The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-31 00:00:00

THE SeN,-.-LOINDON,'s nitTIISDAY £VgNINO, DECEMBER 31,

JOINT-STOCK BANKS.

Closing Business
Share NAME. Paid. Price. done
10 Agra Limited, A all 12 12f 121
al Do B lO 41 51
50 Albion
100 Alliance, Limited
20 Anglo-AuiaLrian
20 Anglo-Egyptian, lira all 17 li
20 Anglo-Hungarian
20 Anglo-Italian 1365, limited 10 7 5
40 Australasian
20 Bank of British Columbia all 11 13
20 Do issued at 2pm ~.. 6 ... ...
26 Bank of Egypt
20 Bank of Otago, lira.
25 Bank of South Australia all 3') 32
50 Bank of Victoria, Australia 25 37 34
10 Bank of Aew Zealand all 17 19
$0 British North American
20 Chartere.i of India, A tiara-
lia, n 1 China all
25 Chartere I Met?. of India
London, and China all
20 City
100 Colonial... 26
10 C. )116:,:i,1.tt e.l, lim. * 4
50 Delhi and Loudon, Inn
50 East London, Inn 5
20 English and American, lira 10
20 English Bank of Rio do Ja-

20 21

24 $0
11 121
40 4:
1

1) 0;

neiro. lim
20 English, . cuttish, and Aus
tralian Charterad
k.Bl Hong Kong and Shanghai
Bank Corporation all
281 Do new 5l
100 Imperial, lim 2O
20 Imperial Ottoman le
S lonian ............... all
25 Do new 5
40 Lnd Mortgage of India' inn 4
100 Do 5 p. c. Debs.lB6l, 30 all 76
30 London Bank of As exico
and South America, lim. 20
100 London and Brazilian, lim. 45
20 Do new 74
100 London & River Plato, lint 40
25 Do new 10
20 London Chart. of Australia all
50 London and County 2O
20 Do new iss at '2O p.m,16 pd Il
50 London Joint Stock 1
2) London and south African al
100 London & S.-Western, lim, 20
50 London & Venezuela, lim.,. 121
10) London and Westminster 2O
100 Do Scrip, ice at 10 pm 2O
100 Merchant, lim 25
10 Metropolitan, lim all
100 Midland, lima,~
5 National of Australia
25 National of Liverpool, lim. 15
100 National Provinc. of Eng'd 42
10 Do
0 National. a*
20 New South Wales all
20 North- q.istern
25 Oriental Bank Corporation all
50 I'rovinc. Bank. Corpo., lim. 10
100 Provincial of Ireland ......
10 Do new.. all
100 Stand. of Brit. S. Africa, lim 25
100 Do issued at 0 pus lO
25 Unicga of Australia all
100 Union of Ireland, lim
50 Union of Lou lon

Id pr

161 1T&

17 18
1 1
27 29
pr 1p
itt
78 62

9 7
3 82
6 51
7 9
n U
?2 23k
50 it

85 36
11 12

651 661,
6 Csk
7 e
Q 7#
14 pr
2

48 49

MISCELLANEOUS,

10 Auglo-American Tel., Um, all 214 21,1
10 Auglo-Mediter. Tel., Urn._ 0 i ip
10 Auglo-Mexican Mint all 15 16
at Atlantic Telegraph lO 20 28
at Do. 8 per cent.
25 Australian Agricultural
25 Australian Mort. Laud and
Fivan.ce, Urn.
10 Baugarah Tea Estates, lira II 7 ed
10 Berlin Water Works, inn all 11 11
10 Do. New 6 a S 1
100 Bolckow Vlaighan, lim.
5 Bombay Gas, inn.
5 Do. New 4 11 0/
6 i British Aimrican Land 44 16 18
at B. and 1. Magnetic Tel., ling lOO 167 171
20 British Indian Tea, lira all 21 61
20 British Ship Owners 73
29 Canada Company all 67 71
10 Canadian Loan and invest-
ment, lint 2l 24 lid
20 Ceylon Company, Um. lO Ef 24d
20 Do. A snares
10 City Discount, lim 5 44 si
26 City of London Real Pro-
perty, lint 8 4 Eld
30 City of Milan Improc. lim all S 10
25 City of Mosc-Ar Uas, lint all 2 5
50 City Oille.cs, lim 25 24, 23,id
50 Colonial, lint.
Do.
50 Comatereia. Union (Assur) 5 i ip
10 Company of African Mer-
chants, lim.
20 Continental Uuiou Gas, Bin all 17 18
25 Copper Miners of England,
__

