The Express.
London, England, 1868-01-20 00:00:00

The directors of the City Bank have issued the
following report, in anticipation of the meeting
called for the 21st inst. It announces a dividend
at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, and the elec-
tion as a director, subject to confirmation, of Mr.
William Simpson, of the old and respectable firm of
Messrs. Swart and Simpson :
The annexed accounts for the six months ending 31st
December last show that after payment of interest on
correct and deposit accounts, and providing for bad and
doubtful debts, the gross profits, including 6991. 14s. 6d.
brought from the previous half year, amount to 41,532!.13s
The directors therefore, after making provision for the
current expenses and rebate of interest on bills discounted
but! not yet due, declare a dividend at the rate of 71. per
ent. per annum, free of income tax ; and carry forward
3,077/. to the new profit and lore account, for
appropriation at the end of the financial year. The direc-
tors mention, with deep regret, the decease, after a pain-
ful and protracted illness, of their respected colleague Mr.
A. J. White. In pursuance of the power vested by the
deed of settlement in the directors, they have elected to •
seat at the Word, raked te confirmation by the share-
holders, Mr. Wellies ause; el Mee lie
of Mums.
Swart and Simpson, duly qualified shareholder. 'The
dividend will be payable, on application at the bank, on
and after Tuesday, the 28th inst.
The f ollowing is the substance of the report of
the directors of the Midland Banking Company
(Limited), to be presented at the meeting on the
31st inat. :
In submitting to the shareholders the accompanyiee
balance sheet and statement of profit and logs for the half-
year ended 31st December, 1867 examined and certified
as usual by the auditors, the direCtors have great pleasure
in stating that since their last report there bur been a
satisfactory increase in the business of the company. It
will be seen from the balance-sheet that after providing
for bad and doubtful debts, the gross profits for the half-
' year, including the balance brought from last account,
were 26,7211. 12s. id., and that after deducting interest
paid or due to customers, and all the expenses of the bank,
there will remain
intimation in their last report, the directors
have appropriated 4,705/. lie. lid. from the profits of the
bank for the purpose of extinguishing the item of preli-
minary expenses, and they derive pleasure and encourage-
ment from the fact that they have been able to do this
within five years from the incorporation of the company,
in addition to the creation of a reserve toad. They now
propose to pay the usual dividend of six per cent. per
annum, free of income tax, which will absorb 4,726/. 10s.,
and to carry forward to profit and loss new taunt the
balance of 3,2701. 10e. 2d., which includes 1,e60/. 10s. 3d.
for rebate on bills discounted and not due. The dividend
will be payable on the sth February next.
The annexed is from the report of the directors
of the Provincial Banking Corporation (Limited),
to be presented at the meeting to be held on the
3rd February:
The directors have the pleasure of submitting to the
shareholders the following statement of accounts and
balance-sheet to the 31st December, 1867, which have been
duly examined and certified by the auditors. 1;
will be
seen therefrom that the gross profits for the half-year,
after making provision for had and doubtful debts, in-
cluding 2,0351. 11a 6d. brought forward from last account,
hive been 24,693/. 10.. 11kL ; surd that, after deducting
all current expenses, payment of interest to customers,
directors' remuneration and auditors' fees, a balance of
10,911/. :is. 7d. remains for disposal. Your directors re.
commend that this amount be appropriated in the follow-
ing manner, viz.:-5,910;7. 7s. 3d. to the payment of divi-
dend upon the net capital of the bank, free of income tax,
