The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-21 00:00:00

°VERN EIGHT OF PASSENGERS' LUGGAGE.

TO TIII EDITOR 01 THE ixruEss.

SlR.—Some railway companies continue 'vexati-
ously to annoy the public, by demanding, when they anivo
at their dcstinatior, if they have paid fur any overweight
in their luggage; and unless they can produce a paper
showing what they have been charged, they are detained
till it is weighed, and they have paid for the excess, if any.
I went last week to Gravesend by the North Kent Railway,
and on arriving there was asked by an official if I had pad
for my luggage ? I told him he had no right to ask the
question, and that I should decline telling him whether I
had or not. He was extremely civil, but said that Le must
weigh it, to which I replied, "that whatever he charged
me, I should assuredly recover back from the company,
with costs." Eventually it was allowed to pass without any
charge. The company hays au undoubted right to weigh
the luggage, and charge for excess where the ticket is
taken, but not at the end of the journey, and the passenger
has the option of leaving a part if he has too much to come
by a luggage train. I do not object to the demand, but
only to the time and place of making it. I was charged a
trilling_ sum a long while ago on arriving at London-bridge
from Hastings, which was immediately returned on the ap-
plication of my solicitor, and I made the fact known at the
time, but it appears the vexatious practice is still continued;
the public ought therefore to know that it is an imposition
which they are not obliged to submit to.
I am, air, your obedient servant,
THOMAS RAIKES.
41, Gordon-square, June 18, 18.53.

TUE INDIA BILL.—A meeting was holden at tho 1
Town Hall, Manchester, yesterday evening, upon the pro-
priety of representing to parliament the necessity of securing ,
at this juncture the future development of the resources of '
India. Mr. Bailey, Mr. Henry Ashworth, and Mr. John
Bright, M.P., were the principal 'peahen, and Mr. Bright
was addressing the meeting when our report was despatched.

MEETING AT TIIE INDIA-110USE.

The adjourned Court of Proprietors was held yes.
terday at the India-how, and was very fully attended.
The chair was taken by Itneszu. ELLICE, En., chairman
of directon.

The Secretary having read the minutes of the last meet-
ing and the special notice convening the present,
The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by announcing
that the correspeadenee which had paned between the
court and the government, together with the WI now be-
fore parliament, bad been printed for the perusal of pro-
prietors.

Mr. Hosts wished to make one or two observations. He
thought that any new hill fur the government of India,
instead of destroying the popular check afforded by that
court, should strengthen it, as, if that were not
done, the proprietors would have little security for
their dividends, and India little hope of good go-
vernment. (Heer, hear.) Every one in that court was
of course anxious for the development of Indian resources ;
but the company got no credit for what they had
dent in promoting that development by the esta-
blishment of free trade, long before that question
had become popular in England. But the great accusation
against aerie was the ealt duty. People did not recollect
how much that duty had been reduced, and that it and the
laud tax were the only means left for raising a revenue.
He mentioned all these circumstances to show that further
inquiry was necessary. Let the proprietors recollect that
their dividends were g teed on the revenues of India,
and that all the railway guarantees rested on the same
foundation. Ile looked upon the bill of the government as
impolitic and unfair, and an aggravation of every present
evil, in destroying the power of the directors, to put in
their places nominees of the crown. Let them recoil-
leet that in every colony where there was a nominee
council, the people were up in arms against their
authority. (Hear, hear.) With respect to patronage,
the bill would tend to make it a politic el engine,
the very point which had always filled the parliament
with distrust. At the same time there were many reforms
which the directors could effect for themselves, and which
he should wish to see. He should wish to see some of the
patronage dispensed to the children of old servants; he
shou.d wish to see the secret committee compelled to keep
minutes of its proceedings ; but fur all these purposes fur-
ther inquiry was necessary ; and therefore he hoped the
court would assist him in preventing hasty legislation. He
, advised them to come before the House of Commons by
petition, show what they had done, and claim tho it rights,
and bo not afraid, as they might depend upon it, if they
did not help themselves, Heaven would not help them.
(Loud cheers.)
Mr. SULLIVAN affirmed the proposition, that the debt of
India was mainly attributable to the recent ware, but
declared his intention of confining himself mainly to the
government bill. (Hear, hear.) Ile thought he had reason
to complain of the conduct of the Board of Control in not
submitting that bill to the directors MN tOtli to its introduc-
tion into parliament. (Hear, bear.) After some further
observations, the hon. member concluded by moving,
" That, having considerael the correspondence which has
been laid before the court and the proposals of the government
—this court confining itself for the present to querions that
affect the constitution of the Court of Directors, and con-
fiding in the zeal and judgment of that body—deem it
right and necessary to declare, in the first place, their full
concurrence in the opinion expressed by the Court of Direc-
tors, ' That the presence in the administration of Indian
affairs of a body independent of political party, and exclu-
sively devoted to the discharge of the duties entrusted to it,
is essential to the good government of India.' "
" That none of the changes proposed to be made in the
constitution of the Court of Directors are, in the opinion of
this court, calculated to improve it ; and especially that the
proposal to substitute six directors, to be selected by the
crown for twelve of that body elected by the East India
Company, is calculated, by impairing the independence of
the Court of Directors, to weaken the principal check which
is now imposed upon the power of the Board of Control."
"That the company's directors be authorised and re-
quested to urge the above views upon her Majesty's
tees and upon parliament, at such time and in such manner
as the court shall deem to be most expedient."
Mr. Hoar MACKENZIE seconded the resolution, but was
prepared to admit that in ordinary cases a very codsiderable
amount of power rested with the court of directors.

Sir J. Ilcioo complained of the speech of the Mover nu
condemnatory of the present system, but admitted that his
resolution in part reconciled him (Sir J. Hogg) to the
speech. Their joint object—the general object—was to
continue the present system with as little alteration as pos-
eible. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. AYHTON rose to propose an amendment, feeling that
the question had hitherto been discussed with reference to
the public services in India It should be recollected that
the directors were the persons principally attacked, and
therefore he thought that the court of proprietors should
take up en independent position, and not leave the question
wholly in the hands of the directors. At the termination
of a lengthy address, the speaker moved, as an amendment
to the second and third resolutions, " That a committee of
the court of proprietors be appointed to consider the pro-
positions of the President of the Board el Control and the
bill introduced by her Majesty's government into parlia-
ment, and to communicate with the government thereon,
and to promote the passing of an act in aocordance with
the principle stated in the first resolution, the committee to
be nominated by the court of directors."
Serjeant GAZELEE seconded the amendment.
Mr. JONES gave his opinion generally on Indian affairs,
and attributed the present agitation against the company
solely to " the Manchester men."
Several proprietors called for an adjournment, and prac-
tically carried their motion by leaving in large detachments.
After a few observations trom Mr. WEEDINU,
The discussion was adjourned to this day.

NAVAL.
NATAL COURT OF INQUIRY.

Poursuotrrir, JUNE 20.—A court of inquiry into
the circumstances attending the Betting on shore of the

