The Express. — London, England, 1850-02-23 00:00:00

____ .-------- ao , -rogio rod salmis TIM; Pads sad tear., ss) ' . • ill.vre. :17 30 . Asideon and IlavvellIr•, 198 :3 • Saar 1 1, " .., , 1 , 44 e. 113; lleaa , iVisraa), 303 IS; Odom aLI Hoe. 1.. , • . !writers. 4 1 ; 34); Moatereaa mad Tram, 110; psi, 11 , 0 , ',....' ...,..331 z; Timm sad Swam, MU A; IfenviWas Maas 0. ?.ti Tormara ilia Imolai. 1;0; Map. sad p. m ", 17L lo• . ' •.....'"---- - - SWITZERLAND. The re j eri st Ceuta of illoitz..rland heo admit/4 , wi ng rimier to the governments oi t.he 1 ' mai sore tapscoolly to there of the fr ontiers: ! Ott Bona, Fan. 15. La tehl a wl dear Cowlinlevireo.—ward i•onsals have I that some powers, among ; rr.ben Austria and "r~,..:•re eoho S tealing tr.,* demi. ed march !against Ss' teas s ad else to l ava to it. in order to wrest Mae it r : , 6 twosome swap `title with its dignity and hide mi. A lO . 4 .,b up to the priming, time there has bees' i is es. en the wart 01 those powers, no note, written 64 ; ,b 6 L so loans cirtct or iiidirect, of the nature re- „fiend tee public pap n—notew or ternands re m^ - w orm, lad which would toad to eicremsh cm woe to t ~-i im age sad the richnio: Seettzerlasil; althoegli them ** ben Do arierranees swaseet t. • otafederation, which h • u•ly fulfilled its oblieations, sad will matins' elthongh We are ctusequestly very far from or v eto won Nippon. 11 the projects ascribed to alwGtu rif'r e • no t withstar mot that, we eay , our duty Wine dry watt rte ',eery of Suits elided, end Ott main • ,i 1 its indereodenee es well as its aeutralit!, we beg to make known what you may kauw or learn, touch ., ter cocrontrE tons or movement, of weigh troops, wattle ▪O, h. iti d against Switzerland, to order that It, con . to ail espectattos, the ranitiers which at, spread be ▪ tom we ma be able to take oppartgatily all the marline r.quired fo r the deter a of the cogatry . You s ear ....•n faithful contetheatio, if head. p.croland do's not mean to allow her soil to serve as the t elt , ot a propaganda, and to schemes whfith may cause j,...,lietude to uogntiouring states, so the federal council r oiled by its decree of tee 16 h of July, 1849, and its ettir m** ***** relative is the sending into the interior of rehm , s. and the expulsion of their chiefs, measures u t,...h sr , a.% eocerosions, I , ut the tree and voluntary so Ini.meat if our fee and iaternational duties; on the e.r bats% won, in this positi'n. 80010111111 will know k e e to re Met with the tawny which the seetintent of a good ones, any ezigehey which ruse exceed the hmi.s of woo. any attack ~.n its rights. Sash Is the firm r solo t :he nation, and of its authoring', both centoual and 5.."1.:• It is chneeneently cur 7.800111,01 rho, attain as e , .7e. that it Switzerland does sot pe..voke, she will not i t. :tit before, mesatet But we repeat, that the hostiiinee • whisk certain jonruals menace Swiiserland are so de. • of Imindation, they would be so contrary to reason and -, to tpp wed to the saint. Sara of general win , ,•?. that we should consider it as Insult to the powers .4pes• that they would snow themselves to he mauled by ' pity which d iss not ma** to calnicinate Switzerland, in e , t x tea', deceising the European goer ensign!' by in t tool falseno.ids. it will succeed in making them verve ,tttments to its perilous &Diens. Do to either behave tt ... e t ) woes it Metes that the Federal Council has COOP I. ere the iejnactions of diplomacy, or has anticipated Tres is so contrery to the truth as when it that the Federal Council has not the power to cause . -zee. to oe respected. or that Swi zirland is a permanent perturnaiion to tee artreboaritig states. These in e a te, like so many others, pert it the inhumes of the • cr* party, on which it is necessary to base the eye tie et / • in is occeiaon to recommend you, dear and • •111e0e1te 1 , anti eurielvie t•o the divine protection. la the nimie of th* bwi-a Federal Council, II P t .' LY, l'r. intent of the Conlederatioa. V,.. h1t.104, Skatatltehl of the Chancellor of the torifederation. s(' 11 LESWIG HOLSTEIN. CONCLUSION OF PEACE. BERLIN, Fin. 19. io-d sy serscd conference for the conclusion of a dtll4l ice pace 11 i.h DJumark takes place, at the h 'tee of 1.3:d Westmoreland; and the Prussian ple n:poter.sisr3 , Abu Usedesm, brings forward the coun tts-isejer of his gorernmeut to the Danish pro- p ,tio.r. I wish:4.nd to-day that this coun to-project ell,as a much more limited in &pet d.w to S:ltswig than will content the 11.sebier. ,:ing to the same scheme, are to •epar.,t,d. 'Dv cos:cessions made in this plan to Polnark are cniderably greater than are required re::tuitaries of peace stipulated in July, are r. , st arc.red there is very little hope ciniug to arsy arras gesuen.. :By Eecn ic T.legraph j FEB. 21. 1 1 ar COM opoadent it (omit., that at the conference L.}rd Westmortland's, the Prussian rait. rloij,c: for the s-parstion of the duchies, with indep.ndence of Schleswig, was agreed . I lie piece is to be cocclultd on this basis. GIAIMANY. BERLIN, FEB. 19. To rrimate aright the pecuniary sinews of Prussia for frrrt of wo-, to !he eighteen millions now r4r expenses avowedly =Hairy, we must add •atupwie miiii.ns ahead) toted for the Eutern ~.Airs, nivel% the government will not scruple to ?.y to warlike purposes it occuion demand. Here :v new loan Iv called the price of the royal oath. :t.st war is txpuld seems to be indicated by an or .:ace on the organisation of the landsturm, which et, the point of appearing. It is doubted whether txtetsive peparations can be pointed against Ns..zoisnd, whose Federative Council will probably ;)ss !at u Prussia can reasonably desire in expel . 7,4 •I. Gbtuzious re:tigtee. Neufchatel, alttough Leap buthen is a fiscal pint of view, is no doubt toT.:ul as an acquisition. A demand of 40,000 thalers e.r.:e upon that canton. The Hohenzollern priori ps. • • • are to be erenised by President Spiegel. 1:.o micistar of jubticv ham composed a memorial, •.••:rg !octo a plan fur supplying prov•stonally the d• : mad, by the Ctumbers in the constitution by r•jettioti of the royal proposition relating to the rr, cest of entails. Ttere is a provision made in art. • ; :o tz by an ordinavce the conditions under which t.•t i s s,.lbeation of an hereditary peer is to be con tend me the possession of a certain amount cf latded prope►ty. In conformity with this provision, :mogis meets oat a statute from the Landreeht, 5:. ; ., Lions I proprietor in cages were no entail to niakt a aett.emeot in favour of the first and Ttiis memorial he lays before the .4irl of (nation, at Etirer.breitatein, which is to re- Lift % ?malted judgment thereon. lA it to draw your attention to an important notice tc ht &obi , 1,. ReArns, which wears all the appear ;zee of an official ongin: C mow of war's application for ea extraordinary tri lit has been the mare favourably received by the' ti-res of parliament, as certain apprehensions started Lere sad there are cow in a great mesoure allayed. It meets with approval that Prutsis should prepare ter”.l is a constitutional way for all eventualities; ael Lenity many deplorable occurreacee may be timely as rid. We deem it oar duty to Irma the public simian t• e I air renewed exaggerations by which mem from Frame • used for the purpose of exciting alarm. We axe of '; that putts' disturbances in Frame would not avail my serrespasdiag trouble in this country. Me go. 