The Sun. — London, England, 1849-03-01 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 28. PUBLIC ROADS. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. NE WDEGATE objecte i to the principle of making the county rates collaterally liable for the failure of the tolls in turnpike trusts. The House had so com pletely changed the whole case that its opinion with respect to the new proposal was not in point. He said it was most unfair to force on the second reading of the Bill, when neither the constituencies nor the Members of the House had had an opportunity of coming to a clear understanding of its principle. The Hon. Gentleman who had introduced the Bill has quoted from a return which was not before the House. He had quoted the results derived from a calculation with re spect to England alone; while the results of a calcula tion made before of the items of expense, as it respected Wales, were not included. It was impossible for any man to separate those items. He, therefore, cordially supported the Hon. Member for the University of Oxford. M r , R. PALMER confessed for one he should have been very glad to have heard upon what principle it was that any body should propose to throw what he (Mr. Palmer) must consider the lathes of one party on the shoulders of another.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman had so completely altered the Bill, that he was just in that position that he did not at the present moment feel inclined to oppose the second reading of the Bill. It would have been more convenient, as the alternative is so extensive, and will form an entirely new Bill when re-printed, if the Bill, as now laid on the table, had been withdrawn, and a new Bill, embodying the proposition which the Right Hon. Gentleman had to make, had been brought in, and that the House should take a future day for the discussion of the principle of that new Bill.—(Hear.) He 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 thing 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 tar as he understood the proposition, the whole of the turnpike trusts were to be thrown on a union of counties, and were to bo 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 t, 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 in 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 41. per cent., and then, having sanctioned this reduction of their income one-fifth, they said their property was to be further taxed.— (Hear, hear.) Was that common justice?—(Hear, hear.) It was a new principle which was introduced by this Bill, and a principle which was totally separated from honeny, and to which he was quite sure Honour able Members would not give their sanction. An additional burden would be thrown on the counties which they were unable to bear, and which it was unjust to pr., ss upon them. It would be far the best plan to withdraw the 8.11, because ho 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 Bid. 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, boy: ever, the Honourable Member was determined to press it forward ho begged it to be distinctly understood that ho would move 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 dtuieg the present session. The ci is c ussion hail entirely turned upon one single point, which had excited =At alarm iu 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 Rouse would agree to the second reading of the Bill. Mr. BANKES said they were not called upon to pass the second reading pro _firmci, 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 all 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. Ho would propose the adjournment of the debate for six weeks, that ;the Bill might be amended, and the county magis trates have an opportunity of more maturely considering its detai's. Mr. HUME said, if Hon. Members had taken the trouble he had to ascertain .t w h o e u p ld resent expense of ma naging turnpike trusts, they a measure for consolidating theirwith him that management, agree e , the utmost importance to the country. with the whole of t he Bill, but he hoped thneotligree would agree to its recommittal, iu order .m that re otdheelaosge v ern m en t might have an opportunity o it, so as to meet the views of Hon. Members. Mr. hIACKINNON would not have tro u bl e d the House if be had not been chairman of a Committee on the subject some twelve years ago. He 7 really felt th a t the object of this Bill was quite misunderstood.—(Hear.) The debt owing by the Turnpike and Highway Trusts was about 8,000,0001., i and there were a rrears 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. Ins tead of being a n injury, this Bill of the Government was a direct boon to the solvent trusts, and without it, or some measure like it, th e property o f the landholders of the insolvent trusts would altogether lose their money. It was a mistake to suppo3e that this Bill was intended to centrali se t h e power o f contro lli ng 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 th e control of central local boards.—(Cries of " Hear,thought that hear.") He 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 d elaFeys)—and it was a disgrace to the i t several Ministrie s f or th e last fifty years that hadwere not no been s ooner ta k en u p.—(L aug ht er .) There clauses in thi s B i ll th a t pr es e n t e d any o b stac l e which might ( Ir ea be effectually met and dealt with in COMMittee. Let Hon. Gentlemen who had 1 any objection to 't i..) a details pass the second reading, and then, having time giv en before the Committee sat, they might send it round toth opinions, e nio several constituents in their counties, obtain their op . accordingly. ris and then the Bill might be altered After all, they were only and trustshe as they would act dealing with these insolvent trusted, therefore, that in all cases of insolvency, Ministers would persevere' own ivide. ') her Majesty's. Bill through its present stage.—(Cries or.es of a.,111. carry . the Mr. DEEDES said that, ' his could not consent that the Bill sho u ld be so ho has tily passed through its principal stages°, and he hoped that the Government w ou l d with draw this Bill and bring in another embodying its princip a l c l a uses, and exclusive of its many objection able portions.