The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1838.

SOUTHAMPTON DOCK COMPANY-

HALF YEARLY MEETING.

At the third half-yearly meeting of the Proprietors of
the Southampton Dock Company, held at the George and
Vultur Tavern, George-yard, Lombard-street, on Tuesday
the 27th of February, 1838, Joseph Liggins, Esq., in the
Chair, the annexed Report was read, approved and
adopted :
REPORT.

" The Directors exceedingly regret, on meeting the Pro-
prietors at their third half-yearly meeting, that they cannot
announce the commencement of the great and interesting
work for which they have been associated ; but that, on the
the contrary, the unpleasant duty is imposed upon them of
stating, that the call of 21. 10s. per share, which was made
before the last half-yearly meeting, remains unpaid, in the pro-
portion of more than one-half, notwithstanding the support
liven to the Directors at that meeting, in the course of which
:hey had deemed it advantageous to the Company to pursue
in making the call.
" Under other circumstances such a result could not fail to
check the exertions of any body of Directors, feeling for their
own honour, and for the credit of those whom they represent; but
as the proposal to make commercial docks at Southampton,origi_
ginated in a clear perception and strong feeling of the bene-
ficial consequences with which the measure was, and is full,
fraught, they continue firm in their intention to uphold and
promote the undertaking, knowing that many of the proprie-
tcrs, even amongst those by whom the call remains unpaid,
are firmly attached to the measure, and defer the payment of
the call only until they can be assured that the work is about
to proceed ; and knowing also, which is still more interesting,
that the highest opinion prevails in its favour amongst large
bodies of persons abundantly able to supply the means of car-
ryidg out the object of the Company to a completion, includ-
ing many who are deeply interested in its accomplishment.
" In this view of the undertaking, and in the expedience of
proceeding to the immediate execution of the works of one
Jock, they are confirmed by the information of which they are
possessed from an authentic source, respecting the London
and Southampton Railway, and which is as follows :
" Although the long continuance of frost has rendered it
impossible to proceed to the laying down the permanent rails,
it is, nevertheless, yet probable that the line for the first
twenty-four miles from London will be opened on the Ist of
May next ; and under no conceivable state of circumstances
can it be necessary to postpone the opening much beyond that
time. It has been promised to open the line to Basingstoke
next spring; exertions are, however, being made to open the
line to within a short distance of that town in October next—
and there are very strong grounds for believing it will be
effected. The line from Winchester to Southampton will be
opened at the same time. A very able contractor has en-
gaged to I.ave the line finished lastween Basings'oke and Win-
chester in the spring of 1840, and the progress now making in
that district gives strong assurance that his engagement will
be fulfilled. It is almost unnecessary to add, that this will
complete the entire line, and that the funds of the Company
are sufficient for the purpose.
" The Dock Proprietors will not however be dependent on
the conveyance of goods by the Railway to and from the
Metropolis to the extent, or in the degree, sometimes sup-
posed. On the contrary, it must be evident, even on a slight
consideration of the subject, that the whole line of coast from
Dover to the Land's-end, comprehending a large proportion
of the supply of the country adjacent to nearly 300 miles of
coast, would have recourse to Southampton, in preference to
London, for every bulky description of import, whilst the out-
fit of a ship, and the export trade, so far as they consist in the
produce of the soil, would find more ready and cheaper means
of supply in the country, east, west and north of Southampton,
than London could afford ; and to this is to be added, the
mineral products and manufactures of the western counties,
some part of the trade with Ireland, and by far the larger part
of the trade with France. In fine, it must be self-evident that
the dangers, expense, and delay of the nerrovv seas, the
Downs, and the Thames, will not be encountered, merely
to produce a recurrence of the same dangers, expense and
delay in carrying back the goods to the ports they have passed,
thus creating one difficulty for the mere purpose of having to
contend with a second of a similar kind.

" If any thing could be necessary to confirm the opinion en-
tertained in favour of commercial docks at Southampton, the
experience of the last two months would be conclusive on the
subject. How many ships in the river Thames during that
period have been arrested by the frost and east wind, when,
had they been fitted and laden at Southampton instead of Lon-
don, the same wind would have carried them by a rapid pas-
sage to the southward and westward. During this delay, and
in less time, every ship that has beer, in this situation of diffi •
culty might have performed an outward voyage to the West
Indies ; and when released from the obstruction by a change
0, wind to the westward, the merchant and ship-owner still
has too often to contend with winds adverse to the passage
d.iwn Channel. It may be added, that both Southampton
water and the river Itchen have been free from interruption by
ice during the whole of the winter.
" Southampton then, with commercial docks, will un-
doubtedly be assisting to the trade of London in a ♦ery im-
portant degree, and the railway will most materially conduce
to that end ; but it is at the same time clear, that, drawing
supplies from the whole of the western counties, distributing
imports for the consumption of a large part of that extensive
division of the kingdom, and commanding from its position a
part of tha trade with Ireland, and nearly the whole of the
trade with France, that port, in the present freedom of trade,
even without regard to the railway, must enjoy an extensive
commerce. But it has, notwithstanding, been shown that re-
liance may be placed on the completion of the railway ; and,
consequently, that whatever may be the resources of the port
of Southampton, irrespectively of that measure, the expectation
of the advantages originally contemplated with reference to
the docks from its accomplishment, remains undisturbed.
Southampton is so favourably situate, as to command cast and
%test a great line of coast on both sides the channel, and to
possess at the same time, the capability (with the use of a
railway) of relieving a large part of the trade of London from
the great difficulties with which it has now to contend, not to
dwell upon the advantages which it will afford to the merchant
and shipowner of Liverpool and other out-ports, and generally
to the interior of the kingdom, as railways shall be further
xtended.

