The Express. — London, England, 1853-09-01 00:00:00

•• I willingly eontrihut, t t to this collection of arts and sumo Kinn* from ol set of the countries ef Europe, the ob ject, f which was to promote the industei.i an d i„ u a„,, i d ospeovemer. s . *tiny people, awl. ., teas added much to my pessitieetton is revisiting this portion of my duntiniote to nu the complete success of an enterprise which has beets tarried out en a spirit of energy and self-reliance, and with so pactiaiery aid but that provided from the patriotic mu hititer.ce of vac of my Irish subjects." Mr. line and two number' of the committee bad then the k mane ef kissing hands. A singular and rather ludicrous Mei lest causes some eight interruption to this portion of ate t roes 410,4.. A aunten us bevy of lathes had seated stem el round the tau of the great fountain in the nave, in ercit comfort and fenced security, when suddenly the jet began to play, and a g neral rout was the consequence, C.11.1.mg her %jetty to look anxiously towards the spot, an I peelueing • general ezeitement among the company. 'fe. , matt, r was, however, soon explained, and ties address was re 3.i to the conclusion, as was also a similar one to Prince Albert. Mr. Dorgan, who, with his usual modesty, had kept in the rear of the committee, men sot ciaily in euired for by her Majesty, and had a reception of an ally marked and gracious character limiest respectfully kissed bands, her Majesty laid her hand on his sun en I raised him up. a idnesing some observations to him in a tone of friendly conilemension. These marked tokens of royal approbati •a were seen by the whole com pany, and drew forth repeated burro of cheering. A pro ceuion was then formed, headed by the Lord Mayor and the ezecutive committee, attended by Mr. Deane, the secretary, and Mr. Thompson, the general superintendent. Colonel Doyle, adjut set-general, followed, to preserve a sufficient space for her Majesty and Prince Albert, who came neat, then the young Pricers and the royal suite, a brilliant (Kemp of military and naval officers bringing up the rear. lir Majesty walked tepidly along, so that the advanced guard had frequently to be quickened by the cry of " forward" from Colonel Doyle, and having passed through the raw materials department, where the the exhibitors were in attendance, proceeded through the Fine Arts Hall to the Picture Gallery, at the lower end of which the great body of the procession respectfully waited , allowing her Majesty and her immediate suite an undis turbed inspection of the pictures. This gallery, which bears a strong resemblance to the gallery of the Louvre, and is or great extent, evidently gave the Queen a pleasurable sur priee. Her eye was soon attracted by the magnificent col lection of Belgian pictures, before several of which she stopped, calling the attention of the young princes to their beauties. The selection made on tho moment spoke emphatically to her Majesty's taste and judgment. The first piece which attracted the royal attention was a beautiful harvest piece, in the style of Cuyp, and which might well pass for a production of that master, but for it► comparative freshness and modern appearance. lice next pause was made before a picture of great beauty sad ex pression, but full of sad associations for royal minds. It was the portrait of the unhappy Dauphin, son of Louis XVI., in his cell, after the execution of his parents, and surrounded by squalor and wretchedness. Her Majesty pointedly called the attention of the young Princes to this ricture. as if to impress upon them the lesson that even the highest eteasion is not a perfect safeguard from the vicissitudes of fortune. Neither was her Ma. jest] long in discovering the merits of the celebrated Snow piece, one of the gems of the exhibition, nor the grand conception of Danby's Deluge, which fills the louse end ef the room. It will thus be teen that even with the rapid glance afforded by a promenade, her Majesty's quick eye at once distinguished the pictures which form the principal teries of the collection. The second room, containing the splendid gallery of Lord Ward s was rapidly palmed through, and the visitors peseta into the Irish swage:ties department. Here the Queen paused far a moment before a curious relic, called the Shrine of fie Monaghan, and looked inquiringly at one of those singular atom crosses which form &conspicuous feature in the collie tea. This hasty inspection being Enialisd the prow aeon stemmed to the great hall, where the Lord Mayor sad corporation were in waiting, and prassted the city address. --- The Lord Mayor and two senior aldermen bad the honour of basing hands. after which her Majesty rose to depart, and suite, passing slowly down the naive in the same order as they had entered. Previous to leaving the building her Majesty and saite rested for a moment or two in a gorgeous little parlour, which had bees expressly flied up fur the occasion, and which cannot be dismissed without a few wonls of detailed description. It was of tint-like form, composed of amber and white satin in alternate stripes, tastefully festooned with silk cord of the same colours. The Boor was covered with carpeting of the richest description, and the furniture consisted of three or four mag aititent chairs covered in blue satin, conches of the same costly material, and a table of besutiful workmanship. The appearance of the whole was I perfectly regal and elicited the warm approbation of the illustrious visiton. Immediately after the Queen's de parture this little boudoir was absolutely besieged by the ladies, but the door was kept by a gigantic policeman, • perfect Ajax in proportions and surliness, who defied their most beseeching glances as resolutely as his great prototype is recorded to have done the lightning, although with not quite such statuesque poses. It is to be hoped that this stern janitor will relent on future days, or be replaced by • more amps sionate substitute, as there is danger of a perfect female eSesite in Dublin, if the ladies be not permitted to gratify their loyal curiosity. Her Majesty soon proceeded to the caning., and drove a amid the cheering of en im mense crowd outside ; and thus terminated • pageant which will long be remembered in the annals of " Fairs Dublin Previou to the departure of the royal party, Lord Bread*thane intimated to Mr. Alderman Roe that her Majesty had been both pleased and surprised at the dimen ►iou and appearance of the Exhibition, and that the ar rangements had given her entire satisfaction. The cere monial occupied about 2S minutes, during the whole of which time it rained heavily, but the weather cleared up immediately after her Majesty's departure. VISIT TO MR. DAROAN. Her Majesty proceeded at a quarter to five o'clock to visit William Dugan, Esq., at his residence, Mount Anneals. The Hon. Colonel Gordon, equerry in waiting, accompanied them on horseback. The different carriages dashed off at a tepid pace, and proceeded by the direct route towards the park gate. The appearance of the outriders in their scarlet liveries was the signal for the approach of her Majesty, and a number of cars, laden with spectators going in a contrary direction, wheeled round and drove after the royal party. As the carriages proceeded the line of vehicles following Degas to increase, and would have become still larger but for the rapid pace at which the royal carriages were driven. When the royal party had proceeded half way down the leading thoroughfare of the park the rain began to fall heavily. For some time it was thought that the shower would blow over, and her Majesty and the rest of the royal party used inn brellu, bat the rain increasing it was deemed necessary to stop the carriages for the purpose of closing down the tops, which were open up to this time. Pending this proceeding the crowds of cars in the rise began to accumulate, but there waned to be so much anxiety on the part of the people to avoid everything calculated to give the slightest appearance of inconvenience to her Majesty, that immediately on re ceiving a suggestion the large assemblage of conveyances wheeled back in the most perfect order. The carriages having been drawn u► in front of the principal entrance of thekounk the royal party alighted, and her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred were received by Mr. and Mrs. Dugan. The manner of . her Majesty was exceedingly gracious and cour teous, and that of Prince Albert most polite and cordial. Mrs. Dugan having been presented to her Majesty and Prince Albert, by whom she was most warmly and graciously received, the royal party were after a time conducted through the splendid mansion to the lofty tower adjoining, from which they obtained views of Kingston Harbour and the Wicklow Mountains, Houth, and the bay of Dublin, the city and the luxuriant valley of the Liffey. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness expressed their wannest admiration of the scenery. After paying a visit of more than half an hour's duration, her Majesty, the Prince, the royal children, and the rest of the distiaguished party prepared to return, and while the carriages were being brought round the Queen and Prince Albert again entered into familiar conversation with Mr• and Mrs. Dugan, of whom they took leave most graciously on departing for the Viceregal Lodge. In returning the royal party proceeded at a quick pace by the route leading through Kilmainham to the Park, and arrived at the Lodge at shortly after seven o'clock. About 3 o'clock his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accom panied by Colonel Phipps and the Hon. M►jor Ponsonby, visited the public baths and washhouscs. His Royal High ness was received by Sir Edward Borough, Bart., who con ducted him through the building, in which he remained for a quarter of an hour. Hie Royal Highness appeared highly pleased with the arrangemente, and expressed his gratifica tion to dna that the requires:Lents of the public were so well provided for. His Royal Highness, accompanied by Sir Edward THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, BIRMINGHAM BOROUGH PRISON. BIRMINGHAM, WF,oxasia.tv. This inquiry was resumed this morr.,lng. Some of the eviden?e adduced was with the lie ee to contradict the shwa*s of cruelty adduced in Dodson!s ease yesterday. Alfred Wood was a first class w ender in the prison in 1151. He received Hnlson at Vie gaol, and at that time said to him that he was sorry to see he appeared so ill. Was present when he told roe surgeon he Wes unwell. At the time ho came to the gaol he weighed Sat. 9lbs.; when he left he weighed I.t. go,. At that time he apt th pe a a t re h d is ill h a esi nd th th w iu u . the latter made a remark on b N ivi V iv A the prisoner told the surgeon . his paper. The surg• gott was thre? or four minutes ex amining the man, h' it 1 don't remember his feeling his pulse or examining t A A chest, Thomas Freer, ti e thief warder, gave a detailed account on the subject of ' ,) , •ilson's illness sad treatment, and of his attempt to coma- Alt suicide, which the witncei thought was a sham, becaus • he did not see a knot in the handkerchief. lie me " a° e ' :port of this to the governor until the fol lowing morn. ag Capt. Wi' lams—How many hours a day do the prisoners labour in t Wither time th s—Six hours at the crank labour. the longest st Dodson was in the crank cell was nine-mid-a half h. on Ca . A. Williams—Do you regulate the tensity of the crar k s tVitnem—l do. Capt Williams—Then you, in fact, had the sole power of :crtasing the tensity of the crank labour of this prison ? Witness—l had. Capt. Williams—Had you a written authority ? Witness—No. Capt. Williams—How long have you cxercibed that wirer? _ Witness—Ever since 1851. Capt. Williams—When prisoners are left in the crank Al after the usual hours are they in the dark, or lo the gas lighted ? Witness—They are left in the dark. Capt. Williams— Has any prisoner ever been detained in the crank labi.ur cell as late as ten at night ? Witness—Yes. Capt. Williams—Any later ? Witness—l can't recollect. Capt. Williams—Then you must recollect. You are the princip.l warder, and I expect von to say whether prisoners have been kept in the crank cell later than ten o'clock at night. Witnese—They have. In two cue', until h ilf-past 11. Captain Williams—Are there any entries of these things ? Witness—There are not. Captain Williams—What is the average crank weight pat on to a healthy person? Witness—Ten pounds. Captain Williams—Has the surgeon ever altered the tensity to suit the strength of the patient ? Witness—l think not. Captain Williams—How long have you known a prisoner go without his breakfast because he bad not done his first morning work at the crank ? Witness—All the day. Mr. Baly—Then you have known a prisoner go to bcd having had nothing to eat all day ? Witness—There was bread and water given at night. Capt. Williams—Do I understand you that a prisoner was till night without food ? At what hour at night ? Witness—At eleven o'clock ; llb. of bread. Mr. Haly—liow long have you followed this up on one prisoner ? Witness—For three days. Mr. Baly—At what age are boys put to crank labour ? Witness—About twelve, the crank labour being 3 lbs. we ie ht. Mr. Haly—Do those boys frequently go without food all day because they have not done their crank labour ? Witness—Yes ; very frequently. George Harley, formerly a warder in the prison, and in firmary warder at the time Dodsen was discharged, said—On one occasion saw him cleaning his cell. At the time he was so iU that it was necessary he should be supported. Witness as. sisted to put him to bed. The man then said he thought he was dying, and brandy was procured from the surgery. Dodson was at that time so weak that two sips of brandy , and-water appeared to intoxicate him. The next day in was removed to the infirmary. William Costello remembered Dodson coming to his own cell from the crank labour cell. He said that he couldn't do his work. He was unable to eat his food, which fact he (wit ness) reported to the doctor. The prisoner asked fir warm water to dilute his gruel. He was told that none could be allowed. The man always said that he was unwell. He was at the crank five days, and then remained in his oell several days after before he• was taken to the infirmary. Witness remembered his being so ill in bed that he was unable to help himself in any way. The prisoner com plained to hies of being ill. He said he thought his inside was coming from him. He told the governor he was un able to work, on which the latter replied that he hadn't half hard work enough. Thomas Brooks, the night watchman, recollected Dodson being put to the hard-labour crank; the first day he didn't perform his work, and was locked in the cell ; afterwards witness heard him groaning. On going to look with the chief warder the prisoner was lying on the floor immedi ately beneath the hammock iron in the wall, through which there was the prison handkerchief; he was raised and removed to his cell. The next and following days pri soner got worse till he was removed to the infirmary. Capt. Williams—Have you any instructions when a pri soner is ill in the night to call assistance ? Witness—Yes, to call the chief warder. I did call him to Dodson, but he didn't get up, so I gave the man my own eau. Kr. Baly—Then if you had not given him your own mai he wouldn't have had anything. Witness—He would not. Capt. Williams—Have you ever brought up boys twelve yams of age from the dark crank labour cell as late as ten at nip% ? Witness-1 have. Capt. Williams—Suppose a prisoner has completed his work after it is dark, how is he to know it ? Witness—By counting. Chief Commissioner—Then if one of these little Birming ham boys is 3,000 turns behind at the time it is dark, do you expect him to count