—(Cries of " Divide, divide.") He h a d 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 priapplf was not correctly umlorstood, 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, — (114 , 44 11M) IA the )1 9/4 , cienagizap withdraw this Bill, and he was quite sure that the House would give him every facility for passing the new Bill through all its preliminary stagea.—( 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 had fallen from the several Hon. Members on the other side 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 be no valid objection to the principle of the Bill, whatever might be said of its details.—(Cheers from the opposite side of the House.) He should, therefore, ask for permis sion to withdraw the Bill.—(Cheers and counter cheers.) Mr. HUME exceedingly 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 Hon. 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 better 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, 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, LE WIS 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 the Offences (Ireland) Bill. The objects of this Bill were to prevent the confinement of prisoners accused 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• scription, to save thereby expense to the counties in Ireland, and to do justice to tho accused. The greater portion of the details of the Bill had been already sanctioned by the House, for the Bill was in effect extending the provisions of the Dublin Police Bill, which bad hitherto worked well in Ireland. He bad 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. H. 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 if he had been he should have adopted the same course he intended to . do in the present instance—have 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—(Laugh ter.) The Hon. Member went through several of the provi sions of the measure, which caused some considerable merriment i❑ the House, and concluded by stating that the 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 beard of than the present. There was not a single thing that any person could do in the way of his business but might subject bias to the provisions of the Act, and cause him to be taken befero 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 ou the back of it.—(Laughter.) He had not read the Bill, however, except the first paragraph, which was quite enough for him. Ile did not agree with its main provisions, and he thought it was perfectly impossible to go on with the Bill. H.. hoped the Honourable Bar onc t 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 of certain gentleman of great legal talents and character, he 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 i❑ another Bill. For instance, there was power given in the Bill to levy fines on offenders, but there was no power given for enforcing the payment of thoie 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 or. 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 bodily 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, ho 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. Ile did hope the people of Ireland would ponder on this Bill, which had been prepared by the champion of the moral-force repeelers in Waterford.—(" No, no," from Sir IL %V. Barron.) He begged the Hoc. 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. Mr. 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 had 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.) He did not produce the Bill to the House on his own authority. He (Sir H. 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 he was one of the most emi nent—(lronical laughter, which drowned the remainder t f the sentence.) It would be as well if Gentlemen would wait to hear what ho had to say. He only wished the facts to be stated as they were. The Bill was handed to him mrK y oien e l;9 r re yry ehe importance, by that g ent l eman, who had g i ven i t his entire approval. Every clause I. lie not d id li th e had d ll b bu ee t n tw ta o k , en an f d rem the t s he these were Dublin of could mean atsosurreetotrhtethHe personalon. Membaerttafeokr which had been made on him (Sir 11. W. Barron) for bringing in a Bill o f t hi s k i nd, in which he had no that he was labouring per sonalun- mr. ob i j i e E e ß t t ß o E s ß er r ve. explained der a false impression in what he had said respecting the Hon. Baronet. Mr. REYNOLDS said there was a clause in the Bill which he would call the the curfew clause, which prohibited any person . from . tolling a church or except for , divine . service. . This clause o f Pr. Toole, in the ar c et h lm a e p rin el dheadv b i e hn l gi l m , Irish Tutor, who assumed his new duties, nothing annoyed pupils, he was startled him so much as the tolling of the . bell ; when he ought to hare by the noise less he was coming..— been of t t e h a e e,b b in el g l a b n is d he was wont to say, the more it kept tolling the not know (Loud laughter.) had been reading whether the Honourable Baronet He (Mr. Reynolds) did the Irish Tutor when that clause was prepared. If justice was to be administered afte r the fa . shion„o . f 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 i ac customed to the criminal law could have prepared t 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 heifers, which was immediately granted; but the farmer returned to tell his lordship that he had made a mistake, and that one of the 20 was a bull. " Oh," said the lord mayor, " it d oesn 't ma tt er ," a t th e same t i me add i ng to the warrant, " one of the above heifers was a bull."— (Laughter.) After some further discussion, the Bill was withdrawn. PPLY. The motion for goin g Unto a Committee of Supply was postponed Until *morrow. RELIEF DISTRESS (IRELAND) BILL. The consideration of this Bill, with amendments, was postponed until to-morrow. VICE-GUARDIANS OF UNIONS (IRELAND' THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 1, 1849. 