The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-08 00:00:00

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE 8110W1

DINNEIi.

Last evening the annual dinner of the Smithfield
Club was celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern, when
about 150 gentlemen were present.
His Grace the Duke of Westmont), the President of the
Ciub, presided on the 04:01111311, and was supported by Lord
Portman, Lord Hornets, Mr. rimy, Sir John Shelley,
Bert., M.P., Admiral Saustatez, and other eminent agri-
culturists and breeders.

The noble CHAIRMAN having proposed "The Health of her
Majesty the Queen," which use responded to with enthusias-
tic applause, widths next toast he bad to propose, was " The
Health of his Royal Highness Prince Albert." In doing so,
he begged toasty that he had, as president of the club, written
to her Majesty and his Royal Highness PrinceAlbert,inviting
them to visit the show, and the only reason they would not
honour the Show with their presence this year wee, their
absence from town ; but both her Majesty and the Prince
expressed their sympathy and approbation of the objects of
the Club. He had the greatest satisfaction in acknowledg-
ing his Royal Highness Prince Albert as • member of the
Smithfield Cattle Club; because he felt that his Royal
Il.gbness being so, and becoming an exhibitor at their
Shure, did a great deal of good : and that, by leading the
fashion, his Royal Highness contributed much to make 'gel-
culturt• fashionable. It was equally gratifying is find that
his Royal Highness Prince Albert had this year carried off
the gold medal in the pig chum (Hear, hear.) It was to
be hoped that the Prince of Wales would follow in the
footsteps of his sire, and that he would interest himself in
the land of his birth. (Cheers.)
The tout was drunk with great applause.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed, •"Success to the Smith-
field Cattle Club." He said he believed that every indivi-
dual then present was aware that the great object of the
Smithfield Club was to improve the breed of cattle, stock,
And pigs. It was net to produce the monster animals that
they saw from the county of Buckingham, but to produce
wholesome and cheap fond fur the contunsen of this coun-
try. Ile (the noble duke) was instructed by the judges to
say the show of this year was on the whole better than an
average one, mon especially the sheep and cattle classes,
and that the show was a credit to the exhibitors:ef this
country. There were many very superior animals in th •
allow this year. (Hear, heir.) But a few years ago it
was predicted that the Smithfield Cattle Show wowu
soon cease to be thought anything of in the metropolis,
as the clubs of Birmingham and other places were treading
so closely upon its heels, and competing with it to such
an extent, that they would soon outstrip the Smithfield
C.ub. lie (the noble chairman) hoped that there would
be no rivalry, either between them and the Birmingham
and Yorkshire clubs, except that honest emulation which
was to try and do the best they could for the agricultural
interest and the consumers at large. It appeared to him
(the noble president) that there was a field open fur many
mere such societies than there were at present. But if
these societies were flourishing, he would ask, to wham was
the credit due ? (Hear, hear.) It was to the Smithfield
Club that the credit was due of setting the example to all
other parts of the country, and he thought, therefore, he
was justified in saying that he thought they bad done
great good. It had been said by some that these asso-
ciations were of no service to the country. If
they were of no service, should they find them existing
in every county ? (Hear, hear.) lie would contend
that they had proved themselves of the greatest utility
and service. and the Smithfield Club had done so in parti-
cular. If there was not a deep interest taken in the suc-
cess of thew institutiou by the public, should they have
seen the thousands of people who had attended their show-
yard to see the exhibition of their cattle that day ?
(Hear, hear.) It was an advantage, he was sure, to all
interests, and especially to the agricultural interests of this
country. It was most gratifying that they not only contri-
buted to benefit the agricultural interest and the con-
sumers generally, but that they could also afford pl
to their fellow Unsure, who could never have the opportu-
nity of seeing a sheep exc.-pt in Smithfield. (Cheers and
laughter.) With respect to flounce, NI that was a thing
which had a great deal to do with the prosperity of an in-
stitution, he was most happy to say that instead of being
in debt the society had a large margin of surplus in their
Chancellor of the Exchequer's hands. (Cheers.) In fact
they had a clear balance sufficient to meet all the demands'
which could be made upon them for next year, and there-
fore he thought that he might reasonably congratulate
them upon the prosperity of the society. He would there-
fore give them " Prosperity to the Smithfield Club," and
may others follow its example. (Loud cheers, amidst which
the toast was done honour to).
The swaths of the judges were here read and the prizes

distributed to the successful competitors ; after which the
health of Mr. Richard Stratton, u the winner of the gold
medal and most successful in the cattle classes, was drunk
and responded to.

