The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-25 00:00:00

CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL•

Hodge - Podge " and the Metropolitan
Theatres.

LAMBETH POLICE COURT.
It will be recollected that a summons was granted to the
lessees of the metropolitan theatres against Mr. Morton,
manager of the " Oxford and Canterbury Music Hall Com-
pany (Limited)" in that a piece was performing at the Can-
terbury Hall, which infringed upon their rights, and waits
violation of the " Dramatic Act." Evidence was producc4
for and against at the last examination, and the magistLate
(the Hon. G. Norton), delayed giving his decision r.trail
to-day.

His Honour wished the evidence to be read over% 'which
having been done, he proceeded to comment upon the ar_
guments advanced upon both sides. The counsel for the
prosecution had done his utmost to convince him that the
lessees were quite disinterested in the matter, and that it
was purely as a public duty, and for the promotion of
morality that they had entered upon the case. His
Honour gave them doubtful credit for that, and thought,
on the other hand, that it came with a very bad grace
from them that they should endeavour to exercise arbi-
trarily a monopoly which was placed in their hands by
the Dramatic Act. After hearing all the evidence, and
considering the great expense which Mr. Merlon had been
put to in bringing it before the public, and also the serious
results it would have upon similar places of amusement, he
had thought it right to see for himself the nature of the
piece before giving his final decision. Accordingly,
on Saturday night last (in company with Sir Thomas
Henry, the chief metropolitan magistrate at
Bow-street) he took the opportunity of visiting the
Canterbury Hall. Nothing could exceed the courtesy
and obliging demeanour of Mr. Morton. Every facility
was given him to inspect the machinery and appliances by
which the piece is produced. Of the piece itself he could
not possibly speak in too high terms. The manner in which
the figures are brought upon the stage, and the chaste-
ness of the illusions, are almost beyond description. In fact,
they reminded him of the fairy scenes he had read of
in his younger days. Altogether, he might say it was gor-
geous in the extreme. Whatever might be said as to the
morality of music halls in general, his opinion was, that if
they were all conducted in the same orderly manner as the
Canterbury, and .such pieces produced as " Hodge-Podge,n
he had no doubt whatever that they would have a very
beneficial effect; and, while adding to the enjoyment of
the masses, would not, in his opinion, be detrimental to their
morals.. But with regard to the question at issue, he had his
duty to perform; and whatever he might think of the beauty
of the piece, its wonderful effects, and the pleasing natureof
the performance, he had an Act of Parliament whereby he
must give his decision. There can be no doubt that the
piece called " Hodge Podge" is a pantomime, and a very
perfect pantomime too; and though there had been various
opinions expressed as to what constitutes a pantomime, he
himself, after giving it his most careful consideration, had
made up his mind with regard to "Hodge Podge." How-
ever, he had very great reluctance, indeed, to put a
stop to the performance of such a piece. He would much
rather delay giving his decision for some days to allow Mr.
Morton time, should he wish to do so, to apply to the Lord
Chamberlain for a dramatic license. He considered that
such a place of amusement as the Canterbury, conducted
as it is in the most orderly manner, and affording to the
visitors an elevating and agreeable entertainment, was well
entitled to such a license. When he stated the fact that
during all the time he had sat upon the bench there bad
not been a single complaint against the management of that
hall, ho thought that circumstance would go far with the
Lord Chamberlain in granting a license.
Mr. Morton having stated that he wished the decision
postponed to give time for an application to tho Lord
Chamberlain,

The Magistrate accordingly delayed his decision till to--
morrow week.

In the event of Mr. Morton being successful in getting a
license (of which there is scarcely any doubt) the public
will still have the delectable pleasure nightly of witnessing
this marvellous and unique illusion.
This question has created great interest amongst the
theatrical and music-hall proprietors, and the court wss
crowded for some time before the case came on.

COURSE OF EXCHANGE—Last Evening.

Amsterdam Short. 11 16
_ _ _ _

11 15.

Ditto 3 Months. 11 181
Rotterdam
Antwerp — 25 42f
Brussels
Hamburg
Paris
^Short 25 121
.. _ .. .... ...