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, 1350, 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 he for one should be content with the Ist of November. Mr. HERBERT alluded to the case of one union, in which the accounts were in such a state of inextricable confusion that when the vice •guardians were appointed they were compelled to advertise 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 BOROUGHS) 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 defective portions of this Bill. He 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 masses should be farmed out at all. He had always felt that the Poor-law Amendment Act was deficient in many respects, and he had constantly opposed it, but he thought it a great mistake in allowing any other mode of relief than that which was administered in the workhouses. Now the same defect existed in this Bill as had existed under the general poor-law. There was in it no provision what ever for a constant supervision of those houses in which the poor were farmed. He could not see how a board sitting in London could possibly exercise the necessary supervision over these different places iu the country. He would not do more than allude to the shameful proceedings which bad 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 should 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 years old. That Act was in a great degree modified in 1767 by the Act called Hanway's Act from the name of its benevolent framer, James Hanway. By that Act it was rendered imperative on the overseers of the poor to send some persons, or to go themselves, to supervise the 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 bad been especially called to this subject, and he found that the practice of farming out children was confined almost exclusively to the me trepolitan parishes, and even here it was now likely to be altogether superseded, for a workhouse on a large scale, anti 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 out-paupers 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 dispensed with at an early day. Besides these there was one at Norwood, 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 bee❑ made. There was one at Welling, in Kent, glad 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 by the Bill was, 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 the contractors, which the Poor-1 sw 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 power to the clergyman of the parish in which the establish ments were situate of visiting the establishments, and retorting 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 because law they should hear no more of the fright. ful occurrences which had lately taken place. The Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman concluded by mov ing that the House should resolve itself into Committee on the Bill. On 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 operation of those provisions except by an act of his own free-will; and he thought the Government had done all they could in the Bill, to give pauper children the best possible provision for their sa.ety and security. Mr. P. SCROPE thought it was absolutely necessary for the safety of the lives of pauper children that their proper care should 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 ouch lamentable results had recently taken place. It was most unfortunate that former Commissioners had not examine :1 into the contracts respecting the farming of pauper children, and had not rescinded those that were deemed objectionable. The House then went into Committee. The first six clauses were agreed to, and on clause 7 being read, Sir 11. WILLOUGHBY recommended that a periodi c,d visitation of these houses should be required. Mr. BAINES observed that the poor-law inspectors, as he had before stated, were already armed with full authority to visit such establishments, and it was now proposed to give the power of visitation to the magis trates, who might exercise it when they chose. He thought it certainly ought not to be assumed that the magistrates would not do their duty. After a few observations from Sir H. Willoughby, Sir G. Grey, and Mr. Baines, The clause was then agreed to, as were the remaining clauses of the Bill, and the report was ordered to be re ceived to morrow (this day). POPULATION, &c. (IRELAND). On the suggestion of Sir W. SOMERVILLE, Colonel DUNNE withdrew his motion for a return of the population, area, valuation, and rates in each town land, in each electoral division, in each union in Ireland, together with the number of paupers receiving relief from each townland, whether in-door or out; stating the number of families, and distinguishing the ablebodied and infirm males, females, and children. The Buckingham Summer Assizes Bill went through Committee. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned a few minutes before Six o'clock. EASTERN CoUN'iIES RAILWAY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) It was proposed that the common seal of the com• pany should be affixed t• the register of proprietors; but it was opposed by a number of shareholders, on the ground that the register contained an account of cer tain preferential Norfolk shares which ought to be there. The CHAIRMAN, however, assured the meeting that it contained no such thing, and the seal upon this assur ance was allowed to be fixed to the register. Mr. HONEY, the secretary, then read the following report:-- 1 ‘ The directors beg to announce that the total capital up to the 4th of January last, entitled to interest and dividends, including the bonus of 1,087,0001., amounts to 12,556,8201., including the capitals of the Northern and Eastern and of the Norfolk Railway Companies; of which amount 12,056,820/. will receive dividend or in terest out of the revenue, and 500,000/. will receive in terest from capital, being such portion of the above ca pital as may be fairly deemed unproductive—viz.. half the capital of the Maldon and Braintree line, not opened until October, and the capital expended on the Enfield line, together 150,000/.; 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 and Edmonton and of the Dereham and Faken ham branches have been given to the commissioners of railways, and the directors anticipate that both will be ready for traffic 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 on 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 last half year, ampulla to 107,2771. 2s. sd. applicable for dividend and depreciation. "It will be in the rtcullection of tin 3harehulthrs that, in the financial statement issued to them in No vember last, the necessity of creating a depreciation fund to meet tie outlay for ,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 be ss. 6L per share, which, upon 336,762 shares, the number now entitled to dividends in both companies, will amount to 92,6091. 