The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-09 00:00:00

_)

PAPER

ip
Banks. Des,poc.sits, GtecaarFanan-d Rrusetodf Dividend
)
cl'daptdita-ur.
London and X £ £
Westminster
—established I
1834. 5
London branches.... 1,000,000 1,000,000 6,892,470 125,307 6 piuniericeoehtvisperg
canur:
Stock—esta-
plus ter 6 months
blished 1836. of 13.900 b
1 branch.... 600,000 5,837,900 153,549 10 per cent. per an-
Union of Lon- num, leaving cur.
don esta-
blished 1839.
2 branches .. 422,900 7,031,477 50,000 150rrat4:61.956t.1.mper°141111121-
London and num, leaving cur-
. County--esta.
Wished 1839.
58 branches.. 399,625 3,506,560 60,759
num, leaving sur-
Commercial 6
peropflus2ocenfogr96L6tparmonantbil. .
plus for 6 months
estab. 1840.
of 12,945 k
1 branch.... 300,000 1,265,903 64,012 10 per cent. .
per an-
num, namely, di.
vidend at`rate of
e
Royal British— 6 per cent., and
b. 1849.
bonus of 16s. per sta
4 branches .. 50,000 900,390 12,416 6 p share. .
er sent. per an.
nuns, Inaldng Art-
; plus for 6 montbs
• . .

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

OPENING3IARwIOr,
Aug. 0P
7T.
H—EThllAis iRm pi 71 I
or t
aC Hn t
lineß A 101; Y
railway,.
which will considerably shorten the distance between
the metropolis and the Hague and the northern part of
Europe, was officially surveyed by the Government in-
spector on Saturday, preparatory to its being publicly
opened for passenger traffic. The line branches off from
the Eastern Counties, at Manningtree, and the works
are of a solid and generally favourable character. The
harbour of refuge is making rapid progress, ample ac-
commodation is being provided for the steam-boat traffic,
and so rendering the port the principal passenger and
mail packet station on the east coast. With a view of
seeing what could be done, a trial trip was made last
week to Antwerp, by the new iron mail steamship Aquilla,
one of the fleet of the North of Europe Steam Naviga-
tion Company. Several gentlemen were on board ; among
them were Mr. R. Stephenson, M.P., Mr. Peto, M.P.,
Mr. Bidder, C.E., and Captain Andrews. The Aquilla,
which is about 300 tons burden, was designed by Mr.
John Dudgeon, and is a first-class mail packet. She is
fitted with a pair of oscillating engines of 120 horse-
power. Her average speed was 17 miles an hour during
the trip, which she accomplished in a very satisfactory
manner, proving herself to be an excellent sea boat. The
fittings of the saloon and cabin are of a superior descrip-
tion. On the return trip the Aquilla proceeded to
Gravesend, which distance she performed in 12 hours, a
remarkably rapid run. On the opening of this branch-
line and the running of the steamers, passengers leaving
the metropolis in the morning will reach Antwerp or
Rotterdam early in the evening.

