The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-16 00:00:00

THE _NAVY.

-
Commander J. H. Derriman, of her Majesty's
ship Harrier, has been promoted to be Captain.
The screw steam gunvessel Lapwing, 4, Comman-
der M. F. o:Reilly, arrived in Pl3-mouth Sound on
Tuesday evening, from the West Indies, with
invalids.
The despatch vessel Caradoc left for the Darda-
nelles on the 2d inst., to receive on board there,
from her Majesty's steam frigate Curacoa, from.
Marseilles, and convey to Constantinople, on a visit
to his Majesty the Sultan, Lord Stratford de Rod-
cliffe, late her Majesty's Ambassador at the Sublime
Porte, since, under existing treaties, no large class
ship of war carrying guns can pass the Dardanelles.
At Prussian squadron,eons:sting of the Thetis,
the Gefion, and the Grille, with H.R.H. Prince
Adalbert, Lord High Admiral of Prussia:, on board,
passed the Wight during the night of Monday from
Dantsic, last from Yarmouth, boutittiillrest.
The following appointments havitetii made at
the Admiralty :—Commandei _ Sir Malcolm Mae
Gregor to the Harrier, vicefnexripan, promoted;
the Rev. S. Beal, chaplain, to ttie' Royal Albert ;
and W. H. Thompson, assistant paymaster, to the
Hannibal.

THE ARMY:

The Council of Military Education, composed of
Major-General D. A. Cameron, vice-president,
Major-General J. E. Portlock, Lieut.-Colonel J. E.
Addison, Colonel T. Elwyn, Royal Artillery, and
the Rev. T. Moseley, resume their examinations for
direct commissions on the 21st inst., and they will
continue for the three following days.
The 99th and 67th Regiments are under orders
to leave the Camp at Aldershott for Portsmouth eps
route for India, on Sffturday night.
The order alluded to in The Sun of yesterday,
relative t• the barrack accommodation provided for
the use of the staff sergeants of the Royal Artillery
and their families, was yesterday put into opera-
tion. The new arrangements are said to have been
adopted by General Peel on the plea of a desire of
reducing the expenditure of the army, irrespective
not only of the health and comfort of the soldier,
but of his social and moral condition. The quar-
ters hitherto allotted to staff sergeants in garrison
have been a couple of rooms each, the more spacious
of the two being about an average of 8 or 10 feet
square. The apartments contain one fire-place and
one outer entrance only. By the regulations put
in force yesterday a double number of the same
class of non-commissioned officers, including their
wives and families, were told off and directed to
enter into a joint occupation of the one room, and
what is termed a closet, so that this limited space
is considered sufficient by the authorities of the
War Department to maintain the sanitary condi-
tion of eight, ten, or twelve persons huddled toge-
ther, without consideration of sex and age. Those
who prefer remaining out of garrison will be guar-.
tered at their own expense. The artillery soldier,
who is not ordinarily a dissatisfied man, has thus
been goaded to a state of exasperation never wit-
nessed on any other occasion.
Since the recent visit of inspection of the Lords
of the Admiralty to Chatham Dockyard the greatest
activity has prevailed in that establishment in order
to complete those vessels which are ordered to be
launched during the present and succeeding year,
and also to push forward those ships which have
recently been laid down. Among the latter class
is the line-of-battle-ship Atlas, 91 guns, one of the
large screw steamers which the late Board of Ad-
miralty ordered to be laid down at the various
dockyards. This screw steamer, although only com-
menced in the present . year, is already in a very
forward state. She is one of the largest vessels
ever built at Chatham dockyard, and is sister ship
to the Renown, 91; her engines will be of 1,000-
horse power. Another 91-gun line-of-battle screw
steamer, to be called the Bulwark, is ordered to bo
laid down at Chatham dockyard. The Hood, 90,
is nearly completed, and will be fit to be launched
during the present year. This vessel was formerly
designed for an 80-gun sailing ship, but during her
construction she was twice lengthened in order to
be fitted with screw machinery, and altered into a
90-gun steamer ; she has been on the stocks several
years. The Charybdis, 21, one of the class of screw
corvettes designed by Sir B. Walker, Surveyor o
the Navy, is completed, but no day is yet fixed for
the launch to take place. The Irresistible, 80, screw
steamer, has been several years on the building slip
and is now only about three parts completed, the
shipwrights being employed in pushing forward
those ships which the Admiralty have decided on
having completed forthwith. The Orpheus, 22
screw corvette, building on No. 2 slip, has beenre-
cently commenced, and great efforts are being made
to have her completed early in the ensuing year.
Among the vessels in dock is the line-of-battle ship
Trafalgar, 120, which is being partially taken to
pieces for the purpose of being converted into a 91
gun screw steamer. There are still two building
slips vacant at Chatham, but these are expected to
be shortly occupied by the new ships ordered by
the present Board of Admiralty to be laid down.
The aggregate of the vessels now in course of con-
struction at Chatham dockyard is nearly 20,0)0