11s., leaving for the reserve or depreciation fund— which the directors strongly recommend the shareholders to sanction—the sum of 14,6671. 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 establishment, 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 no w 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 petitions. " 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 tention 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 steam-boat 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 CHAsnetiar, 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.) If they would gi ve 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 east ern coun ti es , w hich had seriously affected their traffic; but, in addition to that cause, the share holders must remember that during the . past half-year they had 69 miles of new line to make, wh ich had added 1,3251. to the r eve nue account for salaries which had It previously been debited to capital. — (Hear,hear.) 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 cont inuous working of the line, without at all impeding the e ffi ciency 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 If the truth m us t admit of their safely payingm ore. 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 had only paid 3s. per share, The proper reserve was made then for depreciation, and the new lines which were then , not opened, but we re rapidly approaching completion. The work ing 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 i nto consideration the nature of their traffic, and the heavy character of their engines, he felt that sum would bear compar ison 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 directors did net intend issuing the remainder of that stock for the present. A SHAREHOLDER—How 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 confid en tl y 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, he knew that there was a good deal of diversity of opinion upon that sub. ject, but he thought if they would estimate this question b y figures, it would turn ou t th a t much error p reva il e d 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 m il eage 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 56,781/. 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 had 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, he felt that there was no cause for hesitation in taking up that railway.—(Hear.) He now came to the steam-boats. They t roposed to advance to the Steam-boat Company 420,0001., and looking at thei ergo trade th es e b o ats 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 oppor t un i ty o f reply ing yesterday, but will writ e t o - 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 followin g ques ti ons i —l s t. Does the Eastern Counties Company rent the line of railway from Readham to Lovrestoffe, a distance of 11 1 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 ascerta i ne d i t w ill cost 100,0001. 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 li ne ? 4t h . W as Mr. Pete 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 cries tion. The line mentioned was included in the receipts of the Norfolk C o mpany To th e secon d quest i on h e stated, that the railway and station wo u ld not cos t more than 1,300,000 L To the third, a special m ee ti ng o f t h e proprietors had given them the authority. Mr. RONEY 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 tak in g i nto their consideration the cost of construction per mile, executed and to be executed, and the cost of the several stations; showing what has been for the last three years, ending . January 4th, 1849, the amount of income per week aris ing from the tra ffi c of this company, a nd any other under its management, from first, seco n d, a nd third-class carriages, express, Parliamentary, or other carriages separately, and from every other source, arranged under separate heads, stating what has been the worki ng . expenses p er mile per week ; a l s o the number of officers engaged, with the amount of salaries paid to each annually ; also the amount of la w expenses incurred; also stating the various officers that have power to grant free passes t o their friends, a ce ., th e num i ber ssued weekly for first, second, and third-class carriages: 2d. That the said committee be empowered to examine all books, p a p ers , documents, and vouchers belonging to the company, and all persons in the employ of the company that they may deem necessary, and that they do make a full, clear, and detailed report hereof to a special meeting to be convene d for the purpose at as early a period as possible." During the reading of these resolutions anot her scene of confusion t oo k p l ace, 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 bad not had the brass to show his f ace to-day.—(Laught er .) H e bad show s his good sense in absconding from the meeting, and it would have the beneficial effect of convincing the world that Mr. Hud son had humbugged them from beginning to end. M. r. Sergea nt G AZELEE re j o i ce d that the day of retri bution had come at last. Often had he been bullied by Mr. Hudson, but it was his turn now, and he would not spare the Hon. Gentleman or his myrmidons i n th e direction.—(Cheers ) A PROPRIETOR — . That's it, Sergeant; kick him well while he's down. Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE would not have the meeting treat the directors with disrespect, but they had been tried and found wanting, and now his advice to the shareholders was to do nothing that the directors asked them, bu t at once appo i nt a co mmittee of i nqu i ry. —(Cheers.) St o p t h e so li c it ors bills, let the direct ors simply mavege the line for a whit'', and in the meantime let there be a seaNhing and sifting inve - Aigation 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 scandalous fraud.