The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-18 00:00:00

London Balilere, 219, Regent-street.

TO the SHAREHOLDERS of the GENERAL
Spit XNY STEAM Sill PIING COMPANY.
In the preeent momentous pcs.tion of the Company's affairs, the
Board of Dire tors consider it their (lu.y to address the Shireholders,
ar,LL If possible, to arouse then to a sees of their sternal interests.
At the General Meeting held 3 esterday, a etnnbinatt is of parties
was seen. Who3e,objects were as diverse as the means by which Choy
will be prepared to carry them out.

One party, repreiented by v. Raikes Currie, dezirea to sell your
ships, and wind no the affairs of the C mpany. A second party has
not expret,s,d this object, but it has, by every means within he
reach, endeavoured to gain a power which would enable the leaders
to manage your affairs,—an office for which the Board believe them
utterly unfitted.

On the Chairman's motion yesterday,
"That the report and accounts now presented to this meeting be
received and adopted, and that a dividend at the rate of 5/. per cent.
per annum be paid to the Shareholders for the last half-year, tree of
income tax, the dividend to he payable on and after the 3Uth inst.,"
Mr. Raikes Currie proposed the following amendment—
" That thii report be not adopted."
Mr. Burton, whoie 'circulars it may i.e presumed every share-
holder has received, seconded that amendment, and he attempted an
elaborate-analysis or the accounts then before the meeting. .
His statements Provk d, 'without controversy, t Evo things :—First,
that hell entirely ignorant of the nature of mercantile accounts; and
second, that he had been grossly imposed upon. To many of his
allegations a direct and positive contradiction was given, and in re-
lation to the ,accounts nhich lie had criticised, full and sufficient ex-
plaugions were afforded either by the Stipendiary Auditor or the
Chairman.

The eminent accountant, Mr. Co7eman, who is also a shareho'der,
spoke to the substantial correctness of the accounts, though he ob-
jected to the form.

Mr.'llutton was supported by a Shareholder, who is stated to be
the accountant of a late Director, and who has published a state-
ment which the. Board does net hesitate to describe ai a gross per-
irerslon of figures.
Mr. T. A. Mulkey spoke to the accounts, and he proposed as a
further amendment that they should be referred to some two emi-
nent account nits.

Gentlemen-I'o Mr. Hankey's proposition, just and reasonable in
it►elf, the Chairman for b Imself and the rest of the Directors instantly
assented. He sa d they would willing'y adopt that course. And
why ? Because accounts rightly kept, and rightly vouched, will
bear any examination, provided that examisation be conducted in
an honest spirit for a proper end.
Atter diScusilon, Mr. Raikes Currie expressed a wish to withdraw
his amendment, that that of Mr. Hankoy might be put, and Mr.
Hutton and his friepds refused him what he sought.
Well, gentlemen, the report was to be rejected—the Board werefo
be treated with contumely—you were to be refused a dividend, be-
cause the accounts were alleged to be incorrect ; and the proposition
to have them examined by dispassionate and competent persons is
refused all consideration. Do you require a stronger proof that a
faction is attempting to sacrifice your Interests to its own desire of
power?

The amendment of Mr. 'Nikes Currie was finally carried by a
show of hands, and the shareholders, opposed to that resolatloo, de-
manded a ballot.

The meeting then adjoiarned to the hour of noon on the 22d
inst., et the London Tavern, when the result of the ballot will be
declared, and the business proceeded with. Whet' the meeting re-
assembles, if Mr. Hankey should not sdhere to his. intention of
cloying a resvlution as to the accounts, the Chairman, on behalf of
the Board, is prepared to mOVe that they shall be submitted to the
examination of one or.more eminent accountants.
In the Report, the Board felt itself obliged to speak with reserve;
but the conduct of the patty now opposed to its policy compels a
plain statement, whatever may be its influence eu the Company's
interests.

The question of a Dividend is entirely for your decision.
However the accounts may be dealt with —whatever may be the
value put on the several assets, this at least is a fact which is not to
be disproved, that during the first six months of this year a net profit
of 34,9951. 19s. 4d was realised, and the assets were increased by the
sum of 57,6421. 3e. 6d.
During the six months now current the
year, profit derived from the
1 employment of your ships, has been very large ; that must cent doue
n
for some time longer, for 'they are chartered for periods which
not 'expire Without notice ; and the Board have little doubt that each
of your ships, as she returc s from Australia, will be chartered.
i Nearly fivie months of the half year have expirsd, and therefore It
in-
le not bold to state that your gains during the present half- ,
elusive of that on the sale of the _Prince, will be, it is catenated,
from stMety to one hundred thousand pounds from the elovernment
alone. .
The, Company's gresi receipts, inclusive -of the charter of the
In-liana, are 28,7411. per month,' the Government providing fuel.
Ym
The argument which the Board wish to pre,ent
to these share-
holders who seek to sell the Company's property forthwith is this—
that the advantages derived from the
resent emPlo nt of the
Ships are much in excess of any reasonable depreciation, whether it
arise from the ch terioratisn of property; or depression in the de-
mand for steamers, or from both.
• Gentlemen, the Board repeat that at the proper time the Directors
would gladly, with your permission, sell a part or the whole of your
fleet. If you refuse them 3 our confidence, and restrict their discre-
tion, Insisting on an immediate sale, or within a limited period, You
wi 1, without a doubt, inflict on yourselves a heavy and disastrous
loss. e
At the general meeting the directors affirmed, through the Chair-
man, that they are prepared to resign their places to any gentlemen
who are independent or the baneful influences which have so long
hem at work ; but they are
equally resolved by every means which
den be legally and honourably used, to resist the objects of the fac-
tious movement, which they have not hesitated to denotince.
The Board earnestly urge you to look to
To evade that provision of your deed which limits the numb r of
vote.; in proportion to.the increase of stOck, shares have been trans-
ferred for a nominal , ons aeration to persons (clerks and there) by
whose means greater power may be exerted at your meetings. Such
expedients may be pursued to a greater extent. the warning is
given. and it Is for you to profit by it.
Confident in the integrity of their conduct, in tilde earnest desire
to preserve the interests committed to their hands, and in the cor-
rectness of their policy, your proper interests.
al-out to be taken, and at the ' adjourned ask
your i —By order of the
meet eir.
Board.
' J. L. O'BEIRNE, Secretary.
27, Cannon street, Nov. 1G 18.
, 54.
the di ectors

