The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-11 00:00:00

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LAW INTELLIGENCE.
ARCHES' COURT, March 10.
(Before Sir H. JENNER Fusr.)
THE OFFICE OF .THE JUDGE PROMOTED BY Mk. DURDEILL`.
• THE REY. HODGSON.—JUDGMENT.
The arguments in this case occupied the attention of the
Court for several days in the course of the last term.. It is a
proceeding by articles against the rev. defendant, the chap-
lain of the county gaol of Salisbury, for having been guilty
of improper conduct towards a boy of the name of Besant,
who had been convicted of purloining valuable property front
letters which passed through the Post-office, in which Besant
had been employed. The office of the Judge was promoted
by Mr. Burder, the secretary of the Bishop of Salisbury.
For sonic time lle Court had thought that, there not having
been a preliminary conviction, it could not accept the letters
of requisition, but, in order to rid the Church of England of
such a scandal, he (Sir 11. J. Fust) accepted them, so as to
give the party proceeded against the opportunity of deny-
ing the imputations alleged against him. The offences
charged were of a peculiar nature, and the case came be-
fore the Court under somewhat novel circumstances. The
Court would not eater into the disgusting details that were
of necessity referred to in evidence, and in the argu-
ments; and should he (Sir H. Jenner Filet) be thoroughly
satisfied that the charges laid were fully proved the strongest
sentence that could be passed must be pronounced. The
party proceeded against had been the chaplain of the gaol
from 1828 till 1843, a period of very nearly sixteen years,
holding also several offices in the Church. Did the articles
propounded against the Rev. Mr. Hodgson, and the evidence
produced in support thereof; show that the crime alleged heal
been perpetrated? The Court went over the articles in which
the alleged crime was referred to, a further allusion to the
nature o which cannot with propriety be made here. The
boy, Desant, was committed to gaol for a post-office robbery,
and sentenced to transportation for life, but, through the in-
strumentality of the Rev. Charles Henry Hodgson, the sen-
tence was commuted. Undue familiarities between the rev.
gentleman and the boy (who was the n seventeen years of
age) have been alleged—that provisions and wine were given:
by the rev. defendant to the lad, contrary to the regulations of
the prison ; but of this there was not any legal proof. There
was no doubt that the chaplain did interfere in order to obtain.
a commutation of the sentence, as it was the boy's first
offeric,e, and having come from respectable parents. There
was no secret about this. It may have been weak on the
part of the chaplain to have shaken hands with the boy—it
may have been foolish to have acted on his part as he had
done—but as chaplain of the gaol, arid this boy being
juvenile offender, the Court could not consider that such
conduct carried with it any suspicion of undue or immoral
purposes. The Learned Judge then went over the evidence
of the three principal witnesses (all convicts), and held that
even as respects the letters received by Mr. Hodgson, and
delivered to the boy, the Court did not discover that there
was any improper object in view in the attentions that
were paid. As to the letter from the Secretary of State,.
commuting the sentence from transportation for life to
seven ycare, that was a public document, and was of course
known by the governor of the prison. The Court must
consider and presume that there was nothing wrong on the
part of the Rev. Mr. Hodgson in obtaining a commutation
of so severe a sentence; on the contrary, the Court must
express its conviction that the object was a most praise-
Worthy one. But it was said that the attentions paid
by the rev. gentleman were more particular than to any
other prisoner. The Court did not think this could be
made a charge, especially to support such a heinous offence
as that alleged.. The rev. defendant might have been weak
in those attentions, but the Court could not infer that a crime,
such as had been alleged, had been committed, or that any
implication of the kind could by possibility be inferred. After
adverting to many other branches of the case, a detailed re-
ference to which, under the circumstances, ought not to be
given, the Learned Judge held, that there was not any im-
proper partiality shown towards the boy Resent; that the
endearing appellations made use of, such as calling him " his
dear boy," showed nothing of guilt. The reverend defendant
was an old man, and made use of foolish expressions.
That this was the opinion of the Governor of the prison,
Mr. Dowding, there could not be any doubt. The Governor
spoke highly of the conduct of the reverend defendant dur-
ing the whole period he had been chaplain. The evidence
of Spackman, on the 11th article (this witness, too, being a
convict, and not a competeat witness, except under the last
Act of Parliament), the Court was bound to receive, but
with great caution. The Court was of opinion that, from
the Acts stated, there was nothing wrong to be imputed of
the character charged. There might have been a weakness
or indiscretion, but that there were any such guilty motives
of the character named had not been proved. The other
witnesses examined to support the charge were also con-
victs under sentence of transportation. It was clear that
the reverend gentleman did shake hands with the boy, and
affectionately talk and laugh with him, but that was done in
the presence of the turnkeys and others of the prisoners in
the gaol. The principal foundation of the charge was that
the Rev. Mr. Hodgson was shut up upon several occasions
with the boy for half or three-quarters of an hour at a time
in the day-room; but from this the Court could not infer any
such immoral conduct as that imputed. The Rev. Mr.
Hodgson told the gaoler that he took a warm interest in the
fate of the boy, and the Court could not infer that there
were improper motives ih the conduct of the rev. gentleman
towards the party. The Rev. Mr. Hodgson might have
acted with weakness, but the Court could not hold that there
was any criminality. The Learned Judge, upon the whole
case, held that the articles exhibited against the Rev. Mr.
Hodgson had not been proved, and dismissed him from the
suit, but the Court would not say anything as to costs.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE BELLEROPHON, 8, AND CALCUTTA, 84, ADVANCED

