The Sun. — London, England, 1849-02-28 00:00:00

irtirb Mittion SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS• The SPEAKER took the Chair at Twelve o'clock. RUSSIAN COMPANY. Certain papers were presented to the House from the Russian Company. RATE IN AID (IRELAND). Mr. O'FLAHERTY presented several petitions from landholders in the county of Clare, against a general rate in aid. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Mr. MACKINNON presented a petition from nume rous inhabitants in the neighbourhood of Manchester, praying for the introduction of a Bill for the protection of animals from cruelty. _ THE SLAVE TRADE. Mr. G. THOMPSO..N . presented a petition from the inhabitants of Tobago, praying for the annulling of an ordinance which had received the sanction of the At torney-General in that island, which they believed would have the effect of encouraging the slave-trade, and that it might have nu effect as regards slaving vesaels,whether brought from Sierra Leone or elsewhere. DUTY ON PAPER. Mr. REYNOLDS presented several petitions from different places in Ireland, signed collectively by up wards of twelve hundred parsons engaged in the manu facture of paper for the abolishing of the duty on that article. Mr. BROTHERTON moved for and obtained a re turn of the aggregate number of stamps issued for news papers in each year, from the Ist day of January, 1842, to the Ist day of January, 1849, in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, respectively; distinguishing the number at one penny and at one halfpenny (in conti nuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 412, of session 1842). INSOLVENT MEMBERS BILL. Mr. GREEN, on the motion being put for the Com mittee on this Bill, said that he felt it involved so many nice points of law that he could not be satisfied without its being referred to a Select Committee up stairs. Sir G. GREY said that, having understood that there was some understanding had been arrived at respecting the Bill, ho had not brought down the amendments which he intended to submit, and he had therefore no hesitation in moving that it now be referred to a Select Committee. Mr. MOFFATT said that, seeing the feeling which prevailed in the House respecting the measure, and con ceiving also that the investigation of a Committee would be likely to render the law more permanent and sound, be should have no objection to such a course. Mr. GOULBURN saidihat, having much more fully considered the enactment's of the Bill since its second reacting, he telt assured that it could not be properly passed without the examination of a Select Committee. After brief remarks to the same effect from Mr. Mac- KINNON, Mr. HENLEY, and several other Members, the Bill was referred to a Select Committee. PUBLIC ROADS. On the motion being made for the second reading of this Bill, Mr. NEWDEGATE, presented petitions from diffe rent places in Warwickshire in favour of the Bill. Mr. CORNEWALL LEWIS then said, that as this Bill was one which was purely one of general utility and had no political character whatever, he hoped that he should have the support of Honourable Members on both sides of the House.—(Hear, hear.) Ile proposed in the first place, to meet the debt on the highways by a county, rate; but he was aware that it would to many seem to be very objectionable, especially at the present moment, .when agriculture was labouring under peculiar difficulty.—(Hear, hear.) But that diffi culty, to a certain degree, vanistitd when it was recol lected that the advances Irom the county rate was al ready more than a million and a half. The whole of the debts owing by the several trusts was 6,609,0001. To meet that he proposed that certain Commissions should be appointed to act under the authority of the Secretary of state, into whose hands the money derived from the county rate should be paid, and they should have the power to deal with the different bondholders. He proposed that there should be a rate levied which would be sufficient to meet a rate of interest of 6 per cent. The commissioners were:then to allow the bondholders interest after the rate of 4 per cent., and that a sinking fund should be formed of the rest, which should be applicable to the discharge of such debts as should be requested to be discharged. These he did not expect would be many. The money then required for the interest would be 396,5401.; for- repairs, 673,0001.; and he had allowed 57,0001. for improvements. This made a total of 1,126,5401., and as ho would have an income of 1.297,000/., besides 31,0001. which would be derived from another source, they would be able to discharge the whole of the obligations ot the highway trusts in • twenty. eight years. The present cost of salaries, and which he had at present left out of view, was 165,0001., which, with law charges, amounting to 14,0001., made a charge of 179,000/. that formed a continually in creasing weight, if any interest was to be paid at all. There was, besides the continually recurring expenses ; he was sorry to Lay, also, a large arrear of unpaid interest. '1 his he proposed to meet by an equitable adjustment, which the Commis sioners would be empowered to make, and he had an example for a precedent to rely upon, there having been a similar arrear in 31 of the ousts of the six counties of South Wales, where a composition had been accept( d of _ somewhat less than 27 per cent. All the interest, which was more than ten years old, he proposed should be altogether sunk and abolished.—(Hear, hear.) Why, Has not that but just to both sides?—(Hear, hear.) They would not think of asking for interest that was sixty years old.—(llear, hear.) Some limit must be put, and he thought ten stars a very fair period. All the highways as well as the turnpike-roads he proposed to place, so far as their government ws, concerned, under the direction of the county magistrates. There being a separate highway board for each particular union, and a central board for the whole county. It was true that they . could not always control these local boards, and prevent them at every time from travelling out of their proper duties, but the tendency ot legislation of late had been to diminish this evil, and he hoped that on the whole they would not be productive of any very great mischief. The Hon. Gentleman then gave the instance of Stoke Church, a purely agricultural parish, to show bow his system would work. Ile then concluded by moving toe second reading of the Bill, assuring the House that there was no disposition on the part of the Government to press the matter on with any haste. Mr. W. MILES said he had come down with the express purpose of opposing the Bill, because he thought it was intended to impose an imposition on the county rate, but the objectionable parts of the measure having been removed, is hat he would ask was that the second reading of the Bill should be postponed, in order that the Bill, as altered, might be reprinted, to enable Members to judge of its provisions and their efficacy. Mr. RICE said the Bill should be read a second time in order that it might be reprinted. He believed that the Bill could not be reprinted before first going into Com mittee upon it. He trusted, therefore, the Hon. Mem ber for Somerset would not persevere in postponing the second reading of the Bill. Mr. WILSON PATTEN had come down for the purpose ot opposing the second reading of the Bill, but, in consequence of the course that had been adopted by the Government with respect to it, he should give no opposition whatever to the second reading of the measure, in order that it might be brought before the House, and printed in the amended shape. He thanked the Hon. Member for the p a i ns h e had taken on this subject, and the extent to which he had removed his previous objections to this measure, which had been very strong indeed. Mr. BRIGHT supported the second reading of the Bill on the understandi ng that it was only to go i n to Committee Pro forma, and that a distant day, say three weeks or a month, should be fixed for its consideration in Committee. Mr. CHRISTOPHER supported the second of the Bill, in order that it mi g h t be printed, and pointed out several cases in which in its present shape n it might give rise to great hardship s i n particular - localities. Sir G. STRICKLAND thought it would be better to try to improve the existing institutions of the country than to overturn them, and put forward others in their place. Such was the effect of the present Bill, and he should therefore oppose t he second reading of th measure. Mr. HENLEY hoped the House would adopt the course recommended by the Hon. Member for Somer. setshire (Mr. W. Miles), and postpone the second read ingre ~.yo t f i the Bill for a fortnikht. It wa s true the Bill was g different to that which was at first proposed; it WAS greatly improved, but there was still considerable objection to it. Sir G. GREY, in supporting the secord reading of the Bill, said that its going into Committee pro forma would not prevent any Hon. Member from discussing its principles on the motion that the Speaker should leave the chair, when the time should arrive for its being con sidered in Committee. Mr. NEWDEGATE objected to the principle of making the county rates collaterally liable for the failure of the tolls in turnpike trusts. The House had so come pletely changed the whole case that its opinion with respect to the new proposal was not in point. Ile said it was most unfair to force on the second reading of 1 1 1 . : Bill, when neither the constituenci es nor t h e Members of the House had had an opp or t un i ty o f coming,o to a cl ear un d ers t an ding of it s p r i nc i p l e. T he Gentleman who had introduced the Bill had quoted from a return which was not before the House. He had quoted th e results derived from a calculation ' with re lsipoenct madeto Englandbea alone; while the results of a ealcula respected Wal es , Wel)! the, items of expense, as it separa te ernatot included. It w a s impo-sible for any man to sep those items. e, therefore, cordially supported the Ron, H Member for the University of Oxford. confessed for ono he should Mr. R. PALMER should t h p e r o h ave been very glad to have r cs upon what ie,estoo7row principle it was that any b o d y what he (Mr. Palmer) must consider E oj Ee i the shoulders of another. — (Hear, ho o ter t ) 1 Ira . Gentleman had so completely altered es••• . • e , 1 . : was just in that position that he did not 0,.. f . . , sat„Ai l je- - ;, A.k, , , ~ ement feel inclined to oppose the 1.4%-4-4 , ,,:?, ....... ..e - ::1. . the Bill. It would have been m ore ill g , I.e.'' 