The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-05 00:00:00

PARIS AND LYONS,

A meeting of the shareholders in the Paris and Lyons
(Ganneron's line), was held yesterday at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate street, for the purpose of hearing
the report of the Committee of Management upon the
subject of the amalgamation with other companies for a
similar object which has taken place, and to hear the
statement of the chairman with respect to the allotment
of shares in the amalgamated company.
Mr. F. Mowatt was called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceeding; stated
that the meeting was called in consequence of the nego-
tiation whit'h had been for some time pending with respect
to an amalgamation with other companies having been
brought to a conclusion. The Directors of this line (Gan-
'wen's) had attainel a very advantageous position as re-
garded the possibility c.f its success ; but as the period of
adjudication approached, the state of the money and
share markets became such, as to convince the Com-
mittee of Management of the expediency of an amal-
gamation with various other companies which had or-
ganised for the same purpose.—(Hear, hear.) That
amalgamation had at length been effected, after con-
siderable difficulty, with the French Directors, the mte
jority of whom had a comparatively trivial pecuniary
interest in the Company, and who looked rather to
the position of administrateurs than to the absolute pe-
cuniary stake in the undertaking.—(Hear, hear.) After
a long negotiation they had, however, been brought
within the reach of reason by having placed, at their
disposal 3,000 shares, which would be equal to about
400 definite shares in the constituted Company. In the
amalgamation this Company was placed on the footing
of the most favoured companies ; so that in that respect
the negotiations bad been perfectly successful. There
were, it was true, three or four companies which had
obtained more shares in consequence of peculiar cir-
cumstances, but the basis of the negotiations was that
this Company should be placed in the position of the
most favoured companies. The arrangement which they
had succeeded in making was to the effect that for every
ten shares in this (Ganneron's) line they should be
allotted one definite share in the amalgamated Com-
pany.—(Hear, hear.) By this arrangement there would
be a balance of 782 shares of the Company, which it was
proposed to leave at the dispoial of the Committee, for
reasons which it was not necessary to state more fully,
unless the shareholders wished for a more explicit and
detailed account.—(Hear, hear.) The surplus amount
which had been paid would be returned to the share-
holders in the following proportion:—The holder of ten
shares would receive 251. in money, and 5/. would go to-
wards the definite share which was to represent the ten.
Thus, the holder of 100 shares in the Company would
receive 2501., and ten definite shares iu the amalgamated
Company, on which 51. each had been paid.
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know what was to be done
by an individual who held only five shares?
The CHAIRMAN said, that the subject had been con-
sidered
by the Committee, and the most expedient course
which appeared to them was for the person so situated to
make an arrangement with some other holders of a frac-
tional part of the amount which would be represented by
one share in the new Company. With respect to the
additional call of 1/, which had been made, it was the
result of the course which had been adopted by their
French colleagues, who represented to them that the
effect of the increased sum would be to place the project
in a better light before the Government, and thus rive
the Company a stronger position. The effect of this was
that this Company was the only Company which was in
a condition singly to go for the adjudication, for they
had done everything to put themselves in the position
which the French Government required.—(Hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER wished to be informed why it was
that this advantageous position was not maintained.
The CHAIRMAN said that the amalgamation was, as
he before stated, deemed expedient in consequence of
the state of the share and money markets. The Ceni-
pany enjoyed the advantageous position which he re-
ferred to, in consequence of the care which had been
taken to do all that was required by the Government.
Nothing had been omitted by the Committee, who em-
ployed two French engineers, besides Mr. Cubitt, and
four traffic-takers; and thus, in addition to the informa-
tion which related to the engineering department, they
were enabled to ascertain to the shilling the extent of the
traffic.—(Hear.) This was rendered the more practica-
ble by the information which seas obtained from the col-
lectors of the octroi-duties ; but the aid of the traffic-
takers was required, in order to make out the returns
with perfect accuracy and detail.—(Hear, hear.) In
those items which he had mentioned the Committee
had expended about 4,0001. The amalgamation had now
been perfected.
Mr. Show said, that the Company were deeply in-
debted to the Commi tee for the happy conclusion to
which they had brought the negotiations. He was a
large holder in that Company, and he felt very much
pleased with the mode in which the new arrangements
had been effected, and the advantageous position which
had been obtained for Ganneron's line, and he highly ap-
proved of leavin4 the balance of 782 hares in the hands
of the Directors.—(Hear, hear.) He would now move
that the proceedings of the Committee be approved of by
the meeting, and that the balance of shares be left in
their hands.

