The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVE NING, NOVEMBER 30, 1866.

Railway and Other Companies.

LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER.

A special meeting of shareholders in this company
was held yesterday at the Victoria station, Pimlico,
for the purpose of considering the proposition of
the directors for raising £1,500,000 for the purposes
of the company , Lord-Harris, the chairman, pre-
sided.

The CHAIRMAN said the shareholders bad been
invited to consult with the directors as to a measure
they intended to lay before Parliament in the en-
suing session. The new Board, in the first instance,
directed its attention to preserving the traffic of the
line, and to the support and maintenance of the
company. The directors had held a meeting of the
debenture-holders, on the same subject, last Mon-
day. He need not trespass further on their time, as
the chairman of the late committe of investigation,
Mr. Hodgkinson, would address them on the subject
for which they had been called together. (Hear.)
Mr. lIODGKINSON, M.P., said he had no doubt
they were all aware of what took place at the meet-
ins, of debenture holders on Monday last, and there-
fore the scheme of the directors came before the pre-
sent meeting with the disadvantage of having a hos-
tile vote already reported against it. He was not at
all disappointed by the expression of opinion on
Monday last, neither was he discouraged by it. First
impressions were not always durable, and often gave
way after due reflection, as he had no doubt would
be the case in that instance. The question proposed
was quite as much in the interests of the holders of
debentures as of the holders of shares in the com-
pany. The debenture holders who had advocated a
course opposed to that proposed by the directors
were by no means a majority of the whole. There
were 3,750 debenture holders. Abort 400 holders of
debentures attended the meeting on Monday, which
was not convened for coming to a vote on the direc-
tors' scheme ; it was called with a view to a confe-
rence with the debenture holders, and for the pur-
pose of seeing what objections could be made against
it. The debenture holders who did not think itne-
cessary to attend that meeting were favourable to
the proposal of the directors. So far as the directors
could ascertain the opinions on that occasion, there
were 416 assents, representing £434,268 stock, and
550 I debenture holders, representing £482,978,
against the proposal of the directors. He had no
doubt they had read an account of the proceedings
at that meeting, from which they would perceive
that the decision was not founded upon the merits
of the scheme. They had bills of indictment pre-
ferred against them and the officers of the com-
pany, as if the present Board had had to do with
previous mismanagement. Some gentlemen at-
tacked the scheme and raised objections to it, but
the meeting would not allow any of the directors
to give an explanation or to answer the objec-
tions. His connection with the company was
of recent date, through the death of a relation.
He knew less of its affairs up to the appoint-
ment of the committee of investigation than any
other member of it. In consenting to be a member
of the committee he did so at the request of friends
who were largely interested in the undertaking as
debenture holders ; but, after investigation, he felt
the interest of shareholders and debenture holders
were identical. The debenture holders had a first
and paramount claim, and there was no intention
on the part of the directors to place any stock be-
fore them, unless for their benefit and with their
consent. If they bad allowed his friend Mr. Hilliard
to be heard against the adverse resolution at the
meeting on Monday, he would have explained the
whole matter to them, but unfortunately the meet-
ing was not disposed to hear him, or any explanation
from the directors. That was the reason why the
directors first called a meeting of the debenture
holders to consult with them, and explain the neces-
sity and advantages of some such measure to be
submitted to Parliament, and to get their assent.
The first thing the new Board had to consider was
the claims of creditors, and as to how they could
best develope the resources of the railway. They
found on coming into office that its revenue was
being administered by the Court of Chancery. As
to capital there was not a farthing available for the
