The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-21 00:00:00

NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY,

The half-yearly general meeting of the share-
holders of this conspeui wee held at Edinburgh on Friday.
Mr. J. M. Ba/fonr, of Whittinghame, chairman of the coop
part
rey, presided.
The port was held as read.
The CH•IIIItAN, in moving ita adoption, congratulated
the shareholders that during the last half year their revenge
had considerably increased; and he hoped that, from the
gradual manner in which that inenase had taken place,
they might Hatter themselves that it wee a permanent one.
Yet they had to regret that the surplus this half year hardly
bore a proportion to that Increase, and they were also sorry
to say that during the peat half year there had been ems-
siderable extra demands on their funds ; but they hoped
that in Lutist c.ises ,these would not occur in future half-
years.
Mr. Ihrlltlr CHATTOZ, deptitrAlLiftlith, seconded the
adoption of the report.
Mr. AULD rose and asked Mr. Berdswell whether it was
sot true that he and Mr. Davies were acting in concert with
Mr. Chaytor, Vie deputy chairman of the company, in their
arrangements as to the preferenre shares ? lie also in.
quired of Mr. Chaytor whether, during the last twelve or
eighteen months, he had employed Davies and Co., of
Liverpool, to purchase stock for hint
Mr. CHATTOK dee fined to answer
Mr. A 1:1.13 thought it was competent to call for the books
and transfers. This was a matter of great moment ; for if
it could he shown that the deputy chairman of tl:e company
was in league with gentlemen who were raising actions
against them, he ought to be turned out of the board.
Mr. Cuerros—l beg leave to say that Mr. Davies and
other shareholders are carrying on their operations quite in-
dependently of me in every particular.
Mr. AcLo—That is not an answer to me. (Cries of
" Answer the question.")
After wine discus/ion as to the production of the com-
pany's books,
Ca,itain POUTER declared that there was a letter, signed
" Henry Chaytor," and dated from the North British Rail-
way office, in the possession of n party in the room, in
which it -as said that every on', of the present board ought
to be turned out, and that they should have English three-
ton. He asked whether the shareholders would allow a
gentleman to sit at the board ,who would betray them in
such a meaner.

_ -----..
Mr. CHATTOR—Preduee the letter.
Captain PuYtsu said it would be produced in a moment
if desired. He had not got it himself. but a friend had it.
(Cri a of " Read it.,
Mr. CHATTOII—!wt ma look at it. Is it not marked
private ?
Mr. laicanaan said, if Mr. Chaytor authorised him ha
would read the letter; but nothing should induce him to
read a private communication without the consent of the
writer.

Mr. Acmn considered it quite evident Mr. Chaytor was
afraid the letter would be read, else he would ask the gen-
tleman who received it to read It.
Mr. SAMUSL DOUGLAS said he thought it was high time
that they should get rid of a gentleman who, occupying the
dignified po.itinn of deputy chairman of the company, had
so far committed himself as to le.gue himself with a set of
repudiators. (Mr Chaytor: I deny it.) He knew that Mr.
Chaytor had been in league with a committee of which Mr.
Brewster, wao had recently thrown the company into litiga-
tion,was a member —(Mr. Chaytor: Perfectly untrue)—and
the instant that Mr. Chaytor gut into the board of directon
he did what he could to meet the views of that committee,
woo had reasoned that, if a delleiency in the revenge of the
company should take place, the opinion of counsel should
be taken as to whether the preference shareholders were
entitled to arrears. lit fact, the company had been placed
iu jeopardy ever sines that gentlemdu had taken his seat at
the h.iard; they had never hail • peaceful moment since he
was put in.
Mr. CHATTOIL, who wee received with marks of disap-
probation, denied that he hsd anything to do with the ini-
tiation of the movement referred to by Mr. Douglas; or
that he had been in communication, directly or indirectly,
with the committee in Loonon up till February, 1852.
The CIIIIIRMAN then pat the motion to adopt the report
to the meeting, when the hands of nearly all present were
held up. He asked for • show of hands against the motion,
when three were held up. Ile declared, amidst general
applause, that the report was adopted.
Mr. BASDSWELL asked • scrutiny.
The Cuatawote said, though he objected to the compe-
tency of the amendment, he hi Iteved the meeting would
have no objection to grant the scrutiny. Ile accordingly
took a show of hands for and against the amendment, there
being four fur the amendment, and the great body of the
meeting against it.
The CRAIIIIIAN then proposed the nest resolution, for
the_ payment of the preference dividend.
Mr. CRATED& seconded the motion.
The resolution was pet and carried; as also motions to
appoint Mr. Samuel Douglas a director (thus augmenting
the board to tea), and to re-elect the retiring directors and
auditor.

