The Sun. — London, England, 1853-09-08 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGNCE. CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD. Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was held at the Euston Station, Mr. Peto, M.P., in the chair. The report, which was read by the Secretary, stated that the total income of the half-year ended the 30th of June 1852, was 67,3161. 15s. sd. ; the total charges, 39,4191. Os. 9d.-leaving a balance of 27,897/. 14s. Bd. ; that the total income of the past half year was 88,795/. 19s. 9d. ; the total expenditure, 46,5331, ss. 11d.- leaving a balance of 42,2621. 13s. 10d. The per tentage of expenses on receipts was in the former period 60 per cent., and in the latter 52,,k,. The receipts on accoun t o f the boats amounted in the first period to 6,812/. 10e. 3d.; the expenses to 6,8331. 13s. Bd.-leaving an adverse balance of 211. 3s. sd. ; in the second period the receipts amounted to 15,2271. 7s. id. ; and the expenses to 17,2881. 25.-leaving an adverse balance of 2,0601. 14s. 11d. The balance against the steamboats in the last half year arose, it was stated, from the expenses of the goods and cattle boats, which were not running during the corresponding period of 1852. The number of pas sengers conveyed in the first half of last year was 207,255; the tonnage of goods, 94,442 ; the number of passengers in the last half year was 250,047 ; the ton nage of goods, 126,571. A portion of the increased traffic was no doubt to be attributed to the Industrial Exhibition opened in Dublin on the 12th of May ; but, as there was a considerable increase in the merchandise traffic, the general result might be considered an evidence of a steady increase of traffic. All the disputes with contractors and others had been settled on satisfactory terms, and, with one exception, with out recourse to legal proceedings. In repairing the damage done to the Peumden-mawr sea walls, some new works had been constructed calculated to prevent any such injury in the future ; and the cost would be spread over a period to terminate in 1855. The ac counts showed a gross balance of receipts over expendi ture of 37,2011. 18s. 11d., which after deducting the de benture interest, left 13,3571. Os. ld. available for divi dend. The directors therefore recommended that a dividend of 6s. 3d. per .share be declared on the first preference shares, leaving a balance of 2321. Os. id. to be carried forward to the current half-year. The divi dend exceeded that of any preceding half-year ; and the directors hoped that the result of the entire year's work ingi would be such as no t on ly to meet the current in terest on the 15/. P re f erence Shares, but also to e liqui dateherd a considerabl e p or ti o n of the arrears. Th regretted to h ave t o re port the entire fa ilure of 'the scheme for erecting a hotel and residence on the com pany's property at Bangor. The substance of the revenue was embodied in the re port. The CHAIRMAN said as the accounts had been in the hands of the proprietors for some days, he should con sider them as read, and proceed to call attention to such points as appeared to him most interesting. First, with regard to the steam-boats. It would be seen that there was a balance against the steam-boats of 2,0601. 14s. 11d. Now, practically, that was not the case. The share holders would recollect that when he first had the honour of addressing them from that chair, the board recommended them to become their own insurers. They found it necessary to make considerable addi tions to the boats in order to render them perfectly effective. They had, therefore, added deck cabins to the whole of them, and in other respects considerably im proved them ; and he was happy to report that, in point of practical efficiency, the boats were as good then as when the company purchased them. The board did not, however, until recently set aside any sum for insurance, or for renewal, when the time should arrive for any ex penditure on that account. In the last half-year, they had set down 2,2501. under the head of insurance. Practically, however, that sum remained in their own hands, as the nucleus of a fund for the purposes which he had mentioned ; and it was the purpose of the directors to set apart a similar fund every half-year. He would also call attention to the fact, that, although the work ing expenses, as shown in the report, were 54 per cent. as against 55 per cent, in the corresponding half-year of 1851, there was charged against the account the sum of 6,9991. is Bd. as the charge on the opening, and in respect of, the Irish merchandise traffic. At the last half-yearly meeting he stated that they must be pre pared for such a change for the two or three succeeding half-years, because the opening of the new trade always involved additional expenditure. Although the goods traffic with Ireland was progressing satisfactorily, the directors had not yet succeeded in perfecting the arrange ments which were absolutely necessary to ensure com plete success. As to the steamboats, although, as lie had stated, they were now in a very efficient condition, yet it was a source of great regret to the board that they were not of the size that they would have been if at the time of ordering them the board had had the experience which they had since acquired. With regard to the Dublin Exhibition, any increase which had been derived from that source was due only to the period between the 12th of May to the 30th of June ; and at the commence ment of the Exhibition, the increase was not at so great a ratio as it had been since, practically the in crease of the last half-year was due in a very large measure to the development of goods and local traffic. He was happy to call attention to a paragraph in the report, which stated that the whole of the contractor's accounts had been settled. There had been very large claims against the company-claims amounting to from 160,0001. to 170,0001., and they had all been adjusted and settled for less than 20,0001. He hoped, therefore, that the proprietors were of opinion that in reference to this matter at least the board had carefully protected their interests. (Cheers.) With reference to the divi dend, he must remind the meeting that the highest amount paid in any previous half-year was 3s. 6d. ; whilst this half-year the amount was Os. 3d. (Hear.) He had little to state with regard to the parliamentary proceedings of the past half-year. The Shrewsbury and Chester Company promoted one bill, which was with drawn ; and the board had since entered into an amica ble arrangement with them for the use of that portion of the line which was between the junction and the Chester station. As regarded the goods traffic, he might state that they had that moment about 1,028 trucks for its accommodation, but these were totally insufficient for the requirements of the line, and they were losing the carriage of between six and seven hun dred tons of slate per week because they had not trucks in which to convey it. The board, sensible that they had no power to call upon the proprietors for additional funds, had made an appeal to the London and North- Western Company on the ground that originally in the working arrangements with that company it was intended that it should provide them with the entirety of the rolling stock. Finding, however, that the North-West ern Company had not even sufficient stock to work their own traffic, the directors, determined to do the best they could with the funds at their disposal, purchased 1,028 trucks, which were now the property of the company, and he was happy to say that the North-Western Com pany had recently advanced a sufficient sum to purchase 508 more on the security of the trucks themselves. Thus the proprietors had obtained the means of carrying on an increased traffic by merely paying the common interest of money to their allies. (Hear, hear.) Several new colleries had been opened during the last half-year ; several factories had been opened along the line ; and a number of residences had been constructed, which, being especially applicable to the visiting of the seaside during the summer, were likely to be a permanent source of revenue. The directors were strongly im pressed with the fact, that although so much had been done to develope the traffic, very much more yet re mained to be done. (Hear, hear.) The great increase which had already arisen, though very gratifying in it self, was, they were convinced, but the type and promise of that which lay before them ; but, in order to secure the anticipated results, they must of course have that time which was necessary for the development of ail un dertakings of that kind. Before sitting down he shou'd like to refer for a few minutes to an article which ap peared in the Times of that morning, with reference to the position of th a t company, th e L on d on an d North cwoemstearno Company, and the City of D u bli n Steam-Loat Nver _p a.. y in relati on t o th e traffic with Ireland. They e II aware that a comm itt ee o f t h e H ouse o f Com nication move sat last session on th e su bj ec t o f th e comma - bet of the article in London and Dublin. The effect three c ompere : question was that, instead o f the the government which f he had mentioned looking to traffic and condueotrinadditional means of carrying the g the postal arraneements effec tively, they meght words, on the referincrease tthafreevide N ne o e lv, iv 2 htyhilsii:u ject, he would just ex cellent friend Admiral Moosr th e t:t°2t.11,1,1: beforeniber otfhepaHssoeinisgeeorsf Commons. Comparing between England and Ireland in Year 1844 with the said that b in y total number in 1852, Admiral 1844 the number was 122,760, and inrlTsll that the total increase, with all the 135 ' 784 s° railways, was only 13,024. (Hear, hear.) (the Chairman) need not tell the proprietors oft ow, he ter and Holyhead Rail way that any l arge atterne peh"- their part to do what was absolutel y necessart on to velope the resources of t he sister