The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-26 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN RAILWAY COMPANY.

The adjourned half•yearly meeting of this company was
held at the City Terminus Hotel on Wednesday ; Mr. J.
Parson in the chair.

The half-yearly meeting was adjourned for the purpose
of hearing a statement from Mr. Neale, who expressed his
belief that an amicable arrangement could be effected in
the suit of Bloxham v. the Company, which had caused
some uneasiness amongst the shareholders.
The CHAIRMAN having called upon Mr. Neale to ex-
press his views,
Mr. NEALE said that on the last occasion the share-
nolders would remember that he expressed great confi-
dence that if the meeting were adjourned for a fortnight
rather than for three months he should be able to an-
kounce an amicable and equitable settlement of the dis-
pute between Mr. Bloxham and the company. He was
glad to state that the belief he then expressed had been
realised—(hear, hear)—and he was in a position to state
that the arrangement, if agreed to, would put an end to
litigation, restore harmony, and remove what
might have been a serious impediment to the
rapid development of their property. The resolution
which he had to propose was to the effect : " That the
meeting considers it would be expedient for the interest
of the shareholders that all litigation should imme-
diately cease ; that the ordinary shareholders
should receive a further dividend for the past
half-year at the rate of 1 per cent. per annum.
That the Extension shareholders should have the option of
converting their stock into ordinary stock, as from
January last upon payment of £2 per cent, on the
amount of their stock, into a common fund, to form part
of future profits available for dividend ; and that the
directors be authorised and requested to adopt in the com-
pany's present application to Parliament such measures
as they may deem necessary to effect these objects."
Mr. HoLms seconded the proposition, feeling convinced
that the step proposed would be the means of bringing the
affairs of the company into a more wholesome condition
than they had been for the last two or three months, as in
the place of their having a capital stock of £1,800,000,
which was much too small, it would be £3,700,000, and be
the means of doing much towards consolidating their stock
in the market.

A Shareholder inquired whether it would be necessary
tor the company to seek parliamentary powers to merge
the stock.

Mr. BURCHELL, solicitor, said that it would be necessary
to go to Parliament, but inasmuch as the company had a
bill there already they would endeavour to get a clause
introduced into it to meet the proposition now made. He
(lid not apprehend there would be any difficulty in their
doing so ; certainly not if the proprietors were agreed
to it.

Another Shareholder said that the parties themselves
*no had brought the action were not present to say
whether they concided with the proposition made. (Hear,
h ear. )

Mr. NEALE intimated that Mr. Bloxham fully approved
of the arrangement. (Applause.)
A question was asked if the company would now get
rid of the injunction in Chancery, as until that was re-
moved the directors would be prevented from paying the
same rate of dividend as the shareholders had been in the
habit of receiving.
The CHAIRMAN said that the shareholders knew as much
about the arrangement as the directors did. The company
were under no obligation to pay a farthing in the shape of
costs to the plaintiff. (Hear, hear.) The board were at
first very much like the shareholders, animated by
indignation, and perhaps rather powerfully, when
they conceived that the suit would interfere with
the welfare of the undertaking ; but after a little time
discretion took the place of indignation, and they consi-
dered that a continuance of litigation must be disastrous
to the shareholders. They thought it desirable that it
should be stopped, because it would deteriorate
their property and damage their credit to some degree.
Then the question arose as to terms. They found that
Mr. Neale and his friends were prepared to forego one-
half per cent, of their dividend, and seeing that they were
amongst the largest shareholders, the board thought they
had no right to throw obstacles in the way. The Exten-
sion shareholders said they wanted power to amalgamate the
two stocks as soon as parliamentary power could be obtained.
It had been said that the stocks were the same, but they
were certainly not. The Extension stock had a limited
dividend until the 31st December, 1869. If litigation went
on, the dividend for 1868 would not be likely to exceed 7 per
cent., and he did not know whether it would even be so
much. As to the dividend for 1869, the Extension share-
holders would be entitled without arangement to 6
per cent., and therefore, if they paid £2 per
cent. before the old stock could be ensured,
the line must earn more than 8 per cent. during the year.
It appeared, therefore, to the board, on reflection, that no
ordinary shareholder could expect that his dividend in
1869 could exceed 8 per cent., so that he
would not be damaged by admitting the Exten-
sion shareholders into partnership. As the directors were
informed that the terms then submitted were all that had
Lien asked for by the parties who represented Mr. Blox-
ham, and as an assurance had been given that there should
be no more litigation on their part, they felt they could
with propriety support the resolution.
The resolution was adopted with only four dissentients,
and the meeting was further adjourned till the 20th May
for the purpose of declaring a dividend.

The convicted Fenian Mackay has been removed
from Cork to Dublin, the authorities having wisely re-
solved to remove out of the reach of possibly reckless
sympathisers a prisoner to whose conviction considerable
importance was attached.

COUNTY FINANCIAL BOARDS.—The Council of
the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture has agreed to the
principles of a bill for the establishment of county finan-
cial boards, but it is not proposed to take at present any
public action on the subject. About seventeen years have
elapsed since the late Mr.. Joseph Hume, M.P., brought
the question under the consideration of the Norfolk
Quarter Sessions, but he then obtained but little support
to the views which he expressed in favour of the establish.
meat of these representative boards.

