The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-18 00:00:00

'lllk,

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY El/ENING-, MARCH 18,
_1847.

RAILWAY BILLS.

ought to be considered an exception from the ordinary rule
of legislation, and a special case ought to be made out in each
instance for authorising such a course. In the present in-
stance the decision of this question must involve an inquiry
into the general merits of the scheme, which would appear
to be scarcely within the orderof reference made by the House
of Commons, and the examination of the necessary evidence
on such a subject might cause a delay which would be in-
compatible with the object of these 'reports. Under these
circumstances, the Commissioners are of opinion that they
will best discharge their duty by simply calling the attention
of the Committee to the subject by the foregoing observations.
By order of the Commissioners of Railways.
FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE, Secretary.

COURT CIRCULAR.

REPORT of the COMMISSIONERS of RAILWAYS
on certain RAILWAY BILLS comprised in Groups
Nos. 12, 14, and 27.
Br the first of the five Bills in the above Groups, it is pro-
posed to give power to the Lynn and Elv Railway Company
to extend their line to Bury St. Edmund's, and for that pur-
pose to increase their capital by 464,8001., and to borrow
154,9001.
By the second Bill it is proposed to authorise the Fame
Company to make an extension from Wisbeaeh to Spalding
and Holbeach, and to raise a further capital for that purpose
of 874,8001., and to borrow 124,9001. By the third, to make
a deviation in their line, and to construct docks within the
borough of King's Lynn, and to raise 144,0001., and to bor-
row 48,0001. for these purposes ; and by the fourth, to raise
36,000/., and to borron 12.000/., In order to make a Naviga-
tion from Lynn to Wormegay. By these last three Bills,
being those comprised in Group 27, the company would be
enabled to raise 551,8001., and to borrow 184,9001.
By the four preceding Bills, if passed, the Lynn and Ely
Railway Company would be enabled to increase their capital
by 1,019,600/, and to borrow 239,8001.
By the fifth, or last of the above-mentioned Bills, and
which is comprised in Group 14, it is proposed to empower
the Lynn and Ely, the Ely and Huntingdon, and the Lynn
and Dereham Railway Companies to unite under the title of
the East Anglian Railways Company, and to authorise the
new company to raise an additional capital of 382,0001., to
borrow 127,1001., and to lease their railways to the Eastern
Counties Railway Company; but it is not proposed to give
by this Bill any power to the Eastern Counties Railway
Company to take the lease. It must be observed, that the
foregoing sums do not agree with the sums returned to the
Commissioners by the companies, who state that it is their
intention by this Bill to take powers to raise only 265,600/.
and to borrow 88,500/. The difference is explained by them
as follows :
"By the Ely and Hurtingdon' Railway Act of 1846, the
Ely and Huntingdon Railway Company is empowered to
raise an additional capital of 120,0001., which, at the time the
above Amalgamation Bill was deposited in the Private Bill
Office (viz., 31 December, 1844), had not been raised; but
as the above Amalgamation Bill repeals such Act of last
session, it was necessary to give the Amalgamated Company
power to raise the above 120,C001. The three Companies
were also desirous of raising an additional capital of 262,2001.
for the purpose of laying down a double line of rails on their
railways, the original estimates for which railways contem-
plated earthwork and bridges for a double line, but the per-
manent way for a single line only. These two amounts of
120,0001. and 262,200!. constituted the sum of 382,0001. speci-
fied in the Bill.

