The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-13 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATLIRDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 13, ift49

ARRHEA.

THE AUSTRALIAN SURVEY.—We have intelligence
from her nijesty's ship Rattlesnake to the 9th of May.
On the afternoon of that day, Captain Stanley was
about to sail for the northward to pursue his survey-
ing operations. They were to pick up the most
easterly point of the Louisiade, and survey along its
southern shore until they joined the survey on the
coast of New Guinea, where Captain Blackwood, in
the Fly, left off. Thence the Rattlesnake was to pro-
ceed to Cape York, to meet the provision-ship; after
which she proceeds to Arvo Island, to some of the
Dutch settlements at Amboyna and Ceram, thence to
the Coepany, in the island of Times, ultimately
returning to Sydney by the westward, as she did on
her former cruise.

HER MAJESTY'S SLOOP ALITATROSS.—We stated
a few weeks since that the Albatross, Commander
Farquhar, now at Whampoa, had been ordered to
England, after taking charge of a schooner, the Aug.,
tralia, and navigating her to Sydney. From last ac-
counts there is reason to believe that her Majesty's
ship Meander will take care of the schooner, as she is
going to the Sydney and New Zealand division of the
station, en route to the Pacific and England ; and in
that case the Albatross will come direct to England
to be paid off.
Captain Philip King (1830), who, as stated last
week, is about to emigrate to New South Wales,
having received a grant of land from the Colonial-
office, will receive the retirement of 18s. per diem as
soon as he reaches the required seniority.
By the deaths of Captains Wallis and Creyke, re-
tired Captains Septimus Arabin and Thomas Ball
Clowes become entitled to succeed to the retired pay
of 20s. per diem, in accordance with the terms of the
Order in Council of 1844 ; and by the deaths of Com-
manders Whipple and Cunby, Commanders John
Popham Baker and James Gordon (1821) succeed to
the half-pay of 10s. per diem.
SALUTING THE POPE'S FLAG.—Previously to the
the departure of her Majesty's ship Prince Regent,
90, Captain W. F. Martin, Pope Pius arrived at
Naples in Ferdinand's own steamer, and, although
his Majesty was on board, the Pope's flag floated at
the mainmast head; and as she passed the noble two-
decker, Captain Martin ordered a salute of 21 guns to
be fired, at which his Holiness was very much de•
lighted. _ _

HER MAJESTY'S SLOOP SEEPENT.—This sloop,
fitting at Portsmouth by Commander Charles Barker,
proceeds at once direct to the East Indies to relieve
the Albatross, 12, Commander Farquhar, ordered to
Devonport to be paid off.
STOREKEEPER. AND AGENT VICTUALLER AT HONG-
KONG.—Commander Charles Parker (1829), son of
the late Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, and half-brother
of the present Rear-Admiral Hyde Parker, C. 8.,
has been appointed Storekeeper and Agent Victualler
at Hong Kong, vice Paymaster and Purser M'Knight,
recalled.

A SECOND "TERRIBLE."-It is reported, on very
good authority, that the Admiralty are about to ap-
propriate the 800-horse power paddle-wheel engines
taken out of the Retribution for another magnificent
ship like the Terrible. She is to be of 2,000 tons,
and the construction of this gigantic steamer is to be
confided to Mr. Lang, of Woolwich Dockyard, who
designed the Terrible. We need scarcely remark
that she will stow more coals and carry a heavier
armament.

