The Express. — London, England, 1851-08-28 00:00:00

ORAND BANQUET OF THE PRINCIPALITY TO ROBERT STEPHENSON, ESQ., M.P. BANGOR, AVOVST 27. The ovation which hoe this day been accorded to wit eminent and justly relehnited engineer has proved one of the grandest affein that the counties of Caernarvon and Flint, or the Isle of Anglesey, have witnessed fur many a iersi year. It was understood that Mr. Stephenson, who arrived here lest evening, was to " drive the last rivet" in the Britannia tabular badge to-day but whether the report were used figaratively is reference In the banquet,or literally, because one of the holt% about SO yards from the Caernarvon side, • remain" to he driven " Mule" sonic two niches, an opera tion which it has been reserved fur Mr. Stephenson to ac complish, we are unable to my. Certain it is, however, that, at a very curly hour, vast crowds had assembled near the tubular bridge, in the expectation of wit nessing that Interesting ceremony. The hammer wee awaiting the honourable gentleman, and the olfitom Van. in esp.-elation of his arrival, hut atter a considerable delay public impatience became cabiusted, and the majo rity crowed the Strait, under the direction of guides, either directly through the tube, or upon its summit, the latter proving a penloas operation to many who, baring attained es far a. the Caernarvon Tower, were compelled to retrace their steps, owing to the stiff brace that was then blowing, and seek the safer route. Passing from the Caernarvon side to the centre, or Britannia lower, the noble mansion of the Marquis of Amtlysta, and the summer residence of Admiral Sir Junes Gordon, were full in view. The elegant craft in the Menai Straits, decorated fur the occasion with flags, and the steamers in toll sail tar beneath, all formed a asisp du if difficult to describe. Having at length reached the Anglssea side, the visitors walked about two miles to the Menai Suspension-bridge. About halt a mile from this the George Hotel is situated, the grounds of which, on this occasion, have been fitted up with a very niciAnifiecut pavi•ion, capable of accommoda ting upwards of five liiinilre.l guests. The interior of this gigantic tent was entirely line,) with cerise and white mus lin ; the roof, Montt teet high, arranged into a beautiful network, with IcatuoiLl at interval% and Lin-shaped brackets at the sides. Tat BAN' LT. 11w company, amounting to upwards of 350 gentlemen, assembled in the large coffee-room of the George Hotel at live o'clock ; th ladies were at once conducted to their meats In the north galcries, and during the evening partook of refreshments in the inlyucent coin.. Shortly before six, dinar was annuanecil, when the Hun. Cul. Pennant, M.P., chairman, accompanied by Robert Stephenson, Esq., M.P., the guest of the day, proceeded to the dais, accom panied by the vice-presidents, via. Lord George Paget, ; the lion. E. Lloyd Matyn, M.P. ; Sir It. 11. W. Bart, M.P. ; Sir Waken William Wynne, hart M.l'.; Sr John Harmer, aim, M.P. ; W. Hula, y H ughes, M P. ; IL W. Wynne, Esq., M.P. ; l'. It. West, , M.P.; J. Williams, Esq., M.P., High Sheriff of the county of Caernarvon; and I'. Owens, Esq , High Sheriff of the conntyof Antlewy. Mr. Paxton and Mr. Roomy were also among the guests. On the removal of the cloth, the hon. chairman proposed the first toast, " Iler Most Gracious Majesty the Queen," which was received with the greatest enthusiasm, followed by the National Anthem. A very pretty elfect was pro duced at this juncture by a royal salute fired from the Fairy yacht, !scowl in the Strait below the Panama. The llou. Chairman next ',reposed the health, of " Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru), and the rest of the royal family," which was enthusiasti cally received, and followed by a national air on the harp by Mr. Richard Roberts. The "Army and Navy," followed by the air "Rule Dritanna," was acknowledged. "The Bishops and Clergy of the Diocese" was next pro posed from the chair. filet—" Lightly tread, 'tis hallowed ground." The Very nay. the Dean of Bolger replied in a felicitous speech, which elicited much applause. The Chainoan, calling upon the company to fill their glasses, sahl he li iil now to prop... to them the toast of the day, " Their ili.tin !ashes' guest, Robert Stephenson, Esq." lo an eloquent address the chain elan set forth the claims of Mr Stephenson to their respect and admiration, and con cluded by prasseing that gentleman's health with nine times nine British cheers. These were given by the corn. pany with a hearty demonstration of respect, and another salute was fired from the Fairy% . _ Alter a sung by Mr. Ityal, written for the occasion, the gentleman row to reply, and was received with nest enthie.iastic cheers. Ile sinel that he sincerely thanked tit... present for the unequivocal evpresosion of their feelings t.m.inls him. It wys true that etionnoustlitticultim had been ovi.t....me in the con.truction of the Britannia Bridge, In the -unanunting of which he owed much to his friend and tined assistant, Mr. Edwin Clarke, whose excellent work • well known in all quarters where engineering skill toul.l be appreciated. The (lu...ter and Holylieml Railway • farm one of the most important links in the empire, at of which were due to that invaluable mineral, iron; of skull a Copenhagen professor had lately, in his presence, • 'doubly illustrated the inestimable value. Alter sonic Moitional observations, the hon. gentleman concluded by • . ived p.To•iug the health of the eliairuiatt, which was ravel , s it great cheering. the following toot were afterwards drunk :—" The m. mory of the illustritiu. Telford " (in solemn • ore). Sir John Hay Williams to propose "The II u.e of Common;" reply by W. Hughes, Eq., MP. . 4 The Lord• I. eutenant of the Principality;' r.;ily by Sir lt. W. Bulkeley, Bart., 31.1'. The lion. Mostyn, M.l'., to propirse " The High Sherittof the I' • •*pality ;" reply by Sir W. W. Wynn. " The Direc t its al the Chester and Holyhead Railway ;" reply by Mr. S. Y. Pero, M.l'. " The Vice-Presidents;' reply by lion. E. L. Mostyn, M.l'. "The contractors of the Ches t. r and Holyhead Railway Company;" reply by E. L. Mitt, VAR. "The Eli etrie Telegraph Company ;" reply hy J. L. Ricardo, Esq., M.l'. " The Ladies." " The Commit ;" reply by Mr. Pritchard. " Success to the Bangor sail Caernarvon Railway;' reply by 0. W. Mont, Esq. Tho. Britannia and Conway Tubular-bridges, the succeart i.,: rtompletion of which led to the celebration shortly ot. tooled above, were no doubt as they now stand the fruits 11 1 . • rtain r. strietionts imported by the Admiralty board on I . llOllbeCT. The Britannia-bodge iu the neighbourhood rf 'shalt the festivities have taken place, in honour of the rortful achievements of the most intrinsic and gigantic t ever press nted to modern engineer, has given an iin ; • !us to sei. on., such us has been rarely felt. in throwing eummunicatiun norms the Straits, the first difficulty presented itself 11(4.4 that in the construction of the •rt.igt , no obstacle should be offered to the usual naoriga ro. thus preventing the use of centering., &e., generally -i good by enginrCrs in the construction of arches. The too design, therefore, was a bridge consisting of two iron arches of :1-10 feet span each, the mitre t• r noting un the Britannia 'tuck, which lies exactly in .. mobile of the Straits, and which is the chief reason why t.. it particular site was chosen fur crossing; centering. oc4 out of the question, it was intended to erect the snakes en a plan adopted some years since by Sir I. Brunel, is the cal•tto, nun of brick arches without eenterings; in the ease tithe Britannia-bridge it was proposed to place the vows. Aim on each side of The pier simul taneously, and tie them loot% r, the arches gradually spreading out like wings on tab sick of the pier, keeping each other in equilibrium. The same thing would base gone on from the abutments, rata the anises had been joined at the apes. These designs are presented to the Ward of Admiralty for their ap. Petal. but they did not meet their requirements. The sierlitions impoeed on Mr. Stephenson were, to maintain a dear space of :03 het throughout two spans of 4.4 feet tab, the pier on the Britannia Rock not to be more flan feet square at the base, because according to the Admiralty nut only was there to be sufficient heights C.os i d for ships' masts to pass, but the structose must kr morted in certain parts, to interfere as little u pos. auk with the effect. of the wind. Mr. Stephenson's rid ditticidti,s but, indeed, now commenced; the sus fueion principle was thought of, but the tendency of the *km to audulation by the weight of the trains was 4 wrier objection. It 14.1.4 then proposed to stiffen