The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-10 00:00:00

this way, the morality of the country would be destroyed,
and the undertaking itself would be deeply compromised.
And, on the other hand, if those who are assumed to have
charge of such a distribution keep it to themselves, they
then rob and plunder the company. In both cases it is
highly improper, and it requires that the Government
should fully investigate the matter. lam not disposcd
to give any credence to this pretended liberality of giving
10,000 shares to the press or to influential persons ; but
the public assertion of such a fact is apt to create doubt,
and therefore it is the duty of the Government to inves-
tigate the subject, and to show to the country the worth-
lessness of such accusations. I will quote one fact
Amon-,' many others. The chairman and the engineer
have had the concession of a line called the " Grand
Junction." It is quite evident that the obtaining of
this concessionhas not cost them a single shilling. They
may, perhaps, have had to pay for plans and so forth,
but nothing more. Well, it has been ascertained at the
meeting in London, that the persons who obtained this
c neession had brought it to the company, and had re-
ceived 25,0001. for it ; and it was likewise stated that
this sum was destined to pay the costs of engineering,
and other charges of a similar kind. But there never
has been anything to pay to the official engineer, nor
have there been any other costs of a like nature interred.
I say, then, that these facts are of asrave character,
because they concern the honour and probity of the
country. It is well known that Belgium is a country
where the Governments, and the administration of
public affairs generally have been hitherto free from
any such acts or charges of corruption and pre-
varication. Notwithstanding this consideration, after
such assertions as there have been made in London,
foreigners might entertain a very different opinion of us.
100,0001. for the press, and 25,0001. for a concession
which cost nothing, are facts which- would induce people
to believe that we are a nation of robbers. But the real
truth is, the interest of the Luxembourg Company have
never required the least expense to obtain the advan-
tages which have been conceded to it. The Grand Junc-
tion has cost them nothing at all ; and the secret of the
affair is, that certain persons enrich themselves at the
expense of the shareholders, and at our national reputa-
tion. These things cannot be tolerated, and I protest
against them. I advise the Minister to do what he can
to clear up the affair, and to take proper measures in
order that the like should not happen again.
The MINISTER of PUBLIC WORKS made the following
reply :—" I am happy to hear the observations made by
the Hon. Mr. Test). lam as deeply convinced as he is
that it is important both for the morality of the Admi-
nistration, and the dignity of the country, that the
statements made at the London meeting in December
last should be completely elucidated. It is quite true
that in the discussion which then took place the direc-
tors, who are still in power, declared that in respect to
the sums in question no portion of them whatever had
been given to any public functionary or agent of the
Administration, of whatever grade or rank. I think,
however, that such a declaration is not sufficient, and
that it is of moment to the Government to follow up
with serious attention the inquiry now going on in Lon-
don. Mr. Tesh is aware that from the beginning I have
not lost sight of this affair, and that a very detailed and
minute account of all the facts has been given to me.
Another meeting is to take place in London on the 13th of
February inst., and another at Brusseis on the 24th. At
both meetings there must necessarily be discussions as
to what has been asserted, and the facts, if true, would
be of the most momentous gravity to all the persons in-
volved in thntransaction. As matters have turned out,
I am almost glad of the difficulties which have always
existed between the Luxembourg Company and my Ad-
ministration. When, not long ago, the Hon. Mr. De
Moor asked how I intended to act with the Luxembourg
Company I declared that when I shall have to treat with
them I will take guarantees to prevent the works being
again retarded or stopped. What has prevented the
inspection from being more active and searching towards
the company is that in its statutes it seems that there is
no mention made of any paid agents. At this moment
the company stands in a new position before the Govern-
ment. From the Ist of January their contract must be
partly renewed. The delays for the execution of the
works are long ago elapsed, and the company has not
fulfilled its obligations to finish the half of the works on
the line of Namur and Arlon before the let of January.
If the Government ultimately submit to the Legislature
a project of law to allow them further delays for the exe-
cution of the works, we shall take proper guarantees,
for which we are the first to acknowledge the necessity,
and of which the house will be the judge."
