The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-02 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER FREEHOLD LAND

SOCIETY.
MEETING AT CHATHAM.
A public meeting was held at the Mechanics' Insti-
tution, Chatham, last evening, for the purpose of ex-
plaining the principles and objects of this society;
Dr. S eel in the chair. Messrs. G. E. Dennes, G.
Huggett, and G. F. Taylor, attended as a deputation.
Mr. G. HUGGETT explained fully the objects of the
Freehold Land movement, when the following resolution
was unanimously adopted :
"That the Freehold Laud Movement is deserving of
the warmest support of all who desire an extension of
the suffrage, tending as it does to improve the social
and moral condition of the industrious and unenfran-
chised classes. This meeting is of opinion, that the
regulations of the Westminster Freehold Land Sothety
(ot No. 4, Beaufort• buildings, Strand, presided over by
C. Lushington. Esq., M.P.), as explained this evening,
are well calculated to effect that object, and that in-
asmuch as it purposes to enable its members to obta;n
votes in Kent and other counties, this meeting considers
it worthy the cordial support of the inhabitants of
Chatham."

A vote of. thanks was passed to the Chairman, and a
great number of shares were taken up before the meet-
ing separated.

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

GLASGOW, TITURSDAY.—Between ten and eleven
o'clock this day a collision occurred on the Edinburgh
and Glasgow Railway, near the Cowlairs station, by
which five persons were deprived of life, and several
others severely if not fatally injured.
It appears that a monster special train left Perth by
the Scottish Central Railway early in the morning, car-
rying a number of persons to witness the Highland So-
ciety's Exhibition at Glasgow; that on its arrival at
the Greenhill junction the train was divided into two
portions, one of which proceeded on to Cowlairs ;
on its arrival at Cowlairs a detention occurred
in consequence of a large train
from Edin-
burgh not being able to get down
in-
cline as speedily as usual ; while remaining here
the second section of the Perth train came up, and at.
though it was noticed at some distance it was proceeding
at such a rapid rate that a collision_ resulted inevitably.
Seeing this, some of the passengers leaped from the sta-
tionary train and escaped without injury, but they had
no sooner done so than the collision took place. Two
ipn w
let e l
hyi
smashed,ch we r were saosmwee
r2eoa
st
oo 3toh
ep
buffersersons,
havecattle
been
et reline
ekos
m,
of nearly all the carriages in the train. Every measure
was adopted to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded,
and those who were more severely injured were conveyed
to the Royal Infirmary. The matter has been taken up
by the Fiscal, and is at present undergoing investi-
gation.

ROYAL BANK OF AUSTRALIA.—On Wednesday a
meeting was held before the Master in Chancery Richards, for
the further settlement of the list of contributories. Mr.
Mark Boyd, and MT. Rae, late manager of the bank, were
examined, and the evidence of the former went to show
that he purchased shares in the bank, and put them in the
name of his brother Mr. Benjamin Boyd, but that it was
done without the knowledge or consent of the latter, who
was at the time understood to be conducting the agency of
the bank at Sydney. He had also done the same for some
of his relations, and the question to be decided is, whether
these parties are to be held liable in respect of. these shares.
In the case where an original shareholder transferred shares
to his nephew, a youth of eighteen, and who sought to be
excused on the ground of minority, his Honour decided
that whatever his opinion of the transaction might be, he
must in law hold that the transfer was invalid. The claim 4,
as reported by Mr. Wryghte, the official manager, up to the
present time on the estate, amount to 350,0001., of which
310,000/. consist of deposit notes principally held in Scotland.
It is intended to contest the liability of the shareholders to
meet these, on the ground that the directors under the deed
had no power to issue, them. Should it be held that the
bank is. liable, the liquidation on them will fall heavily on
the'shareholders, who do not amount to more than 200.
There are, in addition, calls unpaid made by the company,
andyet to be got in under the Act, to the extent of 50,000/.,
and the only assets in hand consist of property in Australia
estimated at 60,C00/. The other liabilities are not yet as-
assessed, and the manager of the company's affairs at Sydney,
to whom.between 80,000/.. and 100,0001. wee entrusted, has
left SYdneh for California.:

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