The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-30 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 30, 1857.

•
EOURE INVESTMENTS.—Messrs. R.
TIO I.E Y. and Co., 44, Thradneedle. street, Sworn Stock, Share,
and Mining Brokers, will be happy to forward a list of carefully selected
Securities, paying good di videpds, to those who may favour them with
their imsilless. anti to advise them on the safest mode of inve,ting
their capital. Business transacted in the English Fund 3 at 1-16th
per cent., and in all Stocks, Railway and Mining Shares, on the most
reasonable Corms. A selected list of divideud•paying (from 12 to 20
per cent.) and progressive mines to be had personally or per letter.

GREAT INDIAN PENINSULA RAILWAY
COMPANY.
At the'Ftfteenth Half Yearly . General Meeting of Shareholders,
behl at the London Tavern, Blshopsgate street, London, on WED-
NERO IY, tile 29th April, i 857
W NI. J. lIAMI'.TON, Chairman of the Company in the Chair.
The company's seal was aMxed to the Register of 6bareholders. The
Directors' Report having been read,
It was moved ny the Cirmsyrarr,
Seconded by F. G. FRITH, Esq , and
Resolved, I.—That the Report, together with the Accounts now
read he approved and adopted.
It wee moved by A. B. RICHMOND, Esq.,
Seconded by R. W. CRAWFORD, Esq., M.P., and
Resolved, 11. —Tont Mr. C. J: Frith, and Mr. S. Ayrion, M.P., of
London, and Col. Melvill and Mr. S. Cowie. of Bombay, be and
are hereby re. elect 4 Di-ectors of this Company.
It was moved by THOS. DAKAR. Esq„
Seconded by J. A. FRANKLIN, Esq., and
Resolved. 111.—That Mr. James Anderten be, and is hereby re-
elected an Auditor of this Company.
(Signed) WM. J. HAMILTON.
It was moved by F. W. Slams. Esq , C.E.
Seconded by R. W. CRAWFORD, Esq., M.P., and
Resolved, 2Y.—That the rest thanks of the meeting are due, and
are hereby tendered, to the Chairman and directors for their atten-
tion to the interests of the Company.
(Signed) • THOS. 11. WATT, Secretary.

(7_I__REAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
kJI- ALTERATION of T RAINS for MAY, 1857.

DOWN.--The 6 a.m. Train from Paddington will be con-
tinued on to Salisbury.
The, 8 40 a.m. Train from Paddington will leave at 8.20,
and will he proportionately earlier at all Stations.
The Morning Express - to.t44prO .will leave Pad*ogion
;at:9.15, instead of at 9.40, as attresent, arriving at Birming-
ham at 12.5, ShreWsbury at 1 35, Chester at 2.55, Bi*enhead
at 3 30, and Liverpool at 3.45 p.m.
The 12.50 Train from Paddington . will leave at 1.0 p.m.,
and be ten minutes later at all Stations. • •:

The 2 p.m. Train from Paddington will be accelerated 15
minutes between Didcot and Birmingham, and will discontinue
to call at, CodSall, Allbric;hton. Shiffn ill, and Oakengates,
arriving at Chester at 8.50, Birkenhead at 0.Z5, and Liver-
Tool at 9.40 p.m.
The 4 50 p.m. Express from - Paddington will be dicon-
tinued between' Didcot and the North, and in place of it,.-an
ordinary train *III leave Paddington at 5.15 p.m., arriving at
Birming,hqm 2.25, Cir:ster at 11.15, Birkenhead at 11.45,
and Liverpool at 12 o'clock. ,
A Train will -leave Paddington for Windsor and intermedi-
ate Stations at 8,20 p.m.
The 9.15 p.m. Train from Paddington will be discontinued,
and in place of it a Train will leave for Windsai and interme-
diate Stations at 10 p.m.

The'2.4s Train, from Paddington will bo continued tin
from Swindon-to Cheltenham, and intermediate Stations.
The 4.50 p.m. Express from Paddington will be continued
as au Express Trainfrom Swindon to Cardiff, and will run to
Milford Haven on Mtindays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 'in
connection with the Waterford steamers„ , .
The 8.10 p.m. Train from Paddington will be continued en
from ChippenlianatoNeymouth, calling at principal Stations.
UP.—The 9.30 a.m. Train from Reading will leave at 9.20,
and be proportionately earlier as 'far as Taplow.
The 9 20 a.m, Train from Wycombe will leave at 9.10, and
will be ten minutes earlier as far as Taplow.
The 10.5 a.m. 'Train. from Windsor will start at 10.10, and
arrive at Paddington at 10.55 a.m.
The 9 a.m. Train from Swindon will leave at 8.50, and will
be earlier at all Stations.
The 10 a.m. Train froth Hangerforcl will leave at 9.45, and
be earlier at all Stations.