Mr. MALON said, that the question interested the
House under another point of view, as the law of 1851
states that the Government is answerable for the pay-
ment of part of the works which the company have to
execute. He likewise asked the Minister of Public
Works to lay upon the table the translation of the report
of the London meeting of December last.
The MINISTER said he would do so on the next day.

"It will be observed that the increased revenue arises,
principally, under the heads of goods and sundries, there
being a diminution in the receipts from passengers. The
extraordinary amount of traffic, and unusually large re-
ceipts, however, attributable to the camp at Chobham and
naval review, during the first eight weeks of the corre-
sponding period of 1853, will at once account for this
smaller receipt from the passenger traffic.
" For it will be remarked, that in 1853 the six months
revenue to December exceeded. that of 1852 by no less a
sum than 53,293/. A comparison of the revenue from
June to December, 1854, with the corresponding period of
1852, will therefore afford a more fair criterion of the
steady, progressive improvement of the company's condi-
tion and prospects. The result of /such a comparison will
show, that the gross receipts of that half-year in 1351 ex-
ceeds those of 1852 by 56,6671. It, is true that the line to
Andover, 15 miles, has been opened during the last six
months, but the traffic on that line has hardly yet been
developed, and the additional receipts are, as yet, not
of an amount materially to affect this increase.
"The working expenses of 1854 exceed these of 18 3 by
5,4781., which is attributable to the continued higher rate
of wages and rise in price of the various articles of con-
sumption 2 • and the locomotive accounts show the number
of 94,064 additional miles run during the same period.
"In comparing the sums eharged under the head of
working expenses, from June to December, 1854, with
those of 1852, the excess at first sight appears to be large
—viz., 28,6921. on 56,667/, improved receipts, or about 50
per cent. ; but, on referring to the accounts, it will be seen
that in the items of coals and coke alone the increase from
the rise in price is upwards of 9,0001. and 749/. ns. 3d. is
charged in 1854 for renewal of part of the permanent way,
while no item on such account appears in 1852.
" The directors have debited the revenue account for the
last ,half-year with a sum of 2,5001., under the head of I
steam-packet renewal fund,' and they recommend to the 1
proprietors that a sum shall be charged against revenue in
each half-year for the future, to form a fund out of which
the steam-packets may be kept up in an efficient state.
• "The works between Andover and Salisbury are pro-
ceeding in conformity with the contractor's engagements.
The director*, however, have found it, necessary for ,the
completion of the line to renew the company's compulsory
pow of purchase, and have introduced a bill into Par-
liament in the present session accordingly.
" The improvement of the company's wharf frontage at
Nine-elms, and the extension of the goods station there,
have for some time past appeared to the board most de-
sirable. But as these objects could not be effected without
further Parliamentary powers they have been postponed
until these powers could be obtained, as they now may be,
without special expense. The directors have, therefore,
comprised within the bill powers for accomplishing these
purposes.
"They have availed themselves of the same opportunity
to consolidate into stock the amount paid on the 7 per
cent. preference capital, and to repeal the power of issuing
more of those shares, and of calling more money on those
already issued.
"Provisions have also been inserted in this bill far de-
claring and simplifying the ordinary share and loan capi-
tal of the company; but as these, and all other provisions
in it, must come under the consideration of th© proprie-
tors at a future meeting, the directors feel that no more
than ttlis general notice of them is now necessary.
"In the report to the shareholders in August last the
directors called their attention to the state of the locomo-
tive and carrying stock account, and also to the account
for stations and sidings.
"In each of these departments considerable sums had
been expended since the shareholders' vete in the Fe-
bruary proceeding, rendered imperatively necessary by the
greatly-increasing traffic of the company. The directors
then recommended that, as such outlays were legitimately
charges against capital, they should for the future be so
charged, until the rolling stock of the company and the sta-
tions and sidings be made adequate to the requirements of
the traffic. With this obj ect it was suggested that the directors
should lay before the shareholders fullpartieulars of those re.
quirements, that a vote might be taken at the next half-yearly
meeting for such an amount as might be deemed ne-

canary.
