The Express. — London, England, 1851-08-16 00:00:00

%, --- IRELAND. ! almost every other part of civilised Europe. (Hear, bear.) tai for their own purposes, and in order to 1 The evidence was exceedingly painful In that respect, be- on • competition against ourselves. (Hear, bear . -- CUM, as had been well observed, "the devil always found Gentlonen, that was the object for which thew two bills Disittx, At GUST 15. mischief for idle hands to do:" and if something was not were introduced into parliament. The object was not seen The subjoined is a copy of the circular issued by done for the enlightenment of the mho much feared through by:the members of the Commons Committee os Mr. Sharnfon enswford to the Ir ish lusinhersi ins it- that the SAM° well e s would fi nd s, schief enou„th for soon as it aught have been, but ultimately both projects,:as f ... af tti a t w thl s y i effected WI, were rejected by parliament. I 1 powerw cm on j t e a f t . (fo footing t i t ri h il a t..ehui which relations w i si them i with h 1 low them to the conference on tenant right, which i c al on s s i h d e e a r d alil a : e vr x e t, tat t s h .alo a n ttlTe execute . placeo ape it aTi di ng ng m " a l in t :ali a s Will be litld i:s Dubli.t on Wednesday next. 'the of influencing the MUM 4of the people. Ile was very much all our neigh u bo m u y ri conference, it will be perceived, is to be strictly gratified by bearing of the useful results of agricultural in- to be ; we are unfortunately involved in contest with the private : istracton who had gone through the country, and he was Great Northern Company. We hare submitted certain franfosilshum, Holywood, Aug. 8, 1851. i happy to think the information which was given to the points of difference to Mr. Gladstone, a gentleman highly Dear Sir,- -In timpliame with a very general desire ex- i riling generation would be turned to good advantage. qualified for dealing with such a suliject. I could have wished that the terms of reference had been allowed to be pressed by Irish members of parliament, who contour in th e The subsequent speakers were Lord Erne, Lord principle of my Tenant-Right Uill of 1840, that • r ivela i Talbot de Nlalahide Mr. Tort , Mr. Hamilton, M.P., made more general. I can assure you that with our allies, the Midland Company, with which we continue to an on eonference of gentlemen in and out of parliament vow- y c ~..... ‘. j able to the object of that measure should he held at sh• 1 `r. C . ''''P er r. -nr. Ge or g e ltoe, Lord Monk, Sze. ' the best understanding, we have used, and shall eon close of the session, I take the liberty of requesting that if 1 Thu following letter appears in the D.iily Es- ' noise to use, our best endeavours to come to an you agree in this opinion, and it should suit your (olive- . press : arrangement with the Great Northern Company, on a mutually fair and beneficial basis. (Hear, hear.) silence, you will do me the favour to meet me fur the afore- , Sir,—May I request the favour of being allowed to men- With regard to the Great Western Company we continue, said purpose in Dublin, on Wednesday, the 20th of August. ' thin. through your columns, a few particulars of • scene at our 0 clot k, at the Imperial Hotel, fiaeloille-street• The which occurred immediately after the great protestant regret to say, in a state of hostility. But I confess that the failure of the attempted negotiations with that company did specific objects of the contereueu will be, to consider the pre- I meeting in the Round Room of the Rotunda on yesterday not surprise me. (Hear, hear.) . I have watched their case form of the Laudlord and tenant bill to be submitted to I (Wednesday) evening, more particularly as I have not ob- and, seeing that they were disap parliament next session, and the means to be used in the served any mention of the circumstance in the papers ? fts polic for several years, pointed in their own traffic, they could not be Bati. fi ed meantime to procure for the bill the greatest amount of the protestant& who attended the meeting in question were without making un attempt upon that of others. (Hear, public support. It will he understood that the conference peaceably returning homeward, down Saukville street, a is ' . ;T 4 t° meeting...7 l "It de a r sir, Yours large mob assailed them furiously with stones which must he ar . With regard to the Shrewsbury and Birmingham - . l do not know that I need trouble you at any to be u w airietly faithfully, WM:SHARMAN& CRAWFORD. Mr. Crawford, M.P., Mr. A. trFlaherty, Mi'., and led imitations to bage bass previously gathered,as . ihe number of them strewn di* pathway was very great. Meanwhile they continued shouting, groaning, and yelling, determined, at least,to make -• succeed in their effort to do an uproar, if they could not . damage. In is few places collisions occurred between the protestants and their assailants, la which, as may have been I expected, the latter proved themselves perfect adepts in the art of retreating in double quick time; and when the die. Lance between them and the protestant , was somewhat safer, they again poured in volleys of stones upon them. I have reason to Is lieve that a few were hurt, but nut seri ously ; and, on the whole, nothing could exceed the firm ness and manly bearing, as well as moderation, of the men who were thus so wantonly and unprovokedly assailed. The timely arrival of a large body of police scattered the rioters in all directions; one would, however,have expected that a number of them would have been arrested, but I have not heard whether this was the case or not.—Your obeilient servant, HIMMT Cocas, Secretary to the meeting. •Mr. I'. Meagher, have ample be present as guests at the public dinner to be given on Wesbieselav next to Mr. John ILeynolds, by his constituents. The Rresioq 1 , ... , 41 harm: IM a reet•nt occasion Loid Gough offirrel 94,0011 t. for the Killyouxon estate, the property of Colonel Stewart, but the solicitors, the highly respietaloie firm of Messrs. 04tiwn, not do voting that sum sufficient, refuse(' to recommend the commioieners to accept the offer, and the property having boo open for private sale purchasers came forward with oder. to the amount of 1010.010/., at which price it is likely the solo will h. confirm( ol by tl:e commissioners. Bishop ItLeke is among the Itoman catholic prtlatea who have promised to attend the aggregate meeting on Tuesday next. In him letter to the committee he lays: Is reply, I beg to say that the importance of the occasion 'spent:ohs, in my opinion, every crosidr ration of incense nit•nce, and I am then fora determined, with Ood*o. help, to attend. Ilishor Ullathorue writes as follows : Bishop s Ilnuw. Birmingham. Auttn , t 13th, 1451. Gess Beam e—'llaukinot you and the committee of the Catholie • i*ti in for your invitation for me to attend at the great age rgate meeoing ef the CottleolOs of the Vnited Kingdom, on 'I orally nest, I beg resptetfully to say that though I should feel a difficult, in attending, were 1 to he the only Arline from Englund, as my attendance might then west U.. appearance of le log loot the net of an i diviolual, yet, if I tan ascertain that any other English bishop is able to attend, 1 shall then foal it a duty, at whatever personal in rotrenience, to he present at the meeting in compliance with your kind invitation. I have the honour to be, gem tleM..ll. pour faithfol servant,-11. I'LL %Tim ws The billowing letter has been received from Dr. ItiNhop of Ilexham :— ldth August, IS-R.—Gentkinen —I cannot possibly att. nil the agorreeate meeting of the Catl ' in bublin, but I wi-lt y o u every ourcese and log my own name may tot- it In tie other English, bishops alto have already sire. ol the re q uisition. In the meantime believe me, gen t'. men, very iallifullv pours,— If r.x it est The Itoyal lrisli Agricultural Society had their annual dinner last ;eight, the 'Myelin- Royal, Haw kin's-street, being prepared fur the occasion. A muck ounaller dining-hall would, however, have sufficed for the rompony, only about 1.10 persons having wit down to dinner. His Grace the I)uke of Leinster presided ; and aiming; the noblemen and gentlemen present. were the Lord Mayor, the Eitrl of Eine. the lion. 11. King, Lord lw Brim, Lord Talbot de Main hide, the Earl of Clancarty, Lord Nlinick. Lord Naas, Sir George ('olhinrot. Lord Ebrington, Lord Duni°, Colonel lattoutlie, Sir James Stronge, Mr. J. H. Hamilton, M.P., the lion. St. John Butler, Sir It. Kim,', Alderman Roe, Mr. Napes., of lAuglinren, &c. The most important speueli of the evening was that delivered by the Earl of Clancarty. In responding to the- toast of "the Itoval Agricultural Improve. ment Society of Ircland. 