Lordßzuszas then proposed " The Health of the Pre-
sident, his Grace the Duke of Norfolk," who acknowledged
the compliment.
The health of Prince Albert, as the winner of the gold
medal in the pig classes, having been given,
The CHAIRMAN gave " The nesticceuful competitors,"
which toast was responded to by Sir John Shelley, M.P.
Lord PORTMAN, in reply a the toast of "The Trustees,"
observed that the objects of the Smithfield Club were to
support not so much the beginning as the end of farming,
by bringing the best of food to market at the cheapest rate,
to pay at the acme time the grazier and the butcher. He,
however, must say that he regretted to see that the
butchers of the metropolis were not so active as they ought
to be in supporting that which was so much to their own
benefit.

Lerd Bza.Nzas, in reply for the toast of "The Vioe-
Presidents," alluded to the advantages which the Royal
Agricultural Society of England were to the graziers and
breeders, and related a cue of his own, wbere he was con-
tinually losing valuable animals by disease, until, under a
rule of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, he
made application for a professor from the Royal Veterinary
College, which they supplied gratuitously, and under the
advice of Professor Symonds 39 valuable beasts were saved.
It should be known to all that, upon application to the
Royal Agricultural Society, they gave this service gratui-
tously. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN proposed "The Royal Agricultural
Society of England, coupled with the health.of Mr. Philip
Pusey, its President."
Mr. Poser, in responding, said he believed that that
society now represented something like 6,000 of the tenant
farmers of England, and that it had and was conferring a
national benefit. Its operations Were scattered abroad from
the Land's End to the cliffs of Dover, and the neat show
was to be in a county which, through its instrumentality,
and the energy of the agricultural body, the greatest
provement had taken place. They had heard much of the
drainage of Rolland, but to Lineolashire no less than
600,000 acres had, by means of species of canals, been
reamed from the sea, and were now in a forward state of
culuvation. (Cheers.)
The health of the Judges, the Stewards, Mr. Brandreth
Gibbs (the secretary), and other touts, shaving been dis-
pied of, the company separated.

Large as the attendance at the show at the Baker-street
Bazaar was on Tuesday, the numbers yesterday, it is stated,
nearly doubled them. The only sale of any importance
effected thr. ugbout the day was that of Prince Albert's
pea of pigs, which obtained the gold medal, and they
found a purchaser in Mr. Wall of Jermyn-street.

WINE DUTIES.
-.--

Mr. Oliveira, M.P., writes from Bordeaux :
" Since my arrival its this rity I have received the greaten
support and assurance of the sympathy f.lt in our efforts t.
obtain • reduction of the wine duties. The apprehension
felt by some p noes as to a deti.ieney of supply is quits
futile. I:4e present stock 'is very large, quite enough to
meet any iernand for the neat three years, sad by that
time, if our measure is carried, there will he immense tracts
of country planted with vine and producing. The lest
vintage was a short one, and all wines are dear, yet much
good, round, agreeable wine sells at 3d. per bottle. lam
happy to soy chat en far from the French desiring a reduc•
lion of duty upon their wines, without any corresponding
concessions, I a a informed, on the best authority, that
I recent efforts have been made, and serious discussions
I taken place upon the question of admitting into the ports
of France, duty free, all materials used in the construction
of shim as well as to grant to foreign built vessels the
same privileges as to national ones. Inquiries are also set
on foot with reference to the feasibility of a reduction in
the duty upon cotton goods. if these two important con-
cessions be mode, one great ground of objection will be
removed from that section who requite reciprocity. II:son
the whole, these are very satisfactory indications."

