The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-14 00:00:00

COLONIAL POSTAGE.

Sir S. NORTHCOTE gave notice that on Monday
he should put a question to the Under Secretary of
the Treasury in relation to the postage of letters and
newspapers to the colonies.
INTELLIGENCE FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
Mr. PALK wished to ask the noble lord at the
head of the Government whether any intelligence had
been received from the seat of war of a later date
than that already published ?

Lord PALMERSTON said that the Government bad
received intelligence daily. It was not of any import.
ance, but it contained satisfactory information that the
health of the army was good.

SUNDAY GATHERINGS AT THE WEST END.
Lord H. VANE said he had been requested by seve-
ral gentlemen resident in Belgravia, in which neigh-
bourhood he himself lived, to ask the Government whe-
ther, in the event of large bodies assembling in that part
on Sunday next any arrangements had been made for
the protection of the inhabitants, or whether, if such
means had not been taken, the inhabitants would be at
liberty to take steps for their defence ?

Sir G. GREY said that no information of any cer-
tainty bad reached him that there would be
a repetition of the scenes of the last two Sun-
days. It was possible large numbers of people
might assemble, but every precaution would be
taken by the Government to prevent any outrages being
committed. He could not, at the same time help saying,
that these questions so frequently repeated tended to
produce the very evil sought to be avoided. (Hear.)
Mr. PALK, amidst cries of " oh," and " order," said
he thought those questions were most proper, when it
was remembered how defective the police arrangements
were last Sunday ; and that a nobleman, whilst laying
seriously ill in bed, was alarmed by his windows being
broken by a shower of stones.

BILLETTING OF THE SCOTCH MILITIA. -THE

ALDERSHOTT CAMP.

Mr. COWAN asked the First Lord of the Treasury,
if there was any intention on the part of the Government
to put an end to the system of billetting the militia
regiments upon private families in Scotland ?
Col. KNOX, before the question was replied to, called
the attention of the Government to the fact that, al-
though an encampment of Guards had been at Alder-
shott for two months, where they were specially sent for
the purpose of being trained in the practice of firing ball
cartridge, no firing ground had yet been provided. This
was the more to be lamented, inasmuch as the regiments
were liable at any time to be drafted to the Crimea.
Lord PALMERSTON, on the latter point, said he
should make it his duty to call the attention of his noble
friend at the head of the, War Department to the subject ;
but the hon. and gallant member must be aware that
it was a difficult matter to obtain a sufficient space of
ground for ball practice with safety. As to the Scotch
militia being billeted in private houses, he was aware of
its evil consequences and inconveniences ; but the ne-
cessity had arisen from the fact of a large number of bar-
racks having been done away with at the close of the
last war. The matter, however, should be represented to
the noble lord at the head of the War Department.
After some further observations from Mr. H. BAILLIII,
Mr. L. DAVIS, and Sir J. WALSH, the subject dropped.

MEETING OF THE LONDON AND SOUTH-
WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY.

A special general meeting of the proprietors of this rail-
way was held yesterdayafternoon at the Company's Office,
Waterloo station—Mr. Chaplin, the chairman of the
company presiding—for the purpose of again taking into
consideration, and of approving or disapproving a bill
now before Parliament entitled " An Act for authorising
the execution of works by the company for regulating their
capital, and for other purposes." And further for consider-
ing
the provisions of a bill now before Parliament for
making a railway from the Manor-street terminus of the
authorised Westminster terminus railway, wherein cer-
tain powers are intended to be conferred on the com-
pany.
It will be recollected that about a month since a
meeting of the proprietors was held relative to the
first portion of this notice, (the object of the act
amongst others being to empower ;the directors to
extend their line from Yeovil or Dorchester to Exeter).
When the shareholders present expressed themselves
strongly against the proposed extension, and the result
of the poll being in their favour, it was thought neces-
sary and desirable by the directors this second meeting
should be held, in the hope the shareholders, on re-
considering the subject, would assent to the bill. _

~
The SECRETARY (Mr. L. Crombie) having read the
notice convening the meeting and the directors' report,
and the Solicitor the heads of the two bills,
The CHAIRMAN said he appealed to the meeting with
confidence to approve of this bill. After alluding to the
meetings that had already been held, with reference to
this question, he hoped that harmony would exist, so es-
sential to the prosperity of the company, and moved a re-
solution in conformity with the notice convening the
meeting.
Mr. LACY seconded the motion.

