The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-09 00:00:00

MEN-OF-WAR IN THE BAY.

The Asia, flag of Rear-Admiral Hornby, goes out
on a cruize to the island of Juan Fernandez in a few
days.
The Juno, 26, Captain P. J. Blake, sails for Eng-
land, to call at Rio, on Wednesday next, No.
rember 1.

The Gorgon steamer to remain here for the present.
The Calypso, 20, Captain H. J. Worth, sailed
from Valparaiso yesterday, October 29, for Peru
and Mexico.

The Champion, 18, Captain Hayes, left Valparaiso
for Peru and Central America, on the 4th of Oc-
tober inst.

The Constance, SO, Captain Courtney, is expected
from the islands shortly. Soon after her arrival sh©
goes home.

The Inconstant, 36, is expected hourly from the
River Plate.

IN PORT.

The French Admiral's fig-ship Pursui►ante, and
the Genie.

The American frigate Congress leaves to-day for
the United States.

Within the last few days we have received news of
another revolution in Bolivia, which has again thrown
that unhappy country into fresh anarchy. The present
revolution is headed by Belza, a general in the army,
who lately filled the office of Minister at War, under
the Provisional Government established on the abdi-
cation of the late President, Ballivian. Some say his
object is to place himself in the Presidential chair,
while a general opinion prevails that he and his
partisans seek the restoration of General Santa Cruz,
the former chief of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation,
at present exited in Europe. Beiza hail, at the date
of the last advices, confined his operations to La Paz
and Cochabamba, where he is very popular, and where
all the soldiers had pronounced in his favour.
General B llivian, the last Bolivian President,
resides in Valparaiso. It is said that ho intends to
go to settle in California.

