The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-25 00:00:00

COVENTRY, NUNEATON, BIR-
MINGHAM AND LEICESTER RAILWAY.
(THIS DAY.)
A speciei general meeting of the sharehoders of this Com-
pany was held to-day, at elf yen o'clock, at the King's Arms,
New Palace-yard, in pursuance of the sessional orders of
Parliament, to consider the propriety of proceeding with the
Bill now before the House of Commons.
In the absence of Edmund Peel, Es*. the chairman of the
Company, who was stated to be. suffering from illness, John
Ridgway,
_Esq. one of the diiectors of the Company, was
called to the chair.
The CHAVIZIAN, after informing the meeting of the cause of
Mr. Peel's absence, called on the secretary to read the adver-
tisement calling the meeting.
The SECRETARY having read the advertisement,
The CHAIRMAN proceeded to address the shareholders. In
the first place, before proceeding to the business of the meat-
ing, he hoped that all the gentlemen present bad registered
their scrip. The present meeting he said had been called in
pursuance of the sessional orders of Sir Robert Peel, in order
to place before them the situation and present position of the
Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester Company.
Ere he did that he begged leave to state 'that the-Leicester
and Tamworth Bill was withdrawn. The directors considered
it best, under the circumstances in which they were placed,
and the present state of the market, to suspend the Bill.
This had been accordingly done. How far those circum-
stances might be altered in another session remained to be
seen. In the meantime the shareholders might consider the
Bill suspended, if not abandoned. In regard to the present
Bill—the Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester
—they were ,in a different poeition. With this
Bill the directors intended to proceed, and to
that their exertions would not be confined, and
it was right for him to say, that to the best of his belief the
object of the Bill would be carried out. He was happy to
inform the meeting that proceedings were in progress, of a
delicate and important nature, with the London and Birming-
ham Railway Company which would, if successful, be of
great advantage to the shareholders of the present company.
He could not go further with that point in the present state of
the nentiation, only to express his belief that its success
would exercise a happy influence on their interests, and
would be the means of greatly benefiting the public.
With respect to the expenses of the Company up to the pre-
sent period, it would not amount to 17s. per share. He com-
municated that information now, so that none of the share-
holders might have occasion to ask the question afterwards.
—(Hear, hem.) The inlet est of the shareholders had been
consulted from beginning to end by the directors, arid
they would continue still to watch overtheir interests carefully.
With regard to the arrangement in progress he had already
referred to, he should have been glad to have given detailed
information, but he found it was impossible to do so without
jeopardizing the interests of the shareholders themselves.
Prudence was necessary in conducting such an arrangement
as the one the directors were engaged in. It was necessary
they should place full confidence in the directors in con-
ducting such an arrangement to a successful issue, and
from their past proceedings, he must say their interests
were perfectly site. From what had taken place in another corn
pany—in which he had a great interest—the North Stafford-
shire—and in which much greater interests were at stake, he
did not think it would be safe to enter into an explanation of
the negotiation in progress. In that Company the share•
holders, having confidence in the Directors, left it en-
tirely in their hands. If they went for ward
with their Bill the shareholders might * feel assured
that their interest, as well as that of the public,
would be ,afe. He for one would be glad to do the best in
his power for then'. The directors were considering nothing
but what was compatible with their present position and
advantage, and for the public interest; and hoped for a con-
tinuance of that confidence the directors had had hitherto re-
posed in them. The solicitor would now read the clauses
of the Bill, and explain any matter that might be worthy of
consideration. The• Bill was drawn up in the ordinary form,
and contained the 'usual clauses.
The Solacrroa then read the heads of the several clauses.
The CHAIRMAN continued, and said the Tamworth and
Leicester scheme might be considered defunct at present. No
expense had been incurred in regard to it since its merits had
been decided on. They might also be assured that in the
prosecution of the present Bill they would take such steps as
to ensure every safety regarding expenses.
Mr. B. EssEx wished to know whet herthe present line was
to be constructed from Coventry to Nuneaten only, and not
to Lei: ester? •
The CHAIRMAN replied that it would be taken on to
Lei-ester.