" The directors have attentively considered this subject,
and es regards the working stock cf the company have
carefully gone into the question with reference not only to
the existine, traffic and the requirements from its probable
increase, but also on a comparison with the principle acted
on in other companies in their mode of dealing with the
same subject.
" The question is one of considerable difficulty, and as
to now taking a precise sum at which the directors could
_ undertake to close that account, they are of opinion that
. : such .a statement, although made on the best possible data
now attainable, could not be satisfactorily relied upon.
"The directors, therefore, now recommend that the
sums expended during the year 1854, and standing to the
debit of the two accounts, `suspense account plants,
• 44,778/. 9s. 10d. and ' extension of stations and sidings
suspense account,' 31,0081. 16s. 3d., should be charged
Ifslkst the capital of the company. And they suggest,
sem, for the future, the directors should take a vote as to
• further sums, which, en a proper explanation of the
corommia to the directors may deem it advisable
charged to the shareholders shouldain like manner be
we Referring account of the company.
meeting of the co port of the directors to the special --
to the North DevotZTY, on the 25th of October, 1850, as CORK AND BANDON.
will be recollected th:te (then entitled the Taff Vale), it The report of the directors states that the receiptsfo r
the sum of about 70,047 as stated that if in addition to the last six months show an increase of 3661. over these
7,080 shares held hy the
c 0
anon already paid up on the of the corresponding period of the previous year. The
was paid, the North DavonZuZ4o. further sum of 30,0001. increase of traffic for the past year bas pzincipally arisen
plate their line, and thus render the in a position to coo- from merchandise and agricultural produce. The [m-
y thesraial meeting for a dividend on the
Tetteire investment of counts fir the half-year show a profit of 7601. applicable
the company a remunerative one.
as to the
sanctioned the course recommended b
payment of the 3 , 1 ; and in accordance wialthe termspreference shares, and which profit
is equal to 3 per cent. per annum ; but, considering the
of the proposed arrangement that sum has since been p.c. present financial position of the company, the directors
counted for to the North Devon Company, as has hoe, do not feel justified in recommending its payment until
fromtime to time reported to the shareholders.
‘‘ It was estimated at the time that this a ~,,,e_ arrangements have been made for liquidating the
liabilities connected with the capital account. A
was made, that 13/. 10s. per share, paid np, wouldbenmat
e further reduction in the working expenses
presented has been
effected. The directors bear testimony to the valuable
the North Devon Companytoexereepdleedtetthhies
estimate,line;hutfthe
tween the county
ultimate expenditure havingo
th lees of the lo
toe linebeing
local committee in the management
,been completingmade
e of the com
but
ther calls, amounting to 2/. Is. per share, fur- sexy'
entire 161. per share authorised, have since parry's affairs at Cork. It having been re•
of the extension
bethat there was a probability of the terms be-
arnedet.thecomp.any for the construction
which calls have not been paid on the 7,030 shyaerrnoeslia.moe:
" heNorth Devon lino has now been open se. . the
rectorsth o
objectlavein
and affixed rent being guaranteed to it, a dividend may'
meet-introduced a bill into Parliament to carry
expected to be declared at the ensuing half-yeaily
ing of that company. To enable the to suggest that a committee The directors deem it advisable
their share of this dividend, it is necessary that the calls
company te receive
to confe '
r with them
of
_ proprietors be appointed
due on the shares held by them be paid up, and the dircc- comae beat means of placing the
tors will, therefore, propose a resolution to the meeting, pecuniary affairs of thepany.n
and matisfactery position. The 1 a permanently sound
authorising the payment of the amount.capital
" The directors have recently entered on negotiations that 307,5131. had been received. account shows
with the Brighton and South Coast Company, having for ; pended, leaving a balance of 191. ,ihe:lrd 307,494/. ex-
,.. their pbject the giving to the company the advantage of a I for the half-year ending the 31st Dec statesevenue account
eS U weekend tirreinus, and also for accommodating the traffic ,
1 had been received and 3,645/. expended,. that 5,5391.
