The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-02 00:00:00

THE LONDON DOCKS.

The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the
London Docks was held yesterday, at the offices of
the company, in the New Bank-buildings; Mr.
Cutterell, chairman of the board of directors, in the
chair.

From the report read by the secretary, it appeared
that the number of loaded ships from abroad entered
into the docks for the six months ending the 30th
November last was 730, measuring 200,012 tons,
while the number for the corresponding six months
of 1848 was 983, measuring 234,426 tons. The
amount of earnings for the same period was
247,3001. Bs. Bd.; fur the corresponding period of
1848, 234,3901. 4s. Id. The deficiency of tonnage
for this year consisted principally :of grain-laden
vessels which produce very small revenues to the
docks.
,The expenditure for the six months of 1842
was 139,264/. 10s. 4d., compared with 132,9071. 1 ls.
9d. for the corresponding period of 1848. The balance
standing to the credit of the profit and loss account
was 247,9541. 2s. 11d., out of which the directors
proposed to pay a dividend for the six months of
21. 10s. per cent., amounting to 90,9571. 12s. 3d.,
leaving a balance in favour• of the cothpalif of
0166,926/:10s: Of this sum the directors propose
to appropriate 15,0001. to the credit of their account
" new works," which will reduce the amount under
that head to 33,9391. 7s. 11d. Of the balance stand-
ing to the profit and loss account, the sum of
189,6031.95. 4d. consists of outstanding charges due
to the company for goods now in the warehouses.
The stock of goods in the warehouses for the last six
months amounts to 127,825 tons, compared with
1-22,504 tons during the corresponding period of last
year. The report concluded by stating that the
directors had been forced to consider the necessity of
having new warehouse-room, especially for indigo;
and that they had concluded a contract with Messrs.
Cubitt and Co. for the erection of warehouses on the,
sole remaining plot of ground on the company's
premises, which were expected to be fieished by the
middle of the present year. The outlay was expected
to be 82,000/.

The CHAIRMAN said he would be happy to afford
information to any proprietor who might wish for
Mr. MATTHEW CLARK hoped the directors were
well satisfied that the new buildings were absolutely
necessary, and that they would be filled, otherwise it
would be throwing their money away. But what he
principally rose for was, to ask whether or not any-
thing could be done for the labourers of the London
Docks by building houses for them, which they
might have at a few shillings rent—yielding them
better accommodation than they now paid dearer for.
He knew they ought not to lay out their funds in
charity, or to let their benevolence supersede their
interest—(Loud cheers) —but he thought it would be
quite possible, while they consulted their interest, at
the same time to ameliorate the condition of their
labourers, by setting aside a small sum of money—
and it would not require a large sum—to be laid out
in erecting plain but suitable dwelling-houses for
their labourers, the rent of which, while moderate to
the occupants, would return a fair interest to the
company. The East and West India Dock Com-
pany had set an excellent example in this respect.
They had, much to their credit, commenced a num-
ber of labourers' cottages in immediate contiguity to
their docks ; and though he believed the rent of these
cottages would yield them five or six per cent., yet it
would also be a great boon to the labourer.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said he was much obliged to Mr.
Clark for putting the question. The subject had not
escaped the attention of the directors—(Hear, hear)
—though he must remind them that the situation of
the East and West India Dock Company was consi-
derably different from theirs, as they had abundance
of land outside their gates on which to build, while
they (the London Dock Company) had none what-
ever. They had, however, been making inquiries,
which, it was to be remembered, they must do very
cautiously ; because if it were known that the London
Dock Company were ma king inquiries for land, it
would certainly not tend to lessen the price—(Hear,
hear)—but there were two or three spare elocalities
in their neighbourhood which they had been after,
and they would still, as occasion served, continue
them. The subject, however, was rather for the
Court of Proprietors than for the directors, though
he dared to say the directors would not disagree
with whatever the proprietors might determine on.
The directors thought that if they could build a
number of suitable dwellings for a limited number
of preferable men, so that they could know where
to have them whenever they were wanted, it would
be a most desirable thing.--(Cheers.) With regard to
the new warehouses, he could assure Mr. Clark that
they were absolutely necessary. He hoped to see
them filled so soon as they were built; but even if
they were not, they would give great facilities to
carrying on the business of the docks, which was now
greatly incommoded for want of room.