FATAL ACCIDENT. The Oriental Company's
steamer Madrid is undergoing repair in the Southampton
graving deck. Mr. Colebrook, the second engineer of her,
MI, on Monday last, from a stage outside the ship into the
dock, a height of 16 feet. end was so injured that he died
in a few huun afterwards.

LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN
RAILIV.4I.

0-

Yesterday, in accordance with a resolution
adopted at the meeting of t►e 19th ult., after it had been
declared at an end by the late chairman of the board (Mr.
F. &cot) a number of sharehohlens reassembled at Hawk-
atone Hall, Waterloo•road On the motion of Mr. Pun•
Ober, seconded by Mr. Austin, Mr. Serjeant GASELEZ was
called to the chew. At this time there were present 22
shareholder's, the number being increased by subsequent
arrivals to about 30.

The CHAtaMAN said he was still of opinion that the
dissolution by the late chairman was illegal. He had since
proposed to the board to take the opinion of Sir F. Kelly on
the point; but this the majority had declined to do, and
they teal also rejected hie proposition that the poll should
he published. He advised the shareholders not to rest till
they bad got the poll, as the publication of it
would open the eyes of many who were now greatly
in the dark. They would then know who were the real
managers of the railway, and who were working for their
de m ruction. (Cheers.) He did not believe the directors them-
selves Weser:bled any improper influence, but there were
influences at work more powerful than that of the directors,
and extending to the remotest corners of Scotland and Ire-
land ; and the railway could never prosper until the board
were the real managers, instead of persons who were inter-
ested in extensions. (Hear, hear.) Among the five direc-
tors who had resigned there were two for whom individu-
al ybe entertained great respect, and who had assisted the
shareholen in detesting a central extension scheme; sad
he had no hesitation in saying that the non-extension part
of the board was weakened by their retirement. lie
would caution the directors against continuing in
their present course. He asked with confidence whether the
disgraceful scene which had taken place in that room could
have occurred, if there had not been a determination on
one side to put down the other? In the selection of new
directors they mast take care that their opinions should be
properly represented. Having gained two great victories
they had a right now to insist on a proper representation.
(Hear, hear.) They had no feelings of hostility against
those whom they hat conquered; tney were ready to let
bjgones be bygones—(hear, hear)—but they must have
security for the future. (Cheers.) They must know that
the new directors were parsons who would not sanctisu
every extension scheme that might be laid before them.
Hitherto nearly all the time of the board had been taken
up with endeavours on the part of the dissentient directors
to stop ruinous extension". He believed that if they ms'e
a good choice of new directors, before the expiration of a
year the shares would be at par and the dividend 5 per
cent. (Cheers.)
Mr. Asnuous wished to know how the officials in the

company voted in the recent division ?
The CHAIRMAN $ id the clerks who held shores did not I
vote at all; the engineers voted against the shareholders. I
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Anototte inquired how the solicitors voted ?
The CHAIRMAN said the solicitors voted against them ;
the bankers did the same. (Hear, hear.) Every director,
except Mr. Mortimer and himst If, was opposed to them,
and he:had no duuht that the majority in the hoard obtained
the vote of every lawyer. contractor, and tradesman that
they could get hold of. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. SNELL thought every gentleman in the room would
agree with him that, on account of its very restricted powers,
the special meeting shou.d be dissolved. He would there-
fore move its dissolution, with a view to the holding of an-
uth.r meeting immediately afterwards, at which an import.
ant resolution would be proposed. He would here observe
that, with a view of putting a stop to dissensions which
were prejudicial to the stock of the company, and of holdin4 '
out the olive branch of peace to the other party, on the
24th of November he wrote to the secretary suggesting the
denirablene.s of endeavouring to come to some timirable
I arrangement. He subsequently left his card at the office of
Mr. Birchall, the solicitor. In neither case had there been
any response.
Mr. EDWARDS seconded the motion, and said the exten-
sion nroepectuses issued by the board were as gross as the
South Sea scheme.