MINING INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Mining Journal of this day.)
Although a fair proportion of business has been trans-
acted since our last, many buyers have not been ab:e to
have their orders completed within the period originally
agreed upon.
South Frances, South Basset, Condurrow, Treviskey
and Barrier, Trelawny, and other shares, have been in
demand. In Wheal Adams, a very considerable im-
provement has taken place; the discovery is represented
to be worth from 701. to 80/. per rm. There have been
inquiries for Birch Tor shares, both here and in the
country, at about our present. quotations, and some busi-
ness done in Wheal Franco.
Shares in the following mines have changed hands
during the week:—Devon Great Consols, East Wheal
Rose, Bedford United, Stray Park, Trelawny, Trehane,
Treviskey and Barrier, Tincroft, Birch Tor and Vitifer,
Tamar Console, Wheal Franco, Kingsett and Bedford,
Treleigh Consols, South Tamar, South Frances, Tre-
thellan %Vest ' radon, West Wheal Tolgus, West
Wheat Treasury.
Captain Puekey of Fowey Consols Mine, having, at
the request of the directors, inspected llawkmoor Mine,
has forwarded a highly favourable report, which will
be found among our mining intelligence. He states it is
very rare to find a good course of copper ore so near
where any former company ceased working, as they
have it in the 20 far. level ; he was not, however, alto-
gether
surprised, as the appearances in the 10 ftn, level
indicate something good below. He considers the lo
cality good—having Devon Great Consols to the North,
Bedford United to the east, with some of the lodes
running through Hawkmoor, and Gunnis Lake Mine
to the South. Taking all things into consideration,
the water-power at hand, and the very favourable indi•
cations, he considers it a valuable mine, and, with
spirited development, highly probable to make a per-
manently profitable one.
Grambler and St. Aubyn account meeting was held
on the 9th instant, when a profit of 1261. 10s. Bd. was
found for the four months ending August, which, with
the balance from last account, leaves to credit 4371. 6s.
2d. We understand from our local correspondence, that
a valuable branch of yellow copper ore has been cut in
these mines from one to two feet wide, on the course of
the eastern drivings.
The usual quarterly meeting of the Callington Mines
Company was held on Wednesday; the financial state-
ment showed a balance of 1,659/. 2s. 11d. against the
mine, less June subsist of 1081. 10s. The Kelly Brae
Mine, which it appears is worked separately, sustained
a loss on the three months' working of 729/. 7s. 7d.,
which, with a balance brought from last account, taking
credit for the twenty-first instalment of 2,0001., leaves a
balance against the mine of 1,7611. 19s. 6d.
At the Tamar meeting the accounts showed amount of
silver-lead ores sold, 21,8081. 16s. Bd. for the year, show-
ing profit of 3,686/ 3s. 9d., which, with other receipts,
made a balance of 7,3812 18s. 2,1., out of which two in
dividuals have been paid, amounting to 5,760/ ; to the
reserve fund 576/, leaving in hand 1,045 L 18s. 2d. The
report will be found highly satisfactory.
By a statement male by Mr. Stainsby, after the Tamar
meeting, respecting the position of the Tincroft property,
it appears highly favourable for permanently profitable
results, there being ore in sight to the value of upwards
of 67,000/., with many hundreds of fathoms of, ground
unexplored. The directors, at their:meeting on the 4th
instant, declared a dividend of 7s. per share, being 5 per
cent, on the paid up capital.
At the Comblawn meeting, the accounts showed a
balance against the mine of 15s. 4,1. A resolution was
passed for the purchase of a steam engine.
At the Wheal Seton twe-monthly meeting, the ac-
counts showed—Ores sold (less dues), 2,8501.55. 2d.;
leaving balance in favour of adventurers, 5881. 18s. 6d.
In foreign mines, the principal transactions have been
in United Mexicans, St. John del Rey, Imperial Bra-
zilian, Copiapo, and National Brazilian, and a few
share in Guadalcanal and Australians have changed
hands.