countr y w as quite cle out of the question. (Hear, hear.) He felt that the ch es ter and Holyhead Compa n y was the most ill-used com p any that had ever existed in this country. In the first p lace they were called upon to spend a m w i e ll r i k on w t money in in crossing the Straits, and achieving a been deemed almos t an impossibility. This they had done entirely out of the ir own funds; and he put it to the meeting, that in no other incountryy Europe would anything of the kind ever ha ve been thought of, except on the condition of receiving a considerable subsidy from the Government. (Hear, hear.) When he considered the fact that the Government originally expended such an enormous sum on the common road between Holy head and Birmingham, in order to establish rapid coin munication at that period, lie was at a loss to conceive the policy of the pinching economy which had marked its conduct since. He might point, by way of illustra tion, to an item in the accounts, which he could never see without vexation and annoyance. The rent of the slope for the embankment at Conway-bridge was 413/. ; so that, instead of receiving any benefit for the fa cilities which they afforded, they were charged even for using the side of the old road, which was super seded by such an enormous expenditure on their own part. The question was, after all, whether the increase olafyp.assuenegsearisd it was pay for an e normous a dditi ona l out was quite i m p oss ibl e, an d t h e quest i on for the p u bli c to decide was whether or not they were contented that the arrangements for p os t a l an d s t eam communication should remain on the footi ng th a t th ey were at present. When 1;e looked at the enormous sum paid for the Brazilian mail contract, fo t, when h e f oun d t h at e s omething like 270,0001 . Was p ca tion with Brazil and the West Indris postal communi cation he bore in c mind the importance of th e sister country, r untry, and the avowed anxiety of statesmen for its development, he felt perfectly asto nished that the co rnmumeation with • Ireland should have been left in such a lamentable posi. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 8, 1853. Lion. He would refer back to the original position of the company in relation to this matter. When the pro prietors were originally called upon to spend the million of money to which he had referred, and to provide ade quate boats, they consented, in the belief that there was a tacit understanding that when they had completed their arrangements they would have the contract for the mail service. But what did the Government do ? Why they put it up to public tender. The directors, feeling that there had been a breach of faith with them, did not put in a tender. They wrote, however, to the Minister of the day, stating that if the Government would lend them money at the current interest of the day, on the security of the works, in order that they might not be compelled to borrow at the ruinous rate of 51 per cent., they would take the mail contract at what it then cost, leaving the time and mode of communication to be settled by the Government itself, and would guaran tee to reduce the expense of the contract within five years to something like 24,0001. per annum. That letter did elicit the courtesy of an answer. He main tained, therefore, that the Chester and Holyhead Company was not at all to blame in the matter; that the country had the Government only to thank for the miser able position in which it was placed in regard to commu nication with Ireland. (Hear.) If an adequate amount were paid, there might be daily communication between and Dublin in eleven hou rs. A passenger might lease Euston-square at 9 o'clock , and reach Dublin at 7, Coik at 2, and be at Belfast i n the middle of the night. A day would be saved in th e p ostal communication be tween Ireland and the manufacturing districts of Eng land. At the time when Sir R. Peel ceased to be in poEer, and Lord Auckland acceded to office, there was a Mal change of policy on this subject... Instead of seeking to carry out the arrangements which had been previously contemplated, his lordship simply looked at the question how cheaply he could get a communication between England and Ireland on the sea, without refer ence to land c ommunication. He would just read to the meeting, as bearing on this point, an extract from the evidence of Captain Huish before the House of Com mons Chairman—Are there any other remarks which you wish to make to the committee ? Answer—l am not aware that I have anythi ng t o a dd t o th e ev id ence I have given. I again beg to express to the committee the very strong impression which I entertain from my short visit to Ireland of the great importance and neces sity of this question being considered and dealt with as a nationalquestion rath er than upon the mere pecuniary consideration of what could be done in the cheapest way. I may have overstated or overestimated its importance to the two countries. I can only say I have no possible connection with Ireland. I never was there but once ; and I have no associations with the country; but viewing it originally in connexion with my own railway, in which I do feel a considerable interest, and taking afterwards, I hope, a wider view when I visited the country, I came back with the impression that sufficient attention had not been given to this subject, that it had been treated, I may say so without disrespect, more as a parish vestry would open a tender for bread for a union workhouse than as a communication binding together two such great countries as England I knew to be and Ireland I found to be." He had shown the meeting that, with all the facilities whibh had been given, the increase of passengers had so far been very small. The large accession of traffic on their line had not resulted from any considerable increase of travelling, notwithstanding all that had been done, as between England and Ireland ; it was owing to their having been enabled to draw traffic from other routes. If, therefore, this country were anxious for the pros perity of the sister country, the more and the sooner this question was regarded as a national one the better. His colleagues and himself were prepared to do what ever they could fairly be expected to do for the accom plishment of the object ; but they were not prepared to do it at the expense of the dividend of the proprietors. (Cheers.) He concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Admiral MOORSOM seconded the motion. In reply to a question, Mr. COLEMAN, the company's accountant, stated that the amount due on the preference shares after the pay ment of the dividend of 6s. 3d. was 18s. Bd. A PROPRIETOR said that reply showed how remote was the chance of the ordinary shareholders, and how imprudent would be any increased expenditure. The CHAIRMAN said the additional expenditure already incurred was justified by results. A PROPRIETOR believed that the traffic would never be properly developed until a superior class of steam vessels had been provided. Adin. MOORSOM said it was only for four months in the year that the present boats were at all inadequate. The average number of passengers by the Holyhead route was during eight months of the year only about thirty-two ; the average number between Liverpool and Kingstown, during the same period, was from 22 to 25 ; and even if this latter number were added to the former the total would be very small. The report was then adopted. In reply to a question, The CHAIRMAN stated that the loan capital now re mainimg at 5 per cent. had, on the average, about two years run. The CHAIRMAN then proposed a resolution, empower ing the directors to dispose of certain land at Bangor. He said the object was simply to keep alive the powers of the board with regard to the erection of an hotel at Bangor ; and, though no company had hitherto been formed, he was still of opinion that the erection of an hotel, on a similar scale to many which existed in other places, would both give an enormous impetus to the traffic and a good return for the money invested. The resolution having been seconded, was agreed to. The meeting was then made special, for the purpose of considering a proposed lease of the Bangor and Car narvon Railway. In a report which was presented on the subject the proprietors were reminded that, in pursuance of resolu tions passed at a meeting held on the 11th of Sep tember, 1851, an agreement had been entered into with the Bangor and Carnarvon Company, under which that company was entitled to receive half-yearly, the entire receipts from traffic to and from their line over the Chester and Holyhead Railway, less a deduc tion for working expenses, until such time as the ascertained cost of the branch line was paid, together with interest on the half-yearly advances at the rate of 5 per cent per annum. The directors con sidering the heavy charge thus created against the revenue of their line, had arranged a lease of the line at 6,0001. per annum, being 4 per cent. on a fixed capital of 150,0001. The amount payable to the Bangor and Carnarvon Company under the existing agreement was, for the half-year ending 31st December, 1852, 5,9811. 25.; for the half-year ending 30th June, 1853, 5,6521. ls. Id.; total, 11,6331. 