" To provide for the possible case of its becoming neces-
sary to carry a Bill into Parliament, for an extension of the
time allowed by the Act of Incorporation, for making the first
duck, and inclosing the dock land, the Directors have taken
the precautionary measure of presenting a petition to Parlia-
ment for leave to do so; but they now address the Proprietors,
in the confidence that the immediate prosecution of the work
will render it unnecessary to take more thon the preliminary
steps in that respect ; and they trust they have now only to
experience the cheerful and zealous co-operation of the Pro-
prietors in the work in which they arc engaged ; compre-
hensive in its design, great in the important and interesting,
consequences by which its successful prosecution must be ex_
tended, but gradual in the steps proposed to be taken for its
final and full consummation. The objects proposed are, to
enclose two hundred acres of land, the most eligible in the
kingdom, for the purpose of making commercial docks, ap-
propriating at present one-fourth part of the land only to that
purpose, and holding the remaining three-fourths in reserve,
to be appropriated to the like purpose, as may from time to
time be required, for the accommodation of the trade of the
kingdom.
" To the consideration of the plan of the first or western
dock, much time and attention have been devoted, and it is
highly satisfactory to the Directors to be enabled to state, that
the ground having been well examined, and a specification of
the work completed by the engineer, they have assented to the
terms proposed to them by an able contractor, for the execu-
tion of the works of that dock, subject only to the funds being
supplied by the Proprietors, to carry that contract into effect.
In arranging the terms of this contract, they have experienced
the advantage of engagements which they had previously en-
tered into with Proprietors of the Isle of Wright, for the sup-
ply of stone and other materials, and especially, so far as they
ran judge, of the judicious method proposed by the engineer
for the construction of the works, and which appears to them
to combine the attainment of massive solidity with the most
careful regard to economy.
" The Directors cannot close this Report without paying a
mournful tribute of respect to the memory of the late Secr-
etary to the Company, Captain Edward Loney Stephens, R. N.
To that officer the country is largely indebted for the part
he took in promoting this measure. The Directors bear
willing testimony to his zeal, intelligence, constancy, and per-
severance, and whilst they regret to have been deprived of
his able assistance, they lament more deeply that he has not
been spared to witness the completion of an object with which
they trust his name will be associated; and with regard to
which, his merits cannot be too highly appreciated.
" It is provided by the Act of Incorporation, that at the
present half-yearly meeting of the Proprietors, four vacancies
shall be declared in the direction, to be filled up by the re-
election of those who may retire, or otherwise, as it may
happen. It is further provided, that the number of Directors
may be reduced, under the resolution of any half-yearly
general meeting, from sixteen to not less than twelve ; and the
Directors being of opinion that twelve are sufficient for the
purpose of managing the affairs of the Company, recommend
that the number of Directors be reduced accordingly, from
sixteen to twelve.

" JOSEPH LIGGINS, Chairman.
" Southampton Dock Office, London,
" February 27, 1838."
Shares, 51. paid ; 2 to 11 prem.

LADY STEPNEY'S NEW NOVEL, " THE COUR-
TIEII'S DAUGHTEII."—If we arc not misinformed the new
Novel from the popular pen of Lady Stepney is to break
entirely new ground in the region of fashionable fiction. We
are assured that it boldly steps into the very heart of the Court
circle of the Regent at the commencement of the present
century, and introduces the reader, personally, to that brilliant
Prince, the excellent Queen, his mother, and those illustrious
relatives who formed, and many of whom still form, so bright
a galaxy round our young and lovely Queen. Who the parti-
cular " Courtio s" may be, and the " Courtier's Daughter,"
who, form the ostensible characters of the story, is more than
we can pretend to divine ; but there can be little doubt that
tie chief of them are from the life, and will be immediately
recognised as such.
About a fortnight since, Alice Hilton, a married
woman living in Church street, Middleton, sent a little girl
to a
shop for a pennyworth of magnesia. Hilton took the
powder, vomited, and soon afterwards became very ill. Mr.
Dickens, surgeon, was sent for and said that she had taken
mercury; she became in a sad state of salivation, and although
every assistance has been rendered, she remains in a very
dangerous state ; she is far advanced in pregnancy. It appears
'he shopkeeper mistook the powder, and gave the girl mer-
cury instead of magnesia,

COURT CIRCULAR.

