The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-20 00:00:00

Liman .... 4,886 .... 11,608
Showing a total increase of 18,415 passengers during
the last half-year. The merchandise traffic has produced
1,1611. 4s. 61. in 1851, against 8091. 12s. M. in 1850, an
increase of 3511. I2s. 3d., which is satisfactory. On
the Ist of May a special daily service was commenced
between London and Paris by tidal trains, working in cor-
respondence with the company's steam-ships. The public
convenience was so much promoted by this service, 4ind
it met with such general approbation, that on the Ist Au-
gust the service was extruded to a departure every tide
from Folkestone and Dover, and Boulogne and Calais. The
service of the company during the lust six months has been
performed without a single interruption, and 26,937 miles
have been navigated with safety. The directors recommend
the proprietors to declare a dividend of 6s. per share—being
at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, free of income tax—.
and to carry the balance remaining to the credit of the re-
serve fund."
The CHAIRMAN, ice moving the adoption of the report,
stated that they were now the owners of eight steam-ships
in the most efficient state, and they had a sum of 3,9391. of
capital on hand, and they would have a further amount at
the credit of profit and loss of 7,9231., after payment of the
dividend. They were the best friends and allies of the
South-Eastern Railway, and their ships were placed entirely
at the disposal of that company, which had enabled them,
by the rapidity and punctuality of their service, to maintain
successful competition against opposition at low and Imre-
munerative prices by inferior routes. The service had been
performed with unfailing punctuality ; and in the arrange-
ment of the trains and the steam ships to perform the special
service from Paris to London in 11 hours, the only imper-
fection has been occasioned by delays at and connected with
the Custom-house. They hail, however, entered into ar-
rangements with the Treasury, by which they would be
enabled to bring the passengers' baggage from the boats in
bulk direct to London, where it would he examined in a
largo and convenient room now preparing at the Loudon
station, whereby the passenger, would be saved the annoy-
ance of having to loiter about Dover or Folkestone, as they
now have, for a considerable time. Their funds would now
allow of the purchase of one or two screw ships, with more
capacity for merchandise than their present Beet, which
would be advantageous to the company.
The resolution having been unanimously carried, a divi-
dend of de. per share was declared, free of income tax, and
the balance in hand (7,9231.), after payment of the dividend,
was agreed to be added to the reserve fund.
In answer to a question,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors would not
lose sight of the moral obligation the South-Eastern Rail-
way Company were under to maintain a uniform dividend
of per cent., and they certainly would not put the two
screw steamers on the line without proper arrangements
being entered into with the South-Eastern and Great
Northern of France Railway companies. (Cheers.)
On the motion of Mr. ADAM, who expressed his great
satisfaction at the manner in which the service had been
carried on, a cordial vote of thanks was given to the di-
rectors, and the meeting separated.

TRAFFIC RETURNS FOR THE PAST WEEK.