The Express.
London, England, 1860-06-21 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACI COMPANY.

The tenth ordinary general meeting of the com-
pany was held on Tuesday Ia the dining saloon of
the Ptiure • Mr. T. N. FAMITNAZ
The report of the directors, whist already appeared in
our columns, was read by the secretary.
The CHAIRMAN observed that the business of the present
meeting was so oircuniscribed that it was scarcely necessary
for him to lay more than that he should be happy to answer
any questions that might be put to him, and to afford any
explanation that might be required by any shareholder.
The real business meeting would bs about Christmas, when
he hoped they would be able to render a satisfactory as.
count. Meanwhile he could assure them that he and his
colleagues were unremitting in their exertions to promote
the interests of the company. In reference to the very
important and intereAing event that was aiming off next
week—the arrival of a large number of our French neigh-
bours, the members of the various French choral societies,
who were coming to the Crystal Palace to exhibit their
musical talents—he trusted that the peacef ol and harmonious
rivalry which would than take place would tend to demon-
etude to the people of France that our feelings towards
them were ci the most friendly nature, and that the only
competition we desired to carry on with them was that of
civilising and humanising effort. (Hear, hear.) He trusted
that the reception they would meet with would convince
them tliat,we were truly impressed with the peace principles
we professed, and that they would leave our shores with
favourable feelings towards thin country, and reciprocating
oar desire that the two nations might continue on terms of
friendship and harmony. (Hear, hear.) They would see by
the papers of the day that an influential committee had
been formed to welcome the Orph6onista, and having had
an opportunity of conversing with many of the gentlemen
competing that committee, which included the names of
'members of parliament representing important constitu-
encies, and other gentlemen of high station, he was happy
to my that they all regarded this as an opportunity which
should not be neglected of impressing this large body of the
French people—many of whom came from the most remote
parts of France—with correct and favourable ideas of this
country, sad ci the feelings of its people towards their
neighbours, and were adopting measures to act upon that
opinion. He begged to move the adoption of the report,
after which the retiring eirectors would be proposed for re-
election, and then Captain Young, who had given notice of
a resolution for closing the Palace on Sundays, would bring
forward that question. (Oh, oh.)
Mr. YOUNG observed that his notice was in the shape of
an amendment to the report—that notice being "That
this meeting do adopt the report of the directors, with the
understanding that the admission of shareholders to the
Palace on Sundays be henceforth discontinued." However,
be did not wish to interfere with the order of business laid
down by the chairman, provided he was allowed to bring
his motion on for discussion. (Oh, oh.) He proposed now
to confine the prohibition to the Palace, not to extend it to
the grounds.
A SHARSMOLDKR considered that the proprietors were en-
titled to some approximate statement of the results of the
working during the past seven months, instewl of waiting to
the end of the year. He trusted that the attention of the
directors would be turned to giving out-door files during
the holidays. In the report of last year it was stated that
the differences between this company and the Brighton
Railway Company had been referred to Mr. It. Stephenson,
and it was hoped and expected that his award would result
in arrangements satisfactory and advantageous to the Crys-
tal Palace shareholder,. As twelve months had gone by
since that statement was made and they had heard nothing
further of the matter, he thought some explanation was
due. Again, he wished to know why the meeting was
sieves days earlier than it was last year. Lest year it took
place before the Handel Festival, and this year it was in
hie manner held just previous to the Orpheonists' Fes-
tival Both these festivals occasioned a very large outlay,
and it would have been desirable could the meetings have
bean so arranged that they might have known as soon
afterwards as possible what had been their pecuniary re-
, stile to the ocomway. If, as was stated, the directors had
undsrtalien to being over between 3,000 and 4,000 persons
from Francs to this country, and to take them luck again
to their homes, the expenditure incurred would be very
conekismble, and it would be satisfactory if they could have
known how far the expectations of a profitable return were
justified.
The Clisnursx bed explained at the last meeting, when
the accounts for the year were before the shareholders,
that the present half-yearly statements would lead to mis-
apprehension and delusion. One portion of the year
woold often present a most favourable aspect, while the
other part would be perhaps as unfavourable ; therefore it
was only upon the year's results that anything like an ac-
curate judgment could be formed. So strongly did he feel
this, that he would not at present venture to express an
opinion whether this year's working was likely to be better
or worse than the last.
The SHARKHOLDIM—But were they in a better position
with the increase of 66,000 visitor mentioned in the report
than they were last year ?
The Citainnwx—Certainly, the accounts were um far
batter ; nor did he see how anybody could assume the con-
trary, but he would in no way pledge himself as to the ul-
timate results. The directors were anxious to promote ex-
ternal atm, and only wished the weather, which had
Dees so much against them, were more
Br that purpose. With regard to the
with the Binginie Company, it was
tree that the whole 'abject was referred to Mr.
whom award woe favourable to the views
Out =slal ban directors; but being so, it was not
ooliabolory to the Brighton Company, who refused to