The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-11 00:00:00

peared satisfactory. There was an item of 24,3731. due
from carriers and the Post-office ; he wished to know
how much was due by the Post-office. He had sug-
gested on former occasions that a map of the railway
and branches should be hung up in the room during
meetings of the shareholders, as it would enable them to
understand the relative position of their lines, and other
matters connected with them.

Mr. HOYES, the auditor, said, the amount due from
the Post-office was 3,640/., from the Peninsular Company
over 5,0001. on the day's traffic at the end of the half-
year 3,7001. and the remainder from the carriers.
Mr. HERAPATH said, it was a gratifying matter that
they had an increase of between 27,0001. and 28,0001.
in their traffic, and an increased cost in working ex-
penses of only 6,0001. in round numbers, or about 21
per cent. This formed a striking contrast with the ma-
nagement of the Brighton Company, where the increased
traffic caused an increase in the expenditure of 50 per
cent. instead of 21 per cent. in the South-Western, or 20
per cent, according to what he (Mr. Herapath) had esti-
mated from an investigation of the subject that it ought
to be. With regard to the extension line, he wished
that the Great Western had gone hand in hand with
them, but as they had determined otherwise, ho did not
see that the South-Western Company could do anything
else than what they proposed.
Mr. ADDISON complained of the way in which the
traffic was conducted on the line, particularly at the
Richmond and Putney stations, and the danger he had
experienced himself while entering a carriage with a boy
in his arms, the train went on without any notice, and
he narrowly escaped a serious accident. He recom-
mended the appointment of a responsible traffic manager,
and proceeded to read, amid noise and confusion, a para-
graph confirming his statement, and describing the de-
fective state of the traffic arrangements at Chertsey. He
contended that proper accommodation for the traffic on
the line was a matter of considerable importance to the
shareholders, and recommended them to travel to various
stations on the line and judge for themselves as to the
mode in which the business was conducted.
Mr. PUNCHER and another proprietor also com-
plained of the arrangements on the line for conducting
the traffic, particularly at Chertsey, or rather of the
want of proper arrangements for conducting it with
safety to the public, and satisfaction to the passengers.
The Hon. F. SCOTT, M.P. the chairman of the com-
pany, then took the chair, and said they were very much
obliged to gentlemen who took the trouble to inform
them of anything wrong. He was aware that some
irregularity had occurred in conducting the traffic at cer-
tain points ; he believed their officers were also fully
aware of it, and they were entitled to great credit for the
exertions they had made to meet the difficulty. It had
also caused the directors great anxiety, and the fact
was that the rolling stock of the company was
inadequate to accommodate the large amount of
traffic that had suddenly come on a certain portion
of their line. There were great practical difficulties ;
but, amid it all, it was very gratifying to him
to receive from Lord Hardinge a letter of thanks
for the conveyance of the troops, notwithstanding
the very invidious remarks that had appeared in a pub-
lic journal, and '.n which very harsh observations were
made. The board had made preparations for Sunday
traffic, with a view to enable the porters, clerks, station-
masters, and others, to have a day of rest like other per-
sons, on Sunday ; but the excessive amount of traffic
had at present frustrated the relief they had contem-
plated to give their servants. They were now adding
to their staff with a due regard to economy, so as to
enable them to afford that relief on Sundays to the ser-
vants on the railway which was enjoyed by other per-
sons. He thought all complaints with regard to the
traffic should be made to the secretary, or directors, and
they would do their best to remedy any defect.
Captain Moonsom said that something had been
stated about lasing excursion traffic that could not be
accommodated on Sunday, he would recommend that
the system be extended to Monday as there was a great
number of working people who would avail themselves
of excursions on the Monday if facilities were afforded.
Mr. HADLEY thought their shareholders ought to
have a large' dividend out of the increased traffic.
After some further observations, the report was re-
ceived and adopted, and a dividend at the rate of 31 per
cent. per annum for the half-year was declared.
The CHATRUAN moved-a resolution authorising the
taketo Dor-
chestermalaikneeaeelemeaeryfroemtepste directors
to to a pExeter,ply for power
carry the pledges they had given into practical
effect, and tc make a double line from Southampton to
Exeter. to
_ _

Mr. TITS said, he hoped they would gather from the
past a lesscn for the future, and that the shareholders
would unite with the directors in carrying out a prudent
and wise pclicy, in future, with regard to the accommo-
dation of the various districts connected with their un-
dertaking, and not to wait until other parties came into
the field and drove them to considerable expense.
The resoiution was then carried unanimous, and a vote
of thanks given to the chairman and directors.
The meeting of the South-Western Steam-packet Com-
pany was then held, and a dividend at the rate of 5 per
cent, per annum for the half-year ending 30th of June
was declared, and the meeting separated.