'fi':;e e 'it'Y . '.:,':- i 3. • 1 alternative is so extensive,. and will ~, 4:511';' ' l ,=r. . • new Bill when re-printed, if the Bill, ee „.; ! .. e .: '. vw ae, , , ta b le, h a d b e en withdrawn, and a new c <IIALtiI ' ' 133 "'A the proposition which the Right Hon. , a , - • to mak e h a d b e en lerought in, and that the 11. Lt ;ougt!/ 1 411 take a future day for the discussion of the principle or that new Bilie,-(llear.) Ile was not quite -- clear that the county rate would be altogether dis charged from the new burden. Assuming that all the turnpike trusts were to be placed in the hands of this county board, the first things was to be the repayment of the debt, with an addi tional charge of 2 per cent., for the purpose of a sinking fund; but the question arose upon what fund the repairs of the road were to be charged ? As the law now stood he took it, if a turnpike trust was insolvent, the turnpike should be indictable like any other road, and the repairs would fall on the parishes through which it passed. It seemed to him that by whatever name they called it still those repairs would fall on the county-rate.—(Hear, hear.) He rose rather more to ask a question of the Right Hon. Gentleman. He understood that the intention was that all the tolls' and all the turnpike trusts, throughout any one county were to be placed in that county board ; or, to use a common expression, to be thrown into hotch potch; and so with Respect to the highway rates, it was likewise to be thrown into the general fund, through which all the rates of the county are to be disbursed. It was a matter of serious importance to consider whether it was a fair proposition or not. Sir W. JOLLIFFE concurred in many of the re marks that had fallen from the Hon. Member who last addressed the House, but he saw no reason whatever for postponing the second reading of the Bill. He did not quite understand whether the county board or the local board intended to have anything more to do with the turnpike trusts. So far as he understood the proposition, the whole of the turnpike trusts were to be thrown on a union of counties, and were to be managed exclusively by a board in London. Unless there was a division of the funds for the maintenance of the roads, there would be no reference to the local boards on the subject. The landowners could not stand in a worse position with respect to the public boards than they did now. Now, he contended—and he would call the county Members' attention to it—since the adoption of railways in the country, the whole of the burdens, to the amount of nearly 3,000,0001., fell almost exclusively on the landed proprietors.—(Hear, hear.) The turnpike tolls inter fered with all their operations and affairs, and viewing this Bill as it now stood, he saw a very great and mate rial improvement. Mr. SPOONER said that Hon. Gentlemen had stated that the principle of the Bill had been removed. He (Mr. Spooner) thought that that was not so. They took the rates which were now answerable for the re pairs of the roads, and applied them to make up the deficient tolls, and then they came on the county for the deficiency. Now that was the principle of this Bill. A great number of turnpike trusts were solvent, and were not only solvent, but had a surplus; and if that surplus were properly managed there would be a very small number of those roads which would fall for repair on the highway rates. But see what they were now going ti do. They said that the surplus should not keep those roads in repair, and took that surplus and applied it to the insolvent roads, and then, by a roundabout way, they charged the counties with all the expenses of those roads.—(Hear, hear.) It was, without exception, the grossest deception that had ever been attempted to be put on the House, if: the alteration proposed would in any way aggravate the evils of the county rate. There was another great principle involved its this Bill, and that was the very unjust way in which they were going to deal with the bondholders. Let them go to the bondholders, who were receiving 51. per cent. for their money—what did they say to them ? They said they should receive but 4/. per cent., and then, having saectioned this reduction of their income one-fifth, they said their property was to be further taxed.— (Hear, hear.) Was that common justice?—(Hear, bear.) It was a new principle which was introduced by this Bill, and a principle which was totally separated from honesty, and to which he was quite sure Honour able Members would not give their sanction. An additional bhrden would be thrown on the counties which they were unable to bear, and which it was unjust to press upon them. It would be far the best plan to withdraw the 8.11, because he was sure that an opposi tion was springing up which would come upon the Hon. Gentleman like a torrent, and entirely overwhelm him. There was a general feeling of disapprobation in every part of the country with regard to the principle of the Bill. He considered it!would be more advisable to with draw the Bill, and to bring forward another in such a shape that it would stand a better chance of obtaining the sanction of the House. If, however. the Honourable Member was determined to press it forward he beggcd it to be distinctly understood that he would movu an amendment, that it be read a second time that day six months. Mr. MANGLES objected to the Bill on the ground that there was no provision in it to give compensation to the clerks of the present turnpike trusts.—(Laughter.) Sir J. TYRELL considered that the House ought to have the amended Bill before it ere it proceeded with the consideration of the principles contained in the present Bill. Mr. VERNON SMITH implored the House, if it agreed with the principle of the Bill, to pass it at once, and not to allow the evils with which it proposed to deal to remain unprovided for during the present session. The discussion had entirely turned upon one single point, which had excited much alarm in the different counties, viz., whether the county rates would become liable for the debt of turnpike trusts; but although that was a most important part of it, it dealt with other matters of greater importance. He trusted, therefore, that the House would agree to the second reading of the Bill. Mr. BANKES said they were not called upon to pass the second reading pro forma, but to sanction the Bill with all its principles, which were of the most important kind.—(Hear, hear.) They were asked to sanction the proceedings of a county board, which was to take under its management for the first time all roads throughout the country, and also a!1 turnpike trusts. They were to amalgamate all turnpike trusts, whether solvent or insolvent, and the solvent ones were to answer for the errors of those who had managed their affairs improperly. These were principles to which he was not prepared to give his assent without more consideration than they could apply' to the Bill now before them. He would propose the adjournment of the debate for six wee ks, that :the Bill might be amended, and the county magis trates have an opportunity of more Maturely considering its detai2s. Mr. HUME said, if Hon. Members had taken the trouble he had to ascertain the present expense of ma naging turnpike trusts, they would agree with him that a measure for consolidating their management, was of the utmost importance to th country. He did not agree with the whole of the Bill, but he hoped the House would agree to its recommittal, in order that the Go vernment might have an opportunity of, remodelling it, so as to meet the views of Hon. Members. Mr. MACKINNON would not have troubled the House if he had not been chairman of a Committee on the subject some twelve years ago. He really felt that the object of this Bill was quite misunderstood.—(Hear.) The debt owing by the Turnpike and Highway Trusts was about 8,000,000 L, and there were arrears of interest amounting to about 2,000,0001, and unless some such Bill as this was passed it.would all certainly be lost. —(Hear, hear.) Hon. Gentlemen on his side of the House quite misunderstood the matter. Instead of being an injury, this Bill of the Government was a direct boon to the solvent trusts, and without it, or some measure like it, the property of the landholders of the insolvent trust would altogether lose their money. It was a mistake to suppose that this Bill was intended to centralise the power of controlling these trusts in the hands of Government. It was quite a different matter. The object of the Bill was not to centralise the power in the Government, but to conso lidate the several trusts under the control of central local boards.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") He thought that the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment deserved great credit for grappling with a subject which was as difficult as it was important.—(Hear and cheers)—and it was a disgrace to the several Miuistries for the last fifty years that it had not been sooner taken up.—(Laughter.) There were no clauses in this Bill that presented any obstacle which might not be effectually met and dealt with in Committee.