The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-02 00:00:00

WHITEHAVEN JUNCTION.

The half yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven on
Wednesday—the Earl of Lonsdale presided.
_ _ _

The CHAIRMAN said he had great pleasure in asking the
shareholders to approve the report, because the accounts
were clear and satisfactory. The traffic had increased to
an unusual amount, the increase arising chiefly from the ac-
tivity in the iron ore mines. To the facilities afforded by the
railway his lordship attributed much of that increased
activity in the iron ore trade. There was every chance
of that ~..pck ill being continued, for iron was now sub-
stituted for wood in every department. The defences
of our country were now iron instead of wool. His Lord-
ship concluded by moving that the report and statement of
accounts be received and adopted.
Mr LIMB seconded the motion, which was carried una-
nimously.
Captain FISHER moved that a dividend at the rate of 30s
per share, less income-tax, be declarel on the original shares
of the company. This was equal to 15 per cent., and he
congratulated the directors upon the manner in which they
had improved the position of this line, which in the outset
was beset with difficulty. Referring to the numerous short
lines in the west of Cumberland, he drew attention to the
importance of united action among them. If an amalga-
mation of those companies could be effected it would, he
believed, be attended with the best results.
Mr T. C. Dixon seconded the motion, which was carried.
The retiring directors and auditor were re-elected, and
the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to Lord
Lonedala for his conduct in the chair.

WHITE HAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION.
The half yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven on
Wednesday—the Earl of Lonsdale presided.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving that the report and statement
of accounts be received and adopted, congratulated the
shareholders upon the great step in advance they had made,
so as to be able to pay 7 per cent. The line passed through
a thinly-populated district; but here again, as with the
WhitehavEn Junction, the iron ore had been their friend.
Some new works were required, but they would not involve
the expenditure of much capital. To provide a more direct
and convenient route for ore from Cleator to the south a line
to Sellafield or Nethertown had been suggested, and the
opinion of the meeting would be taken as to the desirability
of this company thus easing the route.
Mr S. LINDOW seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
Mr STEEL, >.i,r., moved that a dividend at the rate of

15s per share, less income tax, be declared on the original
shares of the company, payable on the Bth of September.
The line had for some years paid a poor dividend, but it
was now in a prosperous state,
Mr 111ustatAvE seconded the motion, which was carried.
The retiring directors and auditor having been re-elected,
Mr It. GREEN, of Leeds, moved a resolution authorising

the directors to take steps to make a line from some conve-
nient point on this company's line to join the Cleator line
at or near Egremont.
Mr J. B.WiLsoN seconded the motionovhichwas carried.
A vote of thanks to the chairman ended the proceedings.

- -
BRISTOL AND NORTH SOMERSET.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at
Paulton on Tuesday—Mr J. Colthurst in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
directed attention to the considerable progress which had
been made with the undertaking, and referredlast he advan-
tages which the company had gained in the session of
Parliament in obtaining access to the proposed central station
at Bristol and to the new docks at the mouth of the Avon.
Mr SMITH seconded the resolution)
which was adopted
unanimously.
A vot9 of thanks to the chairman, directors, and secretary
terminated the proceedings.

BRISTOL AN D I'o RTISHE AD.
The half-yearly meeting was held onWednesday at Bristol
—Mr James Ford in the chair.
much gratified in having
The CHAIRMAN said they were
completed the contract for the construction of the line with
Mr Treadwell, who they felt satisfied would complete the
works within the time specified. The Bristol and Exeter
Railway Company had agreed to work the line immediately
on its completion from Rownhara to the junction of their
line. The approaching opening of the suspension bridge and
other causes would bring theta a largo amount et' traffic.
He thought the shareholders might justly congratulate
themselves on the present condition and prospects of the
company.
Mr E. CASTLE seconded the adoption of the report, and
it was carried unanimously.
The meeting then separated.
KESWICK, COCKERMOUTH, AND PENRITH,
On Wednesday the half yearly meeting of this company
e trafficgreat exertions
rb. e e
This made
unexpected
was held at Keswick, Mr T. A. Hoskins iu the chair.
The Secretary read the report. It stated that notwith-
standing
unable to secure the completion of the line in time had
ad
for
sthaendsiunmgm ther of
the
current
ex-
perienced by the contractors in obtaining the requisite
delay had chiefly arisen from the great difficua
Y
num-
ber of hands. There was, however, no doubt that the line
would be ready for opening in two or three weeks. The
Government inspector had been over the line, and it was

understood that some alterations would be required. Tho
engineer stated in his report that the Government inspector
had remarked that he had never been over a line of the same
length in which the works were so numerous. The addi-
tions to be made would not delay the opening beyond the
second week in September. The expenditure amounted to
£217,553, leaving a balance against the company of £8,961.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said the directors felt disappointed that the line had not
been opened before. The delay was entirely attributable to
the scarcity of labour, He knew of nothing now that could