The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-03 00:00:00

PARIS AND LYONS.

A meeting of the shareholders in the Paris anti Lyons
(Ganneron's line), was held yesterday at the Lonak.:.n
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, for the purpose of hearing
the report of the Committee of Management upon the
subject of the amalgamation with other companies for a
similar object which has taken place, and to hear the
statement of the chairman with respect to the allotment
of shares in the amalgamated company.
Mr. F. Mowatt was called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, stated
that the meeting was called in consequence of the nego-
tiation which had been for some time pending with respect
to an amalgamation with other companies having been
brought to a conclusion. The Directors of this line (Gan-
neron's) had attained a very advantageous position as re-
garded the possibility cf its success ; but as-the period of
adjudication approached, the state of the money and
share markets became such, as to convince the Com-
mittee of Management of the expediency of an amal-
gamation with various other companies which had or-
ganised for the same purpose.—(Hear, hear.) That
pecuniary
riartyo
amalgamation had at length been effected, after con-
siderable difficulty, with the French Directors, the ma-
jorityoh me
Company,ha d a
and
comparatively
who trivial
dl
the position of administrateurs than to the absolute pe-
interest of
fin whom
pe-
cuniary stake in the undertaking.—(Hear, hear.) After
a long negotiation they hub.; hpikvvegler.
_been brought
within _thil_re.ehstis,- which. IRQ .g Ittwa
400 definite- Ighttrer-t-.._ 0,6
amalgamation this Company was placed oic the footing
of the most favoured companies ; so that in that respect
the negotiations had been perfectly successful. There
were, it was true, three or four companies which had
obtained more shares in consequence of peculiar cir-
cumstances, but the basis of the negotiations was that
this Company should be placed in the position of the
most favoured companies. The arrangement which they
had succeeded in making was to the effect that for every
ten shares in this (Ganneron's) line they should be
allotted one definite share in the amalgamated Com-
pany.—(Hear, hear.) By this arrangement there would
be a balance of 782 shares of the Company, which it was
proposed to leave at the disposal of the Committee, for
reasons which it was not necessary to state more fully,
unless the shareholders wished for a more explicit and
detailed account.—(Hear, hear.) The surplus amount
which had been paid would be returned to the share-
holders in the following proportion:—The holder of ten
shares would receive 251. in money, and 5L would go to-
wards the definite share which was to represent the ten.
Thus, the holder of 100 shares in the Company would
receive 2501., and ten definite shares in the amalgamated
Company, on which 51. each had been paid.
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know what was to be done
by an individual who held only five shares?
The CHAIRMAN said, that the subject had been con-
sidered by the Committee, and the most expedient course
which appeared to them was for the person so situated to
make an arrangement with some other holders of a frac-
tional part of the amount which would be represented by
one share in the new Company. With respect to the
additional call of 11,, which had been made, it was the
result of the course which had been adopted by their
French colleagues, who represented to them that the
effect of the increased sum would be to place the project
in a better light before the Government, and thus give
the Company a stronger position. The effect of this was
that this Company was the only Company which was in
a condition singly to go for the adjudication, for they !
had done everything to put themselves in the position
which the French Government required.—(Hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER wished to be informed why it was
that this advantageous position was not maintained.
The CHAIRMAN said that the amalgamation was, as
he before stated, deemed expedient in consequence of
the state of the share and money markets. The Com-
pany enjoyed the advantageous position which he re-
ferred to, in consequence of the care which had been
taken to do all that was required by the Government.
Nothing had been omitted by the Committee, who em-
ployed two French engineers, besides Mr. Cubitt, and
four traffic-takers; and thus, in addition to the informa-
tion which related to the engineering department, they
were enabled to ascertain to the shilling the extent of the
traffic.—(Hear.) This was rendered the more practica-
ble by the information which was obtained from the col-
lectors of the octroi-duties ; but the aid of the traffic-
takers was required, in order to make out the returns
with perfect accuracy and detail.—(Hear, hear.) In
those items which he had mentioned the Committee
had expended about 4,000 L The amalgamation had now
been perfected. _ _ _

Mr. SNOW said, that the Company were deeply in-
debted the Committee for the happy- conclumen to
which they had brought the negotiations. He was a
large holder in that Company, and he telt very much
pleased with the mode in which the new arrangements
had been effected, and the advantageous position which
had been obtained for Ganneron's line, and he highly ap-
proved of leaving the balance of 782 shares in the hands
of the Directors.—(Hear, hear.) He would now move
that the proceedings of the Committee be approved of by
the meeting, and that the balance of shares be left in
their hands.

