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

NORTH BRITISH.

The half yearly meetiutz of this railway company wee
hell at Edinburgh on Tueday—Mr. Richard Hodgson,
of Carham, chairman, in the ch:tir.

In moving the adoption of the report, the CHAIRMAN
congratulated the shareholders on the virtual termination
of the strugele 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-
♦enue afforded them the prospect of an early dividend,
which he trusted would, once attained, progressively in-
crease. The hail-year's dividend would of itself perhaps
be considered as justifying a dividend of one per cent.,
an this they would have been able to declare it the
money bill had been passed ; hut they thought it would
better conduce to the ptabili,y and credit of the tern•
pang if they waited till that bill was obtained, and the
capital made equal to their e, gagements.
Mr. SPROTo deputy chairman, seconded the report,
which, after some slight opp 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 mee!ing be approved of, and the bill
proceeded with without delay.
Mr. WALKER moved as a❑ amendment that the meet.
log disapprove of the conduct of the directors in pro-
eaten! g with the money bill contrary to the recommen-
dation of the meeting in January last, and that the bill
be rtstricted to the raising of 100,0001. stock, instead of
150,0001., and 31,000/. borrowed, instead of 50,0001.

For the motion there were 88 shareholders, with
1,058 ♦otes ; and for the amendment 35 shareholders,
with 789 votes. _

Mr. WALKER demanded a scrutiny, it being stated
that tho proxies of the chairman and Mr. Douglass
would largely outbalarce those held on this occasion by
Mr. Walker, though Mr. Walker said that his proxies
represented 50,0001. more stock than the other side,
though fewer votes.
The agreement with the Selkirk and Galashiele Com-
pany was approved.
Preference dividends of 5 per cent. were declared.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of direct•
tors, seven gestlemen being named for three vacancies ;
the proxies being again used, and resulting in the re-
election of Messrs. Sprot and Douglass, and in the elec-
tion of Mr. Benjami❑ Craven.

NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE.
The report of the directors of this company states
that au intermediate dividend, at the rate of 21 10s.
per 1001. share, and so in proportion for shares of in. inor
value, subject to deduction of income tax, was paid for
the halt-year ending the 30th of Jtine last ; and the
directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 2i per
cent. for the half•year ending the 31st of December last,
payable on the 10th of April next, subject to deduction
of income tax, thus making the dividend for the year
at the rate of 5 per cent. The directors congratulate
the shareholders on the revenue having been fully main-
tained during the year 1855, 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
4,805/. to the reserre fund. The cost of a new locomo-
tive engine to replace the old one 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 in
the store department.

RAILWAY BILLS IN PARLIAMENT.
FOREST OF DEAN CENTRAL RAILWAY.—The Lords of
the Admiralty have given their /went to this bill, on
certain conditions connected with the running of the
line within the bank of the Severn at Brimspill
THAMES HAVEN DOCK AND RAILWAT.—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 terminus and pier of the Lon-
don, Tilbury, and Southend Railway, on the north bank
of the Thames, at Shellhaven creek, and to embank the
land there. The terminus to the railway and the pro-
posed dock are situated on a point of land bounded on
the south and east by the river Thames, on the north by
Shellhaven-creek ; and the land altogether amounts to
150 WU*