at the rote of 71 per cent. per annum, for the half-year;
2,000. to the reserve fund; 1,477/. 45.5 d. to rebate or. Tills ;
1,5571. Ile. lid. carried forward to new profit and loss ac-
count. Since the last meeting, the offices lately occupied by
the hank in the Poultry have been reutuired by the Board of
\Viols and the amount received, 6,J00/., has been appro-
priated as follows :-3,000/. to credit of premises account,
being the coat of the lease ,• 5001. to credit of furniture ac-
count ; 3,0001. to credit of reserve fund. After the addi-
tion of the 2,0001. to the reserve fund, which it is now
p roposed to maks, the fund will amount to 10,000/., and
when it is remembered that it was only commenced two
years since, the directors hope the shareholders will feel
satisfied with this beginning. The directors are glad to
say that the business of the bank continues in a sound and
satisfactory state.
The report of the directors of the English,
Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank, to be
presented at the meeting on the 27th inst., is as
under:
The directors have the pleasure to present to the pro-
prietors the annexed balancr-.beet of the bank, showing
an amount available fur distribution' after meeting current
expenses and providing for estimated lessee, of 27,9841.
9s. Na. This result, the directors subunit, must be re-
' garde.' as very satisfactory, considering the long period of
depression which hes prevailed in the Australian colonies;
and tiny sea gratified in being able to announce that the
balance at credit of profit and logs account will enable
them, while continuing the usual rate of dividend, and re-
ducing the coat of premises, to restore to the reserved
fund the sum of 5,0001., and to carry forward 1184!. 9s. rl.
to the current half-year. They have the satisfaction of
stating that, according to the latest information received
from the managers, there were indications of improve-
ment in commerce generally, the business of the bank
being reported as of a safe and healthy cheracter, and that
the prospects of the agricultural and pastoial interests
were encouraging. The directors propose. that the balance
of 27,934/. 9s. rid. be applied as follows, via. To the pay-
ment of a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. per IDIIIIIII,
free of income tax, on 600,0001., the paid-up capital of the
bank. 21,0001. ; towards the reduction of bank premises
and furniture accounts, 1,0001. ; to the reserved fund,
5.0001. ; leaving 1144!. 9s. rid. to be brought forward.
The aubjoined is from the report of the directors
of the Fore-street Warehouse Company (Limited),
to be presented to the meeting on the 22nd inst. :
The directors beg to submit the accounts of the business
of the company for the half-year ending 31st December,
1867. The net profits during that period, after pay meat
of interest, income tax, and every other expense, and
making allowance for had and doubtful debts, amounted
to 12,61 W. 3a. rel., which with the balance from 30th
June, 1867, 9,117!. 17*. 43., make a total of 21,8171.
Die. ; which it is recommended shall be appropriated
as under:—To the payment of a dividend (free of income
tax) at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum on the paid-up
capital, 12,600/. ; interest at a per cent. per annum on
sums paid in anticipation of calls. 93/. lls. 2d. ; and to
carry forward to next account, 9,1 M. 7s. 7d. . . . By
this diminution of stock the directors have been enabled
to pay Mr. Morrison the sum of 60,0001. (in cash) in anti-
cipation of the instalment falling due in April. next,
thereby effecting a saving in interest, and obviating the
necessity for making any call upon the shareholders during
the coming spring. The iostalment due to Mr. Morrison
in October last was met by an issue of debentures for
60,000/., as previously agreed. The dividend warrants
will be issued on the Ist proximo.

