The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-26 00:00:00

LONDON DOCK COMPANY.

A special general meeting of the proprietors of
this company was held yesterday at the London Dock
House, New Bank Buildings, for the purpose of having
submitted to them for their approval a bill now pending in
Parliament to authorise the company to make a new en-
trance to their docks from the river Thames, to construct
warehouse', a basin, and other works, and to raise the
necessary capital for those purposes, and to enable them to
pay off their debenture debt.
The heads of the bill having been read by the solicitor,—
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. John Conley) stated that the bill
had already received the assent of the shareholders previ-
ous to its introduction Into the House of Commons, where
it had gone thrush all its stages up to the third reading,
as it was however pessibis that some alterations might be
required in it at that the last stage in the Commons, it was
n that the directors should be authorised to make
them. He hoped that such authority would be merely
nominal, and that the bill would pus in its present sha,
but whether or not the proprietors 'cold again be called
together under the Wbarncliffe clause, to give their assent
to the bill in the shape in which after passing the Com-
mons it would go up to the House of Lords, and far
that purpose the present meeting would be adjourned until
Thursday in next week. The proposed works were re-
quired to afford accommodation to a much larger class of
ships than the present entrances of the docks would allow
to pass is and out, and some of which they had in come-
queues been compelled to refuse.
A Paorairrou asked what amount of capital it
was proposed to raise, and how it was intended to raise it ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that the total amount of addi-
tional capital which, under this bill, the company would be
authorised to raise was 600,0001., and it was proposed to
raise it by. way of loan, Inasmuch as it was oonsidered that
money might be borrowed on terms so extremely favour.
able at present, as to make it unadvisable to create new
stock, and maks calls on the shareholders. If, however,
circumstances should arise to make the creation of new
stock necessary, it would be divided pro ram amongst the
present proprietors.
Mr. WiLsox said it appeared from the Chairman's ex-
planation that the proprietors had beellialled together too
soon, and that the present meeting ought to have been
delayed until after the bill had passed the Commons.
Resolutions confirming the bill, and authorising the di-
rectors to agree to such alterations as might be made by the
House of Commons, were then passed.
Mr. Wilson asked what would be the width of the new
dock gates ?
The CHAIRMAN said the new entrants would be 60 feet,
which was 15 feet wider than the present entrances.
Mr. Witmox believed the Victoria Dock gates were 80
feet wide, and suggested that the new gates of the London
Dock should be made sufficiently wide to accommodate
whatever class of vessels might come, in order that the pro-
prietors might not be called upon hereafter to incur another
expenditure of the same kind.
The Cnsiasutt said that the Victoria Docks would take
paddle-wheel steamers, which the depth of water at the
London Ducks and other circumstances did not allow them
to accommodate. Sixty feet was an enormous width, and
would be far more than sufficient for any slams of vessels
which it was possible to expect would come up the river.
Mr. Witsoc admitted that if paddle-wheel steamers
were not to be provided for 60 feet was sufficient.
The meeting was then adjourned to Thursday next, the
2nd June.

FLIGIIT OF ♦ DISTILLER.—NO little sensation has
been caused in Newcastle-upon-Tyne by Mr. John Todd,
an extensive distiller in that town, having fled to the con-
tinent, taking with him a large sure of money, and leaving
his creditors in the lurch to the tune of some 30,0001. His
debt to the excise for spirit duty is 2,0431., and a warrant
was granted by the magistrates en Monday, to levy the
amount on hie remaining chattels, which, however, are of
iusignificant ansouut, and will only yield some few hundred
pounds. Mr. Toid succeeded to the business of Messrs.
Campbell and Co. on the death of the principal of that firm
a few years ago, at which time some strange disclosures
were made of a systematic evasion tf duty by ingenious
contrivances during the prooeui of distillation. The pe-
nalty then levied under a writ of extent absorbed the
greater portion of the estate of Messrs. Campbell and Co.
Mr. Todd was manager for that firm before suoceeding to
the business. It would seem, however, that he has since
enjoyed very extensive credit.
REFORMERS' FREEIIOLD LAND SOCIETT.—A
meeting of this flourishing society took plata last evening
at the Monarch Tavern, Hampstead-road. Mr. James
Linton in the chair. The manager, Mr. J. S. Hibberd,
explained the details of management, and showed that the
society would provide houses for the industrial and trading
classes on terms so advantageous, as to become the pur-
chasing members by the payment, during 11 years, of lets
than would usually be charged as rent. Mr. Richard
Hart gave an able analysis of the statistics of the society,
in order to show the large profits which would accrue by
the frequent circulation of its monies, while to theme at-
cepting plots of land or freehold houses, the advantages in
a pecuniary and political Nage, were without exception. A
vote of confidence in the society and its managers was car-
ried by acclamation, and before the rooms were closed 6,000!.
was subscribed at the table.