Mr. ESSEX said, that a rumour was abroad that some
arrangement was come to with the London a.:d Birmingham
Company, by which the line to Leicester was not to be car-
ried out.
The CHAIRMAX said there was the strongest desire on the
part of the directors that the line to Leicester should be
(arl. d out.
Mr. Essax—Such was the report in Coventry; namely,
that in deference to the London and Birmingham Company,
the line was to be carried no further than Nuneaton.
The CHAIRMAN denied the truth of the report.
Mr. ESSEX Nished to know why the ineetieg had not been
more fully auvertised, as he only had learned it by accident,
though he reeularly read the Times and other daily news-
papers? He had not seen the advertisement in the Times
or any otter newspaper which he was in the habit of read-
ing. 'Hence the very small meeting. lie did not think it
would be proper to proceed with such a meeting, there being
only thirty gentlemen, who could be but a small proportion
of the proprietors of shares in the Company. He was not
aware of the whole number of shares, but he submitted
whether it was right to proceed, considering the small num-
ber of them present.
The CHAIRMAN said that business of great importance was
in the hands of the directors, and in that case it was better
to go fUrward, than wait till a future time. Besides, it was
required by tl e sessional orders that the Bill should be sub-
mitted to the shareholders before the third reading, and to
delay that would interfere with the progress of the Bill.
The S,Licrropt said the gentleman who had asked
the question was, perhaps, not aware of the great
difficulty of getting an advertisement inserted in
the Times on a particular day. lie knew of one case
in which the whole proceedings taken had been rendered
abortive by the non-iesertiee of an ariverti-ernent in time in
the Times newspaper. The directors in the present instance
would not give the advertisement for insertion in any news-
spec unless they would give a written guarantee of its
appearance on a certain day. The Tines would not give that
guarantee, and that was the reason the advertisement did
not appear in it. It had, however, appeared in four doily
newspapers.
A SIiAREIIOLDER complained that the notice had been too
short, anti that ,itne should have been given for its appear-
...nee in the Time.
The SOLICITOR replied that ample notice had been given.
The Committee had only closed its labours on the Bill, on
Tuesday, and reported the Bill on Wednesday, and as it was
necessary to have the meeting advertised three times that
week, and there being great doubt of the advertisement ap-
pearing in the Trims in time, that paper aas excluded,
and it was inserted in four others. The session was
drawing near to a close, anti it behoved them to take steps
at once for the holding of the meeting to prevent loss of
time

Mr. J. GERSTENBERG wished to know, as the meeting, ac
cording to the advertisement, was called for the shareholders
of the Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester Rsil-
way, whereas the scrip was for the amalgamated company.
The scrip, therefore, was not in agreement with the adver-
tisement.
The SOLICITOR said he understood the scrip to be employed
for the purpose of carrying out the intention of the advertise-
ment by altering the meeting.
Mr. GERSTENBEEIG doubted if the decision of the meeting
would be binding, seeing that the scrip was not in con-
formity with the advertisement.
The CHAIRMAN said 110 doubt parties might, if they felt
disposed, make every technical objection, still he thought
that all the directors had done was perfectly legal arid right.
Mr. GERSTENBERG said, with regard to the arrangement
with the London and Birmingham Company, there were two
rumours—one that the line was bought by them, another
that the Company was not to make the line en condition
of receiving 20,0001.
The CHAIIMAN thought, if the gentleman possessed any
facts on the points he had referred to, he should state them.
He hoped the shareholders would see the propriety of not
asking further explanations then; there were no secrets
which they were not willing to communicate, but when a
negotiation was in progress it was not advisable to enter into
particulars. He would state, however, that the line, to the
best of his knowledge, would be made.
Mr. Hoop understood that there would be considerable
opposition a the Lords to the Bill, especially in the Standing
Orders' Committee.
The SOLICITOR did not think so. They had been opposed
by two companies, but the one was dissolved, anu the other
had spent all its funds.
