The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-28 00:00:00

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were supplied with money they could open the whole
line to Exeter before that part of the Great Western Rail-
way was finished between Bath and Bristol. There could
to not the slightest doubt that the Great Western Railway
would be greatly benefited by the completion of the Bristol
and Exeter lino, and it was therefore their duty to thi an
in their power in behalf of such a line. He fully weed
with Mr. Alston that parties, having obtained Bil's for
Railways, were sure by some means or other to push their
lines through. There never wet the slightest doubt upon
the minds of the Directors of the Exeter line, but that it
would yield a very fair profit. The tt able might not be so
great, but a smaller amount of traffic would yield a profit
where a railway cost only °.5,0001. a mile, than on one
which cost double the moev. The ExeteThe lino would not
cost more than the first-tamed sum. great portion of
the shares being held by weak hands, the cost of the line
fell upon the Proprirtol a who were able to pay up
their shares, but still they were not enabled to keep
up the prices of the shares, and consequently all their
exertions were checked. A successful negotiation with the
Great Western Company would give a stimulus to the
whole Proprietary--it would give them confidence, which
was all that was wanted. If the negotiation were post-
poned, the whole effect would be lost, as it would not
oe produced upon the minds of the Proprietors of the
Exeter line. As a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence,
it would be far better that the Exeter dompany should
not enter into the arrangement, for of course the Great
Western Company would not give so much as the traffic
would yield. He hoped that such power would be given
as would enable the Directors to continue the negotia
tion, and then let the Proprietors be called together at an
early day to confirm the arrangement.
Mr. GURDON —At what. time would they be ready for
the engines of the Great Western Company to pass over
the line?
Mr. C. B. Fitter said it was not a question of time, but
of finance. The Exeter Company had contracted for all
the timber and rails, and could finish the line in five or six
months,

Mr. BRIGHT said it did not become a Director to ad-
dress such a meeting, and he would not have broken
through the rule had he not been personally alluded to.
It was he that was charged with having spoken in favour
of the Gloaceqer and Bristol line at Bristol, and when
the proper time came, be would be ready to defend his
conduct.

Mr. VOUSLY objected to the resolution being with-
drawn. If they could leave the matter in their Directors'
hands it would be standing in their own light.
The CHAIRMAN had not taken upon himself to withdraw
the resolution—he only agreed that it should be withdrawn
according to the feelings of the Proprietary.
Mr. GUADON.—By doing so they did not throw cold
water upon the proposition, for the Directors would of
course call another meeting when the negotiations were
completed.
Mr. VOCELT consented to the withdrawal „of
of the re-
solution.

Mr. Caossrwwarrx then moved that the Directors have
power, according to the Act, to take up upon loan the sum
of 416,6661. 13s. 4d., upon such interest, and payable at
such time, as the Directors might fix.
This resolution was seconded, and passed unanimously.
It was then moved and carried that the old bye-laws be
cancelled, and that those then submitted to the meeting
be adopted.
Mr. finyvvolma said the motion he was about to make
was one of very great importance. They had
heard the clause in the Act of Parliament read, em-
powering them to decide what should be done with a net
revenue, which now amounted to 70,0001. The Act de-
clared that they should make a dividend of so much per
share, and, taking the old and new ones together, they
amounted to 32,500 shares. He would therefore move
that a dividend of 21. per share be declared, agreeably to
the Act of Parliament. He believed he had paid in in-
terest and premium at least 100/. per share : and if tkey
made the present division, it would amount to 21. per
share, and leave a surplus of 5,000/.
Mr. CROSSTYWAITI, as a bondholder of the Company,
must look to his interests; and •he thought they would
come in August next with a better grace for a dividend.
They could not pay interest and make a dividend unless
out of capital ; and he did not think they were in a posi-
tion to do that.
Mr. ALSTON did not see how, with 70,0001. of not re-
venue and 50,0001. of debt per annum, they could make
any dividend.
Mr. lisvwottra thought they had precedents enough
for such a course, but as the opinion of the meeting was
against it, he would withdraw his motion.
On the motion of Mr. BAILEY, a vote of thanks to the
Directors for their exertions in promoting the interests of
the Company was carried with acclamation.
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks on behalf of the
Directors.

Mr. Haaa said he had a petition to present, in the prayer
of which, however, he did not entirely concur. It was
signed by the Bishop of Bristol and Gloucester, the Clergy
and the Mayor and inhabitants of Bristol, praying for the
abolition of Sunday travelling on the Railway.
The CHAIRMAN said they could not but respect this mo-
tives of those who had signed the petition. It was in-
tended that the Railway should be closed from half-past 9
in the morning to 5 in the evening of Sundays, thereby
affording an opportunity to their servants to observe to a
certain extent the sanctity of the Sabbath.
Mr. BURFORD of Marylebonc, said that they had been
promised • Sunday afternoon trade, and he did not see
why the Company or the public should be deprived of the
advantages which would accrue from it. If any gentleman
present took a walk on Sunday from Portland-place to
the Edgeware-road, he would find 609 gentlemer,'s car-
riages constantly employed, sad he would ask how many
thousands of the lower classes had no other means of ob-
taining a little fresh air on Sunday than by availing them-
selves of the cheap fares and speedycommunication on the
Railways ? The persons who objected to Sunday travelling
bad many of them carriages themselves, and their grooms
and stable boys were as busy, if not more so, on Sundays,
as on any other day in the week. Why did not these
gentlemen themselves set an example, before they inter.
fered with the comforts and enjoyments of the working
classes.—( Cheers. )If the fourth commandment was to be so
strictly enforced, why should their man-servants, or their
maid-servants, or their cattle be compelled to work 2
( Hear.) He knew well enough who were at the bottom of
all this—it was the Methodist Dissenters, who boasted that
they would close all the railways, and drive all the steam-
boats from tho river on Sundays, and make the poor
wretches go to church by way of amusement.—( Much
laughter.) There was an extensive warehouse not many
doors from that which employed hundreds of young men,
who worked all day in that most unwholesome atmosphere,
and at night the counters were thrown up, and they slept
under them. Why sheuid not these, and thousands like
them, enjoy a little fresh air on Sundays? He thought
the whole proceeding was most arbitrary, cruel, and hypo-
eri!ical, and ho would enter his protest against it.
Mr. FRIPT then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Mr. HET WORTH said, although he feared he must be con-
sidered rather a troublesome customer, he should feel much
pleasure in seconding it.--(Laughter and cheers.)
The motion was carried with acclamation, and the Chair-
man having returned thanks, the meeting separated.