The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-11 00:00:00

IBE EXPRESS; TUESDAY EVENING, AT; GUST 11, 1863.

John flood, assistant to Mr. Francis Cotter, of No. 10,
Shoreditch, produced Mr. R.syner's gold watch and chain,
which the prisoner had lambed for N. 10e. Mr. Good
mud he had coescientiona objections to the taking of KU
oath, and claimed to make Lis solemn affirmation in the
terms of the act of parliament passed io the sessioo of 184;2.
He was questioned by Mr. Woolnch, and said he was Dot a
Quaker, but a member of the Free English Church at
Hackney. He attended the services of thet church. Scrip-
ture said, '• Swesr not at all,' He believed the usual oath
orejnarily administered to witnesses in our courts of justice
was taking God's name in vain.
Mr. Woolrych permitted the witoeu to make his solemn
affirmation, in the terms of the set of parliament.
James Barton, a covetable of the K sli‘ision, raid the
• prisoner had not been in Limehouse, or any part of the dts-
triet, since the robbery. He understood the prisoner had
been teSwaesea, in %Vales.
The prisoner, in defence, said be saw Mr. Rayner play.
• ing at skittles on the 6th of July, and ho war no iotosiiuted
that he fell down. Mr. Rayner then came in front of the
• her, lad he kink his watch sod chain away, with the intro-
' tion of delivering both to Mr.. Heyuer, but instead of doing
so, raised :F. Itla. upon them.
Mr. Woolrych-1 shall remand the prisoner until to-
morrow.

ItOINTON AND ITi:HIN ItAILWAY.—TIin ordinary
half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in this company was
held yesterday at their offices, 61, Gracechurcb-street ; Mr.
Colic old, M.l'., in the chair. The chairman moved the fol.
lowing resolution :—" That a dividend at the rate of 6 per
tier cent. per annum, lees income tax at the average rate of
. rid. in the pound—being at Sd, in the pound to the sth of
• April, mid 7d. from that date to the Ist inst.—and Id. per
stock for expenses of management, be declared on
I the Royston, Ilitehin, and Shepreth Consolidated Stock for
the half-year ending 14 of August, 18113, and be paid forth-
with. Sir R. W. Carden seconded the motion, and it was
' carried unatoxiously. Messrs. John George Fordliam and
Jueeph Sharpies, directors retiring by rotation, were re-
, elected.

BELFAST AND NORTHERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.-- I
The reiairt of the directors states that the passenger re-
ceipts for the pant six months chow a fair increase on the
correepoadieg pelted of 1862. The goods traffic also exhi-
bited& ateady improvement. The total receipt. for the half
year amount to 51,7531., against 50,5771. for the correspond-
ing half of 1862, showing an increase of 1,178/. The work.
ing expenses have been higher than usual, partially caused
by extensive repairs to the rolling stock and the running of
two additional trains per day between Belfast and Carrick-
fergus in connexion with the trains on the Larne line and
the abort sea passage. The rates and taxes are also higher.
The amount available for dividend is 16,307/. ; the 4 per
cent, on the preference will absorb a 200 i. ; and the dime-
tors recommend that a dividend at the rate of 4 per cent.
per annum, amounting to 12,:e30/., be paid to the proprie-
tors of the ordinary shares, leaving 907/. for the reserve '
fund, which will then amount to 2,715/. The capital
account showed that 1,092,6681. had bees expended, leaving
a balance against the company of 77,835/.
CORK AND BANDON RAILWAY.—The accounts
up to the 30th June last show the amount received for the
past six months to be 8,889/. 4s. lid., against 8,9061. 15s. 3d.
for the correeponding period of 1862, exhibiting a slight de-
crease on the half-year of 17/. 10a 7d., which may be con-
sidered satisfactory, when the agricultural depression
passed through is taken into consideration. An outlay
was found requisite, preparatory to the opening of the Kin-
sale Junction Railway for traffic, by the purchaae of more
rolling stock, erecting a new station at the junction, and the
payment of 5004 out of 1,8001. for • new engine ; &leo a
balance due the Cork Steamship Company for the iron
bridge at lonoshannon, amounting in ell to 1,2761. Is.
which the directors were obliged to borrow from revenue
and charge to capital. The revenue account, mad:
up to the 30th June last, shows • surplus of
3,2381. Os. 3d., after providing for all expense
out of which the directors recommend that a dividend
be declared on the No. 1 preference shares at the
, rate of 51 percent. per annum for the half-year just ended ;
and they aim recosmend the payment of the deferred war-
rants (No. 2 preference share.) for dividend due the half-
year ending 30th June, 1862. Since the last half-yearly
meeting the directors are enabled to report the opening of
the Kinsale Junction Railway for traffic on the 27th June
last, and they hope to give a favourable report of the same
at the next half-yearly meeting. The directors also state
that the works on the West Cork Railway, from Bandon to
Skibbeveen, a distanceof thirty-three miles in length, have
:men commenced by the contractors, Meson. Wheatly, Kirk,
and Co., of Manchester ; and the directors are informed that
ten miles of the lied has already been obtained, and about
seven miles of the railws,• made ; and the contractors state
that they can open the line from Bandon to Dunmanway,
a distance of nineteen miles, by next summer.

THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE.
CENTRA L RELIEF FUND.

The weekly meeting of the Central Executive
Committee took place at Manchester yesterday. The Earl
of Derby presided; and there were present Sir J. Kay
Shottleworth, Lord E. Howard, M.P., Major E Leigh, the
Mayor of Manchester, and Messrs. A. H. Heywood, Wor-
rell Ashworth, R. Disclaims, C. L. Ashworth, J. R.
Kay, AL Ross, and Roberts.
Mr. Mecums, the honorary secretary, reported the
balance io the bank, 317.1681. la. 10d., and that 1,373/.
se. tid. had been rewired daring the week. No clothing
had been received or distributed. _ _

Mr. Commissioner FAKNALL presented his usual weekly
report, by which it appears that the utmost point of im-
provement has been turned, and that on the Ist inst. there
was an increase of 1,299 persons in 27 unions receiving
parochial relief.
Grants were made to the following places :—Salford, 7501.;
Pendlebury and Swinton, M. ; Brindle, 201. ; Choiley,
100/. ; Todruorden, 100/. ; Whitworth and Pscit, MO/. ;
Roston, 120/. ; Chaddertm, 101. ; Newchurch, 1001. ;
Manley, 405/. ; Stalybridge, 4001. ; St. Paul's, HAD well, 3.. W.
A long discussion ensued as to the probable effect of
certain clauses of the Public Works Bill on the employment
of factory operatives.

BLACICHUBN.—A large increase in the number of
operatives engaged on public works having been mode during
the past few days, the weekly relief returns show a 0011.5i-
derable decrease. The number of persons relieved io the
union during the week was 6.613, at a cost of 3521. 9s. Id.,
against 6,674, at a cost of 3671. Ils. Bd. in the previous week,
aod 8,891, at acast of 4811. la. lid. in the corresponding
week of 1862. The decrease in coats on the week is upwards
of 154 to the parochial authorities, while to the relief com-
mittee it is considerably greater, the industrial schools
having been given up and the attendants put to outdoor
work, of which they greatly approve.

- - - -
PRESTON. —The cotton trade fluctuates very
much. Some firms are increasing the hours of labour at
their mills, whilst others are curtailing then.. One firm,
Ileum Ainsworth and Co., who have been working during
the whole period of the cotton famine, have given notice that
their mills will close when the present stoc► is worked up.
The relief committee relieved during the past week 4,622
cases, comprising 15,631 persons, at a cost of 7501. lls. 10d.,
being a considerable decrease in comparison with the pre-
vious week. 852 chddien are at present being educated
by the committee.
Owner.—The chief constable's return of the
state of employment in Oldham for the month ending Bth
August shows an increase in the number of unemployed
operatives. There are 118 cotton factories in the municipal
borough, of which 31 are on full time with all hands. 41 on
full tune with s portion of the hands, 25 on short time,
end 21 stopped altogether. Of machine shops there ere
28, of which 13 are on full time with all hands, bon full
time with a portion of the hands, Bon short time, and
1 stopped. There aro 18,605 cotton operatives, and of
these 7,584 are working full time. 5,570 short time, 1,907
four days, 2,137 three days, and the others from one to five
days—aud 5.451 are out of work. The maclituiata number
6,588, and of these 5,808 Sr. in full work, 530 on short time,
mostly on four days a week, and 250 are out of work. The
manufactories ■nd collieries in Oldham number 163, of
which 50 are on full time with all h■uda, 49 on full time
with a portion of the hands, 41 are on short time, and 23 are
ebtirely stopped. The total number of operatives is 26.211;
13,669 are on full time, 6,741 on short time, and 5,801 are
unemployed. There are 824 more on short time, and 1,737
more out of work than during the previous month.