.__-•
FINANCIAL REFORM AT MANCHESTER.—We an-
nounced some time ago that a meeting was about to be
held in the Free Trade-hall, at which proceedings would
probably bo taken, having an important bearing upon
the future course of the Liberal party. Wednesday,
the 10th inst., has been fixed upon, and from an adver•
tisement in another part of eur paper, it will be seen
that Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, and Mr. Gibson will be
present. There will be no shrinking from the now well-
defined principles and objects of the new and growing
party. Financial reform, the amendment of the repre-
sentation, and a well-considered proposition for uniting
and increasing the number and strength of the Liberal
constituencies in counties and boroughs, will probably
be the points to which the attention of the meeting will
be directed. Mr. George Wilson, we understand, is
expected to preside on the occasion, and a very large
and influential meeting is anticipated. The grand ban-
quet will take place in the Free Trade-hall on Wednes-
day, the 31st instant.—Manchester Examiner and Times.
FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.—About nine o'clock last
evening, as two gentlemen were proceeding in a gig
down Ludgate-hill, the horse, having taken fright,
dashed off at a fearful pace, the driver losing all com-
mand over the animal, which flew along, crossing Far-
ringdon-street and up Fleet-street, till, on arriving
exactly opposite the Punch-office, the vehicle came in
contact with a carrier's cart, when the violence of the
concussion threw both gentlemen from their seats. One
alighted head foremost against the kerb-stone, where he
was found to all appearance quite dead. He was directly
removed to Mr. Hutchinson's surgery in Farringdon-
street, where the injuries were declared to be of too
serious a character for temporary assistance, and by the
orders of that gentleman's assistant he was at once con-
veyed on a stretcher by the police to St. Bartholomew's
hospital, in a state of insensibility, the forehead of the
unfortunate man presenting all the appearance of having
been broken in. His companion, more fortunate, escaped
with a few slight contusions, and was conducted to the
station-house in Fleet-street. The body of the chaise
was completely shattered, and the horse much injured.
BAKERS' ASSIZE ASSOCIATION. Last night •
meeting of master bakers was held at the Bakers' Provi-
dent Institution in Snow-hill, in aid of the objects of the
above-named association; Mr. Butler in the chair. The
secretary having given in his
,report, it was considered
that, in consequence of the paucity of attendance, the
meeting should be adjourned until Monday.eveningnz re
All
which was agreed to after several contributions bee
handed in from the different branch societies. Ali b
tiocfleatioyi
protective
system, appeared ado e
thatte determined it red
publicto go tO
mayr Parliament rbaloi ttneanrftaonnaif9
from imposition, through the institutionstoem,p
it was
upon such a basis, as the present
thesyand
con-
sidered,ilonestdweaalserasuffiincetnhte tiompdoersttarnoty
the Exchequer.
bread. staple
eesars
of the three Com.
mences on Thursday. The arrearstt4
in th
aril:::
:3:0 rCourt, and one registration
resm 42 in
mon-law Courts number 392-7
157
THE COMMON Law COURTs.—HilaeryQeTeee:Bceonrach:
121 in the Common Pea`, and
have increased since
In the Common Plee.asretmanet demurrers
the
for paper
new there are two en-
the first day of hii-
tlials, and 17 for the
}ac.vin:Bse Term.
F ALDERMAN
jleuilardtggeermdeednPrtualneds, in
the mortal remains of the late Alderman John•
The arrears
engre consigned to their finjal"lNs°s
resting-place Yes tienr d
thea y
family vault of St. John'funeral was, agreeably s Church, Westminster. The
ducted with to the wish of the deceased, extremecon-
privacy. Shortly before twelve
o'clock the cortege, consiating of a hearse containing the
alderman, and followed by three mourn-
ing coaches and
the private carriages of the chief civics
authorities, his late deputy, and the common council of
his ward
(Dowgate), left his late residence at Millbank.
On h. reac ing tho church, the procession was met by the
rector, the Bev. J. Jennings, and the parochial authori-
ties, who conducted the corpse into the interior of the
church, when, after the burial service, the body was de-
posited in the family vault.
CAUTION To lIOTEL-KEETERS AND IRMA'
lIOLDERS.—A swindler, calling himself John William
Molloy, and asserting his connexion will some of the
first iamilies in the kingdom, has lately been making
victims of several respectable hotel-keepers and lodging-
housekeepers, at the West-end. Ile is apparently very
deaf, short, about 60, and wears glasses.
TRADE IN KILMARNOCK.—As is the invariable
case at this season of tie year, matters have been rather
at a stand for the past few days; prospects, however,
are of a most cheering character. It is anticipated that
an extensive and decided improvement will speedily take
place in the printfields; simultaneously with which a
change for the better will be experienced by weavers,
who, although executing the customary amount of work
for Glasgow and Paisley houses, are not so busily em-
played by the local manufacturers. A considerable
amount of business is being done in our mix; factorw.
—Ayr Advertiser.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
SOUTH DEVON.

