The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-14 00:00:00

Vtirb X'Zittion

SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

EXCHEQUER.-(THIS DAY.)

O'CONNOR V. BRADSHAW.
This was an actin brought by Mr. Feargus O'Connor,
M.P., for Nottingham, against the proprietor of the .
Nottingham Journal, to recover compensation in da-
ranee, for a libel reflecting upon his character, which
. was published in the shape of a hand-bill, and circulated
about the town.
Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, and Messrs. Hatherton and
Prentice, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Roebuck,
M.P., Mr. Keating, and Mr. Bagley, for the defendant.
Mr. Sergeant WILEINP, in opening the case, said the
announcement, that he appeared fur Mr. Feargus O'Con-
nor, Member of Parliament for Nottingham, would be
quite sufficient to satisfy the jury that it behoved a
gentleman of his position to be jealous of his reputation,
and to take care that he lost no influence in society
which.he ought to possess by the misrepresentations of
malicioss persons. Mr. O'Connor would fain hate been
• spared the necessity of corning before them; for it formed
no part of his happiness to be engaged in litigation
or in strife, and much as he felt himself called upon to
combat many accepted notions in the political world, he
would have been spared the necessity of eindicating, on
the present occasion, his character, unsullied as it seemed
to him,, and as he was sure would appear to them when
they lend hi ara the ferns of the case, from a libel which
attributed to him some of the worst mo-
tives which could influence the conduct of any
man—a libel which could be actuated by no desire to
benefit the public, but which appeared to him (Mr.
Wilkins) to be actuated by a wish to harass and annoy
Mr. O'Connor. The man who exposed abuses wherever
he found them, who encouraged good and condemned
oppression and tyranny, was a benefactor to the public;
but there was a vast difference between him and
the slanderer who wounds to give pain, and is
the first, if he possibly can, to prevent the healing of the
wound he makes. Now the libel which he would read
would show that the writer of it was actuated by two of
.the meanest motives which could possibly characterise
elle conduct of any man; in, the first place, he appeared
to have a love of pelf, his object being by the publication
of the libel to increase the circulation of the newspaper of
which he was the proprietor; and in the next he wished to
vent his spleen on Mr. O'Connor because he happened
to entertain political notions different to his own, which,
in the eyes of a small men, was a sufficient cause to
give expression to his hatred. He was not there as the
advocate of Mr. O'Connor's politics ; indeed he had never
taken the trouble to ascertain what they were ; but he
knew enough to be convinced that they were, generally
speaking, unpopular, and found little favour among the
more educated portions of the community. Bat, how-
ever they (the jury) might differ from Mr. O'Connor in
his political views, he was satisfied they would not allow
any prejudice to enter their minds in respect of them,
bu would judge of the case with strict, impartial, and
unbounded justice. He should simply content himself
by proving the libel, and would leave the defendant
to prove the plea of justification which he had put upon
the record, and he trusted that the investigation would
set Mr. O'Connor right with the world, and put an end
to the elands-, hatred, and abuse which parties had
directed a;ainst him. If the other side should have the
temerity to attempt to justify this slander, he should show
that few men were more maligned and misrepresented than
Mr. O'Connor, and he would then have no fear as to the
result of their verdict. He had an opponent formidable,
indeed, well skilled and versed in rhetoric, who had fur
a long time been before the world, and whose talents
were as great as his integrity and honour were un-
doubted. But to show that his client did not
entertain any doubt as to what the result would
be, he invited and preferred investigation. The
libel was in the; following terms :
" The subscribers of the National Land Company and
the admirers of Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. for
Nottingham, who has wheedled the people of England
out of 1000,0001., with which he has bought estates
and conveyed them to his own use and benefit,
and all ts ho are desirous to witless the final over-
throw of this great political impostor, should
order the Nottznyham Journal, in which his
excessive honesty in connexion with the Land Planethas
been. and will cote inue to be, fearlessly exposed. The
Natingham Journal is the largest newspaper allowed by
law, and is the best vehicle in this county or neighbour.
hood fur advertisements, business information, and
general news. Delivered everywhere early every Fri-
day morning. Price only ilid; per annum, in advance,
18c.; credit, 205."
Now if ever libel were rendered undignified by the
mode in which it was put forward—if ever patriotism
was wrapped up in dirty paper—here was a specimen.—
(A laugh.) It was nothing more than a libel to render Mr.
O'Connor obnoxious to a great many people in the
country, and to increase the sale of "the largest paper
allowed by law, price fourpence-halfpenny," by accusing
him of robbing a number of poor people of 100,0001., and
applying it to his own use and benefit. The Learned
Counsel concluded by challenging the defendant's
Counsel to prove this charge if they dared.
The necessary proof of the publication of the libel was
then gone into.
Mr. ROEBUCK then addressed the jury on the part of
the defendant, and artier a few preliminary observations,
asked them to consider for what the present case had
been brought into a court of justice? His Learned
Friend had said that it was to defend the
character of a gentleman of high ststion, who
at the present moment was so jealous of his
