The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-05 00:00:00

LONDON DOCK COMPANY.

The ordinary half-yearly general meeting of this
company took place yesterday at the Dock house, Bank-
bulk hap. lone Cement, Baq., in tbe chair.
Of the report of the directors, which was read by Mr.
Powles, the secretary, the following is the principal portion;
" The number of loaded ships from foreign ports which
entered into the London Docks during the six =meths end-
ing Nov 30 last, was 711, measuring 218,661 tons. The
number for the corresponding period in 18.11, was 688,
measuring 19.3,769 tons, being en increase of 32,782 tons.
The amount of earnings daring the six months has been
23.5,5941. 16s. 4d. The amount of the like earnings for the
corresponding period of 1861, was 233,8011. 6s. 7d. The
amount of expenditure during the six months ending Nov.
30 last, has been 140,2211. 14s. Id. The amount of the like
expenditure for the corresponding period of 1851, was
134,7121. 61. 9d. The amount of expenditure includes the
payment of the inmate tax. By the statement annexed to
the report it will be seen that the balance standing to the
credit of profit and loss, is 261,0311.65. 6d. Out of which
the directors recommend the payment of a divi-
dend of 21. 10s. per cent. on the company's stock
for the half-year, amounting to 90,9671. 12s. 3d.,
which will leave • balance in favour of the com-
pany of 160,0731. 13s. 3d. Of this balance standing to
the credit of profit and law the sum of 181,8041. 7s. 6d.,
consists of the amount of outstanding charges due to the
company on goods in the warehouses. The stock of goods
in the warehouses on the 30th November last was 114,736
tons. At the same time last year it was 132,437 tons. The
warehouse at the eastern dock, adverted to at the general
meeting la July lest tigether with the hydraulic machinery
iu connexion therewith, is so far completed as to be avail-
able in a fortnight if required; and the standing orders of
the House of Commons necessary to en •ble the directors to
curry into effect the resolutions of the 29th October last
have been complied with."
The CHAIIMAN Awing put the formal motion that the
report be adopted,
A Paoralbrou inquired whether any information could
be given as to the probable effect the new works authorised
in October would have in increasing the future dividends?
The CLIAMIAN replied that the directors had explained,
when they proposed those works last October, that they
were slimmed,' nee-rotary in order to the maintenance of
the present rate of dividend. Such a change was taking
place in the size of the ships trading to the port of London,
that the directors were compelled to enlarge the entrances to
their docks, and to provide other facilities for their accom-
modation. At the rime time he would have recom-
mended the outlay had he not believed at the time that it
would be remunerative, and he was happy to say that the
more he and his brother directors had reflected since upon
it, the more they were convinced that they were right in
recommending that the docks should be so altered as to St
them to receive vessels of whatever sine might COMO to them.
No longer ago than yesterday a ship came from China of •
six, that was never contemplated when the docks were con-
structed—viz., a ship of 2,000 tons; and he was sorry to
say they could not receive her, the entrances being too
small. That observation, however, applied, as it happened,
to their neighbours, for there was no dock in the river
that could without great inconvenience, delay, and ex-
pense receive such • vessel. He assured the meeting that
the directors were doing their utmost for the welfare of the
concern, and be wished the proprietors would also exert
their individual influence to bring business—that being the
surest mode of keeping up the dividends. (Hear, hear.)
The resolution was then carried, as was another, autho-
rising the dividend of 21. 10s. per cent., tree of income tax ;
and after a vote of thanks to the chairman and the other
directors (which Mr. Cattley acknowledged) the meeting
separated.

METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWERS.
Yesterday a special court of the Commissioners of
Sewers wee held at the office, in Greek street. The com-
missioners present were Mr. Jebb (the chairman), Mr.
Hawkshsw, Mr. Gibson, Sir C. Pillow's, Major Dawson,
Mr. Hawes, and Mr. G. d. Smith.

•
Mr. WOOLITCH (the secretary) read the statements of
accounts, from which it appeared that the balance in hand
was 15,8171. Payments to the extent of about 1,9001. ware
ordered to be made. The rate amoun'ed to 172,2911., of
which there was reported as collected 89,5001.
BETHNAL-GIIEN.

Major DAweoN dreWatiention;Ttee report of the Re-
gistrar. General in reference to Bethnal-greeo, which stated
that in the green sub-district of Bethnal.green there was
oae death from malignant scarlatina in west side, two from
typhus and one from low fever in the workhouse in the
week ending the 18th of Des tuber; and one from scarlatina
in Wellington-street, two from typhus in Primrompstrest,
one from typhus in Morpeth-street, and one in Cross-street,
in the week ending last Saturday. Mr. Howard, the re-
gistrar, stated that neither surface nor other drainage was
provided for the houses, the consequence of which was
that the streets were constantly under water, which no
doubt was the cause of the numerous cases of typhus. HP
says at the present time twelve persons are laid up with
fever.

