The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, - FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 29, 1867.

RAILWAY AND OTHER COMPANIES.

CALCUTTA AND SOUTH-EASTERN.

The half -yeerly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the office, Gresham-street, Old Broad-
street; Mr. J. Borradaile in the a air.
Mr. H. R. Ashworth, the secretary, having read
the notice convening the meeting, the report, an
abstract of which appeared in The Sun, was taken
as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, sad it expressed regret that the traffic
receipts again did not exceed the expenses of work-
ing, and that would probably be the case so long as
the present indifference continued on the part of
the local Government. The want of permanent
stations and buildings at the termini of the railway,
the backward state of the town of Canning, and
the absence of sufficient shipping and residential
accommodation at the port were the chief causes of
unremunerative traffic. The loss of the company's
jetty several months ago, and the dispute as to
whose business it was to protect the foreshore of
Canning had caused considerable delay, and im-
peded the development of the traffic. From the
extension of the town of Canning it was found
necessary to move the company's station back
further from the shore on the Mutlah. This did
not matter, as the station was only a temporary
one. The Home Government had made some pro-
posals iu respect to the improvement of the town
of Canning in February last, but the local Govern-
ment had not up to the present time, so far as he
knew, made any reply. He thought, however, there
could be no doubt as to the ultimate success of that
port. The directors had done all they could in the
matter, and in the middle of the present year they
sent out to India proposals for the permanent sta-
tion plans, which were now before the local
Government ; but he feared if the same indifference
contiued they would lose another season. He was
glad to say that the Home Government were
anxious that the £GOO,OOO expended on the
railway should be male productive. In ad-
dition to that sum .£130,000 had accumu-
lated against the undertaking for interest
on capital. It was, therefore, important that
something should be done, as large sums of money
had also been expended by private individuals on
the town and port of Canning. The Canning Com-
pany's jetties had been completed, and they were
also endeavouring to connect their jetties by tram-
roads with the railway. He had great hopes that
when the necessary works were completed the ship-
ping would become productive by means of the
through traffic to Calcutta. Some of the vessels
now delivered their cargoes at Koosh ter instead of
at Port Canning, owing to the want of proper ac-
commodation. The vessels having been diverted
from the port there was at present an cud to the
trade. The local traffic on the line had greatly im-
proved, and also from station to station. They had
been informed by a telegram that the late cyclone
had swept away the company's temporary station at
Port Canning. He regretted that the local Govern-
ment showed no anxiety as to making the outlay of
capital ou the undertaking productive. At the spe-
cial meeting it was proposed to take the necessary
steps to alter the articles of association so as to re-
duce the capital of the company from £1,000,000 to
£250,000, by reducing the nominal amount of the
50,000 shares of £2O each to £5 each. The only
creditors the company had were the debenture
holders, and legal steps would be taken to satisfy
them or pay them off ; so that, practically, there
would be no difficulty in the matter.
Mr. MITCHELL, a director, seconded the motion

for the adoption of the report.
In reply to questions it was stated that the pot
sleepers answered admirably on their line, the com-
pany was amply provided with rolling stock ; that
the Canning Company's rice mill was now in work-
ing order, and that the hotel at Canning was opened
in August last, and was now full in operation.
Mr. SCIILLLER explained that nearly the whole of

the district over which the railway passed was
covered with jangle prior to the railway being com-
menced. All the Government did was to cut down
the trees and sell the laud, without making a single
road. The Canning Company had raised £150,000,
and expended it on Port Canning. The Govern-
men had lent them £45,000, which was being laid
out in a most judicious manner to make the town
habitable. They had also brought about 150,000
acres under cultivation as rice fields. They had
erected six or seven screw-pile jetties, which were
being couneced with the railway by tramways.
Storehouses had been built, and a large rice mill
which would turn gut 100,000 tons of rice annually.
They had also a gridiron for repairing vessels, and
a large dock for country boats was being con-
structed. lie thought there would be no hope of
improvement until after they had a new Governor-
General.
Resolutions were passed adopting the repert and
authorising the necessary alteration in the articles
of association for reducing the share capital of the
company from £1,000,000 to £250,000. A meeting
to confirm the latter resolution would be held that
day three weeks, and a vote of thanks to the chair-
man and directors concluded the proceedings.

of a dividend and bonus as recommended by the
Board having been carried nem. dis., a vote of thanks
to the directors closed the proceedings.

