The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-26 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY.—The opening of the ex•
tension from Dereham to F akenham took place last
week, extending the system a distance of 24 miles in a
northerly direction towards Wymondham, through an
agricultural country, accomodating a population of soma
60,000 persons. There are to be three trains a day to
and from London.

SOUTM•WESTERN RAILWAY.—The directors have in-
timated that it is the intention of the company to com-
mence, at the close of the month, a reduction in the
remuneration of their officers and servants. They state
that this determination has been forced upon them by
the pressure on the property of the proprietors. While
they express satisfaction with the conduct of their offi-
cers, they regret that they cannot continue the rate of
remuneration of more prosperous times, but that on a
change of circumstances they will resume the higher
scale of payment.
EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN.—The report of the
directors, to be submitted to the meeting on Tuesday
next, states that the net revenue at the disposal of the
proprietors, including the balance from the previous half
year, after deducting working and other expenses, and a
sum of 10,499/. of interest, is 23,711/., out of which the
directors recommend that 3,6341. be paid for nine
months' dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum
on the late Granton Company's preference capital; and
on the other stocks of the company they recommend
that a dividend for eight months be declared at the rate
of 2 per cent. per annum, after which will remain a
surplus of 5,3081. The amount of share capital entitled
to dividend is 1,204,5851. During the past half year
the revenue has averaged nearly 2,000/. a week, and has
not disappointed the expectations of the directors.
The expenditure has been large in proportion to the
revenue, although not exceeding 875/. per mile per
annum, which they state will bear a favourable com-
parison with other lines. In those instances where
less than one half of the amount of the shares has
been paid, legal proceedings have reluctantly been insti-
tuted. It is recommended that no further calls be made
on the 25/. shares (1847), beyond 131. 155.; on the 15/.
shares (1847), beyond 81. is. ; the 201. Granton, No. 1,
be restricted to 121. ; and the 201., No. 2, to Si. per
share. It is also recommended that the class of holders
whoQe payments on these shares exceed 51.,
have it io
3L25.6d.,
4/. 125., and 31. 13. Gd. respectively, should
their option either to pay up the whole of their arrears
before the 31bt of March, with interest, when their
liability to further calls shall cease, or they shall consent
to the immediate forfeiture of their shares; and that the
class of holders whose payments do not amount to the sums
above stated shall increase their payments to the extent
of these sums respectively, on the understanding that
they shall be relieved by the forfeiture of their shares
from all further responsibility. The capital account to
the 31st January showed that 2,024,2321. had been ex-
pended, and 1,584,26 O. received, leaving 439,968 L due
to bankers and others. The revenue account showed
that 72,9251. had been received, including 19,948/. reve-
nue in hand at date of last balance, and the expenses
38,714/., leaving a balance of 34,2111.
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—It appears from a re-
cent decision at the Marylebone police court, that the
shareholders have no power to inspect the books or ac-
counts of this company, except through the agency of a
committee of shareholders holding ten shares each, such
committee to be duly appointed at a half-yearly general
meeting of the company. The practical difficulty of ob-
taining a majority for such a purpose against the will of
the directors is looked upon as almost insurmountable.
The Great Western Act of Incorporation was passed in
1835, and therefore it is held that this company do not
come under the provisions of the Company's Clauses
Consolidation Act passed in 1845, which gives that power
to individual shareholders for a certain specified period
every half-year.
EAST INDIAN RAILWAY.—WO understand that the
East India Company have at length come to the resolu-
tion to guarantee interest at the rate of five per cent. per
annum on the amount of capital, to be agreed on, which
certain railway companies may expend on the construc-
tion of railways in India. Should the workir.g expenses
exceed the receipts, which is considered to be very
im-
probable with respect to the lines already selected, or
should the railway proprietors at any
on the wish to give up the concern, they.
arc
to future
the
option of doing so on six month' notice,
f
expira-
tion of which the East India Company are to pay them
on the railway.
back the full amount of capital they may have expended

THE WILTSHIRE MURDER.—The High Sheriff has
taken very considerable pains in hearing parties from the
fly
transportationat a t ion, an d
a alsot twosh e
rpt
or ins ognaeorls, ac now
to
under
Sidon w
sentence rai l
of
what they knew of the culprit John Smith's state of mind
previous to the murder, and the same was immediately
forwarded to Sir George Grey, but without avail. A
public petition was also numerously signed at Salisbury
to spare his life, on the principle that capital punishment
should be abolished. The following is an extract from
Sir George Grey's letter:—" Whitehall, March 23,
1849.—Sir George Grey desires me to inform you, that
he has carefully considered this case, and that he finds
no circumstances which would justify him in interfering
to prevent the law from taking its course. (Signed) H.
