The Sun. — London, England, 1840-03-18 00:00:00

EVEN INO EDITION • MANCHESTER AND LEEDS RAIL WAY.-HALF-YEARLY MEETING. The Half-yearly Meeting of the Manchester and Leeds Railway Company was held at the Company's Offiees, 1 Clowes's-buildings, Hunt's Bank, on Thursday last, at noon ; and it was numerously attended by the Proprie tors. We observed one circumstance which has lately been a feature at the half-yearly meetings of several other railway companies, on entering the building, and which we recommend to all those companies for adop tion,.--the presentation to every Proprietor of the half yearly Reports of the Directors and Engineers„ and the financial statement fdf the same period. By this means every Proprietor was enabled to possess himself of the facts, and to make such. inquiries as he deemed de sirable on points which mig a appear to him not suffi ciently elucidated in the Re. _rt, or on which he might think further inforrnatii , ght to be given to the Sharehol3ers at large. Mr. Hatca Hoc a' OATH, Chairman of the Board of Directors, took the' hair, and said that this was the Seventh Half-yearly Meeting of the Company, convened as usual by circular and advertisement, as the Act re quired, in the newspapers of Lancashire and York shire. Having read the advertisement from the Man chester Guardian, he stated that the same advertisement had appeared in the Leeds Mercury. The first business would be to authorise the register of the Proprietors, Ilay attaching to this document the common seal of the Company. Having put this to the Meeting, it was unanimously agreed to ; and the Chairman accordingly affixed the seal, and signed the register. Mr. crOLIN JELLICORSE, the Secretary, read the pro ceedings of the last Half.vearly Meeting ; and the Chairman then called upon William Entwistle, Esq. to read the Report of the Directors for the past half-year, which he did, and which we subjoin : Since the last Half-yearly Meeting of the Proprie tors of this Company, the works have been urged for ward with all possible energy, so that the majority of the contracts, notwithstanding the wetness of the season, are in a satisfactory state, and will be completed during the ensuing summer ; and the remainder, as the Di reartors have every reason to believe, will be so far ad vameed as to admit of the Line being opened through out before the close of the year. In confirmation of thin prospect, the Directors refer with much pleasure to the Engineers' Report, by which it will be seen that the practicability of completing the works, and fulfilling the., expectations formerly held out to the Proprietors " , al' opening the entire Line to the Public in all 1840," is placed beyond all reasonable doubt. A lithographic se action of the summit tunnel, showing the state of the w +orks up to the 29th February, is annexed to this Re p airt, by which it will be seen that, according to the i x aiform rate of progress lately maintained—viz. on an a verage about 163 lineal yards per month for the last *ix months, and after allowing for the decrease of pro gress consequent Mon the successive junction of the .several shaft-lengths, the whole will be complete by the e ad of November. The expenditure during the half-year ending on the 31st December, 1239, has been 534,134/. 12s. 6d. as shown in the subjoined statement, which has been met by money received on account of calls, by loans taken up on mortgage of the tolls of the Company, under the powers of the Acts of Parliament, and by loans secured by the bonds of the Company, which the Directors have accepted in anticipation of calls, and for the re-payment of which, by a special resolution of the Board, a suffi cient portion of the calls remaining to be made is specifi cally appropriated ; so that, whatever shall be the amount of loans so'occepted on bond, an equal amount at least will always emain uncalled for upon the shares held by the 'eters, and will only be even tually called up for t ayment of those bonds when they shall fall due. T loans are accepted for pe riods of two to five years,ifin the same manner as those upon mortgage of the tolls ; and this course was sug gested to the Directors by the fact of a large surplus sum having been' tendered upon the mortgage loan. They were thus inarced to consider and finally to adopt the above means of securing such loans, which the Direc tors are happy to add have met with the confidence and approbation of the public, and the sum of 195,000/. has been already received on this security. Should the Proprietors concur in the same views, the Directors . , I will continue to receive money in similar bonds, the effect of which will be to disperse future calls over a ' lengthened period ; bnt should any Proprietors prefer paying: such calls in advance, they will, under the Act of Incorporation, be allowed interest at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum on sums so advanced. The Direc tors have great satisfaction in having thus fulfilled the expestations held out by them in their last Report of , " not maki ng any f urt h er ca ll b e f ore t h e mont h o f rebanary or March," an advantage which they feel sure will be appreciated by the Proprietors, as the late period has been one of unequalled commercial depres tion and difficulty. The Directors, however, consider it right to announce that they propose to make the ealle Mentioned in their last Report, viz.," three calls of 5N.. each upon both the old and new shares" before the opening of the whole line, the amount of which, / together with such loans as may be accepted during the present year, they fully believe will enable them to com plete the present contracts, and to 'provide a sufficient stock of engines, carriages, and waggons, for working the whole line. This appears to be a matter of the atrficrat importance to the interests of this Company, when the probable extent of business is taken into consi denim; ; as, according to the announcements by the i North Midland, the York and North Midland, the Hull and Selby, and the Great North of England Railway Companies, at their late half-yearly meetings, a continu esas railway communication will be formed on the open in of this line between Manchester and the port of Pull to the eastward and northward to the town of Darlington. The partial opening to Littleborough has always been considered valuable by the Directors, as affording the opportunity of forming and training an efficient establishment for the conduct of the carrying depart ment ; and though, from the experience of the par tial opening of other lines of railway, they did not en tertain any sanguine expectations of profit from so small and isolated a portion, they are sure it will g ratify the Proprietors to learn, that th e rece ipt s u p t o th e' 31st De cemher exceeded the expenditure on working that part, by the sum of 9,239/. 7s.Bd. ; and that, looking either at the average receipts per mile per week, or the pro portion of the cost of working the line to the gross re ceipts, which is under 50 per cent., the result, as shown by statements annexed to this report, will bear a fa vourable comparison with the experience of other com panies under similar circumstances. This part. has been open for the general conveyance of goods since the 2d of this month, and the arrangements made for con ducting this branch of traffic are based upon the sim plest principles, so as to involve the least po s sible inter ference with the Ordinary functions of the carriers, and have met with their general approval. It is the object of the Directors of this Company, that the carrying de partment should be thrown open to public competition, without their incurring the responsibility or undertak • kg the duties of general carriers. The Directors have also great satisfaction in repeating their conviction, that the total cost incurred upon the main line, including stations, engines, carriages, wag gone, &e., will not, at the opening of the line to the public, exceed the estimates furnished by them to the proprietors in their report at the ball-yearly meeting in March last ; and they can assure the proprietors that it is their constant study to reduce their expenditure I as much as possible, consistently with solidity of con- itruction in the works, and an efficient discharge of all the numerous important duties involved in so large an todertakiug, being well aware that by such means the true interests of the Company are most effectually secured, The Directors regret that they cannot refer to the proposed junction line with the Liverpool and Manches ter Company with equal satisfaction, as an unexpected delay at arisen on the part of that Company, who, ap pearing arsposed to avail themselves of the discretion ary power vested in them by their Act of Parliament, have taken the somewhat unusual course of raising ob jections to a measure previously approved of by them, and, after obtaining an Act in conjunction with this,Com paoy for its execution, have now revived the formerly. abandoned project of a junction upon the southern side of Manelaester. [The Directors then give an extract from the minutes of the board of Directors of the Liverpool and Manehes -1 ter Railway Company, of 16th December, 1839, rela- I tin- to this subject. 