The Sun. — London, England, 1848-10-10 00:00:00

fourtbl_libition SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. DEMERARA RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the share holders of the Demerara Railway Company took place to-day, pursuant to the Act of Incorporation, at the London TaVRVD, for the purpose of receiving the re port of the directors, and for the transacting of the general business of the company. MICHAEL M'CULERY, Esq., the chairman of the coin tiny, took the chair at one o'clock, and the usual routine business having been gone through, The SECRETARY read the following report : " The directors have to call upon the prop, ietary body, assembled at this general meetii,g, for their most serious cogideration of the present position of this company. "It will be seen by the annexed statement of ac counts, made up to the 30th ultimo, that while there are existing and pressing liabilities to the extent of 36,3011. ss. 41., the sum received upon calls falls short of the amount payable thereon by 35,3121. lOs., and that there are no immediate funds available to carry on the works. "Every exertion has been made by the directors to collect the arrears. In addition to urgent appeals made to those shareholders who, having been regular in their earlier payments, have since neglected to meet their calls, suits have been instituted against the defaulters of the longest standing, while the shares of others, who, it was ascertained, had not the means of paying, have been subjected to forfeiture. Of this latter class 570 shares have been absolutely forfeited ; and with regard to 790 other shares, on which notices of forfeiture have been given, the directors still reserve to themselves the option of proceeding at law. " Of th© suits which were instituted, several produced the desired results, and in others judgments have been recovered ; but the directors have abstained from acting on those judgments from the present inability of the parties to meet them, and the hope that by indulgence the money would be forthcoming. " The directors, in their last report, apprized the shareholders that they had been obliged, from a deficiency of funds, to suspend, in a great measure, active operations upon the works ; and a continu ance of that cause, arising from the nonpayment of the calls, has so retarded the progress of the line, that it has not yet advanced beyond Plaisance, a distance of fire miles from George Town. That point has now, however, been reached, and instructions were lately sent out to the engineer to work this section of the line, if it could be advantageously accomplished. The progress of all the other works has, of necessity , ): been absolutely suspended, and the result of this day s meeting must decide, whether the project is to be abandoned, and a sacrifice made of all the capital (126,6981. I ls. 6d.) which has been expended upon it ; or whether, by a cordial co-operation on the part of the shareholders with the directors, the undertaking may be yet brought to aispeedy and prosperous termination. " One means which has presented itself to the direc tors of assisting the undertaking in its present diffieul• ties, is that of which notice is given in the advertisement convening the present meeting ; viz., the reduction of the capital of the company, from 250,0001. to 175,000/. The details of this measure will be more properly consi dered at a subsequent part of this day's proceedings ; but it is expedient now to state, that the immediate object which the directors have in view in this proposal, is to put the company in a position to borrow money upon the security of the railway works, a power which they do not possess at present, as one-half of tha existing capital is not, as required by law, paid up; whereas the borrowing powers of the company would come into immediate operation if the capital were reduced to 175,0004, more than one-half of that sum (viz., 89,687/. 10s.) having been actually; collected from calls. It has been fully ascertained that the lesser amount of capital would enable the directors to com plete the line. "The shareholders are aware that the directors have been in negotiation with her Majesty's Government for a loan. Their endeavours in this respect have unfortunately proved abortive for immediate purposes; but it may be briefly stated, that although no direct promise of pecuniary assistance was actually given by the Government, the result of frequent communications with the authorities at the Colonial. office had led the directors to entertain a confident belief that advantage would be taken of the passing of the West India Loan Act to ensure to this company a definite portion of that fund; and it was only at the eleventh hour, after Parliament had separated, that a letter was received from Earl Grey, referring the matter altogether to - the decision of the Combined Court of British Guiana. "A copy of this letter is appended, and it will be ob served that his Lordship expresses his opinion, that the promotion of this undertaking would be a very proper purpose to which to apply a part of the money which the Combined Court msy decide . upc•n raising, under the gua rantee of Parliament.' " The directors have no reason to doubt that if, on the re-assembAne;:of the Combined Court (whose sittings have been temporarily suspended owing to some differ ences witiiithe Colonial Department), the claims of this company to participate in the loan to be raised under the Act referred to, were brought before the Combined Court,they would to readily and favourably entertained; and at the same time their assent will doubtless be given to the legislative guarantee of six per cent. upon the capital expended—the principle of that measure having already received the sanction of the Court of Policy. "Should the shareholders consider it advisable to pursue the course here adverted to, the question will arise, How, in the meantime, is the company to be carried on, and the property protected from the claims of the creditors ? The liabilities are immediate and heavy, and cannot be further postponed ; and tha directors can see no way of meeting them, but by the prompt, resolute, and combined exertions of the shareholders themselves. If all those who are now in default, but 'able to meet their calls, will , forthwith pay up their arrears, and if the remainder of the calls to the extent of the reduced capital be punc tually met, the directors feel confident that—with the money which they will be enabled to borrew on the secs city of the works, to make good any deficiency in the collection of the arrears on the part of those who are actually unable to meet their calls—the railway will ha successfully completed, even yet, at a cost within the engineer's estimate. These prospective advantages must, however, be abandoned, and the valuable property already embarked be altogether lost to the present shareholders, unless immediate funds are raised by them to meet the liabili ties. It is right to remind the shareholders, that had the calls been punctually met, the company would at this moment have been free from debt, and the line have teen in profitable operation. " The directors have performed their duty in submit ting these facts thus plainly to the shareholders, and the fate of the undertaking is now in their hands. If this last appeal should not be responded to, and the pro perty of the company be left to the mercy of the cre ditors (from whom further forbearance cannot be ex pected), the shareholders must still recollect that, after such a sacrifice has been made, they would not be relieved from their liabilities to the full extent of their shares under the existing capital, while a single creditor remained unpaid iu this country or in Deme rara ; and that the first and most imperative duty of the directors would be to enforce payment of all arrears doe on calls made, or to be made, without dis tinction of persons, by the use of those legal powers which have been conferred upon them for that purpose, by the company's Act of Incorporatien and Deed of Settlement. But if, on the other hand, the shareholders concur with the directors in thinking that, by a united and vigorous effort, this important project may yet be carried successfully through, they may con fidently rely upon a continuance of those exertions on the part of the directors to promote the interests of the company, which, they can conscientiously state, have been hitherto unceasingly given to the utmost of their ability." The following is the copy of the letter from Earl Grey alluded to in the report : " Downing-street, 14th September, 1848. " Sir,—l am directed by Earl Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 9th and 12th instant, applying, on behalf of the Demerara Railway Company, for a portion of the loan of 500,0004 to be advanced to the sugar-growing colonies, to enable them to complete the line of railway which has been com menced in British Guiana. In reply, I am to acquaint you that the Act of Parliament only authorizes the guarantee of loans to be contracted by the authority of laws to be passed in the colonies for such objects, within the description of those sanc tioned by Parliament as the local legislatures may select. It will, therefore, be for the Combined Court to deter mine whether it will charge upon the colonial revenue a loan part of which shall be applicable to the railway. And Lord Grey can only express his own opinion, that such a loan would be a very proper purpose to which to apply a part:of the money which the Combined Court may decide upon raising under the guarantee of Par liament. —I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, "HERMAN M E RIVALE." " To M. McChlery, Esq., &c., &c., &c." From the general statement of the receipts and eiK penditure, it appeared that there was only a sum of 2,2261. 