The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the
Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, the
Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, and attended by the
Countess of Desart, Hon. Miss Napier; ' Major-General
Bowles, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, and Colonel
Bouverie, left Osborne-house at twenty-four minutes before two
o'clock yesterday afternoon, crossed in the Fairy to Gosport,
and proceeded to town by a special train on the South-
Western Railway.
The august partv was escorted by a party of Light
Dragoons from the Nine Elms terminus to Buckingham
Palace, where her Majesty and her Royal Consort arrived at
twenty-five minutes before six o'clock.
The Queen and Prince Albert were received at the Palace
by the Hon. Miss Murray, the Master of the Horse, the Earl
of Morley, the Vice-Chamberlain, and General Sir Edward
Bowater.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the performance
of the French Plays with their presence last evening. The
royal suite consisted of the Countess of Desart, Hon. Miss
Murray, Earl of Morley, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, and
Colonel Bouverie. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent
also honoured the performance of the French Plays with her
presence yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness was at-
tended by Lady Fanny Howard, Sir George Couper, and Lord
James Murray.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Duke
of Cambridge visited her Majesty the Queen Dowager yester-
day at Marlborough house.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cam-
bridge, attended by the Lady Augusta Cadogan, honoured
the French Ambassador and the Countess de St. Aulaire
with their company at dinner yesterday evening, at the resi-
dence of the Embassy, in Manchester-square.
Viscount Falkland had an interview with Earl Grey yes-
terday, at the Colonial-office.
A Deputation from the Staffordshire Potteries, consisting
of Messrs. Enoch Wedgwood, Edward Walley, Samuel
Keeling, and Benjamin S. Brough, had an interview with
the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official
residence in Downing-street, to obtain a reduction of the
stamp duty on apprentices' indentures where no premium is
paid.. The Deputation was accompanied by the Member for
Stoke-upon-Trent, Mr. Alderman Copeland, and Mr. Ricardo.
Lord Carrington had an interview yesterday with Earl
Grey. Mr. Bowen had also an interview with his Lordship,
at the Colonial-office.

Sir John Hobhouse gave a dinner to the Cabinet Ministers
yesterday evening, at his residence in Berkeley-square.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
from the Governors of the North American provinces.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Queensberry and Lady
Georgina Douglas, have left Farrance's Hotel for Brighton.
Lord John Browne has left for Devonport.

"Since the Bill was deposited, a portion of the 120,0001.
(namely 40,1971.10 x.) has been raised by the creation of new
shares, which new shares have been appropriated amongst
the proprietors in the Ely and Huntingdon Railway Com-
pany; and it has been agreed that the sum of 79,802/. 108.,
the balance of the 120,0001., shall be set apart for the pro-
prietors in the Lynn and Ely, and Lynn and Dereham Rail-
way Companies. It is proposed to introduce into the Bill,
in 'Committee, clauses to carry into effect this arrangement,
and to reduce the amount of capital to be raised under the
Bill by the sum of 120,000/. Such capital would then amount
to 262,200/., which last-mentioned sum it is proposed to in-
crease to the sum of 265,6001., to enable the same to be more
equally divided amongst the proprietors of the three Com-
panies."
The Act incorporating the Lynn and Ely Railway Com-
pany was passed on the 30th of June, 1846 ; it authorised
the Company to raise a capital stock of 300,000/., and to
borrow 100;000/. Under this Act, 12,000 shares of 251. each,
representing, consequently, the whole of the capital autho-
rised, have been issued, and 201. per share have been called,
224,750/. have been received, and the arrears on the calls
amount to 15,250/.
_ _ _

Money has been borrowed on debentures, in sums varying
from 200!. to 5,000/., to the amount of 99,7501., the rate of
interest being five per cent. 53,250/. is to be paid off in
three years; 20,6001. in five years ; and 25,9001. in seven
years. No special provision has been made for the payment.
Of the capital authorised by the first, and only Act of this
company, 51. per share, or 60,0001., remain to be called ; but
the power to borrow has been very nearly exhausted, and
the loans can only be increased by 2501. The whole of these
funds will be required for the works already authorised.
The Lynn and Dereham Railway Company was incorpo-
rated by an Act passed in 1845, and authorised to raise a
capital of 270,000/., and to borrow 90,000/. The capital stock
has been created by 10,800 shares, of 25/. each, on which
15/. per share has been called, and 154,4681. received ; the
arrears amounting to 7,5321. Loans have been obtained at
five per cent. interest on debentures, varying in value from
2001. to 3,000/., to the extent of 62,650/., of which 2,200/. is
to be paid off in three years, and the remainder in five years.
It does not appear that any special provision has been made
for the payment.
The company retains power to call for 10/. on each share,
or for 108,0004, and to borrow 27,3501., and these funds, it is
stated, will be required for the works now in progress.
The Ely and Huntingdon Railway Company was incorpo-
rated by an Act passed in 1845, and authorised to raise a
capital of 194,400/., and to borrow 64,800/. By an Act
passed in the last session, it war empowered to raise a fur-
ther capital of 120,0001., and to borrow 40,0001. Under
these two Acts it has received power to raise a capital of
314,400/, and to borrow 104,8001., or to expend altogether
419,200/.