1 the Directors beg to state, that they have had several interviews with a deputation from the Board of Directors of that Company, but that nothing decisive has arisen from thence ; and they therefore conclude that the views of that Company are not materially altered in any respect on the points above alluded to. This resolution therefore appears to call for some comments from the Directors of this Company, from its evident tendency to diminish the confidence of the Proprietors in their statements and estimates. The estimates of goods traffic now called in ques tion were originally prepared for Parliament, and their accuracy attested on oath by the party who drew them up, being founded on actual observation of the traffic at Skipton, upon the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and at Castlefield Locks in this town. These were furnished to the Liverpool Board of Directors by this Company, but, instead of removing their doubts, were met by as surances that from private returns, which they were not at liberty to sub m i t t o this Compa ny , ' it appeared that the tra ffi c was overstate d by ire than one-hall ; at the same time it was intimated that thos e pri va t e re turns were furnished by the Canal BoardCompa Compan ies them selves ; and beyond thi s , t h e Liver pool d id not produce any documents, or give any other reasons their assertion, the correctness of which this Board f or oird is by no means prepared to admit, as the explinatinoneno! pa by an ncyofferedin assurance from thetheresolutpieen a b overtyemployed , tiered is r ne d ds m et e i by thd Board, " that the distinction between local and i thorough traffic was carefully attended to ," and this Board is fully convinced of the general accuracy o f his statement. Your Directors do not undertake to reconcile the two statements, and have made the above report solely in ) explanation of their conduct to the Proprietors ; as they formerly reported, that, in pursuance of their original plan, and under the powers of the Act obtained for the purpose, and in full reliance on a similar intention on the part of the Liverpool Company, as also from a thorough conviction of the advantages to be derived from the for mation of the junction line in the mode and by the route now proposed, they had proceeded to purchase and to make agreement for the purchase of a consi derable portion of the land on the line of their proposed Junction Railway. This subject will, whenever it shall be necessary to come to a decision, be submitted by the Directors to a general meeting of the Proprietors of this Company ; and, in the meantime, it may be mentioned, that the probable advantages of a junction line to Hunt's Bank are considerably increased, by the determination of the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company, to make the latter river navigable up to the Irk at aunt's Bank. A resolution to that effect was lately transmitted to this Board, and a direct communi cation may thereby be established between that Com pany and the proposed junction line at that point. For the present, therefore, the Directors may content them selves with an assurance that they do not consider it expedient to suffer their present powers to expire unex ercised, and that they will use every endeavour to as certain and lay before the Proprietors such reasons as may appear to warrant them in pursuing their present proposed scherre, even independently of the Liverpool Company, should that Board ultimately determine to relinquish their powers, and abandon the junction al together. With a view to promote the welfare and efficiency of the servants of this Company, the Directors have re cently sanctioned the establishment of a Benevolent So ciety for the relief of the sick, and those who suffer in their service from accidents. It is intended that every person in the employment of the Company shall be come a member. The rules are based upon principles and data tested by experience, and have been drawn up by Mr. William Entwistle,Esq., and Captain Laws, R.N., to whom the Board feel much indebted for the trouble they have taken in the business. To give stabi lity to such an institution in its infancy, a small gua rantee fund to commence with is desirable ; and the Directors, anticipating the cordial approval of the Pro prietors, beg to recommend that they be authorized to contribute a sum, on the part of the Company, for the purpose. The donation may be made without touching on the capital of. the Company, by the sale of twenty two shares, unappropriated or unreclaimed, which have remained in the hands of the Company since the first allotment in 1833 ; and the premium on which, or such part of the premium as may appear desirable, might with great propriety be appropriated to such an object. In consequence of the decision of the Proprietors at the last yearly meeting, on the question of Sunday tra velling, the Directors have to announce with great re gret the resignation of three of the most valuable mem bers of the Board, viz., their much-respected Chair man, James Wood, Esq., James Heald, Esq., and John Burton, Esq. It is almost unnecessary to add, that every effort was made by their colleagues to retain them in office, not less on grounds of personal esteem, than from regard to the interests of the Proprietors ; but their retirement being founded on conscientious mo tives, could not be prevented. The vacancies thus oc casioned have been filled up by the election of William Entwistle, Esq.. John Hargreaves, Esq., and James Hatton, Esq. H. Houldswortb, Esq. has been ap pointed to the Chair, and William Entwistle, Esq., to the office of Deputy Chairman. The period of service of the three following Directors expires at this time, viz. : H. Holdsworth, Esq., Sam. Brooks, Esq., James Hatton, Esq., who are re-eligible according to the Act of Incorporation of the Com pany. H. HOULDS WORTH, Chairman. Mr. ENTWISTLE then read the engineers' Report, as follows : TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE MANCHES TER AND LEEDS RAILWAY. Gentlemen,—ln compliance with your resolution, we now beg leave to lay before you a statement of the progress and condition of the warks of the line up to the present period, showing what remains to be executed on the part yet unfinished, and when the whole may fairly be expected to be ready for opening to the public. Between Littleborough and the Summit Tunnel, a distance of II- mile, little remains to be done, as the permanent rails, with the exception of a few yards, are all laid down. As stated in our Report, the portion of the line ex tending from the west end of the Summit Tunnel to Hebden Bridge, a distance of about n n►i;es, contains the heaviest works, and those which will require the longest time to complete, comprising the Summit Tunnel and some smaller ones, as also several viaducts, and some deep cuttings and embankments ; and though the cuttings and embankments have been delayed, and some of the loose ground.rendered troublesome by the very wet season, yet the viaducts and other masonry, from the exertions which were mad• during the dry weather in the early part of last year, are in a forward state, and we are happy in being able to report the same of the tunnels, including that at the summit of the country, which has pro ceeded at a rate much exceeding the required average formerly stated by us ; but, as the junctions are effected between the several shafts, and the number of working faces become by that means reduced, the rate of progress will necessarily diminish ; but we see no reason for doubting its completion in November next, the time stipulated in the contract. The following statement of the work done will show that this result may be fairly calculated upon : Total length of tunnel 2,860 yards. Length alrealy executed 1,842 do. Now remaining to be done The quantity executed during the last six months is 980 lineal yards, or at the rate of 163 yards per month. The other short tunnels upon this part of the line, though some of them are through difficult ground, are also well advanced, and we expect will all be finished as early as that at the Summit, some of them much earlier. In reference to the remaining portion of the line between Hebden Bridge and Normanton, where it joins the North Midland Railway, a distance of 27# . miles, the principal works consist of ten bridges, of from two to six arches each, over the several crossings of the river Calder, the Sowerby and Elland Tunnels, and some extensive cuttings and embankments at My tholm Royd, Copley, Elland, Cooper Bridge, Horbury, and Kirkthorpe. Of the bridges over the river Calder five are nearly finished, having the arches ail turned, and little remain ing but the parapet walls to complete them. Three more are likewise in a very advanced state, being built up above the water level, and nearly ready for the centreing. The retnaiaing two are built above water level, with the exception of one pier in each, so that the principal difficulties attending these works may be said to be overcome. Considerable delay has arisen in die construction of two of the above•mentioaed bridges, viz. :—at Cooper Bridge and Kirkthorpe, from the continued obstruc tions thrown in the way by the Companies navigating the river, otherwise they would have been in a much more forward state. The Sowerby Tunnel is in length 638 yards, of which .550 yards are already comp:eted, leaving only 443 yards yet to be executed. The Elland Tunnel is 410 yards in length, of which 310 yards are completed, leaving 100 yards to be executed. Toe progress of the cuttings and embankments at the several places above referred to i 3 very satisfactory, ex cepting at Cooper Bridge and Kirkthorpe, where the delay in the construction of the bridges, over which a considerable portion of the earth work must be con veyed, will prevent the completion at Cooper Bridge, if the very best exertions are :used, until the end of August next, and at Kirktlsorpe until November next. As this latter work is below Wakefield, it will not, how ever, interfere with the completion of the line between Hebden Bridge and Wakefield. The following is a general statement of the quantity of work on the unfinished part of the line extending from the west end of the summit tunnel to Normanton, showing also how much remains yet to be done : Etathwork—Total quantity 5 020,010 cubic yards Masonry—To t al qauinans t t i o ty b . e d ... 