honour, and possessed of such nice feeling, that
he had occasion to come forward to vindicate himself
and his el- a-acter from an atrocious charge and a malig-
Beet venting of spleen, hatred, and malice ; and yet
all be proved was the publication of the libel. This was
a strange proceeeding for a gentleman of such high
honour, as he called himself ; but as to his high honour
they were left entirely in the dark. They had
simply "Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P.," on the one
land,
.and the imputation of " political imposter"
on the other, and he took credit to himself for a charac-
ter so free from blame and so unimpeachable, that he
simply laid the libel before them, and said, "consider
my harrassed feeling, and reinstate me in
that position which I have a right to hold. "
Now he (Mr. Roebuck) did not mean to leave
him in that position. The defendant in this case was
not the real defendant, but the injured persons who
had been deprived of their money by Mr. O'Connor.
They said, and he would justify the charge, that he had
wheedled a large number of poor mechanics out of their
hard earnings upon false representations, and had painted
pictures of happiness to their imaginations which he
must have known to be false. The plaintiff must have
been aware at the time that the small pittance which he
obtained from their industry under feigned promises was
the worst species of imposture that could be devise d.
He had not fulfilled one of his promises to those whose
money he had wheedled to the extent of 100,0001, but
had brought estates with the money, and converted them
to his own use. He had been in the habit of addressing
infl immatory tirades t r the people, and calling them his
children. This r auseoue and repulsive mode c f
proceeding had been given publicity to through
the columns of the newspaper of which he
was the proprietor. In those addresses he
professed himself to be in possession of a grand scheme
for t fie amelioration a mankind, hut it often happened
teat these schemes turned out instead for the personal
benefit cf the persons who established them. The de-
fendant in this action bad charged the plaintiff merely
with buying estates for his own use and benefit
with the money of other people, and this iv:-
cu,ation he was prepared to prove. In one of the
plaintiff's addresses when introducing this scheme, he said
tnat he Wt 3 ashamed of the condition of the people, and
in order to remedy this state of things he proposed that
by a small subscription from each member of his assc-
ciation, the subscribers should all become proprietors
of land. A certain quantity of this land was to be a!-
lotted to each subscriber, on such terms as to enable
him to become a small freeholder, and to live
in contentment and happiness. In order, further, to
induce the people to join his society he went to the ma-
nufacturing towns where vast populations wore employed
fur many hours during the day in labour, and who by
reason of their ignorance of the country were most
likely to be worked upon, and he told them that
scenes of rural bliss and an actual paradise
awaited them if they would enrol themselves members of
the society. He described in glowing terms the beauties
of the country, the tranquil homesteads, the lowing cat-
tle, the slumbering pigs, the glorious harvest prospects,
and other scenes of contentment and plenty, which
were likely to make an impression on the
minds of a population long accustomed to a factory
atmosphere. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to
read extracts from several of the addresses of Mr.
O'Connor published in the Northern Star. In those
addresses the working people were described as his
"deer children," and in one he stated that he would
have a bell rung, in order that he might hear his
happy children, in their happy homesteads, " d—n the
factory bell. The plaintiff constantly urged upon his
readers that the present regulations of society were
altogether unjust, and that by the malice, cruelty,
and injustice of a certain number of people a
great mass of mankind had been arbitrarily
deprived of their inheritance in the land. To that in-
heritance ho declared that he was about to restore them.
Ile had been enabled during the progress of his
wheedling, from 1845 down to the present time, to enrol
70,000 subscribers, who were to pay 2/. 12s. for every
two acres ofland, and in return they were to have a cot-
tage, 151. in money, and capital to purchase the neces-
sary stock. This at the first blush was a marvellous
prum}se. The scheme was, in the first instance, called the
scheme,land and, after undergoing several changes of
description, was ultimately called the " National Land
Company." The 70,000 persons were to have their allot-
ments in the course of five or six years; but, according to
Mr. O'Connor's own showing, it would,ha've taken 300
years to effect that object. Now, could it fur a moment be
imagined that a Member of the
Legislature, in a
crowded community like Nottingham,
could impose upon
the ignorant and helpless in such a manner? and
not be (the Learned Counsel) justified in terming sUcatis
A proceeding as wheedling? In fast, no one had been
made a freeholder of land which had been purchased by
Lie money of the subscribers but Mr. O'Connor himself,
who had caused every estate to be conveyed in his Own
name. Bat of the whole number of persons who had
been induced to invest their money in the scheme, only
a very few had been
put upon the land, and the only ad-
vantage they had gained was that they had to pay a
larger rent than it they had hired it elsewhere. Six
different estates had been purchased, the whole of them
by the proceeds of the subscribers' money. All the legal
tights and control were vested in Mr. O'Connor. Mr.
Sergeant Wilkins had stated that the jury had nothing
to do with the politics of Mr, O'Connor ; that
this was a transaction between man and man, and that
jxlr, O'Connor appeared before the Court as an honest

