The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-04 00:00:00

TO THE HDITOU OP THlll_ EXPRESS._

Sir,—l last September agreed to take som;;hares in the
above company, and having done so and paid the deposit of
2i. per share, hare been anxiously waiting to see some an-
nouncement of the scrip being ready ; but, on making in-
quiries, I have been told by my broker that there appears
to be very little chance of the scrip ever being issued, and
I earshot obtain auy information at the office of the inten-
tions of the directors, whether they intend to return the
deposits or keep as another six months, by which time it
may suit them to issue the scrip. By your inserting this is
your valuable paper it may be the medium of gaining me,
as well as a large body of shareholders, some information
as to what the directors of the above company intend to do.
—I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Feb. 3. A SHAILBHOLDIII.
-

Australian land shares and miscellaneous stocks
generally were dull, with little business. Australian
Agricultural closed 225 to 230; ditto ex new, 75 to
80. There were dealings in Bank of British North
America, 601; London Bank of Australia and India
(21. paid), 11; Oriental Bank Corporation, 46; Lon-
don Docks, 129; Australasian Pacific Mail Steam-
packet (61. paid), 51; Crystal Palace, 5; General
Screw Steam Shipping, 511; Peninsular and Ori-
ental Steam, 871, 87.
At the meeting of the proprietary of the London
and County Joint Stock Bank, held to-day, a divi-
dend was declared at the rate of 6 per cent. per an-
num, besides a bonus of 2 per cent., leaving a balance
of 21,5461. to be carried to the guarantee fund. By
comparing the balance-sheet now issued with that of
the 31st Dec., 1851, it would appear that this
satisfactory result is mainly owing to the
great increase of customers' balances, which now
amount to 3,281,6031., and to the profitable business
caused by a daily increasing connexion, especially
among the branches. The paid-up capital has been
increased during 1852 to the extent of 100,0001., and
in view of the consequently increased requirements
for dividend, and of the low value of money during
the year, the proprietary naturally expressed great
satisfaction at the large dividend declared. The
sum of 17,0001., incurred in establishing and pur-
chiming branches, has been wholly paid off. The
expenditure for leasehold and freehold bank pre-
mises has been reduced from 35,0151. to 30,3031.,
which is virtually an addition to the extent of the
reduction to the property of the bank. The reserved
fund has been increased from 36,2571. to 44,3251.,
after providing for the judicious addition of 10 per
cent. to the salaries of the officers of the establish-
ment, an example which we trust will be followed
by other banks, whose officials are, generally speak-
ing, the hardest worked and worst paid, considering
their responsibilities, of any class of men in the
kingdom. One of the most interesting features in
the meeting was the announcement of an act of
great generosity on the part of the chairman, Mr.
Sadleir, in bestowing the munificent sum of 4,5001.
for the establishment of a provident fund for the
relief of the officers of the bank who, from
misfortune, sickness, or superannuation, may become
incapable of providing br themselves and their fami-
lies. The applause which followed the announce-
ment, coupled with the complimentary admission of
the shareholders that (next to the ablo manager of
the bank, Mr. Luard), they are mainly indebted to
the administrative ability of Mr. Sadleir for their
present prosperous position, must have been highly
gratifying to the gentlemen in question.
Business in the market for American stocks this
week has been moderate, and prices are steady. The
inquiry, however, is not so brisk as it was a few
weeks back. Present quotations are thus reported
by Messrs. D. Bell, Son, and Co. :

Redeemable. Dividends. Priem.
United States 5 per CL Bd. 11165 Jan...and July 97 IM
Ditto 6 per Cent Bd ... 1882 Jan. sad July 104 105
Do. 6 pee Ct. do. do ... 1863 Jan. and July 1094 11.
Do. 6 pee Ct. 1n5uM00k...1867.1888 Jan. and July 1064 1094
Do. ditto 1863 Jan. and July 103 104
New York BMW 3 per C 4. 18584860 Quarterly 96 100
Pennsylvania 3 per Ct. and Aug. 87 88ex dv
Do. S per Cent. de lBB2 Jan. and July 92 94
Ohio 6 per Cents .
Meamobinette 3perCt. Mar
Bog Bonds
Do. 3 per Cents Dollar ltda 1873 Stay and Nov. 974 984
Maryland& perCtfiter.Bda — Jan. and July 98 99
Illinois Internal linp.6p.t.t — Jan. and July 73 75
Dino Interest ditto — Jan. anti July 47
Virginia 6 per Cl.. Ines. St 1857.1875 Jan. and July 95 95
Virginia 6 per Cent. Bonds 1886 Jan. and July 984 994
Kentucky 6 per Cent. lB6B Jan. and July 97 98
Tennessee 6 per Cent. 1892 Jan. and July 93 96
Boston Cityairser Cent.
Tibetans 1872 April and Oct. 103
Montreal City 6 per Cents 1637.1865 I Illarcb. Sept., 186 117
April and Oat.
New York Citys per CCM . 18334870 Quarterly 96 97
New Orleans City 9 per
Cent. Bonds
Central Bail.

94 -

Pennsylvania
ltd. 6 per I
Philadelphia
41. HA.

Cents
dam
11811. 16. Spiv Ct.&e Mort-
Nerwieet end Bpp Biwa n
1860 Jen. ani July 66 67
rie Seve

per Cents.. Ist mortgage 1868-1869 May and Nov. 1064 1074
Ditto Beres prrOanta.,Com
male
Oblo &Pessaries.? per Ct
Ineolos Banda.
Itentaird k Boanoake 7
per Ct. Ist Mortgsge

April sad Oct. 91 94
1801 rob. sad Aug. 83 84 ex di,