The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-22 00:00:00

THE DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW.

(From the homeward Mail from India and China )
The following short, but interesting narrative
is extracted from a letter received from Captain B.
P. Andatson,- Assistant Commissioner at Lucknow,
who commanded the outpost during the whole siege,
and of %Them Oolonel Inglis writes :
"At Captain Anderson's post, they also came
boldly forward with scaling-laddtrs, which they
planted agaiiia the wall ; but here, as elsewhere,
they were met with the most indomitable reso-
lution ; and, the leaderi ,being slain, the rest
fled, leaving the ladders, and retreated to
their batteries and loop-holed defences, from
whence they kept up for the r:.st of the day au
unusually heavy cannonade and musketry fire."
CAWNPORE, Nov. 30, 1857.—We were very
glad, 1 astire you, to see the first relieving force
under Havelock and Outran). They saved us, as
we were getting very weak in numbers; but their
force was small ; and alter fighting its way into
Lucknow, it could not get out with us, as we bad
so many ladies, children, and treasure in cash.
The chief, however, made ample arrangements,
and we left Lucknow on the 22d November, at
midnight, in solemn silence. I lost all I had of
value ; the lamps were burning as I left my house.
I commanded an outpost during the whole siege. I
had 10 men of the 32d Foot and 10 volunteers, in-
cluding 1 subalternofficer. My house (which was an.
outpost, facing the road leading in fi om Cawnpore,
blockaded), th e l atte
was r
building,
com p
and to the flout of the residency, commanding a
road, a branch of whichoownoclueldde,lewacal to
laentedlybatteredwilieb'l to bits. We had no less
than nine 9-pounders playing on it for five months,
mine
i ent t og
amlmine i
w
Choir
us
dayulai.nd
Inwigehett;
itnhteoy also tried al
en
nd bol oo wt
ram's force came in, and found they had cut some
25 yards towards my house. I could not get in any
further up the gallery,as therein had caused it to fillin; but it was cut much further; so the distance was
very li ttl e front my house ; and had they succeeded, we
could have all been blown into eternity at any
moment. I had to wash my own clothe., cook, &e. , •
in fact, to do every work like a coolie, and to keep.
..
nay house proof from shot. On one occasion a shell
came through the wall where I was firing from and
knocked all the bricks about my head. I saw
the fuse, and ran to get into the next room ;
but it exploded as I was just opposite it, and
threw me on my face ; but, strange to say, I was
not iu the least hurt. Another shell burst, and
a bit struck me on the boot ; but I was not
hurt for more than a day or so ; it did
not cut the skin even. 1 went out to charge a bat-
tery in a garden ; and after getting right under a
gun, which was mounted upon a high ridge, I was
firing away as fast as I could at the enemy,
when a shower of !nicks and stones were hurled
at us down below ; and one hit me on the fore-
head, and brought me on the flat of my face to
the ground. My nose was a little cut, and I felt
faint, and fancied Iliad been hit by a round shot,
but I got some water, and was able to hold out all
daywith the troops. It was a dangerous affair.
Outram sent 500 men to take the garden and guns.
and said he would give 10,000 rupees if this was
done. I got up first, and Napier said we could rot t
get further • so we held the place, but did no
e._qa.
$
to we was shot Clean
the guns till next day. I was here very nea•rlY
too, by an arrow. A man
nerxrtoW-poin t came out at
through the chest, and
els back ; auotber thank God, I escaped.
more fell at our feet
a; s very heavy, and the guns
The musketry fire was in the leg, and two
tired grape. hit
batbun3:ana

NATAL 42W MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. Story, 62, Fleet-street, praying for an inquiry re-
speciing the management of Bride well Hospital, on
the ground of non-appropriation of the funds to
the purposes for which they were originally in-
tended. The petitionwas'ordered o lie on the table.

The following circular has been issued from the
Recruiting Department :-
4' Horse Guards, Jan. 18.