THE

and upright man. He (Mr. Roebuck), however, charged
him with dishonesty in making promises which he knew
never could be fulfilled, and which by his
conduct he clearly showed never would be
fulfilled. Mr. O'Connor was in the habit of
addressing the working-people in the most extra-
ordinary language. He ceded them "Fustian jackets,"
" you with blistered hands and unshorn chins," " old
guards," &c., and when addressing the printers and
others connected with the publication of newspapers, the
principles of which were adverse to his own, he
called them " dastardly ruffians," " cripples," and other
vile epithets. He would prove that the scheme was an
illegal one, in point of fact a mere lottery, which ought
not to have been registered. The plan of the Land
Society having entirely failed, tenants to the number of
227 had been served with notice of ejectment by Mr.
O'Connor's solicitor, because they had become unable to
pay the rent for the last two years after they had been
removed from their homes at a distant part of the
country. In conclusion the Learned Gentleman
expressed :a hope that the result of this
trial would be triumphant to his client, and
that the exposure of the scheme consequent upon it
would for the future prevent any more money being ex-
tractA from the pockets of the class who had been
termed "blistered hands" and " fustian jackets," and
that proof would be given to the world that this man
was what the defendant bad called him, an imposter who
had wheedled the poor and defencele3s of their earnings.
If so society would fJr the future be protectt d from
a recurrence of those nefarious schemes. The defendant
had made a specific charge, which he now repeated.
that Mr. O'Connor having got the money from those
people, had applied it to the purchase of estates which
he had made over to himself. He would call witnesses
before them whose evidence would establish the truth •f
all the allegations he had made, and if the jury were sa-
tisfied of their trustworthiness, they would, he was sure,
feel no hesitation in promptly returning their verdict in
favour of the defendant.

....
Several witnesses, some of whom were tenants upon the
estates (purchased by Mr. O'Connor, were examined at
some length in support of the defendant's case, but the
trial was not concluded when the Court rose, •ad it was
adjourned until to-morrow.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
(THIS DAY.)
The usual half-yearly general meeting of the pro-
prietors of the Great Western Railway was held this
afternoon at the London terminus, Paddington; Mr.
Charles Russell, chairman of the board of directors, in
the chair. _ _ .

