The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-06 00:00:00

COLONIAL BANK.

The usual half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of
the Colonial Bank took place yesterday at the London
Tavern, in order to receive the report on the proceed-
ings of the corporation, and for the election of five di-
rectors and one auditor. Mr. Caulfield took the chair.
The SECRETARY having read the advertisement con-
vening the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN said that he was happy to say that
the report which would be submitted to their notice was
a very short one, but, short as it was, it would show that
the affairs of the company were in a very satisfactory
state.

The SECRETARY then read the report, from which it
appeared that the debts due by the bank were—
Circulation £206,425 11 8
Deposits, &c. 713,951 15 9
Paid-up capital ... ... 500,000 0 0
Profit ... 19,486 13 9

Total
And the assets were—

£1,439,864 1 2

Specie £263,346 13 0
Due to the Bank, on bills purchased and
discounted in the colonies ... ... 716,598 9 6
Due on cash credit in the colonies ... 147,636 0 5
Due in London, on bills remitted ... 240,349 3 10
Balance of bad and doubtful debts ... 51,231 19 3
Bank premises and furniture ... ... 18,29 i 16 7
Balance of preliminary expenses ... 2,505 18 7
The balance of bad and doubtful debts was much on
the decrease, and it was proposed that out of the
19,4831. 13s. 9d. profit, 7,0001. should go to pay a divi-
dend of IL 10s. per cent. for the half-year ending June
30, 1846, which would give a dividend of 3 per cent. per
annum on the paid-up capital. The remaining sum it was
proposed to place to the account of bad and doubtful
debts, in order that the total might be reduced as much
and as soon as possible. It afforded much gratification
to the directors to be enabled to say that, in spite of
many adverse circumstances, the profits were still in-
creasing, and had every appearance of continuing to
do so.—The report was unanimously received.
The CHAIRMAN then propoied that the dividend
should be payable on and after the 11th inst., which was
agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN then said that the directors who re-
tired in rotation were—J. A. Hankey, Esq. ; Wm. T.
Hibbert, Esq. ; Chas. M. Garel, Esq.; Thomas Master-
man, Esq.; Abraham J. Roberts, Esq. ; Henry Barkly,
Esq., auditor. These gentlemen being eligible, had
again offered themselves for the vacant offices.
Their names were then separately put to the meeting,
and carried without opposition.
Mr. J. Fletcher having been elected a director in the
room of P. M. Stewart, Esq., M.P.. deceased, Mr. Eflice
was elected auditor in his room. This closed the busi-
ness of the day.
Mr. HARRISON, a proprietor, expressed his satisfac-
tion at the conduct of the directors ; as did also other
proprietors, and a vote of thanks having been given to
the chairman the meeting separated.

MADRID and VALENCIA RAILWAY

COMPANY.

An adjourned :special general meeting of the share-
holders in this undertaking was held yesterday after-
noon at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street ; Mr.
Chadwick, chairman of the English board of directors, in
the chair.

The CHAIRMAN stated that the present was the third
adjourned meeting of the company. At a former meeting
a resolution was agreed to authorising the directors to
ascertain if the company could not be dissolved accord.
jog to law, but it was subsequently ascertained that it
could not be legally broken up. That was the exact
position of their case, and it was now for the share-
holders to decide what should be done. The directors
would do their best to carry out the wishes of the scrip-
holders, and he was sure that the meeting could expect
nothing more from them.
Mr. Mau protested that the legal opinion which bad
been taken for their guidance was based upon an erro-
neous case. The Spanish statutes by which it was said
they were to be bound were repugnant to the feelings of
an Englishman, while their provisions were trivial and
illogical. Besides, the Spanish board of management had
failed in performing their part of the contract; and he
contended, therefore, that they were free to break up the
concern. The shareholders never authorised the directors
to agree to the stringent and partial powers given to the
Spanish beard by the statutes ; and be hoped the meet-
ing would not suffer John Bull to be duped by
a self-elected Spanish confederacy. At all events,
if the Spanish law would not allow them to break up
the concern, he was convinced that an English court of
equity would compel the directors to refund the deposit,
because they had entered into acts and deeds without
due and proper authority from the scripholders.ef Thethe
Spaniards undertook to subscribe a portion
and that
was
eey
another liad
gtmnotreddone
why the
thheowever,
Spa-
niards could not prevent their breaking up the
concern. He moved a resolution, in effect declaring
that the directors had concealed matters in the case they
had submitted to counsel, and had taken upon them-
selves the power of doing certain acts and deeds without
Previously obtaining the consent of the shareholders to
do so.