Jdio, 16. steam frigate, Captain Y. Scott, on her leaving
the Tagus on the evening of the 7th instant, was held to-
day on board that ship, at Spithead. The court consisted
of Admiral Superintendent Fanshawc, C 8., Captain Henry
Byam Martin, C. 8., of the Duke of Wellington, and Cap-
tain John Shepherd, of the Victory. Captain Scott, Lieu-
tenant Mould, Mr. Jago, the master, and Mr. Montague,
mate, of the Odin, were witnesses. The inquiry
was private, but the facts appear to be that the Odin took
the ground at the north-east extremity of the Ketchup
Bank—the tide in the Tagus at the time being half-an-
hour before low water. The captain was confined to his
cabin from indisposition ; Lieutenant Mould and the
master being in command of the ship, and both of them on
the paddle-boxes at the time, the leads going, and every
duty being properly performed. The primary cause of the
ground being touched appears to have been the ina•
bility of sighting a particular mark that of Mount
Cordova, owing to a mist having sprung up, the navigation
of the Tagus at this point requiring that the above-named
mark should be brought into a straight line with Bugio
Fort, which being on the shore was seen ; the other is in-
land. She remained on the bank about an hour, when the
tide turning, took her off, and she resumed her voyage to
Spithead without returning to Lisbon; it being considered
that the injury was not sufficiently great to require her re-
turn to Lisbon, it not having been necessary to send ort a
single anchor whilst she was fast. The Teviot, Brazilian
mail steamer, was leaving the Tagus at the came time, but
did not go to the Odin's assistance, apparently considering
that she did not require any, which turned out to be the
ease. Another cause of the accident appears to have been
a trifling bend in the keel of the Odin at the centre, which
is usual with steamers, for her draught of water was 15 feet
6 inches at the time, whilst both aft and forward trere
actually were 16 feet of water. She seemed to hang
by the keel at the middle, whilst fore and aft
there was sufficient water to keep her afloat. On
Wednesday last the Odin came into harbour to
ooal, when the diver was seat under her bottom to exam.ne
her keel, when the injuries received were found only to
consist in a scratching of the copper, none, we believe,
being rubbed off. The result of the court of inquiry has
not transpired. Whilst it was sitting the Odin received
orders to come into harbour, which she did this evening.

To-day being the anniversary of her Majesty's accession
to the throne, the ships in commission dresscd. tibigs, and
at noon fired a genera royal salute of 21 guns each.
The Oberon, 3, steam vessel, Lieutenant Wise, arrived
at Spithead this afteraoen from Malta and Gibraltar. Sho
left the first-named place on the 6th inst., and the latter
on the 12th, in company with the Vulture, 6, steam frigate,
Captain Glasse, which arrived at Plymouth yesterday.
The Oberon's news is anticipated. She has brought home
some invalids from the troops, and Captain Duff, 92nd
Regiment, Captain Mtllean, 92nd Regiment, an 1 Mr. ltoss
Lowin, of the 39th ltegiment, from Gibraltar, and Captain
Pratt, 41st Regiment, and Dr. Davies, 19th Regiment,
from Malta. The Vulture and the Odin were ordered
front Malta in a great hurry, the first-named not
even having time to procure hammocks and other con•
veniences for the military invalids. The Banshee, steam
packet, Lieutenant Commander Ilosken, arrived at Spit-
head in the night from her cruise in seerclt of hear-Ad-
miral Corry 's squadron, which she had not succteded in
finding. She left Lisbon on the 16th inst.

ARRIVAL OF ADMIRAL CURRY'S FLEET.—PLY-
MOVIII, MONDAY, 11.30 A.M.—Admiral Corry's squadron
is reported off the harbour.

ADMIRALTY, JUNE 20. APPOINTMENT.—CIerk
0. A. Weld), to Terrible.

DEATH OF THE DANISH MINISTER.—WC have to
announce the sudden death of his Excellency Id. de Bills.,
Danish minister at this court. ilia Excellency expired at
two o'clock on Saturday morning, at the residence of the
Danish legation, from disease of the heart. Tne deceased
was much respected by the diplomatic corps. Madame do
Bille has suffered greatly front the shock, and remains in a
very precarious condition. His Excellency attended the
Queen's Drawing•room in Tuesday, and was out as usual
on the day preceding Wss death. It is not a little remark-
able that the late Danish minister at the court of St. Tames's,
. Count Reventlnu, died from a similar disease about two
years since while on a tour in Scotland.
CorYry OF EDINBURGH ELECTION.—The Sheriff
has fixed Saturday, the 2dth inst., for the election of a mem-
ber for this county.

ELECTION E X POSURES.

LIVERPOOL

- -
Yesterd.ty Mr. Edwin Ja!IICS, tt.C., in a lengthened
and eh tpient specch, replied upon the evideree adduced by
the petitioner•, coutembog th .t uu tale 144.1 hien mute out
against the sitting members, Messrs. Turner and Meekenzir.
it was intimated in the amuse of the proceedings that thews
would be nu ncetwity for calling Mr. Turner, sad that
the committee would re•srembte this dry to give their
decision.