the *form by means of boiler plate rivetted together; the lava grow:illy developed itself until the bridge assumed the %no of a huge wrought-iron tube of sufficient site dinw of the p.esage of trains through it, having chains Is each side to act us auxiliaries: in fact, the tube was Inpposed to be like a huge beam, the top and bottom el which acted like the top and bottom of any girder, Chit is, the top subject to compression and the bottom to itt osier' ; here Mr. Stephenson set Messrs. lairbairn and lldeliinson to institute experiments on the strength of to baler structures. Mr. Stephenson at firrt thought that a titular form would be the most suitable; but in the course fllpfriMCnti the rectangular form was found the osofnot. It was also found that a rectangular beans "lid, be made sufficiently strong, and of the necessary wisirth, without requiring the assistance of chains; the top tad bottim of the tubes, upon which depended that gringth, were competed of series of cells ; in the muss If experim e nt also it was found that wrought inn mid b 4 frost eompression so welt as extension; *gm Mr thu t t urv , eight rectangular cell, in the top sod en is the %num of tubes. Mr. Stephenson wished to ban chairs, Much would allow of the tubes being erected is their hutment position. It was knows that Mr. Strgissma to averse to Homing the tubes. Mr. Edwin Clarke, however, proposed a tossible pito et 4 i , e2 the tulss, Mr. Stephenson's sawn scruples were S. mom, and it was decided to erect the tubes ter SW spans o,n Plume, to float them to the ben of the piers, !Et raise u them t o th e i r p ermanen t h e i g ht by mogna o f ul,:rao.orp n .es. The land tubes we» anieted la thsir trot po,tion un scaffolding. This bridge, think's, has c. utrul van. of 460 feet each, aid two of 250 het. were ultimately joined together when in their re etive planes. 'f he same spot in which were witnessed the sat fermetion, flouting, and completion of this wonderful has be u rendered finally celebrated by the due s•mtication of its originator and completer, Mr. Robert Itraismox or REs-rs.—On the Hawarden estate Lr nuns of the Right lion. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., Gen allow e d a reduction of 18 per cent . on their re ,,eetiee rentals tor the half year. "IL CANE OF Lunu IiANELAGIT AND TIIE OM • 'L . * or T e Liar EN %emu LlNl.—Yesterday Mr. Metcalf, rimer, applied at Judges' Chambers, on behalf of Lord : ,'!,e'ssth. fur a wr i t of certiorari to remove from the Cen .t nontral Court to the Court of Queen's Bench, the le tatonat tam' against his lordship by the grand jury at court last week far an assault upon an officer of „Imenwieh Railwa ho Lord Chief Baron (Sir F. ~ ' • "','sk). who was sitti Y ng at eh hers, at once emoted tho awl the ease will be tried at the sittinp after . -Latlatas term. PROPOSED SALE OF THE NEXT PRESEN TATION TO THE FAMISH OF ST. LUKE. CHELSEA. Yesterday being the day appointed for the sale by auction of this valuable church preferment, a large number of the inhabitantsof the extensive parish of Chelsea attended fur the purpose of witnessing the proceedings, amongst whom were Mr. Ryder, tho chairman of the Board of Guardians ; Mr. Junes, the emveocr of a local meeting to tonskler the propriety of endeavouring to secure the presen tation to the parish, and other influential Inhabi tants. After the sale of other properties, which are reported in " Public Sales," the auctioneer (Mr. Aldermen Farebrother), stated that he had to offer the next presentation (subject to the life of the present in cumbent, now in the 70th year of Ns age) to the Rectory of N. Luke's, Chelsea. which consisted of the detached lice tory-house, with offices and gardens, extending to 3: acres of ground, together with 213 urea of glebe land, let on builds log leases for lives which, together with the commuted rent charge in lieu of tithe., create an income of 1,6441. is. 2d. per annum; with a prospect of a further increase of 1,300/. per annum es the lives upon which the gls.bs lands are let drop in. The rector, during his incumbency, has also the right of nomination to the ministry of the Old Church, now the parish chapel, producing about 300 f. per annum, the ' present incumbent in his hard year. After reading the above particulars, the auctioneer stated that the heavy duties of the parish required the assistance of two curates, whose salaries, together with highway rates, &c., caused a deduction of 21171. Irom the annual income, and said that, taking every source of income, patronage, and reversionary interest into c.insideration, seisirding to the tables, the value was about 16,0001., but it was for bidders to decide what it was worth. The auc tioneer then invited any person in the company to make any observation, or ask any questions, but a (lead silence was maintained, and the lot was put up at 6,000/. and the biddings went on by 1001. each, until they reached 0,5001., at which price the hammer fell, and the auctioneer declared the property was not sold. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 28, 1851. to be binding unless accepted with this condition within a month. (Hear.) This it was thought would place them in a better position than if the matter was left open, and would place them in the receipt of dividend much sooner than they would e!se be. Their natural allies were the Great Western Company, no doubt; but he looked with suspicion on the connexion of that company with the Bir mingham and Oxford line, u;ion which it might ha possible for them to throw so much tratfle, reducing in proportion the traffie on the Oxford and Worcester, as would deprive the shareholders of the latter of every shilling of dividend, unless it w•as mole clearly their interest to develop the traffic of the Oxford and Worcester line. This would be effected by the condition now suggested, and which he now submitted to them. Major COURT, amid some laughter, seconded the reso lutioo, which, he contended, confirmed his previous state ments. In four years after the completion of the line he believed it would realise all that bud been expected from it. Mr. PARSONS begged to Ray that be would vote in favour of the amendment of Mr. Tatar, both on his own Plums and on all the proxies he possessed, as he considered it would put the Great Western Company to the test. (Hear, hear.) Sir H. FOSTER concurred in the propriety of Mr. Tudor's amendment, and thmight it should be at once re mitted to the directors to carry it out. After some further discussion, Mr. HUDSON, M.P., thought practically under the pro posed altered agreement for four years the proprietors would reee:ve nothing, and the effect of that would be that they would sell their property at 21f. a share. Ile recom mended that proxies should not be used. lie bad twin placed in a • 'lar position, and hail refrained front using the proxies in his hands. Ile thought it only reasonable that they should require interest to be paid by the Great Western from January next, He hoped the original pro position would be allowed to he negatived, without calling in the use of proxies at all, and that Mr. Tudor's resolution should be referred to the committee as suggested. (Hear.) Mr. PARSONS, on the subject of the proxies, said he held the proxies of the whole Stock Exchange. The Stock Exchange held 8,000 out of 21,000 shares, one-third of the whole. The question had been debated at the Stock Ex change, and the decision was an authority to him (Mr. Parsons) to support the present agreement with hi' proxies, provided a resolution like that suggested by Mr. Tudor were appended, teat with this difference, that the sum they proposed as the terms of sale should he 2d!. per 501. share, instead of 30!., and 21 instead of 3 per cent. These were the terms the Stock Exchange were prepared to take. Ile, however, thought them too little, and that morning the terms had been increased as now proposed. With all de ference to Mr. Hudson, he thought the more prudent course was to put the agreement to the Great Western with the new clauses, leaving it to them to refuse or accept it. He believed, when they knew it was the final determination of the proprietors they would accept it. And, with regard to the Oxford a nd Worcester company, it was a golden oppor tunity which he, as a large proprietor, hoped would not be lost. ((!pear, hear.) Mr. LAURENCE hoped the resolution proyosed by Mr. Tudor would be carried at once without referring it to any committee. Practically, the effect would be to carry out his motion. _ _ A long and desultory conversation was continued for some time, whip It ultimately resulted in the carrying of Mr. Tudor's motion, the sum at 101. havirm been sub,tituted ns the purchase price per .501. share for 30/. • and