—(Hear.) Let Hon. Gentlemen who had any objection to its details pass the second reading, and then, having time given before the Committee sat, they might send it round to the several constituents in their counties, obtain their opinions, and then the Bill might be altered accordingly. After all, they were only dealing . with these insolvent trusts as they would act in all cases of insolvency, and he trusted, therefore, that her Majesty's Ministers would persevere' and carry the Bill through its present stage.—(Cries of "Divide. Mr. DEEDES said that, for his own part, he could not consent that the Bill should be so has tily passed through its principal stages, and he hoped that the Government would with draw this Bill and bring in another embodying its principal clauses, and exclusive of its many objection able portions.—(Cries of " Divide, divide.") He had heard many objections stated to the Bill, to the validity of all of which he could give his assent, but certainly, after what had fallen from several Members, it was evident that the principle was not correctly understood, and he for one was not inclined to move in the dark and give his concur rence to any legislation which he did not understand.— (H e ar, hear.) Let the Hon. Gentleman withdraw this Bill, and he was quite sure that the House would give him e very facility for passing the new Bill through all its preliminary stages.—(Hear.) Sir JOHN DUCKWORTH was quite dissatisfied with the principle of paying the debts of the turnpike trusts out of the county rate. He thought it would be, to say the least of it, extremely impolitic. Mr. C. LEWIS conceived that, after what bad fallen from the several Hon. Members on the other aide of the House, the better plan would be to with draw this Bill, and substitute another at a very early date. There were not more than four or five clauses which required alteration, and these should be attentively considered, so that there would ha b t e ev n er from w no valid objection to the principle of the might be said of its details.—(Cheers _thy opposite side of the House.) do should, therefore , ask for permis sion to withdraw the Bill.—(Cheers and counter cheers.; Mr. lIUME execdingly regretted that the Govern ment had adopted this course.—(Cheers, and cries of Oh, oh !") Yes, he was really very sorry for it— (Hear and cheers) —for if, as the Hon. Gentleman stated, it would only require the alteration of four or five clauses, much time would be lost, and no advantage gained by such a proceeding. The better plan would be to let the Bill go into Committee, and by the usual pro cess amend the several defects when it was there. He did, therefore, object to its withdrawal.—(Hear, hear.) Sir G. GREY said, that when he heard from the Hon. Member for Warwickshire, as well as from the lien- Member for Dorsetshire, that they intended to give their unqualified opposition to the Bill, the Government had intended to persevere with it; but when he saw that many Hon. Gentlemen opposite ap peared to be unable to appreciate its details, although in the main they were friendly to its principle, he thought the hotter plan would be to withdraw the Bill, and bring in another at an early date, so that the second reading might be taken before Easter, THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 28, 1849. as the Government were desirous of showing that they did not intend to abandon the Bill, but only reserve it till a time when it might be approached in a better spirit ; for they believed that it was the only means by which the bondholders of the turnpike-trusts could ever see a likelihood of recovering their money. Mr. FREWEN asked whether the details upon which the new Bill would be founded differed from those of the present Bill. Mr. LEWIS said—No. The numerical statements which he had read were extracted, he believed, with the exception of one from the printed returns, and were, he believed, all quite correct. The Bill was, after a few words from Mr. MILES, withdrawn. Immediately afterwards, Mr. LEWIS rose, and moved (amid the cheers of the House) for leave to bring in another Bill, which was granted. OFFENCES (IRELAND) BILL. Sir H. W. BARRON moved the second reading of he Offences (Ireland) Bill. The objects of this Bill were to prevent the confinement of prisoners accussed of petty offences in Ireland in the county gaol for a considerable time, which they were subject to now, for offences of a most trivial do scriptiou, to save thereby expense to the counties in Ireland, and to do justice to the accused. The greater portion of the details of the Bill had been already sanctioned by the House, for the Bill was in cff_ct extending the provisions of the Dublin Police Bill, which bad hitherto worked well in Ireland. He had no party object in the matter, and if the Government would take the measure out of his hands, he would give them his cordial support. Mr. 11. DRUMMOND opposed the second reading of the Bill. He was not in the House at the time of the passing of the Dublin Police Bill, but it he had been he should have adopted the same course he intended to . do in the present instance—ha've done all in his power to reject the measure. The provisions and the preamble of the present measure were absurd and ridiculous in the extreme. It provided punishment for every person who sold a glass of gin, and subjected an individual taking a bit of sweet brier to be brought before a magistrate—(Laughter.) The Hon. Member went through several of the provi sions of the measure, which caused some considerable merriment in the House, and concluded by stating that ;he only valuable clause in the Bill was the interpreta tion clause, because that provided that the Bill should only extend to Ireland.—(Great laughter.) Mr. B. ROCHE congratulated the Honourable Ba ronet the Member for Waterford upon hitting upon something worse than the Habeas Corpus Act.—(Hear, hear.) A more ridiculous Act he had never heard of than the present. There was not a single thing that :any person could do in the way of his business but might subject hies to the provisions of the Act, and cause him to be taken befere a magistrate; that magis trate might punish him, but there was no remedy against the magistrate. He protested on the part of himself and of the other Irish Members against being connected with this Bill in any way whatever. If the Hon. Baronet had wanted to make the characters of the Irish Members generally ridiculous, he could not have done it better than by bringing in such a Bill as this. Colonel DUNNE said he was particularly interested in the Bill, for his name happened to be on the back of it.—(Laughter.) He had not read the Bill, however, except the first paragraph, which was quite enough for him. He-did not agree with its main provisions, and he thought it was perfectly impossible to go on with the Bill. He hoped the Honourable Baronet would not persevere with it. He thought some legislation ought to take place, but with respect to the provisions of the Bill he was not in any way accountable for them. Mr. STAFFORD said the Members on his side of the House were not in any way accountable for the measure. It had originated on the other side of the House. Sir GEORGE GREY said, as the Honourable Baro. net had remarked that the Bill was the production o certain gentleman of great legal talents and character, ha would suggest to him, that in case he introduced an other Bill on the subject, there were some most glaring defects in it, which it would be well to avoid in another Bill. For instance, there was power given in the Bill to levy fines on offtndQrs, but there was no power given fur enforcing the payment of those fines by imprisonment. The Bill, therefore, differed in that respect from the Dublin Police Bill. Again, by this Bill, even the beggar was liable to a fine e 40s. for an infraction of its provi sions— (Laughter)—he (Sir George Grey) would leave it to the House to consider whether there was any like lihood of recovering such a fine as that. Mr. NAPIER said the Bill rendered it a penal offence for any one to hound on a dog so as to put in bony fear "any person, horse, or other animal."—(Great laughter.) So " the other animal" which was put in connexion with the horse, he supposed would be either a horse or a four legged donkey.—(Laughter.) Again, if a bystander did not, when called upon, aid a police constable in the execution of his duty, he was liable to a fine of 51., and if he did aid the constable he was liable to a prosecution for aiding the constable without a warrant. Mr. W. HERBERT, for one, had often in former times been taunted as a landlord, and as having a wish to take away the rights and liberties of the people of Ireland. He did hope the people of Ireland would ponder on this Bill, which had been prepared by the champion of the moral-force repeaters in Waterford.—(" No, no," from Sir IL W. Barron.) lie begged the Hon. Gen tleman's pardon, if he was not, but he had understood him as being one who had accused the Conservative party of having a wish to take away the rights and liber ties of the people of Ireland. ➢lr. JOHN O'CONNELL said the Hon. Gentleman, who had just addressed the House was not at all a moral force repealer; he (Mr. J. O'Connell) entirely repudiated him.—(Laughter.) The Hon. Member was much more a constabulary force repealer.—(Laughter.) He would say confidently that there was a great deal more in the Bill before the House than was ever in the Dublin Police Bill. He bad but a very slight intimacy with Mr. Barwick, the gentleman who was understood to have drawn the Bill, but he believed it was quite true that that gentleman had drawn it. Sir H. W. BARRON (with great warmth) would pledge his reputation on that point.—(Laughter.) lie did not produce the Bill to the House on his own authority. He (Sir 11. W. Barron) did not draw one single line of the Bill ; he suggested not one single line of it. The Bill was presented to him as a suggestion from three assistant barristers in Ireland— (Laughter)—Chairmen of Quarter Sessions.