4s. lid. now available for the purposes of the company. The CHAIRMAN, after shortly adverting to the report, stated his readiness to hear any observations from Sie shareholders, and observed that the directors were determined to enfore the payment of all calls in arrear by legal means, unless the share holders, by coming forward, prevented them from doing so. The line would have been opened long ago if the shareholders had promptly answered to their calls. The line was at present completed for five inlks, and instructions had been sent out to work it if it could be done with profit. The whole extent of e as 20 miles, and it only wanted about 50,0001. to complete it. It was entirely the fault cf the shareholders that the line had not been completed. A PROP.RIETOR could not consent to such an asser tion. Ile thought, in justice to those shareholders who had paid their calls, some exertions ought to have been made by the directors to enforce the pay ment of the calls in arrear. Iliii"xipiAN said that everything had been done t. ~ , :rce tliP.. .. tut without success. With re .,J • , v 1. 4 r. , . ..• .ersons holdinr , shares, it was pi s ~ .►- f, ...i t , it of folly to take proceedings AvokslaYtte, had literally nothing to pay liir" lii" ::',...„..\ .' 4 to e f v ..,, MP . e p, ~,,, ,iolicitor of the company, said is duty not to run the company , ose of proceeding againg par- THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 10, 1848. ties whom he was convinced were not in a position to pay. He was a large shareholder himself, and had paid up all his calls. After some further discession, Colcnel WARREN trusted that the shareholders would come forward and pay up their calls. There were some items in the account to which he objected, but looking upon the matter as a whole, he thought the directors had done all they could. His belief was that the line would ultimately be most beneficial to the shareholders. Mr. DAVIDSON, one of the directors, trusted that the shareholders would appoint a committee to look into the affairs of the company, and point out some means of carrying them effectively into operation. Several shareholders said they did not desire the appointment of any committee, or wish to impugn the conduct of the directors ; all they complained of was, that the directors had been too lenient. The CHAIRMAN said that, in future, it was the de termination of the directors to enforce the payment of calls or forfeit the shares. In cases where parties were solvent legal proceedings would be taken against them immediately upon the commencement of the term. The report was then adopted, ordered to be printed, and circulated among the proprietors. A PROPRIETOR suggested that the names of the defaulting shareholders should be published. He believed, if such a course was adopted, it would in duce many to pay their calls that otherwise would not do so. _ _ A resolution requesting the directors to give im mediate instructions to their solicitor to enforce the payment of all arrears of calls that are not paid by the Ist of November, was proposed, seconded, and carried, after a short discussion. Mr. BARKLY, M.P., one of the directors, had the greatest hopes that the company would participate in the 500,0001. loan, notwithstanding the letter that had been received from Earl Grey. The meeting was then made special, for the purpose of considering and deciding upon the expediency of applying to the Legislature of British Guiana for an Act to amend the Act by which the company was in corparted by reducing the capital of the company from 250,0001. to 175,0001. Resolutions were proposed, seconded, and carried fir effecting this purpose, and enabling the directors to borrow money. Thanks were voted to the chairman and directors, and the meeting broke up. EAST SURREY REGISTRATION. (TIIIS DAY.) Mr. Fyshe, the Revising Barrister for the Eastern Divi sion of the county of Surrey, held his court to-day, at the Vestry-hall, Camberwell, for the purpose of revising the list of voters of the parishes of Christchurch, Hatcham, St. Giles's, Camberwell, and St. Mary's, Newington. No case of the least interest came before the Learned Gen tleman during the morning. The Learned Gentleman will give judgment in the case of Dr. Byber on Thursday morning. MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, OCT. 7, 1548. Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases ...*430 Diseases of Uncertain Seat ... .. 48 Turbercular Diseases... ... 122 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses... ... 82 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 36 Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of Respiration ... Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion... ... Diseases of the Kidne)s, &c. ••• ••• Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations... Premature Birth ... •• •• Atrophy ••• ••• ••• ••• •• Old Age ••• ••• ••• ••• •• Sudden ... Violence, Privation, Cold, or Intemperance Causes not specified ... ... 45 ... 20 ... 42 DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES Population Enumerated, 1841 West Districts... 300,711 North D.Aricts.. 375,971 Central Distrizts 373,653 East Districts ... 392,444 South Districts.. 501,190 Totals... ..... 1,948,369 Males Females Males Females BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Total ... Average weekly Deaths Deaths, 1843-7. in the Five Summers. Week. 142 ... 139 182 ... 173 • 178 ... 169 . 219 ... 220 251 ... 304 ... 1,005 ... 502 ... 503 ... 642 ... 631 ... 1,273 * There are 13 cases of death by Cholera included iu this number. COURSE OF EXCITE Amsterdam • • • • 12 1% Ditto, at sight ...... 12 0 Rotterdam 12 2 Antwerp .............. 25 80 Elamburgh —31.8. 13 11 M Altona. earls, 3 days' iight .... 25 50 NGE.-(TITIS DAY.) Gibraltar.. •• ........ • • Leghorn .. • • • • 31 95 Genoa .. •• • • •.• • .. 26 10 Ifilan •• •••• • • • • • .... • . 28% Palermo, • • ........ • • 51 0p0rt0.... •• •• .• •• •• •• 51; Rio Janeiro • • Messina it news Ayres ........ New York, 21 daya'sight • Philadelphia Ditto, 3 months .... 25 75 ELarseilles •... •••• .. • • 25 75 . 25 80 Frankfort on Maine.... 121% Petersburgli, Sil. Able.. 36i ...... • • •• Vienna, effec. So.— 11 6 Trieste, d1tt0.......... 11 6 Ira ........ 4714 Catz • • • •• •• 487 Liill)_;z.... • • .. •• ...... Barcelona •• • • • • •• PRIM! OF BULLION, PLIL OZ Foreign Gold to bars.. X 3 17 9 New Dollars • ... • • 0 4 10% Portugal Gold Coln .. 0 0 0 Spanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0 iSilver la bars .... 0 4 11% THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) WHITEHALL, OCT. 5, 1848. , The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry Thomas Darnton, of Ashton- ur.der- Lyne, in the county palatine of Lancaster, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery. BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED. Jonathan Rubinson Ashworth, fustian manufacturer, Manchester. BANKRUPTS. James Buckland, licensed victualler, Greenwich, to surrender Oil. 21, at one, and Nov. 18, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, official assignee, Guild hall-chambers, Basieghall street; George, Villiers•street, Strand. George Ackland, merchant, Brixton, Oct. 23, at half past two, and Nov. 21, at one, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane, Lom bard-street; Ilornby and Towgood, Saint Swithin's-lane. Robert Allison and Thomas Allison, piano-forte ma nufacturers, Dean-street, Soho, Oct. 27 and Nov. 24, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Hoare, Essex street, Strand. James Tremlett, auctioneer, Ottery St. Mary, Devon shire, Oct. 17, at ten, and Nov. 15, at eleven, at the Exeter District Court. llirtael, official assignee, Exeter; Daw, Exeter ; Terrell, Gray's Inn-square, London. Henry Armistead, cotton spinner, Barrowford, Lan cashire, Oct. 24, and Nov. 14, at eleven, at the Man chester District Court. Pott, official assignee, Man chester ; Gregory, Faulkner, Gregory, and Skirrow, Bedford-row, London; Ilitchcoek, Buckley, andrids well, Manchester. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Oct. 10.) SUGAR.—To-day the demand decreased for sugar for all purposes, and a decline in the value of most sorts took place. For West India Muscovado the market was in a very dull state, and rather lower rates are taken. The quantity sold was only 240 hhds, including at public sale 150 hhds Barbadoes, which went 6d per cwt. lower; fine yellow at 41s, good 393 to 40s, middling 36s to 87s, and low 355 ad per cwt. REFINED.—To-day refined goods met with little at tention for homo trade purposes, and prices fell to 49s 6d for brown grocery, and to 50s 6d per cwt for standard lumps. Bonded crushed Sugar is in good demand at 26s to 275. Of Loaves large parcels have been taken at 29s 6d to cOs for 9 and 1011 as Ramburgh. MAURITIUS.—This afternoon the quantity of Mauri tius Sugar offer at public sale was large, and amounted to 8,901 bags , nearly the whole of w hi ch was taken in at about the former value; middling to fine yellow at 36s 6d to 395. A small part sold—low and middling yellow 34s 6d to 355, fine brown 33s 6d to 345, out of condition 27s to 38s per cwt. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the quantity of Bengal Sugar offered at public sale was extensive, and amounted to 10,000 bags, a small portion only of which sold at 6d to is per cwt decline. -- FotiErGrr.—Previous rates are supported for foreign Sugar, and there is a less quantity on offer. A good ex port demand since our last report, and the private salcs are a cargo of white Havannah at 33a 6d, one of low yellow at 17s, one of white Bahia at 19s, two of brown at 168 to 17s, one of white Pernambuco at 19s 6d, and 600 chests of yellow Havannah at 22s to 245. At auction 72 boxes of Havannah wer sold ; 780 pkges of Bahia were for the most part taken in. Twa.—None has been offered at public sale ; there is, however, a large amount on offer by private treaty. For Black lather lower rates taken, and little desire is shown to t . . 