4 pmposed by Lord Naas, he took oerusion to refer to the state and prospects of the country. Ilis lordship said:— It had been the task of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland—and 1111 was sorry to say that their , endeavour still was to awaken the dormant energies , amt intelligence of the Irish (armor. They found him (enroll to his prejudices; he was now, he la- 1 mental to say. depressed in a state of absolute de spnnokney. The-c eireunistiones alone sufficed to amount for 1111. try remarkable difference between the state of agrOulturt• here and in the neighbouring island, which bits noble friend beside hint hod alluded to. But he trusted it would be borne in mind that during the hst five years, whilst agriculture boil beta everywhere else pro presring -and perhaps prognsioing more from the f let that Ire land was then in the market to purehase the prosluets of their agriculture fon food for her ;wood,. that emintly had ; been paralysed by the overwhelming tide of difficulty in . which it had been rlunprol. (Hear.) Vain were the en- dtontoours to arrest the progress of famine and pestilence I and of the sufficing of the poor. Every ► remedy that wan applit ol only tendril to swell the tide of ruin which hail overwhelmed the whole country, and especially the r gri cultural populationt, in ome ' , lemon overthrow. (Hear, hear.) In such a state of things it was not to be cepected that agricultural improvement mull have progressed. Ile dial not say that it did INA partially pro 'rem ; he knew there were many iustuttros in wltielt it largely progressed. 1 Ili. , math friend beside him hail poiuti•d tout to hint spots in the neighlsourhool of hi. It use, whirr very valuable eh:toots hod been effected through the practical sppliration of settinge. But viewing tile country generally,he could nut . . - there RAILWAY MEETINGS. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. Company length. Yon are aware that we have entered into a work ing agreement with that company, and we are advised by . a gentleman whom I may call one of the first law authorities in tr. • • • " ' • o the Limb= Act* it working agreement Is mutually binding, and of that agreement we see no reason to repent. (Hear, hear.) I can see nothing in the proceedings of par liament inconsistent with that agreement. (Hear, hear.) The Shrewsbury and Birmingham line was never granted as a competing line to the Mersey ; it was granted in con nexion with the London and Birmingham Company, and when it was granted no person ever dreamt of a competing line to the Mersey. (Hear, hear.) It was a line passing through an opulent and populous district, and it was but fair and right that it should have connexion with the Mersey, but it was never intended or granted as a com peting line with the London and North-Western. (Hear.) Therefore, gentlemen, I am not disposed to think that par liament will allow a competing line against that legitimate traffic case which had been established years ago by the London and North-Western. (Hear.) I am fully per suaded that the principles which Lord Dalhousie laid down are the principles which should govern railway policy. (Hear.) And this, experience (more especially when the capital account was closed) will show, and that the principle of competition was a fallacy as regards railways. (Hear, hear.) The policy should be that of a close and harmonious counexion and union of interests between railways occupy ing the same district. (Hear.) That was the policy which should be supported by parliament, as it was that which would allow them heat to develop the resources of the country, and at the same time leave a fair remuneration for the proprietors—(cheers) —a nd would give the only chance of railway privets being properly supported in this coun try. (Cheers.) I am sure the opposite principle will not answer. It was ridiculous and mere folly to think that a fare of is. Gd. from Leeds to London could continue. (Hear, hear.) There is no advantage in such a competi tion—(cheers)—except that it must lead to combination and to a division of the territory. But to arrive at this re sult, 1 fear it will be necessary to pass through a severe or deal. A great deal of individual ruin and misery will ensue —the public will be ill served—till at last their eyes will be opened to the evils of such a system, and at last parliament will be compelled to do that which it should have done in the first instance, via., sanction arrangements for a division of territory amongst the various lines. (Cheers.) These, gentlemen, are my own opinions, but I believe many of my colleagues go with me. (Cheers.) I know that I am addressing, not only proprietors in this company, but also proprietors iu other Vries, and therefore 1 recommend you not to teat, merely agreeing with what I have said, but that at the meetings of other companies ' you will use your influ ence to impress these convictions if you desire to save the common property front sacrifice. (Hear, hear.) But I know it will take time to make these principles prevail, before the proper course is forced upon the proper quarter. I must, therefore, impress upon you the desirability of keeping up a large reserve, not only as an aid in our finan cial operation, but as being of the greatest importance in arming us for this conflict. (Hear, hear.) Therefore I hope you will not, because there is a temporary increase in our re venue from the Exhibition, ruts away with the idea that we ought to anticipate it larger dividend. ISy adopting this course, and by extending your alliances in the face of the competition which may be before us, you will be doing much and all that you can to neutralise the effects of bad legislation. We have entered into several agreements for the purpose of strengthening our position ; and have established the most intimate and cordial relations with the Midland, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and other companies, in occupying the same district as our own. I am glad to say that abetter feeling is growing up in other quarters, and which we will continue to meet in the same spirit. By such means other companies will do more; by developing their local traffic than by hostile at tempts in parliament, or by competition fur the tunic of this company. Do not think that I wish to alarm you as to the state of your affairs. If you only agree in the policy now recommended, being satisfied with the present dividend, I think there is nothing in our position to discourage us. We have a grout local traffic with 188 stations. These are elements of strength which nothing can materially lessen. With these convictions, I beg of you not to he borne away by state merge which may appear from time to time. There will be competition, and I prepare you for it ; but it will be limi ted. We have been always most anxious to come to terms with different parties on a fair and mutual basis; but I do ' not anticipate arriving at that result without a conflict and trial of strength, fur which we are prepared, and look for your continued support. (Cheers.) The report was then read. We give the document en tire. " A full statement of the accounts for the half-year end ing .filth June last has been placed in the bands of the pro prietors, from which may be derived the following results, as coutpared with the corresponding six months of 18:50: 1%,1. Inetr 4se. rivotwera, palselek, and mail.... A 614.221 Z. 2 1.141 dwelt Met chandise, an. SAW 4.:.1,; IS 17,74 The ordinary half-yearly general meeting of this company took place yesterday at the Easton Terminus ; G. C. GLYN, E-q., in the chair. The meeting was much less numerously attended than areal. ales Stewart, the secre tary, having read the advertisement convening the meeting,' and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed. The CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting in the follow ing terms—Gentleinen, before we proceed to read the report perhaps you will allow me rather more than the usual mea -1 sure of your indulgence on the present occasion, because I feel that the circumstances under which your executive body meet you to day are of no ordinary character; indeed, I may say, we are approaching a crisis in the history of railway affairs. I feel that although it has been our duty at all times freely to communicate and openly to declare to you everything connected with the management of this undertaking, yet, under the existing circumstances in which railway property is placed, it is more than ever incumbent upon us to detail ' to you and to make you acquainted, step by step , with the policy which dictated our line of proceeding, in order that we may either receive from you that confirmation which we expect to receive at your hands, or may learn from you in what respect you differ from us. (Hear, hear.) These are not times, gentlemen, in which there can be the slightest reserve between the executive body and their constituents. But, before I enter upon the important subjects, I am anxious to say a wend or two with reference to the accounts of the past half-year ; and Ido so more especially because I have Leen considerably surprised to find that the accounts which have been placed before the proprietors have not produced that favourable effect on the minds of the public which 1 think they are, on further examine. time, calculated to produce. (Hear, hear.) So far from thinking that the statement of account is of a discouraging character, I am inclined to think that it is the moot satis factory that we have ever presented to you. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) You will bear in mind that in the June half-year we have always had recourse to the reserve fund for the keeping up the dividend. (hear, hear.) The , very principle on which we advocated a reserve fund was that it was necessary to prevent the fluctuation of dividend . which would otherwise occur. Therefore, it is not a matter of surprise to us that we have been obliged this half 'year to do what we have hitherto done ; more espe dolly as we are now paying an increased dividend on a larger amount of capital than we were formerly. Then again it has appeared to me that perhaps the accounts might have caused some disappointment, because the re ecipts are not quite so large as some persons anticipated. The receipts exhibit a very large increase; and if lion. proprietors will reflect fortune moment that the receipts from •. the Exhibition, which are now coming in so largely, did not !operate upon our accounts until the commencement of the month of June, they will perceive that, in point of fact, we have in the past half-year had only one month's extraordi nary receipts. (Hear, hear.) lad me also call your atten- I tion to the feet, because it proceeds as much from you as 'I from us—that in the ant half-year, in conformity with your vote, and a very judicious vote it was, many items ! formerly charged against capital are now charged against revenue : we have charged every item which we properly could against the receipts. (blear, hear.) Although we I have always entertained a doubt whether, in the adminis tration of the affairs of this undertaking, what is technically called the closing of the capital account can ever rigidly be I accomplished, yet we have, in compliance with your wish, closed the capital account. Even the entire of your I lawyer's bills go against revenue. I might detain you with a variety of points connected with the ; accounts, but they are patent on the lace of them, though if any proprietor wishes for explanation, I shall be prep seed to give it at the proper time. I must, however, in connexion with this point, call your attention to the fact, that in preparing for the traffic of the Exhibition, we have necessarily incurred a larger outlay than under ordinary ! circumstances we should have done. Therefore I think saly, say, that within the last tire years, e had been acourse of agricultural impravemeut ; fur there had been altogether wanting during that time evidence of it, which was along to In found in the amelioration of the working classes. Ile hoped, however, that the naming harvest would indicate a change for the better. (Rear.) Ile was sanguine , of the future prosperity of Ireland. They had gone through moth suffering, the recital of which had produced wonder and astonishment ; but he trusted that the chastening hand of Do Divine hail seen fit to afflict this country, would not he ditreganleel. They hail heard the resaurees of I eel Intl often boasted of, and had himself frtquently heard in popular assemblies the Irish peasantry called the first in the world. lie was one of those who believed both thew statements. Ile had pet feet faith in the industrial resources of Ireland, which Ins learned friend, Sir Robert Kane. had w ably placed before the po °id" of this coun try. (Rear, hear.) lie had also faith in the disposition of the Irish peasantry to become the first in the world ; but they should not let those factt rest upon' mere waiertion, they should be established by bring ing them practically to light. A great deal of attention was CAM upon Ireland at this moment. Foreigners, Eng lishmen, Scutchmen, and Americans, talked of investing capital in endeavouring to develop the resources of the country; bat the question was asked why did not the capital flow in. The reason was, because Irishmen, be leaving thew resources untouched themselves, raised a doubt of their reality. (Hear.) Its therefore trusted that in future Irishmen would take the lead in developing the resources of their country, and that they would take agri culture as their commencement. It wan essential to the cataract of their people ; it was essential to their comfort, and would render this country fit to take its proper place in the commerce of the world. (Hear, hear.) In the recent circumstances of the country they had learned a kwon of self-reliance. They had been all ambitious ter 0 , 11:1031111i1.36011 with Americo, and were lately sery . rouch stricken with the idea that the goeeniment would form a pai ket station at Galway. as upon an itulkertitel view of the fact• he thought the) should have done. (f. Hear, hear," and cheers.) Hut they were disappointed. (Hear, hear.) I They were then attacked with the idea that their Ametican patrons would enforce the claims of Ireland ; but were again disappointed. Witte, then were' the, to look F Let' them turn to themselves. (Loud cheers.) Ile rejoiced that that sentiment had met the concurrent, of the meeting. Let them first learn to plough the land, and they would not be lcmg until they p the sea. (Cheers.) N aria, :of Lougharen, in palpation The Royal Dublin Satiety and the sister societies of agriculture in England and Scotland," said he w an proud to see before him so many noblemen and gentlemen connected with the agricultural interests of the country ; but he saw not their dist adents, and he was not surprised at it, fur there was a practical feeling of attliety sad hope among the lower 1 classes of agriculturists, who were watching to see what they could make in the country, and whether they could 'I exist upon the soil upon which they were burn, or should make their way to America. Ile felt that he stood there with that experience (min which it was his duty to say POMO thing to them. (Ile are excuse made that they had not mom present was, that the Crvetal Palace had drawn many away; but in the Crystal Palace, he believed, had been laid the foundation of an enduring good feeling be tween the employer and the employed. (Hear, hear.) The noble Print, Contort, whose health had been drunk, had' shown what could be done not only there, but in smaller booms ou!side, for the benefit of mechanics and agricultural labourers. Ile was proud to my that the individual who now addressed them was able toted' tho labouring clams on I hi. property that he would find them a home, if the WORTS would find them labour. (Hear, hear.) colonel La Toecitz responded to the toast fee the Dublin Satiety, and Mr. Dernroa returned thaskaces be half of the Highland Sudety of Scotland. Lord Haus Grow proposed the health of the Vico-Preei dents, and aid he thought they had Irk soft to spas Out Ireland's wont was over—(hr, hen) —end that retUrning PearmiNi Winn he now cenfidently looked tee. (Hear, hear.) ilea Less had truly remarked that for the renovation et the poogreelty et Ireland the enoblaades et all classes was required. (Hear, hem) White en this subject he might Aimee, en* 'Anna w the mad ad intellectual issprorinent thine,* served on a Puha Laineiso Onandoner eta s Conmena, evident, VIII hsa adt than ell& droned that the cantonal ewe of • boolnsion *op_ is the terms et Inlaid woo on onsignion deo via VW& prevailed in t1,110,1b0 E1.117,A0 EG7,400 that if you fairly consider the account., you may take heart upon them, and rest satisfied, not only that they are made up most minutely with regard to every item and particular, but that they do present a very favourable result of the working of the last ballyear. (Cheers.) Having regard to the effect of closing capital account upon the working expenses, I can assure you we arc ready to submit our account., and our working charges especially, to a comparison with those of any other company similarly placed. I use the words similarly placed because