The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-12 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

_
GREAT INDIAN PENINSULAR.
A special meeting of this company was held at the
offices, in New Broad-street, yesterday, to consider
the propriety of accepting the offered guarantee of 4}
per cent. on the extension capital proposed to be raised
for this line, the shareholders having resolved at a former
meeting not to accept less than 5 per cent. ; Mr. W. J.
Hamilton in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN would not detain the meeting at any
length in calling their attention to the objects for which
they were convened together. It would be recollected
that at a meeting of the company, held on the 31st of
October last, the board moved a resolution authorising
the acceptance of the terms offered by the East India
Company for the remainder of the 1,000,0001. of expe-
rimental capital, on which an amendment was put and
carried, to the effect that the contract only be accepted
conditionally, on the East India Company guarantee-
ing 5 per cent. on the whole of the experimental
capital. The directors haying the interest of the
shareholders entrusted to them, felt bound to
communicate that resolution to the East India Com-
pany, and urge its acceptance. The directors felt that
there were three courses for them to pursue to induce
the Court of Directors of the East India Company to
acquiesce in the views of the shareholders of this com-
pany, to dissent altogether from the terms offered by the
East India Company, or to invite the acquiescence of the
shareholders in these terms. They bad endeavoured to
obtain the acquiescence of the East India Directors to
the proposition without effect. They felt they could not
recommend the proprietors to forego the advantages
likely to result from the extension of the line, and they
therefore had no alternative but to recommend the share-
holders to accept the guarantee of 4i per cent., however
disappointed they might feel at not having the guarantee
of 5 per cent. extended over the whole of the experi-
mental capital. Moreover, they must recollect, that
the East India Company retained to itself the power of
not calling upon them to expend the whole of the first
500,0001., on which they were guaranteed 5 per cent.,
as they could, if they thought fit, determine that the
line should not proceed further than Tannah. If, how-
ever, they accepted the 46 per cent., there would be no
doubt they would be considered entitled to find
to the capi-
tal for any further extensions which they hoped make
into the cotton fields of India. The directors had the
less hesitation in recommending the proprietors to accept
the offer, from the fact, that the traffic on that portion
of the line already opened had much exceeded their
expectations. It was but twenty-two miles in length ;
and though as yet they had no goods traffic, the pas-
senger traffic, after deducting 50 per cent. for working
expenses, had produced them within a fraction of 3 per
cent. on the outlay. (Hear.) When they came to open
the 53 miles to Shawpoor, which they would do at an
outlay of 10,0001. a mile, they would intercept all the
goods traffic from the mountains, and they had every
reason to believe receive much more than 5 per cent. on
their outlay guaranteed to them. The 22 miles of the
line already opened had cost them 22,000/., and for 30
weeks they had received for passengers only, 321. per
day, their total receipts for the 12 months having been
12,1001., which, after deducting the 50 per cent. for
working expenses would,• as he had stated, give them
nearly 3 per cent. on the outlay. The honourable gen-
tleman then moved a formal resolution, over-riding
that of the 31st Oct., 1853, and authorising the direc-
tors to accept the terms offered by the East India
Company. In doing so, however, he thought it neces-
sary to say that though 100,0001. only would be called
up at present, there was every probability of the full
500,0001. being required to enlarge the Bombay station,
• and make the requisite arrangements for the develop-

ment of the traffic:
Mr. CRAWFORD seconded the motion, and expressed
his conviction that a large expense must be incurred at
the Bombay Station, by which their extra capital would
soon be swallowed up, to give the necessary accommo-
dation to the traffic from Shawpoor and the numerous
branches from the lines which would become necessary.
Mr. RICHMOND would not move any amendment to
the resolution, though he did not withdraw from his
original opinion, that they were morally entitled to the
5 per cent. Looking at the money market, and the
state of the affairs in the East, he thought that 44 per
cent. guarantee would be scarcely sufficient to induce
parties to take up the capital of it, were it not that they
looked upon obtaining a much more valuable return
than that amount.,
Mr. TITE thought they had made a
at very good bargain
with the East India Company, and th the capital
would be readily taken up.
The resolution was then put, and carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks was then given to the chairman and
directors.
The CHAIRMAN stated, in reply to a question, that
there was no difficulty in procuring labour in India to
push on the works, but that their slow progress was
occasioned by the difficulties of the country—the neces-
sity of making special surveys of every portion of the
line—and the control partly held by the East India Com-
pany over the construction—the correspondence being
delayed by the distance of the scene of action.
The meeting then separated.

