The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-15 00:00:00

G.EN.ERAL SCREW STEAM-SHIPPING
COMPANY.

The adjourned meeting of the shareholders of this
company was held yesterday, at the London Tavern,
Bishopsgate-street, for the purpose of receiving the re-
sult of the ballot on Mr. Crawford's resolutions, arid on
the amendment moved by Mr. Hankey, at the meeting
of the company on the 3d inst. The resolutions moved
by Mr. R. W. Crawford, and seconded by Mr. Money
Wigratn, were—
" 1. That it is not expedient to make any payment to
the shareholders, by way of dividend or otherwise, for the
half-year ending 30th June, 1854; or to make any altera-
tion in the accounts of the company, as they stand re-
corded in the company's books under that date.
" 2. That the directors be recommended to write off the
balances upon the following accounts to the debit of profit
and loss, under date 31st December, 1854, viz.:—Suspense
account— Separate account in liquidation, No. I—Separate
account in liquidation, No. 2- India ships, repairs in
liquidation Cape coasting trade account and to the
credit of the same account, suspense charter account; also
to write off from profit and loss, to credit of the coal and
store accounts, such sums as will cover any ascertained
losses or probable deficiencies under those heads.
"2. That it be an instruction to the directors, when pro-
ceeding to a valuation of the company's stock, for the be.
lance of the 31st December, 18b4, in the terms of the 6Gth
clause of the deed of settlement, to assess the value of the
company's shipping and other stock, upon the principle of
a willing purchase, at the fair market price of the day,
from an outgoing partner, by partners continuing to carry
on the business."

The followinc, is the amendment proposed by Mr. T.
Hankey, and seconded by Mr. C. W. C. Hutton :
" That the accountants' report 12e received and adopted."
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. J. U. Ellis), in opening the pro-
ceeding; expressed a hope that the meeting would agree
to adopt such further measures as might be necessary to
put thd company's affairs in a better position, and in a
position more agreeable to the shareholders at large. He
then proceeded to declare the reeolt of the 11,f,-
Ilaukey's amendment as follows :

For the amendment
Against it

2,479
2,280

Majority for the amendment... 199
A SHAREHOLDER inquired if the numbers declared re.
presented the value of the stock I

The CnAIRSIAN replied that he had no means of ascer-
taining the value of the stock. The resolutions of Mr.
Crawford having been lost, the amendment of Mr. Han-
key now became a substantive motion. If that motion
did not meet the wishes of the shareholders, it was com-
petent to any one of them to move au amendment ; but
he would put it to the meeting whether it was desirable,
after the declaration of the ballot, that any other ques-
tion sholld be raised. (Hear, hear.) He thought it
was for the interests of the company that the decision
should be adhered to rather than enter into another
struggle on a question on which the proprietors were so
nearly divided. (Hear.)
The amendment was thee put as an original motion,
and the chairman intimated that, according to the show
of hands, it appeared to be lost.
Mr. CRAWFORD said he was willing to accept the de-
cision of the ballot as the decision of the meeting, and
was not disposed to be a party to any proceedings
which would have the effect of destroying that de-
cision. (Hear.)
After a short discussion, the motion was again put
and agreed to.
Mr. MUTTON then moved, " That the directors make
up the accounts of the company to the 31st of Decem-
ber, 1854, dividing the same into capital and workin.
account, upon the basis of the resolution just confirmed,
and that they call in such aasietance as may be deemed
necessary to close the accounts with the utmost
despatch."
Mr. CRAWFORD seconded the motion, and said he had
no doubt the accounts of the company would soon be in
a position to present to the meeting, divested of all cir-
cumstances which could lead to any doubt as to the
manner in which they bad been made up.
Mr. TIANKEY said the resolution left it optional with
the directors whether they would call in an accountant
or not. He submitted to the meeting whether it would
not he better to make it imperative on the directors to
procure the assistance of an accountant, because the
sanction of a disinterested party to the statement that
might be presented would give it additional weight.
(Hear, hear.) _

After some discussion, the motion in its original shape
was put and agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Robarts and Mr. Hoare
had expressed their intention of resigning the auditor-
ship, and he wished to suggest the propriety of naming
Mr. Crawford and Mr. Hutton as auditors, in conjunc-
tion with the other auditors.
Mr. CRAWFORD and Mr. MUTTON stated that they had
no objection to undertake the duty, on the understand-
ing that the accounts to Le audited should not extend
beyond the 31st of December. last ; and
The CHAIRMAN then proposed a resolution to that
effect, which was put a.:,cl agreed to.
Colonel HEWITT proposed, " That in the opinion of
this meeting it is very desirable that Mr. Hutton should
accept a seat at the board, and that he be requested to
allow himself to be placed in nomination at the next
election."
Mr. Dexix seconded the resolution.

After a long discussion, in the course of which some
of the shareholders expressed an opinion that the mo-
tion was ill-timed,
Colonel HEWITT consented to its withdrawal.

The CRAIRMAN then announced that he had a letter
announcing the withdrawal of Mr. Robarta and Mr.
Hoare as auditors.

In answer to a question,
The CHAIRMAN said that the elecCon of new directors
would not take place later than the 4th of April, and
that in the meantime any person desirous of becoming
candidates might send in their notice s.
On the motion of General AITC MASON, seconded by
Mr. CRAWFORD, a vote of thanks was given to the
chairman, and the proceedings then terminated.

• = w0.i...,...

PUBLIC BATHS AND WASH-HOUR Bra AT GATESHEAD.—
The corporation of Gateshead ha ve just erected baths
and wash-houses for the cenveuien, •:e and accommodatime
of the poorer classes, at an expense of about 4,3001. The
works were opened on Wednesda, r week by the mayor
RIO council hi the presence of the , srincipal inhabitants.
A MAN FROZHN TO DEATH.--On Saturday Mr. Hills,
the coroner for West Kent, held ti,Lt inquest at Stoke,
near Rochester, on William Salmon.. The deceased, a
married man with a large family, had been drinking
pretty freely on Thursday afternocue, and between five
and six o'clock was overtaken by rile severe storm ( f
snow with which we were visited on that day. His road
home (about a mile) was across soisv e open fields, where
there eas no shelter, and all traces of the foot-path e ere
effaced. He was seen taking elicit cr near a haystack by
some men who were passing that way, between seven
and eight o'clock that evening, ai id these he informed
that he could net get along. They' thought he was jok-
ine,, and, after persuading him to :make another :trial,
left him. As he did nut return- to his home that night
his family became alarmed, and a etrareh was instituted.
Early on Friday morning his dead be dy was found at the
spot near which it was seen by tire- men, and near him.
some coals which he had been pure' eatiing. When found
the body was quite rigid, the unf intunate man baying
been frozen to death.