3s. ld.; the amount pay able under the proposed agreement was, for each of these periods, 3,0001. Thus it appeared that the Ches ter and Holyhead Company would be released from a heavy present charge for prospective benefit, whilst in lieu of a deferred payment a return of 4 per cent on the capital was secured to the proprietors of the Bangor and Carnarvon Railway. The directors had stipulated that the entire Bangor and Carnarvon stock should be offered to the shareholders in the Chester and Holyhead Railway, each holder to have the option of taking up at par an amount proportionate to the number of his shares, such option, however, to be exercised, and the money paid, within one month from the date of offer. The lease would require the sanction of an act of Parlia ment, but the annual payment would commence as from the opening of the Bangor and Carnarvon line. The CHAIRMAN said the proposed arrangement was so evidently for the benefit of both companies that he should simply move that it be approved. The receipts of the Bangor and Carnarvon line fully realised the an ticipations which had been formed respecting them. A PROPRIETOR having asked for information as to the character of the new shares, . The CHAIRMAN said the '4 per cent. would be as ab solutely secured as any dividend could be, inasmuch as it would be a first charge on the Bangor and Carnarvon line, and also on the Chester and Holyhead line. In reply to further questions, The CHAIRMAN stated that the line was 91 miles in length ; and Mr. COLEMAN, the accountant, declared that the net earnings already exceeded the amount guaranteed. The motion was then agreed to, and the proceedings terminated. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE. The usual half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday in the Palatine Hotel, Manchester, H. W. Wickham, Esq., chairman of the board of directors, presiding. There was a good attendance of proprietors. The seal of the company having been applied to the registry of shareholders, the secretary read the report, an abstract of which has already appeared in this jour nal. The CHAIRMAN, after a few preliminary observations, said, with reference to the capital account, that the board of directors would take care that no further exten sion, no more expenditure of capital on the lines, would be sanctioned, except where it had become absolutely necessary from increase of traffic, and wtiere by that ,extension of capital and increased accommodation the °Tking of the traffic might be more expeditiously and economically managed. He thought the shareholders he ld find, on a comparison of the traffic during perioPd r Post half-year with that of the corresponding tisfied • wi etyear, that they had reason to be sa- The revenue the progress which had been made. Blackbur n ' an i c r vin; out the Preston and Wyre, R a il ways, had ,Liverpool, C r osby and Southport the 30th o f J une D l een, for th e s i x mon ths e n ding the half-year endingmsti 451,7001 ., aga i nst 408,6071. i n for the last six months u o r, 1852, sho w i ng an i ncrea se working expenses up to Ju 43 ' 093/. or 101 p e r ce n t. The r, 1853, h a d b een 188 ,1 1 31., against 172,8161. in th e s i showing an increase of 15,2 r 9 r . ths ending June, 1852, progress would show that the 8i per cent. This the first six months of 1853 had increasebeen of traffic during cent., which he could not but look up a o t a cost of 35 per result as compared with the expenses on r t afavourable where the increase had cost nearly 80 per railways gross ,revenue of the railway, including the Prestonent The Wyre, Blackburn and Liverpool, Crosby and Southport and Railways. had been in the lab::, half-year 477,38 n P: o r c t the working expenses 208,00 a, or after the rate 4431 per cent. ; the gross revenue in the corresponding h a l f of 1852 was 432,6681., and the working expenses 191,62 U., or after the rate of 411 per cent. In the December half of 1852 the revenue was 451,1411., and the working ex penses 204,6831. The passenger t raffic in the last half year amounted to 176,6 - '6 9 1 ; in J un e 1852, it was . 170,4971. ; and the goods traffic was 268,7441, against 230,5371. 230,5371. Thus, the revenue of the half-year ending June 1853, nearly equalled that of the half- y ear ending D ecember, 1852, although the latter half of the year was always considered by far the most p roductive on a ll Irailways. But while the passenger revenge was less than in the last 6 months of 1852, the goods earnings were greater, which would sufficiently account for the increased working charges ; besides which, to the work in. expenses of the last 6 months mast b e ad ded the charge of 3,0001. more than last year for maintenance of c w i d a ye t a e n . d the The increased ieereaee a in m t o h u e nt gr a e s es co r m ey p e e n n u s e at e i f o t n h f e orac- com pany in the 3 years ending June 30, 1853, had been 41 perc cent., ,2 to o r68 1 p 8 7 7 c t e he nt increase e s a y e years, ar s, was w s h 7 peri e i n cent.th e yearsTilThe from net revenue, which stood in June, 1852, at 241,0451., stood in June, 1853, at 269,3811., showin g an i ncrease of 28,3361. ; and wit h this increase of revenue the direc tors were enabled to propose to-day a dividend at the rate of 31 per cent., laying by a sum of nearly 5,0001. He might also add that for the 10 weeks of the half year now going on the same ratio of increase had been observed, and he hoped, under favourable circum stances, it might be maintained during the whole of the half year. (Applause.) He then alluded to the accident that occurred in March last at Dixon Fold, with a view to express to this meeting and the public how deeply the directors had felt for the melancholy and fatal results that attended that accident. They had done their best to ascertai n h ow i t arose, with the view of preventing future accidents. (Hear, hear.) But they must allow him to say that he feared, with all the care, all the attention, all the ability that could be given in the direction and management of railway traffic, they could not expect always to escape accidents. All he could say was, that the directors would do their utmost endeavours, and leave no stone unturned, no step ne glected, that was likely to avoid such disasters. (Ap plause.) During the last session of Parliament this company had no bills of their own to prosecute, but to look after their interest it was necessary the directors should oppose the measures of several other companies. They did so to the best of their ability, and he believed the result of the opposition would, in every case, be found advantageous to the shareholders of this com pany. He might refer particularly to one introduced by the East Lancashire Company, who proposed to make a line parallel with that of this company from Clifton Junction to Salford. The directors met, after being op posed to each other in Parliament, and made an arrange ment which he believed would be found mutually ad vantageous, and to work satisfactorily for both companies. His earnest hope was, that having once got together in a certain way, it would be the means of bringing the two companies closer together, and that they would work amicably and endeavour as much as possible to promote the interests of the proprietors of both undertakings for the time to come. He must be allowed to say, that it would be the unceasing object of the directors to make the railway as productive as possible to its proprietors ; but, at the same time, although anxious to secure as good a return as they could, they would not do so ex cept by first taking care that both the rolling stock and permanent way were in a position that nobody could find fault with. (Applause.) Mr. W. STEWART (director) seconded the resolution. Mr. W. RAWSON wished to elicit some expression of opinion from the chairman as to the memorial which had been presented from Liverpool for taking 10s. per share from the fifths for the restoration of the rolling stock. An opinion had certainlygot abroad that the rolling stock was not in an efficient state, and a few half-years ago it was confirmed by statements on the part of the direc tors. He knew there were differences of opinion, both among the shareholders and at the board, as to their power to apply this 60,0001. for the purpose mentioned, but he believed there was not a man to be found who was unwilling to inquire whether they had such a sum to lay out, for it would be like a godsend for the pre vention of future accidents. Mr. Dunstan, the secretary, read a letter which had been sent by the directors to Mr. Highfield, of Liver pool, in reply to the memorialists, stating the question of the appropriation of 60,0001. of fifths capital having been fully discussed, and decided upon at a previous meeting of the shareholders, the directors did not feel themselves at liberty to reopen it. Mr. HIGHFIELD thought this was giving a very bad sort of consideration to the matter, and contended that the question had not been decided at a previous meeting. The CHAIRMAN said that the board felt this was a shareholders' question altogether, and could express no opinion on the matter. Mr. ENTWISTLE (banker) considered that the question had been fairly decided at a previous meeting, and the letter to Mr. Highfield was a subsequent answer to the statement of difference of opinion among the directors on the subject. The CHAIRMAN begged to assure Mr. Rawson, on the authority of the locomotive superintendent, that the rolling stock was in an efficient state, and the directors would take care to mention it in that condition. Mr. BROADBENT considered that the 60,0001. in ques tion belonged to revenue. The CHAIRMAN, in reply to Mr. Rawson, said the question must be left to the decision of the shareholders. The directors were ready to call a special meeting if it were desired. Mr. ENTWISTLE expressed a hope that the good un derstanding between this company and the East Lanca shire Company would not be permitted to become too amicable before the shareholders were allowed an op portunity of expressing their opinion. As he believed the result of amalgamation between large companies and small ones was always for the benefit of the smaller at the expense of the larger, he begged to protest against such a thing at the outset as an amalgamation between these two companies. Mr. DAVID t'RICZ wished to know if Mr. Brassey, the contractor, could be answerable for any portion of the consequences of the Dixon Fold accident ? The CHAIRMAN said the matter was under consi deration. Mr. PRICE suggested that the directors should consi der the propriety of maintaining the way themselves, as the London and North-Western Company were doing, with very satisfactory results. And, as they were to be held responsible for accidents, they had better face the matter at once, and establish an insurance for every passenger, charging a little extra for the tickets, so as to determine a first-class passenger's value—say 1,0001., a second class at 6001., and a third class at 4001., in stead of leaving it to be settled by legal proceedings. The resolution was then carried unanimously. A dividend was then declared of 1/. 