—(Cheers.) Mr, HELPS suggested that a committee , abould be ap pointed without 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 fictive play the lungs of the dissatisfied shareholders, who were clamo rous for the ejection of the directors. The yells and shouts were beyond description, but above the storm of voices the cries most distinctly heard were "Turn 'e tu out," " Send 'em after Hudson," "Down wish them," " Pitch 'ern over." The CHAIRMAN said, if the meeting per sisted in its present course he would quit the chair, and lea ve 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 be gged 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 reitorated cries of " Turn 'em out.") However, the directors had no objection to the committee, and they freely placed them selves upon that point in the hands of the meeting. 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. Calm suggested that the committee should have power to employ a solicitor.—(Cries of " No, no ; we have 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 amidst 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. CASH—I can't get out. The CHAIRMAN—I'm sorry you got in.—(Laughter.) Mr. CASH proposed that the qualification of a corn mitteeman should be 50 shares. Mr. Box saw no reason why the qualification should be greater than that of a director, and he should therefore more 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. The eighth half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this company was held yesterday al the Great Western Railway Station, Paddington, at twelve 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 directors for matters that most interested 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 possible, and.above all things, in these days, how the capital might be applied with tke most economy and effect. 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 least 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 existed, ho 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 sarily 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 kok 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 its origin in 1843 and 1844, which were sober and calculating years. The pro epects of the Company were then most cautiously exa mined. The traffic was most carefully 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 ‘V ales? 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 coals were to the pur poses of navigation and locomotion. If these facts were true, and there was no reason to 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. Having alluded to the introduc tion of lines into localities not prepared for them, he proceeded to observe that the South Wales had no opponent—that all the branches were tributary to it, and traversed great hives of industry and of mineral wealth; that they thought th e y h a d 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 money in the event of their acceeding to the issuing of debenture bonds. The SECRETARY then read the following report and statement of accounts : " The directors . have been steadily occupied during the last half-year i n giving effect to the determination adopted at the August meeting to proceed with the con struction of the South Wales Railway by successive portions, beginning in the fi rs t i nstance w i t h t h e sect i on 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 entirely to sus pend their works for the present, placing them, however, in such a condition that they may suffer very little injury from the 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 of their land as th e m ost certain means of enabling the company to complete an important portion of the line in the first instance, and afterwards to carry forward the works, as soon as practicable, to the western extremity of the Principality. "The directors have thus concentrated, for the pre sent, all their exec Lions and resources on the works be tween Newport and Swansea; and though the pressure of the times has prevented their prosecuting them with all the rapidity that could be desired, the proprietors will perceive, by the report of Mr. Brunel, which is annexed, that not only considerable progress has been made in all the heavier works, but that various detached portions, amounting in the whole to about twenty miles, out of the entire distance of sixty mile?, are ready for the reception of the permanent way and the rails, the laying of which will be commenced without delay. " Simultaneously with these operations, the works on this side of N ew p ort are procee di ng sat isfactorily, and a communication has been held with the direc• tors of the Gloucester and Forest of Dean Railway respecting 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, as far as the interests of the South Wales Company are concerned, to complete this part of the line till the por tion beyond it is ready, and Mr. Brunel, who is also the engineer of the Gloucester and Forest of Dean Railway Company, is regalating his progress on their line by the progress he is able to make in our own A ork s. " The directors look to the opening of the line to Swansea as an object of the deepest importance, be cause, hough they have been gratified to observe the great improvement which has recently taken place in the value of the shares, demonstrating as it does, con clusively, that the depression proceeded from general, arid 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, as 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 ressonable 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 re port, by forfeiting those shares at least on which the second and third instalments 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 re-issued until the improve ment in the money market shall be so confirmed, that they may either submit some 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 com 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 directors to proceed to the recovery of these sums in every case which affords prospect of success, and now that an im provement has taken place in the money market, they feel that the performance of their duty to those proprie tors 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 now 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, they shall find no difficulty in obtaining sufficient resources by loans, in which case they will be enabled not only to suspend for a time further calls on the proprietors, but to proceed with greater rapidity with their wt rks during the summer months which are now approaching. " The directors consider that they have been fortu nate in inducing C. R. 