The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-19 00:00:00

CEYLON RAILWAY.

A general meeting of this company was held yester-
day, at the London Tavern, to receive the report of the
directors ; W. 11. Th,inas, Esq., in the chair.
The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read, the secretary, Mr. Noad, was requested to read the
report, the substance of which was—That in the first
instance the sum of ss. per share had been subscribed in
order to pay the expenses of the preliminary surveys, but
that in consequence of the extensive railway operations
in progress at that period, some time elapsed before the
directors could secure the services of a competent engi-
neer to make the necessary surveys; and it was not until
March, 1846, that arrangements were made with Mr.
Drane, who, on the recommendation of Mr. Rendel, the
consulting engineer, left England intrusted with this im-
portant mission, by the mail of that month. On his ar-
rival in Ceylon, Mr. Drone proceeded to survey several
portions of the country, and was enabled to complete
his inquiries and investigations so as to leave the island
in February, 1847, and to reach this country the latter
end of March. It appeared from his information, re-
ceived by the directors, that the cost of the railway
from Colombo to Kandy would amount to about
850,000/, ; and it became the province of the directors
to determine in what manner they could shape their
proceedings, so as to secure the co-operation of her Ma-
jesty's Government, and especially to obtain such a gua-
ranteed dividend as would justify the outlay of the
capit..l. The directors have now the gratification to an-
nounce that these views have been entertained by her
Majesty's Government, and that an ordinance will be
sanctioned, comprehending a free grant of the land re-
quired for the railway, for a term of ninety-nine years,
and a guaranteed dividend of five per cent, per annum
for that period ; the Government having the right of
purchase after the expiration of fifty years, and the re.
version of the line without purchase at the end of ninety-
nine years. The original capital was to have been
1,000,000/., but in consequence of the arrangement with
the Government, it was submitted, that a new company
be formed, with a capital of 300,000 L, in 20,000 shares
of 151. each ; and that the holders of the existing scrip
receipts should be entitled to claim the same number of
shares in the new company, as though the directors had
found it possible at once to constitute the society con-
templated by the subscription contract. But as the
directors contemplate an extension of the anrangement
with her Majesty's Government, and fully purpose carry-
ing out the original project of completing the railway
communication with Kandy at no distant period, power
will be taken in the deed of settlement to increase the
capital, and to give to the holders of the new 15/. shares
an option of subscribing for a rateable proportion of
the additional stock to be created. Over the division
cf the line first to be undertaken, all the traffic between
Colombo and Kandy will pass ; and it is estimated that
at the existing charge of transport,. without including
any revenue from passengers, a return of about nineteen
per cent. on the capital invested may be realised.
During the present year the directors do not anticipate
being called upon to expend a larger sum than will en-
able them to limit the calls to 20s. per share; and as it
does not appear probable that the works on the first
section of the line can be completed within less than two
years, the further calls will necessarily be extended
over that period. The directors had much pleasure in
annexing a copy of the report of Mr. Rendel, the con-
sulting engineer, which entirely confirms the views of
the directors. The directors have endeavoured to con-
duct the affairs of the company with the strictest eco-
nomy, and referring to the accompanying statement of
receipts and expenditure, concluded the report by ex-
pressing a hope that they may have earned the appro-
bation, and continue to possess the confidence of the
shareholders.
It was further stated that the calls during the present
year were not likely to be more than 20s. a share, and
the traffic for goods between Colombo and Candy, a
distance of 32 miles, was estimated at 40,000 tons car-
ried up the line, at ls. per ton per mile, 64,000/.;
22,500 tons brought down the line, at 4d. per ton per
mile, 12,000/.; making a total of 76,0001.; and deducting
for working expenses 19,0001., there woud be a profit of
57,0001., or 19 per cent. on the capital.
From the cash account it appeared that the total re-
ceipts on calls and from other sources was 5,3761., the
payments 4,959/. 7s. Id., and the assets in hand are
407/. 12s. 11d. In consequence, however, of money ad-
vanced by the directors for the purposes of the com-
pany, there is a small deficiency of 3091. 7s. Id. between
the liabilities and the assets.
The engineer's report was appended to that of the
directors, by which it appeared that the railway was
intended to commence at the east bank of the Kalany
river, about three miles from the city of Colombo, and
following for the first 32 miles the general direction of
the great military road to Kandy and Kornegalle, which
the line crosses twice ; then, entering the Valley of the
(river) Maha Oya, follows its course for 23 miles to the
hill country at the Kaddoganava Pass, or Gordon's
Bridge, where it commences a rapid ascent to the summit
on which Kandy is situated, and terminates about three
miles short of that city, being a length of 14 miles, and
making the whole length of the railway 69 miles. Over
the first division of 32 miles the country is flat, the total
rise not exceeding 170 feet on the whole length, and the
highest land passed over between these points not exceed-
ing 240 feet, involving a class of gradients better than 1
in 150 to lin 200. The estimate is 258,7954, supposing
the land to be given by the Government. The second
division would involve heavier gradients and works than
the first division, as the country becomes more broken.
The gradients need not, however, exceed 1 in 150 to 1
in 200, for 17 miles, but beyond that the gradients might
have to be so steep as 1 in 100 to 1 in 50, for the re-
maining five miles ; the work of construction over the
whole being, however, moderate, and such as the estimate
of 177,149/. would accomplish for a single line, as be-
fore. The total rise of country on this division is 540
feet, without any intermediate summit. The third divi-
sion, as before stated, forms the ascent to Kandy; the
elevation to be overcome is 1,100 feet, and the gradients
may, it seems, be so arranged as not to exceed 1 in 50,
the numerous ravines of the mountains admitting of a
lengthening of the line so as to accomplish that object.
Such gradients may be safely worked. Goods traffic at
10 miles per hour, and passenger traffic to average
17 miles an hour, prudent limits in that country.
It need only be added that the cost per mile, including
stock, of the two first divisions of the line will be some-
what under 9,0001., and the third division from 21,0004
to 22,0001. per mile ; all single line, made on a secure
but economical plan.
The CHAIRMAN recapitulated the principal parts of
the report in moving its adoption.
Before it was finally accepted,
Mr. ANDERTON observed that, after all, the Govern-
ment guarantee amounted to nothing, and that the pro-
perty- was only a leasehold.
Mr. LEVY trusted the Ron. Proprietor would not
throw in any element of discord, for that he thought the
guarantee of the Government a great advantage.
Mr. ANDERTON would be quite as ready to take Mr.
Levy's guarantee for the amount.
The report was ultimately adopted, without any dis-
sent, and the meeting, which was numerous, and it
need not be said highly respectable, separated, ap-
arently well satisfied with the day's proceedings.