11 19
11 19
25 471
25 47
13
25 20

Ditto 3 Months. 25 40
Marseilles
Frankfort on the Maine 120
Vienna — 11 55
Trieste — 11 55

25 45
25 471
120;
11 62}
__ __

11 6

Petersburgh
z
Berlin
Madrid —46 i
471
Cadiz
Leghorn
Milan
Genoa
Naples — 25 67 25 621
Palermo
25 57 25 62
Messina
25 57 25 62;
Lisbon — 511 51
Oporto —51 i
Foreign Gold in bars (standard) per 0z..... n 17s. 9d.

INPARIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
the u.sual hour.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read asecond time :—Contract
Corporation, St. Clement Danes Improvement, United
General Gas, Utilisation of Sewage and Land Recla-
mation Ireland, Assam Company, Aylesbury and
Buckinghamshire Railway, Kilrush and Kilkee Railway
and Pnlnasherry Reclamation, Ryde Pier (Tramway),
Southern Railway, Ventnor Harbour, West Cornwall
Railway, Bray and Enniskerry Railway, Burnley Market,
Dundrum, Foxrock, and Kingston Junction Railway,
Stourbridge Canal.
In reference to two other private bills upon the paper
this evening, Shepard's Patent and Wright's Patent, Lord
REDESDALE said he would call attention to these, and
questions arising out of them, on Monday next.
REMUNERATION OF SOLICITORS.
The LORD CHANCELLOR introduced a bill for the
purpose of amending the laws relating to attorneys and
aolictors. The main point in the improvement he hoped
to make by the bill was that a solicitor should
be able to make a contract with his client for
the doing of a certain work for a certain sum.
This improvement would work with especial benefit in the
case of drawing a deed. The solicitor was not paid ac-
cording to the skill with which he drew the deed, 'or
the labour and care required to draw the deed, but ac-
cording to the yard, irrespective altogether of its clearness
or excellence.
The bill was read a second time.

The Earl of LONGFORD called attention to the report
of the select committee of the House of Commons upon
metropolitan sewage of last session, and asked if it were
intended to take any steps to carry out the recommenda-
tion of the committee ? He described the defects of the
system of drainage that led to the construction of the great
lines of intercepting sewers, and the exertions of the Me-
tropolitan Board of Works down to the period when the
several schemes were proposed for applying the sewage of
London profitably to the improvement of land in the vici-
nity. The value of this sewage for application as manure
had been much disputed ; but the question of applying it to
agricultural purposes was now before Parliament. He then
recapitulated the chief recommendations of the committee
on the means of preserving rivers and watercourses from
pollution by allowing the drainage of small towns to flow
into them, and concluded by asking if any steps would be
taken to carry these recommendations into effect.
The Earl of ESSEX having had much experince in the
application of sewage to land, was exceedingly glad to find
that this most important question was aboutto be seriously
taken up by Parliament and the country. Not only in the
metropolis, but in all large towns, considerable sums of
money were expended in the disposal of the sewage ; in
some places the sole object being to get rid of the sewage,
and in others endeavours were made to benefit the land by
utilising the refuse. In a sanitary point of view anything
which could be done to prevent our rivers and streams, which
should be sources of health and pleasure, from further pol-
lution would be a great public benefit. But, beyond that, if
what had been a nuisance could be converted into a source
of profit to the ratepayers and the agriculturists, an advan-
tage could be conferred upon the whole country. It had
been ascertained by men eminent in science who had closely
examined the sewage of towns, that it contained all the
elements necessary for the fertilisation of land. That being
a settled point, it became a mere question of cost as to how
this valuable substance could be best brought to the
land. He believed that if any of their lordships having
land in the neighbourhood of large towns could procure
the sewage of those towns to be brought upon their land at
a cost of Id. per ton neither they nor their tenants would
have any cause to regret the outlay. It cost him about lid.
per ton to obtain sewage, and he was well satisfied with the
result of his operations during the last 10 years. The results
were not so satisfactory as they ought to have been—not
from any inherent fault in the system, but because, like all
pioneers, he had suffered from imperfect knowledge and
want of experience. Those persons who would now adopt
the system would have the benefit of all past experiments,
and would avoid many of the disappointments which at
first presented themselves. He had suffered at first because
he had been under an erroneous impression as- to the
amount of sewage to be applied to land. He had calculated
that the amount of sewage at his disposal would be suffi-
cient for 230 acres, but he had since found that the utmost
he could obtain would only suffice for 75 acres.