SHIPS FITTING,

It affords us much pleasure and satisfaction to report the extreme
activity and seamanlike work displayed by the officers awl crews of
the Rodney and Albion in the fitting out of the Bellerophon, 78, at
Portsmouth, and the Calcutta, 84, at Devonport. Nothing can pos-
sibly exceed the apparent enthusiasm, good humour, and skill, with
which these fine fellows progress in their work.
-At Portsmouth, in fitting the Bellerophon, every person, from
Captain Collier to the smallest boy, setans to take a delight in trying
how nitwit can be done in the shortest possible time, and their la-o-
gress has astonished all the old veteran officers who assemble daily
in the dockyard to see them work. As we before otated, the officers
and crew were. all turned over to th.: Bellerophon on Saturday, and
live on board her. On Monday, at four ♦.at., the fellows turned
to
.work, and left off at seven r.u., when the liberty men were
allowed on shore. The tops and caps were got over on that day,
the lower rigging on, the bowsprit gammoned and partly clothed ;
the topmast, crosstrees and caps put on, and the topmast rigging
gut over, and topmasts fidded, and the malnyard got across, all
heavy work, besides which the tanks were hoisted on board and the
water filled. On Tuesday (yesterday) the rigging was set up and
rattled down, the topgaPantmasts fetched and rigged, bowsprit com-
pleted, bobstays and shrtiuds set up, and jlbboom got out, various
spars and.stures received, and a number of the main and lower-deck
guns got on board ; and advantage was taken of the beautifully lino
weather to paint her sides, which will give her a complete appear-
ance. Should this fine weather continue there is no doubt she will
be ready to go to Spithead, or to sea, if required, by Thursday even-
ing, instead of Saturday, as we before stated.

At Devonpert the Aibion's officers and crew went to work on the
Calcutta, 84, on Monday morning, with similar spirit, and the pro-
gress they made in a few hours proved that Jack was put on his
mettle. By twelve o'clock the lower rigging was on, set up, and ail
three topmasts were on end. At 2 15, P.M., the wizen ,topgallant
mast was up, and wizen topsail yard across. It has been boldly
asserted that the Albion numbers among her crew some of the finest
and ablest seamen is the world.

Mr. Henderson, the assistant master attendant of Davenport Dock-
yard, with a party of riggers and seamen from the Caledonia, I an,
ordinary guard-ship, is ordered to proceed in the Devon lighter to
Pembroke, :to take charge of the 50-gun frigate Constance, when
launched, and navigate her to Devonport, where she will be fitted
for commission.

Mr. Mills, supernumerary master of the Caledonia, with a party of
seamen, are ordered from Devonport to Liverpool, to navigate the
iron steam-frigate, Birkenhead, to Woolwich, to be fitted for the
pendant.