The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read, the common seal was affixed to the register of
proprietors. The report was then read, from which we
make the following extracts:—
" The accounts of income and expenditure which have
been already circulated among the proprietors scarcely
present any remarkable feature for notice, beyond the
circumstance that, for the first time in the history of the
undertaking, there has been a deficiency in the receipt
from passengers, which would be referred to with the
grtater regret if the main cause of it had not been
manifestly of a temporary character. It appears that
the falling off has been greater in proportion with the
third class than with other passengers, although each
class shows a deficiency. It must not be forgotten that
the diminished number of passenger trains, although a
measure calculated to save expense to the company, has
obviously tended to reduce the number of travellers, from
the less trequent opportunity to them of moving, especially
for short distances, between intermediate stations. The
amount received for passengers is 12,414/. 141.4 d. less
than in the corresponding period of 1848. The directors
are happy to report that the merchandise busi-
ness, on the other hand, has increased, and shows
a tendency to improve; and there is reason to expect
now a revival of the trade in live stock, &c., from the
south of Ireland, which had been suspended for two
or three years by reason of the famine in that
country. The receipts fur merchandise, cattle, and
parcels have exceeded, to the extent of 6,098/.
13s. 5d., those of the corresponding period in 1848.
The result of the half-year's accounts, after deducting
the rents and balance of interest paid (comprising that
on the Berks and Hants Extension shares), will leave
196,393/. 9s. 11d. at the disposal of the proprietors. The
board and the auditors conjointly recommend that a di-
vidend of 4 per cent. per annum be declared for the half-
year, to 31st December last, which will leave over a
balance of 39,7031. 9e. 11d. to the credit of the company.
The directors retiring at the half-yearly meeting are
Samuel Baker, Esq., Charles Russell, Esq., and Charles
Wardell, Esq., all residing in London, who have see o-
rally notified their intention to stand for re-election.
It is intended to submit to a special meeting a resolution
for converting the paid up shares of the company into
stock, to take effect from the Ist July next—
a measure approved by the Committee in their
report, and recommended, as well by economy
in the registration department, as by convenience to
the proprietors holding several denominations of shares.
The purchase of the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth
Railway, which would be submitted to the special meet-
ing, attains the object of reducing the expenditure by
abolishing a separate board of directors and office estab-
lishment; it simplifies the:control and management, by
placing the nndertaking under the exclusive chorge of
Great Western directors; while it does not in any way
directly or indirectly increase the liabilities, or affect the
pecuniary rights of proprietors in either company. That
has been scrupulously attended to in the terms of agree-
ment, to be laid before the meeting. The conditions of
payment will secure to the Wilts, Somerset, and Wey-
mouth Company the permanent annuity of four per
cent., per annum, to which each holder of those shares is
entitled, with a contingent benefit, whenever the Great
Western shareholders may be receiving more than 8 per
cent., per annum, on their shares, as originally provided
for, and therefore still maintained in the new contract.
The Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway
requires the most prudent and careful consideration of
the board, who are anxious to perform every duty which
the law enjoins; but they are bound scrupulously; to
ascertain their powers, as well as the relative
rights and privileges of all parties interested in
both undertakings. The works of those rail-
ways which are intended to be completed, and
which are not likely to be affected by any pending
agreements with other companies, will be carried on
without inzermission, in order to render the outlay pro-
ductive; and it is proposed to convene a special meeting
within a few weeks, to consider and determine the mode
of raising capital for the payment of that expenditure, as
well as for the liabilities of the company."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, observed that as the report and the report of the
committee of shareholders who bad recently investi
gated the affairs of the company, which had been in the