The SICRITARY said that the smatter had been referred
to the surveyor, Mr. Roe, to report upon, who stated that
nothing effectual could be dime till the plan for the main
drainage of the metropolis was undertaken. This report of
Mr. Roe was made in reference to the report of the Regis-
trar-Oeneral for October 16. Mr. Roe was at present ill.
Makir llawsori said he was not satisfied with the general
statement that nothing could be done without a main drain-
age. The Me appeared to be one of emergency, and he
thought that their inspecting engineer should be sent to in-
quire and report upon what could be done.
It was accordingly determined that the district should be
inspected by the inspecting engineer of the commission.

IATZS AND JXFINDITOII.
Major DAWSON mond that the returns which had been
moved for on the 27th of October, and which were now
printed, should be distributed for circulation to those who
applied for them, at the cost of Id. per sheet. These re-
turns were important, as they would show to the late-
payers how the money which had been received from them
was applied, and what were the cruet items of expenditure.
Mr. Gissox seconded the meders, which was agreed.to.
The returns referred to seats rate for the prospective
ordinary expenditure of the memission for the year ending
the let of July, 1863, and a 601111111 iii estimate of the amount
of available balsam for extremism works in the several
districts for the ensuing year, eirerreviding for the entreatordinary expenditure of the ammileies. It appears from
the first of these documents that the interest on permanent
Inane amounts to 4,6741. Ile.; deeming and maintaining
sewers, 22,891/. 15s. • salaries, die expenses, &c., 21,0001.;
total, 48,4661. 6s. The item ef 31,0001. was made up of—
salaries, 14,0001. ; poundage, 3,3001. •
' retired allowances,
1,1601.; rent, stationery, dt0.,2,21401. From the financial
estimate it appeared that the present state of the fund of
the several districts is as fellows:—Credit, 3,3611.; debt,
68,9911. • balance of debt, 65,639!. Amount available from
uneolleend rates, 19,6401. Available balance after taking
credit for amount to be derived from outstanding rates now
in colleetion—credit, 13,8711. ; debt, 49,9711.; balance of
debt, 36,0991. Amount to be raised by new rates, 181,2301.
Available balance after making new rates—credit,
148,6431.; debt, 1,4131.; balance of credit, 145,1301.
Amount of ordinary expenditure per annum, 48,4661.
Available balance for extraordinary works—credit,
101,2121. ; debt, 4,5791., leavieg an available balance fur
extraordinary works to the amount of 96,6631. The per-
manent loans, amounting to 80,4231., and the claim for
Ordnance survey, amounting to 24,212!., are not included
in the financial statement.

The court, having disposed of the several reports and
applications that came before them, adjourned.

COLLIERY EXPLO,ION NEAR

An inquest was held yesterday, at Pendlebury, about four
miles from Manchester, before W. 8. Rutter, Esq„ county
coroner, on a youth named William Seddon, 18 years of
age, who had died from burning, at the colliery of MIMI.
A. Knowles and Sons. It appears three young men were
dreadfully burnt by an explosion in the mine on the 29th
ult., and two of them still survive. A collier named John
Inundate detailed all the circumstances known of the
shocking occurrence to the coroner and jury. He said
they went to work about half-pest 8 in the morning, and
he had descended the shaft, and reached his place in the
workings, within shout six yards, when a gust of wind was
felt and a flash of light seen. He was talking with Robert
Jones, a collier, who bad been working ell night, when
this occurred, and they immediately knew there had been
an explosion of foul air in a part of the workings not far
distant. lie and Jones fell on their hands and knees to
crawl towards the eye of the pit (adopting that pr,caution
to escape suffocation by the sulphur or after-damp), and
when within ten or twelve yards of it they overtook the
deceased and two youths named Gillespie and Worthing-
ton, the latter a good deal burnt, end Gillespie, who is now
lying in the Manchester Infirmary, nearly insensible from
iohalisg the sulphur. The deceased had carried with him
a naked candle, bet witness had a lamp, with which he had
tried the state of the air. It would be safe for deceased
' toren, a candle along the air-passages, but he ought not to
have approached the place where the explosion was sup-
to have occurred—between the upper and lower
revels—without a lamp. There was no one with deceased
when the explosion occurred, but the site el it was inferred
from part of his clothes being found between the two levels,
and he is supposed to have been undressing to commence
work when his candle ignited the gas. The jury were of
opinion that no one was to blame but the deceased himself,
and found a verdict of "Accidental Death." Mr. Dicken-
son, government inspector of mines, was present, and spoke
highly of the ventilation and arrangements of the mine,
which he said were as perfect es any he had ever met with.
SIIREWBBIIRY AND ABERYSTWITII RAILWAY COM-

