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

I'HE SUN, LON ON, FRIDAY E VEIN ING, N OVEM BE R 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 chair.

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, s lid 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 in 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 £600,000 expended on the
railway should be made 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
no w delivered their cargoes at Kooshter 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 end to the
trade. The local traffic on the line bad 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 on 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. SCHILLER explained that nearly the whole of
the district over which the railway passed was
covered with jungle prior to the railway being com-
menced. All the Government did was to cut down
the trees and sell the land, 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 connected 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. Ile 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 22d 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, IMP., 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 said, been commenced against
the former company for obstructing the trains of
the latter.

It is reported that Fenian parties have been seen
recently 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 Manchester 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 Head 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 Nere members of a treasonable
conspiracy. A further remand was granted.
A new paddle steamship was launched yesterday
from the building yard of Messrs. Walpole, Webb,
and Bewley, in the North Wall. She was built for
the City of Dublin Steam Packet 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 Dubli❑ has been
convened for Saturday, the 28th of D3cember, to
elect a Chancellor in place of the late Lord Rosse.
Three candidates have been nominated by the
Board—the Earl of Rosse, Lord .Muck, 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.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The following notification was issued yesterday
at the Admiralty The Channel Squadron
under the command of Rear-Admiral Frederick
Warde, C. 8., consisting of the following ships—the
Minotaur, Achilles, Warrior, Prince Consort, Bel-
lerophon, Pallas, and Helicon, may be expected at
Devonport on or before the 20th prox. The Lord
Clyde and Lord Warden have been ordered to
Malta."

The screw troopships Serapis, Capt. Soady, and
Crocodile, Capt. Watson, are ordered to complete
their repairs and refit at Portsmouth by the earliest
possible date, and resume their relief troop service
between that port and Alexandria. The Serapis is
expected to sail from Portsmouth about the 4th
proximo, and the Crocodile a few days afterwards.
The armoured screw frigate Royal Oak, 35 guns,
800 horse-power, Capt. lion. George D. Keane, ar-
rived at Spithead yesterday morning from the Tagus
and Plymouth Sound, and, ou anchoring, exchanged
the usual salutes. The Royal Oak will go into
Portsmouth harbour at high water to-day to dis-
mantle and pay out of commission.
The screw troopship Simoom, Capt. Thos. Bridg-
man Lethbridge, was undocked at Portsmouth yes-
terday, after cleaning and recoating her hull below
the water-line with " Hay's" composition, in pro-
gress of her refit for further service.

The Dann, 6, screw corvette, 1,287 tons, 350
horse-power, Capt. Sir Malcolm M,Gregor, was un-
docked yesterday at Portsmouth after the usual exa-
mination of hull and valves below the water line, on
commission, and preparatory to her final trial of
speed over the measured mile at load draught.
The Cracker, 2, twin screw composite-built gun-
vessel, 464 tons, was launched from Portsmouth
dockyard on Wednesday, iu the presence of Admiral
Sir Thomas S. Pasley, Rear-Admiral G. G. Wel-
lesley, C. 8., the chief officials of the yard, and a
number of visitors. The vessel was named by Miss
E. Murray, the youngest daughter of Mr. Andrew
Murray, the engineer in chief of the dockyard and
steam factory at Portsmouth. The Cracker was
taken into the steam basin yesterday, and joined the
flotilla of gunvessels now completing their outfit
there for foreign service. These latter comprise the
twin-screw Ringdove (of the Plover class), 3 guns,
666 tons, 160 horse-power ; the Avon (of the
Cracker class), 2, twin screw, composite built, 464
tons, 120-horse power, and the Pandora, 5, screw,
426 tons, 84-horse power.
Her Majesty's composite 2, gunboat Dwarf, de-
signed by Mr. W. Ladd, master shipwright of
Woolwich dockyard, was yesterday launched suc-
cessfully from her building slip.
Col. Suther, Col. Second-Commandant of the
Royal Marines, is appointed to succeed Col. Con-
nolly as Commandant of the Woolwich Division cf
Royal Marines.

We understand that Col. Rodney, Assist.-Adjt.-
Gen. of the Royal Marines, will succeed Col. Suther
as Second-Commandant of the Woolwich division.