'mt.. at, we believe, sees indeed in such disorders &ream to te •eirful on the west frontier. but is thoroughly per mat the precantiona taken are quite sufficient to pro t' . ..I'M= any serious disturbance that may threaten as on ttkt rat,. Itadimi.7 and Gegen' are spoken of as likely to be m.t.isu-ra in 'he Bunnentaat. Ike revision of the con atindion by the Erfurt parliament is hoped to be eo"eluded by the 26th of May, the day on which the League of the Three Kings expires. The Ih.ovhe Rearm says;—" Yesterday rumours were spread of a new Russian note, protesting against the Erfurt parliament, aed of Russian troops being dream Cl) as an auxiliary reserve for the Austrians on the CChem frontier. We have reason to believe that ttere is no foundation for these reports." The Polish member for Erfurt, Count Dzialineky, eacniuiseioned by his constitoents to pretest against Li and then to retire. In many of the ice-stoppages of rivers in Silesia, Le-tme by gunpowder, and shattering the ice with tAeten-lonl, has Dien found of effectual service in rimoriag those formidable obstructions. The Chambers are galloping through he rest of t:e r week somewhat blindly, it is thought. In the train, sitting impor tant Second Chamber yesterday the "b Rill. the Land-tax Bill, and the Bill tal"Perting the Families o f N ee d y Landwehrmen, Itte P"eed ; and today the Municipal Bill was got fu r as the 100th clause. The reformed bill for the Pubtioa of property held in common was wined as "we from the upper house. On the other hand, L., a.:!eratior i made by the First Chamber in the I .andlord end Tenant Bill, as applied to Upper Silesia, a.% rejected by a lsrge majority. 1 0 Weimar and Baden the Erfurt elections are at t.I 4 . l uh. e Darmstadt they are put o ff to th e m iddl e M The Austrian whams for a Oerman customs onion hes met with a particu'arly unfavourable tecerion at Frankfort, and has given a fresh impulse to the party in that free city who advocate adhesion to the Pros ean Bandeasioat. Frankfort probably wishes to sti pulate that the Reichstag should be held there instead of at Erfurt. Fan 20. A royal message has just been read to the announcing that dal ais to be dissolved on the 26:h inst. (By neetsks Telegraph.) Fan 21. The SCOOIIII Chamber has unanimously voted the ztraordinary coedit of eighteen millions, d.•anded by the minister of war. VIENNA, FIR. 17. The if Zeilung, of this day, cone ins a semi official article, in which the introduction of a new stamp-tax is announced. M. Kraus expecte to get a revenue of three millions sterling from this new ti,cal expedient. The Grata Gazette announces that General d'Aspre has received orders to march on Rome, and set up the double eagle again over the Austrian embassy, while the Pape met-s hie entry into the E;eroal City. Oa the 12th the prefect of police at Agram notified to the editor of the Slareneki Jug, that the Ilan Jellachich had given orders for the suppression of that paper, and proceeded to seize the number of the rine& Ob.lewsky, secretary of the 1111 , sian ca binet, arrived in Vienna on the 15th inst. from Mol davia. Oa the stun day several Hungarian notables let for Preaburg. Nast" Tu. IL—Voluntary Loan, 104. National Debt. Vt. Contiarreill Karla' laeletra preratoras, 104. Bank Marva. 1141. VlSYNA,aletaniques. ; Date Yaw per °eats, 71. Beak Shane, 1130. Ezenamite on Fran •i&rt, 114 THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23, 1850. Maiden& Esq.. who has templed the cede of one el the Judges of the Court of &viols in Bonlend. COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY TUB LORD LIEUTENANT OP NOSPOLIL.—The Hon. 3. H. D. Astley end Bit B. ItAtimeen,Kat., to be Deputy Lieutenants. Tax RIGHT HON. SIDNEY HILLBEET.—We taint to hear of the indisposition of Mr. Sidney Herbert. The richt boa igintleassa was so unwell &nisi the last week as to be precluded from the performance of parliamentary or pablie duties. DEATR OT GEN. ROBERT DUDLEY BLAEL—WA have to record the denies of the shave venerable sad gallant general, who died a low days dam at hie seat in timesz. The deceased pascal wee second sea of the late Biz Dreads Blake, Bat., of Tolstoi Castle, sad brother sad heir pre sumptive of the precut bareaet. His commission was dated as aubloised -Basigu, March 8, 1793 ; Jens 29, 1793; septa'', May 21, 1794; major, September 18, 1794 ; lisatt..ftlosel, February 28, 1793 ; °Mosel, April 29, 1802; niejooneneral, Ostober 23, 1809: Ileat : ileaeral, June 4, 1614; sad ireneral, January 10, 1837. The gallant deosassd was ia hb 75th year. RAILWAY MEETINGS.. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN. Yererday's Erpreas contained the important por tions of the report reed at the half pearly meeting of this company, together with the proceedings up to the time of going to press. - SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED FURTHER FZIPENDITITIL (01 this unary the set amount only woe gm la yerectleft hopnraion.) Main lino Red li cenipleted : Land 131,747 10 0 Worts 34,218 10 1 - - Limpet Estandate and 0114 SAM 0 1 tea &WWI Leeds end Danaher? 74,204 0 0 lindensleld end Margbotstr 70,349 1 7 Wag t Carriages 9,143 8 1 40,373 le 3 29,170 1 4 Works sot astray ardiul, bat Bm4b roolokr ee lmM ii .... NB& MO, loomion= h. ore7 Nomoroo. Rolossico Land sod work, 341,101 0 0 Interest 50,90 0 0 191,031 0 0 _ _ Lines sot ""I'. 19 which the employ hats es lotereg : Mow Trilby esstik 9.6 ltrdes • 23,191 11 0 73,300 0 0 723,431 0 0 ttlepoisi—lncluding legal sod esessalig expeates 20,000 0 0 1,370,0113 I $ ma—lasals.vls.: . . serples bed awl srialudab 364,123 0 0 Advisees reyslable by other companies lBB,OOO 0 0 330,123 0 0 Net amount of &limits 11,019,910 2 3 The adoption of the report having been moved sad sounded, Mr. TART? rou to submit an amendment. He said be had been a shareholder for the last 15 years in some of the largest and must profitable lines in the kingdom. This was the first occasion on which be bad ever attended a public meeting ; but be considered that in this respect he, is common with many other proprietors, had been guilty of a gums neglect of duty, analog from the too implicit confidence ' they had all been in the habit of placing in the management of their directors. (Hear, bear.) But the chairman had told them that the time for blind confidence was at an end. (Hear.) As rehash thou disgraceful frauds which had been perpetrated elsewhere he believed the directors of the N.irth Western were perfectly and entirely free. (General sheers.) But the leases, and amalgamations, and par ehases, and guarantees, into which they bad, from time to time , involved the proprietors had never beet investigated. (Hoer, hear.) And even though they should be proved to be blunders, and justifiable in their preens* conduct, and free from individual influence still they (the proprietors) had to complain of a most lavish and wasteful expenditure of their sooty. (Hear, hear.) Hs would not trouble diem with instances whi ch were sufficiently palpable—(bear, hear)—and one they had in the magnificent hell is which they were now assembled. Was that a place fit for the transaction of business ? Why, it was more like one of those splendid halls they might expect to meet with in an Italian pages, and it might he token as one example of the way is which their money bad been thrown away. Let them look at that splendid struc ture upon which their mon. y had been spent, without the possitility of cne shilling of return. (Hear, hear.) Let tin. m kok also at the inconsiderate mouser into which the directors had rushed into parliamentary contests—contests which they had not merely met, but actually courted. (Hear, hear.) But a year or two beck it was only necessary tor them to be told that a scheme wan propounded on the broad image system, but they must immediately enter the field to opp ese it. (A voice, ".And quite right too.") He would mentith ere isstanee. It would be recollected, that the Great Western had proposed, nit wisely as he thought, a line from Oxf ird to Cheltenham, and in which, if they thought proper to invest their money in that speculation, it was no concern of the proprietors of the North Wet ern. But their diremors thought it fitting to bring forward a rival project which sever could pay a farthing, but which occasioned a large expenditure in par liamentary costs. (Hear, hear.) He was as are that they could not retrace their steps, but it would be 'till &dean tageous that all these transit:tithe should be fully ineese igated, in order that their results might