The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-08 00:00:00

SALMON FThEaRY CONGRESS.

A congress of conservators and other gentlemen
interested in the promotion of salmon fisheries was held
i yesterday in the Gouncilohamber at the Horticultural-
gardens, South Kensington. Au influential committee was
I formed wane time ego to arrange the gathering, and invi-
tritium were issued by Mr. H. A. Glass, the hon. secretary,
ito cultivators of salmon residing in all parts of the United
Kingdom. A requisition, signed by some 130 noblemen
and gentlemen, was also prepared, inviting the co-operation
of persons interested in the preservation and development
of salmon fisheries. The growing attention that has been
directed to the state of our fisheries since the appointment
of a parliamentary commission was the primary cause of
the congress, and the recent appointment of Mr. F. Buck-
land and Mr. Walpole to the inapectorships of salmon
fisheries might be cited as a minor inducement. Nearly
one hundred responded to the invitation of the
committee, and amongst them were gentlemen represent-
ing our chief Irish, Scotch, and English fisheries, many of
the owners of our best salmon rivers, and anglers of wide
repute. Earl Percy, who has always taken a warm inte-
rest in the cultivation of salmon, especially in the streams
on his Northumbeland estate, was the chairman. The
room was turned into a temporary museum of fish ladders,
models of weirs and bridges, drawings of charming river
scenery, diagrams of new projects, and fishing gear of
newest type. Five resolutions were submitted to the
meeting, but the speeches, for the most part, were of a
conversational character. The first motion settled that
the object of the congress was to endeavour to get our
salmon rivers altered, so as to give the fish a free passage
from the entrance to the source. To effect this object,
which is, of course, the very essence of salmon cultivation,
pollutions will have to be abated, obstructions removed,
poachers looked after, and the ravenous fish that prey
upon the spawn (notably the bull trout) destroyed
or kept down. Before these things can be done,
as the noble chairman pointed out, there must
he considerable improvement in the fishery laws.
The second resolution dealt with a subject that has always
proved most perplexing, and that is not by any means
settled—namely, the existence of weirs. The resolution de-
clared that the salmon fisheries of England had been largely
destroyed by these obstructions, and the speakers who
supported it backed the declaration with facts drawn from
their own experience. The erection of salmon passe* was
determined to be indispensable, but no general designs
were specified in the motion, probably because weirs, like
river and their fish, differ in various parts of the country ;
numerous practical hints however, were given, and the
tale of many a trial and failure was told for the benefit
of the congress. The pollution of streams was the topic
of the next resolution, sad several speakers gave in-
stances of fish being killed, and human beings
seriously injured, by the impurities east into rivers
by mills, mines, and manufactories. Enlarged and strict
legislation was insisted upon, and a few cases of failure,
where offenders had been prosecuted on account of mere
technicalities, were quoted as a fresh mum why the
fishery laws should be at once revised. The general
tendency of the speeches was to urge conservators in the
meanwhile to put forth every energy to abate the evil,
the extent of which is probably beyond calculation.
Other resolutions were passed arranging for future meet-
lines of the congress, thanking the special commissioners
; for their valuable services, regretting the illness and resig-
nation of Mr. Eden, and the death of Mr. Ffennel, and
impressing upon the commissioners the importance of in-
stituting an early inspection of the oumerous weirs and
I obstructions in admen rivers, with a view to legislative
interference. The crowning difficulty, admitted by nearly
every speaker, was that of most projects—lack of funds.
The construction of weirs and ladders is so enormously
.expensive that the burden would have in most
cases to be borne by one or two gentlemen. Hence it
j was urged that the best plan would be to arouse public
opinion—first to the intimate connexion of clear rivers
with health, and secondly to the abundance of cheap
food that would follow the universal promotion of
salmon cultivation. A statement made by Mr. Walpole
as to the unseasonable sale of fish was received with much
! pleasure. He detailed the pains he had taken in the
I matter, and showed that he had at last discovered the
chief offending fishmongers, and hoped by the assistance
lof the clerk at Billingsgate-market to stop the sale of uu-
, wholesome fish daring the next close season. A hearty
vote of thanks was, of course, given to Lord Percy at the
close of the proceedings ; and after the meeting was over
the more enthusiastic puiciculturists adjourned to an outer
building to test all the models and apparati that had been
exhibited.