Mr. SALINTSBURY laid, before the motion was put, he
could not help adverting to the address published by the
directors who had resigned. He bad never seen anything
more indecent than the terms of that letter. Mr. Scott
there told the shareholders that they had been guilty of a
breach of faith and a violation of principle, and had suit red
• loss of character. How dare he address such language
to a body of men who were at least imitated by as honour-
able motives as he was ? (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. &Ants-
bury) did not deny that a silly I leiige was given; hut the
directors themselves broke it (Hear, hear.) Besides, what
was the v‘lue of the Wharncliffe order if they were not to
be allowed to act as they had done ? (Hear, hear )
The resolution was then put aced carried. The special
meeting was accordingly di:eland by the chairman to be
dissolved.

A SHAREHOLDER then moved that Mr. Snell should
take the chair, which resolution having been seconded and
agreed to, Mr. Bnell briefly addressed the meeting.
On the motion of Mr. W. HENDERSON, seconded by Mr.
Asiisiosta, the following resolution was then carried
unanimously.
" That this meeting, considering it to be of the utmost im-
portance to prevent contention in the company, and to
ensure the adoption of a prudent and pacific course towards
other companies, and referring to the announced resigna-
tion of
.five of the present board, resolves to support such
candidates only whose opinions accord with the general
feeling of the company sod are opposed to a brunch-
nuking policy, which has been so decidedly condemned in
two successive years by majorities of the shareholders."
The meeting then adjourned.

MAXCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLN-

SHIRE RAILItAL

A special meeting of this company was held, at
Manchester, .esterday afternoon, to receive the report of
the Committee of Consultation appointed on the 18th of
Inns last.

-
At the suggestion of the Earl of YARBOROUGH, who
presided, the report, which hart been distributed among the
shareholders three weeks ago, wits taken as read.
The Right Hon. J. PARKER, chairman of the committee,
in moving the adoption of the report, recapitulated the
chief topics contained in it. He said in drawing up the
report the committee had gone upon the principle of
telling the shareholders the whole truth with re-
gard to everything in it. They bad avoided uo ques-
tion, but at the same time they had not overlaid it with
statistics, nor attempted to perform the part of speculators
or prophets as to the future. The great fault of this, as of
too many other companies, it appeared to him, bad been the
expenditure of too much money. (Hear, hear.) This was
a fact which could not be disguised, but, at the same time,
that was a matter now beyond remedy ; he had said from
the first that he would be no party to a by gone inquiry.
What was done seven or eight years ago could not now be
undone; their business was with the future. And in
reference to this they had speed to recommend to the new
manager (Mr. Edward Watkin) to re-model the establish
meat by the adoption of a somewhat novel but not unpre-
cedented experiment, in following the example of the
I Caledonian Company by making the salaries of the
principal officers, to some extent, dependent on the
receipts of the concern. That course bad been
adopted with success by the Caledonian line, and
the committee thought it might be carried out
with equal advantage on this line. He found that high
satisfaction was expressed with the choice of their new
manager, and he expressed a hope that the shareholders in
future, if they had complaints to make of the management,
would deal with the board in these matters, inasmuch as it
was undesirable that the time of the manager should be
wasted by being brought into collision with individual share-
holder, as bed sometimes been the ease in times past.
(Hear, hear.) In referring to the alliances with other com-
panies, he said there were some pasties of opinion that a
working agreement with the Great Northern would be
most advantageous. On examining this question, he found
there were some parties held that 7001. or 8001. per week
might be made by such an agreement; but, on the other
hand, those who opposed it contended that by so exciting the
opposition of the London and North Western they would lose
a. much as 1,200/. or 1,3001. per werk. He must remind
them, however, that at present there was an agreement
wi.h the London and North Western which they were
bound to observe. If any one had supposed in placing
him on the committee that he would agree to break such an
agreement they had mistaken their man. It was not the
fault of the committee that there was such an agreement,
but finding it in existence, they held that the time for dis-
cussing new agreements would be when the present ones
expired. He concurred in the recommendation of the re-
port fur the abandonment of the Humber Ferry litigation,
and pointed to the great hopes of the company for an im-
proved position as lying in a diminution of working ex-
pears and the development of their coal trade. The com-
mittee had recommended that the 280,0001. arrears of
dividend on preferential shares should be capitalised, but
they did not consider the terms, thinking that a matter to
he determined between the board and the holders of those
shares.
Mr. JOHN FENTON seconded the motion.

