The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-04 00:00:00

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE.

The directors statethat the expectation expressed
in their last report of a continued increase in the traffic of
their system has been realized. Notwithstanding the
peat diminution in the expert of the products of the dis-
trict to A ilittriCS, and the reductions io toll/and rated., which
came into operation at the beginning of the year, there has
been a considerable increase on the trafiic of the oorrespond-
iog half•year of 1862. The financial statement shows
that attic applying 6,001.11. to the reuewsl sue-
pause &COMM, the diiseime ate 'ambled to recommend •
dividend at the rate of 3i per sank per annum upon the
ordinary ■hares now espitaliaednit 201, each, leavbct 3,728 f.
Bs. 2d. to be carried over. The increase in the traffic has
been maintained as far as the current half-year is yet gone;
►nd although reductions io tolls and rates most necessarily
affect the receipt', the steady increase in the trade of the
district, together with • watchful observance of economy in
management, give great confidence in the continued im-
provement of the undertaking.

EDGWARE., HIGHGATE, AND LONDON RAILWAY.
—The reportof the directors states that since the last meet-
leg of the company the contract for the construction of the
line has been executed by Mears. Smith and Knight, the
contractors for a portico of the Great Noetbers Railwey,
who have made arrangements for proceeding actively with
the works, as appears by the aocompaoying report of the
engineers. The notice have bees served for the purchase of
the land between the junction with the Great Northern
Railway and Church-end, Viochley, sod oosaiderable pro-
gram has been made is the negotiations, arid in the settle-
ment of disputed cases, no that the contractors will shortly
be put io possessiun of a sufficient kerb for the commence-
ment of the works. 1. order to admit of the active prose-
cution of the works a further call ham been made epos the
Marta, which will be payable on the let of September. The
reenautiog cells will be toade from time to time as the mo-
ires. of the works may require. A resolution will be sub-
mitted to the meeting to authorise the exercise of the bor-
rowing powers. The agreement with the Greet Northern
Company, which was approved at the last meeting. hag
Ism been esoctioood by the Board of Trade, and sealed by
both atenpaaice and exchanged. The directors continue to
receive, on all occasions, the cordial cooperation of the
board of the Great Northern Company.
Tan OuAT WEisTRRN AND METROPOLITAN RAlL-
RATE—Yesterday the sonorous pence, who patronise the
Metropolitan Railway were surprised at the appearance of
great placards posted at all the stations on the line, au.
pouncing that the Grog Weston Railway bad gives notice
that they would coos to carry passenger. over the line on
sad after Monday, the 10th inst.. It appears that the Great
Western, who have hitherto worked the hoe between
Bishop's-road station and Farringdom street, deem it de-
sirable to secede from that arrangement and to throw that
duty on the Metropolitan Railway, on the posed that the
working arrangement., as they at present stand, do sot pay
them, that they are, it is nadoratood, Imam by than a peen-
niary pond of view, to the 'start of something like 20W.e,
week. The Metropolitan Railway Commay am thus tempora-
rily throw, on their own resources, and bopeto be able tomtit*
arrangements for carryi on the pameager Maio between
Paringdoe Malice and BJgware.rwd static", which is the
next station to that of the Bishop'eroad station, sod which
adjoins and communicetes by a covered way with the
Paddington station of the Great Wasters Railway. Now
of the Metropolitan train., however. Wees is the meantime
mane understanding be come to, will premed further thou
the Seivinue.road *Mike, so that all the Peddingtoa and
Weetbourne districts will be virtually eut off from the di-
rect communication they have hitherto enjoyed begrimes
Paddington and the City, as there will be a break between
the Bishop's-road and the Rdgerareemed statiese Yester-
day the directors of the Great Wooers issued a notice
stating " that they would Dot be reepomible for the train.,
or the working of the Metropolitan Railway beyond the
lest train at midnight, co Monday, 10th August 105 t.," and
se the ostler nets a* pr `