The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-29 00:00:00

EASTERN BENGAL.

The tenth ordinary general meeting of the share.
holders was held yesterday, at the offices, 24A,
Gresham-street, Mr. Leith in the chair.

The report, which has been published, was taken
as read.

THE CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, said he had much pleasure in congratulating
the shareholders upon the progress of the company,
and now that they had reached the culminating
point he begged to assure them of two important
facts—first, that the railway had been completed in
a most substantial and admirable manner; and,
secondly, that it had proved so far to be a remune-
rative undertaking and a commercial success. There
had been an increased development of traffic since
the opening, and the receipts had been very large
in comparison with the time the line had been
opened. The gross earnings had been at the rate
of 5 per cent. upon the capital and debenture debt,
and the expenditure might be taken at 25 or 30
per cent. upon that amount. He had every
reason to anticipate that they would very soon
have more than the guaranteed interest
of 5 per cent. The district through which the line
ran was one of the greatest thoroughfares in India
for traffic, being the through route to Calcutta. The
object of the line was to anticipate that traffic, and
which object had been achieved. The great popu-
lation of Bengal were beginning to use the line.
The gross mileage of the line was Bs. per train-
mile, and that he considered very satisfactory, see-
ing that the line had only been opened four months.
Upon the application of natives living along the line
and at the request of the Government, five new sta-
tions had been opened. The station at Calcutta
was completed, and several other stations were
being proceeded with rapidly. Having referred to
the services of the chief engineer, Mr. Pardon, to
whom it was proposed to present a testimonial, he
observed that during the past five years the com-
pany had passed through great difficulties, but now
the company was in a most satisfactory position.
Mr. Pardon, the chief engineer, was of opinion that
they had a splendid property, and the agent in
India expected to double the returns within the
year. He next referred to the subject of
a
sions, and the correspondence with th
he went
of India relating thereto having been read,be
wlling to
rooter with a
on to say that the companyocheernexinteenn;
Charles Wood at
6 per cent. guarantee, but
construct the extension to Buwii:lnadg
to the share-
resent would not
should be carried out on
give moreasthae 41 the board did
those terms.
hnooltdefereslthinastttifiheedexitnenzoenoros ending
Mr. LANGLEY seconded the motion for the adop-
tion of the report.
In answer to questions,
The CHAIRMAN said the Government had con-
sented to a concurrent audit, and that the board
question.
then
nf
next t
carried
re
iX, extension ension
adopted.to the effect that the
would not losnewwsai
sagshtht
AThreearoelpuotirst
shareholders approved of the conduct of the board
in reference to the negotiations
with the G
ment of India on the extension overn-
question.
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Pardon the
engineer, and the chairman, and theseparated. meeting

The following is a constable's bill of costs for
apprehending a man at Beaulieu, in Hants, and
conveying him to Winchester gaol, in 1738. The man's
name was Jonathan Wheeler, and his offence appears to
have been smuggling. For three men to guard Wheeler at
Bucklershard, 4s 6d; expenses at Bucklershard, 8s; eight
men for guards round the hourse at Gynns, 12s; five men
ditto, ss; four men to guard at Beaulieu, 68; expenses at
Beaulieu for beer, feeding, &c., 14s 2d; six horses to carry
him to Winchester, 30s; four men to guard him to Win-
chester, 168; for keeping horses at Winchester and other
expenses going and coming, 38s—total, X6.9s sd, The dm-
time° from Beaulieu is about 24 miles.