.01;:, ~,?..4,4o2'irest-end and Crystal Palace Railway Company.' '
Ni
Itesng that these negotiations leaving
lon the working
balance from
1 4.` ''''' ; C.- ' ::'&l4, - nOieneficial to all parties, the dirmecatyorsresult in an
d the last account amounted to 8861., and the balance
at
AA -ireit4eliiii 1 .44ytion of a bill before Parliament, liavejoine ,
the banker's, after deducting interest on loans, &c.,
so framed as
t2,::4 '' •\4.in s 4 . the three companiete to,c‘atry, into effect all 1 amounts to 1,2661.
~.. ..4..t. • .
4 - id,.
-1714,1/4?Tz

Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased to decl
the Right Honourable Granville George, Earl Granvi 11 e,
Lord President of her Majesty's Most Honourable Prievy
Council, and his Lordship took his place at the Board ac-
corclingly.
This day the Right Honourable Henry Fitzroy was, by
her Majesty's command, sworn of her Majesty's Most
Honourable Privy Council, and took his place at the Bo a rd
accordingly.
Her Majesty haring been pleased to appoint the Ri g.ht
Honourable Fox, Lord Panmure, and the Right Hon( r-
able Sidney Herbert, to be two of her Majesty's Prior ie 'al
Secretaries of State, they were this day, by her Alajesky's
command, sworn two of her Majesty's Principal Secrete.ries
of State accordingly.
WINDSOR-CASTLE, FEB. 7.
The Queen, as Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of • the
Garter, has been graciously pleased, by letters patent under
her royal sign manual and the Great Seal of the Order,
bearing date this day, to dispense with all the statutes :and
regulations usually observed in regard to installations, .and
to grant unto the Right Honourable George Willi am
Frederick, Eerlof Carlisle, the Right Honourable Fran, :is,
Earl of Ellesmere, and the Right Honourable George, Earl
of Aberdeen, Knights of the said Most Noble Order, and
duly invested with the ensigns thereof, full power And
authority to exercise all rights and privileges belongireg to
a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the
Garter, in as full and ample a manner as if they had 'Deen
formally installed, any decree, rule, or usege to the con-
trary notwithstanding. •
WHITEHALL, FEB. 7.
The Queen has been pleased to renew the commission s of
the undermentioned officers of the Artillery Compare), of
London, for a further term of five years from the elate
hereof :-
Captains-James Goodsell Middleton.
Peter Morrison.
William Thomas Robinson.
John Biden.
William Bokenham.
William Chicken Jay.
William Jeremiah Jordan.
Lieutenants-Adolphus John Lewis.
William Blott.
Physician-Henry Jeaffreson, M.D.
Surgeons-William White Cooper.
Charles Law.
Quartermaster-George Ballin.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER, FEB. 8.
The Queen has been this day pleased to appoint Sohn
Pemberton Heywood, of Norris Green, Esq., to be Sheriff
of the county palatine of Lancaster for the year ensuing.
WAR-OFFICE, FEB. 9.
2d Regiment of Lifo Guards-John Graham Smith,
Gent., to be Cornet and Sub-Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Congreve, promoted, Feb. 9.
6th Dragoons-Assistant-Surgeon Robert Wilson'
from the 7th Light Dragoons, to bo Surgeon, vice 11'Gri-
gor, promoted on the Staff, Feb. 9.
7th Light Dragoons-Acting Assistant-Surgeon Aenthur
Henry Francis Lynch to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Wil-
son, promoted in the 6th Dragoons, Feb. 9.
Bth Light Dragoons.-Acting Assistant-Surgeon Sohn
Wild Hulseberg to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Home, :pro-
moted in the 13th Light Dragoons, Feb. 9.
9th Light Dragoons.-Assistant-Surgeon Christop her
Bakewell Bassano, from the 70th Foot, to be Assiste.nt-
Surgeon, vice Tuson, promoted in the 12th Light Pra-
goons, Feb. 9.
13th Light Dragoons.-- Assistant-Surgeon Anthony
Dickson Home, from the Bth Light Dragoons, to be Sur-
geon, vice Payntor, promoted on the Staff, Feb. 9.