12s. 6d. per share on the 1001. stock of the company, and so in proportion on the other shares, The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. GLASGOW AND SOUTH-WESTERN. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in Glasgow on Tuesday, Mr. Andrew Ore in the chair, The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was held as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the approval of the re port, said he was extremely happy to find, from the result of last half-year's balance, that his anticipations as to the ultimate prosperity of the company were being gradually realised. It was worthy of observation that, while an increased revenue had been derived, comparatively little had been added to the work ing expenses of the line, and that their borrowed capital was now placed in a position that would favour ably compare with the first railway companies in the country. The directors were able to recommend a divi dend at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum. At the last meeting they could only declare a dividend of 2 per cent. and their stock was then 40 per cent. lower in value. He was glad to say that the Dalmellington line had now assumed a tangible shape, and it was expected that it would be ready for traffic in the course of 18 months. The chairman proceeded to bespeak the support of the shareholders for two branch lines—namely, that from Ayr to Maybole, and from Castle Douglas to Dumfries, both of which might be looked upon as likely to afford a fair return for investment. He concluded by moving, the adoption of the report, and that a dividend be de• clared in the terms thereof. The motion was unanimously approved. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, it was also agreed, that the directors be authorised to borrow on the Ayr and Dalme]lington Railway any sum not exceeding 90,0001. sterling. Some discussion ensued upon a motion by the chair man, that the resolution of the Committee of Investiga tion, requiring that the three retiring directors shall not be eligible for re-election, be rescinded. The motion, however, was carried by a la:ge majority, and the meet ing broke up. EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW. The 31st half-yearly general meeting of this railway company took place on Tuesday, at Glasgow, Mr. Peter Blackburn in the chair. The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sum, was held as read. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report. He said, it would be satisfactory to the shareholders to find such a considerable increase on the half-year as 9,2931., and though there was an increase on the working expenses, that was accounted for by the rise in the price of materials. With regard to the capital account, it would be observed that the total sum charged to capital was 3,203,9711. In the report in 1849 the ultimate capital was estimated. at 2,923,1991., but the Wilsontown branch was pur chased at 280,7721., so that according to their estimate of the capital at that time 3,203,9711. was to be the ultimate capital of the concern. The expenditure now stands at 3,230,0261., showing an apparent sum of 260,5501. more on the capital account than we esti mated. Of this apparent increase 54,2291. had been paid to revenue by increasing the rest, showing that they had actually paid 15,7991. from the revenue. The balance, 10,2561., was an excess of the capital estimated but in this half-year's accounts there was a charge for the Polkemmet branch, which was an extraordi nary work not included in the estimate, so that the real increase at present was 5,8971. Thus in the four years the capital had been increased 5,897/. beyond the actual sum estimated, and he believed that perhaps no com pany dealing with a capital so large could show so in considerable a discrepancy. (Hear, hear.) The chair man then adverted to that part of the report which stated that the House of Lords had decided adversely to the company in the case of the Stirling and Dunferm line Railway. He believed that the possession of this line would entail on this company a considerable loss especially for the first six months, as a large outlay vi mno e at u r l: se be required to provide plant ; but when this had been done, and the line wrought efficiently, the board hoped that the loss by the lease might great. The chairman made some further re marks a aP cpo P ani r n l y b i a ta t t o ne r ed y of railway amalgamation in general, and in particular of the proposed amalgamation between this corn whether ofth Company.etheealHedoounsieanofcom that said whether the case re ported unfavourablymo s a e d against all amalgamations, but Caledonian Companies Parliament would adopt that view, and, if so, e of the Edinburgh and Glasgow and would be t mained to be seePnant u a N d w op p te s d e . cond e ed co th n e cl m ud o e t d n io a motion, w a mh n ioon wgas thatun exception, at th e iej rep .m or r t . be D m o T u h s l e y c adopted. stated that the Stirling and Dumferlino Railway Company proposed that this company should pay about 40,0001. to joint account to meet their claim. This company proposed 20,0001. if interest were allowed on the amount, but to that proposal there had been no reply. A dividend at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum was then declared, and the meeting separated. CORK AND BANDON. A general meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, Graceehurch-street, for the purpose of enabling the company to re-borrow certain sums of money heretofore authorised to be borrowed on mortgage or bond, and which have been paid off,—Mr. S. Lewis in the chair. Mr. WooD, recretary, read the advertisement conven ing the meeting. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Mr. WINKWORTH, a resolution was passed, authorising the directors to re-issue bonds for a sum not exceeding H,OOO/., which was borrowed on a former occasion, and had since been paid off. A vote of thinks to the chairman concluded the pro ceedings. SHREWSBURY AND NEWTOWN. It appears that the town-council of Shrewsbury have unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that the corporation deem it highly desirable that there should be a line of railway to Newtown, and pledges itself to Sup port any company which may propose to carry a line that shall be best for the interests of Shrewsbury. The line from Oswestry to Newtown was thrown out in con sequence of it having been shown that the high floods at Garthmyl, in Montgomeryshire, would reach 'two feet higher than the proposed level of the rails. The London and North Western are having a line surveyed to Aberystwitb, including Welchpool. RAILWAY PASSENGERS ASSURANCE. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, Old Broad-street—Sir J. D. Paul, Bart., in the chair. The report congratu'ated the shareholders on a most satisfactory increase in the business of the company dur ing the past half-year. The number of single journey tickets was 158,829 against 118,154 at the corresponding period last year; the number of double journey tickets, 17,980 against 7,063 ; and the number of period'cal tickets, 4,143 against 2,398 at the corresponding half year of 1852. The total number of policies issued dur ing the half-year, not included in the above, was 60 for terms of years, and 347 for life. The receipts from premiums amounted to 5,1481. against 3,0661. in the same period last year, and, with the balance brought forward, showed a total of 6,3641. The expenses amounted to 2,620/., the payments for 19 claims for compensation to 1,9011. (including 1,0001. paid to the executrix of the late Mr. Gibbs, a director of the Great Western Railway). Out of a balance of 2,5171. the di rec'c.ors recommended the payment of interest on the paid-up capital at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, free of income tax, leaving a surplus of 2,2171. Th e total number of aims on the company since its esta blishment have been 21 for fatal cases, and 343 cases of personal injury, involving the payment of 11,2461. for compensation and medical and other expenses. The Brighton and South-Eastern Companies still re fuse to allow the company to issue insurance tickets on their lines. The CHAIRMAN said there were eight persons holding journey tickets who were injured in the collision on the Great Northern, at Hornsey, last week, in addition to one annual insurer, who had his leg broken by the acci dent. The report was adopted and the meeting separated. HOP INTELLIGENCE. MAIDSTONE, Sept. s.—The hop plantations at Maid stone have now arrived at their best, and the weather of the next two or three weeks, however favourable, can do but little to increase their growth, though it may add considerably to their condition and value. The growth of the College ground is estimated at 3 cwt. per acre ; a very fair crop, considering how severely it has been attacked with the aphis blight. The garden of Mr. Gurney, adjoining it, is too far gone to produce more than 1 cwt. per acre ; though the garden belonging to Mr. Plomley, which a few weeks since was in as pre carious a condition as the College ground, and now one of the most beautiful in the parish, will produce 13 cwt. per acre. The plantations of Mr. Bunyard and Mr. Neve will produce 8 cwt. ; of Mr. Collins and Mr. Selby nearly 10 cwt. ; and of Mr. Fourchin, 7 cwt. The grounds at Maginford probably 7 cwt., and at Rose-acre and Wheavening-street, about 6 cwt. per acre. The most beautiful gardens of this neighbourhood are those of Mr. Kippen, of Bearsted, the average produce of which will be over 15 cwt. per acre. The above calcu lations as to the average produce of the gardens of this parish and immediate neighbourhood show that there will be about two-thirds of a crop, and as this will, probably, be the average growth throughout the whole hop districts, the duty cannot be much less than 160,0001. We have taken some pains to ascertain what are the prospects of other parishes in our own immediate neighbourhood, and the following may be depended upon as the result of careful examina tion, mature judgment, and great experience :—Many of the hop plantations at Loose will produce 13 cwt., the average of the pariah we set at 9 cwt. the acre. At Linton 10 cwt. Many gardens of the extensive planta tions of Mr. Bannerman at Hunton will produce from 20 to 25 cwt. the acre ; the average of the parish about 12 cwt. In Yalding the average, we expect, will be about 9 cwt. the acre ; though many gardens will yield 16 cwt. Bow-hill, the beautiful estate of Mr. Elvey, in spite of the attacks of the frog fly, will produce from 6 to 7 cwt. West Farleigh.