The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-07 00:00:00

THE SIJ.N, LONDON, TIIURS DAY EVEN ING AUGUST 7. lEi5 6.
I lr v., • • n.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN
RAILWAY—(This Day).

COMpin

Cio,,n "'no, I tu
this day. t this

The ordinary half-yearly meeting of this company was
held this afternoon at the company's station, Waterloo-
road ; Mr. W. J. Chaplin, M.P., in the chair.
The report and statement of accounts, which ha►e
both appeared in Th,e /sun, were taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN said he hoped the report and accounts
would be considered satisfactory, and render any length-
ened remarks from him unnecessary. He congratulated
the shareholders on the progressing satisfactory state of
the line. Out of 78 stations in work there were only
three that bad not yielded a profit during the last half-
year, and the aggregate amount of loss of expenditure
over income on them did not amount to more than 166/.
(Hear, hear.) Another subject for congratulation was,
that this line, with the exception of three others, was
worked at the lowest percentage of any other railway
in the kingdom. (Hear.) Good faith had been kept
with the shareholders with reference to the providing
plant, and the expense for sidings and stations, for
the liquidation of which it was proposed to ask
their vote, and carry it to capital. With regard to the
bad debt account, the Chairman read from the report
pm the following paragraph :—"As we stated in our last
report, the old Bad Debt' account then disappeared
in our books ; but it will be noticed that an item of a
similar nature under the bead of Eicke's Fraud' is
charged in the present accounts. The loss was occasioned
by the fraudulent issue of a bond fabricated in 1849.
That bond became payable in this half-year, and is at,-
cordingly debited to the revenue thereof. We have no
reason to doubt that all past debts and frauds are now
disposed of." (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman re-
ferred to the debenture debts, and the difficulties gene-
rally experienced in raising money, remarking that the
directors of this line had been so fortunate as to obtain
money at 44 per cent. The directors proposed that
powers also be given to them to regulate this stock, and
render it permanent by issuing shares for them from
time to time as they may think fit, whereby a great sav-
ing in interest and expense would be effected. The in-
terest proposed to be paid on the stock was 4 per sent.,
which would effect a saving of interest alone to the ex-
tent of 7,0001. per annum. (Hear. hear.) Many com-
plaints had been made of late relative to the situation of
the Waterloo station, arising from its difficulty of ac-
cess. There was at present a sum of 80,0001. in hand
for constructing a road from the Borough to Hungerford-
bridge, and he had been informed by gentlemen con-
nected with the Hungerford-bridge that that company
had plans under their consideration for altering the pre-
sent bridge, to make it applicable for carriages, with
an avenue on both sides for foot passengers ; or
they would, if assisted, consider the propriety of
building a new bridge on arches. It would be for the
shareholders of the London and South-Western Com-
pany to consider the present means of access to Charing-
cross, and whether it would not be politic on their part
to invest some of their own private capital in such im-
provements as he had referred to. (Hear, hear.) He
moved the reception and adoption of the report.
Count EYRE (director) seconded the motion.
The Hon. P. PIERREPOINT, director of the London
and North-Western, congratulated the meeting on the
satisfactory state of the undertaking which he attri-
buted to the honest, manly way, in which the policy of
the company had been carried out by the chairman.
(Cheers.)
After some remarks from Mr. WOOD of a rather un-
intelligible character, referring to the company's inte-
rest in the North Devon and the Crediton Railways,
and also on the accounts,
Mr. CURRIE, on the part of the travelling public, com-
plained of the bad character of some of the carriages,
which he said was loudly complained of, and ought to
be remedied. They might keep the old carriages for
"Lords', Commons'," and excursion trains—(laughter)
—but the new and bast-constructed carriages should be
kept for short journeys and for the accommodation of
those who took houses in the neighbourhood of the line.
(Hear.) Ile objected to any money being expended re-
lative to any fresh approaches to the West-end over
Hungerford•bridge, believing it should be over West-
minster-bridge, to better accommodate the inhabitants
of Belgravia and all that neighbourhood. Referring to the
large sums of money that bad been earned by this company
in connection with the naval and other reviews, and un-
derstanding extra remuneration had been in consequence
given to guards, engine-drivers, porters, &c., but not to
the station-masters and others in a superior position on
the line, he urged the propriety of a gratuity being given
to those whose anxiety and business had been increased
by the running of these extra trains.
Mr. TITE, M.P., suggested that the directors should
pause before they did anything with reference to Hunger-
ford-bridge. The construction of the new Westminster-
bridge bad been suspended in consequence of a scheme
being under consideration to remove the bridge alto-
gether lower down the river; and, from what he had
seen of the sketch, he thought the station would be
mush benefited.
The CHAIRMAN said that he addressed the share-
holders on that-point in their individual character.
Mr. TlTE—Tben I caution them not to be too hasty.
The hon. gentleman referred to the carriages, which he
said presented a contrast to, many other lines ; but
having got them, economy must be studied, and they
must be used till worn out. Speaking of the extra re-
muneration to the railway officials. Mr. Tite said that
railway staffs were the hardest worked and worst paid
men in the kingdom. (Hear, bear.) He asked what
had been done about the Exeter Extension Line.
The Chairman explained that men were now at work
on land where the purchase had not been completed in
order to save time and push on the undertaking.
Mr. Sergeant Gazelee said the officers on the line had
been remunerated for extra services according to a scale
laid down by the traffic manager. The committee of
review had considered the salaries paid to all the offi-
cers, and in many instances had greatly increased them.
"After some further remarks, the subject dropped,
the directors having consented to give it their consi
deration.

