The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-30 00:00:00

7.Stittion

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.

CITY, FIVE O'CLOCK.
The price of Consols was quoted erroneously this
morning, 95* 1, it should have been 95 s ; and at
the close this afternoon the market is very buoyant,
at

WA.TEItFOR WA D
Y. A
(T HND
IS DA Y.) KILKENNY
RAIL—
The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors
of the above railway was held this afternoon, at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate street, General McLeod
in the chrir.
The meeting having been duly formed, the common
seal of the company was affixed to the register of
shareholders, after which the secretary read the
following report:—
In conducting the business of the company since
the last half yearly meeting, those directors on whom
the management has chiefly devolved have had to con-
tend with no ordinary difficulties, arising principally from
the serious disproportion between the limited funds
placed at their disposal and the heavy liabilities required to
be met, which were much larger than previously esti-
mated; and although they have net considered themselves
responsible for exiting financial embaressments, they
have nevertheless felt extremely anxious to extricate the
company from its difficulties. This, they believe, may
still gradually be accomplished, by working out the
principles already adopted. Believing as they do that
the railway possesses in itself the elements of future
prosperity, and that when completed it will prove highly
remunerative, they would strongly solicit the co-opera-
tion of the shareholders, for the purpose of raising the
required additional capital.
" EXTENSION TO KNOCKWILLIAX.—SiRCe the last
half-yearly meeting, a contract has been entered into
with Mr. Burke, to complete this portion of the line, on
terms most advantageous to the company. The direc-
tors hived to have been able to open this extension with
the proceeds of the last call. They regret, however, to
state, that although the contract has been let very consi-
derably below the estimate prepared by Captain Moor-
som, it will not be possible to complete the works to
Knockwilliam until at least 20,0001. more is obtained.
"COST OF WORKING THE LINE NOW OPEN TO
THOMASTOWN.—The present directors have always con-
sidered that every serious error wascommitted in opening
this portion of the line. The passenger traffic must neces-
sarily ba extremely limited, and the station is placed so
far from the Waterford road as to render the goods' traffic
unprofitable, in consequence of the circuitous distance it
has to be conveyed by road at the expense of the company.
The beard has frequently had under consideration the
propriety of stopping the trains; but on investigation it
has always appeared to them, that the cost of keeping
the road and plant in repair, would more than counter-
balance the current loss. For some weeks past the re-
ceipts have paid the working expenses, but this has
been chiefly owing to the praiseworthy efforts of the
local directors.
"FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF TRAFFIC BY OPENING
THE LINE TO JERPOINT.—The directors expect to open
to this place in the early part of next month, by which
a circuitous and difficult pert of the public road will be
cut off, and the distance to Waterford shortened by two
miles. Additional facilities will thus be afforded, and
the company will be in a much better position for secur-
ing the whole traffic of the district, a large portion of
which has up to the present time been sent by the road.
" In consequence, also, cf the high rate of freights
charged by the Old Waterford Steam-Packet Company,
nearly the whole of the export traffic from Kilkenny
and the surrounding district has been diverted frcm its
natural and legitimate channel, and forced to the port of
Dublin. To counteract this unfair competition, and
protect the rights of the railway, some of your directors
have (with the co-operation of a few shareholders and
other parties locally inteaestcd) established a new
steam-packet company. One of the swiftest and most
powertul steam-packets, the building of which cost
26,0001. a few months since, has been recently purchased,
and in a few days will be on the Waterford and Liver-
pool line. By this arrangement, invaluable assistance
will be rendered to the railway company, and also to the
port of Waterford. The thanks of the Waterford and
Kilkenny Railway Company are due to the local direc-
tors, and especially to Mr. George Reade, for his spirited
exertions in earning out this new undertaking.
" Tha liabilities of the company amount to 52,4561.