The Rodney, 90, Captain Collier, C.E., will be taken out of the
dock at Portsineuth this day.
The Carysfort, 26, Captain Seymour, was paid advance wages
at Spitheal yesterday morning, and will sail for the Cape on Thurs-
day evening.

The Scout, 18, Commander Loring, is still at Spithead, but will
shortly proceed to Plymouth to be paid advance and wait orders.
The Snake, 16, Commander Brown, has not yet arrived at Spit-
head flxim the Tore, but is hourly expected.
The Nautilus, 10, Lieut. Commander J. Macdonald, arrived at
Spithcad from Brighton on Monday.
The Diligence, transport, Martin, master, arrived at Devonport on
Sunday from Cork, with some supernumerary Seamen and stores
from Ilaulbowline Island.

The. Camel, lighter, rebel', master, anived at Devonport with
stores from Pembrok,e.on Monday.
The Retribution, steam frigate, Captain J,ushington, went to Spit-
head yesterday morning, where she is ready for service, and will
await orders ; it is uncertain where she will go to.
The Rattler, steam screw-sloop, Commander Smith, having
embarked the baggage and wives and families of the Royal
Marines appointed to do duty In Ireland, left for Cork on Sunday
evening.

Among other practices which hare come to light
since the exposure of the frauds connected with the railway mania,
is a very singular one for entrapping unsuspecting persons into the
unenviable position of provisional committee-men. Parties
atltamy weearte,
repre-
senting projected railways have been known to call on the most
respectable inhabitants of the town or village through which the
line was to pass, and to request them to give their names in token of
be premises.s
I it e driF tohi This,
told, was
waorispi•o requisiteva tif at 'eta] wbitioyanear l
ntlai etior
and they were assured that they were neither obliged to take shares,
nor would be in any manlier responsible. Under these represents •
Lions the inhabitants have sometimes yielded to the importunities of
the projectors, and have afterwards been surprised to find themselves
considered as regular provisional committee-men, with all the lia-
bilities of the situation.—Tintes.
HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT.—AN EXTRA-
ORDINARY CURL—Edward White, residing at 4.5, Clement's-lane,
Strand, was an in-door patient at King's College Hospital for an
abscess in tit thigh, and a wound nine inches long on the same
limb. He could neither bend his knee nor put his foot to the ground.
Ile remained in the hospital five months in bed, when lie was in-
formed that "nothing more could be done for him ;" he was then
carried to his home, and commenced using the above invaluable
oiewanes. tre to Bow, to the estornsiunent or every one, sound:),
cured, and can walk • • ell v$ as
ever he could in his life. Sold by
all retailers of medicine, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment,
244, Strand, London.

The Duke of Marlborough entertained yesterday, at
Blenheim Palace, the Lord Chief Baron (Sir F. Pollock) and Baron
Platt, the Judges of Assize on the Oxford Circuit. There were pre-
sent, besides many of the members of the bar, the Vice-Chancellor
of Oxford and other Heads of Houses, and several of the Nobility
and Magistracy of the county. The entertainment was given in &
style of princely magnificence. Their Lordships the Judges, and
their attendants slept at the Palace, and this morning proceeded ote
to Worcester.
CHURCH FOR THE SEAMEN OF LONDON.—The build-
ing of this church was commenced on Monday by Messrs. Cubht. It
will contain 800 free seats, and will cost, including the site and en.
dowment, about 9,0001. Mr. Henry Roberts is the architect.
JEWS' ORPHAN .ASYLUM.—On Tuesday the fbunda-
lion stone of the new building in connexion with this Institution.
was laid by the Rev. N. M. Adler. chief rabbi of the Jews in Great
Britain. The new building, which is a neat and convenient strue-
ture, is to be erected on the Tenter Ground, Whitechapel, and will
adjoin the district church of St. Mark. The asylum has been en-
dowed by Mr. A. L. Moses, in memory of his late wife, Mrs. Abigail
Moses. Several liberal contributions were announcei, and a letter
was read from the Queen Dowager expressing her regret at being un-
able to attend.
Fine magnitude of the deposits in savings'-banks, and
the great number of persons directly or indirectly interested In
them, have led naturally, at this time of class journalism, to the
issue of a periodical especially for their use, called the Savings' Ban
,l,
Circular, in which, to judge from the specimens yet published, much
useful information may be found. In the number for Februarya
article is devoted to the working of the system in Parts, fromor whichto
it appears that, owing partly to the railway mania, 'd p
long strike among some journeymen operatives, the eeiamsrdaarrilsWiient
during 1845 exceeded the deposits by 50,5,508/. they
are not independent institutions, butt there is one central
e
whole city, by which a un
bank, with sixteen branchifesmafittiry
much inconvenience. They
want of in London, produces' ottl'xi e°
system ntri
'sit' tntsa n eodf- , it 't
interest, money deposited atin Pali?, the mede of placing out the
since the stock purchased is placed, it
have an advantage, too,
of all further liability. With us, perhaps, owing to the far
' te fluid, this could not be so easily adopted, but the
in the names of the depositors, and thus the Government is
for by Mr. Hume have brought to light an Inequality
Idoirer,ernhteybasteikeisi,i
to have
is far from
comparisons of the two systems cannot but be useinl, The late
rdetlsii Greatereriveiedsd,
moved
ve
an ti 01 t
n."s' thlitcul
have punished
shi then
he 3 rate
ds eaoptfoi ssitilaitetoet:°:r lotY allowed
galyeea'llig,trreaoedtpa greater robredi benefit
of t ot
itlev;a large
atthoensees
habits of
tisiocillse,asrilfe'caianillyl•"4ter=ll °Torn:Jew lower orders, cud to promote-.
industry and economy.—Times.

