The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-16 00:00:00

EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK
COMPANY.

The subjoine:l letter relates to the position of the East
and West India Dock Company. The points suggested
are such as might bo discussed more appropriately at a
general meeting of the proprietors than in any other
manner, but, as this concern is among the few in Lon-
don who deem it desirable to avoid pubicity, it is not
surprising that those who wish for inquiry or reform
should feel it necessary to adopt more efficient methods
of ibtaining attention :
" Sir,—Some weeks back you noticed the meeting of the
East and West India Dock Company, the private nature
of which precluded your giving those details which are fur-
nished by other dock companies, and which are interesting
to a great number of your readers, as bearing upon the
trade of the country.
" This, and the reduced dividend, have attracted my
attention ; for as men's purses become lighter their percep-
tions are apt to grow more acute. A reduction in the
stock from 170 to 107 in a few months, and a diminution
of dividend from 6 to 5 per cent., at a time of unexampled
commercial activity and prosperity, are startling facts.
"I would ask, then, if the company participate in this
increase of trade ? 1s there the same activity displayed,
amid the competition for business, in behalf of the interests
of the'East and West India Dock Company as is exercised
in behalf of other dock companies? Do all the directors
give their warehousing business to the docks, and, if they
do not, because they find the wharves cheaper, have they
taken any pains so to modify their rates as to be satisfactory
to the merchants while remunerative to the docks?

"Has the enormous sum expended in making a commu-
nication between the docks been a judicious outlay? and
has it been done with the approval of the practical officers
of the company ?
" Can the affairs of the company be more profitably con-
ducted by the constant attendance of three active and well-
paid directors, acting under a small board of general direc-
tors, also paid sufficiently to attend to its interests, than
by the present system of 40 directors, each rendered rather
supine than active, and perhaps less careful of the ten-
dency of his acts under his one-fortieth share of responsi-
bility ?

"These and other questions are well worthy of their at-
tention, and between this time and another general meet-
ing I advise their earnest consideration, when a discussion
in the presence of reporters may serve to elicit a knowledge
of their position, to ventilate the company by public opi-
nion, and place its interests on a surer foundation.—l am,
Sir, your obedient servant,
" A PROPRIETOR OF EAST AND WEST
INDIA DOCK STOCK.

" The London Docks pay a dividend of 5 per cent. on a
capital of 3,638,3101., while the East and West India Dock
Company, with superior accommodation and capabilities,
pay but the same dividend cn a capital of 2,065,6681.!"

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

CITSTOII FIotISE, 51ARCH 15.

ENTERED INWARDS.—The Auguste and Moline, from
Bremen ; Hendrick Hudson, New York ; Schoonderloo,
Rotterdam ; Jane Cockerill, Kertch ; Tyro, Leghorn ;
Aune Sophia, Falkland Lilands ; Cambrian, Jamaica ;
Delft, Gibraltar ; Mystery, Shanghai ; Robert, Newstadt ;
Orient, Valparaiso; Stratford, Sydney; Vrouw Aaljtie,
Ditzuw ; Confidence, Galatz ; New England, New York.

ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Pembroke-
shire Lass, for Malta; Zwasutina, Konigsberg ; Sarah
Maria, Malta ; Concordia, Dautzic ; Cambrian, Jamaica ;
City of Hobart, Hobart Town and Melbourne ; Concord,
Constantinople; Hendrick Hudson, New York; Industry,
Dunkirk ; Hilda Charlotta, Buenos Ayres ; Orion, Gee-
long; Stratford, Mauritius.
CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.— The Oscar, for
Stettin ; Freundschaft, Hamburgh ; Maria, Stettin ;
Jeannette Phelipinie; Port Adelaide ; Lucy, Trinidad ;
Hendrika Margaretha, Copenhagen ; Great Britain, Mon-
treal ; Queen of Britain, St. Lucia ; Barbaras, Cape of
Good Hope ; Roehampton, Adelaide ; Brisk, do.

LIVERPOOL, Mama 15.
The Marion, arrived from Bombay, sailed from that port
Nov. 3, and from Ascension Feb. 6. Left at Ascension—
Her
Majesty's ships Atholl, Tyre, and Crane, steamer
Tortoise, ship Premier, and barque Palm.
The Dyson, for Jamaica, and the John Wood, for New
Orleans, were boarded on Monday evening, off Port Lynas,
putting back through stress of weather.
The David G. Fleming, ashore on the Devil's-bank, has
got off, and docked.
The Reliance, hence for Portland, in the Clyde, leaky.