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 his great local know let'ge and influence, will render him a most important and valuable acquisition in the management of your affairs. " 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, Esq., C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P. B. Dobree, Esq., has, to the regret of the directors, ten 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 detail, the state ment in the report of the directors. GENERAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS, TO 31ST DEC., 1848. Deposit account ... 2d instalment of 21. 10.3. per share 3d ditto 51. ... ... ... 4th ditto 5/. ... sth ditto 31. 6th ditto 5/. ... 7th ditto 5/. ... Bth ditto 51 (payable Jan. 10, 1849) s. d. 140,000 0 0 137,280 0 0 270,440 0 0 233,910 0 0 136,089 0 0 213,155 0 0 167,405 0 0 19,766 0 0 On account of futuro calls Registration fees... £1,318,045 0 0 . 75,845 2 8 309 15 0 1,394,199 17 8 PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1848. Expenses in obtaining the Act ... £54,471 12 1 Works ... .•• ... ••• ••• 566,559 4 7 Permanent way •• ••• ... 229,263 3 4 Land and compensation ... ... 214,911 19 11 Vendors' costs and expenses... ... 9,497 6 4 Engineering and surveying expenses 86,115 12 4 Parliamentary and law expenses ... 41,543 9 9 Land valuers' expenses .•. ..• 8,243 15 7 Printing, stationery, and advertising 2,832 7 10 Office expenses, direction, salaries, postages, &c. Miscellaneous expenses, including rent, rates, taxes, &c. Interest (deducting interest received) 14,371 0 8 ],184 3 0 43,304 16 6 1,272,298, 11 11 Subscriptions to Irish and Welsh Railways ... 61,306 0 0 1,333,604 11 11 Balance ... ... £60,595 5 9 The CHAIRMAN having moved the adoption of the report, _ _ Considerable discussion then ensued, in the course of which it was elicited that negotiations would be imine • diately set on foot with the Great Western, with the view of raising the million of money required The directors had not entertained the question of whether it was well to continue the line to Swan sea in tho mean time. The works, though rendered somewhat more expensive in consequence of the delay, would be completed within the original estimate. A general feeling seemed to prevail that the deben ture loan could be obtained at 4/. per cent. or less, if the Great Western would give their guarantee, but not without it; besides the interests of the two companies were altogether common. Two in stalments to the Irish line harp been paid, the third would be shortly paid, but an understanding existed that no fur ther sem should be paid unless the promoters could show that the line could be completed from Dublin to Wex ford. The back calls were coming in much better than they had; but the directors intended to forfeit also the 4th, sth, and 6th defaulters. The powers sought by the report were conferred, the retiring directors were re elected; Mr. Thurnburn was elected auditor, and the meeting separated. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, MARCH I.—Messrs. Robinson and Co.'s circu lar states, since our last monthly circular, we have to report an extensive business, which is likely to continue, as the manufac turers are well employed in making goods to order, both for the home trade and foreign markets ; this fact having been proved from the consumption going forward, operated in raising prices considerably higher, and there is every prospect of the present quotations being supported. Complaints have been made hitherto, that the consumers cannot obtain an advance on goods equal to that on the raw material ; b u t we enterta i n no doubt, but in a short time they will be remunerated : all admit stocks to be much reduced, and wool still low in price; these circum stances, combined with the general consumption ' are reasons we deem sufficient for b e i ng so h ope f u l . By private treaty, the largest transactions have been in Peruvian washed and un washed; several thousand bags have been taken for export, speculation, and by manufacturers, at advanced rates ; a few parcels of Syrian, Russian, Buenos Ayres, low Oporto, East India, and Alpaca have found buyers. There were public sales held here on the 21st ultimo, consisting of upwards of 1,000 bales East India, which brought together a full attendance of the trade; the competition was animated throughout, and the whole was disposed of at an improvement on the immediate prices current, of fully V a d per lb on the average, and in some instances more. Scotch :—Cheviot, Laid and White High land, keep in request; the mark et is barely supplied, which limits its sales. In Irish, a few parcels are announced ; spin ners purchase sparingly at the enhanced value. The series of public sales in London, that commenced on the 7th and termi nated on the 24th ult., were more numerously attended than any previous sales ;:upwards of 20,000 bales were cleared, at an advance on fine wool of 3d. per lb, and on coarse kinds of lAd to ld per lb. Oil—A fair demand has been done durin g th e month, the demand is more curtailed, and sales are reported under the quotations. BELFAST, FEE. 26.—Grain—Since Friday the supplies have been small, and at this morning's market prices were well supported, except in oatmeal, which was 2d lower. Wheat 9s 6d to lOs 6d ; barley 5s to 6s 6d; oats 5s 6d to 6s 6d ; and oatmeal 9s 9d to lOs 4d per cwt. Indian Corn is in mode rate demand at former rates. Yellow 71 lOs to 71 15s ; white 71 5s to 71 10 s per ton. Pork sells freely at Friday's prices— say 40s to 48s per 1201bs. COAL MARK E'. Bate's West Hartley 14s 6d Buddle's W. Hartley 14s 9d Chester Main l3s 9d Davison'sWestHartley 14s 9d Holywell Main .... 14s Od North Percy Hartley l4s Ad Ord's Redheugh Townley l3s Od Walker's Primrose West Hartley Wall's End, &c YESTE &DAY. Lambton Primrose l6s Od Hetton Haswell l7s Od Lambton Lyons l6s Od Stewart's Shotten Whitwell Benson Hartlepool Thornley Trimdon Adelaide Tees Seymour Tees Tees ......... 160 6d DerwentwaterHartley 14s 6d Howard's W. H. Neth. 14s 9d Ships at market, 209. Acorn Close Brown's Gas Framwell Gate 155 Od, H o t s p ur l4s 3d Hedley Killingworth l4s 9d Riddell's l4s 9d Eden Main CHILD-MURDER IN LIVERPOOL.