Earl GRANVILLE, who was indistinctly heard, was un-
derstood to say that theirlordships must have deriVed much
pleasure from the speeches which had been delivered by the
two noble lords, who had directed not only theoretical but
practical attention to the subject. His answer to the ques-
tion of the noble lord opposite would be a very simple one,
for he was happy to say that the noble lord who presided
over the committee with great industry and ability in the
other house was himself prepared to introduce a bill upon
the subject into Parliament. He was afraid that the House
of Commons would hardly consent to the measure in its
present form, but the Home-offico was at this moment in
communication with that noble lord, and the result would,
he hoped, lead to the framing of a satisfactory bill.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS--LAsT EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

Mr. SCHNEIDER took the oaths and his seat on his elec-
tion for the borough of Lancaster, in the room of the late
Mr. Gregson. The hon. gentleman was introduced by
Viscount Bury and Mr. Fenwick.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a second time :—Great
Northern and West Yorkshire Railways Amalgamation,
Midland Railway (Barnsley to Kirkburton) and Belfast
Borough. _ _

LIVERPOOL LICENSING BILL.

On the motion for the secondreading of this bill,

Mr. LAWSON moved, as an amendment, that "the
granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors is a
subject which ought not at present to be dealt with by any
private bill."

Mr. W. FORSTER objected to any legislation on tho
subject as being without the practical sphere of the opera-
tions of the Houses of Parliament.

Mr. HORSFALL supported the bill and said that, not-
withstanding the great improvement which had taken
place in regard to measures for diminishing the means of
obtaining intoxicating liquors, he thought legislation on the
subject would be advisable. It appeared that intemperance
prevailed to a considerable extent in the district to which
the bill referred, and therefore it was desirable that the sub-
ject should be dealt with by the Legislature.
Sir G. GREY supported the bill.
_ _

Mr. ROEBUCK opposed the bill, on the ground that the
subject to which it related should be dealt with by a public
and not a private bill.

Lord STANLEY contended that there was no ground for
introducing legislation on this subject, and dissented in toto
from the principle of the house proceeding to deal with a
general matter merely on local grounds as in the present
instance. He strongly objected to such bills as the pre-
sent, which proposed to deal by penal measures what really
should be considered by Parliament. He did not object to
legislation on this subject, but it must not be by a private
bill. (Hear, hear.)
The motion for the second reading of the bill was nega-
tived without a division.
NAVIGATION OF THE RIVER GODAVERY,
INDIA.
Mr. SMOLLETT asked the Secretary of State for
-wlndiat
hether any despatches had recently been received.
re-
garding the works proposed for openingup the ngation
of the River Godavery ; and if he would lay theavl
same
upon the table of the house ; and, whether a flotilla ontmhee
Godavery is now maintained at the expense of the
State ; and whether the Government of India is still re-
solved to persevere in carrying out the projects of the
lqcal engineers, and at what estimated cost ?
Sir C. WOOD replied in the affirmative, and said that
the estimated cost of the works in question was .C 300,000.
THE REPUBLIC OF URUAGUAY.
Mr. MAGUIRE asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs whether he had received any information
as to the Government of the Republic Uruaguay having
sent commissioners to Paris to solicit the protection of the
Emperor of the French against the Brazilian troops now
besieging Montevideo; whether any similar aid has been
asked from her Majesty's Government; and, whether her
Majesty's Government have received any information by
the French packet as to the condition of affairs in the River
Plate, especially in reference to the threatened blockade of
Montevideo, and the action, if any, taken by the corps
diplomatique at Montevideo respecting such menace.
Mr. LAYARD replied in the negative. •
RATING OF MINES AND TIMBER.
Mr. LYALL asked the President of the Poor Law
Board whether he would bring in a bill this session for the
rating of all mines and timber.
Mr. VILI,
to bryear.in LitS said that he did not deem it advisable
this
g ny bill of such a description before Parliamen
a