be held up to every future board of management. (Hear, hear.) It war Mi. profuse expenditure, and the facility it gave to make counts appear what was wished rather than what they were which bad originated L Ord Monteagle's bill of last year. The as nchnent he would suggest was: " That such ports of the report now read as relate to the payment of dividends be received and adopted, but that the remainder, together with the halt yearly accounts, be taken into 000sideration at the first meeting of the shareholders of this company which shall be held after parliament shall have 'stab ished some better system of audit and control." The explanation of the chairman with regard to the in crease of ex; endi tire in the pri sent accounts as compared with those of 1848, did not, as far as the Huddersfield and Dewsbury and the other lines were concerned, account for that increase. In October, 1848, they were told that the amount expended and to be capes did for these lines was 25 milieus, now it appeared it was 25 millions, and that more was required. This system of adding to the capital account must be put an end to by some means or other. (Hear, hear.) He admitted the truth of what the chairman had stated with regard to the locomotives and plant of different descriptions, that when the exigencies of the traffic required that they should be increased, the charge mute be placed to the capital amount. Bat there was too great a desire to add unnecessarily to that amount, and it was suck additions that tended to the ruin of the company. The amendment was sanded by Mr. GALLOWAY. Lord LIFFORD thought if the smiting pissed such • amendment, or if even then were a lug; minority in its favour, it would be throwing the apple of disoord amongst, ai.d be most injurious to, the interests of the company. (Che. rill He wee aware that many of the subsidia'y lines had been unremunerabve, but the snot had not been con fined to the directors, the sharehuldin were equally liable to blame. Let them now, however, resolve to profit by ex ;tediums, and prevent iuture extravagance. There was no necessity to express a want of cuofidence in the directors, it was sofhient to request them not to engage in these wild speculations hereauer. (Hear, hear.) It wee important, however, that something should be done to ChM the capital account. or to do that which would be equivalent to it. He admitted that more capital might be required for purposes erential to the prosperity of the company, but be thought it might be provided for in another way than by adding to the ca pi tal account. At present they had no means of know lag wikh of the subsidiary lines were remunerative, and ethic\ were not, and whether the losses of the one were co voted by the gains of the other. lie would suggest that the an easints for the extensions should be kept separate, and audited separately, so that the shareholders might know how far the estimates and enpsnditure agreed, and what was the gain or loss in sack cue, and that any additional capital that might he required should he wrovited by a call. Mr. MONTGOMERY MARTIN had also a proposition to make, which, if it were adopted, would probably induce Me. Tartt to withdraw his. He thought it was moat desir able that they should have a cutinunce audit. It was impossible for one man in 100 to follow such detailed and extensive accounts u were presented at the halfyearly muting , - The CHAIRMAN—I would remind the hon. proprietor that there wiU be a special meeting on the subject of audit. Mr. MARTIN would prefer an independent audit, is widish the accounts should be made up monthly, and deli vered monthly to every proprietor. (" 06, oh," " impos• able.") It was done In the commimariat• and in all the eshiaial disbursements. Why net do it here. Mr. DEAN approved of the, principle, bat would suggest the Billowing amendment: " But it tithe opinion of this meeting that, with the payment of calla now in arrest, the capital ac count of the company be forthwith closed, and that no further oddities* be made thereto, except for such purposes and to such extent as shall have been previously authorised by a resolu ties of an extraordinary general meeting of the company, convened for the purpose of considering as estimate and state ment of the outlay required and the objects to be attained ; and that such estimate and statement be circulated among the proprietors at least ath days prior to each muting place." He thought that if the mover of the premiss meat would substitute this it would answer every better. His (Me. Dean's) &volition had been more particularly to the subject from having ex amined the accounts in October, and those sew furnished ; and, notwithstanding the chairman's expla nation as to the cause of the discrepancy, he believed the difference to be of a d.fferent amount, and should state hie impression. The account of October stated that, in 1861, when all the works should be completed, the capital ex pended would amount to 25,882,0001 ; but the praptat accounts brought the amount up to 28,000,0001. Eves ex eluding the items deducted by the chairman, the meant at eapital actually expended up to the 81st Des. wet 26,047 120/., being an excess over the ram fi xed for 1862 of 10 6,120/.; and it appear. d that even that excess would not be sufficient to complete the works. Mr. E.. NAPIER seconded the motion. Mr. MOZELY (auditor) complained that his conduct and that of Ida brother auditor had been impugned. (No, no.) He was not likely to misunderstand the gentleman, and he understood him to complain that the auditors, haying DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES. JASSY, JAN. 23.—According to reliable accounts from St. Petersburg, both commissioners, Feed Pasha and General Duhum], are to start on their return to the principalities on the 18th of January. The Russian troops in Moldavia were ordered to be m re►diness to much on the 24• h of February. SPAIN. We have accounts from Madrid to the 16th. The K'ng and Queen received on the preceding evening the imputations of both Chambers. A great number of senators and deputies afterwards waited on Queen Christina to offer her their congratulations. The fol lowing is the Queen's reply I have heard with the most iively joy the congratulations which you have adaereed to me. Tne high i► the object of it makes me hope that it will contribate to secure the peace of the generous nation which ThyMe Providence has eonfiied to ay maternal solicitude. I pray the Almighty that the flttur,ae hop*. conceived as to the direct succession of the crown of Spain may not be vain, and I swum you from my heat that my moat ardent desire is to contribute by my cares to the glory and grandeur of the Spanish mo narchy and the happiness of all my subjects. If heaven grants me the swami= welch I have so ardently arkvd for, and it I am able to leave to my iteasendants a pacitle, prosperous, sad free nation, contended with its Queen and with its Institution, on that day I .hall regard avail( as the happiest of mothers and the greatest of queens. To obtain such precioas gifts I always rely on the devotedness, the patriot. em, and the prudence, which on all occasion, have distin gui,hed the honourable men who surrounded my cradle, and I who have assisted me %Mt so mach wiedmi in the manage meat of the affairs of the state. ITALY. ROMAN STATES.—Tke Nationale publishes • let.er from Rome of the 13th, stating that upwards of 500 persons had been retested since the preceding day. Most of them are shopkeepers, functionaries, and persons in easy circumstances. Even lad es hart not been spared. al the 12th three or four French men more had been stabbed, and from 40 to 50 persons arrested on that accsunt. The advanced sentinel of the Campo Vsccino had been stabbed tat m.diatelr after the publication of General Reneguer proclamation. Two trasteverins were to be shot on the 13th for having knives about them. The French and Roman police were actively engaged in stop's:l3g and searching people in the streets. TUSCANY.—The Tuscan minister of the interior has addreeeed a circular to the pollee authorities of the country, recommending them to exercise the greatest vigilance over strangers not provided with regular paper., and to have them conveyed beyond the frontiers of the state. G REECE. ATHENS, Fin. 4. M. Thouvenel has contradicted the report that Gen. Aupick was privy to the design of the British admiral on sailing from the Darden, lies to Salamis. The country is very quiet ; the people await with compcsore the solution of the qu' scion by the pro tecting powers. The following facts seem to betoken a not unfriendly dispcaition towards the blockaders . A boat, with a dozen Eogrsh srlore, and an officer on board, wee upset latterly in the kittene. The Greek tailors immediately exerted themselves with the beat will and elacrity to ass:s..the capsized, who were all safely brou4ht to more. Two, benumbed with cold, were taken into a private house, where they received every ass stance and attention till th. y re covered. On the beach of St. Andrew, near Potreo, the Engi sh steamer Antelope, with troops and de spatcht son board, ran aground. Two Greek war schooners cams immediately to her ass:stance. Vbe Court. His Royal Highness the Duke of Sass Coburg Gobs, attended by B.ron d'Apel, strived at Buckingham Palace at twenty-fire minutes before twelve o'.iock last sight, from the continent, oa a net to the Q 20112 sad Prince Albert. Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Alexander Gordon, Equerry to Prince Albert, was in attendance on the vial duke from Dover. His Royal Highness travelled to town by the South Eastern Railway. 'lite Queen sad Prince Albert. with the Prince of Wales, an Princess Royal, end the Princess Alice, took an airing yesterday in an open genial& and four. Citlnnel Buckley, Equerry in Waiting to Her Majeity, was in attendance on ►orseback. Hie Ro~el Highs a Pries Albert. attended by Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, rods oat on horseback yesterday forenoon. _ • . Their Royal Highnesses the Prince Alfred, the Princes. Helena, and the rrincisse Louisa teak their accuetoased exer cise yesterday in the gardens of Buekicighans Palace. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Muterman, M.P., Sir Jame Doke, M.P., Mr. Cardwell, M.P., Mr. Brown, M.P., Mr. Brotherton, M.P., Mr. Baxend.le, Mr. Key, Mr. Materritvr (chairman of the Swath Rutin' Railway Company), Captain D. Wanes, Mr. S. Waley, Mr. Alder an Walker, Mr. Ivyleak, Mr. Alderman Carden, Mr. Renshaw, and the Mayor of Salford, had an interview with Lord John Russell yesterday at his official residence in Mr. Whitbread and Mr. Birebam transacted bn.i. eels with the Cowasissiontin of Railways yesterday, at their *Mee in the Board of Trade. an interview with Sir G. Grey, yesterday, at the lime-office. Despatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-office for the Goesenon of the North American Colonies. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council eat .erday. The Lards present were the Master of the R Lo a Broughams, Lord Campbell, the Chancellor is• the Duchy of Cornwall, and the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty. air Edward Ryan eat as a Privy Councillor. Lord Campbell and the Muter of the Rolla gave judge:teat on two East Indian app.'''. The 'Solicitor. General was heard on " Belem v. Belson," from the Island of Jersey, for leave to appeal. The court then roes. (rive ha eight's Oasette.) LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S &TICS, FEB. 21.—Notice is hereby given that hie Royal Highness Prince Albert will, by the desire of bar M•'jessy, held lows at St. James's Palace, on behalf of her MejsMy, on the following days, at two o'clock : Wednesday, 6th March, and Wednesday, the 20th Karel next. It is her linjesty's pleasure that presenta tions to his Royal Highness at them levees shall be con sidered equivalent to presentations to the Queen. Addresses to the Quin may either be for wuded to her Majesty through Abe Secretary of State for the Home Department, or may be reserved until tor Majesty shall hold a levee. FORZION-OFTICIS, FEB. 20.—The Queen has been pleased to approve of lie. Alfred Fox as Vice Coral at Falmouth, for A. Grand Date of Merklenburgh Schwerin. - DOWNINO-8711EBT, FIX 20.—The Queen baa been pleased to appoint 0. J. Crawbtd, Nog., to he tiocood Judge of the Sopeesse Court of the colony of Bluth Aus tralia. --. Caowx-Orrica, Fan. 22.—Member returned to wive is this meant Parliament for the Stewartry of Kirk cudbright—l. Mackie, of Hugely. Iraq., is the room of T. already exceeded their authority, had net goes fanner, sod beeline lawyers themselves. The province of the ..isms. Wee to examine the haleoes sheetashatitied to them, ad KIM" hand any items of which they disapproved to *Mew them, bat there was net a single weed la the am of =tte that 'omitted et their etiolating to the Is advisee the shareholders to place sena dame la Male amollese to seek what wee practical in the way dim sad thus to set se example to all the railways of tai (" Gentian.") If they doubted the incept y of their airman, let them come forward with a vote ter their removal; bar, if not, let these directors have the necessary amount of the sonlidenos of their eon stituoney. Mr. DU BOULAY, unlike the proposer of the amend ment, had. as a proprietar, attended every meeting for seventeen years, and the great balk of those who attended with him had, together with himself, lng mostly approved of all that had been dose. (Laughter.) He was neither prepared to take blame to himself, nor to blame the directors for the pest, for he recollected that the public bad formerly been very ready to promote aad parlia ment equally reedy to sancti at new lines. He hoped they waled evince their determination to tontine, their cooadence la the direction by rejecting the amendment. Mr. BRIGHT was quits sensible that it was not the duty ',the auditors to consider whether or not the director,' were in any particular expenditure. A bill should be been ht into parliament to regulate and deans the rights of proprietors The immediate question raised by the amend ment was whether or not the espial account should be clo'ed. • more fourteen question weld not be brought beforethe meeting— beer, heat)—their oiled' ought to be specially directed to • question when, where, and how the doting of the capital secant was to be effected. He was opposed to being ea parliament for powers to alter speculations which bad already been entered lots ; it was better to abandon • d eaperiments than to throw good mosey after bad. Ho called on all the proprietors who valued their money to put an end to espenditure ander the head of capital seeoune The CHAIRMAN said gentlemen , it was not my lute * . tine to intrude myself aria upon year notice in retinae. to the anneetmeet proposed by the learned gentleman • but I think it necessary to retail you attention to the cesietion which is ideally before the newt. (Hear, hear.) My bus. consume sad myself have proposed, in the ordinary harm, that the report stall be printed with the amounts, and be distributed among the proprietors. The learned Fitatleataa has proposed as addition to it. Now, in order to plan this question properly before yes. I will refer you to the words of the report on the very point; and I cannot help feeling that when I have read them the Ilifferesee between the amendment and Misreport hoedt will be found to be unsalotential. The words ot the report are - . Neu " With a view to the final cluing of the capital ace Mud (except in to far as it may be reopened for specific pur. =by special vote of a general meeting), the directors upon the heads of the several departments to submit enufal estimates et the usenet requisite to complete all works in progress or actually ordered; also estimates of such farther outlay as they Guilder immediately necessary." (Cheers ) Now gentlemen, you are by this report pat in