The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-27 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILWAY.

MEETING (THIS D.Y.
The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of
this company was held at the Westminster Palace Hotel ;
the Earl of DEvoN in the chair.
The report, which was taken as read, stated that the
works were in active progress, and that the requisite
amount of capital being paid up, and a certificate obtained,
the company was in a position to issue debentures.
The CHAIRMAN said the shareholders would nut have
failed to observe that on the whole the position of the
company was a satisfactory one. The directors could per-
sonally testify to the progress of the works. A fortnight
ago the whole board inspected them up to Kensington, and
were much pleased with them. There had been wine
delays from the difficulty of getting possession of the
land. Nevertheless the works were making satisfactory
progress. As the report stated, the board had made ar-
rangements with the Metropolitan Railway for the work-
ing of the line to Westiiiinsterbridge. Ile concluded by
moving the adoption of the report.
Mr. A. C. SHERIFF seconded.
A SHAREHOLDER said he had seen a statement that the
Tna'nes Embankment was to be partially constructed on
arches, and he inquired whether that would affect the
plans of the railway.
Mr. JoHNsoN said he was not aware that any portion
of the Thames Embankment was to be constructed on
arches, except opposite the Gasworks, but whether or no
this would nut affect the railway at all.
SHAREHOLDER complained that the statement in the
report as to the progress of the works was only a
vague statement that the works were making satis-
factory progress. He also complained of the large remu-
neration to the directors.
A discussion ensued, in the course of which the directors
were censured for borrowing money on debentures, instead
of making calls on the shares.
The resolution was agreed to, and a vote of thanks to
the chairman and directors concluded the proceedings.

3IALTON STEEPLECHASES.—Since the enclosure of
Langton Weld there have been no race meetings at Melton.
In the early part of this year a steeplechase committee was
formed to establish a cross-country meeting, there being now
no racecourse. The Earl Fitzwilliarn has granted a capital
steeplechase course between the old and new towns, and an
influential list of stewards and subscribers now exists. A
meeting was held on Tuesday, when it was resolved to hold
the steeplechases in the first week of March, 1861, and that
at the first meeting Mr. Johnson, of York, be judge, and
Mr. Elliott, starter and clerk of the scales. It was resolved
to announce four stakes for the opening meeting—viz., the
Mahon Borough Grand Handicap Steeplechase, open to all
England, at 10/. each, 5 ft.. with BM. added; the North
and East Riding Steeplechase, for hones of Lord
Middleton's, the Sinnington, or Mr. Johnston's hunts,
value 50/., 21. entrance, weight for age, thoroughbreds 71b
extra ; the Farmers' Steeplechase, limited to 30 miles
round Halton, value 301., weight for age : and the Selling
Open Steeplechase, with 251. added, entrance 2/. each. It
is quite anticipated that a first-rate meeting will be estab-
lished at Mahon.
Tun FLOODS IN FRANCL.—Accounts of inunda-
tions in the centre and south of France are being still
received ; the Allier had attained • height of 17 feet
between Clermont Fernand and booing, and communica-
tions between the two towns were interrupted. The
railway service between Moulins and St. Germain-des-
Fosses, which had been suspended as a measure of pre-
caution, has been resumed, excepting over • distance of
about two miles, which is prformed by carriages. The
Loire was still rising at Nevers, and the houses in the
quarters most exposed were being evacuated. The
embankment which protects the town was also
being strengthened. The roads of Andrezieux,
St. Just, and in the environs of Roanne were
impassable. At Tours the rise had not been of any
importance. At Auxerre the Yonne had invaded some
houses on the right bank, but the rise appear, to have
ceased. Nuits and Ancy-le-Frane, in the Cete.d'Or, are
separated from their railway stations by the waters. De-
spatches from Cabers and Rocks announce that the Lot is
falling. Acoonsta from the Loser. are more serious ; •
part of the town of Mende had been inundated ; five houses
had Pallet to the ground, and one life was lost. The
river Aro, in Savoy, had overflown, and cut the railway in
four places, as well en the highroad between Rt. dean-de-
Matuienne and Modsne. Several bridges as far as Lana-
. le-Bourg lave been swept away. On the evening of the
25th rain was still falling.