The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FIIR DAY +:V Ea LNG, AUG UST 29, 1855.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.

WEST-END AND CRYSTAL PALACE
RAILWAY.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING.—(riIIs DAY.)

The fortieth half-yearly meeting of the shireholderp
in this railway was held this afternoon, at tie Londoi.
Tavern, Bishopsgatc-street —Mr. Waidington, M.P., in
the chair.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING.-(THIS DAN.)

The seventh half•yearly general meeting of the share.
holders in this company was held this day, at one
o'clock, at the offices of the company, 24, Old Broad-
street. The chair was occupied by S. Beale, Esq.
The report of the directors having been taken as read,

The attendance of shareholders was not so numerous
as on former occasions. At the last meeting the room
was densely crowded an hour before the commencement
of the business, but today it was not three parts filled,
owing probably to the directors having departed from
the usual practice of for warding passes to the country
shareholders, and the latter not considering the dividend
a sufficient inducement to incur the expense of attending
the meeting. The effect was that it did not partake of
that stormy character peculiar to these meeting,.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
stated that he need not enter into any detailed state-
ment of their affairs, as it was so fully entered into in
the report. The confusion that existed with respect to the
Westminster Terminus Railway had been disposed of,
and their terminus at the West-end would be at the
foot of the new bi idge, Sloan street, and would be
known by the name of the Sloane-street Terminus.
Notices bad been servei upon the owners of the land,
and they soon expected to get possession of it. He
considered that their difficulties were at an end, and that
the traffic that had been expected on their line would be
fully realised.

The chairman and directors entered the room at one
o'clock, and took their seats in silence.
The report and statement of accounts, which have
already been published in The Sun, were taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN in moving the reception and adoption
of the report said, he very much regretted, both on his
own behalf and that of his colleagues, that the report
presented to the shareholders was not of a more satisfac-
tory nature, and it would be his duty to explain briefly
several points in connection with the report which had
attained such en extraordinary result. In the first place,
he called attention to the extraordinary expenditure that
had occurred this half-year was of an exceptionable
character, and would not occur again, and did not ap-
ply to the ordinary expenditure of the half-year. The
first item ho referred to was that of 6,6661. 4s. 2d. in
excess th is half-year for compensation for accidents ;
2,7311. Bs. 4d wages to guards, police, and points-
men, in consequence of the strong report of the Board
of Trade with regard to the line ; 2,6141. 14s. Od., the
expenses of the committee of investigation, which would,
on the whole amount to 3,000/. ; and 5,250/. Mr.Gooch's
claim for commissions under arbitration, to which was
to be added 2,0001. that had already been paid him. Had
it not been for these extraordinary payments the direc-
tors would have been able to have paid a dividend of
3s. 6d. in.tead of 2s. The hon. gentleman then referred
to the great outlay that had been necessary for the per-
manent way, which he was afraid he oould not hold out
hopes would be much reduced next half-year,
and referred to various other items in the ac-
counts, observing that with regard to the working
expenses of railways it was unfair to make comparison
of the expenses of one company with that of another,
because it depended on the mileage to be worked in
earning traffic and length of line to be maintained, and
the various modes adopted by companies in keeping
their accounts and the manner in which they main-
taine•l their permanent way, He disapproved of
the present plan of maintaining the permanent
way, and thought it would be more advantageous
for all if a uniform system cou d be adopted, great diffi-
culties had hitherto been felt with respect to their bor-
rowing powers. It was a subject well known to the
Investigation Committee, but they usually abstained
from alluding to it in their report because it might have
affected the credit of the company. Since then they
had been to Parliament, and although they met with
opposition they succeeded in obtaining their bill,
which defined their borrowing powers. In accordance
with that power would be asked for of the meeting
to borrow 112,6151. for the construction of works, &c.,
&c. He was happy to say the capital account, as re-
gar led locomotive stock, was in a satisfactory state, and
after a few other remarks, moved the adoption and re-
esytion of the report. (Elear, hear.)
Mr. GooßsoN seconded the motion.