possession of the filet that the directors will all egos you la the event alluded to, to express your approval or disapproval of the project of buying a warehouse Ia the city. You are not eked to pledge yourself to carry ea the works, heel wouln ask aver the learned gentleman to tell me whether if the works were completed, we ought net to acquire some brae& from the receipts, whether smaller great, arising fro such an application of capital. Toe only question Xi, whether you choose to add words, in an igansual manner, to the report. Although the gentleman who Weed the oppodtion in the first instance, has withdrawn his amendment, I do not think it would b ecome me, as representiag the executive body, to allow such obeervatioos to pass without making some remark in reply. I will not enter into env justification of the erection of this building, although lam happy to per alive that this rum does not appear one foot too large for the gentlemen who are assembled in it. (Hear, hear.) I will not tell him that everything has been done in a way which will, ten or fifteen years hence, have caused the works to be termed paltry and mere lath and platter; I will not tell him that there is not one office in this building which is not occupied ; I will not tell him that by means of this building we have effected a very considerable saving in the coat of erecting the station, a saving much more consi derable than any that I had hoped for; and that we are re ceiving rents for portions which we let to other parties—all this tie, in my opinion, a sufficient justification of what has been complained of. But, in point of tact, the busineu of the company could not have been carried on without this additional accommodation. (Hear, hear.) The hon proprietor has come forward—tempenveiy, I admit, and in that respect I am anxious to do him justice—and alter con fessing that he has not attended any of the previous meetings, he has condemned that which you from time to time agreed in approving—six different designs which were brought before you. (A voice, " No.") The hon. proprietor who says " no," could not have been a proprietor at the time. (Hear, hear.) I appeal to all those who have attended our meetings, whether. on any out occasion, thers was a division of this court as to whether we should prosecute any of our schemes. (Hear, hear.) On the contrary, es were told in many quarters Diet we were supine—that we were not doing enough to defend our ten itory, and were allowing the broad gauge interest to circumvent us. (Hear, hear.) I appeal to hon. proprietors before me—Mr. Alston espe cially—whether it be not the fact that we sought not the ex. tensions? (Hear, hear.) If the policy of Lord Dalhousie had been carried out, we should not have been under the necessity of prating upon you those schemes which became creamery to protect as against the Great Western Company; nor should we have had to call upon you near so rapidly as we have done for advancesof capital. I am anxious to say a few words in reference to the increase of capital. I did not deny that there had been an excess over the estimates which were sent fret in 1843. The principal bureau is on account of the Biimingham extension; the next on account of the Huddersfield and Dewsbury line; the last is 172.0001. fr the Buckinghamshire line. With respect to the latter in- grease, let ins explain that if the proprietors think it desirable that the suggestion made should not be ark d upon, it will be open to them to say so. We have thought it better that instead of the Buekinghasubir. Company issuing guaranteed stock at. 4 per sent:, we should ourselves raise the additional capital at 3i per cent. (Hear, hear.) I can assure bon. proprietors that we lament—as the respon sibility falls upon ourselves we must lament—the excesses Bet we could not control these matters, we could not foresee the enormous outlay of capital in the town of Buckingham. Still we think ourselves extremely fortune?* in the circum 'tine* that we shell get the Great Western Company to par ticipate in the loss; and let me emus hon. proprietors that their participation is not purchased by any der in our part to them, but the arrangement is one which will lead to saving of capital to both companies, whilst we shall obtain most eligible accommodation. With regard to an observation which fell from the hon. proprietor, who spoke last, let me state that we are not appli cants to parliament this year for a single bid thosi bills to which I this afternoon ask your concurrence, are bills pro. mated by other parties, in which it is necessary that our name, as a company, should be insert's'. In conclusion, with respect to the closing of the capital account, let me say, that the buying of a warehouse in the City has not for one moment been conceived,except with the view of effecting a considerable saving in the transaction of our goods busi ness. (Hear.l Mr. LOCK E, M.P., referring to the imperativeness of doing the capital account, said he was delighted with the implication of the chairman on that subject, and if the pro- pnetors had a security that these views would be carried out, the question of capital might be considered determined. The resolution, with Mr. Dean's as an amendment addi tion, was then put and negatived, and the original motion ins corned bye very large majority. Mr. LOCKE, M.P., moved: "That it be an instruction to the auditors toprepere a state. for each belt yearly meeting of the disbursements on capital account, according to the form of the estimate as to un finished works presented in the report of the directors to the proprietors." The motion was seconded and pasted. On a motion that a dividend at the rate of 21. 155. per cent. be declared on the capital stock of the company, Mr. MOON proposed as an amendment that a dividend of 21. 10s. per cent. be substituted. Mr. RADCLIFFE contended that the directors were bound to divide the whole of the profits. The CHAIRMAN said the act of parliament 'allowed them to make a reserve to most contingencies. After some discussion the amendment was carried by 106 against ft 4, end a dividend of 21.105. per cent. was agreed to instead of the 21. 15s. par cont. recommended in the report. Resolutions were passed suspendine operations on the Bir mingham sad Lichfield lino until the next meeting, re electing the retiring auditors, Meson. Morley and Peyton, and firing their future remuneration at 2501. a-year each. The meeting was them made speeial,and resolutions poised authorising the proprietors of canals to act as carriers ; ap proving of the bill for the deviation of the Buckinghamshire line at Oxford; of the East an 4 West India Dock and Bir mingham 'auction Bill to 14se line; approving of the Shropshire Union Bill to reduce capital, abandon p.rtions of line, and amend terms of lease. On the motion for the approval of the Chester and Holy head Bill, en amendment was moved by Mr. Dean, that it be not approved. On a show of hands, the amendment was lost by a majority of 50 to 19: the motion was then carried. Mr. Dean then demanded a poll, the result of which we give below. The heads of the audit bill prepared by the deputations from meetings of shareholders held in Birmingham, Man chester, and Liverpool, having been read amidst cockdereble noise and imnfusion, a committee was !appointed, consisting of Messrs. Ewart, James, Ross, Ryley, Bennett, Hadfield, and Crossfield, to co-operate with the shareholders in other companies for the introdoetion of a bill into par• Bement for securing an independent audit, and for the more effectual protection of the interest, of the shareholder', but free from all government interference or control. It was also 'greed that the expenses of the committees of share holden in Liverpool, Manchester, Bcc., should be defrayed out of the funds of the company. The proceedings concluded with a cordial vote Of thanks to the chairman and directors. The declatation of the poll made this day showed the fol lowing to be the result: Stock. 