Vv
The 8.20 a.m Express from Bristol :will leave at 8.10, and
will be earlier at all stations, arriving •at Paddington at 11.10
a.m.

The 7.50 a.m. Train from Cheltenham will be discontinued,
and in place of Wan Express Train will leave at 7.55 a.m.
An 'ordinary Train will leave Wolverhampton at 6.55 a.m.,
and Birmingham at 7;30, arriving at Pachlington, at 10,40 a.m.
The 7.45 a.m. Exp Tess Train from Wolverhampton will be
discontinued.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays an Express Train;
in connection with the Waterford steamers, will leave Milford
Haven at 2.25 p.m.
The 9.5 a.m. Train from Chester will leave at 9.10, Wol-
verhampton.*jd.3solßirmingham at 12.10, arriving at Pad-
dington at .3:5404: ;'
The 2.25. p.m..Trainrfrom Birmingham will start at 2.30,
and arrive at raddington at 5.40 p.An.
The p.m.,
•Trap from Bristol will be accelerated be-
tWieft:S47m4On and 44dingtonilio .4,iydlOontitrue to call
Stevefftbif; 7„,, • '
A Train will;leave Weymouth 9.55 p.m for Paddington,
calling at principal Stations. ,
The 3 p.m. Triin from Liverpool willlea4dit 3.25; Birken-
head at 3.50, Chester at 4.20, Shiiewsbury at 5.50. Wallier-
hampten 6.54, 'Birmingham at 7.30; and arrive at Paddington
at 10.40 p.m.
The 2.45 p.m. Train from Ifungerford will start at 2.35.
A Train for Paddington and intermediate Stations will
leave Vt inds'erat 4:40 p.=a.

discontinued.
A Train for Paddington and intermediate Stations will
leave Windsor at 8.30 p.m.
The 9 p.m. train from Windsor to Paddington will be dis•
continued.
A Train for Paddington and intermediate Stations will
leave Windsor at 10.20 p.m.
SUNDAY TRAINS.

DowN:—The 9 a.m Train will stop at Wallingford Road
and will be slightly altered at other Stations.
A Train will leave Paddington at 9.45 a.m. for Liverpool
and intermediate Stations.
The 4 p.m. Train from Paddington to Windsor will be dis-
continued. A Train for Windsor and intermediate Stations
will leave Paddington at 5.30 p m.
UP. The 720 a.m. Train from Oxford will start at 7
o'clock, and will be earlier at all Stations, arriving at Pad-
dington at 9.30 a.m.
The 7.25 a. m. Train from Hungerford will leave at 6.55
a.m, and will be proportionately earlier at other Stations.
The 8.15 a rn. Train from Wycombe will leave at 7.45 a.m.,
and be earlier at stations on the Wycombe branch.
A Train will leave Windsor for Paddington at 1.45 p.m.,
calling at intermediate Stations.
The 10 a.m. Train from Liverpool will leave at 8.30 a.m. ;
Chester, 9.50 ; Shrewsbury, at 11.55; Wolverhampton, at
1.10 p.m. ; Birmingham, at 2.5 ; Oxford, at 4 ; and arriving
at Paddington at 6 p.m. •
A Train will leave Wolverhampton at 3.30 p.m., and Bir-
mingham at 4.15 for Paddington.
The 3.15 p.m. Train from Birmingham will be discontinued.
The 5 p.m. Train from Windsor to Paddington will be dis-
continued.
A Train for Paddington will leave Windsor at 5.15 p.m.
Tho 6.30 p.m. Train from Windsor will leave at 6.45, and
will be later at other stations.

The 6.45 p.m. Train from Wycombe will start at 7.30, and
be later at other Stations on the branch.
For the timo at intermediate Stations and (minor 'altera
tions, see tho Time Bills.--Paddington, April 27, 1857.