the confirm ation of the agreement with the Great Vestern, subject to the conditions described in that motion. A vote of thanks was then passed to the committee of shareholders, which Mr. LAURENCE acknowledged. The business of the special meeting then terminated, and the business of the ordinary half-yearly general meeting was proceeded with. The SECRETARY, by direction of the Chairman, read the report of the directors, as follows : " The directors have so recently communicated to the proprietors the position of the undertaking that on the pre sent occasion little remains to he stated. The general balance-sheet to :kith June last, and statements of receipts and expenditure for the Stourbridoe extension Canal, and for the Stratford and Moreton Railway, for the half-year ending 30th June, arc subjoined. The proprietors are aware that the company kept an account with Messrs. Ituffords and Wrogge, bankers, at Stourbridge, and that Mr. Francis Ittiffur.l, one of the partners of the house, was connected with this company. as its chairman, from its original for- I 'nation. This hank stopped payment about the _'6th of 1 June last, there being at that time a considerable amount of the company's money in its hands. The report of the auditor hereunto annexed details the amounts and the cir- ' cunistances. The directors are, through the medium of the company's solicitors, engaged in ascertaining the exact posi tion of the company, believing that some portions of the bees will fall on third parties. The directors fear the I assets of the bankrupts will suffice to pay but a small divi dend. The various works upon the line are progressing satisfactorily, though more slowly than the directors con templated when they made their report to the special general meeting of the company in January lasts This is attributable to the unsettled state of the company. On one contract, that for the Mickleton Tunnel, the contractors stopped the works in June lust, and refused either to go on or to give the company possession. In order that the works upon the whole line might not be rendered unproductive by the non-completion of this tunnel, the board, acting under advice, took possession of the contract, they are happy to say, without absolute violence or injury to any individual, though the menacing conduct of the contractor at one time rendered such an issue probable. The question touching the company's rights against the contractor, and his rights against the company, is now the subject of arbitration. The auditor's report states that the balance-sheet repre sents an expenditure of the sum of 69,0631. Os. lid. fur hind and compensation in the half year, but several amounts, parts of that aggregate amount, have been deposited in pro vincial and joint-stock bank'., leaving in deposit with hankers 24,912'., 10s. 4.1., and the Gloucestershire Bank, Stow-on.tbe-Wold, 2101., a purchase since completed. These 11111114, for the most part, have been so deposited in the names of a director of the company and the vendor or his agent • but a sum of 375/. deposited in the bank of BAUM and Wragge was so placed in the name of Mr. Itufford alone iu the matter of the executors of William ['age, deceased. Two several checks, the one 5,6231., and the other 5,500/., ap pear to have been paid to the agent of Lord Ward's estate, being the consideration for the purchase of lands ; they were both drawn on the bank of Messrs. Redford and NI ragge, but in the pins-book of that bank the cheque for 5,5001. dues not appear to be debited. The balance due from Messrs. Itufford anal Wragge, according to the ledger account of the company, and as expressed in the balance-sheet, is 4,11'6/. 13e. 2d. In that account they have credit for all sums drawn upon them o by the company ; but one cheque, for 4701., so credited, has not been issued, whereby the ba lance is increased to the sum of 4,636/. 13s. 2d. The fol lowing cheques, drawn on them and issued to Messrs. Bedford and I'ideoek, are also outstanding:—April 18, 1814, 311.; March 6, 1851, GO/. 17s. 6d. ; March 12, ditto, 1501. ; June 16, ditto, 2,6321. Os. &I. ; ditto, 182/. 14s. ; ditto, 1921. 10s. ; ditto, 1371. 104.; ditto, 2101.; total, 3,596/. 12s. 2d. ; and one to Mr. Elgie, May 14,18.51, fur 431. 101. ed. The general balance-sheet up to June 30 shows the fol lowing items:—Receipts, 1,8,7,4221. 4.. 9d.; expenditure, 1,819,722:.94. ; balance in favour of receipts, 37,699/.155. 9d. The receipts comprise, in addition to the sums under head of stock and preferential stock, interest on loans and deben tures, 22,593/. (rum the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley It.tilway 700/. from the Midland Itailway Branch from Abbott. Wi;ed to Worcester, and 6,620/. Be. 4d. from the Stourbridge Extension Canal, the income of which, however, is only returned as up to 31st December, 1850. The CHAIRMAN having moved that the report and Recount* be adopted, A PROPRIETOR inquired if the amount stated in the balance-sheet was the total loss the company would sustain by the failure of Messrs. Rufford's bank ? The SECRETARY—No there are some sums paid as deposits for purchase* of hind, which were in their hands, besides which there are some outstanding cheques, but upon whom the loss will fall, in respect to these, will have to be ascertained. After some conversation, Mr. PARSONS remarked that in the autumn of last year Mr. Raiford had very large sums of the com pany's money in his hands. His house being u p on th e line, it was convenient for making payments in carrying on the works. Since then, however, the amount had been considerably reduced, and at the period of the failure it had been drawn down from about 20,001.1/. to 4,000/. The directors, in the first instance, supposed that to be the whole extent of the loss; but they were subsequently told that there were cheques outstanding to the amount of 3,6001., in respect to which, as they had heard, there was a question as to on whom the loss would fall; and now it was found, besides that, 7,6001. had been deposited in Rufford's bank shortly before the failure, in the joint names of Mr. Ruffurd and another trustee, which had been paid for the purchase of property required for the line. Unfortunately, it appeared that the liability in this case was with the com pany, and not with the vendor or the trustees. Some in quiry had been made on the subject, and it turned out that an agent of the company had, at Mr. F. Rufford's re quest, gut as many of the deposits for land as he could, and paid them into the b a nk. Further investigation I would be instituted, and it might turn out that blame at tached to some of the company's servants. With regard to a sum of 6,0001., they would have a contest with Lord Ward, their late chairman. He had insisted upon the company completing the whole of a purchase of land be- longing to him at once. The money was paid by cheque, and had found its way into the hands of Lord Ward's agent, but it had not been presented until after the failure. In regard to this sum of 5,500/., he thought they had a good case, as well as in respect to various other smaller items. The resolution confirming the report was then agreed to, as was one fur forfeiting certain shares on which the calls had not been paid ; and another for allowing 2001. for the expenses of the committee on the Great Western agreement and the payment of legal assistance obtained by them. A vote of thanks to the chairman was next passed, which was duly acknowledged ; after which the meeting separated. JI USIC. WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL. [raw' ous CORMILSPDXLIENT.) WORCESTER, WEL/MI.6I)AL Resuming our notice of this festival at the point at which we uroke off yesterday—the close of the morning service at the cathedral—we have now to speak of the first evening concert. The sat oulance at this (vixen showed a sad falling off in point of numbers when compared sato the attendance on the first eve gof the festival of ISIS. Although the p, ima donna of the festival, was announced to sing, the whole number of tickets taken did nut exceed Ytlo (excluding the ell. tickets), and .on the whole the concert tacked spirit. The had weather through out the earlier part of the day nu doubt deterred many from attending the concert, although it cleared up long before the hour fixed for its tommencerneta. Thu chief portion of the first part of the schemq was made up of Mendelssohn's " Walpurgis Night," with songs by Cruvelli, Sims Reeves, and Miss Dolby, sod a siolin solo by Mr. Diagnose. The second part consisted of disjedla ?ma'am, chiefly Irons Italian operas. The overture was finely rendered. There was no encore during the performance of the cantata, and at the close the audience were kept some ten minutes waiting