Adam .
Rajah..

EL,COI3

Mr. HEST:PATH said the report was satisfactory. It
was not often they had an increase of dividend, as
recommended on this occasion. (Hear,) The hon gentle-
man suggested some alterations with reference to the
details of the accounts, ttc., particularly the suspense
account, and also that the proprietors' consent should
first be asked before an outlay of capital took place.
Mr. HUTCHINGS said the latter was impossible. As
soon as the sum expended alas known, the proprietors
were asked to capitalise it. After that the plant, sta-
tion, /cc., were kept up out of revenue.
A lengthened discussion ensued, but nothing practi-
cal resulted from it.
The report was then agreed to.
A dividend of 54 per cent, per annum, subject to
resolutions were
to.
T were then agreed to :
"Thee
inc
hme
followingt
ca rat i o wax
and disposal of a Debenture Stock, to bo
applied in liquidation of the Company's existing Debenture
Debt."
" The disposal of the balance of the old ordinary share
capital.
" The leasing jointly with the London, Brighton, and
South Coast Railway Company, of the Wimbledon and
Croydon Railway.
" The conclusion of arrangements for working and main-
taining the respective Branch Railways to Lymington,
Blandford, and Salisbury Market when completed by their
respective proprietors.

A vote of thanks to the chairman then terminated
.he proceedings.

-mss Dx.
POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

BOW STREET.

A POLICEMAN EXCEEDING HIS Dl:Tr.—This morning
a very respectably attired young woman, named Sarah
Simmonds, was placed before Mr. Hall, charged with
annoying gentlemen in the Strand.

Police-constable 153 F stated that be was on duty
last night in the Strand, and between the hours of nine
and ten he saw the female at the bar annoy a gentle.
man by attempting to take his arm. He repulsed her,
and proceeded onwards. He (the constable) then cau-
tioned her, and afterwards he saw her repeat the annoy-
ance to two other gentlemen. He then took her into
custody.

Mr. Hall—What do you mean by the term 'annoy.
ing

Constable—Attempting to take a gentleman's arm.
The sister of the young woman here stepped forward,
and assured the magistrate that there was not one word
of truth in the statement just made by the constable.
Her sister was a respectable married woman, and the
facts of the case were as follows:—Last evening her sister
and herself left their residence, which was situated on
the other side of the water, with the intention of mak-
ing a purchase, and having done so, they stood for a
minute or two at the corner of one of the streets in the
Strand, considering which of the bridges they should
oross—Waterloo or the Suspension. While so engaged,
the policeman came up and ordered them to quit the
spot, at the same time saying, as long as he was on the
beat he would not allow girls of their description to stand
about the streets. Her sister feeling indignant at such an
imputation, remonstrated with him, and she (the wit-
ness) told her to take his number. He then took
jaoid of
,14;giz. 51A4013,8 peuryed....hir....to the.

station-house. The husband of Mrs. Simmonds wai
a higly respectable man•
Mr. Hall ordered the policeman to be recalled, and, nix iti
he having made his appearance in the itness-box, the
magistrate addressing him said—You have beard what
has been stated, what answer have you to make to it ?
The policeman said his evidence was true.
Mr. Hall—Do you know this young person ?
Policeman—No.
Mr. Hall—Then you have done wrong in bringing her
here. The act of Parliament states, that persons liable
to he taken into custody for the offence with which you
have charged her with must be known to be habitual
night walkers or prostitutes, and you have no right to
bring such a charge as this, neither have you a right to
say to any one that they shall not stop on your beat,
without you know them to be bad characters. lam
always ready to uphold the police in the proper discharge
of their duty ; but as long as I have a seat on the bench,
I will not permit any tyranny to be exercised by them.
It is very easy to make such a charge as this against
any female ; but it is a most difficult one to remove.
You must be more careful for the future. I clearly see
how this case has arisen. When you were threatened
with having your number taken you lost your temper.
How long have you been in the force
Policeman—Not long, your worship.
Mr. Hall then again cautioned the policeman, and
ordered the young woman to be discharged.
The husband, a very respectable man, was about to
address the magistrate, but Mr. Hall told him whatever
application he had to make, he would hear after the
business of the morning had been disposed of.
We understand that the husband intends to lay the
whole facts of the case before the Commissioners n
Police.

