The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-28 00:00:00

EASTERN COUNTIES.

[The following appeared in part of our imprasion of
yesterday :—]

This afternoon the half-yearly meeting of this com-
pany was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-
street ; Mr. Ralph Waters, Chairman of the Board of
Directors, in the chair.

The report and statement of accounts, already pub-
lished in The Sun, were taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said he had mach pleasure in congratulating the meet.
ing that they had now better prospects before them.
Everything had been done, during the byegone half.
year, for the benefit of the company, so far as devising
schemes and plans for that purpose were concerned. The
directors might have erred—doubtless they had on some
particular points—but everything had been done by the
directors to benefit the proprietors of this great company.
(Loud cheers.) In moving the adoption of the
report he did so with great pleasure, inasmuch
as it exhibited to them a great deal more information
than had ever been presented to them before at any pre-
vious half-yearly meeting —(hear, bear)— and be told
them that so far as he knew and believed the report he
held in his hand contained " the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth." (Cheers.) The hon. gentle-
man then referred to the accounts. The gross earnings
of the company for the half-year bad been 77,8561.,
and the shareholders would see from the accounts
that those receipts had been well applied. The
charges on the debit side of that account showed
v3i7z4.:3E3a52/t.elr6ns.c3olunt,es Railway 5-7th,
. leaving 343,5281. 12e. sd. for division,
245,3741. sd. ;
Nod 1-7th 49,0741. 16e. ; and the Eastern Union
I.7th 49,0741. 16s. The reduction of expenses during
the half year had engaged the earnest consideration of
the directors, and with that view they had abolished the
office of treasurer, as being unnecessary, and the direc-
tors were alm of opinion that it would be to the interest
of the shareholders that an amalgamation should
take place. (El ear, heat..) The capital account
had increased, but not to the extent that might, have
been expected last half-year. By abolishing the office of
treasurer, and appointing a cashier a saving had been
effected, and a more efficient check had been introduced.
The hon. gentleman next referred to the alterations in-
troduced in the management of the line, and said in con-
sequence of what bad occurred he bad examined
the register of shares, and he was happy to say
that he had found everything correct. (Hear,
hear.) He next alluded to the permanent way de-
partment, which was being put into an efficient
state, and in reference to passenger fares and season
tickets re-echoed the paragraphs in the report in regard
to it, observing that the inconvenience complained
of by many gentlemen was necessary, it having been
found that one person had travelled for 17 months over
the line with an old season ticket. He then went through
the various paragraphs in the report as to stones, coal
traffic, &c., and with reference to the latter said that
every person using the line should be placed on the same
footing as regarded charges. (Hear.) In conclusion
he referred to the East Suffolk Railway Bill now before
referred to it
Parliament, and in speaking of the London, Harwich,
terms,Steam
nPda
assuredck et Companythe
meeting that what
the directors had done with reference to that company
had been done with a view to benefit the Eastern Rail-
wayin and
encouraging Continental
shareholders. (Hear.) He hoped that there were
better times in store for them, and that there was
something 1 coming in the future that would
benefit this great and extensive undertaking. (Cheers.)
The hon. gentleman moved the reception and adoption
of the report amidst loud cheers.

Dr. RILEY seconded the motion, and congratulated
the meeting on the satisfactory nature of the report.
After some discussion the report was agreed to, and a
dividend was declared of ss. per share on the consoli-
dated stock ci the company, amounting to 72,9201.
2s. 7d., leaving a balance of 7,5181. 2s. 6d., to be carried
forward to the next half-year.
The election of two directors was then proceeded with,
in nom of Mr. Packe and Mr. Broadbent, who retired
by rotation.
On a show of bands for the several candidates, the
numbers were for Mr. Norris unanimous, Mr. Broad-
bent 19, Mr. Mayhew 7, Mr. Packe 64, Mr. Henry
Haines 17.
The CHAIRMAN declared Mr. J. T. Norris and Mr.
Packe duly tlected.
Mr. Super was elected an auditor.
A. vote of thanks was passed to the chairman and
directors (with loud cheery) ; also a Vote of thanks to
the traffic manager and secretary.
The proceedings then terminated.

NORFOLL—The half-yearly meeting of this company
in the chair. The
Molt
meetipt)l;cl,3 yesterday,vasfordelitiiTrgitea,
dEiveiqd.e,nd
of 2 per cent. for
the half-year on the ordinary stock, and the various di-
vidends on the guaranteed stock.,

SOVTII YORKSIIIRE.—The half-yearly meeting of this

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