0. ... e . . ...1,260,. :1970 0 0 0 di 0 0 tt. ditto. o Remains to be d0ne...... 57,000 ditto. Tunnelling —Total quantity ..... ...• 5,082 lineal yards Remains to be done... 1,600 ditto. Permanent 35f miles. way—Total quantity •• • Remains to be done 26 miles. Number of Brill:- -BuiV ...... ..• 47 ges—Built Ditto in progress 4l Ditto fa e tionof being not commencedabl e . ... repeat in .. to this Report w h at has been previously stated to you by us, that we h ave every reason to believe the whole line will be ready f or opening to the public by the end We have th e satisfact i on of this year ; and, should no further delay arise in the progress of the works at Cooper Bridge, we hope to finish the line from Hebden Bridge to Wakefield, a dis tance of about 24} miles, in September next. The junction with the North Midland below Wakefield cannot be effected in the same time for the reasons al ready stated. In reference to the portion of the line already opened between Manchester and Littleborough, we can on l y s ay that the works have required as little attention and repair as we gave you reason to suppose they would, and that the line continues in good order at a ve r y moderate cost. The stations for the reception of goods at Manches ter and LittlPborough are now ready for the carriers, and that at Rochdale is also in progress. We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants, GEORGE STEPHENSON, THOMAS L. GOOCH. Railway Office, Manchester, March 2d, 1840. [With a copy of the Reports, we received also a table exhibiting the results r elatin g to the traffic durin g the first six months after the opening of the Line --[July 4, 1839, to January 6, 18401 —from Man chester to Littleborough (134 miles). Omitting frac- THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18. 1840. tions, we find that in this period the total number of 1 passengers was 346.412 (averaging 1,957 passengers per day), of whom only 244,500 arrived at or left Man chester, the remaining 101,912 being local traffic. The number of miles travelled by these passengers was 2,721,981 (average 15,378 miles per day) ; the duty paid to Government, 1,4171., or 81. average duty per day. The average receipt per day for parcels, trucks, &c. was 41.58.5 d. ; and for passengers, 100/. 133. 11d. the average distance travelled by each passenger being 7 13-16 miles, and the average receipt from each passen ger, Is. 0 5-16 d. or Is. 19-16 d. per mile. The total receipts for parcels were 756/. ; and for passengers, 17,823/., of which, (no classification having, been made in July and August) 1,302/. was received for 7,872 first-class passen gers during the last four months of the period,oran average of 10/. Bs. per day for 63 passengers of this class—being 3s. 3d. for each passenger. For 40,034 second class passengers during the lour months, 3,2681. was received, or 261. 12s. per day for 320 passengers per day—being Is. 7d. for each passenger. For 182,050 third class passengers during the four months, 7,207/. was re ceived, or 57/. 34. per day for 1,461 passengers per day—being about 9d. for each passenger. The num ber of trains during the six months was 3,260 ; ave raging 136 passengers to each train.] The CHAIRMAN said, that as every Proprietor pre sent had a copy of it, the cash statement need noc be read. [We may state, however, that the total receipts were shown to be 577,082/. Bs. 6d. ; and the disburse raents (including 21,537/. Is. sd. paid for land and buildings for the junctioa line) to be 534,134/ 12s. 6d. ; leaving a balance unexpended on the 31st December last, of 42,947/. 163. By the revenue account from the opening of the line, July 4 to December 31, 1839, it appeared that the total recepts of the six months, from passengers, parcels, &e., were 17,908/. 1 Is. Id. ; and that the disbursements were 8,669/. 3s. sd. ; leaving a balance in hand of the 31st December last of 9,239/. 7s. Bd.] THosras MARILAND, Esq. said he had very great pleasure in moving, that the report of the Directors be received ; that their proceedings be approved of and confirmed ; and that the accounts up to the 31st De cember last be paesed. WILLIAM GRANT, Esq. said he had great pleasure in seconding the resolution ; he thought the report was most gratifying, and that it said much for the valuable services of the Directors. The CHAIRMAN said, before the motion was put, he wished to make a few observations. It had been fre quently remarked, particularly of late, that a very im perfect knowledge of a Report was obtained by hear ing it only once read over in a crowded meeting ; and the Directors, anxious to avoid this evil, had caused the Report on this occasion to be printed and distri buted, so that every gentleman present had the means, if he did not catch the import of any passage, to cor rect his information on the instant ; and he might add, that the Directors generally, seeing how seldom it was that the Proprietors were called upon to meet those whom they entrusted with the management of this great concern, felt that it was essential to the interests of all parties that the utmost confidence should be pre served between the Proprietors and Directors—(Ap plause)—and that could only be placed on a firm foundation, and fully maintained, by the shareholders having a . correct and thorough knowledge of all the principal parts of the undertaking. By the means which the Directors had adopted on this occasion, he hoped that was secured ; and it might have precluded him from making any further observations, were it not that there was one subject referred to in the report which interested the shareholders very much, and which, as it bad been a subject of disappointment to the Direc tors, he might be allowed to trespass a while on the time of the meeting, in referring to it. . . _ With respect to the progress of the works (continued the Chairman), I think the engineers' report, confirmed as it is by r. Stephenson's presence on this occa sion, renders it unnecessary for me to say much. There are but four contracts that we consider at all in a situation to require particular mention. Two of those are in the summit tunnel, in fact the most impor tant contract on the line. That, we have every reason to congratulate ourselves upon, is in a very satis factory state; because with the exception of the worl ings in two shafts, all the rest are, as the engineer em phatically expresses it, " perfectly safe, both as to time and execution ;" and the delay in one of the shafts has arisen from finding the material much harder than was expected. To remedy that, six or eight months ago, the engineer caused an intermediate shaft to be sunk, which has only just come into operation. It is marked upon the plan (3k), and it is at that point in the tun nel that the hardest rock has been found ; and it is most likely to run hard for a time : but the engineer is now confident, that he will be able to complete the tunnel at the time previously stated. There is another short tun nel between Littleborough and Hebden Bridge, which has occasioned some little trouble ; but, as it is only 229 yards long, and in a very satisfactory state, I need say little about it. These are the only two contracts that at all attract the notice or tax the energies of the engineer ; and, when I say, that there were twenty-three or twenty-four contracts to I begin with, and that those which require particular at tention are reduced to two, I think you will see the sa tisfactory state of the work.—(Applause.) The two remaining contracts at Cooper Bridge and Kilthorpe, have been delayed in consequence of difficulties with the water companies, which, in effecting their own interests, have delayed our proceedings ; but we be lieve that these difficulties are so far removed that there will be no difficulty in completing the contracts within the time. The Report next alludes to the bond loans which have been taken up ; and I have no doubt the Proprietors will feel that, under the circumstances of the times, the Directors have acted well in taking up loans in the way they did.—(Hear, and applause.) It may have occurred to particular Proprietors, whose convenience it suited to have calls made, that the delay would be injurious to them ; but it is not so, because by the Act the Directors have power to receive payment of calls in advance, and they have determined upon allowing five per cent. interest on such payments—the same interest as they pay on their loans. On that ground there appears to be perfect equity as regards the interests of' any Shareholder prepared to pay up his calls ; and the effect of borrowing money, as wo have done, is merely to extend the calls over a longer period. The security to those who lend their money on bond is as perfect as if it were in the bank ; the money is not in hand, but it is in the pockets of the Shareholders —(Hear)--and we believe it to be fully as safe as if it were in the bank. I will not detain you longer on any other part of the Report, but proceed at once to the consideratien of the present difficulty in the way of proceeding with the Junction Line.