The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, RINE 19, 1868.

which our Abyssinian post-office, in its inscru table
wisdom, vouchsafes, and to which experience has
taught us its weak creatures meekly to bow,
no English newspapers have been delivered
by the last mail. The second great question,
therefore, has had no light publicly thrown
upon it. • Bat privately letters have been re-
ceived of a very reassuring tone, and whereas
the debate in camp used to turn upon whether
there would be any Abyssinian medal and extra
pay, it now turns upon whether the medal will be
of a becoming pattern, and whether the extra pay
is to be for six months or a year. The latter pro-
blem receives, as a rule, the more favourable solu-
tion, greater confidence being felt in the generosity
of the country than in its good taste. Various de-
vices have, hoWever, already been sent home, and
it is hoped that for once there will not be the usual
unnatural divorce between beauty and the emblem
of valour. Theo lore himself recently created a
very becoming order, from which (if it be considered
scarcely dignified to copy altogether an Abyssinian
device) at least a hint might be made, or St. George,
as the patron saint both of England and of Abys-
sinia, might be made to do appropriate service
with his dragon.

Apropos of the notice taken of the Abyssinian
campaign by the English press, I may mention that
the cartoon in Punch representing Sir R. Napier's
introduction to the Duke of Cambridge and un-
gracious reception, however cleverly it may hit off
the relations ordinarily existing between the Horse
Guards and the Indian service, is out here consi-
dered by no means fair or applicable in this parti-
cular instance. Sir Robert Napier has not, indeed,
bun so fortunate as to escape all opposition,
although, as you point out in your leading article of
the 28th ult., he has been less fettered than the
majority of distinguished English Generals. Intone
or two influential quarters he has met with an op-
position which might have seriously hampered the
plans of a less determined man. But it is only
common justice to make it known that from the
Duke of Cambridge Sir Robert, so far from being
thwarted or cold-shouldered, has invariably re-
ceived in all his suggestions throughout this cam-
paig❑ the warmest encouragement and support.

RAILWAY INIELLIGEYCE.

GRAND TRUNii. OF CANADA.

A meeting of stock and bond holders in this com-
pany was held yesterday at the London Tavern—
Mr. A. Creak in the chair. There was a large at-
tendance of proprietors.

•
The CHAIRMAN commenced the proceedings by
reading the notice convening the meeting, which
was held in consequence of the directors having re-
fused to furnish a list of the registered proprietors
to Messrs. Marshall, Paine, and Co. ; and also for
the purpose of considering the position of- the com-
pany, and as to whether they should ask for the re-
signation of the present Board. The advertisement
was signed by Mr. Hartridge and himself. He had
no wish to enter into the turmoils of publi3 life,
but having proposed a resolution at the last meet-
ing for the purpose of bring:ng about a ch Inge in
the management of their affairs, he had been
requested by several gentlemen who bad sup-
ported his views at the half-yearly meeting to
continue his exertions. Having incurred a certain
amount of responsibility in proposing that resolu-
tion, and Mr. Hartridge having seconded it, they
had now to stand the brunt of a very disagreeable
affair. It was with a view to improve the position
of the company and to bring about a more satisfac-
tory state of things in respect of their mismanaged
property that he was induced to act in this matter.
Much dissatisfaction had been expressed by the pro-
prietors at what they considered the mismanage-
ment of their affairs. At the last meeting several
proprietors not only desired a change in the manage-
ment in Canada, but also in London. It was very
hard that they had not received any satisfactory
explanation of the matters cotnplainA of. The
conduct of the gentleman in the chair, on the occa-
sion referred to with regard to the voting, was very
unsatisfactory, although it was considered by
some very clever for the chairman to declare
that the proposition moved by him and seconded
by Mr. Hartridge was not carried. Several share-
holders had expressed great dissatisfaction at the
state of affairs, and Mr. Hitter felt that the time
had come when they should be informsd as to who
their partners were. Mr. Paine and others were
desirous of having a list of the stockholders and a
change iu the management. He then referred to a
cireular letter that had been sent to Mr Hartridge
and himself in consequence of their advertisement
calling the present meeting. The letter informed
them that if it should be the pleasure of the share-
holders at the next general meeting to instruct the
Board to apply for further power in respect of grant-
ing a list of the bond and stock holders, such power
would forthwith be applied for. They were asked
to point out, specifically, any things,
either as
regarded the present or the future, which
were considered wrong or undesirable in the
management of the undertaking. It stated that
this practical request the Board felt bound to
urge, in the interest of the bond and stock holders
generally ; and that the Board felt themselves
personally entitled to insist upon this point, because
of their stake in the undertaking, the actual hold-
ing of themselves and their firms being at this mo-
ment represented by £1,170,000 of ordinary and
preference stocks (entirely irrespective of leased
lines, equipment bonds, and postal bonds), which
the board thought must incline them to seek for
the means of promoting the wellbeing of the under-
taking. In justice to the board, he felt bound to
read the letter, in which was enclosed a pamphlet
by Mr. Brydges, their managing director in Canada,
explaining how it was that the Great Western of
Canada could obtain their wood fuel on better
terms than the Grand Trunk could, and some
other matters as to the general expenditure, but it
was too long to read, and he thought it was not a
satisfactory explanation. lie had three resolutions
to submit to the meeting. The first resolution was
" That this meeting entirely disapproves the reso-
lution of the board not to supply the requisition-
ists with a list of the bond and stock holders."
There was nothing whatever in the Com-
pany's Acts to prevent the directors giv-
ing a list, if they felt so inclined. lie found
that Mr. Watkin, at the. Manchester Association
meeting had advocated the issue of a printed list of
shareholders in every English railway company, to
be sold at 2s. 6d. each copy ; and therefore he could
not understand how Mr. Watkin could refuse the
proprietors a list of the stockholders, &c., in this
case. He would•call upon Mr. Handyside to se-
cond the motion, as he held £lOO,OOO stock in the
company, and was greatly interested in the success
of the concern.