Waddington." The culprit therefore will be executed
on Tuesday next, at twelve o'clock. The Rev. Mr. Mayo,
the chaplain of the gaol, is very attentive in the discharge
of his religious duties, devoting some hours at a time in
the cell of the unhappy man, but, as yet, without making
any visible impression on his mind.
REDUCING THE DECLIVITY OF HOLBORN-HILL.
On Saturday workmen commenced lowering the brow
of Holborn Hill, commencing opposite Hatton-garden,
wh(re it was peculiarly steep and dangerous. The
road was sunk eighteen inches, and will be continued
oa a gradual incline to Fetter-lane.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVAL OF THE SIDON AT PORTSMOUTH.—The
Sidon steam-frigate, Captain W. H. Henderson, C. 8.,
arrived at Spithead on Saturday, at eleven o'clock, and
sa'uted the flag of Admiral Sir 11!aden Capel. She left
Gibraltar on Saturday, the 17th with the St. Vincent,
120, Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, which ship she
towed through the Gut, and as far as Cape St. Vincent,
being a distance of about 200 miles, havizg a smooth
water run; she averaged with this heavy ship in tow ti
rate of from seven to eight knots per hour. Tne Sidon
then made the best of her way to Spithead. On her
passage she experienced a succession of N.E.-winds,
therefore it is not improbable that, as the St. Vincent
could make but little progress, she may have
Plumper,
into
Lisbon to await a change. The Reynard and Plumper,
screw-sloops, were to leave Gibraltar for England the day
after the St. Vincent. The Sidon remained about three
hours at Spithead, and then received orders to go into
harbour and prepare for paying off, for which she is to
be ready on next Saturday. Soon after Captain Hen-
derson, of the Sidon, had seen the Commander-in-
Chief, he started for London to make his deport of her
arrival and the state of circumstances at Gibraltar:
Mr. Miller, from Portsmouth dockyard, has been ap-
pointed foreman of the works in the civil engineering and
architect's department at this yard.
Henry Parkin, inspector of hospitals, formerly of the
Woolwich infirmary, but of late of the retired list, died
last week at a very advanced age.
The Vanguard, 80, Captain Rich, is to be paid off at
Devonport a day sooner than We have stated. The pay-
books were returned from the Admiralty on the 22d, and
she will be put out of commission on the 28th.
The Conflict, screw-frigate, at Devonport, is ordered to
be brought forward at that port for commission as a first-
class steamer.
The Stromboli, 6, steam-sloop, Commander Lord A.
W. Beauclerk, arrived through the Needles from Ply-
mouth, and anchored at Spithead about 4 Pail.
THE LAST OF THE SEMAPHORES.—This establish-
ment, or at least the last remaining station, will be fi-
nally broken up in the course of the ensuing week. The
electric telegraph line will be completed in a few days
into the Port Admiral's office in Portsmouth dockyard,
along the Fareham branch line of railway through the
fortifications of Portsea, which will supersede its duties of
conveying messages to and from the Admiralty across
the harbour. One signalman will be left as a look-out
to seaward, and to take care of the tower and machinery.
The officer and one man are to be discharged. The
officer, Lieutenant Williamson, whose services, extend-
ing over a period of fifty years, forty-two of which he
has been a lieutenant, have been exceedingly arduous,
will, it is to be hoped, receive somelpübstantial reward
in the shape of pension or promotion. There have been
several instances of the latter on the Semaphore lime,
and ono where both were united, in the person of the late
Superintendent of the line, Commander Jay.
The Carnatic Indiaman, Captain Nelson, embarked
Sir George Anderson, Bart., the Governor of the
Mauritius, from the gig of Captain Chads, C. 8., and
sailed yesterday afternoon for the Mauritius and Madras.
The Edinburgh, 56, steam guard-ship, was brought
alongside the jetty yesterday.
The Aid lighter, with stores for the Eastern yards,
sailed yesterday.
Wind N.E. by E.; strong breezes, with snow squalls
at times.