The Sun. — London, England, 1850-08-16 00:00:00

PROROGATION PARLIAMENT. (YESTERDAY.) PROGRESS OF HER MAJESTY .ROM BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Notwithstanding the unfavourable aspect of the weather, the route from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament was lined at an early hour by crowds anxious to obtain a view of her Majesty on her progress to prorogue Parliament. Shortly after eleven o'clock a strong body of police took up their position along the whole route, in order to keep the line clear, in which duty they were assisted by a squadron of the Ist _ Life Guards, posted at intervals. Along Parliament-street and Whitehall the windows and balconies were crowded with groups of well-dressed ladies. Stands also were erected at various points, the balconies of the Horse guards were filled, and we observed that even the roof of King Henry the Seventh's Chapel was covered with anxious sight-seers. In the Park the crowd was very great, though not so numerous as we have seen it on former occasions, but consisting chiefly of well-dressed and respectable people. Round the Palace-gates the crowd assembled in great lumbers. At a quarter before two o'clock her Majesty • left the Palace. and the royal cortege took its way down St. James's-walk, through the Horse Guards, and down Whitehall and Parliament-street, to the Houses of Par- , liament. The cortege consisted of six royal carriages. each drawn by six horses, containing the officers of the Household and the Ladies in Waiting, and the royal state carriage, drawn by eight horses, escorted by the Gentlemen Pensioners, and by a squa dron of the 2d ,Life Guards. In the carriage with her Majesty and Prince Albert were seated the Duchess of Sutherland, Mistress of the Ribes, and the Duke of Nor folk, Master of the Horse. Her Majesty looked remark ably well. Her dress was of silver lace over white satin; she wore a stomacher and a tiara of diamonds. The Prince was dressed in the uniform of a Field-Marshal. The cheering at various parts of the route was loud and enthusiastic,. which her Majeaty and Prince Albert gra ciously acknowledged by repeatedly bowing, and both ap peared much gratified at those marks of loyalty and attach • meat. At the Horse Guards the band ot the Ist Life Guards was stationed, in their state uniforms, which, as the royal carriage passed, struck up the National Anthem; the guard presented arms ; and the cheering at this point ruse to an enthusiastic pitch. Down Whitehall the' crowd was immense, and her Majesty's reception was: no less loyal. A salute of twenty-one guns an nounced her. arrival at the Houses of Parliament, . where_ she was received by a guard of honour of the Coldstream Guards, accompanied by their band. Her Majesty alighted and entered the House by the Vic . toria Tower amid a flourish of trumpets and immediately • proceeded to robe. . . HOUSE.. OF LORDS. The doors, of the House of Lords were thrown open to the priblic a few minutes after twelve o'clock, when the interior ot their Lordships' magnificent Chamber began to fill rapidly with Peeresses, and the other Ladies who had the privilege of the .entree beyond the bar. The . • grand entrance-lobbies and approaches along which her Majesty. passes to the robing-room, together with the • strangers' gallery, were , also thronged with elegantly dressed ladies, whose - gay attire and matchless beauty added greatly to the splendour of the spectacle. The brilliant variety of colours, too; which their costumes preseated harmonised exquisitely with the tasty - aspect of the building, and gave the whole scene a . gay and _animated appearance, which only the. pencil . of a gifted artist, could Accurately describe. • The per fumes and odours which scented the 'atmosphere not a - little in - creased the romance of the tieing ptcture, while the gorgeous - uniforms and chaste flowing plumes - • Which' adorned the majestic persons of the military Jeep and foreign and oriental ambnssadorti recalled • ap„ mind some eastern. scene of enchantment. which one occasionally meets with in the impassioned poetry of a Byron or a Moore. As the hour grew near' when it. was expected her Majesty would reach West _ minster, the interior of the House was go rg e ous an d dazzling.in ,the extreme. There .was scarcely a seat which was not occupied by a. lady or gentleman attired in fanciful costume. The , Nepaalese Ambassador, his two brothers, and suite, arrived shortly after one o'clock. The Ambassador himself was conducted to a seat on the - Bishops' benches, which were devoted tothecorpsdiplonia -6411e, while his two brothers and the rest of his suite took up a position at the end of the side gallery on the left of the throne. His Excellency the re preSentative of the American Republic at the Court of St. James's was early in attend ince. The puke ; . of Wellingto n, attired- in a Field Marshal's , uniform, and attended b y a couple of young ladies dressed in deep mourning, entered the House about a quarter-part one. His Grace, who ,was warmly greeted by many of the Peers present e seented to be in the en joyment of excellent health. He politely, and with almost an air of youthful gallantry, conducted his •fair charges to a seat on the front benches, and then retired to the' foot of the throne, where he entered into conversation with biome of _the officers of the Guards who- were em , duty in guarding the immediate entrances to the chamber. His Grace shortly afterwards appeared again in. the body of the House wearing his ducal robes, and surrounded by Lords Mouteagle, Redesdale, Talbot, Mountcashell, Devon, Overstone, and other peers, wee wore the collars and insignias_of th., various orders towhich they belong. His Grace, a few minutes after _ , wards. left his noble colleagues and walked leisurely . round the House, recognising many of the ladies present, wits whom he appeared to be a uai• Nersal favourite, and with many of whom he shonk hands with untiring perseverance. • The Turkish Ambassador, attended by e numerous corps of turbaned attach 4, came in &beet one, followed by the Earl St. Germans, the Eat of Zatland, and the Marquis of Clan , ricarde. A few minutes before two, o'clock the Lord Chancellor took his seat on the Woolsack, when sw ayers sere read in an impressive manner y the Bishop of Heroferd. The other - Right Rev. Prelates present were—His Grace the Arch bishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Salisbury, and the „Bishep of. Oxford. At the conclusion of prayers, the •• number of Peers in their mat* was augmented by the arrival of Lord Foley, who was dressed in a milieiry e noiforeo; the Marquis of Lansdowne, the new Lord;Chief justice orthe Common Pleas. (Sir J. Jervis), the Lord ' •". Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench, and. several other of her MajestY's Judges. Lord John Russell, was also • • present; and occupied a seat in the Usher of the Black ROd's box. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE laid upon the table of' the House by command of her Majesty papers re . lating•to the Irish Poor-law and other subjects. • Lord EDDISBURY also laid papers on the table. .▪ • A few minutes after two o'clock, the booming of . cannon, occasioned by the firing of a royal salute, an nounced the approach of her Majesty. The echoof the guns .had scarcely died away in the distance before a alight commotion near to the House and a flourish of trumpet* , put everybody on the tiptoe of excitement and expects _ don, which was soon, however, destroyed by the ap ' pearance of several of her Majesty's Body Guard, who took up their position and mounted guard at the foot of the Throne as a signal for the House to be in readiness for' die arrival of her Majesty. At about a quarter past two her Majesty, preceded by the officers of the Household, the Duke of Wellington carrying the Sword of State, the Marquis of Lansdowne the Crown and Cushion, and the Earl ot Zetland the Cap of Maintenance, entered the House on the right hand of the Throne, leaning on the arm of his Royal Highness the Prince Albert. Her • Mhjesty was attended by the Duchess of Sutherland, as Mistress of the Robes, and Lady Jocelyn. As her Majesty 'entered' the House her subjects rose, and remained standing till her Majesty commanded them to bo seated, after she had ascended the throne. Her Majesty then com manded the Usher of the Black Rod to summon the • House of Commons to appear at the bar of the House. This was immediately done by that officer, and after the lapse of a few minutes the Speaker, attended by the :Usher of the Black Rod, the Sergeant -at-Arms, and a numerous body of the Members of the House of Commons, attended at the bar in obedience to the commands of her Majesty. The SPEAKER then proceeded to address her Ma jesty to the following effect:—" We, your Majesty's loyal and faithful Commons, approach your Majesty with our last Bill of Supply. In obedience to your Ma jesty's commands announced from the Throne by Royal Commission at the commencement of the session, we applied ourselves to the consideration of a for the better government of your Majesty's Australian colo nies, and we have framed a government in a form which we believe to be best adapted to the wants and feelings of the colonists, and we confidently look forward to its being the meaneof leading to the gradual development of the vast resources of the colony itself, and of increas ing the attachment of the colonists to this country and your Majesty's throne and person. We have made considerable advances in sanitary improvements, by prohibiting interments in large towns, and we