pref 7i per cent.
100 Corporation of Lontloa
Bonds, 1877, 4 per cent. all 101 105
100 Do. 1871, 4, per cent. all 104 1051
100 Do. 1882, 4t per cent. all 1031 1011
10 Credit Fon. of England, lim. all 1g 2g
50 Credit Fon.of Mauritius lint lO 3 2 d
st Crystal Palace lOO 1 • 21
et 1)o. Preference lOO 93 98
st Do. 6p. c Petpetual Deb lO9 102 107
20 Darjeeling, lim.
Li Eastern Assam, lim.
80 East Indian Land Credit

and Finance, Inn.
20 East India lrriga. & Canal all 17 13
32 Ebbw Vale steel, Iron, and
Coal, iim.
100 Egyptian ii per cent. V'roy

-Gila. by ggypt. Um-- all 88 89 89
20 Egyptian Coin. & Trad. lira. 6 44 4.1
st Electric & Inter. Telegraph 100 248 24 s
10 Do. New 8 10 12p
3 Eng. & Austral. Copper, lim 21 1
.;
15 English and Foreign Credit 74 b 4d
100 Eng. and Scot. merino, lim. 8 ... ...d
10 lairbairn Engineering 6 lf 14d
20 Fore-street \ V:trehouse,lim l2 pr 1p 13
100 Fur. & Cul. Cow. Trust and

