The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-18 00:00:00

EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO COMPANY.

The fifth annual general meeting of the share-
holders in this company WAS held yesterday at their offices
in Cheapside ; 11. HAMILTON LINDSAY, Eiq. presiding.
The report (which was read by the Secretary), refers at
some length to the suit instituted by Sr J. Brooke against
the company for the revocation of their charter, which it
states is still pending before the Court of Error. The
directors express confidence that the decision will be
in their favour, bet they intimate should it be
otherwise the only result will be to deprive them
of the privilege of limited liability, and that in
all other rearm the property and position of the
company will remain the same. The proceedings insti-
tuted at the hasta..ce of Sir James Brooke by Dr. Mae-
bride, have, they say, been withdrawn, and the coma paid
by the nominal plaintiff. The new Sultan at Brune', has
confirmed the grant made by his predecessor to the com-
pany, of the whole et the coil found in the country, ex-
tending from Meng-Kaboug to Tanjong Barram (em-
bracing 150 miles of territory) notwithstanding nn attempt
made by Sir J. Brooke a deputy to induce him
to withhold his ratithatioc. The various projects on
foot tot establishing regular steam communication
between Europe and Chine, the Eastern Archipelago,
British Indio, Australia, and New Zealand the directors
look to as the means of coi.ferring great benefit upon the
compeny consequent upon the large demand of coal that
will be created. Preliminary steps have been taken to
open the coal seams on the main land of Borneo, her
Majesty's government having recognised tae Sultan's grant,
and particulars of the operation of the company's agents
there are shortly expected. The directors intimate that in
conformity with the provisions of their deed of settlement
they are ready to grant licenses and leases for the working
of their coal helds for the supply of the Australis, Califor-
nian, and other markets beyond the sphere of their own
operations, and to co-operate with capitalists in establishing
a trade between Labuan, Australia and South America, ex-
chaagieg coal for Copper ore to be smelted at Labuan for the
Indian andChica markets. After ezprening their satisfaction
at the removal of Sir J. Brooke from the governorship of
Tatman, the directors touch upon the favourable position
In which they are placid as compared with the coalowners
of England in competing in the Indian and Chian markets
In regard to wages ; upon the high rate of tonnage from
which they have in some degree suffered ins contract for
supplying 4,000 tons of coal to the Peninsular and Oriental
Company at Hoag Kong ; the advantages to be expected
from the proposed employment by that company of auxi-
liary steam colliers, and announce the employment of an
engineer to superintend the working of the manes and the
purchase of a schooner for the regular conveyance of stores
between Singapore and Labuan. The grope disbursements
of the company for permanent works, buildings, roads,
steam-el:glom, pumps, colliery implements, and all ex-
of eve kind to the 30th ultimo are stated at
trary
17e. Bd., and the gross receipts for coil sold at
19,6221. Ile. Bd. The directors do not declare a dividend,
but state that the prospects of the company are fib'
Tearable and its ultimate success certain. Mr. Mot.
M.P., expressed his opinion that no judgment of • cotiK of
law could possibly overrule a royal charter.
The report was unanimously adopted, the retiring dine
ton were re-elected, and the proceedings terminated with
a Tote of thanks to the chairman.

NORTH DERBTSHME F.t.scrom.—The nomination
tack place 6n tistarday. The ahem of hAnds was declared
to be in faronr of Mr. Thornhill, whey on tho part of Mr.
Brans a poll was armairled, which will commence in the
moral &trials at Mao o'clock on Tuesday mosaiag.