The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLN.

SHIRE.

The directors of this company have just issued their
half-yearly report, which contains a considerable amount
of useful statistical information for the shareholders, and
shows a great improvement in the company's affairs.
The report states that a clause has been introduced into
one of the bills coming before Parliament to enable the
company to hold its meetings in the months of January
and July in each year. The accounts for the half-year
show a total revenue of 273,8941., and a total expendi-
ture of 149,2591., leaving a balance of 124,635/., or, with
the balance from the last half-year, of 2,7371., and of the
stores account, 3,8121., a total sum of 131,1851. avail-
able for interest and dividend. The debenture interest
and canal annuities amount to 69,0641. ; the dividend
on the 61. preference shares to 23,6501. ; and the divi-
dend on the 101. preference shares (which is at the rate
of 71 per cent. until July next, when the rate becomes
6 per cent.) will require 32,7001., making a total
preference charge of 56,3501. The directors, after a
conference with the members of the late committee on
preference arrears, have unanimously decided to recom-
mend the shareholders to declare and pay the dividend
on the 61. shares as usual, and also to issue deferred
dividend warrants, payable on the passing of the Pre-
ferential Arrears Bill, for one half-year's dividend, at
the rate of 7,1,- par cent. per annum, upon the 101. pre-
ference shares, and of 2s. 6d. per 100/, stock, or at the
rate of I per cent. per annum, upon the No. 1 quarters
and original stock of the company. After providing for
these dividends a balance of 6601. will remain for the
next account. The capital account shows an increase of
78,989/, for new works which the proprietors have
sanctioned, from which the proceeds for the sale of
engines have been deducted. The increase in the
number of engines repaired and renewed is 16 ; in
the waggons, 378 ; in the steam-boats, 5 ; and in the
total expenditure under that head, 2,4351., as com-
pared with the corresponding period of the preceding
year. In the charge to revenue for maintenance of
permanent way is 4,1341. for renewal of road
with sleepers and new rails. This sum includes
the relaying in the most permanent manner of the
whole of the Woodhead Old Tunnel. The directors
believe that an important saving may be made in the
expenditure for maintenance and renewal of the per-
manent way and stations by means of a judicious con-
tract with a responsible party. The directoes have agreed
with the London and North-Western Company to work
the London-road passenger station at Manchester as a
joint station. This arrangement will effect a consider-
able saving of expense, and promote the accommodation
of the public. The company's railway traffic for the
half-year ending the 31st of December last exhibits an
increase of 26,9801., or 13.81 per cent. over the corres-
ponding half-year of 1853. The increase in the num-
ber of passengers was 89,807, and in the receipts 6,6031.;
in the tonnage of goods 829,028 tons, and in the re-
ceipts 15,1161. ; in the minerals 86,679 tons, in re-
ceipts 3,7901. ; and in the parcels and mails an increase
of 1,724/. The report adverts to the bills before Par-
liament, and to the friendly arrangements made
with other companies for the interchange of traffic
and for the convenience of the public. The capital ac-
count shows that 8,177,7851. had been received, and
8,167,7801. expended, leaving a balance of 10,0051.
The revenue account for the half-year ending 31st Dec.
last shows that 273,8941. had been received, including
38,2551. from the canals ; and 149,259/, expended, leav-
ing a profit on the working of 120,6351.