The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-01 00:00:00

NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION.

The hal.t-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday, at the London Tavern—Mr. Middleton in
the chair. •

The report, which was, unanimously adopted, stated
that the directors had had an interview with a deputa-
tion from the committee appointed by the shareholders
at the last meeting ; and they had also had a report
from a committee appointed by the board to inspect the
unfinished works of the Northern Counties Union line,
and it appeared to the directors that the most expedient
course would be to await an opportunity of selling this line
in its present state to one or other of the companies who
are, or may become, interested in the locality, and that
the directors should be empowered to obtain art Act of
Parliament authorising such sale, and thereby practi-
caily to wind up the affairs of the company, an event
which the directors consider is greatly to be desired, in-
asmuch as it would enable them finally to close the ac•
counts of the company, and to divide the available
balance. The balance-sheet showed a balance in hand
of 10,601/.
Resolutions were unanimously passed authorising the
directors to enter into agreements for the sale or other-
wise of the \Vath Branch, and to go to Parliament for
power to sell the undertaking, and for such other
powers as the directors might require ; and requesting
the directors W have the report of the committee and

Mr. Harrison's statement printed and circulated among
the proprietors.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to
the chairman and directors.

HEREFORD, ROSS, AND GLOCESTER.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at
Hereford. on Tuesday, Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughan, the
chairman of the oempany, presiding.
The report stated that since the meeting in February
last, the directors had exerted themselves in every pos-
sible way to stimulate an active progress of the works on
the whole line, and they entertained a very sanguine
hope of being able at the present time to announce
with positive certainty the day for the opening. The
bill promoted in the last session of Parliament by the
Shrewsbury and Hereford Company, which, among
other provisions, gave power to that company. in
conjunction with the. Hereford, Ross, and Giocester,
to provide joint station accommodation at Hereford,
had received the Royal assent on the 10th of July
last. In that act this company is empowered
to raise an additional capital of 30,0001., either by
ordinary shares or by shares bearing a. preference or
guaranteee not exceedine, 5 per cent, per annum. ,The
state of the company's finances render it desirable that
the power thus given should be exercised, and as in the
present state of railway and monetary affairs, it is not
to be expected thrit ordinary shares would readily be
taken up; the onlyalternative is to issue the shares with
the preference or guarantee which the act of Parliament
authorises. A special meeting would be held on the
13th of September to consider the question. The report
expressed the utmost confidence that, when the entire
line was opened, it would yield a very satisfactory re-
muneration for the capital employed in it.
The CHAIRMAN expressed his belief that the line.
would be opened throughout in the space of ten or twelve
weeks.

The report was unanimously affirmed, and the meeting
adjourned until the 13th of September.

MANCHESTER, BUXTON, AND MIDLANDS.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at
Derby yesterday ; Sir Joseph Paxton presiding.
The report stated that tile-half-year's rent, amounting
to 5,2661., had been received from the lessees, and the
directors proposed to pay the usual dividend of ls. 4d.
per share for the half•year. During the last session of
Parliament an act had been obtained by a company in-
corporated as the Stockport, Disley, and Whaley-bridge
Company, for constructing a line of railway of about 10
miles, and passing over the same ground as the line for
which this company obtained Parliamentary powers.
A dividend of ls. 4d. per share was then declared,
and the election of Mr. Caudell, as director, confirmed.
A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman
and directors, and the meeting separated.