The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-01 00:00:00

CALCUTTA AND SOUTH-EASTERN.

The ninth ordinary general meeting of this com-
pany was held yesterday at the offices, Gresham-
house, Old Broad-street ; Mr. J. Borradaile in the
chair.

The report stated that the receipts for the
half-year ending the 31st of December last
amounted to £4,642 against £3,020 for the
corresponding half of 1864, showing an increase
of £1,622. The amount of merchandise and mine-
rals had been nearly trebled, without, however, se-
curing a proportional increase in the pecuniary re-
turn. This was to be attributed to the experimental
reduction which was made in the fares for twelve
months, to encourage the resort of traffic. At the
beginning of the present year the old rates were re-
sumed, with some modifications, and this had
already produced a beneficial result. The number
of passengers in the first nine weeks of the current
year increased upwards of 30 per cent., the quan-
tity of goods 30 per cent., and the total re-
ceipts upwards of 50 per cent. over the corre-
sponding period of the previous year. The num-
ber of passengers carried up and down be-
tween Calcutta and Canning in 1865 was 42,343,
against 13,386 in the previous year. The object
of the railway was to create a new harbour and
port on the Mutlah to relieve the pressure of traffic
on the Hooghly. The prosperity of the line, 28 miles
in length, depended therefore on the growth of that
port. The surface drainage effected by the municipal
commissioners had a very beneficial effect in pro-
moting the health and convenience of the residents.
The Canning-Land company had devoted a portion
of their large capital to the erection of ton seri, tv pih
jetties, and of houses for their officers and men.
Two steam navigation companies which were en-
gaged in the trade between Calcutta and the North-
Eastern district, and Calcutta and the various ports
to the eastward, had commenced to make Canning
their port of departure. The facilities which the
river Mutlah and the new port offered for maritime
commerce were beginning to be appreciated and im-
proved. The receipts on revenue account for the
half-year ending the 31st December last amounted
to £4,642, and the expenditure to £5,921, showing
a loss on working of £1,279. •
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, said he had but little to add to it. He hoped
in the current half-year that the receipts for traffic
would fully cover the working expenses. The traffic
was increasing, and the only drawback they had
had was the loss of their jetty, owing to a landslip
on the foreshore of the river, and about half of the
jetty had disappeared. The Government had ad-
vanced £40,000 to the municipal authorities to carry
out improvements ; and the full interest on the com-
pany's stock would continue to be paid as usual,
notwithstanding the deficiency in the traffic receipts.
Mr. MARSIIMAN seconded the adoption of the re-
port, and it was carried. --

The retiring directors, Mr. Borradaile and Mr.
Thomas were re-elected, and also Mr. Goodchap
and Mr. Johnson, the retiring auditors.

CITY TERMINUS HOTEL.

The second general meeting of this company was
held on Wednesday at the Charing-cross Hotel,
West Strand ; the Hon. J. Byng in the chair.
The Secretary having read the report,
The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said it
was a great satisfaction to them that the building
was progressing in every way that could be desired,
and they all felt much indebted to Messrs. Lucas
for the expeditious manner in which they were en-
deavouring to carry out the works. At the time
they issued their prospectus of the undertaking the
money-market was in a very unfavourable position,
and the public did not readily respond ; and had it
not been for the South Eastern Railway Company
they would most probably have abandoned the un-
dertaking. He was glad they had been enabled to go
on with the hotel, as he believed it would be, like
the Charing-cross Hotel, a very great success. From
the position of the hotel in Cannon-street, and the
valuable support and assistance it would derive from
the traffic of the railway, he looked forward to great
returns from it. It was to be regretted that a fine
undertaking like theirs should not have been sup-
ported by the public, who, when appealed to, were
looking for very large percentages in other compa-
nies that could not be expected to continue. The
restaurant would be opened about a month before
the railway was ready, and he had no doubt it would
be a paying concern.
Mr. C. F. SURTEES, M.P., seconded the motion for
the adoption of the report, which was agreed to.
The retiring directors and auditors were re-
elected.

The CnAIRMAN, in reply to a question, stated
that the hotel would be opened in March or April
next, and he hoped they would have the good for-
tune to get an able manager like Mr. Higgs to carry
it on successfully.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the chairman and directors.