Captain KELLY, as a large shareholder, expressed his
approval of the proceedings. He had never in his life
heard a more clear, straightforward statement on the part
of any Chairman of a Board of Directors than that which
they had just listened to—(Hear, hear)—and he had
great pleasure in seconding th• motion.—(Hear.)
Mr. MANSFIELD was desirous to see a more specific
and detailed statement of the accounts, and he would
move as an amendment that the resolution be postponed
until those accounts were furnished.

After some discussion as to the disposal of the balance
of 782 shares,

Mr. WALLY said he was the holder of 1,000 shares in
this Company, and he decidedly approved of leaving the
balange of shares in the hands of the directors. The
care and anxiety, and personal attention which they had
devoted to the affairs of the Company, warranted the
shareholders in leaving those shares in the hands of the
Directors.

After some further eonversation the amendment was
withdrawn.

Mr. Wim.rams then moved as an amendment :
" That the balance of 782 shares be divided amongst
the shareholders generally, instead of being left to the
option of the Directors."

The amendment was lost, and the motion of Mr.
SNOW, to the effect—" That the balance of shares be
left to the management of the Directors," was carried
with only one dissentient.

The dEAIRMAN thanked the shareholders:for the ap
proval which they had expressed of the course the Com-
mittee had adopted, a course which he believed to be
the correct one

LONDON, NEWBURY, AND BATH DIRECT.
SWINDON, FRIDAY EVENING.—A meeting of the mer-
chants, traders, wharfingers, and others, resident on the
banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal, took place this
afternoon in the large room of the Queen's Hotel, Swin-
don station, for the purpose of considering what steps
should be taken with reference to the supposed intended
conversion of the canal into the London, Newbury, and
Bath Direct.

1 Mr. Weller was called to the chair, and Mr. Ward,
Ichairman of the Committee, in the absence of Admiral
Dundas, Mr. Merriman, the secretary, and Mr. Black-
well, engineer, attended as a deputation on the part of
the Company to offer explanations.
Prior to the business of the meeting, Mr. Blackwell
produced copies of the plans which bad been deposited
with the Board of Trade, and explained the mistake
under which the merchants and traders along the banks
of the canal were labouring, that it was the intention of
the Company to convert the canal into a railway, the
object being to preserve the existing navigation, and run
a railway along the banks of the canal.
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting had been convened
for the purpose of enabling the traders and others, hold-
ing property on the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal,
to express their opinion as to the injury likely to be in-
flicted upon them by the supposed conversion of the canal
into a railway. From the explanation they
heard read, it appeared that there was no intention on
the part of the Kennet and Avon Canal Company tode-
stroy the navigation. For his own part, therefore, be had just
considered the statement most satisfactory. He should,
subject.
Mr. be happy to hear the observations. of any f
.
the gentlemen of the deputation on the
Mr. WARD said, as the Chairman of the Committee
of the London, Newbury, and Bath Direct Railway, and
Kennet and Avon Canal Company, in the absence of
Admiral Dundas, he begged to assure the traders that
in no way did they, by the construction of their railway,
intend to deprive the traders of the advantages of the
existing navigation.
M
psoswider, the Parliamentary notices of the
mr. a Cnyo w
tookCo to atop up and alter the course of
p LEv
the Kennet and Avon Canal. He could not see how that
could be done without injury to the wharfingers and
traders on its banks.
Mr. MERRIMAN explained the necessity which existed
for making the Parliamentary notices as comprehensive
as possible, and said that it was impossible for them to
judge of what was intended to be done until the Bill was
drawn. As soon as that took place, he would take care
the traders on the canal, or any solicitor they might
appoint, should have a copy of it.
f't Mr. CROWDER, Secretary of the Wilts and Berks
Canal, said he considered the effect of the Kennet and
Avon Canal Company making a railway along its banks
would be to convert themselves into traders. They might
then raise the tolls of the canal to such a maximum that
the traders would be forced to give up, and then the
goods traffic would by taken by the Company themselves
on to the railway.
Mr. WARD said such a doctrine was absurd, for the
Company would be as much interested in keeping the
traffic on their canal which now existed, as in getting it
on to the railway. Their interest in both were identical.
The CHAIRMAN said, for his own part he was satisfied
that the proposed railway would be rather of advantage ,
than otherwise to the traders on the canal, and the ques- •
tion arose as to whether they should wait until the Bill

Mr. WARD ;aid it was a mistake to suppose that the
Kennet and Avon Canal Company were any party to the
destruction of that portion of their canal alluded to. It.
I had originated in the gross breach of justice on the part
of the Great Western Company, to the serious loss of the
proprietors of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Mr. ABRAHAM moved " that a Committee be ap-
point.-d to watch the progress of the London, Newbury,
and Bath I)ireet Railway Bill, promoted by the Kennet
and A%on Canal Company, and that such Committee
consist of Messrs. Dewer, Sl)aw, Stratton, Hooper,
Maggs, Sanders, Robins, Chandler, and Cowley.
Mr. STRATTON seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. ROBINS moved, and Mr. DUNSFORD seconded, a
vote of thanks to the deputation.

