The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-18 00:00:00

I guards' arms. After much entreaty on the part of the
guard, and to save life, seeing they had no chance of a
successful resistance, the party mounted the coaches,
and took possession of the mail bags and arms. Thus
satisfied, they proclaimed that they did not want to rob,
but to stop all Government communications, cautioning
them, at the same time, not to attempt to come that way
the next day, or to mark the consequence. Several large
bodies were seen at the same time on the banks of the
river Feale, and on the surrounding hills, apparently as
a reinforcement, all armed with different weapons."—
Limerick Reporter.

MR. DOHENY.
It appears that the reason why bills are not sent to the
grand jury of Tipperary against Mr. Doheny and his re-
cognizance, estreated, is to be found in the fact of his
having, subsequent to the first offence, made himself
amenable to the charge of high treason. The editor of the
Tipperary Vindicator, who was one of Mr. Doheny's
bail, says—" The most ridiculous and absurd rumours
have gone abroad on this subject. In the first place it
was confidently stated that the sureties were indemnified
by the payment of their fines, and this was asserted
before they could have been tried at all, and when this
was seen to have been false by the fact that no bills were
exhibited, and that no estreat was demanded, it was con-
fidently stated that Mr. Doheny had become a spy for
the Government, and that he was actually lodged in the
Castle giving information against his brother insur-
gents. We believe we may state the last report is just
as true as the first, and t. gunny valuable."
Mr. Doheny—to use a vulgar, but expressive,
Irishism—" has brought his pigs to a very bad market."
He was treasurer to the Corporation of Cashel, from
which he derived an income or salary of 2501. a year.
The Corporation, however, have appointed another
gentleman to the office, in the person of Mr. John
Coman.
THE HARVEST.—THE WEATHER.

The rain is still falling in torrents. The potato crop
is now despaired of; and, indeed, it is admitted on all
hands, that the late plantings—that is to say, the main
crops—are completely lost. Government is now having
printed at the Queen's printers here, for the information
of Parliament, reports from the poor-law inspectors of
the 32 counties. All these, I regret to say, concur in
opinion as to the dangerous state of the potato crop a
fortnight ago. When the majority of these reports
were prepared the disease had only appeared in some
districts. It is now universal. The mere loss of the po-
tato, however, is not the only or the greatest danger
with which we are threatened. The corn crops in the
early districts are already rotting on the ground, and
unless favourable weather sets in directly the entire pro-
duce will be destroyed.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
EASTERN COUNTIES.

The usual half-yearly meeting of this company was
bold yesterday at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-
street. There was a very large attendance of share-
holders on the occasion.

The chair was taken at one o'clock, by Mr. Hud-
son, M.P.
The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read, and a resolution for affixing the seal of the com-
pany to the registered list of proprietors having been
adopted,
Mr. RONEY, the secretary of the company, read the
following report of the directors :
" The directors beg to announce a dividend of Bs. per
share of 201. each of the consolidated stock of the COM-
piny for the half-year ending the 4th of July last.
" The:B Quarters of the York extension shares come in
for dividend, for the first time, this half-year ; making
the number of shares on which such dividend is payable
287,121.
" The usual half-yearly reports have been received
from the resident engineer and from the locomotive su-
perintendent. The permanent way, stations, &c., are
in a satisfactory state, and the company's stock, en-
gines, carriages, &c., are in a most effective condition
for carrying on the increasing traffic upon the line.
" The Maldon, Witham, and Braintree Railway will
be open for goods traffic on the 15th instant, and for
passenger traffic on the Ist of next month. The
Enfield and Edmonton line will be completed in the
course of the autumn. With the exception of the line
of 12 miles in length between Dereham and Fakenham,
and the completion of the Lowestoft harbour, contracted
for by the Norfolk Railway Company, and continued by
this company, the directors have no other works in pro-
gress.
" The directors have received notice from the Great
Northern Railway Company that the northern portion
of their line of railway will be open for traffic at the
end of September. Arrangements of a satisfactory 4
character have been made for the use of the Peterbo-
rough station by that company, and for the establish-
ment of through rates, both for passengers and goods, to
and from the Eastern Counties line to the station of
the Great Northern and of the East Lincolnshire Com-
panies.
" Subjoined are the usual statements of account, made
up to the 4th of July last:—
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
ON CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT, FROM JANUARY
5, 1846, TO JULY 4, 1848.
RECEIPTS.