"The standard of recruits for all regiments of infantry
serving in India is reduced to 5 feet 3 inches until further
orders, the age remaining as at present—viz, from 18
to 30 years.
" By command of his Royal Highness the General
Commanding-in-Chief.
" G. A. WETHERALL, Adjutant-General."
Yesterday and the previous day a large number
of volunteers from various militia regiments sta-
tioned at. Aldershot arrived at Chatham for the
purpose of joining the various Indian depots at
that garrison ; and as soon as they have undergone
a course of instruction in the use of the Enfield
rifle they will be sent to India. The number of re-
inforcements now under orders to embark is 650
men of all ranks.
The authorities at the War-office having decided
on preparing hospital accommodation at Yarmouth
for the reception of the large number of sick and
wounded troops who are now on their passage home
from India, the Director-General of the Medical
Department has issued orders for several staff sur-
geons to proceed at once to Yarmouth in order to
make the necessary preparations for the reception
of the invalid troops.
The transport York, Capt. Redpath, which sailed
from Plymouth on Tuesday for Madras, had a
cargo of shot, shell, guns, and various stores. She
embarked at Gravesend Captain Mure, in military
command, and eight rank and file of the 43d Regi-
ment ; Ensign Heane, and 37 of the 44th ; Dr.
Elliott, 95th, in medical charge; Captain Arbuckle
(and wife), Bengal Artillery ; Mr. Wickham, and
50 men Ist Madras Fusiliers ; Mr. Crawford, Hon.
East India Company's service ; 13 men of the 60th
Rifles, 32 of the 66th Foot, and 12 of the 7th ; and
at Plymouth one sergeant and 10 men of the 69th,
in charge of the residue of the baggage belonging to
that regiment.
Within the last 10 days 350 of the Staffordshire
Militia stationed at Devonport, have volunteered

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

MEETING AT HUDDERSFIELD.
On Wednesday evening a well attended meeting
of the inhabitants of Huddersfield was held in the
'Philosophical-hall convened by Joseph Shaw, Esq.,
chief constable, in compliance with a requisition,
signed by 480 magistrates, merchants, manu-
facturers, tradesmen, and others, to consider the
question of parliamentary reform.
The CHIEF CONSTABLE, having opened the pro-
ceedings, said he did not remember any requisition
so numerously and influentially signed having been
got up in Huddersfield during a residence of forty
years in the borough. He read a letter from Mr.
Akroyd, M.P., in which that gentleman stated, in
a manner too abrupt and curt, without giving his
constituents any sort of reason, that he was unable
to attend the meeting. (This announcement oc-
casioned some expressions of dissatisfaction in the
meeting.)
Mr. C. H. JONES moved the first resolution :
" That this meeting, coinciding with her Majesty's
government as to the necessity of amending the
representation of the people, is of opinion that the
franchise in boroughs should be extended to every
male person of full age and not subject to any legal
incapacity, who shall occupy as owner or tenant
any premises within a borough which are rated to
the relief of the poen" He declared frankly that
he was not afraid of an extended suffrage, as laid
down in that resolution. (Applause.) It was
precisely the same suffrage as now existed for elec-
tion to municipal offices ; and if it were safe to elect
the common council of a boroughby such a suffrage,
surely it was equally safe for the election of mem-
bers of parliament. He confessed that he had more
confidence in the poorest working man in that as-
sembly—sober, honest, and prudent—and the con-
sequences that would flow from his vote, than he had
in the persons who wonli attempt to corrupt such a
man. They had had g. little ofthat inHuddersfield, as
he could bear testimony. He had been to parliament
as a petitioner against certain individuals for doing
certain things. He had been behind the scenes ;
and if he were to unfold the budget, althcugh they
had heard a good deal that was. black and dark, yet
he could tell them far more than they at present
knew—he could tell them that these parties had
spent thousands of pounds in corrupting persons ;
that heandhis friends hadspent thousands of pounds
to upset their proceedings ; and he could tell them
further, that all the d, bts were paid. (Hear, hear.)
With regard to the resolution which he had the
honour to propose, it was right he should explain
that it would be followed by a resolution in favour
of what ought to accompany any extension of the
franchise—the ballot. (Loud cheers.) Give him
that suffrage, and give him the ballot with it, and
he had no fear whatever of evil consequences aris-
ing. (Hear.) He was ready to admit that mis-
takes would continue to be made even when they
had a reform bill upon this basis; that a time might
come when working classes would be so prosperous
as to be indifferent to political matters, and allow
other people to do fur them what they ought to do
for themselves. He could also conceive that there
might be times of great distress, when the working
classes would go to the other extreme, and elect
demagogues, whose_only qualification would be the
extent of the noise they made. Both those things
might occur, and in each a mistake would be made.
But both these things occurred now. (Cheers.)
What was occurring round them at the present day?
Did they not find all sorts of sham men put up—
(renewed cheering)—and were - at these sham men
returned, and the constituent as a consequence,
misrepresented ? (Vehement cheering.) There was
danger in each case ; but of the two he would choose
the least, and that would be that every honest,
every independent man, should have a vote, and
the ability and protection to exercise it to the best
ad vantage.
Mr. W. CROSSLAND said that Mr. Jones' resolu-
tion spoke of a tenant. Did it include a man who
was part tenant?
Mr. JONES replied that the resolution certainly
meant that a man who was on the rate-book should
have the franchise, whether be was occupier of the
whole or part of premises.
Mr. GEORGE BARKER seconded the resolution in
a speech of some length, in the course of which he
said that he thought that the time had arrived
when the middle and the working classes should
unite for the great object of procuring an adequate
measure of parliamentary reform—(applause)—
which would lead on to good government. (Re-
newed cheers.) Did any one there think that if
they had possessed such a franchise at the last elec-
tion as was proposed by the resolution, Mr. Cob-
den would have been defeated at Huddersfield ?
(Loud cries of " No, no," and cheers.) After
drawing a comparison between Mr. Cobden and
their present member, to Mr. Ackroyd's disadvan-
tage, he expressed his belief that there were too
many lawyers and military men in Parliament.
(Hear.) Mr. Barker next alluded to the enormous
expenditure of public money, and the facility with
which the House of Commons voted away immense
sums—con' rasting the readiness with which 40,0001.
and 8,0001. a year were voted for the Princess
Royal's dowry, with the niggardly refusal to con-
tinue to pay 15s. per week to the workmen in the
dockyards, on the plea that it could not be afforded.
He found, upon looking at the financial accounts
furnished to Parliament, that 2,000,0001. were set
set down for miscellaneous. What did that mean ?
Was it secret service money used at the last election
for turning out such men as Cobden, Bright, and
Milner Gibson, and putting in their place Govern-
ment hangers on. (Hear, hear.) Thanks, how-
ever, to Birmingham, Ashton, and other boroughs,
Messrs. Bright, Milner Gibson, and Fox, and
other real friends of the people and the country's
advancement, were resuming their proper pla-es
in Parliament, there to fight the battle of tbe
People. (Applause.) He urged the working classes
to be up and doing ; for if they allowed the pre-
sent opportunity to go by, it would probably be
many years bifore it again occurred. (Hear, hear.)
Ministers were pledged to introduce a Reform Bill,
and if the middle and working classes would unite,
they might secure a good system of repre=entation,
and be able to send a man to Parliament who would
look after their interests. He implored the work-
ing classes to strive earnestly for the franchise ;
and, as a first step, advised them to avoid the
"jerry shops," which, he said, did more than any-
thing else to defeat the man of the people at the
last election. (Hear, hear, and applause.)
Mr. WM. CROSSLAND proposed his amendment in
favour of a 51. rating franchise, or the possession of
1001. a-year.
Mr. D. GLEDHILL ridiculed Mr. Crossland's

