The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-04 00:00:00

WILTS, SOMERSET, AND WEYMOUTH.

Ti. section of this line between Promos and Yeovil was
opened for general traffic on Tuesday morning. The
first train left Frome at 10.45 a.m. The engine was de-
corated with flags and evergreens, but there was by no
means a crush of passengers. Considerable excitement
was exhibitei at Frome, and the different stations on
the line were crowded. At Bruton the bridge crossing
the line was surmounted by laurels and the words,
" Welcome to Bruton." There were also two evergreen
arches i❑ the High-street, and flags appeared on the
church tower and other places. The length of the line
opened is 25i miles, and the intermediate stations are
Witham, Bruton, Castle Cary, Sparkford, and Marston.
The electric telegraph wires are in the course acorn-
p'etion.

RAILWAY PASSENGERS: ASSURANCE COM-

PANY.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at
the offices, Old Broad-street, yesterday ; Mr. James
Clay presided.

The SECRETARY (Mr. W. J. Vian) read the minutes of
the:last meeting and the report, which said—" The di-
rector■ have the satisfaction of reporting to the proprie-
tors a considerable increase in the amount received from
premiums during the past halt.year. The income for
the half-year ending 30th June last was 3,5411. 6s. ed.
from railway accident policies and tickets, and 2,4351.
18s. Sd. for general accident policies ; together, 5,9771.
sq. 2d,„ .; against 4,5701. 10s. 10.1. in the corresponding
period of last year, being an increase of SO per cent. The
amount actually received for premiums during this period,
as shown by the printed statement of accounts, was
5,083/. 4s. 3d., making, with the Valance of last halt-year
and the interest on investments, 7,5881. Bs. id. to credit
of the revenue account. The disburs.rnenta, including
the ordi-ary working expenses and 5351. 12s. 6d. as coin.
pensation, amount to 4,0361. 9s. Bd., leaving a balance
of 3,5511. 195., which, with the amount still due from
the clearing-house and agents (894(. Os. 11d.) forms the
sum of 4,445/. 19s. 11d., from which the directorsrecom-
mend the payment of interest upon the paid-up capital at
4 per cent. per annum, free of income tax, reserving the
balance to meet the charges for Government duty and
commission, and the risk on current policies. Theamount
of compensation paid during the period under review,
535/. 12s. 6d., is smaller than usual, the number of rail-
way accidents having been less than for some years.
Since the commencement of the current half-year, nume-
rous accidents of a very serious character have oocurred
on different railways. The directors, however, are happy
to inform the shareholders, that although great numbers
of people have been more or less injured by these acci-
dents, very few of the sufferers have held insurance
tickets. The directors regret to have to state, that since
the commencement of the current half•year two claims
of 1,0001. each have been made against the company, in
consequence of the holders of general accident policies,
Messrs. T. and J. Shilling, father and son, having been
drowned in the river Medway on the 11th July last.
They were driving along a private road (since shut up
running between, and parallel with, the Medway on the
one side and the Strood and Maidstone Branch Railway
on the other. It is supposed that the horse took
fright at a train which was passing at the time, as the
chaise with their dead bodies was found in the river
the following morning. The younger Mr. Shilling has

left a widow and four children, to whom the amount
of both policies is payable. The 2,0001. was secured as
a provision for the family by the payment of 81. ss. only
three months previously.
On the motion for the adoption of the report, some
discu,sion ensued in respect to the amount of expenses
incurred, which were considered large ; but it was ex-
plained by the chairman of the finance committee that
every item was looked to carefully, and no expense
was incurred that could be avoided. They paid large
sums as commissions to agents for increasing the busi-
ness.

The report was adopted, and interest at the rate of 4
per cent. was declared, payable on the paid-up capital
of the company. A vote of thanks to the chairman and
directors concluded the proceedings.