DEATH BY LIUHTNINO.—GUILDFORD, FRIDAY
Nionr.—This afternoon the neighbourhood of Guildford
was visited by ono of the severest thunder storms known
here for some years. The rain fell in huge torrent■, and
the thunder and lightning were of a very violent character.
Just as the storm commenced a man named Cannon, in
the employ of Mr. Donnell, of Shere, was engaged in
ploughing with two horses. Seeing the storm was likely
to increase, be directed the boy to unharness the horses
and seek shelter in the homestead. The boy was proceed-
ing to do this, when a vivid flash of lightning knocked
him down. On getting up from the ground be found the
man Cannon and the two hones lying lifeless in the field.
Assistance was procured, and the body of the deceased was
removed to the homestead. The lightning appears to
have struck the deceased on the right breast, burning his
waistcoat and trousers. The horses appear to have been
'truck on the head; and the marks of the electric fluid an
be traced thence down the back. The deceased has left •
wife and large family.

[TWOPENCE

LONDON CHARTERED BANK OF AUSTRALIA.

The ordinary general meeting of the proprietors
of this bank was held yestterd►y at the London Tavern ;
Mr. W. FAYE Da Setts in the chair.

The report having bees taken as read,
The CHAIRMAN said that it was unnecessary for him to
detain the meeting with any lengthy remarks ; but before
moving the adoption of the report he would address a few
words in explanation thereof. The proprietors would
observe from the accounts that there was • disposable sum
of 63,:i70/. Vie. 10d., and the board intended appropriating
that amount as follows :—ln the first place, they proposed
to carry :3,0001. to the colonial building fund, and then to
apply4o,ooo/. to the payment of • dividend at the rate of 8
per cent. and 10,0001. to the payment of a bonus of 1 per
cent., which would leave a balance of 10,1701. lie. 10d. to be
carried forward. Before putting the motion for the adop-
tion of the report he wished to express the gratification
the directors felt at seeing fulfilled the anticipations they
ventured to express at the last half-yearly meeting, that
they should be able, after carrying the reserve fund to
100,0001., to add something out of the profits to their
dividend ; and they had not only been enabled to do this
but they had also been able out of this year's profits to add
6,0001. to the colonial building fund. This increase in
dividend and in property resulted from the most legiti-
mate of all sourcea, the increase in the profits arising out
of the extension of their business. This would be
evident to them when he stated that the half-
year's profits showed an increase of 5,1141. It
was as gratifying to him to be able to state
those facts as it would be to the proprietors to hear
them. Gratifying as they were in themselves, they became
more so when they reflected that that increase had taken
place under adverse circumstaaces, as stated in the report.
He referred to the serious crisis which had occurred in
Sydney, which was one of no ordiaary character, being one
of the most serious commercial disturbances which had
occurred in Sydney since its foundation. It involved the
collapse of several establishments with large outstanding
liabilities, and necessarily occasioned large banking losses.
Their extent would be understood when he told them that
one beak had been obliged to set aside 5.-e.1,000/. to
meet those losses. If he named that crisis it was not with-
out reason, for it was due to those who managed their •
affairs in the colony that they were in their present posi-
tion. They had passed through the crisis with compara-
tive immunity, and he thought it right that he should
mention that it was attributable to the management of
their affairs by their excellent superintendent, Mr.
Brett, supported by their able manager in Sydney.
together with the large mercantile experience of
their local manager, Mr. Moore. He mentioned
this in order to satisfy those on the other
side of the table who thought the board was making too
large a reserve that colonial banks were not free from
losses. When they reserved so large a sum of money as
this bank did it was impossible that they should not make
losses, and those losses could not be met otherwise than
by • reserve fund. There could be no doubt that their re-
serve was not large enough, and when he gave them figures
which he had before him, showing the amount of the re-
serve of other banks with, which they had to compete they
would agree with him that it was desirable that theirs
should be augmented. The reserve fund of the Beak •
of Australasia was 200,000/., but their capital was larger
than that of this beak. The merer of the Union Bank
of Australia was 250,000/., with an insurance fund of
75,0110/., which made the reserve of that bank, whose
capital was the same as theirs, amount to 325,006/. Then
there was the Bank of New South Wale., working with
the same capital, with a reserve fund of 33d,000/. They
had to compete with those establishment., and be was
sure they would agree that having to do so
it was desirable that they should add so their
reserve. Tee board proposed to adopt • course by
which they thought they would be able to add to the
reserve fund anal at the same time increase the dividend.
(Hear, bear.) They proposed not to bring under their con-
sideration the question of bonus more than once • year,
when the amounts were duly audited, and they could show
the result of the year's operations. On the occasion of the
half. yearly meetings, when they declared en ad interim
dividend, they proposed to devote the surplus profits
either to the colonial building fund or to the reserve
fund, by which means they would in time be able to place
the reserve fund in • position which would compare more
favourably with other banks. He held in his hand some
remarks which had been made in reference to the company
