The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-01 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN AND GREAT

WESTERN.

It appears that the agreement between these coin-
panics for putting an end to competition on their lines
was signed by the chairmen of both companies on the
14th ult., and comes into operation to-day. The agree-
ment stipulates that the fares, rates, and charges
for every description of traffic shall be the same on both
lines, between the same places or towns to which both
companies are competitors for traffic, whether alone over
their own railway, or elsewhere in alliance, by through
booking or otherwise, with the other companies or per-
sons over any other lines of railway, or by any other
means, to or from places beyond their own railways. The
fares, rates, and charges between all such places shall
be fixed from time to time by mutual agreement, or, in
case of difference, by a third person previously selected.
The rates of goods inolude collection and delivery by the
companies or their agents within specified districts, and
the :eduction to be made for collection and delivery
shall be defined, and be the same for both companie,.
No special rates or time bargains shall be made without
mutual consent. No reduction is to be made, directly
or irArectly, from the fares and charges by way of dis-
count or allowance, nor by season return tickets, or ex-
cursion tickets available by regular trains, nor by re-
booking intermediately or otherwise. The third-class
trains shall be agreed on, and there shall be no increase
of third-class accommodation beyond that necessary
for the requirements of the several districts. In case of
difference the matter is to be subject to the decision of
the referee. The scale of excursion fares shall be fixed
by agreement, or by the referee in case of difference.
Each company is to be held responsible for all acts of
its respective agents in relation to its traffic arrange-
ment., rates, and conditions of the agreement. should
either company desire to alter any rate or fare it is
to give five clear days' notice (Sundays excepted)
in writing to the other, at the London stations of
the companies, and failing acceptance of the proposed
change after three clear days from the day of notice, it
may then give notice to refer the matter to the referee,
who shall forthwith decide the question, upon hearing
the ♦iews of both from one person on behalf of each corn-
pally. Provision is also made for any violation of the
agreement, in which case, should the referee determine
that the violation of the agreement had been intention-
ally made by the company, its servants or agents, a
penalty of seven times the amount of the particular fare
or freight improperly charged, or, in other respects of
violation, a penalty of such amount as the referee shall
determine shall be paid to the aggrieved company. The
agreement is for three months certain, and to continuo
until determined by notice in writing of ono month on
either side.

DUNDEE AND ARBROATH.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on
Wednesday at Dundee ; Mr. G. Armistead in the chair.
The report stated that a balance of 5551. was brought
from last account and added to the gross revenue of
14,5401., making 15,9851. From this was deducted
6,8041. for working expenses, and 1,2891. for rates and
taxes, leaving 6,9921., out of which 6351. was deflected
for relaying a portion if the line, 6371. for interest o❑
loans, and 1,667/. for dividend on the 5 per cent. guaran-
teed stock, leaving a surplus of 4.0511. The director.
recommended a dividend on the 251. shares at the rate
of 2 per cent, per annum for the half-year, amounting to
3,0001., and leaving 1,0511. to be carried to the next
Account. There was a decrease in the receipt. as com-
pared with the corresponding period of last year of
6161., and in the working expense. of 1721. The
goods traffic between Dundee, and the Edinburgh,
Perth, and Dundee line via Broughty Ferry, bad
been withdrawn, and a decrease in the revenue was
the consequence. This decrease, however, had to
some extent been compensated by an improvement in the
receipts for passengers and general goods traffic. The E-
rectors were gradually removing the original rails, chairs,
and sleepers, &c., of the main line, and replacing them
with new arid substantial rails, &c. The amount taken
out of current revenue for this purpose was equal to
12s. 6d. per cent, upon all the ordinary stick of the
company. The revenue since the 31st of October
showed an increase over the corresponding period of last
year of 1061. A joint working arrangement had been
entered into with the Aberdeen Railway Company,
whereby this company's new goods station at Arbroath
and the Aberdeen goods station there are thrown into
one, and worked as a joint station for both companies.
This arrangement came into operation on the let of De-
cember, and would be the means of reducing the work-
ing expenses. The new railway between the main line
and the Carmyllie district would be opened for traffic
about the end of January.
The CIAIRMAN moved that the report be adopted, and
that a dividend at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum be
declared for the half year.
Mr. WHITSON said they must endeavour to prevent
the depreciation of their affairs, and it was probable that
at the next meeting he should bring under their consi-
deration the propriety of devolping the traffic even en
Sundays, instead of having it swept away by the boats.
He did not see why they should not afford the same
facilities on their line as those between London and
Brighton—places in which there was as much intelli-
gence and as much divinity as at Dundee or Arbroath.
Mr. FORREST complained that the accounts did not
show how all the money had been expended. There ap-
peared a deficiency in the revenue account of 9221.
Within three years 50,0001. of additional capital had
been expended on the line, being about 3,0001. per mile,
mud n I.lge increase in the train,: would be required to
render the outlay profitable. He concluded by moving
an amendment, to the effect that a committee of investi-
gation be appointed to consider and report on the affairs
of the company.
The CHAPMAN said, the ledger was open to any share-
holder who chose to examine it. He had no objection
to the appointment of a committee.
A long discussion ensued, in the course of which it
was stated that 6,0001. would be required for relaying
the line, 6,600/, for a new station, and 3,0001. for sun-
dries, making together 15,0001., which would enable
them to close the capital at about 318,0001.
Mr. FORREST withdrew his amendment, and the mo-
tion of the chairman was carried unanimously.

MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN.
A special meeting of this company was held on Thurs.
day, at Dublin, to consider the propriety of introducing
a bill in Parliament fcr enabling the company to make
branch railways from Longford to Strokestnwn, and
from Athenry to Tuam ; Mr. J. Ennis in the chair.
The CHAIIIIIAN stated that the object of the meeting
was to obtain the opinion of the sharehalders on the
question of extensions. There was a difference of opinio❑
among the members of the board on the subject of pro-
oeeding with the project. He moved, as a matter of
form, that the application to Parliament be approved,
which was seconded.

An amendment was proposed to the effect that, in
consequence of the present circumstances of the country,
and the prospects of the money-market, it is not pru-
dent to proceed further with the extentions to Strokes-
town and to Tuam ; but that a railway into the county
of Mayo ought to be undertaken by this company as
scon as the counties of Roscommon and Mayo shall
agree as to the best course for such a line, and the state
of the money-market shall render it practicable.
After some observations from Lord TALBOT DE MALI-
WIDE and Mr. HONE, the amendment was carried, anal
the meeting separated.