To receipts for shares, &c., to the 4th of
January, 1848, as reported to the general
meeting, February 26,1848: ..-
Further receipts, viz.—
On original shares
On extension stock, No. 2 ...
On new shares ...
On York extensions .. .
From Northern and Eastern and Eastern
Counties proprietors, to equalize shares
Six per cent. stock .. ... ...

To loans ...

Disuu RS EILEI4;TS.

C. s. d

6,576,214 15 10

210 0 0
35,244 13 4
8,132 0 41

115;251 1:) S

1,970 12 0
341,519 0 0

7,0;8,542 16 io
866,274 10 8

7,944,817 7

s.

By expenses to the 4th of January, 1845,
as reported to general meeting, February
26, 1848 ... 7,297,241 8 3
Further payments, viz.—
For land and compensation and atten-
dant expenses
For Parliamentary expenses, Session
1846

For surveys, plans, sections, &c.
For works and stations generally ...
For rails, chairs, sleepers, points and
crossings, sidings, &c. • • •••
For locomotive engines, carriages, trucks,
horse-boxes, &c. . .
For proportion of travelling and office
expenses, salaries, direction, adver-
tising, &c., chargeable to capital, dur-
ing the construction of new lines ...
For engineering
For solicitors, for general business, law
charges, &c.
For interest paid on loans, bond stamps,
&c. ••• •••
For Stratford and Thames Junction and
North Woolwich Railways ...
For Maldon, Witham, and Braintree
Railway • • ••• ••• •••
For Wisbeach, St. Ives, and Cambridge
Junction Railway ... •••
For Enfield and Edmonton Railway ...
For arrears of interest paid on York
extension shares, and loss on shares
Balance

3,597 4 1

18,716 15 3
5,596 9 tl
69,110 2 9

8,068 7 8

67,545 14 4

1,265 3
4,569 7

3,058 13 3

21,656 0 0

1,923 11 6

39,286 18 3

53,079 14 7
12,399 9 0

59,773 18 5
277,928 $ 1

7,944,817 7 6

STATEMENT OF REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR THE
HALF-YEAR ENDING JULY 4, 1848.
riEBTOIL.
£.

a. d.

.C. a. d.

Te Traffic—
Passengers •. 177,632 14 0
Horses, carriages, and
dogs ...
Parcels ..
Mails ...
Goods and cattle
Coal
Net earnings from
cartage

... 4,813 5 7
... 8,055 11 8
... 5,669 7 7
... 124,597 12 2
... 1,417 1 10

... 6,039 17 8

Interest on arrears of calls, Ise...

Transfer fees, &c.... ••• ... •.•
Rent of refreshment •rooms, book-
stands, &c. .• ••• ••• •••
Rent from London and North-Western
Company, Black wall wharf, coal
arches, &C. ... ... ... ."

CREDITOR.
X. B. d.

328,225 11 6
4,028 4 5
375 16 3

By maintenance of way
and works—
Six months' repairs of

line ...
Repairs of stations ...

325 0 0

9,319 19 6

342,274 11 It

a. d.

121,918 16 8

59,485 1 8

7,011 19 5

22,396 4 4

17,039 5 4
432 16 0
1,530 5 6
2,456 10 8
556 1 0
1,586 7 3
450 0 0
3,367 4 8
242 1 7

129,472 14 1

20,073 9 11
46,448 18 9
146,279 8 11

342,274 11 8

L 8. d.
10,563 11 10
146,279 8 11

156,843 0 0

37,950 9 0

The Cnsutzseri said he had now to more—
That the report of the directors now read and the
accounts annexed thereto be adopted, end that the divi-
dt nd of Bs. per share be paid on and after the Ch of
September next."
Mr. PRICE inquired how the number of shares (stated
at 287,121) was arrived at?
The CHAIRMAN said that the whole number of shares
issued was 294,348, but there were 7,000 shares yet to
come in for registry, and the directors merely produced
to-day the list of shares actually registered. Shares
were issued of which no register was taken, and parties
might come in and register or not, as they pleased. He
had no objection to put down in the next report how
these shares were created, and how they were placed.
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know what were th• arrears
of calls on all the shares? . _

--
The CHAIRMAN was not able to say, bat thought that
the arrears could not be mor• than 40,0001.

In reply to a SHAREHOLDIM who inquired whether th
accounts had been audited, .