—The hops are splendid, and we set the average at 13 cwt. the acre. At East Far leigh they are not quite so good, but will average at least 10 cwt. Torii, with but one exception, will pro duce a crop above the average.—Maidstone Journal. AYLESFORD. — The past week has made very little alteration in the general appearance of our grounds, except that the broken p o l es h ave b een restore d to their f or mer position. BARMING.—The hops have not progressed so well within this few day s in consequence of the very heavy and in consequence of whi c h we small hops, and we fear very sho r t o f condition, unle ss we h ave much warmer nights and nd cold very nighma many y m ore sun. We ha ve mou ld i n some groun d s, w hi ch will shorten the growth. Some o f th e g r ap e gr o un d s are very backward is comi ng i n t o h o p s , an d, b e i ng very l a te in the season, it i s d ou b t f u l if t h ey get out well. Much will depend on the wea th er i n th e presen t wee k . rainssh al shall have a CRANBROOK.—The weather during the past week has been scarcely more favourable than of late, the days being wet and the nights cold. We are not, therefore, enabled to report any y very great improvement in the hop-grotinds. Th e y h ave part i al l y recovered from the flagellation they lately received from boisterous winds, and perchance a genial sun might yet do wonders for them. MEREWORTH.--The weather being ungenial the hops make but slow progress. Picking will be very late, and the hops, we fear, will be small. WEST FARLEIGH AND YALDING.—The wind, as stated last week, did great damage. The cold and wet have added to the evil, many of the hops, halting between two opinions, have declined to make their appearance. The growth must be lessened, and, we fear, the quantity also. The lateness of the season is much against the hops. TICEHURST. —The hops in this and adjoining parishes have been much damaged by the late stormy weather ; previously to that they were coming along very well, and we fear that the fruit will be seriously injured. WORCESTER, Sept. 2.—The present weather is much against the growing crop of hops ; and the improvement noticed last week has been checked by the heavy rains and cold nights stopping the development of the burr, and unless we have a change very shortly, the crop will not exceed that of last year. The duty is now set- at 13,0001. for the district, and 165,000/. for the kingdom. Prices of Sussex 1852's have advanced 3s. per cwt. the last few days.— Worcester Journal. RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. THE GREAT NORTHERN RAlLWAY.—Traffic return for the week ending Aug. 28, 1853 £16,148 6 3 Corresponding week last year 13,381 2 7 LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAlLWAY.—Traffic re turn for the week ending Sept. 4, 1853 £21,416 19 11 Corresponding week last year 19,928 10 9 CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAlLWAY.—Traffic return for the week ending Sept. 4, 1853 £6,766 12 9 Corresponding week last year 4,730 5 10 Increase in 1853.. £2,036 6 11 WATERFORD AND KILKENNY RAlLWAY.—Traffic return for the week ending Sept. 3 (23 miles) £l9l 15 3 Corresponding week last year (13 miles) 7l 18 4 RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 7. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—This market continues very de pressed, although prices have not materially changed from the closing rates of yesterday. Aberdeen, 124 ; Caledonian, 32a i ; Eastern Counties, 134 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 73 : i i ; London and North - Western, 1081 A ; Ditto (fifth shares), 1 1-16 p. ; Midland, 674 $ i ; South-Eastern and Dove r , 20a i ; York and North Midland, 284 8. MANCHESTER, SEPT. 7. STOCK EXCHANGE.— There was a larger business, but prices were not so firm. Caledonian, 32i ; East Lan cashire, 17i ; Leeds stock, 73i ; London stock, 108$ ; Sheffields, 241; Midlands, 67i ; Dovers, LEEDS, SEPT. 7. STOCK EXCHANGE. — The market has manifested further symptoms of a decline this morning. Lancashire and Yorkshire and Midlands have both been done on rather easier terms ; other shares, though in little inquiry, are nominally quoted as yesterday. The following are the closing sales :—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 73i ; Midland stack, Sq. [ADVERTISEMENT.] --Holloway's Ointment and Pills certain and efficacious Remedies for the Cure of Wounds and Abscesses.—The following case has just been for warded to Professor Holloway for publication :—Mrs. Robert Harris, of Staplehurst, Kent, some time since caught a severe cold, which brought on a long and pain ful illness. She was attended by several eminent medi cal men with littlelor no benefit, and ultimately an ab sceis formed under the chin. All the usual remedies having failed to give her the slightest relief, she deter mined on using Holloway's Ointment and Pills, and these surprising wedicines entirely cured the abscess, and restored her to better health than she ever before enjoyed.—Sold by all druggists, and at Profes sor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, SEPT. 7. This morning the Lords of the Admiralty left the George Hotel and embarked at the town sallyport in their barge, under the charge of their selected Flag- Lieutenant, Mr. F. T. C. Strode, First of the Victory. They first visited the Victory ; they were received by Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrare, K.C.8., whose flag she bears, Rear-Admiral Farsiiawe, C. 8., Captain Shepherd and Commander Boyle, of the Victory, and all the other principal officers of the fine old ship, whose crew manned her yards, but did not salute. Their Lordships mustered the officers and ship's company, and afterwards the newly-entered men upon the principle of service enacted during the past session, on the report of the Committee on Manning the Navy, and witnessed their exercise in gunnery, reefing, furling, &c., with which, we believe, they expressed their satisfaction to Captain Shepherd. Their Lordships left the Victory in their barge for the Royal Hospital at Haslar. Captain Superintendent Courtenay, R.N., and staff, conducted their Lordships over this vast national Sanitarium, with the condition and order of which the Board expressed their perfect satisfaction. From the hospital the Board proceeded to the Royal Clarence Victualling Establish ment, also under the superintendence of Captain Cour tenay, who, attended by his principal officers, Mr. John Davies, R.N., master attendant, and Mr. Joseph Pin horn, R.N., the storekeeper, escorted them over this great provision and store depot. They remained in the Clarence-yard until 20 minutes past three o'clock when they left for the head-quarters of the Portsmouth Divi sion of Royal Marines, at Forton, commanded by Colonel Menzies, K.H., who received their Lordships with full military honours, and conducted them over the quarters, inspecting the men on parade, their kits, their gunnery at the drill battery, with the serviceable state and effi ciency of which their Lordships expressed their high gra tification to Colonel-Commandant Menzies. After in specting the Royal Marines, the Board re-crossed the harbour in their barge, and were landed at the dockyard, where all the naval authorities received them, and at tended upon them until they left for their hotel (the George), where they gave a banquet to the heads of the naval, marine, and military departments, the guests numbering 36. After this the whole party patronised the ball at the institution of the Seamen and Marines' Orphan Schools in aid of the funds of that eminently de serving charity. The following ships of the Royal Steam Squadron which attended her Majesty during her late visit to Ire land returned to Cowes early this morning, and subse quently came up to Spithead. The Victoria and Albert, Captain Crispin, bearing the broad pendant of Commo dore Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, G.C.H. ; Barracouta, 6, Commander George Parker ; Banshee, Lieutenant- Commander Hosken ; Black Eagle, Master-Commander Petley ; and Fairy, Master-Commander Welch. All, except the Barracouta, came into harbour, and the Vivid, Master-Commander Smithett, followed them in the course of the morning. The Rhadamanthus steam transport, came up to Spit head last night from Plymouth, on her return to Wool wich with troops. She met with a fearful collision in the Channel, by which her bowsprit was broken short off, and a large portion of her head gear is carried away. She, however, left this evening for Woolwich. PLYMOUTH, SEPT. 7. Her Majesty's frigate Ddalus, 20, Captain George Cr. Wellesley, was towed into harbour yesterday morn ing by the Confiance and Avon steam-vessels, and was warped alongside the jetty to be dismantled. Her crew have unbent sails and returned spare spars, and will commence taking out her guns to-day. She will pro bably be paid off on Tuesday next. The frigate Leander, 50, Captain G. St. Vincent King, was towed into harbour on Monday by the Con fiance and Avon, to refit ; the crew are ordered to be paid down. The steam troop-ship Rhadamanthus, which arrived on Sunday, with 130 Artillerymen, for service here, sailed with the same number on Monday for Woolwich. WOOLWICH, SEPT. 7. APPOINTMENTS. Surgeon.