114,123 Amendment Vote,. 335 Original natio& OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVER- HAMPTON. Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of this company w s. held at the London Tavern, and was very numerously attended. he chair WAS taken by Mr. F. MITYPORD, M.P., who stated that t►e directors had bee. delayed some time beyond the boar of meeting on account of • conference with the Ledo deputation in the adjoiaing room. The CUAlftbiAll inovedphet the seal of the amply b 3 axed to the registry of proprietors. Mr. Serjeent GAERLBE wished to know if the chairman meld sot give them first the list of defaulters ea calls. The CHAIRMAN said he was not in a position to give , the names of the defaulters. Mr. Serjeaut HAZELS'S *dated to know for what rea -1 on. (Har, bear.) The SECRETARY being about to 'fez the seal, Mr. &demo GAZZLER protested against this set as Villepl. (Hear, hoar.) It the chairman refused to give the iet et defaulters, be would move, se as amendment, " that the seal of the company be not Glazed to the toiletry." (Applause.) The SECRETARY, still postale( in petting the seal, Mr. Serpent GAZELEE protested against this act on the part dike eseretuy, seeing the unanimous wishes of the meeting were against it. The seal having beta dazed %Wens MIMI, The CHAIRMAN said the list required was in the pm session of the board, and he bad no hesitation alma reading it, bat it was al °gather newts]; yet that was not any reason why he ennuld koep It beck from the shareholders. The SECRETARY then read a list of defaulter*, some of whom were in array for the seven last instalments. The lies comprised 111 defaulters. and 2,884 share*, and the amount wee 88.3671.10 e. _ _ itriTciiiiibtkir:7; reply, said, that no interest bad ham claimed, but rapsatad applications had been made to t takes. he parties, sad in some instances proceedings had been Mr. COHEN amid it wee from the gross Injustice that bad been practised towards the shareholders t►at he and hie bro ther had not paid thelaat instalment. They bad paid up 90 per cont. on the guarantee of 4 per Gent., and they had ►ad meeting after meeting, but not one word did they hear of the matter till October, 1848. After that they had beard of some agreement entered into between Mr. Rufford and the Great Western discern. To talk about forfeiting shares now was abased. Why did not the directors forfeit the shares in sneer when they were worth from 101. to 181. pre mium. (Rear, hear ) Mr. BLACHIB moved that the let of defaulters now road be printed and published, with the number 6f shares, and the sells in sneer. Mr. Serjunt GARBLER seconded the motion. They must bear in mind that although the shires had been for feited, the parties were not relieved from the calla : thumbs wait dulled lately, and must be known to their •elicitor. A SHAREHOLDER said he eon'd bear witness to that, for be kad paid that day 1504 for shares forfeited a year sad $ half ems. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN then entered into some explanations. He apprehended the object of the shareholders war to see the line, if possible, completed Ld originally intended, namely, as a second line to London from the North, and the Midland ' and Staffordshire districts. Their difficulties might at race be traced to the formation of the Birmingham and Oxford railway. Although the Great Western could not at present mist them, the time would come when some arrangement meet be made • and it was with some plea. sure that he tat:iced the interference of the railway commissioners, as it mut ultimately compel the Great Western to come to some such an arrangement as they re quired. (Hear, beer.) He might ay that the dispuition of the directors bad always been to mike the northern por tion of the line ; and, as soon as circumstances would allow, to finish the southern portion of the line. (Hear, hear.) As to the bills mentioned in the report, the proceediegs of the railway commissioners would materially interfere with their objects ; but he could mare the shareholders that they would not be put to any expense of going into committee on these bills, exeeptsome practicable object was contemplated. As to the Stratford and Avon Canal, they were obliged to prosecute the bill this 1181111011. (Hear.) The motion for the publication of the list of defaulters was passed almost unanimously. Mr. WALKER said, as one of the deputation from Leeds, he begged to say that it was recommended at this day's meeting that only four of the directors should go eut at once, as some inconvenieece would attend all the board going out together. (Hear, hear, "No, no.") He was happy to say that the directors had at once agreed to that proposal. (Applause.) A SHAREHOLDER thought it was high time to effect some change ; for the directors bad expended one million and a half of money, and not a yard of railway was opened. (Hear.) Mr. Serjeant (MERLES would ask what danger would arise from this meeting, if they were strong enough, request ing the whole board to place their seats at their d i sposal? Had they not this power, when the directors had betrayed their trust? Why, had they not taken charts to themselves at a premium, and not registered those shares, after putting the money in their pockets P He did not advise them to go to law ; but it the fraudulent cases in the management of t►is company were brought to light, the Lord Chancellor would compel the directors to refund ell the money they bad abetrasted from the shareholders. (Hear, hear.) The report and accounts, were then considered as received by the meeting. We make the following extracts from there documents : " Since the last general meeting some of the directors thought it was still possible to make an arrangement with toe Great Western Company, but no advance whatever could be made towards the attainment of that object, and the negotiations had for some time entirely ceased. The Commissioners of Railways had, under the powers vested in them by a clause in this company's act of incorporation, for mally required the Great Western Company to proceed with the works and to complete the line. A requisition from some of the shareholders, promoted by a committee formed at Leeds, has lately been submitted to the board, calling upon them to summon a special general meeting for the par , pose of considering and discussing a motion of want of confidence in the present directors ; but the requi sition not being authorised by proprietors representing the number of shares in the company required by the provisions , of the Companies Clauses Act, the directors were net justi fied in convening the special sneetiog. The directors had met a deputation from the L'teds committee, and bad fully discussed with them certain proposals to complete and span that portion of the line situated Aeteeen Wolverhampton and the junction with the Birmingham and Bristol Railway at Abbot's Wood, but the committee bad failed to point out the means of accomplishing those objects. The dire r ctors had endeavoured to procure the requisite assistance from t►e Shrewsbury and Uheater, the Sh;ewaliury and Birminehare, and the South S , affordshire Railway Companies ; and they have introduced a bill into parliament to confer the nice. . sari powers, but no dehniteserangement had yet been con eluded with those companies. A bill had been introduced to authorise the transfer to the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Rif:way Company of the purchase of the Strat ford Canal and Works, according to agreement, under the terms of which it was necessary to prosecute the bill in the present session. The following was the balance sheet on the 31st Decem ber, 1849 : —Receipts ; Capital, 30,000 shares at 501. each, 1.500,0001. Less arrears of calls : on shares forfeited, 26,4521.10 v; on ditto not forfeited, 85,:)571. 106.-111 810/. ; amount received on shares, 1,388,1901. Loans on deben tures, 154,6601.: Birmingham, Wolverhaninten, and Dudley Rtilway Pet tit on sale of shares. 