14th Light Dragoons.-Assistant-Surgeon Thomas Wil-
liam Fox, M.B. from the 52d Foot, to be Assistant-Sur-
geon, vice Wigstrom, deceased, Feb. 9.
Coldstream Guards. -Li eutenant -Colonel Francis W.
H. Lord Burghersh, from half-pay, Unattached, to be Cap-
tain and Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Crombie, who exchanges,
Feb. 9.
Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards-Reginald John
Buller, Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Turner, promoted, Feb. 9.
Scots Fusilier Guards-Lieutenant Percy Mitford, from
the 51st Foot, to be Ensign and Lieutenant, without pur-
chase; Walter Rodolplx Trefnals, Gent., to be Ensign and
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Gregory, promoted, Feb. 9-
Ist Foot-William George Brown, Gent., to be Ensign,
without purchase, Feb. 9.
4th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-Ensign
R. A. Law, from the Royal Newfoundland Companies ;
Ensign C. E. B. Breton, Feb. 9.
10th Foot-Ensign F. B. Sandwith to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Eaton, appointed to the 19th Foot,
Feb. 9.
16th Foot-Ensign John Cooper to be Lieutenant, with-
out purchase, vice H. A. Macdonald, promoted in the 77th
Foot ; Lieutenant Archibald Philip Douglas to be Adju-
tant, vice Lyons, who resigns the Adjutantcy only, Feb. 9.
17th Foot-Lieutenant T. H. Brinckman to be Captain,
without purchase; Ensign F. C. S. Dyer to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Brinckman ; Lieutenant Cecil
11Therson to be Adjutant, vice Heigham, promoted,
Feb. 9.
19th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-Lieu-
tenant S. H. M. Eaton, from the 10th Foot ; Ensign W.
G. D. Massy ; Ensign T. B. Monsell, Feb. 9.
20th Foot-To be Lieutenants without purchase-Lien-
tenant William Cave, from the Ist West India Regiment ;
Second Lieutenant G. E. Francis, from the Ceylon Rifle
Regiment; Quartermaster-Serjeant James Aylett to be
Quartermaster, vice Bitham, who retires upon half-pay,
Feb. 9.
21st Foot-To be Lieutenants without purchase-Lieu-
tenant R. W. C. Winsloo, from the 15th Foot; Ensign
Alfred Holt fresa the 83d Foot, Feb. 9. To be Ensign
without purchase-Ensign W. E. Taylor, from the 58th
Foot, Feb. 9.
23d Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-Ensign
R. H. Somerville; Ensign W. Owen; Ensign T. B. Hac-
kett; Ensign E. S. Holden ; Ensign Charles G. Blane,
Feb. 9.
28th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-En-
sign Francis Brodigan, vice Bell, deceased, Jan. 8; Ensign
C. E. B. Lennard, vice Brodigan, whose promotion on 12th
Jan. has been cancelled, Jan. 12 ; Ensign C. B. Higman,
from the 3d West India Regiment, Feb. 9.
30th Foot-Second Lieutenant G. M. Parsons, from the
Ceylon Rifle Regiment, to be Lieutenant, without pur
chase ; Robert Olphert Campbell, Gent., to be Ensign,
without purchase, Feb. 9.
33d Foot-To be Lieutenants without purchase-Ensigns
H. Donovan and J. D. Johnstone, Feb. 9.
34th Foot-To be Lieutenants without purchase-Ensigns
R. J. Cochrane, N. Ramsay, and E. Jordan, Feb. 9.
39th Foot-To be Lieutenants without purchase-En-
signs G. H. Young, J. G. Smyth, H. B. Newport, J. H.
Murray. To be Assistant-Surgeon-Acting Assistant-
Surgeon Charles Dodgson Madden, vice Furlong, promoted
in the 42d Foot, Feb. 9.
41st Foot-Second Lieutenant J. F. Kennedy, from the
Ceylon Rifle Regiment, to be Lieutenant, without pUr-
chase • Lieutenant J. A. Hamilton to be Adjutant, vice
Johnston, promoted, Feb. 9.