PANY.-A circular hu been lined by the board of direc-
tors of this company from which we take the following
passages :—" The directors of the Silveira:tory and Aberyst-
with Company announce, with regret, that they have been
unable to obtain • sufficient amount of subscriptions to
justify them in proceeding in parliament during the present
session. The directors attribute this result mainly to the
apprehension of an expensive parliamentary untest,
ex-
cited in the public mind by the amissommest of a rival
line, and by seeing advertised maw the patrons of that
line the names of gentlemen connected with the district
proposed to be accommodated by the Abuystwith Com-
pany, in support of which their names might naturally
have been expected to appear. The directors regret diet
the opportunity has thus been lola of constructing a railway
between Newtown, Machvnlleth, and the sea, and probably
of securing to Montgomeryshire the route from Manchester
to South Wales and Milford Haven. Under these circum-
stances, the directors resdred to withdraw their line for the
present, a..d to co-operato with the London and North
Western Company in an effort to obtain a line from Shrews-
bury to Newtown, with a branch joining the Shrewsbury
and Chester Railway at Oswestry, sod for which notices
bare been given, and plans deposited."

ON THE

AND NORTH
WESTERN RAILWAY.

The following is as eeetuate list of the maims by the
accident of Monday night:

DIAD.
Lying at the Seddlen' Arms, Plantation-road, St. Giles's.
John Tarry, driver of the passenger train.
Robert Bandon, stoker of the passenger train.
Thomas Landon, stoker of the first coal engine.
A male passenger—unknown.
At the Queen Victoria, Plantation-road, St. Giles's.
Robert Lewes, driver of the first coal engine.
Carolina Davis, of Ferringdon, passenger to Winslow.
At the Radcliffe Infirmary.
Samuel Wilcox, stoker of the second coal engine.
Richard Feltner, Ben., a mechanic, belonging to some
place in Surrey.
INJUKIIID.
At the Radcliffe Infirmary.
Richard Feltner, jun., son of tee deceased Richard Felt-
ner; bead cut and body braised.
Job Feltner, another son ; body braised and thigh burned.
John Williams, hawker, of Birmingham; compound frac-
ture of arm--since amputated.
Joseph Townsend, of Biosster ; dislocated hip—since re
dueed.
John Harper, of Cheltenham; compound fracture of one
thigh, and both legs broken.
Thomas Monney. of Little Coawell, near Farringdon; head
cut, fractured jaw, and thigh injured.
John Walters, Bieester ; knee and thigh injured.
William linibbs' of BO:eater ; head cut, and injury to Ow.
Sarah Smith, of Steeple Cleydon ; injury to chest.
At Grace's Hotel, near the Railway Station.
James Sayers, of Winslow ; four ribs fractured.
George Slade ; suffering from the shock.
At the Anchor public-house, Heylleld Hut, near
when the accident occurred.

William Jones,7lVoneaster,horee •dehier ; seriously hurt
about the head and body.
At the Railway Hotel.
Henry Wa•ts, breaksmen of the coal train ; suffering from
the shock.
At Bletchley.
Joseph Kind], guard of the passenger train; head cut, and
body bruised.
It will be observed that of the six men in charge of the
engines only one has escaped.
All the bodies were frightfully mutilated. Tarry's
watch was crashed Dearly fiat, the hands being fixed in the
dial plate at 36 minutes after six. He has left a widow,
and although it may appear uunecessory to allude to suck a
circumstance here, it is currently reported that he lived on
such terrible terms with his wife that when he left his
house last sight she declared that she hoped he would
enter it again. Bugden was a very fine young man.
He had six children by a former wife ; and about four
months ago married a respectable young woman, who,
besides beta; meanie, is left to foster an orphaned family.
Sarah South was discovered in a state of almost perfect
nudity on the buffer of one of the engines, with a pie°e of
iron firmly fixed across her throat. She was extricated
with great difficulty. This poor woman had 'been to Ox. I
ford to see her brother, who had enlisted a few days pre-
viously. She has lost ev.rything she possessed.
Jones, the horse-dealer, who is lying at Heyfield Hut,
had 1231, in notes and gold in his pocket when the accident
occurred. He is very much injured. It is teared that both
this case and that of Harper may terminate fatally.
The Coroner has appointed the inquest to be opened
to-morrow morning (this day) at the Star Hotel.