CAPTAIN SAYER'S LIFEBOAT.
Sir J. HAY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if it
was th
the
inteaptantion of the Admiralty to give any further
tr Captain Sayer's lifeboat, which seems a valuable
invention for saving life?
Lord C. PAGET said that it was not considered expe-
dient to make any further trial in regard to the invention
in question.

PROTECTION OF VOTERS.
Mr. BERKELEY asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department if it was the intention of her Majesty's
Government to bring forward this session any stringent
and decisive measure for the prevention of corruption and
the protection of electors at Parliamentary elections?

Sir G. GREY said that it was not intended on the pare of
the Government to introduce any such measure.
DECLINE OF THE POPULATION IN IRELAND.
On the motion for going into committee of supply,

Mr. HENNESSY moved the following resolution :
" That this house observes with regret the decline of the
population of Ireland, and will readily support her Ma-
jesty's Government in any well-devised measure to stimu-
late the profitable employment of the people. That

an address to the Crown be prepared, founded on
the foregoing resolution. He denied that there
was any truth in the political doctrine that emigration to a
large extent was desirable as far as Ireland was concerned.
He cited in support of his views the statements of the
Marquis of Clanricarde, and contended that that enlarged
view should be taken by Government, not of promoting
emigration, but by a promotion of public works in Ireland,
which would render such emigration unnecessary. (Hear,
hear.)
The motion having been seconded by Colonel FRENCH,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
readily admitted that the decline of the population of Ire-
land was a subject for regret ; but to feel and express that
as a sentiment was one thing, and to place it solemnly on
the records of the house until the social and economical
bearings upon the remarkable diminution of the population
had been ascertained was another and a different thing.
Moreover, to utter a vague and an indefinite intention to
support the Government in any well-devised measure to
stimulate the profitable employment of the people was, he
thought, undesirable, because it was calculated to raise ex-
pectations which, if not fulfilled, would be attended with
bitter disappointment hereafter. It would, therefore, be
pmcticallypalming a delusion upon the hopes and anxieties
of the people. The question of draining the great basin of
the Shannon was at present under the consideration of the
Government ; but with regard to reclaiming waste lands,
it should be remembered that they were not the property
of the nation but of individuals ; and it would not be just
to divert the public funds to the execution of a system of
internal drainage in Ireland in preference to England and
Scotland.

Mr. P. DAWSON did not despair of the well-being of
his country, although he was compelled to admit that its
condition was far from satisfactory. He did not attribute
the declension which had taken place in the population to
misgovernment, but rather to a succession of adverse cir-
cumstances, and particularly to a series of inclement
seasons.

Colonel DI7NNE repudiated the idea that Ireland was
a province of England, and protested against the country
being governed for the benefit of Great Britain.
Sir F. HEYGATE remarked that the circumstances
with which Ireland had to contend were such as no Eng-
lish colony had ever had to deal with. For example, it was
impossible for her to establish manufactures in the face of
the keen competition which she would have to meet in
this country, whilst the colonies were enabled to levy pro-
tective duties. He deplored the evils that existed, whilst
confessing that he was at an utter loss to suggest a remedy.
Mr. G. P. BENTINCK was of opinion that free trade
had much to do with bringing about the present state of
things in Ireland. Another cause was the fact that that
country had been made the battle-ground of party, the
policy of successive Liberal Governments having for many
years past been to create agitation, disorder, and confusion
there. For political ends they had encouraged one portion
of the population which was neither the most quiet nor
orderly, and discouraged, repressed, and created a feeling
of dissatisfaction amongst those who were naturally the
more quiet, orderly, and well conducted portion of the
people.