have sanctioned such laws and regulations for the improvement of certain districts which past ex perience has proved to be necessary for the protection . of human lif;. Aware of the growing competition which the mercantile navy of the country had to combat with in consequence of the recent alteration •of the navigation-laws, we have dg voted much time and attention to that() peculiar mea sures which became necessary to give due and proper effect to those changes, and• a Bill has lately received your Majesty's assent by which *e have , endeavoured to alleviate the character of the imposts which press upon our mercantile marine, and to improve - the discipline and promote the general welfare and hap piness of the seamen. At the commencement of the present session the Royal Commission announced an extraordinary diminution in the number of Parlia mentary electors in Ireland, and the effect which that diminution had had on the existing system of legisla tion in that country. That &eject has received from us, as it deserved, our most favourable consideration, and by the remedies which we have ap plied we hope to have secured to the • people tf Ireland an increased body of efficient and in dependent electors, who will be faithful in the discharge of their important privilege of returning representa tives to sit and legis:ate in the Commons House of Parlia ment. Theseare the mote im portaeit measures of the session. It would be tedious to enumerate the other numerous measures of importance which have been the subject of our careful consideration, but we may men tion that it had been our pleasing duty to reduce the amount of taxation whilst carefully providing supplies for the exigencies of the public sex., vice, and supporting the honour and dignity of the Crown ; and whilst we give expression to. our feelings of loyalty and attachment to your 'Majesty, we may add, that it is our . THE SUN, cere desire to do all we can to uphold the important institutions of the country, and to maintain its increasing prosperity. We have now to crave your Majesty's most gracious assent to our last Bill of the session, which is to apply and appropriate the Consoli dated Fund." Her Majesty was then most graciously phased to give her Royal Assent to the following Bills: Spitaifields and Shoreditch New Street. Transfer of Improvement Loans. Law Fund Duties (Ireland). Savings Banks (Ireland). Holyhead Harbour. Lough Corrib Improvement Company. General Board of Health (No. 3). Consolidated Fund Appropriation. The Lord Chancellor then advanced to the foot of the throne, and kneeling, presented her Majesty with the following Royal Speech, which her Majesty proceeded at once to read in a clear and exceedingly pleasing tone of voice:— " MY LORDS AND GRNTLEMBN, "I have the satisfaction of being able to release you from the duties of a laborious session. The as siduity and care with which you have applied your selves to the business which required your attention, merit my cordial approbation. " The Act for the better government of my Aus tralian Colonies will, I trust, improve the condition of those rising communities. It will always be grati fying to me to be able to extend the advantages of representative institutions, which form the glory and happiness of my people, to colonies inhabited by men who are capable of exercising, with benefit to themselves, the privileges of freedom. " It has afforded me great satisfaction to give my assent to the Act which you have passed for the im provement of the merchant naval service of this country. It is, I trust, calculated to promote the welfare of every class connected with this essential branch of the national interest. " The Act for the gradual discontinuance of in terments within the limits of the metropolis, is in conformity with those enlightened views which have for their object the improvement of the public_ health. I shall watch with interest the progress of measures relating to this important subject. _ " I have given my cordial assent to the Act for the extension of the elective franchise in Ireland. I look to the most beneficial consequences from a measure which has been framed with a view to give to my people in Ireland a fair participation in the benefits of our representative system. "I have observed with the greatest interest and satisfaction the measures which have been adopted with a view to the improvement of the administration of justice in various departments, and I confidently 'anticipate they will be productive of much public "cOnvenience and advantage. " GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, " The importance of the revenue, and the large re ductions which have been made in various branches of expenditure, have tended_ to give to our financial condition stability and security. I am happy to find that you have been enabled to relieve my sub jects from some of the burdens of taxation, without inipairing the sufficiency of our resources to meet the charges imposed upon them. " Mr LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, " I am. encouraged to hope that the treaty be tween Germany and Denmark, which has been con cluded at Berlin under my mediation, may lead at no distant period to the restoration cif peace in the north of Europe. No.endeavour shall be wanting on my part to secure the attainment of this great blessing, "I continue to maintain the most friendly relations with foreign powert, and I trust that nothing may occur to disturb the general peace. " I have every reason to be thankful for the loy alty and attachment of my people, and while lam studious to preserve and to improve our institutions, I rely upon the goodness of Almighty God to favour my efforts, and to guide the destinies of this nation." The LORD CHANCELLOR then, in her Majesty's name, and. by her Majesty's commands, declared the Parliament prorogued until the 15th of October next. Her Majesty then descended from the throne, and bowing most graciously to the assembled Peers, left the House, accompanied by her Royal Consort and the whole of her attendants. Her Majesty having disrobed, returned to the state carriage amidst a fjourtsh of trumpets, whilst the band of the Coldatream Guards struck up the National An them. The procession., having been re-formed in the same order as before, then wound its way to Buckingham Palace, at which place, and along the whole route, im mense bodies of persons were colleetA. LOND6N, The Speaker having shaken hands with Lord John Russell, and the greater portion of the Members r,resent, the House broke up, and thus ended the laborior Is, if not important, session of 18.50. The following notices of motion have been given for early days next session : Colonel Dunne—Select Committee, to telte into con sideration the financial relations of Great Britain and Ireland. _ _ _ _ Colonel Dunne—Committee of the whole House, to take intu consideration the laws prohibiting the cul tivation of tobacco in the United Kingdom, with a view to their removal. _ Colonel Thompson—That, looking to the possibility of changes in the value of gold, like what took place in consequence of the discovery of America, it is expedient that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should be autho rised to create a secured stock, with interest secured on the principle of a corn rent; the amount received for such secured stock to bo applied to the purchase of other stock to be thereupon extinguished, the amount of in terest saved to be carried to the credit of the public. Mr. Scully—To call the attention of the House to the condition of the schools and estates under the manage ment of the Commissioners of Education in Ireland, un der the Act 53 George 111. Mr. Richard Fox—To call the attention of the House to the existing state of the relations between landlord and tenant in Ireland, and to submit resolutions. Mr. William Johnson Fox,—That the House resolve itself into Committee, to consider the state of education in England and Wales, and the expediency of extend ine and improving it by means of free schools, open to all classes, supported by local taxation, and conducted under local management. Mr. Aglionhy—Bill for compulsory enfranchisement of copyhulds, with a view to lessen the public Expendi ture, and to avoid the great and unnecessary incunve nience to which prosecutors and witnesses are now fre quently put. Mr. Aglionby—Bill to empower magistrates in petty sessions to take the pleas of persons charged before them with larceny and misdemeanour, and to transmit the pleas, together with the depositions, to the next court of assize or quarter sessions. Mr. Mackinnon—To call the attention of the House to the report and evidence before the Com mittee on Postal Communication with Paris and the North of Europe, particularly in reference to the expediency and importance of accelerating the night mail between Paris and London, so that letters leaving Paris at eight o'clock, P. m . , may arrive in London time enough the next morning to be forwarded to the provinces by the day mail; also, to the offer made by parties, who are willing to contract for the convey ance of the night mail from London to Paris, and Paris to London, by way of Boulogne, either by Dover or Folkestone, to be conveyed botn ways in eleven hours and thirty minutes, leaving Paris and London at eight o'clock and half after eight o'clock respectively. Mr. E eart—Bill to repeal the Punishment of Death. Mr. Ewart—Address to her Majesty, as the head of the National Church, praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to take into consideration the expe diency of causing our cathedrals and churches to be generally open (so far as is practicable) throughout the day, with a view to encourage the practice of private de votion therein, especially for the benefit of the poorer classes of the community. In concluding our report, we feel bound to state, that in many respects the arratgements of the police for the convenience of all were excellent; but, .in paying this tribute to the force, we are compelled to complain loudly of the uncalled for impertinent, and assaulting interference of a knot of po licemen placed near Richmond -terrace, who did all in their power to prevent our reporters reaching our office as early as possible, by insisting upon their walking on the crowded footpath instead of the more open horse-way. Many Slembers of both Houses were similarly treated, and upon remonstrating against such conduct, they only met with impudence and iasult. We hope the Commissioners of Police will look to this, and take care that it shall not occur in future; that the men under their control should be taught that civility is preferable to impertinence, and that in the discharge of their duties 4iscretion is better than . hasty and uncalled-for officiousness. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. MEETING AT BRISTOL. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) The thirtieth half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of the Great Western Railway Company was held yesterday, at the Bristol Station, in Bristol, pursuant to the company's Act of Parlia ment, for the general purposes of business. The chair was taken at one o'clock precisely by Charles Russell, Esq., the chairman of the company. Some time before the hour of meeting a consider able number of shareholders had assembled in the place of meeting, which greatly increased imme diately on the chair being taken. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said they had had such frequent meetings of proprietors lately—no less than three in the first half of the present year—at which all their most important interests had been so carefully re viewed and so amply discussed, that their report on the present occasion was happily much shorter than it ordinarily was ; and he should endeavour to give the seine agreeable character to the ob,ervations which it was his duty to address to them. In that report, and in the accounts which had been distributed among the shareholders, he hoped they would see that the directors bad been extremely anxious to carry out the wishes of the pro prietqrs, as they were expressed at the several meet ings to which he had adverted. They had closed their capital account, so far as it was Possible to close it, for those portions of the line which are completed, as was recommended by the Committee of Consultation. That committee calculated that the expenditure on the finished portions of their line up to December, 1849, amounted to 10,410,0001., and that there was still outstanding liabilities, referring also to that portion of the line, amounting to 350,0001. The expenditure on that portion of the line to December actually did amount to 10,407,000/.3 and of the 350,0001. they had expended about 78,000/. in paying off some of their liabilities; and there was a margin left sufficient he believed to meet every other liability that could possibly arise. He hoped the meeting would consider that a proof that the directors were earnestly anxious to keep their capital account closed ; and he might state that in the last half-year they had included a sum of about 1,1001., which had been spent in sheds and buildings, and other new and productive works. They had included that sum in their general revenue account because they did not consider it was desirable for so small a sum to disturb the capital account.—(Hear, hear.) (The Honourable Gentleman here went into a de tail of the company's finished and unfinished works, which are referred to in the engineer's report.) After including the whole of the interest chargeable to their revenue account, he thought they had done well to maintain a dividend of 41. per cent. per annum on their capital, and still carrying forward a balance of between 24,000/. and 25,000/. ftom the worst to the most productive half of the yeare—(Cheers.) The subject to which the directors had most anxiously applied their attention was the development and improvement of their traffic. That was, in fact, a subject to which all railway companies must now direct their atten tion. From the report they would perceive there had been a small falling off in the present half-year as compared with the corresponding half of last year ; and that circumstance unques tionably would be calculated to make them doubt the principle of the steady increase of traffic, which he believed was the law which ordinarily must govern traffic, particularly in this mercantile and manu facturing country, if they were not able to assign it to temporary and to special causes.' They believed that that falling off had resulted partly from the great depression which had prevailed in all the agricultural districts, and the meeting must remember that theirs was a line which, was entirely connected with an agricultural district. It had fallen off partly also fforn their going back to their return-ticket system, which, although it was greatly to the public accommodation, was not equally remunerative to the proprietors, and It had fallen off, also, partly in consequence of the competition they had had to encounter with the neighbouring lines to Windsor, Reading, Gloucester, and Cheltenham. Of fair and reasonable competition they made no complaint. Every company who took a line to a town was fairly entitled to expect a rea sonable proportion of its traffic ; but there was a competition which be thought both unwise and un just. He would illustrate what he meant by a re ference to an extreme case which had recently occurred to themselves. The Great Western fares to Reading, a distance of thirty- six miles, were for first class tickets Bs., for second-class 53. 6d., for third class 2s. 11d. He was sure it was impossible to say that these were unreasonable charges. It so happened that the South-Eastern line, a line which prima facie they should hardly have consi dered a competitor to the Great Western; proceeding, as it did, from the metropolis to the east and to Dover, that was no fair right to compete with a line proceeding by the west from London to Bristol ; but , it so happened that the South-Eastern had leased the Reigate and Crediton line, by which they had been enabled to obtain a route to Reading. Their distance to Read ing was 68 miles, and the Great Western's 36 miles; andthey had thought it just to convey passengers for smaller fares than the Great Western did.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) They charged first class pas sengers, 9s. 6d., second class, 41. 6d., and third class passengers at 3s.—(hear.) H e felt quite satisfied that it was utt erl y impossible for such efit exceptt the a al a systemtoitcsopnutirnpuoese. mlutsctobuel,du n ot ot to benefit be done n com panywll H haeddidadonpotetdbeilti,evbe_ut h t e o i co n u j l u d re no th t e th G in r k e — at Western.-. the South-Eastern would, upon deliberation, think HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER, who was dressed in his state roLe3, en• tered the new House at Half-past One o'clock, at which time there were about 50 or 60 Members present, most of whom appeared in high glee at the termination of their Parliamentary labours. SECURITIES (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL. . Mr. F. FRENCH moved that this Bill be allowed to pass thiougn all its stages at once, and observed that it had received the approbation of the Lord Chancellor. Sir W. SOMERVILLE objected to passing a Bill on so important a subject without further consideration. After a few obsrvations the Bill was negatived without a division. NOTICES OF MOTION'. Colonel SIBTEIOUP gave notice that early next session he would renew his motion for a reduction of the duty on fire assuraaces, and also his motion for a redac tion of the taxes on teuant farmers. PETITIONS. Sir GEORGE PECHELL presented a petition from medical practitioners, complaining of the present system of appointing the medical officers of poor-law unions. Lord - D. STUART presented a petition, praying that an inquiry might be institutednto the present system of managing railways. RETURN. Mr. SOTHERON moved for a retarn from the clerks of the peace of the several counties in England and Wales, of the number of inquests csupervisum eorporisl held by each coroner; including all inquests held by the deputy of any such coroner, in each year daring the seven years ending the 31st day -of December, 1849, distinguishing the county and its divisions, whore actually made as provided by statute, or where divided by agreement of the co roners themselves; the number of inquests for each year to be stated separately ; also the number of miles for which mileage was allowed on the holding of inquests, and also the number of miles charged and allowed for journeys on going to hold inquests that were not taken; stating, also, the number of such journeys; stating, also, in separate columns, the popUlation of each county, and of each coroner's division in each county, at the last census; and the estimated population in each case in 1849 of each county; and each division of a county. Account of all inquests held within the seven years aforesaid (distinguishing the same by the name of the deceased), the fees for which have been disallowed; the verdict of the jury in each case, and the specific grounds of such disallowance. And similar returns from the town clerks of cities anti boroughs having coroners.