I THE BROAD AND NARRO W
GAUGE.
I The followine.• letter, respecting the rival gauges, has
been addressed by Mr. Bidder to Mr. Creed, of the
London and Birmingham P.ailway:—
" 24, Great George-street, Westminster,
Jan. 2, 1846.
" Alv dear Sie,_Ary attention, on my return from
York, having- been called to certain unauthorised state-
ments and comparisons of the late experiments on the
broad and narrow gauge lines, I feel it my duty to in-
form you, that when the proper time comes, I shall have
no difficulty in establishing that many of these are erro-
neous, as well from the omission of material facts con-
nected with the experiments as from the inaccurate
report of others. Meanwhile, and until these are offi-
cially reported, I may venture to assert that the allega-
tions as to the capabilities of engines on the narrow
gauge lines have been more than borne out.
" I regret that I have to conclude my letter by com-
municating an unfortunate occurrence in an experiment
intended to test the evaporating power of North Midland
engine No. 54, which was thrown off the line near the
Thirsk station from an old broken chair. I may add,
however, that, with the exception of the fireman, the
injuries to the few persons on the engine were very
slight. —I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
" GEO. P. BIDDER.
" R. Creed, Esq., London and Birmingham
Railway, Euston-station."

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, JAN. 2.
Srocic EXCHANGE.—The only sale was—Bristol and Exe,
ter, New,

SHEFFIELD, Jax. 2.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Midland, Sheffield,
and Rotherham, 3434 c. d.-Grimsby Extension, 31. 19s. 6d.
-Derby and Crewe, 61. 11s. 6d.-Derby and Gainsborough,
I ,-London and Windsor, 165.-London and York, 4%-
Ilianchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 2%-North
Western, 3/. 18s. 6d.-Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 474-
Sheffield and Lincolnshire Extension, 3!. 195.-Sheffield,
Wortley, Silkstone, and Wakefield, 21. 4a. 6d.-Wakefield
and Harrogate, 2/. 13s. 6d.
YORK, JAN. 2.
STOCK Excmarratc.-The sales are-Newcastle and Dar-
lington, Brandling, 5534-York and North Midland Exten-
sion, 4134-Newcastle and Berwick, 2016-North British,
New Carlisle Branch, 31. 11s.-London and York. 4%-
Cambridge and Lincoln, New, 3%-Grand Union, 2%-Lei-
cester and Bedford, 2%-Leicester, Tamworth, Coventry,
Birmingham, and Trent Valley Junction, 3-Manchester,
Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 5-Welsh Midland, 3%.
HULL, Jan% 2.
We continue to have a fair amount of business passing,
and prices have an upward tendency. The following are the
sales-London and Blackwall, New, 37;,- -Blackburn, Dar-
wen, &c., 7% ex n., 814 c. n.-North British (Carlisle), 31%
-Armagh, Coleraine, &c., IN-Axholme, 2%-Boston,
Newark, and Sheffield, 3'4-Cambridge and Lincoln, 31%-
Chelmsford and Bury, 1N Dudley, Madeley, 214 -
Fleetwoods, 1%-Goole, Doncaster, &c., 1 p.-Grand
Union, 2%-Hull and Barnsley, 495. 6d.-Leicester and Bed-
ford, 245. 6d. p.-Leicester and Tamworth, 15s. p.-Liver-
pool and Leeds, 23,i-Nottingham and Erewash,
Potteries and Crewe, 17s. 6d.-Wakefield and Har-
rogate, 2/. 3s. 9d.