On Saturday the extraordinary general meeting of
the proprietors of this company was held at Exeter,
called by special requisition to the directors, to con-
sider and decide upon the question, as to whether the
atmospheric system of traction should be finally
abandoned, or be the subject of another trial.
There was a very crowded attendance of proprie-
tors, special trains having been placed for the pumose
of conveying them, both by the South Devon and
Bristol and Exeter lines.
At twelve o'clock, J. W. Woollcombe, Esq., chair-
man of the directors, entered with the following
members of the board :—Lord Courtenay, Charles
Russell, Esq., chairman of the Great Western Rail-
way ; Frederick Pratt Barlow, Esq., J. W. Buller,
Esq., T. Gill, Esq., M.Mr. Brunel, the engineer;
P.,
Mr. Badham, secretary of the Bristol and Exeter
Railway ; Mr. Clarke, manager at Bristol, &c.
The CLIAIRMA,N, having read the requisition by
which the meeting was convened, rose and said that,
before they proceeded to the business of the meeting,
be was anxious to say a few words. All that was
necessary for him to remark would be to point out
that every expedition had been used on the part of the
directors to place before the shareholders their opinion
on the great question they had that day to determine.
The pamphlet by Mr. Gill, that had formed the sub•
ject of the requisition, was considered at the earliest
meeting of the board on the sth of December, when
a committee, consisting of himself, Mr. Russell, and
Mr. Buller, were appointed to investigate and report
upon the subject. On the Ist of January that report
was made after the first reference was made to the
committee. Had the report been made at an earlier
date, the committee would not have been able to do
justice to the subject referred to ; for he need hardly
say that a period of twenty-six or twenty-seven days
was by no means too long for three gentlemen to come
to a conclusion, who were living more than 200 miles
apart, and who necessarily must have had to commu-
nicate not only with one another, but with their
officers on the subject.
Mr. CHILEOTT, the representative of a body of Bris-
tol shareholders, said he had come down to propose
some means by which, if possible, the company might
be put in a more healthy tone and substantial
position, and thereby to restore confidence to the
shareholders. The pamphlet from Mr. Gill had at
last roused the shareholders from their apathy. This
had produced the meeting at Bristol, at which he
(Mr. C.), who had but one object in view, presided.
To show the unanimity of feeling which existed in
the minds of the proprietors, he had had put into his
hands, in the shape of proxies, 12,338 old shares and
half-shares, which were together equal to 16,051
old shares. The plan he proposed was to appoint a
cotnmittee—(Long and vociferous applause)—not so
much in opposition to the directors, as to assist them
in gaining the confidence of the shareholders, which
they themselves seemed to think they had no power
to obtain. The resolution to which the Bristol meet-
ing had come was, that a committee should be ap-
pointed to inquire into the statements contained in
the recent pamphlet published by Mr. Gill; secondly,
to ascertain what was the most suitable mode of
working the South Devon Railway ; and, thirdly, to
inquire into the financial and other affairs of the
company, and to determine what measures were most
expedient to be adopted, and to report to the share-
holderssat the general meeting in February next. He
begged distinctly to state his views with respect to
the atmospheric principle ; for many persons sup-
posed that he was its advocate, and that he wished
the proprietors to risk more money in that under-
taking. This he distinctly denied ; for he would not
spend one half-crown in any speculative undertaking
connected with the atmospheric. On the other hand,
if any one with security satisfactory to the company
would carry out that principle at his own ri3k and
with the consent of the engineer, he (Mr. Chilcott)
affirmed that they would be shutting their eyes to all
scientific improvement if they did not allow such a
trial to be made. Mr. Chilcott concluded amid
applause by proposing, " That a committee of share-
holders be appointed to inquire into the affairs of the
company, in the terms of the requisition dated the
16th of December last, and to report thereon simul-
taneously with the next half-yearly meeting, with
free access to all books, persons, and papers."
Mr. WILLIAM Fox (formerly a director) seconded
the resolutioa.
Mr. HAWKER (formerly a director) coincided as to
the necessity of a committee of inquiry. It would
be unwise to abandon the atmospheric system all at
once, without seeing if there were not some means of
making the already outlaid capital productive.
Mr. HurroN, of Bristol, expressed a hope that
some steps would be taken by which the shareholders
night be emabled to inspect the books of the company.
Mr. FRT., of Bristol, attended to oppose the con-
tinuance of the atmospheric principle of traction.
The late meeting at Bristol did not, it must be un-
derstood, represent the sentiments of the whole of the
proprietors resident there. He proposed an amend.
ment to the effect that " the suspension of the atmo-