till he he.. Witness—l have known them do it. Chief Commissiener—At the time you saw the man lying on the floor beneath the handkerchief didn't you think he had been attempting to hang himself ? Witness—That's a pressing question. Chief Commissioner—Did you not believe it, on your oath, that be had been attempting to hang himself ? Witness—Well, it is a pressing question, but I think I did believe he had. Chief Commissioner—Then why not answer before ? You he behaved disgracefully . Here was amen attempt ing to hang himself, and all you warders pretending that it was a sham. William Brown, a warder in charge of the juvenile de. partment, remembered the boy Andrews, who committed suicide coming in to the gaol. He frequently had the strait jacket on, and on all such occasions he made a great noise. When it was being put on the boy screamed " murder " and begged him to take it off. Once he had the jacket on on a Sunday morning in the crank cell. Had known a juvenile have the straitjacket on at night, and all night. Never remembered an instance in Capt. Kaconoehie's time of juveniles being kept in the crank cell at night because they had not done. This practice had sprung up since Freer came from Leicester gaol. Lieutenant Austen, the governor of the gaol, tendered himself for examination in relation to Dodson's cue. Re membered Dodson coming in oaths 9th of April. Saw him on the 13th in the crank labour cell; he said he was an old man and the labour was lard for him. He was very thin, and said he could'nt do the work; but the surgeon had re ported him fit fer work. The morning after hailed attempted to commit suit de I saw him again ; he appeared to be suffering from constipation of the bowels; but from the surgeon's report I thought him able to perform the reduced crank labour. I heard of his ringing the bell. I spoke to him about it. He replied that he was unwell. I didn't say that he was a " troublesome old fellow," or "an old blackguard ;" but I did desire him to stand upright. He was leaning against a window. Everything that has been said about my threatening to horsewhip Dodson, or about my throwing off his cap, is untrue. I did give orders for Dodson not to have his supper until he had finished his work, and he hadn't an supper. The second night he finished his work early, aa he had his supper early. I did tell Dodson that it was disgraceful to him to be sent there for exposing his person ; but I was wrong in this —it was another man. Cos tello reported to me on the 16th that the man could n.it eat his food, but the food was not altered in consequence. I made no entry of the attempt by Dod son to commit suicide ; I thought it was not a real attempt, though Freer had reported to me that he did not know whether it was a real attempt or a sham one. Captain Williams—Are the " attempts " never e ntered in the_journal at all ? Witness—There are entries, but there is no register kept. Chief Commissioner—What made you think this was a sham attempt ? Witness—From the state of the handkerchief. Chief Commissioner—ln this return of the magistrates, setting forth the attempts at suicide, here is one on the 6th of December, 1661, which is called—" attempt at imposi tion ;" from what is this return made up ? Witness—l think the surgeon supplied those returns. Chief Commissioner—l see nothing on the subject in the surgeon's journal. How, I say, was this return made up? Witness—Partly from the memory, and partly from the surgeon's journal. Examination resumed—l saw Dodson lying on the floor in his rug. He appeared in a strange state, and the chap lain said he thought he we. insane. I admit it would have been better if Dodson's attempt to commit suicide bad been entered in the journal. I have myself given directions for juveniles to be kept in the crank Labour cell as late as ten at night, because they had not dose their work. 1 don't remember any being detained so late u eleven at night. Capt. Williams—How long has this practice been going on of keeping prisoners in the crank labour cell till they had done their work . . Witness—lt was done in Capt. Maconoehies time. The established discipline of this prison when I VIM to it WY that nrisoners should not have their food until they had completed their work. Copt; Williams—Wu that so is Capt. Maconochies time ? Witness—Yes; but not SO much so as under me. I in- I troduced tl'a strap and jacket, but I trays known in Capt. Msconoofnie's time priaonera sleep in the mill cell all night becao..e they had not done theit work. C'.,ief Commissioner--Very well; be particular shout I this, becawe Capt. blaconocbie will be here. [The hooks were examined, and no entries were found of prisoners being kept .n the cells at night to finish their work during Capt. Idaconochie't governonhip.j Examination resumed—l recommended whilst Captain Ittaconechie was governor that the number of cranks should be increased. I can't charge my memory that I ever made use of any opprobrious epithets to Dodson. To the best of my recollection I never called him an old blackguard. Capt. Williams—Was there ever any corporal punish ment inflicted on boys in Capt. Maconoc hie's time ? Witness—There was. 853. Capt. Williams—Show me it in the book. The witness looked at the book. There was an entry— " For neglect of weak, four cuts on the breach, and to make up fur loss of work on the previous day one thousand rounds a day extra." This was in 1851. Lieut. Austin said that he did not know under whose authority Capt. liaconochie ordered this punishment. Capt. Williams—Did you, Lieut. Austin, upbraid Dodson for having attempted to commit suicide ? Witnesa—l can't remember. Chief Commissioner—You must not shelter yourself in this way; what is the fact? Witaess-1 can't charge my memory. I might have up braided him. I think I did say something. Perhaps said that I considered it was a feigned attempt. ' Chief Commissioner—Tell us What you said. Witness—l Vild him I thought it was a feigned attempt. I didn't threaten him with punishment if he repeated it. or use harsh language. William Lawson, formerly tailor trade instructor, sworn —He said: I was dismissed by the visiting justices on the 20th of April. On the 14th of April a prisoner named 'fhomu hung himself; on the 16th the governor sent for me, and said he had heard that I had been questioning his character on the subject of the discipline of the gaol, and he said that if I repeated it he would get me dismissed, and persecute me. I told him that I had seen tyranny going on for a loos time, and that I should make charges before the visiting justices from memorandums in my possession of the cruelties in the gaol. Afterwards I told the lodge porter that I should absent myself in the morning after, that the goveraor might send for me; the governor did send for me; and I then told him that I should'nt do any more duty till I had seen the visiting justices. He said that if I would take the keys and go to work lie would be a friend to me. I refused, upon which he threatened to put me in gaol. Ultimately he let me out, and then the governor reported to the visiting justices that I had neg lected my duty, and I was dismissed. I remember Hodgette, who wu s prisoner in July last. On a Sunday morning I and a man named Rathbone found him lying un the floor of his cell foaming at the mouth, and appa rently dying. There were three loaves lying on the floor. I made inquiry, and ascertained that the surgeon had not seen the man. I told Freer, the chief warder, that I believed he was dying, and that a sur geon should be sent for. Freer said he would report to the governor, and we made up the man's bed on the floor. Itathbone ' one of the warders was with me at the time we found the man, and he said that eighteen loaves had been taken from the man's cell. Sometime after the governor came down, and told me to give tlitimana little water, for his teeth were set together, and on going to his