completion of the works that were of paramount im-
portance in developing the traffic. They bad to
deal with claims of creditors and a great variety of
interests. They had in the first place debenture
holders and a very large debt due for land.. There
were lawsuits against the company to establish a
lien on the land and works, and if carried out the
consequences would have been as disastrous to the
debenture holders asto any other class. There were
creditors with open accounts, common fund owners,
the Western Extension rent charge, and claim of
leased lines on the general undertaking. Then there
was the Victotia Improvement undertaking and the
Eastern Section. He mentioned these various
classes, not in the order of priority, because that
would have tobe determined by competent authority,
but to show the number of interests they had to con-
sider. The object was to get the concern out of its
difficulties. Those who had the first claims were not
disposed to help the company as those having in-
ferior claims. The directors were anxious to deal
fairly with the various classes, and to treat them all
fairly alike. Their scheme was to improve the po-
sition of all parties, to meet the claims on the com-
pany, and to raise the funds for that purpose. The
gradual increase of traffic was estimated to give
them £1,063,000 in the year 1872.0 They
the headeywould
have an increase in the latter year, under
of continental traffic, of £120,000. Those esti-
mates were not exaggerated in any way, and were
founded on past experience of traffic. They would
lee thus able to clear off the whole of their liabilities.
He then gave the items included in the £1,500,000
they proposed to ask for Parliamentary powers to
raise. The interest on debentures to June 30 last
would absorb £114,435, the debenture interest to
June, 1868, would be about £232,100, the comple-
tion of works £338,526, to provide additional roll-
ing stock by 1873, £156,356 ; further plant,
£28,275, to pay creditors holdingsecurities, £94,411,
and creditors having open accounts £220,900—
total, £1,288,104. There were expenses with re-
gard to land, and sums to pay in order to realise
assets from surplus lands. The mortgages on land
were put down at £200,000, so that with the fore-
going items the £1,500,000 would be disposed of.
It would also enable them to put the line into tho-
rough working working order, and to develope its
resources. This was the rock upon which the de-
benture holders seemed to split, but he hoped they
would think better of it. The credit of the com-
pany was so bad they could not get the requisite
money to place them in a safe position unless they
could give good security. He contemplated that
after mature consideration by the debenture holders
those objections would not be persisted in. He
could readily understand the angry manifestations
of debenture holders against a proposal for placing
a preference to come in before them, in order to clear
off debts and place the undertaking in a good con-
dition ; but the directors never sought to do that
without the consent of every one concerned. If they
did not agree to some such measure, all would be
ehaes
of and confusion. The board would meet the corn-
mitteebondholders on the morrow, when they
would be ready to consider any modification, or a
better plan if it could be suggested. (Applause.)
When the Court of Chancery were prepared to di-
vide any of the money in hand, there would pro-
bably be five or six different classes of creditors
claiming it, litigation would ensue, and the serious
question of priority would have to be decided.
Any
scheme by which all could lee paid would be pre-
ferable to interminable litigation. Some talked of
sfling the line, but that would cause a delay of two
years at least, and then it would be surrounded with
difficulties. The liabilities to pay 20s. in the pound
would be £9,000,000. In addition to that they '
have to allow out of toils, or to provide for interest,
at 3} per cent., on £300,000, subscribed by the
Great Northern Company, and a similar amount
on £300,000 subscribed by the London and South-
Western. The directors' proposition would give
five years for realisation if it should become inevit-
able, but with the natural increase of traffic it was
not probable that it would.
After some observations by Mr. V. Knight, Mr.
Parsons, and Mr. Rees,
Mr. lIAIZTRIDGE said there could be no doubt
they must get money to pay their debts and place