0 business by private treaty. The value of ordinary and good culinary Congou is 7id to 81t1 per lb. There is touch dullness in the market tor Green, and rather I,,wPr rates are taken for interior; good and fine, however, realise lull market terms. Scented and Pekoe Teas have been dealt in with caution, and must be called rather cheaper. The deliveries of Tea are still greater than up to this time last year, whilst the sto k on hand is smaller, and dealers are but moderately supplied. Public sale.; of Tea are declared to take place on Friday, the quantity at present adver tised is 6,600 pkgs. COFFEE.—This afternoon Costa Rica Coffee met with greater attention, and 1,639 bags at auction sold at firm rates; fine and fine fine ordinary 33a to 38s. 24 pkgs Jamaica taken in—fine at 90s, good 70s to 85s, and middling 60s. 620 bags Plantation Ceylon sold at late rates—flue at 603 to 643 6d, good middling and good 52a to 58s, low middling and middling 44s to 50s, fine fine ordinaoy 35s to 41s, good and fine ordinary 28s to 29s 6d. RICE.—To-day there was no public sale of East India Rico and privately few purchases were made by ex porters or home trade buyers. Cleaned Rice is cheaper, town dressed Carolina selling at 25s to 28s per cwt. SPIRITS.—For Jamaica Rum rather lower rates are again accepted, still exporters and home-trade buyers evince little desire to operate in the lower sorts ; fine is, however, wanted, and realise full market rates. The value of mid and good, 28 to 34 per cent over proof, is 3s 3d to 3s 10d, low 3s to 3s 2d, and fine, 34 to 38 over, 4s to 4s 6d. Leeward Island met with little atten tion, and a decline was observable, small sales haring been made at is 6d to Is 6A-d for proof. East India is not much in demand, and the rates accepted are I s 5d to Is sid ; several parcels are also near at hand. For Dane rare, the market looks dull, and the rates taken for strong sorts are 2a 2d to 2s 9d. Brandy is not higher, still the:mar ket is firm, and there is a good demand, whilst the stock is small: for Cognac, best brands, of the vintage of 1846, the rates paid are 4s 10d to ss, 1847 ditto 3s 10d to 4s, inferior sorts 2s 6d to 3s; Bordeaux, 2s to 2s Id for export sot t, and 2s 6d to 3s 6d for fit for duty. There is only a limited stock here. For British made Spirit there is a firm market, the price of Gin fur exportation has been fixed at 3s 6d per gallon proof. SALTPETRE.—To <lay only a limited demand existed for rough privately, and 946 bags at auction went upon rather lower terms, and a part only sold ; middling grey 8 to 84 per cent refraction at 24s 6d to 255, Si good 253 6d. SPICES.—To-day, at public sale, 136 bags White Pep per sold at 4d to 4d tor middling, which aro rather lower rates; and 44 packages Jamaica Ginger at 53s to 100 s per cwt. Saco is more in demand, and prices aro rather higher for she better sorts: there is, however, a more plentiful supply. To-day at public sale 200 boxes Pearl have been sold at 21s to 21s 6d per cwt. INDIGO. The Quarterly Sale of East India com menced this day. During the progress of the sale 165 chests were withdrawn. 962 chests have passed the sale. There was a fair attendance of foreign and home buyers ; the biddings, however, have not been animated, although proprietors have gene rally given strong support to their marks.- Prices have been exceedingly irregular—the ordinary and low qualities of Bengal, and the few lots of fine shipping sorts, selling at the last sales's rates; whilst the middling descriptions, chiefly fit for the German markets, brought an advance of 3d to 4d per lb. Kurpahs have ben in brisk demand, at about 4d advance; but Madras were negketed at the prices of the last sale. Proprietors have bought in 315 chests. num.—There is still only a limited demand for Raisins, and a decrease is shown to sell new Valentia at 38s to 40s. New Currants move off slowly at 425, and old at 345. The supply of Fruit is likely to be extensive this year. COCHINEAL—To-day [more desire was shown to do business in Cochineal and 220 bags at auction all sold at fully former rates, silvers 3s 5d to 41 6d per lb. TALLOW.—The marker for Russian has been in a dull state since our last report, importers are willing sellers, and submitted to further reduced rates, The value of fine new P. Y.C. is 45s 91 to 46s per cwt, at which a desire is shown to realise. For forward de livery only a small amount of business has been done up to the elose of the year at 45s 6d to 45s 9d. Home melted is less wanted, and can :be ob tained at 451 6d to 46s nett cash, and which are lower rats s. Other kinds of Tallow are cheaper, and met with little attention. At public sale 141 casks of New South Wales were only in part sold at 40s to 44s 9d, and very low 37s 93; 52 casks East India 46s 161 to 50s 3d; and 26 mos South American 43s to 44s 6d per cwt. The value of Rough Fat is 2s 7d per stone. Imports of Tallow have been upon a large scale since this day week, and the stock far exceeds that of this time last year, but deliveries are greater, whilst prices rule above that time. Fur public sale 500 casks are declared. Orr.s.—For public competition on Friday 15 tuns of Sperm, 90 of Southern, 22 tuns Cocoa Nut, and 132 casks of Palm are declared. imports are still of little moment, whereas deliveries continue of a satisfactory nature, and prices rule much under those of this time last year. Southern is wanted, and as th. 3 supply is small former rates aro well supported. At Pubic sale 17 tuns were sold. Seal is in excellent demand, and on the part of holders there is firmness ; pale is worth 26/ lOs to 274 tinged and straw 251 lOs to 264 and other sorts 241 to 25/ per ton. Sperm is in excellent demand, and prices tend upwards, good and fine quality realizing 701 to 731 per tun, and there is a decreased supply, whereas the consumption is getting larser. Linseed Oil finds a more ready sale for home trade purposes, whilst a brisker ex port demand exists, still prices cannot be quoted higher, and they rule at 223 to 22s 3d per cwt on the spot. For forward delivery sales to a fair extent are re ported at 22s 63. There is still a plentiful supply, but the consumption continues of a satisfactory nature, and prices are lower than for a lower than fur a long period. Rapeseed Oil is held with firmness, pale at 37s and brown 365, at which a good business has been done, and the supply does not get larger. Palm is much wanted and realised further advanced rates, deliveries also continue to exceed arrivals— fine has been selling at 33s 6d to 345, and low to good 30s to 335. Cocoa Nut met with more attention, yet there is no no advance to record in the value, as Ceylon can be obtained at 39s to 40s, and Cochin 40s to 425. Of Olive there is yet a scanty supply, and as the trade are desirous to operate prices rule high; they range at 491 to 501 per tun for Gallipoli, 471 to 4SI for Spanish and Sicily, and 451 to 46s for Barbary, Levant, and Portugal. The consump tion is still getting larger, and is likely so to continue. Lard Oil is not much in demand, and can be obtained at 43s to 445. Ground Nut is also dull of sale, at 35s to 86s per cwt. PRICES OF SHARES IN BANKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COM• PANIES' STOCK. From the Official List, PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING LONDON. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10. JOINT-STOCK BANNS. BOILER EXPLOSION AND FIRE AT MANCHESTER. On Saturday morning, at a quarter before eleven o'clock, the workpeople employed in Dyche-street mill, near Rochdale-road, were thrown into a state of great alarm by a loud explosion, and such an escape of steam, as filled the yards and the whole building. It was immediately found that the mill was on fire in a number of places, which spread with furious ra pidity. There were at the time about three hundred people on the premises, and as they had all to pass through a narrow door to make their escape, and the whole place was full of steam, so that none could find their way out—as the steam continued for some time time to rush with immense force across the yard through which they had to pass, the consternation which was produced was almost indescribable. A rush was at once made to the entrance door; many wha were unable to escape by the door got out of the lower windows, and some even from the second and third stories threw themselves to the ground. No sooner had the steam somewhat abated than it was discovered that the boiler had exploded in such a manner as to scatter the fire com pletely over one end of the mill and into every win dow. The pile of buildings is in the form of a square, having a yard in the centre. On the left from the entrance stood the boilers and engine -house, in front the main body of the mill, and on the right the ware house. That boiler nearest the middle of the yard had burst, and swept the contents of the fire hole, so as to scatter them over the whole of the warehouses immediately opposite. A large quan tity of brick and iron work connected with the boiler was also blown against the building; the mas sive iron door was thrown with terrible force against the wall across the yard. Many parties were struck with the burning coals and other materials, which in flicted some severe scalds, burns, and bruises, but we have not heard of any loss of life. The mill being chiefly occupied by power-loom weavers, the material was very combustible, and as the fire had been thrown into every room from the top to the bottom of the warehouse, that part of the building was one mass of flames in a short space of time. Engines were speedily on the spot and in full play, but the superintendent at once pronounced it impos sible to save the building, and in less than an hour from the explosion only the bare walls were left. The mill was surrounded by small dwelling-houses, and of course the utmost