The Sun. — London, England, 1848-08-29 00:00:00

- the duties on rum and h elands should t.e extended to spirits distilled in this country, arid that they saw n reason why foreign traders should possess any advan tage over our home manufacturers. The Right Hon. Gentleman w as certa i n l y a very einncal Chanceiler of the Exchequer; for whenever it suite d } nns to argue against the colonial distillers he then endeavoured to show the Rouse that the leakage and wastage was next to no thing; but when h e wante d to avo id putt i ng t h e British distillers on an equality with the colonial and foreign distillers, he ?hen immediately discovered that the leak age and wastage was exceedingly large. It reminded One of the fable of the Satyr and the Traveller; for the Right Hon. Gentleman could warm his hands and cool his porridge with the same breath. But thsre was no doubt upon this point, for they had the authority of an Act of Parliament as to the amount of leakage and wastage in the case of foreign spirits. By th.e Bth and 9th of Victoria, cap. 91, see. 22, the allowance for wa stage was, one gallon for every 100, tor six months; thr ee gallons f or every 100, f rom s i x to e i g hteen months; five gallons for every 100, from eighteen mouths to two Y e ars; six gallons for every 100, from two years to two Years and a half ; and so on. All that the Irish dis tillers asked for was to be treated with equal justice With the for e i gn distillers, and that they should have the same advantages which the foreign distillers ea- Mr. REYNOLDS said that :the Bill did not go far enough, and that if the Right Hon. Gentleman should refuse his ass en t t o t h e mot i on o f th e H on . a nd Learned Member for Kerry, he would inflict deep injustice upon the distillers of Ireland and Scotland. As to what the "Fi to the revenue would be, the calculation was very Much guess work ; but if the storing of spirits were en couraged, the consumption would be increased, and so f ar the revenue also. Coupling the Bill with the Rum Duties Bill, it seemed clear that the Government were sacr ificing the interests of Ireland to those of the West "▪ "'es- If spirits re ma in e d in bond for seven years, the colonial colonial manufacturer would have an advantage equal to q• Per gallon. If the Government persisted in their refusal of the claim in question, they ought to take out Patent for m a ki ng converts to repeal ; distillers who had b een opposed to repeal were beginning to say that it a_ was folly t o ex p ec t justice from an English Par -6 Tent. r. MACGREGOR considered the Bill so important t 0 his °is . constituents, and the delay of it so prejudicial, that h e hoped, whatever might be its defects, the House Would go into Committee at once. The concessions and alterations made since its introduction had been gene rally satisfactory ; and, in the last week of a long ses °Tn, the real question was, whether the Bill was to be he P "° II .Y rejected or not ?—(" No.") At the same time, ' l oped to see, eventually, an equalization of the duties on h oe , e.e.made spirits. he e e • `"' r . RUME would give his vote on the principle that stae Jailed to see equality between the foreign and the s producer. ar. ` 4l onel DUNNE l oo k e d upon this measure as giving a dvantage to the producer abroad over the home- Manufacturer. t o M a !' DUNCAN considered it to be not fair and honest Manufacturer in this country, and was surprised to h ear it a d vocate d b y an H on. Member for Glasgow. The House then divided, when the numbers were— For the instruction to the Committee 37 Against it Majority —39 T he Bill then passed through Committee, and the 4 ePort was ordered to be received to-morrow. 1 4 The Consolidated Fund Bill and methse Exchequer bills "di were each read a second ti, nd ordered to be esiasmitted to-morrow. COPPER AND LEAD DUTIES BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the abovenamed Bill should be read a second time. 1 / L ord G. BENTINCK said, that in the absence of the nn . Member for Bodmin, it became his duty to move that this Bill be read a second time on that day six Months, and he was induced to take that course for e ee 'reral reasons. In the first place, it was indecorous and enfitting, that at the very moment when the Govern-e 3 , : i tl e e e n t was confessedly almost in a state of insolvency, -- t "`i Was obliged to borrow 2,000,0001. sterling in order t ° make up the deficiency for the year, the Chancellor of tee Excheque r s h ou ld squan d er awa y a part of the solid venue which was raised on the industry of foreigners. the next place, this measure was another step in the t hirdly, of direct, as opposed to indirect taxation; and, it was objectionable, because it would deprive the miners of Cornwall of the protection to which they W ere entitled at th e h an d s o f th e G o vernment.—(Hear, ieneatrda , l p h ip e in ta g x which it was proposed to throw away time" of finance, amounted to 6 per frt- eid valorem ; but, a lthou g h it was a small duty for te foreigner to pay, it concerned the subsistence of more than 22,000 British labourers, who, with their fa te : • uies, represented nearly 100,000 souls. The men sure doubtl ess wou ld con f er a b oon on t h e sme lt ers , but their situ a ti on was not one w hi c h demanded peculiar' ; co nsideration, for at the p rese nt moment the di ff erence In pric e b etween copper ore and copper was 22 per " l it. The smelters, however, were powerfully repre sented in th e H ouse o f Commons; hence the favour yen them a t th e c ost of the poor miners. Mr. Alder man Thompson who was extensiv el y en g a g ed in that uranch of fade, bad assured him that the effect of the present measure would be merely to put the amount of the tax pronosed to be repealed into the pocket s of himself and his co-manufacturers without b eing of the slightest benefit to the country.—(Hear, "ear.) Our colonies, also, were interested in this ques tion, and if he failed to induce the House to reject the Rill on the second reading, he would propose in Com mittee that copper ore the produce of a British colony should b e i mported duty free. A few weeks ago the Under-Secretary for the Colonies had re f erre d to to South Australia as a colony which in prosperity. Th e exports fromAus m tr a a d l e ia to the valu e o f 312,8381. and therapid progress amounted ore which cam e f rom that colony w v a al s u i et o o s f ,o t o h o e t, co b p e p in e g r one-third of the whole. The lion. Gentleman had spoken of the gr eat happiness and content of our colo nies, and he trustsd that the Government would not drive them into a state of discontent by cutting off from them this lucrative branch of trade. No less than 800 miners bad already emigrated from Cornwall, in order to work the Australian mines, and numbers of Irish poor might be also sent out to assist in raising the ore. Let not the Government, then, surrender the trade of which Australia Was the prosperous site, to the Cubans and Chilians. lie had stated th e ot h er d ay that the pr i ce of copper ore i n Cornwall, at the end of the last Midsummer quarter, was 11 per cent. lower than it was at the commencement of the year. He had stated also that it was lower by 18 Per cent, than it was in 1847, and 25 per cent. lower than the average of the last fifteen years. The effect of that reduction in the price of copper ore on the wages of the ' 'miners in Cornwall was equal to 17s. Id. on every ton of ore raised. The quantity of ore annually raised in Corn- W e was abo u t 50,000 tons, an d a b out 22,000 persons Wp'e employ e d i n ra i s i ng i t . H e regre t te d t o say that t • eonditiox and prospects of the Cornish miners were Most deplorable. The Noble Lord here referred to an e xtract from the Cornwall Gazelle of Friday last, con taining a most distressing account of the crops, and went ° n to say that he was afraid the Government might ex- Peet to find another Ireland in Cornwall, if, in the hour ° l, f their s t rugg l es un der the dispensations of Provid e nc e , th ey took from them any portion of their profits mining operations. Ile asked the Noble Lord - er he was prepared, for the sake of carrying out a 41is erable abstract principle, to run the risk of reducing the „, People of one coun ty of England—a people as re markable for their attachment to the Crown and their P e aceful conduct as for their industry—to the wretched clie in which he found the people of Ireland? If shove did 110 9 he would do it to promote the interests of • . ese who had invested their money in foreign mines. ° doubt the House, would be told that the smelting tra de of the country was leaving it, and that this Bill : i s the last resource f or t h e preven ti on o f so great an h i : 4 Rut if any such statement was abou to be made, denied that it had any foundation whatever in truth. Re t,found that even this year, which was not remarkable f r brisk ness of trade, the import of foreign copper ore a eee ded by up war d s of 2,000 tons the importation of o rmer year. And if it should one said that the f rom rl tis !! Miner had a great protection in the cost of freight be e ? l k-;iiha, he would ask whether the smelters of Swan itl % ad not a still greater protection in the difference t 0 thtPrice of coal, coal being at Swansea 4s. a ton? As he 1 l e e re turns made by the Board of Trade, he thought quee a t j, a right to complain of them. They were fre fetvoureedwtrlsong, and it always happened that their errors Merit.' t hat side of the argument which the Govern that espoused. It had been contended, on the other side, sh ould ‘,"e importation of copper ore was falling off, f , we • du"ttnerel'ore permit foreign ore to be imported ree liet eso l e Now, from the returns presented to both . %ep ee - ° I Parliament by command of her Majesty, it Meta! i the levie re d that during the six months ending in July, onth- quantity of copper—that was, the weight of mported—was 1,319 tons. Durin , the first six lOr t h : 8 O f the presentyear that was the weight of metal set th at w ill the return signed "A. W. Fonblanque." Though a ectnal th e a s the return, there was every reason to think that It quantity of metal imported was 5,395 tons. th