the concern in good working order ; but he thought
the claims of each section should be defined, and
the proportion of money (.£1,500,000) to be raised
allotted to each distinct undertaking, so that the
position of the several sections might be seen at a
glance. This was the more necessary, as it was
proposed in the bill to take permissive powers to
enable the company to amalgamate the whole of the
section as one undertaking. He hoped the deben-
ture-holders would keep in view the first three lines
of the directors' proposal. He wished to know if
there was any scheme of amalgamation in the hands
of the directors that they intended to carry out.
Unless the debenture-holders accepted those three
lines, there would be nothing but a sea of confu-
sion. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. BRISCOE said the directors stated in their
estimate that £338,000 would be sufficient to corn-
plete
the works, while he found that Mr. Forbes, the
general manager, had estimated the amount at
£700,000. The net revenue was barely £200,000
a year, while the claims on the company amounted!
to £250,000, to which must be added £75,000 a
year, as a first charge, if they were authorised to
raise the £1,500,000.
Mr. HODGKINSON explained that certain works
were excluded from the present estimate, which ;
might very well stand over to a future time, with I
the exception of a junction line atKnight's-hill, that !
would probably cost £64,137. The receivers of the i
Court of Chancery had now about £30,000 in hand.
Mr. HILLIARD, a director, said there had been
various misstatements with regard to the accounts.
There were certain sums due to the company. With
regard to the Messrs. Peto's account, the board and
committee had ascertained that therewas no balance
due from the company to that firm, but, on the con-
trary, a considerable balance due to the company.
There was also a considerable amount of Victoria
Improvement stock to be accounted for by Messrs. 1
Peto. The board were every day attacked by credi-
tors having open accounts. It was not to be won-
dered at that persons should wish to stand still, but
it was requisite to give proper notices for the mea-
sures proposed to save loss of time. There was a
great deal of assets to be realised. They had to meet
judgment creditors on every side, and if those claims
were not met promptly they would have to pay for
every pound they owed £2, including law expenses.
With regard to the proposed issue of £1,500,000 at
80 per cent., it would save the company 14s. per
cent. on the full amount. That money would give
them ample funds for all purposes and to develope
the traffic. He assured Mr. Hartridge that the
board had no scheme for the amalgamation of all the
sections. In case au amalgamation was contemplated
the terms would require the assent of three-fourths
of each section, as, for instance, B shares would re-
quire the assent of three-fourths of B shareholders ;
and with regard to C shares, the assent of three-
fourths of the C shareholders, before anything could
be done affecting them. While there were so
many different interests to deal with there would
be great difficulty in dealing with them. Each sec-
tion, common fund, debenture holders, and others,
took their own views of their position ; but it re-
quired a general view of the whole to comprehend
what was due to each section, and to promote the
general interest. Until all the interests were amal-
gamated they could not act together as a united
company, which was requisite to insure success.
One great object was to keep faith with every cre-
ditor. The traffic returns of last week showed an
increase of £1,720 over the corresponding week last
year, notwithstanding every impediment. Next
year they would have an,addition of 3 per cent. to
their proportion of the Continental traffic, which
would increase the amount by £12,000. They would
have a net income of £130,000 from that source.
They had only two sets of rails laid down, and when
the facilities were afforded for working the traffic
on their Metropolitan Extensions the increase would
be at least 11,000 per week ; so that there was an
increase of £50,000 to £60,000 more traffic in the
year awaiting them on that section. He had no
doubt they would have a considerable increase in
the traffic when proper facilities for conducting it
were afforded.

