The Sun.
London, England, 1847-08-27 00:00:00

Lib. PeeL Pret.
Plurnptra, J. P.—Kent (East) •.• ... 0 0 1
Powell. Celonel—Cardiganshire 0 0 1
Power, Dr,--Cork (conntv) 1 0 0
Poster, N. M.— ater fora (county) •.. 1 0 0
Price, Sir R.—Heretord •.. ... 1 0 0
Prime, R.—Sussex (West) ••• •• 0 0 1
Pryse, P.—Cardigan (district) .• 1 0
• ••• 0 0
Pugh, D.--Montgomery• ••• 0
Pusey. P.—Berkshire ... 0 0 1
Raphael, A.—St. Alban's 1 0 0
h...
Rawdon, Colonel J. D.---Armag 1 0 0
Reid, Colonel—Windsor ......0 1 0
Rendleaham, Lord—Suffolk (East) .. 0 0 1
Renton, J. C.—Berwick •.. 0 0 00 1
0 Repton, G. W. J.—St. Alban's ... 0
Reynolds, J.—Dublin (city) ••• ••••
Ricardo, J. L.—Stoke-on-Trent 1 0 0
0 0
Ricardo, 0.-..-Worcester •.. •,„ 0 0
Rice, E. R.—Dover ... 0 0
Rich, H.—Richmond 0 0 I
Richards, R.—Merionethshire
Robartes, T. A. J.—Cornwall (East) . 0 0 1
0 1 0
Robinson, G. R.—Poole ..• ••• •• 1 0 0
Roche, E. B.—Cork (county) •South)o 0 1
Rolleston, Col.—Nottinghamshire
1 0 0
J.—Devonport •••
Rothsehild, the Baron- L. de--LonuOU ... 1 0 0
••• ••• 0 0 1
Rufford, F.—Worcester •• •
Rushout, Captain,
—Worcestershire (East) 0 1 0
Russell, Lord J.—London • ••• I 0 0
Russell, F. C. IL—Bedfordshire 1 0 0
Russell, Lord E.—Tavistoek ••• ••• 1 0 0
Rutherford, A.—Leith (borough) ......1 0 0
Sadleir, J.—Carlow (borough) .. 1 0 0
St. George, Capt.—Galway (county) 1 0 0
Salwey, Colonel —Ludlow ... ••• 1 0 0
Sanders, G.—Wakefield 0
1
Scholefield, W.—Birmingham 1 0 0
Scott, Hon. F.—Berwickshire •.. ... 0 0 1
Scrope, G. P.—Stroud 1 0 0
F.—Tipperary (county) ......1 0 0
Seaham, Viscount—burham (North) ... 0 1 G
Seeley. C.—Lincoln (city) ... 1 0 0
Seymer, 11. K.—Dmsetshire 0 0
Seymour, Sir H.—Lisburn 0 0 1
SeYmour, Lord—Totnes 1 0 0
Shafto, R. D.—Durham (Northl •• 1 0 0
Shaw, Hon. F.—Dublin Lniversity 0 0 1
Shed, Right Hon. Sir P.. L.—Dungarvon... 1 0 0
Shelburne, Lord—Caine ..• ... 1 0 0
Sheridan, R. B.—Shafteshury ..• 1 0 0
Shirley, E.--Wa,rwickshire (South) 0 0 1
Sibthorp, Colonel—Lincoln (city) ... 0 0 1
Sidney, Alderman—Stafford 1 0
0 0
0
Simeon, J.—lsle of Wight (county) ... 1
Blaney, R. A.—Shrewsbury •.. ... 1 0 0
Smith, Right Hos, 8.. Y.—Northampton ... 1 0 0 0
Smith, J. A.—Chichester ..• ••• 1 0
Smith, J. B.—Stirling •.. 1 0 0
Smith, M. T.—Wycombe 1 0 0
Smollett, A.—Dumbartonshire (county)... 0 1 0
Smyth, Sir G. H.—Colchester .•• . 0 0
Smyth, J. G.—York (city) ........00 0 1
Smythe, G. A. F. I'. S.—Canterbury ...
Somers, J. P.—Sligo (borough) ... 1 0
Somerset, Lord G.—Monmouthshire 0 1
Somerton, Viscount—Wilton •• • 0 1
Somerville, Sir W.—Drogheda 1 0
Sotheron, 'F. H.—Wilts (North) ... 0 0
Spearman, R. J.—Durham (city) ... 1 0
Spooner, 11.--Waswickaliire ( North) ... 0 0
Stafford, A.—Northampton (North) ... 0 0
Stanley, Rt. lion. E. J.—Cheshire (North) 1 0
Stanley, E.—Cumberland (West) ... 0 0
Stanstield, :V. R. C.—Hudclerstield 1 0
