The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-21 00:00:00

among the men, being, it is alleged, equal to about £1 per
man. The effect of the lock-out during the past week,
although it has depressed many of the trade in the village,
has not prevented the shopkeepers from supplying the
locked-out with goods on credit, which it is believed they
will continue to do. On the other hand, the collieries in
the district continue to work full time, and in the other
departments of the company's establishment the men work
as hitherto. It is thought that most of the men are disposed
to support their Stafford brethren pecuniarily, and would
do so if in employment. An appeal will be made to other
trades for assistance if matters remain as they are at pre-
sent. A sum of £2O is expected to be remitted from the
men employed at the glassworks in Sunderland during the
ensuing week towards the relie fof the ironworkers here.
Since the lock-out several men have left the phice to seek
employment elsewhere, and a further migration will take
place shortly unless the works are re-opened in a few days."
These are all the particulars that have reached
this town to-day from the iron districts, and they
are not very cheering.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

SCOTTISH NORTH-EASTERN.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was
held on Thursday, at Aberdeen—Mr. J. Stirling in
the chair.

The report, an abstract of which has appeared in
The Suit, was taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said that
matters were going on very satisfactorily. The in-
crease in the traffic was upwards of £5,000 as com-
pared with the corresponding period of the preced-
ing year. This sum did not represent the real in-
crease, for in the preceding half-year the effect of
the Highland line on the company's through traffic
was not wholly felt, whereas in the past half-year it
was. As to the question of • return tickets, which
had been mentioned at former meetings, the direc-
tors had resolved that from the Ist of June next
return tickets should be issued every Saturday at a
single fare and on other days at a fare and a half.
The arrangements for the construction of the Den-
burn line were being carried out, and they would
soon be ready to receive tenders for the construc-
tion of the works. The relations between this com-
pany and the Great North of Scotland Railway
Company, as natural allies, were of a very friendly
kind. The state of the money market had hitherto
prevented the construction of the Dundee and For-
far line ; but if parties interested in the line would
take up the 4 per cent. preference stock the works
on that line would be commenced immediately.
They were promoting only one bill in the present
session of Parliament for the construction of the
Carnyffie line, which was a very small undertaking.
The company were also with other companies inte-
rested in promoting a bill for the improvement of
the joint station at Perth, which was much needed.
Mr. BIRNIE seconded the motion for the adoption
of the report, and it was carried unanimously.

On the motion of the CE(AIRMAN, dividends were
declared on the Aberdeen original stock at the rate
of 14 per cent. per annum ; on the Scottish Mid-
land original stock at the rate of 5i per cent. per
annum ; and on the Dundee and Arbroath original
stock at the rate of 7/ per cent. per annum for the
past half-year. The allowance to the directors was
increased from £6OO to £l,OOO a year.
Mr. Bailie HARRIS suggested that the new line
from Dundee -to Forfar should have the Dundee
terminus at Broughty Ferry, instead of at Stanner-
gate as proposed.
After some observations by Mr. CLARE, in refe-
rence to the necessity of working in co-operation
with the Great North of Scotland Railway Com-
pany for the development of through traffic, the
proceedings concluded with a vote of thank.; to the
chairman.