Loan Scrip, issued ail:3s all 831 844
.50 Gellivara, lint. 2U
10 General Credit & Dis., lint. 71 2•" 14
15 General Steam Navigation 14 23 29
50 Home & Col Marine lu. Inn. 6 41 31d
so k)Liek. tius all . .
20 Hudson's hay all
20 Imperial Laud Co. of Mar-
seilles, lint.
25 Indo-European Tel., lint lO
20 Interim Financial Soc. lint 5 11 11 3 11-16
20 luterna. Land Credit, lint 6 6 40
59 Italian Laud 6 11 ld
20 Italian Irri. (Canal Cavour) all 31 4
100 Do. 6p. c. Bds., redeem
1870, issued 20 all 63 r 5
50 Land Securities, lint 5 34 24d
25 London African Trading lO 7 SS
25 Lou. & Caled. alarine, lint 6 ...
10 London County Laud and
Building, lint.
5 Loud. Provincial Tel. lint all 31 35
1 Do. Prefer. 10 per cent, all 4 IP
SO Lond. Financial Asso., lira 30 23 224 Of
4 Lond.GemOinnibus.Co.lim. all 13 2 2
60 Loud. and Glatg. Engineer
and Iron Ship, lim 25 22 17d
20 Loud. & Provincial Marine 2 ld pr 1 11-11
at aliadras Irriga. &Cant. Gila.
p. c. by India Gov, lOO 105 107
10 Mauritius Land, Credit, and
Agency,
10 Mediterra. Exten. Tel., lint, all 4 44
50 Merchant Shipping, lam, all 33 38
60 Millwall Iron Works, lint. 124
10 Natal Land and Colonisa-
tion Co., lint.
25 National Discount Co., lint 6 12 121
25 National Prov. Marine, lint. 4 4 3d
10 National Steam Ship, lint. all 84 91
20 Nerbudda Coal & Iron, lint. 6 3 2d
10 New Consolidated Dis. lint. 3 11 Id
6A ew Quebrada, lint- 44 0 44 33
25 New Zealand Loan & Mer
cantile Agency,lim 2l 4 ip
25 New Zealand Trust and
Loan, lint
10 Northern Assam Tea, Um, 5 7
10 Do. B
st North Brit. Austral., lam,,, 100 47 61
50 North Brit. & Mercan, In 65 18/ 19/ 19
25 Ocean Marine (Insurance) 6 144 16
50 Oriental Financial, lint ll ...d
5 Oriental Gas, lira
5 Do. New ..................... 1 # iP
10 Otago and Southland In
vestment, litre •,,,,,, 2 ld 4p
I Ottoman Gas,
10 Panama, New Zealand, and
Australian R. Mail lira all 24 11
5 Do do,
st Peel R. Land & Minerl, lint 100 80 32
60 Peniusti. & Oriental Steam all 49 51 50
60 Do. New 1867 lO 4d dl
25 neuter's Telegrara 24 27 30p
50 Ithymney Iron
16 Do. New
25 Rio de Janeiro City Ina.dira all 17 18
20 Do. Gas, lint all 235 241
100 Royal Mail Steam 6O 44 46 44
st Scottish Aust, Invest., lin lOO 197 112
ypte, lint lO
20
Bt
Societe Do.
Fin. 6 p c.'Eg Guar. eref. 100 .. 7
60
.
d
20 Societe Gen.de a:lllpin, 01. 3 4p
60 S. African Mort. & lint 8 •
26 South Australian Land all 351 364
at Submarine Telegraph
1 Do. Scrip.
20 Telegraph Con. & Main.,iim all 164 17 161
20 Thames and Mersey Marine
(Insurance), lint 2 25 24
20 Trinidad Petroleum, Hu— 81
10 Trust &Agency of Aus.,lim. 1 f •
lp
10 Do do. do. 2O Trust &Loan Co., U. Canada 6all ..4d p
50 Union Marine L'pool, lieu. 6 4 41p
20 Union Steam Ship,
15 United Discount Corp., inn 6 11 Old
SU. Kingdom Tel. Co., lint all 64 6
5 Do. 10 per cent. Pref all 35 34p
20 Universal Marine(iu.), Bin 5 1 14p
10 Upper Assam Tea,
30 Van Dieman'a Land
00 Viceroy of Egypt, 7 per
cent. ( tiortgage) Loan.,, all 75 j 76}
30 Warrant Finance, 1int...., l2 12 10d
50 West India and Pacific
Steam, lint 2O 4 3d
20 West London Wharves and
Warehouses lO

1/41 vA AL urvVJittkzlvUe4 a.t.. .
Columbia, 6per

100 ....
Do. iBas.. l9O
Lian.tiov.up.o.Jan.oaJuly
1877-84 lOO 107 118 I(7f
Do. 6p. o. Feb, & Aug 1..0 115 107
- Do. sp. c. Mar. & Sept lOO 114:106
- 00.6 p. c. Jan. a July- 100 93 14
- Do. sp. u. lusoribtd ck 1(0 90 92 cape G. Hope, 6 p.c. lbi3 lOO 102 104
- Do.Apl.&oo 1890-1900 too 111 113
- Do. do 1880-90 lOO 107 WV
- Do. JanAJuly, 1811,
- Do. 5 per oent. 15 April
atm i 5 vet., 1000 lOO 100 102
- Ceylon, Nov 1876,6 p lOO 108 116
- Do. 1872, do lOO 105 107
- Mauritius, 6p. 0, 1873,,
- Jan. and July
- Do. 1878 ..
- Do. 1882, Stay and Nov... 100 106 108
- Do. 1895, Feb. & Aug.... 100 106 10,3
- Myi bourne Corporatn.,..
IW-75, 6 per ccu .. 100
- N. 8.G0v.6 p.c.Ja.&J uiy .• 100 102 104
- Natal 6 p c!, Apl& Oct.,. 100
- Do °pc. SI y & N 01..... 100 108 irB
- N. 0. W p "e., Ito '74.. 100 09 101 1011
- Do. 5 p.c. 1888 to 1;06.. 100 99 too
- Do. 5 p.c. rd. '4; to '/1.. 100 99 101
- N Zealand, 6p. ct. 1801.. 100 - -
Do. 5 per cent.... ..... 1140 071 985
- DoJan,dp,l,Juiy, 0 t 100 976 94 9.1
po 6p c. Mar dc .-_,ept '91.. 100 108 110 107
-- Da J u,e & Dec, 1-91.... 100 109 la
- Do Pruv. t Aix ,Id.
1 0 -
tale, 1 & Ino6
- Nova Scotia 6 1). o,Jan• • •
- an 1 Jnly, 1875
Do 15*,6
Queeusind. 6p. c. 'B'. 5
- Do 180
B. A ustral. 6 p 6.1860 71 lOti - -
Do li-78 •'.- lOO 103 110
Do P 93 1908
Tasmanian p 100 106 107
Do rd. iOO3 to 1801
- i‘tor.a tip.o. Ja..v.,J uly lOO -
18111
- Do. do, April & Vol lOO 105 110 113

• 186 g.

THE MURDER iVAAR WIGAN.

The murderer of the girl Annie Houghton, at Thi
Ackhurst, near Wigan, on the 15th of December last, i,
still at large, for notwithstanding the apprehension o
suspected persons in different parts of the country, an(
although every trail, however slight, has been activelyfol
lowed up by the police, the authorities are unwillingly corn
pelled to confess that they have been quite unsuccessful ii
the search. Certainly they have very little upon which to
work in the search, as the evidence at the inquest, rcportei
below, will show. Colonel Bruce, the cliief constable o
the county, has made a representation to the Home Secre
tary, and the reward offered for the apprehension of th.
murderer has been increased from £5O to £lOO.
The coroner's inquiry has been resumed at Owell, near
Wigan, before Mr. Driflield.

The first witness called was Thomas Parkinson, firemar
at a colliery, who was with the Houglitons when they dis
covered the body of the deceased lying out on the grass
quite dead. Mr. Houghton went up to the hall to corn
municate with Mr. Roper. Mrs. Houghton went forward
to look after her other children, and witness remained
with the body, which was susequently moved to the
house. Witness recognised the hammer produced, with
which the murder was said to have been committed, as
one which he had used that day at the colliery, and had
left in the smithy there, and had since missed. Sinking
operations had been carried on at the colliery, and many
strangers of all kinds had been about.

Mrs. Houghton, the m3ther of the deceased, was next
examined, and she having given an account of the finding
of the body, went on to say that when she reached the
house all was still, the baby lying asleep in the cradle.
She subsequently carried the deceased to the house and
examined the rooms. She had no suspicions against any.
one, and could not imagine that there was anyone in the
neighbourhood who could be wishful to do such an injury
to herself, her husband, or her family. She was of
opinion that the murderer was no stranger to the locality,
and to the habits of herself and husband, who generally
left the house about the time. She believed the statement
,f the little girl, which had never varied in any important
particular.

By Mr. Ellison : She was quite certain that the watch
bad been taken away. Parkinson and her husband were
on excellent terms.

Catherine Houghton, the little girl who was attacked by
the murderer, was next examined. She was not sworn, but
tt the conclusion of her evidence the coroner said he should
have no hesitation in administering the oath to her if it
became necessary. She said the man entered the house
%bout half an hour after her father and mother had gone
)ut, and asked for her father. He was told Mr. Houghton
lived there, but was at the farm. He then commenced the.
tttack, striking herself and sister savagely with a hammer
similar to the one produced. Deceased ran out of the
douse, and he followed her, returning in about five
minutes. He struck witness again with the hammer, and
kicked her, and afterwards threw her over the hedge into
t field. She was quite sure she never before saw the man,
whom she described as a tall man, dressed in dark clothe-,
tnd wearing a cap from which the peak seemed to La\ e
;nen torn. The man did not appear to be tipsy, but
looked very wild.

