The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-31 00:00:00

STAINES, WOKINGHAM, AND WOKING.

The half yearly meeting of this company was held yester-
day at the offices, Lincoln's-inn-Fields—Mr J. Garrard in
the chair.

The report having been taken as read,

The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, expressed his
regret at the falling off in the passenger traffic receipts dur-
ing the half year, although they showed an increase on the
corresponding half of 1862. Last year the traffic to Ascot
was very great, and the falling off on the grand day this
year arose probably partly on account of the unfortunate
accident at Egham, and partly perhaps owing to a disincli-
nation on the port of the public to encounter the crowd and
confusion which were occasioned on the previous year by
the exceptional influx of visitors. With that exception he
thought the accounts were tolerably satisfactory. Although
the traffic results were not so good as they could wish to
have seen, the directors anticipated considerable benefit to
this line by the construction by the South-Western Com-
pany of the line from Chertsey to Virginia Water, for which
they had obtained the act; as also from the Sunningdale
and Cambridge-town Railway. Some large estates in the
neighbourhood of their line had been placed in the market
for buildic,s, purposes from which in course of time the
company would be hem fited.
Mr R. W. KENNARD, M,P., seconded the adoption of
the report, after which a lengthened conversation ensued
relative to the opening of negotiations with the South-
Westcfn for terms which would improve the condition of
th's property,

Mr Maude, Mr Price, and other proprietors, strongly
advocated that course being at once taken, but it was stated
by the chairman and other directors that in their opinion
the time had not arrived for moving in this business ; at the
same time, it was their desire to give the fullest effect to
the wishes of the shareholders. It was argued, on the other
hand, that if the lino came into the possession of the South-
Western Company it was in their power to work it with
greater effect than was done at present, by which the receipts
would be very much improved, •
The report was unanimously adopted, and the directors
were requested to take the matter of the negotiation with
the South-Western into their serious consideration.

A dividend of 5 per cent. upon.the preference, and at the
rata of 1 per cent, upon the ordinary shares was agreed to
and the proceedings terminated.

BOSTON AND SLEAFORD.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yester-
day at the Euston Hotel, Easton-square—Mr T. Parry in
the chair,

Mr Wragge, the secretary, read the report, which stated
that the traffic of the past half-year had exceeded that of
the corresponding period of 1863 by £1,770. The bill pro-
moted by the Great Northern Company in the last session
authorizing a lease to them of this undertaking, on the
terms that this company should receive in respect to their
share capital of £200,000 preferential stock to that amount
of the Great Northern Company,bearing dividend at the rate
of £1 53 per cent, par annum in perpetuity, to commence
from the Ist July, 1864, had passed into law, and the pro-
prietors of this company would accordingly be entitled to
exchange their share certificates, of which duo notice would
be given. Tho forfeited and unpaid shares of the company
were sold by auction on the Bth and 9th inst, and from the
proceeds of the sale the directors are arranging for the dis-
charge of all the outstanding liabilities. After paying the
debenture interest there remains £3,763 to the credit of re-
venue, from which the directors recommend a dividend at
the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, being 1 per cent, more
than the dividend for 1863.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of
.the report,
said the business of the company was now almost brought
to a close. Before dissolving, however, there would be a
meeting held in November to finally settle the financial
business. The sale of shareshad produced £13,270, being an
average of £9 6s. 3d per share. The liabilities wore not yet
arrived at, but he thought the balance that would remain in
hand after liquidating all claims would yield something be-
between 3s and 5s per share. He did not, however, pledge
himself to the amount.

Mr TooTAL seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
The dividend was then declared, and a vote of thanks to
the chairman concluded the proceedings.

BRISTOL AND NORTH SOMERSET,

The report states that considerable progress had been
made with this undertaking. A very advantageous con-
tract had been made with Messrs. T. Brassey and Co. who
would at once proceed to complete the works. The plans of
the tramway quay wall, and landing stages at Bristol had
been satisfactorily arranged with and approved by the cor-
poration of that city. The capital account showed a total
receipt to the 30th of June of £53,287, of which £22,375
remained unexpended.