Stanton, W. H.—Stroud ••• 1 0
Staunton, Sir G.—Portsmouth• ... 1
•0
0
Stephenson, R.—Whitby ... • ••• 0
Strickland, Sir G.—Preston• ••• 1 0
Strutt, Right Hon. E.—Derby ... •••• 1 0
Stuart, Lord D. C.—:daryleboue •• • 1 0
Stuart; H. Bedford (borough) 0
Stuart, J.—Newark 0 0
Stuart, Lord James.—Ayr (district) •
... 1 0
Sturt, H. G.—Dorchester 0 0
Sutton, M.—Newark
TalbotX. R. M—Glamorganshire ~. 1 0
Talbot, J. H.—New Ross ... 1
Talfourd, T. N.—Reading 1 0
Tancred, H. W..--Banbary ... • ... 1 0
Taylor, Colonel—Dubl { county ) ... 0 0
Tenison, E. K.—Leitrim (comity)... ... 1 0
Tennent, R. J.—Belts.'! • 1 0
Thesiger, Sir F.—Abingdon . . 0 1
Thicknesse, R. A.—Wigan 1 0
Thompson, Alderman—Westruoreland 0 0
Thompson, Colonel P.—Bradford ... 1 0
Thompson, G.—Tower Hamlets ...-- 1 0
Thornely, T.—Wolyerhampton ... 1 0
Thornhill, G.—Huntingdonshire ... 0 0
Towneley, J.—Beverley 1 0
Townley, R. G.—Cambridgeshire 0 0
Tollemache, F.—Grantham .• • ... 0 1
Tollemache, J.—Cheshire (South)... ... 0 0
Traill, G.—Caithnesshire- 1 0
Trelawnv, J. S.—Tavistoek... •.. ... 1 0
Trevor, Hon. G.4l.—Carmarthenshire ... 0 0
Trslllope, Sir J.—Lincolnshire (South) ... 0 0
Tufnell, H.—Devonport 1 0
Turner, E.—Truro- ..• 1 0
Turner, G. J.-Coventry 0 1
Tynte, C. K.—Bridgewater ..• 1 0
Tyrell, Sir J. T.—Essex (North) ... 0 0
Vane, Lord IL—Durham (South) ... 1 0
Vernef; Sir W.—Armagh (county) ... 0 0
Verney, Sir H.—Bedford (borough) ... 1 0
Vesey, Hon. T.—Queen's County .. 0 0
Villiers, Hon. C. P.—. Lancashire (South)... 1 0
Villiers, Hon. C. P.—Wolverhampton ... 1 0
Villiers, Lord—Cirencester ••• ••• ••• 0 1
Vivian, J. E.—Truro
Vivian, J. H.—Swansea 1 0
Vyse, R. K. H.—Northamptonshire (South) 0 0
Vyvyan, Sir R. R.—Helston
Urquhart, D.—Staffori 0
Waddington, D.—Maldon .. 0
Waddington, H. S.—Suffolk (West) ... 0
Wakley, T.—Finsbury 1
Walmslev, Sir R. J.—Leicester (borough)... 1
Walker, R.—Burr, Lancashire
Walsh, Sir J.—Radnorshire ... 0
Walter, J.—Nottingham ... ..•
Wall, C. B —Salisbury ..
Walpole, S. H. Midhurat ••• •••
Ward, H. G.—Shetfield
Watkins, L. V.—Brecon (borough)
Wawn, J. T.—South Shields ...
Welby, G. E.—Grantham . . •••
Wellesley, L-rd C,—Hants (South)
West, F. R.—Denbigh (district)
Westenra, Colonel—King's County
Westhead, J. P.—Knaresborough
Whitmore, T. C —Bridgenorth
Wilcox, B. M.—Southampton
Williams, T. P.—Marlow .. ".
—.—Macclesfield .
Willoughby, Sir H.—Evesham
W ilsoti, James—Westbury ...
Wilson, M.—Clitheroe •••
Wodehouse, E.—Norfolk (East) ...
Wood, Sir C.—Halifax •• • •••
Wood, W. P.—Oxford (city) ..•
Worcester, Marquis of—Gloucestershire (E.) 0
Wortley, S.—Buteshire ..• ••• ••• 0
Wrightson, W. B.—ls.rorthallerton ..• 0
Wyk% J.—Bodmin ••• ••• •••
Wyn*, Rt. lin. G.W.W.--Montgomeryshire 0
Wynn, Sir W.—Denbighshire ••• •••
M.—Richmond 1
Yorke, lion. E. T.--Cambridgealaire ..
0
Yorke, H. R.—York (city) ... ••• ...
Young, J. —Cavan