you will find that, with some rare exceptions, there are very few com panies which arc similarly placed. We have ansitteeived a t a period at which we are morally convinced,that if we are to have fair play in the conduct of our business, it is necessary that other companies should also close their capital account.. (Hear, hear.) As long as that source is open to afford the means of carrying on expensive and harassing attacks in parliament and elsewhere; as long as such means of expen diture, hitherto charged to capital, exist, it will be impossi ble tor any fair comparison to be made. (Hear, hear.) Our law expenses appear large, and I will not hold out to you the expectation that they will be 'mailer if these . parliamentary and aggressive attack, are 'to go on. These law charges—l speak generally— have been principally incurred in misting attacks made upon us in parliament. (Hear, hear.) There is one head ' in connexion with the capital account to which I here wile 'to draw your particular attention. I allude to the necessity , for increase of accommodation for the goods traffic. lam happy to redeem the pledge given at the last meeting, and to say we are now able to announce to you that an arrangement ! has been made which will effect this object. I believe you may then look upon your capital account in connexion with the eosin line with the feeling that there does not remain a single important head of expenditure which ha. not been brought under your cognisance, and upon which the capital ! account may not be declared to be closed. I have always ' said. and 1 believe many proprietors will bear me out in the statement, that I am not one of those who believe that :you may carry on this enormous business with what is called an entire closing of the capi tal amount. But this I am prepared to any that if any great accession of expenditure is required to meet the , increase of traffic, it will be the bounden duty of thee:eye ! tive body to come to you—(hear, hear)—to develop to yea what that expenditure is, and to show you what advantages are likely to arise from it; it will then be for you, as men of business, not for us, to vote the amount which is mem sary. Large as the accommodation may appear to be at the camden station, we have found it necessary, with a view to the more economical and speedy despatch of buskins, to arrange for carrying on a portion of our goods business in the heart of the City of London. (Hear, hear.) That is • plan which I have had in view for a considerable time. We have acquired, as you will see by the report, a very spacious and adusieptily adapted building for the transaction of that business in the most convenient position. We are also enabled to state to you that the connexion with it will be • continuous raiiway communication. ((hear, hear.) lam not about to 'peculate at this moment on the saving which we shall effect under this head. I believe, however, that it will be very largely worked out, as the t wfII be by our present experieseed sod aW agents. Now, with reference to our prielitmenemp busiem we have had no bills of our own. neve her - beat sae meestre_ however, in which we were very lash imeweesit—s bIU for conmeting our line with the Barth Weans imam and other railways south of the Thames. Teat was meenehl, and we have the acquired • asset adjoin% to our system. It brinea as fset,== . manicatien with OA the Use. MIS& of the Thema As, however, you w qlWte as abler swede* the advent's, of that as myselk I will not eat longer Atwell upon it. Bat if we have east bad any bills to peemett, we have had ear time oem tee emidoldis edema In conies bye clam agora detemilsr. TUN, 'Mk we Mee Ism Oda wen pameMely semmemere tie lib stile Ong Weil= Beltway Cos•Amuky and dm flesomobrary tkompaay. We may take dims Iligelter the= be WWI eer maim at llinalsolm eras r w rottessisa eat it Ido me ilia teas la die wide MIMS of my praltates gni espeofseet I ever sit ilia seek se itraae aey ellespt r that. It was detest to ho eilwati it lb itelime• (Hoar, hosza ii l: vet • poopsed err weft Me gm Me to ;mil ogees el our opal, sad • eeesidwoblo mewl et 'meted It boo bier* anal tleaseelve of Working expenses £l;;,4-9 £415,420 £14,502 The actual per tentage of disbursements to receipts is, ex clusive of rates and taxes, 31.99 against 33.99 in 13.50, and inclusive of those items 38.99 against 38.31 in ttoo. Besides the expenses attendant upon the working and maintenance of .52f additional mileage, via. .—ltugby and Stamford, 271, opened 19th April and Ist June, 18.0; Coventry and Nun eaton, RI, opened 2nd September, 11430; ,Itughy and Lea mington, 1.1, opened Ist March, 18.31—the ordinary expert- diture in the locomotive department, during the half-year, has been increased to a considerable extent by the measures , adopted in anticipation of the Exhibition tra f f i c, of which I the company are now deriving the benefit, to an extent which fully justifies that expenditure ; the receipts fur the first six weeks of the current half-year exceeding the receipts of 18.50 by 88001. The closing of the capital account, ex cept for specified items formerly stated to the proprietors, has thrown upon revenue a variety of expenses necessarily incurred for additions and improvements, and wide amount in the aggregate to a considerable sum. These eir eumstances will explain the apparent disproportion between the increiue of receipts and working expenses. The East and West India Dock Junction Railway is now in operation for passenger traffic from the junction at Camden Station to Fenchuretestrect. The result, so far, has proved highly satisfactory. The line will be used fur the transit of goods so soon as the arrangements now in progress at the termini are completed. Parliament has sanctioned the construction of a short line to connect the Blackwell Railway with the extensive warehouses at Haydon-square, formerly the property of the East India Company, and this branch will be immediately proceeded with. Looking at the posi tion and extent of these warehouses, situate in the most central part of the city of London, and containing upwards of six acres of flooring, it is impossible to over-estimate their importance, as bearieg upon the further develop. mint of your merchandise traffic; and the directors have great satisfaction in submitting to the proprietors the terms of the arrangement, by which they have obtained the option of purchasing these warehouses; as also the agree ment with the Blackwell Railway Company, by which the transmission of the traffic over that line is secured on terms equitable and mutually advantageous. The estimated cost of the Haydon.square warehouses, together with the neces sary alterations, approaches, Ste, is: For the buildings, 25,0001. ; for the alterations, machinery, &c., 11.1,0001.; foe the approaches, 5,0001. ; tots., 4.5,0091. Parliament has rsig• sanctioned the North and South Junction Railway, eihisli will connect the line of this company near Willa. Aft. with that of the London and South Western Company near Brantford, and so afford uninterrupted communication between the manufacturing districts, and all points south of the Thames, and the port of Southamp ton. The Rugby and Leamington line was opened on the Ist March, and the remaining portion of the Rugby and Stamford line on the 2nd June last. Your directors have to report that the Buckinghamshire lines of railway having been completed the lease of that undertaking to this company has been prepared in conformity with the act of parliament, and duly executed by both companies. The questions in difference between this company and the North Staffordshire have been referred to the arbitration of the Rt.Hon.Ju. Stuart Wortley, M.P., Recorder of London, and his judgment on most of them has been obtained. That the North Staffordshire board should publicly express dis satisfaction with a decision so sought and obtained, is a matter of regret to your directors, who, however, are still ready and desirous to meet every just expectation of the North Staffordshire board, and to co-operate with them by every means calculated to encourage the traffic of the dis trict occupied by that undertaking. Adverting to the pro- I ceedings of the Great Western Company, as particularly alluded to in February last, your directors have now to report that that company introduced into parliament a bill seeking compulsory powers of access to the new station of , this company in Birmingham. The professed object of the measure was to satisfy the requirement of an act passed in a previous session of parliament, and on this representation the bill was sanctioned by a committee of the House of Commas. Subseqseetly, however, on a bill promoted by the Shrewsbury and Birmingham directors coming before the same seeiraities, the true beaming of the scheme, and the oiliest of the parties , were made evidest, and in the smallest of the Hesse of Lords tie simian was defeated by an unanimous derision. Shaultaisewady with this bill promoted by the Great Western Company, the directors of ; the Shrewsbury sad Birmingham 'composted a bill for the Mewed °keel of ceassoling their hoe with that of the Bit- minglnunandOxforabymeansoftheprepogalChwatWastan .