LADY FRANKLIN'S FINAL SEARCH.—
The Government having come to the con-

elusion that the fate of the crews of her Majesty's ship Erebus
and Terror requires no further investigation on their part,
Lady Franklin, in accordance with• her sense of what is due
to the lost navigators, is. now fitting out an expedition at her

own cost.
As a preliminary measure she sought assistance from the
Admiralty, by asking for the loan of the Arctic ship Resolute,
which had been restored in perfect order to our Queen by the
American nation, and also for the gift (as granted in her for.
mer private expeditions) of such stores from her Majesty's
dockyard as are available for this special service only.
Compliance with these requests having been declined, Lady
Franklin is now devoting her whole fortune to this final
search.; and a large screw yacht (the Fox) lying at Aberdeen,
has been purchased, which the distinguished Arctic officer
who has accepted the command of her (Captain M'Clintock,
R.N.) has pronounced to be perfectly adapted to this employ-
ment.
Not repeating the arguments we formerly made use of to
induce the Government to undertake a final and exhaustive
search, we hold to the opinion that it is the duty of English-
men to examine that limited area whence the traces of their
missing countrymen were derived, which, though it lies to the
south of well-searched tracts, and has been approached by
vessels that returned without loss, has never yet been ex-
plored.
Supported by the advice of those experienced Arctic sea-
men, iu whom she Vas every reason to confide, Lady Franklin
makes this last effort to clear away the mystery that shrouds
the fate of her husband and his crews, and possibly to rescue
from their isolated icy abode among the Esquimaux some of
his younger companions, who may still be prolonging a dreary
existence.
On such an occasion we, whose names are hereunto sub-
scribed, feel confident that this our appeal will not remain un-
answered by the British people, who will, we dont* not, ten-
der to the widow of the illustrious navigator that sympathy
which his fameand her devotion must call forth, and will aid
her in carrying out an enterprise involving, as we believe,
the honour of the nation.
We earnestly, thetefore' entreat our countrymen to unite
with us in contributing to this noble object.
(Signed) Roderick I. Murchison, Prest. RI. Geographical,
Society, F.R.S. ; Francis Beaufort, Rear-Admiral, F.R.S.
and F.R.G.S. ; Wrottesley, Prest. RI. Society ; Edward Sa-
bine, Treas. RI. Society ; Robert Brown, F.R.S , V.P. L.S. ;
Richard Collinson, Captain 8.N., ; John Barrow,
F.R.S., F.R.G.S.
Subscriptions already received.
Sir Roderick I. Murchison, President Royal Geo-
graphical Society, F.R.S.£IOII 0 0
Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, K.C.8.,
F.R.G.S.
Lord Wrottesley, President Royal Society 5O 0 0
General Sabine, Treasureißoyal Society 25 0 0
Robert Brown, V.P.L.S., F.R.S.
Captain Collinson, R.N.. C. 8., F.R.G.S
Rear-Admiral Swinburne
M. De La Roquette, V. President of the Geogra-
phical Society of Paris, I,ooof.
Sir Thos. Dyke Aclaud, Bart.
The Hon. Mrs. Fairholme l5O 0 0
—Lo Feuvre, Esq, 5O 0 0
William Tite, M.P., F.R.G.S.
John Brown, F.R.G.S.
W. F. Sadler, EA.
Lady Inglis
John Barrow, F.R.S., F.R GS.
Hon. Mountst t art Elphinstone, F.R.G.S.
Joseph D. Hooker, M.D., F.R.S 5 5 0
John Arrowsmith, F.R.G.S.
Thomas Holdsworth Brooking, F.R.G.S lO 0 0
Count P. E. d• Strzelecki C.B F.R.G.S.
Colonel Sykes, M.P., F.R.S., F.R.G.S.
E. 0-born, Smith, F.R.G.S. 2 2 0
.Tohn Hicks, M.R.I.
Lord Duff rin
25 0 0
The Hon. Fred, Byron
Capt Washington, R.N., Hydrographer to the
Admiralty
Subscriptions to be paid to Messrs. Coats and Co, bank-
era, for " Lady Franklin't) Final SearckFmnd."

• EIST INDL HOUSE, 29rit APRIL, 1857.
HE COURT of DIRECTORS of the EAST
I INDIA COMPANY 110 HEREBY GIVE NOTICE, That a
QUARTERLY GENERAL. COURT of the said Company will ha
held it t heir House in Leadenhall-street, on WEDNESDAY, the 17th
June next, at Eleven o'clock in the forenoon.
JAMES C. lIIELVILL; Secretary.

