The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-29 00:00:00

STIRLING AND DUNFERMLINE.

The half-yearly meeting of the Stirling and Dunfdrm-
line Railway Company was held at Eslinburgh on Thurs-
day ; Mr. J. Aostrutber in the chair.

The directors report stated that on the 16th of Jan.
last Mr. Miller,• the stautory auditor of the accounts of
expenditure ir.cnrred in the construction of the line,
made his report applicable to the 'portion of the railway
situated between Dunfermline and Allen, whereby
371,8181. was fixed as the amount on which the rent of
4 per cent. was payable by the lessees (the Edinburgh
and Glasgow) for that portion of the line. Tne action
agairst the lessees was immediately enrolled in the Court
of See-ion before the Lord Ordinary, for the porpose of
obtainino decree for the rent due by them ; but the les-
Fees !dated objections to the report with the view of liov-
ing the whole matter again opened up. The Lord Ordi-
nary had given decree in favour of this company, but the
lessees bad reclaimed to the Second Division, before whom
the case would come in May next. The report of the audi-
tors in regard to the traffic stated that the revenue for the
half-year amounted to 15,1591., the expenses to 5,306/..
or 35 per cent., leaving 9,8531. towards the rent, which
amounted on 520,0001. capital to 10,4001., showing a
deficiency of only 5461. in the half-year. The rapidly
increa,ing traffic of the line, with the addition likely to
be derived from the early opening of the Forth
and Clyde Railway, afforJe I, said the auditors, a pros-
pect that the returns of the line would shortly not only
meet the minimum guaranteed rent, but leave a surplus
for division with the lessees.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,.
expressed regret at the opposition the lessees had offered
t ) the settlement of their claims, and said that nothing
liirlher scold now be done till the re-assembling of the
Court in May. By that time they had reason to expect
that Mr. Miller's accounts for the remainder of the line
would be completed. The biil for raising capital to pay
off their outstanding debts had been presented to Par-
liament, and now RA aited the meeting of the committee.
Mr. G. BERRY seconded the adoption of the report ;
and, while expressing cordial approval of the conduct of
the directors, also expressed astonishment and indigna-
tion at the conduct of the Edinburgh and Glasgow
B

The report was approved, the retiring directors and
auditors re-elected, and the meeting then separated.

SOUTH WALES MINERAL.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes-
terday at the Craven Hotel, Strand ; Viscount Villiers
in the chair.

Toe secretary read the report, which statod that, at an
extraordinary meeting of the company held on the 4th
of January last, it was unanimously resolved to lease the
line to the Glyncorwg Coal Company for a term of 99
years, at such annual rent as would entitle the share-
holders to receive a dividend at the rate of per cent.
upon the amount of capital from time to time paid up
during the term of the lease. The directors are of opi-
nion that there is reason for congratulation on having
made such an eligible arrangement. The lease has bean
executed, and takes effect from and after the 4th of Jan.,
1853. The directors have extended the contract of the
contractors to comprise not only the tunnel, but about
a mile and a quarter of the railway, and they are happy
to state that the works were commenced on Tuesday,
the 25th instant.

The CuAinslior, in moving the adoption of the report,
congratulated the shareholders on the favourable posi-
tion of the company in respect of the arrangement en-
tered into with the Glyacorwg Coal Company, which he
had no doubt would prove aqually advantageous to
both oompanies.
The report wag unanimously adopted, and the pro-
ceedings terminated with a veto of thanks to the
chairman and directors.