• ROD iinteittgence. Branch, and also of having their powers over the Stour expired , and that they bad accordingly ceased to have any the Birmingham, Dudley, and Wolverhampton Railway had ' Valley lirie extended for hostile purposes, in violation of the corporate rights. Ile did not speak with any certainty, but COURT OF RANKRUPTCY.—YEsir clearest engagetnent to the contrary. Your directors have he believed that the statement would be found accurate. .atity. the satisfaction to state that their opposition to this Mr. LOCKE hail also understood that this was the case. Biavas Ma. taearnialorm PONIIIAIMVIL D•tab! Gideon, descrihet ix l as ke u ti el l o i :1 1: ::: 1 r, slopseller, sod ea.., unjustifiable proceeding was also successful, parliament re- The groat receipts front merchandise, during the half-y c ez 'lbis was the last examination meeting in the es , f fn s to sanction measures manifestly unjust, end attended ending June 30, were 472,8251., less agents' expenaes of I , a its danger to the public. The biased abstain front entering leetion deal lry 870001. It was generally belie f red the , d ' carte.,•n houseman, of the Minorivs, and of I.7xlwidge. Th.. I„ L „, ,-- at begs Into the circumstances under which the Oxford, a good might be saved in the vx i a.awa u —'- sheet , prepared by Mr. Maynard, of Bread•strect "i . a .- Worcester, and Wolverhampton directors have failed to carry , —(hear)—but, as ho understood the matter was about to un. . over 17 months prior to the lath of May last, an a l i t u n ' - ' . - . . family and personal ditto, 9V. ' : d '' is .. r oppstsition l' 't ' il ' l the , the followiag items : To creditors, 3,689/. ; t o j:i.: - T r ,''' : trustees, 3311. ,• liabilites , 3171. By cash and bal., ' w a s . out the arrangementsought by theinseves and unanimously - dergorevisionandreconsideration,hewouldnotfurtherallud: Property, 9771. ; good debtors, 11191. ; lenses, su. • tr i' approved and adopted by the general meeting of their pro- to this subject, and thould be glad to leave it in the hands f pnetors, held on the 28th February last. I our directors the board. In the part he had taken with regard to the - prope arestill of opinion that an alliance such as that proposed ' Audit Bill he was only acting as the delegate of the gentle c e i x e i nT:; the commencement in ; me nccmen t of the account, 341. ' ."" • with this company and the Midland would prove more ad- ' men who represented the various railway boards. He had ly d ' es , roß ,a as a woollen waraliousiann, vaatageoue to the public, and more conducive to the in- nothing whatever to do with the preparation of the bill. In alr. Flews supported the bankrupt. termite of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton pro- committee a party, who fancied it did not go far enough, in- I not s r ,, . ry lte sa tal t . isf f ac or to t ry he . a. th ss e ign i ersailt dt ha e t . the Ilettlitiltg w., prittors, than the arrangement subsequently offered by the sorted a provision relative to the taxing of lawyers.' bills. g n" reat extent uurouched, but us they were im ito n ri iy 'in'' t ": Great Western Compauy ; and a committee of proprietors That brought down the whole of the lawyers upon it— ( the bankrupt could reeler , the assignets P wer 4 . :1 - ; th.' .1 1 %; having been appointed to consider the question, your , laugh)—who madea most successful canvaas against the bill ' , I allow him to pose, and to reserve dui directors have little doubt that they will arrive at this ob- . and threw it out by a slender majority of six. That was the sinus conclusion ; and that tha Oxford, Worcester, and . great, and almost the only reason, why the bill woe lost Wolverhampton company will adhere to their intention Another circumstance—little creditable to certain parties— I cerT”tw!,:abaatei:cmkcorueerdtpitrilgit of connecting themselves with this company and the was that, although members of railway boards which had a and hail warehouse; in Gresham-street. f o-day was appointed the the last er inati I Is Ite JAMES MURRAY. Midland. In consequence of the continued refusal on : appointed the delegates to frame the bill, they had opposed Played them in ano , to the volunlinoUi nature of the accounts, an adjourlin, i the part of the Great Western Company to enter into it in parliament ; a circumstance which friendly arrangements on fair terms, your directors have invidious position to their own clients. It was right t . entertained propositions made to them by several existing : state that the Railway Audit Bill had not a more deter- l WI. but 'is :lig interests connected with the mineral district of South ; mined adherent or better supporter than their chairman I w ai n :. Butler, accountant, liminglialatreet. asked for. , \Vales. The subject isreceiving the mature deliberationof the I (Mr. Gly n ), and he was only sorry that his confidence The following is the statement of the a ff • board, who have, pending the datision of the Oxford, Wor- " appeared to be a little weakened in the passing of a ma- airs lir . 21r center, and Wolverhampton Company, ordered the neces- sure next session. Ile (Mr. Locke) was, however, again I the. nary surveys to be made with a view to a continuation of ready to respond to the calls of the railway proprietaries, I . the Buckinghamshire lines to Worcester and Cheltenham. if they thought it right that the bill should be again taken A line from Worcester to Hereford is being actively pro- up. (Hear, hear.) 'noted by the landowners and other influential parties con- The CHAllial AN had supported the Railway Audit fleeted with that district. From Hereford to Abergavenny Bill brought forward by his hon. friend, because he had there is a line on the narrow gauge already sanctioned by considered that the railway companies were under a pledge parliament, so that by this chain, when completed, the to Lord J. Russell to bring forward and pass, if possible, whole system of the London and North Western and Mid- some such bill as that brought forward by Mr. Labouchere, land Railways will be brought into direct communication it the government bill were withdrawn. He could confirm with the important mineral district of South Wales, and the statement, that his hon. friend (Mr. Locke) was only with the city of Bristol. With the Shrewsbagg and Bir- acting as the organ of the delegates of the railway interests. mingham Company an agreement has been made, oilcan- Capt. IRISH said an erroneous impression was abroad, tageoue to both parties ; but the Shrewsbury and that the agents of the company were deriving large profits Birmingham direeturs have not yet signified their from the 97,0001. which appeared as agents' ellltliSei of intention to give effect to it; they having subsequently en- collection and delivery. The agents derived no profit what tercel into an arrangement with the Great Western Company. ever from thi n s expendnonditureand, winch incltionsuded theth hare expenseHe Your directors trust that, on more mature consideration, of cartage i Lo at 90 sta on liue. the Shrewsbury and Birmingham directors will see fit to was now engaged, under the direction of is select corn concur in the views of the majority of the bona-fide share- mittee, in negotiations for a somewhat different system, the holders, who are anxious to abide by the prior agreement effect of which, he trusted, would be to save 10,0u0/. a year made with this company. The Stour Valley line and the to the company. (Hear, hear.) By the East and West Birmingham extentain are nearly completed, and will be India Dock line a large economy had been produced, and ready for opening in October. Contracts have been entered this item in future would, he hoped, wear a very dif into fur the erection of the permanent central station in fermi aspect. lie should be sorry if it were thought, Birmingham ;in the mean time a temporary station will be however, that any extravagance prevailed under the pre immediately constructed. The directors have entered into sent system, which had auswered the expectations of the an arrangement with the lessee of the South Stafford- directors. shire Railway, which will