The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-21 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

SHREWSBURY AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.
The adjourned meeting of the shareholders was held
yesterday at the London Tavern, for the purpose of hear-
ing the result of the poll on the offer, made by the Great
Western Company, and discussed at the special meeting
held on the 14th. The chair was taken by Mr. Hill.
Mr. SCOTT, one of the scrutineers, stated that there
had not been time to examine the proxies, and moved an
adjournment to the 30th inst.
Mr. BAKER, another scrutineer, confirmed Mr. Scott's
statement.

A conversation ensued, in the course of which Mr.
Scott intimated that, as far as he could judge, there was
a very general assent on the part of the shareholders to
the proposition made to them.
Mr. SAUNDERS, secretary of the Great Western Com-
pany, deprecated delay as tending to prolong the contest ;
and asked whether two or three hours would not suffice
to enable the scrutineers to complete their task ?
Mr. SCOTT said he thought that if the meeting were
adjourned till three o'clock, the scrutineers would then
be able to speak more specifically.
The meeting was accordingly adjourned till that hour.
At three o'clock the shareholders re-assembled, Mr.
I Hill again in the chair.
Mr. SCOTT said the scrutineers had nothing positive
to announce. He was happy to report, however, that
so far as they had been able to proceed, there appeared
to be a majority in favour of the offer of the Great Wes-
tern Company ; and he was bound to add that from
communications be had had with shareholders, he in-
ferred that the real majority, as indicated by the general
expression of feeling, was considerably larger than it ap-
peared on the votes. This being so, he, for one, had
decidedly made up his mind to adopt the opinion of the
shareholders. (Cheers.) He wished to express his entire
reliance on the honour and good faith of the Great Wes-
tern Company ; and he hoped they would carry out their
proposal in the open and candid manner in which it ap-
peared to have been made. Relying upon this more
than on anything that was written, he looked forward to
the future, sanguine that the prosperity of the railway
was from that day secured.
In reply to questions,
Mr. SCOTT stated that the terms . e_GreikWaptank._
offer were a guaranteed dividend of .4. per cent, front
the Ist of January, 1854, together with half the surplus
profits ; and that it had been arranged that the six di-
rectors, who would, in the ordinary course, retire by
rotation at the meeting on the 30th inst., should not
offer themselves for re-election, but that others should
be chosen in their stead.
Mr. KENNEDY wished to know whether, in case the
Great Western Company failed to obtain a bill in the
next session, it would renew the application in succeed-
ing sessions, until one had been obtained.
One or two other proprietors having asked for infor-
mation on this point,
The CHArnmert said the shareholders had the guaran-
tee of the Great Western Company, which would con-
tinue till the bill was obtained.
A PROPRIETOR believed the company would not be
EtTe ah re )e It true
mo uAINd
tnhoete legallydsbtieh
paptearitdh
able to obtain the 3i per cent. until the bill was passed.
.ceenoffcereamdadheabey
the
Great Western Company
surplus profits be accepted, and that power be given to
the directors to take steps for carrying it into effect.
This motion was seconded by Mr. MArarrs.
After a short discussion, it was put and carried unani-
mously.
The CHAIRMAN observed that the warfare was now
ended, and he hoped the proceedings of the company
would in future be marked by peace and good will.
The meeting then separated.
It ought to be mentioned that no numbers were an-
nounced and none could be obtained. All that could
be ascertained on the subject was that there was a con-
siderable majority in favour of the offer of the Great
Western Company.

LONDONDERRY AND COLERAINE.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the office, Coleman-street-buildings, Moor-
gate-street ; Captain Warren in the chair.
Mr. HEMMING, the secretary, read the report, which
stated that the railway was opened throughout, from
Londonderry to Coleraine, on the 18th of July last, the
main line being 33 miles, and the branch to Newtown-
Limavady three miles, giving a total length of 36 miles.
The passenger traffic has already given very satisfactory
results, while from the character of the line—presenting,
as it does, scenery unsurpassed by any railway in the
United Kingdom—and from the fact of the Giant's
Causeway being within nine miles of Coleraine, the di-
rectors confidently anticipate that, independently of the
ordinary passenger trade for business purposes, there
will annually be a large receipt from pleasure and tourist
traffic. The bill for the extension line from Coleraine to
Castle-Dawson, as approved by the proprietors, has
passed into law. The worshipful the Ironmongers'
Company of London, the owners of a considerable length
of property upon the extension, having agreed to give
their land upon terms most liberal on their part, and
highly advantageous to this company, the directors have
made all necessary arrangements for at once proceeding
with the first section of the line—namely, from Coleraine
-to Agivey-bridge, a length of 74- miles, having in the
meanrinurfiken upon themseTies the responsibility of
the purchase of land. The Castle-Dawson Extension
will give a through communication between London-
derry and Belfast, securing a future direct outlet from
Coleraine to Dublin, and opening up the Valley of
the Bann, and almost the entire length of the county
to the port and city of Londonderry. The directors
propose to bring upon the line the traffic of an
important portion of the county of Donegal by means
of a branch line of three miles in length, from the
Magilligan station to the point of land at the entrance
of Lough Foyle. Sir H. H. Bruce, Bart., the owner
of the property through which this branch passes, hav-
ing given the necessary land on liberal terms, the works
have been commenced, and, being of an extremely light
and inexpensive character, a very short time will suffice
for their completion. By means of this branch a large
traffic may be anticipated from the immense district of
Innishowen. The eligible sites for watering-places on
the main line and on the Donegal shore, and the inex-
haustible deep sea fisheries along this portion of the
coast, may be expected, in addition to the large salmon
fisheries of the Foyle and the Rann, to add considerably
to the traffic. The capital account to the 30th of June
last showed that 468,1681. had been received, and
465,1241. expended, leaving a balance of 3,0441. The
revenue account for the half-year ending the 30th of
June showed that 1,8861. had been received on 19 miles
of the line from Londonderry to Newtown Limavady,
and 1,5011. expended, leaving a balance of 3841. Out
of this is deducted 651.; the balance against revenue at
the last account, leaving a balance in favour of revenue
of 3191.
Resolutions were passed adopting the report, re-elect-
ing Captain Warren, Mr. G. Tyrrell, and Mr. P. Gil-
mour the retiring directors, and Mr. H. P. Fuller, the
retiring auditor.
On the motion of Mr. WALEY, a cordial vote of
thanks was passed to the Chairman and directors ; and,
on the motion of another proprietor, a vote of thanks
was passed to Mr. Hemming, the secretary for his exer-
tions in promoting the interests of the company.