Mr. Wu. hiam..tunv, of London, said he had attended a
meeting of the six per cent. shareholders that morning at
the Spread Eagle Hotel, at which it was eat wished to ob-
ject to the report, hut simply to protest against a pars-
graph in the report thing uustrued as sanctioning in any
way an interference with the rights of the p:efcrence share-
holders. The paragraph in question said—" They may
however express their hope, that if an opportunity arises
front the above, or other parties, of placing the strain of the
company on a substantial and permanent basis, the burr,'
will not fail to take advantage of it. life magnitude no
doubt of this concern, and tile variety of pref(rcntial inter-
ests from time to time created mast operate against such
propositions, but if any such should come to past., the eev -
ral classes of shareholders will probably be ready to niscuss
the terms on which the company shall Le incorp .rated
with one or other of its neighbours ; and in
consideration of increased security and augmented market-
able value, will waive something of their legal claims."
Mr. Mallalieu, who had presided at the meeting, read a pro-
test agreed to by the preference sharohnloers against this
paragraph being underatosid as sanctioning an interference
with their rights. and suhseviently rc.Autsted that it might
be placed en the minutes.
The resolution swab carried with only one dissentient.

The CHAIRMAN having moved that the Appo:ntattat of
Mr. E. Watkto, of the London and North Western Com-
pany, as general manses,- of confirmed by
the shareholders, it was objected to by ?dr. Sturges unti
others, because it was foreign to Inc purposes of the meet-
ing, and would be a precedent for shittiug the responsihility
of such appointments from the dire eters the shareholders.
The Chairman esplained that Mr. W. 4 is hintaelf• had

suggested this course ; but Mr. Watkin now expressed him-
self satisfied with the opinion of tie meeting, us he had
only wished to submit his appointment to them for confii-
matte°, tn order that he might be assured of tin it con-
fidence. The motion was therefore withdrawn. It wee
afterwards stated by the Chitin:nail that Mr. Watkin's
salary had been hind at 1,200/. per annum, it...teased by
lit per cent. on all increase of the net rtvenuta or savings
in the working eepenses.
Mr. FENTON explained with reference to the pretest of
the preferential sharekulders that the corrmittee of consulta-
tion had never any idea of sbuting one iota of the claims
of those shareholders, but only suggested that instead of
mere claim they would prefer a marketable debenture.
The Cetalumate thought the shareholders themselves
should take the initiative in any arrangement of th:s kind.
Mr. PAILkEIt moved that "the directors be requested and
are hereby authorised to make such terms with the de-
fendants in the limber Ferries suit, with a view to the
final settlement thereof, as the directors shell c nnider
mostadvaotsgeous to the shareholders."
The motion having been seconded was carried with only
two dissentients. The proceedings concluded with votes of
thanks to the committee of consultation and the chairmen.

DENSE FOGS AT MANCHESTER.

.e.

