The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-23 00:00:00

SOUTH-EASTERN.

The report of the directors to bo presented at the next
half-yearly general meeting is in substance as follows :
"The revenue account shows that the total receipts of
the company durir, the past half-year have amounted to
585,6121:75. 4d. (including 38,1281. 12s. 6d. receipts from
steam-boat traffic), being. an increase of 93,6691. is. 10.1.
over the corresponding period of 1851-5. From the state-
went of the' expenditure, as set forth in the same account,
it will bo observed that, after paying and providing for all
permanent charges, rents, working expenses, interest, an,
nuities, an dividends, on tho preference shares and stock,
there remains available for dividend on the ordinary con-
solidated stock a balance of 171,0731. 19s. 11d. A dividend
of 13s. 3d. per share, being at the rate of 41. Bi. 43. per
cent. per annum, will absorb a sum of 164,160'. 17s. 6d.,
and this rate of dividend the directors recommend to be
paid, leaving a balance to he carried forward of 6,9131.
2s. sd. •
" The increase in the passenger traffic continues to be
satisfactory ; the number of persons carried over the corn-
pany's lines during the past season having exceeded that
of any former year. The Exhibition of Industry at Paris,
and the transit of military men to and from the seat of war
in the East, via Marseilles, have tended considerably to
augment the receipts upon the main line; and it is also
gratifying to be able to state that there has been a general
increase in the number of passengers carried to and from
all stations on the branches as well as the main line. The
largely increased intercourse between England and the
Continent during the past season has led to a considerable
advance in the steam-boat passenger traffic, the numbers
carried by the company's steam-ships between Folkestone
and Boulogne, as well as between Dover and Calais, having
exceeded those of any previous year. The through traffic
to and from the continent for the past half-year has con-
siderably exceeded that of the English Exhibition year of
1851..

115

"The merchandise traffic exhibits a consi,lerablo in-
crease on the half-year. The weight of merchandise car-
ried has been 31,216 tons in excess of the corresponding
period of the preceding year, and the increase, 17,187/. 4s.
sd. has arisen from the carriage of hops, the past season
having proved unusually productive ; and 3,1641. 168. 3d.
from the carriage of coals—the measure adopted by the
directors of throwing open the trade in this article having
thus far been attended with satisfactory'results. The met-
chandise traffic to and from the continent
gratifying progress (luring the half-year; the increased
leas also made
tgornatniafyge carried by the company's steamboats having been
yinagcreased facilities for
nein of continental mer-
e2,4B3 tons, and the increased receipts 2,909% 7e, hi. The
directors are of opinion that further provision will shortly
o
thta iass' ne
rseltr cbee,wwmi thahidc the
it i s
el
forviteeh‘xve conveyance
expected, will prove of considerable
value to the company.
__"Although the Reading and eigate branch continues
to be a source of considerable loss to the company, it is
satisfactory to-observe that the traffic and relative profit
en that part of the railway continue to increase.
" The electric telegraph on this company's lines has not
of late years been a source of profit, having been regarded
mainly in the light of a valuable auxiliary in the working
of the railway; but an alteration which the directors have
recently made in the rates for commercial messages, and
which came into operation on the Ist January last, pro-
mises to relieve the company from any loss in this depart-
ment, if not to prose a source of actual profit ; the increase
in the receipts for the month of January, as compared with
the ebrresponding month in 1855, having been such as fully
to cover the expenditure.
"The expenditure incurred in the working of the rail-
way (inducing all charges upon traffic) during the past I
half-year exhibits an increase of 42,0631. lOs. ld. over the
corresponding -period of 1851-5. The expenditure on the
maintenance and renewal of ways and works during the
half-year has been 50,5811. 4s. Compared with the past
charges against revenue on the same account, this exhibits
an increase of 10,801/. Os. 10,1. over the corresponding pe-
riod of last year of 20,810/. 4s. 31. as compared with the
half-year ending the 31st January, 1854, and of 25,9181.
12s. as compared with the PLalf-year ending the 31st Jan.,
1853. Notwithstanding this large comparative increase,
the directors are prepared to justify the expenditure as
absolutely necessary, feeling convinced that itis the wisest
economy and the best policy of the company to maintain
the way and works in the most efficient state, and to
execute:in a substantial manner such repairs and renewals
as may be required. With this object timber bridges have
t been replaced in several cases by substantial briekitructures,

