The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-03 00:00:00

MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN OF IRELAND

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on
Friday at Dublin; Mr. J. Ennis in the chair. The
report stated that there was a progressive increase, both
in the railway and canal traffic, showing a surplus
profit of 6431. over the corresponding period of 'last
year. The directors have recently, made arrangements
with the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company for
the extension of their inland establishment to the
Upper Shannon, in connexion with the railway and
the transfer of their trade boats to the Royal Canal.
The new contract for working the line was commenced
on the 18th of March, which will effect a further reduc-
tion in the future expenses of this department. The
works on the extension to Galway are in a very for-
ward state, and the directors look forward with con-
fidence to the opening of the entire line for
traffic on the Ist of August next. A third
instalment has been received from the Exchequer
Loan Commissioners; and it is satisfactory to the di-
rectors to bo able to state that the sum granted will be
fully sufficient to complete the railway from Athlone to
Galway. The board entertain a confident expectation
that the geographical position of Galway, together with
its suitable harbour and other accommodation, afford a
combination of advantages which must ultimately se-
cure its adoption for a packet-station. The net income
for the half-year is more than sufficient to pay a divi-
dend at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum. The direc-
tors have declared forfeited 970 shares. The revenue
account showed that 32,0031. had been received on the
railway and canal, and 11,1671. expended, leaving a
profit of 20,8361. The capital account stated that
841,4331. had been received on shares, and 445,5101. on
loans; and 119,0321. capital accrued from traffic to the
30th of June, 1850, together 1,405,9751. and 1,403,4041.
expended, leaving a balance of 2,5711.
The report of Mr. Tiernan, the engineer, stated that a
most satisfactory contract had been entered into for
working the line to Galway for a period of five years,
with an experienced contractor, in which contract a de-
preciation fund for the maintenance of the plant is fully
provided for. The working stock is in a very efficient
order. The new stock constructing for the additional
service to Galway consists of 13 locomotive engines, 17
carriages, and 110 trucks, waggons, &c. The perma.
nent way will, in about three weeks, be laid to the banks
of the Shannon, a distance of 27 miles. In the county
of Galway 25 miles are laid. The great swivel bridge
at Louth Athalia, the largest of its kind ever built, is al-
most complete; the moving mass of nearly 200 tons will be
turned by a simple hand•gearing. The bridge over the
Shannon will be about 600 feet in length, consisting of
iron girder openings 165 feet span, with a swivel bridge
for navigation in the-centre. The whole rests upon 12
cast-iron pillars sunk in the river, and filled with ma-
sonry, which are now nearly ready to receive the super-
structure. The amount of the estimate submitted to
Government will amply suffice to complete the line, with
all necessary appliances.
The CmunmArt, on moving the adoption of the re-
ports, said he thought they might be considered satis-
factory. Their great difficulty was that the affairs of
the country were not in such a prosperous state as to
yield them that legitimate amount of profit which they
had reason to contemplate. He believed that the worst
was now passed, and that every half-year would show
some improvement.
After some discussion, resolutions were passed adopt-
ing the reports and accounts, re-electing Mr. Parker, the
retiring auditor, and confirming
the forfeiture of 970
shares. The proceedings concluded with a vote of
thanks to the chairman.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, APRIL 2.
STocic EXCHANGZ.—The market has been active to-day,
and prices improved. The transactions were as follow :
Bristol and Exeter, 82—Great Western, 86:34—Lancashire
and Yorkshire, 59.
LIVERPOOL, Aram 2.
STOCX MECHAM:M.—The business to-day has been very
limited, and the market closed flat and heavily. The
transactions were: as follow : Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire (late C. and B.), 20% c.—Caledonian, 131
Chester and Holyhead, Preference, guaranteed 51/ per cen.,
161,E—East Lancashire, 16%—Lancashire and Yorkshire,
57N —Ditto, Fifths, 6% dis.—Leeds and Thirsk, 17.46—
London and North- Western, 127—Ditto, New Quarters, 454
p.—Midlaud, 5914—Ditto, Halves, 14% dis.—North British,
9%—North Staffordshire, 7 dis.—South-Eastern and Dover,
2614—York and North Midland, 26.
MANCHESTER, APRIL 2.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The transactions to-day were as fol-
low :—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, 7%
dis.—Eastern Counties 7% c.—East'Lancashire, 16%
Lancashire and Yorkshire, 573—Ditto Fifths, 6% die.—
Leeds and Thirsk, 1614—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln-
shire, 331—South-Eastern and Dover, 2614.
BIRMINGHAM, Arun. 2.
&roc% EXCHANGE.—The share market was very quiet
to-day, and prices of stock were generally about the same
as last quotations. The only transactions of any importance
were in Midland Stock, which declined, and were done at
EWA per share.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.
LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—Return of
Traffic for the week ending March 30 :
Passengers, parcels, &c. ... £22,713 4 2
Merchandise ... ... 18,012 19 9
Cattle ... ... 739 12 0

Total ... £41,465 15 11
Corresponding week last year 89,690 7 0
Note.—The returns as published are exclusive of the
traffic of the 'Huddersfield Canal and Shropshire Union, North
Union, Preston and Wyre, South Junction, Manchester and
Buxton, and Buckinghamshire Railways, and of the propor-
tion of traffic deducted under agreement with the North
Staffordshire Company.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY..—
(Miles open, 173)—Traffic for the week ending March 29 :
Passengers ... £5,549 18 1
Goods ... ... ... 1,986 17 11

Total ... £7,536 16 0
Corresponding week last year... 8,262 7 9
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY..-.• Gross traffic receipts for
the week ending March 29:
Passengers ... .£6,894 9 2
Carrying account .. .., 2,037 8 7

Total ... £5,931 17 9
Corresponding week last year ... 9,695 7 6

NOaTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY. (Miles open, 112.)—
Return of traffic for the week ending March 23 :
Railway and canal ... £4,766 0 0
Corresponding week last year ... 4,324 0 0
Note. —The above is exclusive of the receipts available
under the agreement with the London and North-Western
Railway Company.
LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY. (260 miles
open.)—Traffic for week ending Mar. 30...£14,770 2 7
Corresponding week in last year, (219
miles open) ....£12,171 11 4
LONDON AND BLACKWALL RAILWAY.— Amount of revenue
for the week ending March 30:—
Passengers £795 11 9
Goods 22 0 0

Total ... ...£Bl7 11 9
Corresponding week last year ... 709 14 5
CHESTER, AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.-..Traffic for the
week ending March 30:—