211 C 11.1t1M11 CORN MIMI'.

(From the Mark•laer Expet so.)

Although there has beau ocearioual rain, the
weather has been summer-like and favourable to har-
vest-work. as well as the maturing of the later crops.
Much loss new wheat has cools to hand than was expected
by this time ; but it seems it bears the test of the mill with
• very satisfactory result, the flour hitherto made of dry
samples being vastly superior to that of last year. And as
equal satisfaction is expressed as to the probable yield,
there is reason to be thankful that the backward spring,
with its threatening aspect, was the precursor of plenty.
A. respects spring corn, barley and beans may both be some-
what deficient, the formerpreseeting great variety of sample;
but oats and peas will be good if not great crops. Ireland,
which for successive seasons, has hung like a cloud is
the west, is nicking her gatherings with still greater satis-
faction, though some rumours of potato disease have
come from thence. It now appears almost certain that
the United Kingdom will be better off in the yield of
corn than for 800111 time past ; but with an enormously
increasing population and decreasing stock, foreign help
I will be 'gain needed to meet the increased demand.
No serious break to barvest-labours has yet occurred
abroad • but the potato crop, though remarkably free
from dense, appears much lessened by drought in some
parts of Germany. Prices, both here and on the con-
tinent, have but little eliaoged ; but a gradual decline
has been going on in France in consequence of abundant
offers at the several markets. From Odessa, however,
accounts are yet more decided as to the serious local
injury sustained in the more immediate neighbourhood
from a temporary tropical heat. And this, with a very
marked deficiency in Hungary, will lessen the exports of
the Black Bea. Not much differeo.e can be noted in New
York price*, but the tendency of floor continued down-
wards ; and this was the same at Montreal, the receipts
being large.
The arrivals off the coast since July 31 were 86 cargoes ;
of which 46 cargoes were wheat, 36 maize, 1 barley, and
1 beans. The prices realised were as follows :—Marutnople
wheat, 425. ; Berdianeki, 40s. 6d. ; Ghirka. 395. to 40s. 4id. ;
Polish Odessa, 395. and 40s. ; red winter, 425. 6d. and 4sB. ;
Milwaukie, 40a. and 425. Maize, 26e. to Ns. 3d. Barley,
23.. to 25.1. lid. Rye, 3.2 a 3d. and 335. 6d. for continent.
Beans, 295. 9J. to 325. per qr.

The sale@ noted last week were 57,933 qn wheat at
45r. Ild., against 52,750 qrs. in 1862. The London averages
were 48s. 7d. on 1,943 qrs. wheat. The imports into the
kingdom for the week ending August 1 were—in wheat
114,184 qrs., in flour 88,026 cwt.
Monday in Mark-lane opened on a better supply of '
English wheat than fur some time past, but the foreign
arrivals were scanty. The morning's contributions from
Kent and Eerier were small, and the prices of old remained
much the same as on the previous week, with but a slow
demand. Several samples of new appeared, but not
enough to settle prices or make a market. Some good
Talavera was on offer, and some fine heavy common
white brought 584. ; but inferior qualities were also on
show, and some were sadly wanting in condition. The'
foreign trade was retail at unaltered prices. With but
little demand for floating cargoes, prices gave way
Is. yer qr. On Wednesday there were 380 qrs. per coast,
10, iBO qrs. foreign. With favourable weather still ruling,
business continued on a very limited scale, with prices much
the lame for old wheat, as well as fur the little new on
show. The foreign business was also much restricted,
though prices were the same. Friday's returns were 410
qrs. coastwise, and 26,280 qrs. *foreign. Though some rain
had fallen, it proving rather beneficial than injurious, the
wheat trade was very languid, there being some of Monday's
samples, both old and new, uncleared. IC was equally dull
as respects the foreign trade, though prices were unaltered.
There was a fair supply of country dour fur the time of
year, but the foreign arrivals were moderate. Norfolk@ and
other country marks were a heavy sale at nominally the
previous rates. The demand for American barrels was
languid, without quotable change ; and this was the case
with town-made samples. On Wednesday there were 240
sacks per coast, and 15,010 barrels foreign. Though coun-
try marks were still quoted at former prices burlier was
very difficult, and still more so in barrels, from the good
arrivals. Friday's returns were 320 sacks cosstwise, and
57,770 barrels foreign. The very heavy. American supply
and close weather were still against bunnies', and scarcely
anything was doing, rates of Norfolks and barrels being
nominal.