eItIPPLEGATE DISPENSARY. ANNIVERSARY FES-
Ty/AL.—Last evening the anniversary diluter of the Charitable Faint
and Dispensary, Fore-street, Cripplegate, was held at the London
Tavern, his Royal Bigness the Duke of Cambridge in the chair, sup-
ported by Barnard, Esq., Alderman Challis, Baron Knesebeck,
'and other influential gentlemen of the City of London. About 150
Echtleincia sat down to dinner, the gallery being graced by the pre -
settee of ladies. During the evening the usual loyal and patriotic
toasts were drank, and those compliments which had reference to tha
Society were most enthusiastically responded to. The harmony of
the evening was much contributed to by Messrs. Burton, Shoubridge,
and others. The contributions announced during the evening ex-
hibited a very strong and proper feeling on the part of timei litereste3
in the welftire of the institution,

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.
(YESTERDAY.)

Sub• Committee No. I.
(Continued from eur Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
SHREWSBURY, WOLVERHAMPTON, AND

SOUTH STAFFORDSIIXEM (No. XX).

The petition for this Bill was then gone into.
The standing orders were declared to have been complied with
save In one instance, where the notices in the Gazelle were inserted
as only applying to a second-class Bill, whereas the Bill partook of a
second and tbiEl-elass Bill.
The CHAIRMAN said they would consider the point, and give their
decision on Thursday next.
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow.

Snb-Ceramittee No. 2.
LIVERPOOL AND LEEDS DIRECT.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Several allegations of the same nature were abandoned, and the
ease for this petition terminated.
The next petition was from Messrs. John, Joseph, Isaac, and
Thomas Hollings, of Bradford, in the county of York, complaining
of non-compliance with the standing orders, by which they were
affected by the railway.
The first allegation was that with respect to the property which
consisted of a mill, &c. in the township of Foyland in the parish of
Halifax, in the West Riding of the county of York, from sections 3o
to 46 no notice was served on the parties.
This allegation was sustained.
This was the case for this petition.
The next petition was from Messrs. John William and Edward
Armitage, of Gloucester, complaining of non-compliance with the
standing orders, the necessary notices with respect to their psoperty
on the line not having been served on the petitioners.
Mr. COATES here handed in a letter received from Mr. Edward
Armitage, to the effect that he had been served with a notice on the
20th of December.
Mr. Darr said that the premoters of the Bill were
bound to have served all the parties when they were, as in the
present case, in the United Kingdom, but instead of that they served
only one of the parties who was at that time in Cheltenham, and dis-
tant from one of the brothers over 100 miles, and from the other 40
miles. One of these gentlemen only heard of the circumstance on
the sth of February last. He believed that his friend (Mr. Coates)
would not attempt to deny these facts. If not he was ready to g 6
into the case.
Mr. COATES said that his friend had better go into his case.
ILvidence being heard pro and can,
Mr. COATES said he trusted that the Committee in their report
would mention the mitigating circumstances of the case, the parties
to be served here being scattered over the country.
The Committee found that in the case of Mr. Wm. Armitage the
standing orders had not been complied with, but that the other peti-
tioners had been duly served. This was the only allegation in this
petition.
The next petition was to the same effect from Mr. Rudd, on the
part of Sir Charles Evanson, for whom he was agent.
Evidence being heard in support of the allegation as well as on
the part of the promoters of the Bill, the Committee found that in this
case the standing orders had not been complied with, one of the
agents of Sir Charles Evanson being served, hut that the agent of
the property in question was not served.
The further hearing of this case was then postponed till Thursday,
to-morrow being the day for the hearing of unopposed petitions.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