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AND
LOSS OF LIFE.
Last night, shortly before seven o'clock, considerable
consternation was caused in the Borough by a most se-
rious accident which occurred upon the works in con-
nexion with the North Kent or London and Gravesend
Railway, in consequence of the falling of an arch, pass-
ing over Great Russell street, at its northern end. In
the midst of the confusion which prevails, the following
facts with reference to this disastrous occurrence have
been gathered, which, though far from being sufficiently
in detail to furnish a complete account of the accident,
may, nevertheless, be relied upon as accurate as far as
dt factsuDseatv,r onrcragolrutaol
h(tfl betileriaetpitmrenorecntuphraeerdt
wideningoo off the
employedthet
he parties
afternoon, w h
it
appears witnessed
itvt that inofththe
eertercatmiov,n,ayof
ofa
the South-Eastern line over Great Russell-street, were
engaged in removing the stouts and centre-piecesfrom
the brickwork forming the permanent way for the new
line. But a few minutes had elapsed after the re-
moval of these timber supporters, before a sudden crack-
ing was heard overhead by some of the men who were
at that time under that portion of the railway which
terms the present Greenwich, Croydon, Brighton, and
Dover lines. Before it was possible to give any alarm,
or to warn the parties who were passing under the bridge
at the time, the whole of the new work came down with
a tremendous crash. One man was at work laying con-
crete at the time over the archway. He was brought
down with the mass of rubbish, consisting of several
tons, but, fortunately, he escaped with a considerable
bruising. It was apprehended at first that several per-
sons who happened to be passing under the bridge at
the time had been sacrificed, and the rumour became
almost instantaneously rife that not less than eight per-
sons had been killed, and more seriously injured. As
soon, however, as it was possible, workmen were set
to work to remove the rubbish, and in a short time
three persons were found severally most severely
injured ; they were conveyed without delay to Guy's
Hospital, where every attention was paid to them by the
house-surgeon. In prosecuting their further search the
men met with the body of a respectably-dressed a
mtracean,
who was literally smashed to a mummy, scarcely
of his features being discernible. Soon afterwards the
body of a middle-aged female frightfully mutilated was
found. It is scarcely necessary to add that both parties
when taken uut of the ruins were quite dead. I
rumoured that two boys were seen close to the spot
where the unfortunate accident took place, but up
to the
time of our going to press no other bodies have been
foun. The deceased persons have been removed to the
deadd room at St. e
Olave'se school, to await the inquiry of
the Coroner.

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nuTaitelExaPniminiaLtoiLonoGoircAthLe SstcutrenoLts---- educated . te taythtibsei
nasnt
1.
tution took place at the school-house in the New-road.
The Lord Bishop of Lichfield presided, and was sup-
ported by the Rev. R. Walpole, 8.D.,., the Rev. E. °-
S _ee
bell, M.A., the Rev. W. J. Hutchings, M.A., the
R v.
C. T. Johnson, 8.D., and several other clergymen and
gentlemen. The examination was conducted by thr
Lord Bishop of Lichfield and the Rev. Edwin Abbott,
M.A., the head master of the school. The students
were examined in Thucydides, Herodotus, Xenophcn,
Virgil, Sallust, Horace, and other Greek and Latin
classics; in Euclid's elements, trigonometry, and other
branches of mathematical science, as well as in all the
subjects pertaining to a sound and liberal English edu-
cation. In religious subjects there was also a close ex-
amination. At the close of the proceedings the Bishop
of Lichfield addressed the students, congratulating
them upon the success which had already crowned their
exertions, and urging them to renewed perseverance.
The Right Rev. Prelate then retired, and the meeting
broke up.
ROYAL PRESENTS.—Some packages of pictures
have arrived in this country from Holland, for the Queen
and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, being presents from
his Majesty the King of the Netherlands.