—(Renewed laughter.) Mr. Barwick 'was the person who corrected the details of the Bills, and be was one of the most emi nent—(Laughter, which drowned the remainder.) It would be as well if Gentlemen would wait to hear what he had to say.-- 7 (llear.) He only wished the facts to be stated as they were. The Bill was handed to him . . . by that gentleman, who had givEn it his entire approval. Every deuce in the Bill but two, and these were of minor importance, had been taken from the Dublin Police Bill. He could assure the Hon. Member for Kerry he did not mean to retort the personal attack which had been made on bim (Sir H. W. Barron) for bringing in a Bill of this kind, in which ho had no per sonal object to serve. Mr. HERBERT explained that he was labouring un der a false impression in what he had said respecting the Hon. Baronet. Mr. REYNOLDS said there was a clause in the Bill which ho would call the the curfew clause, which prohibited any person from tolling a church or chapel bell, except for divine service. This clause reminded him of Dr. O'Toole, in the Irish Tutor, who after having assumed his new duties, nothing annoyed him so much as the tolling of the bell ; when he ought to have been teaching his pupils, he was startled by the noise of the, bell, and he was wont to say, the more it kept tolling the less he was coming.— (Loud laughter.) He (Mr. Reynolds) did not know whether the Honourable Baronet had been reading the Irish Tutor when that clause was prepared. If justice was to be administered after the fashion.of that Bill in Ireland, he would not be surprised at the re currence of those events which had lately taken place in that country. Sir G. GREY said it appeared that the Bill had really been devised and prepared by three Irish barristers. But he could scarcely believe that any gentleman ac customed to the criminal law could have prepared it as it now stood.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. F. O'CONNOR thought it right to defend the Right Hon. Baronet against the attacks which Hon. Mem bers had made with respect to the Bill. The measure put him in mind of an anecdote which was told of a lord mayor and a farmer in Ireland. The farmer applied for a warrant against some person for stealing 20 heifer's, which was immediately granted; but the farmer returned to tell his lordship that he bad made a mistake, and that one of the 20 was a bull. " Oh," said the lord mayor, " it doesn't matter," at the same time adding to the warrant, " one of the above heifers was a bull."— (Laughter.) After some further discussion, the Bill was withdrawn. SUPPLY. The motion for going into a Committee of Supply was postponed until to-morrow. RELIEF DISTRESS (IRELAND) BILL. The consideration of this Bill, with amendments, was postponed until to-morrow. VICE-GUARDIANS OF UNIONS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion for the consideration of this Bill with amendments, Colonel DUNNE proposed an amendment to the effect that the 27th of September, 1849, should be substituted for the 25th of March, 1850, for the termination of the duties of the vice guardians, and for the appointment of others in their place. After a few observations from Mr. P. Scrope, Mr. Stafford, and other Hon. Members, Sir G. GREY said if it was the general opinion of the House that the date should be altered the Government could have no possible objection to substitute the Ist of November, 1850. Colonel DUNNE said ha for one should be content with the Ist of November. Mr. HERBERT alluded to the case of one union, in a hich the accounts were in such a state of inextricable confusion that when the vice luardians were appointed they were compelled to ralverthe for an accountant to set them right. After some further discussion the amendment was withdrawn, and the Ist of November substituted. On the Bill being put with the amendments, it was agreed that it should be read a third time to morrow. OVERSEERS (CITIES AND BOXWUGIIS) BILL. This Bill went through Committee and was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow. OUT-DOOR PAUPERS BILL. On the proposition that the Speaker now leave the chair, Sir H. WILLOUGHBY said that he wished to call the attention of the House to the e.efc.ctive portions of this Bill. Ile was induced to do so from "the fact that 200 children had been suddenly swept away at Mr. Drouet's establishment at Tooting. He did not see why the poor in large n asses should be farmed out at ail. Ile had always felt that the Poor-law Amendment Act was deficient in many respects, and he had constantly opposed it, but he thought that a great mistake in allowing any other mode of relief than that which was administered in the workhouses. Now the same decct existed in this Bill as had subsisted under the general poor-law. There was in it no provision what ever for a constant supervision of these houses in which the poor were farmed. Ile could not see how a board sitting in Lcndon could possibly exercise the necessary supervision over these different places in the country. He would not do more than allude to the shameful proeeedings which had occurred at Andover; but he did believe that some provision should be made for the proper oversight of paupers farmed out. To what body this right of oversight should be transferred, he could not say; but probably the magistracy of the king dom. He sheuld like to hear the opinion of the poor law board. Mr. BAINES said that whatever might be thought of the wisdom of farming paupers, no doubt whatever could exist as to the legality of the practice. The sys tem was first adopted in 1722, under the 9th Geo. 1., and was consequently more than a hundred year, old. That Act was in a great degree modified in 1767, by the Act called Han way's Act from the name of its benevolent framer, James lianway. By that Act it was rendered imperative on the overseers of the poor to send same persons, or to go themselves, to supervise treatment of such paupers as might be farmed out by the different parishes., That Act remained in force until the year 1844, when it was modified by the 7th and Bth Victoria, an Act which had been introduced by the Right Honourable Baronet the Member for Ripon (Sir James Graham), then Secretary for the Home department, by which the compulsory power of super vision was to a great extent restrained. Since he (Mr. Baines) had held the situation which he had now the honour to fill his attention had been especially called to this subject, and he found that the practice of farming out children was confined almost exclusively to the me tropolitan parishes and even here it was now likely to be altogether superseded, for a workhouse on a large scale, and in a very salubrious situation was at the present time being erected, which from its size would be sufficient for the accommodation of all the outpaupers of the metropolis. In the country, as he had said, the system of farming but very little prevailed, and in London he found that there were only seven institutions, two at Stepney, and one at Peckham, the latter of which was, from the in stitution he had spoken of, very likely to be d:spensed with at an early day. Besides these there was at Norwool, which contained 1,200 children, agree ably :and healthily placed, and admirably conducted. There were two other establishments in Margate where paupers were received from different workhouses, and of them no complaint had been made. There was one at Welling, in Kent, and one at Brixton. Without going into the events that had lately taken place at Tooting, because that subject was under the consideration of a criminal tribunal, he thought all would agree with him that further powers were necessary for the regulation of these establishments, and what he proposed was, by the Bill, which, he trusted, would have the effect of removing all the evils complained of to give powers to the Poor-law Commissioners to issue rules and regulations for these establishments; to mould the contracts entered into between the guardians and contractors; to lay down certain terms upon which the children should be received; to enforce the observance of those regulations by penalties, and by a power of summarily dismissing she contractors which tho Poor-law Commissioners could not do at present. The Bill also gave the Poor-law Commissioners the power of dismissing the secretary of these establishments, and also a pow er to the clergymen of the parish in which the establish ments were situate of visiting the establishments, and reporting to the Poor-law Board. He trusted that these powers would accomplish the end that all must have in view, and that after this measure became law they should hear no more of the fright ful occurrence which had lately taken place. The Right lion. and Learned Gentleman concluded by mov ing that the House should resolve itself into Committee on the Bill. Oa the question that the Speaker do leave the Chair, Mr. HENLEY thought that though some of the pro visions of the Bill might seem somewhat stringent, yet no man brought himself under the oparation Of those provisions except by an act of his own free-will; and he thought the Government bad done all they could do, in the Bill, to give pauper children the best provision for their sa:ety and security. Mr. P. SCROPE thought it was absolutely necessary fur the safety of the lives of pauper children that their proper care shoulei devolve upon some party, and upon no one could it devolve more efficiently than upon the poor-law commissioners ; but it ought to be remembered that the greater part of those powers were con ferred by the Act of 1844, and it was only by the improper exercise of those powers that such lamentable results had recently taken place. It was most unfortunate that former Commissioners had not examined into the contracts respecting the farming of pauper children, and had not rescinded those that were deemed objectionable. The House then went into Committee upon the Bill, and after making a few verbal amendments the Bill was read a first time. POPULATION, &c. (IRELAND.) _ On the suggestion of Sir W. SOMERVILLE, Colonel DUNNE withdrew his motion for a return 01 the population, area, valuation, and rates in each town land, in each electoral division, in each union in rreland, togeiher with the number of paupers receiving relief from each townland, rahether in-door or out; stating the number of families, and distinguishing the ablebodied and inrm males, females, and children. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned a few minutes before Six o'clock. THE WEATIiER. SUN OFFICE, QUARTER TO SEVEN. Since three o'clock the Barometer has gone down 15 points, making the depression since yesterday afternoon 78 points--nearly an inch. It has rained heavily all day; and now, hal-past six, the wind has gone round to N.W. to N. with a heavy fall of snow. EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) The usual half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the East'ra Counties Railway was held this afternoon at the London Tavern. At one o'clock the directors, headed by Mr. D. Wad dington, M.P., entered the large room of the tavern, which was densely crowded, and that gentleman took the chair amidst a scene of the most indiscribable confusion, and cries of " Where's Hudson?" " Off, off." " Turn them out." When silence was restored. The CHAIRMAN proceeded to explain the cause of Mr. Hudson's absence.. Nobody was more surprised at that gentleman's absence than himself ; but, in the absence of the chairman of the board, it was his bounden duty, though it might be a painful one, to preside on this oc casion, and he hoped he should have the support and patient attention of the meeting., (Hear, hear.) The first time that he heard of Mr. Hudscn'a intention not to be present was on Monday, when it was communi• cated to him in the following letter : " Newby Park, Thirsk, Feb. 25, 1849. My dear Sir, —As I feel I cannot go strongly along with you in reference to the steam-boat question, I have made up my mind not to attend the meeting on Wed nesday next. I sincerely, wish you well through it. I hope if any attack is made on me you will, if you can, defend me with reference to your company. I unfortu nately hold a large stake, and bought at a very great pries, and lose terribly by the concern; they invited us. they were in a ruined condition both as to stock and credit. " I shall resign whenever it may suit you and the board. By not attending I shall avoid the Norfolk ques tion, which I could not but throw over. " I am yours, very truly, (Signed) " Gxo. HUDSON." To this letter he had bent the following answer, but whether Mr. Hudson was from home he knew not, but he had not condescended to send any reply:— "London, 26th Feb., 1849. " My dear Sir,—Vpon receipt of your letter I con vened a meeting of our directors residing in London, and read your letter to`them. It leaves us all in consi derable difficulty as to the best course to be pursued, but my impression is, that as the steam-boat matter is ap. proved of in the report of the board, and as no vote on the Norfolk amalgamation will have to be taken at the meeting, it is difficult to explain your absence from the meeting on any ground stated in your letter. Besides which I read your letter, as not wishing your opinion on these two matters to be brought forward, lest they should disturb the action of myself and the board at the meeting, as entertaining opposite opinions. It appears therefore to us, that as you have determined on resigning your seat, it would be better for y o u to do this previous to the meeting. Should Sou concur in this, sand send me the resignation, to be at the board prior to the meeting, Y ou can give su c h reasons for the st e p as you wish, and I will make th em known. The feeling of all is one of regret that we shall lose the valuable services your experience and know ledge enable you to give to every company with which you are associated. I will not fail to notice .the point named in your letter if you are attacked. "I am, dear Sir, y ours very truly, 4 , 1./AVID WADDINGTON." Inquiries had been made to ascertain if this letter had reached Mr. Hudson, b u t no information could be ob tained on the subject. The electric telegraph bad been put in motion for this purpose within the last hour, but the answer returned was that the York wires would not work.—(Roars of laughter.) He trusted after this ex planation the proceedings of the meeting would be lis tened to with attention, and without unseemly interrup tions.—(Hear and cheers.) It was then proposed that the common seal of the company should be affixed to the register of proprietors; but it was opposed by a number of shareholders, on the ground that the register contained an account of certain prefereatial Nurfulk shares which ought to be there. The CHAIRMAN, however, assured the meeting that it cowained no such thing, and the seal upon this assur ance was allowed to be fixed to the register. Mr. RoNRY, the secretary, then read the following report : . " The directors h. g to announce that the total capital up to the 4th of January last, entitled to interest and dividends, including the bonus of 1,087,000/.. amounts to 12,556,8201., including the capitals of the Northern and Eastern arid of the Norfolk R olway Companies; of which amount 12,056,820/, will receive dividend or in- Wrest out of the revenue, and 500,0001. will receive in- tercet from capital, being such portion' of the above ca pital as may he fairly deemed unproductive—viz.. half the capital of the Maldon and Braintree line, not opened until October, and the capital expanded on the Enfield together 150,0001.; and Norfolk works, consisting of the Dereham and Fakenham branch and the Lowestoft Harbour-350,0001. " The usual preliminary notices for the opening of the Enfield end Edmonton and of the Dcreham and Faken ham branches have been given to ;he commissioners of railways, and the directors anticipate that both will be ready for traffics at an early period. The receipts of the company, including those of the Norfolk Railway, during the half-year are .£397,592 3 0 The working expenses, including government duty and taxes £164,278 4 3 Half-year's interest en guaranteed stock and debentures charged to revenue amounts to 129.626 5 9 293.904 10 0 Balance £103,687 13 0 Which balance, with 3,5891 9s. sd. balance from list half year, amp urits to 107,2771. 2s. sd. applicable for dividend and depreciation. "It will be in the recollection of the shareholders that, in the financial statement issued to them in No vember last, the necessity of creating a depreciation fund to meet the outlay fur the replacement of the pe rishable portions of the permanent way and working stock was referred to. In accordance with that view the directors recommend that the dividend on the con solidated stock of this and of the Norfolk Railway Com panies shall boss. 6.1. per share, which, upon 336,762 shares, the number now entitled to dividends in both companies, will amount to 92,6091. lls., having fur the reserve or depreciation fund— which the directors strongly recommend the shareholders to sanction—the sum of 14,667/. Ils. sd. • " The directors continue to give their earnest atten- tion to the subject of the working expenses, and they have made during the past half-year, such reductions as have appeared practicable, without impairing the efficiency of the establiahmeat, or unnecessarily cur tailing the accommodation of the public. " The subject of the unjue t and oppressive local taxa tion to which railways are exposed, has occupied the at tention of the directors of this company, in common with the directors of other companies, and they now recom mend that the petitions to both houses of Parlia liament, which will be submitted to the meeting, receive the sanction of the shareholders, and that they give their authority to the company's seal being affixed to the said petL ions. . _ "The advantages which would result to this railway from a communication by steam from Harwich to the ports of the Continent have frequently occupied the at• teution of the meeting of the shareholders, and the directors are happy to announce that the Government has determined to run the mail packets to Hamburgh and Rotterdam from Harwich. "An independent company has been established to perform the service of conveying the mails, and has ob tained the Government contract. That company will be in friendly alliance with the railway company, and does not seek any guaranteed dividend from the latter. The utmost aid at any time required by the steamboat company will be a small loan, only to be granted by the railway company upon approved and sufficient security. Every exertion will be made by this company, the Eastern Union Company, and the steam-boat company, to draw the passenger and the light goods trade between London and the North of Europe through Harwich ; and when the Harwich branch has been completed, the traffic in heavy goods will follow. The prospects of a gradual and ultimately large increase of revenue to the railway from this new source are favourable. " The following directors retire at this meeting:—Mr. Anderson and Mr. Crosbie. These gentlemen are eligible for re• election, and offer themselves accordingly." The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said he hoped he was addressing a meeting of commercial men, who would listen patiently to every individual who might be in possession of the chair.—(Hear, hear.) It they would give him a patient hearing he would detail to them, in as explicit a manner as possible, the real position of the company. The traffic during the past halF-year had fallen off very materially, but this was attributable to various causes. It was not to be forgotten that there had been a potato rot in the eastern counties, which had seriously affected their traffic; but, in addition to that cause, the sha-e -holders must remember that during the past half year they had 69 miles of new line to make, which had added 1,3251. to the revenue account for salaries which had previously been debited to capital.