The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-11 00:00:00

IIIiI)CCIION OF THE WINE DUTIES:

Yesterday, a meeting to promote a movement in
(event, of au alteration in the present high rate of duty
charged epon toreign sod colonial wises, was held at Fen-
d•ll's Hotel, under the auspices of Mr. Oliveira, MP. The
followiag members of parliament were also present : Messrs.
Kirk (Newry), C. O'Brien (Clare), Fitzgerald (Ennis), ete.
Mr. Oliveira having opened the proceedings,
Mr. C. O'BktzN, M.P., moved the appointment of a
general committee to carry out the objects of the meeting,
to which he expressed his warmest concurrence. lie did
not fear any isqury to the revenue from au equitable reduc-
tion of the duty.
Mr. Witatt.er,M P., seconded the resolution as a friend
of temperance, which he considered would be greatly pro-
moted by the chenp•ning of wine. Agreed to.
The second resolution, which nominated the committee,
was proposed by Mr. KIRK, M.l'.—lle c sold not, he said,
advance in this movement without taking measures to Se-
cure reduction of duty on British 1411014:4Ctlifeil in foreign
countries. lle believed that in vine-growing countries
there was a greater demand for linen than iu any other,
and therefore ho thought that any tau el favour to them
should be reciprocated by a proportionate reduction of the
import duty on linen.
Mr. EVANS seconded the resolution, and supported the
movement without quelitiratirm. Ile wanti dno recipro-
city, but merely to be enabled to buy everything he wanted
u cheap as passib!e. Agreed to.
One or two other resolutions relative to details were sub-
sequently adopted, and the meeting separated, having first
agreed to a you're( thanks to Wu chairman, on the motion
of Mr. Forster, M.P.

LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN
RAILWAY. at

Yesterday the Unit-yearly meeting of the pro- rt
prietore was held nt the York It iad Assembly Rooms. York- st.
road, Lambeth. In the absence of Mr. F. Scott, M.P., who St
was engaged on the Peterborough Election Committee, the SO
chair was taken by Mr. !libber[, the deputy-chairman.
SS
The report, an abstract of which appeared in the L.rpress
of Aigust G, having been read, the accounts were taken 25
as read. le
The CHAIRMAN' maved the adoption of the report. SO
The motion ea+ seconded by Mr. Tile.
After a desultory discussion, the report was adapted 25
unanimously.
A resolution declaring a dividend of 31 per cent. per an-
num for the bait-year was passed subseitostio.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed a resolution, authorising
the directors to apply to parliament for a bill for ranking a
double line from Dorchester to Exeter, and for making the
Southampton and Dorchester line (which is now a single
ow) a double line throughout.
The reetAution was then carried unanimously.
A PROPIIISTOR wished to know on what ground the di-
rectors bad dismissed Mr. Lau, the engineer of the com-
pany.
The CHAIRMAN believed that there was nothing which
the shareholders would more readily leave to the directors
than the question of appointing or dispensing with servants
of the company. (Cheers.) In the exercise of their func-
tions they had thought fit to dispense with the MlTißell of
Mr. 11 ow ; and Mr. Bass having thought fit to put the
matter in the hands of a lawyer, he (the chairmen) should
give no explanation on the subject. (Cheers.)
This terminated the proceedings.

A meeting of the New S‘iuth-Western Steam Navigation
Company was 1-eld immediately after the close of the pre-
ceding one ; Mr. Tyra in the chair ; the proceedings of
which consisted entirely of the declaration of the usual divi-
dend of 5 per cent.

EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY.

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprie-
tors of this railway took place yesterday, at the Bury eta•
tion, Mr. THOS. DI:01/ALE, the chairman of the director.,
presiding. An abstract of the report and accounts has already
appeared in the Express.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report
and accounts, congratulated the shareh.lilers on the im-
provement which had taken place in their property during
the last three years.
Mr. Rum director, seconded the motion, which was
carried without a word I,f discussion.
A dividend was then declared after the rate of 6 percent.
per annum for the past half-year on the sic per cent. capital
of the company, of 6 per cent. 'strenuous on the amount
called up of the preference fifth shares ; and of 3 per cent.
per annum on the ordinary stock of the company.
Mr. Bossism, of Ornaskirk, moved a vote of thanks to the
chairman, which was carried unanimously, and the proceed•
logs terminated.
The lumina. only occupied 25 minutes.