the appear ance of Mulle. Cruselli, who was set down for the next piece, hut who had not yet shown in the orchestra. How ever, as she had nut arrived at the Ilall, Mr. Sous Reeves proceeded with his arena from " Oberon " mobil 'YOU.") The prim., donna now appeared, but slit was nut encored at the close ot the air, "0 to la cm &Ice," front " Fidelio." The only violin solo set down in the festival programme was played this evening by Mr. Blagrove. It was one of He beriut's , and the leader met witn quite au enthusiastic reception, from the band and audience. The would part of the concert opened with Beethoven's magnificent Overture to " Egmont." A great feature of ex cellence in Moo Birch's i•in6ilig was at mace maric.t, in her rendering ul the air " Qui In vow," from the " Furitaui," every now being remarkable fur distinctness in the einiwaii bon, and every weird tuureoughly intelligible to the audience. lieu Formes was well received. lie sang his favourite air from Mozart's Zauberflote." In " Basun heil gen IlalWn" he was heartily encored, the first encore of the festival, Millie. Cruvelli ming brilliant eavatina " Ernani involami," with all the florid execution of which she is mistress; and Miss Williams and Miss Dolby each mug a ballad. Herr Formes gave the ceerlasting ••Largo al factotum," from the " Barber of Seville." The concert was wound up with a finale from and the au Bence was enabled to depart fur their homes at the reasonable hour of eleven o'clock. _ . . This morning the weather was more promising, and the booksellers reported a brisk sale fur tickets. The nave was pretty well titled before the oratorio commenced, the lathes outnumbering the gentlemen. The aisles and great western gallery were nut litany al well tilled as yesterday, and there wa., a falling off in point of numbers, compared with the attenda once on the second day of the Lit Worcester fes tival, of about 2110. 'he oratorio selected or to-day was Mendchsohn's "Eli jah." The effect of the performance of this masterpiece of Mendelsohn this mornio4 must be to increase it, popu larity wore and more with the losers of true classical music. The cast was an ezeellent one, Herr Formes taking the part of the Prophet, Mi., Birch the principal soprano (as sisted in one instance bylle. Cravelli), Mies lholby and Miss Williams dividing the contralto, and Mr. Sims Beeves and Mr. Lackey the principal tenor parts. Among the company at the festival are the Bishop of Worcester, the Dean (Dr. Peel), the Dowager Lady Peel, widow of the Lite Sir Robert, Lady Henley, Lady raking ton, Sir J. Pukington, and Lady Diana Pakington, Sir S. Wakeman and Lady Wakeman, Hon. General Lyguu, M.P., Hon. Capt. Itushout, &c. &c. &c. SALE or VALUABLE ENGRAVINGS.—Yesterday Messrs. Sothelty and Wilkinson sold by auction a most unique and valuable collectem of engravings, the property of a distinguished collector, chiefly from the Durand Col lection. Among 11w principal lots were—The Last Supper, alter Leonardo da Vinci, a verrare proof ; 113/. The Aurora, after Guido, by Raphael Morghen, superb proof before letters; 76/. The Instruction Paternelle, called the " Satin Gown," after Terburg, by Wille, a superb proof with the perfect margin; 481. Dead Christ in the lap of the Virgin, after Vandyck, by Lucas Vosterman ; IW. Christ crowned with Than. by Roman soldiers, called the "Presentation of the !teed," after Vends ek, by Bolswert ; 121. 10s. Concert de Famine, after Schaller, by Willie; lit The Holy Family with Angels, after Raphael, by Edeliack ; 101. as. Portrait of Bishop Donnell, very rare, 10/. The Tran.figuration, after Raphael, by Raphael Morghen, beautiful proof; 321. This collection contained ' but 140 lots, which realised the sum of 3IG'. 4s. GREAT FIRE AT MILE-END NEW TOWN.—Yes terday morning, at a few minutes before one o'clock, a fire broke out in an immense range of manufacturing premises, situate, in Pleasant-row, Pelham-street, Mile-end New Town, used as lard and oil worsts, and belonging to Mr. Crossley, of Old Montague-street, Whitecliapel. The building was originally erected for a sugar-house ; and, be sides being of great altitude, extended a considerable dis tance backwards, whilst the frontage was at the least com putation 100 fret. Within a few minutes after the fire was first discovered, the brigade engines from Jeffrey and Well clew-squares were proceeding at a rapid pace towards the scene of danger, when, on getting into Spitalfields, the two ponderous machines came into such violent colli pion with each other that one of the engines was disabled, the ladder smashed, and the legs of Mackey, the head engineer, severely injured, so much so that he was obliged to be removed to the hospital. The shock was also so severe that a policeman of the 11 division, wha was directing the firemen, was dashed off the engine and sus tained several serious injuries, amongst which were a num ber of fractured ribs. Notwithstanding this accident the engines of the London Fire Brigade, West of England, and parish wire speedily set to work, but, in spite of the utmost exertions of the firemen, and the vast torrents of water scattered over the blazing pile, the work of devastation went on, and it was nearly two o'clock before the least im pression could be made upon the fire and not before the building was all but destroyed. The iii1;101 continued through out the day to hover over the mu* of combustibles satu rated as they were with the tons of oil that bad been left on the premises. The cause of fire is at present unknown. The following is a copy of Mr. Braidwood's official report of the damage done : "The manufactory of Messrs. Cross ley, oil refiners, in Pleasant-row, Pelham.strect, Mile-end New Town, burned down; counting-house and offices par tially destroyed, and cooperage seriously damaged by water. The premises were insured in the London Fire Office, and the contents in the Royal Exchange Office. Tl'e flour ware houses of Mr. Dixon have also sustained some damage, the skylights being demolished and the roof injured. A wooden builtling belonging to Messrs. Banbury and Truman, the brewers, has Likcwiae received great damage by fire and water. TUE YACHT AMERICA.—PILOTS AND POLITICS.— A correspondent remarks that a desperate rivalry has for a long series of years existed between the pilots of the neighbouring states of New Jersey and New York, in America. At one time these pilots were so numerous and influential that they became of importance in political and other elections. Their success in their calling depended, of course, entirely on the swiftness of their boats, and they were always trying every imaginable plan in boat building to secure celerity. lo these experiments they were often peeuniarly assisted by politicians and rich men, who wanted their electoral support. These pilots being, from the very nature of their trade, experienced and daring sailors, they were never afraid to try any experiment in sailing in any kind of boat that promised swiftness, no matter how hazardous it appeared. After innumerable trials and failures in boatbuilding, the builders of these boats have hit upon a model which, as far as it is adapted for speed, surpasses anything perhaps in the world. It is according to this model that the American clipper yacht, belonging to Mr. Stephens, has been built, and which has been brought over to this country, and beaten the creek yachts of our aristocratic yacht clubs. There is no place in England where any such circumstances exist u could give rise to the extraordinary competition which exists amongst the pilots of New Jersey and New York, nor anything in this country to draw forth such persevering zeal and ingenuity in boatbuilding similar to that which has existed in America. DEPOT 42ND HIGITIANDER4.