A meeting has been held in the Queen-street
Hall, Edinburgh, for the purpose of eousidering resolu-
tions " bearing on the number of public-houses in the city,
the evils they entail on the community, and the means by
which these evils may be lessened or removed."- After
speeches by the Rev. Dr. Begg and Rev. Mr. Wilson, in
_support of the first resolution, regarding the connection
between drunkenness and pauperism and crime, a scene
occurred, when two gentlemen read and supported an
amendment in which it was denied that the evils of
drunkenness would be diminished by the decrease of
licensed houses. 'rho resolution was carried by the whole
assemblage, except eight who voted for the amendment.
The reselutins were thep unanimously adopted, and a
dOpl a4on yf itg pppol4, to thM, 413.0 T9WIJ

•
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HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, March 25.
The Queen went out this morning, accompanied
by Princess Beatrice.

The Princess of Wales drove out, accompanied
by Princess Christian.

The Prince of Wales, attended by Captain Ellis,
visited the studios of M. John Bell and Mr. Watts,
Ft.A., yesterday.

RICHARD DOYLE—(has any one with half-an-eye
failed to recognize the fact ?)—during the last week
or two has been contributing the central cartoon to
Fun. This week his pencil is in full force, with a
double-paged illustration to the current double
number of Tom Hood's wonderful pennyworth of
comicality. " Poor Ireland" is surrounded by all
the great political physicians, each bent upon the
recommendation and administration of his own pet
nostrum or specific. The Premier, watch in
hand with the fingers of his other hand
upon the patient's pulse, is seated beside her deep
in cogitation. Dr. Mill, of Westminster, in old-
fashioned tight-fitting pantaloons, a heavy bunch
of seals dangling from his fob, a shirt frill r urfling
from his bosom, and a fearful box of boluses under
his arm, is offering the first dose eagerly twixt thumb
and finger. Dr. Gladstone, of Lancashire, with the
grimmest visage in the world, is strongly in favour
of—what no one could reasonably have conjectured
from the expression of his countenance—" Generous
Treatment !" The typical Dr. Priest of All Ireland
(barring Ulster) is in favour of " Complete Isola-
tion." A sinister-looking Fenian Quack, with a
Yankee chin-tuft, is getting ready his lancet for a
touch of phlebotomy ! Dr. Bright, of Birming-
ham, is looking on from among the crowd of M.D.'s,
and so too is Dr. Horsman, of Stroud ; so too is Dr.
Mayo, so too Dr. Chichester Fortescue and others
Dr. Lowe, of Caine, turning upon his heels in the
background to quit the consultation, in scorn and
impatience of so many propounders of panacea.

JOHN TENNIEL—in Punch this week—is wonder-
fully droll with his cartoon of Poor Paddy between
the rival dentists—Gladstone and Dizzy. Paddy writhing
with a maddening toothache, caused by that dreadful
carious back-grinder, The Irish Church ! Gladstone
pugnaciously insisting upon immediate Extraction—the
unconcealed forceps in his hand! Dizzy, quite at home
in his dressing-gown and smoking cap, sleepily but
doggedly being in favour of Stopping!
DR. MAZIERE BRADY ON THE IRISH CHURCH.—
We regret that a more than usually able letter just
come to hand from Dr. Maziore Brady upon this now all-
important topic is simply too long to admit of insertion by
us in the present crowded state of our columns.
ESCAPE OF CONVICTS AT CHATHAM.—Yester-
day two convicts escaped from Chatham Dockyard. Their
names are Abel Sweetland and George Corbett, and they
had both been sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.
They were employed in unloading a barge, and, seeing
boat alongside, they stepped in, and, taking the oars,
rowed oft across the harbour, and :escaped into Cookham
Wood. An alarm was given, and police and convict
warders were sent to search the wood and recapture the
men, but they had failed to do so up to yesterday evening.

MISSING SIIIPS.—The Sydenham, which sailed
from Sunderland for Shanghai, and was at Anjer on the
16th of August; the Ariadne, which sailed from Balti-
more for Belfast on the 18th November; the New Eng-
land, which sailed from Savannah, Georgia, for Liverpool
on the 20th of November; the Korniloff, which sailed
from Odessa for Havre, and left Messina on the 19th of
January ; and the Johanna Maria, which sailed from Ba'
tavia for Holland on the Bth of August, have not since
been heard of.

THE TUNISIAN STATE DEBT.—The Patrie says
We are assured that, according to telegrams received thi
morning in Paris, the Bey of Tunis has revoked the de-
crees recently issued by his Government respecting the
conversion or unification of the State debt, the promulga-
tion of which has caused so much emotion on the French
Bourse. Moreover, that ruler is said to have determined
on appointing a commission whose duty it will be to protect
the interests of the creditors of the Regency, and to super-
intend the collection of the taxes direct and indirect.