can I found that it was full of gruel. Dr. Green came an hour and a half afterwards; he said ho thought be was in a fit, and ordered him medicine ; subsequently the man was removed to another cell ; I remained with him all the time they were in chapel. A little white bread and soup was begged from the kitchen for him. He took • little and threw it up. When Cotterill, the warder, returned from chapel and saw this, he said, " what right have you to give that man white bread ? " I said, " I think it no harm to give it to a dying man." Cotterill replied, " he be d—J, he 's ' pecking it ; ' he's afraid of see ing old Atkins, the governor of Warwick gaol." I re mained with the man until half-past five in the afternoon. No surgeon came to seo him after Mr. Green left, and in the course of the night the man died. I was not called at the inquest. The verdict was "Died by the visitation of God." 1 have been a taller in the Royal Artillery. Chief Commissioner—Did you report to the visiting jus tices with regard to Hodgett's case? Witness —No, I did not. The governor would never let me see the visiting justices. William Rathbone, the shoemaker at the gaol, corrobo rated the evidence of the previous witnesses as to the state in which Hodgetts was found, and also as to the fact of eighteen loaves having been taken from his cell, which had been accumulating for days. Hodrtts had (he said) rolled off the bed, and was bleeding at the mouth. Witness said that when the man was in this state, Cotterill, the elder, the warder, laid hold of him and with an oath, shook him; Cotterill, the son, said "If I had him three or four days on the crank wheel I'd bring him round." On the morning after Hodgett's death, witness saw Lawson and Cotterill together, and then said to the latter " It won't be good for some of your healths if I go on the inquest." I said this because I thought there had been gross neglect, inasmuch as so many loaves had I been taken out of the man's cell on the morning before. I beard Jefferies, one of the officers, say that he would give five pounds if he could get Lawson dismissed. I have known men lie ill for seven days together and the doctor not see them. Freer, the chief warder, was re-called and examined re lative to his conduct in connexion with the death of Hodgetts. He prevaricated, and contradicted almost en tirely the evidence he had given at the coroner's inquest. He admitted that he saw the man in a fit and unable to speak, but notwithstanding this he left him without obtain ing medical advice, though, on being pressed, he now swore that the man was not in a state fit to be left ; and although he did give the governor some information of the case, he teak no such steps as its emergency required. At five o'clock the inquiry was again adjourned. In the course of the day Mr. Adderley, M.P., and Mr. M. D. Hill, Q.C., the recorder, were present; the latter said he came to pay his respects to her Majesty's commis sioners, though he knew nothing of the inquiry on which they were engaged. COLLISION ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAIL WAY.-SEVERAL PASSENGERS SERIOUSLY INJURED. Yesterday evening a frightful collision, resulting in serious injury, in the shape of broken limbs and cuts and contusions to several fint•class passengers, and is all probs. Wit) , in fatal consequences, took place on the line of the Great Northern Railway, at throaty. The collision was of that fearful character, and the alarm created thereby so great, that anything like a thorough detail of the circum stances was unobtainable. The following, however, will be found to be a correct outline. It appears that shortly be fore five o'clock, the period for the departure of the down express from the King's cross terminus, then was a break down of a coal train at Horny on the ',up line, a portion of the train being left behind, and a pilot engine, driven by a man named Paddington, was sent down to bring it up. About two minutes after the express had left King's-cross a telegraphic message was received that the line at Hornsey was not clear. The express dashed on at its usual speed, and the driver seeing the stopping signal on at Homey, shut off his steam, and reversed his engine 200 yards on the London side of the signal post, but having ten carriages attached, so great was his impetus, that the express dashed into the pilot engine, which was at the time shunting across the line, and the carriages of the express were thrown one upon the other, and a frightful scene presented itself. Several passengers were taken out in an apparently lifeless condition; three or four have broken legs; Maxwell, the guard t • the express, lies at the Railway Tavern, in a hopeless condition ; and two ladies and a gentleman, a solicitor of Lincoln, are also so seriously injured as to be unable to he removed; and two or three gentlemen who have their legs broken and limbs fractured, were brought up to London. The Lord Mayor, the Bishop of Lincoln, and Mr. B. Denison, the chairmen of the company, were in the train, and with the exception of a slight contusion received by the right rev. prelate, they escaped. ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY. On Tuesday morning a fearful accident occurred at the Euston-square terminus of the London and North Western Railway. Several workmen were engaged on dif ferent portions of the rails close to the station, and just as the half-past six down train was on the point of starting seven or eight men were in the act of carrying across the line, close to the terminus, a long portion of an iron rail at the very moment that the engine which accompanied the train emerged from the engine shed. The men imagined that they could effect their transit before the engine arrived where they were engaged. The result, however, unfor tunately proved that they were wrong in their calcula tion, for before they could clear the rails the engine came up, striking the iron rail that they were carrying, and knocking the men about right and left. Notwithstanding this frightful collision four of the men succeeded in getting out of the way of the engine, while two others, named Edmund Woodland and Abel Robertson, were not so for tunate, the engine and tender having passed over them . They were instantly pick?.l up and conveyed to the Univer vereity College Hospital, where they were attended by Dr. Quoin and Mr. Graham. In addition to serious internal injuries, Woodland's shoulder and ankle were dislocated. Robertson, besides many internal wounds, suffered about the back and head. THE MALDON BRIBERY CONMISSION.—The oom minienen report that open and direct bribery prevailed at the lut and previous elections for this borough; that a large portion of the electors, consisting chiefly of the poorer clam of freemen, are in:Gentled not by the political or per sonal recommendations of the candidates, but by the money habitually employed to corrupt them, and that the blame of this does not so much rest with them its with their superiors who tempt them. RAILWAYS. OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVERIIAMP- TOV RAILWA Y. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of thin company took place yesterday at the London Tavern. Mr. W. H. Tuuteae presided. The report states : " The expenditure charged to capital account during the first half of the present year was 267,556/., and the total outlay on the undertaking, up to the present time, is nearly 3,050,0001. The result of the last application to Chancery mad* by the Great Western Company may be considered to have finally decided in favour of this company its right to lay down on the whole of the r ilway the narrow in addition to the broad gauge. its freedom from any engagement to lease or sell the undertaking to the Great Western Com pany, and its right to work either or both gauges. Imme diately after the decision of the Lords Justices the Great Western Company intimated that they would perfect the narrow gauge from Wolvercot into and at their pasrenger station in Oxford, and would give to this company the use of the intermediate piece of line and station, upon terms to be settled by the Board of Trade. This o ff er your direc tors accepted, and the result was the opening of this coin play's line en the 4th of June for passenger traffic between Oxford and Worcester; since which time every reasonable facility for the interchange of such traffic hes been afforded by the Great Western Company. The mileage worked be. fore that day during the half-year was 45 miles; subse quently, including the line of the Great Western Itiilway Company from Wolvercot to Oxford-89 miles. In your directors' estimation the receipts are very satis factory, considering the unfavourable circumstances under which the line has been worked. Additional capital will be required—fur completing a double line of mixed gauge ; for finding • certain portion of the working stock ; for worksht ps and additional station ac commodation; and, in 1856, for purchasing the canal from Stratford-on-Avon to the neighbourhood of Birmingham. Under the company's act passed this last session, it will be also requisite to raise capita! for making the Stourbridge, the Kiogswinford, and the Stratford branches. The amount require d kir these several matters it is intended to spread as nearly aa possible equally over a period of tour years. During the ;list half-year the Stratford and Moreton tramway was closed fur some weeks, and a consi derable outlay was incurred in order to adapt it to the pas sage of carriages for passenger magi° between tho main line and the towns of Stratiord and Shipston-on-Stour, and also fur waggons and trucks of the gauge of the main line. The closing of the tramway has materially diminished the half-year's receipts; and the expenditure upon works the directors have carried to capital as permanent alterations. The traffic is now increasing, and as soon as the works in progress at Moretou, connecting the tramway with the main line, arc complete, a considerable improvement in the re ceipts may be expected. The directors are of opinion that half only of the total debenture charge for the hulf year should he debited against revcnue. if the proprietors en tertain the same opinion there will be a balance of 7,3251. 16s. 6d. to be divided amongst the preference Aare holders, and a resolution fur the division of this amount will be proposed. The directors regret the loos of the Mid-Western and the Cheltenham and Oxford bills. The loss of the former measure is the more a matter of regret, that the committee of the Commons passed the Tring and Oxford as a means of effecting the same object more economically, whilst the com mittee of the Lords rejected the Tting and Oxford because it did not accommodate the districts between Theme and London. They congratulate the proprietors on the passing of the Bucks Juaction ; which will place the undertaking in actual connexion with the lines of the London and North Western Railway at Oxford ; they also congratulate the proprietors on the passing of the Worcester and llereford and the Severn Valley Railways; the former being 'practi cally an extension from this company's has at Worcester into South Wales, and the latter an extension from this company's line near Kidderminster to Coalbrooke Dale and Shrewsbury. Parliament has granted to this company the right to use the line of the Great Western Company be tween Wolvercot and Oxford (including both the passenger and the goods stations of that company in that city), upon either gauge ; and the Great Western Company are bound to afford all reasouable facilities for the interchange and transmission of traffic; the period for completing the corn pany'a line between Priestfield and Wolverhampton has been extended to November next. The effect of this last year's legislation is to place the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway in connexion with the narrow gauge systems of railways at Oxford, Worcester, and Kid derminster, in addition to the narrow panne junctions pre viously sanctioned at Abb.itavrood, Stoke near Droitwich, Dailey, Tipton, and Wolverhampton. These numerous narrow gauge junctions demonstrate the necessity of con- ' tinning to work the Oxford,Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway on that gauge. Amicable relations exist between this company and the Louden and North-Western and Midland Companies." The revenue account showed receipts, balance of traffic account, 13,249/. 17s. 2d. ; Stourbridge Cana1,1,7161. 35.2 d. ; recta, 3731. 3s. ; total, 16,3391. 3s. 44. Payments—Strat ford and Moreton Railway account, 7951. Is. 6d.; moiety of interest on debenture debts, 7,218/. bs. 6d. ; balance, 7,3261. 16s. 6d. The total payments on capital account to the present time are stated at 3,045,2801., and the re ceipts at 3,066,679/. 71. 9d. The report was adopted. A reit dution declaring the dividend at the rate of 11. 14s. per annum per share on the 6 per cent. preference shares was then agreed to. The usual compliment having been paid to the chairman and the directors, the meeting separated. MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLN SHIRE RAILWAY. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this railway took place yesterday, in the Manchester Corn Exchange, the Earl of YARBOROUGH, chairman of the board of directors, presiding. The report, an abstract of which has already appeared in the Express, was taken as read. The report and accounts were agreed to unanimously. The CHAIRMAN moved a dividend, of 6 per cent. on the 6 per cent guaranteed stock, which was also agreed to. A motion for consolidating the 41. paid up on the Lin colnshire stock was agreed to. Mr. C. CUMBER moved that free passes to shareholders to the meetings of the company be discontinued, and said the consultation committee had found great evils to Arise from the practice, by such passes being used for business purposes. Mr. DALTON seconded the motion. Mr. ili.cocr moved as an amendment that passes be given to ell shareholders with above 2501. stock. Mr. WILES seconded the amendment. On a show af hands both motion and amendment were lost, but a poll was demanded on the motion, and was pro °ceding when our report left. Bormait, and the aide . s•in-waiting, he drove to Marlbo rough-street, for the purse of •xit.ne the model lodging house recital, W.:l;l'lnd in. that street. Having goes through the aitiferent apartments. and learned from the manager the regularity that prevails in all the arrange 'ments, b'.4 Royal Highness expressed himself much pleased With the result of his visit. On leaving the hall he was iwarmly applauded by those outside who recognised him His Royal Highness then proceeded to the Viceregal Lodge. In the evening the illuminations of the previous -evening were very generally tirp«a:ol. Toe Chairman of tho Ezicative Committee had the high honour acid gratification of receiving the following commu nication to-day: " Viceregal Lodge, August 30, 13.53. " SX.,—ln obedience to her Majesi's commands, I have the honour to inform you that her Majesty has been gra ciously pleased to express her Majery's entire satisfaction with the arrangements which have this day been made fur her N .jest 's reception at the Exhibition. " I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, " GRANTILLZ. " The Chairmen of t'te Executive Committee." The following were honoured with invitations to meet her Majesty at dinner this evening at the Viceregal Lodge :—Earl Granville, the Duchess of Wellington, the E irl of Cardigan, the Earl and Countess of Miltown, the Earl of Erne, the Earl of Dmioughmore, Viscount and Visconateu Goiigh, Viscount St. Lawrence, Lord A. Fits. Clarence, Lord and Lady nossinore, the lion. Miss Bulteel, the Lord Mayor, aid Capt. the Hon. J. J. Bourke, A.D.C. in waiting. As her Majesty and the royal