The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-15 00:00:00

ROYSTON AND HITCHIN.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on
Saturday at the offices, St. Helen's-place, Mr. W. Reed
in the chair.

The report stated that the directors had the pleasure
of laying on the table the Shepreth extension lease,
with the seal of the Great Northern Railway Company
attached thereto. The rent of the railway for the last
half-year has been paid by the Great Northern Railway
Company, and the dividend warrants will be issued
forthwith, deductions being made of lAd. per Cl. ss.
stock for expenses of management, and also the income
tax. The Royston and Hitchin capital account shows
a total of 200,1141., and the Shepreth extension of
66,7221., including a balance in favour of the company
of 1,84/.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report and
accounts, and in reply to a question from Dr. Pocock,
said, that the Great Northern Company had abandoned
the proposed introduction of the redemption clause into
the lease of the Shepreth line, and it did not contain
any provision of the kind.
Resolutions were passed adopting the report, and de-
claring a dividend of 3s. 9d, per share, being at the rate
of six per cent. per annum, less 10. per share for ex-
penses of management.
The CHAIRMAN explained that the sum of 1,0151. had
been accumulated by lending the spare funds of the com-
pany, at the risk of the directors, and was now brought
into the account. The Great Northern Company consi-
dered that it belonged to them, but, after considerable
discussion, it was allowed to stand to the credit of the
Royston and Hitchin shareholders. The question for
them to decide was as to how they could best dispose
of it.

After some discussion it was agreed, on the suggestion
of the chairman, and on the motion of Mr. Snow, to in-
vest the 1,0151. in the shares of the Royston and Hit-
chin Company until the ordinary meeting in February
next, when the question as to the final disposal of it
would be submitted to the shareholders.

The retiring directors were then re-elected, and, after
a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated.

NEWRY AND ENNISKILLEN.

The half-yearly report of the directors states that the
receipts for the last half-year, on capital account,
amounted to 1,0261., and the payments to 5,6991. The
bill in Parliament promoted by the company has received
the royal assent, and the directors consider it a matter
of congratulation that all questions touching the exten-
sion of their line to the landing quay at Newry, and a
junction with the line of the Dublin and Belfast Company,
are thus terminated in favour of the company. In the
passing of the bill, however, the Board of Trade objected
to the introduction of any clause giving power, at pre-
sent, to make working arrangements with any other com-
pany, it being at variance with the resolutions of the
House of Commons. The directors have come to the con-
clusion, that until Parliament shall have defined the prin-
ciples on which working arrangements can be carried out
with safety to all concerned, it will be extremely dan-
gerous for this company to part with the possession of
its line, and have, in consequence, decided on putting
on the requisite rolling stock forthwith. The engineer
states that the line will be completed in a few days, and
as soon as the rolling stock can be procured it may be
immediately opened. From information received of the
present amount of traffic, the directors entertain every
confidence that it will prove remunerative to the share-
holders. The directors regret that the Ulster suit has
not been brought to a conclusion, owing to the fact that
so many companies are parties to it. They hope, how-
ever, that shortly after the recess it will be finally dis-
posed of. The capital account to the 30th of June last,
showed that 114,8821. had been received, and 105,6201.
expended, leaving a balance of 9,2621. The claims
against the company are estimated at 16,1771., in-
cluding 12,0001. for completing the line and providing
working stock, and the assets at 57,4501., including
40,3281. expended on land, works, and permanent way.