Sub-Committee No. 3,

exronD, WITNEY, AND CHELTENHAM.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)

A number of other objections of a like character were brought for-
ward, but they were explained away by the promoters, who stated
that the errors originated in the slipping of the type on the plans and
sections.
Another objection was urged by Mr. John Pinnell, the owner and
occupier of land in the parish or Westnell, in Oxfordshire, who
proved that no application had been made to him by the promoters
on or before the 31st of December las', in respect of that portion of
his property proposed to be taken for the purpose of the railway. He
admitted having received a notice from the Oxford and Didcot Com-
pany, but it in no way related or alluded to the present scheme.
The agent fur the promoters was understood to explain that the
Oxford and Didcot line was connected with the present scheme, and
the name of the former was introduced cute the notice served upon
M. Pitmen by mistake.
Another allegation made out was that-one of the sheets of the
books of reference deposited with the clerk et the peace for the con nty
of Oxford was missing, and several others of a less important cha-
racter were proved to the satisfaction of the Committee.
In every instmee the Committee decided that the standing orders
had not been complied with.
The Commilate adjoueued at four o'clock till to•tnerrow.

Sub-Committee .No. 6.

Captain Jones took the chair at twelve o'clock ; there were also
present Lord libangton, Mr. l'akington, and ethers.

WOnCESTER AND POR.T.II DYNLMAEN.

This was the first ease brought antler the consideration of the
Conundtee. It had been postponed from a former day, to enable
the Parliamentary agent (Mr. Burke) to argue the point
whether th,re had not been a non-compliance with
the stamfing order; in c,As.imunme of the promoters of the Bill
hating put itt a declAraihm lost 'ad of a subscription contract for the
raising of the neccss.try funds, and which, in the opinion of the
Committee, was not stnlicient, inasmuch as a portion of the promo-
ters (the Great %Western Company) could not be compelled to proceed
with the undertaking.
Mr. Strait and Sir Win. ileatheote (the chairmen of two other
Railway Committus) attended sped Ally to hear the arguments
and join in the decision cl the Committee.
Mr. Ilunt:E itr:oed 111;!, point at great length, and concluded by
hoping that if the Connnittee dccid¢d against him, they would permit
the promoters to substitute the required contract in place of the de-
claration. _

fhe room was de and after the lspse Man hour and a half we
were re-admitted, when the next Bill on the list was called for s't ith•
sut any referea e being made to this by the Committee. We were
subsequently informed that it was ih^ determination of the Com-
mittee to cumin incite their decis!on to the agent on Thursday.
1.01,7D0MT EXWAINGIVIIVI
(LEA.M.INGION EXTENAION, (aiVENTICY, AND RUGBY

