The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-29 00:00:00

EASTERN EXCHANGE BANE (LIMITED).

In accordance with a requisition presented by
several shareholders, a special meeting was called yester-
day for the purpose of discussing the propriety of wicding
up the bank. Mr. P. Hunter presided. Mr. Bigham pro-
posed a resolution to the effect " that the oompany be wound
up voluntarily under the provisions in the behalf of the
company's act of 1502." The reasons given by Mr. Bigham
in favour of this course were that the actual profit derived
by the shareholders during the two-and-a-half years that
bank had been in operation had never exceeded 26 percent.
—that three -fourths of the oompany's capitalwas invested in
Viceroy's or Pache'a bonds, a security which he deemed
very risky ; that the shares were depreciated in the mar-
ket, and that %0 proxies for winding up had been received,
as opposed to 3:50 against it. Mr. Jas. Campbell seconded
the resolution, which was supported by Mr. Comber, who
argued that from the failure of their Indian prospects and
the impossibility of working profitably with a capital of
not more than 200,00 W., the only alternative was to wind
up. In compliance with a wish on the put of Mr. A. C.
Stewart that he would express his opinion on the affairs of
the bank, the chairman stated that his only desire was to
comply with the wishes of the bulk of the shareholders,
but that confined as they had necessarily been to the
Egyptian business, he thought they had done fully
as well as could be expected, considering the in-
termittent character of the Egyptian trade, and
that they would be amply justified in conti-
nuing the bank. With regard to the bills of the
Packs and Viceroy, they were as good as any bonds in
Ram* ; they were all of short dates, and would all fall
in to suit the requirements of the bank, should it be
carried on. Mr. Kalb corroborated the chairman's remarks
with respect to the eligible character of these bonds, and
further remarked that there was likely to be a very excel-
lent business in Egyptian grain, which would of course
tell favourably upon the prosperity of the bank. Mr. Dixon
and Mr. Nicholson (directors) spoke in favour of winding
up the bank. The latter argued that the Egyptian ex-
change business was carried on at • lose, that it was
only the high rate of interest on Viceroy's bills which
enabled them to show a profit, and that if this were the
sole source of profit, the better plan would be to pay j or
per cent. to some person on the spot to buy such bills.
After a good deal of discussion the motion for winding up
was adopted by Sti to 16. A poll was demanded, however,
which will be continued until Saturdnext. During the
whole proceedings it was acknowledged that the board
had throughout acted with zeal and probity, the only
point at issue being the expediency of continuing or giving
up the bank.

COUNCIL or Law RIIPOUTINO.—The societies of
Serjeants' Inn and Gray's Inn have, in pursuance of the
bar scheme, appointed representatives to the council. The
council is now constituted as follows :—Ec officio members
—The Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, and the
Queen'eAdvocate. Electedmembers—Sirßoundell Palmer,
M.P., Q.C., and Mr. W. T. S. Daniel, Q.C., for Lincoln's
Inn; Mr. William Forsyth, Q.C., and Mr. G. M. Gifford,
Le
Q.C.. for the Inner Temple • Mr. T. W. Greene, Q.C., anti
Mr. John Gray, Q.C., for tge /fiddle Temple ; Mr. J. Bar-
stow and Mr. win Taverner, for Gray's Inn ; Mr. Ser.
jeant Hayes and Mr. Serjeant Pulling for Serjeanta' lan ;
and Mr. William Williams and Mr. Wm. Strickland Cook-
son for the Incorporated Law Society. Sir Bounden Palmer
will act as chairman, and Mr. Daniel as vice-chairman of
the council.

YRIIRORFOLIC MrlßDZlL—Hubbard Singley,
who stands charged with the murder of his uncle, Benjamin
Black, woodreeve on the estate of Sir Hanson Berney,
Bart., at Fincham and Barton Bendish, Norfolk, was on
Holiday committed for trial. A great mass of evidence was
adduced, but as an outline of the facts has already been
given it is unaeceesiuy to repeat them. On the conclusion
of the inquiry the prisoner was removed to Norwich
Castle, there to await his trial at the ensuing Norfolk
Assizes.

KLILerAT AND OTHILR BILLS SETO= PARLIA-
IISNT.—Yesterday the following business was transacted in
reference to the private railway and other bills now pend-
ing in parliament. In the House of Lords, in Lord Redes-
dale's committee, the subjoiimd bills passed through with
amendments, and were ordered to be reported:—The
London and North-Western, and Lancashire and York-
shire Railway Companies ; the Greenwich and South-
Eastern Docks; the Dundalk and Greenore Railway; the
Thames Navigation ; the Idle end Shipley Railway ; and
the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway. In
Room C their lordships passed the bill of the Swamies
Vale Railway. which was ordered to be reported as
amended. The opposition to the Great Northern Railway
Bill was withdrawn, and it was referred to the chairman
of committees. In the House of Commons, in Mr. Dod-
son's committee, the following bills went through and
were ordered to be reported :—The Limerick Harborer ;
the St. Clement Danes Improvement ; the Lombard-street
Improvement; the Great Grimsby Gas; West Sussex
Junction Railway ; Waterford and Passage Railway and
Ferry ; Southsea Railway and Carnarvonshire and Nantlle
Railw Companies. The West Cork Railway Bill was
proceeded with and adjourned until Thursday. In group 7
the committee proceeded with the farther consideration of
the Midland Railway and the Tewkesbury and Malvern
Railway Bills. which were again adjourned. The opposi-
tion to the Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway being
withdrawn, the bill was referred back to the chairman of
committees. In group 12 the further consideration of the
London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Bill occupied the
day's sitting. The Lonilonjtliathiun, and Dover Railway
(No. 3) : the London, Chatham, and Dover (No. 2) ; and
the London, Chatham. and Dover Railway (No. 4) Bills
were further postponed in the same group.
CZYSTAL PALACZ.—ONE SHILLING DAY.—TUES-
DAY, MAY 28.—Admissions on payment. 8,420 ; ditto by
mama tickets, 6,203 ; total visitors, 14,700.