years would be 10,8001., so that the difference be-
tween the actual surplus income and the surplus in-
come fairly due, even according to this limited esti-
mate, would on the three years be no less than
10,7451. This, our readers will admit, is a highly
unsatisfactory conclusion ; and although it is true
that the difficulty of making a calculation is very
great, yet such a result far exceeds the mar-
gin which might be left for errors inci-
dent to an estimate of this kind, and is
strangely inconsistent with what is represented as
possible under different management. The total
value of the area of the New Forest, exclusive of the
timber, has been calculated at amounts varying from
less than a quarter of a million sterling to upwards of
a million and a quarter—a discrepancy which is of
itself enough to show the extreme uncertainty of
estimates in these matters. Still, we gather from the
able and unprejudiced testimony of Messrs. Clutton
that the general quality of the soil is not only good,
but is admirably adapted to the growth of that
timber sahich is most valuable in this country—
namely, oak , indeed, there is a concurrence of evi-
dence to the e-ffect that at least 30,000 or 35,000 acres
of the forest are as well calculated for growing
oak as any land in the whole kingdom. When,
therefore, we learn from the same authorities, that
a rental of timber land under good management
should be as lirge and as sure, after a certain period,
as the rental from a like portion of cultivated land,"
we are warranted in regretting that the New Forest,
in the 750th year of its existence, should not have
been brought to pay its own expenses. Yet, as far as
recent enclosures go, the highest encomiums are
passed by the several witnesses on the hedging, ditch-
ing, planting, and general management; and planta-
tions of oak timber are still recommended as the most
promising method of cultivating the land. The deer
are loudly condemned as a serious source of damage
and no source of gain ; but some readers may, per-
haps, be interested in learning that the fern which
forms so becoming an undergrowth in these woods i 3
decidedly favourable to the growth and stature of the
oak. IVe have not left ourselves much space for par-
ticularising the cost and produce of the smaller
forests. Wychwood Forest, in Oxfordshire, is per-
haps as striking a specimen of management as any.
In this case the accounts are not embarrassed by any
charges for inclosing and planting, so that we can see
our way a little more clearly. The rights of the
Crowe, it appears, comprise, inter alia, a title to
certain drifts of underwoo3, the value of which royal
privilege is determinable by the following figures :
Receipts for the thee years ending 1847.8 £9OB 9 6
Expenditure during the same period...

Excess of the cost of cutting over the value
of the wood £64 18 5
To this estimate should be appended the circum-
stance that s.rious differences have occurred between
the Crown and the Hereditary Ranger on the sub-
ject of their respective rights, and that the " expenses
of the suit" between the said parties " had amounted
in 1-45 to a sum exceeding 7,0001." Yet it is
calculated that this land, if cleared and let, would
produce from 225. to 255. an acre rent; or if sold,
100,0001. The timber on it is valued at 60,0001,
but no accounts represent the total net income of
the whole property for the last ten years as reach-
ing 1,000/. Waltham Forest may, perhaps, be a
more interesting subject to a Londoner than other
more important but less contiguous demesnes. The
administration of the Royal estate exhibits a highly-
edifying relic of antiquity. It should possess a Ranger,
but it appears to be altogether unascertainable in
whose person this honour is now vested. It still, how-
ever, boasts a Court of Verderers, four in number ; but
" as these officers are equally divided in opinion upon all
subjects, it was found they could transact no business
at their meetings, and they have therefore ceased
to attempt it by holding any meetings at all."
The result of these complexities has been " sus-
pension of all legal authority" over the district
in question ; but we are greatly inclined to agree
with Mr. Pusey's opportunities, that considering the
opposition of public recreation afforded by this
tract of land, and the interminable expenses likely
to follow on litigation, it may be inexpedient
to disturb the state into which things have
settled themselves. As much, however, cannot be
said of the other Crown lands. Here are many
thousands of acres, either prcducing returns ridicu-
lously inadequate to the value of the land, or posi-
tively entailing an annual expense, although it is
clearly certified that if properly managed as planta-
tions they should yield a fair rent; if enclosed,
should be as productive as any other land ; or if sold,
should realise very considerable sums. One of those
alternatives must be adopted without delay, for the
country, when once informed upon the subject, will
assuredly never permit the continuance of matters as
they are.— Times.

YORK, NEWCASTLE, AND BER-

WICK RAILWAY.

A special general meeting of the proprietors of the
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway, resident in
London, was held yesterday, for the purpose of
electing two delegates to attend the special meeting
of the company, to be held in York on the 25th in-
staut, for the appointment of the future directors of
the concern.