Mr. FILLIES, M.P., contended that Mr. Brydges'
letter should have been read to the meeting. (Cries
of " No, no.")
Mr. H. R. PRICE considered that it was the duty
of the directors to give the proprietors the list of the
bond and stockholders. He believed, if they per-
severed, the list would be granted.
Mr. C. LEGG regretted that the directors should
have refused the list of stockholders. He thought
it a bad precedent; and it looked like a desire to put
off the evil daj as long as possible.
Mr. CONEYBEAItE hoped the proprietors would
carry the resolution unanimously.

The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.

The CIIAIMIAN said the second resolution he had
to submit was to the effect, that in the opinion of
the meeting the time had arrived when the interests
of the Co npany would be best served
.by the retire-
] lent of the present board. Ile meant the London
Board. Ile then at considerable length argued that
the retirement of those gentlemen would be bene-
ficial to the undertaking. Most of the gentlemen
on the board were of high standing, great ability,
and were constantly engaged in most important
affairs fur the .nselves and others. Their business
was so vast tb at it was impossible for them to attend
sufficiently to the details of the Grand Trunk Rail-
way so as to make it a successful and remunerative
undertaking. On comparing the traffic receipts of
1867 with those of 1835 he found they were £16,000
less and expenses
185,000 more than in 1865, includ-
ing an increase ix] the train mileage of 357,000 miles.

On comparing this result with the Great Western of
Canada he found that the latter had an increase in
their receipts for 1867 of £95,000, and an increase
in the working expenses of £55,000, as compared
with 1865, showing a profit on that increased traffic
of £40,000. The reports of the company appeared
to him to have been drawn up so as to suit each
occasion, and to tide over, as it were, each half-
yearly meeting, without apparently carrying out
any general plan of operation. They were told in
December, 1863, that £70,000 a year would be
sufficient to renew the permanent way in five years
and extinguish it out of revenue, but before that
time expired their principal officer told them, at the
end of 1366, that they would require to expend for
the next three years £125,000 a year on those re-
newals. They were told that 783 miles had been
renewed, leaving about 600 miles to renew. But,
unfortunately, that was not all ; they were told by
Captain Tyler that 200 miles of rails so renewed
would have to be taken up and renewed with bet-
ter rails. 'The expenditure on the renewal of the
permanent way up to the end of last year had been
£259;000 in four years, instead of £350,000 esti-
mated in 1863 for five years, lie then referred
to the accurate manner in which the estimate by
the engineer of ;the Great Western of Canada had
been carried out. In 1861 he estimated that
£361,000 would be required for renewals of the
Great Western line in the course of the following 5I
years. The chairman then went into several de-
tails respecting the management of the company's
affairs, showing how inconsistent they appeared to
him, and concluded by trusting that the affairs of
the company would be placed in the hands of as
honourable gentlemen as they now had on the
board, who could afford to devote exclusively their
time and attention to the interests of that great
company. (Cheers.)

Mr. RITTER seconded the motion, and in doing
so entered into 'many points connected with the
management of which he did not approve. Ile had
attended their meetings for llyears without taking
any part in the proceedings until it was proposed to
level the priorities of the first and second pre-
ferences with the third and fourth preference,
which was what he and others could not consent to,
and he thought it ever since his duty to keep a
strict look out for his property.
An amendment, to the effect that the resolution
be not entertained until after the next half-yearly
meeting of the company, was negatived, there being
one hand in favour of it.

The motion was then carried by the meeting,
-xhich was a very large one, there being only one
dissentient.

On the motion of Mr. lIARTRIDGE, seconded by
Mr. ELLIS, a resolution was unanimously carried
to the effect that a committee be appointed (with
power to add to their numbar) to communicate the
resolutions of the meeting to the existing board;
and to tak.3 such other steps as they might deem
necemary to protect and promote the interests of
the company ; an 1 that such committee consist of
Mr. A. Creak, Mr. Ihrtrilge, Mr. Ritter, Mr.
handy side, Mr. Staples, Mr. R. Haig, and Mr. L.
P.. i n e.

