The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-08 00:00:00

tional strengthening where necessary, and to improve
their passenger accommodation by all the means that
experience can suggest. Six ships were re-coppered,
and two ships received new boilers in 1846. Three ships
have been re•coppered already during the present year,
and one ship is How receiving new boilers. Two other
sets of new boilers are in progress, one of which, if not
both, it is hoped to get put on board before December
next. These measures, and bringing the Conway (a new
ship) into operation, will, it is trusted, maintain the
service in that full efficiency which is as essential to the
interests of the company, as it is desirable to insure the
punctual discharge of its contract with her Majesty's
Government.

" Since the above report was prepared a confirmation
of the loss of the Tweed has been received this morn-
ing. The loss of life, in addition to that of the ship,
is deeply to be lamented, but it is satisfactory
to find that the energy and firmness of the
passengers, as well as that of the officers and crew,
were most praiseworthy, and tended (much, under
Providence, to the ultimate safety of the survivors who
reached the reef from the wreck. It would be prema-
ture to offer any comment on this unffirtunate accident,
but the circumstances shall be strictly inquired into."
The CHAIRMAN said that, before putting the report,
it was satisfactory to wilt° that arrangements had been
made to prevent any deficiency in carrying on the ser-
vice in the West Indies. The vessel at present employed
there had proved insufficient for the purposes for which
the
e for that would consequently
duty. He had also
sshheortly was
great satisfaction in drawing attention to the first fruits
leave intended,
Southampton and
of the arrangement for forming a communication across
the Isthmus of Panama, there having been an arrival this
morning, both of passengers and produce, from the
western side of the isthmus. This was the only point
that required any particular remark, and he would there-
fore put the adoption of the report to the meeting.
On the report being put,
Mr. RIDGWAY said that be particularly desired that
there should be some explanation of the working of the
company in the months of August, 1845 and 1846.
Mr. POYNDER suggested that this matter had been_
settled at the last general meeting, and it was therefore
incompetent to entertain the matter at all.
Mr. RIDGWAY contended that it was a subject that
the meeting could entertain, but as he had expected a
large increase in the amount of his dividend, he could
not but complain of the increase in the rate of the sala-
ries at Southampton, which, he stated, amounted to at
least one-twentieth of the amount of the whole of the
receipts. He was also inclined to question the lumping
of the several items in the accounts; indeed, he was

dissatisfied altogether with the state of the accounts, and
thought that they might be much more clearly rendered.
He saw also that there was to be a new ship purchased,
and he wished to know what was the name of that ship,
as there were several naval men present who knew the
merits and demerits of every vessel on the coast, by
whom the judiciousness of purchase might be estimated.
—(lt being suggested that this might be injurious to the
company, the Hon. Proprietor refrained from further
remark.)—At any rate he wished to know whether the
Conway was to take out freight or a--letter bag. He
saw also that there was an outlay of somewhere about
55,0001. with the Bank of England, or elsewhere.
The CHAIRMAN, in replying to the observations of
Mr. Ridgway, said that the question of the working of
the company in the months of :August, 1845 and 1846,
had been entirely settled at the meeting in October.
With respect to the rise in salaries all he had to observe
was that there could be no worse economy than that of
fixing the salaries so low as to obtain the services
only of inefficient persons, and he thought further, that
if the directors were entitled to the confidence of the
proprietary that no question should be raised on such a
matter as this. With respect to the Conway, as it was
desirable that she should reach her destination as quickly
as possible she would carry out neither freight nor a
mail. With regard to the 55,0001. now out upon loan.
he had to remark that it was deposited with the North-
Western Railway Company, from whom ample security
is held, and the cash is already yielding dividends to the
company. The losses of vessels since the establishment
of the company had been the Medina, the Solway, tre
Isis, and the Tweed, besides the Actaeon, a small steamer
employed amongst the islands.
By the general account it appeared that during the
year, up to December 21st, the expenses were 285,4781.
Is. 7d., while the receipts were 407,1161. 18s. 2d., show-
ing a profit of 121,6381. 9s. 7d.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed a dividend of 1/.155. per
share, which was unanimously agreed to, as also that it
should be payable on Tuesday, the 13th instant.
The retiring directors and auditor were re-elected,
and thanks having been voted to the Chairman, the
meeting was dissolve.!, its members evidently been well
pleased with the proceedings of the day.

NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION RAILWAY CONI-
PANY.—It is said that the Glasgow, Dumfries, and
Carlisle Company are trying to negotiate with this
company for its purchase, so that they may be
enabled to connect themselves independently with the
east coast of England, which to the Glasgow, Dum-
fries, and Carlisle Company would doubtlesi prove a
most valuable acquisition.
`'.-.;011TIIAISIPTON, APRIL 7.--The Peninsular and
Oriental Company's ship Achilles, Captain Wilson,
arrived at the Motherbank this morning. Her mails, in
charge of the Admiralty, were forwarded in sufficient
time for the eleven o'clock train. She had been dis-
charging her cargo the whole of the day at the Lazaretto,
and is expected to arrive in the ducks this evening, or
early to-morrow.