' EAST INDIA 'DOUSE, 29xn Aran, 1857.
IiIHE COURT of DIRECTORS of the EAST
INDIA COMPANY do hereby give Notice, that the Transfer
Books of the said Company's Stock will. be shut on TUFSDAY,' the
9th June, at Three o'clock, and OPened again on TUESDAY, the 14th
July; and
That the Warrants for the Dividends on the said Stock, payable on
the 6th July, Mt under the 11th section of the Act 3d' and 4th Wm.
IV , cap. 85, will be ready to bo delivered ea that day.
• JAME 3 C. YELVILL Secretary.

roußscrANT to an Order of the High Court of
Chancery, made in a cause wherein James McMahon is
plaintiff. and William McMahon and Choi-leg Mc Mahon are defen-
dash, the creditors 'of ELIZA (otherwise ELIZ kr', ETH) McMAIION,
forme ly of the Islam; ofSaint Kitts in the \Vest Indies, but late of
Blomileldeterrace, Harrow-road, Paddington, in the county of Mid-
d!esex, Spinster, who died in or about the month of February, 1856,
are, by their solicitors, on or before the 6th day of November, 1857,
to come in and prove thtir debts at the chambers of the Vice •
Chancellcr, Sir Richard Torin Kiniersley, No. 3, Stone-buildings,
Lincoln's-inn, Middlesex, orin default thereof they will be peremp-
torily excluded Irem,the benefit of the said order. _

INonday, the 9th day of Novernbn., 1857, at 3 o'clock in the after-
noon, at the said chambers, is appolated for hearing and adjudicating
upon the claims.
Dated this 23d day of April, 1857.

CHNVEP PE'S MALVERN SELTZER
WATER. manireetared byJ. SCHWEP_PE and Co., the sole
lessees of the llbly Well, possesses all the celebrated properties of
the •a sau Bering. SCIIWEPPK's SODA, MAGNESIA, POTASS
WATERS and LEMONADE, are manufactured as usual. Every
Bottle is protected by a Label with their signature.

•
-
SC EI WEPPi; and CO.,
Manufacturers of Soda, Magnesia, and Potasi Waiers and Lemonade,
London,•Ltverpool, Bristol, and Derby.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