by the Buffiomier, which was • paper of considerable
authority upon all commercial matters, and it was there
pointed out that whilst this company stood in the third class
with regard to capital, it stood seventh with regard to
reserve, which must be of great disadvantage to them.
He felt that all who shared in his desire to see the
shares of the bank &permanent investment, with • security
approaching, if not equal, to the Three per Ceuta., ought
to strengthen the hands of the board in their endeavour to
increase the amount of the reserve fund. With regard to
their newly-builtbuildinpthey would see that they had had
to erect new premises at Ballarat and Sydney, which wee&
substantial evidence that the tree which they had planted
in Australia was beginning tospread its branches and strike
its roots into the sod. There were, probably, sonic present
who did not know the position of Ballarat, and he would
therefore mention that it was situated some 120 miles to
the north-west of Melbourne, and constituted one of the
chief seats of mining industry in the colony. Some 12 years
ago it was nothing more than • sheep-walk, but now it
was one of the most rising towns in the colony. When
they first opened out there, his friend Mr. Falconer, who
now sat at their board, but who then directed their affairs
in the colony, saw the great importance of having an
establishment in that particular locality, and secured pre-
mises there at a small cost, but owing to the in-
creased business, and the large quantities of bul-
lion deposited with them, Mr. Brett bad advised
them that they ought to increase their premises.
They had upon the table the designs for the new build-
ing, the cost of which would be about 6,0001., belief which
would be met by the sale of their old premises. The designs
for their new buildings at Sydney were placed on the table
at the last meeting, but since that time they bad been
completed, and were opened on the 14th of March last.
He hod been frequently told, when addressine the pro-
prietors, that he only put one side of the question before
them, and, as it was his wish that they should have the
dark as well as the bright side presented to them, be
would mention that there were two points which
might tend to diminish their profits. Ile alluded,
in the first plaice, to the very low rate of
money now ruling in this country, which must be
prejudicial to nll banking, and would no doubt influence
the rate of money in Australia, and consequently diminish
their profit. Another matter was the low price of wool,
which, as a great many of their customers were wool
dealers, would also, probably, diminish the profits.
Against those two drawbacks he thought they might place
the growing character of their business, which was with-
out doubt one of its most favourable features. In con-
clusion, he moved the adoption of the report, and the de-
claration of a dividend at the rate of eight per cent. with
a bonus of one per cent.
Mr. G. C. Knott seconded the motion, and expressed his
gratification at the steady yet safe progress of the business
of the bank. He joined in the eulogistic remarks passed
by the chairman on the able manner in which their super-
intendent and local managers had conducted the affairs of
the company during the exceptional period which they had
just passed. He hoped his brother jiroprie tors would support
the suggestion that had emanated from the chair. because
he thought their reserve fund, though large, was insuffi-
cient for the business of the bank, and for the position
which it occupied in the commercial world. If their
shares had not stood well in the market the state of their
reserve fund iu some measure accounted for the circum-
stance, and if they could, without diminishing the divi-
dend, said from time to time to that fund, they should en-
dorse the step proposed by the chaim.an.
Mr. KINTREA had listened with unmixed satisfaction to
the speech of the chairman, and did not hesitate to say
that out of the sixteen banks in which he held shares, the
London Chartered Bank of Australia was one of the few
whose meetings he attended with pleasure. He heard
with regret from the chairman that the bones should be
looked for annually, and he thought the directors might
have gone farther than 1 per cent. bonus. lie did not
think a reserve fund of 100,0001. was despicable, nor yet
that it was fair to institute • comparison between their
reserve fund and those of old institutions. He considered
the state of the reserve fund should be commensunite with
a consideration for the position of those now in the con-
cern. The course proposed by the chairman would benefit
future shareholders rather than existing shareholders.
The Cemanati, in reply, said he would not hold out
any expectation that at the next half-ready inciting they
should be able to give • bonus. He would remind Mr.
Kintrea that it was pot the directors who made the com-
parison with other banks, but the public of the colony. They
wanted • good reserve to meet rainy days such as those
that occurred in New South Wales recently, and be-
lieving that the success with which they had conducted the
concern was owing to the judgment of the board and their
officers, he hoped the shareholders would agree with the
suggestion he Lad made. (Hear, hear.)
The motion was then put and agreed to.
Mr. R. MINTON moved the reelection of the directors;
which was seconded by Mr. W. Born', F.S.A., and was
unanimously carried.
On the motion of Mr. guinea, seconded by Mr. Eaol.e,
the cordial thanks of the meeting were given to the chair-
man and directors for their able anal judicious management
of the company's affairs during the past year.
A vote of thanks, proposed by the CHAIRMAN and se-
corided by the DRITTT HAIRMAN, basing been tendered
to the inspector and general manager (Mr. Brett). and to
the local &rectors and managers, the proceedings termi-
nated.

