The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-14 00:00:00

RAILWA' i INTELLIGENCE.
mANCHESTY_LR, AND SOUTHAMPTON.

A meeting was _held on Thursday afternoon, at the
Town-hall, Romsey, , in pursuance of a requisition to the
Mayor, signed by a large number of the inhabitants.
The Mayor, Mr.-PEPPER, commented at some length
on the prejudicial, effects the rejection of the Bill would
have on the business of the town.

Alderman GEORGE said he had attended the Commit-
tee of the House of Commons to which the Bill on this
railway had been referred; that Committee had devoted
46 days to the patient investigation of every detail con-
nected with the proposed line, and reported favourably
of the scheme. The Bill had been referred to a Commit-
tee of the House of Lords, composed of five Peers, who,
after four days of hasty examination, set aside all that had
been so Cautiously attended to by the Committee of the
House of Commons. No line more consistent was brought
forward, though opposing counsel did designate it to
their Lordships as a bubble line, and unable to be car-
ried out should the Bill be obtained. His own opinion,
and that of commercial men in general, was, that
there is no line out of the metropolis that would com-
mand a greater amount of traffic. Let any one refer to
the map, and it would be found that the route taken by
the Manchester and Southampton Railway had a very
superior degree of importance. The fact of its embrac-
ing the whole of the manufacturing districts would en-
sure a large traffic, the goods from whence would be
greatly delayed by the Great Western branches in com-
parison to this line. Not only Ramsey, but every town
on the road would be great sufferers,
Mr. C. J. TYLER felt that the loss of this line would
he of the most serious consequences.

Mr. W. STEAD said he was greatly surprised at the
decision of tho Lords, after th succebses already ob-
tained. Unless the Bill passed, thoy would bo entirely
shut out from the north, but if obtained, the ancient
trade of the town would not only be revived, but greatly
extended.

Mr. CoLcoTT, in seconding this resolution, gave it
his most cordial good wishes, but would be glad to he
informed bow the directors stood with regard to funas.
Alderman GEORGE said that they had nearly -sufficient
in hand to go again before the Legislature. A meeting
of shareholders would take place on Tuesday next, when
any one wishing to withdraw, by announcing their inten-
tion, might do so, and receive a fair proportion of the
balance in hand.

GLASGOW, KILMARNOCK, AND AYR.
GLASGOW, THURSDAY AFTERNOON.—The 19th half-
yearly meeting was held this afternoon in the apart-
ments of the company in Bridge-street. Mr. James
M'Call, of Daldowie, the chairman of the directors, in
the chair.

Mr. J. F. SMITH, the secretary, read the report, from
which we make the following extracts :—" The traffic
account shows that the revenue for the half-year ending
the 31st of July last, amounts to 55,1911. 12s. 7d.,
being an increase of more than 8,000/. above
the receipts of the corresponding period of last
year, and leaving a free balance of 32.266/. 13s. 3d.
The expenses are greater this half year, in
consequence chiefly of several additional trains having
been run between Glasgow, Ayr, and Kilmarnock, for
the better accommodation of the public. The prices of
the different articles necessary for the working of the
traffic, together with the wages paid to mechanics, &c.,
still continue at a high rate. Your directors are prepared
to recommend you now to declare a dividend at the rate
of seven per cent. per annum, under deduction of income-
tax, payable on 21st September next ; for this purpose,
they place at your disposal the sum of 34.079/. Is. 6d.,
leaving a balance on hand of 1,5541. 3s. Bd., which has
been carried to the credit of next half year's account.
In terms of the resolutions under which the 401. shares
were created, this stack now participates in the general
dividend, according to the amount paid up ; and on this
occasion the sum due is 9s. per share. The works re-
quired by the alterations on the Kilmarnock and Troon
line are proceeding satisfactorily, and it is confidently
anticipated that the railway will be opened for traffic in
November next. The calls on the 401. shares have been
well responded to, and there are no engagements under-
taken by this Company which are, under any circum-
stances, likely to affect its prosperity."
The CHAIRMAN, after some general remarks on the
report, proposed the usual resolutions, such as fixing the
half-yearly dividend at seven per cent., &c., which were
agreed to.
Mr. STENHOUSE then stated, that at a former period,
when the line only paid a revenue of 2} per cent., the
directors had reduced their annual allowance from 6001.
to 400/. per annum. Now, in the period of their pros-
perity, he moved that the allowance be again 6001. per
annum.

Mr. CLAPPEP.TON seconded the motion, which was
unanimously agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN then moved a seri( s of resolutions,
the purport of which was, that the sum of 703,1251.
should be raised by the creation of 28,125 new shares of
251. each, the first instalment of 2/. 10s. to he paid on
the 19th of October next. This sum was necessary to
complete the new works for which Acts had been ob-
tained.