— On Saturday night Catherine Herbert, a young woman, was taken into custody charged with the murder of her new •born child. The prisoner, who is, we learn, not a resident in town, but had come here with the view of emigration to America, was lodging at a house in Sherwood-ereet. She th(-re, it is alleged, unknown tl the other inmates of the house, delivered herself of a child, end, by tying Ler garter round its neck, afterwards stran g l e d it.—Liverpool Albion. Name of Company. Amount of Share. Paid. C Anmercial East and Pest India... East Country Loudon ...... 4/. per cent. 61. pr cent. 40s. per sh. 51. pr cent. 41. per cent. 4 per cent. 4341. pr cent. 21. per cent. Z 8. d. Stock. Stock. 100 0 0 Stock. Ditto Bonds •• St. Katharine ........ Ditto Bonds— Southampton • • ...... Stock. 50 0 0 Z s. d. 50 0 0 Price. 11 204 GAS-LIGHT AND COMB COMPANZES• Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. price. Annum. Share. ............ --- X. s. d. X. e. d. British ••••••. • • • • • •• 1/. 40 00IS 0 04,.1 4 Ditto Provincial •• • 11. 85. 20 0 0 19 0 0 18 Bristol —•••••• • • • • • • 101. per cent. 20 0 0 Brighton City of London ...... 101. 100 0 0 100 0 0 250 klontinental Consolldat. 925. pr share 50 0 0 39 5 0 45 Equitable ........ •• . • 455. pr share 50 0 0 50 0 0 34 , Imperial ....... •• • —6/. per cent. 50 0 0 50 13 0 61,0 Independent ....... • • 61. per cent. 40 0 0 .40 0 0 64 London.. ...... ...... 50 0 0 80 0 0 -- - 50 0 0 50 I —. t'hccnix . ...... ••• • .. 5/. per cent. 50 0 0 46 0 0 SO ttateliff ..... ........ 5/. 100 0 0 90 0 0 7 . 1 , United General •.• • • • 4%1. pr cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 147 w Westminster Chartered 3/. 50 0 0 48 Ditto, New • ....... 12s. 50 0 0 10 0 0 9)4 CANALS. ... _...._ .; I cZ Dividend Names of w Dividend Names of ... Price. .. rer Cmipmuaies. A per Companies. Qd 1 ' price .1 Annum. Annum. so .... _1 ......... --- X X ' Ashtn& Oldh 97, 71. pc - Macclesfield. 100 21. 10s. 40 Barnsley.. • • 1601 121. 180 Neath ... •• • 100 18/. 340 grknk&Abrg 1501 51. 85 0xf0rd..... • 100 201. 1 69 Birmingham 35 41. 80 Peak Forest. 75 N. 180. 67i, Coventry.... 1001 257. 210 Regent's .... 331 1/. 53. 11 ; 7 ' Derby ••• • • 100 61. 63 Rochdale...• 85 1 41. 5,7, Ellsmre&Chs,l33 . 565. 40 Somrset Coal 150 17/.10 5 . l'' Erewash • ••11001 321. - Do.LkFdSt 12 61. p. c. :‘, GrandJunctn 100 5/. Y 9 Stffrd &Wo re 140 28/. 3" GrandSurrey.loo 21. 30 Shrewsbury.. 125 151 ' 85 Grand ljnion:100 1/. 10s. 24 Stourbrid g e.. 145 20/. 98- Grantham .• , 1 150. - - Severn an d l 24 1/. Bs. Kennt & Aril' 39, 7s. 6d. 5%, Wye Rail. J 26 Leeds& Livrp ; 100 301. 320 Warwick&l 40 Leicester •. - 140 101. 100 Birming. j 100 41 . Leicstr &Nth 83 41. 40 Warwick& 1 41 Lau4hborogb 142, 701. 650 Napton.. j 100 31. Monmouthsh 100 81. - Worcstr 78 21. 4 0 Mntgemrysh 100 - - Birming. Dieltnlqwbry, 100 - - Wilts & Brks - 11. _____....lo LIST OF SCOTTISIE COMPANIES' pitICZB Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. P Annum. Share. .......... ---- - 4 s. d. , £ E. d Bank of Scotland British Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 161 0i Jaledonian Bank City of Glasgow Bank . 61. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 ,L,12 Clydesdale Bank ••• • • 634 per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 , b' Joramercial Bank •• • • 71. per cent. 500 0 0 ,100 0 0 150 Eastern Bank •••• • • • • 61. per cent. 25 0 0 10 0 G 91. , e 7 t. ", Edinb.& Glasgow Bank 6/. per cent. 5 0 0 5 0 0 ', 7 ' Exehangoßnk of Scot 62. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 34 isle of Man. Company 71. per cent. 10 0 0 7 0 0 -- ",,, L Sational Bank 6% per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 1 °,7 North of Scotland Bank 42. per cent. 20 0 0 5 0 0 3/. 14 41 North British Bank • • - 50 0 0 10 0 0 455.0 Royal Rank of Scotland 5/. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 11 6 Union Bank of Scotland 8/. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 80 Western Bank •••• • • • • 81. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 74, Aberdeen Fire and Life 121. per cent. 12 10 0 26 6 2,1 B . Accord. Life and Fil e - 20 0 0 011 0 os °' British Guarantee Ins. - 10 0 0 1 0 0 128 5d jaledonian Fire Insur. 101. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 2‘, ndl Church of England Ins. - 50 0 0 20 0 2 City of Glasgow Life 6l. pe r cen t . 25 0 0 2 0 0 2 1. Alinburgh Life Insur 6l. percent. 100 0 0 12 10 0 17 , 7 ' - East of Scotland Life lO 0 0 015 0 85•71'A Eng. & Scot, Law Life 51 . per cent. 50 0 0 217 6 46!„i, aercules Insurance Co. 71. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 ' Incur. Co. of Scetind • • 5/ . per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 ,' ~,"' 6, 3 ' Life Assoc. of Scotl an d 5/ . per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 I' A Mercantile Life ...• - 10 0 5 010 0 45. o . `: d National Fire and Life 5/. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 05 • ~ North British Incur. •• 5%1.pr cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 22 1 1 North & West of Scot. 6/. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 170• 61 " Scottish Life and Guar. - 20 0 0 011 0 55 ;,A Scot. Mae. and Gen. Life - 1 0 0 0 15 0 10s 0 P . • Scottish Union Insrnce. 6UI. pr cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0,11 2° •„,/ Standard L ife ...... . 51. per cent. 50 0 0 4 5 0 I United Dep. Assurance 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 115! . .2 , i; MISCELLANEOUS. ...., Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of raid. price. Annum. Share. _........ X. s. d. Z. 6. d. Australian Agriculturl - 100 0 0 30 0 0 15 Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 11. 4s. 10 0 0 10 0 0 Ditto, Half Shares.. - - 2 10 0 Canada ... . • .... - - Gl. per cent. 100 0 8 32 10 0 2' Uppr Canada Bonds 51. per cent. - - 88 City 80nd5.......... 3341. p r cen t . - - 70 Comp.CpprMnrs Eng. 5/. per cent. 100 0 0 70 0 0 "-- Gen. Revers. & Invest. sp. c.& bs, 21 100 0 0 .100 0 II ~--; Equitable Iteversionry 51. pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 ..7 Gen.SteamNavigation 11. 80. 15 0 0 14 0 0 °• London Institution ... - - 78 15 0 '''': Russell Institution.... - - 26 5 0 ~. Peninslr& Orient.Stm. 8/. per cent. 50 0 0 50 I 0 ,7., Reversionary Int. Soc. 4341. pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 8 '" Royal Mail Steam•• •. 6/ i8..4. p. c. 100 0 0 60 0 0 . 4; South Australian ... • • 1/. per share.' 25 0 0 25 0 0 , Van Dieman's Land. . - 1100 0 0 23 0 0 ' [ADVERTISEMENT.]