The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-27 00:00:00

WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the offices, Guildhall-chambers, Basinghall-
street—the Earl of Lonsdale in the chair.
The report stated that the gross receipts from traffic
during the half-year amounted to 5,005/., and for the
corresponding period of 1852 to 4,7441., showing an in-
crease of 2601. While the line continues in its present
isolated position, and the earnings entirely dependent
upon the traffic of an agricultural district, it cannot par-
ticipate in the benefits which railways generally have de-
rived from the great increase of trade and the general
prosperity of the country. The Ulverston and Lancaster
line may, by ordinary exertions, be completed and opened
for traffic within two years from the present date. The
coast line will then be extended to Lancaster, and this
company's line will become the natural route for the
traffic between West Cumberland and the southern por-
tion of the kingdom. The total expenditure on capital
account to the 30th of June last amounted to 414,8271.,
outstanding claims for land to 4,5001., and claims
for works to 12,8001. Total cost of land, works, and
rolling stock, 422,1271. The capital raised by shares
amounts to 257,632/ ; and on mortgage, to 124,9231. ;
together 382,5651.; which, deducted from the preceding
amount, shows a deficiency of capital to the extent of
49,5621. For the purpose of meeting this deficiency
the directors obtained an act in the late session autho-
rising the company to raise 25,0001. by the creation and
issue of shares bearing a rate of dividend not exceeding
6 per cent. and having a preference over the other
shares in the company ; and also to raise 30,0001 by the
re-issue of a portion of the forfeited shares, having the
same dividend and preference. The act also authorises
the company to lay down tramways to the harbour at
Whitehaven and the harbour of Ravenglass. The es-
timated expense of the former does not exceed 1,0001.
The amount of capital authorised to be raised was
499,9331. ; the amount received 381,265/. ; leaving
118,667/. not received. The revenue account for the
half-year ending the 30th of June last showed that
5,005/. bad been received and 3,1741. expended, leaving
a balance of 1,8311.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said it was not very favourable, and the traffic could not
be expected to improve much until there was an outlet
to the south. As to the preference shares, he would
take his proportion, and he believed he was the largest
shareholder in the company and he hoped that others
would do likewise. .

Resolutions were then passed adopting the report,
and re-electing the retiring directors and auditors.
The meeting was then made special, and the directors
were authorised to raise 50,001. by the issue of 5,000
101. preference shares to be entitled to 51 per cent. per
annum, subject to redemption at par at the end of 10
years. The preference shares are not to be entitled to
arrears of dividends in case the net revenue, after pay-
ing interest on loans, should not be sufficient to pay the
full amount in any year.

TRAFFIC RETURNS FOR THE PAST WEEK.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCIIIT.—LIVERPOOL.
(Before Mr. Justice Erle.)

McNAUGHTEN AND OTHERS V. THE MAYOR OT LIVERPOOL

AND OTHERS.

This was an action brought by the plaintiffs, who are
the proprietors of the extensive calico-printing, dye, and
bleach works, known as the Birkare Works, near Chor-
ley, against the mayor, aldermen, and burghers of
Liverpool, and Messrs. Howell and Son, who are con-
tractors under the corporation, to recover damages for
the injury which they have sustained in the bleach and
printing-works, by reason of the defendants rendering
impure the water which the plaintiffs used in their works.
The defendants pleaded not guilty, a denial that the
plaintiffs had a right to the water, a denial that they
rendered the water impure, and a justification under the
Liverpool Waterworks Act of 1847.
Sir Fitzroy Kelly (who was specially retained), Mr.
Hill, Q.C., and Mr. Cleasby, appeared for the plaintiffs ;
the Attorney-General for the County Palatine, Mr. Cow-
ling, and Mr. Milward, appeared for the corporation ;
and Mr. Sergeant Wilkins for Messrs. Howell and Son,
the contractors.

The hearing of this case lasted the whole of Wednes-
day.

At the sitting of the Court on Thursday the case was
settled, an arrangement having been come to, by which
it was agreed that the jury should be discharged from
giving a verdict upon all the issues, except that of the
justification, which should be found for the defendants.
Each party to pay their own costs • the plaintiffs to give
up all present demands on the defendants ; the defend-
ants to use the stream, giving notice, if possible, of their
intention to do so, and if the plaintifs should hereafter
complain that they suffered injury by the defendants'
use of the stream, then the question to be referred to an
arbitrator, who should decide whether any injury existed,
and if so, what damage the defendants should pay.