( \ GEN ATED WATER does not drink so
i.ri•k as other si.ritted water, because the ;pa ran only be
: • •.Ico a 'tale of vapour, slid COMellled wall, the gas pre-
••l ,i•-•lle,t on the system Is vitalise the hio 00l sad give
IL • • . too animal ts,wer. tinier It fresh from the
- limg.aure, or through auy drai,Vet. to tames
11.

ho 1*(; EN ATED WATER.—Animal hest is keUpt
t ,01d,,t weather by daily draughts of Otygenstod
A, •• 11,,h made from the lAboestoey, Si, Louipacro, ue
L .Uly druggist.

IEAI' GLASS BOTTLES.—The LONDON
• ..f the AIRE and CALDIR GLASS BiIITLE WM-
%LE, at REDUCkII the premises at Pres
n.d. Un. being required for wharf purposes.
r r 111.- iir sri patterns and the patent-stoppered bottles
ae works. Yorkshire. and the othee. Upper
• atr.r t, City.

(1 \ I'ETS. -N()TlOE.—The largest lot of
• dr,try Brussel. ever Yrnwn, commenting
r ; ).” .1 ~II the neneat patturna .r.20,0'10 Furniture,
r 14 I.,iv ollered. A very reduced Turkey carpet
I .t u.irrauted, packed, and delivered free.
L ;I; d. .1 hr furniture, bedsteads and bedding, gratla
I ‘% 133 to 130, Newington Butts.

V.XNIII.I.:•;.I;I.ITERINE, and SOAP.—A Gold
IL/ .to-olt•tt at the Paris Exhibition to Price's
rat,•at .1 , ~.„,,y tunitgedl. for "Candles, GlPersil's. and
-I! • ••• to any British exhibiter for these three
llw _•...,. • win,lies of the company are their
\l!‘ ' • •..1 " I`RICK'S PARAVVINE" for theas who
.4 ra. Ili,- ti toe transparency of pare paraffin*: their
• 1.11. ti.NIITINK," and "Ali ERWin'ID PALIII-
'. •r•!..• • while desiring candles of great beauty, re-
, .4% •I. , . i., aliancy of light and freedom fens snots and
••r e ,•bl fashioned" Belmont sperm and Wax." and
\• • ' No. a•" and "Battersea" coinpnsites for those
serfect burning without caring for trans.
a1..1 I la it. -Ititunlier" murales, hard, and of small dia.
•n m f Ili, dropping of grease when carried. Their new !
t- •!:•• •' I, soLIDIL .: U FLU/ SLY KRSE," eisstalne •
!_lit their distilled glycerine, and should be
t in use, especially In winter. because of its
' !!'• lb! r• in twevcritirs chapping of the bands and face.
• . • In. h, In, in every house ono of the sealed bottles ,
• r p.drt.t .11,4114,11.a)oerlise. known everywhere as +' Plias
tar three dreg of which, mixed with three or!
~.Is+ns ...toll %tact, will In a tiny or two remove chapping
$ sst skin. whether of adults or children; and
•i• cifccual. a single tire" of the undilate,l Glycerine
•:•: • os, tiny win prevent the recurrence of the chapping
s• • , sets Liai.wt n haring .• Prices 61)cerIne" In the
it sealed twttles, quantities of cheap impure
sow Bahl In 'lie shops because of the low rate at which
1,.• • .4.r. ran buy It In conusrisou with Prim's. All the good
4 uillinriticA abroad, as well as at home, order "Price's'
••,,c Glyt allele to be used.
hr s sew rat.' Night Lights." for burning In the wide
lire lettered to be the very best night lights made.
.i Whit Night Lights" are known everywhere, and are
Li • at for burning without a glass