charges to meet the current expenses of the line, without
offering that accommodation to the public and those low
fares which would increase their traffic and their dividends.
Those expenses had been so considerable as to prevent them from
proposing the payment of a much higher dividend than the one de-
clared at their last meeting, namely, Bs. per share. The increase
of the dividend to 10s. per share, which they now propcsed to pay,
did not, however, arise from the increased receipts of the line, buf
from profits derived from other sources, such as interest on capital
and from the purchase of shares. The increase of traffic was the
main thing to which they had to look for their profits, but in main-
taining this increase there must, of course, be a gradual reduction
of expenditure, as the accommodation which they w.ould,
be
the first instance, be called to afford, would not reggae to
renewed, except a further accession of traffic took
place. The capabilities of the line were more and more
in the course of development, and they were therefore strongly of
opinion that a further reduction of fares would tend greatly to their
advantage; and with the same view they had recommended the
adoption of short lines, in order that the traffic of the larger lines
might not be interfered with. They had possibly heard of an asso-
ciation which had been recently established in London for improving
the dwellings of the working classes. A very intelligent member of
that association considered that it would be an error of
judgment to
improve the habitations in London, and had repeatedly urged the erec-
tion of suitable tenements within five or six miles of London, in order
that they and their families might enjoy the pure air of the country.
He considered further, that this plan mignt be effectually carried out
by the means of railways, and a proposal had been made to the
Board by an eminent architect, who, In his zeal for the industrious
classes, proposed to construct a railway for the purpose of carrying
out his plan with greater effect. But, in the first instance, he came
to the directors to ascertain if they would take these people home
and back again at a cheap rate. And be (the Chairman) considered
that they might effect the desired object if they could carry these
people as ff they were goods, sad at as cheap a rate as goods were
conveyed. This gentleman's proposal was, simply to build
villages in the vicinity of London, to charge an ad-
ditional rent upon them, which should be paid to the Company,
whether the people went by the railway er not, or whether the
houses remained full or empty. If they, therefore, could carry live
lumber at the same rate as dead lumber—(Laughter) —and not to
start the trains unless full or paid for, he saw no reason why they
should not accept the proposition, and bring an additional amount of
traffic on their line—in fact, make it a perfect street—thus increas-
ing their profits and conferring great advantages on the industrious
classes of the community, by removing them from the moral efflu-
vium and the physical effluvium, If he might so speak, gene-
rated in all large and densely populated cities—afford them
better houses, better water, better lighting, and, in short,
almost a change of existence. All the consideration was,
whether they would derive profit from the adoption of this plan or
not. lie then alluded to the amalgamation with the Brighton Com-
pany, and stated that everything had been arranged, and that the
two Companies were now on the best terms.—(Hear, hear.) After
referring to some of the other paragraphs in the report, he proceeded
to notice the system of traction adopted on the line. The locomo-
tive arrangements had been broken up. There had been a consider-
able increase in the expenditure on this account, but the greater
portion of that expense had been incurred in maintenance of the
way, as the rails laid down in the first instance were extremely
light, and the increased rate and power of the engines placed on the
line from time to time, had materially worn these rails, and rendered
their removal extremely frequent, and of course expensive. They
proposed ultimately to relay the whole of the rails, but, acting under
the advice of Mir. Cubitt, whose abeence lie regretted, they had de-
ferred doing so until the proposed extensions had relieved the main
line of some of its traffic. As they were no doubt anxious
to know the state of the atmospheric system, and the
opinion of the directors upon it, he would next address them
on that point. Ile did not know whether, in the prosecution
of their mode of traction they had met with more of those trials and
difficulties which persons attempting anything of a new character
generally encountered, but he felt perfectly satisfied in saying that
nothing which they had met with in the way of interruption, and
there had been some, had shaken their opinion of that system, or of
the benefits which it would confer on the shareholders. Nothing
had happened which could be traceable to causes which could have
been forseen; but lie thought that they should know all
that had taken place with respect to it—nothing would be con-
cealed in order that the anxiety of the shareholders might be
allayed as to the result of the atmospheric system. The more he
saw of that system the more he was confirmed in the opinion
which he had frequently expressed, that not only would all that had
been anticipated of it be realised, but that it would ultimately super-
sede the present mode of traction. This result might not be brought
about immediately, but as the desire of the community for rapid and
cheap communication increased, the old system could net fail
to give place to the atmospheric. He had no doubt they
had committed a mistake in employing Mr. Samuda