An order was received at Chatham yesterday
directing the following detail of officers and troops
to be held in readiness for embarkation on Tuesday
next, on board the iron screw troopship Orontes,
for conveyance to Gibraltar and Malta—namely,
one officer of the 2d battalion of the 15th Regi-
ment, and 18 non-commissioned officers and sappers
of the Royal Engineers for Gibraltar ; four gunners
of the 10th Brigade Royal Artillery, one officer and
79 non-commissioned officers and privates of the Ist
battalion of the Bth Regiment, 50 non-commissioned
officers and privates of the Ist battalion of the 14th
Regiment, and one officer and 50 men of all ranke
of the 31st Regiment for Malta.
By direction of the Duke of Cambridge a silver
medal and gratuity of £5 each have been awarded
to Privates William Bird and NN, illiam O'Brien, of
the Ist Battalion 2d Queen's Royals at Chatham gar-
rison, for long service and exemplary conduct.
Yesterday the sentence passed on Private Luke
earthy, Ist Battalion of the 14th Regiment, by
the district court-martial before which he was re-
cently tried, was promulgated to the troops at
Chatham. The prisoner is a man of most depraved
character, and has been tried by various courts-
martial, no fewer than 12 times, in addition to which
he has been flogged, and also branded with the letter
" D." The court-martial sentenced him to be dis-
missed from her Majesty's service with ignominy, to
be branded with the letters " B. C.," and to be im-
prisoned and kept to hard labour for two years.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

A Court of Common Council was held yesterday,
at which the Lord Mayor (Alderman Allen) pre-
sided.

THE HURRICANE IN THE WEST INDIES.

Upon the motion of Deputy TEGG, the Court
unanimously agreed to a vote of £250 in aid of the
Mansion House Fund for the relief of the sufferers
by the late terrible hurricane in the 'West Indies.

THE PROPOSED NEW MARKET FOR THE METROPOLIS.

Mr. T. RUDKIN, the chairman of the Markets
Committee, brought up a report having reference
to the communications that had taken place between
that committee and the Lords of Privy Council
upon the subject of the bill proposed to be brought
in by the Government for the erection of a new
market in the metropolis, to be specially devoted to
the slaughtering of foreign cattle, and thus prevent-
ing the spread of infection. He said that they had
impressed upon the Privy Council the fact that the
Corporation had already agreed to expend £36,000
iu the erection of slaughter-houses for foreign cattle
at the Copenhagen-fields Cattle Market, and that
they were ready to make arrangements for com-
pletely separating the foreign from the English
cattle ; and he believed that the Government had
not yet fully made up their minds as to what course
they intended to pursue in the matter. lle, there-
fore, proposed that the committee should be em-
powered to continue their conferences with the
Government upon the subject, and, if necessary, to
co-operate with them in the matter. The com-
mittee, he said, would of course not adopt any
course of action without the sanction of that
Court. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said this question was one un-
doubtedly of very great importance, and he thought
they ought to pause before they agree to any
resolution to co-operate with the Government in the
formation of a new market, which was a proceeding
that might be very prejudicial to the interests of the
corporation. (Hear.) He was in a position, as one
of their representatives at the Metropolitan Board of
Works, to inform them that the solicitor to that
board had given a notice of application to Parlia-
ment upon the same subject, and that at the weekly
meeting of the Metropolitan Board on the following
day a letter was to be read from Mr. Helps, the
clerk to the Privy Council, informing the Board of
the intention of the Government to introduce a bill
for the formation of a new market in the metropolis,
and that it was intended to be placed under the con-
trol of the Metropolitan Board of Works. (Cries of
" Hear, hear.")
Mr. RUDKIN said that this was entirely new in-
formation to him.

Mr. TAYLOR proceeded to state that he did not
think the Court would consider it advisable to co-
operate iu the formation of a market which was to
be under the control of the Metropolitan Board of
Works. It seemed to be rapidly coming to this, that
everything was to be placed under the Metropolitan
Board. (Hear, hear.)

After some further discussion, a resolution was
adopted to the effect that in the event of the Govern-
ment introducing such a bill the Markets Committee
should confer with it, and co-operate also, if neces-
sary, and report their proceedings to the Court.