The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-27 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 27, 1864.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' BENEVOLENT
INSTITUTION.-(THIS DAY).

- -
The half-yearly general court of the governors of
this institution wee held at noon, at the London Tavern,
Mr. H. J. ensiutit, one of the viciaproddents, in the chair,
to receive the report of the board of management, to elect
the usual *Moses, and for the transaction of general business.
The ciumwr, in opening the proceedings, expressed his
regret at the unavoidable absence of the president, Sir Jas.
Doke, owing to which he had himself been called upon to
fill the chair, adding that be hoped the proceedings would
be conducted under his own presidency in a manner which
would be eatidactory to the friends of the charity.
The minutes of the last meeting having been read and
confirmed,

The Secarraiir (Mr. Joseph ]lams) read the report of
the board of management for the LA half year. After
stating that the board were able to point to
increasing prosperity and unfulness, the report gave
a balance-sheet for the half~ refit
that
the receipts, with a balance brought forwud of 6611. A. 94.,
amounted to 1,3491., and the disbursement's to 97.31.19a.10d.
An addition of 2301.. it was observed, bed been made to the
investment fund. The funded property now amounted to
4,7001.. and the board hoped that during the next half-vox
they would be enabled to increase it to 5,0001. The election in
June last having terminated in favour of Mr. Beery Old-
know and Mrs. MaxL Murphy, they had best placed on the
funds of the institution. and annuities awarded them of 401.
and 251. respectively. On the present 003110011 three can.
didates presented themselves for eilection,viz.,MmElizabeth
Baxter, who wu unsuccessful at the last two elections, Mrs.
Sarah Winter and Mrs. Sarah Smart,two of whom were to be
elected that day. In conclusion, the report dwelt on the
fact that never since the foundation of the institution had
any faded to obtain assistance who required it, and made an
appeal to commercial travellers generally on behalf of an
institution in whose prosperity they were op deeply in-
terested. - - - -

After some remarks from the Cgaimigg with regard to
the satisfactory n►ture of the statements just presented, on
the motion of Mr. Joges, seconded by Mr. ScoTr, the report
was unanimously adopted.
in the motion of Mr. 3VMOILLA.VD, seconded by Mr. T. G.
SNELL, the board of management was elected.
The Treasurer (Mr. John Kinnereley Hooper), having,
on the motion of Mr. HALLIDAY, seconded by Mr. HUNT.
been re-elected treasurer,
A rota of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meet-
ing, after which the election of two annuitants was at once
proceeded with.

SHARE LISTS.--(THIS DAY.)

Two o'Ozoot.

The railway market is firm to-day, and prices
have advanced in several instances. Midland stock
has risen per cent. ; Metropolitan and London and
South Western, 4 ; and Lancashire and Yorkshire
and Great Northern, I. London and
North Western has receded k. London and
North Western stock is now quoted 120 k to
; Great Western, 79 to 4 ; Midland, 140 k
to ; leuicashire and Yorkshire, 116 f to 1171
South Eastern, 86 to k ; Great Eastern, 474
to 481; Great Northern, 1544 to 1364 ; Caledonian,
131 k to 132; London and South Western, 97 to
99 ; and Metropolitan. 122 k to 123 k.
Great Luxembourg shares have improved, and
Antwerp and Rottbrdam are in request. Indian
and Canadian lines exLibit dulness.

lease lodzy
to I p.m.

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47j 81

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116117

106! _
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COLONIAL GOVERNICIINI BECOMES..

Na I

THE CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

BOXING-DAY.

Our theatrical record of Boxing-day, 1964, though
somewhat pared down by the pantomimes and other
entertainments produced on Christmas-eve, which
we had to chronicle yesterday morning, is still a
goodly mass of print. It shows that whatever con-
dition the British drama may be in, regarded from
a l'igh art critical point of view, there can be little
doubt about the number and material prosperity
of our theatre. and exhibitions. One peculiarity
of the present Christina& which we may draw
attention to is the increase of morning performances.
There will be more of these extra representations
this week than at any former period, simply because
managers now provide for country visitors and
Londoners who live out of town. All the one-
legged clowns—the marvellous cripples promised to
the public—have appeared at the various theatres
and music-halls, and last night witnessed the suc-
cessful trial of a new and clever variation of the
" ghost effect." The capital now annually in-
vested in the production of pantomimes is so bale,
that it requires the crowded audiences of many
nights to repay the managers' outlay, and we
hope that all those who have striven honestly to
amuse the public will be well rewarded for their
true ole.