—Agreed to. REVERSAL OF THE RECENT POSTAGE RE GULATIONS ON SUNDAY. In reply to Mr. PJNNEY, Mr. LABOIJCHERE said all that had taken place with regard to the recent postal regulations was this— the report of the Committee appointed, in conformity with the address of the House, to consider how far Sun day labour might ba diminished in the Post-office without absolutely putting a stop to the transmission and deli very of letters had made their report, which was now lying on the table of the House. He could not at pre sent enter into any details on the subject, further than to say that the general character of the report was certainly a recommendation that the suspension of the transmission and delivery of letters on Sunday, which had lately been established, should be repealed— (Hear)—and that we should return to the transmission and delivery of letters on Sunday, accompanied by such alterations and regulations as would ensure to per sons employed in the Post•ofce as much time to themselves on Sunday as was consistent with a due regard to the paramount interests of society at large. That was the general. purport of the report which had been presented to the Treasury; but the Treasury had not yet had time to determine on the course to be adopted. He had no doubt, however, . that the Treasury would be satisfied with the reoommendations contained in that report, and that those recommendations would be carried into e ffect.—(Hear, hear.) In reply to Mr. SPOONER, whose question was not heard in the gallery, Mr. LA.BOUC HERE said the report had been printed, and no doubt it would be immediately placed iu the hands of Hon. Members. It was not for him to say what the Treasury would do, but be had no doubt the recommendations of the Committee would be considered by the Treasury, and, if approved of, would be acted Upon without any unnecessary delay.—(Hear.) Mr. LOCKE expressed his gratitude to the Govern ment for the prompt steps which they had taken with the view of meeting the wishes of the great body of the public on this important subject. THE PROROGATION. At twenty minutes past y two o'clock Mr. Put man, the Deputy Usher of the Black Rod, en tered the House, and on arriving at the table said:— " Mr. Speaker, the Queen commands this Honourable House to attend her Majesty immediately in the House of Lord," The Speaker then left the chair, and: fo,- lowed by the whole of the Members, proceeded through the new lobby and corridor to the Housei of Lords. Un his return, he stated that, in obedience to the Queen's com • mand, he had attended her Majesty in the House of Lords, where her Majesty had been graciously pleased to give her Royal assent to several Bills, and had also deliverecitckher Parliament a most gracious speech, which she itight Hon. Gentleman read, and which our readers wAillutdi - in another part of our impression. FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 16, 1850. it right to maintain a system so injurious to them selves, so unjust to others, and so inconsiderate to wards the general interests of railways. But if they should persist in such a system it would, of course, become the duty of the directors of the Great Western, at any 105 S or any hazard, to counteract so unjust and injurious a system.—(Loud cheers.) But it was to those causes—and he hoped they had seen the worst of them—for there were no other towns to which new lines would be broueht into competition with the Great Western ; it was also to their going back to their return-ticket system which they were about to carefully review, and it was to the depres sion in the agricultural districts that they ascribed the falling off. They hoped, by a return of improving times, their traffic would also improve. Every effert of the directors would be directed to that object. They would observe, by a new distribution of their officers, they had placed the passenger and the goods traffic under separate management. They had appointed Mr. Drewe to be manager of the goods traffic, a gentleman who had very extene sive experience in the west of England. The services of such an officer were of great importance to the towns he had named, but he was satisfied that over the whole line they should derive great benefit and advantage from the experience and energetic services of such an officer in their relations with other railway companies. The altered position of their engagements with the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, had compelled the directors of the Great Western to appear before a Committee of the House of Lords in the last session of Par liament. a In the report of the Railway Com missioners for 1849 there appeared some im portant papers presented by that company to the Railway Commissioners. If the question were a matter of controversy now between the two compa nies, he should be prepared to controvert all of the statements that were there made ; but it was not ne cessary that he should enter into such a contro versy. He had no doubt the directors of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Com pany had stated the case as favourably as they could for themselves, and upon that statement he was willing and prepared to stand. The meeting would remember, in 1844 they entered into an agree ment with the Oxford, Worcester, and -Wolver hampton line, and that that agreement was modified by two subsequent agreements—one in Sept., 1.44, and the other, he thought, in Feb., 1846. The Great Western Company never thought of disputing those agreements. They felt they were binding on them, and till the difficulties occurred in 1847 and 1848, they never heard that those agreements were controverted by the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolver hampton Company. It appeared, however, by a report to their shareholders on the Ist of Jane, and that of the month of August, 1846, only six months after the last arrangement had been entered into, they came to a resolution that it would not be expedient for them to consider that agreement binding upon them ; and in October of the year 1849 it appeared, by a report of that date, that that determination was taken in concert with the leading body of their proprietors. In the same report of June, 1849, they dis tinctly recommended their shareholders not to confirm the agreement with the Great Western Company. Under those circumstances it could not be wondered that their (the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Company's) own legal advisers should tell them that there was no agreement between the two companies which could be enforced in equity. The agreement with the Oxford, Worcester, -and Wolverhampton Company was, therefore, absolutely terminated, and it was brought to an end, not by any default of the Great Western Company, hut by the deliberate and concerted act of the Ox ford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Company.— (Cheers.) They had bad several communications with that company, in the hope that they might de vise some modified agreement which the Great Western Company should feel themselves justified in recommending to their shareholders, but hitherto they had been unable to devise any such plan. He hoped, however, that when their more urgent obliga tions had been fulfilled, that they might still be able to frame some agreement with the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Company—(Hear, hear) —which might enable them to complete their line. Their interests had always b: - en identified, and he should be extremely desirous, if possible, that they should be continued so to the end. But no new agreement could be entered into with them until it had been presented to the shareholders of the Great Western, and bad received their sanction. Out of that lease to the Oxford, Worcester, and Wol verhampton Company arose other subordinate arrange ments. It was thought desirable, in order to facilitate the passing of that company's Act and the Birmingham and Oxford Act, that the Stratford Canal should be purchased, and it was purchased by the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Company, under an agreement that upon certain conditions the Great Western Campany, as purchasers of the Oxford and Birmingham line, should become the purchasers of the Stratford Canal. The principal condition was, that the Great Western should obtain a Parliamentary sanction in the course of two years. They did apply for that sanction in three years, end earnesily and strenuously endeavoured to obtain it. So long as they were to be the owners of the Oxford and Bir mingham, and the Oxford, Worcester, and Wol verhampton lines, it was a matter of indiffer ence to them (the Great 'Western) in which of the two capacities they held that canal ; but so soon as it was known to them that they (the Great Western) were no longer to be the lessees of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line, the case was different ; and when that company sought to introduce a Bill which sought to bind that pur chase on the .Great Western, the Great Western directors resisted that Bill. The whole question was referred to a Committee of the House of Lords, and he believed, by an unanimous decision of that Committee, the consent for introducing that Bill into the House of Lords was refused. Out of the same agreement to lease the Oxford, Worcester, and Wol verhamptoe line arose also the provision which was inserted in the other Act enabling the Rail way Commissioners to call upon the Great Western Company under certain circumstances to complete the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhamp ton line. That obligation was learly dependent on the expectation that the Great Western should here after buy the lease of that line. Had they not en tered into an agreement to have a lease of the line such a proposition could not have been con ceived. The Railway Commissioners, however, had thought it right to put a different construction upon the clause, and they had called on the Great Western Company to complete the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line. The directors of the Great Western had taken the best legal advice on this question, and they were satisfied that the same re sults must attend this proceeding which at tended the legal proceedings which the Com missioners instituted for the purpose of com pelling the Great Western Company to reduce their tolls ; and that, even if it should be held that, as ad ministrators of the Oxford, Worcester, and IVolver hampton direction, they might be compelled, merely ministerially, to complete their line with their funds and at their risk, still the directors of the Great Western felt assured, on the most competent authority, that not only was there no obligation on them, but no power had been given to them to enable them to complete that line at their own cost and their own risk.