In answer to questions put by several shareholders,
Sir S. M. PETO explained the circumstances connected
with getting possession of the land, and suggested tbas-
a man should be prepared by the directors which would
make the public acquainted with the means by which
the railway could be reached.

The motion that the report be adopted was then put
and carried unanimously.

The meeting was then made special for the purpose of
considering and approving, and acting upon, the agree-
ment between the company and the London, Brighton,
and South Coast Railway Company, relating to the
traffic arrangements, and for confirming the forfeiture of
certain shares.

The prccecdings terminated with a vote of thanks to
the chairman.

THE LATE POLISH LEGION.

GENERAL COUNT LADISLAS Z AMOYSKfS ORDER OF THE

DAY ON THE DISBANDMENT OF THE DIVISION OF COS.

SACKS OF THE SULTAN.
Head-Quarters, Scutari, July 31, 1856.

This day the Polish Division is disbanded. The
Allied Powers established to bend the, till then, inflexi-
ble obstinacy of Russia; they are unable to keep it up
now that Russia, seeing the impending danger, has has-
tened to conclude peace. We, who know Russia better,
do not believe that the peace will prove durable.
Therefore, in bidding you farewell, officers, non-com-
missioned officers, and soldiers, it is pleasing to me to
remember how, on every occasion, and even when
the disbandment of our Division was certain, you all
assured me to a man, that whenever you may be
called to fight for Poland you will each and
all hasten with enthusiasm once more to sacrifice every-
thipg for your beloved country.

The English General Commanding-in-Chief admired,
but yesterday, your martial bearing, on your last appear-
ance in arms before him. Preserve all these martial
virtues for a future, and, I trust, not a far distant occa-
sion ! Above all, preserve your love of order and labour ;
your confidence in, and obedi-nce to, your superiors ;
your cordial and brotherly sentiments for each other !
virtues which, even among strangers, will earn you re-
spect and friendship.

My endeavours to procure for you, immediately after
the disbandment of the division, various occupa-
tions and engagements—for everywhere, ani at all
times, an honest man must labour—have, as yet, pro-
duced promises only, The uncertainty of these hopes
rendered any further delay in your disbandment impos-
sible. But should any one wish to hear further of the
success of my endeavours, and to make use of my ad-
vice and assistance, he may apply to Lieutenant Colo-
nel Wiernski, who, with a disinterestedness and self-
denial peculiarly his own, has offered to remain fur
same time as agent for the Polish Division in Constan-
tinople.

Mr. MALINS concurred in the idea of a uniform rate
of charge for working expenses, and it was the intention
of the Railway Reform Associati m to apply to
Parliament next session for a bill for that pur-
pose. He called upon them to attraipt to stern the
system of parliamentary legislation which had the effect
of inflicting incalcula'de injury on the shareholders. He
condemned the system of paying locomotive superinten-
dents large sums of money as that that had been paid to
Mr. Gooch, because the construction of a locomotive en-
gine was as well known now and as simple as the making
a man's coat. He implored the meeting not to be deluded
by the statement of the Chairman, that the
changes al'uded to by him were exceptional, as
experience showed them. Ile likewise condemned
the establishment of a suspense account.
On a former occasion the chairman led the meeting to
believe that the Government inspector's report, as to the
state of the line, was an exaggeration, and tbat 150,0001.
would put it in a proper state of repair ; but they now
found that was not so, for 175,0001. had been spent and
more would be required. He defended the conduct of him-
self and others in opposing the bill referred to by the chair.
man on the ground that if the powers were given to the board
the capital account would be increased, and he gave as
anlinstance ofthe soundness of that;opinr. i that 100,0001.
had been borrowed since the passing of the act, and they
were asked to sanction the borrowing of 112,0001. He
concluded by moving the following resolution :