The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-20 00:00:00

NORTH BRITISH.

The half.yearly meeting of this railway company was
held at Edinburgh on Tuesday—Mr. Richard Hodgson,
of Carham, chairman, in the chair.
In moving the adoption of the report, the CHAIRMAN
conzratulated the shareholders on the virtual termination
of the struggle in which they had been lately engaged.
Their line, plant, and rolling stock were, he was happy
to state, in a higher state of efficiency than they had
been for a considerable number of years, while their re-
venue afforded them the prospect of an early dividend,
which he trusted would, once attained, progressively in-
crease. The half-year's dividend would of itself perhaps
be considered as justifying a dividend of one per cent.,
and this they would have been able to declare if the
money hill had been passed ; but they thought it would
better conduce to the stability and credit of the coin•
pany if they waited till that bill was obtained, and the
capital made equal to their ergagements.
Mr. Senor, deputy-chairman, seconded the report,
which, after some slight opp sition, was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN then moved that the course adopted
by the directors in regard to the money bill sanctioned
at last half-yearly meeting be approved of, and the bill
proceeded with without delay.
Mr. WALKER moved as an amendment that the meet-
ing disapprove of the conduct of the directors in pro-
ceedirg with the money bill contrary to the recommen-
dation of the meeting in January last, and that the bill
be restricted to the raising of 100,0001. stock, instead of
150,0001., and 33,0001. borrowed, instead of 50,0001.
For the motion there were 83 shareholders, with
1,05 S votes; and for the amendment 35 shareholders,
with 789 votes.•

Mr. WALKER demanded a ecrutiny, it being stated
that the proxies of the chairman and Mr. Douglass
would largely outbalance those held on this occasion by
Mr. Walker, though Mr. Walker said that his proxies
represented 50,0001. more ztock than the other side,
though fewer votes.

The agreement with the Selkirk and Galasbiels Com-
pany was approved.

Preference dividendy of 5 per cent. were declared.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of diree-
tms, seven gevtlemen being named for three vacancies ;
the proxies being main iced, and resulting in the re-
election of Messrs. Sprot and Douglass, and in the else-
tion of Mr. Benjamin Craven.

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NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE.
The report of the directors of this company states
that an intermediate dividend, at the rate of 21. 10..
per 1001. share, and so in proportion for shares of minor
value, subject to deduction of income tax, was paid for
the half-year ending the 30th of June last; and the
directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 24 per
cent.. for the half•year ending the 31st of December last,
payable on the IGth of April next, subject to deduction
of income tax, thus making the dividend fur the year
at the rate of 5 pa:. cent. The directors congratulate
the shareholders on the revenue having been fully main-
tained during the year 1355, there being an increase of
1,814/. over the preceding year, and during the past
three years the increase amounts to 41,5351. After pro.
viding for the payment Of the dividend of 5 per cent. per
annum the directors are enabled to carry the sum of
4,895/. to the reserve fund. The cost of a new locomo-
tive engine to replace the old ono has been defrayed out
the revenue. The directors on taking the detailed
valuation of the stores on the 31st of December find
that a considerable discrepancy has arisen ; they have
instituted a most searching investigation into the mat-
ter, and are adopting such arrangements as they expect
will prevent a recurrence of further irregularities iu
the store department.

RAILWAY BILLS IN PARLIAMENT.
FOREST or DEAN CENTRAL RAILWAY.—The Lords of
the Admiralty have given their assent to this bill, on
certai❑ conditions connected with the running of the
line within the bank of the Sevcrn at Brinispill
THAMES HAVEN DOCK AND RAlLwAr.—The Admi-
ralty have given their assent to this bill, provided no
works or embankments be constructed below high-water
mark. The object of the company is the construction of
a dock near the present terminuts and pier of the Lon-
don, Tilbury, and Southend Dail way, on the north bank
of the Thames, at Shellhaven cr tek, and to embank the
land there. The terminus to t ,he railway and the pro-
posed dock are situated on a y °int of laud bounded on
the south and east by the river Thames, on the north Ly
Shellhaven-creek ; and the lan d altogether amounts to
150 acres,