—(Hear, hear.) Having first adverted, in pass ing, to the proceedings which were instituted by the Railway Commissioners for the purpose of reduc ing their tolls on the Great 'Western, he doubted that a more fitting opportunity might arise for re ferring to that subject than the present. The meet ing had from time to time seen notices of that pro ceeding in the newspapers, but it was his duty to state the facts of the case, and he should do so very briefly. They might remember that about April or May, 1848, a memorial was sent from their neighbours in the town of Bath, instigated, they had strong reason to believe, by strong opponents of the Great Western Company, praying that the Commissioners would call on them to reduce their fares' under the Act by which they were to become possessors of the Oxford and Birmingham line. The Commissioners deter mined, not however upon the grounds suggested in the memorial, but upon other grounds which had been detected, as the memorialists supposed, by the legal eyes of the Commissioners, and the:Commis sioners did call upon the Great Western directors to reduce their tolls. They (the directors) were much surprised at such a demand, and took the best legal advice in their power, and having done so they communicated to the Railway Commissioners, re monstrating against their proceedings, not only the opinion the directors had received, but the case which had been submitted to counsel. The Commis sioners, however, determ ined to p roceed, and it was officially anounced i n the House of Lords that the directorsll were theycontravening were entitled to levy. They felt satisfied o f the j u case the law by levying larger tolls than stice of their ,however, and were determined to await the decision on the ap peal to the tribunals of the country. The 14th of March wile fle a -al for tlee hearing of the case ; and on t he ver y da y before the hearing the directors were informed that there had proceedings been some error in the committed by the law officers of the Crown, and the original infor mation was ordered to be taken off the file, and a new information had to be filed against the directors. Again they remonstrated with the Railway Commis sioners of the extreme hardship in subjecting them to double cost. more especially as th e p roceedin g , bein g at the insta nce o f the Crown, no costs could be re covered against the Crown ; and that, whatever was the result, the directors would be obliged to pay their own costs. The Railway Commissioners still determined to proceed, and, after the lapse of another year, the case was sent down from the Equity Court to the Court of Exchequer, and on a hearing there the Chief Baron said, in the most em phatic terms, that the directors of the Great Western had in no degree exceeded the law in their interpre tation of it.—(Cheers.) He (the Chairman) looked with some anxiety to see how that matter would be treated in the volu minous blue book of the Commissioners, but what was his surprise on looking over that book from beginning to end, to find not the slightest men tion made of it? The meeting would observe by the report that the South Wales line was opened .on the 19th June, and in which the Great Western had a considerable stake. Considering that that line was an insulated line, and that there were 30 miles of it still unfinished between Gloucester and Chepstow, and which could not be opened till the spring of next year—considering also that they had as yet no goods traffic on the line, and that they had as yet received no remuneration for carrying the mails, he thought he might consider their weekly re ceipts, amounting to nearly 1,0001., were very satis factory. When they last met the directors were trying to arrange a modified agreement bet weal the two companies. He was sorry to say that those negotiations had led to no satisfactory result. The proposition made by the South Wales line was that the line should terminate at Swansea, and that for the first year of opening the Great Western should guarantee to them 45,000/. Now that 45,000/. must have come out of the pockets of the shareholders of the Great Western, without the slightest chance of their ever being remu nerated, for the line could only pay its expenses in the first year. They proposed that by a progression that amount should be annually ex tended until it reached a guarantee of 120,0001. a year. The shares of the South Wales Company were 'at present worth 201. or :22/. in the market. The proposition, then, for a guarantee of 120,0001. a year amounted to de mand of 101. per cent. on the actual value of the South Wales line. He was sure the meeting would think such a proposition was too unreasonable for the directors of the Great Western to entertain, and they absolutely and peremptorily declined it. (Cheers.) The Chairman then described the propo sition made to the South Wales Company by the Great Western, adverted to the passing into a law of the Railway Abandonments Bill, and how seriously it was calculated to affect the company, though it was ostensibly meant for their relief; alluded to Lord Portman's Committee of the Lords on the parochial burdens as affecting railroads, and to the abandonment of the Railway Audit Bill, on which he congratulated the meeting. In con elusion, he said it was extremely satisfactory that they approached nearly to the time when all their works would be completed. In the course of a very few days the line to Frome and Banbury would be open to the public, and with the permission of the shareholders the branches to Radstock and Warminster would shortly be completed. The only unfinished line would be that from Banbury to Birmingham and Wolverhampton ; and on the completion of that line they would have completed the entire task which they at present proposed to themselves. They would then have passed through every period of difficulty and trial; they would have attained to a position of certainty, and, he hoped, or security, and from that period, after the experience they had had of the folly and mischief of unnecessarily urging forward those great enterprises they were promoting, they might expect to have a short breathing time to repair their fortunes and renew their strength.— (Cheers.) The SECILETARY then read the following report : " In comparing the revenue account for the last halt year with that of the corresponding period in 1849, there is one remarkable feature in ir, upon which the directors consider it their duty to submit some observations to the proprietors. " After making allowance for the traffic of the Bristol and Exeter Railway during the first four months of 1849, as comprised in the statement of that period, it appears that this company have received in 1850, from passengers, 8,5001. less, although they have conveyed 13,000 more persons; and in like manner have received 2,500/. less for merchandize, although they have carried a❑ excess of 8,600 tons of goods over the railway. The parcel trade, on the other hand, has produced 1,0001. more in income, leaving an aggregate deficiency of about 10,000/. from those sources of traffic; notwithstanding that the quan tity of business proves to have increased in every de partment. " The only addition to the line in the interval has been the Windsor branch (about three miles), which was opened in October last. " With respect to the comparative receipts from pas sengers, the deficiency is mainly accounted for by the fact, that the return ticket system was in abeyance during four months of the year 1849, and the resumption of it has had the effect of lowering the average rate of fares. The principal falling off has been in the first class passengers, where the increase of numbers has not re quited the difference of charge. "In order to increase the receipts of the express trains, the directors approximated the fares of the second class to that of the first class in the beginning of April; and the result has been that, whereas h' proportion of first class had previously been 125 to 267, they are now 180 to 246; and the average sum formerly paid by each ex press passenger, 12g. 10J., has become 15s. 3d. since the alteration of the fare. " These results, thus ascertained, will enable the di rectors again to devote their very careful attention to the whole subject of passenger fares, with a