The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-02 00:00:00

WHITEHAVEN JUNCTION.

The half-yearly meeting of this company yns held on
Monday at Whitehaven, Mr. W. Lumb in die Alain

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report
and statement of accounts (an abstract of which has ap-
peared in The Sun), congratulated the shareholders upon
the fact that they were paying the highest dividend of any
railway in the kingdoni, and that dividend, moreover, had
been honestly and legitimately earned. Although they could
not expect to maintain their dividend at 18 per cent., he
augured well of their prospects.
Mr. Moor seconded the motion.

Mr. H. Coox, the secretary, in answer to the question,
stated that it was not true that the high rate of dividend
was the result of exorbitant charges. On the contrary,
their rates were lower than those of any line in the kingdom
for similar distances.
The motion was carried unanimously, and a dividend of
365. per share, less income-tax, being equal to 18 per cent.,
was declared payable on the original shares.
The proceedings concluded with thanks to the chairman
and directors.

WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION.
The lialf,yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven on
Monday, Mr. W. Miller in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report (an ab-
stract of which appeared in the The Sun). He congratu-
lated the shareholders upon the continued increase of the
dividend. The lowering of the rates on the Cleator traffic
had not diminished their dividend this half-year, which was
the largest they had eves paid. With regard to the lines of
railway projected across the Duddon estuary, the directors
believed that theirs would be the safest, cheapest, and best,
and felt confident in their success before Parliament. A
temporary depression in the iron ore market had caused a
temporary falling off in the receipts, but this would be
transient.

Mr. CoLLINs seconded the motion.
Mr. PARKER asked what the directors thought upon the
question of amalgamation with neighbouring lines ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that the moment they could see
their way to amalgamation upon fair and equitable terms
the directors would be prepared to carry it out.
The report was unanimously adopted, and a dividend at
the rate of 8 per cent. per annum was declared.

The proceedings ended with a vote of thanks to th•

chairman.

WHITEHAVEN, CLEATORI AND EGREMONT.
The hall-yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven on
Monday—Mr. A. B. Steward in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said the dividend was 12 per cent., instead of 13, which they
paid last half-yea; but this decrease he attributed to an
abatement of 10 per cent. in the tolls for the carriage of iron
ore, and to the fact that they were now paying a dividend
upon £37,500 expended upon the Marron Extension, and
which was unproductive. The directors felt it desirable to
make a little branch to Hill's Pet, whence all the ore was
at present carted through Whitehaven streets.
Mr. DEES seconded the adoption of the report. He ob-
jected to amalgamation or lease at present, because they did
not know the value of their property till they got their ex-
tension and branches completed.

The report was unanimously agreed to, and a dividend
at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum (less income-tax) was
declared.

A vote of thanks to the directors and chairman closed
the proceedings.

COLNE VALLEY AND HALSTEAD.

The half-yearly meeting of -this company was held on
Tuesday at Halstead-11r. J. Brewster in the chair.
The report stated that the receipts on reveue account
for the half-year ending the 31st of December were £4,994,
while the expenditure was £3,353, leaving a balance of
£1,641. The expenditure on capital account to the 31st of
December was £262,330.

On the motion of the CHAIRMAN the report was adopted.
Mr. J. CARDINALL moved a resolution to the effect that
the directors should take into their serious consideration
the question of the liability of the Great Eastern for the
damage sustained by the company by the non-fulfilment by
the Great Eastern of its pledge to complete and open its line
from Haverhill to Cambridge by August 6, 1864, as directed
by the Act of August 6, 1861.
Mr. F. C. Frrcii seconded tho motion, which was agreed to.
Mr. Payne and Mr. Gamble, the retiring directors, were
re-elected, and Mr. Wilson, the retiring auditor, was re-
appointed. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Watt,
the traffic manager, and also to the chairman.