-Very little British barley came to hand on Monday, and
the foreign supply continued limited. A few more new
samples appeared of rather more kindly quality. The little
doing in foreign medium and grinding qualities was at the
previous currency. On Wednesday there were 20 qrs. per
coast, and 580 qrs. foreign. With but little demand fcr
middling and low sorts, both English and foreign prices were
well supported; but malting samples were not in request.
Friday's quantities were 20 qrs. coastwise aLd 3,540 qrs.
foreign. These light supplies kept prices for the lower de-
scription very firm, but business was quite retail in amount.
The malt trade was quiet on Monday at unaltered rates.
The week closed with prices nominally the same.
There was a large supply of foreign oats on Monday,
though but few English, Scotch, or Irish. Some specimens
of grey new winter appeared from Kent, very good and
heavy. The trade lost the buoyancy of Friday's market ;
and, indeed, occasionally there were sales at rather less
money than on the previous Monday in order to place more
freely. On Wednesday there were 6U qrs. per coast, 640
qrs. Irish, and 17,720 qrs. foreign. Without an active de.
mend Monday's rates for all descriptions of corn were fully
supported, both in English and foreign qualities. Friday's
returns were 80 qrs. coastwise, 640 qrs. Irish, and 22,9.40
qrs. foreign. There was then no change in the market, ex-
cepting that Archangel oats were leas in request, prices being
from lee. to 19s. per qr.
But few English beans were reported on Monday, 'and not
many foreign. The trade was, nevertheless, slack for all
descriptions, with prices much the same ; and so they con-
tinued through the week.
The arrivals of Engliih peas were more abundant than of
late, and there was a good supply from abroad. Among the
English were more new hog-feed of gaud quality, and for
these leas money was accepted by Kentiab factors ; but
foreign were held at previous rates. There was no subee-
quest alteration.
With a good supply of linseed prioes remained firm ;
and so they did for cake. In this state the market closed on
Friday. . . . . . . . .

_
The seed trade remained very quiet. Red American
cloverseed and tine canary supported previous rates, as well
an new trefoil. Rapeseed was rather easier, some samples
being damp sod difficult to quit.
With harvest work in progress the country markets have
been generally supplied with wheat on but a small scale ;
but millers not being at all eager to get into stock, prices
generally have continued much the same. Occasionally a
market has denoted a slight reduction, as at Huston, to the
extent of is. per quarter ; and the tendency in some has
been to advance, as at Newbury, Is. per quarter.
The Liverpool mat ket on Tuesday quoted the rates of the
lrevioue day for wheat, which was Id. to 2d. per cental be-
ow the quotations of that day sn'oriight , dour being also
dearer td. per barrel. Egyptian bears ware rather cheaper,
but other spring corn remained as before. Maize dechoed
6d. per quarter ; mixed, to 26e. 6d. ; white, to 29e. 6d. per
quarter. Or Friday there was no change, excepting that
beans were rather cheaper and maize rather higher.
No quotable change has obtained this week in the value of
spring corn.
Wheat met a good sale at Edinburgh at firmer prices ;
but American was down at Glasgow 3d. to lid. per boll, and
flour as much per brl. Other gram was unchanged in value.
The Dublin market has continued dull, with prices
scarcely sustained fur wheat or maize. Sons new oats ap-
peared of light quality, and sold readily.

