The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-30 00:00:00

ANT WERP AND ROTTERDAM.

The report of the directors states that they in-
tended to declare a dividend of 14f. per share, or
£5 12s. per cent. The cholera, the war, and the
reduction of the tariffs, which had been injurious to
the lines of the State and to the greater part of the
conceded lines, had likewise exercised their depres-
sing influence on the company's undertaking. The
cholera, which raged for a few months only in
Belgium, continued during the whole season for
excursion travelling in Rolland. The transport of
cattle from Rolland towards Belgium and France,
an important element of their traffic, had entirely
ceased. Notwithstanding those troubles the Great
Central Company's receipts, which in 1865
amounted to £245,184, reached in 1866 to £349,910,
showing an increase of £4,726. The Antwerp and
Rotterdam Company's share in the profits of work-
ing the Great Central undertaking amounted- in
1865 to £54,290, and in 1866 to £66,165, showing
au increase of £11,875. But the profit pertaining
to the shares had only exceeded that of 1865 by
£4,813, owing to the expenses being greater in
18GG than in 1865. In 1865 the line from Ant-
werp
to llasselt not having been entirely worked
during the whole year they were not compelled to
pay the full rental. In 1866 this rent reached its
maximum, which accounted for the net profit not
being greater. To raise the dividend to 14f. in
1865 they were obliged to take £2.399 from the
reserve fund, but in 1866 the regular profits of
working alone were sufficient to fix the dividend at
that figure. Owing to financial matters it was
proposed that the date of paying the 14f. per share
dividend for the past year should be fixed by the
directors. - --
CAPE TOWN.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
on Friday, at the London Tavern ; Mr. 11. Watson
in the chair.

The report, an abstract of which has appeared i❑
The Sun, was taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, con-
gratulated the shareholders on the efficient and safe
working of the line. Notwithstanding the de-
pression of trade, there had been a small increase
in the receipts, accompanied by a decrease in the
working expenses of £1,500. The directors had
ordered about a mile of patent iron sleepers to be
sent out to the colony with a view to test their utility
on the railway. The balance of revenue applicable
to dividend was £9,831, out of which they recom-
mended a dividend at the rate of 3i per cent. per
annum. The directors were promoting a bill in
Parliament to authorise them to issue so many of
the unappropriated shares in the form of 6 per cent.
preferences shares as would be sufficient to pay off
the temporary loans amounting to about £30,000.
The bill also would give power to the company to
contract with the colonial Government for the con-
struction of railways from Malmesbury to Wor-
cester, the capital and other accounts of those lines
being kept distinct from the capital, &c., of the
Cape Town Railway.
Mr. L. BROWN seconded the motion for the adop-
tion of the report, which after some discussion was
adopted, and a dividend of 31 per cent. per annum,
free of income-tax, was declared for the past half-
year. _ _ _

On the motion of Mr. DE SALIS, seconded by
KIMBER, a resolution was passed to the effect that
a committee be appointed to consult with the direc-
tors as to the best steps to be taken to induce the
Cape Government to extend the railway system into
the interior of the colony; and it was agreed that
the committee consist of Colonel Sale, Mr. De Salis,
and Mr. Kimber.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the chairman and directors.

MIDLAND.

This company has purchased 20 acres of land at
Wellingborough for the purpose of erecting shops
for the manufacture and repair of engines and plant.
It is stated that employment will be given in these
shops to several hundred workmen.