consternation was produced amongst their occupiers. With great exertions, how ever, they were preserved. The mill was occupied by four tenants, three of whom were power loom weavers, and the fourth a small-ware manufacturer. The loss is variously estimated at from ten to twenty thousand pounds, most of which is covered by in surances. It is stated that the catastrophe was oc casioned by some defect in the boiler. GMAT LONGSTONE Weans. —This annual ," feast of the dedication," which about nine years ago was cele brated for its savage brutality, passed off this year in the most rational and Ckristianlike manner possible. Every cottage was the scene of true hospitality, an d th e light hearts and happy faces might be seen emerging from the newly-adorned dwellings with rapture. The three Ember days at this season always occurring in the feast iveek, the church was tolerably attended ; it is de dicated to St. Giles, but it appears that when the new style was introducad, the time of keeping the feast was not altered. On Thursday afternoon the Sunday school children to the number of 150, had their annual treat of tea and plum cake. Two tables were erected in a little croft close by the church, which was most tastefully arranged with flowers, and loaded with cakes ; almost every mother in the village came to witness the scene, and about 50 partook of tea at the parsonage. The day was very tine, and the boys amused themselves with cricket, running races, &c., whilst the girls were engaged in every species of imaginable frolic. The darksiess put an end to the scene.—Derby Mercury. THE CHOLERA.—There were no accounts yester day of any fresh cases of cholera either at Hull or at Sun derland. In the metropolis, however, some scattered cases were confidently reported, chiefly in low lying or ill-condition pacer. Five cases have occurred in a court in Chelsea ; three at Itotherbithe ; two in the city of London ; two in Spitaltields ; two in Wbiteclif.•pl ; two Bermondsey ; two in lioraleydown ; inclu3ive of those at Woolwich, 26 fatal cases have been reported during the week. Dr. Parkes, who wrote a work of celebrity on the Indian cholera, and Mr. Robert Bowie, surgeon, who gave evidence on the river side cases be fore the Sanitary Commissioners, have been engaged, in behalf of the General Board of Health, examining the cases reported to them. SAPIENT JUDGES.—The Bedford Times states that at the recent horticultural show in that town the judges decided that a bundle of white carrots were the Lest parsnips, and gave the prize accordingly. Name of Company. Paid. Price. X. s. d. L. a. d.l British •• •••• .. • 11. 40 0 0 18 0 0 ' 16 Ditto Provincial 11. 85. 20 0 0 19 0 0 1 23 Bristol . • .-•.• • • • •• ICI. per cent. 20 0 0 - Brighton ••••.. • • • • 5l. per cent. 20 0 0 - 16 City of London lOl. 100 0 0 100 0 0 250 Continental Consolidat 925. pr share, 50 0 0 39 5 0 - Ditto, Now ...... • • 85s. pr shard 50 0 0 37 10 0 Equitable -•••- - • • 455. pr share 50 0 0 50 0 0 36 Imperial ...... ••• • • • 6/. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 67% Independent ........• 61. per cent. 40 0 0 40 0 0 64 London• • .... •••• • • • • - 50 0 0 50 0 0 - - 50 0 0 50 0 - PheenLa 5/. per cent. 50 0 0 4G 0 0 :II Madill' .... -..•• • • • • 51. • 500 0 0 DO 0 0 75 United General .. • . 4% /. pr cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 12% Westinistster Chartered 3/, 50 0 0 - 52 Ditto, New .... -. 12s. 50 0 0 10 0 0 104 CAL 70121.1,11. • 0 i.; Dividend Names of i f ..),(Dividend ' Names of 4 , , , Companies. As ; per Price. Companies. . , p Price. 074 I Annum. W. Annum. an 1 - - --. --. Xi X A.shtn& Oldh 975/. p c 80 Macclesfield . 100 - - Barnsley.. • • ,160 121. 180 Neath .. •• • • 100 18/. Srkuk&Abrgllso 51. 85 Oxford.... • • 100 201. 190 Birmingham 1 35 1 41. 80 Peak Forest . 78 3/. - Coventry.... l lool 251. - Regent's ••• • 33 I/. ss. 18% Derby •• . - 100, Cl. G 3 Rochdale.. • • 85 41. 54 EiLs.rre&Chsl33 565. 47 Somrset Coal 150 1 71. 10s. 130 Ere:s ash • • •1100. 321. - Do.LkEdSt 12 ! 61. p. c. - GrandJunctn i 100 5/. 77 Stfird &Wore 140 281. 290 Grand Surrey , 100 - 35 Shrewsbury.. 125 151. - Grand Unlon.loo 1/. 105. 25 Stourbridge.. 145 20/. 28.5 3rantham • .1150 - - Severn and -/ Kentit & Avn 39 7s. 6d. 47 8 W W ye Rail. j 26 11. Bs. 24 Le- 1s& Livrp 100' 3 41 . - Warwick&l .. 1 Leic3ster .. , 140 1 01 . 75 Birming. j 1 00 41 . - Letcstr ScNth 83 41. 36 :"..ou4hboroghil42 70/. -.. N an ap v t i o ck n & -}lOO 31. - Monmouthshlloo 81 . - Worcstr Bc} 78 2/. 39 Matgamrysh , 100 - - Birming. MeltnMwbry 100 - - Wilts & 'lrks, - 11. , 11 LIST OP SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PHICI.S - Dividend Amount Name of Company per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. ----- -.....--__ - X s. d. X s. d Bank of Scotland British Linen Company IS/ --• Per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 194% Caledonian Bank •••• • 7% Per tent. 10 0 0 210 0 4/. 0, CC!6I. Per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 11% Per Cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 12 c omm ercial Bank •• • • 71. per c en t . 500 0 0 , 100 0 0 148 Eastern Bank •••• • • • • 61. Per c en t. 25 u 0 10 0 C 91.19 5. Edinb.r,t. Glasgow Bank 6/. Per cent. 5 0 0 50 0 5 % y ty de ol i T e ati t go a w nt 8 .. a . n . k . 6% Exehangeßnk of Scot 6l. Per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 397 Isle of Man. Company 71 . Per cent. 10 0 0 7 0 0 - National Bank 6% per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 13% North of Scotland Bank 71. percent. 20 0 0 5 0 0 3/. 15 5. North British Bank -• • ._5O 0 0 10 0 0 N Royal Bank of Scotland 51. Per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 118% Union Bank of Scotland 81. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 80 Western Bank .-•• • • • • 81. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 6634 Aber been Fire and Life 12 1. per cent. 12 10 0 20 6 2% B. Accord. Lif e aud Fire -• 20 0 0 011 0 Os 02 British Guarantee Ins. 10 0 0 1 0 0 95 Od Caledonian Fire Insur. 101. Per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 21 Church of Eng;and Ins. - 50 0 0 2 0 0 2 City of Glasgow Life GI. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 0 21. 4s Edinburgh Life Insur if. per cent. 100 0 0 12 10 0 17 East of Scotland Life _ 10 0 0 015 0 115.0 d Eng. & Scot, Law Life 61. Per cent. 50 0 0 217 6 46s Gd Hercules Insurance Co. 71 . Per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 11 incur. Co. of Scotlnd- Si. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 7 Life Assoc. of Scotland 5/. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 11. 6s Mercantile Life .. • • - 10 0 0 010 0 -Is. Od. National Fire and Life 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 ONs •02 North British Insur. ••5% /.pr cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 22 , North & West of Scot. 6/. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 11715.0 d. Scottish Life and Guar. - 20 0 0 011 , 0 1 55. Scot. Ma& and Gen. - 1 0 0 015 0 105. Od 0 11. Os Scottish Union Insrncs. 6%1. pr cent. 20 0 0 10 0 9% Standard Life •••• .. • • 51. per cent. 50 0 0 1 0 0 125.0 d United Dep. Assurance 51. per cent. 10 0 0 - MISCELI.ANNOU I 2:______ Dividend Amount Paid. Pee( • Name of Company, per of Annum. Share. ____-- -- ---- ----- ..c. 0. d. , X. a. d• - Australian Agriculturl - Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 11. 4s. 100 0 0 30 0 0 10 0 0 1 10 - 2 10 0 Ditto, Half Shares.. - ' Canada ............. G/. percent. 100 0 0 32 10 0 26% - - I Uppr Canada Bonds 5/. per cent. - - 82 City Bonds.. ........ 3%1. pr cent. 00 0 0 70 0 0 - enn o P • Cppr Mars Eng. 51. per ce nt. I / 100 0 0 1100 0 0 Gen. Revers. & Invest. sp. c.B; 85, 9 - 100 0 0 , 1 00 0 0 91% Equitable Reversionry 5/. pr cent . 15 0 0 14 0 0 19 Gen. Steam Navigation 11. So. - - 10 London Institution . • • - Peninsir& Orient.Stm. 8/. per cent • 50 0 0 50 0 0 56 Reversionary Int. Soc. 4%1. pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 00 0 0 01 60 0 0 -- Royal Mall Steam.... 3%! . pr cen t -• 1 25 0 125 0 0 _ South Australian ... -1/. per share. 100 0 0 23 0 0 - Van Dieman's Land., - 25 0 0 5 0 0 - Universal Salvage.... - WODIBWIiLL'S MENAGERIE. --Such a series of dis asters has seldom occurred on the transition of a collec tion of beasts as happened between Seaton and Lyme Regis, on Sunday week. Soon after the carriages began to be removed from Seaton the rain fell in torrents, literally soaking them, and continued the whole of the way. On coming up Bossell-hill the van which cAn tained the lions and tigers fell over, and with great diffi culty was again put in an upright position, to proceed on its journey. On the arrival of the van containing the elephant by High Cliffe House, where the road is very steep, the shaft of the van touched the legs of one of the horses, which commenced plunging and kicking furiously, and frightening the other horses drawing the van, upon which the whole of them set off at a gallop down the hill, nearly coming into collision with the landau of R. B. Wrey. Esq ' of Weir Cliffe, i n w hi c h was Mrs. Wrey, returning from church. Her life was in imminent danger, as the van threatened to crash her carriage to pieces; the horses, however, reached the bottom of the hill without further damage, but imme diately on entering the field of exhibition the wheel of this ponderou s van gave w ay beneath its weight, break ing into several pieces, and bringing the carriage dow n on its axietree. " These disasters were of a more serious nature than all which had happened to the menagerie during the whole year previous," said one of the 'com pany, and these, be it remembered, befel it on a Sunday. Its misfortunes, however, did not terminate hare, for on drawing the beasts from the town on Tuesday, the van containing the zebra was turned over, and in order to set it right again, it had to be disencumbered of its burden, which for a time was allowed to be at large in the field.