The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-22 00:00:00

ORXAT NORTEEM MITAY.

This forenoon the half-yearly ordinary general
testing et simeasidon was held nt the King's-arose
arlism ; Oohed Taus, M.P., the chairmen of the eels-
mpeenidbg.
Ilmeentant
or. Henry Oakley), having read the
math
alreadyehle=hbell,Te=entbess ream which
has
The Onaniffimr, ka taming the adoption al the renathr
alentisse to the fast that this helf-year the act a
parliament peened lest session, giving pea IR powers to
the auditor* be leak into the aseante, to the whether the
diresten ash* to dean a dividend, and if so, what
4111111•26 list dividend was to be, sane into operation. Al-
thoogb the audit= lad always exercised great cation in
the examination of the aooounte, they had on the mad'
occasion taken MIS than ordinary pains. He was happy
to say that their this half year had inarethed not
only in minerals but likewise in goods traffic, the total
increase being 65,7711. There was • recommenda-
tion in the auditor's report to which the board
acceded, name, as far as weak to
clommlaitie capital amount.ly (Cheers.) That had been
the wish of the board for a long time, and in future
they always ask the sanction of the share-
for the outlay which they might consider
nethethry. (Hear, hear.) Since the present report
as issued they had bad prethoze to make Dome
sidings at Wood-green station, near which the
Alexandra-park would be opened in the month of Juno
next, and it would be necessary for the safety
and conduct of the lino to put up a new bridge
and two sidings, which would coat something like
4,0001. HID would not even lay out that with-
out the sanction of the proprietors. (" Hear,"
sad cheers.) However, circumstances might anse where
they would be compelled to lay out 5001., 7001.,
or 1,0001. in the half year for something of im-
mediate neaseeity, and in such a case be wished
it to be known that the board would apply for a bill of
indemnity. Small sums of 100/. or 100/. would be
charged to revenue, and that come would be a check on
the general manager and engineer. (Hear.) Referring
to the item of compensation, the chairman called atten-
tion to the enormous expense to which they is common
with other great railway companies were put. If
a man had his band scratched by a pin he ex-
pected If., and it was to be regretted that the disposal
of cases in courts of law did not lessen the claims made
upon them. (Hear, hear.) The Midland goods traffic
had been taken from their line since September,
and the total loss to them this half year on account of
that circumstanoe was about 7,0001. The double line
between them and the Metropolitan was completed, and
they were now running 17 trains • dos on to the London,
Chatham, and Dover. After the ordinary meeting they
would hold an extraordinary one, for the purpose of aban-
doning certain lines. (Cheers.) The chairman then con-
cluded by moving the adoption of the report.
Colonel Duncona., the deputy-chairman, seconded the
motion.

Aftar considerable dimension the report was adopted.

BETTING IN LONDON.-(TB18 DAY.)

2.30 p.m.

There was a great deal of speculation to-day on
the Grand National, and the principal feature was an ex-
traordinary rush on McGee, who was backed in the OCRIZIIe
of the morning to win several thousands, and left off abso-
lutely first favourite. Meanwhile, many others were
heavily supported, Daisy, Chimney Sweep, Alcaliade,
Benazet, and Tusculanum being among the man promi-
nent. For the Chester Cup Bewaring and Paul Jones
were backed freely at 25 to 1 each. On the Two Thousand
and Derby there was nothing doing. Quotation as fol-
lows :

LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL.
13 to 1 aget Moose (off, 14 to 1t f)
15 to 1 nay (t and off)
15 to I AlciMade (t and off)
16 to 1 Chimney Sweep (t)
100 to 6 Tennyson (t)
100 to 6 The Lamb (t and off)
100 to 6 Fan (t and off)
100 to 6 Tuaenlannns (t)
20 to 1 Dispatch (off)
20 to 1 Huntsman's Dangbter (off)
25 to 1 Benazet (t)
25 to 1 Pearl Diver It)
25 to 1 Astrolabe (off, t3oto I)
40 to 1 Helen (t)
50 to 1 Beadle ())
50 to 1 Jack o' Trumps (off)
rio to 1 Sea King (off)
50 to 1 Owen Roo (off)
50 to 1 Doctor (off)

CHESTER CUP.
25 to 1 opt Booming (t)
25 to 1 Paul Jones (t)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
3to 1 apt Itcolorsedao (o 11)
14 to 1 Typhoeus (o 11)