spheric system on the 9th of November was a prudent
and necessary step, and that nothing had since oc-
curred to justify its resumption; that inasmuch as the
directors stated that no offer had been mhde to perfect
the system at the risk of other parties, measures
should be taken to realise for the company the full
value of the atmospheric property ; and finally, that
the directors be requested to direct their immediate
and earnest attention to the best means of reducing
the charge for locomotive working to the greatest
extent that circumstances may permit."—(Applause.)
The anticipation of the abandonment of the atmo-
spheric had already raised the price of shares in the
market considerably. The atmospheric, from the
commencement, bad only been an experiment, and
the time was now come when they might assert that
it had failed. As regarded the comparative cost of
the atmospheric and the locomotive, upwards of
300,0001. had already been spent on the atmospheric,
and it would cost 250,0001. more to extend the sys-
tem to Plymouth—that was, supposing the present
experiment to be successful. This would make the
cost 550,0001. for the atmospheric. He calculated
that 100,0001. would be sufficient for a locomotive
establishment, which, added to the sum already ex-
pended, would make 400,0001., from which was to
be deducted 50,0001. as the probable selling price of
the atmospheric apparatus, which would leave
350,0001. as the total cost, including locomotives, so
that they would save 200,0001. as compared with
finishing the atmospheric. While he found that the
cost per mile of working the locomotive was ls. 4d.,
that of the atmospheric was ls. 7d., and it was unne-
cessary to add anything more in favour of the pro-
position.
Dr. TRIPE seconded the amendment. He con-
sidered the atmospheric to be a signal failure, and that
it ought finally to be abondoned.
Mr. SECOMBE contended, at great length, that the
atmospheric system was a failure.
Mr. FRANCE considered it would be unwise finally
to abandon the atmospheric system without some en-
deavours being made to rerrler the apparatus they had
expended so much money upon available.
The CHAIRMAN said he held in his hand no fewer
than nine projects for carrying on the atmospheric
system, most of them, no doubt, very plausible, but
the directors hal determined not to expend another
shilling on experiments of any sort.—(Applause.)
Mr. GILL, M.P., the late Chairman, then rose and
said he would take that opportunity of referring to
the reply of the directors to the pamphlet he had
published, two or three of the sections of which he
would notice. The Hon. Gentleman disclaimed all
ideas of mercenary or self- interested motives in adopt-
ing his present line of policy, and proceeded to show,
by elaborate calculation, that the figures in the direc-
tors' report were erroneous, that the cost of working
the atmospheric was over-estimated, and also that the
calculations of his own pamphlet were correct, seeing
that he had since tested them by the Great Western
accounts. He denied the accuracy of the directors'
statement altogether. All sorts of odium had been
attempted to be cast on him in the directors' report.
Imputations of inaccuracy, grossly inaccurate and ex-
aggerated inferences—facts kept out of sight, erro-
' neous assumptions, dangerous fallacies, delusive conclu-
sions. Whether he had been guilty of all these it was
not for him to decide. Any information which he
possessed with respect to the property of the
shareholders he had always felt it his duty to give
when he was asked, unless such information might
be prejudicial to the interests of the company. He
• had always acted on that principle. Since the publi-
cation of his pamphlet he bad had numerous applica-
tions for information. lie did not mean to disguise
that he had given information wherever it was desired
consistently with his position. It had been said that
he (Mr. Gill) had recommended them to continue to
Mr. Samuda's valve, but it must be borne in mind
that Mr. Samuda's altered valve was the best thin
might beg
that was before him. As Mr. Brunel, in his report,
re
. had said it was quite possible that the valve
made perfect, that was his (Mr. Gill's) reason for
his recommendation, but he had cause to believe that
Mr. Samuda's valve was not the best. He would not
say it was not the worst, for he held in his hand no
fewer than 25 projects, all of which he would put into
the hands of the committee if they would have one.
—(Cries of " We'll have one.") But there was one
of those projects to which he wished to call special
attention. The Honourable Gentleman then read
a letter which he had received from the agent of
Messes. Clarke and Varley, in which they stated that
they were ready to lay down their system on the
South Devon line for two miles, to expend 10,0001.
themselves, to work the line for six months at their
own cost, and if at the end of that time the experiment
should be found to be unsuccessful, they would bear
• the whole cost; but if it should be successful, they
would agree to lay the whole line down at 9,0001. per
mile a to Aeolic it at Is. per train per mile. He
thogtt they 'rola-be insane if they were to refuse
tom. The Hon. Gentleman, in con-

