The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-26 00:00:00

THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILWAY.

The report to be submitted to the fifth half-
Cy meeting of shareholders of this company, to
held on Thursday next, states that the works and sta-
tions between the West London Extension Railway and
the Kensington and Gloucester-road joint station, are
so far advanced that that part of the railway
may be opened for traffic within a few month.. The re-
port refers to the progressive increase on the Metropolitan
Railway, confirming the directors in their original antici-
pation of a highly remunerative metropolitan traffic.
on their line. They also anticipate with confidence a
considerable addition to the Metropolitan or " inner
circle" traffic proper from the passengers which
will be brought upon the line by the connexion
which they have formed with the principal metro-
politsn railway companion. Dining the last half-
year the directors have made two calls and have
decided on making another, payable on April 15.
In the purchase of property on the line it is sometimes
necessary to acquire a considerably greater area than is
permanently required for the purposes of the undertaking,
and the company is now in possession of surplus
lands of considerable value. The directors have
had this subject under their special and fre-
quent consideration, and they have decided to
take steps for the disposal of all surplus property, at
the earliest period consistent with the interests of the
company. The directors have the satisfaction to report that
in the numerous questions involving mutual interest be-
tween themselves and the Metropolitan Railway Compiny,
the shareholders in both companies have the advan-
tage of the meat friendly co-operation of the
two boards. The new works of the Metropolitan
Rsilway, extending from the junction with the
Metropolitan District Railway at Brampton to Padding-
ton, continue to be so energetically prosecuted as to leave
no doubt of their being ready for traffic simultaneously
with those of the District Railway to Westminster.

THE WATERFORD ELECTION COMMITTEE.

( THIS HAY.)

The committee appointed to try and determine
the matter of the petition of the Hon. Walter Cecil
Talbot, complaining of the undue return of Mr. de la Poer
at the last election met this morning at II o'clock. The
committee consists of Mr. Hugh Adair (chairman), Mr.
Richard Arkwright, Mr. George Cubitt, Mr. Dillwyu, and
Mr. Henry Ortntell.
Counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Mundell, Q.C., Mr.
Harris, Q.O , the Hon. Mr. Bourke, Mr. Stephens, and
Mr. I'. Hale. Agents, Messrs. Holmes and Co.
Counsel for the sitting member. Mr. O'Malley, Q.C., and
Mr. Waters. Agent, Mr. Baker.
The petition (which has already been given) was taken
as read. _ _

---
Mr. Mundell, Q.C., in opening the case of the petitioner,
stated that the petitioner, the Hon. Mr. Talbot, is the
second son of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and that he had
previously represented the county. The petition contained
a variety of allegations—the principal one, on which he
should rely, being that there was such rioting and intimi-
dation as to have the effect of influencing and intimidating
the voters. There waa also a general allegation of undue
spiritual influence having been exercised on the part of
the Roman catholic clergy. He should withdraw the
charge of treating, so far as regarded its influence in pro-
curing votes, but should adduce it as evidence, showing that
the drink given had a tendency toproduce therioting which
took place. The learned gentleman then entered into a
history of the party contests which have taken place in
the county of Waterford from the year 1826, previously
to which time the Beresford family controlled the elec-
tions. From that time up to 1852 the liberal interest pre-
vailed. After that period the representation was divided.
He next proceeded to detail the occurrences which took
place previous to and during the election, reading placards
the language of which was calculated to produce riot and
intimidation. These placards be should show were issued
by the committee of Mr. De la Poer. He also referred
to the wholesale abduction of the voters of Captain
Talbot and to the obstructions thrown in the way of
their polling by the rioting and intimidation. The
gross number of votes polled for Mr. Be la Peer
was 1,481, and for Captain Talbot NM, giving a majority
of 491 for Mr. De la Poer. To show the great apprehen-
sion which prevailed during the election, the learned coun-
sel stated that at Dungarvan 200 infantry were stationed,
two troops of the 12th Lancers, and 120 police ; at Car-
rickbeg, 196 infantry, 70 cavalry, and 125 police ; at Lis-
more, 100 infantry, one troop of the 6th Dragoon Guards,
and 120 police ; at Waterford, 200 infantry, two troops of
Carbineers, half a troop of the sth Dragoon Guarde, 200
police, and also a sloop-of-war was moored in the river ;
and at Clonmel, on the borders of the county, two troops
of the 6th Dragoon Guards were stationed.
[Left sitting.]

REPEAL OF THE MALT TAX.—MT. Jasper More,
M.P. for South Shropshire, has put on the books of the
house a notice of amendment on Colonel Barttelot's
motion, as follows :—" That the appointment of a select
committee on the Malt Tax Duty is inexpedient until the
house shall have learnt from the financial statement of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer the views and intentions of
her Majesty's government in respect of such duty." The
malt tax /*peelers will have an opportunity of ascertaining
by a prectiail test who are their real and who their pro-
faned friends. It is very palpable that, if granted,
a committee of inquiry would at once close the
lips of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for this
session, whereas Mr. Jasper More's amendment,
if carried, would more or less entail upon Mr. Diemen
the necessity of expressing his views on the malt tax ques-
tion, even did he not feel it incumbent on him to take
Action upon it. The proposed ' Farmers' Friends' have
chosen a very unfortunate mode and an extremely inap-
propriate time for their experiment. Nothing can more
thoroughly expose the hollowness of their professions than
the palpable readiness thus exhibited to subordinate the
claim for malt tax repeal to the convenience of their party
and to their own extrication from an awkward position—
the position of having to redeem pledges, and to take a
straightforward and independent course, though calculated
to embarrass their Chancellor of the Exchequer. Walpole
declared that the farmers of England would quietly submit
to be shorn like their own sheep ; he might have added
with equal troth that they were also content to be be-
noodled and bamboozled by their sworn friends, the
"squiree."--+Sustet Adrertiaer.