effect a more economi- Mr. LEACH, M.P., had opposed the Railway Audit cal working of the traffic of that district. The di. Bill because he believed it to be must mischievous. (Hear.) rectors regret that the altered policy of the Great 'The auditors of the present company had of their own Northern Board, in refusing to adhere to the motion carried out a system of audit which rendered it principle of equal charges between all points with which impossible there should be any misappropriation of the the several companies coinmunicate, has led, st ,, an i nev is eompauy's funds. (Hear, hear.) They had dune well table consequ net, to an injurious reduction of rates. Y our to employ in addition a professional accountant, Mr. directors have spared no effort to avoid this unfortunate re. Coleman, who had maintained a continuous audit of his suit, end have ofkred, in conjunction with the Midland di- own, not following the entries of the officers of the corn. rectors, to leave the whole questions in difference, as also puny, and by which any error would be discovered. He the basis of a more general settlement, to a referee of high congratulated the shareholders that they hail the power standing and authority. Your directors have the satisfac • in their own hands to make the audit of their accounts as Lion of reporting the continuance of friendly relations with perfect as if it were iu the hands of the government. ' the Lancashire Auld Yorkshire, the Midland, the Munches- ilicart) t,er,Sht ttield and Lincolnshire, and other companies whose A PROPRIETOR did not believe they would ever get a liaes communicate with yours. The result of the experience railway audit bill from railway directors that was worth a which the (lir:eters have hail in the operation of these traffic penny. Ile maintained that the auditors ought to have a arrangements, satisfies them of their value to the public and controlling power over the expenditure of the directors. the compauks interested, and they will endeavour to extend The CHAIRMAN moved that the report of the directors and eonailidate them so as still further to identify the corn- be received and adopted. moo interests involved. The motion was carried unanimously. From the statement of the last half-year's The CHAIRMAN then moved that a dividend at the rate accounts, it will be seen that the net of 51 per cent. per annum be paid, in conformity with the proceeds are To which must be ridded the balance Mr. PUNCHER moved as an amendment that a dividend carried forward from last account which would leave u surplus of la a,OOO/. fur the next half year. 1 he motion, not having been seconded, fell to the ground. A resolution declaring the forfeiture of certain shares having been put from the chair aud pasted, The CHAIRMAN said that, independently of any act of parliament, it was proposed that there should be every year a committee of propnetors, selected by the general body who should appoint the auditors. It was better that the proposal to appoint these gentlemen should come from the To creditors unsecured Lfabititirw Creiit , rx beldieg security Liabilities to creditors italting sesseity. By awn Moat debts Propel ty pollinated to resin, Property in h,, d 4 Id creditors t5,Y.•1 12 7 , t . :!.111 t. C:13,:.2 6 4 : 12 ! . J j 101 4 11 r. Linklatcr are solicitors to the fiat. was adjourned until November. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD CIRCUIT.-GLOrCESTER, Ai OC,T Civil. 1.11511.--(l4rrout Ma. JrIi TICE BIGNI:LL r. TIIT: (iItLAT WWITY.IIN RAILWAY Co Mr. Serpant Allen and Mr. Gray 'am! eoun•el :;.1 plaintiff, and Mr. Keating and Mr. Phip.on tor dekndonts. This was an action to recover compensation for tit, neglect of the defendants in omitting to forward belonging to the plaintiff from Paddington to , within a reasonable time, whereby the plainti ff het th • of the pigs at Gloucester fair and incurred sundry,xpa It appeared that the plaintiff took the pigs to the compa station at Paddington between 5 and G ti t+ ek ,ai a Fr evening, being the day before Gloucester fai7, what time the goods train went to Gloucester and was told by the clerk at the (dike that the 'mu_ 10.0, and that it would arrive in Gloucester lo tae, hours of 7 and S in the morning. The pigs w, ...• into a pen, and a paper was given to the idaiaii taining the terms upon which cattle and goods a r sued by the company. This paper was a lute authority for the loading porter to loadthepigs, amt . . at ui;!it, . r said by the company that the course of busirie;was . sender of cattle to sign the paper, and to get it etc!: at the entice for a receipt. 1 Ins emir.° was not follou this instance. The plaintiff exchanged this paper receipt, but did not sign it, and one question which arose was, whether he had contracted with the co, that the pig, should be curried on the terms mention. the back of the above paper, ono of which was that th pasty should not be liable for the delay or detention arising from any canoe. The receipt given in cxrhw. it did not end:On that stipulation, and it was cooled the plaintiff that he was not hound by the coedit on. the back of the paper. For the defendants it ais that the plaintiff had frequently sent cattle by the • in veyance on former occasions, on which he lia.l size similar paper containing the conditions in question. 4111 therefore well acquainted with its contents. The fast: that the pigs were not forwarded by the train a: aI. at ill. 1. but by one which left Patttlingnm at 12 night, and in consequence they did no arrive at Wow until after the fair was over. The defend ints fort in e tended that there was no negligence in fact, as th.• train was loaded with goods that had arrived at •ii. st before the plaintiff's pigs, and a good deal of vvi.l.•ite adduced to show the system of forming and diapatehia goods train, and to show that the pigs could not hay.• sent by the earlier train, and that under the c;re•inest it was reasonable to send them by the second. The learned judge lett it to the jury to say ale tie plaintiff had agreed that the pigs slwuld be st tt! • terms of the printed paper given to the a pigs were delivered to the company, and if iii sv't• fact, under the circumstances of the case, the pigs forwarded within a reasonable time. The jury found both these questions in the ro gave a verdict for the plaintiff for The next case was tried by a common jury. 6i1,38416 6 Lew—Further allowance for renewal of rails and addition. to the works, stock, end estate Showing a disposable balance of C6.12,392 10 11 The directors recommend a dividend if 21. lis. per cent. for the six month., amounting to 528,315/. 34. Gd., leaving a balance of 121,077/. 7s. 54.1. to be carried to the next half ' yearly account. —GEOßGE Canit GLYN, Chairman. — Easton Station, August Id, 1841." The accounts, which have already been given in the E, ress, were taken as read. Discussion having been invited by the CItAIR74AN, Mr. C VCROIT said that the amount of loans on the de lbentures issued by the company was 9,G31,561/., of which 3,138,0211. was at o per cent., and 317,900/. at 4 f per cent. If the interest on these debentures could be retuned to 4 per cent., a saving of 11,0001. or 10,0001. would be effected. Ile suggested that no further call should be made until the whole of the calls in arrear were paid up, and also that a copy of the report sbould be distributed with the accounts a few days prior to the meeting. The CHAIRMAN—The reduction of the five per cent. mortgage debt was already very considerable. It stood, on the Ist January, 1810, at 5,702,0001. It now stood at 2,886,812/. (Rear, hear.) lie need scarcely assure the huu. pamaletur taut when the debentures fell due—and, of course, there was no opportunity of reducing them but when they did fall due—the system of reduction would lw immediately acted on—(hear)—at present they were not renewing any at a higher rate than 32 per cent. With regard to the arrears on certain calls, lie could not agree on the expediency of the course suggested by the lion. proprietor, all arrears paid 5 per cent ; and, there fore, they were not a very bail investment. (Hear, hear.) Wits respect to seudiug out the report before the day of the general meeting, he could say nothing but what he hail said before. The question had been often brought forward, though never as a substantive motion. lie had heard nothing to alter the opinion which he had formerly ex pressed. lie believed that great inconvenience would re sult from a departure from thepresent plan. (Hear, hear.) Practically, it was quite impossible to hare the report ready befure the day of the meeting. They had to bring up business to the last moment; and, fur instance, on