The Sun.
London, England, 1848-02-21 00:00:00

ROYSTON AND HITCHIN RAIL-

WAY.—(THIS DAY.)
The ordinary half-yearly meeting of this company
was held to-day, at twelve o'clock, at Radley's Hotel,
Bridge street, Blackfriars; Lord Dacre in die chair.
The usual preliminaries having been gone through,
the Secretary (Mr. H. Hope) read the report:—
" The directors have to congratulate the proprietors
on
the continuedood understanding and friendly alliance
with the Great Northern Railway Company arising out
of the agreement which was confirmed at the special
general meeting held in February, 1847, by the terms of
which a lease in perpetuity, at an annual rent equal to
61. per cent. on 200.000/., the share capital proposed to
be called up, will be executed on 16th July, 1849. Pre-
vious to that time the stipulation provided by the
Leasing Act of last session will have been fulfilled, viz.,
the calling up by both companies of one-half of the
whole amount of share capital authorised to be raised
by them respectively. In the meantime interest will
continue to be paid in accordance with the powers given
by the Act of Incorporation. The directors believe that
they have consulted the interests and convenience of the
shareholders in not calling up capital for the purpose of
pressing on the works, whilst ample time remains for
Completing them within the limit provided by the con-
tract. Agreements for the purchase of nearly all
,the laud required for the line and stations have
been entered into upon fair terms, and arrange
ments have been made by which possession can be given
to the contractor so soon as he requires it. In accord.
*nee with the authority given to them by tile unanimous
Tote of the proprietors at the last half-yearly general
meeting, renewed application has been made,to Parlia-
ment on the part of this company for powers to extend
the sanctioned line of railway to Cambridge, with
branches and in relation to which they have entered
into arrangements with the Great Northern Company,
similar in effect to those agreed upon in reference to the
Extension Bill of last session. By this arrangement
the present surplus capital of the company, amounting,
ee stated in the last report, to 66,666/. 13s. 4d., will be
applied towards the new works; and, in the event of
success, an option to take their quota of the additional
new capital which will be required has been secured to
those holders in shares in this company who, in De-
cember last, intimated their willingness to take up the
Itry capital under the terms then proposed, but which
Plan, as the proprietors are aware, was subsequently
withdrawn for the reasons stated in the circular letter
addressed in January last to the subscribers. The
directors confidently trust that the course they have
adopted will be satisfactory to the proprietors. They
believe that it is beneficial to the company; and the
terms entered into with the Great Northern Company
being equitable and mutually advantageous, the directors
'eel .confidence that both companies wili cordially co-
operate in all such measures as shall he necessary to
Carry them into complete effect.
" The receipts from the commencement of the coin-
Piny, on the 14th of April, 1845, to the 16th Jan., 1848,
Were 44,0481. 155., the expenses, 38,6851. ss. 11d., leaving
a balance of 5,363/. 9s. id. in cash and Exchequer-bills."
The report was received and adopted.
An extraordinary meeting followed, and the Bills
mentioned in the report were approved of, and the
directors empowered to carry them out.
Mr. WILTSHERB intimated that the opposition of the
Eastern Counties had proved unsuccessful, as the Stand-
ing Orders' Committee had determined that they could
not proceed with the Bills brought against the company
during the present session.—(Hear, hear.) The ground,
therefore, they proposed to traverse was perfectly open.
The Bills were adopted, and a vote of thanks having
been awarded to the Chairman, the meeting separated.