The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-14 00:00:00

HEX HAM.

On the 11th inst. Dr. Gavin and Mr. Ihrst, the
Poor-law inspector of the district, met the guardians
of the Hezham Union, on the preventive measures
to be adopted pursuant to the regulations of the
General Board of Health, and are stated to have sue.
ceeded in establishing a cordial union of action be-
tween the Ilexham Sanitary Committee and the
committee of the Board of Guardians.

MIDDLESIIRO%
The threatened outbreak of cholera in this town
has been soalarming, that three medical visitors have
been stationed there to carry on daily an active house
to house visitation.

FELLING.
An outbreak of cholera is reported to have taken
place in this township, and an immediate inquiry on
the spot has been made to ascertain the real facts of
the case.

AVARKWORTH.
Dr. Gavin, in company with the Poor-law inspec-
tor of the district, Mr. Hurst, visited this town on
tho 12th, in order to arrange with the Board of
Guardians the measure rendered imperatively neces-
sary by an outbreak of the epidemic.

GATESHEAD AND NEWCASTLE.
The epidemic, though kept in check and deprived
of its force, still lingers in its favourite haunts in
these towns, and unremitted vigilance is still required
in watching it. Twelve deaths from cholera and
one from diarrhoea were registered in Gateshead on
the 10th, and the visitors discovered in New-
castle, on the 11th, 125 new cases of diarrheei and
three approaching cholera, additional information,
illustrative of the intensity of the localising causes in
both these places, continuing to be recorded.

NEWCASTLE .UPON-TYNE.
Oct. 11.—Cholera 2
Diarrhcca
The total number of deaths from cholera and
diarrhoea in Newcastle, during the present outbreak,
has been 1,477. In the same period (viz., the first
41 days) during the prevalence of epidemic cholera
there in 1831.2, the number of deaths was 280.

GATESHEAD.

Oct. 11.—Cholera
The total number of deaths from cholera and
diarrhcea in Gateshead, to the present date, has been
498. During the like period (viz., the first 33 days)
in 1831-2, the deaths amounted to 144.

ULVERSTONE.

.—.
Oct. 11.—Diarrhcca . 1
The return from Coldingham given yesterday made
it appear u if there had been 3 deaths from cholera.
The fact is, that there were 3 cases, only 1 of which
bad proved fatal at the time the despatch left.

ROYAL MAIL STEAM•PACKET COMPANY.

The ordinary half-yearly general meeting of the
proprietors of this company was held yesterday at the Lon-
don Tavern, Captain SHRPHERD in the chair, who, pre-
viola to the commencement of the business, apologised for
the absence of Mr. Colville, the chairman of the company,
on the ground of ill health, and of two others of his col-
leagues, Messrs. Baring and Ellice, the former in COnle-
quence of the dangerous illness of a near relative, and the
latter on the ground of the death of his brother.
The report of the directors, which has been already pub-
lished in the Express, was then read, after which
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
observed that it had gone fully into an explanation of the
various circumstances which had tended to operate disad-
vantageously on the working account of the company end-
ing the 20th June last. They were told in that document
that they had had to contend with a large increase in the
price of coals, the enormous rates at which freights had
ruled, and the unprecedented high price of wages and
stores. Not only that but they had also had to de-
plore, as affecting their receipts, the fatal effects
of that terrible scourge the yellow fever, which
had checked the passenger traffic and caused
a reduction in that item and freights of 20,0001. The most
gratifying intelligence he could have to announce to them
was, that the fellow fever had entirely disappeared both
from their ships and the ports which they frequented. He
hoped therefore that the confidence of travellers to the
West Indies and South America would be revived, and that
the next half-year would be more favourable in its results.
He was happy aha to say that the rate of freights bad
reached its higheat,for whilst they had been paying as mush
as 355. a ton for the conveyance of coals to St. Thomas's,
they were now paying only 265. (Hear, hear.) He thought,
therefore, as stated in the report, that the present unfavour-
able circumstance* were only of a temporary character, and
that they would be justified in paying the usual dividend of
21. per share for the half year, free from income tax.
Mr. lIVIELTINE thought the report was most satisfactory
under the circumstances. He wished to know, however,
whether there was not a clause in the government contract
entitling the company to extra payment in the event of the
price of coal being greatly enhanced
The CHAIR/lAN said that no doubt there was such a
clause in the contract as the hon. proprietor had referred to,
but it was not of a very defined character. It stated that
in the event of war or circumstances of a national character
occurring to raise the price of coals, the rate of freights and
insurance above a certain point, the company should have
a claim on the government, provided it did not exceed in
all 75,0001. The subject had not escaped the directors,
but under all the circumstances they did not think that the
present was the time to moot the question, especially as the
Interpretation of what were circumstances of a " national"
character rested with the government.
In reply to another PROPRIETOR,
The CHAIRMAN added that the company had a contract
with Mr. Russell, of Wales, for supplying coal for their
steamers ; but, in consequence of the strike of the colliers,
he had been unable to furnish the quantity required ; and
acting under their solicitor's advice they had extended the
time to Mr. Russell, and had allowed him le. per ton mere
for his coals than the oontratt price. The great cause of
the increase in the item arose from the enhanced charge in
the price of freight.
The report was then unanimously adopted.
On the motion of Mr. Mltte thanks were voted to the
board, and the proceedings terminated.

NATIONAL GALLERY.—The Earl of Onelow has
ud Marm. Morels Moore Matooe
seveniewitittehnetesrutaminosfoofutheekirrvidremad
rendered
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by Mr. Moore to the public: and to err, by hie
uncompromising exposure of the proceedings at the National
Gallery.
MELANCHOLY RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—Aoother of
these constantly.recurring accidents has just taken place on
the Chester and Holyhead liae. A highly respectable and
much esteemed young man, 24 planet age, named William
Wright, of Mostyn, near Holywell, was returning from a
visit to some friends near Cheater, when it is supposed he
sat down on the line, about a mile from Queen's Ferry
Station, to change hie boots. A cattle train immediately
came up, ran over him, and killed him on the spot, shock-
ingly mutilating his remains.
WATERFORD AND KILKENNY RAILWAY.—Retont
of traffic for the week ending Oct. 8, 1663 —l9Ol. 84. 54.
(29 mike). Corresponding week last year, 6G/. Is. 7d.
(13 miles).