—Mitchel Thomson (1832), to the St. George, 120, guardship of ordinary at Devonport. Second Masters.—William Francis Greet (1845), from the Coast Guard, to be acting master to the Arab, 12, sloop, at Chatham ; John W. Harvey (1847), from the Tribune, 30, screw steam frigate, to the Dolphin, 3, brigantine, at Sheerness ; William C. ruck (1850), from the Dasher, paddlewheel steam-vessel, to the Tribune, vice Harvey. The Cyclops steam frigate arrived at Woolwich yes terday afternoon from Sheerness, for the purpose of tak ing on board at this port the engines and boilers of the Nile, 90, screw steam-ship, for conveyance to Devon port,'where they are to be fitted on board that ship. The Dover steam-vessel, lent to the Colonial Depart ment for the purpose of being stationed in the Gambia, on the west coast of Africa, left this morning for Green hithe, to have her compasses adjusted, and will be navigated principally by an African crew, under the charge of Mr. Mitchell, who brought the vessel from that station to Woolwich to be repaired and receive new boilers. The Agamemnon, 91, screw steam-ship, having shown during the recent review of the fleet at Spithead that she was capable of greater speed than the Royal Victoria and Albert paddlewheel steam-yacht, it is in contempla tion to build a splendid new Royal steam yacht, to be fitted with a screw propeller and engines on the most approved principle, or to considerably lengthen the present Royal Victoria and Albert steam yacht, and convert her from a paddlewheel to a screw steam-yacht, capable of attaining a high rate of speed. An order has been issued to dispense with the future drill of the Boat Brigade at Woolwich, and to return the boats into store. It is expected, however, that the services of the men will still be made available by form ing them into artillery companies. POLICE INTELLIGENCE MANSION-HOUSE. Charles Wheeler, a dirty, shabby-looking fellow was brought before Alderman Finnis, charged with I;avirig attempted to commit a rob bery in the house of Mr. Kallaway, the proprietor of the Fleece Tavern, in Queen-street, Cheapside. Miss Kallaway (sister of the prosecutor) said—This morning the prisoner came into the house while I was at the bar, and walked into the taproom. He began to un screw the gaspipe which was suspended from the ceiling, and I called the potboy, who distinctly saw what oc curred, and gave the prisoner into custody. Alderman Finnis—D:d you suspect the prisoner when he went into the taproom ? Witness—A gaspipe had been stolen from the same room about ten days before when the gas was on. It was not on upon this occasion. A great deal of caution has been observed since the robbery, and I saw the pri soner myself turn round the screw three or four times. _ _ Willi Sim Wilson (potman to the prosecutor)—l saw the prisoner, through the taproom window, turn round the screw of the pipe three or four times, and I closed the taproom door to prevent his coming out until the arrival of the policeman ; when he succeeded in pushing open the door, he said he wanted a half-pint of beer. The prisoner said, he never made any attempt to take the gaspipe, and he was too good a friend to the publi cans, as hundreds of them knew, to steal their pipes, or anything that was theirs. The inspector on duty at the Mansion-house said that several complaints had been made of robberies of this kind, which had been effected between 8 and 9 in the morning, when the servants were busily occupied. A person whose description answered that of the prisoner was said to be suspected of having been concerned ex tensively in stealing publichouse gaspipes. When the former robbery was committed at Mr. Kal laway's house the pipe was unscrewed, as Miss Kallaway stated, when the gas was on, and the first notice given was by the suffocating smell. If a light had been sud denly introduced, the consequences must have been dan gerous. Alderman Finnis —I remand the case till Saturday, when I shall expect a number of visitors to the prisoner. GUILDHALL.—The two girls, Dent and Norman, who were remanded from Monday last on the charge of stealing a gold watch and eyeglass, value 71., from the person of M. Herman Theodore Voeleker, a manufac turer, of Cologne, were brought up yesterday before Sir R. W. Carden, and, there being no fur:ler evidence, the worthy magistrate said that, in consideration of the prosecutor's convenience, though he was acting contrary to his own inclination, which was to commit the pri soners for trial, he should decide the case. The watch not having been found was not at all surprising, as the man to whom the watch was passed when stolen was not known to the police ; but the evidence showed clearly enough that Dent was a very bad character, and that she also took the watch, for which he would sen tence her to hard labour for three months. With regard to Norman, she did not appear to have taken any part in the robbery beyond associating with Dent, and he would therefore give her the benefit of her not being known to the police, and discharge her. BOW-STREET.—Ann earthy, charged with stealing 20 sovereigns and a pair of shoes, belonging to her mas ter, •Mr. Edwards, was brought up for final examina tion. The prosecutor, who keeps a private hotel in Norfolk street, Strand, was unable to offer any additional evi dence, but submitted that if the principal charge could not be substantiated, owing to the absence of legal proof, there could be no doubt of her having stolen his shoes. A constable of the detective force, who had been employed to watch her, saw the prisoner take a parcel to the shop of a German baker in the Strand, where it was left for a journeyman named Rouston. This parcel was subsequently applied for by the police, and found to contain the pair of shoes in question ; but the young man who received it at the shop, for Rouston, said that he could not identify the woman who gave it to him. In consequence of the want of this link in the chain of evi dence Mr. Henry declined to send the case before a jury. Mr. Edwards questioned the integrity of the witness who swore that he did not know who brought the shoes to him, and reminded his worship that the prisoner and Rouston had been living together as man and wife. Rouston denied this, although admitting that he had been acquainted with her improperly ; but he knew her years ago in Scotland, when she was the wife of a master baker ; he declared that she had never given him a suit of clothes, or anything except the shoes produced. Mr. Edwards thought there was evidence enough to satisfy any reasonable mind of the prisoner's guilt, but if that was not sufficient for the law, he must bow to the decision of the court. Mr. H that if could be given into custody again. sternornygetrhepnrodoisfchwaarsgeadftetrh%evaprdrissopnreorc, uirnatmle,atisu MARLBOROUGH-STREET. Richard Caton Hewitt, described as "a gentleman," was charged by Elizabeth Julia Cooper with having robbed her of her watch and chain and two rings. The prosecutrix, a well-dressed young woman, said she lived at 51, Cireneester-place, and had been on terms of intimacy with the prisoner for some time. On Thursday week the priso ner ca ll e d upon h er, an d rema i ne d with her all night. The next morning she rose to make leaving the prisoner in bed. When she returned the pri soner had dressed himself, and he partook of some break fast, but left in a hasty manner. In a few minutes after this, having occasion to look into the drawer in which she had placed her gold watch and chain, and which was safe when she left the room to get breakfast, prosecutrix missed the watch and chain and two rings. The prisoner had seen her looking at the property before she placed it in the drawer. She immediately suspected the priso ner and gave information of the robbery to the police. The prisoner, however, kept out of the way, and could nob he taken until Tuesday. The prisoner admitted having been at the house on the night in question, but denied the robbery. The prosecutor said no one but the prisoner had been in the room. The prisoner's wife had called upon her to make up the matter, and had informed her that her husband was out of the way because the police were after him. Mr. Hardwick asked the prisoner how he maintained himself. Prisoner—l live on my property, Mr. Hardwick—What does it Consist of ? Prisoner—Of rents at Singapore. Mr. Hardwick decided on remanding the case to give time for the police to trace out the stolen property. MARYLEBONE.—Signor Sebastian° Pinto Leite, a Portuguese merchant having offices in the city, and re siding at 83, Harley-street, Cavendish-square, and Mary Baskin, his housekeeper, were charged, before Mr. Broughton, with unlawfully entering the apartment of Antonio Lopez Justiniano, in the above house, and stealing therefrom a quantity of cloth of the value of 60&, the property of the complainant, as also a fractura or invoice of the same cloth. A good deal of evidence was given in support of the charge, but it was not of a positive character, and at the suggestion of Mr. Parry, who said he had a com plete and satisfactory answer to the case, the proceed ings were postponed till Wednesday next. WORSHIP-STREET.—Yesterday Thomas Kilgour, a young man of respectable appearance, who refused to give either address or profession, was placed before Mr. D'Eyncourt upon the following charges of obtaining money under fraudulent pretences : Mr. Thomas Hall, a naturalist, residing at Stoke New ington, but having business premises in the City-road, stated upon his affirmation, as a Quaker.