—Exeter Flying Po6t. PosT-OFFICE.----On Saturday the receiving• office for letters in the East India-road, Poplar, was opened for the issue and payment of money orders. EMIGRATION AND THE RAIL- WAY INTERESTS. SwmpoN.—On Wednesday last we witnessed a new and highly-important movement, ,illustrative of the feel ing with w hich emigration to Australia is being viewed by the higher order of the operative classes in this country. The numerous artificers and labourers in the employ of the Great Western Railway at Swindon, the focus of the company's locomotive manufactory, as sembled in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute at that station, to receive a deputation from the Colonisation Society, who had been specially invited to expound the principles of the association, in order that those to whom they should appear to be applicable might avail themselves of the information and assistance so afforded to proceed to Australia. The primary cause of this solicitation on the part of the workmen was the fact that a large number of them are under notice, which expires on Saturday next, to quit the services of the company, owing to a cessation of operations, on branches and subsidiary lines leased to, or that were once intended to be made by, the Great Western. The determination of the company to curtail all practicable outlay from those sources having ren dered inevitable the dismissal of many hands, those so removed naturally felt anxious to ascertain if the Australian colonies furnished a likely field for ser vices for which an adequate demand no longer existed at home, and those retained were hardly less anxi ous to learn the probabilities of benefiting their present condition, and leaving a competence to it children, in the same direction. The directors, aide& in the gratification of this laudable desire most cordially, following the example of the Brighton and South- Western, in placing every facility and accommodation at the disposal of the deputation. The gentlemen from the Colonisation Society who volunteered to impart the requisite knowledge, were Mark Boyd, Esquire, C. D. Logan, Esquire, and A. IL Forrester, Esquire, whose reception throughout the evening was of the most gratifying character possible. The hall, which is capable of containing a very large auditory, was crowded to excess, numbers being unable to obtain standing room; for not only were there the great majority of the resident operatives of the works, but there were many from other parts of the line and the neighbourhood, several females also being present, to whom the intelligence as to the destitution of Australia in domestic servants appeared to be fraught with the greatest interest. The band of the Mechanics' Institu tion were in attendance, and both before and after the chief business of the evening performed a variety of recent compositions in a manner that would do credit to veteran professors, much less to self-taught amateurs of very brief experience. Mr. Archibald Sturrock, the intelligent manager of the vast and Tailed works at Swindon, was voted by ac clamation to the chair, and on taking it introduced the deputation in some pithy and pregnant remarks as to the importance of the object in hand, and the character, high standing, and qualifications of Mr. Mark Boyd and his colleagues in the task of enlightening the public by means of trustworthy and indisputable data, most of it drawn from actual personal experience of the colony, and all of it derived direct from the best possible sources at head-quarters, both here and in the Australias. Mr. M. Boyd said the labour that devolved upon him was rendered exceedingly trivial from the circumstance of his being associated with a gentleman of the groat co lonial experience,general information, and large capacity, of Mr. Logan. Ile (Mr. Boyd) considered it particularly fortunate, both for the mother country, and our fruitful possessions at the antipodes, that Mr. Logan should be in England at a moment like the present. when our whole population seemed to be thoroughly awaking to a sense of the absorbing importance of turning to a pru dent and o b v i ous , b ut hi t h er t o com p ara ti ve ly neglected account, the advantages the colonial empire of Great Britain had placed at the disposal of its people in con nection with emigration—the only means of establishing an equipoise between redundant labour and limited de mand tor it, on the one hand, and limitless demand and an inadequate supply on the other. Mr, Logan came to this country the bearer of the confidence and the wishes of the principal inhabitants of New South Wales to the home Government, and certainly it was only due to the Colonial-office to say that he had met with a degree of attention in all respects worthy of his mission. Earl Grey, and all the subordinate functionaries of that de partment, including especially her Majesty's Commis sioners of Emigration, had availed themselves zealously and continuously of the information which his local knowledge enabled him to supply, and which his discernment prompted him to impart in the most judicious and useful manner possible. Not only had the Government officials recognised him as a suitable exponent of colonial requirements in respect to labour, but many of the leading magistrates of the metropolis, and of England at large, had put themselves in direct and uuintermitting com munication with him since his arrival here a few months ago, in reference to a question of scarcely inferior social interest to emigration itself— namely, penal or criminal discipline, to which sub ject he had devoted the most minute attention. Now, the Colonisation Society accounted themselves especially fortunate in having secured his co-operation during his sojourn in England, before he returned to the country of his adoption, whose welfare he was so well calculated to promote. Mr. Boyd then proceeded to detail what the Colonisation Society had recently been doing at Brighton, Southampton, and in London, and what they proposed doing elsewhere. They had had numer ous invitations from the north, particularly from York shire, in which great county a most active, philanthropic, and highly informed magistrate, Barnard Hague, Esq , was exerting himself in a manner that would be produc tive of the greatest benefit to all who came within the sphere of his benevolent and meritorious influences in connexion with this subject. He was an invaluable pio neer to the society, who hoped to be busy in the manu facturing towns in that direction in the course of the present month; and through the assistance of such friends as Mr. Hague, of whom he was happy to say they had many, he had no doubt they would be quite as success ful as they had been in the south. Circumstances, how ever, induced them to give attention at the earliest possi ble moment to the requisition from Swindon, the earn estness of whose artisans in seeking for information respecting Australia was sufficiently proved by a meeting like the one then assembled. This movement was worthy of their intelligence, worthy of the intelligence of men through whose instrumentality the deputation were enabled to perform what would have been deemed a miracle even half a dozen short years ago—accom plishing the distance from London to that hall—about 77 miles, in one hour and a half, and in a mode so easy, so little fatiguing, that the traveller was hardly con scious of the motion. The society did not propose to advise or dictate to any one. They merely wished to tell what they knew, what was notorious iu the colony as to the want of labour, and what that labour would produce to the possessor of it; and to let those receiving such tidings draw their own inferences. The colony was doing all in its power, making every sacrifice to get la bour from England, where it was every day becoming of less and less value. Up to October last 170,0001. had been received here to dispatch hands, for want of which an incalculable amount of the finest food and most valu able produce was perishing. Since then, from 50,0001. to 60,000/. more had been received, and more still was on its way hither for the same purpose. This money was not Government grants wrung from obnoxious taxes. It accrued from the natural wealth of the colony—the sale of lands and the voluntary offerings of the colonists, and all was devoted to obtain that of which Australia could not have too much, nor could we part with too much, viz.,—labour, of which every species and description that was accompanied with health and g ood behaviour pro cured the owner a competence to begin with, and an ultimate independence to all of moderate age, and of provident and self-controlling habits. Mr. Boyd then proceeded to point out in what way the Colonisation So ciety assisted, by part payment of the passage money, in obtaining the sanction of the Emigration Commissioners for a class of emigrants other than agricultural, such, for instance, as the majority of those he was then address ing. He regretted that on this point the meeting had not the opportunity of hearing the chairman of the so ciety, the Hon. F. Scott, the Member for Roxburghshire, the utility of whose labours in the cause of emigration it would be quite impossble to eulogise sufficiently. Ho was then in Scotland devoting his great talents and in defatigable industry to the same end, instead of seeking the relaxation he so much needed after the fatigues of the past session, but of the nature of which those who merely judged by the newspapers could form no idea whatever. Mr. Boyd concluded an animated speech, which was loudly applauded, by calling upon Mr. LOGAN, who, in a most interesting address of nearly an hour's duration, and which fully justified the eulogiums pronounced upon him by the preceding speaker, detailed the result of upwards of a dozen years' observation