:on&

Col. Tulloch, superintendent of the Royal Car
riage Department of Woolwich Arsenal, has returne
from leave of absence, and resumed the direction:of
his department. Capt. Gordon, appointed prinei.
pal military storekeeper, to succeed the late Mr. F.
Pellat, was yesterday ordered to take up his ap-
pointment.

COURT-MARTIAL ON A GARRISON
CHAPLAIN.

WOOLWICH, Sept. 15.--A court of inquiry, com-
posed of officers of the Royal Artillery, has been
sitting at the Commandant's-office in this garrison,
to investigate serious charges affecting the Rev.
William M. Wright, A.M., who has for many
years officiated for the Regiment of Royal Artil-
lery, at head-quarters, Woolwich, as garrison
chaplain. The president of the court was
Colonel Buchanan, commanding the 3d Bat-
talion of Royal Artillery ; and the specific
charges against the defendant were that ho
had been seen in a state of intoxication on
various occasions. In support of the prosecution
a number of witnesses were called, both soldiers
and civilians. The most material evidence was
given by a sergeant of Royal Artillery, who for-
merly officiated at Woolwich as clerk at the garri-
son church, and who took an active part, under the
superintendence of the rev. defendant, in the educa-
tion of the children of soldiers. The rev. gentle-
man positively denied all these charges, and
alleged that the non-commissioned officer referred
to had himself been guilty of certain malpractices,
and had falsified entries with regard to monies
entrusted to him for the purchase of rewards for
school children, &c. The reverend gentleman
produced as witnesses for his defence upwards
of 30 military officers and highly influential
civilians residing in this district, and it appeared
from that and other evidence, that not only had
the defendant for many years maintained his posi-
tion without reproach, but that the statements of
several material Witnesses for the prosecution could
not be true. The court considered that there was
sufficient proof of the high character which de-
fendant had previously maintained, and of his zeal
and activity as a clergyman, as well as in the work
of education. After a recapitulation of the evidence
in the usual way the court was cleared, and a de-
liberation took place, the result of which is favour-
able to the defendant. The specific terms of the
" finding" of the court will not be made known (in
accordance with military usage) until such decision
is confirmed by his Royal Highness the General
Commanding-in-Chief, to whom it has been for-
warded,

RAILWAY IN TELLIGEN CE.