THE LONDON DOCK COMPANY.
On Friday, at two o'clock, a halt-yearly general meet-
ing of the Directors and Proprietors of the London
Dock Comp ,ny, which was numerously attendtd, was
held in the board-room of the Dock-house, Prince's-
street, Cot nhill, to receive the report of the state of the
Company's affairs for the half-year ending November
30, and to declare a divkiend on the Company's stock.
Mr. John Catterey, chairman of the Directors, presided.
Mr. S. W. Powles, the secretary, read the half-yearly
report of the Directors, which stated that, during the
six months, 731 loaded ships, from foreign ports, had
.-ntered the London Docks, carrying 168,553 tons, and
that in the corresponding period of the previous year,
there were 658 loaded ships, carrying 166,426 tons,
showing an increase of 2,127 tons. The earnings of the
Company were 209,0941. Bs. 6(1., there being 205,187/.
Ss. 10d. last ear, while the expenditure this half-year
was 110,885/. Bs. 9d. the corresponding period of the for-
mer year being 115,710/. 4s. 4d., giving an increase in
the former of 3,90 q. 19s. Bd., and a decrease on the
latter of 4,8241. 15s. 7d. The income had exceeded
the expenditure by 98,2081. 19s. 9d., upcn which he
Directors recommended a dividend of 2/. 10s. per ceot_
on the Company's stock, amounting to 89,803/. 4s, 2d.
That would leave a balance of 8,7051. 15s 7d.; out of
which it was proposed by them to appropriate 5,0001.
for the new works. The stock of goods in the ware-
houses was 105,262 tons; this, in the corresponding
period last year, being 119,877 tons. The report con-
cluded by suggesting that the remainder of the floating
thbt in debentures, amounting to 300.000/., be converted
into the capital stock of the Company. The report was
unanimously received, and a dividend of 2/. 10s. declared
to be payable on the Bth of January, and with one dis-
sentient (Mr. Ward) it was resolved that the Directors
be empowered to take measures to convert the remaining
debt of 300,0001. on the capital stock of the Company.
Mr. Clarke then proposed that a piece of plate,
of the value of 300/., be presented to the
chairman of the Court of Directors, Mr. 'Wil-
li:lm King, deputy-chairman, and Mr C. Marryatt,
the treasurer, and that to each of the Directors a piece
of plate of the value of 100/. for each, be also presented,
as a testimony of the high approbation of the Court of
Proprietors of the unexampled and effective zeal they
have evinced for the prosperity of the Company. He
observed that since the year 1805, when the Company
obtained their charter of incorporation, they had given
no special mark towards their Directors. The affairs
of the Company had been gradually improving since
1833, when they only divided 2k per cent. Their divi•
dends had now reached 5/. per cent., while he was happy
to say that there were prospects of continued prosperity,
and while their shares, which were at 50/., now fetched
114/. and 1151. Mr, Hodgkinson seconded the motion,
which was supported by Mr. Ward, Mr. Twining, Mr.
Watson, &c., and agreed to unanimously. It was also
resolved that a piece of plate of the value of 100/. be
presented to the Secretary, and a Committee was ap-
pointed to carry the object into effect. The Chairman
replied on the part of the Directors, when the meeting
separated.

ISir W. Fletcher, whose eccentricities have for some
time past formed the principal topic of conversation with the
good people of Toulouse, has been placed in a Maison de Sante,
there being no doubt that his reason is affectsd.
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A MARRIED WOMAN.—
On Friday evening Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an inqu:st,oacitytig.
Rent Day, Cambridge-street, Edgeware-road, (2_
Sarah Bradbeer, aged 19, the wife of Mr. W.dbeisenrra:atjabtee7,ttiaatet
proprietor of the Polygon-mews. Mr. Br+!
his wife, who took two pills the
five previous night, died shortly
After o'clock last Tuesday morning. A few minutes be-
fore. five o'clock she got out of bed and struck a light, and
was a corpse in ten minutes afterwards. Medical assistance
was instantly called in. Witness's two brothers declared
that their brother had been very kind to deceased, and that
rthee ianns_.
there was no reason to sospeet that she tiled from foul means.
Mr. Reubens, surgeon, opened the body, and found
ternal part healthy, with the exception of the stomach,
which was highly inflamed. Dr. Day tested it for oxalic,
arsenic, and other poisons, but not for all. The jury, not
beingssatisfied with the analysis of the stomach, the Coroner
adjrned the inquest.
ETON COLLEGE, FRIDAY.—The restoration of the
College Chapel, which was commenced by the authorities of
the college in 1842 is, as early as possible, to be proceeded
with, under the superintendance of Mr. Deason, the architect.
It is proposed to enlarge the choir to its original size, so as
to make suitable provision for the increased number of
the scholars, as well as to obtain better accommodation for
the resident families and strangers. It is intended to erect
Gothic stalls and a new screen, and also to amend and remove
the present roof. The expense of these alterations and im-
provements has been caculated at between 10,0001. and
12,000/. •, upwards of half this sum having been already sub-
scribed by members of the college and old Etonians, in order
that the whole design may be completed at once, instead of
reserving a portion for a future period. The projected altera-
tions are expected to be commenced early in the ensuing
spring.

