The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-28 00:00:00

TOURNAY TO JURBISE AND LANDEN TO

The report of the directors states that the negotiations
entered into with the Belgian Government and the Aix-
la-Chapelle and Maestricht Railway Company for the
construction of a branch line between Hasselt and
Maestricht have been brought to a satisfactory conclu-
sion. The Aix-la-Chapelle and Maestricht Company
engages to construct at its exclusive cost, and also to
work, the section from Hasselt to Maestricht. This will
have the effect of changing the Landen and Hasselt line
into a trunk line, and to double its receipts without im-
posing any burden on the shareholders. The Maestricht
company takes upon itself all the obligations of the
Belgian Government as regards the management, main-
tenance, and working of the Landen and Hasselt line.
They also undertake to construct any new works or
stations that may be required on the Landon and Hasselt
line, which has been constructed as a single line both as
regards the land and works. The contract with the
Government gives the company the guarantee that, in
the event of the failure of the Maestricht company, from
any cause whatsoever, the Belgian Government will re-
sume the working of the line on the same conditions as
hitherto. The net revenue from the Landen and
Hasselt line has heretofore been about 100,000 f. per
annum, but by the new arrangement it is estimated
that it will be more than doubled. The gross
receipts of the Tournay and Jurbiso and Landen
and Hasselt lines during the first half-year of 1853
amounted to 417,882 f., of which 50 per cent., or
208,941 f. accrues to the company, being about 7 per
cent. more than the amount at the corresponding period
of 1852. • There seems a probability of the continuance
of this increase, as the July receipts show an advance
of 25 per cent. on those of July, 1852. The sum re-
maining to distribute among the shareholders amounts
to 188,000 t, or 6s. per share. The dividend of the cor-
responding period of 1852 was but ss. 6d. The divi-
dend will be paid early in October.

DARENTH VALLEY.—The first general meeting of this
company was appointed to be held yesterday, at the
offices, Great Winchester-street. The representatives
of the press were informed by an official that the chair-
man had determined on dispensing with their services,
and that, consequently, they would not be admitted.
WORCESTER AND HEREFORD.—The works OR this
line are about to be commenced.
LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN, AND OXFORD, WOR-
CESTER, AND WOLVERHA3IPTON.—The inter-traffic ar-
rangement between these companies is completed, and
it is understood to be the intention of the London and
North-Western to promote a renewed alication to
Parliament for a mid-western line. pp
DIRECT Nomrtc.—Surveys are being made for a line
direct from Doncaster to Galashiels
to shorten still
more the distance between London and the north.

pEL,--
datedA letter,
Unaelea4:enger on board
THE ARCTIC SEARCHING VESSE
Valparaiso, August 6, from
the United Slates' Steam-ship
following :—" In the Straits of Mageil:l,aci°
from the shore, evidently seeking to speakoaltle
ntains the
put off
stopped, and a passenger who was on deck at ther;tismhee
describes the interview as follows :—"The boatmen
ap-
peared to have been fishing, and were in a very rou
dress. On seeing the boat approach, the captain had
ordered the side ladder to be lowered ; as they ap.
preached, however, he ordered the ladder to be raised
again ; but just as the men commenced raising it the
officer of the boat put his hand on the lower step and
sprangupen it, saying, 'This is an American mail-steamer,
I believe ?" Yes,' replied Captain Mills ; ' what do you
want ?" We are in need of a spar." We have no
spars,' replied Captain Mills. The officer on the ladder
then explained that his boat belonged to the English brig
Isabel, fitted out by Lady Franklin to seek for her hus-
band. ' Where are you bound ?' asked Captain Mills.
`To Behring's Straits.' Then what the d—l are you
here for ?" We put in for water and to get a spar.'
'Go ahead,' said Captain Mills, and the steamei• went
one way and the boat another." 1