Mr. GERSTEN/3EIIG called the attention of the shareholders
to tie tact that the return made by the Company to the
sessional orders of Mr. Duncombe was, that the capital was
600,000 L, whereas according to the Bill it was but 267,8811.
This was a material difference and would endanger the Bill,
besides leading further to great expenses.
The CHAIRMAN believe] that 17s. per share would meet
all expenses He did not apprehend any danger. In answer
to the question of another shareholder, he said that out of
the 50,000 shares he believed 49.000 had been taken up.
A SHAREHOLDER a-ked whether it was the intention of the
directors to issue fresh scrip, seeit g they were giving up the
Leicester and Tamworth line?
The CHAIRMAN thought no!, as they were both one con-
cern. They should take the disadvantages of that line with
the advantages of the other. They would have a larger
amount in hand than the capital of the present Bill required
at present, and they would make such a return as they
thought fair on the shares of the Leicester and Tamworth
afterwards.
After some further discussion, the vote was taken, when
there appeared—
For proceeding with the Bill,
Assents
Dissents
The CHAIRMAN said this was inure than necessary. as
45,000 Is ould have been enough to constitute the meeting.
The meeting, after passing a vote of thanks to the chair-
man and directors, then broke up.

- -
THE FOUNTAINS IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.—The
fountains in Trafalgar square, after a cessation of a few days, re-
commenced playing on Monday with increased vigour, some alters-
Von having been effected for the purpose of giving a greater.sbuepetly.
of water, and th, refore of throwing up a higher jet.
decided improvement, and b. might be still turtherTehxdstehntatigNrveitaht
great advantage, as the water power at command, (torn_jet five times
altitude of the reservoir, is sufficient to throw up
higher than at present. Were the jet only twicemaes:Tfoh._
prod LICil ig
talus would have a much better effect, the foun-
this greater elevation are at command, it
water be a
they are not rendered available. ofasase:ttthen'suttaccoutitable why
consi-
deration, it would be better Si) diint;litiiisitelet Thtehdr Lazne tuepr
ioiltgthheorjierto-inp pae
and to have the same quantity 01 wa
smalltr jet.
of 1.- Vera which has so long be n
Tile early d.liy"
a subject of complaint in Post-office practice, terminated yesterday.
if,. of the general public, whose convenience
to the great sat slacatdvanh:ge of the few. But they are not equally
pleased sacrificed to theractice of sending a postman round with a helli toy
pleased that the P
collect letters on Pa)"mutt elan extra penny has terminated likewise.
In the City this practice was not common, and indeed in the count-
ing-huses there are always clerks or porters enough to carry letters
by the residents of the houses in the
and papers to the post-office, but
outskirts, or at a short distance from town, where tile means oh taking
,letter a street or two off are not so completely at hand, the amen-I-
I/iodation of the postbag and bell was found to be great, while we
have not heard of any inconveidence that it occasioned.
A WOODEN SPOUT ON FIRE.—On Sunday afternoon
last, the wood spouting to the stables and other out offices, belong-
ing to Mr. Thomas Gibbons, of Wolverhampton, was ignited by the
sun, and had it not been for a timely discovery, the consequences in
all probability, would have been of a serious character.— Woke*.
hompten Chronicle.
FonEtoN l'OOD.—Yesterday there was a sale in
Monument-yard of a vat lety of articles of food which have only but
recently been introduced into the London markets. Amongst these
were 5 cwt. of concentrated gravy soup from Australia, upwards of a
hundred sorts and preparations of meat, vegetables, and fruit front
Corunna in Spain; a large quantity of the choicest preserves of the
East and West Indies, with mangoes. &c.
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE IN LEITH ROADS. Ml'
Sunday mornii g early, a very distressing accident happened in the
Leith Roads, a short distance nom Dunbar, by which three Pen',"
lost their lives. A boat, containing three of the crew of the brig
Bernard Castle, which was Bing off the town, was about going
alongside the br.g, when it got under the vessel's lee-quarter and
upset. The captain immediately made every endeavour to save the
men, but the exertions were of no avail. The boat speedily went
down, carrying the three poor Mims with It. The weather at the
time was Axle.