The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-30 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE FIRES.

The engines of the London Brigade and West of
England office were actively engaged the whole of Satur-
day night, and up to late on Sunday afternoon, there having
been during that period several serious fires in and near the
metropolis. One fire happened in the extensive premises
termed the "Blue House," in Kent-street, Borough, the
property of Mr. J. Evans, lodging-housekeeper. 1 he dames
originated from a spark of a candle falling upon the bed-
ding in the front room first floor, which quickly set the
' apartment in aregular blaze. The fire was soon satin-
guiaheil. Another fire broke out in the premises of Nletars.
Ewbank and Co., iron cask manufacturers, carrying on
business at No. 153, Long-lane, Bermondsey. When dis-
covered the lire had ebtxined a firm hold of the ground
filer, and but few minutes elapsed ere the flames penetrated
the flooring, and rushed in huge bodies into the first
floor. The firemen were unable to get the mastery over
the fearful element until the ground and first floor ware-
houses were severely burned. A fire also broke out in
Billin•gate-market. It originated in the engine-house,
from a gas-light coming in contact with some logs and
loose timber. Not much damage wan dcne. A fire like-
wise occurred at Ivy Cottage Farm, Woolwich-road, Kent,
the property of Mr. T. Wheatley, grazier. It began in a
rick of bay, containing from 80 to 100 loads ; but from what
cause is unknown. One-third of the rick was destroyed,
and the remainder severely damaged by fire and water,
A fire, which was not extinguished for several hours, broke
out in the premises (belonging to Mr. Joseph Kipping, a
farmer) known as Copthall Farm, situated in Totteridge,
Hertfordshire. The dames originated from the spontaneous
ignition of a rick of hay, containing about 70 loads, and the
flames travelled so rapidly as to jeopardise everything near.
The fire in the ricks was not extinguished for ;even' hours,
and not until they were seriously burned.

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 30, 1853.

RAILWAYS.

NORTH AND SOUTII-WESTERN JUNCTION
RAILIVAI.

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the share-
, holders of this company, was held yesterday at the offices,
15, Parliament-street, H. TOOTAL, Esq., in the chair. The
following report was read :
" The Directors announced in their last report that this
line of railway was being used for goods traffic. They
have now the satisfaction of stating that passenger traffic
is also being conveyed over it. The necessary arrange-
ments with the London and North-Western and London
and South-Western Railway Companies'for working a pas-
eenger traffic have been most anxiously cansidered, and
urgently pressed on than two companies by the directors.
Time is required to divert goods traffic from its accustomed
route, and to perfect the gements fir its interchang.•
between the two great companies, as well as for the esta-
blishment of coal depots, and for the conveyance of the
large mineral trellis which has been and is
still confidently expected to traverse this railway.
For this reason the revenue from these sources of traffic has
not y..t amounted to the guaranteed sum of 2,2501. per
I annum. On the Ist of August the directors of the London
and North Western Railway Company consented to the
passage of four passenger trains in each direcion over their
railway between Camden Town and the Willesden Junc-
tion; and equitable terms wire arranged between the Lon-
don and Blackwell, North London, Landon and North
Western Railway Companies and this company, for the
payment of the working expenses, and the division of the
ree.ipts. It is with great regret, however, that the three-1
tura are obliged to state that the London and South West-
ern Railway Company have not yet made arrangennuta fur
the conveyance of ths passenger traffic of this hoe on their
railway from the north end north-east of London. This is
at ereeent the subject of negotiation, which it is hoped will
shorty be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The exec-
thane of the working of the passenger traffic as far as Kew
only, and with the very limited number of trains, fur this
period has been most encouraging, and leads the
directors to aaticipate with confidence that the
amount of revenue from this source will, when greater fa-
cilities are afforded, be very considerable. The directors
have seen with satisfaetfin that • bill has received the
It'iyal assent fur constructing a railway from the northern
end of this line, by way of Kilburn and Hampstead, to the
North London Railway at I'innden-town, which will free
the traffic of this line from any hindrance on the London
and North Western Railway, and will especially tend to
develop largely the peonage: traffic between the north,
north-east, and east of London, arid the western and south-
western environs. The directors have also to report that
the act for making a branch to Hammersmith has been ob-
tained, and it is proposed to commence the works faith-
with. It is, however, requisite that the capital for this
branch should be kept distinct in the accounts, so at not to
interfere in any way with the arrangements made with the
two gnat companies. In other respects, the Hammersmith
brine h shares will share rateably with the original shares
in the company. The directors have also thought it ne-
cevary to declare the forfeiture of ten shares, and a resolu
tion fur confirming such furfeiture will be submitted to the
meeting."
Annexed is the balance-sheet made up to the 30th June :
Receipts-To deposit on 5,000 shares at U. per share.
5,000/. ; to first call paid on 4,990 shares, at 21. 10a. per'
share, 12,4751.; to second call paid on 4,955 shares, et
21. tog. per share, 12,3571. 104 ; to third call paid on 4,805
shares, at '2l. 10s, per share, 12,0121. 10s. ; to fourth call
paid on 4,605 shares, at 11. 10s. per share, 6,9071. 10s. • to
debenture bond loan, 16,500 t. ; to temporary lean, 2,004/. ;
to interest and transfer fen, 2291. 19s. 7d. Total,
67,5121. 9s. 7d.
Payments-Land and compensation, 21,8501. 'Si. 21. ;
winks, 20,3921. 10s. &I.; chairs, 1,3131, 41. 3d. ; sleepers,
3,677/. 10s. ; ditches, &the, &c., 1,4841. Is. 4d.; rails,
6,2361 2s. sd. ; surveying and engineering, 2,6471. 3s. 61. ;
printing and stationery, 1201. Is. 41.; salaries and wages,
41:1!. 14s. 1041. ; advertising, 651. 17s. Bd. • travelling ex-
penses, 751. 12s. Bd. ; parliamentary andleaal expenses,
2,750. 19s. 10d. ; direction and auditors, 1,0211.; office
. .

turniture, 69/. 4.. 2d: ; office rent, 130/. ; interest on deben-
ture bonds, 3621 Os. sd.; prclimina:y expenses, petty dis.
bursements, &c. 4211. ss. 10d. Total, 63,064/. 17s. 40, 13y
Ind me e, 4,417/. 12s, 3d.—Leaving a balance of 67,51.21.
Os. 71.
The report was then agreed to and the meeting separated