—A company from this depiA, consisting of three officers, tw•o sergeants, and fifty rank and file, has left Aberdeen for Balloter, to act as a guard of honour during the Queen's stay at Balmoral. RAILWAY MEETINGS. OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVER- HAMPTON RAILWAY. The extraordinary generalaiitc;i of this com pany, adjourned from July last, to consider the proposal for leasing the line to the Great Western Company for 999 years, and to receive the report of the committee of share holders then appointed to inquire into the subject, took place yesterday at the London Tavern. Mr. Li lea VitIROOK in the chair. The SECRETARY read the report of the committee, in which they strongly recommended the pr:prieturs not to confirm the agreement with the Great At estern, and ex pressed their opinionthat so soon as they should be free from the Great Western, a beneficial and liberal arrangement might be made with the narrow gauge interest ; and stating that the cuininunication they had opened with that interest had been met with candour and cordiality, or suggesting that the line might be carried out as an independent one with far more advantage to the pruprieturs than could be obtained from the Great Western agreement. (This document appeared in the I.:rpress of Monday last.) r. LAURENCE, a member of the committee, said he had a bundle of letters from various proprietors, who had left their proxies w ith the directors desiring to withdraw such proxies, iu order that they might not be used against the sense of the meeting. As u member of the committee representing the shareholders he had asked for information as to the artaal amount of proxies in the office, properly signed and authenticated, and he asked for the account of I these proxies not as a matter of courtesy but of right. (Cheers front the proprietors and cries of " No, no," irons the Great Western directors.) Major COURT must contend that the application just made was altogether out of order. (Cries of " Oh," " Shame," and cheers.) The SECRETARY observed that his only desire was to do his duty to the company; but he was placed iu con siderable difficulty, the proprietors on the ouc side of the table calling upon hint to answer the question, while those who were on the other were telling him that he had no right to do so, (" Shaine.") Ile tuight.however be allowed to state that the same request had been made to the board, and had been refused. It had been moved by Mr. Oliveray at the board meeting on Monday last, and the directors then decided by a majority that the account should not be given. (" Shame.") It was very probable the proxies would not be used, at the same time if it should be the de cision of the meeting that they should be produced, he could have not the slightest objection to produce them. (Rear, hear.) - In r . eplyto'another question put by Mr. Lsiurcnce, The sEcitETAux added, that many of the proxies which had been sent in had been subsequently cancelled, and he believed the number now in the hands of the board were not sufficient to carry any question against the sense of the meeting. Several Proprietor; camplained that this was no answer to the question. What was wanted was the actual number of proxies held. A lung and angry ffiscussion followed, in the course of which Mr. Barlow and his colleaguos in the Great Western interest, were charged with attending there merely to run down the Ehlord and Wolverhumptonproperty, in order to carry out the purposes of the Great Western Company, The CHAIRMAN thought it would facilitate the busi ness if Mr. Smith (the Secretary) were allowed to answer the question at once, and alter some further discussion, Mr. SMITH said the number of shares represented by proxies on the 15th of July was , ;,055, representing 1,421 votes. Several of those proxies had, however, bccii subse quently cancelled. The proxies of 2..5 have been with drawn. 'the CHAIRMAN pledged his honour that no Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton director, or any one con fleeted with them had asked for a single proxy on the sub : ject. (Hear, and " No, it is the Great Western.") Ile had a letter front Mr. Walker, the chairman of the com mittee, which perhaps they would allow the secretary to read, as it bore upon the business of the meeting. (Hear.) The SEGUE CARY then read the letter, which was dated Great George-street, Aug. 25, and stated that the writer was unable to attend the ineetingowing to important business avocations, but expressing his full concurrence in the report of the committee. The terms offered by the Great Western, he considered, were those of a conqueror to the conquered ; and adding that, in his opinion, the policy of the Oxford and Worcester Company was ha fulfil all their obligations to the G.cat Western which either law or equity imposed upon them, and to make the hue in reference to a connexion with the narrow gauge companies, as likely to be in the end the most advantageous to their interests. Ile believed that their line had within itself the elements of au extensive traffic, and that with a board in which the pro prietors had confidence ' the completion of the undertaking on their own credit and resources would not he difficult. The CHAIRMAN then said the board bail thought it their duty to draw p certain remarks in reference to the report of the committee, which would now be read. The SEctIETARY read some remarks of the directors of the company on the report of the Committee of Share holders appointed at the special general meeting held on the Vith July, 18-51. Mr. LAWRENCE, on the part of the committeeof share holders, felt it his duty to declare his opinion that the pro. posed affangeineut fur a lease of 990 years to the Great %Western Company would be equivalent to the total destruc tion of their property. It was a monstrously one-sided agreement, and he could pot but think it a very barefaced proposition to ask the assent of the proprietors without al lowing even a week's consideration. It it should be accepted to-day by a majority of the meeting, they would tw, in point of fact, defunct. and they would be delivered over, hound hand and foot, to the tender mercies of the Great Western Company. They were asked to hand over to that company a line of 91 miles of railway, completed, with sidings and side-lines, iu which case the Great Western would camient to pay them the paltry suns of 13,0001. a year. What security had they that the Great Western would not throw their traffic on their Birmingham and Oxford line, to the detriment of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton ? It they agreed, the shareholders would no longer exist as a deliberative body ; and it was his fixed opinion that they would never receive one sixpence profit. The question was, whether they were now to take au irre vocable step, which, if adopted by three-fifths of the meet ing, would entirely take away from them all power for the future. Iledid not want to shut the door against negotiation with the Great Western Company, but ho called on them to scout the proposed arrangement. (Loud cheers.) Ile moved that the further consideration of the proposed arrangement be adjourned to the ordinary half-yearly meeting to be held that afternoon. He was aware that it was not competent for them to take it then into consideration ; but he chose this form as more courteous than a motion to adjourn it to the haltyearly meeting in January next. Mr. BRET!' seconded the motion. Major COURT rose to show that the terms offered by the Great Western were the best terms that any company could give. (" Oh, oh," and laughter, and much interruption, which for some minutes prevented the hon. proprietor from proceeding.) Re would prove by figures that under that agreement the Great Western would pay to this company &if. a year more than they rectived—(oft)—and he believed the proprietors might calculate upon at once receiving 2 per cent. (" Will you guarantee it 1") He would guarantee the accuracy of his calculation. After some further observations, the interruption con tinuing, Major Court, despairing to obtain a hearing, sat down. A PROPRIETOR wanted to know whether the proxies held by the directors would be used in Toting on the present question. Mr. PAESONS (the solicitor) said he was a proxy bolder. (" Hear," and " oh.") lie had not asked for those proxies, but others bail asked for them fur him without his know ledge. A PROPRIETOR—It is very wrong for the solicitor to hold proxies at all. (Cheers.) Mr. PARSONS could assure the meeting that until the proxies came into him on the last day when they were due, he did not know they had been asked fur fur him. and when he found it was so, he felt himself in a very difficult and a very painful position. (Cheers and " hear.") lie was the bolder, whether he liked it or no, of • large number of proxies (he being himself • large proprietor and having a deep interest in the property) to be used at that meeting. He had not asked for a single proxy, nor had the board asked for any. A PROPRIETOR—But will you use them ? Mr. PARSONS—If you press the question upon me at this stage of the proceedings, I answer I will turn to the parties who are represented by those proxies and will use them according to their desire; but I presume I shall have otherwise to exercise my discretion as to whether I shall use them or not, and how I shall use them. (Hear.) A PROPRIETOR called attention to a clause in the' act which prohibited any Great Western director, or officer, voting on the question of leasing or selling the line to that company, and inquired whether the proxies in Mr. Parsons hands had not come from the Great Western Company's agents. A PROPRIETOR—Not from Great Western, but South