Captain KELLY, as a large shareholder, expressed his
approval of the proceedings. He had never in his life
heard a more clear, straightforward statement on the part
of any Chairman of a Board of Directors than that which
they had just listened to—(Hear, hear)—and he had
great pleasure in seconding the motion.—(Hear.)
Mr. MANSFIELD was desirous to see a more specific
and detailed statement of the accounts, and he would
move as an amendment that the resolution be postponed
until those accounts were furnished.

After some discussion as to the disposal of the balance
of 782 shares,
Mr. WALLY said he was the holder of 1,000 shares in
this Company, and he decidedly approved of leaving the
balange of shares in the hands of the directors. The
care and anxiety, and personal attention which they had
devoted to the affairs of the Company, warranted the
shareholders in leaving those shares in the hands of the
Directors.

After some further eonversation the amendment was
withdrawn.

Mr. WILLIA.MS then moved as an amendment :
" That the balance of 782 shares be divided amongst
the shareholders generally, instead of being left to the
option of the Directors."
The amendment was lost, and the motion of Mr.
SNOW, to the effect—" That the balance of shares be
left to the management of the Directors," was carried
with only one dissentient.
The CHAIRMAN thanked the shareholders:for the ap•
proval which they had expressed of the course the Com-
mittee had adopted, a course which he believed to be
the correct one

LONDON, NEWBURY, AND BATH DIRECT.
SWINDON, FRIDAY EVENING.—A meeting of the mer-
chants, traders, wharfingers, and others, resident on the
banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal, took place this
afternoon in the large room of the Queen's Hotel, Swin-
don station, for the purpose of considering what steps
should be taken with reference to the supposed intended
conversion of the canal into the London, Newbury, and
Bath Direct.
Mr. Weller was called to the chair, and Mr.
Admiral
Dundas, of the Committee, in the absence of
and Mr. Black-
well, Mr. Merriman, the secretary,
the Company to offer explanations.
Mr. Blackwell
Prior to the business of the meeting,
copies of the plans which had been deposited
navigation, and run
with the Board of Trade, and explained the mistake
under which the merchants and traders along the banks
producedwel , engineer,e ops attended as a depationon the part of
of the canal were labouring, that it was the intention of
the Company to convert the canal into a railway, the
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting had been convened
for the purpose of enabling the traders and others, hold-
ing property on the banks of the Rennet and Avon Canal,
to express their opinion as to the injury likely to be in-
flicted crj
taeeicldtwuapyo beingn
alongt thoe
mptrhebes
yebr
banks
ekt hss
ueopfeptxohi
sseet
into a railway.. dienacgnonalv'ersion of the canal
From the explanation they had just
heard read, it appeared that there wee no intention on
the part of the Rennet and Avon Canal Company to de-
stroy the navigation. For his own part, therefore, he
considered the statement most satisfactory. He should,
however, be happy to hear the observations of any of
the gentlemen of the deputation on the subject.
Mr. WARD said, as the Chairman of the Committee
of the London, Newbury, and Bath Direct Railway, and
Kennet and Avon Canal Company, in the absence of
Admiral Dundas, he begged to assure the traders that
in no way did they, by the construction of their railway,
intend to deprive the traders of the advantages of the
existing navigation.
Mr. COWLEY said, the Parliamentary notices of the
Company took power to stop up and alter the course of
the Kennet and Avon Canal. He could not see how that
could be done without injury to the wharfingers and
traders on its banks.

Mr. MERRIMAN explained the necessity which existed
for making the Parliamentary notices as comprehensive
as possible, and said that it was impossible for them to
judge of what was intended to be done until the Bill was
drawn. As soon as that took place, he would take care
the traders on the canal, or any solicitor they might
appoint, should have a copy of it.
71111 r. CROWDER, Secretary of the Wilts and Berks
Canal, said ho considered the effect of the Kennet and
Avon Canal Company making a railway along its banks
would be to convert themselves into traders. They might
then raise the tolls of the canal to such a maximum that
the traders would be forced to give up, and then the
goods traffic would by taken by the Company themselves
on to the railway.
Mr. WARD said such a doctrine was absurd, for the
Company would be as much interested in keeping the
traffic on their canal which now existed, as in getting it
on to the railway. Their interest in both were identical.
The CHAIRMAN said, for his own part he was satisfied
that the proposed railway would be rather of advantage
than otherwise to the traders on the canal, and the ques-
ttion arose as to whether they should wait until.the Bill

