The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-21 00:00:00

THE IRISH RAILWAYS.

A deputation of noblemen and gentlemen con-
nected with the Irish railway interest had on Friday an
interview with the First Lord of the Treasury and the
Chancellor of the Exchequer at Downing-street. The
Marquis of Clanricarde, the Earl of Devon, Viscount
Lilforl, Mr. Francis Russell, M.P. Mr. Bagwell, M.P. ;
Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Malcomaon, Sir. Robinson, Mr.
Hamilton Beale, and others formed the deputation.
The Marquis of Clanricarde, having introduced the depu-
tation, made a statement showing that owing to
a combination of unhappy circumstances and specially the
recent political disturbances and the long-continued mone-
tary pressure, Irish railway property and credit had been
much depressed ; and he then recommended that govern-
ment should at a fair rate of interest make advances to
the companies to meet their debentures as they fell due.
Mr. MALCuMHON followed up the statement and re-
commendation, and mentioned that in the companies
with which he was connected the directors had
pledged their private credit to keep up that of these
componiee. They wanted the government to enable
them to tide over their present difficulties, for
it would be impossible for them to raise money
in the open market otherwise than at exceptionally high
rates. Till lately railway debentures bad been very fa-
vourite securities in Ireland, and there was no difficulty in
obtaining money upon them upon easy terms ; and if the
government gave them the assistance they asked for,
he believed this would be the case again. They would give
the government the best security for any advances which
might be made to them.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained that,
pending the report of the railway commission, it would be
difficult for government to come to any definite arrange-
ment in the matter. He inquired whether the deputation
had any distinct proposition to offer.
Viscount I.lreoneD, iu reply, stated that the deputation,
representing different companies, had conic to a resolution
which he believed had been in the form of a memorial sent
to the Treasury.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER inquired what in-
terest they proposed to pay.
Mr. NAAN replied that they considered 3 per cent. a
fair rate of interest, and j per cent. for sinking fund for
60 years.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER inquired at what
rate the debentures were falling due.
Mr. Mausistssim said they would be coming due to the
extent of half a million a year for the neat fire years.
The Earl of Devi,' pressed upon the Chancellor of the
Exchequer the case and position of railways in course of
construction in Ireland. In many instances, to complete
these undertakings, the directors and others connected
with them had pledged their private credit, and were under
heavy liabilities.
The CH ‘NCELLoR of the EXCHEQUER observed that this
conduct on their part may have been very patriotic, butthe
government must, as trustees for the public, look into
these cases strictly.
Mr. DARGAN then said if it were not possible for govern-
ment to make any permanent arrangement which would
enable the companies to give greater accommodation to the
public in cheap fares and other facilities of traffic, the
Treasury might at least help them out of their immediate
difficulties and enable them to get over the current year.
The CHANCELLOR of the Etcura2ctit thought that a defi-
nite proposal, and assured the deputation that the subject
should be fully considered by the government.
The deputation then withdrew.

Grass mowing has commenced in the neighbour-
hood of Winchester. . . .