Mr. HELPS objected to the resolution, as compre-
hending too much. It should be divided and put to
the meeting separately under its various heads.
Mr. TITE, M.P., suggested that, instead of discussing
the question, the chairman should declare the number
of proxies the board bad received in favour of the bill ;
for, after all, the question must be decided by numbers.
The Chairman said it was not usual to pursue
such a course, but if it was the wish of the meeting he
would do so.

Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE objected, because the proxies
had not yet been examined.
Mr. HELPS condemned the holding a second Wharn-
cliffe order during the same session of Parliament for
one object, and proceeded to defend his conduct
and that of Mr. Dickinson in opposing the
extension clauses of the bill. He moved as an amend-
ment That this meeting protests against any at-
tempt to reverse the decision of the meeting held, in
pursuance of the Wharncliffe standing order, on the 31st
day of May last ; considering that the Wharncliffe
standing order contemplates the holding of only
one meeting, and that the holding of a second
meeting, on the same bill, in the same session of Parlia-
ment, and with a view to reverse the decision of the
only meeting contemplated by the Wharncliffe standing
order, is contrary to the letter, spirit, and meaning of
that standing order, and subversive of the security
which it is calculated to give to all property invested in
joint-stock undertakings."
Dr. MAYO seconded the amendment, and added that
Mr. Baron Parke, in a conversation with him at the
Athenaeum Club, deprecated the conduct of the directors
in holding the second meeting as unjust and unheard of.
General AITCHISON suggested to the meeting th e neces-
sity of unanimity in their proceedings, and that it would
be better to support the directors.
Mr. P[JNCHABD condemned the general policy of the
directors, and stated it to be his intention to oppose
everything proposed by them, and called on the meeting
to follow his example that day.
Mr. TITE, M.P., was opposed to extensions as much
as any man—(oh)—for he could assure the meeting his
stake in the company was too great to make him indif-
ferent to a good dividend. He proceeded to argue that the
position of the company from the pledge given was such
that they must sooner or later construct this extension
line, and he thought it bad policy for them to fly in the
face of the House of Lords and House of Commons, when
they felt themselves morally in the wrong in opposing
it. (Cries of " No.")
Mr. DICKINSON said he had never acknowledged any
pledge had been given by the company for the construc-
tion of this extension, and read extracts from the evi-
dence given before the House of Commons, to show that
it was an injudicious act of their late chairman that had
been so misconstrued.
Sir Jossr WALSH, M.P., was not disposed to suc-
cumb so hastily to the orders of the House of Lords or
House of Commons, as Mr. Tite, believing those bodies
did not thoroughly understand this question. Where
there was a division of opinion between a large number
of the shareholders and the directors on any question, he
thought the former should have an opportunity of
stating their case fully before the House of Commons,
which at present they did not possess. He should op-
pose the extension.
Mr. HUTCHINGS, M.P., (director) suggested that, as
the debate had been on the whole question, the votes
should be taken on the whole of the resolutions pro-
posed, and not seriatim. He complained of Sir J.
Walsh opposing the bill at that meeting and abstaining
from doing so on its third reading in the House of Com-
mons. The directors had been no party to the intro-
duction of the extension clauses in the bill, but they
had been forced on them in consequence of the pledge
given. If they withdrew the bill the company would
be placed in a very unfortunate and embarrassing posi-
tion from having the decision of a committee of the
House of Lords and House of Commons against them.
He was no extension man, but wished to clear himself
with the House of Lords. The discontented share-
holders, having been heard by counsel before the House
relative to the pledge, the committee having decided
against them, he considered it was the duty of the pro-
prietors to redeem it.

