The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1885-10-06 00:00:00

BRIDPORT RAILWAY .COMPAN Y.

The half.yearly ordinary general mostirig of the
proprietors was held at the Bull Hotel on Wednesday
at noon. There were present— %term.. R. 1).
Thornton, J. P. Hotta A. W. If. Dammers, and J. 'l'.
Stephens (directors), and the following shareholders—
Messrs. S. Whetham, H. Comer, R. Cornick, H.
Good, R. Tucker, S. A. Reynolds, G. A. Sanossi, W.
Collor, I. Roper, and C. (1. Nantes (secretary). In
the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Thornton was
voted to the chair.

-th-e--rep—or-t-4.the Directors regretted that the
traffic receipt.. were leas than in the cxwreeporiding
period of the present year, but it waa obvious that
this MIMI due to the general depression of trade which
has been shown to have affected the returns of all
railways throughout the country. The direetors with
sincere sorrow recorded the death of their colleague,
Mr. Win. Henry Chick, whose experience in, and
careful attention to, all the affairs of the company
have been of great amustarice and value. Mr. Joseph
Thompson Stephens had been appointed in his place.
The directory recommended the following dividends
for the half year. On the preference shares 6, 6 and
4 per cent. per annum. On the ordinary shares at 1
per cent, per annum. The seal of the company, was
affixed to the registers of preference and ordinary
shamboldera.

The CHAIRMAN, after expreming regret at the
absence of Mr. W. Swatridire, Chairman of Director*,
referred to the great Insa they had endamod in the
death of their late valued friend. Mr W. H. Chick,
whom he described as • man whora businem
aapabilities, upright life, and kindly character
had gained him the respect and regard of
all who knew him. (Applause ) Re rammed hi.
opinion, however, that Mr. Stephens,
would ably fill the position a. he was a Brelp.rt man,
and had the intermit., of the town athemt. (Applause.)
Speaking of the working of the line during the peat
half.year, he said the figures. showed a failure in the
receipt. consequent upon the universal depreosi. on"
both agricultural and commercial, which extended all
over England. It wan a matterof congratulation that
they were able to declare the mine dividend on the
ordinary shares ao this time last year, though in order
to do so they had been obliged to reduce the balance
in hand. The expenditure account for tho pant half.
year had been exceptionally heavy in consequence of
their having to keep a portion of the line between the
Bridport Statham and West Bay in repair. He thought
the line wars kept in capital order, and he was
told that the G.W.R. Company warn going to ballad
the whole line from Powerstock to Wert Bay at con!
eiderable cod, and he trusted that would make an
improvement in the travelling. At the lest meeting
two little things were pointed out se mquired for the
development of the lino, via, a mmtintiou,i service of
I trains from the count) beyond Yeosil to West Bay,
and a Sunday train envier) from Bridpmt to West Bay.
and he was plqaed to say that they had obtained both.
The Sunday tad& oenige bad answered the expecte.
tines of the Directors, and he Wpm; they would be
renewed next summer.—The (pintoes et krao‘gb-rates
to West Bay warn diamissal at the instance of Mr. W.
KNIGHT, but the CHAIRMAN and SWRITART es•
preraed the opinion that the nece.uazyaccurnmoilati.n
must Ant he provided at West Bay Station.—On the
motion of the OuouteN the NIP', and statement of
acoonnta were received sad adopted, aa being amonded
by Mr. J. T. tEirminare.
A Tote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the
business.