view to deter mine whether any and what revision of system can be re sorted to for the advantage of the company, without de triment to the public service and accommodation. "The difference in the sum received for the convey ance of goods, appears to have been owing to two causes: the one being the more extended use by the public of the mileage system of rates, which is especially applicable to the heavy loading and less valuable goods; the other being an altered classification of certain articles, rendered needful by the increasing competition in other modes of conveyance. Under all circumstances, it has been thought desirable to engage the services of a gentleman it the capacity of a goods manager, who had bad long ex perience in the carrying trade of the west of England, and the directors believe, in selecting Mr. Drewe for that office, the company will derive benefit from his intimate knowledge of the traffic, as weir as from the devotion of his time and energy exclusively to that description of business. " This appointment has been made, by means of an altered distritution in the duties to be performed by some of the superintendents, without any augmentation to the general expense fer the salaries of officers. " The promised retrenchments in the expenditure of the company have already far more than counterbalacced that difference in traffic receipts, which has been the subject of the preceding remarks, and the directors still contemplate a further saving in some items of charge. " Referring to that'of Compensation for Accidents, Sec.,' it is proper to remind the proprietors that it in chides a fixed half•yearly aura of 2,500/. placed against revenue, which has _already nearly extinguished the claims arising from the Shrivenham accident, and will hereafter provide a fund to meet future contingencies under Lord Campbell's Act, that course having been sanctioned at a former meeting of the company. It is very satisfactory to be able to state, that no acci dents have occurred during the last two years to consti tute any new claim upon the sum thus appropriated out of the company's income. "The only other item in the accounts, which has not yet been diminished is that of ' parochial rates.' In order to obtain some relief from that charge, several appeals have been lately instituted against assessments on portions of the line, and the directors trust that an equitable decision on such cases may tend in 801110 degree to diminish the oppressive weight of local taxation upon the property of the company. Every effort has been hitherto made but in vain to obtain redress from the Legislature, although the anomaly and the injustice of the present system has been again and again admitted. "The published statements of account will show that, after charging every expense incidental to the traffic during the half-)ear, a net sum of 241,187/. 1 ls. Bd. remains to be added to the former balance of 39,703/. 9e. 11d. Deducting therefrom the expenses of new works, the interest on loaus, and the annuities payable to shareholders in the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth, and the Berks and Hants Extension Railway Companies, there is a disposable amount of 185,8t)31. 183. Bd., which will admit of the payment of the same dividend as be fore—viz., four per cent. per annum, and will leave a balance of 24,3531. 18s. Bd. to be carried over to the present half-year. " All the shares, fully called up, having been con verted into stock on the Ist July, as ordered at the last half-yearly meeting, the directors recommend that a re solution should be passed to make that dividend payable in the usual manner on the Ist September, on the said Consolidated Stock, and on the amount called up on the 171. and Windsor shares of 20/. " Tho directorsl;We adopted the plan recommended by the committee of consultation, of closing the capital account, and tbey have therefore represented on the pre sent occasion under one sum the total cost of all the lines belonging to this company, whether opened, sus pended, or abandoned, consisting of the amount which had been paid up to the 31st December last, as well as of all liabilities then existing in respect of those under takings, of which liabilities a portion only has been since paid, as explained in the accounts. " Consequent upon this arrangement, the directors have charged to revenue during the half-year all the expenditure for new works and building?, or fur addi tions to works; the only payments placed to the cApiral account being those incurred distinctly for constructing unfinished railways. " It becomes necessary now in respect of those new undertakings, but principally for thu use of the South %Vales Railway, to order an additional stock of goods engines and waggons, which must be provided, in anti cip Ition of the truffle of such lines. This r, cpirement was referred to in the directors' report of April last, and, in fulfilment of the intention then expressed, an estimate has been obtained of the probable cost of eight locomo tive engines and 150 trucks %Well are necessary, and a resolution to authorise an expenditure not exceeding 40,0001. 1)r that stock will be proposed to the meeting. " In like manner an estimate fur the construction of cottages, recommended to be built at the level crossings of the line, and an alteration of one of those crossings, to save the wages of policemen, together with the cost of some improTement s an d a ddi t i onal accommo;lation at, stations, amounting in the whole to 4,0001., is submitted for approval. " The period having arrived when the directors con sider it important to commence thk7., works of the colliery branch between Fromo and Radstock, an estimate for it has been also prepared by the engineer (which is men tioned in his report) for the purpose of bringing that question under consideration at the present meeting of proprietors. The specific objects and advantages of the outlay for that branch have been so repeatedly brought by the board under the notice of the company, and more especially in their report of April last, that it seems superfluous now to renew the same arguments in favour of it. " The report of the engineer explains to the proprie tors the general state of progress which has been making in the fevv lines of railway still in courss of conEtruction. " The South Viralas Railway was opened for public traffic on seventy•five miles between Chepstow and Swansea on the 19th of June. The stock for work ing it has been entirely supplied by this company, in the manner provided by th© previous agreement between the two companies. No credit has been yet taken for the use of such stock, as it had been only em ployed for a few days before the end of June, but this company will be entitled to remuneration for it, and the amount will consequently come into the next half-year's stat9ment of income. "It will be a satisfaction to the proprietors to know that the two informations which had been filed in the Court of Chancery against the company by order'of the Railway Commissioners, to enforce a reduction of rates and tolls in consequence, as was represented, of the re quirements of certain Acts of Parliament, have both failed; the latter suit having been taken for argument into the Court of Exchequer, where the judges decided unani mously, and in strong terms, against the legal construction contended for by the Railway Commissioners. The di rectors have reason to apprehend that, however right they have proved to be, the company may neither obtain redress nor recover the heavy expenses incurred in these suits, inasmuch as they have been instituted in the name of the Crown. " A similar course is now again adopted, for the third time, under the order of the Railway Commissioners, who have filed an information in the Court of queol's Bench, to compel this company to complete the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway, although they were previously made a •are that there are no funds available for such an expenditure. It appears that this proceeding, also in the name of the Crown, is undertaken at the instigation of s few influential landowners, and not as was originally affirmed at the request of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Company. The directors are advised that this must prove as unsuccessful as the two former informations. " The accounts of this company have now undergone a system of audit, conducted continuously throughout the half-year under the constant supervision of a public ac countant, employed by the auditors—who has verified every entry—and tested the accuracy and faith tulness of the accounts by an inspection of every voucher or document in support of them. " The directors cannot but remark, that this scruti nising audit seems to them so effectual for every pur pose of checking and controlling the accounts, with out impeding the business of the company, as to render it very undesirable that any public department should permitted to interfere in the matter, especially as it has been admitted in a Government report made to the House of Lards, that the information so acquired by them may be used for purposes which can only be considered as directly adverse to the interest of railway proprietors. " It is to be regretted that the other engagements of Mr. Cubitt, who had undertaken to examine and report upon the condition of the permanent way, have hitherto prevented his carrying that inten tion into effect. The directors have to mention that Mr. May has already made considerable progress with the investigation of the solicitors' accounts, which were placed in his hands. " Since the general