.. ~,. -

-e.-----''

appoint some one to

Mr. WARD said it was a mistake to suppose that the
Kennet and Avon Canal Company were any party to the
destruction of that portion of their canal alluded to. It
had originated in the gross breach of justice on the part
of the Great Western Company, to the serious loss of the
proprietors of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Mr. ABRAHAM moved " that a Committee be ap-
pointed to watch the progress of the London, Newbury,
and Bath Direot Railway Bill, promoted by the Kennet
and Avon Canal Company, and that such Committee
consist of Messrs. newer, Shaw, Stratton, Hooper,
Maggs, Sanders, Robins, Chandler, and Cowley.
Mr. STRATTON seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. ROBINS moved, and Mr. DUNSFORD seconded, a
vote of thanks to the deputation.

THE BROAD AND NARROW
GAUGE.
The following letter, respecting the rival gauges, has
been addressed by Mr. Bidder to Mr. Creed, of the
London and Birmingham Railway:—
" 24, Great George-street, Westminster,
Jun. 2, 1846.
4, my Sir,—My attention, on my return from
York, having
called to certain unauthorised state-
merits and comparison: of the late experiments on the
broad and narrow gauge ti,;,!s, I feel it my duty to in-
form you, that when the proper :Die comes, I shall have
no difficulty in establishing that many of these are erro-
neous, as well from the omission of material facts con-
nected with the experiments as from the inaccurate
report of others. Meanwhile, and until these are offi-
cially reported, I may venture to assert that the allega-
tions as to the capabilities of engines on the :arrow
gauge lines have been more than borne out.
" I regret that I have to conclude my letter by com-
municating an unfortunate occurrence in an experiment
intended to test the evaporating power of North Midland
engine No. 54, which was thrown off the line near the
Thirsk station from an old broken chair. I may add,
however, that, with the exception of the fireman, the
injuries to the few persons on the engine were very
slight.—l am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
" GEO. I'. BIDDER.
" R. Creed, Esq., London and Birmingham
Railway, Euston-station."
•

STOCK EXCNANGE.— -rli.
BRISTOL, JAN-. 2.
ter, New, 81/7. sale was—Bristol and Exe-

SHEFFIELD, JAN. 2.
SrocK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Midland, Sheffield.
and Rotherham, 3414 c. d.-Griinsby Extension, 3/. 19s. 6d.
-Derby and Crewe, 6/. 11;-. 6d.-Derby and Gainaborough,
1%-London and Windsor, 165.-London and York, 4:!4-
Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 2%-North
Western, 31. ISs. 6d.-Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 47a---
Sheltield and Lincolnshire Extension, 3/. 195.-Sheffield,
Wortley, Silkstone, and Wakefield, 21. 4s. 6d.-Wakefield
and Harrogate, 21. 13s. 6d.
YORK, JAN. 2.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Newcastle and Dar-
lington, Brandling, 553/-York and North Midland Exten-
sion, 413 is -Newcastle and Berwick, 2014-North British,
New Carlisle Branch, 31. 1 ls.-London and York, 458-
Cambridge and Lincoln, New, 3%-Grand Union, 21i-tei-
cester and Bedford, 24-Leicester, Tamworth, Coventry,
Birmingham, and Trent Valley Junction, 3-Manchester,
Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 5-Welsh Midland, 31i.
HULL, JAN. 2.
We continue to have a fair amount of business passing,
and prices have an upward tendency. The following are the
sales-London and Blackwall, New, 3%-Blackburn, Dar-
wen, &c., 7% ex n., 84 c. n.-North British (Carlisle), 314
-Armagh, Coleraine, &c., 13g-Axhohre, 21/‘-Boston,
Newark, and Sheffield, 314-Cambridge and Lincoln, VA-
Chelmsford and Bury, 1X-Dudley, Madeley, 24-
Fleetwoods, 1%-Goole,l Doncaster, &c., p.-Grand
Union, 2%-Hull and Barnsley, 495. 6d.-Leicester and Bed-
ford, 245. 6d. p.-Leicester and Tamworth, 15s. p.-Liver-
pool and Leeds, 23A-Nottingham and Erewash,
Sheffield Potteries and Crewe, 17s. 6d.-Wakefield and Har-
rogate, 2/. 3s. 9d.