The capital stock authorised by:the first Act, was created by
the issue of 10,800 shares of 18/. each. On these,l2/. lOs. per
share has been demanded, and 115,953/. 15s. received, the
arrears amounting to 19,046/. ss. Under the second Act,
11,485 shares of 31. 10s. each have been issued, representing
a capital of 40,197/. lOs., or about one-third of the stock
authorised to be raised by the Act. Nothing has been re-
ceived upon them, but a call of 1/. per share will become
due on the 3d of April, and the reason given by the company
for the present issue of these shares has been quoted in a
preceding paragraph. No money has been borrowed, and
the funds available to this company for their works in pro-
gress may be considered, therefore, to amount to 284,200/.,
as they retain power to call for Si. lOs. on 10,8004 shares, to
obtain 1:.;0,0001., under the second Act (for only a part of
which the shares have been created and nothing received),
and to borrow 104,8001. It is stated that these sums will be
required for the works authorised.
The funds available to the three companies under their
present Acts, and the additional funds applied tor, are shown
in Appendix, No. 2.
No nominal addition has been made to the capital of any
of these companies, nor any guarantee given, nor sale, nor
purchase, nor lease of any other line effected.
The deeds considered nece,sary for the Bills named at the
head of this report have been signed by the directors of the
three companies, on behalf of, and under the authority of
a general meeting of their respective companies, and there
are no other subscriptions. The amount thus subscribed for
is 549,0004 a sum considerably less than three-fourths of the
capital proposed to be raised by the Bills in question. The
following explanation has been received from the com-
paaies:—
" With regard to the two Bills for authorising extensions
to Bury St. Edmund's, and to Salding and Holbeach, by
which an excess of capital over the estimates is asked,
amounting in each Bill to 134,8004 the explanation is as
follows:

" These two sums of 134,8001., represent the new capital
sought to be raised by the Amalgamation Bills, and were
inserted in these Bills in order to prevent any difficulty that
might have arisen froui the Amalgamation Bill having been
lost on standing orders, or from any other cause ; but if the
Amalgamation Bill passes, it is proposed to reduce the
amount of the capital to be raised on each of these Bills to the
amount of the estimate.

" The excess of capital in the Docks and Navigation Bills
over the estimate is taken as a margin, which has generally
been allowed in Bills of a similar description, to enable the
promoters to execute works which, although not necessary
in the actual construction and use of the works, may be
found useful in carrying the same into execution, or may
be required in the passing of the Bill through Parliament"
There are several points in connexion with these trans-
actions, to which, in the opinion of the Commissioners, the
special attention of the Committees on the Bills ought to be
directed.