sung Commander. A Novel. Author of " The Two Midshipmen," Ity the
" The
Warhavrk," dm. 3 vols. Newby.
This novel has for subject the adventures of a
lost heir, yet, although in this sense it belongs to
a classl32o
novelty in its delineation and intrinsic interest of
its own. The hero is a spirited character, well
calculated to form the centre of attraction to a
series of dashing exploits and dangerous events,
"Hair-breadth scapes, and hair-breadth snares,
Hair-brained perils, ventures , cares,"
might have served him ior motto, for his career
was a catalogue of chances and changes that befall
few. There are many evil natures in the story, and
they are, for the most part, accurately descri
It might be suggested that it is hardly probable
that James Tregannon would have kept the
paper
on which his life depended in so careless a
manueri
the most natural supposition would be that
ho de..
stroyed it altogether as soon as he got to a place of
safety after his perilous escape from the House of
Treganuon. It is true, however, that the wicked
do overreach themselves in many cases, and for
want of trivial attention to trifles neglect the
structure of their laborious efforts in large designs.
A new source of interest is added to the story in
the passage which relates the adventures in France.
Claude Tregannon is made a prisoner, and released
by La Rochejaquelein, as a mark of esteem for his
services, the young Englishman joined the forces
of the Vendeans in several encounters with their
foes. Fanny Fleetwood had many narrow escapes
in France, then in a state of great tumult, and her
position was rendered still more distressing from
her being the prey of. many machinations, devised from various motives, principally revenge on
Claude, to whom she was engaged, and who, from. his peculiar circumstances, possessed many ene-
mies. The numerous attempts which the hero
made to recover the important documents, which
were necessary to reinstate him in his patrimonial
estates, are vividly sketched, and render the narra-
tive in many parts exciting. On the whole, many
may spend a pleasant hour in the perusal of this
book if they desire life and spirit in the detail and
description of scenes and events. There are to be
met with likewise some sea stories, which add to
the variety and vigour of the style; and there is an
animated account of some naval encounters, where
Claude captured a French vessel near Calcutta, as
well as the dangerous epoch when he was unsuc-
cessful and taken prisoner to France.
T'

SUN OFFICE, Sim o'clock.

BRIGHTON RACES.—(This Day

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

GRAND STAND PLATE
Sonth Western
:Raphael

Four ran.

of the honours awaiting the title of a successfu
naval novelist.

BRIGHTON CUP.

Three ran.
FIFTH ET ENNIAL STAKES.

of Athens .

Four r.o.

PAVILION PLATE.

S:.ndboy
New Brighton ~.

Six ran.

`he Austrian Dungeons in Italy. By Felice Or.
sini. Translated by J. Merriton White.
A deeply interesting narrative of the author's
fifteen months' imprisonment in, and final escape
from, the fortress of St. Giorgio, in Mantua. Au
ardent patriot, busied from his youth upward in
schemes for the liberation of Italy, Signor Orsini,
after being frequently imprisoned, was pounced
upon by the Austrian authorities in Hermanstadt,
in December, 1854, while travelling on a political
mission. From Hermanstadt he was forwarded to
Vienna, and from thence to the fortress from which
he contrived to make his escape, for examination
and punishment. The reader has presented before
him pictures of prison life as experienced by politi-
cal offenders under Austrian sway, and is shown
by what vile and cruel arts Austria succeeds inper-
petuating her accursed yoke in Italy—notwith-
standing the dislike and positive hatred of the
great majority of the people. The story of the
author's escape possesses a thrilling interest, which
must insure its general perusal. A deeper sense
of satisfaction will, however, be found in the hopes
the narrative both directly and indirectly holds
out of Italian independence at no distant day, if
the wishes, and energies, and valour of the people
may avail against the myriad armed cut-throats
that hold her in bondage, while others maintain a
perpetual observation of her movements.

LONDON CORPORATION ACCO UN: