The Express.
London, England, 1864-02-25 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

Continued experience of the present imperfect connexion
between this company's line and Row, Richmond, and the
South Western Railway, has compelled the directors
to make application to parliament for p)wers to
construct a direct extension to Richmond. Provi-
sion is made m the bill fora distinct capital, an arrangement
which, if auslioned, will leave the ousting share capital of
the company in its present position ; whilst from the in-
creased facility which will be afforded by the shorter line
proposed, the directors have every reason to anticipate •
largely increased traffic. An extension line from Hammer-
smith to Riohmood is also proposed by the Hammersmith
and City Railway Company, and by the South Western
Railway Company a line from Richmond, to the Hammer-
smith and City, sod this compaoy's lines, respectively.
Negotiations bays been entered upon with the Hammer.
smith and City Company, with the rum to an arrangement,
under which the line, obtained by either company, gall be
made available for the traffic of the other. The directors,
however, regret that all attempts at au arrangement with
the South Western Company have hitherto proved unanc-
costal.
Tait Haar ERSMITH •ND CITY RAILWAY.—The

DRAMA.

METROPOLITAN.

HAYMILRKET.

The hall yearly general meeting of this company
was bald yesterday afternoon, at the London Tavern ; Mr.
W. A. WILIELNSON in the chair. There was • large attend-
saes of preprietore.

Mr. Sothern made his re-appearance last night at
this theatre, in • piece of farcical extravagance called
Bunkum Muller, in which he sustained the only visible
character. This sketch, written by Mr. FL T. Craven,
reminds as of mosey seams which we have seen in semi-
dramatic " entertainmests," and notably of " Mr. Jenkins's
Mysterious Malediction," written by Mr. Bruton, and lately
recited by Mr. David Fisher. "Bunkum Muller," like
" Mr. Jenkins," is en unappreciated dramatic author who
addresses the phantoms of his imagination in • mock-heroic
strain, and speaks much about the unkindness of mana•
gars. In addition to his bli‘hted hopes as a successful
dramatist, Mr. Muller is afflicted with a hopeless passion
for • certain invisible Julia, and is worried by a shrewish
wife outside the room door, a street organ, and • brass band.
His story is told is chance scraps to • bust of Shakespeare,
which plays a prominent part in the dilapidated furniture
of his apartment; and the action consists chiefly of old
stage contrivances, including the firing of a pistol out of
the window. The supposition that this random shot has
killed his Julia, who lives across the square, gives rise to
some amusing burlesque situations, and a dialogue with •
policeman through the window, which is characteristic and
funny. The story is finished by the shrewish Mrs. Muller
being claimed, outside the window, as the wife of a re-
turned sailor, and by the arrival of letters which give Mr.
Muller his Julia and • fortune.

I The StcarraaY (Mr. Henchman) having mad the adver-
tisement calling the meeting, the report and statement of
accounta were takes as read.
The Citarniun having moved and Mr. PARSONS seconded
the adoption of the report,
Mr. HARTRIDGE moved, as an amendment, " That the re-
port be adopted, with the exception of the turaffrapbs re-
ferring to the proposed extensions to meet the Metropolitan
District Railway, and that the consideration of those ex-
tensions be deferred till estimates have been made of the
cost, and a means of raising the pro= capital had bees
submitted to the shareholders." hear.) Be con-
tended that the speeches of the chairman Ind deputy chair-
man had conclusively proved that they had better leave
well alone, and that notwithstanding all that had been said
about separate capital, and the power of adopting or rejecting
these extensions, it was clear that if authorised by parliament
at all they would only be authorisedon the understanding that
this company would take them up. Moat of the arguments
which he had intended to use against these extensions had,
in fact, been used iacidentally by the deputy-chairman, and,
therefore, he would content himself by supply moving the
amendment.

report of this company states that the railway is nearly
constructed, mid will shortly be reedy for opening. It is
now necessary to take measures for raising the capital autho-
rised by the company's act of 1841, and resolutions will be
submitted to the shareholders with a view to effect this
object. Mr. Parson (the plaintiff in the late action for
libel) has intimated that at the ensuing meeting he will
resign his seat at the board.

Mr. Josse said that he bad intended to move a stronger
amendment, namely, that besides haring nothing to do
with the extensions the dividend should be reduced to N.
per cent.--(laughter)—but he would content himself with
seconding the amendment.
After some discussion,
The Olt =MAN put the amendment, for which 0013 six
hands were held up. and it was declared to be lost,
In reply to a question,
Mr. PARSON stated that the greater portion of the office
charges was upon capitol. There had been a proper adjust•
meet, end the salaries of officals were paid out of revenue.
The CHAIRMAN, in answer to further questions, stated
that the Bishop's-road station was rented, and that the
company were now using narrow.gauge carriages in cotes-
(Nome of the withdrawal of the Grist Western Railway
,

This trifle furnished Mr. Sotbern with an opportunity of
showing his talent as • burlesque actor, though unfortu-
nately much that he did, or that was gives to him to do,
was wanting in novelty and originality. He acted with
much spirit and versatility, and was very warmly received,
and the author was also called on at the end of the perform-
ance. The piece will want a good deal of polishing to make
it worthy of • Haymarket audience. and we hope that •
number of mistaken jokes about the bursting of a blood
vessel will be cut out at the earliest moment. The scene
has been put upon the stage with the most artistic atten-
tion to detail..

Mr. PArsox stated that on two lines of the four it
would be the mixed pogo, and on two other lines it
would be narrow pugs. no southern lines communicating
with the Finsbury station would be narrow-gauge him, and
the traffic to the Great Western and on the Metropolitan
would he carried on on broad-gauge lines.
The report wee then unanimously adopted.
The CIIIITUILS next proposed that the sum of ^266,0001.
should be borrowed on such terms us the directors thought tit.
Mr. PAIL,ON explained that when the former sum waa
borrowed the credit of the company was low, and it had been
borrowed at six per coot. A portion 4 that money had
been repaid, and the rest was in the course of repayment.
Subsequently the company had obtained money at four and
a half per cent., and next autumn it would be saving 4,5001.
• yeur in interest.

The resolution wan agreed to.
Mr. Alderman Hale, Mr. A. C. Sheriff, and Mr. Russell
Scott, who had been appointed to fill the seats vacated by
the director. nominated by the Great Western Railway,
were unanimously elected dirscton of this company.
Mr. Sampson Copestake, the retiring auditor, was also
re-elected.

iTongdiscussion then arose upon an abstract resolution,
to the elect that this meeting drier to record its opinion
that it is highly improper that any person occupying or
seeking to occupy the position of chairman or director of this
company should purchase land or acquire other Property
with a view to re-selling the came to the company, end this
meeting requests that if any such case be brought to the
knowledge of the board, they will bring the matter forth-
with under the attention of a special meeting convened for
that purpose.
The resolution was framed with reference to a recent trial
in which the deputy.thairman was plaintiff.
Mr. PAABON took the opportunity of fully explaining
the transaction which had taken place respecting the sale
of land to the Hammersmith Company, stating on his
honour as a gentleman, and his oath as a man, that be
had never sold land over the heed of any company, and
regretting that the communication he made tohis colleagues
in that company, that he was the owner of a portion of
the land in question, was not in writing. It was known to
the surveyor and contractor of the company, and to Mr.
Elea, months before.

ELEIta confirmed the statement, and
The CLUBMAN said that the directors of this company
were quite satisfied of the honour and integrity of the
gentleman whose conduct bad been impugned, whatever
misappreheosion had arisen on the subject
After a discussion, which was of an entirely persomal
character, a shareholder in the body of the meeting moved
the previous question, which was carried with one or two
:diaaientients.

A eote of thanks to the chairman concluded the pro.
P•

CRYSTAL PALACE AND SOUTH LONDON
JUNCTION.

Yesterday the third half-yearly meeting of the
shareholders in this compaay was held at the offices. Vic-
toria Station ; Sir CUSACK P. R.osrr, Knight, in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, is mowing the adoption of the report, said
that at the meeting in August last he mentioned that of the
Crescent-wood Tunnel (in all 370 yards), there were
44 yards complete, and that the same length of the Parton
Tunnel (in all 440 yards) was in • similar condition. He
was now able to say that 190 yards of the former and =3
yards of the latter were ready to receive the permanent
way. From the rate at prover they were making, unless
some unforeseen circumstances should arise, the
whole of there would be finished in six or seven
mouths. and the lute would be ready for being
opened by the lit of May, 1F465. The earthworks werevety
heavy, amounting in all to 411,000 cubic yards, of which
2000 appertained to the cutting at the Crystal Palace Sta-
tion. It had been originally intended to defer the works in
this cutting until the completion of the tunnels, when the
' moil might be carried away for embankments, but the con-
tractors had stoop made other arrangements in order to
burry on the completion of the line. They had already
completed 13.1000 cubic yards of cutting, and the works ware
proceeding so rapidly that the average amount spent upon
them during the last six months was 15,0001. a week. The
Loodos, Chatham and Dover had now given directioos for
the construction of lines to connect them with Woolwich and
Greenwich, had forms' at Peckham, which would shorten
the distance from that to Ludgate station by 14 mile. They
would also. under arningementa with the South Eastern
Company, be connected with the whole of that company's
North Kest system, aad so share in the large suburban
traffic of that district. He wished in coeclusion to coign.
diet the report that the arches which lately gave way at
Brixton belonged either to their company, or to that of
the London, Chatham and Dover.
Sir C. Rice seconded the motive, which was unanimously
approved of, and the proceedings terminated.

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1884.

Kale intelligence.

EQUITY COURTS.—Fzia. 24.
(Beforit ViarObaatellar Sir J. Stuart.)
THORNTON v. SR JOHN WILLIAM RAMADMIL—T” TENANT