The Hon. Mr. Home Browne was called to the
chair.
The CnitinsfArg explained the objects of the
meeting, and called upon the shareholders to deter-
mine the mode of proceeding that should be now
adopted.

Mr.
PRANCE thought they had only one matter to
determine, and that was whom they should elect to
represent them at the forthcoming meeting in. York.
Sir JouN EASTHOPE wished, before they went t.
that business, to have some expression of opinion
upon the question of appointing auditors. Much of
the mischief that railways had latterly suffered from
could be traced to the defective audit system that had
hitherto prevailed, and it was therefore his decided
conviction that some alteration must be made in the
existing law, to place the auditing of railway accounts
more under the control of Government.
. _

Alderman SIDNEY perfectly agreed with the Hon.
Baronet, and was rejoiced to find that a feeling in
favour of Government auditors was rapidly gaining
ground. It was objected that no honourable man
would undertake the office of director of a railway
company if he had a Government officer placed over
him ; but he, for one, could not sympathise with such
an objection. The maladministration of railway affairs
had been so glaring and profligate that it was absolutely
necessary, for the sake of public decency and honour,
that Parliament should take the subject into its
serious consideration immediately after its meeting in
the ensuing session ; and he hoped the suggestion
just thrown out by the Hon. Baronet would be
adopted by the meeting.
Colonel JOHNSTONE could not understand why
railway directors should be so very nice about
having auditors placed over them. For his part,
when he had the command of a regiment and
its funds at his control, he was always most
anxious to have his accounts strictly examined and
checked by an auditor independent of himself, and
the meeting might depend upon it that until the same
practice was adopted in railway companies, the public
would place no confidence whatever in their published
accounts. The present mode of auditing railway ac-
counts was nothing better than a farce, if not a fraud
upon the shareholders,_ and he therefore hoped Parlia•
meat would interfere to put a stop to it.

Alderman SIDNEY, in order to bring the question
formally before the meeting, moved a resolution to the
effect that it was expedient that a public auditor, in-
dependent of the company, should be appointed, under
the provisions of an Act of Parliament.
Colonel JOHNSTONE had much pleasure in second-
ing the resolution.

MAYHEW would not object to the appointment
of the public auditor, but he could see no reason why
he could not be appointed as well by the shareholders
as the Government. lie was entirely opposed to the
principle of Government interference in the internal
management of railway companies, and if it were
proposed he hoped the Legislature would never sanc-
tion it. lie moved as an amendment that a public
auditor, who should have no interest in the concern,
be appointed by the company.
Mr. BASSETT seconded the amendment, believing
that if the principle of Government supervision were
once applied to railway accounts it would not be
long before it was extended to the accounts of every
species of joint. stock companies.
Mr. SCOTT agreed with the spirit of the original
resolution, and observed that it was mere moonshine
to expect that justice would ever be done to the public
by auditors emanating from the shareholders. •
After some further discussion the amendment was
put from the chair and lost, when the original reso-
lution was carried by a moderate majority.
The specific business of the meeting was then com-
menced, and Alderman Sidney, Mr. Prance, Sir John
Easthope, and the Chairman, were respectively
pro-
posed as delegates to represent the London share-
holders at the York meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said it would be inconvenient for
him to act, and his name was accordingly withdrawn.
Mr. SMITH said, before the meeting elected two
out of the other three, he should be glad to hear from
the gentlemen proposed whether they had any interest
that was likely to militate against their acting im-
partially.
Sir J. EASTIMPE was generally not disposed to answer
such a question when it was proposed to elect him
to an office of trust, but in these times of railway ad-
versity it was not advisable to be too fastidious on
such an occasion as this. He would tell the honour-
able proprietor, then, that with the exception of a few
shares in the South-Western, ho held no shares in
any other English railway but this. While entering
into this explanation it was right that he should
express his decided disapprobation of what be con-
ceived to be a scheme, on the part of the existing
committee of management, for electing a certain
individgal_ to the poet of managing director. lie