Wales agents, and that is the same thing. The proxies were to be used for Great Western purposes they might be sure. (" Hear, hear," and " Shame. ') Mr. Seijeant GASELEE maintained that their solicitor had no right to hold proxies. lle thought that, as a profes sional man, he had placed himself in a position of great de licacy. (Great contusion.) Another scene of great noise and confusion took place, during which Mr. Serjeant Oaaelee moved that Mr. Parsons be dismissed from the office of solicitor to the company, but subsequently withdrew it, with the notice that he might re peat it on a future occasion. Mr. PARSONS repeated that he had never asked for a single proxy, and that he was much pained and embarrassed when they were put into his possession. In reply to a ques tion put to him, Mr. Parsons stated that the proxies were committed to him by the agents of the Great Western Com _ _ _ - Sir 11. FOSTER said Mr. Parsons had cleared himself from all imputation in the matter. Mr. TUDOR, after stating that he had been pre sent at a consultation with a number of gentlemen interested in the company, and that they had come to a resoluti na on the subject now brfure it, moved the adoption of that resolution as an amendment to the one proposed by Mr. Lawrence. It was as follows :—" That there be added to it • clause giving a power of sale to the Great Western after the expiration of four years from the date of the agreement, at the price of 301. for each .SW. share—(" No, no")—or, at the option of the Great ' Western, for a nett annual pa,yment of 3 per cent. on each 50/. share, to be secured by Great Western debentures ; and that if the Great Western should not, within one year from the expiration of the tour years, and the Oxford and Wor co.ter should not have called for such sale, then the Great Western should have the power at any time within two years of the sameperiod to demand it, the agreement not THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the South Devon . ftailway was held at Plymouth, on Tuesday last. The meeting was held in the office of the company adjoining the station. THnv.to WOOLLCOSIBE, Esq., the chairman of the board of directors, took the chair. After the reading of the notice convening the meeting and the attlxior the seal to the register of ahartholders, The CHAIRMAN, after a few remarks, said—lt seems that we are to have a little more war—the extent of that war fare I cannot pretendto determine, but, owing to accidental circumstances for which Mr. Stevens is in no way re-ponsible we have only this day—within half as koar—reccned no. tice that the question of the injunction is to be argued be fore the Vice Chancellor on Friday next. I will go through the whole of the resolutions we intend to submit to you, in order that yon may understand the ease clearly, and see that they follow each other in proper succession, and are in fact dependent one on the other. The first will be an ordinary resolution, receiving and confirming the half yearly report of the directors. The next will be a resolu tion empowering the company to create 80,500'. of the new shares proposed to be issued under the new act of the corn- pany, and will repose in the directors authority to issue them at any time. within twelve months from this day, at such rates of interest, and subject to such' amounts of preference, redeemable or nut redeem able, as the directors in their discretion think necessary. The other resolution tells its story, and slowly determines on a course adopted by other companies which has been found to be extremely desirable—namely, that at every election of directors, proper notice shall be given in order that all the shareholder] may know precisely who arc likely to come before them and to ask their suffrages. Having said thus much it will be simply necessary for me to mid that these resolutions being either passed or refused, as you may please to decide, this day, it will be our duty to attend before the Vice-Chancellor on your behalf, at the appointment fixed for Thursday, at Bath, and then to support the overwhelming case of the shareholders against that of the single gentleman who thinks proper to carry out his own particulae views in this way. In reference to the general position of this company, upon which subject it is customary on these occasions to deliver some remarks, it would be far more gratifying to me to have been able to place before you a more fleurishing statement than that svhich is indicated en the face of the report. We have not derived any sensible advantage—rather the con trary—from that which has created so much benefit for other companies. The effect of the Great Exhibition on traffic has not been to improve it, but rather to act detri mentally thereon than otherwise. The result is nut at all contrary to my own expectations, because it always occurred to me that where a great attraction was to be witnessed at a considerable distance persons would rather go at once and enjoy the attraction to the fullest extent in the cheapest mode, than to spend their money on our own local line. We have sustained a considerable diminution of income in con sequence of the award which has been made by the post office. It has taken off nearly 6,000/. a year, and thus made a material inroad upon our receipts, and will, of counie, make a considerable diffirenTe in the amount that we had calculated on receiving during the past six months. With regard to the current MX months, the traffic of tho line is going on no well as it is reasonable to expect under the circumstance s. I find Mao that our goods traffic is gradually increasing. That, I believe, is a branch of income to the company which is more capable of expansion than any other, btcallst, it is quite clear that all our goods arrangements are in their infancy, and no railway can develop that branch of its traffic under a period of four, five, or perhaps even six years from the time of its opening. The most important matter to which we look for an increase in our revenue is the probability of Plymouth being made a port of departure for mail packets. We have hitherto been labouring under a very great disadvantage in reference to that subject. The company formed to complete the Great Western Docks, without which we shall never succeed in getting the traffic we anticipated— has been compelled for waist of money to discontinue the works, and are still un able to proceed with them. They are, however, about to make an attempt to resume operations, and I think they will dose under circumstances of great encouragemeut, because no one who has watched the proceedings in parlia ment in reference to the establishment of steam communi cation between England, the East belies, China, and other parts of the world, will have failed to perceive the abso• lute necessity for the formation of a competing company. We have received an assurance that there are parties, with a subscribed capital to a very considerable amount, ready to undertake such an enterprise, and who would make this the final port of departure for their vessels. It will therefore become a rustier deserving the serious consideration of this company, whether they will join other companies in giving such assistance in that direction as they are able to afford. He then concluded by moving, as one resolution, the adop tion of the half-yearly statement of accounts and the re port, abstracts of which have already appeared in the Ex . - - - Mr. T. W. FOX suggested that the report and statement of accounts should be received, but not adopted, until there had been full opportunity for the discussion of matters to which it had reference. The CHAIRMAN said perhaps it would be better, under all the circumstance; to take the other resolutions first, and the report subsequently. This proposal having been received with marks of ap proval, The CHAIRMAN proposed the next resolution as fol lows That it is expedient to create soil issue new shares in the capital of the company tett', amount of 80,500/., portion of the amount for which new SielLlTell are authorised to be created and issued by the South Devou Railway Act,lfisil. "That such new shares, to the amount of 80,5001., be created and issued forthwith, or at such time within the period of twelve months from the date of these resolutions as the directors of the company for the time being shall think fit ; and that such shares shall be of the nominal amount of if each, and shall form portion of one class of shares denominated ' new shares,' in the capital of the com pany, and shall be applicable in payment of the existing debts of the company, other than the mortgage and bond debt, and shall bear and be entitled to a preferential inte rest or dividend, payable half yearly at such rate, and either