Her Majesty and her august mother attended Divine Ser-
vice yesterday morning, at the New Palace. The Dean of
Hereford, Deputy Clerk of the Closet in Waiting, officiated,
and the Bishop of London preached the sermon.
Viscount Melbourne had an audience of her Majesty yes-
terday. . . _

Her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent, and attended by the Duchess of Suther-
land, the Marchioness of Tavistock, the Lord Chamberlain,
and the Hon. Colonel Cavendish, honoured Covent-garden
Theatre with her presence on Saturday evening.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, and his Royal Highness
the Duke of Cambridge, attended Divine Service yesterday
morning, at the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The musical
service was Boyce in A., the Sanctus and Commandments
(Rogers), and the Anthem " 0, come Holy Ghost" ( Att-
wood. ) The Bishop of Salisbury preached the sermon. Sir
George Smart presided at the organ. Her Majesty was at-
tended by Lady Clinton, Miss Hudson, and Earl Howe.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited her Majesty
the Queen Dowager yesterday, at Marlborough-house.
The Duchess of Kent visited the Princess Augusta on
Saturday, at her residence in St. James's Palace.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and the Prin-
cess Augusta of Cambridge, attended Divine Service yester-
day morning, in Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley-street.
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Duchess of Kent
yesterday, at the New Palace.
The Princess Augusta visited the Duke of Sussex on Satur-
day, at Kensington Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, attended by Baron '
Knesebeck, honoured Lord and Lady Francis Egerton with
their company at dinner on Saturday, at Bridgewater-house.
The Duke of Cambridge visited the Princess Augusta yes-
terday.
A Cabinet Council was held at two o'clock on Saturday
afternoon at the Foreign Office. It was attended by Viscount
Melbourne, the Marqais of Lansdowne, Lord John Russell,
Viscount Palmerston, Lord Glenelg, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Holland, Mr. Poulett
Thomson, and Viscount Howick. The Lord Chancellor ar-
rived soon ofter three o'clock. The Council sat three hours
and a half.

Mr. Hodges, M P., and Colonel Seale had interviews
with Viscount Melbourne on Saturday, in Downing-street.
Mr.!Gillon, Mr. Berkeley, Mr. Bruges, the Lord Advocate,
Mr. Wallace, Mr. Denistoun, Mr. Gore Langton, Mr.
Hawes, Mr. Hodgson Hinde, Mr. Busfeild, Mr. Cunliff•
Lister, Lord Sandon, Mr. Ord, Lord Grosvenor, and a de-
putation of soap-manufacturers, had an interview with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday, in Downing.
street, respecting the repeal of the duty.
The Rev. R. Alder and the Rev. J. Jones had an interview
with Lord Glenelg on Saturday, at the Colonial Office.
The Grecian Minister transacted business on Saturday, at
the Foreign Office.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial Office,
from Sir J. C. Smith, Governor of British Guiana.
The Marquis of Lansdowne had a dinner party on Saturday,
at Lansdowne House.

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Sir G. Noel and family, at the London Hotel, Albemarle-
street, from Scotland; Joseph Auldjo, Esq., and family, at
ditton, from Nymegen ; J. Applejohn, Esq., at ditto, from
Grulthorpe Lodge, Essex; Mr. S. Wale and Mr. Rarcher, at
ditto, from Dusseldorf ; Captain Bridgman and family, at
ditto, from Rotterdam ; Mr. and Mrs. Dering, in Chapel-
street, Grosvenor-square, from Brighton ; Colonel Sir Rich.
Armstrong, in Charlotte-street, from Bath ; Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Baring and family, at their new residence, in Berke-
ley-square; Lord Teynham, in Jermyn-street; Lord Rivers,
in Upper Belgrave-street, from Ashley Hall, Essex; Lord
Tenterden, in Portman-square, from Hendon House ; the
Earl of Powis, in Berkeley-square ; the Earl and Countess
of Rosen, in Belgrave..square ; the Earl and Countess of Ripon
and family, in Carlton Gardens; Lord Western, in South-
street, Park-lane, from Felix Hall, Essex; Major General
Lord Saltoun, in Cumberland-place ; the Earl of Verulam,
in Grosvenor-square, from Combe Abbey ; Lord Jocelyn, from
the Duke of 13eaufort's, Badminton Park ; the Earl and
Countess of Huntingdon, in Green-street, Park-lane, from
Clashmore, county Waterford; Lady Anstruther, in Chapel-
street, Belgrave-square ; Major Anstruther, in Norfolk-street,
Park-lane, from the North ; the Hon. Major Baring, in Stan-
hope-street, Park-lane.
DEPARTURES.

The Earl and Countess of Hopetoun, from the Lansdowne
Hotel, Dover-street, from Paris ; the Hon. Miss Macdonald,
from ditto, for ditto; General and Mrs. Armstrong, from
the London Hotel, Albemarle-street, for Brighton ; J. Sha-
dowly, from ditto, for Denmark; Mrs. Fox and family, from
ditto ; the Rev. Mr. Balls, from ditto, for Cork; Mrs.
Garthwaite, from ditto, for Buxton.