TilE LONDON DOCK COMPANY'
Yesterday, at two o'clock, a half-yearly general meet-
ing of the Directors and Proprietors of the London
Dock Company, which was numerously attended, was
held in the board-room of the Dock-house, Prince's-
street, Coinhill, to receive the report of the state of the
Company's affairs for the half-year ending November
30, and to declare a dividend on the Company's stock.
Mr. John Catterey, chairman of the Directors, presided.
Mr. S. W. Powles, the secretary, read the half-yearly
report of the Directors, which stated that, during the
six months, 731 loaded ships, from foreign ports, had
entered the London Docks, carrying 168,553 tons, and
that in the corresponding period of the previous year,
there were 658 loaded ships, carrying 166,426 tons,
showing an increase of 2,127 tons. 'the earnings of the
Company were 209,094/. Bs. 6d., there being 205,1871.
Bs. 10d. last year, while the expenditure this half-year
was 110,885/. Bs. 9d. the corresponding period of the for-
mer year being 115,710/. 4s. 4d., giving an increase in
the former of 3,906 L 19s. Bd., and a decrease on the
latter of 4,824/. 15s. 7d. The income had exceeded
the expenditure by 98,208/. 19s. 9d., upon which he
Directors recommended a dividend of 2/. 10s. per cent.
on the Company's stock, amounting to 89,603/. 4s. 2d.
That would leave a balance of 8,705/. 15s. 7d.; out of
which it was proposed by them to appropriate 5,0001.
fur the new works. The stock of goods in the ware-
houses was 105,262 tons; this, in the corresponding
period last year, being 119,877 tons. The report con,
eluded by suggesting that the remainder of the floating
debt in debentures, amounting to 300.0001., be converted
into the capital stock of the Company. The report was
unanimously received, and a dividend of 21. 10s. declared
to be payable on the Bth of January, and with one dis-
sentient (Mr. Ward) it was resolved that the Directors
be empowered to take measures to convert the remaining
debt of 300,000/. on the capital stock of the Company.
Air. Clarke then proposed that a piece of plate,
of the value of 3001., be presented to the
chairman of the Court of Directors, Mr. Wil-
liam King, deputy-chairman, and Mr C. Marryatt,
the treasurer, and that to each of the Directors a piece
of plate of the value of 100/. for each, be also presented,
as a testimony of the high approbation of the Court of
Proprietors of the unexampled and effective zeal they
have evinced for the prosperity of the Company. He
observed that since the year 1805, when the Company
obtained their charter of incorporation, they had given
no special mark towards their Directors. The affairs
of the Company had been gradually improving since
1833, when they only divided 2+ per cent. Their divi-
dends had now reached Si. per cent., while be was happy
to say that there were prospects of continued prosperity,
and while their shares, which were at 501., now fetched
114/. and 115/. Mr, Hodgkinson seconded the motion,
which was supported by Mr. Ward, Mr. Twining, Mr.
Watson, &c., and agreed to unanimously. It was also
resolved that a piece of plate of the value of 100/. be
presented to the Secretary, and a Committee was ap-
pointed to carry the object into effect. The Chairman
replied on the part of the Directors, when the meeting
separated.

• :

i

SWINDLING EXTRAORDINARY.—The case of unsuc-
cessful swindling attempted against Mr. Fergusson,_
watchmaker, Mauchline, and noticed in our columns of
last week, turns out to be of very serious import, being
only one of a series of systematic and fraudulent trans-
actions, carried on by collusion between a young man,
of the name of Aitken, belonging to Ochiltree, and a
young woman belonging to Catrine, of the name of Bor-
land. Three separate cases have been discovered, the
first of which was an attempt, by means of a forged
letter, to obtain a sum of money from Mr. Muir,n7chant,
Kilmarnock, wherein the young woman succeeded, having
hd,er frombanker,othertwoactuallyoc-
curred.Mr. forgedorder
&e., lit -
bert, Ochiltree, to Mr. Ferguson, lia.uchl. me, as noted
last week, both unsuccessful. Through the vigilance
and activity of two of our rural police (Mr. Williamson,
Catrine, and Mr. Bryson, Cumnock) the offenders were
apprehended on
Saturday, and committed to Ayr gaol on
Sabbath last--the very
day on which, it is said, they
were to have been proclaimed, in order for marriage.—
Correspondent of Ayr Observer.
Nothing could be better devised than Nicoll's Re-
gistered Paletot to suit the ever-varied nature of our climate,
forming, as it now does, not only the sine qua non of the
railway traveller, but is equally so adapted for any gentleman
taking out-door exercise. It may be said distinctly to mark
the costume of the nineteenth century, if that is rightly
called marked which is only conspicuous for an unpretending
and graceful bearer, the wearer feeling se much at ease.
Certainly as an over-coat it is patronised highly, and is also
a general public favourite, being so peculiarly English, and
avoiding all foreign extravagance of style. It must be ac-
knowledged as a vast improvement ever the old great coat,
associated in our remembrance with an uncomfortable sensa-
tion of tight buttonings, which, from its very clumsiness,
defeated its object, the warmth of the person, as interfering
with the proper circulation of the blood. The principal hues
are black, blue, brown, and olive ; also the clerical mixture
called Oxford, and can be had of the patentees, or only of
the most respectable clothiers out of Loudon. Every winter
paletot is three guineas, and is stampted in the lining with
the words, " Registered 6 and 7 Vic., cap. 65. H. J. and D.
Nicoll, 114, Regent-street, London_