22,8931. ; interest, 11,8111. 14s. 104.; transfer feel, 4381 164.; Stourbridge liztansinn Canal: Profits received, 4,8011.25. Ild.— 1,682,7941. 13s. 9d. ; income tax retained till called for, 1941. 34. 4d. ; law charges recovered, 61. 68.- 1,582,9951. as. 14.—Expenditure: To 30:h June, 1849, 1,632,0224 12s. sd. ; ditto, from 30th June to 31st De cember, 1849, 19,5061. 13s. 4d. ; total, 1,551,5291. ss. 94. ; balances in the hands of bankers, 31,4651. 17s. 4d.- 1,682,9951 34. Id. A resolution on the part of Mr. METCALFE, the main object of which was to support the Railway Commissioners and to take the discretion from the directors, caused some discussion. Mr. Serjeant GAZELEE persisted in his motion for the removal of the whole board, end the formation of a com mittee of selection for the appointment of their suceersors, and that the meeting should adjourn to the 26th March. Mr. BAKER read a letter iron. Mr. Cep', in whi.ll he advised the shareholders not to get rid 01 the whole board at once, as it would increase their difficulties. Ibe recommendation of Mr. Walker would be a more prudent course for them to follow than that recommended by the learned terjeant. It had been said by one gentleman— give the line over to the Great Western, and get their guarantee of 4 per cent. on 2,500,0001.; but did any con• tract east as to this guarantee?—that was the question. li.ar, bear. ) Mr. DICKINSON said that it was quite out of the power 01 the Greet Western Company to make the line at present, for it had no authority from its shareholders. Mr. GORE 'poke in favour of the proposal of Mr. Walk( r. The CHAIRMAN put Mr. Walker's motion for the appointment of a committee to arrange the retirement of four of the directors, to appoint others, and to report to en adjourned meeting. Idr. TUORNEYCROFT and Mr. BARLOW defended themselves against the charges made as to the taking of thins at a premium. The South Staffordshire Company (said Mr. Barlow) merely offered to the directors of this company three shares which it was usual for one board to give to another. Mr. Ono lee's amendment was then put, and negatived by a small insjority, which led to the adoption of the report. _ The CHAIRMAN then put the motion of Mr. Walker, which was as follows:—" That four of the directors, to he named by the committee of selection, shall retire from the board. and their places be supplied by such persons, duly qualified, so shall be nominated by the same committee of selection ; and that two auditors are to be nominated by the said committee, in place of these now retiring. Mr. Serjeant GAZELEE moved as an amendment that the auditors be at once nominated, but on a chow of hands it was negatived. The resolution of Mr. Welker we, then carried by a large majority, and a committee was selected in ac,ordagee with it, whose names wets Messrs. Walker, Tomlin, Jones, Tucker, Thorpe, Smith, and Jesse,. A motion was made for the reduction of the secretary's salary from 6001. to 3001., which was carried in the affirms .. tits." Mr. BARLOW (one of the directors), said he demanded • poll. Mr. Serjeant OAZELEE.-11 that the case ? Are we to have the Great Western interest used against us in matters of finance ? (Laughter.) After same discussion as to the expenses of the oonintittes and other matters, the meeting adjourned. NORTHAMPTON AN]) BANBUBY. Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of this itompany took plain st the Ruston Hotel, Euston-square, Mr. E H. Harwell in the chair. The following report (including the statement of accounts) wee reoeived and adopted : , This directors have no additional information to lay before the shareholders beyond what has been already com municated to them in former reports. The accounts now before the meeting will show the financial mate of the con win, and the directors do not think it necessary to say more ICher that they shell continue to keep the flumes of 1. 1 " necewary establahment to the lowest possible execent meting will probably be aware that a bill has bean intro. dated into parliament to enable the shareholders in ander taking' which are not proceeded with ti abandon their powers, and it will be for the shareholders in this company to consider (if such bill shall pus) whether they may judge it expedient to take advantages of its provisions." The following was the statement of sezounts up to 31et December, 1849: To balance stated in account to 80th June, including/ 18,5611. Is. doe from London and North-Western Railway Company, 26,9801. 121. 6d. ; to tub and interest received, 6851 8e 3d. ; to int. rest debited to subscription of London and North-Western Company, 2741. es. 10d. To balance cub and debits, 27.9201. ea. 7d. In answer to a question from one of the proprietors as to when the line war likely to be completed, the chairman re plied that it war not yet commtneed. (Laughter.) A PROPRIETOR remarked that this was quite a model railway company, and he proposed a vote of tbauks to the directors for the judicious manner In which they bad used the funds (tutu/wok to their management. (A laugh.) The CHAIRMAN having returned thanks, the meeting separated. NEWRY, WARRENPOINT, AND ROSTREVOR. Yesterday, the eigh , h ordinary general meeting of the shareholden of this company was held at the officesi, 19, Moorgate street. Lend NsWILY AND MORNS in the chair. The report stabs that "the directors for some time prior to the last half-yearly meeting were convinced that, under existiog arrangements for the conveyance by water of goods between Newry and Wenenpoint, and from the unfinished state of the lines authorised to be constructed to the interior, ' an effort was necessary for endear, uring to bring on this line the goods traffic. With this object in view, ai.d al.o to promote the moat advantageous working of the line, they stated in their lest report that they hoped shortly to be able to submit terms of arrangement to the shareholders for their consideration. Mr. William Dugan had for some time been in possession of the roods traffic from the interior to Warns n point, and it was therefore apparent that be was the proper person to endeavour to make terms with. After some de ay the board succeeded, through the personal exertions in Ireland of their chairman, in effecting an sereeriunt wi h Mr. Dugan. The terms were sub,. queenly communicated to the shareholders in a circular, but as they were induced to withhold their sanction thereto, it was not carried .nto effect. The directors very much regretted this result, and feelicg that their efforts were thus paralysed, they would at once have resigned, but conridered that it was for the interest of the proprietors that they should rosin their seats until certain claims on the company were placed on a more satisfactory footing. The subsequent working of the line has proved that the traffic during the winter months is insufficient to meet the werkin; wrists ; whereas, if the agreement had been ratified, a tubd would have been provided more than sufficient to ply the interest at 6 per cent. per annum on the debenture debt, and it would also have facilitated arrangements for providing means for paying off the bondholder+, and thus place the fittellt3 of the company in a better position." The belance.sheet to Dec. 31 trite' an estimate of liabili ties amounting to 18,6561. 13s. 71., and assets to correspond, but including 8,7051. arrears of cal 1, which are party dis• putrid. The CHAIRMAN said that the directers regretted mush the eisspproval of the agreement proposed to have been entered into with Mr. Dugan, but the onus must lie with the shareholders. He felt naturally averse to continue in the direction of a company where the directors did not enjoy the confidence of the proprietary. He had to move the adoption of the report and then to tender his resigna tion. After some discussion, in which Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Shand, Mr. Lea, and others took part, is the course of which it was stated that a better bargain might pPrhaps be obtained from Mr. Dargsn, the report was armed to; but, at the instance of Mr. Shand, it was rtoo!ved that •be meeting should be adjourned to Friday next; at..l, a ter the usual vote of thanks to the chairmsn, tte procetdings terminated. EASTERN COUNTIES. The accounTtof this company, tog. ther with the reports cf the auditors and of the accouLtanto, ham, been hued. Tee auditor,, ?Sears. James Reeves aed Wi !ism Mayhew, ay:_ . 