ss. 91, and: the assets to 15,5501.; leaving a deficiency
of 36.9061-p si. 93."
" The ilbove estimate includes every possible charge,
and presents tho worst aspect of affairs that can be shown.
Nothing has been concealed or kept back. Every effort
has been made, with some success, to postpone some
claims upon the company, by inducing the creditors to
take long-dated bills, so as to gain the time necessary
for raising the additional capital. Those efforts will be
continued.' Of the intrinsic value of the property the
directors entertain no doubt; and any measure giving
value to the forfeited shares would materially change
the state of things. Past experience has shown the cause
and consequence of impudent management. By a
different s) stein, embracing the most rigid economy, by
a careful supervision of every payment, a close scrutiny
into contracts, and an avoidance of any expense beyond
an object immediately auxi.iary to the interest of the
shareholder', the directors hope to avoid former errors,
• and to complete finally the entire 301 miles of railroad
to Waterford, on a fair average cost. Having duly
weighed the difficulties of the case, the directors believe
that the property value of the compady has reached its
lowest potne and that the future progress will be towards
improvement. It must be remembered that all con-
current testimony is in favour of the remunerative cha-
racter of the railway, as a national and commercial ua-
dertekieg.
" A resolution will be submitted to the meeting, to
authorise the issue of 12,000 preference shares of 101.
each."
The revenue account for the past half-year stated
the total traffic receipts at 1,0461., and the expenditure
at 1,478/., but there was an item of 2,6301. due from
the Irish South Eastern Railway.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report,
observing that every shareholder must admit the tone
and temper in which it was written, and he hoped the
same temper would be displayed in the observations it
might provoke.
Mr. I3RUSHFIELD wished to know how it was that
the report was only signed by part of the directors ?
The CHAIRMAN said, those who had not signed the
report had abstained from attending the board, as their
projects had been rejected by the majority of the
directors.
Mr. 11. 0. WILLS had reason to believe that the
differences at the board were likely to be made up.
Mr. L. M. GODDARD observed that there was a
saying, that when men of questionable character fall
out honest men get their due, and he trusted this
quarrel aniong-A the directors would lead to good.
Mr. BRUSIIFIELD hoped the directors would not
follow the example of the Kilkenny cats, and fight till
there was nothing of the line.
Mr. BATES, a director, seconded the motion fur the
adoption of the report, and begged the meeting to
remember that the expenditure of the company had
exceeded the capital by 10,0001. before the present
directors joined it. This money had been wholly ex-
pended on the line to Thomastown.
Mr. I'ITE wished to have some explanation as to
the disputes of the directors.
Mr. BATES said the differences had been made up,
and as all the board were now anxious to work amica-
bly together, he hoped the matter would not be re-
opened.
Mr.BRUSIIFIELD understood that there were charges
of want of principle made against some of the
directors.
The CHAIRMAN said the Hon. Proprietor had been
misinformed, then.
Mr. HADDOW recommended the meeting to drop
the subject, and the directors to make mutual conces-
sions to each other.
Mr. TITE asked if the 20,000/. proposed to be raised
would in the whole or part go in reduction of the
liabilities ? He might as well mention while he was
on his legs, that a report had got abroad that Mr.
Bates was anxious to become managing director,
which he was sure had no foundation in truth. There
was an item in the accounts for the purchase of carts
and horses, which he should be glad to have explained.
Mr. BATES said the item of 7001. had been repaid
to Mr. Fletcher, the traffic manager, for the money
he had spent in providing carts, waggons, and
horses for the development of the traffic. With
regard to the report that he was about to
•
become a managing director at a large salary,
he could state that there was no truth in it. True,
he had been solicited to take the office, but he had
stipulated that if h® did so he should only receive
150/. a year ; a large sum the company could not
afford, and a smaller he could not take.
Mr. TAUNTON undertook to answer the other ques-
tion. He had no hesitation in saying that 20,0001.
would carry them to Knockwilliam, and enable
them to reduce the balance of liabilities of something
like 16,0001. _ _ _ .