ACCEPTABLE PRESENTS.—The present is hallowed
by one of the most delightful offices of friendship and affection;
the interchange of gifts as remembrances of the donors, and
tokens of their esteem for the receivers. The most appro-
priate present becomes the first subject of consideration; a
merely useful one can afford no evidence of taste, while a pre-
sent possessing no claims to utility, shows a want of judgment._
To combine these requisites, a more fitting souvenir cannot be
suggested than Rowland's Toilet Articles, the Macassar Oil,
Kalydor, and Odonto, each of infallible attributes. jcnacisrareanoitif
and sustaining luxuriant silken tresses, Rowlandd'%
is highly and universally appreciated; Rowland's Kalydor is a
and
preparation of unparalleled efficacy
beauti-
fying the Skin and Complexion ;
f r its beautifying and preser-
vative improving and
Odonto, or
Pearl Dentifrice, is invaluable
vcoatnicveedeeffdebcytsoounr tghreacTieoeutslaQand Gums. The
thTeheseaviegrauistspatronage
magnificence, and the confirmation by
of Europe, together with theuebeena:utTes which adorn the circles
of princely and regal
experience of the infallible efficacy of these creative renovating
specifics, have characterised them with perfection, and given
them a celebrity unparalleled.
[AD
vERTisEstENT.]—CURE FOR DROPSY BY HOL-
LOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT.—Captain James Eyre, of
the Company's service, residing at Boulogne, had been tapped
thrice within seven months, twelve quarts of water were taken
from him each time; notwithstanding which operations he was
about falling a victim to this terrible complaint, when be com-
menced the rubbing in of Holloway's invaluable Ointment,
and as effectually as salt is forced into meat—besides this, le
took large doses of his wonderful Pills, which in nine weeks
effected so extraordinary a care, as to enable him since to walk
twenty-five miles in one day. Any unnatural swellings of the
body are effectually cured by these celebrated medicines. Sold
by all Medicine-venders; likewise at Professor Holloway's Es.
tablishment, 244, Strand, London.

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.
The New Polka, " The Cricket on the Hearth," and the British
Navy Quadrille.
PROGRAMME FOR THIS EVENING.
PART I.
_ .

Overture, Mezzofante—Crivelll7
Quadrille, from Verdi's Opera of "
8010, Flute, by Mr. Richardson—Richardson.
Symphony Pastoral, The Allegro and Storm—Beethoven.
5;olo, Violin, " La Prierle ae Moise," executed on the Fourth String
by Signor Sivori—Rossini and Paganini.
Jullien's New Quadrille, The British Navy—Jullien.

PAter 11.

Fantasia from Adolphe Adam's—Ballet, " The Marble Maiden"—

. -
Mete.
The New Polka, " The Cricket on the Hearth"—Jullien.
8010, Violin, The celebrated Carnival de Venice, performed by Signor
Sivori—Paganini.
The Original Mazurka, or Cellarius Valse—Jullien.
Solo, Carnet-a-Pistons, Serenade from " Don Pasquale"—Donizetti.
The Original Napolitalne ; or, Tarentella des Salons—Jullien.
GRAND BAL MASQUE.

The unexpected prolongation of this Se-riss of Concerts, added to
the universal admiration expressed by the brilliant assembly at the
last Bal Masque, induces M. Jullien to announce another Bal Masque,
which will take place on Monday, February 2, 1846.