The Express.
London, England, 1850-03-07 00:00:00

BRITISH COLONIAL BANK AND LOAN
COMPANY.

Yesterday the ninth annual meeting of this com-
pany was held et its (Aces, No. 54, Moorgate-street, the
chair being taken at one o'clock by Mr. J..Svuenr, M.P.
The report stated that a material improvement had taken
place in the condition of the AustralVa colonies in the
course of the lut half•year, and that the property of the
company, in common with all other property in those colo-
nies, had risen in value. The directors recommended a
dividend of 2 per cant. They regretted that the suit in
chancery alluded to In the last report had been decided
against the company, occasioning a diminution in the vela.
of the property of the company to the extant of 4,682/. 10c,
including the stun of 1,3121. mentioned in the report of la."
year. The following retiring directors e &red themselves
for re-election : Mr. C. Loshington M.l'., Sir Francis
Bhuckburgh, Bart , and Mr. B. Roberta.
From the statement of accounts it appeared that the
balance divisible amounted to 2,7661. Ils. Id.
The CHAIRMAN observed that the affairs of the com-
pany were pretty nearly in toe same stave as at the period of
the last meeting, except that the colony in which they were
especially interested was in a more satisfactory condition. !
The loans on the Sydney books had been reduced by about
8001. On the whole, he thought a comparison of the state of
their own affairs with that of the affairs of other companies
engaged in similar speculation', would not be very unfavour-
able to themselves.
The Earl of DEVON moved the adoption of the report,
and in doicir so expressed his confidence in the management.
Mr. DUKE moved, " That this meeting do authorise
the directors to take such steps as they think expedient
to pay off the remaining liabilities in bonds amounting
to 3,6000
The resolution having been seconded,
The CHAIRMAN said he bad forgotten to state that the
whole of the company's income at present was derived from
65,0001. of its capital, 39,0001. remaining wholly unproduc-
tive. The directors were anxious that the unproductive pro-
perty should Urendered available as soon as possible. In a pri-
vate letter which he had received from the manager in Sydney
that gentleman stated shot he bad from time to time brought
forward different pertions of that property for sale ; and
that the principal cause of failure was the fact that many of
the emigrants who had recently arrived in Sydney had pro-
ceeded to California instead of settling in Aus:Tclit. He
(the Chairman) trusted that many of these partite would
return, and oat of the presses. of their expedition to Califor-
nia ruches* some of the property in question. (Laughter.)
He would add that it had been ascertained that the property
of the company in Australia would realise 104,0006 or
106,0001.

Mr. Duke's resolution wu carried, and the report adopted.
A dividend of 2 per cent. wu declared in accordance with
the recommendation of the directors. A vote of tha: kq
baying been given to the Chairman and the board, the
meeting separated.

RAILWAY PASSENGERS ASSURANCE

COMPANY.

Yesterday the first half-yearly meeting of this
company took place at the offices, N. 3, Old Broad-street,
JOHN DEAN P.m., E.g., in the chair.