to make and be answerable for all the atmospheric apparatus on the
line. They thought his talents and energy would best accomplish
that object, and so far he believed they had acted wisely ; but then
they thought that Mr. Samuda had not such means at his command
as au engineer as were possessed by others in this great city, aed had
altered their determination. They said, "We will make 3lr. Samuda
answerable for every part of it, and as we know what engiee-
malting is, we will go to the best engine,-cutlers in London, that we
nosy have the best engine which cart be made." They went to
Messrs. Mandslay mei Field, than whom there were not more
eminent engineers in London, and stated their desire. Mr. Field went
to Dublin, and engines such as they considered they ru quires: were sup-
plied, but the result Lad-shown that either Mr. Field or eoine of them
had not had sufficient conception of what was best to be done. The
engines which they hall furnished were excellent in their way, but
they were more calculated to pump air than for the purposes de-
signed, as dye had broken in several parts —in the
crank axles, and in the connecting rods, whilst
six only could be used. They thought they would effect a great im-
provement by making the valves, which were very deficient, of wood
instead of iron, in order to lighten them to a few ounces, but, un-
fortunately, dirt an I grease bail interfered with its operatio', anti
they had consequently been unable to pump the line sufficiently.
This, no doubt, was a great mistake, .and they had thought it ad-
visable to put the whole matter in the hands of Mr. Sainuda, and
called upon hina to report to them what alterations would be neces-
sary to put these engines in good working order. Although accidents
of this flature had occurred, they confidently anticipated that the
time was not far trstant when all the advantages of the atinoepheste
system would be fully realised. (Ile then read a report from Mr.
Somata, setting forth the lidaries which the engines had sustained.)
With the atmospheric apparatus passengers could be carried at the
rate of seventy miles an hour, without any increase of expense on
working. it had also been demonstrated that trains could Le taken
into anti out ugthe tube in two minutes, and it could be so arrang.ed,
if required, as to send a train every five minutes With all the dis-
advantages that had taken place in the working of the atmospheric
principle, there had been every proof of its great economy over the
ordinary system of traction. The Hon. Gentleman then quoted from
the report of the Gauge Connnission, to show the great danger of ac-
cidents ou hoes *worked by locomotive engines as compared with
lines worked by stationary engines or upon the atmospheric
principle. siceiJents on locomotive lines principally arose from
high rates of speed, and by running express trains, end for this
heavy engines and increased cost were required ; whereas all the
advantages of high velocity would be realised from the atmospheric
system, without the danger associated with the ordinary railroad,
or an increase of cost. They had on the London and Croydon
realised the highest rate of speed yet attainable on the atmospheric
portion of the line, anti he had no doubt they would yet be able to
run trains throughout to Dover on this principle, at the highest rate
of speed and without dateser or increased expense. The Hon. Gee-
Homan said Ire would next call their attention to a speech recently
delivered in the West of Y rigland by Mr. Brunel, in which that gen-
tleman declared himself perfectly satisfied with the practicability of
the atmospheric, system shown in the working of it on the Croydon
line. Ito concluded by- reading the extract in question, and by de-
claring his firm persuasion that the system, notwithstanding all the
difficulties they had met wi- could be brought to work, so as to be
completely and perfectly' successful.
In answer to questions put by several proprietors,
The CHAIRMAN replied that there wits no intention of doing away
with the Croydon station, but only to remove it about three or four
hundred yards from its present position ; that the increase of tolls
was not so great as expected, but this was partly attributable to the
rates of toll cliar4ed on the London and Brighton, and the Ceoydon lines
being in proportion different To what they were in the previous half-
s ear ; that the directors, with regard to reduced fares, would act in
the best way to serve the interests of the company, and would trot
run headlong into low fares without the prospect of a population to
matte it advisable and remunerative; that the Directors expected
the whole line would be open to the junction with the Greenwich
Hallway in two or three months, and if the latter would not allow
them to go upon their line with the atmospheric principle, then the
directors would do their best to get to London-bridge by some other
means ; that there was no doubt but that the amalgamated Com-
pany would even give more accommodation tor short distances than
at present, as it would be the clear interest of the Brighton directors
to do so ; and that the gross receipts of the Company the last year
had been 76,0001., of which the whole expenses were 46 per cent.,
34)4 per cent. being for working expenses, and the remainder for
rates and taxes, which were very high, and toll to the South Eastern
Company.
The report, after sonic further explanations, of no material
nature, was received and adopted, and the resolutions agreed
to, declaring 10s. per share on the 44,400 old shares, the new shares
created as last meeting not being included. Mr. James Whisktn was
re-elected a director
The meeting, having passed a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
then broke up.