William Houghton, father of the deceased, was also
examined. His evidence was principally in corroboration
Df that given by his wife. He believed the little girl's story,
and he had never found her to vary while relating it. He
had no idea who had been the murderer, and was not
aware that he had ever given offence to anyone.
After some further evidence the coroner briefly summed
ap, and the jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of
' Wilful murder against some person unknown."

FRACAS BETWEEN TWO PHYSICIANS.

-

On 'Wednesday afternoon Dr. Thomas Snow Beck, a
governor of the British Lying-in Hospital, was placed at
.he bar at Bow-street, before Mr. Vaughan, to answer a
:barge of having violently assaulted Dr. Edmunds, one of
'he physicians of the establishment.
Dr. James Edmunds deposed : I live at No. 4,
Fitzroy-square, and am a physician. On Tuesday
afternoon, at one o'clock, I was in the board-
room of the British Lying-in Hospital, Endell-
street, making extracts from the minute-book. Dr. Beck,
after knocking at the door, entered, and in a mysteri,
)us manner said to me, " I have an account to settlot
with you when we are alone." I made no reply, but con-
tinued my writing. He approached me to touch my
nose, with the intention of pulling it, but which assault I
evaded. I said, "If you do that again I shall be
Thliged to strike you." He then gave me a smart
slap on the face as he passed by me. A small
imhrella was lying on the table by my side, which I
took up and struck him with. He closed in with me,
and a struggle ensued, during which be punchcd me in
the face several times. I said, " This is very shameful for
a. man twice my size and strength," and I called f<-,, the
secretary to fetch a constable. He again attacked me,
and, after another struggle, struck me repeatedly in the
face with his hand. I made towards the door, when he
threw me across the table, and I believe I fell over a chair,
with him on me. He had got between myself and the
door, knelt on my body, seized me by my arms, and again
hit my face. He tore the hair out of my whiskers, and I
=lied " Murder !" untill was so extremely faint I could
not call any m re. The bell here rang, and he got off of
me, telling me that if I did not hold my row he would
murder me. The next instant the secretary entered with
a policeman. The latter lifted me into a chair and gave
me a glass of water. I gave Dr. Beck into custody, and
got into a cab and rode down to the police-station.
By Mr. Vaughan : I struck him across the shoulders
lightly with the umbrella, which was a lady's one. I was
a rival candidate of his for the office of physician, and was
elected. He has frequently been bringing charges against
me. Anonymous letters were issued to the governors by
some person. I believe it was the prisoner. An action has
been commenced against the prisoner for libel.
In cross-examination by Dr. Beck : I never said I would
put a bullet through you. He said, " You called me a
cowardly liar, and ought to have a bullet put through me." 1
I said, " I would if I had a pistol." Dr. Beck next met me
in the streets, and said I had been the murderer of one of
the patients in the hospital.

Joseph Taylor, a secretary to the hospital, said: I was
M the room when Dr. Beck Caine in. Said he had an
account to settle with Dr. Edmunds, and touched his
face. Dr. Edmunds became excited, and said, "If you
do that again I will put a bullet through you." Dr. Beck
smacked the face of the complainant, who returned the
assault by several blows with an umbrella. They were
struggling when I left the room for the police. When
I returned Dr. Beck was standing with his back to
the fire, and the complainant was lying faint on the floor,
and the police-constable assisted Dr. Edmunds to a seat
and took the defendant in charge.

By Mr. Vaughan : I won't be sure that the complainant
said first, " I will put a bullet through you." He may
have first said, " I shall be obliged to strike you." He did
threaten with the bullet.

Edwin Phillips, another secretary, corroborated.
Police-constable F It, 35, took the defendant in charge.
Defendant said the complainant first gave him a slap on
the nose.