e appeared .that the quantity of copper ore imported in oontsi et six months of the year 1846 was 25,035 tons, pe s t od ni ( r 3 l g 5,162 tons of metal, that in the corresponding era eted f 1847 the ore was 18,896 tons, the metal ex -4,017 tons ; in the one case yielding 20 per cent. N o ▪ ' w uP d t ter from every ton of ore ; i n t h e ot h er 2 1 per cent . Boardoar on e quantity o f ore f rom w hi c h, accor di ng to the tra de d Trad e returns, 1,319 tons of metal were ex rat, or f ru no less th an 27,155 t o ns of ore, being at the :estrous our per cent. That, if true, proved a most dis thet n• ltrade. condition o f the But, it appeared to him for to tae .ars returns there was a most grievous error, Yor e ne could underst an d h ow th e co pper ore should - yie ld year, ers ,2o and 21 per cent., yet, in the present and he would only at the rate of four per cent. ; ro an 1.143 w he wouldask, were 100,000 English to as thicism " • he had just to suffer n account of such blunders vote for the resol these that ? It was upon such misrepre that the House had been induced to of August, ution ; and it was now, in the last days stripped of all when its the bankrupt Excheqsuer, House of Commons had been caiindependence,led upon to that they throw aw w a y e withr 4 e ooo o and to go upon the Stock Exchange, and there, at the loss of 23,000 L, sell s t k which th e G overnment did not posses. arra' o d e away s tax Is Hethe Government for throwing difficulty, Chan and es or f had hitherto been c o ll ecte d w i t h out to such as inducing the House to consent \when examined, turned ose uon statements whi c t iear, he ar . lobolout to p be misrepresentations. ch, ) The Vaal the Bill be read Lord concluded by moving months. a second time that day six Mr. WYLD seconded the motion. Hi s reason f or taking thi s course was, be ineut had br oug h t it forward tuse her Maj es ty' s Govern session, an d b ecause the at such a l a t e p er i o d o f the no distant d ay, b e reduced people of Cor nwa ll wou ld , at to a state of utter ruin. The eceenty of Cornwall had been date for its mieerala. Dar' known from the earliest in, late years a large and important interest lead sprung 13,000 were solely dependen t up, and a population of on the prosperity of the Of: T II E mining trade. The mining interest of Cornwall had found out what would be the ultimale effect of this measure if it passed, by the:recent large importations of foreign ore. The result of this importation already was that a fall of nearly twenty per cent. had occurred; and this reduction had plunged the entire mining interest into a state of great embarrassment, he might almost say ruin. The c•lse of the miner was different to that of the manufacturer. The manu facturer, if thrown out of work, could find employ ment elsewhere; hut the miner had no such resource — he could only Lind employment at that sort of labour in which he had been brought up, and only in mining districts. He also confirmed the statement of the Noble Lord (Lord Beranek), that the returns from the Board of' Trade were erroneous. This was not a question of free trade, but a question of employment of the people. They might change their markets to Chili or to Cuba, but would that change benefit the people in England, or make up for the people who would be thrown out of employment by the operation of this measure? At present the trade in copper ore employed 20,000 tons of shipping, and it was owing to this trade and the return freights of coal, &c., that the country owed much of its prosperity. If the present duties were removed the Cornish miners would be exposed to a great source of competition which they had hitherto escaped. By the change of 1842 the miners had derived no ad vantage whatever, but any benefit which had arisen from the measure had gone to the shipowners. It was urged that there was a necessity for a change in con sequence of a decrease in the importations, but that decrease had only arisen from legislative causes. The importation was for a time reduced, but the quantity produced was the same. The duty, however, had not operated against the importation, for, taking the ave rage of the last three years, the amount of ore imported was as great as at any other similar period, so that the data upon which this measure was founded were alto gether wrong. It had been said that there were smelt ing works at Hamburgh, but they could not affect the English smelters, inasmuch as they had a duty of 155. per ton to pay upon the coals. Then they had been told of the smelting works of the United States, but in the' United States they only smelted the rich ores of Cuba; and the total amount of copper produced from the United States smelting works did not exceed fifty tons a month. Then with regard to France, the importation of copper ore into that country did not exceed from 1,500 to 2,000 tons in the year. In fact, the English smelters ac knowledged that they had nothing to tear from foreign competition. It had been said that there had been a decrease in the quantity of copper smelted in England in consequence of those duties, but he denied that such was the case. The export of copper from England to France had, for several ) ears past, shown an amount of increase both in quantity and . in value. One of the great arguments used in favour of the Government measure was, that the continuance of the present system was against the prin ciples of free trade. He denied that such was the case. The free-trade tariff of 1844 gave to many metallic manufactures a protection of 10 per cent. The copper miner, however, did not ask for such a protection; he only asked for a protection of 6.1 per cent. The question was, whether it would or would not advantage the manu facturers of Lancashire to lose 100,000 customers in Corn wall, in order to gain 50,000 customers in Cuba, each of the Cornish customers being in the habit of purchasing their manufactures to three times the amount of the Cuban customer. The miners of Cornwall had hoped that this question had been finally settled in 1844, Upon the faith of that settlement large sums of money had been invested in mining speculations in Cornwall, and such being the case, he called upon the Government not, on mere theoretical grounds, to disturb that ar rangement. Mr. LABOUCHERE, considering that the question had been fully discussed on the 17th April, in a very full House, trusted that he might stand excused if. at that late hour of the evening, he abstained from going at any great length into the consideration of the question.— (Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord had found fault with the Government for delaying the second reading of the Bill to this late period of the session, and had said that it' the discussion had been taken in a fuller House there would have been less probability of the carrying of the measure; but be would remind the Noble Lord that on the 17th of April, in the middle of the session, this very question had been discussed in a very full House, and that, on a division, the principle of the measure had been adopted by a majority of 102 who had voted in favour of the measure, to 35 who had voted against it.—(Cheers.) Hu believed it was not now necessary for him to waste the time of the House by adducing arguments to prove that which was now universally admitted—that it was always good policy to reduce import duties on all raw materials which entered into the great staple manufactures of the country; and it would be a waste of time to adduce arguments to show the advantage of being enabled to Produce all brass and copper articles at a lower rate of price than they could be produced for at present. In 1845 there were 56,000 tons of foreign copper ore im ported; in 1846 the amount fell to 50,900 tons, and in 1847 it was still further reduced to 47,900 tons. While upon that point he would advert to what the Noble Lord had said against the statistical department of the Board of Trade, and that in no very measured language, to wards the very distinguished man who presided over the statistical department of the Board—Mr.Fonblanque —of whom the Noble Lord—from that unfortunate habit he had—(lronical cheers, and counter cheers) — whenever he happened to detect an error of any kind in accounts—had spoken, not as a man who had fallen into error, as most men, even the Noble Lord himself, were liable to do, but as a sort of public delinquent who could have no reason whatever for the mistake except some discreditable motive. But the error, he believed, admitted of a simple and satisfactory explanation. The Noble Lord must remember that since the resolution had passed upon which the Bill was founded a change had taken place in the mode of taking the duty. It had been taken the last three months, not upon the metal contained in the ore, but upon the ore itself. The Noble Lord had said ho supposed the amount of ore upon which the duty was paid was given cor rectly—that though the amount of ore was correctly de scribed as having been charged, yet that it was inconsis tent with the amount of metal charged with duty as taken from the ore. The explanation of the discre pancy would be found in the fact that for the last three months the copper introduced in the shape of ore into this country had been charged with duty solely upon the ore, and not upon the metal contained in it; and the Noble Lord would find that stated in the tables of the Board of Trade, and therefore the duty charged upon the metal could not have appeared in the returns. The amount of ore appeared, but not the amount of duty upon the metal, at least for the last three months. It appears for the first three months, but not for the last Lord G. BENTINCK—That is my case. Mr. LABOUCHERE—The Noble Lord would not have had the statistical department of the Board of Trade state that it received— Lord G. BENTINCK—You misrepresent me. I said the quantity charged with duty; there is all the diffe rence between charged and received. Mr. LABOUCHERE did not mean to misrepresent the Noble Lord. But he would not detain the House longer. He had said enough to prove that there was really no ground for the unwarrantable attack which the Noble Lord had made. He would not