MADRAS IRRIGATION.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the offices, Queen-street-place, South-
wark-bridge ; Mr. Thomson in the chair.
The report, an abstract of which appeared in The
Sun, was taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said that
since the last meeting very little progress had been
made, owing to the fact that the staff of the com-
pany was engaged in re-measuring the work already
done, in order to satisfy the requirements of the
Madras Government. The re-measurement was
now nearly complete, and there would be no further
impediment to the prosecution of the works. The
works already executed were stated by the chief
engineer as being in a satisfactory condition ; water
had been admitted as far as the 221, mile in the
Hendry division ; the state of the works on the
other portions of the canal were fully described in
the report. With respect to the Bellary section, ex-
tending from Wallavapoor to Kurnool, a distance of
180 miles, the collectors of the district, and other
officials in the revenue department, had reported
strongly in favour of the undertaking. The com-
pany was not in a position to undertake this work
without a Government guarantee of the interest
upon the capital required to complete it. Until the
great question was settled as to whether the State
or private enterprise should undertake these works
everything would remain in doubt and uncertainty.
If those works were left in the hands of private en-
terprise the guarantee of interest upon the capital
expended would be the only financial liability upon
the country, and as soon as the works came into full
operation there was every reason to believe there
would be no liability at all in respect of them.
(Hear, hear.)
The Hon. A. KINNAIRD, M.P., seconded the
motion for the adoption of the report, which was
agreed to unanimously.
The retiring directors were re-elected, as was also
Mr. J. Hall, the retiring auditor, and a vote of
thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Nov. 28.

The dispute between the Waterford and Limerick
and Waterford and Kilkenny Railway Companies,
which has caused so much inconvenience to the
public, is destined to be fought out before her Ma-
jesty's Judges. An action in which £50,000 damages
are claimed has, it is sail, been commenced against
the former company for obstructing the trains of
the latter.

It is reported that Fenian pirties have been seen
recntly to the number of 600 engaged in midnight
drill near Donoughmore, and about the same num-
ber at Carrignavar, County Cork. The authorities
have not relaxed their vigilance, and such proceed-
ings show the necessity of being still on the alert.
The populace of Limerick are greatly dissatisfied
with some of their leaders for not taking active
measures to procure a commutation of the sentence
upon the Nlanchester Fenians. While other places
sent in memorials Limerick expressed no anxiety to
save them, a significant fact, at which the sympa-
thisers with the executed men feel deeply mortified.

The three prisoners, Hendrick, Hopper, and
Keogh, who were charged some days since with the
illegal possession of seven six-chambered and one
five-chambered loaded revolvers, together with two
unloaded pistols, and a quantity of ammunition in
a publichouse, situate at No. 41, Coombe, were
again brought up yesterday at the llead Police-
office. The police stated that documents had been
found in their possession which it was not desirable
to disclose at present, but which conveyed the im-
pression that they were members of a treasonable
conspiracy. A further remand was granted. •
A new paddle steamship was launeked yesterday
from the building yard of Messrs. Walpole, Webb,
and Bewhy, iu the North Wall. She was built for
the City of Dublin Steam racket Company, and is
the first of the class constructed at this port. She
has been named the Mullingar, and is a very credit-
able specimen of Irish work.
The Senate of the University of Dablin has been
convened for Saturday, the 28th of DJecaf.mr, to
elect a Chancellor in place of the late Lord 11,9sse.
Three candidates have been nominated by the
Board—the Earl of Rosse, Lord Mouck, and Lord
Cairns. There is no doubt that the latter will be
elected.

very voluminous letter containing his observations,
and Professor Leone Levi, whose services had been
engaged by the Government in the matter, had fur-
nished a report, which was now in type. He
heartily wished that before long they should see a
satisfactory scheme carried out.
The deputation then thanked his lordship and
withdrew.