Mr. Dorokss then moved that this meeting, having a
total want of COMMllnit in Mr. Iltril7 Chaytor, resolve
that he shall be requested to resign his seat at the board.
The CHAIIIMAN put the motion, which was, like the
others, carried by the body of the meeting, and amidst great
cheering.
Mr. DOVOLAI thought Mr. Chaytor should now tell the
meeting what he intended to do.
Mr. CHATTOIL said had it depended on him alone, and
did he not represent then • very large amount of stock, be
should have little hesitation in the muter, for personally it
eatatd be little object for him to continue at this board. At
present, he could not give an answer. He could not de so
without consulting those whom he represented.
The names of the shareholders bring tailed over, scruti-
neers were appointed to examine the Hat and the prosier ;
sad it was agreed to adjourn the meeting till Saturday at
two o'clock to receive the report of the scrutineers.
The adjourned meeting was held on Saturday, when the
report of the scrutineers (including proxies) *hewed :
For the motion
For the amendment
Majority

EDl:flit/11GB AND BATROATE.—At the half-yearly
meeting of ibis company, held at Edinburgh, the offer of
the Rdiabsirgh and Glasgow Railway to kale the line at a
And capital of 237,5001., on which 4 per cent., or 9,5001.
shield be ananally paid, from 3lst July last, was accepted.
The protraetedlitigatioa between the two companies will
acesequatly ease.

MARIPOSA QUARTZ ROCK GOLD MINING
COMPANY.

The first general meeting of shareholders in the
shove undirtaking was held on Saturday at the London
Tavern, Lord Bastian, chairmen of directors, presiding.
After the usual formal preliminaries.
The BIICANTAIT proceeded to read the report, from
which it appeared that Messrs. Schmitz and Aiaweller bad
been appointed superintendents in July last, and that
steam machinery sad all n implements had been
Crehased on the most ressonah terms. Mr. &tunas,
having proceeded to California, accompanied by a
toady of German miners, sufftred much from fever,
sad was thus prevented going at ones to Mari-
gmVarious mines were inspected, bat Colonel
emoat's meats retailed to put him in possession, where-
spots he (Mr. Schwas) proceeded to espial* other property
is the district. Several valuable discoveries were made,
assenget when a osickellver mine, of which he serenely re-
commended the working se likely to he more profitable
than yid gum. Means bed bees takes to secure this pro-
perty, bat the seispaaes patipeddsgs were interrupted by
the eseissaholy MO sr Kr. Meek its, who sank under
typhoid wore at Sea Painakso. After • warm tribute to
the ninetydlW saserro, the report!proceeded to state
that bis:ineeeesserhadergetiated the purchase of IMO minis,
pregsrty aimless' ta yield • net ;atilt of about 6001.
per month. Their lam assisipmeat of men and machinery
had arrived oat , Ned time was every prospect of the
works proceeding . The secretary then pro-
, seeded to read the assmats, ham which it appeared that
the amount of paid sp shares was 35,9954 and intemt on
investments 4351, mein in ell 36,4301. Against this the
espesilitain had boa to Col. Fremont, deposit according
to the terms of Imo, 1,0001. ' • preliminary sip/miss,
1,090/. 17s. 24. ; ewestiag-house furniture, TV. 6e. ;
eateries and wages is tasked, 262/. ; expenses is Califor-
nia, supesinteadeat sad staff, 2,4151/. 18e. lid. • machinery,
3.2381. 10a. Dd. ;is all, 8,0031. lls. 9d. Of balance,
13,3144. lbs. 10d. lied been invested in railway securities,
Inshore, at sail but hearing interest 13,001. 15e. ; ditto
cash balance, 2,0601. de. bd. ; in hand, 171. 10s. ; in all,
364130
1.
lieshhy state of the accounts, end the clear and
simple way is which had been laid before the mating,
elicited penal ap awes the shareholders Os the
proposal for tie the of tee report and espoonte, as
attempt was midi by • shareholder present to move an
amendment, bat this was over-ruled by the meeting, and
the original flieintiOßS were carried asaainsously. The
outgoing directors were twirl/greed, and thanks having been
voted to the chairman, the proceedings termlisated.
Is the enures of the day it was stated incidentally that
the forfeited shares would be divided amongst the ousting
shareholders at their option and in proportion to their hold-
ings, and that the railway securities held were Lancaster
and Preston Preference and Brighton Preference shares,
securities which seemed fully to satiety the meeting.