Mr. ADAMS recommended the committee to get
the best and m'st influential men in the company
they could to assist them.

The prouedingi concluied with a vote of thanks
to the chairman.

PROGRESS IN MEAT PRESERVATION.

-0--
(From the Melbourne Argus).

The loud complaints arising from the over-supply
of meat in the eastern and southern parts of in-
habited Australia, and the under-supply of meat in
the Halted Kingdom and the more thickly popu-
lated portions of the continent of Europe, have now
fairly turned the general attention to the subject
here, and hence we have to include a fresh item of
news in our budget for home. We have to com-
municate, therefore, the following intelligence :
The first general meeting of the Melbourne Meat..
preserving Company has been held, and judging
from the report of the proceedings there seems a
likelihood of our surplus stock of meat being, by
the agency of this association, turned to profitable
account. As we have already informed our English
readers, the b Isis of this company is Mr. 'S. S.
Ritchie's process, which has been successfully sub-
jected to numerous stringent trials. It is not quite
a new one, having been known and tested for at
least twenty years, and not the least experiment
attempted is its keeping for two years, and then
being found deliciously fresh on opening. The
present enterprise is on an apparently thoroughly
sound basis, and the capital required for the start
has been freely subscribed. The company is for-
tunate in having secured the services of Mr. Ritchie,
who, with Mr. M'Call, was formerly proprietor of
a meat-preserving establishment in Great Britain,
and has had much experience in the business.
There have been unnumbered processes of meat-
preserving designed, but the advantage of
Mr. Ritchie's is, that it is thoroughly practicable.
The Contemporary Review for February, in an article
on " The Food of the People," speaks highly of it,
and quotes the opinion of the committee of the So-
ciety of Arts that it is " the only plan by which
they have as yet found that unsalted meat in a
healthy, edible condition has been generally im-
ported." The process is no longer experimental,
therefore, but as an absolute commercial fact com-
mends itself to business men. The British public
may feel assured that they will have a fair oppor-
tunity of ascertaining the merits of the article which
it is proposed to produce.
At the monthly meeting of the Rcyal Society, a
paper written by Mr. Postle was read by Mr. Ellery
"On the Preservation of Meat by Freezing." The
system proposed by Mr. Postle differs materially from
others now in operation, and notably from that of
Mort. Instead of using ammonia or ether, he pro-
poses by the extraction of the heated air to reduce
the atmosphere below freezing point, and to main-
tain it in this condition by supplying a stream of
cold air. A good deal of discussion took place on
the subject, and the opinion of the scientific gentle-
men present seemed generally to be that Mr.
Postle's theory was accurate. Mr. Napier, a mem-
ber of the well-known ship-building firm on the
i Clyde, stated that Sir W. Thompson had adopted
the same principle for a reverse purpose, namely, to
create artificial heat in a cold room. Professor
M'Coy seemed to think that the system would be
more expensive than the freezing process by am-
monia or ether ; but Mr. Postle himself believed
that it would be less costly. There appears to be
no doubt that the matter is worthy of further in-
vestigation and experiment.
A new system of meat preservation has been in-
troduced to the public by a Mr. Sayce, who, when
carrying on the business of a druggist in Mel-
bourne, occasionally distinguished himself by his
local manufactures in his own line. A few days
since several gentlemen met at the stores of Mr.
W. B. Jones, Collins-street, west, for the purpose
of testing the merit of the new plan. The process
was found to consist in the injection of a fluid not
hitherto used for the purpose, and it is said that
joints can'be cured this way as expeditiously and as
cheaply as by the common mode of salting. A cask
of mutton, killed in the hot weather two months ago,
and subjected to Mr. Sayce's process, was opened
on this occasion. The meat was found to be
perfectly sweet, and portions _which had been
cooked were fresh and juicy ; but it remains to be
proved whether meat so cured will pass successfully
through the ordeal of long sea voyages. However,
the plan has been sufficiently successful to warrant
the carrying out of experiments on a larger scale.
From Sydney we learn that the project for ship-
ping a trial cargo to Eegland of meat preserved by
Mort's freezing process is likely to be carried out in a
short time. The committee appointed report that
the amount promised for the purpose approximates
to the sum of £5,000, a considerable proportion of
which is from Queensland. Mr. Mort considers
that the meat should be purchased so as to be in
course of delivery during the months of July and
August, and he entertains hapes of being able to
1 send the ship from the colony with the meat during
the month of September.

EXCLUSIVE, VEILY IMPORTANT, RARE, AND VALUABLE
are the propertie3 of Lamplough's Pyretic Saline, curing the
NTs:m.4 headaches, sickness, skin, or binary affections. Pleasant,
alatable, and invilorating. Sold by all Chemists.—[Advl.]