and where the renewalof timber bridges has been necessary,
they have been replaced by stronger fabrics.* In this way
several bridges on the Canterbury branch have been is
built of brick iu place of timber, and four timber bridges
over the Medway on the main line have been re-
constructed) of stronger materials during the past heif-
ye. .er It has also been found necessary to make extensive
repairs in the tunnels on the Tunbridge Wells branch ;
and the Street! and Higham tunnels on the North •Kent
lino have been effectually drained throughout,. Consider-
able damage having been done to the works ..aeljacent to
the Dover station by a recent hurricane, the viaduct there
has been entirely replanked, and arrangements have been
made for the erection of a now sea wall for the:better pro-
tection of the company's wharf.. Many of stations
have undergone extensive improvements and..alterations,
and the signals and station lamps have been thoroughly
repaired throughout the entire line. The attention of the
company's engineer has been particularly dielitited to the
improvement of the permanent way ; and a considerable
portion of the increased expenditure during the half-year
has been caused by the necessity which existed for the in-
troduction of new materials and the laying tiotru of better
ballast. Upwards of 20,000 now sleepers Imes, been need
during the half-year, and two acres of shingle hare re-
cently been purchased for the improvement of Ile road.
"The miscellaneous working expenses exceed those of
the corresponding period of last year by 21,951/. le. ld.
There hair been an excess 0r10,3941. Os. 9d.' in the ex-
penditure of the merchandise department, arising
chiefly from the larger amount of tonnage carried over
the line, and the heavy costs incurred in the collecting
and delivery of goods and parcels. The directors re-
gret to have to advert to another item of 14,3911.75. 2d.,
which represents the amount paid by the com-
pany during the half-year, arising principally from
compensation paid (under prefeat) for ,tre loss it
gold,- -anti-:from the distressing accidents which have oc-'
curled upon the railway near Reading and at the Surrey
Canal Junction.
"In order to place the entire working arrangements of the
railway in the most efficient state, the directors have con-
sidered it right and necessary to make an important change
in the management; and they have recently selected for
,the joint office of manager and superintendent Mr. C. W.
Eborall, whose large practical experience and success as
general manager of the ,East Lancashire Railway during a
period of six years are calculated, in their judgment, to
inspire general confidence in his qualifications for this im-
portent office.
" The rapidly growing importance of the port of Folke-
stone, and the increased traffic, both in passengers and
merchandise, which, by efficient besiness arrangements,
may be expected to pass through that place to and from
the continent of Europe, have pressed upon the directors
the neces-ity of appointing, as their harbour-master there,
an officer of superior commercial qualifications ; and, after
consideration, they have selected Captain Boxer for that
office.
"The capital account shows an expenditure of 99,2141.
ss. during the pest half-year. The principal item of
53,9321. 2s. sd. has been incurred in tho construction of the
Strood and Maidstone branch ; and the further sum of
10,900/. in the provision of carriages and waggons in antici-
pation of the opening of that line. The engineer reports it
as probable that, in this course of about a month from this
date, the contractor will be able to give up possession of
the line to the company for the working of goods traffic;
that the stations are in course of erection, and, if the
weather should prove favourable, will be completed by the
time the line is opened for passenger traffic, about the be-
ginning of May next. On that event taking place, the
capital expended in the construction of this branch (the in-
terest on which is now necessarily a charge against revenue)
will become productive, and, it is believed, remunerative
to the proprietors. The sum of 3,7031. 12s. 11d, has been
expended in the purchase of a screw-steamer, to assist in
the working of the goods traffic between F Ilkeston's and
Boulogne. In event, however, of the further increase of
this traffic, it may be found necessary to purchase another
goods' boat, and the proprietors have already given the re-
quisite authority to the directors to do so.
" The company's relations with neighbouring companies
continue of a satisfactory character. An arrangement has
been concluded with the Brighton Company, by which
the division of the joint traffic between London and Hast-
ings, London and Reig,ato (ineluding Red Hill), and Lon-
don and the Caterhatn Railway, has been adjusted on such
terms as it is hoped will prove advantageous to both com-
panies; at the same time that. the public convenience will

be promoted.
" In order to afford explanations to such proprietors as
may desire them, on the accounts now published, tho di
rectors and auditors will attend at the oinces at London-
bridge, from 12 to 2 p.►n. on Wednesday next, the 27th
inst."

RAILWAY TRAM° RET URNS.

TRAFFIC RETURNS FOR THE WEEK.

Miler I
opened, 1

24134
117
191'4
9 04

SAME OF RAILWAY.

BRITIBII.

&borcloen .. .• • • .. • .

-

Belfast and Ballymena •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
Belfast and County Down.• ••
Birltenhese, Laneashlt•o, And Cheshire
Bolton, Illactiburn,Alid West York •• ••
Bristol and Exeter • • ..

Caledonian—, ........ • ............
Clicetcr and Holyhead .. • .. • • • • •• • • • •
Cork, filackrock, and raseage
Cork and Bandini • . •• •111 ••,•• •• • •
Dublin and- ltellaskjitlictioxt. • • .4
Dublin stud asegn•d **Fit "
Dablist,llad Kinsinewn
Minden and Arbroath
Dundee, l'erth, and Aberdeen Junction
Dundalk and Enniskillen • • .. • • • • • • • •
East Anglian..• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Fait Lancashire • • • • • • • •
Eastern Counties and N0rf01k......1
Eastern I.Tnion.• • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • .3

Itecolpts.

Ediaburgh and Glaseoe► .• • ..........
Edinburgh, Perth, And Dundee •.....
Exeter and Crediton.. •• ....•• • • • • ••
Furness Railway •• . •• ...• ••
Glasgow, and South-Westetn •• • • • • • •
Great Northern.... ....... • • •• •
Great Southern and Western (Ireiond)
Great Western ...................•
Irish South Eastern • • •• •• •• • • • • • • ••

183 N
2P3
203
365
25%
90
286%

lAbG.

Lancaster and Cerlisle.• •• •• • • • • •• ••
Lancashire and Yorkshire ..... • •• •• ••
Leeds Northern ..•• •• •• •• •• • • • • • • ••
Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport.• • •
London and North Western .••
London and Blackwall.• •• • • • • •• • • ••
London, Brighton, and South Coast..
London and South Western. • • ......
Londonderry and Enniskillen • • •• • • ••
Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, &e.
Manchester, SheMehi,and Lincolnshire
Mlnchester and South Junction......
Maryport and Carlisle .
Nildland •• •• .- •• •• •• • •
Midland Great Western (Irish)
Monklands •• •• •• •• •. •• •..- .• •• •• ••

3 212
809

3,207
0,5?>6
3,922
148
190

161
553%
5%
267

958
1.223

869
5,263

18,957

173?
28
49SN
126 y,
37
781%
149

4,272
4 902

Newcastle and Carlisle.. •• ..........
North British .• •• • • • • •• • • •• • • •. •• ••
North Staffordshire •• ••• • • • •• •• •• • .

5,453
iti,oll
6,047
21,1.31

1865.

87%
32
29

North-Western •• ...•••

Scottish Central • • • • • • • • ••
Scottish Midland •• •• •••• •
Shrewsbury and Birmingham
Shrewsbury and Chester ............
Shropshire Union .. • • • • • • • • •• •.•
gouth Dev0n......................
South Eastern • • • • • • • • .• • • • • • • • . • • • •
South Wales • • . ..........

87%
289
162!4

Smith York., Doncaster, and Goole ..
Ulster. •• ••
Waterford And Limerick
West Cornwall .......

1'4,046
19,449

50,695
1,214
9,183

7,850

2,579
635

4,167
10,309
3,849

109
711 v
1,,b1

SG7
25,700
2,1030

419
246
626
4,592
17,826
4,144
4,72)

4,240

4,946
16.660
6,326
18,3)0

1,415
2,187
684
2,027
12.882
5,617

4GII
17,3►,0

42 612
1,004
7,236

7.143
598
712
23,51;9
4,567

3,510

4,195

1,044
1,772
701
1,Y23
10,91
4,1511

2,96 0