GREENWICH.—The half-yearly meeting of the Green-
wich Railway Company was held yesterday, Mr. Josh.
Wilson in the chair, on which occasion a dividend of ss.
2d. per share on the unprivileged shares was declared,
leaving a balance of 1611. Os. 10d.
KILKENNY AND GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN.—
At a meeting of this company yesterday, a resolution for
forfeiting 3,100 shares was confirmed, and another was
passed for altering the time fixed for the half-yearly
meeting.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.
THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.--Traffic return for
the week ending Jan. 1, 1854 £15,141 11. 2
Corresponding week last year 12,719 18 1
GLASGOW AND SOUTHACBSTERN RAILWAY.—Traffio Te
t ru for Lilo week ending Jan. 7, IK4 .........£5,005 13
:Jorrespuuding week last year 4,577 3 11

k 1,328 9 5
Increase in 1854

A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS.
'I be publication of the entries for the :spring handi
capFk; has been followed by no important; movement in
the . turf market. Indeed, speculation is -unusually in-
ac .iv e, and is regulated by an extreme and a significant
ca uti on. Virago, although now backed with little appa-
ret spirit, is still the leading , favourite for the Chester
Cup. A. somewhat powerful demonstraiSon has, how-
ever, within the last few days been made in favour of
his: ;stable companion, Catspaw ; a proceeding which may
te; ni::)orarily discourage the supporters of Virago.
Two handicaps have been published for the Oundle
St, !.`4 ;plechase ; one framed by the appointed handicapper,
Mr. Topham, and the other by the promoter of the
mooting. Much confusion and annoyarn,e has copse-
vies ntly been occasioned. On inquiry I was informed
th mit, Mr. Topham having neglected to forward the
weights in time for pubiication in the early editions of
the Sunday papers, the person above mentioned was
ecru' pelled to make the handicap. Late on Saturday,
how ever, Mr. Topham sent the weights to Bell's Life, in
wl iich paper they were inserted, greatly to the perplexity
of owners of horses who had previously received the
on ndicap. It was, however, ultimately decided
to reject Mr. Topham's handicap, and to accept that
frr acted by the promoter of the meeting. hibjoined is a
coy of the two handicaps :

THE ORIGINAL AND ACCEPTED HAN'DICAP.

et 11,
Pt:ter Simple ll 12
11 6
The Colonel
Ploughboy lO 9
Tihe General lO 9
Mel on
,lwood
f-altd•Half
alrice Daley .
Ga rcorth lO 3
.
Vic tress lO 0
Sim pie Peter lO 0
Sam Hood 9 13
The Tulip 9 1:1
Arti

st lb
Tomboy
Robin Hood:
Blackwood _ 9 7
Bolltiocher ._ 9 7
A.. Y
Sir Philip......
Qqa•imodo
. 9 2
Topsy
The Screw
The Old Rake
Reindeer .
Edward of York 9 0
Cigar
Nelly Brown

T Al 1"11 ERSALL' S.

(THIS EVENE: G.)

METROPOLITAN STAKES.
'25 to 1 ags Virago (taken).
CHESTER CUP.
30 to 1 agst Virago (taken).
40 to 1 apt Newminster (taken).
40 to 1 a‘,/,]'. Milford (taken).

DERBY

4 to 1 agst King Torn (taken),
40 to 1 agst Scythian (taken).

OAKS.
4to 1 agst ivleteora (taken).

DEPARTURE OF TUE CENSUS.

The General Screw Steam-shippinq Company's steam-
ship Crcesus, commanded by Captain John V. Hall, left
Southampton, on Wednesday, for Port Philip and Syd-

ney.

It was intended by the propriet,rs of this magnificent
new vessel that size should have left on Tuesday, but • a
sli,lht derangement being reported as having taken place
in her machinery, she was "hauled over" once more
before her &Tarture, and hence the cause of her not
leaving until Welnestlay.
She has taken with /ier about 150 passengers, amongst
whom are Sir Thomas ..ditcl!cil, of " botnerang, "
rietv Lady Campbell, Cant and Couote,,s Chabrillon
and family, Captains Thomas :Ind M-r. and Mrs.
Studen 'and Barnett, Ilteton, itiorgan,
Young, Campbell. &c. On freight she has a small
amount of specie, 1,100 tons of eatgo, be-ties mail and
ship-letter bags.
The Crcesus left the docks early this morning and sta-
tioned herself in the river, where she was visited durito
her stay by many gentlemen and ladies, principally the
frields and reiatives of the passengers, and from the very
beautiful state of the weather, as wed as the complete-
ness with which all duties in connection with the ship
had been effected, it was g:!net:thly remarked that
departure took place unfhr appJarances the most atispi-
clone.

About two o'Aocl; the Crams let go her moorings
and steamed down the river to the admiration of every
one. During the time she has lain in the docks she has
been visited by some hundreds, who were courteously
allowed to roam where they pleased over the vessel,
and the expressions of admiration by the visitors
were universal. The Crcesus has taken iu an immense
sea stock, including two cows, for the use of the
passengers, and if we may judge of the quantity and
excellence of the provisions, the creature comforts of
the passengers have been studiously cared for. It reflects
the greatest credit upon the General Screw Company
that this noble vessel is despatched in such excellen
condition. Not a thing was out of place, and the pas-
sengers, one and all, were highly delighted with the
ample accommodation afforded them.
Scores of copies of the daily papers were put on board
by the news agents and others as the vessel left. From
the interesting state of affairs in Europe no doubt they
will be eagerly sought after on her arrival. The ship
letters and mail bags were very large, and contained
some thousands of packets.

The Cronus, which is the first of a line of ships in-
tended by the General Screw Company to ply regularly
between England and Australia, will be followed by the
Jason and Golden Fleece, each of which vessels are be-
ing constructed by Mare and Co., of Blackwall. The
Crcesus has received instructions to touch at Lisbon, for
the purpose of taking on the English mails for Australia
which left Liverpool in the Matilda Wattenbach, lately
reported as having put into that port in 'a disabled
state.

REMARKABLE FIRE.-AN ICE-HOUSE
BURNT.