GREAT INDIAN PENINSULA.
The half-yearly meeting of this company Was held
yesterday at the London Tavern ; Mr. W. J.
Hamilton in the chair.
Mr. Watt, the secretary, read the report, an a,b-
str,ict of which appeared in The Sun of Monday.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption, of the
report, stated that he felt Beat satisfaction in con-
gratulating them on their prospects and the progress
of their affairs in India. from information they
had received the progress d been more than he
had anticipated. It appeared from the statement
of the chief engineer that the. progress of the works
on their line was most satisfactory. He was per-
feptly satisfied with the contractors •, no delay had
arieen from - those gentletrea, and the reports
brought by the last mail conirmed those statements
which the engineer had stilt home. As to the
deteils of their proceedingt in India, it would be
unnecessary for him to detan tl:ern, as a full state-
ment was given in a smal pamphlet 'circulated
among the shareholders, in which they would see
the exact position of their akairs. He thoUght there
could be no doubt, as stated in the report, of the
ultimate prosperity and su(icess of their undertak-
ing. The report alluded to the progress of the
works on the line" from Glallian to el'oonah and
Sholapoor, .which had heeni'let in three contracts.
It was intended to lay donee a pottiori of the per-
manent way Awe the Ghiaits, and arrangements
for the 'transport of the roll* stock to the line be-
yond the Chants were being made so as to bring
that portion of the line into operation•befora the
portion of the railway up the Ghauts could be
completed. They would thus progress with
the line towards Sholapoor pending the exe•
cation of the works, up the Bhore Oneut; The
permission of the _Government had been applied
for .ta carry On the 'other portion of the line
towards the north-east, and three sections had
been let. As there was some difficulty in tbe aicent
of the Ghauts, Mr. Berkley, their engineer, had
proposed an :alternative. line by taking advantage
of the valleyS, tunnelling from one valley to ano.
ther, and thus forming a kind of loop line, by which
the proposed steepest gradient of 1 in 37 on the
shorter line•wpuldbe reduced to tin 66 on the loop
line, which sareukte be a very mathial advantage in
working the talc. The shorterline would be nine
miles in length, Age the loop liesiAVetild be only
12. miles in 'length. They would i lilts, Obtain a, most:
important advantage in the gradients by means of
the additional Ali/ Lfiliks Aggaisl to. lha
in. lac., ~.,-171-03 e el° e
raged 13,000 rupees per day, while at the last meet-
ing they averaged only 10,000 rupees, showing a
considerable increase. With regard' to their addi-
tional capital, it had been taken up, with the
exception of a small portion, and they had
no reason to suppose that it would not
be taken up in Bombay. He then adverted to
the retirement of Mr. Nicholson from the
office of Superintendent-Director. The resignation
of Mr. Nicholson took place in consequence of hav-
ing made some suggestions at the board for forming
a company of contractors to execute works in India
of which be would be a member. They told him
they thought it was not quits consistent with his
positiOn in the company to carry out those sugges-
tions. Finding that his proposition was not ap-
proVed by the board ho resigned, and the vacancy
at the board was filled up by the appointment of
Mr. L. R. Reid, formerly a member of the council
and Acting Governor of Bombay.
Mr. J. G. Fume seconded the motion for the
adoption of the report. '
Mr. FRANKLYN wished to know the total amount
of interest they had received from the East India
Company, and what was the estimated cost of the
88 miles now in operation, including working stock
so as to enable them to calculate the percentage of
the net earnings ofthe line on the capital expended
on that portion of their undertaking.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the amount of money
received in the shape of interest from the East In-
dia Company was 1'76,805/. in England, and 36,3771.
in India, together 213,1821. Table Aiu the pamph-
let showed the average cost of the 88,miles of litre,
exclusive of rolling stock, to be 5,8371. per mile.
The cost of the rolling stock was about 7211. per
mile, making together 6,5651. •
Mr. PRICE was not by any means satisfied with
the progress of the works. They had been 7i years
constructing 88 miles of railway. He had no ob-
jection to the retirement of Mr. Nicholson, as he
(Mr. Price) did not think they required a superin-
tending-director' an im_perizon in imperio ; he
thought it a mostt unsatisfactory arrangement, and
he congratulated them on its termination. He
thought an infusion of new blood into the direction
would be beneficial. Th econtract ors were English-
men, and be thought them would be no difficulty in
puShing on the works wi:h vigour. They were told
that India could produceimmense quantities of tea,
cotton, and so forth, and now that they were at
war with China was the time to push forward the
railways in India. He wished to know whether
there was any other matter between the directors
and Mr. Nicholson, and whether they considered it
desirable to move a vote of thanks. He concluded
by moving an amendment, to the effect that the
first paragraph in the report should be omit!ed.
The paragraph stated the; the reports which the
directors continued to receivefrom Bombay were in
every respect most gratifyin as to the progress of
the affairs of the company.
Mr. WlLD•seconded the amendment. .
Mr. Scars, with respect to the delay complained
of considered himself an authority. They all knew
that the East India Company moved slowly. The
delay did not take place from any want of energy
in the directors, and it was net until 1850 or 1851
that anything was done in respect of the works.
He knew the difficulties that were experienced in
England hi carrying out railway works, but they
were nothing to those experieeced in India.
Mr. AUSTIN thought that contract No. 12, ex-
tending 190 miles, was too much for one contract.
Mr. RICHMOND said it was well known in the
earlier proceedings of the company that the Board
of Directors of the East India Company very re-
luctantly entertained the question of iailways, but
they had since taken a different view. About Bor
10 years ago the East India Company might have
covered India with railways at a much less cost
than at present. Many gentlemen present would
recollect the eta:tittles that were interposed to the
introduction of railways in India ; the 'promoters
bad been 'compelled to submit to a game of "bat-
tledore and shuttlecock" between the East India
Company and the Board of Control, until at last
the necessity for railways in India became so ob-
vious that their introduction could be no longer
resisted.