--TheeHAIR;AN said they had been audited by the di-
rectors. Ile had a resolution, however, to propose, ap-
pointing two auditor?.
A SHAREHOLDER having remarked upon the large
item for Parliamentary and law charges,
The CHAIRMAN said that every company had been
saddled with these expenses lately. This was a subject
upon which he never could speak with patience, and he
had done what he could on the different lines with which
he was connected to use the pruning knife, and reduce
these expenses. There were some surveys still in dis-
pute, but the directors were getting in every account as
fast as they could, and wished to clear off their liabilities
as much as possible. During the last session some little
expenses had been incurred in opposing the Hitchin and
Cambridge line, and their opposition had been to a con-
siderable extent successful. They had compelled that
company to stop seven miles abort of Cambridge, and to
make use of their railway if they got therre. It would
have been most unjust to the Eastern Counties Company
to have made two lines from Cambridge to London,
and all the Parliamentary expenses incurred this year
were in opposing that project. The directors could not
always get their bills in, and could not always pay them
when they did.—(A laugh.) Until they got the guaran-
teed stock the directors were obliged to borrow money
among themselves. It watl utterly impossible to wind
up all the accounts of such a large concern in a few
months. They could not expect to get over without
some expenses in Parliamentary Committees, when other
companies were spending 400,0001. or 500,0001. under
this head.

A SHAREHOLDER—What other accounts are there to
settle?

The CHAIRMAN—There was a large surveyor's bill,
and a dispute as to the amount to be paid by the three
companies. The company had also a dispute with their
former engineer, and there was along account with that
gentleman, which had become the subject of a reference.
The directors would use every economy and save every
penny they could. If while other companies had been
spending such sums as he had mentioned that company
had not made some exertions to maintain their position,
the shareholders would have had reason to complain—
(Hear, hear)—and although the affairs of the company
were under some depression, frcan circumstances which
no human foresight could: anticipate or control, yet as
the population and commerce of the country increased,
and as new facilities were provided for meeting the
wants of the public, if they would only go on steadily
and quietly, he had no doubt , they would recover them-
selves and place themselves in such a position as to re-
alize the expectations of their proprietors. He did not
know whether there was a single line that they had con-
structed which they ought not to have constructed. They
ought perhaps to have taken a little longer time over
them, and if they could have foreseen the French revolu-
tion, the potato disease, and a few such matters—(A
laugh)—it would no doubt have been better that they
should have folded their arms and waited a little more
patiently.—(Bear.)
A SHAREHOLDER moved as an amendment that the
dividend be paid clear of income-tax.
The Culumen thought the proprietors had better
wait and see the result of another half-year's working.—
(Hear, hear.) The payment of the income-tax by the
company would take from 3,0001. to 4.0001., and
although there was a balance which would allow of that
being done, it was alwayi awkward to go down in their
dividend. He had no reason to suppose that such would
be the case in the neat half-year, and he could tell them
for their encouragement that although they had such
1 bad weather in the south, there had not been a shower
for the last week in the north.—(Hear, hear.) The di-
rectors had scarcely been in a position until now properly
to look at their expenditure, but the result of their
doing so had been that they had determined to discon-
tinue some of their long trains between Cambridge and
London, and to run Ave trains a day instead of seven or
eight. Probably about October next they would discon-
tinue two long trains a day, and save altogether about
6,000 miles of engine running during the week, which
would enable them to effect a material saving in firemen,
enginemen, in wear and tear, and in coke. He should
like to see these matters practically carried out, and in the
meanwhile his advice was that the dividend of Bs. should
be paid as last year, subject to the income-tax.—(Ap-
plause.) The directors, however, had no wish on the
matter if the majority of the shareholders should be of
a different kind.

The CHAIRMAN then put the amendment, that the
dividend be paid clear of income-tax, which was nega-
tived by a very large majority. The original motion
was then put and carried unanimously, amid much
applause.
The CHAIRMAN moved the next resolution, that Mr.
James Peel:, of Finsbury-square, and Mr. James Reeves,
of Leyton, Essex, be appointed auditors, and that an
allowance of 201. per year be made to those gentlemen
for their service:,.
A SHAREHOLDER complained of the accommodation
provided at the Colchester station, and inquired whether
the directors did not propose to improve this station?
The CHAIRMAN said that he for one was determined
to stop laying out money until he saw the proprietors
better paid for their investments.—(Applause.) lie
would go down and look at the Colchester station, and
any little additional accommodation he ahoud not mind,
but any considerable outlay he would decidedly object to.
In reply to a question from Mr. PRICE,
The CHAIRMAN said, the six per cent. guaranteed
stock had not been sold, and it would be absurd to sell it
now. When sold it would be for the benefit of the com-
pany. The directors did not expect the present gloomy
times to continue, and until they met the proprietors
again they had no intention of bringing this stock into
the market.—(Applause.)
The motion for the appointment of the auditors was,
after a short conversation, passed unanimously.
A SHAREHOLDER asked whether there was any pros-
pect of the Harwich line being made ?
Mr. WADpINGTON said that depended upon the
Eastern Union Railway Company ; but in the existing
state of the money market he thought it was not likely
to be male at present.
Mr. BAGSIIAWE—It will be commenced within 10 days.
A SHAREHOLDER inquired whether there was any,
and what, engagement entered into with the Newmarket
Company ?
The CHAIRMAN, when he had recommended the lease
with this company, understood that the capital required
to complete the line would be about 400,0001. On going
into the question, however, he found it would be consi-
derably more than this sum, and he thereupon said that
he would not carry out the arrangement, and that no
agreement should be made without the sanction of
the proprietors.—(Loud applause.) The bet was,
the Newmarket line was not so much a line of
revenue as of protection, and prevented any other com-
pany from getting into Norwich. The basis of the ar-
rangement proposed was for them (the Eastern Counties)
to take about 200,000/. at 3 per cent. for two years, and
the Newmarket line would then be entitled to a dividend
of 3} per cent. in perpetuity, except the mortgage debt,
which the Eastern Counties would take and deal with
as with their own stock. The whole arrangement would
be, however, submitted to the shareholders before an
agreement was entered into.
Mr. BAGEHAWE should be very sorry if any misstate•
ment went forth to the world relative to the Harwich
line, in consequence of the erroneous assertion of his
Bon. Friend Mr. Waddington. Heretofore that com-
pany had taken an interest in the Harwich branch, but
it bad been conceded to the Eastern Union Company,
who were to take it when completed on a revenue of 4
per cent. Every acre of land between Manningtree
(where the line was to leave the Eastern Union) and
Harwich necessary to construct the railway had been
purchased, the line was staked out, and he believed that
it would be commenced within ten days.
Mr. WADDINGTON—And when will it be completed?
Mr. BAGSHAWE—The money has all been raised to
make the line.
eAwmSal;kAeittECnoorpEaßn-;--bWe ilde shortlythearrang?ement_ with the
N
The CHAIRMAN—Yes; probably in few days.
In reply to a question respectcinopgmtha).
en
,arrangement
with the Great Northern Railway
The CHAIRMAN said the Great Northern Railway
Company would come
using eirlti line until
iuttrnatthffii lecyt hwAtsh.toiucrhladilwwpiaanyyt
way was completed,and when
661. 13s. 4d. per cent. to them for
over the
The Great
rGertaemintinNgortthheeronthewrou3l3dl.
c6os.mBed,inftoor exa
pcnsea.
Eastern Counties station at Peterborough, and until the
main line was finished they would come to London upon
enaencreateisormfthten
their (the Eastern Counties) line. They vfouid
also use a portion of the Midland Railway, and pay
the seine per ventage to that coms:::oknnys
line.
Rt
attention
omno vteod
the
rote
poafnyth,
concerns,
simi-
lar acknowledgment of the services of h.
for hie Gat
is brother di-
rectors.

Mr. CASH was anxious to second this proposition,
were it only that be might have
satanteomppeonrttmunaidt)er
boyf et
the
pressing his satisfaction with one
chairsaan—viz., that it was his determination not to spend
more money than was absolutely necessary.—(Hear,
hear.) Ile hoped this example would be followed by
other Companies; for nothing had contributed. to bring
about the present unfortunate position of railway pro-
perty so much as extravagant expenditure.—(Hoar,
hear.) On that ground alone, although he fully con-
curred with the mover as to the information given by
the Chairman, he had great pleasure in seconding the
motion.
The motion was carried by acclamation.
The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, I cannot allow you
to separate without thanking you for the very kind
manner in which you have received the resolution just
passed. We may have been disappointed, we may have
been too sanguine in our expectations, but I
assure you that no exertion will ibe spared on our
parts to bring this great undertaking to a result
which will be satisfactory to you all.—(Applause.)
Gentlemen, but for my anxiety to meet you to-day, it
would have been my mournful duty to pay the tribute
dae to departed worth in following to the tomb the re-
mains of my respected friend, Mr. George Stephenson--
a man whose genius has benetite4 net the richQply but