Mr. HlipococK suggested that the time in the
bill should be extended from 5 years to 10 years, as
in the case of the Grand Trunk of Canada Arrange-
ments Act.

Mr. 11.kurtisoN read some statistics of traffic on
the line, with a view to show that there would be a
deficiency of £120,000 in 1867 to meet the prefer-
ence charges, and if they raised the proposed capital
they would have to add £75,000 to that sum, making
£195,000.
At this time three, four, or five shareholders to-
gether addressed the chair at the same time.
Mr. R. PRICE repeated his statement at the meet-
ing on Monday to the effect that the House of Lords
having last Session rejected a similar proposition to
that of raising the £1,500,000 proposed by the di-
rectors, it was not likely they would sanction that
portion of the bill next Session.
Mr. BAXTER remarked that the proposition alluded
to by Mr. Price was brought by the Chatham Com-
pany the last few weeks of the Session of Parliament.
He asked Lord Redesdale to give the company power
to raise £1,000,000 for the general purposes of the
company, subject to the assent of four-fifths of the
debenture-holders, four-fifths of the preference
shareholders, and four-fifths of the common fund,
but not a shilling of the money was to be raised
without their assent. Lord Redesdale did not then
see his way clear to granting that request, but from
his lordship's recent letter to the 7 imes , t appeared
that he now took a different view. The debenture-
holders would not hear any explanation from the
directors with regard to their proposed measure.
Their appeals were then of too excited a nature, but
he hoped when the committee of debenture-holders
cameth
esutt the
jee
tas directorsmen of
f to-morrowhnsinessthey.
A would app
debenture-holderapproach
had said that the Court of Chancery was the pro-
per place to deal with their affairs but he should
remember that after deducting
working expenses the
balance would be dealt with. The result would be
if the affairs were left in Chancery that the deben-
ture-holders would receive only a part of their in-
terest,
ng per cent. per annum
off
the
principal and perhaps
a shtheilhcourse of 30 years. They
i n
should know that a Court of Chancery was not
qualified to manage and work the railway. It was
not reasonable to suppose that a railway which had
cost £12,000,000 would have much difficulty in
raising 1,500,000 to complete its works and dove-
lope its resources. He had always found London
shareholders men of business, and whatever they in-
tended to do they must come to that at last. They
must pay their debts, get the railway in going order
and do everything to develope the traffic. Their
affairs would then gradually improve, and by and by
note interest
aosftahneyCsaelcedtioonniatno
twhaesy
nwo owu. d
Ibte
was
m en
oa as
tphr
keep the company in Chancery,
although
but itit
wmightd
answer the purpose of legal gentlemen,
that was wanted was the goodwill of t
be detrimental alike to all parties concernheedd.ebAenll-
ture-holders to raise the £1,500,000, to assist the
new Board, who was deserving of their confidence.
He could tell them as an old railway man, that if
they could only enable the railway to go on steadily
improving for six years they would meet at the end of
that time perfectly satisfied with the result. They
would have a large metropolitan traffic and Conti-
nental traffic. There was no difficulty in their way
that they could not easily surmount by united action
among themselves. (Cheers.)
After some observations froin Mr. HANKEY, a
director, as to the expediency of raising the new
capital to place the company in a good position, a
resolution, proposed by Mr. Hartridge, seconded by
Mr. Lyon, was passed, to the effect that the meet-
ing be adjourned until after the results of the con-
ference with the debenture committee had been cir-
culated among the shareholders.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the chairman and directors.

MADRAS IRRIGATION AND CANAL.
The half-yearly general meeting of this company
was held yesterday at the offices,, Queen-street-
place ; Mr. J. Thomson in the chair.
The report (an abstract of which has appeared in
The Sun) was taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, stated that from the circumstances in which they

had for some time past been placed, the directors were
unable to report much progress. In many divisions
nothing had been done except keeping the works in
good condition to prevent their deterioration. The
re-surveys were being carried on, and he hoped early
in next year to be able to say they were completed.
Some natives had during the present season agreed to
construct and keep in proper order at their own cost
the necessary channels for irrigation, while they had
wells of their own which were full, and all appliances
at hand, showing how much they were in favour of
the system of canal irrigation. A measurement had
been made of all the land available for irrigation,
which showed that there were in the first section
2,000 acres, in the second 900 acres, in the third 3,688
acres, in the fourth 2,500 acres, in the fifth 3,000
acres, and in the sixth 16,640 acres. The great im-
portance of reservoirs had been brought to notice
during the past year very prominently. The £600,000
which had been advanced by the Indian Govern-
ment was not lent for the purpose of constructing
reservoirs, but for the completion of the works be-
tween Soonkasala and Cuddapah. They had no
doubt that that sum would be quite sufficient to
complete that portion of their undertaking, and the
directors believed that five years, which was the
specified time within which it was to be completed,
would be long enough. The charge of the company
was six rupees per acre. It would be necessary to
call up the remainder of the capital, which amounted
to between £25,000 and £30,000.
Major MUNSTON proposed that a gentleman should
be sent to India to look after the affairs of the com-
pany, as the whole time of their engineer seemed to
be taken up in preparing reports for Government.
The motion for the adoption of the report was
carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said the papers had taken up the
question of irrigation, and he hoped it would lead to
some satisfactory result.
Mr. J. Thompson and the Hon. A. Kinnaird,
M.P., were re-elected directors, Mr. Hall and Mr.
Harding were elected auditors, and a vote of thanks
to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

Lord Amberley on Parliamentary Reform.

