The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-28 00:00:00

KENT COAST.

The report of the directors states that the receipts
from traffic for the half-year ending the 31st De-
cember last amounted to £30,580, against £27,022
for the corresponding period of 1864. After pay-
ment of debenture interest and general charges, the
sum of £24,890 remained applicable to dividend on
the preference and ordinary stocks of the company,
which the directors proposed should be at the rate
of 6 per cent. per annum on the £302,502 B stock,
and at the same rate on the £408,500 ordinary stock,
leaving a balance of £3,560. The capital account
showed that £952,608 had been expended.

SEVENOAKS, MAIDSTONE, AND TUNBRIDGE.
The report of the director states that the rental
payable by the London, Chatham, and Dover Cora
pany for the past half-year was received on the 31st
of December last. After payment of debenture in-
terest and general charges the balance amounted to
£3,720, out of which the directors proposed to apply
£3,300 to the payment of a dividend at the rate of
5 per cent. per annum on the preference shares, and
to carry forward £420 to the next account. The
capital account showed that £333,008 had been ex-
pended.

WHITEHAVEN, CLEATOR, AND EGREMONT.
The half-yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven
on Monday--Mr. A. B. Steward in the chair.

The report stated that the total receipts for the
half-year had been £17,231, and the working ex-
penses, including taxes and rates, £7,797, or 45+
per cent. The directors recommended the payment
of a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum,
less income tax, on paid-up capital. The Marron
line had been opened for mineral traffic at the com-
mencement of the present year, and would be ready
for passengers in a few weeks.

The report was adopted, and the dividend de-
clared.

THE PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL SCULLING
MATCH.—In the New York Clipper of February 17,
just arrived, there appear some choice remarks relative to
Hamill's prospects in coming to England to row our Cham-
pion. The. Clipper is "glad that the race is not to take
place on the Thames, because we could scarcely look for a
fair trial on that river. Of late years, rowing matches on.
the Thames have been in the hands of betting men and
bookmakers, as they are called over there. The men.
matched to row aro ' touted' and watched in their trials
in the same manner as racehorses are; and as soon as tho
good thing' is out, largo commissions are thrown into the
market, and every available means used, fair or foul, to
bring off the event ' according to the books.' " These and
other valid reasons—if they had been true as to facts—are
given; and the editor goes on to say :—" Since writing
the above, we have received a letter from Hamill, dateul/
dated Feb. 8, in which he informs us that he is awaiting a
official statement of Kelley's acceptance, and that as sure
as such appears he will at once forwarda sufficient amount ,
to cover the sum deposited by the English Champion." St
the matter rests for the present ; but we learn that Hat& 11
intends to come to England in May, when he will take, 7 ip
his quarters on the banks of the Tyne, where the race v /ill
in all probability be rowed. Harry Clasper is to build! him
a boat.

THE SO-CALLED " DECLINE OF THE TURF. "
Three stakes, with a " thou" (one the gift of :Mr.
Blenkiron) added to each, will be run for during the Ascot
May and June Meetings in money and plats; abou. t 900
two year olds are engaged ; the Jockey Club is seve. uty-
three strong, with two kings and two princes in its ran. Ics
Mr. Chaplin's two-year-old Hermit, by Newminster, fro m
Seclusion, has forty-six engagements; Mr. Merry 's
yearly colt by Thormanby, out of Sunbeam, has 20 k
old Qurli Ataxy is in 12 produce etukee.