Mr. G. SMITH hoped the amendment would be
withdrawn, as it was necessarythey should act with
unanimity.
0 CHAIRMAN replied to the observation of Mr.
Price as to the alleged slow progress of the under-
taking. He did not think ii necessary to advert to
the game of battledore and smttlecock between the
East India Company and the Board of Con-
trol which bad been mentirned, 'but the share-
holders should not suppose that' anything of that
kind now existed. The board of directors were on
the best terms with the autaorities. They had to
construct and work ragwar at An immense dis-
tance from London, to seal the permanent way,
ironwork, engines, carriages waggons and so forth,
from England to India, anv thus employed a large

number. of ships. At the same time 'hero were al. o
being sent out materials for two or three other rail-
ways in:lndia, taking up an enotmous amount of
tonnage. , They had a large staff surveying thou-
sands of miles with a view to select the best rout-.
Then to obtain the approval cf 'the Government
the consulting engineer had to make out the ne-
cessary plans, and so forth, for the contract .rs,
prior to tenders for the contracts being received.
There were delays from natural causes also, and
he contended that the directors had done every-
thing they could to carry out the 'objects of the
company. Notwithstanding those difficulties,
they had completed 88 miles of railway,
and they were constructing an addit'onal length
of 220 miles of railway, which would be open for
traffic in the course of three years from the Tres-nt
time, and they walla then have 30S
.miles of rail-
way in operation. . The neat ca'l wotild be 21.. on.
the new shares to place them on a footing' with the
shares upon which 4/. was paid. With regard to-the
contract for. 190 miles in length Mr: Brayli a I oxv3for
170 miles, and he found no difficulty in proceeding
with it. Between Poona!' and ShOlapoOr aloce
there were 21,000 labOurers at - work, and he
thought it rather hard that any shareholder should
complain 'of the rate of progress made. All' the con-
tracts were let by public tender on a ached tile of
prices. They found that the best course, as 'it left
the engineers at liberty to make any alterations in
the time they might deem expedient. There was
nothing further than he had stated with reference
to Mr. Nicholson's retirement ; they had 'reason
to be satisfied with the manner in which he had
performed his daily duties, but they d d riot ap-
prove his suggestions with regard to the proposed
company. The howl. dictinksomicexiteleatrab ' e
to propose a vote of t4nlis.
The amendment wasAhen iu and r by
a

_ very large majority.
On the motion for the adoption of the report a
diScussien ensued in respect of trie largo b.d.a.nc,3 in
the treasury of the East India Company subictihed
by the railway company.
_Mr. FIELD conienriedlhat the .available balance
amounted,to 1,090,060/. in the hands of the, Eist
India Comparay;' and, although' tire shareholders
were paid 5 percent. on , the amount sub-:et-11)A,
they. would at:a, future time have to repay that
amount before they could get arathing b,voncl 5
per cent. per annum out of the profits of the rail-
way. By the present mode the loss to the company
would be about 59,0001. a-year.
Mr. AYRTON, M. P., as one dilhe directori, was
much obliged'to the shareholders fir taking so mec'l
interest in their affairs. Re thought the subject of
dealing with the .balance in the treasury was, a
matter for consideration. The • contract with the
Government was of a very stringent charabter, and
be trusted that when the subject was bra ught' before
the GOvernment that the company would be dealt
with in a just and equitable manner. The terms of
the contract were vague and inequitable, and such
as (night not to have been made. .The question was
when should the subject respectinc, the profits be
brought forward—whether immediately or at some
futpre time ? At 'all events, as 'a sharehAder, he
would bring the matter under the consideration of
th 4 board. Re had stated, his opinion on this sub-
jeet merely as a shareholder.
Mr. FRITH stated that, although there appeared
A large balance here in. the treasury of the E rst In-
dia Company, yet it was probable they had paid
500,0001. for the company in India. The payments
for the company in India anaound from '1.0,0010/.
to 180,0001. par month, and it- would be very un-
wis3, in carrying on such works, to have less than
8 or 10 months s money. in hand.
The report was adopted. The retiring directors
and auditor were re-elected, andz the proceedings
concluded ,w,ith the best thanks of the meeting to
the-chairman and directors. '