of the labour market in New South Wales, its supply and demand, and the consequences of a scar city of hands in the colony generally, and some of sud den gluts in particular spots on certain occasions. He went most fully and comprehensively into the question in all its essential bearings—national, imperial, social, and economic—cieverly shaping his remarks to the par ticular pursuits of his audience, and showing that though certain handicrafts in iron and metals might not obtain an immediate market, yet a readiness to turn one's hand to any thing, together with the intelligence characteristic of a good English mechanic, would always, at the very outset, procure in the colony an equivalent to his full ordinary earnings at home, and that his skilled labour would be of course proportionably recompensed when legitimately rendered available, the prospect of its so being increasing every successive day. After a vivid sketch of the position of the colony, illustrated by many remarkable instances of the ruinous effects of the lack of labour—pastoral, mechanical, and domestic, male and female—Mr. Logan invited his hearers to put questions that should elicit the precise sort of information applicable to the individual case of each interrogator. This led to a singular and highly instructive scene. Many of the operatives proceeded to catechise the Learned Gentleman, and in so doing exhi bited not only the greatest natural shrewdness, but an amount of acquired ;knowledge of the Australian colt, • vies that should be witnessed before it could be fully credited. Mr. Logan replied with great good humour, succinctly to the point, and, without a single exception, to the satisfaction of every inquisitor. Passing from the rates of wages, &e., he was examined as to the sanitary and phyeical peculiarities of the colony, the mode of ob taining lard in small quantities, prices of wearing ap parel, and many other mutters, in which his extensive household experience, as one who had reared a large family in the colony, stood him in excellent stead, and were regerded as most conclusive by those who spoke in behalf of their better halves as well as of themselves. In all points involving matters pertaining to shipping lie was ably assisted by Mr. Boyd, that gentleman on one occasion giving a striking instance of the stringency with which the Emigration Commissioners enforce their rules as to the seaworthiness of the vessels they employ. A mer chant of great eminence in the City had informed him within the last few days that ho had been compelled to vend 3,8001, on ono of the vessels so chartered, though any private trader would pronounce it perfectly fit to take the most precious cargo to any part of the globe without one penny outlay in repairs. Mr. Logan was repeatedly thanked by the different spokesmen of the operatives, and having met fully all queries, and presented the in stitution With maps, publications of the society, and co lonial journals, resumed his seat amidst vehement ap plause, which was resumed with increased heartiness when he promised to pay a second visit shortly, and sup ply any omissions which a perusal of the documents he now left might suggest that he had made. After a pause, the meeting having now lasted a couple of hours, Mr. BOYD proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and in doing so passed a very elaborate encomium upon him. Mr. Sturrock had made the Colonisation Society collectively, and himself (Mr. Boyd) particularly, his debtors, for the instructive evening that had been spent, and for the results that would asuredly flow from it; and he therefore begged leave to present to him the best thanks of that most numerous, and, he would add, alto gether unprecedented meeting. Mr. A. IL FORRESTER having seconded the motion which was carried with enthusiasm, _ _ Mr. STURROCK briefly and appropriately adverted to the compliment that had been paid him, and then went on to say how deeply he felt the painful duty the direc tors had, with the greatest regret themselves, imposed upon him, of discharging a large number of workmen. Unfortunately, such was the state of the money market, such the depreciation of all railway property at present, that the directors could not think of proceeding with further extension, either in the shape of their own tri butary lines, or of lines they have leased from other companies; and therefore the present reduction of their establishment was equally a matter of necessity and of duty, and every person would admit its propriety and justice, even those who most suffered by it. After some remarks as to the probable value of the information the deputation had afforded, the meeting broke up. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. EASTERN UNION. An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Eastern Union Railway, took place yesterday at Rad ley's Hotel, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, for the purpose of taking into consideration a proposition of the direc tors for the modification of an agreement made between the Colchester, Stour Valley, Sudbury, and Halstead Railway Company, the Ipswich and Bury Saint Edmund Railway Company, and the Eastern Union Railway Company, on the Bth day of June, 1847, for demising and leasing the Colchester, Stour Valley, Sudbury, and Halstead Railway, and certain Extension Lines and premises, to the Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Rail way Company, and for working, using, and enjoying the same; and if the meeting should determine upon any modification of such agreement, then for the purpose of approving the terms thereof, and of authorising the di rectors of the Eastern Union Railway Company to affix the corporate seal of that Company to such contract or agreement as may be submitted to the meeting for car rying out such terms, and also to such other deeds, con tracts, agreements, leases, and instruments as the direc • tors of such last-mentioned company may deem neces sary for carrying the same into effect. Colonel Barlow took the chair shortly after two o'clock. The advertisement calling the meeting having been read by the Secretary, The CHAIRMAN said that it would not be necessary for him to occupy their time by stating the provisions of the modified agreement, as the proprietors were already in possession of a circular recently addressed by the directors to the shareholders, fully explaining the cir cumstances that had induced them to enter into the agreement for a lease with the Stour Valley Company. Mr. FEW, the solicitor of the company, then read the heads of the provisional agreement to lease the Stour Valley line. In the heads of the agreement it appeared that the Easter■ Union Company proposed to lease the Stour Valley line for 999 years, and to pay a rent equal to five per cent on the cost of the Stour Valley line up to 83,000/., and three per cent. on the residue expense of establishing the Stour Valley Company, Parlia mentary contests to be included. The CHAIRMAN then proposed a resolution to the effect that the modified provisional agreement should de adopted by the meeting. Some considerable discussion took place, in the course of which Mr. LECHMERE asked the Chairman whether any treaty was in existence between this company and the Eastern Counties. The CHAIRMAN said that no treaty was in existence betwean the Eastern Union Railway Company and the Eastern Counties Company. Mr. LECIIMERE was most happy to hear it. The CHAIRMAN—And so am I. After some further discussion, Mr. LECHMERE moved, as an amendment, that the question of adopting the modified provisional agreement should be adjourned until this day six months. The CHAIRMAN said that the line was in a great state of forwardness, and ho had no doubt the line would be opened to Norwich in the course of next summer. The line would be opened to Diss in a very short time. Some considerable discussion then took place upon the original resolution and the amendments, atter which The CHAIRMAN, amid some confusion, put the amend ment to the meeting, and declared it to be lost upon the show of hands. Mr. LECHMERE then demanded a poll, but ultimately after a most irregular discussion, withdrew it. Another amendment was then moved for an adjourn ment for a fortnight, but that was also lost. The original motion was then put, and declared to be carried. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated at five o'clock. OPENING OF THE CREWE LINE OF THE NORTH-STAFFORDSHIRE. The Crewe Branch of the North-Staffordshire Railway was yesterday opened for the conveyance of passengers. The new line is thirty miles in length, and coif:mere:es at Stoke-upon-Trent, running through Stanley, near to Newcastle, to Buralem, and Conglet3n. A very fine station has been erected at Stoke, which will be the chief station on the North• Staffordshire lines. This station is a very elegant building in the style of the period of James 11. It looks more like a baronial residence than a railway station. There is a large hotel attached to it, and the whole forms a very imposing quadrangle. At this station all the offices of the company will be fixed, and the future meetings of the shareholders will be held there. The cost of the station, with the hotel approaches, &c., will, when wholly completed, be 43,0001. Under the colonnade in front of the booking-offices the flooring has been laid with encaustic tiles of very beautiful design. Mr. 11. A. Hunt is the architect. The line from Stoke to Burton upon-Trent was opened for traffic about a month ago, and the part opened yesterday is about fifteen miles in extent. A new route has therefore been opened from the midland counties to Liverpool and the manufacturing districts of Lancashire. The line, with the exception of the Ilarecastle tunnel, and two small tunnels, has been of easy construction. Tho Harecastle tunnel is upwards of a mile in extent. Mr. Ricardo, M.P., the chairman of the company, together with the directors and their friends,otpadsed over the line, and were met by the authorities OR- gleton at the station, and by them were conducted to the Town- hall, where a banqu e t h a d been prepared for them. At the conclusion of ,the feast, whi c h was presided over by J. Waddington, Esq., the Ma ythe usual loyal toast s were given, and heartilyr o f C ongln, responded eto to. On the toast o f " T he Queen"being given, the company sang the national anthem. The MAYOR, in very complimentary terms, proposed the toast of " Success to the North Staffordshire Rail way Company, and health, long life, and happiness to John Lewis Ricardo, Esq., , its chairman." The toast was rec e i ve d w i t h three times three, and one cheer more. ' Mr. RICARDO, M.P., do rising to respond to the toast, was received with loud cheering. After some few pre . fatory observations, he said that the North Staffordshire Railway Company had had many difficulties to encoun ter, difficulties at the commencement, difficulties during their operations, and difficulties now. First, from the opposition with which they had been met ; and secondly, from the monetary crisis which had happened, which was scarcely over before it was followed by those events on the continent which he was sure no man in the country could fail to deplore, while he felt grateful to Providence that he had been born in a country where property and life were secure.