The Express.
London, England, 1849-03-01 00:00:00

SCOTTISH CENTRAL

Hef-Feartg General Meeting. Perth, Feb. 27.
BRUM, Esq., in the chair.
The SECRETARY read the report, which was in manu-
script. It set out by stating that the directors had to lay be-
foes the shareholders the state of the company's affairs for
the first half-year since the line was completed. It then re-
f reed to the position of the line with the southern
companies and the Edinburgh and Glasgow, and
stated that owing to the compromise which had been
entered into between thesebarties, a bill had been pre-
need and submitted to srliament this session for
the lime; but owing to some differences that subs'
leasing
arose between these companies, the directors bad to
mention, with regret, that the bill had been withdrawn.
They were glad, however, to state that a working contract
had been entered into with the three southern companies,
for a period of 25 years tram January, 1849 ; and for this
purpose the works and plant had now been handed over by
the directors to these companies. By this agreement the
shareholders would receive half-yearly a sum of 35,7001.
before the other companies could obtain the repayment of
the working expenses. The shareholders lewd derive
great benefit from this °Potreo, al-hough they might not
obtain a fixed and uniform dividend, which could only be
mewed by an act of parliament. The shareholders, however,
were secured in everything which a working contract could
accomplish. The receipts, since the hoe was opened,
justified the (Erecters in proposing a 7 per cont. dividend for
the five months, to be payable en the 15th of next month.
To make this dividend the whole receipts were reqaired since
the opening of the line. The revenue, since that time, had
amounted to 34,4741. This sum was perhaps small ; but it
was as much as could be reasonably expected in the present
incomplete slate of the line. The direetars anticipated a
great additional traffic when the line was finished, more ea-
peoially by the opening of the Allot Branch. The report
concluded by stating that the arrears were ; that it
was proposed to capitalise the paid-up rock ; and that the
directors had to mention with regret that the Kerquis of
Breadalbanis had intimated his intention to retire from the
board of direction.

114;;Ig discos ion ensued, but the report was eventually
adopted.
In answer to a question, it was mentioned that it would
require 35,0001. to complete the entire works on the line.
Notions were submttted and adop'ed, to capitalise the
paid-up stock of the company ;to forfeit certain shares on
which the call, were in arrear ; and to appoint directors in
the room of those who retired.

The subject of Sabbath travelling was then discussed with
much warmth. A division having taken place, there was a
majority of 1,980 votes in favour of Sunday trains.

CALEDONIAN.

Aelicsurrwd Meeting.—Edinburgh, Feb. 27.—This meet-
ing was for the purpose of receiving the report of the weruti-
neere_appointed at the half-yearly meeting on the previous
day ;Monday), as to the state of the vote on the motion sub-
mitted by the chairman, and the arcendment proposed by
Mr. Fawcett. The chairman's motion wee that the report
of the &rotten be approved of, with t'ie exception of that
part of It wfdda related to the contract with the Scottish
Central Cowpony, which was deleted from the report on so-
count of the eppeehiss offered by Sir Andrew Agnew and
others ; sat es its *Weskit would not affect the validity of
the contrast is the slightest degree, Mr. Fawcett's amend-
ment was, a That the dividend of 3 pit' cent. recommended
in the report be declared; that the statement in the report,
and the capital &potent of the alleged expenditure out of the
funds of the company of 381,2271. I% 9d. in
the purchase if shares in subsidiary lines, in
contravention of the acts of parliament, is un-
satisfactory to the meeting, and that the meeting refuse to
ad ,p• the said shares and expenditure ; that the statement in
the report of the existents of a working contract with the
Scottish Central Line is also unsatisfactory, and that the
meeting refuse to adopt it as respects this company ; and that
a committee of shareholders be appointed to investigate into
and report on the financial position of the company, to whom
the report and statement of accounts be referred, and that
the meeting stand adjourned till the 2nd April, t, meet at
London.

The following was read as the report of the scrutineers as
to the state of the vote on the respective motions :
For the Chairmen's Motion.

Stock. Totals.
41 abarebolders present, reprtientlog L126,062 10 ... 643
619 do. by proxy

£1,07!,530 0 BASS