The Press.
London, England, 1857-02-07 00:00:00

FEBRUARY 7, 1851.

Railway Shares are maintained with tolerable steadiness,
but they vary with Consols, though the disposition of the
market for nearly the whole week has been one of consi-
derable firmness. The announcement of the Great Wes-
tern dividend being only at the rata of three per cent., has
checked improvement in that stock; and French shares
have suffered to a slight extent from the rumours of an
intention on the part of the Imperial Government to bring
them within the pale of taxation. In other respects the
market has presented few features of importance.

In Foreign Securities the principal fluctuations have
been in Turkish Six per Cents., which are nearly one per
cent. lower than last week.
Joint•stock Bank, Dock, Mining, and Miscellaneous
Shares, are not materially changed.
Exchequer Bills have recovered the extreme depression
of last week. They are now at par to 3s. prem.
At an annual meeting of the London and County Bank,
held yesterday, a dividend of six per cent. for the half•year,
free from income tax, was declared, which, with five per
cent. previously paid for the six months ending the 30th of
June, makes a total of eleven per cent. for the year, and the
report and accounts were unanimously adopted. The
capital of the bank, which is now 500,0001., is proposed t..
be increased in June next to 600,0001., by an issue of
3,000 shares of the nominal amount of 201. at a mean
price; so that while the proprietors participate in the pre•
mium, an equal sum may be carried to the reserve fund.
With respect to the advances of the bank on special securi•
ties, which include the property of the late John Sadleir
and the Westminster Improvement Estate, the directors
are taking the necessary measures for their realisation.
The Irish estates have not yet been sold, but it is thought
by Midsummer the necessary steps will have been com-
pleted. The total claim under the Sadleir account is
11%3001., and the value of the Irish estates is estimated to
cover any deficiency.

At a meeting of the Electric Telegraph Company yester-
day, the report and accounts, together with dividend, at
the rate of three and a half per cent. for the half-year, were
proposed, but an amendment was submitted declaring the
statement of the directors meagre and unsatisfactory. A
movement promoted by shareholders in Manchester occa-
sioned a lengthened discussion, and it was contended that
the company with better management would pay a higher
rate of dividend. At the conclus'on of the proceedings the
amendment was declared negatived, but a ballot was
demanded, which ended favourably for the directors by a
considerable majorii y.
The Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China have
issued a circular, stating that they " will shortly be
enabled to commence business in a field where commerce
is extending with extraordinary rapidity," and announcing
two calls of 2/. each, payable respectively in one and three
months.

The English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank
have announced an intended dividend for the past
half-year at the rate of five per cent. per annum, free
of income tax, leaving 4,015/. to be carried to the reserved
fund.

The Strand and Holborn branches of the Royal British
Bank have been sold, the former for 0,1001., and the lease
of the latter for 2101.

The Trade Reports of the week from the provinces are
not very satisfactory, the burden of the complaint being
the dearness of money and of raw materials.

BRITISH FUNDS.— Closing Prices.
OFFICIAL QUOTATIONS.

Mond. need. Wed. Thurs.,Fridap
____. _ ___..... .._.....—..._.--
3 per Cent.Consols t93 1193 1 9:1 931 193
1 1 93 1 03g *
Ditto for Account ' 981 1 031
3 per Cents Reduced O4 1'931 1 931 i 93 93/
3 per Cents
Long Annuities
Bank Stock, 7 per Cent 2171 2171 2171 i2:6 7
Omnium —
Exch. Bills, 21d.
India Bonds,(1,0001.) 1 i par ,2d Ipi i Ll p