defend any man whom he believed to be in the wrong, whether it was an official at the Board of Trade, on anybody else. But, as long as he had the honour to preside over that or any other department of the public service, whenever he heard any subordinate official attacked as he had that night, he would do his best to defend him. Lord G. BENTINCK—You have not succeeded to night. Mr. LABOUCHERE proceeded to observe that the Noble Lord and the Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down had stated that the Bill would be all to the advan tage of a few smelters who had a monopoly of the smelt ing trade in this country; but they had confined their attention to only a part of the Bill. They should have considered the whole measure. Copper manufactures were also allowed to be imported, and the consequence was, the only real check that could be applied to the smelting trade of this country was the competition with smelters abroad, and such were the advantages possessed for the smelting of copper in this country that he had no doubt it would continue to be the great seat of the smelting trade of the world. The admission of foreign ore could not but be of advantage, from the mixture of ores it would occasion, to those engaged in the trade, while he was convinced that to the community at large it would be fraught with great and permanent advan- tage. Mr. HENLEY said that the Noble Lord had accused the Right Hon. Gentleman himself, and not merely any subordinate; and, therefore, whatever error was alleged was attributed not to Mr. Fonblanque, or any other per . __. . son, but to the Right Hon. Gentleman himself, and now let them see what kind of explanation the Right Hon. Gentleman had offered. The Right Hon. Gentleman said that at the time the resolution passed the copper had not been assayed. But if a difference took place at the time of the passing of the resoliition, some distinc tion ought to have been made in the quantity of copper ore. The Right Hon. Gentleman said that since the passing of the resolution the duty was charged not on the copper, but on the coppor ore. Now, the printed paper showed the copper ore for the whole six months; and how could any one tell on which portion the duty was charged and on which portion it was not charged?— (Hear, hear.) How could any one distinguish, of the 27,0001., how much was charged one way and how much the other? He might be told that he could find that out by going back to the month of April. Possibly that might be so, but it certainly was not a proper mode of keeping accounts, for there was nothing to indicate that any change had taken place in the mode of charging the duty. On looking at the account in April, he found the quantity of copper ore imported was 6,600 tons—nearly 1,300 tons of copper. In the next month the import was 27,000 tons, yielding the same amount of copper. Mr. LABOUCHERE was understood to dissent. Mr. HENLEY—The same amount of copper was then printed.—(Hear.) It might or it might not be an error, but it was at all events a clumsy way of keeping the account, and did not show the true state of the case. But suppose the present Bill should not pass, how would the Right Hon. Gentleman charge the duty ?—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman had made a very strange statement. He had rested the question alto gether on the ground of revenue, and had said that the reason why the change did not take place before was that the duty could not be spared. Now, he (Mr. Hen ley) should say that, since the year 1842, there never was a time when the duty could be less spared.—(Hear.) But that was not all. In the year 1842 the Right Hon. Gentleman took a different view of the subject, and ar gued it on the price of copper abroad and the necessity of preventing any injury to the mining interests of Cornwall.—(Hear.) Would the Right Hon. Gentleman Pretend to say that the mining interests of Cornwall were now in a better state than they were at that time, or rather, that they were not in greater jeopardy than they were in the year 1842 ?—(Hear, hear.) The great ar gument of Hon. Gentlemen opposite in support of this measure was, that copper would become cheaper to the r SUN, L ON DON, consumer, regardless altogether of the number of work men who might be thrown out of employ at home. The real reason why copper was so dear was the monopoly which existed in smelting; but no proof had been given that the Bill would put an end to that monopoly. But eve n if it could be shown that the great mass of the con sinners would obtain copper at a cheaper rate, they were running the risk of throwing out of work a great portion of the Cornish miners; and whilst they were doing this they were encouraging slave labour, because a large por tion of the copper ore came from Cuba.—(hear.) .These were the reasons which induced him to question the po licy of the measure, which he was arrant would be at tended with great injury, without being productive of any corresponding benefit.—(Hear, hear.) Colonel THOMPSON said there were two ways of obtaining copper for use in this country; one was by digging it out of the Cornish mines, and the other was by making cloth at Bradford and other place, and ex changing it for the copper of Cuba and Chili. If the Cornish man had good mines, let him work them by all means; but if they were inferior, then let the foreign trade come in and benefit alike the manufacturing and shipping interests of England. The present seemed to be a contest for putting down the trade of Lancashire and Yorkshire for the advantage of Cornwall; and in the whole course of the debate he had not heard a single reason why this should be done. Mr. NEWDEGATE—The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Labouchere) had stated that the copper had not been brought to charge; but if that were so, on what were the bonds to be taken? If the value of the copper bad not been ascertained, and supposing this Bill should nut pass, he should like to know who was to pay the duty?—(Hear, hear.) The Honourable and Gallant author of the " Anti-Corn-law Cate chism" (Colonel Thompson) had risen to-night to pre fer the claims of Bradford, whose produce, however, ho had omitted to tell the House was protected by a duty of 10 per cent., whilst the Cornish miner was to be deprived of his small protection of 5 or 6 per cent. Such was their happy system of free trade. Bradford was suffering in common with the rest of the community; therefore the Hon. Member told his constituents, seek your remedy against the people of Cornwall; you have 10 per cent. protective duty—they have but s—strip them of that, and take your chance of getting anything out of the exchequer. Now this was a system which he (Mr. Newdegate) had always deprecated. It was the system of setting one interest against another—of first precipitating most of the interests of the country into distress, and then setting the industrious classes to cut one another's throats.--(Hear, hear, and No.) If the people of Bradford required protection let them have it as against the foreigner; but it should not be at the expense of their fellow-countrymen, the inhabitants of. Cornwall. He must say, that the mode in which the value of copper ore had been introduced into the accounts of the Board of Trade was calculated to mislead the public. A series of errors had been committed in returns made by the Government, and it certainly was strange that, in every instance, the mistake was in favour of free trade.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. W. BROWN thought that the Hon. Gentleman opposite had also committed errors. For instance, the Hon. Member who hasi last spoken said that the manu facturers of Bradford were protected 10 per cent. Now, neither woollens or cottons were protected. Mr. N EWDEG ATE—Worsteds. Mr. W. BROWN—'Ihe Noble Lord opposite also was mistaken in his statement of the cost at which coals could be delivered at Baltimore. He had the best an• thority for denying that the price could not exceed 11s. or 12s. a ton. With regard to the Bill before them, he firmly believed, that if the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not proposed to take off the duty, we should have lost the smelting trade and the duty also. Mr. MUNTZ supported the Bill, as he thought it but fair that the manufacturer should have the raw ma terial as cheap as possible. Captain VYSE observed that there was a protecting duty of 10 per cent. upon wool mixed with cotton. Mr. CAREW stated that the miners in Cornwall were suffering great distress. This Bill would throw a great number out of employment. Mr. TURNER supported the Bill. He denied that there had been a petition from the mining districts in Cornwall against the Bill. He went further, and main tained that the great mining interests were in favour of the Bil!. Be had as much interest in Cornwall as any man in that House, and he believed he took a correct view of the question. In conclusion, he trusted lion. Members opposite would see that the doctrines which he advocated were right, and those which they advocated were erroneous.—(Hear, and cries of "Divide"). After a few words from Mr. Macgregor and Mr. Vivian, and Mr. Newdegate and Mr. Turner in reply (amid manifestations of impatience on the part of the House), strangers were ordered to withdraw. The House divided, when there appeared— For the second reading 77 Against it Majority The Bill was then road a second time. The Distilling from Sugar Bill went through Com mittee, to be reported this day. The report on the Slave Trade (Muscat) Bill was brought up and considered, and the Bill was ordered to be engrossed, and to be read a third time this day. The House adjourned at Two o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Coounons.) MONDAY, AUG. 28. SPIRITS (DEALERS IN) BILL. (IN TIIE COMMITTEE.) Clause 25 (Persons removing Spirits in any quantity ex ceeding one gallon, in any part of the United Kingdom, and refusing to produce a proper Permit or Certificate, may be arrested, convicted, and, on non-payment of the penalty, im prisoned for not more than six or less than three calendar months) :—Amendment proposed, p. 13, 1. 