The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-12 00:00:00

Cbt Court.

-
The Queen and Prince Albert returned to Osborne
on Tuesday evening, after their excursion in the Fairy.
Major the Hon. -8.. Boyle, Groom in Waiting to her
Majesty, arrived at Osborne, on Tuesday, from town. The
royal nner party at Osborne on Tuesday included the
Pence of Leiningen, Earl Grey, and Lord J. Russell. Lord
J. Russell left Osborne yesterday morning, and returned to
Richmond. The Lord Chancellor returned to his residence
at Copse-hill, on Tuesday evening. from Osborne. Viscount
Pslmerston arrived in town, on Tuesday evening, from
Osborne. Lord Campbell returned to Stratheden-house,
Knightsbridge, on Tuesday evening, from Osborne.

ROYAL BANK OF

-The third annual

general meeting of the proprietors of this company was held
yesterday, in the board-room of the company premises, 2,
Moorgate-street, Mr. John W. Sutherland, vice-chairman of
the board of directote, presiding.—The manager (Mr. G. H.
Wray) read a report'ahowing the result of the year's trans-
actions up to the 30th of June last. By the statement of
accounts appended to the report, it appeared that the gross
profin on the operations of the year amounted to the sum of
30,9831. 19.. 7d. ; and that the dividends, interest ea de-
posits, and charges for the corresponding period, amounted
to 20,0121. 7s. Bd. ; leaving 10,4711. lls. lid. to be added to
18,8491. 13s. 101., the balance ef the surplus fund of lot
year, thereby increasing that fund to the sum of
29,3211. Ss. 9d. From that sum would be deducted 1,0001.,
to be written off against preliminary expenses, and the forth-
coming dividends atthe rate of 6 per cent. per annum, amount-
ing toabout7,oool. The report went on to state that " the
partial decrease is the amount of profit, *as compared with
that realised last year, may be accounted for by the reduc-
tion In the rate of interest in the colony, arising from the
present high price of labour ; but the directors are happy to
state, that in every source of wealth the colony is making
rapid strides, s;4 that the only drawback—vie., the present
high price of labour—is likely to be speedily removed by
emigration on a large scale under the eyepiece of the home
government. The directors are also happy to state, that the
long-agitated land-tenure question, in the jamb:oral districts of
the colony, has since the last meeting etors been
finally settled by parliament and the Colonrarl7fte, upon a
basis satisfactory to all partite concerned. Leases of land in
the' outlying districts' have been granted at a very mode-
rate rent for 14 years, with a right of pre-emption, and the
further right to a renews] for a similar term ; and leases of
land in the intermediate districts' have also been granted
for 8 years with similar rights; and our about directors,
Menus. Benianain Boyd sad J. P. Robinson, inform us that
' the lesseesin many imitate:es have inconsequence commenced
permanent itsprevemehi on their land.' This concession
to the just claim etestilers, while it cannot fail to improve
tie soda' essillisai at die colony. We to the value and faci-
litates*. *waft at property as a security for advances."
The elhalriesa sesigratialated the proprietors upon the result
of the year's opt:radon', as shown by the report, and espe-
cially upon the settlement of the land-tenure question, by
which, instead of holding leases for only one year, subject to
deprivation of their tenures at mere caprice, the settlers
would have an extended term, with the right of pre-emption
or of renewal, and would thus be enabled, by the possession
of permanent holdings, to improve their condition, and, in-
stead of being, as formerly, in a wretched state, with scarcely
any habitation, they would build houses, and thus bring
comfort to themselves and to those around them. He re-
joined also to be able to state, that Sir Charles Fitzroy, the
governor, had written to the government, urging them
strongly to send out emigrants as well as convicts, so that
the demand for labour would be answered, and the condition
of the colony thereby improved. If 10,000 were sent out,
in three months full employment would be found for them.
It was with satisfaction that he was further able to state,
that the directors, with that man of indomitable perse-
verance and energy, Lieutenant Waghorn, had waited
upon Earl Grey, and there was every reason to believe that
very shortly steam communication between this country and
the Australian colonies would be established.—On the mo•
don of Mr. Bleaden, seconded by Mr. Reid, the report was
unanimously confirmed and adopted.—Mr. Decastroobserved
that, last year, the directors had followed the very salutary
course of paying off debentures. He hoped they would
apply their surplus to that object rather than in increasing
the amount of dividends.—The chairman said that object
the directors had kept steadily in view, and bad sent out
instructions for the purpose.—On the motion of Mr. Marsh,
seconded by Mr. Raven, Mr. Benjamin Boyd and Mr. Geo.
Webster, two of the directors retiring by citation, were
unanimously re-eleeted.—Thanks having been passed to the
hoard of directors, to the manager, and to Menus. Boyd,
Robinson, and the gentlemen associated with them en the
colony, the meeting se_parated.
DINNER TO Mr. G. THOMPSON, M.P. FOR TOWER
ILlllLr.r4.—Yesterday the supporters of Mr. G. Thompson,
the newly-elected M.P. for the Tower Hamlett' celebrated