The Express.
London, England, 1860-09-29 00:00:00

NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.

The half-yearly meeting was held in Edinburgh
on Wednesday, AL HODGSON in the chair.
The report, an abstract of which appeared in on:columns,
was held u read.

The CHAIRMAN saki the directors were actively employed
in superintending the great works in progreis on the Border
Union and Border Counties Railways, in order to insure the
greatest amount of economy, despatch, and efficiency in
those undertaking". He was glad to say that, notwithstand-
ing the unprecedented weather which they had Lad to
contend ogaiust, the works were in an advanced state, and
the coutractors were vigorously prosecuting the fulfilment
of their engagements ; so that he trusted by another
year he would be able to congratulate the share-
, holders on having added more than otos-belt additi-
owl mileage to that now funning the North M-
I tish Railway, and that that additional utilesgs hid been
formed at a cost so cheap that it would reduce the cost upon
the whole mileage by some 9,000 f. or 10,0001. per mile.
(Applause.) That would, he considered, be a great boon to
all the shareholder', for such a reduction in the oast of the
mileage would enable the company to realise, sod declare
higher divideud upon their capital stock. (Cheers.) The
directors had determined to recommend the reintroduction
of the measure to enable the company to promote a Lae
from thtlashiels by Innerleithen to Peebles, which had
Leen so nearly successful last session ; and they proposed
to introduce it with alterations iu those particular provi-
sions which they supposed were the cause of its narrow
rejection. The directors were assured that it was for
the interest of the public, not less than for the lutenist of
the North British shareholders, that this line should
be in tounexion with the North British, and not with
the tlileilionan, ►ecause the trains could be run more
conveniently for the public on the maia him of the
former than of the latter company, and because they
believed that the main stream of traffic lay between the
south and Edinburgh, and not between the south and Ohs-
gow. (Hear, Lear.) What he asked the present meeting to
do was to adopt the report of the directors, and thereby to
esaelioe the subscription which they propueed to give to the
Gabwisisla, lunerleithea, and Peebles Railway.
After some discussion the report was adopted.

SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.

The half-yearly meeting was held at Perth on
Wednesday, the Hoe. J. C. DIMDAR fit the chair.
The report, an ebetract of which has appeared is oar
columns, was held as read.

The 61AIRMAN gild the directors could not coops-
White themselves much on the receipts of the half-yew_
owing to the remarkably ungenial some, hut still there had
I been nothing to discourage them ; and, owing to the fair '
and equitsble arrangement with the Poet.ollice for the car-
rings of the mails, the funds showed a surplus over the
usual divideod. The shareholders would observe that there
was a considerable sum in the name of interest accruing
from other companies, and some might, perimpi, expect
that the directors would make therefrom au addition
to the dividend, or • bonus. But, looking at all the Orman-
starer, the directors had not thought it advisable to make
either a bores or an addition to the dividend, but rather
reeontmended that the sum should remain is the shape at a
surplus, available for any contingency that might arise ; age '
in that shape it would give the public a security for the
soundnasa of the undertaking of the Scottish Central. As
to the proposed Amalgamation Bill of this and the Caledo-
nia° and Edinburgh and Glasgow Companies, he really had
uo more to say than what was stated in the report—namely,
that the directors regret that the House of Commons re-
jected the bill ; but the direckin held themselves hound to
proceed with the bill, should the other °cagoules resolve to
do so, though be believed none of them wars maims to de
se in the ensuing 168,100 of parliament. He hoped that,
after cane otheideration, the public would some to the eon-
&Won that ends a bill would be for the public inkrawe ea
well se fee the interest of the companies. He concluded by
moving that the report be adopted, and a dividend declared
at the rate of 5. per cent. per annum on the onliniry stock
of the company.
The
ainaawdy adaybod. ineema was asseadad by ColossiJoEuerox, and una-