CALEDONIAN.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was
held on Tuesday, in Glasgow—Mr. W. Johnston,
the'chalitnan, presided. •
The report was held as read. •
The • CrIAIRMAN said the directors would have
beefi'hetter pleased if they could have proposed a
larg& dividend. They were very well satisfied, upon
the whole, that, notwithstanding the stagnation of
business: consequent on the mercantile difficulties
whieth*occurred during the half-year, they were
_able
to pay a dividend equal to that of the corroesfptohnedaineg
half-year, ending July, 1857. Thet ac
sent half-year had fallen off
considerably,
an(l3
it not been for the nest works at' Greenock, Paisley,
Gushetfaulds, and the increase on the Lesmahtgow
Rail Way, it was believed the decrease would have
been greater. These works had been made princi-
pally for mineral traffic, and their success would be
apparent when
he stated that the mineral traffic for
the half-year ending July, 1857, yielded £101,878 ;
for the half-year ending Jan., 1858, £105,328; and
the present half-year, £105,834. There was thus an
increase for this half-year on the mineral traffic over
last half-year, but a considerable falling off both in
the passenger and merchandise traffic was shown.
This reduction had, however, been met by dimi-
nished expenditure, and hence the same dividend.
The interest on the debenture debt had also been
reduced, and it was hoped would continue to be re•
duced from time to time. . It. was intended imme-
diately:to proceed to the, formation of the Ruthere
glen and Dalmarnock ,branch, and the Port-Carlisle
branch, for which acts of Parliament were got last
session, and the promoters of the Biggar and
Broughton branch would immediately also make
their lines so from those feeders or outlets an in-
creased traffic was expected. The -Motherwell de-
viation and the Gartcosh branch, for both of which
separate funds were raised under act of Parliament;
had been nearly completed, but the cutting of the
tunnel near. Holy town was only progressing. When
the works on. it were completed expense would be
saved and danger avoided. Their stores were
larger than usual, because they had bought an ad-
ditional quantity of iron and other materials, hav-
ing been induced to do so by the cheapness of price.
On the other side of the account there was an item
of about £3,060. due to bankers. It had been re-
marked that,,instead of having any money on hand
to pay the £83,000 of dividend, they actually owed
the bankers money. This was quite true, but they
were.not so neglectful as to allow money to be in
bank at 2 per cent. when they could pay up deben-
tures with it, and thus save 41 per cent., seeing
' that th6Y &add again reborrow on these debentures
in goad tithe to pay the dividend, as they had done
in tip present instance. When the dividend was
paid they 'would '.o*e their bankers nothing, and,
indeed, the £3,000 already mentioned was a loan
only for a few days to pay off the guaranteed divi-
dends. The next subject he had to mention was the
Langh.olin, and Hawick Bill, referred to in
the report, and Jost in last session of Parliament,
for the reason stated. Their proportion of the ex-
penses of it for session 1856-57 had been paid out
of the revenue, and the expenses for last session
were not- yet known, as the accounts had not yet
been all received, but they would be considerable,
and must be met out of the contingent fund or
out of revenue, as might be ultimately decided.
The directors much regretted that so much expense
had been incurred on this bill and the contest con-
nected With it, but it became necessary to defend
themselves against the attempted aggression of the
North British Company, and to fulfil their implied
engagements at the time the original Caledonian
Act was obtained to supply the district with rail-
way accommodation. Parliament in 1845 or 1846
caused inquiry to be mado which was the best route
for a railway between the west of England and
Scotland, and it was found the Caledonian route
was the best suited, and accordingly an act to make
it was obtained. Afterwards the Dumfries line was
granted to Gretna only as a local line, and the
Hawick branch of the :North British was granted
only to Hawick for local purposes, and several at-
tempts to extend it further had been frustrated in
Parliament, while an act was given to the Caledo-
nian to occupy the district between Carlisle and
Langholm. This line the Caledonian did not make,
as circumstances put it out of their power to do so
at the time ; but now they, along with their local
allies, sought an act to enable them to fulfil their
original intention, and in this they were violently
opposed by the North BritiA. Company in session
1856-57; and, in consequence of this opposition and
others, the .bill was lost. The directors and their
allies renewed the application last year, and the
North British brought in a bill for another route.
The bill passed the Commons, while the other woo
thrown out ; but, on a technical objection, the bill
was lost in the Lords. It was understood that the
North British would this -year bring in another bill
for the same purpose; and, consequently, they pro-
posed' to bring in another bill also, along with their
former allies in, the Carlisle, Langholm, and Hawick
line. There would thus, it was feared, be another
contest, and a large amount of expenses would be
incurred. The chairman of the local committee made
a proposal of compromise to the North British chair-
man, thf 'terms, of which were that the line should
go by LanghOlm, because, made in that way, it would
cost only £3so,ooo,while it would cost by Liddesdale
£500,0D0, and would suit the district better than
the other ; that of the sum necessary to make the
Langholm line £120,000 should be contributed by
the North British, the same amount by the Cale-
donian, and the remainder by the local promoters ;
that each of the parties shouldhaye two directors
at the board, that the Caledonian should work the
new line for the first, 10 years:, and the local gen-
tlemen should determine 'how it was to be worked
afterwards. This proposal was at once rejected by
the North British chairman. At another meeting
he told them that it was a sine qua non with him
that the line should go by Liddcaviale, and that
whoever- made it it should be open to through
traffic from.and to all points. Mr. Hodgson that
morning had . tendered them a compromise, the
terms of which were, they should make the- line
from ethe Caledonian to 'Canobie, and he would
make it from Canobie to Hawick by Liddesdale.
This proposed compromise was such as they could
not accept; and despairing of getting any fair terms
they entered into an arrangement with their former
allies to xo for a bill on certain conditions for a line
by Laugholm in next session of Parliament. They
offered equal through rates on all traffics, and it was
said they would be allowed to fix them.
The Secretary then read the first resolution, ap-
proving the report, and declaring a dividend at the
rate 431 per cent. on the ordinary consolidated
stock, and the usual payments on the guaranteed
and preference shares.
The CHAIRMAN moved this resolution, which was
seconded by Mr. SALKELD.
Mr. MEIKLAM moved, as an amendment, that, as
fully as it could be done with prudence, all prede-
termined work should cease on the Sabbath.
The amendment having been seconded by a share
holder, a show of hands was taken, when the' -reso-
lution of the chairman was carried by a consider-
able majority.
Mr. JEFFREY then proposed that the directors be
authorised to enter into arrangements with the pro-
moters of the-Carlisle and Hawick Railway, and
concur with them in making such applications to
Parliament as were necessary.
Mr. CAMPBELL seconded the resolution, which
was carried by acclamation.
Messrs. Johnston, Ainslie, and Towers, the re-
tiring directors, were re-elected unanimously.
On the motion of- the CHAIRMAN, the directors
were
were authorised. to create and • issue a debenture
stock at a rate of interest not exceeding 41 er
cent. per annum, to pay off th;£2,ooo,ooop of
debentures as they became due.
-A resolution authorising the Lesmahagow -Rail-
way shareholders to receive a dividend was passed
unanimously.
The Meeting then separated.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW,