it being thrashed from the field. From Linoulnshire, on
the same day, it was stated : "We are now having
plentiful rains, which are doing immense good to turnips
and pastures, but are beginning to be unfavourable for
harvest operations in the way of cutting, which is checked
and little pogrom made. But beyond this there is no
harm, hut metier good. ll:avast is now geffeml here-
abouts." 8 iturday proved a splendid harvest day, sunny and
breezy, with the thermometer up to 76 dega. in the shade at
mid-day, barometer 30.10 in. slightly falling, most probably
from the heat; wind B.W. Ou this day we think a good
deal of wheat would be carried, but we expect to see the
samples come forward in softer condition. The deliveries of
new samples during this week have been of various qualities
and condition. Dry rough chaf has goes into the mill from
Essex weighing 8511 M., and some splendid nursery touched
661 b a, but there are many ,sciarse samples from that portion
which had been laid by the heavy rains previously, and some
of these only weighed 6111,5. The quality, therefore, will
not be universally hue, as generally had been anticipated
from the favourable reports of the crop. Prices ranged
from 45e. to 58a., showing a considerable difference in value.
As to yield, nothing certain can yet be stated, but opinions
favour a good produce.—Mark Lane Express.

INDIAN PINANCK.—THE APPROACHING RE-
PAYMENT We FOUR PER CENT. DEBEN-
TUBES.

(From the Money Marker limier.)

On the 10th July the Secretary of state for India
gave notice that he Ras desirous of raising a sum not exceed-
ing 8.000,01)01. sterling upon the security of India Four per
Cent. Stuck, to enable him to'redeem 4,824,500/. of India
Four per Cent Debentures, felling doe on the Bth October
next, and 3,172,000(. of India Four per Cent. Debentures,
falling due on the Bth April next. The holders of the deben-
tures were to have the option of changing them into the
Four per Cent. Stock, irredeemable for 25 years, provided
they signified their assent by the 3rd inst. If they omitted to
do so, they were to be paid off when their debentures
arrive at maturity, viz.' as already slated, on the Bth
October sod the Bth April next. It is believed that the
holders of not more than one fourth of the 8,000,0001. of
debentures have sweated to the proposed conversion into
Four per Cont. Stock. The option has now expired. When
Sir Charles Wood iutroduced his Indian Budget to thirty
members who took the trouble to listen to it, be is re.
reported to have said, in speaking of this traosactioo, that
the Four per Cent. Stock had, "in the first instance,"
I been offered to the holders of the debentures that were
about to expire, and if they did not accept it they would,
of course, be paid off. Thus (added Sir Charles) " I shell
either establish • considerable amount of Four pee
Cent. Stock, or reduce the debt by paying off existing
debentures." We drew attention to this remark-
able statement at the time, and observed that
it would be as well to have it explained before the rising
of parliament, but as no one in that enlightened assembly
cares about Indian finathe, the matter has remained with-
out explanation. We observed recently that "the paying off
of 5,0011,0001. of debentures would occasion some important
changes in the money market, se it would probably involve
the calling in of • large cute of money, which the Indian
council bas lent on securities, while the holders of the
maturing debentures, on their part, would have to find
other channels of investment for their money." The result
shows that the matter now stands very much as it was then
put. Six millions of 'edam debentures. less only
such amount as is held by the Council of India
itself, are to be paid off. We assume that this
will be done partly by meths of the balances which
the Indian government have accumulated in Enlacd
through drawings on India, and pertly by the sums paid in
on account of railways. It would seem probable that se
large • sum can only be paid off by a further reduction of
the balances in the government treasuries in belie.
The broad facts of interest are that, at the periods named,
• total of 6,000,0001. of ludia Debentures (subject to the
deduction already mentioned) have to be paid off. Their
repayment cannot fail to promote ease in the money market,
and to stimulate • demand for solid investments. The
English funds, Indian railway stocks, sod Indian govern-
ment securities of all kinds, will, we should imagine, derive
chief benefit.