30, after the word " penalty" to insert the words " not exceeding :"—Question put, " That those words be there inserted." The Committee divided : MINORITY-AYES, 33. Anstey, T. C. Hood, Sir A. Robinson. George Barkly, Henry Keogh, William SalweY, Colonel Bentinck, Lord G. Knox, Colonel Tenison, E. K. Callaghan, D. Martin, John Thompson, Colonel Carew, W. P. Monsen, William Turner, E. Cobden, R. Moore, George 11. Vyse, H. forbes, W. Morris, David Williams, John Greene, John Manta, G. I. Willoughby, Sir 11. Hamilton, G. A. O'Connell, John Wodehouse, E. Hardcastle, J. A. O'Connell, M. J. TxuAßs. Henley, J. W. l'echell, Captain Hume, J. Herbert, Henry A. Reynolds, John Duncan, George MAJORITY-NOES, 51. Ably, T. N. Grenfell, Charles W. Parker, John Bellew, R. M. Grey, R. W. Pinney, William Berkeley, Captain Hay, Lord John Price, Sir R Berkeley, 11. F. Hayter, W. G. Rice, E. R. Blackall, S. W. Heywood, James Scropo, G. P. Bowring, Dr. Jones, Captain Seymer, H. K. Boyle, Colonel Labouchere, Henry Seymour, Sir 11. Brotherton, J. Langston, J. H. Shell, It. L. Brown, W. Lascelles, W. S. Smith, John A. Campbell, W. F. Lewis, G. C. Somerville. Sir W. Collins, W. Lushington, Charles Stanton, W. 11. Cowper, W. F. Lygon, General Villiers, Charles Craig, W. G. M'Gregor, John Ward, IL G. Denison, W. J. Matheson, Colonel Wilson, James Divett, E. Manic, Fox Wood, Sir Charles Douglas, Sir:C. Ml!nes, R. hi. TELLEILS. Drummond, Henry Morpeth, Viscount Tufnell, H. Dundas, Admiral Ogle, S. C. Hill, Lord Marcus ~ - - BRITISH SPIRITS WAREHOUSING BILL. Order for Committee read ; Motion made, and Question put, " That it be an Instruction to the Committee on the Bill, that they have power to extend the provisions thereof, so far as to apply to Spirits distilled in the United Kingdom the privileges. at present enjoyed by the owners of foreign and colonial Spirits, in respect of the mode and time of levy ing the Duties chargeable thereon." The House divided : MINORITY—AYES, 37. Anstey, Thomas C. Fitzgerald, W. R. Morgan, 0. Barkly, Henry Forbes, William Muntz, G. F. Bentinck, Lord G. Greene, John. Newdegato, C. N. Blackall, S. W. Henley, J. W. Reynolds, John Broadley, Henry Herbert, 11. A. Tennant, It. J. Callaghan, D. Hood, Sir Alexander Thompson, Colonel Vesey, T. Hume, Joseph Carew, W. P. Cocks, Thomas S. Jones , Ca p tain Vivian, J. E. Currie, Henry Keogh, William Willoughby, Sir H. Devereux, J. T. Knox, Colone Disraeli, B. M'Gregor, John TELLER!. Dodd, George Matheson, Colonel O'Connell, M , J. Duncan, George Monsell, William O'Connell, John I Dunne, F. Y. Moore, G. 11. ?iIAJORITY-NOES, 76. Abdy, Thomas N. Henry, Alexander Salwey,'Colonel Adair, Hugh E. Heywood, James Scholefleld, William Adair, it. Shafto Hobhouss, Sir John Scrope, G. P. Anderson, Arthur llobhouse, T. B. Seynser, 11. K. Anson, Colonel Hodges, T. L. Shell, It. L. Baring, Sir F. T. Jervis, Sir John Shelburne, Earl of Bellew, It. M. I,abouchere, Henry Smith, J. A. Bernal, Ralph Lacy, 11. C. Somerville, Sir W. Bowring, Dr. Langston, J. 11. Stanton, W. S. Boyle, Colonel Lascelles, W. S. Talfourd, Sergeant Brockman, E. D. Lewis, Tattered, 11. W. Brotherton, J. Locke, Joseph Tollemache, F. J. Brown, W. Mauls, Fox Turner, Edmund Itunbury, E. H. Mines, R. Idonekton Vane, Lord 11. Campbell, W. F. Mitchell, A. T. Villiers, Charles Childers, J. W. Morpeth, Viscount Ward, 11. G. Craig, W. G. Morris, David Watkins, Colonel Divett, Edward Paget, Lord C. Williams, John I)undas, Admiral Parker, John Wilson, James Ebrington, Viscount Perfect, Robert Wilson, Matthew Forster, Mathew Pigott, Francis Wood, Sir Charles Grenfell, Charles W. Pinney, W. Wyld, James Grey, It. W. Price, Sir Robert Hardcastle, J. A. Rice, E. R. _ TELLERS. Hawes, Benjamin Rich, Henry Tufnell, Henry Hay, Lord J. Romilly, Sir John Hill, Lord Marcia Hayter, W. G. Russell, Lord John COPPER AND LEAD DUTIES BILL Order for Second Readin g read Motion made, and Ques tion proposed," That the Bill be now read a second time Amendment proposed, to leave out the word " now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day three months :"—Question put, " That the word ' now' stand part of the Question." The House divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 77. Abdy, T. N. Henry, Alexander Scholefleld:Willlam Adair, Hugh E. Heywood, James Seymour, Sir H. Adair, R. Shafto Hobhouse, Sir J. Shell, R. L. Anderson, Arthur llobhouse, T. B. Smith, J. A.' Anson, Colonel Hodges, T. L. Somervill e , Si r W . Barkly, Henry Jervis, Sir John Spearman, H. J. Baring, Sir F. T. Labouchere, Henry Spooner, Richard Berkeley, Captain Lascelles, W. S. Stanton, W. H. Berkeley, H. Lewis, George C. Taltouril, Sergeant Bowring, Dr. M'Gregor, Johu Tancred, H. W. Brockman, E. D. Matheson, Colonel Tenison, E. K. Brotherton, J. Maule, Fox Thompson, Colonel Brown, W. Mitchell, T. A. Thompson, George Buller, Charles Morpeth, Viscount Tollemache, F. J. Campbell, W. F. Morris, David Turner, Edmund Childers, J. W. Muntz, G. F. Ward, H. G. Craig, W. G. Ogle, S. C. Watkins, Colonel Dirett, Edward Paget, Lord Clarence Willcox, Brodie Dundas, Admiral Palmerston. Viscount Williams, John Ebrington, Lord Parker, John Wilson, James Ewart, William Pechell, Captain Wilson, Matthew Forster, Matthew Pigott, Francis Wood, Sir Charles Greene, John Price, Sir R. Wood, W. P. Orenfell, C. W. Rice, E. R. Grey, Ralph W. Rich, Henry TELMA Hawes, B. ROMilly, Sir John Tufnell, Henry Hayter, W. G. Baiwey, Colonel Bellew, R. M. MINORITY -NOES, 21. Ashley, Lord Forester, G. C. Sturt, Henry Q. Broadley, H. Henley, J. W. Taylor, T. E. Cabbell, B. B. Hildyard, W. T. Vivian, J. E. Carew, W. H. Pole Hood, Sir A. Vyse, R. 11. Cocks, T. S. Knox, Colonel Willoughby, Sir H. Dunne, Francis P. Morgan, 0, TILLERS. Fitzgerald, W. R. Newdegate, C. N. Wyld; James 7own; Wm. kioymer, Henry Ser lioutlack,Lord Q. TUESDAY EVENING ) L-A:-TIGITST TT 11 RAILWAY IN LIGENCE. THAMES HAVEN DUCK AND RAILWAY. The half -yearly meetitvz of this company was held yes!cr6ay, at the Guildtnall CoMe- house; Mr. W. Chad wick in the chair. The report stated, that in consequence of the very de pressed state of railway property the directors had ab stained from making any calls upon the sharehtiders, and that operations on the works had bean limited to the excavation required for constructing the tidal dock as the only means of economising the expenditure. The accounts to the 30th of June showed that 12,8031. had been received, and 5,142/. expended, leaving a balance of 7,6611. The CHAIRMAN having- moved the adoption of the report, it was seconded and carried unanimously. Thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. PARIS AND LYONS RAILWAY. A meeting of the English shareholders was held yes terday, at the Loudon Tavern; the Baron de Goldsmid in the chair. The CHAIRMAN stated that he had the advertisement convening the meeting inserted in the newspapers. It was notorious to them all that an Act had recently been passed by the French Legislature to buy up their line. When they embarked their funds originally in this un dertaking it was not for the purpose of getting 5 per cent. as an investment in the French funds, but for the purpose of carrying out a railway which they believed to be one of the best lines in France; arid he would not have embarked his money in it if it had not been repre sented to him as a line equal to the London and Bir mingham for traffic. He alluded to the recent transac tions i❑ France, which had rendered the French share holders unable to pay up their calls, and said that the English proprietors had the means and inclination to perform their part of the engagement. It would seem as it the French directors had lost their senses through the panic fears prevailing in France, when they agreed to dispose of the property of the company to the Govern ment, for he thought it must be evident that at a time like the present, when the prices of labour and materials were so depressed, was the best possible period for carrying on the works. He had proposed at one time to send a memorial to Lord Palmerston on the subject, which he would read. (It stated that the English pro prietors had entered into the undertaking on the invita tion and relying on the faith and honour of the French Government ; that they had paid up half the amount of their shares ; and that upwards of 100 miles of their line was completed or in progress ; that the directors had sold the undertaking without the consent of the shareholders, for an amount of rentes equal to only 9-20ths of the amount paid on the shares.) He con tended that those shareholders who were willing to go on with the line ought to be allowed such terms as would enable them to carry it out. Ile concluded by moving a resolution— " That it is the opinion of this meeting that an oppor tunity should be afforded to those shareholders willing to proceed with their engagement to do so, and for that purpose that a committee be appointed to negotiate with the Government of France, and to take such mea sures as may be necessary for ascertaining whether suf ficient funds can be obtained to complete the under taking." Mr. DEVAUX (one of the English directors) stated that the effects of the revolution on calls due in March were such that out of 1,200,000/, called up, only 60,0001. had been paid. The directors, feeling they were bound to complete the line at a specified time, became alarmed when they found they had no funds, and then offered to sell the line to the French Government. In the course of his negotiations in France with a view to obtain better terms, the Minister, M. Goudchaux, said to him that the Government did not want to buy the line; that if they did, they must not only consider the position of the company, but the interest of the state; and as a proof that they did not want to interfere with any private un dertaking, that he had given accommodation to the Northern Railway Company to the extent of 2,400,000/. He (M. Devaux) was of opinion that the traffic on the Paris and Lyons line would yield as much per mile as the London and Birmingham, and not cost in construc tion above one-half its cost per mile. He had a high opinion of its capabilities when completed; and would be most happy to lend his assistance in the reconstruc tion of the company, to secure the interests of the pro prietors. In reply to Mr. HERAPATH it was stated, that interest would run upon each instalment, not from the date of payment, but from the 22d of March last ; that the rente would be transferable, the dividends would be payable in Paris; that English proprietors could receive their money through a French house. Mr. HERAPATH said there was no doubt the French directors could not sell the railway without the consent of the shareholders. lie thought that those persons who were prepared to pay up their calls ought not to be put on a par with those who could not, but should be al lowed by means of some arrangement to come into the property hereafter, or should receive some bonus. After some further remarks the resolution was unani mously passed, and a committee, consisting of the Baron de Goldsmid, Messrs. Devaux, Chapman, Powles, and Hitchins, were appointed, with power to add to their number. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY The report of the directors to be presented to the half-yearly meeting, to be held in Edinburgh to-day states that the directors regret the continued diminu tion in the receipts for the six months ending the 31st of July, as compared with the corresponding period of 1847, amounting to 2,8071. There is a decrease in the receipts from passengers of 3,4131., and an increase of goods of 6051. The receipts for the half-year amount to 50,855/. for passengers, and 29,4781. for goods, total 80,3331.; and the working expenses to 31,3591., exclu sive of parmitial rates, passenger duty, and interest upon loans, and amount to 37 per cent. on the receipts. The balance from revenue to July 31 is 43,1541; balance in hand, January, 1848, 63,7231.; total, 106,877/. Out of this sum the directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, 57,6581., leaving a balance in hand of 49,218/. ORLEANS AND BORDEAUX RAILWAY. The annual meeting of this company was held on Thursday at Paris; the Duke de Mouchy in the chair. The report stated that the traffic on the portion of their line open from Orleans to Tours produced a gross return of 4,004,398 f. (160,1750 during the year from the Ist of July, 1847, to June 30th, 1848. The receipts were for 425,341 passengers 1,878,638 f. 750.; 125,141 tons of goods, 1,728,143 f. 29c.; 147,915 head of cattle, 397,616 f. Of the passengers 18.25 per cent. were first class, 38.81 per cent. second class, and 42.94 per cent. were third class. During the first eight months the number and receipts of passengers increased over that of the preceding year, 1846-7. But from March Ist to June 30th, 1848, a diminution is perceptible in the three classes, which not only brings the returns below those of the corresponding period to the preceding year, but causes the whole amount of the passenger traffic to lose the notable increase of produce which the first eight months had begun to realise. These causes are directly connected with political events. In April last, the direc tors, with a view of increasing the traffic, lowered the fares throughout the line, the largest reduction being in the third-class passengers, but experience proved the scheme to be a failure, and they had in consequence re solved to charge the fares originally fixed. The working expenses amounted to 2,567,617 f. 95c. (102,7040, leaving a balance of 1,563,1461. Sc. (62,5251), from which must be deducted interest at 4 per cent. 780,000 F. (31,200/0, which leaves to be div ided 783,146 f. Bc.; from which is to be taken 5 per cent., and also three-fourths of the excess for the reserve fund, leaving 185,997 f. 20c. (7,4501.) to be distributed by way of dividend, in addition to 2,001 f. from last account, which gives as dividend If. 44c. per share; which added to the interest paid at the rate of 6f. per share, gives a total of 7r. 44c. per share for the year. In 1846.47, they had to suffer from the inundation of the Loire, from a famine which alarmed the country, and from a financial crisis which affected the whole or Europe. In 1848 they had to undergo the effects of a revolution, which had deeply shaken national work and industrial credit. Th e banking-house with which the company had been con nected for two or three years put a construction on the treaty different from that which had been admitted in their relations with it, and considered itself justified in refusing the execution of the engagement entered into, namely, the advance of 1,000,000 f. (40,0001.) By employing the reserve in the payment of a part of the securities, which have increased the assets, the direc tors preserved the credit of the company, an d main tained in successful progress a line which d ur i ng two years and a half had been worked without ac c id ent. The CHAIRMAN said the directo rs d eeply sympathised with the sh are holders on the depressed positi on of their affairs, and had come to the de termination t o g i ve up for the present, until matters sh oul d improve, 90 000 f p (3,6001.) out of the annual sum allowed themfor,thei. management. They had expected to open art of thethat e line towards Poictiers early in 1849, but the d y t received intimation from the Government Minister of Public W or ks had determined to urge on r ailway works with the utmost energy, The directors no w conceived that the 'portion of the line mentioned would be opened to the public about the end ofthe p re sent year, and it would be necessary to make a call of 25f. in October. Resolutions were passed adopting the report, appoint ing three aud itors for the current y ear, and approving of the dividend of lf. 44c. per share. AMB ERGATE, NOTTINGHAM AND BOSTON, AND EASTERN JUNCTION RAILWAY. Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of the proprie tors was held at Nottingham ; Mr. W. F. Norton iu the chair. The Secretary, Mr. Gonau, read the report of the committee, which stated that the policy recommended by the committee on the 19th of May last had b een adopted, and the board had confined their operations to the prosecution of the works between Bulwell and Grant ham. If the moderate calls recommended by the com mittee had been responded to, as the directors confi dently anticipated, the works would have been in a much more forward state ; but the exertions of the board hav ing been concentrated at the heaviest points, a f ew months will suffice to complete this portion of the line whenever sufficient funds aro provided. The affairs of this company with the Grand Union Company are ap proaching completion; 1,3081. has been received, and the board anticipate receiving shortly a further sum in settle ment of all demands. Reductions in the staff an d o ffi ce expenses have been made during the past twelve months amounting in the aggregate to 3,5501. per annum. The accounts to the Bth of August showed that 292,142/. had beon received, and 282,7981. expended, leaving a balance of 9,3431. in hand. The engineer's report stated, that on that portion of the line from Nottingham to Bulwell (which is making ' jointly with the Midlands Nottingham and Mansfield Railway Company), a distance of four miles, the fencing earthworks, bridges, and culverts are complete ; the per manent way is also laid and ballasted, and the gate lodges and road-side station houses are building. The CHAIRMAN said, as the report of the committee which sat in London in April last had fully stated the proceedings of the company, he should at once move the adoption of the rep rrt ; which was carried. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by the VICE-CHAIRMAN, the forfeiture of the 495 shares was confirmed. The thanks of the meeting having been given to the retiring directors, Mr. -. BRAITIIWAITE, of Nottingham, formerly a di rector, moved the reduction of the number of directors in the board, and wished no re-election to take place, as the line was now reduced from 93 to 24 miles. Dr. J. C. WILLIAMS, of Nottingham, seconded the proposition. Letters had been sent from Leeds, with proxies for 200 shares, and from Glasgow, with proxies for 2,195 shares, in favour of a reduction of the number of members in the board. A discussion ensued, and en amendment was made, that two directors be elected in the room of those re tiring, and the board in future be twelve instead of nine directors. For the amendment 14 hands were held up, and for the original motion 15. Mr. BRIGGS, of Lewes, demanded a ballot. Mr. John Swann, of Nottingham, was elected an au ditor, in the place of Mr. Charles Middleton, at a salary of 251. per annum. Scrutineers having been appointed, the poll was taken, when there appeared to be—for the amendment 7,326 proxies. and for the original motion 3,940, being a ma jority of 3,386 in favour of the amendment, or a total of 11,266 shares represented on this occasion. WILTS, SOMERSET. AND WEYMOUTH RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at Bath; Mr. Walter Long, M.P., in the chair. The CHAIRMAN said, the works had so far advanced as to enable the directors to open the line to Westbury and Bradford on Tuesday next, September 5. The works had necessarily proceeded slowly on account of the bad state of the money market. The report stated that the part of the line between the Great Western Railway and the town of Westbury will be opened to the public on Tuesday, the 6th of September. By the terms of the agreement with the Great Western Railway Company, each successive por• tion of the line, so soon as it is completed, is to be trans ferred to that company and to be worked by them. The directors regret that, owing to toe depressed condition of railway property generally, they have not been able to avail themselves, to any material extent, of thecompany's powers of borrowing. They have, therefore, continued the prosecution of the works and the purchase of the land with less rapidity than would have been desirable under other circumstances. But the heavier works are making a steady progress, so that the company will be in a position to take full advantage of the first favourable opportunity that may arise from carrying on the forma tion of the railway on a more extended scale. The report of Sir. Brunel, the engineer, stated that the portion between Thingley and Westbury has been completed, and will be ready for opening in a few days. On the Devises branch the works, although not actually stopped, have been delayed by the difficulty in obtaining possession of the land at the Devizes end. The Brad tord branch before the end of the year may be opened. Between Bradford and Bath some of the heaviest works, particularly the aqueduct at the crossing of the canal at Avon Cliii, have been completed. From West bury to Frome the work is proceeding as fast as posses sion of the land permits. Between Westbury and Salis bury a considerable amount of work has been executed. From Frome southwards towards Yeovil nothing has yet been done. Between Yeovil and Dorchester not mach progress has been made. In the neighbourhood of Dor chester, and thence to Weymouth, where the works are heavy, they have been progressing steadily. The accounts to the 30th June showed that 936,910/. had been received, and 871,583/. expended, leaving a balance of 65,3261. in hand. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, the report was adopted. The CHAIRMAN, in answer to a question, stated that when the Great western Company paid a higher divi dend than 8 per cent. they (the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth) would receive a bonus of I or If per cent. Mr. HEDGES-Then, our rent will still be 4 per cent. The CHAlRMAN—Certainly. A SHAREHOLDER complained of the excessive amount paid for engineering and law expenses, and hoped the directors would look to that subject. Sir J. AWDRY, deputy chairman, said, when the line was commenced there was great difficulty in procuring competent persons, and therefore they had to pay very high for their services, but every means had been taken to reduce the expenditure. Mr. HEDGES wished to know what length of line would be opened on the sth of September? The CHAlRMAN—Thirteen miles. Mr. HEDGES—This does not show a very encouraging account—only 13 miles ready for opening, and 401. paid up, and I presume expended, out of 501. shares. The Rev. T. SPENCER said, that was of very little con sequence, for they had a guarantee from the Great Western Company to pay 4 per cent. on the cost of con structing the line whatever that amount might be. Their capital was in fact a 4 per cent. stock on 501. shares, but which, from some cause or the other, could now be bought for 331. Sir J. AwDRT—It is a 4 per cent. stock, with the chance of a bonus. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the pro ceedings. WINDSOR, STAINES, AND SOUTH-WESTERN. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this railway was held on Saturday, at the Nine Elms Station, Mr. H. C. Lacy in the chair. The SECRETARY (Mr. G. W. Horn) read the follow ing report : " The directors have the satisfaction of reporting to the proprietors the completion of the main line between Richmond and Datehet, which was opened for public traffic on the 22d day of August instant. To effect the completion of this portion of the railway within a twelve month of the passing of the Act of Incorporation great exertions were made, and it is a source of much disap pointment to your directors that a sinking of the foun dations of a portion of the viaduct in Kew Park, and cir cumstances connected with the possession of land over which they had no control, prevented their succeeding in the object they had in view. The works for the bridge across the Thames at Barnes for the Loop Line are com menced, and great progress has been made in the pur chase of land for that portion of the railway, which will be completed for traffic with all due expedition. The proceedings in Parliament—though they have resulted in the rejection of the application made by this company for powers to extend their line to Slough, and in the affirma tion of the competing line of the Great Western—can not be regarded as unsatisfactory to the interests of this company, inasmuch as the directors were induced to withdraw their opposition to the Great Western Bill in the House of Lords, upon being assured that, in the event of that Bill passing, her Majesty would most graciously concede to this company an extension of their consideringstl a i opg n wer e cenie f a r mlo o f m e n t which tack meeting Windsor.ierirh terms, as Tsattutshhsb embodied j e a pe d e ri proprietors to their t eo t t h t rhos e i ernsi H rha o fao m v rmee approbation)et l hms ' ue a om r rpk memorandum nr i od n pnu t oo o mstdeh t e h ooya e ff have entered into with the London and South-Western Company, with a view to the present profitable use of such portions of the hue as are and may bo available for traffic previous to the completion of the entire works. This arrangement does not, however, in any manner affect that part of the existing agreement which gives an opt i on to the London andSouth-Western Company to purchase the shares at 4/. premium per share. The terms which the directors have made are as before 5 1. intimated, t em p orar y (f or one y ear ), an d are in thei r j u d gment very favourable to the proprietors, being per cent. per annum, payable half-yearly, on the amount of the paid-up capital; the first payment falling due on the 22d of February next. A statement of receipts and expenditure to the 31st of July, 1848, as examined and certified by the auditors, is appended." From the statement of accounts, it appeared that the receipts in the shape of capital up to the 31st of July, amounted to 392,3421. 13s. Id., while the expenditure up to the same period was 373,751/. Bs. Sd. The Cuaramate moved, in the usual form, the adoption of the report. In reply to a question as to the meaning of the words " calls in advance," in the auditors' report, The CHAIRMAN stated that the intention was, that proprietors who paid calls in advance would receive in terest. He further observed, that the company enjoyed a great advantage in the privilege of carrying the line across the Home Park to Windsor. The line might, without an Act of Parliament' he carried into Windsor; but the sanction of Parliament would be necessary to enable the company to levy tolls for the use of the line near that town. Mr. ONSLOW said, that when the proprietors Ite.-t met in that room they were told that upon 71. 10s. per share being paid up the shares would be bought up, under an agreement with the South-Western Company. It now appeared that the payment of interest was to be delayed for a year. The CHAIRMAN admitted that he had hold out hopes that the arrangement mentioned would be carried into effect. He had never thought, however, that 71. 10s. per share would suffice for the completion of the works. Dr. LONGSTA.FF complained that on the faith of what had fallen from Mr. Chaplin, the chairman of the South- Western Company, several gentlemen had been induced to hold their shares and pay the cost upon them. Mr. CHAPLIN, M.P., said that what ho:had stated was merely that the South-Western Company had the op tion of purchasing the shares. There was an inclination to purchase because the shares were depressed in the market. A PROPRIETOR having remarked that shares had been sold by directors to the South-Western Company, at a premium of 31., several members of the board declared that they had not from the first parted with a single share. Mr. ONsLow had been induced to retain possession of his shares by the South-Western Company, who would purchase them at a premium of 41. The CHAIRMAN observed, that the South-Western Company had been willing to purchase at the perio o d t referred to; they would, in fact, have done so,had not the law required that half the capital should be paid up, and the works in a state of forwardness before any ar rangement for purchase was carried out. ing A 9 f .n te d r p s r o e m m e iu fu ni r s t . her disc u ssion in reference to purchas- Mr. LOCKE observed that the best pro prietors to got out of their present South-Western 41. as s oon as practicable. a for wa t s he toeall upon the directors to force on th direc tors the giving a premium of dil dilemma The report having been ,That adopted, The CHAIRMAN moved—` this meeting requests the directors to take such steps in reference to, and to 1848. make such arrangements for the execution by this com pany, or the London and South Western Company, of the proposed extension from the Black Potts to the town of Windsor as to the directors shall seem expedient." The resolution was agreed to. The CHAIRMAN said the meeting would now become special, for the purpose of considering the terms embo died in a memorandum of agreement, which, subject to the approbation of the company, they had entered into with the London and South-Western Company, with a view to the present profitable use of such portions of the line as were or might be available for traffic previously to the completion of the entire works. Mr. IJRAHE read the agreement under its provisions. The South-Western Company was to work the line now finished, and pay a rent of 51. per cent. on the money paid by the shareholders, the rent to commence from the 22d inst., and to be paid half-yearly. The South- Western Company was also to work the line until it was completed, and then the shareholders were to begin on their original leases. Mr. ONsLow did not wish them to work it. If the line were shut up they would give the 44 premium. The CHAIRMAN said that would not do. The line must be worked; the Act of Parliament was imperative on that point. Mr. ONSLOW said, they might run one carriage, and evade the Act. He would not consent to the agreement unless they had a definite promise from the South- Western Company of 41. premium. If the shareholders did not protest strongly against the conduct of the directors of the railway, they would never purchase at that price. Dr. LONGSTAFF thought the speculation would ulti mately realize 8 per cent., and the South-Western Com pany would have a capital bargain by purchasing at 41. premium. The CHAIRMAN was of the same opinion. He was afraid to say anything about allowing a given period for the purchase at that price. It would be much better for the shareholders to obtain the 5 per cent. stipulated. Mr. ONSLOW moved, as an amendment, " That the agreement be not entered into until they had obtained from the South-Western Company a promise that some definite time should be fixed for the purchase of the shares at 41. premium." The amendment having no seconder, fell to the ground. Two resolutions to the following effect were then agreed to:—" That the agreement which had been made with the London and South-Western Railway Com pany for working the completed portions of the line between Richmond and Datchet be approved of, and that the directors be empowered to carry the same into effect;" and " That the directors be authorised to borrow, at such time and upon such terms and condi tions as to them seem expedient, all or any part of the sums which that company was authorised by its Act of incorporation to borrow." Dr. LONGSTAFF asked if the directors gave up all con trol to the South-Western Railway as to the time, &c., the trains were to run ? The CHAIRMAN—Entirely. Dr. LONGSTAF7 suggested several improvements in the hours of running the trains, for the convenience of per sons requiring to be in London early. He also recom mended the issuing of season tickets. Mr. CHAPLIN said Mr. Stovin, their manager of traffic, was present, and would no doubt pay every attention to the recommendations of the learned doctor. Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and briefly acknowledged. BIRKENHEAD, LANCASHIRE, AND CHESHIRE JUNCTION.' The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors in this line of railway, was held at the Town Hall, Birkenhead, on Saturday last, James Bancroft, Esq. (chairman of the board of directors), in the chair. The following report of the directors was read : "In laying the half yearly accounts before the pro prietors, the directors have to report an increase of traffic amounting to 8 per cent. on the receipts for pas sengers, and 20 per cent. for goods, as compared with the corresponding period of last year; and, relying on the development of traffic on the Holyhead, the Shrews bury and Chester, and the Shrewsbury and Birmingham lines, which will be opened throughout in a few weeks, together with the improved arrangements now being made for thelmore efficient working of our own line, the directors confidently expect a further and very con siderable increase in the income of the company. A saving has been effected in the working expenses to the extent of five per cent. as compared with the corresponding period of 1847, and of the sum of 8001. as compared with last half-year, although the amount of traffic in both departments has been much larger. The charges on merchandise are still heavy. However, the directors anticipate that the arrangements which are now completed will enable them to make a most satisfactory report on this subject at the next half-yearly meeting of the company. In accordance with the intimation of the last half-yearly meeting, the direc tors have taken steps and revised the staff of officers, the result of which is a saving in the engineers' de partment of 2031. per annum, and in the general of fice of 1901. ; making a total saving of 393/. per an num. These reductions may be carried further, but at this season of the year it was not considered expedient to make more extensive changes. The proprietors may, however, rely upon the expenditure being reduced as far as possible without impairing the efficiency of the staff. The proposals of the bondholders to obtain powers to levy rates upon goods at the docks in Birkenhead, at variance with the understanding upon which this company has expended a large sum of money, was, in fact, an attempt to levy rates upon the railway com pany; consequently the directors, although anxious to avoid measures which might be regarded as hostile to that interest, considered it their duty to offer the most strenuous opposition to the Bill, and it will be satisfac tory to the proprietors to learn that their opposition was successful. The board has been completed by the elec tion of Isaac Taylor, Esq., Baron Goldsmid, and Robert Garnett, Esq. The following three members of the board go out of the direction, in accordance with the provisions of the act, and are eligible for re-election, namely, William Balleny, Esq., John Williams, Esq., and Cephas 'Toward, Esq. ; an d J ames Tyr er , E sq ., as auditor, who is eligible for re-election. The directors recommend the payment of the half-year's interest due on the Ist July last to the holders of the 271. 10s. and 221. shares, and which shall be payable on the 25th September next; and that interest, at the rate of four per cent. per annum, be paid to the shareholders, who shall have paid 101. per share on the 311. shares on or before the 17th September next, which last-mentioned interest is to be payable on the 25th September next." The capital account of the company showed that the entire receipts amounted to 1,146,214/. 15s. 10d., and the expenditure to 1,026,871/. 4s. 9d., leaving a balance in favour of the company, including the balance due from the Birkenhead Dock Company, and other outstanding accounts, of 119,3431. lls. ld. The revenue account for the half year showed the receipts to be 20,2511.45. 7d., and the disbursements to be 11,627/. 10s. 2d., leaving a balance applicable to dividends of 8,623/. 14s. sd. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, alluded, at considerable length, to the negotiations which had been going on with other companies, in order to complete the unfinished portions of the line. Mr. MALLALY objected to that part of the report which spoke of the payment of interest to the Chester and Birkenhead proper holders of stock, as a matter of discretion. It was imperative on the directors, according to the terms of amalgamation, to pay them five per cut. up to the year 1849, and six per cent. afterwards. He also objected to the proposition to pay four per cent. upon the Cheshire Junction Shares. The Cuainsia.st admitted that the Chester and Birken head holders were entitled to five per cent. independently of any vote of that meeting. The payment of the four per cent. to the Cheshire Junction was with a view of getting the calls paid up. Mr. WEBSTER proposed that the report should be re ceived, but that the consideration of it, except as to the payment of interest, be adjourned to a future meeting. Considerable discussion then took place, in which Mr. W. Jackson, M.P., Mr. Mallaly, Mr. Brown, Mr. Webster, and other shareholders, took part. The CHAIRMAN having alluded to the necessity of completing the Chester and Warrington Extension, and again referred to expected negotiations with other com panies for assisting them to do so, the motion of Mr. Webster was carried. It was then agreed to adjourn the meeting to the 29th of September. The CHAIRMAN intimating that in the mean time some propositions with other companies might be made, and be submitted to the adjourned meeting. 29, CHELTENHAM AND OXFORD. CHELTENHAM, SATURDAY EVENING.—The half-yearly general meeting of this company, which was appointed by public advertisement to be held here to-day, has gone off in rather a novel manner. One o'clock was the hour appointed for the meeting, and it was understood that the chair would be taken by Mr. James Agg Gardiner. At the hour appointed, however, not more than three shareholders had made their appearance, and after wait ing an hour, and there not being then a sufficient number of proprietors present to constitute a legal meeting, an adjournment sine die took place. It was understood that a report had been prepared to be laid before the meeting, but as it was not read it will not be amiss to state briefly what has been done by your directors during the past half year. At the last meeting held in February last, the directors in their report re ferred to the monetary pressure prevalent when their Bill was passed, and said— "ln such a state of things, the directors could not doubt but that they should best consult the interests of the shareholders by abstaining from all movements in volving any considerable expenditure of money, and paus ing until a renewal of confidence should justify them in proceeding. And they conceive that it will bo wise and prudent to maintain the same passive course of policy until a decided change for the better shall have taken place in the monetary affairs of the country. Acting on this principle, they have sanctioned no expenditure since the passing of the Act, except that which arose in con, ducting the inquiry into the supply of the water in the Cheltenham sand bed, rendered necessary under the clauses inserted for that purpose in the company's Act. The pursuance of a similar course for a certain period is, indeed, made compulsory on the board by the Railways Act of the present session, 11 Vie. c. 3, which received the royal assent on the 20th December. Under the Bth clause of this Act, which is now binding on the company, a ll contracts for works on lines not yet commenced . suspended for twelve months from the passing of th e c Act. This Act also empowers the Commissioners of Railways, in such cases as they may deem fitting, application from the company requiring it, to extend and on the time for making new lines for any period not exceeding two years. The directors have thought it advisable to avail themselves of the powers thus granted_ to the com missioners, and they have applied t o that board for an extension of time, both for the purchase of lands and the completion of the works." The application made since the publication of the above has been successful, and the time for purchasing the lands and completing thcline has been prolonged s r /.~ for two years. The works have been altogether en.