The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-18 00:00:00

BANK OF ENGLAND.

Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of proprietors
of Bank Stack took plan at the Batik of England, for the
purpose of declaring a dividend.
luunsou HANNAY, En., the governor, having entered
the court with the other directors,
The 800 TTTTTT read the minutes of the former meeting,
which were confirmed.

The Govniuroa said he bad now to acquaint the court
that this was cue of the quarterly general courts appointed
by the charter, sad also one of the half-yearly general
courts appointed by the by-laws to consider of a dividend.
He had likewise to acquaint the court that the net profits
for the half-year ending the 28th of February led were
563,0491., and that the rest, from which the dividend would
have to be made, amounted to 3,694,2834 which would
enable the court to declare a dividend of 4 per cent. on
the half-year, and would leave the rest at the amount
of 3,012,1131. The directors would, therefore, recommend
a dividend of 4 per cent. (if this court should think fit) out
of the interest and profits of the half-year ending the 28th
of February, without any deduction on account of income
tax. He would, therefore, now propose the question that
this court do order a dividend to be rude of 4 per cent. out
of the interest and profits of the hilliest' ending the 28th
of February last without any deduction en account of in-
come tax. (Applause.)
The resolution wee agreed to unanimously.
Mr. Coot said, if they only considered the state of the
money market for some time pest, they would see how well
their directors had performed their duties to give them
such a dividend. The result was highly creditable to
the court of directors. (Hear, hear.) He had, there-
fore, great pleasure in moving that the thanks
of this court be given to the governor, deputy-governor,
and directors, for their attention to the interests of the
prope.eton during the lut half-year." (Applause.)
Mr. BURIMITiII seconded the motion, which was pissed
unanimously.
The Clovis:sou begged to return the thanks of the
court for the continued confidence the proprietors were
kind enough to repose in them. He had now to acquaint
the proprietors that as the present rate of dividend ex-
ceeded the last, it was necessary to have this declaration
confirmed by a ballot in the usual manner. He would,
therefore, propose that this court do now adjourn till
Tiraday the 22nd instant, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, for
the purpose of determining in respect to this declaration of
dividend. (Applause.)
This motion having been agreed to, the court adjourned.

ADMIRALTY, MARCH 17. APPOINTMENTS.—
Surgeon W. Dl'Derinott, to Etpiegle. Deputy-Inspector of
Hospitals J. Watson, to Jamaica Hospital. Masters -As-
Blatant A. M. Mould, to Duke of Wollingtos.
PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 17.—The Commander-in-
Chid, Vice-Admiral Sir T. Cochrane, went out to Spit-
bead yesterday afternoon, and embarked onboard the Sidon,
22, swam-frigate, Captain Goldsmith, hoisting his flag on
board for the purpose of exercising All crew of that ship,
together with those of the Leopard, 12, steam-frigate, Capt.
Oiffard, and the Olin, 16, steam-frigate, Captain F. Scott.
The three vessels went down the Solent as far as Osborne
under canvas, having top-gallant sails, topsails, foresails
gib, and driver set. In this run the Sidon and Leopard
appeared to be about equal, although had the latter Ceti
permitted to try to pass ahead of the Sidon, there was every
probability shi• would have succeeded in doing so. The
Win's sailing abilities proved to be indifferent; the Coin-
enander.in•Chiet signalled her to make more sail, but with
that she could not materially mend her pace. Having pasted
Osborne the three vessolv returned to Spithead under steam,
retaining their relative positions, and anchored there. The
above ezereive of these three ships is not a very important
one in itself, but it is regarded as the commencement by Aden.
Cochrane of a series of similarly useful curdles of the
crews of the ships under his command. The Hake of Wel-
lington, 131, screw etesm•shin, Captain 11. B. Martin, C. 8.,
nes now nearly 400 men on her books. This number, how-
ever, includes dicers, marines, and stokers. Of that very
close of men, able seamen, she has not yet entered
Inis=sichs men belonging to this dockyard will pass
through the race of the adiniral-saperintondest on Satur-
day nut, kr iirrostiss.j