. -
FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT OPPOSITE SOMERSET HOUSE.
Saturday afternoon, about ten minutes after one o'clock, the
following frightful accident occurred to a gentleman, at pre-
sent unkown, which it is feared will terminate fatally. It
appears that at the time above named the unfortunate gen-
tleman, who seems about forty years of age, was in the act
of crossing the roadway from Somerset House, towards
the Morning Chronicle newspaper office, and before he
could reach the kerb he was knocked down by a heavily-
laden cart belonging to Messrs. Mott and Co., the pianoforte
manufacturers, of the Strand. The driver did all he could
to prevent the accident, but before the horse could be stopped
the off wheel passed over his body, about the loins. He was
lifted from the ground by several persons who witnessed the
accident, and placed in a cab in an insensible state, with va-
rious contusions about the hands and face. He was taken to
the King's College Hospital, where he was put under the care
of the house surgeon. He was in a very precarious state at
half-past-one this afternoon.

DANGEROUS TRICK.—On Monday afternoon, two
women who keep stalls in the Bazaar, having boiled some tea
in the open area of the market, after partaking of the beve-
rage became exceedingly ill, and one of them seemingly so
dangerously, that she was conveyed to the police-educe, and
the surgeon sent for. At length, however, she vomited, and
became a little better. In the meantime a boy named James
M'Pheely was taken into custody, charged with having put
some deleterious drug into the tea, and we are informed he
admits having done so, and that it was something like to-
bacco ; but he says that it was a man named M'Cormiek who
gave it to him, with instructions what to with it. The
police arc on the look out for APCormick.—Glasgow Argus.

HA:VIBITRGH AND FLANDERS
MAILS.
VIENNA, DEc. 23.—Great preparations are making for the
arrival of the Emperor of Russia, who is very shortly ex-
pected. In some circles great pleasure is felt at. the Em-
peror's having, as is said, kissed the Pope's hand ; and
though it is well known that Russian diplonmcy is accus-
tomed to use a flattering, insinuating tone, yet great im-
portance is attached to this remarkable meeting, because it
was a meeting between great principles. With respect to the
projected marriage we hear nothing, and we might be tempted
to believe that the whole matter had fallen to the gu unil
it has hitherto been enveloped in so much mystery that it is
difficult to say anything definitive on the subject.
Visemisa, DEC. 20.—Numerous arrests have taken place in
Galicia. There are even reports that the plot has extended
to the militarv.—Harnburgli Papers, Dec. 31.
BRUSSELS, bEc. 30.—The average price of Wheat, in the
week ending the 27th of December, was 23f. 86c., and that of
Rye 18f. 28c. This price differs little from those of the pre-
ceding week. Wheat and Rye are five centimes dearer.
The Senate, in its sitting on the 29th, adopted the projects
of law authorising the Government to modify the regime of
the import ations and transit, either direct or in transit t hrough
the entrepots, and the budgets of the public debt, and of the
dotations.

PRUSSIAN FUNDS.—BERLIN, Dzc. 21.
Bills. Money.
St. Schuld Sch., 3% per Cent ••• • • . 97N
?rues. English Bonds, 1830, 4 per Cent......
Foreign Exchanges . ...... ..
Exchange on London, .£1 Sterling, 2 Months 624 es --
Hatnburgh, 306 Marks, 2 Months. 1491.
Paris, 300 fr., 2 Months .•• • . 804,
- Universal Prussian Gazette. Dee. 28.
BELGIAN FUN-I/S.—Bar-sums, DEC. U.
Actual Debt, 23 per Cent
Itothschild's Loan, Five per Cent •• • •
Lean of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent •• •• .
Ditto Three per Cent
Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto .•• . • •
Ditto,ditte, 1840....
Ditto, ditto, 1842 . ...... .
Ditto, 1844. • • ... sv Si
Ditto, 1836.. ...... • . •
Ditto, 1838 .. .•• .• • ••••• • • • .. 74%
Ditto of the City, 1832 ...... • . 102%
Ditto, 1843
Yank ofßelgium...... .• • • • • • • • ••• • .. 780'
—Brussels Papers, Doc. 31.