meeting in February last Captain Bulkeley, of Clever Lodge, the chairman of the Windsor Railway, and Dr. R. Prichard Smith, residing at Mor timer, near Reading, have been elected directors in the place of Mr. Wardell and Mr. Crosthwaite, whose re tirement the board have to notify to the proprietors with much regret. "C. RUSSELL, Chairman." ENGINEER'S REPORTI " Gentlemen,—The works upon the lines of railway, referred to in my last half-yearly report, as those in tended to be proceeded with, have been carried on at a moderate rate of progress. "Upon the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Rail way, the works have proceeded steadily, and with the exception of a slip in the cutting at Ilarbury, nothing has occurred worthy of notice; the contractors are adopting all the remedies that can be required, and as the operation is not hurried, I do not anticipate that any permanent evil can result from it. Nothing has yet been done with the works through Leamington. " The extension to Frome of 51 miles on the Wilts and Somerset Railway, and the portion of the Oxford and Rugby Railway extending from Oxford to Banbury, a distance of 24 miles, have been completed, or so nearly completed, as to allow of the requisite notices being given to the Railway Commissioners, and they will pro bably be opened for public traffic during this and the following month. " The works upon the Warminster Extension, a dis tance of 41 miles, which had been entirely suspended when the contract for the line to Salisbury, of which it formed a part, was wound up, have been re-let and are now about to be resumed. " Upon the old lines the works aro all in good condi tion, and the permanent way is in perfect repair and continues decidedly to improve. I have prepared estimates of the cost of the Radstock Colliery Branch, which, exclusive of the rails which we have in stcck, amounts to 00,0004, and of the several (Aber, and minor works likely to be required durrng the next halt.yeir—namely, cottages at level crossings, ad ditional sidings and goods accommodation at Reading and Bath, and the diversion of the Drayton Green-road, amounting altogether to 4,0001. As these works have to be let, it may probably be undesirable to publish the de tails of the estimate. ' I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, "I. K. BRUNEL." The CHAIRMAN then moved, and a shareholder seconded, that the report as read be adopted. In reply to a question from Mr. HODGES, The CHAIRMAN said the company had been ad vised, and believed that they did not owe any sum to Mr. Mackintosh, the party interested in the suit of Mackintosh and the Great 'Western Rail way Company. Major COURT questioned the reduction of the dis posable balance in order to make up the dividend of 41. per cent. Ile did not think that they ought at this period of the year to make the dividend more than 31. 10s. per cent.—(Cries of "No, no.") The CHAIRMAN observed, that there was a balance of 24,0001. now to be carried forward.—(Hear.) Major COURT noticed, as a matter indicating the need of an audit, that the company in 1843 made an agreement with the Bristol and Birmingham, under which the latter were to pay 19,5001. for certain advantages ; but credit was not taken for so much as that. Mr. SAUNDERS explained, that the accommodation had not been given which was bargained for, and the question was under arbitration. Major COURT made an inquiry respecting the in terest of the money advanced to the South Wales Company. _ _ Die CHAIRMAN said the Great Western Company held themselves entitled to the interest, and considered the suspension of it not justified by law. Major COURT then stated that he proposed to more, as an amendment— " That the capital be in future represented in the half yearly reports under the following heads:-1, fixed capital; 2, mutable capital; 3, transitory capital; 4, profit and loss; 5, subscriptions to other lines." The accounts would thus be made more distinct and clear. Mr. DALLAWAY seconded the atnendment. Mr. AVERY considered that the details desired were in the half-yearly accounts, as now made up, and that it was not desirable to make changes. The amendwnt was put and negatived. The Rey. Mr. NicnoLsotv wished to make some inquiries with respect to the negotiations with the North-Western Railway, if there was no objection to his doing so. _ _ _ The CHAIRMAN said the negotiations were at pre sent in progremi.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. DALL&WAY wished to have this item ex plained—" Expenses of consultation committee and of special general meetings of proprietors, 1,746/." Mr. SAUNDERS observed that there were the travel ling expenses of the committee, but they charged no thing for their remuneration ; these came to about 2301. Then there were law stationers' bills for the very voluminous statements which were drawn up, and the expense of proxies, stamps, and a variety of information that was required. Mr. DALLAWAY said he would move another amendment— That the directors be disqualified from issuing any proxy stamps at the cost of the company, but that the individuals applying for the same remit the cash to the secretary." The CHAIRMAN thought there ought in fairness to bo previous notice of the intention to agitate such a ques tion.—(Hear, hear.) A large number of proprietors who could not attend meetings would practically be disfran chised, and their judgment not be obtained, if such a re solution passed. After some discussion the meting divided ; there were— For the amendment ... —• 35 Against it ... ... 66 Majority against it ... ••• —3l Mr. GORE asked in what mode the South Wales Com pany was charged for working their line ; and whether the charge in the Great Western Company'N accounts for working expenses included auy bum fur depreciation of stock or permanent way? Mr. SAUNDERS answered, that the Great Western agreed to work the South Wales Line, while partially open, not fur a fixed scale per mile, but deduct the actual working expenses, interest, depreciation of stock, &c., and paying to the South Wales Company the net produce. An accountant had been chosen by the two boards, and the accounts were kept distinct. Mr:BRUNEL observed that he had, in a report which was some time ago laid Lefore the proprietor s , state d h i s reasons for consiering that it was better to carry to the account of maintenance of stock of way the exact cost, rather than set aside a nominal amount each year. The motion for the adoption of the . repor; was then ..........-------i diyi, put, and carried unanimously, and a motion th l " a dend at ~_ the rate of 4 per cent, per annum " I, paid on and after the Ist of September. tbe di re°. resolution was also carried, authorising ~ e v. tors to proceed with the construction of the on ~ spe c ' tween Promo and liadstock, and expend the stun $ tied in the , i‘l . c r report for providing stock, &c. ,_,,i,ted COURT wished the report could be cirof og week ' l) metin before the day of meeting, and would at th e e g move a resolution to that effect . Cysit• Tim be ordered to anks were voted to the auditors, and to the Y man and directors, and the meeting terminated. ____,.......... ------______-- sr VITS . THE COUNTRY MANA-- bite 455 t BOSTON, AUG. 14.—Wheat, red 37s to :,. to soo o 455, extra 45s to 47; oats 12a to 19s; beans n°' part 6 d per q' per quarter. r , ALFORD, AUG. 12.—Wheat 4ls conds 2s, thirds Is Btl per atone.barley 9 " W se , LouTu AUG. 14.—Wheat 393 to 445; 225; oats 134 to 151; beans 9 33 to 26i per qr. ~ to 411 LYNN, AUG. 13.—Wheat 363 to 403, floe 443 per quarter. ~, betlei UPPINGHAM, AUG. 14.—Wheat 433 to 4 , 1 "; per4 r 23s to 255; oats 20s to 233; beans 27 : to ' beet Flou r ' ito Butter Ili.d to 13d per lb. Eggs 20 for 13. b r e a ds.- 24 2d, thirds is 10d, coarse is 6d per stone; 6,1 per 41b loaf. i t° 4 0 64 MELTON MOWBRAY, AUG. 13.—W h ea t ago ale t r barley 24s to 283; oats 20s to 243; beans 2 8 for is. qr. Butter 131 to 14d per lh; eggs 203 to 22 3 to 156 oIdAR AUG. Whest, DOW white 423 to liolt 463 to 484 Od, red 423 to 45s Od; barleY , f r e boo 18s to vi , od Po _ls_ to 21 s; oats, old 203 to 245, new s2t4Osnte; o 31s s ea 6 d d 5 13 d P r per cir. 41b F i loaf.onr tine CARLISLE, AUG. 13.—Wheat i 00 , 1 oats 22s aid per quarter. GLASGOW, AUG. IC—The suppiies collst w l of 0 1 light; Ireland provided us with about 702 see'shoot O m and 300 loads of oatmeal; about 675 ilr 3 abo ut 3, l 2463,3 es:0:11:01; os 0 i 1,031 sacks of flour arrived from F ra nc " m " 000r,' barrels of 'flour and 1,111 quarters of reeeirt°,soo fr; 832 barrels of flour and 260 garters of .Ida ttl " 006 a l . ; the United States. At Grangemouth abot lC . a nd '''', of wheat, 756 sacks of flour, 723 grs of be f l o 'has b ee • - grs of rye reached from the continent. Tl3;e'ilist,ll:i much rain from Thursday till Sunday ev erldi ' ,13 115 w ° when it has again turned dry a; here rit heri scarcely underwent any change. There wl l l oc t o°' .h i out mat:ll4lly lwi without more inquiry for wheat at the close obit:00; t g fine weather the demand has beer s 001 % - r kel p e t affecting prices. With orbit td d supply of immediate wants. This 410 ° Coil 01 iit thinly attended. Wheat sold slowly in retail ill,'s d Wednesday's currency. Flour of prime ( 1, 0 . 1 5 .,401, " A r i; emend, at the full rates of last week. ';'; g( 1.1 0 "" beans, and peas without change. Oatm ett ` - Ad corn little inquired aft EDINBURGH GRAIN alter. AUG. ....fest±,eds:4, 14•- - 3u ,e, ; fig were 552 qrs of wheat in the market to.dah I . l ` — 'sad P. tr than last week. Prices were 6d down on the top , ~,ro 0 4. the average-27 qrs unsold. Bade _day's t market 195 qrs barley, being 122 qrs more 5 , 1 i loongb Th op price was Is sd up and the average y..