tinTuheeoil%LoLno6l;twurild'abFethOePtEgigthE,
P.S—NOTICF. OF TETE BALLOT.
taken on each day, froniday
21st instant, On which
13 to 3 o'clock
to
Frox'es; Which will be sup lied at the office, may be given any
of the following dir ctors : Supt
DMoonnda7
John ITtlay Ellis
1 Charles James Major
Nathl. B. Acworth.
Henry Shuttleworth
Peter Bell
John Robe, t Thomson
Fredoick John Francis
it will finally close. The votes will b
thelD Ajo't,hthaen la7th.
Tuesdaya n d e
then
John Lambert ,
i Edward Zohrab.

Tavern _ ..,,.
GENERAL SCREW STEAM SHIPPING
• COMPANY.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Ballot which was de-
manded at the Half-yearly General Meeting, held at the London
of the'
on Wednesday, the 15th instant, is now open at the Offices
Company: 27, • Cannon-street, and will continue open from
twelve to three o'clock on the 20th and 2lst, closing finally at
the hour of three o'clock on the last-named day'. •

By orderof the Chairman. .
J. L. O'BEIRNE, Secretary.
Nov. 18, 1354.

EMOSES and SON, Minories and Aldgate,
0 New Oxford-street and Hart-street, offer to all classes the
advantages of seasonable attire, essential for every day life and
business, proper dress for this time of the year, conatortahli and
fashionable clothing at ve economical prices. Sporting dress, the
Most-approved of for ease, ry
elegance, and style. Liveries, "Uniforms,
and Ladies Habits, magnificent materials and workmanship accord.
ing with the most novel fashions, and the most recent regulations.
Overcoats, Wrappers, Capes, Waterproof Clothg, the most
fashionable designs, and the most useful and ele ;ant in
fabrics—these
comprise many new inventions for the season, one of which is the
new Paletot, price 255; it is the best, most gsntiemanly, and service-
able Coat or Overcoat which could be offered ; it is approved by all
classes, worn by everybody ; it is the most fashionable and comfort-
able article which has been Introduced.
Hosiery of the newest description, the richest and finest materials
and fashions. Shirts and under clothing of every useful kind, better
and cheaper than at any other house.
Hats sod Cans, Boots and Shoes, Outfits for Emigrants, elegant
articles for Ladies and Gentlemen, everything which can contribute
to the ease, comfort, and elegant appearance of all classes end pro•
fessions may be obtained at E. Moses and Sox's for considerably
less money than would be charged elsewhere.
The immense Stock of Clothing, Shirts, Boots and Shoes, Ste, in
the vt'holesale Department, secures unequalled advantages to Mer-
chants, Capiams, Emigrants, and others.
Fall lists of Outfits for Ladies and Gentlemen may be bad, on
application, or post free.
CA.UTIONT.—E. MOSES and &ON regret having to guard the
public against imposition, hzylitt learned that the untradesman-like
fahehood of " Being connected with their Establishment," or I. It's
the same concern," has been resorted to in many Instances, and for
obvious reasons, they beg to state that they have
No eIIiNEVON WITII kNY ornea li,n/SE IN OR OUT OF LONDON,
except their own EstablishMents, as follows :
London City Establishment, 154, 155. 156, and 157,%finorieS, Si,
85, and 86, Aldgate, opposite the Church. all communicating.
London West-end Branch, 506, 507, 503, New Oxford -street, 1,2,
and 3, Hart-street, all communicating.
Bradford (Yorkshire) Branch, 19 and 29, Bridge-street.
elleffield Branch, 36, Fargate.
Colonial Wholesale Branch, Melbourne, Australia.
Merchant Tailor?, Clothiers, Hatters, Hosiers, Furriers, Boot and
shoe Makers, and General Outtitters for. Ladies and Gentlemen.
IMPORTANT.—ShouId any article not give satisfaCtion, it will be
etehanged if desired , er, if preferred, the money will be returne..
3•
• ~ ..0 /icAzi.m. . All goods aro tas.rkeii in plain figtaes, tb.e lowest
,-..t..11.
__ 4--s_ ,4„...1 ~) c.).,,, t Nry, ~... a, C n be 11,,,,de.
..
The Estenthinenta are closed :rem curse! on Fridays is 2untet
rjnAS'lnteiVAYoo.l'kwilkoear Autumn and rWes.iinintel,erd.
,tll4lll.2eLeC:otefmk.ericrial Coml.
eoPlat,"&7.ll:l'oll.l,nmg afuyllbelihtsadoofnParp-epeLl'e' aotQiJoruiti,:o3rparp"4oirrato-frtaee":Bo."ure.
Aqua 8 a habla niarc.
meaTuiCiel;osni)rpitc.rlilteuaFauranre)aliwtt.
a.