The business commenced with the reading of the directors'
report, which stated—

"The directors, in meeting the preptietrs for the first
time, are happy to he able to congratulate them on the suc-
ceeded establishment of the company, and on the steady pro-
gress of its business from the period when the office was
opened to the public in July last. The statement of account.,
to 31st December last, as in conformity with the provisions of
tho deed of settlement, has been transmitted to the proprie-
tors ; the revenue of the company for the period embraced in
that statement, which being the earliest months of the tom.
pany's operations is nee- scarily limited, amounting t
1,4211. Ts. Id. tut since the Ist of January in the present
year, the increase has been most marked : the directors trust
that it will en on steadily inn...mire, so the utility of the
company becomes more apparent, to virtue of the relief it
has recently afforded to parties who have met with accidents
and have made claims for comeens &on. No fatal accident
hes as yet occurred to any person intu-ed by the cne,pany.
But the great feature in the insurance • ffected with this
company, which must render it mot vsluct, le in the estima-
tion of the public, is the relief it affords is eeees of personal
injury, which it is well known, are by far the most
numerous of railway caeuelties. Of thee, :l.c instances
in which part ie a held insurance tickets botw een
the let July and the 2 ind F: binary, were te,, in number.
In all cases which have received eompeneation, except two,
the cleimants have been per ,ons in such circumstances in life,
that it is bell: ved the eorepenestion afforded them bee been
both acceptable and 'satisfactory, relief being promptly con-
ceded, ;aid the amounts agreed to without Acuity, or any
cessity for recoerse befog had to mbiiration. The statt-
mcnts as to the number of fleets honed from the time of the
commencement of the undertaking show a steady increase
in the amount of business, and the die: e'en bees recently
taken such steps, with reference to the ill= of perioaicel
tickets t" rough the medium of some of the most respectable
and infieential ntembe-s of the body of comm.:. 1.1 tray: Bees
who have agreed to act as &tents, that they anticipate a very
I large addition to the number of in, ur:eces in the eenreu of the
year. With a view to the extension of the benefits of erenee
to railway servan's, and to effect other objects, which the
directors deemed of great importacce to the interests et the
company, they have made application to parliement in the
present PCIAOII, for rmir, sadi•Ertel pow_re, ineludine the
insurance erred.' and cattle, which bed been presse,l uoen
their attention by some of the reilwoy antliosities with sebom
they have been in correspondence. C. ramunications have
arrived from France and America, wltb.in the last month,
stating that the system ,o suceessitilly estableltel by this
company is about to be estelishul In there courtries. The
deed of settlement provides that the remuneration of the
directors, for their services, should he fixed at this meeting.
But, as far as the past year is concerted, Jac rani ae their la-
beurs have been, they desire most cheerfully to tender them
~retuitouely to the company, for they feel tha in the infancy
of the concern. and with such uravoblable heavy expenses
at the commencement, it will he melt satisfactory to them to
lighten the expenditure for the present, aed leave it to the
proprietors hereafter to fix the remuneration to which they
shall be entitled "
The CIIAMMAN, in moving that the report be received
and adopted, stated that the great practical bonefint it be
derived from this society were becoming more known and
better understood, end consequently more justly appreciated
by the travelling public. In submiling their rennet to the
proprietors, the direction hoped they should be enabled to
destroy any doubt or misapprehension that might yet licgrr
in the public taind as to the bona ficle clancter and pm-
tical utility of the undertaking. T'ey were nrovided with
the testimony of many witnesses who had experienced the
benefits of the institution, and noon terms which ought to
command the confidence and support of every railway travel-
ler. There had been a gradual einprovement in their bueiness
each week since the commencement this year, and their
prospects were such as to justify the belief that at no (Aetna
period they should be enabled to reaiso the cepa 1 and
labour bestowed in bringing the company to its present pre-
misieg condition.
Mr. HARRISON, the deputy chairman, in seconding the
motion, stated that the number of petunlieal tickets issued
by the company during the present week up to 12 o'clock to-
day, amounted to 32.

The report having been unanireoasly adepted, three
director were elect. it, in the room of the same number who
had retired from office in conformity with the tired of settle-
meet. Thanks were then voted to the chairman, the
directors, ring various officers of the company, and the
meetiug separated.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION Ol' ARTS AND MANTFAC-
rutina Is 18,51.—A second public meeting was held at Hod-
&rah, ld, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of promoting
the local atrangemews of th 2 nitric; and of stimulating
the interest previously created in favour of this great project.
The meeting, which was held in the Philosophical Hall,
conisted for most part of wroth:Atm seehania, and
artisans ; these classes of skilled workmen having been spe-
cially iiivized to &Vend. Wm. Willer., Esq., the Constsble,
presided; and besides that geo•lovrin eura were present
a considerable number of the mer7hsnts and mannfacturen
of the locality. Addresses on the subject were delivered by
both masters and workmen, and the best feeling prevailed.
At the close of the proceedings resolutions were unanimously
passed approving of the proposed esti.;.tiou, and declaring
its objects to be of the greatest imphrtanca both to the
manufacturer and the artisan.

