The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-27 00:00:00

IMPERIAL MEXICAN RAILWAY.-(THIS DAY.)

This day the second ordinary general meeting of
shareholders was held at the London Tavern ; Mr. CRAW-
FORD, M.P., in the chair,
The report having been taken as read,
The Ctulax.x3/ said that were it not for the discomfiture
in respect to financial matters generally, the report would
bare been in every regard witisfactory. From the advices
which arrived by the last West India mail, it appeared
that they would receive from the Mexican government
600,000 dollars. Besides this they bad already
received three-fourths of the 15 per cent. out
of the whole customs duties of Mexico, which
had been given as a contribution to the capital of the
company. For himself he never doubted the good
faith of the Mexican government, but it some-
times happened that ability to pay did not accompany
good faith. But the Mexican government gave authority
to the officers of the company to go to the various posts
and receive directly the money due to them un-
der the convention. (Hear.) The Mexican government
therefore did all that could be expected from them under
the circumstances to provide for the arrears of interest
due upon the bonds, and for the amortisation as well as
the contribution to the capital 3f the oompany. The worksbad
rapidly progressed and the receipts hadbeenincreased. In the
three best months of the year, Jan., Feb., and March, the
gross receipts amounted to 481. 10s. per wile, which must
be considered satisfactory by those who undersil-
way matters. Up to the present time thteood re rahail
been expended on the line between Puebla and
Mexico 800,000/., and on the middle portion of the
line 550,00/. At present they required about 300,0001.
in cash to carry on the further works which
were necessary, and for this they were prepared to give
the security of the works which had been already con-
structed. Of course, in the present state of the money
market they must expect to pay ahigh mte of interest. There
were calls in arrear to the amount of about 25,0001., which
he hoped would be promptly paid. Although, as he hail
stated, they were at present in want of money, the report
was, he thought, on the whole satisfactory, and he now
proposed it fur adoption.
lir. Isom seconded the motion, which was adopted.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the pro-
ceedings.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' BENEVOLENT
ITITUTION.-( THIS DAY.)

The half-yearly meeting and elections of the
above institution were held this day at the London Tavern;
Alderman Sir J Ames Dr KE in the chair.
Mr. K AIRES, the secretary, read the report, which con-
Fratulated the members upon the increasing success attend-
ing the operations of the society. The receipts for the last
half-year had exceeded those of any previous half-year,
having amounted to 1,411/. id., or 3001. in excess of the
December half-year. The day collections, in April last, bad
produced the sum of 5011., being the largest yet made.
The sum of 750/. had been placed to the reserve fund,
which now amounted to 7,0001. There were six widows,
candidates for the annuities of 251. each, on the present
occasion, of whom three were to be elected.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report,
expressing his gratification at finding it was of so favour-
able a character.
Mr. SHERLR seconded the resolutions, which were
agreed to.
Scrutineer, were then appointed and the election was
proceeded with.

---
Despatches were sent yesterday from the
Colonial-office to the Governors of Gibraltar, Malta,
Ceylon, Hong Kong, Labuan, the Australian Colonies,
New Zealand, the Cape of Good Hope, and NataL
A USG FOR FEROCIOUS Do4:s. —At a time when
the popular distaste for hydrophobia has created a general
and very reasonable demand for the summary extermina-
tion of the numberless vagrant curs to be found wander-
ing about the streets, it is but fair that anything which can
be urged in favour of the race generally should be impar-
tially placed before the public. We therefore desire to
direct special attention to the purpose to which canine
ferocity has been most serviceably applied at Brandon, on
the estate of a gentleman known as " the Baron de Bliss,"
whose keepers, according to • report which appeared in
this paper last week, recently availed themselves of the
teeth of an immense mastiff, standing 22 inches high,
to hunt down and secure two labourers named Gayton
and Mutum, perfectly defenceless against its attacks, who
were detected whilst ferreting a bank for rabbits. We are
told that the brute was " partially muzzled," notwith-
standing which, however, both the men were bitten
by it, in addition to being struck by one of
the keepers while trying to defend themselves from
its fierce attacks. That this most unjustifiable pro-
ceeding is only part of a system is shown by the fact
that (as we are informed by a correspondent) the
following notice is to be seen in the neighbourhood
of the spot where the above occurrence took place:—
" CAL-M.N.—Take notice both Poachers and trespassers
after sticks and others that there is now &Savage Bull and
Mastiff Dog about the Plantations and Land at Brandon
Park, both Day and Night and any person trespassing after
this notice will be subject to his furiosity." We fail to
ascertain the nationality of the lord of the manor from the
title which he has the happiness to bear, or possibly it
might in some way explain the strange divergence fro m
English customs and English manliness.—Barg
am!
Norwich Post.
RAILWAY BILIA IN PARLIAMENT. Yesterday
in Lord Redesdales oommittee in the House of Lords, the
following bills were passed through and ordered to be
reported wiih (in some cases) certain amendment' :
fihrewsbnry and North Wales Railway (Deviations, ;
North British Railway (St. Margaret's Diversion) ; North
British and Leadburn, Linton and Dolphinton Railway
Companies ; North British Railway (Stirling, &c.,
Branches) ; North British Railway (Coatbridge &c.,
Branches) ; Longton, Adderley Green, and Bucknali Rail-
way ; Stourbridge Railway, and the Great Northern Rail-
way (Brunet Branches Abandonment). In room C their
lordships proceeded with and aded the Midland Rail-
way (hettle to Carlisle) and them
Caledonian Railway
• (Greenock and Gourock Extensions) Bills. In room B
the examiner declared the standing orders to have been
complied with in the cases of the Langharne Railway, the
Gaslight and Coke and City of London Gaslight and Coke
Companies' Bill, and the Wycombe Railway MIL