On Tuesday the half-yearly meeting of this com-
pany wasi. held in Glasgow, Mr. Blackburn, M.P.,
in the chair.: The i,eport was held as read.
The CHAI4MAN.I;aOTed the adoption of the report.
He "Said;""the directors were sorry to t t
the
seep a fal falling
off .in• the returns -of_ the halfy.'ear
crease was common 'to all the railways, and he
thought it. unnecessary to detain them Ivit
further remarks upon that point. There was a
prOspect of a revival of trade, and the dire CtOr3
hoped that in the next half-year they would more
than recover what they had lost during the last.
Partly by diminFthing .the number of trains and
reducing the mileage they had endeavoured to
,diminish the working expenses as much as possible,
'but railway work was a very expensive matter.
Trains could not be well. run, and safely, for no-
thing, and the expense must be fairly met. The
Rijn Of X 13,000 had been set aside for the Stirling.
and Dunfermline Company. Only £12,250
was
pdid on account of rent, and the balance of X7oo
was paid off this year, so that there was £6,023 still
to be met. The other charges had been met, in-
eluding those for' interest, which had risen consi-
derably. The largest amount on which interest had
been 'paid was at the rate of 4 per cent., but
tie average charge on that head had been
chiding the Stirling and Dim-
bt, ..making -the debenture - charge
111 t which was a, medium between
by the Calecloclian and. South-Wes-
-1.7.1 •4 • ---- •
• . The directors honed they would
cent.-in the loans to be taken up'
would like to see some more of their
0 at' 4- pet tent, taken up, and he
• •
advds-Av-Tm