—On Monday afternoon last the prisoner called at my house, but was walking away, when I opened the door and asked him what he wanted? He immediately bowed to me and presented me a document in the shape of a petition, purporting to bear the signature of Dr. Thomson, resi dent surgeon of St. Thomas's Hospital, and the names of a number of contributors for various amounts to which he begged to draw my attention. On reading the peti tion I found that it stated that the bearer was one of the seven students of that institution who had been deputed to collect subscriptions on behalf of the widows and orphans of the unfortunate sufferers by the late melan choly accident at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, and several of whom were described as being still in that hospital. lat once perceived, from the orthography and general wording of the decument, that it was a for gery, and candidly expressed my opinion to the prisoner. He replied that it was extremely uncourteous of me to make use of such an offensive insinuation to a medical student, and offered, if I doubted him, to give me his name and address, and at the same time added that his private tutor was Dr. Griffiths, of !Eaton-street, Eaton square, Pimlico. I, however, repeated my conviction of the petition being a fabrication, and volunteered to sub scribe to it if he would allow him to drive him over to the hospital to verify his statement. This proposal he declined, and, having left me in much apparent indigna tion at my imputation upon him, I shortly afterwards went to the hospital, where I saw a student named Beresford, with whom I am acquainted, and to whom I related the circumstances, and who told me at once that the assumed petition was a scandalous attempt at fraud. The document contained the names of about a dozen per sons as donors, the majority of whom were represented as connected with the hospital. When I pointed out the misspelt words to the prisoner he exclaimed in a tone of remonstrance, " Why, surely, sir, it is not requisite even for a gentleman who holds a high position in society to be a perfect scholar." The second charge was preferred by Mr. James Slate; clothier in the City-road, who said—The prisoner came to my house at 3 o'clock on Monday to collect contribu tions for the fatherless children of those killed by the accident referred to, and showed me a paper similar to the one produced, but evidently not the same, as the other was much larger. I gave the prisoner a small contribution, and my foreman did so also, in return for which I saw him write our names opposite the amounts we gave him as having paid them. He distinctly told me that he was a student of St. Thomas's, and that he and a number of other students were authorised by the governor of the hospital to collect subscriptions, and that it was his particular wish that they should exert themselves for so benevolent a purpose. The third case was supported by Mr. John Roberts, a tobacco manufacturer in the Whitechapel-road, who stated—Yesterday, at 4 o'clock, the prisoner called upon me, and, representing himself as a student of St. Tho mas's, handed me the paper produced. (This petition appeared to be a double leaf torn out of a ruled day book or ledger, in the terms before specified, contain ing about 12 or 14 names of subscribers, and stating that the bearer was authorised by Mr. G. E. Mil ler, governor and treasurer of St. Thomas's Hospital, to collect donations for the relief of the sufferers for whose benefit it purported to be drawn up.) On look ing over it I at once suspected its genuiness, and told the prisoner "You are an impostor, sir, and I shall not part with you." The prisoner tried to get away, but I called a cab, pushed him into it, and drove him at once to the hospital, where I introduced myself to a gen tleman named Complin—the head surgical dresser, I believe—who immediately told me that the prisoner was not in any way connected with that institution, that the petition was a forgery, and added, that the prisoner ought to be well kicked for such a heartless fraud. I thereupon walked the prisoner to the Southwark police-station, where I gave him into custody, and on the way there he expressed much indignant annoyance at my retaining hold of his collar, and told me he would walk with me quietly if I would release him and respect his position in society. The prisoner was present at my interview with Mr. Complin, and made no observation on that gentleman denouncing him as a rogue, but, on the contrary, seemed perfectly unconcerned. Inspector Moore, of the M division—l took the pri soner into custody upon the charge of Mr. Roberts, and on demanding his address and profession he refused to give either. I have called myself at the hospital this morning, and ascertained beyond doubt that he is not known there at all. Mr. D'Eyncourt (to the prisoner, who had declined cross-examining either of the witnesses)—Do you wish to say anything in answer to these charges ? Prisoner (with perfect self-possession)—No, sir, I would rather not. Mr. D'Eyncourt—What are you ? Prisoner—l must decline to say. Two other cases were announced to be ready to be gone into of the same description, but the magistrate considered those already proved to be sufficient for this stage of the investigation, and ordered the prisoner to be committed until that day week for the completion of other charges, and to enable one of the hospital autho rities to attend and formally prove that he was not con nected with that institution. The prisoner was of delicate appearance, wore crape on his hat, and might very well pass for what he repre• sented himself to be. SOUTHWARK.—Wm. Lane, driver of cab No. 1,615, was charged with having exacted 6d. more than his fare from a lady named Isabella Partridge. He was engaged to drive the lady from the Vauxhall Railway station to St. George's church, in the Borough, and when she arrived there she tendered him ls.„ which was his full fare, but he insisted on having ls. 6d. She told him it was more than his fare, and that she would summon him. He was insolent to her, and persisted in his demand, which was paid to him. The defendant attempted to persuade the magistrate that he did not demand the money, but only appealed to the lady that he had driven her a long way, and that he thought he ought to be paid more than ls. The complainant said, that she should not have brought the cab-driver before the court if he had been civil to her. Mr. Combe said, he should not inflict any penalty, but ordered the man to pay the costs (4s. 6d.), and to return the 6d. to the lady. The money was paid, and the defendant discharged. DEATH OF SIR PECKHAM MICKLEWAITE, BART.— This hon. baronet, who died at his seat on Friday, in his sixty-eighth year, was created a baronet during the late Lord Melbourne's Administration, in 1833; he married, in 1836, the sister of the late Lord Bateman. . , LADVERTISEMENTd—SPORTSMEN'S, DEER-STALK ERS', AND TOURISTS' EXTRAORDINARY TELESCOPES•- 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Observe, opposite the York Hotel. - The Royal Exhibition. A valuable, newly-invented, very small powerful waistcoat -pocket glass, the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen and known one mile and a half distant ; they answer every purpose on the race-course, at the opera-houses, country scenery, and ships are clearly seen n a at 12 to 14 miles. They are invaluable for shooting, deer stalking, yachting, to sportsmen , ge ntlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Telescopes — A new and dch importantmost t traorliry invention in telescopes, possessing such powers that some, 3i inches, with an extra eye-piece, will show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's ring, an d the double stars ; with the same 's telescope, weighing only 3 ounces, c an be seen a person countenance three miles and an object from 16 to 20 miles, o ther kind for the waistcoat-pocket. and are of larg er and all sizes, with increasing powers T an h d ey a ;upe half rsdedisethenvte'ry accordingly. Opera and race-course glasses, with wonderful power; an object can be clearly seen, from 14 to 16 miles distant. Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, opticians, have in vented invaluable preserving spectacle lenses. Immediately they are placed before imperfect vision, every object a ppears clear and distinct; the most aged, defective sight becomes bright and brilliant, is brought to its youthful, natural, and original state. Deafness—New Discovery— The Organic Vibrator, an extraordinary powerful and newly-invented instrument, for Deafness, entirely different from all others, to surpass anything of kind that has been, 01 probably ever can be, produced. Being of the same colour as the skin, it is not perceptible ; it enab es deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public as semblies ; the unpleasant sensat,on of singing noises in the ears is entirely removed ; and it affords all the assist. ance that possibly sould be desired.—S. and B. Solomons, Aurists and Opticians, 3 9 , Albemarle - street. Piccadilly. Observe, opposite the York Hotel. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE QUARANTINE NOTICE. b' MALAGA, Aug. 27.—The of three clays uaran one servation on vessels arriving g here from the British l e s i l dot has been augmented to eight days. The Malaga 11 f• Board has determined to refuse admission to vessels stti ing from New York, until they shall have performed cl° rantine at a lazaret. MALAGA, Aug. 29.—The Berta Schringa. from T riegt : to Falmouth, put in Aug. 26, with the master and his r' n sick ; both have since died on board ; the vessel hss ordered to leave the port, and she will pro ceed on hove: age this evening. CUSTOM-HOUSE—SEPT. 7. a 000 ENTERED INWARDS.—The William and S s paters' Stettin; Malvina , Rostock ; Royal William , St. - j„bss burg ; Adonis, Carleby ; Caroline Lydar, Rostock; . de , Christine, Drobach ; Laura, Dantzic Svende So d trto; Umea ; Freya, Dantzic ; Eddune, ditto • Argolo nt ' ditto; Pacific, ditto ; Ophelia, ditto ; Vrouv/Gertreuda, raps, Sisters, ditto ; Hoffnung, ditto • Vesper, ditt o Sundswall ; Alliance, Archangel ; Louisa got absr Elizabeth, ditto ; Franz, ditto ; Gretina, ditto ' had, ditto ; Einigheid, ditto ; Chance, Cronstadt ; St. Petersburg; Twe Zusters, Worcum, Ante l " e ' . 