hands of the proprietors for some time, it was un-
necessary for him to detain the meeting with any
lengthened remarks. Every facility had been af-
forded the committee for presecuting their inqui-
ries, and every book, paper, or account rererring either
to the past or the present, had been unreservedly placed
before them; and so satisfied were they of the manner
in which the accounts were kept, that one of them had
made the forcible remark that the accounts audited
themselves. The committee recommended that the
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth line ought not to be
constructed beyond Frome, at least for the present; but
the directors still thought that the line ought to extend to
Radstock, to enable them to open up the mines of Somer-
set. The South Wales line they considered ought not
to extend beyond Swansea, and the directors were now
negeciating with that company on the subject. With
regard to the Birmingham and Oxford, and Birmingham,
Dudley, and Wolverhampton lines, the committee re-
commended that they should be prosecuted to comple-
tion with the utmost dispatch; and with the view of
effecting that object the direction was now nego-
tiating for the abandonment of the duplicate
ralis and stations on these lines, which had been
contemplated and authorised by Parliament. The
shareholders were no doubt aware that the Board of
Trade had recently called upon this company to com-
plete the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line;
but the questions relating to that undertaking were so
numerous and complicated, that the directors were seeking
the best legal advice they could obtain on the subject, and
by that advice they would be guided in the future steps
and proceedings they should adopt. The committee re-
commended varicus changes in the internal management
of the concern, and he could promise them that these sug-
gestions should hare the best attention of the directors.
Besides the report of the committee the shareholders now
had the security of an efficient audit, which had been
conducted by the auditors, aided by an efficient public
accountant, and the shareholders might rely upon the
accuracy and truth of their accounts. Having made a
passing allusion to the Audit Bill introduced last
session by Lord Monteagle, and supported by the
Government, and ultimately withdrawn at the request
of the railway interest. He went on to observe that
since then a committee of chairmen had been agitating
the question of credit, and when the difficulties that that
committee had :to contend with in arriving at the views
of their constituents, he maintained, in reply to a
56,000 applications sent out by this company to their
shareholders to know whether or no they were
favourable to a Government audit, they could only
obtain 600 ansuers. Other companies were no
less unsuccessful, and under those circum-
sthtaencesuudtehrestandiog Committeethatthe was dissolved,matterw
upon
d
taken up by the shareholders themselves. With regard
to the report of the directors he had no remark to make
upon it, except to remind the shareholders that they
were still able to pay their usual dividend of four
per cent., and carry a large balance to the
reserved fund. Every attention would be paid in fu-
ture to the recommendation of the committee to econo-
mise, and the shareholders might always rely upon the
officers and directors of the company b develope and in-
crease the traffic.
Mr. McLLINGS, M.P., disapproved of that part of the
report of the Committee of Investigation which
recommended the reduction of the salaries of the
officers of the Company. If he owed his suc-
cese in life to anything it was to the circum-
stance of his having always received the services
off fficient assistants, and paid for them liberally, and he
hoped the shareholders would not allow the directors to
reduce the salaries of their hard-working clerks and
servants, to put some paltry few shillings per annum into
the pockets c f the shareholders.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS, one of the committer, justified the
recommendations, observing that free trade had so far
reduced the necessaries of life, that their officers could
well afford to submit to the proposed reduction, not of
their salaries, but of :their number. He suggested
the propriety of the meeting considering the
recommendation of the committee to reduce the number
of directors. It was much better to have a small well-
paid efficient board than a numerous one, where many
efititshr.emmwelomLrbtkesiur,sgwaeud were merely
y foernamental and always led
by
M.P., also opposwed. any reduction in the
salaries, Let the directors revise the duties but not re-

