The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-12 00:00:00

AYRSHIRE FpFIERIE4I

Mr. CURD ga;;;Oti;;;117;iptiotio; to uk whether
her Majesty's government bed learnt that one fisherman had
been killed and soother wounded on the coast of Arull•
shire, by shots fired from her Majesty's ship Jackall ; and
also by what authority such shots had been Bred.
AFFIRMATIONS BILL
_ .

On the order for the resumption of the adjourned debate,
Mr. DILLWYN, in the absence GIN,. Graufurd,who had
promised to open the adjourned debate, wished to make a
few observations nowing why the present bill should be
preferred to soother one of a similar principle, the carriage
of which was entrusted to the hon. member for Southwark.
The great advantage of the bill was that it extended
to all evidence given before every tribunal in the United
Kingdom. Another, and more important difference
was that whereas the bill of the hon. member for
Southwark bad ao provision for unbeliever the
present provided a form of affirmation for that par-
ticular ease. He approved of that provision, because
he did not see wk y persons who had peculiar
notion on the subject of religion should be precluded from
all benefit or participation in the administration of
unior. He objected to all cronexamiostioaa on the sub-
ject of religion in court. of law, and considered it very hard
that a male/ evidence should be refused because he might
have, or might have bad at some period of his life,
doubts as to the truth of certain doctrinal points
of Christianity. Men so situated proved their
sincerity and conscientiousness by declaring their
opinions, and incurring the denial of jmtice which they in.
marred by such • declaration. Surely such roan might be
depended upon when giving evidence oo affirmations pro-
cured to meet their particuLir case. After some further ob-
servations, the hon. member concluded by supporting the bill.
Lord It. MONTAGUE entirely objected to the prin-
ciple advocated by the member for Swansea. If relief
wen girOM this to unbelievers, next year they would
be mired to eaths altogether. He could not treat
the belief in • peed as • specuLitive doctrine, which a man
might proton or net as be chose.
(Left sitgagrj

SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY.—mus DAY.)

A special general meetingot the proprietors was held
at noon, at the Bridge-house Hotel, London•brii Igo, Mr. Brno
in the chair, for the purpose of considering, and if so de-
termined, of approving the hill DOW before leTliament, DD.
titled . A
bill (as amended in committee) for enabling the
South Eastern Railway Company to make so improved
communication with the harbour at Folkestone, and for
conferring further powers oo that company with respect to
steam vessels ; and for enabling that company to make bye-
laws for regulating the London and Greeewich Railway,
and for amending some of the seta relating to the South
Eastern Railway Company with respect to the accounts to
be kept by them ; and for other
The CklAl RDAs stated that the= passed the time
of Commons. and only awaited formal sanction to par the
House of Lords.

The heads of the bill haying been read by the company's
solicitor, • resolution of approval was proposed from the
chair, and carried unanimously.
An extraordinary general meeting was then held for the
of exeiciaing, either in whole or iu pert, the powers
=tined on the onmpany by the South Eastern Railway
(Capital Arrangements) Act, 11161, of subscribing tower&
the construction of the Charincereas Railway.
The CHAIMILAN said the total amount authorised to be
rased by the new act was 672,0001, of which 80,501:1/.
might be raised by loans. The amount he had mentioned
did not include the cost of the Folkestone branch,
but it included the additions/ sum of 350,000 e. authorieed
to be subscribed oe account of the Charing-cress Railway.
to consequeoce of the state of the money market, the board
proposed to limit the exercise of the compauy'e powers at
present as regarded the sh.tre capital to about onedhinl of
the amount, or 241,15001., and to raise a further sum of
80,000/. on debeotures. That would be sufficient for the
pr sent year. It was proposed that the new shares should he
issued at five per cent., redeemable at par at soy time after
the expiration of ten yews from the date of issue. the other
000ditions being expressed in the resolution by which it
was !imposed to create the shares.
The resolution for carrying out the object was passed I
unanimously.
Mr. RICH, M.P., a director, made some obeenatioos
with regard to the prospects of the Charing-croft Railway.
He mid, in effect, that while he believed that the line
would pay afairdividend he thought themanagement was not
satisfactory, inasmuch as though the money and the credit
with whieli the line was constructed were South Radom
money and credit, the South Eastern shareholders had
no actual control. There were Bye directors who bad little,
if any, interest in the South Eastern line. He should de-
cline to hold Limed! respoosible in any degree for the ma-
alre"Jt.
ustauss said be felt precluded from entering into
that question, inasmuch as it was not regularly before the
meeting.
A SHARCROLDVI protested strongly against Mr. Rich's
disclaimer of responsibility, especially as he was originally
cue of the strongest advocates of the Charing-cross scheme.
Mr. G. Slirru was sore Mr. Rich felt bound to do ell in
ble_ipower to protect the interests of the company.
Mr. Rim meted that that wear certainly the awe.
Mr. COLES HILD, a director, said it was impossible to
alter the existing state of chinas until the Charingumas
Railwa was complete ; adding that he hoped it would thee
be with the South Eastern line. (Hear.)
The swerAirag then separated.

CRYSTAL PALACE. ONE SHILLING DAT.
TossDAT, Joyirr IL—Admissions on payment, 2,830 ; ditto
lrf seism ticesta,727l; total, 3,557.