Liberals

` A double return.

... l
... 1
... o
. 0
. 1
... i.
... 1
... o
... 1
... o

... 0
... 1

... 0
... 1

MEMBERS RETURNED.

NO

Peelites
Protectionists

O 1
1 0
O 0
o 0
O 0

... 333
... 110
... 213

---
EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCKS,
AND BIRMINGHAM JUNCTION RAILWAY.
The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the share-
Ilolders of this company was yesterday hold at the
offices of the company, .No. 12, Old Broad-street, for
the purpose of receiving the report of the directors,
and for transacting the ordinary business of the ,
company. The chair was taken at two o'clock by
J. Scott, Esq., the chairman of the company.
The usual preliminaries having been disposed of,
the SECRETARY proceeded to read the report, as
fi'Alows :
" The directors beg to report that they have carefully
proceeded with the purchases of the property required
for the railway, and they believe that the arrangements
have generally been satisfactory. The directors have
been anxious not to press these important transactions
too rapidly, and have bestowed upon them much time
and consideration, with the feeling that on the manage-
ment of this portion of their duty the economical con-
struction of the railway mainly depends.
" When the purchase of land had so far advanced as
to admit of a contract being taken for two miles and a
half of the works, tenders were invited by public adver-
tisement. Much competition took place, and the
directors are happy to report that Mr. Jackson, the suc-
cessful competitor, has contracted to execute the works
at a satisfactory price, and below the engineer's estimate.
" The shareholders will perceive from the accounts of
receipt and expenditure now to be laid before them that
further funds are requisite for meeting liabilities incurred
and proceeding with the undertaking. The directors
have been most anxious, to defer making any call until
such a proceeding should be ab&olutely necessary ; that
period has, however, now arrived, and a second call of 51.
pet: share has accordingly been announced.
irectors alluded in their report of February to
a rival project, promoted during the last session of Par-
liament by the Regent's Canal Company. They have
now to report that after proceeding some stages before
the House, the Bill for that project was withdrawn.
" The negotiation opened with the London and North
Western Railway Company, also alluded to in the re-
port of February- last., has necessarily been suspended
in conformity' frith the resolutions passed by the Rouse
of 'Commons, forbidding any such arrangement as that
contemplated until one-half of the company's capital
shall have been paid up.
A statement of the receipts and expenditure of the
company was al
so appended to the report, from which
it appeared that the former amounted to 119,7611.
.ss. lid the latter to
91,1121. 15s. 3d., leaving a
balance in the hands of the company of the sum of
28,6491. Os. Sd.
In answer to a question put by an Hon. Proprietor,aountfo
the CHAIRMAN said, that as soon as the
capital prescribed by the resolutions of the House of
Commons was paid up, the arrangement for the sale
of the Yule to the London and North-Western Com-
pany would be renewed, and that there was not the
slightest doubt but that that company would under-
take either to purchase or to work the line.
The resolution for the adoption of the report was
then unanimously treed to.
A. vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and
the meeting broke up.