---Tberteha; ki9l Imo ket 5 , 44 qrs unsold. Oats—The quantity of oats in the p r ice It flis, being 136 qrs less than last week. The to p 001 pees, down, and the average 2d do 114 orsnsold. 00,0, supply of beans was 30 qrs, down-114 10 qrs lees &l b ° 8 lici t " Prices were Is up on the top, and Id ell °O A 2 qrs unsold. I, 46 , . -5 Top of Wheat 64l ik - * 24 „ 4 - ), Barley ••• ••• ." 56iT "o s s ''' - „ A ~ Oats „. ••• ••• •• 44 b Iv- i v-Jer Beans . ••' ... 650' 1.1 P:: - 01:1 i EDINBURG C —AT ..• ~" 0 ..-- •fie i' f 4 , 1 . 1 ATTLE —.ARKET, A UG. ~, ~ /Ow-, og a of cattle was 340, or 134 less than last week. 1 % 5 6 td 44 4 ' c p u er rreLt u , 6s to 6s 6d ; seconder and inferior is 0 0i ,0 The numberteheto e n f e. she A e t the close a Cleersanfe:4 0.5.1044 and lambs this i . 7 4,03.5 W k .', or 8.53 less than last !) particularly for the best sort, anDdeaTla:ealdwat fu f i r l lce ril; r lre i r.. also sold better, but no improvement in prices ~, e t ' OP can be quoted. Top price of the best rnuttont,Aw pr Ib' h esdt rent 4d to 4d. Ewes and inferior kinds, 2 r '0 e "OS 1 3 9 to 506 d to • price of lambs, 17s Od ; current, from secondary kinds, from 9s to lis ; nferior, Ir c4a ht 4/I ' a head. ,ffig,' bOihrOOk: ( D st Z r ß iac A es ßp te Au :it e s; 1 0 3 r. WEheaarlte,yriwgehjignifiirg'ijaAiliblbet, ilibgo,"" 2 a7 and prices to 00,8 id. Oats, weighici 7 0 , oe. 22s Od, prices to 18s Od. Beans an P 10 0 —lbs, brought nd °us Od, and prices to Os Ocl. ~ .05 0 600 80 CORK, Aue. 14.—Flour—First 12s 6d to 1 0 ' tb irolit_, , ir beol, seconds, 11b6e1 to 1216 d ; households 93 to 19 t 1 454 Ode rcwt. Oatmeal lOs to lOs 6d; Indian meal is Ocl i t? 61 154, jo gs meal , ton. Bran to 10s 61 per cwt. Indian corn 6/105 Od t° 6l an 41 to 4/5s 0d per ton. Hay—Farmers 18,600" p 6,4l°j a l26s; average Oda g dealers tOO los2a oo sofsei s 50 t p o dde o ; rOt average ton.Od; vesr Ili g a d e v ß e r r 2e a a3 g ds e L O Odwse dealers e. t e .: _° ,l l o, l ,,Aer t : a 0 , c p.,_.liyto t .1 ; p to er 4 4 s lb 4 . 4 per 714 , i. ,,.; 44 c a 9 11 joupseehrolldh. Eggs-4s g re s htA tt ' r i p —4s 2d 13s Od 14s; Lydney 15s Od; Smiths 0 00 10; —Beef ' 25 o. s,ii-vihisti:d per ton. Tallow 385 6d to, 00'0 to pet illaperiPA 7 fegitia plf_.r, IL. 5s 6d _ . , 4d to. 40; mutton 4id to n'es i issEi • pork 4d to Od; bacon 6d to 7d; issereglte'lfrVj ton. Bark—Barbary 71 5s to 8/ss; Hops 1010 s to 0/ Os per cwt. Bangor slates 31 ,`",j Oit .A . O',A . 61; Spanish 9/ to 10/ per ton. Fleece Wool I . IP t,...01 par Hemp • 33/ to 00/ per ton. Fish—Scotch herring!, ce w 11 0 ditto 15s to 2 ton. Os per barrel ; Newfoundland '3/1004 Timber — Memel , 80s per ton • red Pi ne : 10 0 * r if 0 00 0 ditto, 2 1 15s per ton; deals, 131 to 18d 14' 00, 1 ; i(iMarket 18s to 23; salted 20s to 32s p?.. ai d; s ,, r"" 3 Tar—Archangel, 19s per barrel. Od t: 3 3idtooe 9 1 r per lb. Potatoes, whilrteal°4lisol;f:l2l°lll-:;fret 03 ; Guano— Peruvian , 1110 s; icha b ' • , 1115' RAILWAY SHARE MAP ~,, sli g ; ft ,- i of BRISTOL,Ava- I c s : orip g ° , 7 o e o b er %d ti t° holders this day F me et' ,„,,... 00 , .0 Great Western and the Great Western ;oil) ~,11 done was of small a t cc r o is u t O n ol t w , a i n a n t n g i dEtxoweatteshr:%„`iit se.' in prices. tr es (1 1 f i ' l. LIVERPOOL. AUG. 1 ,. 5 bu5 10- ,,eril f fill°' STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was a la . ' ,i e es '',."' - ltol day, and prices were firm. The trantt3B:v9oo low :—Lancashire and Yorkshire, Cons° ,n ''' ill th l4- y Fifths, 9 1 4 dis.—London and North-W ere (cs, l er il : New Quarters, 3-16 p.—Ditto Quarters „d Pc* (1 0 ' land, Halves, 24 , X, dis.—South-Eastern 0 " 07a 0 1 Dutch Rhenish, 5 9-16 dis ' —Great Norther?' dsi,• o lo . ..... la, or .0 1 . MANCHESTER, Au ° ' i t et ti STOCK Ex tasr D ie tr 4 i frr CHANGE.—The share as I I active, and prices were a shade higher' • eeree' as 96 were as follow :—Bolton Blackburn,hr6 .161if10.,(11' e lr a o sp r il k iitr s te h o, i , re B32 ( , N . o 1), 3% —Eastern Counties, m oirefoelf v u iii.‘ ( e l x ate di E v x . and S.) J , 185 4—Ditto, Fifths (West Sidi 'Ditto, aotoril Te L a a ai n a c a l , hi 9 re im an d d is l ir , :p c. i ti t to, o oo l 4 o B ort z or e o t —London and North-Western, 111 1 /i,, n , ril • 'eg li c ,7oo" - lil ' era , Iqi P.—Ditto, Manchester and frk i 9. l --' 4N (C), I% n. p.— North Staffordshire, 11'/s _„ -- 1 , (s°' .„3 lir and Dover, 14% D. Consolidated Stes,- - —Ditto 15. c lalViree BIRMINGHAM, A tT° l-pt 0131 ,,0fte d .0 °J. ° STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share rear - ; - ,,n p asrer al'ort,e' active yesterday. The only transtct"invis t if .hi r g bv - London and North-Western, 110% P,„ li e s- via rifil v-- in Scotch Centrals, but the exact . P 5 ,r i— Wu ' l3 _„ 0 The only transaction to-day wa s---fia ec te ldt and Derby), 14%. of c.be P ' ) , YORK, AUG. 14. s to;l,..cek STOCK EXCHANGE.—The transactl o ;i s l3,A pa t follow :—Great Northern, B%—North r, i t itee l " Rotherham, and Goole, N. Div. (g ua- A lta' 18 1 1 4 —South-Earn _-,. _____________--, • jiff cotes CO P °a AT Ti ig e rlo 0 THE MAILS. SOUTHAMPTO N' s-,:o.; t or i,ll, 15.—The Peninsular and Oriental St el h ,,l ti The ?' - ita sl ,lo pany's ship Tagus, Captain Olive, sr At r - e ptla t/ oa f s Gibraltar, Malta, and ConstantinoPle'efie, ' ,l - Bi ll°l3 ; e rs• 'ido! ti she will relieve t he company's ship .; p, r epPir i f w . l, l running between Trebizond Sains oo ',4 I° ' 01 1 fjj e Black Sea, the Erin being Ordered he'-sstar so34ssta,i) Montrose, Captain Bowen, is to leave °ll T ile ae St °Si° Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar' 15 0 4 ,le i t i le 0%13ft steamer Thames, Captain Abbott, wi ll ,Is. files, Ci li l l, day with the West India and Paci fi ej,ai 10 0 " . 00 'V , 1 pa from the Gulf of Mexico and the west er t o, sO_lir, 22d inst., will be brought by either the wais eiagd iOrpr",,l9 l , The United States' mail steamer " f deV,l Lll t eill A t re, Floyd, will arrive from Bremen one into„,` 3P-A vin ' o p Tuesday next for New York. T h oe a_,,,r't , t o 1.N., is to leave on the 29th with the the Ine and China mails, and the Indus„with Nai l c oif fliamP China mail, is expected to reach Sou.- - rr i4 re or 24th inst. frote e ro rAr i ti rsl 010 1 ! THE TIMBER-PRESERVING - - ,, l t r eho. -- h e n lel tle pant held their general meeting of s' - oce t "" or P r The report, setting forth the working ai d 0 01;10 4 6 and the future prospects, having bee o ! i ta ar to t b tss', rite directors recommended a dividend siz n '" oni e- ith'seci f ule 0 c 1 rate of 8 per cent. per annum, free 0 „ col a t tra , 4 1, f f peered from what transpired, that the e h ed 1; „.11 0 ';ef employed in the preservation of titnh er t -.OM-00 0 1 ' creased attention, and that the benefits w ere Dery of 11 0 0 well to the public as to the compa o P Vi day better known. finial eff .a eet :ts' ffi f / : [ADvERTisEmENT.]---The bne - ".„..leta -- tO7; ft 501 loway's Pills in Liver Complaint. - - A g' - w riti l le t ire,J l at Dhobah Factory, near Culnat, Caleutta,oitforoo s fro ev o r James Nichol, Esq., 15, Rathbene-Plac_e;ephOtpeOt 0 t ° for that he suffered severely from a liver de. More - eo sitiosto pain in his side, and that he has derive ~ he II 10 1 5 SI lif ing Holloway s Pills for a short time th a n 1 0 0 0 tb .a irfol tarn under the treatment of several ewlAce/4g .ser • 0,41 seventeen months previously; thereforeli;tes.!,,ftiarreftil, and others who through living in he t c ~ indrtaa' y disordered stomachs, liver complaint 4,„ e an a eilF ro fr take these invaluable Pills, being a 'a re r id 0 Jo a for those diseases.—Sold by 2111 )11* g P , o e clon• loway's Establishment, 24 4, S trand, ff In Dublin, cn the 11th D i o n l i rtfa i . : l l: , , d x e , s6 l4 fit . ,: h ro p t e of? ri ;:i Beauchamp, ounest son B champer tlio On the 1 1 7r E o P s e ' lo . 3 :r, hart., of LanglerP4 oot g ji o ila On the 12th inst. at Shirley, nea r se, l',„ P i- 0.4 1‘ ( P'' ,p 9 ), Bed t ell s --' Esq , aged 37. 12th,4 fionrsnti.,erlyt ofx ckgbiluer)p'p-asr.sorfol", 0 0 ~ . -,-cri b, W ife 1 40,0 0 On the 13th inst., Susannan 3. 4 - 3 , 1 1 7. f O3 vroti Esq., of East India-road, Poplar , ii.g, e ers arY %let, lie On the 13th inst. (being the nl% 1 ler f il l _ie .' John ner.o Brown, Esq., of tipper .i .gict ° j 0-' o r , de 00 . square, aged 90. betb, et, i,za o ,cir • At lianisgaP:e, an the 9th inst., -,- o f l'na oca' - i il le arrie t 14$ John Garrett, Esq., of Ellington, On the 10th inst., at Brighton, d 6 8. _ o vp"* l \ ter of the late T. Barber, Esq. , age _,,---- iy f f:or --jiiiilwoitic'odo ... 9 0 0 London : Printed and Publiabs.. „'he So id No. 112, Strand , Printer, at s od , gtrard. in the Prninnt of the it ok .:.;. Alichileses, Friday, August 16, MO, 0,, ~............-............."'"'........."- lIP f f ' 8LE2218%, f . , n Ol C, OF A . DadY Pv g f S. On the 12th inst., in Gordon-squarq,e lad} On the Bth inst., at Aberdeen, ti . Ill tiri borough, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn. 0 711 . /0' OF ADA tr.:4lol°6oole' 0 v On the II th inst. at Stirford-house, til e 11 the lady of F. W. Clirteis, Esq. entr On the 13th inst., at Bexley-heath, otttr i'l r otli! B. Reynardson, Esq. f pfb , , J; fe l" NABlaw• rch , 40 01 - 1 On the Bth inst t IValcot Chu, to ,',„ el u ' . Latimer, of Headling ' taon, near Oxfocrii. ja , rio )4 11 0 4 • ' youngest daughter of the late ReV• 1 S i lle ir.b gissey, Cornwall. Color er" at .. 2rn. I .16, "' , bol Or : .