—(Hear, hear.) It had been complained that the Norfolk line had increased their expenditure; but that was a great mistake, for, comparing the four weeks last past with the cor responding period last year, it would be seen that the working expenses had been reduced by 370/. per week in consequence of the continuous working of the line, without. at all impeding the efficiency of the line.(Hear, hear.) Now, with regard to the dividend, that was a matter which the directors were anxious to leave in the hands of the shareholders, but this they did say, that the present position of the concern would not admit of their safely paying more. If the truth must be told, the rock they had split upon was in paying a dividend of 9s. per share a few half-years ago, while in the previous half-year they bad only paid 3s. per share, The proper reserve was made then for depreciation, and the new lines which were then not opened, but were rapidly approaching completion. The working expenses were kept down as low as possible, compatible with the efficiency of the railway. They did not amount to more than 991. per mile; and, taking into consideration the nature of their traffic, and the heavy character of their engines, he felt that sum would bear comparison with any other line in the kingdom. Allusion was made in the report to the 61. per cent. guaranteed stock, but he was happy to tell the meeting that the dire ctors did net intend issuing the remainder of that stock for the present. A SHAREHOLDER-110w many are there left? Mr. RONEY, the secretary, replied that there were 3,400 shares left. The CHAIRMAN said he was anxious to take that oppor • tunity of stating that hitherto they had been proceeding upon an erroneous principle, but he declared confidently that the statement of their affairs issued to-day was faithful and accurate. He hoped, therefore, the share holders would look impartially into that statement, and, having carefully considered it, he was quite sure they would be convinced that the policy the directors were pursuing was the best that could be devised for retarding the downward career of their property. In reference to the Norfolk question, ho knew that there was a good deal of diversity of opinion upon that sub ject, but he thought if they would estimate this question by figures, it would turn out that much error prevailed in this matter. The earnings of the Norfolk line during the past half•year amounted to 60,8201., which gave a dividend on the Norfolk capital of ss. Bid. per share, after paying working expenses, including a mileage pro portion for direction and management, which, it must be borne in mind, had not increased in consequence of their taking the Norfolk line. Had the Norfolk line not been debited with those charges the earnings would have given 6s. id. per share. The traffic which the Norfolk line had brought on their own gave a sum of 56,7811. Now, the way to look at this question was this:—They ought to ascertain how far the Norfolk line could pay, at present or ultimately, the same dividend as themselves. Their own dividend amounted to ss. 6d.; their own officers hod proved to them that the Norfolk line yielded ss. Bd., and when they looked at the conse quences which might result from the Norfolk line, be felt that there was no cause for hesitation in taking up that railway.—(Hear.) Ile now came to the steam-boats. They proposed to advance to the Steam-boat Company 420,000/., and looking at the ergo trade these boats and the Harwich line were likely to bring upon their line, he was convinced that it would be a suicidal policy to reject this scheme.—(Hear, hear.) He had now gone through the topics of the report, and after moving the adoption of the report, it only remained for him to state that the following telegraphic communication had been received from Mr. Hudson:—" I had not an opportunity of reply ing yesterday, but will write to-morrow. Mr. Wadding ton may use his discretion as to the reason of my resig nation. He is aware it was a matter I had long contem plated." A PROPRIETOR asked the following questions:-I►t. Does the Eastern Counties Company rent the line of railway from Readham to Lowestoffe, a distance of 114 miles; which I am informed does not pay its working expenses; and, if so, must we continue running trains on it? 2d. Have they leased the Lowestoffe Harbour with the Norfolk line, as I have ascertained it will cost 100.000/. to finish, besides keeping it in repair, and what is the revenue you expect to receive from the said harbour ; will it ever pay anything ? 3d. What authority have the Eastern Counties' directors to amalgamate with the Norfolk line? 4th. Was Mr. Peto about to be appointed deputy-chairman? and sth. What number of shares does our chairman (Mr. Hud son) hold? _ _ _ The CHAIRMAN had already answered the first ques tion. The line mentioned was included in the receipts of the Norfolk company. To the sec on d quest i on he stated, that the railway and station would not cos t more than 1,300,0001 To the third, a special meeting of the proprietors had given them the authority. Mr. HONEY stated, in answer to the last question, that Mr. Hudson held 625 shares. A PROPRIETOR—How many of them were given to him ? Mr. RONEY—Not a single share. Mr. Box said the directors were as much to blame as Mr. Hudson for the deplorable state of their line. They sat by while he indulged in statements that never could be realised, if indeed, there was any truth in them, without checking them in the least, and he should therefore move the fol lowing resolutions :-Ist. " That a committee of share holders be now appointed to make strict and searching inquiry into the financial condition of the Eastern Counties Railway Company, and for taking into their consideration the cost of construction pr r mile, executed and to be executed, and the cost of the several stations; showing what has been for the list three years, ending January 4th, 1849, the amount of income per week arising from the traffic of this company, and any other under its management, from first, second, and third-class carriages, express, Parliamentary, or other carriages sepra,tely, arid from every other sourer, arranged under separate heads, stating what has been the working expenses per mile per week ; also the number of officers engaged, with the amount of salaries paid to each annually ; also the amount of law expenses incurred; also stating the various officers that have power to grant free passes to their triends, &c., the number issued wet kly for first, sec. nd, and third class carriages. 2d. That the said coinnAtt , e be empowered to examine all book!, pipers, documents, and vouchers belonging to the company. sad all persons in the employ of the co ',puny that they may deem necessary, and that they do make a full, clear, and detailed report hereof to a special meeting to he convened for the purpose at 2s early a period as possible." During the reading of these resolutions another scene of confusion took place, the meeting appearing to be unanimous in demanding that the directors should be one and all turned out. Mr. PRICE was ready to second these resolutions because it would enable him to express his gratification that Mr. Hudson had not had the brass to show his face to•day.—(Laughter.) He had shows his good sense in absconding from the meeting, and it would have the heneficiA *effect of convincing the world that Mr. Hud son had humbugged them from beginning to end. Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE rejoiced that the day of retri bution has come at last. Oi ten had he been bullied by Mr Hudson, but it was his turn now, and he would not spare the Hon. Gi ntlemau or his myrmidons in the direction.—( heers.) A PROPRIETOR—That's it, Sergeant; kick him well tiv't, down. Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE would not have the meetin 4 . trial the directors with oisresptct, but they had bee, tried and hound wanting, and now bis advice to the shareholders was to do nothing that the directors asked theta, but at once appoint a committee of inquiry. —(Cheers.) Stop the solicitors' bills, let the dirk ctors simply manage the line for a while, and in the meantime let there be a searching and sifting investigation of their affairs.—(Cheers.) Mr. D. PRICE denounced the Norfolk Company as a bankrupt concern, and pronounced the attempt to amal gamate it with the Eastern Counties to be bcaudaious fraud.--7(Che(D.) Mr, DELI'S suggested that a committee should be ap pointed withoat limiting its functions. Mr. CASH asked if the directors had any objection to the appointment of a committee. 'The CHAIRMAN wished to answer the charges which had been made against the directors before he replied to Mr. Cash's question, which again led to another scene of confusion, and again brought into active play the lungs of the dissatisfied shareholders, who were clamor ous for the ejection of the directors. The yells and shouts were be, oaddescription, but above the storm of voices the cries most distinctly heard were "Turn 'em out," " Send 'cm after Hudson," "Down wish them," " Pitch 'em over." The CHAIRMAN said, if the meeting persisted in its present conne he:would:quit the:chair, and leave it for the world to decide who had acted with propriety, the chair man or the meeting.—(Cries of "Do it, do it.) Now, in answer to the question of Mr. Cash, he begged to state that the directors had no objection to the committee.— (Tremendous cheers, and cries of " Why didn't you say so before?") When he:consented to take the chair he anticipated that there would be an up-heaving of the billows; but he did not think the storm would have been difficult to quell.