The mackerel now caught off the coast of Corn-
wall are slightly salted sad sent to all parts of the
kioplota.

GOLD Cif IN S. —JOHN BROG DEN
begs
to call the attention of the_ pehitc to the YOKM of 1§-
VOICE which he delivers with Mold Chains purchased et his
111WItlfiletory C a. J.
To workmanship of wore pattern chain, 54 blebs* long 2 15 0
To 1s earat gold. weighing 2 usu. at CS 3s. Sid. per
ounce, Mint price

Total 2 6
Upon this sy.tem, the QUALM, EltiHT, and VALUE of
the cold are seoirately denned.MMinutranteed to the purchasers:
John hnrynien booking fora fair remuneration on the workman•
day only, whi,h k charged arourdlng to the Intricacy or simpli-
city of the pattern.
. . _ . .

Nlanut.u:tory, IG. Ilenrietta.street, Covent-garden, London.

(I:EIZE MEDAL AWARDED.).

ALLEN'S 'PATENT PORTMANTEAUS and
1"R %YELLING BAGS. with square openings-
LADIEs* WARDROIIIi TRUNKS, DRESSING BAGS, with
Oliver Onions.
DiNi•A•nsn BOXES, WRITING and DRESSING CASES, and
SO other articles for home or euatinental travelling. Illustrated
eaithgnyt oust tree. _

Alan Alleles Barrack Furniture Catalogue of Portable Bra-
dawls. Drawers, Easy Chain. Waahhantstanda, Canteens, to.,
post Iree.. .

J. W. ALLEN, Manufacturer and Patentee, 37, West Strand,
Loudon, W.C.

DAVIES'S BEST DIP CANDLES, 64c1. per lb.;
palace paraffin candles, IL Id. : sperm, IL 6a. and It 44.;
botanic was, Is.. composite, Sit, 94.1., and 1014 moulds, nd..
yellow Slap, 36e., 40e., He., and Ms. per 11211.. ; mottled, eSe ;
beat Colza oil, Pt &I. per salon ; for cash, at M. P. DAVIP.4 and
SON'S, 03, St, Slerthisrlane, W.C.

BREAKFAST.-E P PS'S COCOA.

BROWN and POLSON'S CORN FLOUR
toe cuiustmrs
To obtaln mtra profit by the We other kinds are sometime
.fend Instead of littoWN and FUMY&
"John Brown," "John Potion," 4 aimed by the whom m
ach packet.