.._._~._

EAST KENT. .
A numerous and highlysiespectable meeting o,
the inhabitants of Rochester, convened by the
mayor, in compliance:with a requisition signed by
a lake number of *the citiz-ns, was held in the
Town Hall-ton Tu4sday livening. The uiayor (Mr.
Mauclark) presided:; "There were,,'Present-L,,rd
Sondes, the , chairman ; Mr. Lushington, f the
deputy
.01raian • .Mr. Cobb; M# Walter,,,,,Mr2
'sin& .Lake;„Xtrecs
Railway Company ; Mr. Newman, from Messrs.
Freshfield, solicitors of the .company ; Mr. Cubitt,
Mr. Mills, Mr. Turner, connecte 1 with Cos engi-
neering department ; Mr. Martin, M.P., for Ro-
chester ; Major Boys, the Rev. S. Dewe, and
Messrs. Nicholson' Day, Nicholson, jun., Foord,
W. W. Hayward, Essell, Prall, Acworth, Fletcher,
Campbell, Barnett, Wheeler, Haym"n, Andrews,
Blunt, Naylor. Salomon, R. L. Cobb, Furrell, &a.
The Mayor, in opening the business of the day,
said that on Thursday last he received a requisi-
tion that he would call a meeting of the inhabit-
ants of these towns and neighb oirhocrl to consider
the proposed extension of the Ea. t Kent Railway
from Rochester to London, with its two metropo-
litan termini-one at the Waterloo Bridge st ttion
of the South-Western, and the other at the Vic-
toria Bridge, at the west-end. It was really a
source of gratification to him to receive such a re-
quisition, while, at the same time, it was, his
bounden duty to accede to the terms of the requisi-
tion ; and he called the meeting at the etiliest pos-
sible moment, in order that a petition in favour of
the line might be presented from Rochester with-
out loss of time. He would call on Mr. Nicholson
to move the first resolution.
Mr. NICHOLSON had gr eat pleasure in moving—
" That the proposed line from Strood to St. Mary's
Cray is imperatively required for the proper rail-
way accommodation of the populous towns and
neighbourhood of Rochester, Chatham, Brompton,
and St: ood." He could not see a single objection
that could be urged against the proposed line, and
he begged to give it his most hearty support.
Mr. FOORD had much pleasure in seconding the
resolution.
Mr. LUSHINGTON, the deputy chairman of the
East Kent Company, then proceeded, at the request
of the mayor, to offer a 'few observations on the
proposed line. He said that he trusted that the
East Kent Company would meet with the unani-
mous support of the district in carrying out this
line, not in hostility to the South-Eastern Com-
pany, but solely under the conviction that the
wauts of the public and the county required its
construction.
The resolution was then carried unanimously.
Mr. WHEELER then proposed the following resa-
lution :—" That the direct communication which
will be secured by the proposed line from Rochester
and its vicinity to the Crystal Palace, Waterloo-
bridge' Ranelagh-bridge, and the South-Western,
Great Western, North-Western, and other metro-
politan railways, will be of great local benefit and
public advantage." He thought the proposed line
was just the thing the county of Kent required.
Mr. BUTCHER felt great pleasure in seconding
the resolution.
Mr. MARTIN, M.P., said ho was there not to
take any part in the proceedings, but to ascertain
what the wishes of his constituents were in refer-
ence to the proposed line. He thought it would
be of gnat advantage to Rochester and the neigh-
bourhoo I, if the East Kent directors would pledge
themselves that, as far as they were concerned,
they would have no factious opposition with other
railway companies, but that they would, as far as
they possibly could, effect such arrangements as
should secure a communication to the west and,
north of England without unnecessary delay.
Lord SONDES said the directors of the East Kent
Company could not pledge I hem,elves to any par-
ticular line of conduct, but he would say, and he
was sure he only echoed the feelings of his. c..ol-
leagues, that they would do their utmost to carry
out any proposition that should have for its object
the convenience and accomin.odation of the public
(cheers).
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. BLUCK .moved the following resolution :
"That this meeting views with great satisfaction
the proposed line, inasmuch as it will secure to the
towns of Rochester, Chatham, and the neighbour-
hood a direct line of railway communication in the
hands of an independent company, having the
power, and whose interest it as -ill be, to afford the
cheapest and best accommodatis ,n to thel inhabitants
and the public."
Mr. NAYLOR gave his eordia.l. support to the re-
solution.
Mr. HOLROYD, the secretary of the East Kent
Company, said, as it had been his duty to pay a
great deal of attention to the lino now under the
consideration of the meeting, he should not, he
thought, be considered presumptuous in offering a
few remarks, and pointing out on,s or two matters
of importance in reference to the Incas :are-
With
respect to the question put by the er for
m
the city of Rochester, as to the East Kent
meb
whether-
Company would, pledge themselves; to work cor-
dially and efficiently' in connection with the South-
Western Company, he thought that the statement
of the noble lord was quite stifil,Hen I to satisfy Mr.
Martin on that point. At the same. tie he would
remind the meeting tha t the object omf the East
Emit Company—and he spoke ao having a know-