into various regiments of the line.
Her Majesty's state yacht Victoria and Albert,
Capt. the Hon. J. Denman, is nearly ready to re-
eeive her crew, who will turn over to her next Tues-
day. It is not expected that the Royal marriage
flotilla will leave Portsmouth for Gravesend before
the end of the month. Every "available" vessel that
can be spared will be sent to the rendezvous off
Gravesend, so as to make the Royal embarkation
as imposing a spectacle as may be under the cir-
cumstances.

The Caragoa, 31, Capt. T. M. Mason, went out
of Portsmouth Harbour yesterday and saluted the
Port-Admiral. She afterwards ran a course along
the measured mile at Stoke's Bay, and ultimately
anchored at Spithead, to remain until ordered to
the Thames.

The Caesar, 91, screw, is fitting out for the steam
reserve at Portsmouth by the crew of the steam
depot ship Blenheim, one of whose men, named
John Sent, fell from the maintop of the Caesar to
the deck on Wednesday afternoon, and was killed.
The following military movements have taken
place, or been ordered to take place, at Pcrtsmouth :
The newly built and spacious infantry barracks at
the top of the High-street, named after the Duke
of Cambridge, were taken possession of on Wedne
day, and occupied by the 47th Light Infantry. The
47th now musters 850 serviceable bayonets, and is
under the command of a most energetic officer, Col.
Wm. O'Grady Haly, C. B. The company of this re-
giment, lately quartered at Tipner, joined the head-
quarters on being relieved by a company of the
Royal North Lincoln Militia. Two companies of
the Royal Lancashire Militia moved from Gosport
to the Isle of Wight on the 25th inst. to occupy
the torts at Yarmouth, Cliff-end, Victoria,
and Freshwater. A detachment of the 921
Highlanders (volunteers from various corps in
Ireland) arrived at Portsmouth yesterday for
embarkation to join the service companies at
Gibraltar preparatory to their proceeding thence
to Alexandria and overland to India. The remainder
of the 68th Light Infantry, comprising about 150
rank and file, embark from the dockyard in the
Irish steam vessel Preusscheradler, this day; to join
the depot at Fermoy.
On Monday morning last volunteering com-
menced from the Royal North Lincoln and the 2d
West York Regiments of Light Infantry Militia
for the line. There were many willinL, but few
chosen, owing to the difficulty of " paoling the
doctor." The following is the result :—Royal North
Lincoln—For the Ist Dragoon Guards, 1 ; 4th
Foot, 1; 60th Rifles, 33 ; Rifle Brigade, 20; Royal
Marines. 8 • Coldstream Guards, 5 ; Royal Engi-
neers, 5 ; Royal^Artillery, 2. 2d West York—For
the sth Dragoon Guards, 2 ; 60th Rifles, 11; Royal
Engineers, 1. Totals—. North Lincoln, 64 ; West
York, 14.
Our correspondent at Plymouth has received
from an officer of the 68th Regt. satisfactory con-
firmation of the purser's account of the Australa-
sian's passage to St. Vincent's, which appeared in
our impression of Wednesday. The letter says the
time occupied was eight days and six hours, average
speed 11 6-10 knots. She is appointed to coal
again at the Cape of Good Hope. The steamship
Argo, with the left wing of the 68th, which arrived
at St. Viacom t's on Ist Jan., a clay before the Aus-
tralasian, would probably be detained four or five-
days coaling ; she does not touch anywhere from
the island to Madras. The race to India between
full power and auxiliary is exciting great interest
among the troops on board both ships.
Surgeon Superintendent John Bower has been ap-
pointed to the Lord Raglan convict ship.
The good service pension vacant by the death of
Admiral Downman has been given to Vice-Admiral
Sharp.

ideas of the franchise, and amidst much laughter
asked how many of Mr. Crossland's workmen pos-
sessed 1001. a-year ?
The amendment fell to the ground for want of a
seconder, and the resolution was carried with only
two dissentients.

Mr. BOOTEIII7OYD proposed,„," That considering
the great and increasing evils which attend the pre-
sent system of open voting—considering that in
many cases bribery, intimidation, and other illegal
and unfair influences are made to overbear the
honest expression of the opinions and convictions
of electors—and e )nsidering also the satisfaction
which the adoption of the ballot has given to the
parties in our Australian colonies, this meeting is
of opinion that the ballot is absolutely indispen-
sable to any measure of reform deserving of the sup-
port of the country." Owing to the non-protection
of the voter by the ballot, the popular candidate
had never been sent from Huddersfitild but once,
and then Lord Gladerich was returned. (His lord-
ship's name was received with vociferous cheering.)
Mr. J. RHODES, in seconding the motion said
that an extension of the franchise was no boon to
the working men without the protection of the

ballot. (Clieers.)
Tue third resolu'ion, moved by Mr. JOSEPH
WOoDHEAD, was—" That in the opinion of this
meting there should be such a rr2-apportionment
of seats as shall make such an approach to an
equalisation of constituencies as shall give in the

United KingdemaMajlity of members to a majo-
rity of i t, ~
eec ors. In a forcible speech he gave a
number of statistics, showing the anomalies exist-
Ingrr, ttoeupr_esrnt system of representation.
shmld not exrec,eei.
me..Zn: rtlaresolution was this :—" That this
considers the duration of Parliament
member 4 of Parliament, no
law, which three 3 ears ; and that the Scotch
property qualification for
aciona.,i,nent, should be extended to the
United Kin
.
On the raotifn of Mr. w. WILLINS, a petition to
Parliament in favour of tires,
measures wa4 adopt-
ed. Mr. Willana lamented ab3enco from that
meeting of some old reformers, and spoke of those
who, in 1832, shouted for the Itoo Bill, but still
remained outside the charmed circle oif the fran-
cliiso. Could, be asked, any mail wl
bad ob-
tained the franchise by the aid of the
working
classes refuse
_to extend the priviloge an:lrerkuinrg
the service so willingly rendered ? The adini:..4i 'n
of the working classes within the pale of the con-
stitutionn tended to the security and consolidation
of the whole nation. He advocated the extension
of the franchise upon general grounds, and argued
that it was the interest and duty of Government to