WHAT TO AVOID.--A local paper informs us that
.. there is not a single public monument in New York."
„t:- Why, of course, the Yankees have not seen the shameful
4i`‘" ways of London without learning how to profit by them!
'''
I,—Purich,
"
....,,.,
...,
10- 4a,' -> •
.iii 3 S

..01,--. .............••••••••••. ... _
THERN COUNTIES UNION
RAILWAY.
The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in this
company was held yesterday, at half- past twelve o'clock, 1
at the London Tavern, for the transaction of the
ordinary bu.iness ; also to take into consideration a
requisition from the sreholders, recommending a 1
reduction in the present number of directors to the
minimum number required by the Act of Incorpora-
tion. Major William Beresford occupied the chair.
The advertisement convening the meeting having
been read, and the seal of the company affixed to the
i register of proprietors,
The SECRETARY (Mr. C, L. Webb) proceeded to
read the report, which set forth—
" That the Deviation Bill had received the Royal
Assent, and that the capital of the company is reduced
by it to 2,625,0001., beinc, a diminution of 375,000/. on
the original capital, which is equivalent to the reduction
of 61. ss. on the amount of each share. The company
were enabled under the Act of 1846 to pay interest at
I 1 4 per cent, upon all calls made, and where calls are paid
in advance, interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum

will be allowed.
" As Parliament did not think fit to grant the powers
sought by the 12th clause in your Deviation Bill, nego-
tiations have been renewed with neighbouring companies
with a view of obtaining a guarantee on the moneys to
be expended on the line from Tebay to Bishop Auekland,
and they had entered into an agreement with the Stock-
ton and Darlington Company, subject to the approval of
this meeting, for a guarantee on the expenditure from
'Bishop Auckland to West Mill until the line is made
throughout to Tebay. The agreement is as follows :
! " That the Stockton and Darlington Company shall
guarantee 5 per cent. per annum upon the outlay from
Bishop Auckland to West Mill until the whole line is
opened throughout to Tebay, and in case of such line not
being made before the expiration of the Act, or any re-
newed Act, the Stockton and Darlington Company to
have the right of continuing the guarantee or taking the
line at the cost of construction, it being understood—
" Ist. That the outlay shall be superintended by a
sub-committee appointed by the Northern Counties
Union board, such sub-committee to consist of two
members of the Stockton and Darlington board and two
members of the Northern Counties Union board (El.
Pease, Esq., and J. C. Hopkins, Esq., being cx officio
members of the said sub-committee, without the power
of voting).
" 23. That the meetings of the said sub-committe be
held at Darlington.
" 3d. That the Stockton and Darlington Railway
Company shall have the working of the line, and shall
maintain the line in good and sufficient repair during
the period of euarantee.
" 4th. That as soon as the line is opened from West
Mill to Barnard Castle then the present guarantee to be
raised to 6 per cent per annum.
" Your directors have turned their attention to the
amendment of the line from Tebay to Bishop Auckland,
and instructed your engineer to re-survey the country.
The report which they nave received shows that a very
considerable saving of cost can be effi cted.
" The report has had the serious consideration of your
directors, but pending negotiations with companies ire e-
! rested in this line, for a further guarantee, the board
does not at the present time request your sanction to
apply tor pow era in the ensuing session of Parliament.
" Your directors have also made arrangements with
the Leeds and Thirak Company for constructing, at the
joint expense of that company, and the Northern Coun-
ties Union Railway Company, to be held in common for
the joint use of both companies, about two miles of your
line, commencing at Wath. The station at this place
will also be constructed far the joint use and mutual
benefit of both companies.
" Your directors have commenced the works on the
Wath contract, which are of easy character. The terms
of the contract your directors consider advantageous to
this company.
0.. " Your directors have also made arrangements for a
slmilai outlay on the line from Bishop Auckland to
\Vest Mill, in obedience to the Act of Parliament.
" But under the existing state of the money market,
and with a view to the convenience of shareholders, it
appears desirable that as little outlay as possible should
1)5 incurred. The directors will, therefore, at present
he governed by a policy of this nature.
" The Bill for the amalgamation of this company with
the Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Railway Company was withdrawn at an early stage.
The Bill of the ' Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle-
upon-Tyne Junc'ion Railway (alteration of main line
and Hawes branch),' in which they were interested, had
received the royal assent, by which the line from
Newton-le-Willows to Castle Bolton, a distance of
twelve miles, is to be constructed at the joint expense of
the two companies, and to be held in common for their
joint use. The management during construction is to
be vested in a! joint committee, to consist of five di-
rectors from each company ; the directors appointed on.
the part of this company are William Beresford, Esq.,
_A, P., tlarmaduke Wyvill, Esq., John Castel Hopkins,.
Esq., Joseph Tomkins, Esq., and Christopher Other,.
Esq.
The balance-sheet of the company to the 31st of
July, 1847, shows a balance in hand of 96,4991. 13s. sd."'
The engineer's report stated that—
" Since the last half-yearly meeting his attention has
been turned to the subject of making still further im
provements, especially on that portion of the line lying
between Bishop Auckland and Tebay. This section of
the line would form the closing link in time chain of
communication from Newcastle to Lancaster, Liverpool,
and Manchester.
" The result of this further investigation was, that he
should be enabled to lay down a line that could bei
worked with safety, efficiency, and economy, which
would cost from 300,000/. to 400,000/. less than their
present line.
" The general route of the line from Bishop Auck-
land to Stainmoor would be much the same as at pre-
