The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-13 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 13, 1833:

GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY.-(THIS DAY.)

The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was
held at one o'clock at the London Tavern ; Mr. flotsam
Low. in the chair. Notwithstanding the smallness of the
dividend earned during the lut half-year, the attendance
was not larger than usu►l.
The report having been previously limed and published
was taken as read.

The Cturitmag, in moving the adoption of the report and
accounts, said the directors felt pleasure in meeting the
proprietors to give such explanations as might be re mired-
He would commence by referring to the recent accident near
Lynn. The directors did not shrink from the fullest in-
quiry ; all they desired was that the coroner end jury
should judge impartially. One verdict had been given, and
another was expected ; and he had no hesitation ia laying that
a great animus had been evinced. The receipts of the line
had increased by 20,0001. over those of the corresponding half
of last year ; but the working expenses else exhibited an
augmentation, arising perhaps from the fact that before the
amalgamation some parties were interested io their expenses
appearing very small. The last half year was the first in
which the charges under the amalgamation arrangement
had come into operation. There was an additional charge
of between four arid five thousand for the Suffolk
lies, 110001. for the Fast A oglien line, and pre-
ferential charge amounting to 56,0001. a year,
added to which there was more than 100,000/.
additional consolidated stock to receive dividend under the
1 arrangement with the Norfolk Company. In the locomotive
department there had been expended 13.9504, hot
the amount charged to revenue was 16,156/. The
sum which it was thought desirable to set apart for
the renewal of permanent way was 72,000/. per annum, one
third to be taken out of the revenue of the first, and the
remaining two-thirds out of that of the second half-
year. Additional plant had been required in coa-
-1 sequence of the amalgamation. As regarded the
I A proprietors the directors hoped that as the
differences had been considerably narrowed the
dispute which had been going on sto long would soon be ter-
minated. All the directors desired was that justice should
be done as between A proprietors and other partners in the
concern. (Hear, hear.) Adverting to the Dew lines. he
observed that although the Chatter!. and Ramsey Bill hail been
withdrawn, it was desirable for the interests of the Great
Eastern Company that it should be passed. The effect of
what had occurred with regard to the March and Spalding
extension was that that company had avoided 'pending the
money, namely 220,C00/., while it would have running
powers over the line when constructed, be placed
in contact with lines beyond the Great Northern territory,
and be hoped ultimately secure important advantages. As
respected the metropolitan traffic, he hoped that arrange-
ment' would ere long be made which would greatly increase
thecompany's facilities for the public accommodation, the
present arrangements being manifestly inadequate. As re-
garded the steamboat question, he coogratulated
the meeting that a bill had at last been obtained.
The directors intended in the first instance to obtain the
assistance of veiled' for the cattle traffic during the winter,
and in the ensuing spring to provide a gond service for pas-
'engem. The communication which would thus be established
with Antwerp and Rotterdam would be mist important.
end would no doubt be extensively used. The Ware and
Buotiegford traffic bad been very ntiefsetory. Al
regarded the dividend, he observed that the receipts
and expenses of the last half year were not to be
taken as a criterion for the time to come. When
the amalgamation commenced great additional expenses
were unavoidable; but the receipts generally were
very satisfactory. As to the respect' of the current
half-Year, the excellence of the harvest was a material
consideration ; and it war a most siatisf,setery circumstance
that their traffic was now better msiatained, as compared
with that of lest year, than the traffic of any other metro-
politan line. The coal traffic would, he believed, largely
increase ; and, with economy end proper attention to the
development of the traffic, be believed the position of the
company would soon greatly improve. (Cheese.)
Mr. BRAVIS said, looking at the district which the com-
pany occupied, be saw on mum for despair, on the con-
trary he thought they might fairly expect to get a dividend
of three or font percent., within three cm four years. With
a view of promoting this result, he would move • resolution
to the effect that when the dividend amounted to three per
cent. the salaries of the company's servants of 100/. a year
and upwards should be ineyeased to the extent of 10 per
cent. for every additional 1 pet cent. of dividend.
Mr. GEORGE SMITH deprecated the employment of law-
yers to mettle differences which 'room in the hoard.
[The meeting was proceeding when our report left.]

The American Postmaster-General has resolved
=amain( the New Odour male by the route of the
PPL