concede reform to a quiet, and not leave it to be
extorted by an excited pe'pie. He read a letter
from Mr. Cobden, who argued at length the ques-
tion of giving the working classes a share in the
government of the country, and said that the work-
ing men's voices had been raised on every great oc-

maim in the cause of morality and justice. Mr.
Willans concluded an eloquent and powerful speech
by asking the meeting to have faith in the self-re-
spect and loyalty of the working classes. (Cheers.)
A resolution was also passed asserting the claim
of the borough of Huddersfield to return two mem-
bers instead of one, on account of the very large in-
crease of its population of late years. The appoint-
ment of a deputation to carry the petition to Lord
Goderich terminated the proceedings.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST.
The directors of this company have just issued
their report for the past half-year. It states that
the amount of capital raised to the 31st Dec., 1857,
is 7,790,615/., consisting of 1,936,3351. mortgage
debt, 1,0001. debenture stock, 1,234,7261. prefer-
ence capital, and 4,618,554/. consolidated stock.
The total amount placed to the debit of capital
during the half-year has been 3261., making the
total capital expended 7,799,2581., and leaving a
balance of 7421. The directors have, however, found
themselves obliged to proceed with the altera-
tion of the Lewes Station and certain other works,
which could no longer be delayed without serious
injury to the traffic, and the amount of this outlay
has been placed to the debit of a suspense account.
The average rate of interest on the mortgage debt
does not exceed 4/. 3s. per cent. The gross revenue
for the halt-year has been 431,3611. showing a di-
minution of 2,2111. as compared with the corres-
ponding half of 1856, the total revenue for the year
1857 being, however, 780,5871. as compared with
776,2511. for the previous year. The falling off
during the past half-year is entirely in the goods
traffic, while the receipts from passengers show a
small increase. One item of increase during the
past half-year has been the traffic arising from the
West-end line, which was opened from the Crystal
Palace station to Wandsworth-common on the Ist
of December, 1856. The improvement in the local
traffic carried thereon has been rapid and contiu-
°nal), progressive, the average number of passengers
to and from London-bridge alone now exceeding
7,000 per week, and the directors anticipate the
receipt of a considerable income as soon as that line
is completed and properly worked as a subarban
line. The number of miles run by the trains during
the half-year was 1,048,946 against 963,103 in the
corresponding period of 1856. The traffic receipts
(including cartage) for the half-year amounted to
419,1831. against 421,0791., and the total working
expensesandrenewals(excluding cartage) amounted
to 180,882/. against 183,450/. at the corresponding
period of 1856. The ordinary expenses amounted
to 151,245/., and the renewals and additions to
29,637/. against 151,510/. ordinary expenses and
31,940/. for renewals and additions at the corres-
ponding period of 1856. The expenses per gain
mile amounted to 3s. sid. against 3s. 9id., the
per cent. on traffic receipts to 43f per cent. against
424 per cent., the cartage to 7,611/. against 8,358/.
and the total expense 188,4931. against 191,808/.
at the corresponding period of 1856. From a tabu-
lar statement in the report it appears the number
of passengers on the line for the year increased from
2,485,778 in 1848 to 7,241,077 in 1857, and the
passenger receipts from 349,9771. to 545,835/. ; the
annual and season tickets from 10,4271. to 35,476/.
the parcels from 13,130/. to 18,479/. ; the mails
from 1,197/. to 1,2431.; the goods from 61,493/. to
133,7331. ; the cattle from 3,059/. to 4,046/. ; the
rents, wharf-earning, Arc., from 5,581/. to
14,402/. ; and the gross revenue from 453,4081. in
1848 to 780,587/. in 1857. The working expenses
increased from 147,132/. in 1848 to 282,589/. in
1857; the taxation from 39,955/. to 51,698/. ; and
the total expenditure from 187,087/. in 1848 to
353,955/. in 1857. The preferential charges have
increased from 104,041/. to 148,1761., and the divi-
dend from 3/. 12s. per cent, in 1848 to 6/. per cent.
in 1847. Although only one locomotive and one
tender belonging to the working stock have been
broken up during the past year, yet the revenue
has again been debited with the cost of providing
five new powerful engines and tenders, and of re-
building five of the old engines. In this manner the
number of working engines has since 1851 been in-
creased, at the cost of revenue, from 112 to 124,
