The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-26 00:00:00

AMERICAN.

It appears that the aggregate length of the railways
open for traffic in the United States on the Ist of Janu-
ary, 1854, was 15,510 miles, being an increase of 2,194
miles since the Ist of January, 1853. The traffic on
these lines is estimated to yield a net return equal to 7
per cent. on the outlay. The state of the money market
at the commencement of 1853 induced the promoters of
several new lines to proceed vigorously with the works,
but, as the year advanced, great difficulty was experienced
in finding money for the construction of some of the lines
now in course of formation.. It is considered that the
state of the money market has given a wholesome check
to the extensive progress of railway enterprise, no less
than 25,000 miles of railway having been sanctioned in
the United States up to the commencement of 1853,
thus leaving 9,500 miles to be completed, independent
of those sanctioned in the year 1853. The average num-
ber of' miles of railway completed during the past five •
years was at the rate of 2,000 miles per annum, and at
that rate, wouldrequire five years more to complete those
sanctioned at the beginning of last year ; but it is ex-
pected that several of the less productive lines will not
be proceeded with at present, while those which promise
a large return will be proceeded with and completed as
as; soon as possible.

DERBYSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE AND
WORCESTERSHIRE.

The adjourned half-yearly meeting of, this company
was appointed to be held yesterday at the King's Arms
Hotel, Westminster, Mr. G. Tate in the chair ; but, in
consequence of certain negotiations pending, which may
affect the interests of the company, the meeting was ad-
joUrned to the 17th of February.

'RAILWAY AND OTHER BILLS BEFORE
PARLIAMENT.

Yesterday the examining barristers, Messrs. Smith
and May, appointed by the House of Commons to make
inquiry under the standing orders into the various rail-
way and other bills applying for parliamentary powers
in the ensuing session, met for the first time, at eleven
o'clock, in committee rooms 16 and 17. There was the
usual numerous attendance of the parties interested.
Madras Railway.—The standing orders were declared
td have been complied with in the case of this company's
bill, which proposes to give them power to enter into
contracts with the East India Company on account of
the Government of India, for an extension of the rail-
viay to the western coast of India, for a branch line to
Bangalore, and to the foot of the hills towards Ootaca-
njund, and for increasing the capital by such an amount
as may be deemed necessary for carrying this into effect‘
by the creation of new or additional shares of 201. each.
It appeared that all the 25,000 original shares, Of 201.
each, had been subscribed for, and that the, itornpany
Were riow engaged in constructing an experimental line,
the cost of which was expected to amount to 500,0001.
Proposals had been made to, and entertained by, the
ri.st India Company for the extension of the experi
mental line through Vellore, Salem, Vanaimdy, Coim-
batore, and Bangalore, the estimated cost of which was
3,500,000/., rendering it necessary to increase the capital
from 500,0001. to 1,000,0001., and also further to in-
crease it for the construction of other railways from the
city of Madras, in case the East India Company might
find it expedient to carry them into effect.
Bangor and Carnarvon Railway.—The standing or-
ders were complied with in respect of this company's
application for power to raise an additional capital of
40,0001., in 4,000 shares of 101., to be placed upon a
par with the shares constituting the original capital of
120,0001., and for the sale or lease of the line to the
Chester and Holyhead Company.
North London Railway. —Complied with for power to
purchase additional land, and construct additional sta-
tion and other works.
Birmingham Canal Navigations.—The standing orders
were " not" complied with in this case, on some unim-
portant points, the object of the undertaking being to
make and maintain additional canals and works for better
supplying the South Staffordshire district, as well as the
towns of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and other places,
with coals, ironstone, and other materials.
The following miscellaneous bills, promoted by the
undermentioned public bodies, were passed by the exa-

miners :

New River Company.—To enable the company to
divert the Hertford sewerage, and to construct sewers,
drains, and other works in and near Hertford ; also for
reservoirs and filtering beds at Stoke Newington, Wood-
green, Tottenham, and on the summit level of Hamp-
stead-heath.

London Life Association.—For power to the general
court to authorise grant of assurances, and further as-
surances on a single life up to but not exceeding the
sum of 10,0001. in the whole.
Liverpool Improvement.—To widen and improve ex-
isting streets ; to make a new street from Dale-street to
Si. John's-lane; for purchase and appropriation of land
for the Free Public Library, Museum, and Gallery of
Arts, and for regulation of piers, wharfs, and landing
stages.—Adjourned to this day.
Liverpool Sanitary Improvement. —For provision re-
lating to sewers, drains, streets, nuisances, annoyances,
and lodging-houses.
Liverpool Police Superannuation Fund.—For estab-
lishing a police superannuation fund in Liverpool.
Norwich Equitable Fire Assurance.—For powers to
sueaud be sued.