The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-17 00:00:00

comparison with the corresponding half-year of 1845-6
shows an increase during the last hall year of 38,5701. Bs. 9d.
in receipt, and of 16,040 first class: 41,186 second class; and
130,344 third class in number, in all 187,579.
The comparison of last half-year with the corresponding
half-year of 1845-6, shows an increase of 7,241 of persons
carried over the Greenwich Branch, within that period, and
there is an increase of the earnings on this branch of
1,113/. 11 s. 7d.
" The merchandise account has yielded 37,245/. 14s. 7d.
during the last half year, which exceeds by 13,3201. 6i. 7d.
the amount earned in the corresponding hail of last year.
" The directors :gave up possession of the New Cross Lo-
comotive Works on the 31st of January, in accordance with
the agreement which had been entered into, and removed
the South-Eastern Locomotive Establishment to the new
works, at Ashford.
" The amount due to this company from the Brighton
Company, on giving up the New Cross Works, amounting to
nearly 40,0001, has net yet been paid.
"The branch from Minster to Deal will open so soon as
the swing-bridge over the Steer is completed. Its construc-
tion has been delayed by the severe winter.
"The contracts for widening the Greenwich branch and
extending it to Gravesend, and for filling up the canal in the
tunnel, and doubling the line of the railway from Gravesend
'to Rochester, are all let. All the works are proceeding
favourably, and there is every reason to expect that they
will be completed according to the contracts, which require
all the works to be constructed and ready for opening within
twelve months after obtaining possession of the land. That
part of the North Kent Railway between Gravesend and
Rochester will, it is hoped, be opened as a double line in two
months.
" The directors have arranged with the Board of the
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Railway to vary the agree-
ment existing with that company, and instead of the South-
Eastern Company allowing 44 per cent. to the Reading,
Guildford, and Reigate Company, on the whole outlay for
constructing the line and a division of profits besides, they
have agreed, subject to the approbation of the proprietors, to
allow 51A per cent. without division of profits, on a fixed
capital of 600,000/. The South-Eastern Company having the
responsibility of executing the works.
"The directors trust the arrangements they have made,
and are making, for the internal management of the com-
pany, will insure to them efficient aid in all departments of
its service, and they beg leave to tender to the proprietors
their assurance that no exertions on their part shall be
wanting to uphold the property and increase the prosperity
of the South-Eastern Company."
The CHAIRMAN then said that he trusted the report read
would be found satisfactory. On the 24th of February they
had an interview with the Brighton Company, which they
had hoped would terminate satisfactorily, were it not for the
expressed determination of the Brighton Company to proceed
with their Mid-Kent schemes. A copy of the corres-
pondence which passed between the Chairmen of the
two companies was read, and it appeared that while both
parties expressed themselves anxious to come to terms,
neither was willing to forego the schemes which they them-
selves were promoting. If he were asked why the negotia-
tion had not been proceeded with on their part, he should
say that, as the basis of all negotiation was founded on
the withdrawal of the Brighton Mid-Kent projects, the
South-Eastern Company, finding that this withdrawal would
not be conceded, and esteeming there projects, if finished,
to be non-paying ones, had deemed it prudent to reject all
overtures while these projects were insisted on.
A SIIMIEHOLDER said that there was one item of expendi-
ture generally„ found in the reports of other railways which
he did not find in the South-Eastern Company. He meant
the amount due to directors for their own services. Were
the directors not paid, or was the omission a clerical error?
The CHAIRMAN said that when the directors undertook
the management of the railway, they found that it was a
matter of absolute necessity to apply the pruning knife to the
salaries of all the officers. The secretary, for instance, was
only allowed 400/. per annum, and the others wore propor-
tionably low. In adopting these reformatory measures, they
felt it to be their duty to begin at home, and a resolution
was agreed to that their services should be given gratuitously
until the position of the company could be made fully satis-
factory to the proprietors.—(Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of the report,
which having been seconded, was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed that a dividend of 21s. per
share on the paid-up shares be declared ;of 13s. on the
shares created on the 19th of March, 1844; and of 7s. 6d.
per share on the shares created on the 7th day of November,
1814; the same to be made payable on the 12th of April,
1847.—Carried.
The retiring directors, Mr. Martin Luther Pritchard, Mr.
Alexander Randall, and Mr. Henry Lewis Sinai], were re-
elected.
A resolution, expressive of the obligations of the company
to Lord Viscount Torrington, moved by Mr. PRESCOTT,
seconded by Mr. Busman, and supported by Mr. D. SA-
LOONS, was carried with acclamation.
I he CHAIRMAN said the business of the meeting was now
over, but he could not permit them to separate without ex-
pressing the thanks of himself and his colleagues for the
honourable confidence had they reposed in them, and he
begged to assure them that no effort would be wanting on
their part to carry the affairs of the company to a successful
termination.—(Cheers.)
Mr. BARLOW moved a vote of thanks to the chairman:
Mr. COLEMAN seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously.
The CIIAI RMAN returned thanks, and the meeting broke up.

REGISTRY of BIRTHS and DEATHS
DURING THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 13.
Deaths registered in the week. Births registered in the week.
Males ... ... ... r,03 Males ... ... ... 740
Females ... ... 5 3 Females ... ... 695

Total ... 1,026

Tot 11

-. 1,435

- ------ -
TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE.
DIVIDENDS DECLARED.
John Griffiths, stationer, Liverpool—tirst div. of fig. in the
pound, ou any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Cezenove,
Liverpool.
James Willsor, wine merchant, Liverpool—second div. of
4s. sd. in the pound, on any Thu:sday, at the office of Mr.
Cazenove, Liverpool.
Joseph Hall, innkeeper, Carligle7first div. of ss. in the
polar!, on a:ly at ti:e Gli.cc of Mr. L:k..l•.
castle-upon-Tyne.
John Jones, ironmonger, Buralem, StaCrdshire—first div.
of 53. 6d. in the pound, any Thursday, at the office of Mr.
Christie, Birmingham.