party proceeded along the quays, both coming and retuning, to-day, the joybells of the Roman catholic church of St. Paul, Arran-quay, raug out a merry peal. This compliment was paid our illustria• ji ; Queen by direction of the Very Rev. Dr. Yore, V.G., ' , he respected pastor of St. Paul's parish. The Queeu's exceedingly gracious and condome i d* manner in showing her appreciation of the chant „,r and public sersices of William Dorgan has tilled al' i patties with admiration, and made en impression on the Irish heart that will not easily be dfacell. In this moment of jubilation it is gratifying to find that there is no circumstance to alloy the general feeling of joy which is manifested by all classes. The a, 'counts of the crops are in the highest degree satisfactory ; and while the people are rejoicing at having their Wow .d sover_ign in the midst of them, it is well that they haves 4 the same time the knowledge that their fields are spread over with a moot abundant harvest. The weather has been for several days in an unsettled state, but though th • rain hu been incon venient it has not fallen to an este, it that could inflict any serious mischief. Yesterday the f ew showers that fell in terfered considerably with the col @fort of the sight-seers in Dublin ; but this morning the s „ Ai ms out brightly, and there is every appearance of . a fine day for the grand review. The arrivals from England . and other countries are more macrons than titer. GRAND MUSICAL FESTIVAL AT BRAD FORD, YORKSHIRE. OPENING OF ST. OEOIIGE'S HALL. BRADFORD, AUG. 31. • The opening of the new and commodious hall just greeted in Bradford was this morning celebrated by the fist of a genes of grand musical performances, which are to be oontiaued over to-morrow and Friday. The building owes it. ceigin to the enterprise of • few individuals in the tau*, at the bead of whom is the Mayor of Bradford (Samuel Smith, Esq.), who have taken shares in the un dertaking, and subscribed the requisite capital (about 26,00 a); the object being to afford the means of givir.g musical entertainments upon a large scale to the inhabi . . cants of the locality, and also to supply suitable accommo dation for large public meetings en political, religious, and ousel. matters. The festival has brought together a larger number of the nobility and gentry of the county of York than were ever assembled in the town on any former occasion. There is also a large influx of visitors of every clew, so much so, that the hotels and inns are quite inadequate to accommodate all who wish to remain in the town. In con sequence, therefore, of the great demand for lodgings, the prices have been run up to a high figure, apartments letting' at from five to ten guineas for the three days ; and in some few instances as much as flea guineas has been paid for one night's accommodation. The festival, which is on a grand and extensive scale, is under the patronage of her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert; his Grace the Archbishop of York, the Right Hon. the Earl of Harewood (who officiates as presi dent), and a list of the nobility of Yorkshire. The performances commenced with the National Anthem, in which Made. Clara Novella and the principal singers I took a prominent part. This was sung with great effect. It was followed by Mendeheohn's well•known oratorio, " St. Paul," which is regarded by musicians as the master piece of this eminent composer. The different parts were admirably sung by Madame Novella, Mr.. Lackey, Miss L. Pyne, Mr. Sims Reeves, Herr Formes, Mr. Lackey, Mr. Weiss, and Mr. Winn. The choruses, aided by the powerful organ, and the whole hand of instrumentalists, were received with evident delight by the vast audience as sembled on the occasion. The whole performance was en tirely successful. This evening there will be•grand concerto( miscellaneous music, which, from the talent engaged, the capacity and adaptation of the building, is sure to realise the highest ex pectations of the visitors. With regard to tho pecuniary part of this festival, it is satisfactory to know that the receipts are already large enough to cover the expenses incurred ; the managers are, therefore, safe from all aaticpations of loss. Lp to this (Wednesday) morning, more than 4,0001. had been re ceived. TIM PERJURY CASES AT THE LATE ELECTION OP HAM DEBLAlN.—Yesterday notices were issued throughout the city of London and metropolis, respecting the cues of perjury committed by several parties at the late election fee City Chamberlain. The notice states that in consequenee of Thomas Penny, John Peony, and Lawrence Brown, being severally convicted at the Central Criminal Court, on the 16th of June last, of having committed perjury at the recent election for chamberlain, the corporation of the city of London offer a reward of 1001. to persons by whose information evidence shall be obtained which shall lead to the conviction of those persona who suborned or bribed the said Thomas Penny, John Penny, and Lawrence Brown, to commit the above-named offence. FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.—An accident of a fatal nature occurred to a collier named Hosea Thompson, aged 24 yeus, on Friday last, in the new deep pit, Pask• gate Colliery, the property of Earl Fitzwilliam. It was shown by the evidence of several practical colliery inspec tors, including Mr. Cowper, the underground steward, that on the previous day the deceased had been working at a seam of coal, and had gone away for a light. On his return to work a mass of coal fell upon him and injured him so severely that he died in a few minutes after the accident. The sudden falling of the coal could net be accounted for,and it appeared to be a pure accident. On the following day ea inquest see held, when a verdict of accidental death was returned. THE MURDER AT CALSTOCK, CORNWALL—On Tuesday Mr. liambly, coroner for Cornwall, concluded the inquiry which has created considerable excitement at Cal stock, on the river Tamar. the particulars are that about five or six weeks since, the deceased and the father of the child, a labourer named Pellow, residing at Metherell, in the parish of Calstock, were suddenly taken ill, and in the course of a few hours the child died, but the father who suffered severely from sickens, recovered, and was able to resume work. In the course of the past week, the wife of Pillow absconded from her home with Wm. Clay, a labourer, who had been a lodger in the house, and a sew picion having been excited that the illness of the healer* and the death of the child were occasioned by poison ad ministered by Pellow's w il e, information was given to Mr. Hasibly the coroner, who directed the disinterment of the body or the deceased child. This was den, on Saturday last, when an inquest was held, which was adjourned until Tue.- day, for the purpose of enabling Mr. Jones, surgeon, to make &post mortem examination, the result of which has conelgunly established the presence of poison in the sto- mach of the infant, and a verdict of " Wilful murder" wee returned against the mother, for whom a warrant was is. mediate ly issued. DEATH WY FALLING PROM A CLIPP.—On Thurs. day afternoon last, when a large pasey, who had been enjoying themselves at a pie nic, in the reighbourhood of Boseastle, weinabout to return to their Tomes, the hat of Mr. Dennis, a *elicitor, who was assisting two l adies to the carriage, was blown off. In running to nearer it, the air fortunate gentleman fell over the cliffs, and was dashed to pieces. Mr. Olennoes, of Devonport, was, we understaad, one of the party, ivline day's pleasure had so unhappy and distressing *termination.— The Western Devouport Courier. EMPLOYMENT OF' CHILDREN IN FACTORIES.—To day (Thursday) the new act to regulate the employment of hildren in factories comes into operation. SNARING EXTRAWR.DINARY.