_G ‘e.

N. a

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/04,1

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elusion, disclaimed anything like a hostile feeling, and
sat down amid applause.
The CHAIRMAN replied, and in the course of his
address adduced other arguments to show that the
calculations contained in the directors' report were
correct, with this exception, that whereas they had
calculated that the cost of the locomotive was ls. 4d.
per train per mile, on examination it turned out
that it was ls. 4d. and 1-10tb ; and that with
respect to the charge between Newton and Ply-
mouth, they were in error so far, that instead of
ls. 9d. per train per mile, it cost is. 9d. and 1-20th.
He confessed he was astonished to hear a gentleman
who had put forward a pamphlet to prove the
extreme value of the atmospheric system now say that
he did not care one sixpence about the atmospheric
system. He (the Chairman) thought:that when they,
investigated the proposal of Messrs. Clarke and Var-
ley they would find that it was not quite so favour-
able as had been represented. Taken at 5,0001. per
mile, it would come to 250,0001., while a large por-
tion of the line would have to be made double, and
it would be unwise policy for the company to throw
its whole system of working into confusion to try an
experiment, at the end of which they would have.
250,0001. staring them in the face. The atmospheric
system had been tried, and fairly tried ; and having
failed, the sooner they abandoned it the better.
Mr. W.A. WILKINSON, late Chairman of the Croy-
don Railway, entered into a lengthened defence of
the atmospheric, and supported the motion for a com-
mittee, in the course of which he contended that the
board was unfairly constituted, that there was a
preponderance of Great Western influence, and that
if the shareholders had not the power at present
to alter the constitution of the board, he thought
Parliamentary powers should be applied for for the
purpose.
Mr. CHARLES RUSSELL, Chairman of the Great
Western, replied, and read a correspondence he had
had with Mr. Gill, three years ago, in which it was
shown that the Great Western directors were very
much opposed to the atmospheric principle, that its
adoption was carried against their wish, and that no
steps whatever had ever been taken by the Great
Western directors to obtain a decision adverse to that
which was the opinion of the South Devon directors.
Mr. J. W. BULLER, on the part of the directors of
the Bristol and Exeter Railway, repudiated the im-
putation that undue influence had been used by the
associated companies.
After some observations from several shareholders,
considerable confusion, and cries of " Vote," the
amendment was put from the chair, and declared to
be lost by a show of hands ; upon which
Mr. Fuv,dernanded a poll, which was followed by
great confusion, the supporters of the original reso-
lution contending that that should be put before the
poll was taken. After considerable altercation, the
original motion was put, and declared to be carried
by a show of hands.
Mr. FRY again demanded a poll, and again consi-
derable confusion was created by it being declared
that the poll would be taken on the amendment. It
was, however, ultimately arranged that the poll
should be taken for the original motion and against
the amendment.
Scrutineers were then appointed, and at half-past
five they proceeded to their labours, and at half-past
eight returned, when
The CHAIRMAN said the following is the report of
the scrutineers :

For the original motion—
Present • •
Proxies •••

.. 645
... 1,630
-2,275

For the amendment—
Present ..
Proxies •••

... 576
... 5,324
-5,900

Majority for the amendment 3,625
Mr. CHILCOTT then proposed a vote of thanks to
the Chairman, and complimented him on the urbanity
with which he had conducted the business of the day
in the difficult position in which he had been placed.
Mr. SECOMBE seconded this motion.

The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, complimented
Mr. Chilcott on the manner in which he had con-
ducted the, important business that had been intrusted
to him. It was alike creditable to himself, and to
those whom he represented.
Mr. FRY expressed a hope that the meetings of the
company would in future be held in Exeter instead of
at Plymouth.
The CHAIRMAN said the subject should have the
consideration of the board.
The meeting then separated at half-past eight.