ROYAL DISPENSARY FOR DISEASES or THE EAR.—
YeAtenhy the 53rd annual generedineetlng of that institution
took place at the Dspensary, in Dean-strcee, S t`to. The Rev.
Mr. Hale took the chair. Tho report, which was read by
the secretary, stated that tlte institution was originally esta-
blished under the patronage of George IV. and William IV.,
at a period when no such charcly existed, awl wee at the
present time patronised by numerous cliciagaished indi-
viduals; that its object was to relieve the poorer clues. from
deafness and other dt:eases of t. e car, to which they were
peculiarly liable ; and that its great utility might be judged
of from the fact that no lass than 531 letters for relief had
been incanted during the year ; cud that from that number
of cases 3(31) letters of thanks tor cures effecded had tollowecl ;
that of those classes wholly dependent on their owe exer-
tions for support, and who w.f., most liable to diseases of the
ear—as domestic servants, soldiers, sailor', artizans,
men, &c.—as many as 91 bad trek ived advice and assistance
in a single day. Of these cases the larger proportion were
attributed by Mr. Harvey, the ..urgeon of the insutivion, to
damp lodging., but lord, insuiliciout clothing, and exposure
to the weather. The report concluded with an txptesson
of regret at the death of the Queen Dowager, who had alwaj a
been a liberal benefactress to the It tyal Dispemary, and en
earnest appeal to the benevolent pudic to Mil in extending
the usefulness of the chnety, for which there
was ample scope, the tuyds at present being
quite inadequate to the numerous demands upon it.—
Mr. Wing, in moving the adoption of the report', referred to
the many claims which an institution devoted entirely to
the cure of a disease to which the poor were especially
liable, and which cut off from them not only the means of
social enjoyment, but the means also in many respects of in-
struction, had upon public symaithy and support.—The re-
solution having been seconded by Mr. Lightfoot, was car-
ried, as leers others to the patrons of the charity, to the
treasurer, J. Miamian, ALl'., and one declaratory
of the benefits the institution conferred en the poor, and that
the facilities it gave for relief is cases of dettneys and dis-
eases of the car should be .",coatinued, and, if possible, iu-
creased. Mr. Clarke then moved a vote of thanks in lays ur
of W. Hervey, Esq., the surgeon to the institution, which
was. carried
by acclamation ; and simile complimeut
haying been paid to the chairman, the proceedings

SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE CITY OF
LONDON.