—(Cheers.) He might be permitted to say that they were suffering from those events now. He had heard a great deal said about this coun try being dependent on the home trade ; but he would say, speaking to commercial men—men who understood what trade and commerce were—that the home trade was dependent upon the foreign trade; that this country at this moment was suffering from the adversity of our neighbours, and would continue to suffer until our neighbours were more prosperous. Let us not then in dulge in jealousy of oar neighbours, as we might de pend upon it that their prosperity was our prosperity, and that their adversity was our adversity.--(Cheers.) He did not mean to say that this was felt as much in railways as in other things ; but after all, railways were merely part of the machinery which we manufactured in this country. The cost of production was not to be cal culated on the price of the commodity when it was in the factory, but it was to be calculated at the price in the market to which it was to be sent; and if they could bring those commodities which they manufactured to the market cheaply, then they had an advantage over their competitors, and that advantage, th e N ort h Staffordshire Railway Company had in a great mea sure endeavoured to secure for them, When ho SAW the chimneys of the factories smoking, when he knew the working people were employed, when he knew the farmers were flourishing, and that agricultural produce was in demand, he should not want to go to his secre tary, Mr. Samuda, and ask him what the receipts of the North Staffordshire Railway were. He would not ask him if the railway was prosperous or not. He thought the jealousy of or.e railway company with respect to another was absurd altogether. Ile did not want the North Staffordshire Company to flourish at the expense of any other company; but he would say this, that if the North Staffordshire Railway did flourish, ho was sure that those around it would flourish also, and that the trade would be distributed among them. The worthy mayor had coupled his name with that of the North Star fordshire Company, and he (Mr. Ricardo) could only say that he 'sad undertaken this great enterprise not with any view to personal profit or advancement, but simply with a view to benefit his constituents and the country at large.—(Cheers.) If he had succeeded, the only reward he would ever require was to see the North Staffordshire Railway prosperous.—(The Hon. Gentle man resumed his seat amidst loud applause.) Captain ANTROBUS, in a humorous speech, proposed the toast of The Directors," which was . responded to by Mr. Brodeziek. The healths of the Mayor and other gentlemen locally connected with the railway were then proposed and duly responded to. Mr. Samuda, the secretary, Mr. Bidder, the engineer, and the contractors were proposed. In the course of the reply to the toast, Mr. Pearson and other gentlemen referred to the uniform good con duct of the railway labourers ever since they had been employed on the works. Such was their praiseworthy behaviour, that when there was a prospect of the town and peace being disturbed by Chartist agitators, they immediately came forward in a body and requested to be enrolled as special constables, a proceeding which had no doubt tended very much to the maintenance of. the peace of the locality. This announcement was received with loud cheers. At five o'clock the corporation of Congleton accom panied the directors of the railway in a special train to Stoke, and returned to Congleton late in the evening. The banquet at Congleton was served by Mr. stocker of the Lion. THE LATE MR. STEPHENSON.-Tho following is an extract from the minutes of the Liverpool Board of the London and North-Western Railway, under date 6th September, 1848:..." The public papers having an nounced the lamented death of Mr. George Stephenson, on Saturday, the 12th ult., Resolved unanimously—That the directors embrace this first opportunity of recording the strong sentiments which they entertain, of admiration for the talents and esteem for the character of the man whose death they cannot but regard as a national loss. The directors, on the present occasion, look back with peculiar interest to their first connexion with Mr. Ste phenson, in the construction of the Liverpool and Man chester Railway; to a period now twenty years past, when he floated their new line over Chat Moss, or cut his way through the rock cutting at Olive Mount. Tracing the progress of railways from that first beginning to the present time, they find Mr. Stephenson foremost in urging forward the great railway movement, earning and maintaining his title to be considered, before any other man, the author of that universal system of locomotion which bas effected such mighty results, commercial, social, and political, throughout the civilized world. Two years ago the directors entrusted to Mr. Gibson, of Rome, the duty and privilege of producing a statue that might do honour to their friend, then living amongst them. They did not anticipate that on the completion of this work of art the great original would be no more—that they should be constrained to accept the marble effigy of the engineer in lieu of the living presence of the man.—Resolved: that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Mr. Robert Stephenson, with an expression of the directors' earnest sympathy under the irreparable loss which ho has experienced."— Liverpool Journal. ACCIDENTS ON RAILWAYS DURING 'W.—From the First Annual Report of the Commissioners of Railways, just published, it appears that there is a great reduction in the number of railway accidents for 1347, notwith standing the great increase in the number of passengers conveyed. At the beginning of the first six months of 1847 there were 3,036 miles of railway opened in the United Kingdom; at the beginning Fof the latter six months of that period there were 3,496 miles open; and at the end of the latter period, passengers were carried on 3,816 miles of railway. It appears from the returns that the number of passengers conveyed in the former period was 23,119,412, in the latter 31,734,607, being an increase of passengers of 37 per cent. Yet the number of passengers killed and injured by Causes beyond their own control was less by 29 per cent. in the latter than in the former period, and the whole number of accidents to passengers, servants of companies, trespassers, and others, was less by 7 per cent. The whole number' of accidents during this period, attended with injury to the public, was 330. The number of accidents from carriages leaving the line, during 1847, was 5, and from en gines running off 15. Accidents from axles breaking were 11, and from tires of wheels 6. During the same year there were 37 accidents from collisions; and the Commissioners aro strongly of opinion, from investiga tion, that these arise from the fact of large trains ge nerally not being accompanied by a sufficient number of guards to work the breaks, and they consider that the most effectual method of ensuring attention to this sub ject is a public statement of this their opinion. SHREWSBURY AND CHESTER OPENING.—The opening of this important line, which is 60 miles in length, takes place on Thursday next.—Liverpool Albion. BRIGUTON RAILWAY.—There is a rumour in town, but on what foundation it rests we are unable to say, that Mr. Laing, the chairman, is to have 800/. per an num out of the 1,6001 allowed to the directors, as chairman and manager, and the other eight directors 100/. year each.—Herupath's Railway Journal. IRISH RAILWAYS.—A correspondent, in a private let ter, writes to us :—" You will be amused to hear that in Ireland, where they widened their gauge (at General Pasley's recommendation) for the very purpose of giving more room for the cylinders, &e., between the wheels, they are using several outside cylinder engines. They have in that country, by widening the gauge, got into the expensive forms of carriage and engine of the Great Western, and with a beggarly traffic. Their trains weigh, exclusive of the engine, forty or fifty tons, and their engines, which burn a full allowance of coke, weigh twenty tons, -or, with the tender, twenty-eight, making the gross weight of a train eighty tons, where forty should suffice. Now this forty toss of extra car rying stock will be worth something like 90/. per ton, or 3,6001. per train, which requires continual repair and renewal ; besides the interest upon it, 20 per cent., will not be too much for this-20 per cent. on 3,6001.