On Wednesday evening a reform meeting was held
at the Subscription-rooms, Stroud, under the piesi-
dency of Viscount Amberley, M.P. for Notting-
ham. There was a very large attendance, the
spacious hall being crowded long before the hour
fixed for the meeting. Considerable excitement
prevailed both within and without the rooms, and
it was intensified by the presence of a brass band,
which was stationed outside the hall, and played
inspiriting airs at intervals. Among those upon
the platform were Mr. Edmond Beales, of the Na-
tional Reform League ; Mr. Handel Cossham, and
several of the more prominent local reformers. Lady
Amberley was present, and occupied a seat in the
immediate vicinity of the platform. On Lord Am-
berley entering the room he was vociferously
cheered.

The CHAIRMAN said that before proceeding to the
business of the meeting it was his duty to read three
letters. The first was from Colonel Nigel Kings-
cote, M.P., who expressed his regret that he could
not be present, but recorded his deep sympathy with
the reform movement. The next letter was from
Mr. Scrope, one of the borough members, who re-
gretted that it was out of his power to attend the
meeting, his health and spirits being just now un-
equal to the exertion required. The hon. member
concluded by stating that he should support, in his
place in Parliament, any measure that might be
proposed from any quarter for the extension of the
franchise to many of those who were as yet without
it. (Loud cheers, with three special cheers for Mr.
Scrope. A Voice—" No letter from Mr. Horsman,"
with hisses and groans.) Nis lordship said he was
sorry to say he bad no letter from Mr. Horsman.
(More hisses.) His lordship, in reference to the
meeting itself, said he accepted with pleasure the
honour they had conferred upon him in calling upon
him to take the chair on that occasion. (Applause.)
Six months ago they had a Liberal Government in
power, and a Liberal Reform Bill before the House
of Commons. Had that Reform Bill been passed
into law, it would have been unnecessary for them
to hold any such assembly as that which was then
bAre him. (Applause.) That bill, moderate as it
was, although it could not have satisfied the wishes
of advancal Reformers, would at least have shown
that Parliament was not determined to turn a deaf
ear to the just expectations of the people. (Hear,
and applause.) It would have shown that they
were willing to make some concession, however
small, in the direction of an extension of the suf-
frage. (Hear.) But moderate as that bill was it did
not meet with the acceptance of the House of Com-
mons. He needed not to detail to them, because they
doubtless remembered it perfectly well, the manner
in which it was opposed. It was opposed acrimoni-
ously, strenuously, and constantly, as much so as if it
had proposed to create a complete revolution in the
institutions of the country. (Hear.) Now, what was
the ground for that constant opposition ? Under
whatever Parliamentary forms it might have
been veiled, whatever shapes it might have assumed,
it was impossible to doubt that the real reason of the
opposition was that the bill proposed to extend the
franchise to some portion of the working classes.
(Hear, hear.) That was the reason of the hostility
it created, and that was why the House of Commons
was not prepared to accept it, either with or with-
out the re-distribution of seats. The result of that
opposition was that the Government were defeated,
and were succeeded by a Conservative Administra-
tion. Now, the ground upon which the present Go-
vernment carneinto office was that of denying any ex-
tension of the franchise. That might not have been
the technical reason upon which the late Govern-
ment were defeated, but that was in fact the express
ground upon which the present Government stood
—it was that of denying anyreform and any change
in their representative system. It was sometimes
said, indeed, that the cause of the defeat of the late
Government bill, as well as the other reform bills,
was not the bill itself, but in the mistakes which
were made in the manner in which it was con-
ducted. He was not going then to enter into and
inquire as to the manner in which that bill was or
might have been conducted by the late Government
but he believed the real ground of opposition was
not any mistakes which they made, but their ear-
-1 neatness in the cause of reform. It was plain to the
House of Commons that they were anxious to pass
their bill, that they were not playing with the ques-
tion, but that they meant what they said. (Hear,
hear.) The late Government was too sincere for the
House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) He was per-
suaded, however, that it was not too sincere for the
e by
people of England. (Loud cheers.) He was con-
vinced that they would appreciate the course that
Iwas taken
late
Government,
thicka d
and b y those
statesmen wyhn th
supported,thin,
the claims of the people to a larger measure of en-
franchisement. (Cheers.) Well, such a measure as
that of last session
having
been denied, it became
necessary for them to wish for some reform, and to
speak, and to agitate,and
reform was carried. (Loud h
c eers.) It was a great
honour to them on that o •
ccasion that they had with
them a man who had come forward
in the spirit of
self-sacrifice and self-devotion to lead
that great
popular movement. It was almost unnecessary for
him to mention the name of Mr. Beales. (Loud
cheers.) He was much too well known, he was
much too closely identified with the cause of reform
to need any introduction from him. lie had amply
shown his earnestness —he had come forward in a
manner which they could not but admire, whether
or not they entirely agreed with all the opinions he
had expressed. (Hear, hear.) For his own part he
did not fully agree with everything that had been
said by the Reform League, but he could not help
acknowledging that they were doing a good and use-
ful work—(hear, hear, and applause) and he agreed
with them that the next reform bill, if it was to
meet the expectations of the people, was by no
means likely to be so moderate as the last.
(Hear,
hear.) He was sure they all sympathised with the
course taken by Mr. Beales in endeavouring to pro-
cure a fair hearing for the working men of London,
who wished to bold a great meeting in Hyde-park.
(Applause.) That meeting was prevented by the
Government, in pursuance of a policy which ap-
peared to him as ungenerous as it was unwise.