111;1 0 de Cuba ; Anna Charlotte Maria, Ystad SY ll) ,,_ ditto ; Emilie, Memel ; Clyde, Cronstadt ; Blio bets , therine, Dantzie ; Familier, Cluistianstadt ; Conie ie e tt i n ; rand Clas'er , Swartwick ; Johanna, Leer ; Naomi , l a g; Ophelia, Dantzic • Union, Memel ; Sylvania, Ar,,,;';ttio; Tiberius, St. Petersburgh ; Jare Thompson. P.s - ce Rapid, Riga ; Salvator, Sundswo.ll ; Syropheenig;ttin; lon ; Harfmen, Dram ; Adolph von Lontzow, Catherine, St. Petersburgh ; Einigked, ditt o ; La ne ; ' ler, ditto ; George, Randers • Hannah and Fann__,Y' Cron' Grotins, Rotterdam ; Echo. Stettin ; Ell 5' A rsa stadt ; Albertina, Galatz ; Sophia Nyland ; dal ; Jane, Cronstadt ; Colonist,' Hadicks , o ll ; ts t o; Skelliftea ; Breeze, Caen ; Minfaders Minde, Jser s pitie , Gottenberg, Bjorneborg ; Tissery Worcum ; sT nn irTorre ditto ; Active, Stralsund ; Anna 'Maria, Oporto ; nt io Cons., o io tt, Taccere, Bahia ; Artmesia, Hong Kong Alexandria ; Warren Packet, Memel ; General li'steilti Rostock ; Mendora, Cronstadt • Rothkee, Christ/11%o; Emily, Dantzic ; Newton Cionstadt ; D el vdrn% n tzic; Fife, Odessa • Oxonian, Stettin , M M in " s • arena 00 , Geerdona, Ai.changel. 10'; E THRED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING. —T-e TO: from Oporto ; Unjao, Oporto ; Maria, Melbonr Co nc epts len, Melbourne ; Gothenburg, Konigsberg ; ,;; Cadiz, &c. ; Pandora, Antwerp ; Dolphin , B° l.n° 4l3_, ' °' len Hughes, Havre ; Jeune Louise and Fan n y' s John and Eliz a b e th, H avre an d Rouen • TorY„'i (P:;: 01 bourg ; Elizabeth Ri ce , D un ki r k ; Ida, 'CaPe.,, i ,"• % Hope ; Alice , Antwerp ; Amee Port Philip ; Antwerp ; William, l. ' Leer. ps ol 3 ' o o, CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.—The ', a Boulogne ; Benjamin Elkin, f or P or t Fairy ; land Bay; Levalliant, K on i gs b er g; Fran ".",,; Sru, Hamburg ; Dream, Cherbourg ; Mary, Dunkir' iu lator, Lisbon ; James and E:nma, Dunkirk; Dunkirk; R. Coleora, Rio Janeiro. LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 7. S.t I°4' The Aurora was spoken August 25, lat. 44 PI 57 W. o va The Falcon, River Plate to Falmouth, was 913 $) 23, lat. 2 N. long. 29 W. 3 0,1 0 The Bellona, Callao to Cork, was spoken Aug' 0 N. long. 40 W. 1, -sl ug The Marlatian M`Bird, for M e lbourne, 'Mlle - - c og ci hence on the 30th ult., has put back. After lea iocoty low Bank (as reported before), she made six wrid water per hour, which has been reduced since en Mersey to two inches per hour. VESSELS SPOKEN WITS. , ga . r The Franklin King, Liverpool to New Yo r '''' 4,1 lat. 42 N., long. 58 W., with loss of topmast. ~t 6 , i u'' The Friendship, Sunderland t o N ew York, (;"` 4, !at. 38 N., long. 41 W. ' The Place, Cardiff to New York, Aug. 9, Ist 3J 0 long. Th 61 W. M g. e Charles Crooker (ship), fro m New Orleans, isl;' lat. 39 N., long. 64 W. It , The Siloam (brig), St. John's, N. 8., to NeWP ° li t, 19, lat. 44 N., long, 53 W. 14,' The Java (ship), New York to Glasgow, A ug ' 42 N., 55 W. COUNTRY MARKETS EDINBURGH MEAL MARKET--S°' e' ll ' 1° There were in the market to-day, 4 sacks W t weighing 2801bs imperial, which sold thus :- 2 and '2 at 1L 12s 6d. Average of the whole, 11. 12s 9(1. EDINBURGH HAY AND STRAW 31 - 111 ` 4. ; io SEPT. 6. There was a small supply of straw of all dese' the market. The pri ces were as f o ll ow : f P Oat straw, from Os Od to 8s Ott per kemple to trop ; wheat do., 6s Od toB sOd ; barley do., 5 % 01 0 Hay from 9d to I2d ; ne w ditt o , 7d t o Bcl Pe r , ✓ DALKEITH MEAL MARKET—SEII.;sI There were in the market to-d a y 22 bags e re of barleymeal, and 0 of pot-barley. Sales io litl Top of oatmeal same as l as t wee k, th e se cond per bag down. 0110, Oatmeal, ner sack of 2801bs imperia - Barleymeel, per ditto Peasemeal, per ditto Flour, per ditto Pot-barley, per ditto First. Second,. 51 5 32s 6d 32s 0 0 1 00 id 00s Od —A — s Od 8 u", /9} --s Od — 0 u' 00s Od --$ COAL MARK Prices of Coal per ton at t! :ET--SEPr. 7. ✓ ;;: ;h whElß e raas o id l wt o dw s ey e Wy e1e111i;......:.. r .." e 4 • n d ' Stewart's . ....... Wemys' Cannel— Plummer ......... Cassop ............. •••••••••'''' .••' F Hartlepool ..... .••• Kelloe .............. .••' I South Hartlepool Tee 5................. West Tees ........ ...•' Watney'sAuthracit" I Grey's West Hartle/ s. d. Burnhope l7 0 Davison's West Hartley 23 6 Hasting's Hartley 23 6 Henley's Hartley 'l2 0 Holywell. Howard's West Hartley Netherton 23 6 Green's Tanfield. 2O 0 Ravensworth Hartley 23 b Tanfield Moor 2l 0 Hobart's Hartley 22 0 Wylam 24 0 Wallsend, &c. 1 Johnson Eden Main Belmont .23 0 ~24 0 .24 6 Ship at market a I Sold .......... .. SEABORNE MAILS. (N signifies that the mails are sent from the Gel ler' by the night—and M by the morning—dispatch.] 1 47# 1 1 toy at J:y Day when made up From COUNTRIES. in General Post- port !...,/, 11 04 • Office, London.* DiSpat . f . „..... , . 4 cl l ---•- ---- 1•• 0 Arnerica(bylirit.pack)N Every Friday .... Liverpoo- ' t, 9 0 America (by United Sts. packet) .... • .....N Sept. 8 ........., LirerPo° l••• 4 ° sep America (by U Statesl to 0 packet) .. ......NSept. 27 ...... Se pt , ; 1.. Southar n . ..,4 !; Australia (via South-I A., DVS' . pt• ampton) ..........M 5ept."211...... ~ .. southalUr , i Ditto (v*.a Marseilles) N Sept. 8 Ditto (via Cape o; Good „th .• Hope) ............N Sept. 14 .......... PIP: 0- d , .. ~ pi• Africa (West Coast) ..NrSept. 'l3 ......... Plymo u ' ~• ppi• p Alexandria .. .. .. .. .. N 3,9, 24. & 30 of m. Hove r ~,• •t or :e l ; Alexandria ..........Ml4th & 20th of mon. SOntill.• t ofl 5 11; 1 1 Bahamas ...........M,2nd of the month 50athawY.,.,..04 1 1 Belgium .......... _X, I /ally , ~ Dover ...,'' ~' tor I , ept• 0 Brazil ..............M 9th of the month.. Southawr ot o: ', e ft' . MVO •• *" lo g Buenos Ayres ........M 9th of the month.. Sou t?•l „ a' ft .• •I , 0 Cape of Good Hope ..Nll4th of the month FlYo c _ u 'o .• F r• Cape of Good Hope .. N I PlY in „ u , i tit • • , ,11 Cape de Verde .....Nll4th of the month. PlYn i— r ' Ceylon (see India) fli oth •• flit, l Ceylon ..............Nll4th of the month PlYlu ° ,.„pto o . el' , Channel Isles ........N l Mon ..Wed ,&Frid. gotith 3— ,o ll I , Chi1i............ .. —3l ,=d & 17th of month Sou tharn ' seP t ' 0 r China (see India) , •..''keiV Constantinople ......N'7,8,17,2t,&27 of m. Bov e ^ ....'ptoWie I( Constantinople ........14th 20th of mon Souttn , "' .., „el Cont. of Europe M& N Twice daily .. .... Dover •• • fo' l ro 4 Egypt (see India) ~,, , i,ep France ........ M& N Twice daily.. ..., Dover • • tool it d • uthow pi. Gibraltar ..... ....31 4,7, 17, 20, 27 of m• ~,° ~ 0 Greece (see India . ) rnIO • V I I , Greytown ..........M 2nd & 17th of mon. 40utha .. .,.I o c4 fit Hamburgh ..........N Tuesday & Friday Lou d totol i . W I ; I II; Havannah .......... M 2nd of the month south . „.. ger,'" , Holland ............ M Wednesday & Sat. Londourop•toieC.` 0 Honduras ..........M 17th or the month. Su tn „ b ., B ,op on lid c , India (viaSouthampt.)M 4th & 20th of mon. Sout h ..' • l_ A , India (via. Marseilles)M Bth&24th o; month Dover .• rO 4 ". lonian Isles (see India) a oler' I.: ad 0 1 Ireland ........M & N Twice daily ...... HolY o at° aP I° ~ Lisbon .............. M 7,9, 17, & z 8 of m. South owto0;ttli" Madeira ............ m 9.tli of the month Su uth „ a t itll • I. l ' Madeira ...... N 1 ktio• E; . PlYro" ad Malta (see India) .•• ° • 4 Malta ............ ~N 7,17,19,28, 30 of m. ooVor ' • Fe' 1 , Mauritius (see India) i , ~,, th,,,e' 0 e1 ;4, 1 : Mauritius .. _.. .. ...N I 14th of the month , P l • ) ,, g roP'" Fe' y. ' 0 Mexico ,'' of e l , m I , nd of the month. `oath, ...:,: ti r _ i Naples .... New Granada ......M 2d & 17th of month Sou. _,.. poi". set , 4. 1°, 1% rano"' ••ar 1° New Ze liana ........ •.i By private shiP • • r .• " 0.- 4 ' outha l • - to 0" P t " If Papal States ........N 'thlsth2Mhoftnon. I .X we ► .pi ° r4P st ' Peninsula ........... m thl7tll2Bthomnon s . _, ba rrip . y, 4 Peru Port Natal. ..........N ,4th oi• the tronth n r I S ' ver ••• • • 6' o P P l Sicily ..., ~ „ ......./c sthl , th2sthcomon, l . , ,, ve r „ to ' i i 'er Tuscany ~" o u tharuP : 1 1 Venezuela .. ~, ~tr , .. _ ........2,1 ,, ,t10.5th25th0an0n. ' se r Van Diemen'sLann ( , :ee I 00 Australia) West Indies ....... Al ,2d , c 17th o merit . .114 ds .11 j 1 0) the TA ..ed later :1 1 01 .‘ -undaY, og flay with the exception t( o p ialta, both of which Will be * When any of these dispatche i on the followi Southampton), and the day preceding. rrpt o 0 ' f.,,j00 ° J j o sold L 9NDO N : Printed d Published by M. , of No. 112, Strand , Printer, at The Sun . i _e • 00 Strand, in the Pre , ;inct of Liao Savoy, in LP Middlesex, Thursday, September 8, 10. BI RTES. ' OF A sON. On the 6th inst., at Hove, Brifgow — ' 1174 Beresford Brooke. Wes I : te ti On the sth i ns t., a t 7, Norfolk-terrace? 81 1 1 1 ,4 # grove West, Bayswater the wife of J 01311,1-0 Esq., of 5, N ew square, off, barrw— the OF A DAUGHTE R. ' On the 3d inst., at the Parsonage, 116u°-gi J , of the Rev. Edward East. re for On the sth inst., at Mount Craig , Ross, the wife of Bellingham Barnard Hankey, the wife of Bellingham Barnard Hankey , , MARRIED. Ofe r trl,' On the 6th inst., at St. Georg © s Chilrcn,fsr,le,ijPr Thomas Earle, Esq., eldest son of Ilardols° o f V of Allerton Tower, to Emily, second darglitera et v, Fletcher, Esq., of Branch Bank efjangolvs:r.,;qol,l On the 6th inst., at St. George's , Rev. William L. Feilden, third son of Jose*cu. 0 Esq. , of Witton-ho , Lancashire, to t he lt,ig° Elizaheth St. Clair , use t daughter of the Lord Sinclair. Yminges DIED. pod , On the 15th August, at Paterson, New , or James Warden, Esq., formerly of GlasgcW-,,,_„sos, On the 2d inst., at Edinburgh, James " - ` 4 " lst e advocate. ' On the sth inst. Charlotte, r elict of the Kennedy, Esq., 31.1)., of Stafford, a g ed 63 . ____/:4111 te , Da Kt Of