Mr. MONSELL supported the motion, and, replying to
the observations of Mr. Bentinek, said that Liberal Go-
vernment in Ireland had at all events done this good, it
had delivered the country from the dominancy and ascen-
dancy of men like that hon. gentleman. With regard to
the motion before the house, its object, and not the means
which the mover had suggested, was the real essence of
the question.
Sir R. PEEL, in resisting the motion, granted that the
condition of Ireland was not . all that could be desired,
but that she was making great progress in material pro-
sperity was apparent from various statistical facts. Thus,
during the year 1864 the number of cattle produced was
113,000 head, and of sheep 54,000 head, in excess of the
previous year. Emigration had fallen off to the extent of
3,000 souls. There was a great improvement in the rela-
tions between landlord and tenant as indicated by the fall-
ing-off in the number of evictions in the course of the last
four years. The flax crop had increased. Wheat, too, had
augmented. She had potatoes ; and in fact the only crops
that had disappointed expectation last year where the hay
crop, which was belo A the average, and oats, which were
not so favourable as in 1863. Lastly, there had been fewer
agrarian crimes ; the poor-rate was diminishing ; and the
deposits in the savings banks diminishing.
Lord R. CECIL said that whatever might be the
cause of the evils of Ireland, there was no doubt
that those upon whom we chiefly relied to fight our
battles were quitting their homes at the rate of an army in
a year, he feared, to fall into the ranks of our bitterest
enemies. With reference to one of the remedies that had
been suggested, his impression was that any measure which
altered the existing state of property between any two men,
disguise it as they might, must partake of the nature of
confiscation. At the same time he could not agree that
the state of land tenure in Ireland was all that could be
desired, or that it was not susceptible of some improve-
ment. In his opinion it was not the demagogue, the
Romanist, or the Celtic character of the people that was
the parent of the misery of that country, but with Mr. Pitt
he believed that •the true origin of the mischief was the
Government of England. Tho present generation might
not be responsible for this state of things, but it could do
much to retrace the past, and so remove a moral slur from
the honour of the country.

Mr. GREGORY hoped the Government would regard
the debate of that night as the expression of a great amount
of discontent and misery in Ireland, and that they would
endeavour to take such measures as would restore content
and public confidence.

After a speech from Mr. MAGUIEE in support of the re-
solution, on the motion of The OVONOR DON the debate
was adjourned till Monday.

The Bankruptcy and Insolvency (Ireland) Act Amend-
ment Bill, and the Felony and Misdemeanour Evidence and
Practice Bill went through committee.

Leave was given to Sir 11. BRUCE to bring in a bill to
amend the law regulating the shooting and sale of game in
Ireland.

On the motion of Mr. DUNLOP a select committee was
appointed to inquire into the present system of valuation
of lands and heritages in Scotlandfor tho imposition of local
rates.

Leave was given to Sir F. HEYGATE to introduce a
bill for the further protection of sheep and other property
from dogs in Ireland.

The house adjourned at 20 minutes past 12 o'clock.

Vacancies, Promotions, and Appointments,
in the Civil Service•

(From the Ciril Service Gazette.)
FOREIGN-OFFICE.—The vice consulship at Trinidad de
Cuba has become vacant by the death of Mr. W. S.
Smith ; Mr. F. Carstensen, vice-consul at Saffee,
Morocco, has been appointed vice-consul at Moga-
dor ; and Mr. W. J. Elton, vice-consul at Mogador, to be
vice-consul at Saffee.

THE Posr-onacm—Mr. J. S. Brown, second clerk, has
been promoted to be first clerk at Derby ; and Messrs. R.
Smith and R. M'Clintock from the probationary class to
the second class of clerks, sorting-office, Dublin.
CUSTOMs.—Mr. T. B. Burke has been appointed 18th
clerk, Dublin ; and Mr. J. Moir, an extra clerk, Leith ; Mr.
R. Partridge, clerk, second-class, has been promoted to be
clerk, first-class ; Mr. J. M. Goldie, clerk, third-class, to be
clerk, second-class; Mr. S. Frost, clerk, fourth-class, to be
clerk, third-class; and Mr. G. Godson, clerk, fifth-class, to
be clerk, fourth-class, Controller of Accounts'-office, East
and West India Docks, London.
LNLAND REVENUE ExasE BRANCH.—Mr. T. Nicholson,
surveying general examiner, second-class, has been pro-
moted to the first-class ; Mr. J. Robertson, surveying gene-
ral examiner, second-class, to be chairman of the second-
class.