-7204, or 21. per day. Say you get forty miles of running throughout the year on each train of carriages with the engine, here is a charge of one shilling per mile per train imposed by this Uncalled-for widening of the Irish gauge, in carrying stock only."—Herapath's Railway Journal. TOURNAY AND JuanrsE.—The opening of the entire line is fixed for the 15th of the present month. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, OCT. 9. STOCK EXCHANOE.—The . .share market Continues in a very depressed state. Great Western 171. Shares were done at 33‘i di9. LIVERPOOL, Om 9. STOCK EXCHA.NGII.—We have to notice a further depres sion in our share market, and a decline in prises. The sales are—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, 311. Shares, 9:R i dis.— East Lancashire, 6i4 Preference, % dis.- -Lancashire and Yorkshire (late Manchester and Birming ham), Fifths, dis.—Ditto (late West Riding 'Union), Fifths, 6 % dis.—London and North. Western, 1043/4—Ditto, New Quarters, 1 3 % c. dis.—Ditto, Quarters (C), 1 p.— Manchester, Sheffield, and Li nco l nshire Docks, 15% dis.-- Midster land Stand ock, 78 %Ditto, Ne w Halves, 1174, dis.—South- Ean Dover, 22% —Ditto, No. 4, Thirds, 6%—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 8% dis. MANCIIESTER, OCT. 9. 55ST EX CITANGE.—The sales are— Clydesdale Jun c ti o n, Old Grimsby, 30% dis.—Sheffield, Preference, 9% South-Easter n and Dover, No. 4, 6 7-16—East Lancashire, Preference, 3-16 dis.—Caledonian, Preference, Sheffield, Quarters, No. 1, 10% dis.—North Staffordshire, 7 1 % dis.—East Lancashire, 11% dis.—Sheffield and Lincoln, 14 3-16 c. dis—East Anglian, 181. Shams, 2 14-16—Leeds, Preference, 3-16 dis. BIRMINGHAM, 04rr. 9. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Midlands, 77—Bir mingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley, 5 1 4 dis.— Shrewsbury and Birmingham (B), 4 1 ,4 dis.—Shropshire Union, 3 j dis. YORK, OCT. 7. STOCK EXCHAWGE.—The business transacted ti-day WAS as follows : Great Northern, 4!. 'A —Lancashire and York shire, Preference, 43—North British, Thirds, 41. 16s. c.— York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 5%. DOVER HARBOUR OF REFUGE.—The works of this great national undertaking have been most actively pro secuted during the summer months; and the progress made reflects much credit on the energy and skill of the contractors. The piling of the breakwater has been carried out to five feet water at low water spring tides ; while the massive masonry which forms the pier is ra pidly growing up, rock-like, on either hand.—Dever Chronicle. CADVERTISENIENT.]--SICK lIEADACIIES, BILE, AND INDIGESTION CURED BY lIOLLOWAY'S PILLS. --The in numerable proofs of the efficacy of these invaluable pills in the cure of bile, sick headaches, and indigestion are so convincing, that every person subject to these distressing complaints should immediately hare recourse to them for relief, fur no medicine has hitherto been discovered that possesses such powerful properties in curing the above-named disorders, it acts so peculiarly on the sys tem, that all impurities aro removed, and the patient be comes permanently invigorated. Holloway's Pills are also an infallible remedy for liver complaints, and rank in the highest estimation as a family medicine.—S o ld by all druggists, and at Professor Holloway's establishment, 244, strand, London. BMWS. On the sth inst.,_ at Belle Vue, Teignmouth, the lady of Lieutenant-Colonel Osborn, Bengal Army, of a son. On the sth inst., at the Vicarage, Witten, Bucks, the wife of - the Rev. G. Phillimore, of a son. On the sth inst., the wife of the Rev. M. Wilkinson, Mas ter of Marlborough College, of a daughter. On the 6th inst , at Regent-square, the wife of J. Gordon, Esq., of a daughter. On the 6th inst., at Chester-terrace, Regent's-park, the wife of J. 11. Baxendale, Esq., of a son. On the 7th inst., at Albany-court-yard, Piccadilly, tke wife of T. Mortimer, Esq., of a son. On the 7th inst., at Caroline-place, Mecklenburgh-square, Mrs. E. Sealy, of a daughter, stillborn. On the 7th inst., at Woburn-park, Surrey, the Hon. Mrs. Locke King, of a son. Name of Company. A astralasia ...... • • • • Britsh .North American Ceylon • • • • .. • • • • • • • • 3ommerciai of Loudon 2.010nia1.. •• • • ••.• • • • Gloucestershire • • • • • • lonian • . • • • • . • • • • • • • Loudn and Westminstr London Joint-Stock ... Provincial of Ireland • • Ditto, New.• • • • • • • • STational of Ireland •• Nat. Provncial of Eng. Ditto, New.• • • • • • • • South Australia • • • • • • Union of Australia.• • . Ditto • ...... •• •• •• Unioia of London.•• •• Union of ➢ladrid Name of Company. Charing-cross. • • • . • • • Southwrk, Nw Sub. Av. Ditto Nw of 734 p.c. Waterloo .... • • . • .. Ditto Old Ann. of 81. Ditto Nw ditto of 71. Vauxhall .... . .. Av. Name of Company. Birmingham. • • •• •• • • E ISt London..• • •• •• •• Grand Junction •• •• New Rivr Lndu Brdge Vauxhall .. .. • • • • • • West Middlesex . - • Dividend per Annum. A=ount of Share. 50 0 0 40 0 0 BRIDGES Dividend per Annum. Amount of Share. 355. per cent. 11.55.4 d. 11.2 e. 2d. 11.175. X. e. d. 632 12 8 50 0 0 'lOO 0 0 70 10 3 'ATER-WORKS, Dividend per Atinum. Amount of Share. 2/. 10s. 31. 10s. 2/, 10s. 41. per cnt. 61.0 i. pr att. INSITIE.A.MT C Z C Warne of Company. Albion • • • • •• •• •• •• • • Alliance Brit. and For. Ditto Marine. • • • • • • Um ..... • . • • British Commercial .• Clericl,Med.& Gen.Lifc Count} Crown .............. Eagle ...... Eng.& Scot. Law •• • • European Life Family Endowmn t Soc. Freemasons' ......... Globe Gaartlian • • . • . •• • • • Imperial Fire .•• • • • Imperial Life . • • • • ladcuinity Law Fire LAW , Life Legal and General Life Lordcn Fire •. ••• .• L miler' Ship Marine. • • •••• • • • . Med. Invlld & Gen. Life National Lean Fund.. National Life..... Palladium Life Pelican .... • • Pticenix • .. P. °teeter Life .. Provident Life hock Li k ............ !loyal Exchan , :e 5Fire............ bitto Life Universal Victoria Lile •..... Dividend per Annum. 31. 10s. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 13s.6d.pr eh. 7s. per share 5 pr et& bs. 31. 14s. 6s. 51. per cent. 5 per cent. 'il. & bs. 6/. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. per cent. 12 per cent. 12s. 11. sh. & bs. Name of Company. C Junnercial E ist and Mat India... E Ist Country Loaeon Ditto 80nd5........ St. Katharine ........ Ditto Dolids • • S pithampton • • ...... GAS-LIGHT 11. 165. t%/. per ct. 51. per cent. 8/. per cent. 51. per cent. 3/. p. sh. & bs. 5/. pia . cent. 11. 53. 43. 51. per cent. 6/. 10s. 11. 6s. 10% pr cnt. s. d. 500 0 0 1100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 Stock. 1100 0 0 500 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 'lOO 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 Stock. 100 0 0 4 s. 0. 50 0 0 11 0 0 8 0 0 5 6 8 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 2 12 6 All paid. 4 0 0 3 0 0 36 10 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 5 13 1 2 10 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 15 0 0 2 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0 0 10 0 Z s. d. 25 0 0 100 0 0 41 13 4 100 0 0 MO 0 0 1211P.B.NIES. Amriount Share. DOCEO3. Dlridend per Annum. Amount of Share. 41. per cent. 6/. pr cent. 255. per ch. 51. pr cent. 41. per cent. 4 per cent. 1%1. pr cent. 21. per cent. a. d. Stock. Stock. too 0 0 Stock. Stock. 50 0 0 X N. d. 50 0 0 AND COKE CO: Dividend I Amount per of Annum. I Share. Paid, 9 0 0 4 0 0 :P.a.NIES. raid. 51. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. per cent. 15Iper cent. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 81. per cent. 81. per cent. 51. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. per cent. 5/ per cent. 61. per cent. W. per cent. s. d. 4000 50 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 Id° 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 5000 100 0 0 10 0 0 SO 0 0 IN 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 d. 40 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 13 0 0 10 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 35 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 25 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 0 40 0 0 X. r. d. 25 0 0 60 0 0 40 0 0 Paid. Price, X s. d. 25 0 0 Price MARRIED. On the 3d inst., at Lochnaw------- Wigtonshire, Frede rick L. M. Heriot, Esq., of Ramornie, Fife, to Martha, second daughter of Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., of Locknaw. On the sth inst., at St. Thomas-in-thc-Cliff, Mr. Henry M. Burt, of Gibson-square, Islington, to Eliza, second daugh ter of Mr. llarvey, of the Cliti; Lewes. On the 7th inst , at St. Giles's, Bloomsbury, Samuel Smith, Esq., of Holloway, to Mary, youngest daughter of the late James Gurney, Esq., of Southcot, Berks. On the 7th inst., at St. Pancras Church, Mr. A. W. Pell, of Hawley-road, Kentish-town, to Caroline, second daughter of Mr. John Honey, of Haverstock-hill, Hampstead. On the 7th inst., at Allhallows, London-wall, Miss Catha rine Pepper, of Winchester-street, to William Harley, Esq. , of Peckham. DE. On the 29 t h u lt., at Sheeps I tea D d, Berks, Thomas Thornhill Norland, E-q., aged 45. Oa the 3d inst., at Stanton-villas, Lilford-road, Camber well, Mrs. Mary Earl, relict of the late John Earl, of Peck ham, aged 16. On the 3d inst., Francis Garden Campbell, Esq., of Troll ) and Glenlyon, aged 29. On the Bth itht., Rosa Elizs, the infant daughter of Dr. Rowland, Woburn-place, Russell-square. _— - O. London: Printed and P u bli s h e d by ItIURDO YOLTN—, °f No. 112, Strand, P r i n t er , at T he Sun Utiles, B e . 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the wady of Aliddlota, Tuesday, October 10, 1848. 1,005 Paid. Paid. Price Price, 172 81 75 55 ..... 116 M 113 41 1 4 212 14% 41 Os . 13 18 2614 4% 165 197 Price. tisy.;