sent, that is, by Barnard Castle and Bowes.
" From Stainmoor the line would be taken somewhat
more to the south, so that instead of passing only one
mile to the south of Kirkby Stephen, as at present, it
would join their line from Wath to Clifton, about three
miles to the south of that place.
" This junction would be considerably higher in point
of level than that of the Parliamentary line, conse-
quently it will aid us considerably in attaining the
Stainmoor summit, and by this means he was inclined to
believe that the gradients will be better and the works
less than those shown on his last improved section be-
tween Newbiggen and the summit at Stainmoor, sub-
mitted in October last.
" Considering the immense mineral traffic, and also
the passenger traffic between Newcastle and Liverpool,
which must pass along the section of the line between
Bishop Auckland and Tebay, together with the large
amount of traffic which the line from Wath to Clifton
must secure from London, Leeds, York, and the inter-
vening country to Glasgow and Edinburgh, he had no
hesitation in expressing his opinion that the under-
taking, as a whole, would be the most important and
remunerative line in the north of England.
" The working plans and sections of the line from
Wath to Ley burn, a distance of nineteen miles, and also
from'Tebay to Kirkby Stephen, a distance of ten miles,
have been completed, the total length being twenty-nine
miles, and the necessary notices, with plans and details
served on the landowners and tenants on the Wath and
Tebay contracts."
The receipts amounted to 194,6181 12s. 101, and
the expenditure to 98,1181. 19s. 5d., leaving the
balance stated in the report.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report,
and alluded briefly to the matters dealt with, which,
as we have given it fully, it will be unnecessary to
repeat here beyond the substance. lie regretted that
Parliament had not thought fit to grant the powers
sought by their Deviation Bill. After the rejection
of that Bill by Parliament the directors sought to
make arrangements with other companies. They
had not yet been able to come to terms with
the Lancashire and Carlisle, but they had been met
in the most friendly spirit by the Stockton and Dar-
lington ; and the portion of their undertaking con-
tiguous to that line would be commenced first. He
trusted they would soon be enabled to make
arrangements with the Lancashire and Carlisle,
when the works of that portion would be
commenced, and that the whole of the line
would subsequently be completed in a steady and in-
expensive manner. The contracts on the Wath portion
of the line had been let ; it would cost 5,500/. a mile,
and 400 or 500 men were at work upon it. The
Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne 11
Junction line, which was promoted by them, had
been withdrawn by his consent, on the solicitor's re-
presenting that the Bill could not possibly be passed.
In reply to several questions, he stated that no calls
would be made this year. He could. not tell bow
many more calls would be required until the exact
nature of the works and the arrangements they might
enter into developed themselves. 44,0001., or only
one-half of the calls, had been paid up, and the di-
rectors would consider whether they ought, or ought
not, to enforce the payment of them. Most likely
there would not be another call before the spring.
Those who did not pay at the proper time would be
charged interest at the rate of 5 per cent.
A SHAREHOLDER complained that the expenses
were great, particularly the travelling expenses, which
amounted to nearly 1,0001.
Another SHAREHOLDER said the non-payment up
of the calls was not confined to this company, as
others were in a similar condition—(Hear, hear)—
still he could not avoid saying that an especial gloom
hung over the company—(Cries of " Hear, hear,"
and " No, no")—but he trusted the report would
htoavhe. the effect of dispelling that gloom. It appeared
nomim that the directors should practlese more eco-
nomy,
best authority, that y, as the executive expenses were too heavy.
hmeanhyad
The CHAIRMAN saidinformed,
condition tobeen capitalists, infogruiinteed
their capital to other their calls, would rather apply
5 per cent. interest,
than pay
at present, and pay
came due, and, no doubt, their calls as they
those
acted on the same plan. Generalof depressionsmaller means
per-
vaded railway property. Their line wexcep-
tion; but it appeared to him that no especainal gloom
hung over it; at any rate, no such imptession existed
in the minds of the directors. A great proportion of
the travelling expenses was caused by the northern
directors coming south to attend the board meetings.
The report was then received and adopted.
After some discussion, a proposition was agreed
to to reduce the number of directors from eighteen to
twelve.
The following gentlemen were re-elected:—
Messrs. Berresford, Wril) Anderson, Hopes, Other,

