The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-28 00:00:00

WINDING-UP JOINT STOCK COMPANIES.

ROYAL BANK OF AtiaTßALlA.—Yesterday a
further meeting was held for the consideration of the ques-
tion of the debenture holders, but the parties not being in
a position to proceed, after a desultory discussion it woo
agreed to adjourn the consideration of the specific cases
until those represented by Mr. Goble, and which involve
some 60,0001., shall first have been considered, it being
thought that a decision iu their case will govern a majority
of the others.
LONDON AND SOUTHEND ItAlLWAY.—Yesterday
a meeting was held before Sir George Rose to consider the
winding-up of this company's affairs. It appeared front
the report of the official manager, Mr. Iluttou, that out of
the 20,000 shares allotted, only ad had the deposit paid upon
them, and that the principalelaim, now outstanding against
the estate, was one of 5521., paid in pursuance of a judge's
order by Mr. T. B. Batard, who was chairman of the com-
pany, to Mr. Bailey, engineer, fur the plans mod sorcers,
the object now sought to be obtained by Mr. Batard, who
was the petitioner 'lir winding-up the company, being to
compel his co-committeemen to pay their proportion of this
rum. Messrs. Scott wed Tahourdin, on behalf of Mr.
Bawd, contended that those members of the committee of
management who were present when directions were given
to"the engineer, ought also to be held liable, and, after con-
aiderable discussion, the meeting was adjourned, his Honour
intimating he thought some method might be adopted for
an adjustment of the payment as between Mr. Dotard and
his co-committeemen._
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..
CIIELTENIMM HOTEL CoMPANT.—Yesterday his
Honour, Master Brougham, N:ttlctl the list of contributories
in this company, comisting of all those who had ,+ignea the
deed. Mr. ltosburghe, counsel for Mr. Hutton, the offi-
cial manager, estimates the liabilities at 20,000 f.; and the
assets, consisting of the hotel property, at 14,0001., leaving
6,00 W. to be provided for by a call on the cootributurieo.
The call prop std is 301. per share.

AMERICAN OCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.
—The mayor, corporation, and principal inhabitants of
Southampton enteitteil J. it. Croskey, Esq., the Ameri-
can consul at that port, to a grand banquet, on Wednesday,
to mark their respect for hint as the projector of the Ame-
rican Ocean Steam Navigation Company, and for his selec-
tion of the port of Southampton as the rendezvous on this
side of the Atlantic of the steamers belonging to that com-
pany. The Solicitor-General and Mr. Willem:km, the mem-
bers of the town, and several other gentlemen, not residents,
but connected with Southampton, joined with the inhabi-
tants in paying this mark of respect to the American consul.
The officers of the United States frigate St. Lawrence, now
stationed in Southampton water, were invited to the ban-
quet. Mr. Crookey projected the Ocean Steam Navigation
Company, the first American company that ran steamers
across the Atlantic. This company have now four
magnificent steamers afloat, the Washington, Frank-
lin, Hermann, and Humboldt, running between
New York, Havre, Bremen, and Southampton,
by which a fortnightly communication is kept between the
Lnited States and England, and a monthly one between
America and Germany and France. Mr. Croskey wu also
principally in,trumental in inducing the American govern-
ment to send the St. Lawrence to Southampton with the
United States contributions to the Exhibition. The ban-
quet took place in the council chamber of the town. The
mayor, Richard Andrews, Esq., presided. The toast of the
Queen's health was rapturousl received by the Americans,
and that of the President of the United States nut less so
by the English. Sir Alexander Cockburn spoke to the
toast of her Majesty's ministers. On account, he said, of the
various political opinions entertained by the gentlemen
present, and the festive occasion for which they had met he
wished to avoid political subjects, on which there
might be different opinions, but there was one topic
he thought, to which he could allude, and which was iden-
tified with the present ministry, and that was thereat doc-
trine of free trade; for it was free trade which had brought
ships belonging to the various countries of the world to the
port of Southampton, and which had secured the present,
and would insure the ultimate and unexampled prosperity of
,that highly favoured town. The toast of the evening was
of course the health of the American Consul, which was
welcomed with the most enthusiastic applause. Mr.
Croskey responded in an eloquent speech. The American
Minister, the Hon Abbott Lawrence, was expected at the
banquet, but circumstances prevented his being present.

PROPOSED MODEL FARM FOR COTTON CULTIVA-
TION IN THE WEST INDIES —On Wednesday a meeting
of cottonaTinners and manufacturers was held at Fansworth,
near Beaten, to consider a proposal for the establishment of
a model farm in the island of Trinidad. Thomas Baxley,
Esq., president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce,
took the chair. Mr. Walkinshaw, late of Trinidad, is the
gentleman with whom the proposition originated, and the
plan which he submitted to the meeting was that 10,0001.
should be raised, and lent to him at interest, for the pur-
pose of carrying it out, and for promoting the growth of
cotton in the West Indies generally. It was proposed that
the money should be raised in such sums as might be con-
venient to the promoters of the undertaking ; Mr. Welkin-
thaw to transmit periodical reports to the lenders, and the
public press, as to the progress and results of his operations.
Mr. Walkinshaw's scheme met with the general approba-
tion of the meeting, and a resolution was passed appointing
a committee to act with him in tarrying it oat.