Ist. It appeared that. by the Bill for the amalgamation of
the three companies, power is proposed to be taken to raise
capital to the amount of 382,000/. It is proposed to reduce
this sum, for reasons which have been already stated; but
power is to be retained of raising the sum of 265,6001„ which
is stated to he for the purpose of laying down an additional
line of rails, the original estimate having contemplated a
permanent way only for a single line. The purpose for
which the money is proposed to be raised does not appear in
the Bill ; and the Commissioners arc informed that it passed
the standing orders as a Bill of the third class, that is to say,
as a Bill by which "no further work than such as was au-
thorised by a former Act is proposed to be made." Conse-
quently no estimate or subscription contact for any portion
of this capital has been deposited.
2d. It appears that the above sum of 265,6001. is not only
authorised to be raised by the Amalgamation Bill, but also
that a power for raising a nearly corresponding sum is pro-
posed to be taken is the Bury St. Edmund's, and Spalding
and Holbeach Extension Bills, over and above the sums

-..-
which are covered by the estimates deposited for those Bills.
The purpose for which this sum is required does not appear
in either of these Bills; but the promoters state that they
have in fact inserted a power of raising the same sum twice
over, for the reasons which have already been quoted in their
word. The Commissioners think it right to call the attention
of the Committee to this fact, as an unusual, if not an irre-

Deviation and Lynn Dock Bill, the capital
gular3d. pßryoctehedeing
authorised to be raised is 144,0001., the capital covered by
the estimate being only 120,3001.; and by the Lynn and
Wormegay Navigation Bill the capital authorised to be
raised is 36,0004 the capital covered by the estimate being
31,3001. The excess. amounting in one instance to 23,700/.,
in the other to 4,7001., is stated by the promoters to be a
margin which may enable them to execute additional works,
which, though not necessary, may be found useful, as has
already been quoted from their statement. The 34th stand-
ing order of the House of Commons requires an estimate to
be made " of the expense of the undertaking under each
Bill." Without presuming to express an opinion on the con-
struction of this 'standing order, the Commissioners would
remark, that the intentions of the House of Commons in re-
quiring the deposit of a subscription contract to the amount
of three-fourths of the estimate will be frustrated, it the
practice is permitted of taking power by the Bill to raise
capital for the execution of works not contemplated in the
estimate. If the works in question are intended to be exe-
cuted, they should be included in the estimate; if they
are not so intended, no power to raise money for them should
be taken by the Bill. There appears to be no good reason
why any " margin" which may be required should not be in•
eluded in the estimate.

4th. The subscription contracts for aiewerit 11 these Bills have been
signed only by the directors of the three
of the
ar companies, d
t
state ando h
underavebeen p
t e
meet-
ings, eight directors having thus signed yfor 5
companies,on behalf
special
,e
deposits paid either out of the funds
of the companies or on the privater:fe credit of the directors.
subject The
i Commissionerstheir
report wouldo n htehree
Ipswich rto theirnci remarks on this
that the purr(); p
orti
o Railwayproportionate
Company's Bills, adding, however,.
amount of new capital, proposed to be rai •
sed under the pre-
sent Bills (though very considerable), is not nearly o
large
as in that case. The capital already authorised tobseraised
by the three companies is 884,400/., and the loans 294,8001.
The capital actually raised is 495,171/. 155., and the loans
162,4001. The new capital proposed to be raised is 1,015,6001.,
and the loans 338,433/, making together 1,354,033/., a sum
which is more than two-and-a-half times the amount actually
paid up by the shareholders, and for which:no guarantee is
offered but the subscriptions of the directors on behalf of the
company.
sth. It will be seen that, by two of the Bills, it is pro-
posed to authorise the Lynn and Ely Company to construct
a dock and a navigation. It is stated that a dock is required
for the purpose of facilitating the loading and unloading of
goods between the railway carriages and the vessels by which
they may be brought or taken away; and it is also stated
that the canal is required not only as a navigation but also
for the purpose of supplying the dock with water. The ex-
pediency of conferring upon railway companies powers of
this kind, which relate to matters not immediately connected
with their ordinary functions, or the purposes for which they
are incorporated, appears to be a question of considerable
importance, especially when it is proposed to give such com-
panies the exclusive control over docks or canals. In the
opinion of the Commissioners tin grant of 611th powers

EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

Yesterday evening the fifth annual meeting of the Early
Closing Association was held at Exeter Hall; the Marquis of
Westminster in the chair.