(Hear.) Men who only desire to expt .ess in a per-
fectly legal and constitutional way thei r opinions on
the great question of Reform were pr evented from
entering the park, and we are told thl it it was not
intended for such purposes as that. (S. hame.) He,
therefore, could not help feeling the st rongest ad-
miration for the manner in which Jr. _t3ealcfs came
forward to maintain that claim at the people.
(Applause.) It would not be right in him to detain
them longer, and he would only say on e word as
to the objects and purposes of their met sting there
that night. They were not called up ,a there to
discuss the details of a Reform Bill, ear to propose
any particular plan. They met in orttla r that they
might have an opportunity—that they? .the working
classes of Stroud might be able t% show their
earnestness in the matter of Reform. (Applause.)
They knew the manner in which the. oppor.erts of
reform endeavouresl to make out that, the, movement
was got up by political agitators, that it was hollow,
and that it did not carry with it 'OW feeling of the
country at large. It was for them, 'in such assem-
blies as that, to contradict that assert ion; it was for
them to show that they really wants :d a measure of
reform ; it was for them to tell 11. e Government,
and to tell the House of Commons, that the question
of reform must be trifled with no nore. He had
only one word to say in conclusion, a: nd that was that
it was in their power to deny the charges of their
enemies—that the movement of :reform was not
supported by the feeling of the people at large.
(Applause.) It was for them to tell, -the Government
and the House of Commons that -the subject must
be trifled with no more. (Hear, kear.) It was for
them to declare their opinion—and their opinion
could not be neglected—that the time was come
when it was no longer right nor just to refuse their
honourable desire to bear their part and to exert their
influence in the legislation of the country. (Cheers.)

Mr. R. WII;ITERBOTRAM proposed the first resolu-
tion :—" That it is the opinion of this meeting that
the working classes of this country are, by the pre-
sent system of representation, deprived of their due
and proper influence upon the councils of the na-
tion." (Applause.)
Mr. J. SIBREE, M.A., seconded, the resolution,
which was supported by the Rev. Mr. HIBBS, and
carried by a large majority. _ _

Mr. P. WooD moved " That it is the deliberate
conviction of this meeting that no permanent and
satisfactory settlement of the reform question can
be arrived at until the principle of residential man-
hood suffrage, protected by the ballot, be adopted."
(Loud cheers.)
Mr. WAY, of Bristol, seconded the motion, which
was supported by Mr. BEALES, and carried.
Mr. H. COSSIIAM, who was cordially cheered on
rising, moved " That the grateful thanks of this
meeting be given to Earl Russell, the Right Hon.
W. E. Gladstone, John Bright, John Stuart Mill,
Professor Fawcett, and the other true friends of the
people, who so nobly struggled in the last session of
parliament for the extension of the franchise to the
working classes. And that this meeting hereby re-
cords its strongestdisapproval of the conduct of those
members of parliament who, having been elected on
the faith of their• professions of liberal opinions, have
by their speeches and votes betrayed the cause of re-
form, and been the main agents in causing the de-
feat of a ministry which possessed iu an eminent de-
gree the confidence of the people of this country."
The speaker supported the motion in a powerful
speech, which was warmly received throughout by
the meeting.
This resolution was seconded by Mr. J. BARNARD,
and carried nein con.