--(" Oh, oh," and reiterated cries of " Turn 'em out.") However, the directors had no objection to the cotnmitte e, and they freely placed them selves upon that point in the hands of the meeting.— (Hear, hear.) _ _ _ After some further discussion the amendment was withdrawn, and the following one substituted for it:— " That a committee of investigation be appointed to in quire into all the affairs and accounts of the company, and report their opinion thereon to an adjourned meet ing, and that they be at liberty to send for books, pa pers, and accounts, and examine any parties they think fit, and to employ such accountants as they may re quire." - Mr FISHER proposed that they should adopt the re port, so far as the dividend was concerned.—(No, no.) Mr. Cisa suggested that the committee should have power to employ a solicitor.—(Cries of " No, no ; we h•:ve had enough of lawyers, we'll have none of 'em.") A PROPRIETOR asked if the sittings of the committee would be opened to the shareholders.—(No, no.) Another PROPRIETOR—Who pays the expenses of the accountant? The CHAIRMAN said he supposed the company would have to pay the expenses. The resolution was then put and carried, only four hands being held up against it. The CHAIRMAN declared the amendment to be carried amid.t tremendous cheering. After another scene and much confusion, it was agreed that the committee should consist of nine, and five should form a quorum. The CHAIRMAN then suggested that Mr. Cash and his friends should retire and consider who should con stitute the committee. Mr. CASII—I can't get out. The CHAIRMAN-I'm sorry you got in.—(Laughter.) Mr. CASK proposed that the qualification of a coin mitteeman should be 50 shares. Mr. Box saw no reason why the qualification should be greater than that of a director, and he si - mid therefore move as an amendment that the qualification should be 20 shares. The amendment was, however, :negatived by a large majority, and the orginal motion was declared to be car ried amidst renewed cheers. Amidst another scene of uproar the meeting then pro ceeded to the election of members of the committee. Messrs. Christie, Cash, Sherwood, Ellis, and Mayhew were then elected, with power to nominate the other four members of the Committee. A resolution was then proposed for the abandonment of the . Norfolk Amalgamation Bill, but the Chairman refused to put it, and of course another and still more noisy scene ensued. The CHAIRMAN moved that the matter be left to the Committee. This motion was ultimately agreed to, and petitions to Parliament against the present system of railway rating. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, for his able and impartial conduct in the chair, and the meeting broke up at six o'clock. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) The eighth half yearly meeting of the proprietors o this company was held at the Great Western Railwa) Station, Paddington, at 12 o'clock; Charles Russell, Esq. occupied the chair. The CHAIRMAN said, during the period a railway was under construction, the most important subject was the progress of the works, and the proprietors looked rather to the report of the engineer than to that of the dirt ctors for matters that most interest them in that respect. It was, however, the duty of the directors to explain the general principles by which they were guided—to tell the proprietors why they thought their enterprise likely to be a most successful one, and why it was expedient to have it completed as early as possbible and above all things in these days how the capital . might be applied with the moat economy and eff,ct. When they began the South Wales Railway, money for rail way purposes was abundant, and confidence in railway enterprise was higher. The course it was thought expe dient to pursue was to complete the line from one extremity to the other, simultaneously, in the leas t possible space of time. They had hoped by the adoption of this course to avoid any appropriation of any portion of their capital to the payment of interest, and upon other expenses incidental to the completion of the work, thus preserving the great bulk of the capital, and by that means render the works profitable in the least possible space of time. Under the circumstances that then rxisted, he believed that was the most expe dient course that they could pursue, and they accord ingly adopted it. But those circumstances shortly after were materially changed. Money could only be obtained with great difficulty, and their calls for a considerable period were paid slowly, and not unfrequently reluctantly, On many of the shares they had not been able to obtain any payment at all, and the consequence had been that the directors that day had applied for their sanction to forfeit a certain portion of the shares so circumstanced. They then thought that it would be well to complete the line by successive portions; and they determined, in the first instance, to complete that portion which, by common con sent, was considered to be the most productive—namely, between Newport and Swansea—to complete afterwards, so as to open it simultaneously, that portion between Grange Court and Newport, when that portion should have been completed to construct that portion from Swansea to the Western extremity. They had de voted all their energies to the accomplishment of this object, because they believed that by the opening of the line from Newport to Swansea they should be enabled to afford an incontrovertible proof of the value of the line by the profits • which they should realise, and which they would be enabled to place as an offset against the interest which neces sarilyy increased as the sums expended upon the line became larger. In order to estimate the present posi tion and the future prospects of the company, they would do well to look back to the gloomy years of 1847 and 1848 —to look back beyond the years of excitement and speculation of 1845 and 1846. They would remember that their line had not its origin in those periods of railway insanity which they had passed through since it had origin in 1843 and 1844, which were sober and calculating years. Tho pro spects of the Company were then most cautiously exa mined. The traffic was most carefnlly taken, and instead of being exaggerated or unfounded, the returns to the Stamp-office being relied upon. The result was there fore ascertained by the fullest inquiry; instead of being exaggerated, it was reduced to its proper limits, and nothing had occurred since that time to alter the views with respect to the South Wales, which were formed in 1843 and 1844. Had any change taken place in the character of South Wales? On the contrary, its re sources had been gradually developed. Indeed, only a few evenings ago, that a curious and interesting paper was read before the Institute of Civil Engineers on the subject of the South Wales coalfield. It was there stated that the South Wales coal-field abounded in every description of coal from bitumen to anthracite ; but if it was merely equal to that of other parts of the country, it would be a great acquisition. It was said that the coal was to be found in inexhaustible quantities, and they all knew how applicable those coal were to the purposes of navigation and locomotion. If these facts were true, and there was no doubt them, with such a harbour as Milford on the west coast, and a railway passing through the entire length, could there be any doubt that South Wales must become one of the great seats of manufacturing industry. • It might be said that traffic statements had not, in all cases been fulfilled. Unquestionably this had been the case; but then the exceptions related to districts which had been well supplied with railway accommodation. Frequently what was gained by one railway was ab stracted from another. flaying alluded to the introduc tion of lines into localities not prepared for them, he proceeded to observe that the South Wales had no oppon , nt—that all the branches wer e tributary to it, and traverse d great hives of industry and of mineral wealth; that they thought they had acted well in proceeding with the portion of the line likely to pay; that the lines having improved, money could be borrowed at 4 per cent., at which they hoped to be enabled to raise the required trolley iii the e, eut, of their acceeding to the issuing of debeeture b tele. The SECRETARY then read folluw:ng report and statement of accounts : " The directors have., been steadily occupied during the last half-year in giving effect to the detc - ininaticn adopted at the August meetin g to proceed with the CCM struction of the Sou h Wales Railway by successive portion, beginning in the first instance with the section which lies between Newport and Swansea, so that that part of the line may be brought into operation at The earliest practical period. " With that view the directors have entered into en gagements with the several contractors employed to the west of Swansea, In the manner recommended by the engineer, by which they have consented entire Iy to sus pend their works fur the present, placing them, however, in such a condition that the) may suff,r very little injury from tee delay, and that they may be again resumed when such - a course shall be considered expedient. They hope also that the landowners with whom agreements have been made, will be induced to afford every facility for postponing the completion of the purchase ..f their land as the mest certain means of ehablibg the cotepan) t complete an important portion of th.. line in the ti:st instance, and afterwards to carry forward the woe ks, as soon as practicable, to the western extremity of the Priecipality. "The directors have thus concentrated, for the pre sent., all their exec time; and resources on the works be tween Newport. and Swansea; and though the pressure of the times has prevented the it T rosecuting :hem with ad the rapidity that could be desired, the proprietors will perceive, by the report of Mr. Brunel, which his annexed, that not