— (Hear, hear.) Tice Directors must acknowledge, that they have been disappointed at the course which the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company's Direc tors have pursued in this matter ; but we have great confidence in thinking (although we have no inti mation of any change of opinion on the part of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company's Directors), that when the question is most perfectly understood by these gentlemen, the Junction Line, as contemplated by our Acts of Parliament, and for mak ing which we have secured the necessary powers, will be completed. We have been told by these gentleman, that the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company is somewhat changed in its construction ; and, certainly, speaking as an individual, I must say that it is changed in its character and spirit very much since it was first established. There was a time when we associated with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, everything that was enterprizing and bold. When they first commenced their undertaking,--looking at the dif ficulties which teeposed themselves to the trial of the experiment of railways on such a scale as theirs, — every one must be indebted to them for the enterprife and spirit they exhibited. But we are now told, that their present proprietary consists of parties more cau tious than those who originally completed that scheme ; and that they look more to the return which they arc likely to receive for their money, before they will part with it ; and, that, consequently, the Direc tors are obliged to consider that change in the cha racter of their constituents, and to act much more guardedly. 'We have no objection to the question being put upon that principle ; because we believe, with the knowledge we: have of all the circumstances connected with this line, that there is a sufficient traffic to justify, on the part of the most cautious, the outlay which the Liverpool Company would be required to make to carry out that project, which, in conjunction with our selves, they so far approved of as to go to Parliament with us and obtain Acts. It is now my duty to lay before you the masons for which we think they will ultimately come to that resolution. They have stated, at considerable 1 ength, in the extract which we have given from their Report , the reasons which induce them at present to pause in this proceeding ; and, considering their having obtained their Act, and the length at which they have alluded to the subject in their Report, at is evi ' dent that they do fc•el it a delicate subject ; and presuming that they have the strongest reasons possible for de clining to proceed, seeing that this Company have so far committed themselves to it as to make considerable pure as well as in applying to Parliament, and rea sons which they a dduce in their Re p ort are—first, that I fi a g s h e t s in o g f land, through aco d Bill. The two nteste th e traffic statement with which we furn ished th em is not corroborated by their own inquiries ; and, secondly, that since they did not look for such a large return as we expect, they were anxious, by taking another route, to •secure some collateral advantages, to make up for the deficiency which they allege to have disco vered in the returns we presented to them. The Proprietors are aware what was the original plan for the junction line proposed by this Company. We proposed to come down from the station in St. George's Road to Hunt's Bank, to cross the river, pass through Salford to the Manchester and Bolton line, along that for about 1,200 yards, and then by a short cut to the Liverpool line and , - ' you will perceive by the plan, that the line is as near and direct as possible. The line that was proposed some time ago, and which latterly has impressed itself upon the minds of the Liver pool Directors, is this circuitous line [showing it on the plan of Manolaester], which has the disadvantage of being at least one-half longer, making the con nection, of course, more expensive ; but which has the advantage, in their eyes, of also connecting theirs with the Manchester and Birmingham line ; so that, in addition to the traffic : by our line, they would obtain the additional traffic from the Stockport district on the Manchester and Birmingham Line ; and a'so from the Ashton and Glossop district on the Man chester and Sheffield Railway. Latterly, they have proposed an improvement on the route, suggesting that it should be carried across Ducie-street and across Lon don Road ; but this second proposition differs very little in its main features from the first : it may b e a s light improvement ; but it leaves the main objection which this company have to a junction in that way still un• altered ; and it is for us to consider what are the prin cipal inducements for going round in this way. As for ourselves, we can have none. The line to Hunt's Bank was projected by us, not solely on account of the through traffic, but partly on account of certain local advantages, which we expect to derive from bringing our station down here ; for we arc here within 500 yards of the Exchanee ; and, at one corner of the ground we have purchased, we are within a hundred yards of the resort of all the stage coaches to Oldham and that neighbourhood. Looking to the character of our line—and we must consider that a very large pro portion of our traffic will consist of what may be called omnibus traffic—it is evident, that, unless our station is somewhat near that part of the town where those who resort from Oldham, &c., are in the habit of corning, we are not likely to obtain that short traffic. It is, therefore, of great advantage to us, that our line comes within one hundred yards of Shudehill, where all the short coaches and stages stand. We have also the adv,entage of coining down to the river ; and the Old Quay Company have latsly passed a r eso l u ti on t o sur • vey the river, with a view to bring the navigation to this point. We think that the inducements to the Liverpool Company are equally strong ; because, while it unites their line to ourselves, there is nothing want ing to complete the chain of railway communication from Liverpool to Hull but these two miles which this junction would furnish, and which offers %cry consi derable advantages to the Liverpool Company. They still, however. have a very strong leaning towards going to the other side of the town ; and it remains for us to consider how far it is probable that that line will ever be completed. Individually, I say I cannot see how the Birmingham Company. if they act in this matter, as it is reasonable to suppose they will act, regarding it simply as a matter of business, a question of profit and loss,-1 cannot see how they can ever be I expected to contribute their quota to making that cir cuitous line. These are my reasons for thinking so. The Liverpool Company say to us, " Your traffic on the Leeds line, we know, is considerable ; but we have re turns from Canal Companies (the Liverpool and Leeds, and the Rochdale Canal Company), and we find the traffic by no means such as you expect; and we think that it is not sufficient to justify us in laying out 240,000/. to come to Hunt's Bank. But (they say) if we can get, in addition to your traffic, the traffic of Birmingham, which will have a certain traffic to and from Stockport, and also the traffic from Ashton and that neighbourhood, we think then, by the union of these two traffics, that we may be justified in making the junction line in that way, and in contributing our just proportion." Upon asking a Deputation that waited upon us within this week, in what proportions this improved line would be made, they said, " Of course each Company will make their own third." Now if we look at the district to which the Birmingham line extends, we must all see that any traffic between Liverpool and that district cannot extend much be yond Stockport, or beyond Ashton and Glossop on the Sheffield line ; that in fact the traffic between Liverpool and Birmingham cannot form a branch of that traffic which this Company must bring towards Liverpool. Look at Wakefield and Halifax, and their neighbour hood, and again at Burnley and other places, and we must see that our traffic must preponderate infinitely as compared with that which the Birmingham line could contribute to the Liverpool Company. And, without wishing at all to disparage the Birmingham Company, I may be allowed to assume that two-thirds of the traffic between Liverpool and all parts eastward of Manchester will come along our line, and not above one-third of it by the Manchester and Birmingham Company. What then is the position of the Birmingham Company ? The Liverpool Company say to us, " Your two-thirds of the traffic is not sufficient for us ; but if we had the other third also, we should then be justified in making a junction line." What do the Birmingham Company say to this? Will they not ask themselves, "If it requires three-thirds of the traffic to pay the Liverpool Company for making one-third of this junc tion line, how can it ever pay the Birmingham Com pany, which will never benefit by it by more than one third of the traffic ?"—(Applause.) And it appears to me that if the Birmingham Directors are to be guided by business principles,—and we know and respect many of them, and know that they are as active busi ness men as any of us,—it is obvious that they can never lay their part of the line at the cost of their share of the 240,0001. ; for only one-third of that amount of traffic which the Liverpool Company say is essential before they can be justified in commencing the junction line. I think, consequently, that or. that ground it cannot be expected that the line will ever be made, unless the Liverpool Company do con tribute a great part of it themselves. I know it may be said that the Birmingham Company have an in terest in making this junction, because it connects their Line, not only with the Liverpool Railway, but with ours. To a certain extent this is true ; but we have a more economical mode of forming that junction by a tunnel under the town t o Store-street, three quarters of a mile in length ; and, we believe, from the estimates we have received, that such tunnel is not only practicable, but would cost not the half of what a surface Line would cost. tied we say that, so long as there is no advantage to be gained by a circuitous line, and every advantage to be gained by see ki ng to obtain a direct one, we are right in persevering to this end.