THE EAsT LNDIES.—Lieut.-Colonel Lawrence, C. 8., De-
puty Commissioner of Simla, has been appointed to officiate
asmrreTsideGnt inNepaul during the absence of Col. G. Ramsay.
to
madra:rjeatnt,ciptpiistr.msastutarert,ofroßsounmalley,rh
of
Madras,b een
to transferredß
oßom-
bay. Mr. H. D. Sandeman, civil paymaster, Bengal, has
, n a
Mr.
Iv
.Alevpautteyrfiaeuiddittoor
baen d
civilttc c accoun-
tant-general,
--
been appointed to officiate 'as d
L Mangles Lieutenant
tetnoa
Ilb et
nc.ivillLp pay-
master,
0-
t amm a sa
sat -tteegrre:llßeNrinrtbßhaiwn-gal ; Mr.
H.
North-West Provinces,
commissei,onoeru,d has been promoted
Montmorency, assistant-
fcraopmtatinhe
Shaw;second atnodthLeiefiurstetnant
W.
praeirceo,ramissionvic
vice Lieut.
assistant-com-
missioner, from the third to the grade,second
heMmrsigji;Dtra. magistrate and
icnotelleacttoorooffif Tai-r:
poltinHted. DeanMasonstismtaonretntcyo
t.
Maclean has been p
hoot. Mr. A. J. R. Bainbridge has been appo
as joint magistrate and deputy collector of Moorshedacbaiate
Dr. A. Christison, officiating principal assistant to the opiumd.
agent of Benares, has been confirmed in that appointent;
Mr. E. Thompson, M.A., has been appointed Professor of
English Literature at the Presidency College, Madras, vice
Mr. Bowers ; Mr. W. H. Craig, 8.A.,t0 be professor of
logic and moral philosophy in the Presidency College,
Madras, vice Mr. Thompson; the Hon. A. K. Forbes, Judge
of her Majesty's High Court of Judicature of Bombay, to
the office of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bombay ;
Mr. W. H. Maher, an assistant to the collector and magis-
trate of Tanna ; Mr, J. W. Robertson, to act as collector
and magistrate of Kaira:; and Mr. H. Showell, to be assistant
commissioner of customs, salt, and opium of the second-class.

In honour to the memory of the late Duke of
Northumberland, its valued President, the Royal National
Lifeboat Institution has instructed all its branches through-
out the British Isles that they should to-day hoist the flags
of the lifeboats half-mast high from daylight to sunset.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]-1101.0Way
the mind an
dreary days of winter depressi
yields the best
body ; to the former condition occupation
Pills are safe and
remedy, for the latter state Holloway's
every noxious
's
Pills.—The dark
sdoardrker and
certain relief ; they cleanse the blood from matter, and exert such a general good effect upo it the eYls:
tem that indigestion, biliousness, headache, dimness of
Sight' I°BB of a_ppetite, debility, and nervousness disappear
both sexes, u
under their innderen ceflu. These Pills may be relied upon by family medicine th all climates and circumstances. As a
ey are invaluable, because they maY be
fearlessly administered the moment pain or indisposition is
perceived, and thus
annoyances. avert a long illness and its many

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND NORTE-WESTERN.

The half-yearly general meeting of this company was
held yesterday at the Euston Station; Mr. R. Moon, the
chairman, presided.