Dr.Bowantc moved as an amendment that the vote
of the scripholders upon the question of dissolution bJ
taken by ballot; and if the majority were favourable to
a dissolution the directors be authorised to take the
necessary steps to break up the concern.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY opposed the amendment. At
their last meeting they were told that there
were some great capitalists prepared to take up
the shares of diszontented shareholders, but
now they were told that, because he had hinted that
the majority of the holders would part with their scrip
at a loss of 12s. 6d. each, these great capitalists had
been frightened, and declined to have anything to do
with them. Who were these great capitalists ? Let
the chairman disclose their names, and if they were
really great capitalists, and would make a liberal offer,
there were, he was convinced, but few holders who would

refuse to accept it. He contended that the whole '
pro-
ceedings of the directors were illegal, and if they per-
sisted in holding the shareholders at defiance, they
would eventually have to refund the whole of the
deposits. He moved a series of resolutions to the
effect, that a committee of inquiry be appointed to pro-
tect the property of the shareholders from the injudicious
conduct of the directors, and each holder to subscribe a
Is. a share to defray the expenses.
After a few words from Mr. Wilkinson and Mr.
Richardson,
Mr. JAMES, the barrister, gave it as his opinion that
this company was a Spanish partnership, and it could
not be dissolved without the consent of the Spanish sec-
tion of the shareholders.
Mr. LINDO said the directors still had 345. per share
in hand, and he would urge the shareholders to accept
that moiety of their deposits, and let the thing drop.

In answer to a question,
The CHAIRMAN said the actual balance in hand was
66,000/.
Eventually the resolutions proposed by ➢ir. Mao and
Mr. HARVEY were put from the chair, and carried.
The meeting terminated with the customary vote of
thanks to the Chairman.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.

TIIE MISERIES AND TEMPTATIONS OF THE Poon.—
A small withered old woman, whose whole appearance
denoted the most extreme distress, and who trembled
so violently that she was obliged to be accommo-
dated with a seat, named Sophia Bradfield, was charged
with having stolen a watch, valued at 21. 2s. ; a watch-
guard, worth 2s. ; two seals, worth 2s. ; a watch key,
worth 6d. ; and five half-crowns, three shillings, and
sixpence, from the bed-room of a person named Norman,
who occupied a house at No. 22, King-street, Old Kent-
road, in which she and her two sons occupied a room.
On leaving his room, on the 20th of November,
he closed and locked the door, after having satisfied
himself that the articles in question were safe. Some-
time after the door was found open and the articles re-
moved. The prisoner left that day, and in her room
was found a pair of iron compasses, with which it
was assumed she had opened the door. She was
arrested at a house in the Borough, and admitted
that want had driven her to commit the crime. It ap-
peared from the statement of the prosecutor's sister,
that the prisoner got her living by painting children's
books and cheap pictures, and by shoebinding. She
had no furniture and was in great distress ; she owed
1/. 13s. for rent. Her sons were 15 and 18 years old.
The woman transmitted a paper to the RECORDER, who
desired the clerk to read it. It stated that she had long
experienced the most acute distress, that at the time
she earned only 2s. ld. one week and ls. 7d. in another.
Her sons were starving, and continually exclaiming that
they could not bear their privations longer, and that
they could not work for the want of tools. " I could
not bear it," it went on, " and I left the room, and on
proceeding down the stairs I saw the room door open,
and took the things in order to get food for my sons."
The RECORDER-Why did you not apply for relief ?
Prisoner—l applied once since my husband's death, but
they told me I. was young and able to work for my
living.
The jury found the prisoner guilty of stealing the
property, and earnestly recommended her to mercy on
account of her distressed condition at the time.