S UN,

duce the remuneration of their officers who had served i
them well and long.
Mr. WITHERS, of Liverpool, supported the recom-
mendation of the committee, and seemed to think that
the salaries ought to be regulated by the di►idends the
shareholders received. The shareholders had suffered,
and so ought the servants. Reduce the salaries now, he
said, and if the affairs of the company were improved by
the extra exertions of their officers, he was sure neither
the directors nor the proprietors would object to an in-
crease in their remuneration.
The CHAIRMAN explained that it was intended to
assimulate the pay of the servants of the Great Western
to that of other lines of similar magnitude and extent,
but it was intended not to reduce the salaries, but
only to diminish the number of officers, and thus
increase the duties of those who wore retained,
Mr. Sanders, the secretary, had set an example to the
other higher officers of the company, by voluntarily
offering to reduce his salary from 2,0001. to 1,5001. per
annum.
Major COURT pointed out that the surplus of the past
half-year's income only amounted to 21,0001. since the
amount mentioned in the report included the balance of
the previous half year. lie proposed that they should
amalgamate with the South Wales Company in terms to
be agreed upon.
Mr. LAIVRANCL complained of the silence of the
directors on the subject of a recommendation contained
in the report of the committee, that the law expenses
should be reduced, and the bills of their solicitors, both
past and present should be taxed.
The CHAIRMAN said the Bills since 1845 were now
undergoing taxation.
Mr. LAWRANCE said he understood one of the soli-
citors was a defaulter to the company, and he should be
glad to know what the amount of defalcation was?
The CHAIRMAN replied between 45,0001. and 46,0001.,
which was paid to the party fom time to time for the
purchase of land, but arrangements had been made with
the partners of the defaulter which might reduce the
amount, although the liability of the partners was a
question entirely of law. They were in hopes no loss
would result to the company.
Mr. JOHNSON asked what lines they were likely to
open this year?
The CHAIRMAN said the directors expected to open
the Wilts line to Frome and the Oxford line to Banbury,
one a distance of twenty-four and the other a distance
of twenty-five miles.
Mr. Ilimmusa wished to know what money was paid
as law expenses for 1845.
The CHAIRMAN Could not say, but a proprietor in-
formed him that the amount was 154,466/.
Mr. SMITH said some time ago the cost of works and
liabilities were estimated at 15,500,000 L, and now it ap-
peared that they were 17,292,0001. How did the dif-
ference arise.
Mr. WITHERS, one of the committee, said the amount
included the whole of their subscriptions to other lines,
amounting to upwards of 1,800,0001. The estimate had
been taken at the extreme figure, but on certain con-
tingencies it would be greatly reduced. The estimate
certainly could not be exceeded, but most likely would
be reduced. _ _

Mr. Goat, of Bath, did not think the company was
in a position to divide 4/. per cent. In about twelve
months the capital upon which they would have to di-
♦ide would be increased 2,000,0001, and he very much
questioned the prudnce of dividing so much as 41. per
cent. now they would have shortly to go into the market.
to raise, 9,009,0004, and if they depreciated the value of
their property by dividing the profits to the maximum
extent, they would inevitably suffer from the increased
interest they would have to pay for money. He sug-
gested, therefore, that they should divide 31. instead of

41. per cent.
Mr. WITHERS contenped that this company was in
the fortunate position of being able to offer every secu-
rity for any money it might have to borrow, even at
the rate of 51 per cent. Tl; sty bad yet to open 100
miles of additional line, besides their subscriptions
to other companies; and as they were in a position
to give not only security to the bondholders, but to carry
a large balance to the credit of the shareholders, he saw
no difficulty in the way of dividing 41. per cent.
Mr. HEMMING wished to know if any movement was
going on to bring about a reduction of railway rating.
The CHAIRMAN said a Committee was sitting upon
the subject, and they hoped to introduce a Bill into Par-
liament to amend the law of rating in the course of the
present session.
Mr. JONES attributed the depression of their shares
to the heavy guarantee they had given to the South
Wales company, and had no hope of restoring the
prosperity of the (line unless there was an entire refor-
mation in its government. One director was a director
in five other companies, —another in three, and
another in nine; while, by a return he held in his hand,
he saw that one din ctor had subscribed 135,000/. to-
wards other lines disconnected with this, another
115,000/, and another 504,0001.
The CHAIRMAN said they had subscribed to other
lines and become directors under Act of Parliament as
the representatives of the Great Western.
After some further discussion the motion for the adop-
tion of the report was agreed to, the report of the com-
mittee of investigation adopted, the dividend declared
payable on an early day, and the retiring directors re-
elected.
This closed the business of the general meeting. The
shareholders then resolved themselves into a special
meeting, and on the motion of the chairman, agreed
to resolutions in accordance with the recommen-
dations contained in ~the report, not, however,
until alter considerable discussion. A committee
was also appointed to confer with the com-
mittee of other companies on the subject of an Audit
Bill. The report of the committee of investigation was
also fully discussed, and thanks voted to the Tarions
members of the committee, as well as to the chairman
and directers.