42d Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-En-
signs M. Hill, J. Wilson, W. Black, W. H. Crompton,
Adam Ferguson. Assistant-Surgeon John Sheldon Fur-
long, M.D., from the 39th Foot, to be Surgeon, vice Wood,
promoted on the Staff, Feb. 9.
43d Foot-Captain James M. Primrose to be Major,
without purchase, vice P. E. Herbert, promoted ; Lieu-
tenant J. F. Girardotl to be Captain, without purchase,
vice Primrose ; Ensign W. S. Richardson to be Lieute-
nant without purchase, vice Girardot, Feb. 9.
44th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-En-
signs F. D. Walters, M. S. Smith, A. W. Staveley, P.
M'lnnes, A. De M. Fleming, Feb. 9.
46th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-En-
signs E. Townshend, T. G. B. Atkinson, P. M. Jones,
J. H. Messenger, Feb. 9.
47th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-En-
signs J. A. Bloomfield, B. N. Gamier, R. P. Hawkes, W.-
C. De Balinhard, Feb. 9.
49th Foot-Edward Doyley Astley, Gent., to be Ensign,
without purchase, vice Eustace, promoted, Feb. 9.
50th Foot-Captain H. E. Weare to be Major, without
purchase, vice Moller, died of his wounds, Dec. 22. To be
Lieutenants, without purchase-Ensigns John Turner,
Clement R. Johnson, Hon. C. C. Chetwynd, Charles A.
Fitzgerald Creagh, Feb. 9; Ensign John Turner to be
Quartermaster, vice Fortune, deceased, Dee. 13.
51st Foot-Ensign W. D. Sladen to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice S. G. Carter, promoted in the 62d
Foot, Feb. 9.
52d Foot-Assistant-Surgeon William James Ingham,
from the Staff, to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Fox, ap-
pointed to the 14th Light Dragoons, Feb. 9.
55th Foot-To be Lieutenants, without purchase-En-
signs S. C. de M. Pritchard and George Bell Coulson,
Feb. 9.
57th Foot-Brevet-Major J. A. Street to be Major,
without purchase, vice Auchmuty, whose promotion on
20th December, 1851, has been cancelled, Dec. 29, 1851;
Brevet-Major W. Inglis to he Major, without purchase,
vice Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Powell, promoted, Feb. 9,
1855 ; Lieutenant G. H. Norman to be Captain, without
purchase, vice Auchmuty, deceased, Nov. 14, 1854 ;
Lieutenant T. N. Woodall to bo Captain, without pur-
chase, vice Norman, whose promotion on the 29th Dec.,
1854, has been cancelled, Dec. 29, 1854 ; Lieutenant R. A
K. Hugessen to be Captain without purchase, vice Inglis.
Ensign J. R. Wilmot, vice Woodall, Dec. 29; Ensign F.
S. Schomberg, vice Hugessen ; Ensign Sir Robert Douglas,
Bart. ; Ensign Stewart S. Windham ; Ensign A. F. A.
Slade, to be Lieutenants without purchase, Feb. 9.
59th Foot-Ensign S. L. H. H. Ffinney to be Lieuten-
ant, without purchase, vice Lloyd, promoted in the 57th
Foot, Feb. 9.
62d Foot-To be Lieutenants without purchase-Ensign
Thomas Milsom ; Ensign Robert Scott Machell, Feb. 9.
63d Foot-Ensign Alex. M. Dumaresq to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, Feb. 9.
67th Foot-Ensign Louis Walter Fisher to be Lieu-
tenant, without purchase, vice R. P. Armstrong, appointed
to the 77th Foot, Feb. 9.
68th Foot-Ensign E. R. F. Vicars to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Shuttleworth, whose promotion,
Dec. 1, 1851, has been cancelled, Nov. 24, 1854 ; En-
sign E. Deshon to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice
Vicars, whose promotion, Dec. 1, 1854, has been cancelled,
Dec. 1., 1854; Ensign J. F. Sparks to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Deshon, whose promotion Dec. 8,
1854. has been cancelled, Dec. 8,1854. To be Lieutenants,
without purchase Ensigns Edmund P. Ethelstoro John
111 C, Seywourd'o3rii Blood FO. 9. To bo' Ensiga with-