Mr. C. E. STEWART, the secretary, having read the
notice convening the meeting, the report, which has ap-
peared in The Sun, was taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said they had no reason to complain of their traffic with
one exception, and that was the cattle traffic. In that
traffic they had had a decrease of £14,500 in the half year,
chiefly between England and Ireland. The receipts for
goods averaged about the same amount per ton per mile as
last year. There was some improvement in the passenger
traffic, and a falling off in the goods. On the other side of
the account they had reduced the expenses by 14d. per mile.
This had been chiefly accomplished in the locomotive de-
partment. On comparing the receipts of the past half year
with those for the corresponding half of 1860 there was an
increase shown of £79,000. They expected to derive some
advantage in maintenance of the permanent way from the
use of steel rails as compared with iron, notwithstanding
the extra cost of the material. The permanent way and
rolling stock were in first-rate order. The accounts were
well kept, and he trusted that the dividend they wero about
to declare would be considered satisfactory.
Mr. BROWN-WESTREAD, M.P., deputy chairman, seconded
the motion for the adoption of the report and statement of
accounts.

Mr. BELOE said there were rumours as to the manner in
which the Irish mail service was conducted, and it was
reported that the Irish traffic was not carried on as it ought
to be.

Mr. WuxiAms thought the powers sought in the two
Bills mentioned in the report respecting the improvement
of the company's existing lines, by widening the approach
to Liverpool, and extending the Conway and Llanrwrst
Railway to Bettws-y-Coed, were not required.
Mr. YATES, in reference to a letter from the Queen to
railway companies, requesting that more care in future bo
adopted to avoid accidents, said it washis opinion that high
speeds and low fares were the two main causes of accidents
on railways. (Laughter.) In the transmission of the mails
to Ireland he believed the time specified was far too short
for safe performance in all weathers, and that the Govern-
ment was most unreasonable in that respect. (Hear.)
Mr. GARTSIDE said he was glad to see that although they
had an increased amount of stock to pay interest upon, and
notwithstanding the prevalence of distress in some of the
manufacturing districts, their property stood so well in the
market, and that they wero enabled to pay a 7 per cent. divi-
dend. He trusted that as they got on so well last year that their
resources would increase by good management, so that they
might again obtain such a dividend as they had formerly,
and maintain something like a minimum dividend of 10 per
cent. (Hear.) He felt very much obliged to the Board for
for the manner in which the affairs of the company had been
governed during the past year. The increase in the traffic
had been greater, and the cost of working less, than in any
preceding year. He suggested that as a great deal of their
success was due to the exertions of the officers of the com-
pany, he thought that those exertions should be recognised
either by some per centage addition to their salaries, in
proportion as the dividend rose above 5 or 6 per cent., or
in some other way.
Mr. GOEZ said that the system of allowing the officers
of a company to have an interest in the prosperity of a
company had been successful in some cases.
The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said with respect to the letter
of her Majesty, that every attention had been paid in the
past, and would be paid in the future, to the safety of the
public using their line. They had directed the best efforts
towards ascertaining what improvement could be made.
The letter of the Queen was not addressed to them specially,
but to all of the metropolitan companies. With regard to
Mr. Beloe's question, the contract for the Irish mail service
had three parties to it—the Postmaster-General, the city of
Dublin Company, and themselves. It was also in three
parts—the performance of the land journey, an intermediate
period to get to the pier, and also for the sea service. The
Government had not fulfilled what they undertook to do
with regard to the works at Holyhead. The company had
redeemed their pledge under that agreement, and had faith-
fully and successfully performed what they undertook,
though it has been at very great cost, and had been a severe
strain on their exertions. They had been rather hardly used
in this matter, and the statements which had been made
that the contract was not fulfilled with the regularity which
was required, did not apply to their part of it. Of course
they had nothing to do with the performance of the sea
service—that was the business of the City of Dublin Com-
pany. He then read an extract from a statement drawn up
by Mr. Stewart. The Post-office having complained of the
late arrivals of the mails, they were able to reply, that
during the nine days to which the complaint referred, the
down-train from Euston-square station reached Holyhead
within four-tenths of a minute on the average of the ap-
pointed time (2.5 a.m.), and the night mails within one-
tenth of a minute of the appointed time (3.5 a.m.) The
time allowed under the contract from quay to quay, that
was, from llolyhead to Kingston, was 5 hours 45 minutes.
For the first fortnight of the psesent year the time actu-
ally occupied was, on the average, with the down night
mails, 4 hours 23 minutes; with the clown day mails, 4
hours 28 minutes ; with the up day mails, 4 hours 6 mi-
nutes, and with the up night mails, 4 hours 43 minutes.
Having replied to the various observations, he concluded by
moving the adoption of the report and statement of ac-
counts, which was carried unanimously.
A dividend of £3 10s. per cent. on the consolidated stock
of the company was then declared for the half-year ending
the 31st December last.