Mr. 'BATES remarked that if they had had power
toissue debentures, a contractor might have been
found to construct the line without their being driven
to the expedient of raising any additional capital.
Mr. I LETCIIER explained that the road-waggon
account had brought‘ an immense quantity of traffic
to the line. ur some tune the account had proved a
positive loss,
but now, be was glad to say, it was
approaching a profitable point.
A pßopaivrou a‘kei how much the directors re-
ceived a year ?
Mr. BATES replied, 4001. a year.
Captain MooßsomE asked it it was true that a
distinguished nobleman influentially connected with
the port of Bristol (the Marquis of Ormonde, as we
understcod), was to be selected to join the board, and
were there hopes of his doing so ?
The CHAIRMAN replied in the affirmative!.
Captain Moonsomn asked if any portion of the
capital had been invested in or lent to establish steam-
boat companies ?
Mr. TAUNTON, before that question were answered,
wished to give it as his opinion that if there
was no chance of their getting to Knockwilliam, the
sooner they shut up the line the better. The loan
commissioners were disposed to assist them in raising
additional funds, and it was fur the shareholders to

__—
THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL.
(THIS DAY.)
This being St. Andrew's day, the annual meeting
of this excellent national society was held in the hall
of the Corporation, Crane-court, Fleet-street,
election of officers of the corporation, and for the
transaction of the ordinary business.
Sir Walter Stirling, Bart., was elected to the chair.
The minutes of the previous quarterly meetings
were confirmed.
lajoir ADAIR, the Secretary, then read the re-
port and balance sheet, of which the following is an
abstract :---Balance from last year, 1871. 19s. Bd. ;
donations, 1,0401. ls.; half proceeds of the Caledonian
BAll, 2711. ss. 61 ; annual subscriptions, 41/. 3s. 4d.
interest, &c., 1,287/. 12s. 11d. Total, 3,012/. 3s.
Expended—charity to the poor, passages, &c.,
2,2481.65. 4d.; salaries, 3721.135. 6d.; incidental and
other expenses, 211/. 18s. 11d. Total, 2,832/. 18s. 91
Balance, 3671. 4s. 4d. Total, 3,2001. 3s. ld.
In reply to the Chairman, the SECRETARY said, for
10 or 11 years in succession, they received 8001. a-
year at their anniversary on St. Andrew's-day, but
of late years the amount received was not much over

500/.
Dr. WEBSTER, in moving that the accounts be
printed and circulated among the governors, took oc-
casion to observe that the hospital now distributed a
larger proportion of its receipts in charity than
in
former years. At one time a third was swallowed up
in expenses, now less than a fourth was expended.
This was a circumstance which he was sure the go-
vernors would be delighted to learn.—('-Tear.)
Professor DONALDSON, in seconding the motion,
complimented the secretary for his zeal in behalf of
the charity. It was gratifying that the funds had
been increased by the exertions of their officers.
The motion was carried.
Thanks were then voted to the Duke of Montrose,
for the dignified way in which he had sustained the
office of president, as also to the treasurer, The
Chisholm, and to the medical and other officers of the
society, for their valuable services, and they were re-
elected.
The Marquis of Stafford, the son of the Duke of
Sutherland, was elected in the room of the late Sir
Charles Forbes, so also was the Lord James Stuart,
in the room of the Right Hon. Fox Maule, whose
period of office had expired.
Dr. WEBSTER proposed that an address of condo-
lence should be drawn up, and presented to the
family of the late Sir Charles Forbes, who had been a
munificent donor to the funds of the institution.—
(Cheers.) He deeply regretted that the charity bad
lost so excellent a vice-president and the governors so
excellent and true a friend. His abundant wealth
was ever devoted to promote the welfare of his
countrymen. Indeed it was impossible to esti-
mate the amount of good he had effected
not only in his native land but in India. He had
sent many young men to India at his own expense,
and had been the means of establishing them success-
fully in life. His charity was of that unbounded
character that it might be truly said of him that his
right hand did not know what the left one did.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Reid, and car•
ried unanimously, and the Chairman, and mover
and seconder were appointed to draw up the address
It appeared from the balance sheet of the School
fund that though the number of children educated
was not so large as during the past year, 3et they
had added 501. to the stock, which now amounted to
3,4501. The receipts had been 1541. Os. 5d., the
expenditure 581. 135., balance 481. 13s. Bd.
Dr. LIDDELL recommended that the ladies next
year should be invited to take their seats with the
gentlemen at the dinner. It was abominable that they
should be perched in the gallery looking on whilst
the gentlemen ate their dinners.—(Hear, hear.)
The SECRETARY said the ladies had a good dinner
whilst the gentlemen were eating theirs. The fact
was, that it was perhaps too soon to adopt the recom-
mendation of the gallant Doctor. There was, how-
ever, a good time coming.—(Laughter.)
After an interesting discussion with respect to the
condition and progress of the children in the school,
during which it was resolved that the superintending
clergyman of the schools should make an annual
report of their condition, a vote of thanks was moved
to the Chairman, and the meeting separated.