— (Applause.) Now, as to the traffic which the Liver pool Directors have called in question. For my own part 1 must say that I never did attach much import ance to these statements of traffic. The elements of these estimates arc not sufficiently in a state of settle ment to enable parties to judge ; but in this particular case the difficulty is multiplied tenfold, because the pro fit is not to be derived from the quantity of tonnage that passes over the junction, but from the quantity of tonnage that passes over the whole line, in addition to what dow comes on it. Now the estimates of traffic which we presented to them were founded upon observation. We employed a competent person to ob• serve the through traffic at Skipton, and we also had it observed at Castle Field, in Manchester. He made observations for a sufficient number of days, and he made a regular average, and worked it out, to the result that 85,000 tons pass annually at Skipton, be tween Liverpool and Leeds. The Liverpool Directors now tell us, that they have received returns from the Canal Companies. which show that the traffic does not exceed 17,000 tons. Now, really, when we look at the extent of the traffic on that line—that from 6 to 8,000,000 tons pass annually along that line—it ap pears en exceedingly small proportion to say that only 17,000 tons pass between Liverpool and Leeds. But I admit that we have no other way of refuting it, than by looking at the general features of the case, and by appealing to those estimates which we have made from, personal observation. It is true that the party who observed for us might have been deceived in sonic cases ; but I cannot conceive that he could have been to anything like that extent, Now, look at the Rea dale Canal returns. Ile placed an individual in Castle Field, who observed the traffic that way ; and the result of his observation and estimates was, that 210,000 tons pass annually between the lower• part of the town (Manchester), and the upper, by those water communications that you know exist through the town. We are now told, that only 55,000 tons of that—(only 45,000, I believe, arc as sumed by the Liverpool Directors ; but the Rochdale Canal Company, by another return, make it 65,000, and I take the large amount) —is all that passes for ward beyond Manchester. Now, our observation is 210,000 t o n s ; an d I su bmit that there is a discrepancy there which cannot be accounted for on any reasonable principle ; and while the Liverpool Directors choose to assume that th e i r private returns are correct. I think we have as strong gro unds for assuming teat sur re : turns are not p er h a p s c orrect, but m ore correct than theirs. At a ll events we ay do so in argume nt ; but we have never attached that importance to those statements and returns of traffic that the Liverpool Company. •appears to have done ; we look more the general feat ure of' the case. And I think it is im possible, looking at the advantages of ra ilwa y commue. nication, to suppose that one small link of two miles in the great chain of railway communication between Liverpool an d H u ll can l ong b e suffered to remain n disunited. I thi n k t h at on public grounds the Compa nies may o almost than' tn be compelled to make that conn ection. Looking, then, at the e e mgeneral points, features, which s :•ee know leave are to some ex t en t i nvo l ve d i n un certainty, we think we are neare s t t o th e trut h. Th e difference of opinion does not i m pl y a mere di fference o f 3d. or 6d. per ton upon th e li re o f two m il es ; b ecaus e thebenefitis not done, rather to be d er i ve d f rom t h e amount o f t o ll that will be paid over the two miles, but from the toll paid upon the whole line—(H ear , hear)—and every ton, in their esti mate and ours, involves a difference of five shillings per ton in the estimates. Consequently the amounts of their estimates arc not to be depended upon ; while I think we have quite sufficient, in the means we have taken to establish our traffic, to rely upon to a consi derable extent. But let us look at the general features of the case. I have already mentioned the necessity of completing the communication, by adding this, the only link wanting, in the chain between Liverpool and Hull. We see also that the Water Companies have, long ago, connected their lines, not by one connexion only, but by two ; and I would submit that the se cond water connexion is a proof that the first must be remunerative ; and, if the connexion between the two places by water is remunerative, I do not see on what principle one formed by railways would not la (Hear, hear.) But even takintr tba 'r 'ffic on tbn as- sumption of tile L; verpool Director s :is s. are csis show that even that would pry. I hold in my I\ian-1 an annual statement of the expenditure on the LiVerpool Line for the year 1833 ; and I find that, at that time, they estimated their net profit upon every ton of goods between Manchester and Liverpool at 3s. Oid. 1 find that, since then, their traffic has increased about 30 per cent. in goods ; and I assume that, if it yielded 3s. 01,1. per ton profit in 1833, the increased perfection and improvements in concluding their business must. yield a higher rate of profit than 3s. per ton. I consider also, that, when they say that they only got 3s. per ton profit, they have provided for all their fixed expenses, such as would not be increased by the increased traffic that would come in consequence of this junction. Ali the charges for expenses of head office, direction, interest of borrowed capital, rates and taxes, and, in fact, a great number of expenses, are already provided for ; and it may be very fairly taken, that the outlay they wculd be at in consequence of the additional traffic on the present occasion, would be only for the locc motive power, the wear and tear of waggons, a cer tain portion of the maintenance of way, and a few more porters. Now, we find one of the items in the Liverpool Company's accounts of 8,0001. a year for carting in Manchester ; not one farthing of that would be required. That amounts to 10d. a ton upon every ton of goods they carry. If I add, then, to the 3s. the 10d. they would save in carrying, and subtract from their expenditure those charges that are fixed, and which would not be increased by the increased traffic, I End that upon every ton of goods which this junction would bring upon them in addition, there would be a profit of from ss. to Os. per ton. Then, what is the amount of tonnage they require at ss. or 65., to cover the expense estimated of 240.000/. ? At five per cent that would be 12,000/. They have the liberty to charge double tolls by the Act of Parliament. Sup posing they charge double tolls, and that pays for every expense of working, supposing that there is no profit whatever on tolls, then the 150 tons per day would ply the 12,000/. a year, which is required to pay the pro prietors 5 per cent. Now, looking at the traffic be tween Manchester and the portion of the country eastward, by the Leeds Canal one way and the Roch dale Canal another, I ask any gentleman here whether he does not think that more than 150 tons of goods traffic would be produced by this junction. We find the traffic of the Leeds and the Rorhdaie Canals to be each of them within 100 tons (one way or another) of 2,000 tons a day. Looking at that fact, and the small tonnage that would be required to remunerate the proprietors of the Liverpool Company, it appears to me, that, if there were not other reasons than this mere traffic-reason operating at the present moment, the difficulties that now stand in the way would not exist. However, we cannot but believe, that these matters will be fairly in vestigated by the Liverpool Board ; and we are per suaded that they will, in the end, be guided by that which they find to be best for the interests of their Company as Railway Proprietors. Adverse interests may, for a time, prevent the junction ; but we believe that ultimately more enlarged views will he taken. And, under those considerations, we do not think it for the benefit of this Company to allow their powers under the recent Act to expire, without, at all events, such purchases of land as may enable them to extend the junction line to this point (Hunt's Bank), which after wards the proprietors of the Liverpool line may approve of. That is the precise position of this question. I have gone more into detail than I could wish ; but I was de s'rous that every gentleman present, taking what lie could remember of what I have stated, would use his own figures, and sit down to examine into it with pen and paper ; and I am convinced, that the general result will be much as 1 have stated it.—(Applause.) Mr. JAMEi HEALD (late a Director in this company) said, that so far from the Chairman apologising, he thought the shareholders present would agree with him, that that gentleman deserved their thanks for having, with so much pains and so luminously, explained the details of this question. There were two or three features in• this junction case to which he wished to refer. They could not hesitate to admit the more they examined into the merits and importance of the junction line to the interests of this Company--.