Pease, Hopkins, Underwood, Middleton, Salkeld,
Whitwell, and Thompson.
At the commencement of the meeting several share-
holders complained that the meeting had not been suf-
ficiently advertised—it had not appeared in the Times.
The CHAIRMAN explained that it had been adver-
tised in the Morning Chronicle, in The Sun, and
Daily News, and it had thus, they thought, obtained
the utmost publicity.
A special general meeting was then held, for the
purpose of amending the agreement proposed to be
entered into with the Stockton and Darlington, which
was agreed to ; and a vote of thanks having been
awarded to the Chairman and directors, the meeting
separated.

WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS
JUNCTION RAILWAY.
['he ordinary half-yearly meeting of the company
tsoi place yesterday, at the company's offices, 1, Guild-
hall Chambers.
T he Earl of LONSDALE took the chair shortly after
one o'clock, and the usual preliminary proceedings
having been gone through,
T he SECRETARY read the following report of the
dire etors of the proceedings of the company for the
last half-year :
" In reviewing the progress of the undertaking during
th t past half-year, the result of which is now laid before
t' y shareholders, it will be seen that the policy of the
ii rectors has been such as the pressure of the times
34 beanded, and which, under these circumstances, they
believe, will meet with the full concurrence of the pro-
prietors.
" Their desire has been to lighten the responsibilities
of the company, so far as was consistent with the steady
progress of the works, under the conviction that their
more active prosecution, as intended at the commence-
ment of the present year, would be, in the altered state
of the money market, less conducive to the ultimate
prosperity of the company.
" Upon the portion of the railway under contract,
being about fifteen miles, or nearly half the length of the
Line, the progress of the several contractors has been.
during the half-year, satisfactory. Of the total esti-
mated cost of this portion of the line to its completion
(about 135,0000, 75,0001. has been expended, leaving to
be paid upon these works 60,0001., a large portion of
which will be required during the ensuing half-year.
" Bearing in mind those engagements, the di•
rectors have abstained during the half-year from
entering into any further contracts; the progress of two
_portions of the line has, however, been pressing upon
attention,—they refer to the Whitehaven Tunnel
a nd tle Duddon Crossing.
" With regard to the former, the Parliamentary esti-
z ate of which is 25,000/, its completion contempo-
raneously with the opening of the line, they consider
(19 seutial, as well to its efficient working as to the de-
if ,lopinent of its traffic. The proprietors are aware
eaat it forms the connecting link with the Whitehaven
s.nti Maryport line, and with the harbour of Whitehaven,
ex id from the break in the continuous railway commu-
hitetation which its non-completion would involve, as
et ell as from the position of the terminus on the south
st de of the town, and at a distance from the harbour,
a' ithout supplying this link, the goods and mineral
effic of the country could not be developed.
" A mode of effecting a junction, however, with the
V ,liitehaven and Maryport line, at a comparative trifling
c eel, by keeping to the lawer part of the town, and so
ft ,lling in with a proposed extension along the quays of
no harbour, is also engaging the attention of your
sdirectors.
" Should that mede of junction be decided upon, the
mecessify for pushing the works at the tunnel may not
continue to exist ; and by this step also the extension
line of the Mary port Company before alluded to will be
:available to this company's traffic in a more advantageous
manner.
"The necessity of pressing forward the Duddon
Crossing is urgent, as will he seen on reference to the
engineer's report, and it is to this work that the funds
at the disposal of the directors will be at present di-
rected, the remainder of the line (about fifteen miles)
requiring, as the shareholders are already aware, but
half the time for its completion which these works will
occupy.
" By the completion, however, of the contracts in hand,
and the execution of eleven out of these fifteen miles of
railway, being the least expensive part of the line, a con-
tinuous railway communication from Whitehaven to
Whicham, near the Duddon estuary, would be opened,
and should the funds at the disposal of your directoris
enable them to effect this object at an earlier period thah
can be relied on for the completion of the Duddon
Crossing, their careful attention will be directed to the
expediency of adopting this course.
" Before dismissing the subject of the Duddon Cross-
ing, the directors think it necessary to observe upon the
result of the negotiations with the inhabitants of
Broughton, which have occupied their attention, while
the works at the Duddon have been kept in abeyance.
"It will be remembered that the object of the nego-
tiations alluded to was to obtain the consent of those in-
habitants to dispense with a swing bridge in crossing
this river, which the company are, by their Act, bound
to construct for the protection of the navigation which
is used by the inhabitants of Broughton and its neigh-
bourhood.
" By estimating the advantage of a swing bridge at a
value wholly groundless, and withholding their consent
to its withdrawal, the inhabitants of the district in ques-
tion have deprived themselves of the advantages which
the directors were enabled to offer them, and will, it is
feared, have reason to regret their non-compliance with
the proposal which was made to them.
" As stated, however, by Mr. Stephenson in a previous
report to your directors upon the subject, the original
estimate will not be exceeded in consequence of this
refusal on the part of the Broughton people to co-operate
with them in this matter, and it will be satisfactory to
you to learn that in no other particular have circum-
stances occurred to impeach the probable sufficiency of:
that estimate.
" And in regard to the traffic to be anticipated upon
your line as the southern approach to the port of White-
haven, it will be gratifying to you to learn that the,;
traffic on the railway affording communication with that,
port from the north has already shown a very satisfac-
tory- result.
"The traffic upon that railway (the Whitehaven and
Maryport line) although in work for only three months
up to June last, has realised a dividend at the rate of
four-and-a-half per cent. by the quarter's earnings, with
a steadily increasing traffic ; y,ur directors think,
therefore, that their anticipations of a remunerative
dividend upon your property aro not unreasonable, when
its cheap probable cost is borne:in mind, and also its con-
nexion with the southern and more important districts of
the country.
The payment of the larger portion of the arrears of
calls reported at the last half-yearly meeting to be due,
has with the balance in hand, enabled the directors to
meet the payments to the several contractors in respect
of the works in progress ; the amount received on ac-
count of the third call, and that remaining due, will,
however, be immediately required for carrying on these
works and those before adverted to as about to be un
dertaken ; the attention of those shareholders who are
still in arrear upon the third call, is therefore particu-
larly directed to the necessity of its prompt payment ;
and twelve months having intervened between the making
of that and the previous call, the directors feel confident
that no reasonable ground for indulgence can be urged
on account of their frequency.
Looking to the future also, the prospect of further
calls to a greater extent than 2/. per share is distant,
as upon payment of that sum, the borrowing powers of
the company will come into operation.
" At the present meeting, in pursuance of the Act of
Parliament, five of the directors retire from office, but
being eligible, they offer themselves for re-election: they
are Thomas Ainsworth, William Miller, John Peile, and
George Pew, Esquires, and Edward Stanley, Esq., M P.
" The vacancy in the direction, caused by the death of
Sir John Beckett, has been supplied by the election of
Francis Mills, Esq.
" Mr. George Knox also retires from the office of
auditor, but being eligible, offers himself accordingly."
The following report of the engineer was also
read :