in perpetuity or for such other period us the said directors shall in their discretion determine. " That such new shares shall be off-red by circular, to he addressed to the fielders of the whole and of the half shares in the company respectively, and shall he allotted by the directors to such holders as shall signify in writing their desire to take any of such shares in rateable proportion as nearly as may be to the nominal amount of the shares held by them respectively ; and every shareholder who shall fail to declare his intention to take any of the new shares by letter, to be delivered at the office of the company within twenty-one days after the date of the letter offering the new shares, shall be deemed to have waived his claim to any allotment. "That any surplus of the said new shares which may remain unclaimed by the shareholders, shall be allotted and disposed of to such persons, and in such manner as the directors shall think fit, and or the interest of the cum pany. "That the directors be empowered to take all necessary measures to carry these resolutions into effect." Atter sonic discus-ion, the resolution altered by the in troduction of the words of the act, as to the objects to which the money to be raised should he applied, was about to he put to the meeting, when a question, as to whether it was necessary to go to the poll, was raised, but this, after some discussion, was decided by the chairman calling for a divi sion, when there appeared SI shareholders in fivour of the resolution, and 5 who declined to vote. No one voted against the resolution, and the chairman declared it to be carried. The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution for the odor). tion of the report, which was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN then moved the third resolution as follows : " That a dividend of ss. per share be declared on the whole shares of SOL each, for the half-year ending 30th June, 18.51 ; but that such dividend shall be, and is hereby declared, subject to the previous payments of the fixed di vidends on half shares, under the resolutions of the 12th August inst., to the 15th September, 18.11, and to be pay able, subject, as aforesaid, to the shareholders ou the regis ter scaled this day." Mr. DERRY (of Totnes), seconded this resolution, and it was adopted. The CHAIRMAN then moved the fourth resolution : " That in any future election of directors, to be made at the General Meeting of the Proprietors of this Company, the names of candidates duly qualified and intended to be proposed for such election, shall be made known by notice in writing to the secretary, to be received by him, on or before the 10th February in each year, in order that the same may be published by advertisement, which the direc tors are hereby required to insert in the newspapers con taining the notice of the meeting, at least ten days be fore the intended election and that no person shall be no minated or elected as a director at such a meeting, unless such notice shall have been given in a manner aforesaid." Mr. W. H. EVENS seconded, and it was at once adopted. Mr. T. W. FOX asked what was proposed to be done in respect to the Great Western Docks ? The CHAIRMAN explained that he believed the Great Western Dock Company bad ascertained that they could, for 110,0001., put the docks in a state tit to accommodate the steam-vessels of the Eastern Steam Navigation Company. They could finish the inner basin, and provide a graving dock capable of accommodating the steamers and a certain amount of warehouse accommodation ; 60,0001. of this they proposed to raise by shares. The South Devon Company had no power to take any of these shares, but the Bristol and Exeter and the Great Western companies had the power of doing so, to the extent of eight or ten thousand pounds. The Great Western Dock Company had power to raise from 35,0001. to 40,0001. by debenture, and it was sug gested that the South Devon Company might advance a part of the amount on debenture. As the South Devon Company could not take any of the shares, it was thought they might provide a somewhat larger amount of the debt on bonds. The directors, however, would not come to the shareholders to recommend this until it was clear that the works would be completed for the sum raised, so u to render the docks available. Mr. 1. W. FOX moved " That the best thanks of the shareholders are eminently due to the chairman fur his labo rious and successful exertions for the benefit of the com pany ; and that a committee be appointed to consider the subject of conferring a suitable acknowledgment to him for the same. That the committee consist of Mr. J. Rundle, Mr. W. Prance, Mr. W. H. Hawker, Mr. W. Fo x , a n d Mr. J. Chilcott." Mr. It. HOPWOOD seconded the resolution ; and Sir A. Byttrx, who had taken the chair on it having been vacated by Mr. Woollcombe, put the resolution, and it was adopted by acclamation. Thanks were also voted to the other directors, and the meeting separated. COWES TOWN REGATTA.—COWES, WEDNESDAY, Atro. 27.—Her most gracious Majesty, with • view of affording gratification and amusement to all classes of this favoured island, sent •very handsome sum to the committee of the above regatta, to be appropriated towards providing an entertainment for those persona who were unable to de rive pleasure from the more aristocratic evolutions of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the same to be contended for on the birthday of his Royal Highness Prince Albert. Several sailing and rowing matches, and other aquatic amusements were in consequence got up by the committee yesterday, and all went off in a manner which gave general satistac tion. The sports commenced at ten o'clock in the morning and did not terminate *Dilate in the evening. CANADIAN LAND AND RAILWAY ASSOCIATION. At the weekly meeting of the committee of this association, hell at their oftfees, Is, Aldermanbury, yester day, Mr. Fneocuica Scanra in the chair, Mr. A. CAMPBELL (the secretary) stated that the peti tion to the Nova Scotia legislature, for an act of incorpora tion, had been transmitted by the lag mail to the Ibis J. Howe for presentation ; that the powers asked for were ";to receive grants, purchase and dispose of land, with its mine rals, metals, and timber ; to contract for and execute rail ways and other public or private works ; to clear and culti vate land and build houses, and to dispose of such lard with or without buildings thereon, at such prices as would yield a fair return for the capital end labour employed ; to lay out and build villages, towns, and harbours, con struct vessels, establish and work fisheries, mines, and ma nufactories, levy rates for the purpose of building and supporting schools, libraries, museums, baths, or for any other purpose for improving the physical, intellectual, and moral character of the population, as well as to raise from the members a fund for their own maintenance in cases of sickness, accident, old age, or any other state or contingency which may arise, requiring the care, comfort, and protection of the association ; also to empower the asso riot to issue a circulating medium for facilitating the pro duction and distribution of wealth, to limit the liabilities of the members to the amount of their own subscriptions; and, lastly, to grant to the association all the social and political powers to appoint magistrates or other officere required to regulate the townships of the association in accordance with the constitution of Nova Scotia." Mr. THOMAS ATKINS, engineer, Oahu], said that he was sorry he could not attend their last meeting, being at the time engaged professionally in a iliilbrent part of the country; he was, however, more and more convinced of the importance of the great project they had undertaken, and he for one was preparing to enter into the execution of the works with all his capital, machinery, and extensive practi cal experience; already he was possessed of ionic of the hest tools and machinery that could be made in this coun try, and he was getting more ready; with a few good prac tical engineers, men of heart and soul for progress, "Ohl Ned," (the steam engine) could be applied to cut down the forests, clear and cultivate the land, and convert the raw materials into model towns, watered, heated, lighted, ven tilated, and drained, on scientific principles for promoting the health, happiness, and prosperity of the people. la this country the railruads hail to be made to suit the old towns, in these North American Colonies the best lice would be selected for the road, and then the beet sites fur the villages, towns, and harbours, with all the modern sci entific improvements, would by selected and proceeded with. The committee must