THE RATING OF RAILWAY S.-011 Thursday, at
the Northumberland Quarter Sessions, an appeal of
the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway Com-
pany, against the rate of the Lesbury overseers, was
heard by the magistrates. The overseers had rated
the three miles of the line running through their
township, on the mileage principle, taking into calcu-
lation the income of the entire line from York to Bet.-
wick, a !distance of 320 miles. This, according to
the weekly returns of the traffic of the line, at the
average of 13,0001. per week, made the company
rateable at 6661. 13s. 4d. per mile. Mr. Granger,
who appeared for the company, submitted that the
only way in which the company ought to be rated
was on her per tentage principle, according to the
actual value of that part of the line situated at the
township of Lesbury ; and that instead of the calcu-
tion being formed from Berwick to York, it must only
be based on the traffic returns from Berwick to New-
castle. After the case had been heard at great length,
the bench confirmed the rate, stating that they were
of opinion that the mileage principle, based upon the
returns of the entire line, was the better course to
adopt of the two, as applicable to railway cases.
Another appeal by the same company was heard, in
which they complained of the conviction of two
magistrates, in respect of the repairs of a certain road
in the township of Addison, which had been damaged
and cut up by the company's carts, while forming the
railway at that part of the line. Several technical
objections were taken to the conviction by Mr. Otter,
one of which being held fatal by the Bench, the con-
viction was quashed.—Gateshead Observer.
CONWAY TUBULAR BRIDGE.—The deflexion which
took place last week, at the testing of the second
tube over the river Conway, by Captain Symonds,
the; Government Inspector, was very slight, and the
result highly satisfactory. Before any of the testing
weights were drawn into the tunnel it was ascer-
tained that the deflexion then existing was 1 86
inches. The testing ballast, amounting to 235 tons,
14 cwt. and 2 qrs., caused an additional deflexion of
1-56 inches only, thereby showing that, with the
whole of the above superimposed weight, the depar-
ture from a straight line was only to the extent of
3-42 inches. The load having been withdrawn, in
less than ten minutes the whole structure regained its
former deflexion. The variation in the tube, which
has now been in use for so many months, does not,
we believe, extend to the sixteenth part of an inch.
The works of the North-Eastern Extension of the
Leeds and Thirsk are progressing rapidly in the
vicinity of Yarm.
The Caledonian Railway Company have discon-
tinued one train each way from Carlisle, Edinburgh,
and Glasgow.
GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN (IRELAND).—
There was an inspection of the line from Tipperary
to Buttevant this week, and it is understood that it is
not intended to open this portion at present but delay
until the line is completed to Mallow, which arrange-
ments have been made to finish early in March, and
the line will be opened for traffic by the middle of
that month. The company has entered into a con-
tract with the town coaches to and from the Mallow
station to Cork, and to hare sufficient vehicles to
carry any number of passengers travelling by train.
Passengers will be booked in Cork to be forwarded
to Dublin, and in Dublin for transit to Cork.—Cork
Constitution.
DUBLIN AND BELFAST JUNCTION.—It is said there
is a prospect of the funds (250,0001.) required for
the completion of this line being forthwith procured.
DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA.—CONVEYANCE OF THE
MAIL.—Mr. Wyndham Harding, the able secretary
of the South-Western Railway, has been recently
engaged on the part of the Dublin and Drogheda
Railway Company, and Captain Williams on behalf
of the Post-office authorities, in fixing the amount of
remuneration for the conveyance of the mails on that
line. Mr. Harding's award was 221. 9s. 9d. per day;
that of Captain Williams, 91. 19s- 9d. There being
this wide difference, the Recorder of Dublin, who
had been selected as umpire, was appealed to, and
his award was 101. 10s. per day. We learn from the
Irish Railway Gazette that this is a considerable
advance on the sum formerly paid, viz., in a ratio of
2,2321. to 1,6001.; and that the terms of the award
are so favourable to the company, that they will now
make a small profit instead of a loss.—Railway
Record.
Touas AND NANTES.—At the half-yearly meeting
of the proprietors, just held in Paris, the accounts
were passed, in spite of the opposition of M. Sebille,
which prevented the discussion of either the present
or future prospects of the enterprise.
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.—The line from Mestre to
Vicenza has been re-opened. Parts worksofmthaeyltabiboseunri
ow
ex-
pected ton
be
executed on the Paris and Lyons line, in the com-
mune of Vaize, have just been put up for adjudica-
tion, and tenders made by
then st
,i;uascstieveeiatat
irl , synoinaas of what
L of labourers,
to whom the works were adjudged. 'lts progress
will forfrmoman
France. Interest at the rate of 4s system
mr of
being paid on the shares in the Orleans
and Bordeaux.

noswcoit in the
.ytt firedl, d
C isn R
DOWGATE WARD. --Yesterday, Mr. Pilcher, of
Morgan s-lane, Southwark, publicly announced his
anon W-.
re-
tirement. The onlycandidateof
Carden, Esq., stockbroker,
streat, who is expected to bo returned, without opposi.
aim, Alderman of Dowgate ward on Thursday.