One of the most singular fires ever recorded, happened
on Saturday evening at our Railway Terminus, when a
large building, used as an ice-house, was entirely de-
stroyed. The building was about 120 feet long by 40
or 50 wide, and 25 feet in height, with a thatched
roof. It was divided into four compartments, three
for stowing ice, and one for packing fish. In the in-
terior, supporters were placed at about eight inches
from the brick wall, covered with boarding all round
the house from the floor to the roof, the space between
the brick work and the boarding being filled with saw-dust.
For the convenience of landing ice from wherries, the
house was situatad close to the bank of the junction be-
tween Breydon and the North river, and about 30 yards
from the wooden building used for the transaction of
business in the goods department of the railway station.
The house is the property of the Eastern Counties Rail-
way Company, add was let to Mr. Coates, fish mer-
chant, who, at the time of the accident, had 800 tons of
ica housed, the building when full containing 1,800 tons.
During Saturday some men were packing ice, working
with candles near the roof, and early in the day some
tallow it appears had run on the wood work, and caught
fire, but the flame was extinguished, and the house was
closed in apparent safety about four o'clock in the after-
noon. Soon after five o'clock, considerable excitement
was created in various parts of the town by the fact that
a lurid glare was seen in the sky, plainly indicating
the existence of a fire somewhere in the north part of
the town. Messengers were speedily sent for the en-
gines, and the alarm was at once spread through the
town, but considerable doubts were expressed as to
the truth of the report that the icehouse was on fire,
'but few people giving credence to fact that any
amount of warmth existed in so cold a locality.
An engine was quickly on the spot, followed by hun-
dreds of people, the number of whom soon increased to
thousands, who lined the bank of the river, the yard,
marshes, and every bit of standing room. The roof
was then blazing furiously at the west side with a breeze
blowing from the west by north. Had the wind been full
west, the fire would most likely have spread across the
yard to the goods warehouse and platform, and have greatly
increased the amount of damage. During this time the
firemen were vainly endeavouring to get the engine to
work, but could not from its frozen state, and it was
some time before any supply of water could be obtained.
At this time a number of gentlemen, the most promi-
nent of whom were Mr. Spilling and Mr. Harvey
vigorously laboured with buckets, and when the engine
did work those gentlemen rendered essential service.
At about half-past seven, the factory-engine was brought
into the yard and placed opposite the east side of
the burning house, and the pipes were brought to play
on the north corner, where the flames were breaking
out with great fury. The fire was considerably damped,
much of the thatch being knocked in, and as each blazing
mass fell, the sparks from the saw dust poured out in
such volumes as to present a beautiful and awfully
grand spectacle. When the roof had fallen in'
and the flames got to the ice, the general opinion
was that the fire would be extinguished, but the melting
of the ice produced no other effect than that of occasion-
ing dense clouds of suffocating smoke and steam. By 9
o'clock the ittost dongerous period of the fire was over,
and apprehensions for the safety of the terminus were
no longer entertained. A large portion of the spec-
tators went away. but the factory engine continued
playing for several hours afterwards, and the fire
continued to blaze till the middle of the night. The
next day numbers of persons went to view the scene
of the disaster, and all through that day fires were
seen burning in various parts of the ruins, and were
not entirely out till the afternoon of the succeeding day.
Various rumours were afloat as to the cause of the fire.
Some asserted that a reduction in the number of labour-
ers had induced some wretch to commit incendiarism,
but no such reduction having taken place, further than
to clear the premises of useless hangers-on, the rumour
is unsupported, but it is fully believed that the fire was
the result of the grossest carelessness. The amount of
damage done is about 7001. for the loss of the house, and
nearly 5001. for the ice. The building was not insured.
The greatest praise is due to Messrs. Spilling, E. A. Al-
dred, R. Hammond, Harvey, and many others, not for-
getting Messrs. Hardingham, sen., and Fulcher, who con-
conducted the operations of the factory engine in an
excellent manner. To the parties managing the town
engine, great blame is to be attached, and we do hope
that the subject will come before the authorities, in order
that some more efficient means for extingushing fires
may be placed at the disposal of the town, and that on
any future occasion we may not have firemen refusingto
obey orders, or at mindight, when a fire is raging, and
their services most needed, find some of them in a help-
less state of intoxication.—Norfolk Nem.

TIE GREAT METROPOLITAN POULTRY SHOW.—Yester-
day was the first " shilling " day, and the influx of visi
tors to view this, no doubt, the finest show of poultry
ever collected under one roof, was exceedingly great.
During the morning a large number of ladies and mem-
bers of the aristocracy visited the Baker-street Bazaar,
and as evening approached the various avenues were
crowded by connoisseurs in the breed of pigeons, rabbits,
and the otter fancy classes. The great point of attrac-
tion was, however, the comparatively new class of speci-
mens denominated " Brahma Poutras," which, from
their colour and general characteristics, are generally
believed to be a cross between the Cochin Chinas and
our own fine Dorking fowls. Another great point of
attraction in the show, more especially amongst the fair
sex, was the classes devoted to the exhibition of the
" dear little Bantams," and that pen in particular which
has become the property of her Majesty, and which ex-
hibits a placard stating the fact, elicited universal admi-
ration. No. 1,000 in the same class, a pen of pure
white and exceedingly beautiful feather-legged or booted
Bantams, was deservedly noticed. The sales effected
during the day were very numerous, especially amongst
the Cochin China and Dorking classes. The improve-
ment amongst tho latter, consequent on the rage for
poultry shows, which has taken place during the past
year, is stated as wonderful ; and it is asserted, that ere
long the furore for Cochin Chinas and other novelties
will give place to the improvement of the breed of our
.own celebrated English fowl.
lieurex, Jan. 7.—Notwithstanding the inclemency
of the weather, there was about the usual attendance of
merchants and manufacturers in our Piece-hall to-day,
and rather more goods were disposed of than for the
last few Saturdays, but the quantity was not large.
Yarns remain much as they were ; and there is no quote
able variation in the wool market.