In pursuance of a minute paned by the committee
of health connected with the City sewers commission, on the
10th of December last, to the following effect : " That it be
referred to .Mr. Haywood, the surveyor, and Mr. Simon, the
medical officer, to consider and report, j ently or separately,
to the committee what, in their opinion, would he a sufficient
supply of water to the houses and premises within the City
ot London, and which would be the best principle upon
which to effect such supply," these gentlemen have rep rted
at great length. The following is an &latent of Mr. Ilay-
wee d's report :
EXTENT AND SOERCES OP ona PRESENT SUPPLY.—Mr.
Haywood states that the larger portion by far of the City is
supplied by the New River Company ; indeed, but a small
part only, at the north /intern end of Biebopegateitreet-
without. is supplied by the East L indon Waterworks Com-
pany. The reason why this defined line of supply mime is
explained in the following manner : " At the commence-
meet of the present century various of the large metro-
politan waterworks, both north end south of the
Thames, were projected and executed, shortly alter
which the legislature, having imposed no limitation of
district to be supplied by each of them ; rivalry and compe-
tition ensued; the public streets were in a state of contioual
irruption, by reason of the conflicting companies driving
their pipes side by side in the same thoroughfares, each com-
pany bidding fair to entail ruin upon itieit ; and although
with plenty of fair promisee, yet with but little commensurate
benefit to the public." After a long period of strife in which
neither of the two companies (the New River. established in
, 1613, and the East "London, in 1807), ben( fired, an agree-
ment was made, and ratified by deed, bearing date November
9th, 1815, by which each was confined to districts within
la certain defined boundary line, which boundary is still
faithfully adhered to. The sources of supply of the Nem
River Company are the artifielal aqueduct called the New
River, which flown from springs tieing at Amwi 11 and
Chadwell, in liertfordsnire; the company also tak : their
supply, in part, from the Lea, a natural steam, at a point
above Ware; they slB.l have artesian well, at A.mwell,
Cheshunt, and in the Tottenhanimouthread. The Fast
London works are supplied entirely from the Lea river, from
so embouchure at the Thames, near Poplar. S'OCI 1134
the supply has been taken at a point six miles from the
Thames, at Bow Creek, and two miles beyond the influence
of the tidal waters of the Thames. Hence, Mr.liaywood says :
" The City of Leaden, therefore, dues nut derive any portion
of its supply of water from the Thames." With regard to a
statement which has recently been made with regard to
water being pumped from the Thames at Broken-wharf,
Mr. Haywood says:—" I buys been particular in obtaining
information upon this point, because the New River CJO2
pany having a station with a pumping engine, situate at
Broken-wharf, tipper Thames-tenet, suspicion has some-
times been entertained that water by Ms meson his torn
raised from the Thames for the supply of the City of Lon-
don. I am, however. perfectly convinced that such has not
been the case for toe last 16 or 20 years. The last time toe
engine was worked, was 110/1/3 years ago, upon thu OCCO,iOR
of a lire teking place at a sugar baker's in its immediate
vicinity; and the eneine is only kept in order so as to be
available upon sodden emergencies and special occasions, as
upon the meeting of the trades union, some years ego, and
more recently upon the occasion of the chemist seem-
b'ages." The New River Company supplies, by
separate senize ripe!, 15 C 4 hewn!, or tenements,
wohiu the city. There are 500 others, In teems, sup-
plied by common Lemke; thionher of houses il c: WI: •tip.
plied by common demos, 181 ; total, 1e,e15. The teal
number of premises supplied ley the Eat, L indon Water-
works Company.ei Rhin the City is 156, so that the entire
number of premises within the City tape lied with water is
1e,701. The number of houses which, having a separate
water supply, have got no cistern or receptacle for the storage
of water, Mr. Haywood has found upon irquire to he about
65, come of which he states are " doub.hos oath inadequate
in !fee end improper in their nature." As to the moue of
supply, this !a given by both compaoics upon the intermittent
system. To the whole of the premiere provided nth sepa-
rate service pipes a supply is given twice a di (Saneliye
excepted). The quantity supplied daily is net tonne .t AO
!exile: s i er tenement per diem by the New River Company ;
be the East London the quantity is (exel-sise of topple' to
lirge corm:at:tea and for Anita., puremes) io winter 110
gellons per rouse doily, and in summer 173 Redone.
Some parties are supplied from public wells and
pumps, but of these Mr. Ha> woed slates r.o
is not in possession of any statistical information, as they are
"under the ci•arge of the ward and parochial euteorities."
As to the quality of the water, Mr. Ilaywoed reore to the
report of the ;peen meat commirien upon the of jeet in
1828; to the report of Mr. Thomm Telford's to parliament
in 1834; to the report of another parliamentary esramittes
which sat in that year; to Braude's ebymical scale-id- of the
Thames water and teat of the New River, Les, Celne, end
the Rammabourne ; and to the statements of Prifeseor
Clarke and others. He thus concluili s that division to tee
sob,i,ect : " Any fnehoOnel opinion of mine upon te's head,
VIII of mune /mews hut little value, 1! Judean:A in regard
to the quality of water is more immeoistely referable to pro-
femional chemises. I have, thsref .re (micsiderieg the ques•
tion of quality as one of the highest importance), trespassed
at MM6 length upon your time in leaving fie tt. such informa-
tion AN bearing upon the otorion, might &roily or in-
directly enable you to form an opinim of the quality of the
water supplied to the citizens of London." With regard to
the price of the water supplied, it appears that the charges
are as follow :—Hou:s of two rooms cheat Ss. per annum.
Houses of t:n rooms (yarn 21. 2s. to 21. 10s. per annum,
arid for every room 'drove ten 55. per room. Extra
charges RTC levied on traders and enannfactrne V., where a
,
' large supply is required, and higher priers are ce seam': to
those who requite the service to b . oemnol ten feet wee. As
to the quareete supplied, Mr. kleo went think, that " as
much is already eueepiied as is needed tot all *he present
purpoms of the p pulation of the City of Lenslon.•' Neme-
th:Ono, he says, " 1 em of opinion, however, teat the quan-
tity of water should bt almost unrestricted, that it sheuid be
able to be used unsparingly, aced looking torwerd to the oree
when a bath shall become a necessary at- eendage to every
house coca_ vie e by the upper end middle i 1. eerie and the pd.
v.'ege of Whine shall have become extended to the lowest
classes, I think that thltty gallon. per ?mad re ill, ri would
be a better supply than the 2.5 gallons now eupp ifti.
PROPOSED MODE OP SUPPLY, ETC.-Ei". Heywood first
"That leaving eoneidered the au eject in alt its to ariogs, he is
of opinion that the constant sueip'y at bi :h po tours is a
system soplMel-le to the cite- teed tee whole of the metropolis,
mod to emu town, and is (if it can be elected) it. some re-
spects and noes superior to the intermiteent !rum." He
then proceeds, at greet length, to show the acmanteges and
the ptobeble Oisadvantco e of the two meteree, ant in re-
vi .wino the argumeirs ne has ne-d, he 50...• as hie opinion
upon the whole, in arswcr to the ref, ream mode to tam—
" Firstly: That the quantity of water Lured- d to the
citzens being upon an everece, for all oareoec i of cersunip-
tion, 2; gallons, and ter domestic supply, 21i _Alen., is
sufficient per head per diem, with tee resent %team:* of
water, if pi cony econernieed ; bit r :at the ee soy come
poniee shoull he hours Ito suepee 30 go ' tes per i out se old
the anticipatol prospective inereme of col sueepe en take
place. Secondly : That whether a eor.some supple- is, or is
not Riven, it is desirable the! s supply at a pressure stuti-
dant to deliver water at tho tops of nil •he houses,
should be given uniconely threugheut the city or Lorton.
That if a constant supply is given upon the ettermioent
'Fenn, aid adequate eicernage is provided, so teat water
may be drawn at all times between the intervals of moldy,
the supply is practically constant to the consumer : but that
many instances exist whets, if the constant step; ly fulfilled
its signitiocion, and cisterns could be dispensed with, it
would be a great benefit; that Inasmuch as it livens gees-
I tionaele, whether it is inexpedient to dieeentinue the use of
cistern*, even If the cowmen supply is given, and a'm that
it may be found necessary to inner a leer exereee to effect
aid maintain a constant supply without a c menet:mute
benefit; that -emend seould be main ':r the tn.' of the
system of constant simply at high pressure neon :I portico', sr
district within a given district of the city of London, for a
given period, in order to determine accurately what are
the effects of its iatsoduction as regards wes.e, end
what benefits may be practically derived !rem it. With
regard to the quality, I am of opinion that the
water would be much improved by filtreticn 0 much
a medium of maul and gravel, which I would eueteest
that your hon. court would request the water c onoteies to
do before they distributed the snuck for email:option. With
regard to the price, Mr. Haywood nye, " I believe that the
City is supplied as cheaply as any portion of the m. trop O. C,
and cheaper than many provincial mow. Pot c.r•eit ma-
terial for opinion as to the fairness of tl:e charts, mole by
the companiee appears to me to be wanting, mid can a.y be
correctly arrived at by the interference of the legieleture,
and probably a select committee of the House of Commons,
fairly and impartially sitting in judgment upon the subject,
might, in this respect, elicit infonnati ot and otiotnate a
measure which should he a measure of justice to the water
comp .nies, alike smith' tory to them and to the metomeli-
tan public." —