On the platform were Lord Robert Grosvenor, 111. P., Lord
J. Manners, the Hon. W. Cowper, M.P., Mr. Mont, M.P.,
&c., and the body of the hall was crowded to excess.
The SECRETARY read the report, which stated that the
members of the association could point with satisfaction to
the change that had taken place with respect to the early
closing movement, not only among employers, but among
the public generally, without the limitation of locality. In
Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighten, tristol,
Portsmouth, Exeter, and other important towns in the
kingdom, the movement had been most successful. The
modes operandi had been to hold meetings, to circulate
pamphlets on the subject of their exertions, and to diffuse in
every way information on the subject. It was also proposed
to raise a fund of 5,0001., which was to be allocated for prize
essays, &c., but which was now to be restricted chiefly to prize
essays, which it was intended to circulate most extensively.
With respect to the finances, there was a balance in hand.
The report, after stating that the movement was not confined
to any class, sex, or locality, concluded by an energetic and
eloquent appeal to the meeting and those interested in the
movement to renewed exertion.—(Cheers.)
The Noble CHAIRMAN said that he accepted the cheer that
they had been kind enough to confer on the earnest, and he
was happy to say the successful, exertions of those who had
been engaged in forwarding the object which they were
met that evening to discuss. The meeting which he had
the honour to address was quite as compe-
tent as any association to forward that object. They
had heard from the report that the object for
which the association (was established was progressing.
Though the society did not profess to establish branch
societies, there were societies with the same objects esta-
blished in Brighton, Manchester, and other important towns,
who were ready to co-operate with the present association in
their endeavours. With respect to one of the towns to which
allusion had been made, namely, Manchester, he would wish
to make a few observations. He was able to confirm the
statements that had been made. That town was always
ready to do the good work. The people of that town were
subject to violent convulsions of trade. They were assembled
in great masses, but there was no town in the kingdom where
the inhabitants were less likely to be influenced by any in-
jurious operation.—( Hear.) They had given in their adhe-
sion to this cause. lie would take the liberty to mention to
them a circumstance which had happened to himself. He
had walked from the Euston-square station to Oxford-street
the other evening, and he found in that street that the
shops were then closed early. The change struck him as re-
markable ; success would be the effect produced by a simple
volition, not towards evil, which would be counteracted, but
b

oy persevering in a course towards a good end, in which all
parties should join for a common advantage.—(Hear, hear.)
The result produced on the people of England by conduct
such as this was wonderful, and was certain to be rewarded
with signal success. An Act was likely to be passed to dimi-
nish labour in the manufacturing districts. Many kind persons
were of opinion that the hopes entertained respecting that
measure would not be realised ; but in a case like the present
he for one had no doubt that the favourable views in which
they indulged of a successful issue would be realised.
If they were to consider of what influence and ha-
portance the middle classes were, it would be evident
that everything should be done to enable that class t
retain its just position. Many of the assistants employed
in this metropolis were of respectable families in the country,
whose parents were anxious that they shoulduoccupy a respect-
able position in society. Was it not of importance that they
should have an opportunity of doing so? They were aware
that incessant toil was injurious to the body and debilitated
the mind. It was most important that those present should
bear ;in mind the statements of the gentlemen who would
address them that evening, and who would give them every
information on the present question.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Owes moved the adoption of the report.
Mr. ThwarrEs, in seconding the resolution, bore testimony,
as a quondam assistant, to the evils of the system of late
closing.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Lord Joint MatmEas said that it was most improper to
put forward the objection to the adoption of the early closing
system, namely, that if more time were afforded it would be
abused by those who were employed in the pursuits of com-
merce. They ought not to suppose that there would be an
abuse of that which was never afforded. He could bear
testimony to what had been stated in the report respecting
Manchester, for the most lively interest was felt in that
town in favour of the present movement. Looking at the
present state of society, he was not surprised that there
should be a strong feeling on this subject. He had just
come from a different sphere of action, but where the
subject of the diminution of labour was agitated,
and he had beard, only a few hours ago,
the Prime Minister of that country, who adorned his office
as much by his private virtues as by his public acts, state
that he could not consider, as had been asserted, that the
great mass of the people of this country were only born to
work, eat, drink, sleep, and die, and that they should have
an opportunity of attending to more than the gratification of
wants merely physical. Was there anything more calculated
viewsof the Ptrhimatee Ministervening; thanlie
hthopeedobtjheactt
forwto
hawt carryhhac
dho out
been
theyaddressed
h e
d d by a poet of the sister isle, to his
hada
assembled
enthusiastic countrymen, would not be any logger applicable
to this country :