—Another Proof of the E t ciency of Holloway's Ointment and Pill s f or th e cure of v" — Legs.—Mrs. Mandeville, of Stretton, suffered for nearly diree years with fearful sores in her legs. N o t w i t h s t an di ng the var i l ous medicines of which trial was made, the ulcerations grill' worse, and for some months she was unable to stand ; at length it was decided that Holloway's Ointment and Pills should be used, and these excellent medicines soon worked wonders, for in a few weeks all the wounds were healed, and the use of h e a c legs so perfectly restored, that she is now able to walk sev er t i miles a day with ease.—Sold by all Vendors of Medicine , a ll at_Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, Lond°l3' BIRTHS. On the 24th ult., at Rockbeare, Devon, Mrs. James Swar t ' of a son. On the 25th ult., at Thornton-row, Greenwich, Mrs. A. Marsden, of a daughter. all the On the 26th u lt., at T ywardreath P arsonage, C orn w.-, wife of the Rev. John Coventry, of a son. MARRIED. On the 24th ult., at the Cathedral, Manchester, Mr. S 13 ,4 Matthews, of Manchester, to Sarah Ann, second daughter v Mr. Terry, of Thistle-grove, New Brompton, London. DIED, On the 23d ult., Mr. T. Baker, late of Southampton. On the 25th ult., at Chalk Farm-lane, Hampstead-roauf Thomas Long, Esq., aged 34. On the 26th ult., at Hastings, Miss Crump, late of Mill hill, Hendon. On the 27th ult., in Lower Grosvenor-place, Pimlico, R' S. Paul, Esq., of the Hill-house, Glocestershire, aged 81. On the 27th ult., at the Grove, Woodford, Annie, the daughter of W. Sykes, Esq. On the 25th ult., at Stratford-on-Avcn, Warwickshire, Vir' W. We ston, Esq., aged 49. London : Printed and Publizhed by MUIIDO YOLING, 9 4, No. 112, Strand, Pri n t er , a t Th e S un Office, No. " fl i Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the countY Middlesex, Thursday, Much 1, 1849. PRICES OF SHARES .N BANKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COM PANIES' STOCK. LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27. From the 0 ificial PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY A- ND =MAY EVENING. JOINT-STOCX isaNits. Sarno of Company. Dividend per Amount of Share. Annum. Nastralasia .......... BritshNorth American ............ Commercial of London cluuYal.. ••• Gloucestershire lonian Londe and Westminstr Ditto .. l.ondon Joint-Stock ... Provincial of Ireland .. Ditto, New. • • • • • • National of Ireland Sat. Provncial of Eng. 51. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. par cent. 15/per cent. 6/. per cent. 61. per cent. Gl. per cent. 81. per cent. 8/. per cent. 51. per cent. 6/. per cent. 5/. per cent. Si per cent 61. per cent. _ Daft, New. ••• ... .. South Australia ...... Lin io i i 01 Australia • . .. Union of L0nd0n..... Union of Madrid ..... 61. per cent Z Y. d. 40 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 Oil 0 0 Price INSIT72,II.NCE C Name of Company. Dividend per Annum. Albion .............. Alliance Brit. and For. 31. 108 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 138.6 d. pr sh. 7s. per share cc ct.& bs. 31. 14s. Ditto Marine. • • • • • • atlm . British Commercial .. Clericl,Med .8; Gen. Life CAndy .......... Crown ...... ........ tiLagle • • Eng.& Scot. Law .... European Life ...... Family Endowmn t Soc. Freemasons' . • • • • • . • . Cirlobe Gaardian ............ Imperial Fire • • • • • • • • imperial Life • • • • • • • • lade= ity Marine • • • • Law Fire Law life • • • ••• • . Legal and General Life London Fire .••. • • • London Ship ........ qarine .. • • • •. Inylid & Gen. Life gational Lean Fund.. gational Life • • • • • • ... Palladium Life Pelican ...... • ..... • • Premix . • • . Pi otector Life • • • • Provident Life ........ Rock Life... •.. Uoyal Exchange Sun Fire .. Ditto Life ..... Universal Life Victoria Life .... 51. per cent. 53(, per cent, 1/: & bs. Cl. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. 121, per cent, 12s. 11. sh. & bs. Name of Company. Charing-cross .. .. .. .. Southwrk, Nw Sub. Av. Ditto Nw ot 734 p.c. Waterloo ............ Ditto Old Ann. of 8/. Ditto Nw ditto of 71. Vauxhall .... • •• Ay. 35e. per cent. 11. ss. 4d. 11. 2s. 2d. 11. 17s. X s. d. 500 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 Stock. 100 0 0 500 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 ,100 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 Stock. 100 0 0 Amount of Share. X. s. d 632 12 50 0 0 100 0 0 X s. d. 50 0 0 11 0 0 5 0 0 5 6 8 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 2 12 6 All paid. 4 0 0 8 0 0 36 10 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 5 13 1 2 10 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 15 0 0 2 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0 0 10 0 70 10 3 Paid. WILTMIZ-WOnlf. Price 2% 45 1 ,4 4110 s. 31i 1 133 i tOi 2% II 195. Z. s. d. 25 0 0 GO 0 0 40 0 0 Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price' Annum. Share. _. —.....0. 0 £ s. d. X s. d. irmingham. • . •..... 18s. 25 0 0 25 0 0 ,Ist London..•• •• •• •• 8/. 100 0 0 171 rand Junction .• .• .. 2/. 10s. 41 13 4 80 ent —••..•••• •• .. 31. 10s. 100 0 0 ..... 'ow Itivr Lndn Brdge 21. 10s. 55 Birmingham . • . • • • • • • East London •••• • • • Grand Junction •• . • .. New Myr Lndn Brdge Vauxhall Vest Middlesex . . . 21. 10s. 61. per cnt. '6/.os. pr cnt. !too 0 0 .1 F eb. 23 CO). Co Of the , Millee th Will b e tra ct 1..,1! DOCKS. Dividend per Annum. I/. I6s. 4%1. per ct. 51. per cent. bi.per cent. 51. per cent. 31. p. sh. Ikba 51. per cent. 11. ss. & bs. 55. 5/. per cent. 6/. 10s. 11. 6s. 103 pr cnt. Si. per cnt. BRIDGES Dividend per Annum. Paid A s. d. 40 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 13 0 0 10 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 35 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 25 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 0 40 0 0 .IVIPILNIES. Amount of Share. Paid. 9 0 0 4 0 0 s pence r enrY Wl] Th e t ee ,, ,e 8 thA furvio "nran I ° Wr to th eir l'Y -wau l " kalf_ Lome AU t Per ritiii nt 114 -14 srpr 10 914 g hi: f4Tail -,_ kitq td,Z ard : az n th ar c% 1 1 14, r!la s ° c - "'s AuDi. kit, tc 't So ke4 l l addit kiiiit4,l37l;eal .•0 g ?04,50 03 Z01 1)e l,' t kt ura. 0 t 11 ° 1,..: Tai :a ge is O bject 4._eecured t 20 ao 40 3. fio ti9 ne 'hitl di,brven I lltll o o l t t elairas CAR karly " the 41-4 E Y e rya in 184 W: ~ 7 , B gat He Jot Cal