4 The amounts, returns ' abstract'', and general balance sheet, as prepared and arranged by Misses, Quitter, Ball, Jay, and Croebie, the accountant-, have been sub mitte.: by the directors to us, your auditors, for inrpettion and audit, prior to their b,ing sent to you, fur your ihforma tion before the general meeting to be held on the 27th Mat. You will perceive they are compiled in me entirely new form ; each item of expenditure for the working of the line being computed by a decimal cticuletion, showiest thv ertet cost per train per mile, valet has been run during the pat half year; the advantage of which will he to mialio!e the shareholders to ascertain, by compile's:al wilt the accounts to he submitted to them in future, whether any item, el ex penditure has irereased or diminished. We, feeling the great responsibility cast on !Is in auditing isotounts of so great mattoitude, have felt it our duty to give our whole and undivided attention to the menetary part of them, and we 'have accordingly most esrefull. and strictly examined the same with the books and vouchers of the company and have found them correct; ant tied that the sum of 424,5781. 1.5.. Id. has been faith:till eared in the put half-year; which, after paying the working expenses, 219,4481 2.. Id., will lave a balance of 205,1301. 131. applicable to the payment of the interest on the bonds and dividends. on the prefer( lice and other shares of the company, after deductieg the sum 30,4001. for re newal of permanent way and tellies stock ; and also 1,1341. to cover wear and tear or carioca st,ck We congratulate the shareholders on the gr..at improvenp ht which Mu taken pace in the state of their affair-, as it will appear that, atter pay ing the sum of 153,1721. t: r interest on their bond debts and dividends on their guaranteed shares, there will remain a balance of 51,9581. (exclusive of the sum of 9761. left upon last year's dividend &mutt), to be divided among the hold ers of the consolidated stock of the Esi:ti ro C unties and Norfolk railway companies. We : aye directed the attention of the directors to the estimated item of 4,0001, credited as for the rent, &c., of joint stations; we think it most desir able that an immediate arrangement should be completed with the other companies using those rations so as clearly to agree on the sums to be paid for their use. We find on reference to the extension stock No. 2, that a larger sum of money appears to have been relied under that denomination than is authorised by the act, to the extent of 3,2701., and we also find in reference to the 6 per cent. guaranteed at.ok that it appears to have increased 2,2001., as compered with the amount returned at the last audit, al hough eo money ap pears to have been received ucder that denum:nation during the poet half-year. With respect to the former item, if upon further examination it *holed appear to be ccusioned by an over-issue of shares, we recommend the direcum to purchase a sufficient number to reduce that description of stock to the amount pre-Bribed by the act. We desire to mention that the difference in the former it:sr:ince appears, from the explanation rendered, to have arisen from cash being credited in the books as having been received under heads of capital to which it did not properly app:y, the error not being discovered until the shares came in :or registra tion. With respect to the latter item of differen e, we have to state that the amount new set forth is correct, sec riling to the present returns made from the share office. Our examination of the capital expenditure of the half-year, satisfies us that no mum is charged againet capital that deco not properly b-11,:ng to it. Mr. Samuels, the resident engineer, and Mr. Hunter. the superintendent of the locomotive deputmeit, state in refer ence to the expenditure for permanent way act rolling stock, that the wear and tear of the last halt year, wader ;these o b l ea p t ii h t as an br iou ntu i l n ly th m e e g t e a L d r ro b : ed e efitemo 169,3251 13.. 93., we recommend that it be disposed ot at the forthcoming meeting, the more e•pecis:ly as a new set o f bo o ks is about to he opeueJ, and the capital account of the cc/moony closed. We cannot conclude out report wtth cut recommending that the shareholders will instruct their auditors to pursue for the future a continuous monthly audit of the accounts ; and when it is remembered that the auditors of this company, on the occasion of tneir tint audit, were the parties who canoed you to be made ac quainted with the then ruinous state of your affairs, and which led to the appointment ot a committee ot investi gation, not only in this company, but almost in every other, you will see the necessity of giving this power to your auditors." In reference to the expenditure of the company previous to Jan. 4, 1849, the accountants remark : " The investigation of the capital account, from the forma tion of the company to 4th January, 1849, has been actively pursued by us; but although great progreu has been made in the work, we are not yet in a position to report its coin , pletion. The extent of the subject of examination, namely, the receipt and expenditure of upwards of nine millions of money, sufficiently indicates, that in order to accomplish it satisfactorily, a large amount of time and labour must neces sarily be required ; it is nevertheless proper to mention, that our inquiries have not been confined within the limits of the company's offices, but have been unavoidably extended beyond them, in order to obt ain im p ortant information relating to particular accounts , and f a rther, that our oth er duties in connexion with the Eastern Counties Company, have not permitted us to devote ourselves exclusively to this work t • arrangement. and superintendence of the cu r r ent accounts of the company have necessarily claimed and received a considerable portion of our time and attention. It will, however, be satisfactory to the shaiebolders, to be informed that this inquiry has not been a barren one ; as, in consequence of it, the sum of 2,5001. his b: en actually re covered by the company, and other sums amounting to about 4,0001., are now under consideration, which we have every reason to believe will terminate in a further recovery by the company, of that amount." In their explanations relative to the half-yearly account to the 4th of January of the present year, Meurs. Quilter and Ball say ; "In stating the revenue account, the principle observed has been that of charging against the traffic casings of the hilt-year the actual coat of their production. Such cost ne cessarily including not only those items of expense in respect of service, repairs, and supplies. which are represented by cash payments and invoices ; but also such a sum as added to the amount as represented shall be equal to the amount of that deterioration of rolling stock and permanent way whioh, from its nature cannot be made the subject of current renewal, although the expense of that renewal ie due from and ought to be provided for, out of she revenue, of the cur rent half-year ; inasmuch as if that bo not done, the amount of net revenue will be overstated. and dividends would in effect be paid in excess of earning', to the extent of such overstatement. The application of this principle tends to a correct adjustment of the plied:cal revenue accounts, not only by introducing to the debit side all the expeoss applicable to each, but also provides that the revettne 1 7 ,.',11 Lit L~ rfm