AN INCIDENT OF THE PANIC. —One incident of
the panic deserves record, to the honour of all concerned.
It is said that when one of them great employers of
labour, the suspension of whose large operations is one of
the most universally regretted events of the crisis, was
first known to be in jeopardy, a brother contractor—
whose name may be readily surmised, for it has become
throughout Europe a household wen' for probity and
straightforward conduct, as well as for enterprise and
energy—called on him, accompanied by three other mem-
bers of the same calling. The first hail in his pocket two
hundred thousand pounds, the oilier three one
hundred thousand each. The half million was freely
placed at the disposal of the tottering firm, on the con-
dition that its use would be sufficient to ensure its sta-
bility, and with a frankness and courage as honourable as
was the generosity of the offer, was at once declined. If
this account be true, and it is stated on no slight autho-
rity, it is hard to say to which party it does most credit—
to those who, on so noble a scale, did as they would be
done by, or to those who could decline asdetance to such
a gigantic amount, lest it should not be folly adequate to
supply the wants of credit arrangements suddenly and
violently overthrown.—fludder.
THE CHOLERA AT LlVERFOOL.—According to the
latest official report, the Liverpool medical officer of
health has had to record 32 fatal cases of cholera since the
Helvetia put back into the Mersey. Of these 32 cases, 23
are reported as having occurred on board ship, 8 in the
Liverpool workhouse, and one in the town, though, as to
the latter case, Dr. Trench doubts whether the disease
was Asiatic cholera. We arc not info-red whether the
23 deaths on board ship are independent of the
9 fatal cases at the Itirkenhead emigration depot;
but if so, the total number of deaths up to
that time would be 41. So far the disease has been
confined almost exclusively to the Helvetia's passengers,
or to persons who have been brought into contact with
them—as in the eases of the fireman of the Helvetia,
who died in the workhouse on Friday ; Lovelady, an
official of the workhouse, attacked while attending to the
emigrants in the warehouse at Bankhall, who, we are glad
to say, is reported to be recovering ; the female nurse at
the workhouse ; and the surgeon, who was attacked while
attending to his professional duties on board the Jessie
Munn. The additional erases are only ruch as might have
occurred bad the emigrants been kept in strict quarantine ;
while there is reason to believe that the plan of dividirijg
the emigrants into several batches, and removing the sick
to establishments where they can have the benefit of
prompt assistance and good nursing, and the healthy to
places where the best immediate accommodation can be
obtained, has been instrumental in assisting the medical
officers and nurses in successfully coprng with the disease
amongst the unfortunate persons with whom it first ap-
peared. The 12 patients on board the Jessie Munn are re-
ported to he convalescent ; of the 14 at the work-
ouse, only four are pronounced dangerous mi-
grants at Ilankhall•are, for the most part, healthy ;e
nd
of the 2110 at the Birkenhead depot, the healthy are being
removed to the Tranmere Workhouse, under the sanction,
and with the approval, of Dr. Buchanan. The authorities
have done everything in their power to repress the disease;
and, with ordinary care in carrying out their instructions,
I there would be every reason to hope that any serious =-
pension of the disease might be prevented. An event
has, however, just occurred, which shows what alarming
consequences may be produced by • little carelessness in
carrying out precautionary measures. It was important
that the infected bedding of the Jessie Munn should
be destroyed ; and for that purpose It was carried to the
Burbo Bank, and, at low water, set tire to. Instead of
taking means to ensure the speedy and utter destruction
of the bedding, it seems to have been left as soon as
lighted •, that the lire died out or was extinguished by the
rising tide before it bad done its work ;
aand that portions
of the bedding were washed ashore t Crosby. These
perilous gifts of Neptune were found by some poor persons
living at Little Brighton, taken home, dried, and put to
use. Infection did its work. Several members of the
family were attacked, and two have died ; so that another
centre of disease has been formed, adding to the respon-
sibilities of local self-government, which had quite enough
upon its hands already.—Lirerpoot AP fan.

.~

JOHN BROGDEN'S 18-carat GOLD CHAINS.

JOHN BROODRN'S GOLD GUARD CHAINS.

JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD ALBERT CHAINS.

JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD BROOCH CHAINS.

muRTLa, TURTLE, TURTLE.
awe Thick and Invalid TURTLE SOUPS aware ready.
ET. Jelu.s.s-itALL. asoarrr BEET.
an PICCADILLY.
WM. DONRLD, Plo4ol'.

TO WEST-END DINERS.—The WELLING-
TON, St. James's-street, Piccadilly. Ladles' Saloon
Dinustroom on the first floor. The subscription rooms are now
open. Terms, twelve months. Jl Ha ed. : alx months, £1 ls
Apply to D. Cameron, 48, Bt. James'estreet.

T !CONDON must have a SUPPER and MUSIC
.M. 4 ROOM for Gentlemen.—ltemerober, we waft for you at
EVANW." after the Covent Garden Opera and the Theatres

Zhe iv rortg44.

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