DOD FOR 1868.—The new editions of Daly
CIANDLES.—A Hint to Purchasers.—DD not Peerage. Baronetage, and Keigittoye , and Dods Parlia-
mentary Companiun, annually published just before the
u;.de sure that you know what prim you are Per
E wsl Cr your males until you have stripped theuti*=r put opening of parliament, have just been issued.
''''''ll lu the wale. Some candle% are right weight without the e
t.„l--yeers. some a Rh moderately thick wrappers. Woo with very
SINGULAR AND FATAL EXPLOSION OF GUNPOW-
-4 eraptwr., :Ind some are not nearly right weight with DER —NEWCASTLE-I:PON-TYNE, SATURDAY NIGH-E.—An ex-
r.:;.;...11 1e....,..r thick. PRICE'S "GOLD II EDAL PA LMI trsordinary explosion of gunpowder took place at &r0te-
..,.... ' ..,la•twoc.l Palmitiale," "Delmont sperm." and " Del- wood, near this town, this afternoon, which his killed
0.. ....,.. Wax," " Heat" t. No. s," .. No. S." and • Battersea two men and seriously injured several others. A shooting
,t;!;.,...,,,it,5, " Price's Paradine.'' and .' Behnontine," and all match was advertised to take sore at the house of Mr.
u, 1 r rioeuee ..1 Price's Potent Candle Company (Limited), Jelin Minto, Sportsman's Arms, Scotawood. A number of
full aught without the wrappers
men had assembled for the purpose of taking part in the
--.
PRICE'S SOLIDIFIED GLYCERINE sPuri.beuae„"wlcilensoamte,Xilirmexwpre m thfe kitthpoeswdder tio.ii)publM..
4, r?"te'r .--I;14.1 medal. Paris, 1887.—The WM" sea It appears that the gunpowder of some of the oompetiten
_.,.t"Uet to.ap, wears well, gives a rich and fragrant totrig: had got wet with the heavy rain which had fallen during
..‘.., 1 Dee tnwa cocoa nut oil or (deem Or alkali, and
r. „weight •.1 Pre's distilled giyereins. the morning. The powder was placed in the kitchen
''''''''l l' an viwtatals, grocers. de.., in ed. end 5d- tablets. . oven to dry, and the servant girl was in the
Plalt:ES PATI,NT CANDLE: COMPANY (Limited), , not of stirring the fire when the gunpowder exploded with
Belmont Works, Battersea. S.W. ' a terrible report. The fireplace was blown down, the
1
1 window was driven out, and the men who were sitting
bINNEFORD'S FLUID MAGNESIA. drinking in the kitchen were struck by the dying
sew lad
The mediesi peokotwo for gum ,00n bOOO oppoooso Two men, one named Scott, belonging to Shinerro , and
taa •
~,„ Pare v.,llmon of Magnesia is the best remedy tor acidity of another named Smith, belonging to Wylam, were so se-
;,- sanoali, Heartburn, Headache, Pout, end Indigestion ; and ; verely hurt that they have sure died. Another man,
,4 110
~.nycer mud aperient for delicate ounstitutious, espsciuly named Louis Proudlock, residing_ at the Old Engine.
, .vi I for Lalles, L.l.ll,iren, and Intants.—DINNEFORD and Beetawood, is so frightfully injured about the head that
.: •,. oak 172, Nrw Rood-street, Loudon, amid 04 al other Ihe is not expected to recover. George Thompson and
‘xi .4.4 s threads est the world.
-__ _ 1 John Gardiner were found lying on the floor badly burnt
. and insensible. The landlord of the house and his family
1)11. SCOTT'S BILIOUS and LIVER PMLB, escaped unhurt,. and the servant jw:l who was stirring the
~... • never falling remedy, prepared without any mii fire also was unrnjured. A conti"Upte quantity et Sta.
7.,11 „T t, ',Ribs teund Invaluable to,al who suffer bomb/Lima powder had been placed in the oven.
Zili..er complaints, Indigestion, wind, swam, giddiness, died. ; a
oIIOCIINO DEATH FROM MACHINIIRY.—An in-
-4.1.1,' eyes, de- For habitual 00a*V•00111, as a batty ;
au.; m'''lld.'•• sad se • Furillsr od the Wood, they me weft quest was held on Saturday at the Plough tavern, Habitude
ihn t; wild in ask "erode. sad messigei to she eseseeek NOW-own, a JAMBS Barrett, aged 56 years, a steani-en-
runao, apietlie. Or•nions dys....:_calend alanala all gine driver, for many years employed at the South Metro-
liblaelreetQui 455teza*-B°l4 by w• '....._ ("mists ;Kin politer' Gasworks. On last Friday he was in the act oi
k i. gm
and ea most aliWile. Is Iwo trap from off the eWt wheel when he was
rot _and three time the aces
GPO& FL an wan tt; asking a s .... hinery and received each frightful inja.
foxes Bilious and Ufa PIM n• p••••• see is a caught by VW Ma 9
awe green Pale. whit " Winks laminar areved 4a th,, ries that he died sho
sstalrtly afterwards from the effects. A
verdict of " Assid death* was retuned.