A vote of thanks was afterwards passed to the
Council of the Reform League for its services to the
people's cause; to Mr. Beales, its representative, for
his able address ; and to the noble chairman for the
kindness and courtesy with which he had presided
over the meeting.

nised so many old faces in the corps ; that was as it
ought to be ; it showed that they had not at the
outset taken to volunteering as an evanescent thing ;
but that they had stuck steadily to their drill. Still
he would press upon them to advise their younger
brethren who were preparing for the bar to remem-
ber that, however effective and well organised a
body of volunteers might be, unless it embraced all
the young and respectable portion of the fraternity,
it would in time lose the spirit of the corps which
alone would keep it intact. The corps then marched
down to the railway station, and temporarily re-
freshed themselves, and subsequently dined together
at the Freemasons' Tavern.

A rifle competition among the efficient members
of the Finsbury Rifles was held at the Old Harrow
Range on Wednesday, for a valuable challenge cup,
presented by Mr. Alderman Lusk, M.P. The ranges
were 200, 500, and 600 yards, five shots at each, and
the cup was won by Capt. Hislop, who made 44. The
next were Sergeant lloefling and Corporal Crough-
ton, each with 43. This was the fifth competition for
the cup, which is to be awarded to the winner of it
most times in quarterly competitions extending over
two years for his absolute property, when anothGr will
be presented by the donor of the present cup. The
class prizes, to the value of £2O, portion of a sum an-
nually given by Mr. Henry Gardner, were this day
decided, as this was the last day on which the long-
range shooting can be carried on, the Volunteer year
closing on the 30th. The first prize, a sum of £6, for
the highest in all the classes, has been won by Colour.
Sergeant While ; the second, the sum of £5, has been
won by Private Strugnell, for the highest in the first
and second classes combined; the third, for the highest
in the first class, has been won by Private Page ; the
fourth, for the highest in the second class, has been
won by Private Amott; and the fifth, for the highest
in the third class, has been won by Corporal Grearson.
On Wednesday night the presentation of the prizes
of the 4th Tower Hamlets took place. Sir Henry de
Hoghton, the hon. colonel, was to have presided on the
occasion, but was prevented, it was understood
through domestic affliction. The Commandant, Col,
Thompson, took his place, and the ceremony, which
was witnessed by a very large assemblage, took place
at the Grecian Theatre. The colonel said that the
Volunteer year, which ends this week, had found the
corps strengthened, both as regards numbers on the
rolls and efficiency, and the shooting was very satisfac-
tory indeed, inasmuch as there were this year more
than double the numbers who had last year shot
through the three classes successfully, and more than
double the number of members had obtained the hon-
ourable distinction of the marksman's badge. The
corps' increase was very great indeed, 323 recruits hav-
ing been enrolled during the year, a fact which attested
to the loyalty and patriotism of the industrial dis-
tricts represented by the regiment. He then pre-
sented the prizes, which were very numerous, and
had been contributed by Sir Henry and Lady de
Hoghton, Col. Thompson, Mr. Butler, M.P., Major
de la Rue, Major Moller, M.P., Capt. Hutchinson,
Miss Burdett Coutts, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Jas. Blyth,
Sergeant Vaughan, and other ladies and gentlemen,
and by officers of the regiment. The chief winners
were Sergeant Hurst, Lance-Corporal Baines, Ser-
geant Hughes, Colour-Sergeant Arle,Private Taylor,
Private Gales, and Lieut. Young. The prizes won
by Ensign Walker in the clble.fixe and cible a volante
at Brus,els, consisting of a handsome set of silver
plate and a purse of small gold pieces, were pre-
sented, and the winner was most warmly cheered
on coming forward to receive these winnings. Mrs.
Howe, on behalf of the ladies of the district, pre-
sented the corps with a very handsome silver bugle,
and not the least pleasant part of the proceedings
was the presentation of a very valuable sword, by
the non-commissioned officers and privates, to Col.
Thompson in acknowledgment of the warm interest
he has shown in the welfare of the regiment. The
presentation was made by one of the senior sergeants.
The proceedings were followed by a ball, which did
not conclude until an early hour.
On Wednesday last the monthly competition of
the 13th Company Queen's (Westminster) Volun-
teers for the Smith Ist class, the Smith 2d class,
and the Leete Cups took place at Wormwood
Scrubby. The Smith Ist class, five shots at 200,
500, and 600 yards, was won by Private Chees-
wright, with a score of 45 marks, Private Lowe
being second with 44 ; the 2d Smith was also won
by Private Cheeswright with 42 marks, and the
Leete Cup, 15 shots at 400 yards, was won by Pri-
vate Lowe with 33 marks, Private Cheeswright
being second with 32.
The final competition of the North Middlesex
Rifles for the Grahame Challenge Cup, value 20
guineas, presented by Mr. Peter Grahame, of
Oxford-street, and which entitles the winner
to its absolute possession, was shot for on
Wednesday at the range at Child's-hill, by the eight
competitors who have previously won it, and have
their names inscribed on the cup. The ranges were
200, 500, and 700 yards, seven shots at each, and
the cup was won by Private Giles, No. 1 Company,
with a score of 55.