- The report was then put arid carried unanimously.
The accounts of the company were read and laid
on the table.

The CHAIRMAN said he did not know that he had
anything to say beyond what was contained in the
report. The desire and the object of the directors was
to do their best to bring business to the docks, and he
hoped that upon the ►hole, though the number of
ships had not increased, yet the amount of goods had,
and the profits had also considerably increased. He
then !novel that a dividend of 21. 10s. per cent. for
the six months be declared, to be paid on the Bth inst.,
which was seconded, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Geo. Marshall was than elected a director in
room of Mr. Gore, deceased; after which thanks were
voted to the Chairmen, and the meeting separated.

ROYAL SOUTH LONDON DISPENSARY.

The annual general meeting of the governors and
friends of this dispensary was held last night in the
board room of the institution, St. George's Cross.
Mr. John Barnard presided.
The committee's report, which was unanimously
adopted, stated that the income of the charity for the
year ending the 25th uit., from subscriptions, dona-
tions, and dividends, amounted to 688/. 6s. 91, and
that, after defraying the expenses, a balance remained
at the banker's of 811. 18s. 41, besides 3/. 145. in the
hands of the secretary. It appeared that the annual
subscribers amount to 309, and that there is every
probability of the number being increased. The
number of patients in the year had bean 3,073. Of
these 2,405 had been discharged cured; 442 relieved,
40 had died, and 186 were remaining upon the books.
After the report had been adopted,
Mr. ILIFFe proposed several alterations in the
rules, which it was stated had been found necessary in
order to increase the efficiency of the institution. The
most important appeared to have relation to the me-
dical officers, the number of which, in future, was
directed to be regulated from time to time according
to the wants of the institution.

On the motion of Mr. LEWIS, a rule was added for
the appointment, at a subsequent period, of a surgeon-
dentist.

The rules, as amended, were then agreed to.
A motion was proposed by Mr. WATSON, and se-
conded by Mr. JONES, both surgeons to the charity,
to the effect that Mr. Hentsch, the resident medical
officer, should be required to visit the out-patients in a
certain district contiguous to the dispensary, in ad-
dition to his ordinary duties within the walls of the
institution. The motion was supported upon the
ground of the distance of the district from the resi-
dences of the surgeon, and of a more equitable divi-
sion of the labour with the resident medical officer.

Mr. FR&NES, a member of the committee, opposed
the motion. He argued that it was inexpedient, in-
asmuch as whatever time the resident medical officer
devoted to visiting outdoor patients must be taken
from his duties within doors.

Mr. LEWIS, who is also one of the surgeons, sup-
ported the motion upon the grounds of equity and
principle. The resident medical officer had a salary of
1301. per annum, a house, and was permitted tonl carry
on private practice, whilst the surgeons had only 601.yvery
per annum each, and were required
dtoinap
officer
I was
high qualifications. The re6identm
thereforee he ought
thus infinitely the best paid,
to be called upon to disclilliatri
proportion of duty.
dli.eti_nt
in seuudt I somethingi
ci en t time
to attend
question ; and indeeci
soi provided he received the
of6ol.
ot tliteo
di
os
to
the
ed
patients volunteered
WENTSCII denied this statement, and said he
salary
had never made any such offer.
Mr. LEWIS had been so informed. At all events
Mr. Hentsch was very well paid : he had privileges
which the out surgeons had not, and upon every prin-
ciple of equity he ought to be called upon to take
his fair proportion of out-door duty. Indeed he (Mr.
Lewis) had been told by Mr. Watson, and also by a
member of the committee, that Mr. Hentsch had said
he was prepared to take not a portion only, but the
whole of the out-door duty, provided he received the
salary.--(" No," from Mr. Hentsch.) This volun-
tary promise, as he understood, had been made at the
time when the late surgeons resigned in a body.
Mr, FRAIIICI observed that the whole of tho time