PARISH OF KENSINGTON.—Last evening, at six
o'clock, the poll for the election of churchwardens finally
closed, and at seven o'clock the numbers were declared
as follows:—Chancellor, 677; Sape, 628; majority for
Chancellor, 56. The eesult was received by the Vestry
in silence. A protest against the proceedings was
handed in, on the ground that although the written de-
mand of a poll did not specify under what statute it
should be taken, the votes had been entered under
Sturges I3ourne's Act, which admits of plurality of
votes.
CORNWALL AND DEVON WRESTLlNG.—Yesterday
the wrestling at the Brecknock Arms was resumed and
concluded. At four o'clock the umpires proceeded to
couple the standards, and some admirably contested
bouts came off. That between Snell and Ellicombe
being the great feature in the day's play, they contested
for nearly an hour, victory seeming inclined to one no
more than the other. Ellicombe showed play first, and
threw his opponent frequently by the cross-buttock, but
never a fair back-fall. Snelltfiaaientilsrl got his favourite
hold,
referee
,(..,ruhs e
si
on and
,wasthrew
wrestlingpronounced
bet ,een Ellicombejbye antf(ecreoer which, afternt
(Cornwall) abl? )
amu
and
faci much 1
(Iduni stei.
chins (Devonshire) was much applauded, and, after a
long and scientific struggle, Jenkins threw the latter by
the back heave. Jenkins also faced Snell, and struggled
long and skilfully, though unsuccessfully, against very
superior weight. In the third time over, Kemp (D.)
threw Byrom; Clarke (D.) backtripped Gager (C.);
Snell (I).) buttucked Jenkins (C.); Ball (C.) odd man.
Fourth time, Clarke (D.) grassed Kemp (D.); Snell
(D.) threw Ball (C.) G. Snell thus obtained the first,
and Clarke the second prize. Ball and Kemp now con-
tended for the third prize, which Kemp (D.) won by
throwing Ball quickly and cleanly. The winners are all
from Devonshire.
THE FINE ARTS.—Yesterday afternoon a prelimi-
nary meeting of gentlemen connected with literary and
scientific pursuits, and interested in the promotion of the
fine arts, was held at the saloon of the Adelaide Gallery,
Strand, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
propriety of establishing an annual exhibition of pic-
tures, sculpture, and drawing, intended for the Royal
Academy, but which the committee of that body are
compelled, from want of space, to refuse. William Car-
penter, Esq., was unanimously called on to preside.
After a discussion, in which the Rev. J. Richardson,
LL.D., Captain Brander, Robert Soutar, Esq., Bertha
Ambrose, Esq., W. Carpenter, Esq., H. Justtns, Esq.,
and other gentlemen took part, the following resolution
was proposed by the Rev.,Mr. Richardson, seconded by
Mr. Soutar, and carried unanimously:—" That a com-
mittee be now formed, with power to add to their num-
ber, for the purpose of carrying out the object of this
meeting."
SUDDEN DEATH IN TAVISTOCK-SQUARE.—Yester-
day afternoon,man ,n
an
named shortly
d Benjamin
ableaatNo. 9
Sandwich-street, Burton-crescent, was passing along
' Tavistock-square, he was observed by the passengers
suddenly to stagger and fall with great violence on the
pavement, whilst at the same moment an immense
stream of blood was observed to pour from his mouth.
Ile was conveyed with all possible speed to a surgeon's
in the neighbourhood, but death, it appeared, bad been
almost instantaneous, caused, it was believed, by the
suddin breaking of a blood-vessel of the heart. The de-
ceased, being at the time unknown, was conveyed to St.
Pancras workhouse, where he has been since identified
by his friends.
ACCIDENT TO LORD BROWNLOW CECIL.—Lord
Brownlow Cecil, the second son of the Marquis of Exeter,
who was thrown from his horse Jack, while riding for
the Five Sovereigns Sweepstakes, at the Windsor Steeple
Chases, on Tuesday, met with more severe injuries than
was at first anticipated. His horse, which had cleared
oatftetrhethelebardz
brook,
throwing bfeealluatitfutililey
,seaconndd ifleandceg
throwing its rider, and partially rolling over him.
Before he could be dragged away by the bystanders, his
Lordship was struck by the next horse, which was over
the brook, and rendered for a time insensible. Upon
being taken to the infantry barracks, and placed under
the care of Mr. Richardson, the regimental surgeon to
the Scots Fusilier Guards, in which regiment his Lord-
ship bolds a commission, it was found that his shoulder
was dislocated, in addition to a severe wrist sprain, and
bruises on various parts of the body—the latter being
occasioned, as it is supposed, by his horse rolling over
him. The shoulder was set within an hour after the
accident, and up to yesterday evening his Lordship was
going on very favourably.
SouTil DEVON.—The apple-trees in the orchards
in this county present a fine appearance of bud ; some
trees are already in full bloom. There is every prospect
at present of a large quantity of cider being made. The
weather is very mild, and fine showers of .rain have
fallen ; vegetation is growing rapidly. The hedge-rows
are decked with numerous sorts of wild flowers ; the
woods and groves resound with the joyous melodies
of the feathered songsters. All nature looks beautiful
and gay in this part of Devon's fair county.
THE GENERAL ELECTION.—We believe we may
confidently announce that every effort will be made by
the Government to bring the business of the session of
Parliament to a speedy termination, with a view to a
general election. We hear that it is considered not un-
likely that the prorogation will take place some time in
June, and the dissolution will immediately follow. The
Legislature must, of course, assemble soon after the elee-
tion has terminated, but it is very doubtful whether any
other than the necessary business, such as the election of
a Speaker, &c., will be entered upon,-41anchestcr
Guardian.