" Ever to toil, ever to moil,
That's your social charter ;
The city slave, or rustic serf,
The toiler is its martyr."
—(Loud cheers.) The Noble Lord concluded by proposing
the following resolution :
"That this meeting, while justly proud of the pre-eminence
to which the country has been raised by the industry, inge-
nuity, and enterprise of its people, is yet firmly of opinion
that the permanent welfare of a state cannot co-exist with
an unsound mental and physical condition of large classes of
the population; and that toil, protracted beyond the limits
which nature has aesigned, causing lassitude of the body and
dejection of spirits, is productive of such unsound condition,
and cannot be advantageous either to the employer, the em-
ployed, or the community at large, nor in any way necessary
to support the commercial prosperity of the country."
The Hon. W. COWPER seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR, M.P., said that there was a

custom at the court of the Queen, by which it was required
that when a person either succceeded to his title, or got mar-
ried, or was promoted to any situation, that he should be re-'
presented to her Majesty on the occasion. When he first
had the honour to be presented to her 'Majesty, he was
Member for Chester; since then he had been promoted to
the honour of representing the Metropolitan county, therefore,
in compliance with the custom of courts, he felt bound to
renew his allegiance, and to declare his unabated interest in
the question which they had assembled to promote.—
(Laughter and cheers.) Since the honour to which he had
alluded had been conferred upon him he had not been able,
by the consequent responsibilities, to give that attention
to the present question which he would have desired.
They might not all be aware of what the present day
was the anniversary. He wo4ld beg to inform them that
the 17th of March was St. Patrick's Day. Now, St. Patrick
was said to be celebrated for ridding Ireland of all its veno-
mous reptiles. Now, he was of opinion that this statement was
merely of a legendary or allegorical character, and that he
(St. Patrick) was, in fact, the patron of the early closing
movement, and that he was desirous of banishing the pre-
sent system from the country. The Noble Lord concluded
by proposing the following resolution :
" That this meeting deeply deplores the continued exist-
ence of a system of protracted labour in the shops and ware-
houses of the metropolis, and the country generally, which is
proved, upon the concurrent testimony of all practical and
observant men, to be productive of premature bodily decay,
mental decrepitude, and moral deterioration, to a large and
important class of the British'people; and hereby expresses
its conviction that a flagrant wrong is being inflicted on that
class, and that it is the duty of persons of all conditions to
co-operate with the Early Closing Association in its efforts to
eradicate the evil complained of, as well by pecuniary contri-
butions as by personal exertion."
The Rev. Dr. CUMMING seconded the resolution, which was
unanimously carried.
Mr. MOFFAT, M.P., proposed, and Mr. Nasn seconded, the
following resolution, which was unanimously carried :
" That this meeting cordially approves of the principles
upon which the Metropolitan Early Closing Association is
established, and desires emphatically to express its sympathy
with the classes in whose behalf that association is labouring,
and its earnest determination to assist, both by precept and
example, in putting an end to the unnecessary and perni-
cious custom of late shopping, especially by abstaining from
making any purchases after seven o'clock in the evening, so
that no inducement may be held out to employers to keep
their establishments open after that hour."
Mr. WYSE, M.P.' addressed the meeting, after which thanks
were voted to the Noble Chairman.
The meeting then separated.