The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-28 00:00:00

RAILWAY ASSURANCE,

A meeting, which was very thinly attended, was held
at the London Tavern yesterday, to consider a proposi-
[jou. to establish en association for the better protection
of railway travellers; Mr. Carter in the chair.

Mr. CoEz, at some length, stated the objects of the
association that he had in view, the giving to all railway
officers and servants a direct pecuniary interest in the
prevention of railway accidents, and for assuring more
adequate compensation to sufferers from railway tra-
velling than is afforded under the provisions of the Act
of Parliament. He stated that 893 passengers on rail-
weys were killed and injured during the past two years
and a half. He assumeo that one-fifth of the whole po-
pulation would ultimately travel by railway, and that 1
in 100 would insure. He made his calculations from
the number of killed and injured in 1846 over a given
number of miles ; he estimated that 42 persons would
be killed, and 392 injured, in three years, and he found
that in two years and a half up to last June 41 persons
had been killed and 255 were injured during that period,
which he thought was a proof of the soundness of his
calculations. ide estimated that a premium of one
gu.nea only, once paid during seven years, would in-ure
401. for a casualty requiring temporary medical treatment,
6001. for a casualty, causing severe internal injury or loss
of limb, 1.2001 fur one rendering the assured unable to
gain a livelihood, and 2,0001. for one causing the death
of the assured; that a premium of five guineas would in-
sure five times these amounts. He computed that the
fatal accidents were not more than 10 I:er cent. of the
whole, although in 1847 they amounted to 25 per cent.
He assumed that in the first year 41,000 persons would
insure and pay 86,000/, and they would have to pay
10 833/. He believed that in seven years 850,000 would
insure, that they would have to pay about 250,0001,
and receive about 600,0001., leaving 50,000/, per annum
to go to the mutual fund for the relief and support of
decayed railway servants. The share capital of the
company was to be raised by the issue of 60,00 G shares
of 10/. each to the persons employed on the railways,
which would be at the rate of ono share for each person.
The secretaries, clerks, &c., on the railways would have
the privilege of subscribing for shares to the amount of
one-fifth of their salaries. It was in that way he would
induce the railway officers and servants to have a direct
pecuniary interest in the prevention of accidents. He
then read the opinions of Mr. Burehell and Mr. Hardy
in favour of his proposition.
After some discussion a series of resolutions wore
passed approving of the objects of the association, and
appointing a committee to confer with parties inte-
rested, and adjourning the meeting to Saturday even-
ing for the further consideration of the subject

MILTON AND DRIFFIELD JUNCTION. This line,
which for eighteen miles passes through the county of
York, connecting the York and North Midland with the
Hull and Bridlington Railways, is now just ready for
opening to the extent of ten miles, commencing at
Driffield. At present it is only a single way, but suffi-
cient land has been taken to make it double. The
amoant subscrihA during the last year and a half for
this purpse has been at the rate of si. per share, or
70,0001., and the company, under the advice of Mr.
Hudson, who has undertaken to work the line at its
opening, to see what it will produce with a view to
leasing it, have resolved, so as not to press heavily on
the shareholders, to suspend almost entirely the works
on the remainder of the line until March next, by which
time it is hoped an improvement in the trade and manu-
factures of the country will again justify them in pro-
ceeding.

A new line is to be made in the neighbourhood of
Brecon, from the Dowlais iron works to the limestone
and mineral quarries, which will give to the people of
Brecon a communication with the raff Vale railway at
Dowlais and South Wales railway at Cardiff.
CALEDONIAN.—A committee of London shareholders,
in connexion with this company, has been formed to op-
p9se in Parliament the leases and guarantees of other
lines proposed by the directors.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAT.—Gross traffic receipts
for the week ending the 23d December:—Passengers:
First class, 12,340; second class, 28,725; third class,
25,694; total, 67,259; amount, 6,4631. 13s. 63.; carrying
account, 1,6751. Bs. 4d.; total, 8,1391. ls. 10d.

,
ULSTER 11Au.wAY.—Tbe traffic on this railway was,
for the week ending the 24th of December, 1848 (36
miles); Passengers, 10,552 ; amount, 4711. 10s. 9J ;
goods, 359/. 9s. 7d. Total, 8311. Os. 4d. Correspond-
ing week, 1847 (25 miles) :—Passengers 13,124 ;
amount, 452/. 4s. 10d. ; goods, 2011. 2c 3d. Total,
653/. 7s. id.

MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY OF IRELAND
AND ROYAL CANAL COMPANY.—Revenue for the week
ending 24th of December, 1848 :—For goods and pas-
sengers (exclusive of mails), open to Mullingar, 50 miles,
1,1571. 01/4 10d.
PARIS -AND ORLEANE---The following is at return of
the receipts on the Paris and Orleans Railway, for the
week ending the 19th of December, 1848:—Passengers,
60,029 f.; luggage, parcels, &c., 15,7721. 33c. , good:,
58,9171. 43c. ; carriages and horses, 6,566 f. 90c.; cattle,
10,0471. Total, 151,3321. 66c. Fur the corresponding
week of 1847, 213,419 f. 03c.; total receipts since Ist Jan.
1848, 9,081,9041. 34c.