The RECORDER referred to a statement made by
the woman when before the magistrate. She said, " I
took the things because my sons were in a starving
state. I have sat often two days in that room without
breaking my fast. I could endure it no longer."
The prison surgeon said the prisoner was so ill that
she could scarcely walk, and that she had been under
medical treatment since she became an inmate of the
prison. She could not be cured for some time.
The RF.COODER directed the surgeon to inform the
parish authorities of Bermondsey, to which she belonged,
that at the expiration of her imprisonment she would
require assistance. The Court always made allowances
for persons driven to crime by privation. In the prison
she would perhaps have better medical attendance than
the workhouse could afford. The sentence of the Court
was that she be confined in Newgate for one month.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
A case of some interest as regards the police force
came on yesterday before Alderman Gibbs.
Richard Addis, who lately belonged to the City police,
was brought up in the custody of Inspector Merchant
charged with having committed a fraud.
Mr. Edward James Read, clerk to Mr. Clarke, clerk
of the arraigns at the Central Criminal Court, said—
It is my duty to make out the orders upon the treasurers
of the City and the several counties fur the costs of
proceedings in the Central Criminal Court, and, amongst
other things, to pay the orders upon the chamberlain.
The prisoner applied to me for an order for costs as a
witness in the case of John Anderson, who was yester-
day tried for felony. He said he had left the police force,
and he asked me to allow him his travelling expenses.
I asked him where ho lived. He said at Chel-
tenham, near Gloucester. I asked him if he
had come from Cheltenham to attend the trial.
he replied that he had last night. I asked him when
he left London for Cheltenham. He said on Thursday.
I asked him why he had left London for so distant a
place, knowing that he had to attend the Central Criminal
Court so soon afterwards? He said, that having left the
police force, the fact was, he had forgotten that he
had the case in hand, and did not discover it till he had
got to Cheltenham. I asked him how he came to town
by that train? He said by the secoud-class train, and
that he had paid 11. 2s. lid. for the conveyance. When
I asked him how he could explain that, as the fare
was only 17s. 6d., he answered that the rest of the
charge was caused by the distance of the railroad
to the place to which he was going, and the differ-
ence in town also. Under these circumstances I
allowed him altogether the sum of 3L 25., and made
out an order upon the Chamberlain of the city
to that amount, and paid him the money myself, in order
to prevent the inconvenience which might arise to wit-
nesses from the closing of the chamberlain's office at the
time. The result of the inquiry instituted into the cir-
cumstances led to the apprehension of the prisoner.
Alderman GIBBS—To how much would the prisoner
have been entitled justly ? Mr. Read—To half-a-crown.
Alderman Grans—And you have learned that he was
not at Cheltenham at all ? Mr. Read—So I understand.
The journey to and from Cheltenham was got up merely
as an excuse for making the demand ; and we make
every exertion at the office to prevent frauds of the kind.
Inspector Merchant said he took the prisoner into
custody at his residence, in Mercers'-court, St. Mary-
at-Hill, for the fraud.
Mr. Clarke the clerk of the arraigns, into whose
presence he was first brought, desired that he
he should be taken before a magistrate. He was a con-
stable in my division, and had been discharged on Sa-
turday night last. On that Saturday, previously to his
discharge, he told witness that he was going home, by
which witness understood the country, and said to him,
what do you mean by that, when you have a trial at the
Central Criminal Court ? You are bound over in your
own recognisances ; do you mean to go to prison ?
Alderman GIBBS—Did he attend the trial ? Inspec-
tor Merchant—He did ; and he gave evidence upon the
trial, which was for stealing a coat ; and I told him to
take the coat to the prosecutor. On Sunday morning I
sent for the prisoner's clothes as he was dismissed, and I
learned that he was at home at the time.
Alderman GIBBS—For what was he dismissed ? In-
spector Merchant—For misconduct.
The prisoner said, that having left the force, he in-
tended to go home to his father, and he did go to Chel-
tenham on Sunday afternoon, and returned at one
o'clock OR the next morning to London. He asked the
gentleman who had been first examined, whether he
could have his expenses, as he bad travelled so far, and
he did not think he was doing wrong in receiving the
money, but if the Alderman had a different opinion, he
could at once return the whole amount.
Alderman GIBBS—I consider this case a very impor-
tant one to the publie, in consequence of the great prin-
ciple it involves. All the counties from which cases are
sent to the Central Criminal Court are liable to frauds
of this kind as well as the City of London, and I shall,
therefore, put the case into the hands of the City soli-
citor, with directions to proceed.
The prisoner was then remanded.
William Hudson Blayney was brought up for the pur-
pose of being identified previously to his removal to
Warwick to undergo his trial for having, in conjunction
with two other persons, robbed the Warwick and Lea-
mington Banking Company of ten 1001. bank-notes in
the year 1845.
Mr. Mulllins, from the office of the Solicitors to the
Committee of Bankers, attended for the prosecution.
The prisoner made no defence.
Mr. H. Somerville, manager of the Warwick and
Leamington Bank, stated that he knew William Hudson
Blayney, who was formerly a clerk in that establish-
ment, and was the person named in the warrant granted
to Daniel Forrester, the officer.
The prisoner, who stated that he had not a word to
say against the decision of the magistrate, was then re-
moved in the custody of Daniel Forrester.
The LORD MAYOR received from M. A., per Messrs.
Drummond, the sum of 31. for the poor-box.
A powerful young ruffian, named John Watson, was
charged
.by Mr. Goldham, the Clerk of Billingsgate
Market with having attempted to pick the pockets of
some of the female dealers in that locality, and with
having attacked Mr. Goldham.
The prisoner was seen feeling the pockets of several
of the fishwomen, and one of them, who had known him
as a nuisance in the market, and who had just escaped
from a clever attempt made by him to rob her, corn.
plained to Mr. Goldham. That experienced officer
ordered the prisoner out of the place, but received
the most awful abuse. It became necessary to
remove the fellow, and Mr. Goldham collared him for
that purpose. He, however, resisted most violently, and
struck right and left at Mr. Goldham, but was finally
shaken to a stand-still, and thrust into the station-house
by his active adversary.
The prisoner was committed as a rogue and vagabond
for a month.