go boldly forward, for success in a great measure would depend on themselves, and he for one was prepared to do hie part. Mr. BLAKE said that he had noticed the reports of their proceedings in the press with great satisfaction, and would recommend that steps be taken to advertise that the associa tion wan now in a condition to receive subscribers. The SECRETAItY stated that he had received applica tions from various persons in different localities wishing for infOrmation, and wishing to be employed as engineers, sur veyors, and other workmen of various capacities for the construction of the railroads, and o6•ring to allow is portion of their salaries or wages to be invested in shares. Ile had informed these parties that it would be contrary to the principles of the association to engage any person, or even place them on the list for employment, until they had be came subscribers for shares and paid the deposit; that when they had paid the subscriptions of 2a. Gil. per share, they would then be placed on the lists now in course of being made up fur the various kinds of skill and labour that would be required, and that the subscribers would be se lected according to their ascertained abilities fur the work, us it progressed, hut always giving a preference to those first on the lists, provided other qualifications were equal. Mr. BATTEN Said he wished to know the conditions on which the committee would receive the full amount of the ' shares front those who were willing to advance their funds at once. The SECRETARY stated that a party had called at the office and put the same question. Ho (the secretary) stated as his opinion, that the best mode would he to sub scribe for as many shares as the money intended to be ad vanced would amount to at 2s. CA. per share, and that when the tf.-t of incorporation was obtained, of which there could be no doubt, then the party could convert his deposits into as many paid-up shares us the amount he had paid would cover. The CHAIRMAN stated that the question put by Mr. Batten was am of considerable importance, because there was no doubt the association would be able to offer aid van tams to parties for employment and the purchase of land that could not otherwise be obtained, and therefore he hoped the committee would well consider the matter and come to some resolution on the subject. Mr. BATTEN stated that the party who made the ap llication had intended to go out to Canada and pur c ha s e and, but that he now thought it more prudent to join the association. He was willing to subscribe fur about fifteen shares, which, at d/. each, would amount to 75/. Ile was willing to pay the deposit of 2s. 6,1 each ou these shame towards the preliminary expense. and to advance the whole amount if the committee would allow hint interest on it till the paid up shares could be issued in accordance with the prospectus. The committee having fully discussed the 'imposition, the followin4 resolution was submitted to the chairman, put to the meeting, and unanimously passed: " Resolvcal,—That in the event of Mr.—advancing any sum of money to the committee beyond the amount required for deposits un shares, such money will ho lodged in tho Bank in the names of the finance committee, and the inte rest received thereon to be added to the principal until converted into paid up shares, when the permanent direc t iry is formed under the Act of Incorporation ; hut should the act not b !obtained, such principal and interest thereon to be returned." The SECRETARY then directed the attention of the committee to the very liberal manner in which some of the daily press had reported their proceedings. The committee having instructed the Secretary to ex press their thanksto the editors of the Morniny Herald, the Daily News, the Morning Chronicle, and the Morniny Post, agreed that advertisements, when prepared, should be inverts tl in these papers, and such others as the Secre tary and Manager may deem proper. The meeting adjourned. SoDTII STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY. The half yearly meeting of this company was held at Lichfield yes terday. It. C. Chawner, Esq., the chairman of the Board of Directors, presided. The attendance was small. The report and statement of accounts have been published. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that they must be aware that the managem e nt of the lino I was no longer a part of the business of the shareholders and ' the Huard of Directors ; their chief duty and business was to close the capital account as soon as possible. Ile then proceeded to explain that some delay had occurred with regard to the speedy accomplishment of that object. Haying briefly adverted to some other topics, the chairman concluded by congratulating the company upon the success with which the lessee had conducted tho line, and he moved the reception and adoption of the report. Mr. I'. Dymt seconded the motion, and the report was adopted unanimously. The meeting was then made special, for the forfeiture of shares in consequence of non-payment of calls; and, upon the motion of the chairman, 3,632 shares, upon which 2!. 9s. 9d. each had been paid, were accordingly declared forfeited. On the motion of Mr. P. Dyott, a vote of thanks was voted to the chairman and board of directors for the efficient and satisfactory manner in which they had conducted the affairs of the company, and the meeting terminated. LONDONDERRY AND ENNISKILLEN RAILWAY.— The hulf.yearly meeting of this company was held yester day at the offices in Coleman-street-buildings, City. George Tyrrell, Esq., having taken the chair, the Secretary read • report, a summary of which has appeared.—The Chairman simply moved the adoption of the report which was carried unanimously.—A dividend of 4s. 11d. per share on the 12/. 10s. half shares for the last half year was then agreed to nem. con.—Mr. Frith moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors, which was agreed to unanimously. Mr. Laver said he had been to Ireland to satisfy himself, and bad found the station and works on the line very sub stantially built, and the railway itself an well managed us any other iu the kingdom. Having made some remarks on the difficulties they had met with in respect to their con tracts, he should move that in future no contract be entered into without due publicity being given to contractors in the Irish and English newspapers.—Mr. Frith seconded this motion, which was agreed to.—Mr. Bates made some obser vations as to the mode of lessening the expense of working the line.—Mr. Gilliland (a director) had no doubt that the traffic would be tripled as sown as they got into Omagh, which they ought to do simultaneously with going to New town Stewart.—The meeting then adjourned. CALEDONIAN AND DUNBARTONBIIIRE JUNCTION RAILWAY.—The half-yearly meeting was held at Glaagow on Tueaday ; J. Baird, Esq., M.P. in the chair. The re port stated that there was a free balance from revenue of 4,4711. I4s. 40., but, considering the state of the capital account, and the uncertainty of the amount of the winter receipts, the directors recommended that instead of being applied to dividend, this balance should remain an loan to capital account. The chairman moved the adoption of the report, and that no dividend be declared, but that the sum of 4,4711. 14s. 4d. at the credit of the revenue account be transferred as a loan to the capital account; that the direc tors be authorised to forfeit all shares upon which the third and fourth call has not been paid up; that the directors be authorised to make another call of 21. 10s. per share when necessary, and that a sum of 2501. be voted as remuneration for the services of the directors since the line came into their hands. Mr. Colquhoun moved as an amendment that the report be not approved of, and that no moneys of the com pany be voted away until an investigation had been made into the company's affairs. Mr. Galbraith seconded the amendment. After a few remarks front Mr. Blackburn, the vote was taken, when the motion was carried by 16 to 3. A. vote of thanks was given to the chairman, and the meeting separated. WALTHAM AND EPPING FOREST.—According to • law Act (14 and 15 Viet., cap. 43) the Forest of Mainsail, which is a part of Waltham Forest, ill to be dia afforested, and public roads may be made. The act is not to extend to Epping Forest. Certain poor widows are entitled to a load of timber once a year, on Easter Monday, or to when they cannot procure a team to cirry it away. By this act their rights arc to be ascertained, and the amount invested, so that at the end of the year the dividends arc to be expended in fuel for the widows, and the same distri buted at Christmas. The act will be enforced by paid cum- n ! imissionere.