—In a certain preserve in the north ofDirron a snare was set one night last week by a poacher to catch what game might chance to stray into it. When he came to carry off his booty, he found to his sue pri,e two partridges and a fox in the snare and a hare lying dead by its side. Undoubtedly, the two birds had been tint caught, and master Maynard passing with a bare on his back, could not resist the temptation of tasting the partridges himself, and so dropped his furry breakfast and sought to secure another dish to his meal, but approaching the snare in a heedless, eager way, be was himself snapped by the leg. We need hardly say hie night's adventures terminated very differently from what he had expected,— mad altogether render the case of sly Fox an apt illustra- OM Of the adage " There's many. slip between the cup end av D ORTII uIIITISR RAILWAY.—The directors pro pose, ender their Finance Act, to raise 189,000/. by the erseliss Of nos aharell. THAMES HAVEN DOCK AND RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the London Tavern, Mr. LOWDEN in the chair. The following report was read: "The directors have to report that the bill introduced into parliament to enable the company to abandon part of the line was duly proceeded with, and met with but slight opposition, and that it hu received the royal assent. The Thames Haven line, therefore, now consists of but four miles of railway, exclusive of its docks. During the in terval arrangements have been made as well to settle claims arising out of the abandonment as for lands reepired for the works, and, with but a trifling exception, et may be stated that all land claims are arranged. The works are let to Mews. Pete, Betts, and Brainy, upon terms which the directors are advised are fair and reasonable. The works will be commenced as soon as the extension of the Tilbury line is so forward as to make the commencement necessity." The following statement of accounts was also read : Dr.-Jan. 1. To balance brought ferwud from last state ment,s,o66l. 15e. 80.; amount received from shareholders on calls, 7,8241. ; interest received from the shareholders on calls in antar, 71. Bs. 10d. ; ditto from bankers on deposit account, 611. 184. 9d. ; amount received from rent of offices, 41. ; total, 12,9641. 3s. 30. Cr.-Jan. I. By amount paid to solicitors, 2001.; amount on land contracts abandonment, pool's rates, &c., 1631. 1.51. 7d.; remuneration to directors, 1501.; salaries to secretary and clerks, 124/. 6s. ; expenses-moving offices, on general meetings, petty cash disbursements, &c., 361.; rent of offices, 221. 10s. ; printing, advertising, &c., 181. 76. 3d. ; stationery, 41. 18s. 60. ; parliamentary ex penses, 21. 12s. 9d. June 30. Amount at bankers on de posit, 11,0001. ; balance at ditto, in account, 1,2401. ss. 10c1.; balance in hands of secretary, 11. 71. 4d. ; total, 12,9641. 3s. 31d. After a short desultory dinussion the report was agreed to, and the meeting separated. WEST CORNWALL RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, 38, Throgmortun-street ; H. 0. WILLS, Esq., in the chair. After some discussion, and the expression of considerable dissatisfaction, the report was adopted, and a dividend of 2s. per share declared, and the meeting separated. NEIVMARKET RAILWA Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of the proprie tors was held at the London Tavern; Mr. FANE in the chair. The Secretary read the report, which appeared in the Express of August 30. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report. The motion having been seconded by Captain WARRIIN, was carried unanimously. A resolution was then passed for the declaration of a dividend of 7s. per share ; and the proceedings terminated. NORTH METROPOLITAN RAILWAY. The first ordinary meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, No. 47, Parliament-street; Mr. W. blitusia in the chair. The report stated that the meeting had been convened in pursuance of the provisions of the act of parliament which had recently passed for the incorporation of the company, and that the act having been ohtsined under the most satis factory arrangements with the parochial and other authori ties, by which all opposition in parliament had been ob viated, the preliminary expenses up to the present time did not exceed 3,000/. The line would pass under the New road from the Edgeware-road to King'ivcross, a length of 21 miles, which would admit of easy extension in the same manner, both to the west and in to the City; but as the course of thou extensions ;night be affected by the arrange- chair. meat to be made with the Great Western Company, and by a line projected by the City Terminus Company, from King's-cross to the Post-oilier, and from King'screes to the West India 'Sack junction, now the North Louden line, in continuation of this company's line, the dire eters had deemed it inexpedient to obtain f rom par li ament i n t h e last mission powers to construct more than tie line now sanctioned. The directors, however, were happy to in form the shareholders that the arrangements with the Great Western Company were favourably progressing, and that they anticipated no obstacle to the extension to the Great R esters Rail way station. In the event of the City Terminus Company not proceeding with its project next ses sion, this company would apply for an extension to a conve nient terminus in the city of London. It was intended to lay down two lines of railway M a continuous archway under the road, of ample dimension, which would be constructed by excavating the road from the surface at c o nven i ent in tervala, and relaying it as the work progressed. Proper provisious would at the same time be made for the sewerage and gas and water services. However doubtful such an undertekieg might appear at first sight from its novelty, the directors had rectiven the most tatisfactory assurances, from competent engineers, that it would be carried into execution without difficulty, and after communicating with the engineers of the Commissioners of Sewers and of the Gas and Water Corn panes, they had found that all ob stacles might P e easily surmounted. The directors wcre happy to announce that they had entered into a contract with Messrs. Tredwell and Co., the very responsible con tractors for the construction of the entire line, including all the requisite provisions for sewerage and gas and water supply, on terms which would ensure the line being speedily completed within the limits of the company's capital (300.0001.). The cost of the line per mile, though tra versing the midst of London, would not exceed half that of any of the railways hitherto made through the suburbs. It was in contemplation to establish stations at the principal streets crossing the New-road, about half a mile apart, and to run trains at very short intervals—probably every three minutes—at the rate of about twenty mike an hour, including stoppages, and at a charge far below the existing omnibus fares. At these.= time ample arrangements would be made for light, with the free circulation of air, and for propelling the trains without the use of locomotives. The line as ut present sanctioned would afford a large degree of accom modation to passengers along the New road; and when extended, it would r. ceive all the traffic of the Great Wes tern Railway passing eastwards, as well as a large passenger traffic arising from the great number of persons who reside in the wealthy and remote district beyond the Edgware road. At King's Cross the line would be connected with the Great Northern, and with the West India Dock Junc tion Railways, and all the traffic from them proceeding westwards or to the Great Western Railway would be con veyed over this line. It was scarcely safe to venture upon any estimate of the probable amount of pro fi t to be antici pated upon the capital invested ; but judging from the ex perience of the lflackwall, the Greenwich, the Dublin and Kingstown, and other similar lines, it could nut be less than 8 per cent. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, took occasion to enlarge mien the topics embraced by it. . Mr. DeIeCIIBLL, in seconding the motion, said they had reason to congratulate themselves upon the small cost at which they had obtained their act, which he thought wu attributable mainly to the very unostentatious manner in which the bill had been promoted. After a few words from Mr. AcroN Arnim and other gentlemen, who expressed their highest confidence in the scheme, the motion was unanimously carried. Four directors of the company were then elected, and the proceedings terminated with the customary vote of thanks to the chairman. NEWPORT, ABERGAVENNY, AND HEREFORD RAILIVAY. The fourteenth ordinary general meeting of this company took place yetterday. at the London TIMM, Iltehopt•gate-street. The lion. W. E. FITZSIALItICE in the The SECRETARY read the report. The general cash statement to the 30th Juue, 1853, showed that the total receipts amounted to 398,9721. 81. 6d., and the payments to 395,1671.145. 4d., leaving a balance in band of 3,8041. 14s. 2d. The CHAIRMAN, in moviug that the report be adopted, observed that this was by tar the moat interesting meeting at which he had yet been called upon to address the share holders, their affairs having now arrived at a crisis, and, he trusted, a favourable one. The report, together with the statement of accounts, was adopted, and roam formal business having been transacted, the meeting separated. HEREFORD, ROSS, AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAY. The fourth half-yearly ordinary meeting of pro prietors in this railway was held at the Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford, on Tuesday, at one o'clock, Mr. J. F. Vaughan, vice-president of the company, in the chair. The general statement of receipts and payments to June, 30, 1853, showed that by calls, silvances, and loans on debentures the former amounted to 176,3681. The total payments have been 171,7301., of which 116,312!. has been paid to contractors, and the balance at banker's is 4,6371. lls. 3d. The CHAIRMAN moved that the reports and cash state ment be adopted for publication, anti that the common seal of the company bo allied to the register of shareholders. These resolutions were agreed to. A motion for an order to circulate the reports and cash statement before the day of meeting was, after "ime dis cussion, withdrawn, and the meeting separated after a vote of thanks to the chairman. DUNDALK AND ENNI: ELLEN RAILWAY. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the share holders of this company was ►eld at the Northumberland Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday, the Earl of ERNE in the chair. The rep in of the directors, which was unanimously adopted, has already appeared in our column,. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Mr. E. GOOLDDING, a dividend of six shillings per share was declared. The following resolution was also adopted ;—" That, con sidering the Increasing alines of the directors, arising from the extension of the hoe from Castlablayney to Enniskillen, a sum of 3001 . be allowed them out of the e x t ens i on f un d during the progress of the works, in addition to the 2001. now paid them out of the revenue fund, commencing from the beginning of the present half-year." CORNWALL RAtt.wAY.—The fifteenth half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in this company, was held on Saturday last, at the Town•hall, Truro. M. Williams, Esq., the chairman of the company, presided. The report rated that 67,0291. 2s. 9d. remained in hand at the close of the last account, that the sum of 67,6741. 131. Bd. has been re ceived, and 78,9401. 16s. 10d. expended, and that the sum of 65,663/. Os. 7d. remained to the creditor the company on the 30th of June last. The Chairman said that since they last met the works had regularly progressed; the directors had gone over the line, and were very much pleased at the satisfactory manner in which the work generally had been carried on, and espe cially the substantial manner in which the masonry and 'other parts had been executed. In consequence of the want of labour the various works had not progressed so rapidly as was anticipated, but by pressing the contractors they are getting more men and proceeding more vigorously than for some time past—(cheers)--and they had every reason to believe that the portion of the line from Truro to St .Austell would be completed in the time stated. They were now going on to Liskeard, and they had every reason to believe that the contractor would proceed with it to the satisfaction of the company. Since they last met, also, they had accepted contracts hence to Falmouth. (Rear, hear) They had made only one call since we last met, and looking at the state of our finances, no further call will be required till the progress of the works are farther advanced. At present we do not want it.—R. Pearce, Esq., of Penzance, seconded the resolution, as he was glad to hear so satisfactory and gratifying a report of their proceedings and of the progress of the hoc—The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting, which was unanimously adopted. The proceedings were then brought to a conclusion after the adoption of a vote of climate to the chairman end board. - YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY.—The, helf•yearly meeting of this company was held in the De Grey Rooms, York, on Monday; Mr. H. S. Thompson, chairman of the company, presiding. The attendance of shareholders was limited. The report of the directors, which had been previously circulated among the proprie- tors, and which has appeared in this journal, was taken as read, together with the statement of accounts. After a few remarks from the chairman, and a few questions from Mr. Shaw, of Wakefield, relative to the amount set down for bad debts, de., which the chairman explained, the report was received and adopted, as wee also a resolution declar ing a dividend of H. 10e. per cent. per annum upon the consolidated stock of the company, deducting income tax, and to paid on the 3rd of September. Mr. Frost, the official auditor of the company was re-appointed at a salary of 1001. per year, and a resolution for the forfeiture of the shares referred to by the chairman having been carried, a vote of thanks was passed to him and the director', after which the meeting separated. AMBERGATE, NOTTINGHAM, AND BORTON, AND EASTERN Jvsc-rioN RAILWAY.—The 15th half-yearly general meeting of this company was held yesterday at the London Tavern, at one o'clock.—James Wyles, , the chairman, presided. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, referred to the general statements of the re port, and said he was happy to say that the mineral traffic alone was 50 per cent. better than the last year, and that upwards of three thousand tons of minerals had be en con veyed, as an increase, instead of the company being the worthless company it was • prosperous company, and enabled to pay 4 per cent. The report, which proposed a dividend of ls. 3d. per share, free from income tax, will absord 5,475/. of the net revenue ; the balance to be reserved to meet any payments on the settlement of accounts be tween the Midland Company and Great Northern Company was agreed to. WESTERN RAILWAY OF SWITZERLAND.—TO enable, the administration to proceed with the works, a call has been made of 2/. per share. DUNDEE AND ARBROATH AND ABERDEEN EAU, ways.—The former company are about to run vehicles on the turnpike-road between Montrose and Arbroath, and then by their own line to Dundee, instead of forwarding the traffic by the Aberdeen line. BELFAST AND COUNTY DOWN RAlLWAY.—Traffie for week ending Aug. 28, 1853 :—Passengen, 1881. 2s. Id.; subscriptions, 271. 6s. 6d. ; goods and parcels, 49!. 12s. 11. Total, 2651. Os. 3d. Corresponding week last year, 2771. 15s. 93. bJ 1 • ~4'~ - 144,