The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-03 00:00:00

DERBY, UTTOXETER, AND STAFFORD.
A general meeting of the scripholders was held yes
terday at the George and Vulture Tavern, Mr. Nash in
thc chair.
The report stated that since the last meeting, on the
21st of July, 1846, Mr. Henry's claim against the com-
pany was referred to arbitration, and out of a claim of
.5,1351. he was awarded 180/., and costs amounting to
1,6451., which were taxed down to 9571. He brought
iseparate actions against 31 members of the committee,
'which increased the costs. Tho claim of Mr. Higgins
was settled with his assignees ; it was agreed to pay
'them 750/. in discharge of his claim of 3,7741.; each party
to pay his own costs. The claim of Mr. Richardson for
1281. was settled for 891. Including Mr. Wild's claim
for 1,1501., actions had been brought against the com-
pany for 10,1881., which the committee had defended and
settled for 1,145/. Mr. Wood had claimed for levelling the
sum of 133/., which was not admitted by the committee.
They offered him 301. to withdraw his action; he de-
manded 1001., which they refused, on the ground that it
might encourage other parties to bring actions against
the company. After the solicitor's bills were taxed, the
committee returned 27,508/. to the shareholders, as the
first instalment of 325. 6d. per share on 16,928 shares,
of which 16,863 had been paid upon; on the remaining
65 shares the 1051. for the first instalment still remains
unpaid. The sum of 6,671/. was available for a further
instalment of Bs. per share. But since the report was
prepared, and the meeting called, Mr. Henry had made
a claim ou their solicitors, Messrs. Grey and Illidge, for
the costs of the survey. In this untoward position the
committee were advised that they could not part with
the funds in fairness to the country directors or to them-
selves, as it is possible they might be liable to their
solicitors should Mr. Henry recover anything against
them; which they do not apprehend will be the case.
Having a common interest with...the shareholders, they
cannot incur a greater liability, especially as they
have laboured on behalf of the scripholders. This
claim prevented the contemplated division of the funds
at present.

The accounts to the 23d of May showed that 39,5331.
had been received, and 32,164/. expended, including
27,4021. returned to the shareholders, leaving a balance
of 7,364/.; of which it was proposed to reserve 4991. for
liabilities, and 99/. for winding up the affairs of the CUM-
pally, dividing the rest.

r.
Mr. COVEN complained of the amount of the solici
tor's bills; he thought they were a great deal too high.
He stated that one of the clerks of the company had
been going about to buy up the shares of the com-
pany at the rate of 3s. 6d. each, and that he had also
endeavoured to borrow money on them. He thought
that a stop ought to be put to such proceedings.
The Secretary, the Chairman, and members of the
committee of management, all declared that it was the
first time they heard of it; they denied having any deal-
ings in shares whatever; they would not countenance
such a proceeding.
Mr. GREY, the solieitnr, explained the reason why
the expenses were so much: he had to defend thirty-one
actions brought by Mr. Henry against members of the
committee. _ _

After a warm discussion with reference to the ma.
nagernent of the
.company's aff,airs, a committee WAS
appointed to investigate them. The meeting then sepa-
rated. ott `;i;*)lls7

DREADFUL BOILER ACCIDENT IN SOUTH STAF•
yo,Ds/HRE.—DUDLEY, FRIDAY.—A boiler explosion,
attended with dreadful loss of life, occurred this morning
in this neighbourhood. About half-past six o'clock an
alarming noise, which resembled that of an earthquake,
was heard at a distance. It was soon, however, dis-
covered to have been caused by a frightful explosion of a
boiler belonging to Mr. Jeffries, at the Heart's Hill
Works, Brierly-hill, situated at about one mile from this
town. It appears that the night men in the employment
of the above gentleman were at work, when suddenly
one of the boilers in use burst with a terrific noise,
smashing the brick-work surrounding it, destroying a
great part of the buildings adjacent, and unfortunately
killing all who were near it, and many at a considerable
distance from the place. Owing to the great confusion
prevailing, the number of sufferers has not yet been
ascertained; but up to ten o'clock ten dead bodies had
been found. Others, it is feared, will be found in a
canal which passes near the works. One man who was
proceeding to the works was killed, by some pieces of
iron and stone, at a distance of 200 yards from Heart's
Hill. Although the loss of life is very great, a fortunate
circumstance prevented it from being much greater. The
day men, from some cause, were not to come to work
until eight o'clock; had they been assembled, the loss of
life would have been immense. The cause of the explo-
sion is, ot course, as yet unknown.
Mr. J. Mackworth Powell had an interview with Earl ..s!t
Granville yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade', sv;
to explain his invention for obviating the difficulties of
the break of gauge; and also the carriage of goods from
one railway station to another without any unpacking '0731'3
repacking.