ST. HELEN'S CANAL AND RAILWAY

- •
The half-yearly general meeting of this company was
held on Saturday, at the Railway station, St. Helen's—
Mr. Greenall, M.P., in the chair.
The SECRETARY (Mr. Sinclair), at the request of the
Chairman, read the following report :
" The directors have to report that the increase in the
gross traffic receints for the six months just ended, when
compared with the same period of 1853, is 6,5901., against
which must be placed an increase of working and renewal
charges of 2,8531., and of interests on loans and preference
dividends of 5,8981. The gross revenue for the half-year,
as shown in the statement of accounts circulated among
the shareholders, is 30,2351. 3s. 4d. ; and the working
charges, rates, taxes, and rents amount to 11,3311. 68. 2d.,
or 371 per cent. on the receipts, leaving a surplus of
18,903/. 17s. 2d. ; deducting from which for interest on loans
6,4931. 12s. 9d.; for renewal of permanent way, 350/. ;
and for additional works, 2361.185. 3d.-7,080/. lls. ; leaves
11,8231. 63. 2d. To which must be added the balance left,
after payment of the dividend declared at the last general
meeting, 1381. 3s. Bd.-11,9311. 9s. 10d.; out of which the
directors propose that a dividend should be declared for
the past half-year, payable on the 19th of August, of per
cent. on stock A, 7921. ' • of 24 per cent. on stock B, 3,6001.;
of 3 per cent. on stock 0, 3,7571. 103. ; of 21 per cent. on
stock D, 2,4751.115. 3d. ; of 2/ per cent. on the 251. shares,
1852, 159/. 125.; and 21 per cent. on the 201. shares, 1853,
of 1,0311. Os. 11d.-11,816/. 3s. 2d. ; leaving a balance to
be carried to the next account of 1451. 6s. Bd. EThe
number of passengers conveyed during the half-
year was 309,546, being 61,064 more than in the same
portion of last year, while the weight 'of coals. and
merchandise conveyed was 236,920 tons on the
canal, and 340,981. tons on the railway, or together 577,901
tons, being 68,246 tons more than the weight carried lin
the corresponding period of 1853. The directors are en-
gaged in negotiations which they trust will secure a con-
siderable additional revenue, and their confidence in the
ultimate success of the dock, as well as of the undertaking
generally, remains unabated. The passenger traffic con-
tinues to exhibit a gradual and steady increase. The canal
traffic shows a diminution, owing to the very severe frost
in the commencement of the year."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving that the report and the
statement of accounts be adopted, observed that he wished
it had been in his power to have announced to them
a larger balance for the payment of dividend than the
balance of 7991. 3s. He was quite confident that although
at the present moment they were not so flourishing from
the circumstance of their having had to pay, during the.
half-year just terminated, a very large increase of the
preferential capital, and although they were only able to
pay a quarter per cent. upon Stock A, he was confident
they might still entertain a very favourable opinion of
their preperty. He could not say how long the holders
of original stock would receive so small a dividend, but
he pointed to the extraordinary increase of traffic as a
strong guarantee of future amendment and prosperity.
In 1849, only five years ago, the gross income of the
company was 31,0001., while the income during the year
ending 1854 was 62,000/. He hoped, therefore, that
proprietors would feel assured that ultimately their in-
vestment would be a valuable one, and that they would
not be disappointed by merely present appearances.
The motion was carried.
The payment of a dividend after the rates mentioned
in the report was then sanctioned.
Alter considerable discussion it was put to the meeting
as an amendment, whether the retiring directors (in-
cluding Mr. Fosberry) should be re-elected, or whether
the original motion for the appointment of Messrs.
Smith, Steers, Rushton, Barlow, and R. Dagleish be
adopted. On a show of hands the motion was carried.
This closed the business.

.. , .
• LONDON JOI:STOWi
The half-yearly..i. ......,---..1,,,
----"=10:7-','•:-..—sitienepg7silitstrt4ovi7enciaa:tkti'teithir-4.i'.1e... .politotaisnedok
been London
m a
dbmee
oapsl*enedi,laiin titeelinf:nircb:voef
t which
transactions
they w ere,
taanbdlbanks
e periodsehas
a sit
inneant
branches belonging to each establishment. The growth '
of business exhibited by these returns continues to be •
very great, the aggregate deposits held by the six banks
having increased more than 21 per cent. during the '
year, their amount now being 25,434,7001., or nearly ;
double the present deposits held by the-Bank of Eng.
land, including those of the Government. Looking at
this augmentation, together with the fact that there Is full reason to believe the business of. the private banking ,
firms has been upon a scale equally satisfactory, another
confirmation is obtained of the indications afforded by
the monthly returns of the Board of Trade of the rapid
oefonßtiunsuseiad
ptoersunsaadkeet'id,mitiimngseiat
wprar or
which Emperor
thethceount
would be avoided on our parts solely from a dread -Of
commercial ruin :
-
r h
as