The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-02 00:00:00

GREAT WESTERN AND BRENTFORD.

The half-yearly meeting was held on Tuesday,
at the offices, Victoria-street, Westminster ; Mr.
P. Davey in the chair.
Mr. C. ELEY, secretary, read the report. It stated
that the traffic carried over the railway during the
past half-year, according to the returns furnished
by the lessees, showed a total of 55,315 tons of ge-
neral goods, and 30,493 tons of coal and stone,
being a decrease of 2,555 tons of the former, and
an increase in the latter of 6,638 tons, as compared
with the preceding half-year ; and it was hopedfrom
the exertions made and the general reduction in the
coal rates from South Wales by the Great Western
Company would go on increasing. The arbitration
which had been so long on hand had been com-
pleted by the delivery of the umpire's award, which
confirmed in every way the view taken by the
directors of the agreement between the two com-
panies. The amount at the disposal of the share-
holders was £2,718, which, after paying dividends
on the preference shares, allowed a dividend of 2
per cent. per annum upon the original share capital,
and left a small balance.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the report, stated
that he anticipated that in the course of time the
whole of the enormous coal traffic from South
Wales would be sent to London per rail. The
Great Western had reduced their rates so consider-
ably that when the cost of marine insurance was
taken into account coal could be brought nearly as
cheaply by rail as by sea ; in addition to which
there was the great advantage of certainty and re-
gularity in the delivery.
Mr. IlonATro DAY (deputy-chairman) seconded
the report, which was unanimously agreed to, and
the dividends were declared.

The retiring directors and auditors were re-
elected, and a vote of thanks to the chairman and
directors concluded the proceedings.

NORTH AND SOUTH-WESTERN JUNCTION.
The half-yearly meeting was held at Euston
station on Tuesday ; Mr. 11. Tootal in the chair.
The report stated that £7,432 had been received
during the half-year, against £6,536 for the cor-
responding half of 1864 ; the net balance was
£2,821, out of which a dividend at the rate of 5i
per cent. per annum was recommended.
The CHAIRMAN said he had no doubt the opening
of the new line to Broad-street would bring a large
accession of traffic to their line. The number of
passengers carried on the company's line for the last
three years was as follows :—in 1863, 304,672 ;
1864, 300,876 ; 1865, 313,010. Looking at the un-
dertaking in all its bearings, and to the friendly
manner in which the directors were now working
with the large companies, there was every pro-
spect of the company being a great success.
The report was adopted, and a dividend of ss. Gd.
per share, being at the rate of 5i per cent. per
annum, declared.
The retiring directors and auditor were re-elected,
and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the pro-

ceedings.

COCKERMOUTII, KESWICK, AND PENRITII.

The half-yearly meeting was held on Wednesday
at Keswick- ; Mr. T. A lioAins in the chair.
The SECRETARY read the report, which stated
that the accounts with the contractors were not
yet adjusted. They had been placed in the hands
of Mr. Bonch, the engineer, for final settlement.
The traffic receipts fox the half-year were £10,680,
and the expenditure 5.7,235, leaving a balance of
£3,445. After paying interest on debentures, &c.,
£1,723 remained, out of which the directors pro-
posed to declare a dividend at the rate of 10s.
per cent., less income-tax. The development of the
mineral traffic was retarded in consequence of the
Marrow branch of the Cleator line not being yet
opened. The directors hoped the line would be
shortly opened, and also the loop line at Red Hills.

The CHAIRMAN said that though the dividend
was a small one very few of the West Cumberland
lines had paid a larger one within so short a time of
their opening. Nothing could be more promising
than their mineral traffic. Some of the iron ore
had passed over their line all the way to Newport.
If the arrangements in progress were carried out,
he expected that they would have a continuous line
not only to Workington,but to Whitehaven.
The report was adopted, and a dividend of
£1 10s. per cent. was declared.