(and he spoke as a preprietor of this company, for he would know no other interests than those of this Company)—the more it would appear a matter of the highest importance ; and he did not hesitate to say, that he considered its right settlement as a matter of vital importance to the interests of the Company at large. He saw no reason to change the opinion he had long held in common with many others, that the traffic might be made out as a prima facie case. If any lines could, from their position and importance, command the formation of a junction of only two miles, it surely was a line which, from its position, commanded the western ocean, and another main line which, from its position, guided the destinies of our eastern commerce. With these two termini, and so short au intermediate line to accomplish their union, what, in the common-sense view of the thin g , was likely to be the traffic? If this junction could not maintain itself on its home trade, he would not have been the purchaser of one single share, We had about a million and a half of p o p u l a ti on , all most com mercial, active, moving, and industrious ; and with the wants of such a population in the case, if there were any doubt as to remuneration, he would contend that u liberal policy was the best policy to secure the common object which these Companies had in view.—(Applause.) Therefore, as he did not now expect the Liverpool Company to form this junction with the Leeds Com pany, except by the progress of events, and the supply of additional light to their minds on the question, with the conviction of beneficial results from a more thorough examination, showing that they were wrong in their computations, and that we were nearer to the right than they were ; the next question was, supposing they did not join to form it, what was the position of the Leeds Company ? He saw, with pleasure, that the attention of the Shareholders had been di rected by the Report to a point that had struck his own mind,—whether, after using in vain, to the last moment, all proper means to induce the Liverpool corn play to join us, the next question to be considered at the proper time will not be, whether there are not rea sons sufficient contained within itself for our preparing to make the line upon its own distinct and settled merits. It was a question which they could not hastily deter mine, as being a departure from the principle upon which they applied to Parliament for their Act fur this junction line ; but he thought it became a public ques tion ; and that any unprejudiced person, deciding the question per se, must be satisfied that a straight line of communication,—seeing that we were in the centre of the commerce of this country, between the eastern and the western oceans, which transmit the products of our manufactures all over the world,—must strike any man as most simple, feasible, and desirable, for the public to realize the advantages to the inte rests of the shareholders. The question was whether the shareholders would concur as to the adoption of this measure. The point was left just where he wished to see it, under the consideration of' the Directors ; and, from what he knew of them, he would venture to say, that he felt no doubt whatever, that, whenever the shareholders should be called together to receive this recommendation, the reasons upon which it would be founded would be as plain and satisfactory as the state ment they had just received from their Chairman ; and if' it should appear to the Proprietors that they ought to embark in it on its own merits, then he knew there was ener g y enough in the Directory to carry it out.— (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN then put the motion for the adoption of the report, which passed unanimously. J. C. HARTER,. Esq., moved, " That Messrs. Henry Houldsworth, Samuel Brooks, and James Hatton, who retire as Directors, agreeably to the act of incorpora• tion, be re-elected." He was sure it was quite unne cessary for him to say to this meeting, that he believed there was such abundant evidence of the good services of the Directors, that tiro Proprietors must all feel very unwilling to see any of those gentlemen out of the Direction.—(Hear.) Was. GRANT, Esq., had very great pleasure in se conding the resolution. The report convinced them, that the Directors were worthy of their confidence. The services of their Chairman and Mr. Gill. in par ticular, were most valuable, and the shareholders had reason to congratulate themselves on the success which had resulted from the efforts and labours of their Direr tors.—(Applause.) The motion passed unanimously. Capt. JOHN BROWN, of Lea Castle, Worcestershire, moved, " That the Directors be authorised to dispose of twenty-two unappropriated shares of the old stock by sale, at such time as may seem to them advisable, and from the proceeds of the premium t 3 make such a do nation towards the fund of the Manchester and Leeds Railway Benevolent Society, as they may consider proper." Mr. JAS. HEALD Seconded this motion, which passed unanimously. The Rev. R. BASSNETT moved, " That the thanks of the meeting be given to their excellent Chairmen, for the able manner in which he had conducted the proceedings of the day?' Capt. S. BROWN seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The proceedings then terminated, about twenty minutes before two o'clock. From Henry Cowper, Esq., of Tewen-waters, Herts, to Messrs. S. and B. Solomous, 39, Albemarle -street, Piccadilly :—Gentlemen,—Having been deaf for many years, I was induced from recommendation to try your Invisible Voice Conductors, and I have great pleasure telling you that they enable me to hear p ersons i n com pany and at a place of worship most distinctly; and in conse.arence of the great advantage which I have derived, I have recommended many persons to you, and their report is similar to mine, most favourable. The Spectacles and Hand-glass which you have sent me are very excellent, and suit my sight precisely, and surpass anything of the kind I have ever tried; the transparency of which is so brilliant that, although I have passed my 86th year, the 22d of May last, yet they enable me to read, &c., by candle-light with the greatest ease and comfort to myself. Gentlomen, I return you my best thanks, and remain your most obedient servants, HENRY COWPER.-22d of June, 1839." No con nection with persons of the same name. Observe, 39, Albe marle-street. T IN TE G.E " (Front the London Nero Price Current of March 17.) Tee.-There was much excitement in the Tea market on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday, occasioned by t he news from China; large purchases were made in Free Trade Tea at an advance on former rates of 21 to 3d per lb. For common Congou for cash 2s 8d was paid ; and 2s Bed a 2s 9d for Twankay. In Company's Congou large sales were made, and prices advanced to 2s fled 3s for cash ; on Friday, however, the demand suddenly ceased, the purchases were extremely limited, and prices gave way 4d a 5d per lb for Company's Congou in small parcels for cash 2s 6rl a 2s 6ed was accepted, for ordinary Congou 2s 4d, and Twankay 2s sd. On Friday afternoon there was more inclination to buy Company's Congous, and prices were 'Aber firmer, 2s 7ed paid for cash ; in Free Trade there was scarcely anything dome. On Sa turday the market was extremely dull for all kinds of Tea and prices went down to 2s 6d for Company's Congou for money, and 2s 3d for common Free Trade Congous. The private letters from China state that the ships sailed, and about to sail, would bring about 13,000,000 lbs. The monthly Tea sales commenced yesterday in the presence of a large attendance of the town and country trade, the quantity brought forward was by no means large, amounting to only 42,805 packages, equal to 2 900,000 lbs., which is a less quantity than was offered last month by 4,100,0001b5. ; 88 packages Assam were also declared, quality good. The sales opened with a great disinclination on the part of the trade to pay anything like the rates established towards the latter part of Iset sale; capitalists were not disposed to make investments, and the demand throughout the day was extremely limited. The reluctance of the trade to purchase may be at.ributed to some vessels with Tea being on their pas- Rage; the merchants, however, displayed much firmness for black Tea, and bought in and withdrew all that passed the sale of this description at high prices, fully equal to those established at the last monthly ash's, or 4d. above those accepted in the market towards the close of last week ; a few small lots however of Souchong were disposed of. Green Tea was held less firmly, and buyers showing very little inclination to purchase, the merchants were compelled to submit to lower rates to sell small quantitie3, and the reduction on the February sale's quo tations is kod to 6:1 on Twankay, 6cl on Imperial, 4 , 1 on Gunpowder, and 44 to 5d on Hyson. The quantity pas sed tile hammer amounted to 9,700 packages, of which only 1,200 packages were actually disposed of, and these consisted of nearly all green descriptions; one bro ker withdrew Tea contained in 32 pages of, his catalogue, not being disposed to take the reduced prices offered by the trade. The following are the rates paid- Hyson middling yellowish leaf 2s Brl to 2s 9d, middling glazed brightish leaf 2s I led to 3s Oed, Gunpowder but middling coarse burnt rather brightish glazed leaf 3s 7ed to 3s 81d, but middling mixed palish glazed leaf Twankay kind 3s sed to 3a Bi, but middling large palish leaf Twankay flavour 3s 3d to 3s 4d; Twankay good ordinary rather coarse 2s 3ed to 2s 3ed, but middling rather coarse 2s 4ed to 2s 4ed, but middling 2s 4ed to 2s eed, flee 2s Gd ; Rose Pekoe but middling 2s se-d to 2s eed ; Souchong ordinary Caper flavour 2s 2d to 23 2ied ; Imperial 2s 8d to 3s 1 Id; Congou Pekoe flavour was bought in at 3s 3d, and but middling Tea at 2s 8d to 2s 9d per lb. Com pany's Congou is dull of sales, sellers for cab at 2a 6d, but buyers will not pay more than 2s eed per lb ; for prompts no price can be quoted. Three ships have wiled from Hong Kong, for London, the names are J Horton, Pekoe, and Alexander Baring, also the John O'Gaunt, for Liverpool, and one vessel for Bristol. The Thomas Coutts is reported to be lading with Tea in the Whampoa river. Stock of Tea in London, Ist March, 1840 :-East India Company's, 2 932,306 ; Free Trade, 35,868,746; Assam Tea, 86 ; Total, 38,801,138 packages. To-day there was no improvement in the demand for Tea at the sales, and the biddirgs were extremely languid ; there were not so many persons present: the merchants generally will not submit to the reduced rates the trade are inclined to pay, and bought in and withdrew large par , eels; but when they show a disposition to sell, they were compelled to submit to a considerable sacrifice for Black Tea, and the reduction, as compared with tile latter part of the February sales, amounts to 5d to ed per lb for Congou. Green Tea generally was disposed of at a further decline, and Twankay and Hyson are again Id cheaper. The total quantity passed the sale to-day amounts to 22,000 pkgs, out of which only 3,100 were actually dirt posed of; common Congou left off at 2s 24 to 2s 2ed, mid and blackish leaf, 2s 30 to 2s 6d, and fine, 2s 7d to 2s 8d; Hyson ord yellowish leaf, 2s 6d; Twankay low yellowish leaf, 2s 2ed, fair, 2s 3d to 2s 4d ; Imperial com mon 2s 7ed; Gunpowder, 2s 10d. Assam Tea sold as follows:-Pekoe at 63 6d to 9s 6d, Souchong 7s ld to 8s 6d, Toucbong 4s, Songperry 8s 2d per lb. Company's Congou are Zed to 3d lower; for money 2s 3d to 2s 3ed has been accepted, and 2s 5d to 2s eed with prompts, m;king the fall from the highest point nearly Is per lb. The market closed with a very heavy appearance. Corals.