The prisoner said in defence : The case has been con
siderably exaggerated. I went to the board-room and saw
Dr. Edmunds examining the books. Told him I had an
account to settle with him some other time. He made
faces at me, He called me a cowardly liar, and other
insulting terms. The prisoner wished to enter into a long
detail of the quarrel ; but
Mr. Vaughan said he could not hear it. There was nc
.toubt that Dr. Beck had committed an assault of st
very serious character on a brother physician, and it was
much to be regretted that a man in the defendant's posi-
tion shoUld have behaved in such a manner towards one
of his own profession. If it had been proved that Dr.
Beck had gone to the hospital for the sole purpose of the
assault, he would have been committed to prison without
the option of a fine. As it was, be must pay a fine of £5,
enter into his own recognisances in the sum of £2OO,
and find one surety in £2OO, for good behaviour for six
months.

SANDRINGHAM.—The works in progress at Sand-
ringham House are expected to occupy many months, the
mansion being in course of reconstruction. Under these
circumstances, the Prince and Princess of Wales are not
likely to visit Sandringham at Easter, or, according to
present probabilities, in the autumn of 18G9. Although
absent from England, the Prince and Princes% did
not forget at Christmas their servants at Sandring-
ham, who received similar presents to those of former
years.

EIGHT EUROPEANS MURDERED AND EATEN.—
A communication dated Sydney, November 2, says :—"A
party of six men, from the British steamer Blanche,
landed at Rondova Bay, and after a search found a hut
containing twenty-six human skulls, five of which were
evidently those of white men. A quantity of ship
stores, such as paints, oils, &c., was also discovered. A
number of fine canoes were necessarily left by the
natives on the beach, and these were alike destroyed, as
was also the whole of the village. The Blanche then
returned to Sydney. Reliable information has been
received as to the fate of the Australian schooner Harmon,
which left the port of Luvuka, Feejee Islands, for the
Line Islands, about ten months since, with the purpose of
getting a cargo of native labourers. The Harmon seems
to have called at Hudson's Island, one of the Elise group,
and while there the captain and crew, numbering in all
eight men, were murdered and eaten by the natives.
Measures will soon be taken for avenging this crime

RAIL ir-A y EViELLIGENCE.

111 EX I CAN.

The ordinary general meeting of this company
was held yesterday at the offices, New Broad-street,
Mr. R. W. Crawford, M.P., in the chair.
The report, as abstract of which appeared in The
Sun, was taken as read.
The Cu. lIIZMAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, said that since the general meeting on the 25th
of August last the directors had been most labori•
ously and unremittingly engaged in promoting the
affairs of the company, with more or less effect.
Under the guidance of Mr. Barron, their affairs bad
been well attended to in Mexico. The privileges of
the company under the concession of the 27th of
November, 1867, had been finally settled and de-
finitively confirmed in Congress. The decree of the
President, dated the 27th of November, 18G7, was