the pre vious day a matter haduceurred which it was necessary to refer to in the report. The CHAIRMAN then (in answer to Mr. Hadle y, of Birmingham) said the directors hoped to have a dividend !soon from the East and West India Duck line. The directors of that company were in high spirits at their re r turns. They took 1,500/. last week, and he looked forward to having a respectable dividend upon their 400,000/. be fore long. The item fur law expenses, parliamentary and other business, of 0,671/. was up to December 31, and did nut include the parliamentary outlay . of the session just ended. The arrangement alluded to in a prior report as having been entered into with the Great Northern Railway Company referred to the district north, and nut south of York. That arrangement still existed. Mr. WILLIAMS complained that the branch banks of Englund re-issued the light gold that had been paid in to them, and suggested that all the light gold paid into the banks by the company should be clipped, so that it might Dot be re-issued. The railway paid fur this light gold mire, anal they ought nut to pay upon it again. (Hear.) It would only take a week to clip it. The CHAIRMAN said that the hon. proprietor had made a similar suggestion before. Considerable expense had been Meant(' n obtaining scales in order that the gull might be weighed, but it could not bs done in consequence of the pressure upon the clerks at the last moment. Mr. Williams must undertake to do the clipping himself. It was illegal, and theeetbre Mr. Williams would not ask any one else to do it. (A laugh.) Only the agents of the Mint, viz., the Bank of Eugland, could clip the coinage. In order to avoid the re-issue of light gold he (Mr. Glyn) hail sug gested that it should be made up in bags, sealed, and sent di rect to the Bank of Eagl md. Phis course was adopted, and there was therefore no chance of its re-issue, fur he did not believe the Bank of England re-issued light gold that had been paid into it. The c 'um.: to be taken was to move the Chancellor of the Exchequer to get the Bask of Englund, as agents of the Mint, to send all tho light sovereigns fur recoinage, and that an alluwance should be made by the country for this receivage. If that wire dune every year the expense would not be great, but when it was put uhf fur half a century the charge upon the country would be ter rific, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer fur the time being always evaded it. Mr. HADLEY said it appeared that during the last six months the large sum of 1,606,0801. had been borrowed or renewed at 4 per cent. Other companies who stoud in a much worse position than this could borrow at 4 per cent. Having so large a reserve fund, he was rather surprised that it should be accessary to renew so large a sum at 4 per cent. proprietors. Mr. CIEM2II proposed " that Mr. W. Rutson, Newby Wiske; Mr. 0. Ilvaltield, Manchester; Captain T. Porter, R.N.; Mr. James James, Birmingham; and Mr. James Rylcy, Liverpool; he the audit eurumittee for the ensuing ear The motion was carried; and, after a vote of thinks to the chairman, the nwetiag broke up. LEEDS AND BRADFORD RAILWAY.—The half yearly meeting of this company, "tor the general purposes of business," was held at the Court-house, Leeds, at noon yesterday; Johan Waddinghain, Esq., chairman of the tympany, presiding. The report stated that the bill authorising the Midland Company to acquire this com pany's estate and interest in the Leeds and Bradford Railway (which met with your unanimous approval in February last), receives! the royal assent on the 2 Ith ofJ uly last. The Midland Company is thereby empowered to raise and pay over to this company I ,rioo,oool. (which is equivalent to MI. for each Leeds and Bradford share), they giving to this company at least three months' notice of the day of payment, and completing the purchase on the day named in such notice, which must not be later than the 24th of July, ISSI, when the power ceases. Your direc tors have also to report, that on the 3rd of July last, the royal assent was given to a bill for regulating and increas ing the capital of the Midland Company. This act recites that in pursuance of the covenants of the lease, certain parts of the capital of the Midland Company had been applied towards the completion of the Leeds and Bradford Railway; and enacts that such application of capital be ratified and confirmed, and that it shall be lawful for the Midland Company to apply the moneys received and to be received from their MIL shares in the completion of the Leeds and Bradford Railway, and the performance of the covenants of the lease Since the last half-yearly meeting the Midland Company have paid 3.5,0001. in reduction of the outstanding debts of this company, and your directors hold a resolution of the Midland board engaging to pay to thiscompany in the course of the next three months a sum sufficient to discharge the remaining liabilities. Your direc tors have to recommend that the usual dividend of 2L Ms. per share, less income tax, be declared, payable on the 21st instant."—The chairman said he did nut know that he could add anything to the information contained in the report, a copy of which would be sent to each shareholder. The proprietors would have been previously aware that the purchase bill had passed the legislature, and that the Mid land Company, in settling their capital, had ratified the terms for the completion of this railway. It was also stated in the report that the Leeds and Bradford Company had received 3.5,000/. towards the liquidation of their outstand ing debts, leaving perhaps 60,0001. still to be paid, which the Midland Company had agreed to pay within three months of the passing of the act; so that lie hoped they would get out of debt very soon; and they were very anxious to have all these liabilities discharged. lie moved that the report be printed and circulated amongst the shareholders. This having been carried, a dividend of 21. 10s. per share, less income tax, for the half-year, was declared payable on the 21st August inst. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the business. eItORS OatitT. It. 1,A11,0;1 THE LATE DILETAL OETHAOE ON A 101%1' FOILEAT UT DEAN. R. Rear ' 21, J. James, 18, U. (:hurler,, T. 21, and I'. James, 20, colliers in the Fort 4 of IL indicted for having committed a rape on Mar:. in the night of Tuesday, the 29th of July, at Ilk Lydney. Mr. IluddleAton conducted the prosecution: Cooke the defence. 'This case was peculiar in its atrocity. Tim an Irishwoman ' about 3i years of age, and not sumo, who had left Ireland seven years ago, aid :OA .1 , a servant for some time in London, and lately w• •••••••11*. Cardiff and Bristol to look alter a brother, who de a was at work on some of the new liaes of raj,* •••.4 earned her bread as she went along by ...emcee , - e•.e..••.; at needlework for the country people, And oeca-• •.ly haymaking, was going from Chepstow to Gloucestei...i. !la; 21th of July, and, after leaving Caleford, about t........... passed through the skirts of the Forest of Beau '‘y ,- road, which would bring her directly iota the is co She was very weak sod ill, and, not knowing her a iv-, es benighted in the forest, and went towards a tire. e1...•1 turned out to be a the in an upon, uncover d h.... I, near the mouth of a cualpit. Tired and weary. and •s -hausted by cold and travel and hunger, she. lay down is a the lire, and in a short time two of the prisoners tam , ••• 14 spoke to her, and she told them site was very iii, and as:A them for a drink of water. Tiny desired her to public house called the Nag's head, about len yards A. t. d ing her that she would there get water in the yard. see up and struggled to the yard, but could find no eat: Met and being a stranger without money she did wit a..' I' so into the house, end turned back towards the lire. On her way she met two men and a woinau, and told them she e as ill, and wanted a drink of water. They said it she •sent down the road she would get some water. S:.e tunad about, and was going down, when Kear came al. , l're' tended to have compassion WI her. put a shawl rowel he f neck to protect her, as he said, from the cold, and told far if sho went back he would bring her sum: sate. Believing that lie was a decent man who pitied her, sir were: back to the tire and sat down, and Kear soon came up with another man who brought the water in a pitcher. It ap peared that that was a club night at the Nag's Heel, and number of colliers were drinking there. " Me watt r came," said the prosecutrix, " I da ank thret drinks, and thorn was another drink, and I asked them not to throw it away, and they took it and put it near the tire, mill I went and 'at near the fire. When I drank the water they all Male 411.11 t me, and asked if I was better alter the water. I was frighten . d and said, " No." Kear then said, " There is a house her. ; I am the master of it; I have the key in my pocket and es body shall interfere with you till mulishly.' I said I weti•il sooner he left at the lire, as 1 was cold and very ill. 