. A resolution was moved, to the effect that supernumerary labour, after the 12th Sept. next, should be paid for at the rate of id. per hour, being on advance of 1.1. on the present rates ; and that in case the supernumera ries are required to work more than ten hours per day, then they should receive Bd. per hour. The resolution was earned by a majority of 6.3 to 23. The object of this move ment is understoood to be to put an end to the system of labour, which is largely resorted to in some l or rn ra i u nTl r a i l n r hester, and has long been regarded with great jealousy by the compositors who are in regularemployment. HINTS FOR TUE FRIENDS OF EMIGRANTS.—AR those who have friends in America, with whom they cor the pos res rffi n g d c e t a t.connectedhe ,Atlantic, w i t ig norance of which baulks many a ktoel intention, and re quently estranges the most attached relatives and friends. Firstly, a penny stamp requires to be affixed to each journal a oth fe e w r posted to the United States; secondly, if the paper to he ,ofoupgahpterstofo theow transmitted be older tl•an seven days, it is not allowed to be forwarded at the penny rate. All papers posted without the penny stamp, and all p osted with the stamp, but older than seven days, are burned. EASTERN UNION RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company, which was to bo held to-day at Ipswich, is postponed nntil the 9th proximo.