INCIODIAUY FIRES .tr BALLYNIONSY.—The cor-
respondont of a oontemporatiy says that on Friene eigat, the
let ult., the servants' cott,ge on the term of th.i Rev. Ito-
ben Parke, ii dtpuoney, was fired In the thaun wi.h a burn-
ing turf, immediately ov.r his bedroom Window, through
which the servant man, his wife, and three children had to
...wire ono by one, the Indiana outride basin t tied the
latch of the only outside door with a rope to a le.oe'r of bag
oak ; and lest this ,It .uid not prevent the see p• ea ;11., ~nor
man enclitic family trout being burned to demo, the N,i1:,110,
to make everything doubly rare. isetasily farte..ea the door
outside with a hasp and two staples. Ooe of the ,ILil!ren
having been awakened with the au eke and statoct ALM.
alarmed its parents, when all escaped safe, Qua with c no :der-
able exertions got the fire put out. Another ruult.iion. ; urn-
i, g ot two straw stuck:, valor oz., wined. sr, re c. ::•:::11,..1 to
eke:, this property of Mr 11. bl'e. Remitter, eterk io the
poor-law gusrdiane, ,xeurred on the neareibig t :' . sdi).h
ult., within three Haas ..if the former mirtge. It it. these
flies having tek..ei place within three weeks, aid tot ono
q tarter of a mile on: of Ballymoney, a corsideeahle d,joico
el alarm has been ctuseil in the tieighli.tieho.;,`.. a .a 3:.a
sympathy and respect for the gentlemen, the desiruca ,n of
whose property has been the object cf the midnight ineen-
diary.—Cokraine rheoniele.
k.tTAL ACCIDENT.—OiI Monday at utiglit an ac-
cident occurred in Oxford, which has rine" peeved fatal to
Mr. Bassin Giles Dasabouy, dewy of 111,tedshn C.illego. It
appears that the deceased and some !cicada acre on their
return from Godative. and while walking along the un-
finished Rugby and Oxford Railroad, neer Boit.> 'ibbe'd,o,
tbey heard one of their companins, who wds in • -..,11,
crying oat for help. They extricated lam an! his twat,
which had got among the piles of the uctioi.shea bridge,
add immediately after, on ercisting • plank, (tide of the pixty
saw deceased lying ameng soma loom briels undeeueuth, a
depth of nearly lei feet. Its is supposed to have 11:64“1 iLi/
ktOtiOlg, it betas( namely dark at this time. ae de, d we i'u,.....1ay
morning from the nountls which he. rec..tvca. A eottuee a
jury has gowned a saiLlut 91 " Aoculental klcatb."