'lle a George Charles jumped up and said I should go. I said L could not go ; the morning was near, and I would sooner ...I left at the fire. I saw them whispering. Kear said 1 shou:d go, and I refused as many as twenty times. h. ar m‘ ,l Charles both stood up, and gave orders to the two nen alongside of me to take me into the cabin. One of 6, Al men is James, the other is not here; he is the one s fetched the water. Charles took up a shovel, held it oier my head, and said he would buns me in the lire if I woo 4 not go in, and that there was one burnt there betere • 'Jai another answered and said there was. 'there were tin nine or ten persons there. The men who received 5 ,0 orders then took me in. They did not drag me ill. lett I was taken in as a prisoner between them. There ea' large fire in the cabin, and they set me between them on a form, and George Charles went out and brought in taa shovels of red coals, and put them on a thing like an ovo" Kear opened the door. George Charles, when he petite. a the coals, walked out. Kear stood outside, and wine ace locked the door. James James and the man who tolled the water stopped inside. As soon as the dour was locked ' the man who fetched the water came or. his two ha, $ opposite to me. James James was then sitting by my s . tal and took hold of my arms and put them behind my I , as , e The prosecutrii then detailed her sufferings from mac n'` a in succession. As they were ill-using her, and she was (Tr ing out "murder," she heard those who were qls hut laughing at her. James James acted with pieuar barbarity, inflicting injuries such as were never Ware heard of in a court of justice. Stephens and Thomas JameS acted with a little more mercy towards her than the nst. Only five of the nine men have heen as yet ernst• James James was such a brute that, nut content with the outrages inflicted on her by himself and the other vigilt ruffians, he went to the Nag's llead, and there attemptd_ to rouse up another collier, in order that he, t oo, aught assault her, but who was so drunk that ho could net be. awakened. James James told him of this the nest day, and he new came forward to add this fact in corroberatioa of the prosecutries statement. When the nine fellows aa bad gratified their passions day was dawning, and sheL , scarcely able to move, and she sat up against a f till seven iu the morning, and he would g ive her _ ore and she might lock the door on the in side ; but LI " Id he woe and Kear came in and said she might stop in t t h:eabus y. Charles came in and took up a shove l, and said ‘ an qUil d th me rew if h l im did on no h t road. Thomas Stephens, with three others, came to, m° sod said, Well, missal, whatis the matter with };or. • I said, 'You know well; you have almost killed n.%„ went towards a house, and Stephens said he would ist a lf_m a g . if I went towards the house. I met a woutim. after wardsass went to a hayrick and lay down there, and w •• wards taken to theWestburT-upon-Severn Wartime., The CHAIRMAN—The debentures were renewed on the 15th of January, and he might ask any one whether there was a chance last January of renewing debentures at less than I per cent. (Hear, hear.) The late,t renewals were effected at 31, and that redaction arose, nodoubt, from the high standing of their railway. La reply to Mr. ALCOCK, who wished to know in what manner the interest of the shareholders of the London and North-Western Railway was represented in the East and West India Docks Railway, The CHAIRMAN said the direction was divided between three bodies. The London and North- Western were the largest capitalists, and they had six directors, who were in a minority if the others chose to combine. Ile was told that 100,000 persons were conveyed On, the line last week, and I it was doing as well as it could. Considering the vicinity of • London and the nature of the property, the line was a mar vel in railway expenditure, and reflected great credit on those concerned. The hon. proprietor had only to keep his • shares, and if the directors of that line did not put the tariff of goods too high it would be to the interest of the London and North Western Railway to send as much goods traffic over it as possible. • Mr. BASSETT was understood to approve of the reeom mendation of the chairman, to carry over a surplus from the present half-year, as a means of keeping up the dividend, and defeating the schemes of opposing companies, Mr. LOCKE, M.P., wished to know if the chairman was able to gives good account of the lines in the neighbourhood of Birmingham? He y referredßailway. to the Birmi ng h am , Wolver hampton, Dudle The CH AIRMAN said he hoped the proprieton did not expect from him any very accwate information regarding this line, which did not belong to their company, but was pert of a rival system. Re was inhumed that the powers of CORK AND BANDON ItAiLwAY.—The twelfth ordi nary half yearly meeting of this company took place on Wednesday, at the company's office, South-mall ; Major ikamish in the chair. The attendance of proprietors was numerous. The common seal of the company having been affixed to the register of shareholders, the reports were read. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the docu ments, called attention to the fact that about the 31st July the directors of the company proceeded on an experi. mental trip Irons Cork to Bandon, accomplishing the journey in forty minutes, and thus testing the merits of the line and locomotives. Ausither excursion was ar ranged to take place on the ith August, for which cir culars of invitation had been issued to a large number of persons. All arranvements were made, and the fact that the excursion would take place was notorious to the public as well as to the agents of the contractors. The company's police were in possession of the line ; but on the night of the Gth instant, an outrage was committed by the agents of the contractors which rendered the proposed excursion out of the question. As that outrage was, how ever, at that moment undergoing investigation before a judge of the land and a jury of the county, it would not become'. hint to indulge in any anticipatory observations. (Hear.) He should say this, however, that the outrage was altogether unparalleled in the records of railway construc tion—(hear, bear)—and it was a matter of the utmost sur prise how Messrs. Fox, Henderson, and Co., holding, as they did, debentures to the amount of 45,000/., could have for a moment lent themselves to so insane a proceeding—. proceeding that, as it were, cut the ground from under their own feet. On the part of the company, he might say the directors had dour everything in their power to obviate • litigation. They were ready to enter into any arrange-" ment that might be reasonable and consistent with the safety of the property confided to their stare. They waited up to the last moment, until the judge had gone to court that morning, when all prospect was at an end. • Blame had been attached to their solicitor f or th e p rec ipi- I tonal with which he had acted ; but he (the chairman) I should say that he had acted under the advice of the leading ! counsel of the company, which advice had been subse quently confirmed by most eminent leading counsel. Such , being the state of affairs he would not comment further, • seeing that • few hours would decide the matter. Dr. , Browne inquired what sum was due to Messrs. Fox and Henderson. The Chairman replied about 10,0001. or 12,0001. according to the sworn evidence of Mr. Nixon. Mr. Sara-' • field—lt is reported that we ewe them 30,0001., but we I deny it altogether. The reports being then adopted, the meeting resolved itself into an extraor di nary meeting, and confirmed the forfeiture of 43 shares, as described by a pre vious meeting. The meeting then adopted a resolution, , . declaring 900 shares of 501. each, preferential shares • after , I which the usual votes of thanks to the c h a i rman and dirge ' tors were carried, and the proceedings terminated. - - - THE Arru CROP.—The orchards this Tear are yielding in abundance. There will be plenty of prune cider, and, wa should imagine, at s moderate cast —.Bridgwater Time. THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY ETENING, AUGUST 18, 1851.