-The unsettled state of the Tea market ope rates against the demand for British Plantation Coffee, and the purchases by private contract have been very limited in all kinds, but previous rates have been supported for clean sorts, the supply being small : 54 casks sold at 89s 6d to 91s for fine and fine ord unclean Demerara, very inferior 61s, good ord Jamaica 803, clean good mid and fine mid 125 s to 1275, good and fine fine ord 90e to 112 s. For East India and other descriptions previous rates must be paid for all kinds ; ord and good ord Java at 75s to 775, Ceylon 103 s, and mid and good yellow Mocha at 130 s to 1803 ; at public sale 26 casks good even pale Java fetched 80s, and 65 bags damaged els 6d to 788 6d ; 1,000 bags St. Domingo from the Cape were taken in at 67s for good ord mixed pale ; 4771 bags Padang were also taken in at 70s. Brazil at previous rates, except good clean sorts, fur which stiffer priees are wanted, Prices remain firm for foreign. Demerara far exportation at 71s to 73s for low mid, and good ord 504 per cwt. This afternoon the home trade showed very little incli nation to do business in Coffee, and the transactions by private contract were trifling. The public auctions con sisted of 1778 bags Ceylon, 100 bags 25 casks 19 baskets Java ; the Ceylon went heavily at 6s to 8s under former rates; good ord brown selling at fees to 95s Gd; good even yellow, like Java, went at 103 s to 103 s 6d ; 500 bags were taken in at 97s to 99s for fine ordinary. Java w as only partly sold at 73s to 74s for ordinary, fine in casks was taken in at 84s; 100 bags good ord Samarang were taken in at 70s per cwt; the market closed very heavily. Stesea.-The rates previously established have .beem supported for British Plantations, the supplies being small, particularly bright yellow sorts, but there has been only a limited demand ; the stock remaining in the hands of im porters is beady 4,000 hhds, &c. This afternoon the Market presented a quiet appear ance, the sales amourted to only 180 hhds and trs, and the rates established on Friday were generally supported. REFINED.-Previous rates have been supported for Re fined goods, and from the borne trade there was a good demand last week for the lower descriptions ; Titlers sold freely at 83s to 84s, standard lumps at 82s to 82s Gd, good and fine brown lumps at 79; to 81s, and very ord at 78s to 78s 6d. In cornemn Treacle a large business has been done at 33s 3d to 33s 6d, and the supply is not sufficient for the wants of bee era. Patent and the best ord in good request at 34s to 365. Bastards have sold well ; the lowest price of common dry brown is 555. Pieces have been in excellent demand, and fetched 73s to 745. In Bonded Crushed Sugar a good business has b een trans acted ; for present livery 34s 6cl, and 34s 3d tp wait three or four weeks. Loaves have been disposed of to a fair extent, 101b3 at 38s to 38s 6d, and 14itis at 37a to 37s 6d. Treacle has been in brisk request at 13s to 13s 6d. To-day the demand was very limited, and prices are rather lower, standard lumps selling at 81s to 81s 6d. Treacle, Pieces and Bastards in good request at former rates. In Bonded Crushed Sugar a fair business was transacted at 34s 3d to 34s 6d per cwt. MAURITIUS -The demand has been steady by private contract and previous rates have been well supported. At public sale 2 440 bags went briskly 6rl above the rates of the last auction ; good to very fine yellow at 68s to 71s, middling to good middling 653 to 675, low middling G3s 6,1 to 645, good to fine brown 60s to 62s 64, low to middling 35s to 58s ed per cwt. This afternoon little passing by private contract, and no auction, prices however remain film. EAST INDIA.-In white Bengal a large business would have been done by private contract if there had been a supply at market adequate to the wants of buyers, and full previous rates paid : brown and yellow sorts have been disposed of to a fair extent at full prices : at auction, 1196 bags sold briskly, good middling to good yellow at 66.3 6d to 68s, fine large bright grain and strong 71s, good damps 64s to 665; 50 hhds very low damp brown fetched 545. For Manilla a fair demand by private contract, and prices have improved ed ; the sales are 1600 bags principally at 22e 6,1 for fine brown. For Siam there are several buyers, prices remain firm. Java commanded rather higher pricey, by private contract 100 baskets have been disposed of, middling brown at 20a and good yellow 255; at auction 64 baskets middling grey fetched 23s to 24s per cwt. This afternoon there was not much demand for Foreign Fast India sorts; 17,288 bags Manila, and 4556 bags Siam were offered at public sale ; the former was princi pally taken in at rather higher rates, viz., good brown at 225. fine 22s 6d, low greyish yellow 22s 6d to 235, mil dling yellow 23a 6d, damps 21s 6d, washed 21s ; a few lots sold at the above rates ; there were buyers of the whole at former rates : the latter was only partly sold, but full prices were obtained. FOREIGN.-Thi. afternoon there was a fair desire to buy, 1153 bxs white Havannah, and 611 hhds 2 trcs and 53 barrels Porto Rico were offered at public sale, the former sans nearly all sold at full prices ; good fetched 34s ed to 35s 6d, middling 32s to 335, soft 30s to 31s Gd, damaged 27s to 29a, slightly do. 28s 6d to 32s 6d ; the latter was taken in above its value, viz. fine brown at 24s 6d, low greyish yellow 255. RUM, BRANDY AND HOLLANDS.-For all kinds of West India Rum there has been an animated demand, and prices have further improved id to ld for Leewerds ; the sales are 450 puns, proof at 3s 9d, 2 to 5 per rent oser proof 3s leee to 3s 10d, 6 to 8 over 3s 100 to 3s 114 , 26 to 30 over 5s 2d to 5s 4d, 30 to 35 over Sc 5d to es 6e, 36 to 39 over 83 7d to es 9d. Jamaica is Id to 2d higher ; 400 puns have been disposed of, 26 to 28 per cent over proof at es 6d to es 7d, 29 to 32 over bs 8d to 5s 10d, stronger 5s 1 ld to 6s 3d, and favourite merits 6s 4d to 6s 7d per gallon. The stock in first hands is very small. Brandy has been taken sparingly, but prices are firm ; Cognac, first bratel3 of the vintage of 1836 is held for es Gd in hhds, and 5s 4d in:puns, dittolB37 hhds 5s 4d, puns 5s 2d, ditto 1838 !Ads es 2d, puns ss; there aro ) sellers however of 1839 at 4s 9e. to 4s lid in puns and hhds. In Geneva not much passing; for export is I Id to 2s paid, and 2s eel to 2s d for fine for home use. British Corn Spirits are yet selling freely at :Os per gallon. To-day there was a good deal of inquiry, but buying was checked, in consequence of the small quantity of first hands, proof Leewards firm at 3s 93. 1 Ricn.-Bengal at rather higher prices for the better kinds, 133 a 13a 94 having been paid for parcels of mid and good mid, and 14s a I4s lid for good to fine white, but no advance can be quoted for the common sorts : good white at 144 to 14s 6d. Java at 103 a 10a 6d for mid broken white, Ss 6cl a lOs for small yellow, very ord yellow vent London: Printed and Published by MURDO • No. 1 12, Strand, a t The Sun Office, No. 112. tran fl, tr , county of Middlesex.—Wednesday, March le, 1840. EVENING EDITION. !.4; :id a 1 1, 6d. Siam at 9s to 10s. for low wilize. Cam - Jo , . for Tlcw SALTPETRE.—This afternoon there was much desire shown to purchase Rough, and prices remain firm : at pub lic sale, 420 bags Bengal, 2,000 baskets, and 100 bags Egyptian were offered, the former sold rather above former rates, viz. at 264 for 84 per cent refraction, latter was taken in at 14a 6(1 to lfis for low dirty unrefracted quality. TALLOW.-1 ,,, ,m the trade the demand has b een good for P. Y. C. QU t spot since we I..st wrote, and prices are firm at 31$ 9d to 52s for first quality. For delivery next month there . o no ~ellers under 51s 6d. For delivery iri the last thre men s a good many purchases were made last week at Os to 50s 3d, but yesterday there were seller; at 491 93 : 1%, r Town Tallow a good demand This afterncoa there was only a d in Russian Tallow for delivery in the last three litotitits 49s 6d to 49s 9d, but on the spot the demand was steady. and former rates supported. The stock is 2.600 casks less than in 1639 at this period. Otts.--Cod Oil at 291 10s, some parties will not sell un:3er 301. Southern a:. 