now incorporated in the public law of the State, with
some modifications. The last mail had brought
them the text of the concession, and'it had been
I hastily translated from the Spanish. The modi-
fications, it was believed, would enable the company
to work with the Government for the public inte-
rests and those of the company. One of the modifi-
cations limited the privileges and powers of the
company in respect of forming branch liues from the
main line, and, as nothing had been more unpro-
ductive to railway companies, than extending small
branches from the main lines, they could not object
to that modification. If the public chose to make
them, the company would not object. Another
modification was with respect to the rights of a
company to make a proposed line from the Vera
Cruz line; but he thought it would not be likely to
interfere with this company's undertaking. Another
modification was with respect to the tariff rates,
subjecting those authorised to an ultimate reduction
of 60 per cent. from the full rates for the convey-
ance of produce, and of 20 per cent. in the tariff of
goods from Vera Cruz ; and as the authorised
rates were higher than those charged at present on
the company's lines, he trusted they would not be
much affected by it, especially if moderately low
rates should tend to develope the through traffic.
The Government had also provided for the carriage
of troops and materials of war on the line at re-
duced rates, to which the company could have no
objection, as the more the troops were seen on the
railway the better it would be for the peace of the
districts through which the line has passed. They
saw nothing to object to it in these modifications.
as they appeared fair and reasonable. The most
important part of their privileges were not inter-
fered with. They would still retain the assignment
of a sum equal to 15 per cent. of the Customs' du-
ties by way of subscription to the capital of the
company, and which would entitle the Government
to become shareholders to that amount. The com-
pany was also to have au annual payment for 25
years of $560,000 from tae public improve:news
fund. lhosc c)ntrihulions were to be coll..cted
by the company through the medium of railway
bonds of the Government being issued to the
company for disposal, through its agents for
cash to the importers of goods and others. The
bonds would go back to the Government, and the
operation of collecting would thus .be very
simple. During the six months ending the 30th
of June last the ports assigned •io the com-
pany for the payment of the $560,000 a year had
received considerably more than the company's
share of the duties. It was stated that the Customs'
duties of Mexico were nearly $13,000,000 a year,
and the receipts for the six months ending the 30th
of June last were very nearly half that amount.
There was no doubt from that fact that the com-
pany would have a considerable source of revenue.
They had also the privilege to export a certain
amount of silver free of duty, and to import goods
for the railway, the advantage of which would be
equal to 6 or S per cent. on the value. On the
whole he thought that the concession was as fair
and advantageous fur both sides as it could be, and
that the company now stood iu a far more favour-
able position than it ever stood before. The Go-
vernment insisted that the capital was not to be in-
cm eased beyond the amount specified, and if the
company could make .the railway for less so much
the better. They had also insisted that the inte-
rest on the bonds to be issued should not exceed 8
per cent. without the consent of the Government.
The Government, being shareholders, wished to
be represented at the Board. This and other
matters, he thought, should be left in the hands of
their representatives in Mexico. Negotiations had
been some time in progress for an advance to the
company of a sum of money sufficient to complete
the line to Puebla, and to discharge in cash, or
class A mortgage bonds, all pressing liabilities of
the company in England and Mexico, exclusive of
those which the creditors had agreed to postpone.
lhe repayment of the cash needed for this pur-
pose would be collaterally secured on the deposit of
Class A mortgage bonds, and on an assignment of
the surplus proceeds of the line between Mexico
and Puebla. Those negotiations had been opened
with capitalists who were able and partially willing
to advance the money, and he hoped they would
soon be entirely willing to advance the requisite
sum. He had no doubt that the traffic would not
only be sufficient to pay the interest on the advance
but to provide a fund forrepayment of the advance.
He hoped the arrangement would soon be com-
pleted to enable the company to complete the line
from Apixaco to Puebla, and also to complete the
works on the line from Vera Cruz to a point be-
yond the Paso del Macho. The average rate of
traffic on the company's lines was about £37 per
mile per week for 1867 ; but that traffic would be
considerably increased when the lines were com-
pleted to the points he had mentioned. He hoped
to meet them that time next year in a better posi-
tion than ever they had been, and he looked for-
ward to their future with considerable confidence
that the railway would become a successful under-
taking.

Mr. GIBBS seconded the motion for the adoption
of the report.

) In reply to a question by Mr. Kimber, it was
stated that the company would be represented by
Mr. Barron and two other directors in Mexico, and
that the Government were likely to hold shares in
the company by subscriptions in the course of four
years to the amount of £BOO,OOO.
Mr. MoxoN having adverted to the difficulties
experienced by English shareholders in dealing with
foreign Governments in respect of railway under-
takings, he said he hoped the shareholders of this
company would meet with more success than other
shareholders had in foreign undertakings, as he had
no doubt the traffic would be very large on the
company's lines when completed.
The report was then unanimousiy adopted, and
a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors con-
cluded the proceedings.