Fogs, whic'e have been more or less dense, ha- .-e hung
over Manchester for weeks past, but one which commenced
during Monday night, and continued up to last evening
with little abatement, was exceedingly thick, end during
the whole of Tuesday and yesterday the shops, counting-
houses, warehouses, and other places of buNiness had to be
lighted up from the earliest hours. The streets or. Tuesday
morning appeared filled with a vapour like steam, only that
instead of giving warmth it hail the effect of a cold wet
blanket. Later in the day it became mixed with the
black smoke from the tall chimnees, which was beaten
down by it, and produced a smarting of the eyes, and •
choking sensation in the throats of all persons unfert,inate
eaough to come in contact with it. Su thick wee the fog
in some of the streets in the evening, when derlinees ap-
proached, that many people lost their way
in the streets, and became unable to make out which
end of the thoroughfare they were approaching. It was
impossible, in some parts of the busiest thorougleeres, to
see objects at • distance of three or four yards, and a
serious hindrance was thus raised to the progress of
vehicles. Omnibuses became 'indistinguishable, despite
the lamp, they carried both inside and out, to paestnaers on
the footway, some of whom would have been une ;nine to
risk being involved in • cullision by entering one of them,
whilst other., more confident in the ability of the driver; to
steer a safe passage, than willing to risk their neer' by en-
countering the perils of street crossings on foot, were yet
unehle to open a communication with the con': nt,s;rx, and
deterred from any vigorous attempt to do so by uncertainty
as to whether the ;Kluge was sufficiently clear for a des-
perate charge to the door of any particu:ar cenveyance.
The progress of some of the country omnibuses, eepeciellyi
was marked by incidents of the most ludicrees ile• :ription,
for when they had 1„:•ut clear of the town, and theee Vil.TO no
lights to guide them, it became necessary, in nieey cases,
to proceed at • walking pace, with a lantern carried
in front by a person on foot. The incidents in
one case described by a passenger were very miming.
The omnibus ',tailed at 5 o'clock from Market-street for
Cheadle, u distance of seven miles, which, under ordinary
circumstances, it would have performed ir. cr hew, but did
net arrive there till five minutes past 7. As the vehicle
proceeded through the streets at a w.ilking pa _e, the Inside
. passengers, scarcely conscious where they w..r.: being
Idriven, would now and then see some veil:err:6e foot pai-
Isenger emerge out of the fag or, to the door-step, ask the
conductor where he was going to, and on finding that the
omnibus was not going he any direction ilia= ti ically oppo-
site to the one which it was pursuing, wuuld vani,h into
obscurity again. Oa uppreaching the suburbs, the OCC:1
i pants of the vehicle became alarmed at the sadden and in-
esplicoble twists and turns which it seemed to be making,
first coming in contact with the footpath on came side of
the road, and almost immediately afterwards hump-
ing against the kerb•stone on the opposite side.
1 When the omnibus approached the open country the
driver was quite unable to distinguish the course of the
road, end nearly all the passengers alighted, weleing by
the side of the vehicle, whilst the conductor preceded it on
foot, blowing his horn and carrying a lantern. Presently
another horn was heard in the distance, which proved to
I proceed from the conductor of an omnibus c ar..ng in the
opposite direction, escorted in the same manner. The
be-
nighted cavalcades contrived to pass etch other without a
collision, and after proceeding in this manner rather more
than a mile, the fog became much less deuce, lard tie eiutte.
bus was enabled to tannin its journey in the normal man-
ner, and at • more reasonable speed, after hosing love
most of its passengers. From Market-street to Itusholme,
a distance of two mike, the journey had occupied 50
minutes; and Withington, two miles furOer, sat not
retched till half. past 6. Other omnibuses on the same road
were also detained in a similar way. The coach from Derby
got upon the foot pavement in Longeight, near Manchester,
and was near meeting with a serious accident in the even-
ing. Neither omnibuses nor coaches kept nay regukr
time; and the hackney coachmen, in many tales, refused

fares and withdrew from the streets. The vw.crt anni lives
dritsrs of private vehicles were in all directiccv seen
dismounted from the boxes, walking through the mud at
the horse'. head, with bridle in one hand and lantern :a the
other. There were many hairbreadth escapes in the roads,
yet, strange to say, no accidents were heard cf yesterday a.
having occurred, either in the common roads or en the rail-
ways. Yesterday a frost h►d set in, and there was some
hope at Right of au improvement, though the fig was still
very dense.

THE RUSSIANS IN PORTSMOUTH DOCK-

YARD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THL DAILY NEV...
SIR,-1 beg to enclose a copy cf a letter which I
have this day addressed to the editor of the Ton,
I am, air, &c.,
CHARLES RONALDS.
96, Guilford-street, Russell-square, Dec. 7.