The CHAIRMAN said this was the highest dividend they
bad declared for 17 years. Their mode of management was
that they had joint committees and special committees, and
the board to govern the whole. They would see it was well
for the directors of a railway company to offer inducements
to persons to exert themselves for the general body. This
was absolutely necessary to the well-being of the company
They had come to this conclusion that in order to reward a
gentleman who had exerted himself, and made use of more
than ordinary abilities, they should take the opportunity of
asking the proprietors to reward such a gentleman by a
special grant. And this was what he was about to ask
them. It was a very exceptional case, and referred to Mr.
Bancroft, one of the directors, who had rendered great
services to the company, and in that view every member
of the board concurred, and he believed they ought to re-
tain his services by allowing him £l,OOO a year,

Mr. B. WESTHEAD seconded the motion.
Mr. HORSFA.LI, M.P., hoped the shareholders would
agree to that proposition.
Mr. GARTSIDE and_Mr. CROSFIELD, the auditor, concurred
in that view.
The resolution granting £l,OOO per annum to Mr. J.
Bancroft for his services was then unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN hoped that the adoption of this plan
would give them the services of many valuable men.
A formal resolution, voting £562,692 for providing addi-
tional engines, carriages, and waggons, and increased ac-
commodation at various stations on the railway, was then
carried.

---Thesum of £6,135, expended on the improvement of the
permanent way, was ordered to be transferred to capital
under a distinct head.

Mr. W. N. Hodgson, the Hon. C. W. G. Howard, M.P.,
Mr. G. H. Lawrence, and Lord A. Paget, M.P., the retiring
directors, were unanimously re-elected. Mr. S. P. Edwards
and Mr. W. Tipping were elected directors of the company.
Mr. Crossfield, the retiring auditor, was unanimously re-
elected.

The meeting was then made special, and a formal agree-
ment for working the Lancashire Union Railway so as to
give 5 per cent. on its cost was confirmed ; and the direc-
tors were authorised to create £1,283,182 ordinary stock in
the company, to be issued from time to time in substitution
for an equivalent amount of stock or shares in the Stour
Valley and Shropshire Union Companies.
Mr. TAYLOR moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and
directors, which was carried unanimously, and the proceed-
ings terminated. -
WHITEHAVEN JUNCTION.

The report of the directors states that the revenue shows
an increase of £2,622 over the corresponding half of 1863
while the expenses show an increase of only £522. The
line, works, and rolling stock, at the same time, had been
kept in a thoroughly efficient condition, and several im-
provements effected. The total receipts for the half-year
ending Dec. 31 amounted to X 26,637, and the working ex-
penses to £10,558, leaving a balance of £16,079. After the
payment of all preference charges the balance was £11,329
out of which the directors recommended a dividend at the
rate of 18 per cent. per annum, carrying £2,000 to the con-
tingency account,
and leaving a balance of £253 to the
next account.

WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION.
The report of the directors states that the receipts for
the half-year ending the 31st of December last amounted
to £24,966, showing an increase of £2,068 over the corre-
sponding half of 1863, The working expenses amounted
to £9,802, being £1,024 less than for the corresponding
period. The revenue had been debited with £l,OOO to-
wards the renewal of the permanent way. All renewals of
rolling stock were at once charged against revenue. The
balance available for distribution among the original share-
holders was £9,299, and the directors recommend the de-
claration of a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum,
leaving £199. The expenditure on capital account during
the half-year had been £3,224, including the cost of one
new goods engine, which had been added to the rolling
stock. With a view to increase the traffic in iron ore and
to meet the requirements of the trade, the directors had
entered into a new traffic agreement with the Cleator Rail-
way Company for a further term of ten years.