The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-17 00:00:00

GENERAL CREDIT AND DISCOUNT (LIMITED).

The half-yearly meeting of this company was
held yesterday at the City Terminus Hotel, Can-
non-street; Mr. J. Bramley-Moore in the chair.
The report stated that, notwithstanding the con-
tinued dulness of business and cheapness of money,
the profits made during the current year enabled
them to make the payment on account of dividend
authorised by the articles—viz., "at the rate of 5
per cent. per annum," for the six months ended the
30th of June last. The directors regretted to state
that the provisional arrangement made with the
late Portuguese Ministry in October, 1867, for a
settlement of the claims of the South-Eastern of
Portugal Railway, would not receive the sanction
of the Cortes. The question, however, was now
before that body, with a view to a settlement on
another basis.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, said they were restricted by their charter
from dividing more than 2i per cent. for the first
half of the year. The business of the company was
steadily increasing, and they were able to pay the
dividend which had been fairly earned. The active
capital of the company had to do duty for itself as
well as the capital that was locked up. To
show the confidence of the public in the under-
taking he mentioned that the deposits, which
stood at £123,455 on the 30th of June last year,
had been increased this year to £1,509,796. This
had been done by the aid of their shareholders,
who had thus greatly benefited the undertaking,
and he hoped they would continue those efforts
which could not fail to benefit the concern still fur-
ther. With regard to what he might call the " lock-
ups" there was the money lent to the South Eastern
of Portugal Railway, but he hoped that the recent
crisis in Lisbon would result in benefit to the com-
pany. He had every confidence that some reason-
able course would be adopted by the Government.
The Duke de L'Aunay, a man of high honour, had
been requested to form a new Ministry, and unless
overruled by the democratic element, he had no
doubt that some plan would be devised for the
settlement of the company's claim in respect of
the South Eastern of Portugal Railway that they
could accept. The claim had been urged on
two successive Governments, including both sides.
He then alluded to their claims on the London,
Chatham, and Dover Railway Company, and said,
although a bill in Chancery had been filed by them
against the Chatham Company, in March, 1867,
no answer had yet been put in, but they would
soon be compelled to do so, as the 24th inst. was
the latest time they could put in answer. The di-
rectors were still confident in the justice of their
claim on the Chatham Company, and that the final
issue must be in favour of this company.
Mr. G. Woßms seconded the motion for the
adoption of the report, including the interim divi-
dend, and it was carried unanimously.
The proceedings concluded with thanks to the
chairman and directors, and also to Mr. J. Mac-
donald, the general manager.

A gorgeous flag for the Chinese Embassy has
just boon made in Boston, by order of his Excellency,
Anson Burlingame. It is of yollow bunting, 30 by 20, and
displays upon its folds a monster dragon in blue.

The Profile house in the Franconia notch is now,
open, and the stages have commenced their regular trips
The railway to the summit of Mount Washington is
completed to within a mile of the Tip Top House, and
it is expected that the whole will be finished by the 4th
of August. The landlords of the several hotels in the
mountains aro the same as for several years past.

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MEE7ING OF MIDDLESEX MAGIS-
TRATES.

A meeting of the magistrates of, the county of
Middlesex was held yesterday at,the Sessions House,
Clerkenwell.
ELECTION OF TIIE CHAIRMAN OF 'THE COURT.
Mr. Kemshead, in the absence of .a chairman, took
the chair.

Mr. ARMSTRONG moved that Mr. Henry Pownall
be elected for the next twelve months.

11Ir. JAMES BENSLEY said he had much pleasure
in seconding the motion.
The resolution was put and carried unanimously.
Mr. POWNALL, in returning thanks, said it was
the twenty-fifth time they had yearly elected him
chairman of the court. They had known him so
long and so well that he hoped they would not
measure by his feebleness of expression the strength
of the feeling with which he received that renewed
proof of their confidence. He thanked them most
sincerely for this renewed mark of their favour,and,
under God's blessing, he hoped to labour with them
for a few years longer.