Mr. Sergeant GAZELEE (director) said the Wharn-
cliffe order had by their proceedings been made a
nullity, and would give directors an opportunity of
harassing and wearing out the shareholders. The
Wharncliffe order, instead of being a bulwark against
the power of the directors, was no other than a snaro
and a delusion. He should vote for the amendment.
He looked upon the committees of the Houses of Lords
and Commons as incompetent tribunals for railway
purposes. As to the proxies, ho begged to say he knew
not how many the directors had received, not being in
the secret, but he should like to see how the staff
would vote. He protested against the whole pro-
ceedings. _ .

Mr. FOSTER was of opinion the shareholders ought to
submit to the requirement of Parliament, and supported
the directors.
The Hon. Mr. BUTLER called on the Hon. Mr. Scott
to state how he gave the pledge.
The Hon. Mr. SCOTT said he gave a pledge to make a
single line with double works. Many persons had said
he gave that pledge under coercion, but he had always
denied it, and did so now. Had he done so it would
have been unworthy of them on their part and also of
himself. The committee said if he did not give a pledge
the company should make a double line the bill would
be thrown out. He replied the committee might take
what course they pleased, but he felt satisfied that
neither the committee nor the shareholders would give
him much credit if he acceded to what the committee

pressed him to do without consulting the shareholders.
1 letter was handed him to sign to which he objected,
when it was altered, and he signed it relying on the
temper of the shareholders as it was in the summer of
1853 that they would consent to the extension, and that
it should be a double line ; at the August meeting fol-
lowing his conduct was approved of. (No, no.)
The Hon. Mr. BUTLER replied that the statement of
the hon. gentleman had not removed from his mind that
there was an amount of gentle pressure put on him when
he signed the letter alluded to.

The CHAIRMAN then put the amendment which he
declared carried by a majority of one. A poll was de-
manded and granted.

The CHAIRMAN was about to put that part of his re-
solution referring to the extension which was objected
to by Mr. Helps, who contended that the resolutions
should] bo taken seriatim, and, as it was four o'clock,
that the meeting should be adjourned for a week for the
special purpose of fully discussing the question of exten-
sion.

Mr. Serjeant GAZELEE thought nothing would be
gained by an adjournment.
Some further discussion took place, and of that stir-
ring character peculiar to railway meetings, in the
course of which it was suggested the bill should be
withdrawn, and that sufficient discussion had taken
place.
The adjournment was put and lost.
Mr. DICKINSON then proposed an amendment, giving
the directors power to raise one million of money for
this extension, but met with so much opposition that
he could not be heard in support of it.
The CHAIRMAN said the million of money was asked
for because it was optional which route they would take,
leaving a choice of two. The coast line would cost about
that sum, and the central 700,0001..
Mr. HELPS then rose to address the meeting, amidst
confusion and cries of "Divide," but was unable to obtain
a hearing for some time. He said the object of Mr.
Dickinson's amendment was, that if the company was
bound by Mr. Scott's pledge it ought to adhere to the
line and amount.

Mr. DICKINSON'S amendment was put and lost, on
which a poll was demanded and granted.
Mr. THEOBALD moved an amendment. He bad no
wish to repudiate Mr. Scott's pledge, so far as the au-
thority of the company permitted it, and moved the
solicitor be instructed to withdraw the bill.
The CHAIRMAN declined to put the amendment.
The original resolution of the directors in favour of
extension was put and carried.
A poll was also demanded and granted.
The CHAIRMAN announced the poll would be open
on Saturday and Monday, and be declared on Tuesday.
The meeting `shortly after separated.
The meeting, which was exceedingly numerous, was
graced with the presence of a lady, a very unusual
attendant at such places.

EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK COMPANY.—At a
meeting of the East and West India Dock Company,
held yesterday, Mr. S. Gregson,
M.P., presiding, the
dividend declared was at the rate of Glper cent.per annum,
and the report was unanimously adopted. It was stated
that business is making satisfactory progress, and that
the new works are shortly expected to be completed.
In answer to questions, it was mentioned that the com-
?any have not received a proposal for a lease with a
guaranteed dividend above the amount now ordered, but
the directors intimate that they are always prepared to
attend to suggestions which may have the effect of im-
proving the trade of the docks. The 'maintenance of
the dividend at the present rate, iu the face of antici-
pated competition, will, it is thought, satisfy the ma-
jority of the proprietors, if it can l e accomplished.

THE LONDON GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.