only considerable progress has been matte in all the he..vier works, but that various detached portions, amounting in the whole to about twenty miles, lout of the entire distance of sixty miles, are ready for the reception of the permanent way and the rails, the la)ing of which will be commenced withoat delay. . . . . " simultaneously with these operations, the works on this side of Newport are precteding satisfactorily, alai a communication has been held with the direc tors of the Gloucester and Forest of Dean Railway resp:cting the eight miles of the line between Glou cester and Grange Court, which are to be executed by that company. It would be obviously unnecessary, a far as the South Wales Company are concerned, to com plete this part of the lineztill the portion beyond it is ready, and Mr. Brunel, who is also the engineer of the G?oucester :and Forest Dean Railway Company, is re galating his progress on their line by the progress he is able to make in our works. - " The directors look to the opening of the lino to Swansea as an object of the deepest importance, be cause, thoug they have been gratified to observe the great improvement which has recently taken place in the value of the shares, demonstrating as it does, cone elusively, that the depression proceeded from general, and not from peculiar causes, yet they feel satisfied that nothing can so effectually restore the public confidence, and can so certainly and permanently improve the just value of your ;property, us the incontrovertible proof which will be afforded by actual experience, of the traffic which you are justified in expecting on your line. " The directors did not think it just or reasonable to the proprietors who had embarked their property in the undertaking, but who under the recent pressure have found a difficulty in paying up their calls, to exercise against them the powers conferred by the Act, while that course could by possibility be avoided; but they think the time is now arrived to carry into effect the determination expressed in their last ree port, by forfeiting those shares at least on which the second and third insatments have not been paid. They therefore proceeded to forfeit them at a board of directors held on the 24th of January, and a resolution will be submitted to you, in conformity with the provi sions of the Act, for confirming that forfeiture. Their number is 1,261, and the amount which has been received on them is 4,137/. 10s. The directors propose that those shares should not be reissued until the improve ment in the money market shall be so confirmed, that they may either submit same general scheme for re-allot ting them among the shareholders at an advantage to them, or that they may be then gradually absorbed, so as not to produce any sensible effect on the value of your property. " The forfeiture of these shares does not involve the consequent abandonment of the claim which the Come pany possesses over the proprietors to whom they be longed, for the calls previously in arrear. On The contrary, it is, the fixed purpose of the Director to proceed to the recovery of these sums in every case which affords prospect of succe,s, and now that an im provement has taken place in the Money Market, they feel that the performance of their duty to those propri etors who have paid with regularity, prescribes the adoption of active measures against those who may be in arrear on more recent calls. " The half of the South Wales capital having noir been called up and received, the directors recommend that at the present meeting, an authority should be given to borrow money on bond or mortgage. They hope that in the improved state of the money market, shall find no difficulty in obtaining sufficient resources by loans, in which case they will be enable° to suspend for a time further calls on the proprietors, 1314 to proceed with greater rapidity with their works during the summer months which are now approaching. " The directors consider that they have been fatty. nate in inducing C. ii. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P., of Mar' gam-park, to accept a seat at the board, in the place of Colonel Owen, who resigned, as they feel that his large interest in the undertaking, and bis geeat local know' ledge and influence, will render him a most important and valuable acquisition in the management of your affArs. "The following directors retire by rotation on the present occasion, but offer themselves for re-election James Alston, Esq., Sir J. J. Guest, Bart., M.P., Ste' phen Lewis, Lq., C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P. Dohree, Esq., has, to the regret of the directors, tee' dered his resignation as one of the auditors of the Com' pany. It therefore becomes the duty of the proprietors to appoint another gentleman as auditor in his place. The engineer's report confirmed, in dktail, the state' ment in the report of the directors:-- GENERAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT* TO 31ST DEC., 1848. Deposit account z d• 2d instalment of 21. lOs per share ... 140,000 0 0 3d ditto 51. ... ... 270,440 0 4th ditto 5/. sth ditto 31. 6th ditto 7th ditto £5 ... 233,910 0 0 ... ... 136,089 0 0 - 213,155 0 0 167,405 0 0 Bth ditto 5£ „(payabla on 10th Jan., 1849)... 10,766 0 ° 1,318,045 0I ! On account of future calls ... ... 75,845 2 „. u Registration fees... ... ... ... 309 15 --- . 6 1,394,199 1 1 PAYMENTS FOR TEE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1849. 1 Expenses in obtaining the Act ••• £54,471 1 2 Works ••• ••• ••• ... 566,559 4 4 Permanent way ••• ... 229,263 3 , Land and compensation ... ... 214,911 19 1 ; Vendors' costs and expenses... ... 9,497 6 Engineering and surveyi ng ex p enses 8 6, 115 12 ~ 4 Parliamentary and law expenses ... 41,543 9 Land valuers' expenses •• ••• 8,243 15 'A Printing, stationery, and a d vert i s i ng 2, 832 7 1v Office expensies, direction, salaries, 8 postages, &c. ••• ••• ••• 14,371 0 Miscellaneous expenses, including rent, rates, taxes, &c. ... ... 1,184 3 0 Interest (deducting interest received) 43,304 16 6 —.___----' 1,272,298, 11 I / Subscriptions to Irish and Welsh Railways ... ... ••• ••• 61,306 0 0 .... 1,333,604 11 11 ---- Balance ... .£60,595 5 : The CHAL IMAN having moved the adoption of le' report— Considerable discussion then ensued, in the course 01 which it was elicited that negotiations would be i Fan!: diately set on t oot w i t h t h e G reat W estern, with tuv view of raising tho million of money required Th directors had not entertained the question ° whether it was well to continue the line to Swan; sea in the mean time. The works, though rendere d somewhat more expensive in consequence of the dela'' , would be completed within the original estimate. It general feeling seemed to prevail that the debew ture loan could be obtained at 4i. per cent.. less, if the Great Western would give the l f guarantee, but not witho u t it ; b es id es th e i n t ere sts ° f the two companies were altogether common. Two in; stulments to the Irish lin e h a d b een pa id , t h e third would be shortly paid, but an understanding existed that no fa: ther sum should be p a id un l ess t h e promoters could s h°" that the line could be completed from Dublin to W el t: ford. The back calls were coming in much better tilt they had ; but th e di rec t ors i nten d e d to forfeit a l so the 4,5, and 6th d e f au l ters . Th e powers sought by the report were conferred,' the retiring direct ors were re . e lected Mr. Thurnburn, auditor, and the meeting separated. Ist POST OFFICE NOTICE.—O n an d a ft er the l -e March next, the following offi ces w ill b e opene d fort'', issue of money orders :—Amlweh, Anglesey; Blael: pool, Lancashire; Brigho use , Y or k s hi re; B r i er ly g"► Staffordshire; Broadstairs, Kent; Caistor, Lincolnshi re; Dowlais, Glamorganshire; Easingwold, Yorkshire; Glossop, Deibyshire; Herne Bay, Kent; Hailshal th Sussex; Long Sutton, Lincolnshire; Nailswortb, G l l cestershirs; Ottery St. Mary, D evons hi re; Paicswie Gloucestershire ; Paignt on , Devonshire; Padstovi, Cornwall; Ramsey, Huntingdonshire; Sedburgb, fork' shire; Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire; St. Ives, CO wall; Stratton, Cornw a ll ; Thornbury, Gloucestershire; Whitticsea, Cambrid ges hi re; Walton-on-Naze,_ Wragby, Lincoln s hi re; Wem, Shropshire; Win,',. l° „" t ,, - Cheshire; Wotton B asset, Wiltshire; Whitstable, 11l Scotland—Banchory, Abardeenshire; Dalbeattie, Klrk eudbriglithire; Wishaw, Lanarkshire. IRTHS • On the 2Lth i r st. , at Yor B k-gate,. Regent's-park, the w i fe of T. Fox, Esq., of a son. € I. Oil the 26th inst., at th e G rove , B a lh am , t h e l a dy of W. Winstanley, Esq., of a son. oit thi the 26th i ns t., at Wilton-pace, the wife of A. 11 3 - n Esq., of a daughter. ----• DIED. On the 25th inst., at Cloudesley-square, James Bra e bridge, Esq., aged 65. On the k6tll kat , at Hammersmith, H. C. Wright , for, merly of Tavistock street, Covent-garden, aged 71. n r , On the :,6th inst., at Keppel-street, Ru s sell-square , Leonard Stewart, aged 51. On the 26th inst., at Cambridge-terrace, Mary sen t, Wife of W. Lucas, Esq., aged 60. On the 24th list.. John Smart, Esq., of Countess Weir' house, near Exeter, Devon, aged 63. -LTG ° I London: Printed and Publi s h e d by , 11113R700 17 ° - ;12, No. 112, Strand, Printer, a t Th e S un Office, ' 61rzind, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county Middle:o; Wednesday, February 28, 4549 . t0t , .. 0 the 01 1 r, to exp, burly, Bard 1 , 'noon,' cc The, of the I notice ' t i 1 1 be tract , S Pencer The N ura ces A 8311; .Ele Ban Endo In n , The T to their Pre en the hal Loan, All Xrit a h i r W hilst i ° fle sin Ex, tits fa i , 1 " I ng b N" R ichare Ed wa n: . 40rn rc Atr Sti tc CON: 1 1 11 l ad keurit, 1154 issnu' Para( Yso p kttl ' dett y t, Lan. 7114 vant ag , th e ob . 18 aec e dgc ed r 1 1E1 ..„. 44 One•] or Rev( debt up Without Clain Whol ri e ; ae at. %gutth