The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-19 00:00:00

tbirlY Xrittion

SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

SOUTH-EASTERN CONTINENTAL
STEAM PACKET COMPANY.---(THIS DAY.)
The second half-yearly meeting of this Company was
held this afternoon, at the offices of the South-Eastern Rail-
way Company, London-bridge.
James M'Gregor, Esq., Chairman of the Company, teok
the chair.

The report of the directors stated that the Company was
constituted in June, 1845. There were 565 shareholders;
holding 11,083 shares. On these shares a deposit of 41. per
share had been paid, and a further call of 2/. would be made,
payable on the 19th of July next. The Company at present
had five splendid steam-ships, the cost of which was 63,5021.
The nett earnings for the last half-year had been 6,6951., out
of which the directors had written off- 3,362/. 13s. 6d. for
wear and tear, leaving a balance of 3,3331., out of which a
dividend of 4s. per share would be declared payable on the
6th of April. The directors had given orders for three new
ships, which would be ready in the course of the summer.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report.
Lord TORRINGTON seconded the motion, which was unani-
mously carried.
Lord Torrington, Mr. Harding, Capt. Tynedale, and Mr.
M'Gregor, were then re .elected directors.
The period for signing the deed of settlement was extended
to the 30th June next.
The meeting then separated.

SHERIFFS' COURT.—(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Under-Sheriff B URCII ELL.)
BEAN V. JOIINSTONE.
The plaintiffin this action is the landlord of the Greyhound
Inn, at Croydon. The defendant is a lady, who appeared in
1
person to defend the case. The demand was for 2/.125. 2d.,
for board and lodging during the. last assizes.
On the part of the plaintiff, it was stated that the defen-
dant went to the Greyhound, represented that she was en-
gaged by the Duke of Brunswick to make arrangements
for witnesses, who were to be examined in a case to be
tried at the assizes. She, in company with a lady, oc-
cupied a bed-room and sitting-room for eleven days, and
was during that time supplied with dinners, teas, and other
refreshments. The defendant bad admitted her liability,
but disputed the amount, contending that the charges were
exorbitant. The charge was half a guinea a night for the
bed-room.
William Herbert Morris, head waiter at the Greyhound;
was called, and proved the occupation of the rooms through
the assizes. He considered the charges in the bill very
moderate. The defendant said if the Duke did not pay she
would.
William Fooley, waiter at the Greyhound, said that the
defendant had both a bed-room and sitting-room ; a common.
charge was a guinea for a bed the first night, but no charge
was made for the second night ; half a guinea a night was
charged even when the party remained for a fortnight.
The witness was cross-examined by the defendant, with a
view of showing that she had no sitting-room exclusively
appropriated to her use, and that one of the rooms was a
mere lumber-room. The witness admitted that it was a
large room, generally used as a refreshment-room when
balls were held. He thought ten shillings a. night very
reasonable, particularly as there were two of them ; 4s. 6d.
was charged for one chop, but defendant might have had
more if she had thought proper; 2s. 61 was charged for tea
when meat was had. All the charges were of the usual
kind. He.,had been waiter at the Greyhound for eighteen
or twenty years.
The defendant then addressed the jury, and said that she
wished to correct the statement that she had been engaged
to look after the witnesses for the Duke of Brunswick.
She was there on her own account, and distinctly told
the plaintiff so. There was only ono lady at the inn who
had anything to do with the Duke of Brunswick's case, and
defendant had been asked to be with her, as her presence
would not have been agreeable to other witnesses.
The defendant put in letters, showing that she had
offered to pay 71., which she considered was a fair
charge. That sum was refused by Messrs. Drummond,
who issued a writ, but afterwards offered to take the 71.,
and 21. for costs. The defendant complained of being
put to an expense, and offered to pay half the coste.
This offer, however, was rejected, and the action was carried
on. She contended that the charges were very unreasonable,
and that it was not usual to charge night after night far the
bed when the party lived in the house.
Mrs. Ellen Fludder was called, and proved that she was
with the defendant. They had no sitting-room, but were
sent from one to the other. The bed-room was very scantily
furnished. There were no chairs fit to sit en, and one had
only three legs. She considered the charges very high for
the accommodation.
Mr. Fowler was called, and said he had been a special ju-
ryman at Chelmsford, and was only charged three guineas
per week for every expense.
The UNDEn-SHERIFF said it was entirely a question for
the jury whether the charges were fair for the first inn in an
assize town, at assize time.—Verdict for the full amount.

TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING,

Six O'CLOCK.

METROPOLITAN STAKES.
20 to 1 each agst Lyons, Peasant, and My Mary =
CH ESTER CUP.
12 to 1 agst Sweetmeat
20 to 1 agst Miss Burns
40 to 1 agst Billy Purvis
NORTHAM eTossai RE STAKES.
5 to 1 agst Godfrey
8 to 1 agst Buttress
8 to 1 agst Morpeth—taken
DERBY.

20 to 1 agst lago
25 to 1 agst Tibthorpe

RAILWAY COMMITTEES

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)