- pended, and the expenditure of th e company has in the -. l ` . interim been narrowed within t h e closest lireits. further calls have been made, and it appears that thiii!,/, sum expended up to this time is within 30,000/. gnix;' three-fourths of the shares in this undertaking Initt.,/ been allotted. r THE EASTERN UNION RAILWAY. On Friday the first half-yearly meeting of the Easte; n Union and Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Amalga mated Companies was held at the offices of the company, Brook-street, Ipswich. Colonel Pratt Barlow, the deputy chairman, in the absence of Mr. J. C. Cobbold, M. 1):, the chairman et the company, on account of ill health, pr,sided. Mr. J. F. SAUNDERS, the secretary, read the report. " The receipts of the line, from the Ist of January to the 30th of June were:—passengers, merchandise, &c., 14,156 L Ils. 73-cl.; goods, cattle, &c., 14,9961. is. 6d. total, 29,122 L 13s. 2d. Tho Norwich line as far as Per mingham, was opened for goods on the 7th of June, and considerable traffic existed over it, without any material addition to working expenses. The directors calculated on opening the line in July next. The directors had however, to make an appeal to the shareholders as to the importance of forwarding the amount still wanting. Those who subscribed to the fund for insuring the open ing would not only receive the interest at the rate of 6 per cent. for their immediate contribution to it, but it would be the means of bringing more quickly into a re munerative state the capital they had already invested, and which must remain without any return until the completion of the railroad into Norwich is effected." Mr. FIELD, ono of the auditors, in reference to reports extensively circulated in London, that the company was not paying its expenses, and that there was no prospect for the shareholders, begged to state that the profit on the last half-year was not only sufficient to pay the in terest on debentures, but to leave a large surplus to go to the general charges on the company. The report was carried unanimously. Mr. JOUNSON brought forward a resolution for a com mittee to abolish Sunday traffic, and declared that it was proved on the Edinburgh and Glasgow and Scottish Central Railways to be a matter of economy. In the United Kingdom there were no less than 800 trains run and 47,000 persons employed on the Sabbath. Mr. LILLINGTON seconded the resolution, which, after a few words from the chairman, was negatived by a large majority. This meeting was then adjourned and an extraordi nary meeting was opened pro forma, to consider a modi fied agreement with reference to the Stour Valley and its extensions, and it was adjourned till the 9th of Octo ber next. After thanks to the Chairman, the proceedings ter minated. THE OCEAN MONARCH. LIVERPOOL, MONDLY.—On this melancholy affair we have but little to add to the copious details already pub lished in The Sun. But one feeling pervades all classes —that of deep sympathy with the sufferers by the cala mity. The suggestions for providing the means of alleviating their distress are numerous, and many steps are in progress which will contribute to swell the list of contributions. Owing to the strenuous exertions of the committee, the industry of private parties, and the ap peals by different ministers to their congregations, the work of humanity prospers. Besides contributions of clothes, provisions, &c., the subscription lists are rapidly filling, and there is every reason to hope that in the course of a few days the poor surviving emigrants will be in a much more comfortable position in a monetary point of view than they were previous to this sad catas trophe. Yesterday, 1001. was received from the Chevalier Lisboa, the Brazilian Minister, for the crew of the Bra ailian frigate Affonso. This was communicated to them, when, to their honour be it spoken, they one and all refused to receive the money, expressing a desire that it should be handed over for the benefit of the sufferers. We have heard that the Prince de Joinville, when leav ing a large sum of money with Admiral Grenfell, said, Take this, Admiral, for those poor people; it is that which we had intended to expend in a tour of pleasure, which, after this, it is impossible to enjoy." Up to the time at which we write the amount of money collected is upwards of 1,5001. With the view of obtaining a complete muster of the survivors, so that their names, for the satisfaction of their relatives and friends, might be recorded, and that the plans of relief which public generosity is so freely contributing might be duly administered to them, the Messrs. Hamden called to-day a meeting of the whole of the passengers that could be found, at their offices, i❑ Waterloo-road. Nearly 150 drew up. Although pri vate charity had in :he mean time provided clothing for many, and had otherwise done much, a majority of the poor creatures were in the most wretched and destitute condition. One poor woman who was present had lost not less than five of her children; and it was pitiable to hear the recital of personal loss and peril which each poor sufferer had to tell. It has already, however, been our duty to record so many painful details, that it would scarcely be wise or necessary further to expa tiate here. The poor creatures who assembled were taken under the charge of two of Messrs. Harnden's clerks to the central police-office, in High-street, where clothing of the most miscellaneous kind (contri butions of which had been poured in with a liberal hand) was distributed to the sufferers by Mr. Superin tendent Clough. As there has been considerable discrepancy in the statements published as to the numbers of persons on board the Ocean Monarch at the time she left the Mer sey, we have collected the following from authentic sources:— Steerage passengers First and second cabin Captain and crew ---3 9 G SAVED. Per Affonso, Brazilian steam-frigate 156 „ Queen of the Ocean, yacht 32 „ Prince of Wales ~ Smack Saved ~ Missing l7B 396 The blackened masts and some of the spare of the Ocean Monarch ship, with portions of the rigging at tached, were towed into the river on Friday, by one of the steam tugs, which found them floating near the spot where the remains of the vessel went down. They were floated into the Prince's Basin, where they remain. Captain Murdoch has forwarded the following letter:— " Sir,—l have just read an article in the London Times, and also some observations made in the House of Com mons by Mr. Hume, tending to cast serious reflection on the conduct of the captains of the steamers Cambria and Orion, for not having rendered their assistance in rescu ing the passengers of my ill-fated ship, and, as I believe these imputations were made under a misapprehension of the facts, I am most anxious to relieve them from any unfair share of blame. I know that both vessels had passed me several miles before the fire was observed by them, and against wind and tide it would have taken an hour and a half for them to reach me; and being greatly crowded on their decks, as I understand they were, by passengers, and seeing a large steamer and two other vessels close at hand, without knowing the emergency of the case from the great number of emigrants on board, they might fairly suppose that I should have received ample assistance before they could have rendered any service to us. Ido not, therefore, attach blame to them, and I should wish, through the medium of your journal, to express thus much to the public. "I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "JAMES MURDOCII, "Commander of the Ocean Monarch. " Sunday morning, Aug. 27." We believe that a telegraphic message from Govern ment was received today by his Worship the Mayor making inquiries relative to Frederick Jerome, the sea man who behaved so gallantly. INQUEST ON THE BODIES. Yesterday inquests were held at Liverpool on the bodies of five of the sufferers who met their death on board the Ocean Monarch. With Mr. Curry, the coroner, were Admiral Grenfell, Captain Evans, and other gentlemen of influence in the town. The CORONER stated to the jury that a reason not before given amongst the supposed causes of the origin of the fire was, that a seaman named Jenkins took a lighted candle into the lazaretto about eight o'clock in the morning. lie returned in twenty minutes without it, and upon being questioned, stated that he had put it into his pocket to grease his boots. Alter some other preliminary remark, in which the coroner eulogised the brave conduct of Admiral Grenfell and the crew of the Affonso, as well as that of Mr. Littledale, the examina tion of the witnesses began. Joanna Tobin, a young woman, sister to the deceased Mary Tobin, called—Was a passenger by the Ocean Monarch, which sailed on Thursday morning. Her sister was thirty-eight years old. They were going to Boston. When the alarm of fire was given, witness was sitting on one of the boxes in the first steerage. She immediatly ran on deck, and in about a quarter of an hour she observed flames coming through the deck near the first cabin. The flames increased very rapidly, and in a short time the whole ship appear g ed to be bueolwanfirrkes. nittilth and to the th packet. e he c s a a p w tai h n once imin Be foreNNitnsehses was got o sa ff v t e h d e b nl y a a st b s o w at el er b eg o o n nu g s e nearly destroyed. Witness g o e n n ly , a after the alarm of fire was given, Liverpool on Saturday. The confusion on board was extreme, and witness was so mach alarmed th at it was probable the captain was attending to his duty on bo a rd, t She h fi th r o st ug m h at s e h i e n d a i d smalll b s o c a e t him,ho was row eb in s g erv o ed ut h t f li e e . buoys to the pers ons i n t h e water. She saw her sist e r in the net of goi ng d awn the side of t o ship by a rope; never observed her afterwards until she saw her in the dee m ? . house. Wright, the clerk of the peace, the part of th e corporation, putafewwhquestions rt(l theon witness, in reply to which she said she was not res cued until three or four hours after the fire broke out. Charles Hill, a passenger broker, identified the body of Geoffrey Lynch, one of the second-cabin passengers. He engaged his passage through witness. As there was likely to be a question of property set up, a witness named Murphy was called to prove the Christian name of Geoffrey Lynch. James Tierney deposed that he at present resided in Liverpool, but generally lived at Omagh, in Ire land. The deceased, Ellen Tierney, was' his another. lie saw her last alive on board the ship on the Sunday before it sailed; since that he had seen her dead in the receiving-house The ConosEr. said the remaining bols should be taken as bodies unknown. ":11e--i: The inquiry was still proceeding when tbisiv.. i p or t wa s • dispatched. .7,1 ~ The Chancellor of the ExCheritielltautinte:to town yesterday, from Nuneham Park. be , be I