The meeting then broke up after a protracted sitting,

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY.
(THIS DAY.)
The half-yearly ordinary meeting of this company
was held to-day, in the Easton station, at half-past
one, Sir Henry Vernon, chairman of the board cf direc-
tors, in the chair.

The secretary, Mr. E. WATLIN. proceeded to read the
report and balance-sheet, which were afterwards adopted
and approved of.

On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by a Di-
RECTOR, Major-General Mclnnes and Mr. Caster were
reappointed auditors of the company.
Mr. CAPRON moved that a committee of the share-
holders should be appointed to confer with the commit-
tee of the London and North Western Railway en the
subject of establishing a railway audit independent of
Government, which was carried unanimously.
The meeting was then made special to consider
the draft of a Bill proposed to be introduced
into the next session, to enable the company
to make an alteration in the line at Oxford. The Sec-
retary read the draft of the Bill, which, after a few
remarks, was approved by a motion of the meeting pro-
posed by the Chairman and seconded by Mr. Mangle.,
M.P.

The meeting then terminated with a rote of thanks to
the Chairman.

TATTERSALL'S—TIIIS EVENING
Six o'CLocK.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
10 to 1 agst Chandler
10 to 1 agat Vain Elope
20 to I agat Victim
25 to 1 agst Vengeance
30 to 1 agst Tipperary Boy
30 to I agat Maid of Athens
40 to 1 apt Rainbow
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
5 to 1 agst Cheerkd
18 to 1 agst Dough
25 to 1 agst Sir Gilbert
25 to 1 agst Baatinado
30 to 1 agst Ellorslie
CHESTER CUP.
12 to 1 apt Glauc•
20 to 1 agst Whim colt
25 to 1 agst Peep•o'-Day Boy
30 to I jagst John Comer
33 to 1 agst Lady Evelyn
66 to 1 agat Vesta
DERBY.
8 to 1 agat Ghillie Callum
10 to 1 agst Bolingbroke
14 to 1 agat The Nigger
IS to 1 agat Voltigeur
35 to 1 agst Mayors
50 to 1 agst Deicoon
NEWMARKET HANDICAP.
10 to 1 agat Cheerful—taken
10 to 1 agst any other

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

4,,,The Earl of HARROWBY presented a petition
against Sunday trading.
The Earl of CLARE presented a :petition from tome
union in Ireland, praying for aid to discharge their
liabilities.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a pe-
tition from some pima lin Durham, praying for a better
observance of the Sabbath.
DOLLY'S BRAE. _ _

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY also wished to
put a question to the Noble Lord on the subject
of the motion of which he had given no-
tice respecting the Dolly's Brao affair. No dis-
cussion in the House would be productive of I good, it
would only be calculated to keep up a feeling of bitter
hostility in Ireland, more especially when brought forward
by a great party leader in that House. If the Noble
Lord had any practical object in view, such as
moving a vote of censure on the Govern-
ment, it might be feasible to bring it forward.
but if he bad no practical object in view, he
(the Marquis of Londonderry) deprecated the
discussion of the subject. The thing had
gone by, and the proposed discussion could
only produce bad feeling, more especially as there bad
been an agitation set on foot in that country for the
reduction of rent. He thought it would be better that
the Noble Lord should withdraw his motion.
IRISH POOR LAW UNION.

The Earl of LUCAN rose to move for a nominal re-
turn of the poor-law unions in Ireland, where the affairs
have been administered by raid guardians, and stating
the periods of such administration; also, return of the
amount of the debts, claims, and liabilities against
each of these unions when the administration
by paid guardians commenced and terminated.
Unless some arrangement were mad* for the payment of
the debts contracted by paid guardians in the distressed
parishes in Ireland, the relief ck the poor would become