The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-22 00:00:00

ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY.

MEETING THIS DAY.

The ordinary general meeting of the proprietors in this
company was held this day at the London Tavern.
The directors' report, which was adopted, recommended
the usual dividend of £2 per share, The passenger traffic
has been favourably influenced by the emigration to British
Columbia and the visits to the International Exhibition,
but the receipts for freight on the Brazil route have been
considerably diminished by the competition of the French
steamers—a competition which must also be anticipated to
affect seriously the West India route, when the line from
France to that station shall have been fully established.
The company's contract with the Government will expire
at the end of next year, and tenders for the new service are
to be sent in on Saturday week. The directors, therefore,
are giving anxious attention to this question, but do not
intend to attempt to obtain a renewal on any but remunera-
tive terms.

The CHAIRMAN, Captain Mangles, presided, and in
moving the adoption of the report, spoke of the satisfactory
position of the company, and alluded to the notice given
by the Go'ernment to discontinue the existing contract of
the West Ind ian and South American mail services. Several
of the shareholders criticised the report of the directors in a
very favourable manner, and observed that the
finanoial position of the company was sound, and satisfac-
torily contrasted it with former periods.

POLICE-THIS DAY.

WESTMINSTER.

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT AT TUE EXIIIEITION.—WaItOr
Rummoll, a young man, was charged with being drunk and
violently assaulting a police-constable.
Alexander Gardner, 224 X, said that at 20 minutes past
6 last evening he was on duty at the Exhibition, engaged in
clearing out the visitors, when the defendant and two other
young men approached, all of them being intoxicated. He
pointed out the direction they should take to leave the
building, when the defendant refused to go that way, and
attempted to pass towards the eastern annexe. Complain-
ant prevented this, and as the defendant persisted com-
plainant took him by the arm to lead him out of the build-
ing. When he got him through the turnstile he let go his
hold of the defendant, when the latter turned round and
struck him a violent blow on the side of the head, which he
followed up by inflicting another before he could be secured.
Mr. Paynter—What became of the other two drunken
persons who were with the defendant? Hew is it they
were not locked up ?

Complainant—When desired they left peaceably, so that
there was no necessity.

Mr. Paynter (to defendant)—What have you to say ?
Defendant—l am in fault.

Mr. Paynter—l should think you ought to be. A youth
like you getting drunk and conducting yourself in that
disgraceful way at so public a place of resort, where the
slightest obstruction may cause incalculable mischief. How
long had he been in the Exhibition, constable—are you
aware ?

Complainant—All the day, I believe.
Mr. Paynter—Then he got drunk in the building.
Constable—Yes, I suppose so.

Mr. Paynter—You might have done much damage,
young man, to the valuable property there.
Complainant—l had seen him with his companions be-
fore, and was very much afraid that they would fall
through some of the glass cases.

Mr. Paynter—lt was indeed fortunate ; the Exhibition
is no place for drunken men. (To defeadant)—What are
you?
Defendant—A clerk.

Complainant—He is clerk to an exhibitor there, and
knew the regulations of the building well. At the time I
interfered with him it was twenty minutes after that fixed
for the closing. .

Mr. Paynter—Did he go quietly to the station ?
Complainant—No, he resisted so violently that it required
four constables to carry him to the station.

mr. Poynter (to defendant)—Your conduct for a respect-
ably positioned young man is very disgraceful. You must
pay 405., or be sent to the House of Correction for a month.
The fine was paid.