SUDDEN DEATH OF AN UNKNOWN LADY.—OOO
Friday a lady arrived by train from the south at Stirling,
and took up her residence in the Golden Lion Hotel. She
appeared to be about 40 years of ase. She did not say
where she had come from, or what her name was. On
Sunday she complained of slight indisposition. On Mon-
day forenoon sounds of moaning were heard proceeding
from her apartment, and the door being locked inside, a
smith was sent for, and the lock of the door was picked.
The lady was found in a state of unconsciousness. Drs
Johnson and Forrest were called, but the lady died soon
after their arrival. The only documents found among her
luggage are an unfinished letter, beginning " Dear Annie,
and signed "N. B. Henderson," and a slip found in her
purse containing this address—" Toronto, Canada West."
THE DAW CARTRIDGE.—AS a result of the trials
of the several descriptions of ammunition for breech-load-
ing rifles which had Wen accepted for competition, the
committee by whom, they were conducted have reported
that the ammunition submitted by Mr. Daw has so far
fulfilled the conditions of the advertisement as to juatiff,
them in recommending that the prize of £4OO be awarded
to him.

FIRE AT EASTWELL-PARK.—Shortly before Mid-
night on Tuesday a fire broke out at the residence of the
Earl of Winchilsea, Eastwell-park, near Ashford, Solt'
The flames were first observed issuing from the roof over
the north front of the house, and owing to the high ivied
then blowing they rapidly spread. The floor above the
dining-room, and shortly afterwards the glass dome over
the chfef staircase, fell in, destroying much valuable pro-
perty. Engines horn Ashford and one from the neighbour-
ing seat of Sir Richard Tufton were quickly on the sPc't'
Happily, by the exertions of those who manned them, the
fire was confined to the north front of the house. Several
very valuable pictures were totally destroyed. The loss
is estimated at £',ooo. Both the house and its content°
were insured.

AUSTRALIAN MUTTON.—The Melbourne Argun.
states that good mutton was being sold in and around
Melbourne last month by travelling butchers at ld. per lb.
When the Duke of Edinburgh was at Melbourne some meat
preserved there by the promoter of a meat company vas
placed on board the Galatea, and his Royal Highness tried
it when he was in Tasmania. The Duke writes :—" A leg
of mutton was placed on my table which I consider was re-
markably good, cutting much firmer than any preserved
meat 1 had hitherto tasted. The officers liked what they
used, and the men highly approved of the beef which I gave
them to try. I consider that so far the trial is very satisfac
tory, but of course it remains to be proved whether the
meat will be as good after a longer time of keeping. Shouldt
such be the case, always remembering that preserved mss
can never be quite equal to fresh, I am certain that men!
who cannot afford to pay the present very high prices 1.11
England would gladly avail themselves of such good food
The meat preserved in tins, which is occasionally give° tf
the ships' companies of her Majesty's ships, more 051);.;
cially to the sick, during long voyages, as a change ire
the salt, is inferior in quality to that which you sent et
board, and I believe costs the Admiralty 11d. or IE4 Pe
lb. Should the Admiralty, therefore, approve your an
rior article—which, 1 understand, you could deliver et fiid
a lb.—they would make a great saving, and perhaps Wilt.
give the men more of it, which would be a great benefit.
the Royal navy. When I receive the other cases Wl3'eto
you propose to send me, with the tins painted, so as
withstand corrosion by the atmosphere at sea, I Will try
them on the homeward voyage, when they have Pam
through changes of climate, and let you know th

res
In
consequence of the death of Lady Harriette
Corry the Navy Estimates, whi.l vere to have been
moved to-day, will have to be postponed until after Baster,
unless, indeed, the precedent of last year shall be follow of
and they are moved by the Secretary, in the abseil° t°
the First Lord of the Admiralty. It would tend in u, be
eb"
the furtherance of public business if this course co lag
adopted, as the late meeting of Parliament and the del
caused by Mr. Disraeli's accession to the PremiersbiP
thrown all financial business largely into arrear.
WRECK OF A VESSEL.—On Monday, as the btroll4
Alliance, of Jersey, Captain Jackson, in ballast, from truck
don for the Tyne, was near Scarborough she was
by the screw collier J. M. Strachan u"
, also bound t° tot
Tyne. The Alliance went down in about five miti
The crew, eight in number, sprang up the side of the heck ail
steamer. Seven of them succeeded in getting on de spa
right, but the eighth, a seaman named Edward Squares
unable to hold on, and he fell into the water, but we,lli,
scued by a young foreigner, one of the crew of the
fake, named SehultL gar'
SIR RODERICK MURCIIISON.—Sir Roderick In
chison has been elected by the Academy of Seionce,,e,ra-
Paris foreign member, in place of the late Professor r.ttea
day. As a matter of form the decision has to be sag"'
to the Emperor for his confirmation. bat ie
All receive with satisfaction the announcement, t For/
consequence of the Reduction in Duty Hornino4
uth'3or joa
Teas are sold Bd. per pound Cheaper. 2,500 A
th
Agents—Confectioners in London and Chemists .
provinces—supply liornintan's Tea only in Packets.