The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-31 00:00:00

CHARING-CROSS BRIDGE.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the offices, Villiers-street, Strand ;
' Mr. Coles Child in the chair.
The report stated the tolls and rent received for the
half-year ending the 31st July last, amount to the
sum of 3,3041. 2s. 11d., showing a surplus of 233/.
I ls. 10d. over the receipts of the corresponding period
of the previous year. The net receipts, after dis-
charging the current expenditure, would provide for a
dividend at the rate of three per cent. per annum, or
7s. 6d. on each original share, and a proportionate
sum on each eighth share in the company, free of
income-tax. The amount of liabilities for the half-
year were 2,0431. 12s. 2d., and the receipts being
3,3041. 2s. 11d., the balance available for dividend was
1,260/. 9s. 9d. The directors had the pleasure of
stating that the Bill in Parliament, approved of by the
special general meeting of the 27th February
last, has passed into a law. By this Act power
is given to form a much better approach from
the York-road than that authorised by the former
Act, and to borrow, on the security of the under-
taking, a sum amply sufficient for all the purposes of
the Act. The action mentioned in the lust report of
the directors as having been brought against the
company, by Jackson and others, had since been re-
ferred for the decision of the Judges of the Court of
Queen's Bench, on a special case, and there is reason
to believe that their decision will be obtained
previously to the next half-yearly general
meeting. Mr. Tyrrel having resigned his seat
at the board, the directors had elected Mr.
Muriel in his stead, which would render it ne-
cessary to elect another auditor, in the place of Mr.
Muriel. Mr. Hawes and Mr. Blunt, retiring from
the direction, in rotation, being eligible, offered them-
selves for re-election. Mr. Sutton, the third director,
retiring,
in rotation did not offer himself for re-
election. Mr. Parish, one of the auditors, retiring
,
by rotation, being eligible, offered himself for re-
election,

Mr. TYRREL, in explaining the reason of his re-
tiring from the board, stated that certain serious
charges had been made against Mr. Lawrence, the
clerk of the company, which he thought, if proved,
ought to cause his dismissal. Several meetings of
the board had been held to inquire into them, and a
resolution of confidence in Mr. Lawrence was ulti-
mately passed, and as he could not agree in that
resolution, his only course was to retire from the
office of director.
In reply to a
question,
Mr. LAWRENCE stated that in consideration of his
long services the directors had allotted him some
shares, upon a portion of which he had paid the calls,

and the 2001. which appeared in the accounts hail
ad.. ;-0 hitu t. ) tll..
The CUAIAMAN iaid ttie codipituy hALti\ir. LAI,v-
rence's bill for 2001.

After some observations v.ith reference to the ac-
counts, a desultory discussion arose relative to Mr.
Lawrence, in the course of which the Chairman inti-
mated that the directors had made the most searching
inquiry into his conduct, and had come to a resolution
that there was not the slightest stigma upon his cha-
racter. One shareholder (Mr. Stutely) having observed
that the opponents of Mr. Lawrence had an ulterior
object in view, the indignation of Mr. Elkins waz
aroused, who flung the insinuation i❑ his face, and
dared him to repeat it in another place, but what
place he did not mention. These two elderly gen-
tlemen became so warm and excited that, but for the
interference of the Chairman and several of the direc-
tors, the affair would have ended upon the very spot
in a direct collision.

The report was then received and adopted.
The CHAIRMAN moved " that a dividend of 7s. 6d.
a share on the original shares, and interest at the
rate of 3 per cent. per annum on the eighth shares, be
payable for the half-year ending the 31st of July
last; and that the sum be paid at the company's
office on and after Monday, Sept 10, next, batween
the hours of eleven and three, until the 21st proximo,
then on Tuesdays and Fridays, at the same hours."
Mr. TODD seconded it.

Mr. TYRREL moved a direct amendment, stating
that it would be the height of imprudence to pay a
dividend when the debts of the company remained
unsatisfied, and recommended that they should defer
declaring a dividend for two or three years, by which
time the property would come round again.
Mr. TURNER seconded the amendment, but, after
considerable discussion, it was negatived on a division
by a large majority, and the original motion was
carried.

The re-election of Mr. W. Hawes, a director, who
retired by rotation, was then proposed. The motion
was met by an amendment for the election of Mr.
Turner, but it was ultimately negatived. Mr. Elkins
demanded a poll ; but, upon the solicitation of the
meeting, withdrew his demand, and Mr. Hawes was
accordingly elected.

Mr. Blunt, who also went out by rotation, was
next re-elected.

Mr. John George Perry was elected in the place of
Mr. Sutton, who retired from the board.
Mr. Parish, auditor, was re-elected ; and Mr.
Turner was re-elected in the place of Mr. Muriel,
the auditor who had been appointed director.
Mr. FEW moved, seconded by Mr. ELKINS, that
3001. be given to the directors for their services
during the past year.
The motion was carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman,
and the meeting separated.