" Gentlemen,—According to your instructions, the
following report upon the state and progress of the
works is now submitted to you.
" In the report presented to you on the 22d of Febru-
ary last, it was stated that the aggregate length of line
under contract at that time, amounted to about sixteen
miles, comprising the chief earth works. It not having
been deemed advisable to proceed further in letting the
remaining contracts, which, as you are aware, are light
and will not require any great length of time for execu-
tion, no other works are in hand.
" It is to be regretted that so considerable a delay has
unavoidably taken place in carrying on the works at the
Duddon crossing and the Whitehaven tunnel. The
hopes which were entertained of coming to an arrange
went with the parties interested in the navigation of the
estuary, by virtue of which a swing bridge would have
been avoided, have not been realised, and after a pro-
tracted and tedious negotiation it has at length been
Act.
there
is The
nothinghe plans
ihnavtehis accordingly been b
found necessary to revert to the original plan, and con-
struct the viaduct according to the clause inserted in the
prepared,imme-
diately and
prevent
your
urging forward the execution of this portion of
the work.
" 'rho portions of the line now under contract are
proceeding upon the whole in a satisfactory manner,
and the remainder may be let immediately, or at such
future period as will enure their completion simultane-
ously with the crossing of the Duddon.
" The following statement shows the division of the
line into contracts, and the period at which the several
portions may be completed."
The CHAIRMAN, in shortly adverting to the contents
of the report, stated that he felt more assured than
ever of the success of the undertaking, and the
soundness of the basis on which it was placed. He
had no doubt, if not the whole, the greater part of
this line would be opened by this time next year.
The report of the directors, and also that of the
engineer, was unanimously agreed to.
The directors that went out by rotation were re-
elected.
Mr. George Knox was re appointed auditor ; and
a vote of thanks having been carried to the Noble
Chairman and directors, the meeting separated.
The following is the account given in by the
engineer of the works executed on the line up to the
present time :
Earth-work ...
Soil stripped off
Fencing erected
Sea-walling .
Bridges complete ...
Ditto •in progress ...
s Permanent way laid

... 425,000 cubic yards
... 160,000 superficial yards
... 11i miles, double line
726 lineal yards
8
12
185 lineal chains,