2:1 105 to 251 10 for low to fine quality. Pale Seal has been disposed of on a more ex tend. d sale, still tla.. demand has not been general Srrin good and floe quality at 1091 to 1111 Linseed Oil Iris been in brisk request for forward delivery, and a good many contracts have been entered int 9 for the no ts ° and three months, at 25:; for present delivery there has been a fair busini:ss doing during !he last few days at 244 to 24s 3d. In ()Fare Oil prices have again advanced ; each at the present rates some of the merchants will not sell East India Cocos Nut at 435 6d to 44s 15, - 1 per cwt. Oil of Turpentine and Rosin is on the advance. At auction this afternoon 216 casks Palm Oil sold at 331 lOs to 34/ per tun. SPICES —This afternoon the public sales consisted of 1263 bags Pepper, and 710 bags East India Ginger; the former was principally disposed of at stiff prices. viz , at 3-1 d for good brown Sumatra, ordinary at aid ; the latter sold at 18s 6d for good bold rough B .ngal, mid 134; Malabar mid bold 17s to 17s 6d. being stiff prices MOLASSES.—.West India is wanted, but the stiff prices asked have prevented purchases of moment by private con tract ; there are a good many buyers rather under our quo tations; the supply is still small, having had no arrival. IRISH k)UBLIN MARRYI Nlai E toi the WI:EY' ending I'd ARCH 13 .36 7 20 ai 3.3 0 0 13 0 20 t• 11 6 I •5 0 • P r-nr 1 Wheat,pet barrel 0 }ere . 593 barley 1,376 Oa , s l4 5ten0...... { II Flour, per cwt. EI Oatineal-- 5t0t.e..... .1 Sold to Bakers only. 6,281 Cwt. Flour I I+, h I I 4, Average price of NN heat and F our 65., 4d per seek Receipts of Flour, 11,74:31 ..ts ed to 266 4,1 Sales of Do. Itip:3 irnm lss, 0„. . 1 58, . rnlitiS ••..... !TOM los. 9c! to lss • L. PRICE Or BREAM. Quarterr. [.oat half Q.Jarte•ta Ct 'Rh M 4.lll4FTS—March 14. 1!5 8 14 6 1 . 5 (1 I 18 S .... lb 1 Whezt (i)rr'-'oit.;‘2:2E ikl.tb3Ss 6d.itiats (tic.` tart .I 1! 01. i 5 0' Bar!cy:(der 165t.)10 0 :6 9 „ 4 24 Oanneat ',per ,I(A , fleet, 4d. to 7d - - Alutten, ad. tn &I.— 3... to Pork, 4gd. to 5d.--Fresh Butter, LOu. to kr. rarca OF itOri _ _ .`r' the Lout tr. First 0ua1ity...... ...... -...... 104 ....... ..... . .... ....... ... Second 'Third ...... •• .• .„. . • .... 1.0 •••.•••.•• • • •llNfi• •••• ,•• b Fourth Fifth . • • •-•....0.. 7 ' .. Sixth .......... •••••...... • CLONAIELL M A It h KIS... March 14. Pe? ( Iv t•,, s. d. a. d. s.. 4. & n Jew Butter sr, oto 90 i'i I Hade5iraw)......"..,.. 4., U . , 24 .., Oatmea , .... l2 0 12 3 ' liaccoil - '45.....„....35. e 41. 0 Rendereo lard - 0 52 , 1 r1eat15...........,„„„,.„ U th. I .... Y os t Et • flour, Second ( 44 •1 r tour, a !,•rds ..... ~... 0 ----Household...- " 42 01 - - k•ounGs..„..a. 0 - Per Bat - rO.• liapeceed °6 0 -0I Barley 11 t, 1 4 Bore S 4 10 C; C x.• 13 KILKENNY illAttKE.th. w'. - ,eat,pei barrely.3o,.od.to 375. lid i riect ' Jer Ii• .. oil., I , , A , el. t% liar 'ey 20 0 22 0 . ..ii..r.c . , ............ ' F. , li ~ 21S . ....... .... :C ri 14 ' Pork, ..........._ 4 I , 0 ~ ..- Flour (tier bag) :) , I 0 44+ ;.' t, el ....,.._.... . 0 Biattor (per eva.) 90 0 4,.- ' crest , Bi,•,et ... 0 0 1 0 Bacon l'igs 33 0 30 0 ` 4 .n.t l)itte ......... 0 6 0 .l . Coals 1 U 1 2 Votatocs ,per 34.) II I. IJ 3 HAMBUR GR. Wheat, Marks 142 to IN Magdeburg l a to 16 - Anima, white 140 to 156 red 13S to 15.2 Bruns%ick 142 to 156 - Mecklenburg 1:22 to I.t ---- Polish -- Holstein Rye, Mecklenburg 70 to 92 - Dantzic - Elbing and Ko nigsburg -- Upland - Riga MARKETS. AIN. !' Barley, Mecklenburgh 70 to 91 Magdeburgh 77 to I k 4 Holstein 70 to SZ Summer 74 to 7V Oats, Elder Mecklenburg "... 54 to 6 6 -- Holstein 54 to 5 6 Esst Frie•land 46 to 40 ! Pease, Mecklenburg 72 to 8 5 1 Beans t4i to 106 Buck Wheat 6O to 1 Rapeseed, Hanover 60 to ..7 Malt Tares - CON. _ -. cori Carolina and Tennessee 714t0 9 3 ,4 Georgia. Ist sort al,j SZ R `2.d :la EN 3d and 4th _71.. Maranham g;i tol Madras Pf t # Stoats 4jk 1 Domingo .......» 7 'EE. Dc:ningo IN to 51 La 6 navra ste Porto Rico 6 .., Havannah ..... ........ COFI Mocha 13 to 13% Batavia Sumatra Rio 4% Bahia SUGAR.— (Wit liavannah, White 6%t0 Brown...— Rio, White 5!-4 63y Brown Manilla. Bro 8% Discount.) Bahia, WhitQ to 7 1 4 B r o wn 5% 514 Pernambuco, White 7 ,g , „ Brown 5% to 5% .VIONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS• ( TUESDAY EVENING. TIMES.—By the advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 430 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17a. 105 d. the ounce for standard gold, gives an ex change of 13.7,i, and Ihe exchange at Hamburgh on Lon don at short beil.g 13,7,1, it follows that gold is 0.12 per cent. dearer at Hamburgh than in London.. The premium on gold at Paris is 7 per mile, which, at the En 7, lish hiint price of 31. 17s. 104 d. the ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25, Zt,25, and the ex change at Paris on London at short belt, 25. 321-, it fol lows that gold is of the same value at 1 2:ris as in London. The course of exchange at New 'fork on London is 1085 per cent., and the par of exchange between Eng land and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follow. that the exchange is 1.07 per cent. against England. The Consol market has looked firm, and the prices have been steady throughout the day. They left off at 905 to cash, and 90L to 91 for the account—an i 133- provement of about since the morning, though the bu siness done has not 1:1•en to rt eomiderable extent. Es' chequer-bills are stil, at 17s. to premium. On ac'' count of the investigation now coining on before the Committee of the House of Commons, Bank Stock is fiat. The amount of business transacted to.day in the foreign exchanges was not quite s o extens i ve as l ast post. Bills upon Holland were in demand, and the rate, if anything, rather lower. Upon Hamburgh the supply of paper a peered to exceed the dem.ind, and a ri se i n p r i c e too place. Paris remained the same as last post. At the meeting of the shareholders of the Manchester and Leeds Railway a prospect was lteld out of opening the entire line in IS4O. Of 2,860 yards, of tunnel, 1,018 re main at present unfinished. The receipts of the line frail Manchester to Littleborough seem to have exceeded the expenditure. However, there appears to be some diffi celty and want f unity with resper tto the junction with the Manchester and Liverpool Railw-ay. SUN.—The Colonial Markets were firm for sugar' but ritther flat for coffee this afternoon, and the tea sale s closed heavily at a decline in prices. It is not though" improbable that the sales tray close to-morrow. We had no further arrivals this afternoon. The Foreign Exchanges had a downward tendency" Bills on Paris were negotiated at 25f. 55c. to 571e -f f L IT Hamburg at 13 9d to 9i-, and on Am s t er d am at 12 15 to 1-4 1 -. There was scarcely any alteration in the Stock or Share Markets after the middle of the d iy. Consols closed at 90t for Money, and 91 for Account. Ez' chequer Bills brought 17s. to 19s. premium. Spanish Actives were last marked 29, and Portu guese New Fire per Cents. 344 ; Columbian Bonds brought 25i, and Mexican 29i. The Railway Shares were ail heavy. We learn, by the Sentinel le des Pyren‘•es, that a few days since Lord William Paget and Mr. Bell had hostile meeting at Blanc-Pignon, near Bayonne, when a case of pistols was exchanged, and the parties separated without either being w oun d e d . C o l one l Herman was Lc rd V. Page t .l second, and the dista nce was twe l ve paces. Nothing i s s aid about the cause of the duel. GOLD WATCHES, £B. Be. eaeh. finished Horizontal - Gold Watches, jewelled in four hales, with enamel dial, ha n d t o mar k t h e seconds, &e . Eight Guinea! each. These elegant little Watches will be found excelleo tine-keepers, and a printed warranty is given with fixed terin g ' on which they will always receive r.,ry attention required. T. COX SAVORY Watchmaker, J ewe ll er, and Silversmith, X 47, Cornhill (Sa le° Doors from Gracechurch-street), London. N.B. —Second-hand Watches purchased in exchange. On the 7th of Januar last, at Port-au-P r i nce , H a yti, fi el3 ; rietta, the wif e o f John Newman Tweedy Esq., Swedish an Norwegian Vice-Con su l, o f a son. - On the 11th inst., at Shewalton, Ayrshire, the lady of Pat rick Boyle, Esq., of a daughter. On t'.te 13th in s t., at K ilnaeroft House, Cavan, the la dy or Pierce Morton, Esq., of a daughter. On the 14th, at Brighton, the lady of John William Nu. son, Esq., of her Majesty's C e yl on Ci v i l Service, of a daug hter.; On the 14th i nst., at Lar i hall-rise, Clapham, the lady, °f George Ellis, Esq., of a sou. On the 15th i nst., at Arrow Hall, Cheshire, Mrs.Hegan' of a daughter. On the 15th inst., the lady of Alfred Griffin, Esq., d $ daughter. hter• On the 16th in s t., M rs. T egart, of P all-mall, of a clang IictrIRRAED. • tys Lately at Bri s t o l, M r. Willi am B . Steger, of her Mil" Cr' Cti , toms, to Ma rv , y oungest d aug h ter o f t h e l a t e 1 11 r. lfurcum, of Bcachley. of On the 15th i ns t., b y th e R ev. M r. Lee, princil reader the Western Sy nagogue , M r. M oses Cohen, to firs. Es ther Benjamin, both of Charles-street, Soho-square. ________.....--. BIRD. On the 21st ult., at G eorge - s t ree t, H anover - sq uare, Lonc" ) ! Miss Isabella Scott, third daughter of the late Charles Balfour Scott, Esq,, W. S. wca itle• On the Bth inst., Mr. Joseph Cathernood, o f Ne place, Clerkenwell, aged 53. wife On the 11th inst.. at Eghom, A nn Th omas i ne Haynes,„, r of Robert Haynes, Esq., of the isl an d o f B ar b a d oe i, aged t.. On the llth inst., at Settle, C raven, Y or k s hi re , John ha ley. Esq., solicitor, aged 78. On the 12th inst., at his house, near Huntingdon , 'of Nichol], Esq., a Deputy Lieutenant, and in the co rninigsi° l2 lo the peace for the counties of Cambridge, Huntingdon, Lin ° and Not folk. On the 12th inst., at Brixton, M r . J os eph Sheriff, ag ed 74 d 0 0. On the 12th inst, aged 6G. , at Lee, K en t, Mr. Benjamtn