EXCHEQUER.—(THIS DAY.)
Sittings at Nisi Prius, at Westminster, before the
LORD CHIEF BARON and a Special Jury.)

GUEENLAND V. CUAPLIN.
This was an action to recover compensation for
certain injuries which the plaintiff had sustained whilst
travelling in a steam-boat on the Thames.
Mr. liumfrey, Isle. Ryland, and Mr. Fry, appeared
as counsel for the plaintiff, and the defendant was
represented by Mr. Sergeant Shee and Mr. Bramwell.
Mr. Humfrey. in stating the case, said the plain-
tiff, Mr. Greenland, is a carriage liner, who has
for many years been in the employment of Messrs.
Laurie, carriage builders, in Oxford-street ; and the
defendant, Mr. Chaplin, is a member of the eminent
carrying firm of Chaplin and Horne, and owner or
part-owner of a steamer called the Bachelor, plying
between Hungerford-bridge and Vauxhall and Chel-
sea. The injury which the plaintiff sustained, and
in respect of which the present action was brought,
was occasioned by a collision between a boat called
the Sons of the Thames, a Gravesend vessel, and the
defendant's vessel the Bachelor, the circumstances
of which will be found stated in the evidence given
below.
Robert Chipperfield, on the part of the plaintiff,
said—On Sunday, the 161 i July, 1848, I was on
board of and commanding the steamer called the Sons
of the Thames. She was lying at Ilungerford, and
about to go to Gravesend. The Atalanta was between
her and the pier, and the passengers going by the
Sons of the Thames had to cross the Atalanta. When
the eons of the Thames left the pier she got into the
regular passage way, and as she was nearing the
Adelphi pier the Fire King was seen lying at that
pier. A little further down, at the halfpenny pier,
the Sunbeam was in the act of swinging round with
the tide to go to London-bridge. The Sons of the
Thames then stopped her engine, to avoid a collision
with the Sunbeam. At that moment a ',boat called
the Bachelor came up, and, in her attempt to
pass between the vessels, struck the Sonsddle-
of
the Thames on the corner of the pa
box. She went on, and then struck the bow
of the Sons of the Thames. The anchor of the Sons
of the Thames was lying partly in the vessel and
partly over the bow in the usual way. The Bachelor
could have prevented the accident if the captain had
been using the same caution as witness.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant SHEE—During
two years and half in which witness had been in com-
mand of a vessel on the river, there had been several
accidents like this with his boat, and one or two
persons travelling in his boat had had their legs
broken. During a year he might have had occasion
three times to throw out his anchor above bridge.
There were about 150 people on board his vessel on
the day in question. There was nothing to
prevent persons on board his vessel sitting
near the flukes of the anchor. Some pre-
caution might have been taken the next Sunday
to prevent a similar accident, but witness
could not say whether it was done or not. Since
this last accident witness had fastened the anchor.
There was no rivalry between the Sons of the Thames
and the Bachelor.
Henry Sparrow deposed that he was mate on board
the
Sons of the Thames, and remembered the 16th
of July. There was not sufficient room to admit of
the Bachelor passing between the Sunbeam and the
Sons of the Thames
George Morrie, twhheenf she
attempted to pass.
o:ieticahin steward
.on board
the Sons of the Thames,
witnesses'essed the accident. and
corroborated the precedingacacnodunt of
trimmer
t.
ep s d that hea wase owi
William Hare, a coach
d
workman of the plaintiff's,
company with the plaintiff on board the Sons of the
Thames on the morning of the accident. The plaintiff
was sitting on a camp stool near the bow of the
vessel. When the Bachelor came in collision with
the Sons of the Thames, the anchor struck
.the plain-