THE HON. ARTILLERY COMPANY.—Some days
since we announced that Lord Colville had resigned
the command of the above regiment. The following
is the farewell letter of the noble lord addressed to
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and members
of the Hon. Company :

" 42, Eaton-place, Nov. 8, 1866.
" Gentlemen,-1 need not say that it is with much
regret that, after having been lieutenant-colonel of
the Hon. Artillery Company for nearly seven years,
I am compelled to resign the command of the regi-
ment.

For several years past I have suffered from a
bronchial affection, which of late has increased to
such an extent that I have been most positively pro-
hibited by my medical advisers from any longer
taking command on parade. Under these circum-
stances, and in justice to the regiment, I have con-
sidered it my duty to tender the resignation of my
commission to Colonel and Captain-General the
Prince of Wales, and his Royal Highness has been
pleased to accept it.

" On the recommendation of his Royal [Ugliness,
her Majesty has been pleased to approve that Lieut.-
Colonel Loyd Lindsay, V.C., should be my suc-
cessor, and I heartily congratulate the corps upon
being placed under the command of so distinguished
an officer.

" In now taking farewell of the regiment I beg
to tender to you, individually and collectively, my
warmest thanks for the support and good feeling
that I have invariably met with from all ranks, and
to assureyou that
.I shall ever take the liveliest inte-
rest in all that pertains to the welfare of that ancient
and distinguished body, the Honourable Artillery
Company.--I have the honour to be, gentlemen,
your most obedient servant, CoLvILLE."

FATAL 0 UTRAGE.--An inquest was held yesterday
terday at the London Hospital on the body of William
Henry Ebsworth, aged 21 years. Mrs. Sarah Gasken, sister
of deceased, said he worked in the tea department of the
West India Docks. Ho told her at the hospital that a
number of young men, who worked with him, were con-
stantly wanting him to treat them with drink, and that he
once was obliged to do so because he was afraid of them.
He was a teetotaller and used not to keep bad company.
Mary Middleton said that on the evening of the 9th inst.
she was in the Whitechapel-road, when she saw deceased
and four others coming towards her. One of the men was
evidently asking deceased to do something which he did
not want to do. She heard the deceased say, "I cannot
do it." The man then struck him under the left ear, and
knocked him down. He fell with great force on the pave-
ment, and remained motionless, as if dead. The men ran
away. William Gibbons corroborated this evidence, and
police constable Wooley, 391 K, deposed to removing the
deceased to the hospital. Witness had spent two days at
the docks, making inquiries, but could get no clue to the
guilty parties. Mr. Lane, house surgeon, said the deceased
was brought in with his skull fractured on the night of the
9th November, and he died on the 21st. He had been struck
on the left side of the head and hadfallen on his right side.
He was nearly unconscious the whole time he was in the
hospital. The jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter
against some person or persons unknown," and they recom-
mended that the Home Secretary should offer a reward
for the discovery of the guilty parties.
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