and no corresponding credit has yet been taken for
the value of the 12 old engines which are still at
work. The whole of the main line between London
and Brighton has been relaid and fish-jointed, and
the timber replaced where necessary by creosoted
sleepers of the best quality. The principal portion
of the cost of this work has already been plac:d to
the debit of revenue. With regard to the extension
of the company's traffic, the directors state that the
accommodotion at the London-bridge terminus has
been taxed to its utmost capability, the number of
passengers, including season-ticket holdet s, who
passed through the station in 1854, when it was
enlarged, having been 5,178,341, while in 1857
they reached the extraordinary number of
6,062,716. This constantly-increasing demand upon
the capabilities of the station has been the subject
of anxious consideration by the board, who are con-
scious that, although additional space is only ob-
tainable at a very heavy cost, the time will soon
come when a further enlargement must take place,
if the pressure should not be relieved by the e•,tab-
hsbment of a proper West-end nation. At the same
time it should not be f Tgotten that a great portion
of the population residing wrst of Temple-bar can-
not, without some inconvenience, uncertainty, and
loss of time, reach London-bridge. Accordingly, the
directors, after mature consideration, accepted an
offer which was made to them by a company formed
for the purpose of constructing a r tilway commenc-
ing at the south side of the river at Battersea, cross-
ing the Thames, and terminating at the Grosvenor
Basin, situate at the end of Victoria-street, West-
minster. An examination of the plan will elderly
demonstrate the advantages which are certain to
result from occupying such a position, and that it
cannot fail to give a fresh impetus to the traffic. The
outlay cannot be deemed large when compared with
the cost of the London-bridge terminus and ap-
proach, on which station alone no less than 470,000/.
have already been expended, while the approach
thereto over the Greenwich Viaduct (11 miles in
length) involved the payment of a toll which in
1847 amounted to 10,819/., and which, had it not
been commuted, would now have reached 27,0001.
per annum (or about 1-12 d. per passenger). The
arrangement matle, subject to the sanction of the
proprietors, is that a bridge over the Thames, the
line of railway, and the necessary site for the ter-
minus filial be vested in this company, the pro-
moters reserving a right of way over the bridge and
the railway, for the purpose of constructing a sta-
tion on such portion of the site as will not be re-
quired by this company. It is further agreed that
this company shall not be called upon to bear any
share of the preliminary, engineering, or Parlia-
mentary expenses ; and that, whatever may be the
eventual cost of the land and works, the property
stipulated for by this company is to be vested in
them in consideration of a contribution of 450,000/.,
with au annual payment of 1,5001, and under no
circums antes is any further claim to be made upon
them. The net amount at the credit of the revenue
account, after provi ling for all preferential charges,
is 165,3911., out of which the directors recommend
the payment of a dividend of 34 per cent. for the
half-year, amounting to 161,649/., leaving a balance
to the credit of the current half-year of 3,7421.,
and making the dividend for the year 1857 amount
to 6 per cent.

..di•1....• ...on

BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY AND DOCK.
At the meeting of the Liverpool Dock and Har-
bour Board yesterday afternoon,
Mr. J. LAIRD, one of the Government commis-
sioners, thought that it was advisable that the
result of a conference between deputations of the
Board and of the Great Western, London and
North-Western, and Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire Junction Railway Companies, on the
vexed question of the new Birkenhead dock plans,
-should be made public.
Mr. F. SIIA.ND, as the chairman of the coufe-
renc-, was not quite sure whether it would be right
to go into particulars at present, although he might
state that the result of that meeting was very satis-
factory, and that all the arrangements proposed
were mutually agreed upon ; but it was understood
that what passed at that conference was to be
without prejudice to any proposition, whether those
plans were to be concluded or not on a subsequent
occasion.

Mr. LAIRD said this general statement, that the
conference had been satisfactory, was quite sufti-
cientat present.

It is understood that one of the conditions agreed
to at the conference is that the Birkenhead dock
works shall all be completed within six or seven

'ears.