The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-13 00:00:00

!MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

FROM THE AIORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
CITY, MONDAY EVENING.
TIMES.—The Dutch mail arrived this morning, with
a decree for the reduction of the Old Five per Cents.
The Government will proceed on the Ist of October to
this reduction, when a portion will be drawn for pay-
ment. The holders of the drawn bonds will have the
option of receiving their money in Holland, subject to
exchange on remittance, or to accept Four per Cent.
bonds at a rate not yet fixed. This decree creates no
surprise, since from the clause in the decree for the con-
version of the "Indians" which relates to the Old Fives,
it was evident that some plan for the conversion of these
also was in contemplation, otherwise there would have
been no reason fur the holders to avail themselves of the
option offered them. The price at which the change of
the Old Fives is to be effected is, as will be perceived,
left open, and the object is probably to make the
holders come forward and take the terms offered by the
former decree, viz., 4 per cents bonds at 95k, with 41
per cent. in money. Persons who are willing to ac-
cept these terms, and not to wait the event of draw-
ing, when perhaps less advantageous conditions may
be offered, should signify their intention to the London
agents by the 16th inst. at the latest, as the list at
Amsterdam will not be open for subscribers after the
20th inst.
At the meeting of the Chester and Holyhead Railway
held to-day, a letter was read from Sir George Clerk,
stating that as Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Goulburn were
both out of town, it was not in his power to make any
communication on the part of Government to be sub-
mitted to the meeting. This had reference to the nego-
tiation at present pending between the Government and
the Company, relative to the mail service proposed to
be performed by the Company; and as this was the chief
object of the meeting, an adjournment was made until
the 30th inst. It appears that the Directors ask
40,000/. for carrying the mails, which is stated to be a
reasonable and a less sum than that for which the Go-
vernment can do it; and Mr. Glyn expressed his opinion
that the Company should maintain its position with
firmness in requiring that amount from the Government
for the service.
SUN.—The English Stock Market closed firmer this
afternoon, Consols being 99A to f for Account, and 99
to * for Money. India Stock improved to 284. There
was no alteration in the heavy stocks.
The Foreign Bonds continued as dull as in the morn-
ing. Spanish Actives were 221, and the Three per Cents.
remained without the slightest alteration. Portuguese
Converted touched 43+ to 44. Belgian were 1031, and
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. 61* to 61+.
The additional transactions in Railway Shares have
been these :—Birmingham and Gloucester, New, 10 to
10* ; Dublin and Cashel, 3* ; Edinburgh and Glasgow,
Quarter, 3*; Great North of England, 7; Great Western,
61i to 62 ; Birmingham, 130 i; Croydon, 51 ; Man-
chester and Leeds, 50 ; Ditto and Birmingham, 144 to
15 ;'Midland, 9 ; Newcastle and Darlington, 21 to I ;
Northern and Eastern Scrip, 11 ; Ditto Quarter, 4 ;
Norwich and Brandon, 10 to 11 ; South-Eastern, 5* ;
Ditto New, 8* ; Trent Valley, 7* ; Whitehaven and
Maryport, 4 ; Yarmouth and Norwich, New, 124; York
and North Midland, Scarborough branch, 224 ; and
Orleans, Tours, and Bordeaux, * premium. Caledonian
have been 14 ; Eastern Counties, 101- to ; and Brigh-
ton, 1 discount. North British were at par. Australasia
Bank Shares were 10, and London Joint-stock 4 pram.

NATIONAL SWIMMING MATCHES
Yesterday the swimming matches under the superin-
tendence of the National Society for the promotion of
that healthful and necessary art, commenced on the Ser-
pentine River, llyde-park. This Society was founded
by Mr. Strachan, of Westminster, on the Ist of January,
1836, and is now under the patronage of several mem-
bers of the ncbility and other distinguished individuals.
The matches brought about by it reflect much credit on
its promoters and supporters. Since the commencement
no less than SG valuable prizes have been presented for
competition to swimming societies in various parts of
England, Ireland, and Scotland. The weather yester-
day morning being exceedingly unpropitious, the attend-
ance was not numerous. At about half-past six o'clock
the first match commenced. On a signal being given
each time, the competitors plunged in the water simul-
taneously, and swam about 110 yards. The matches
will continue until Friday, which will be the grand day.
There was not a sufficient entry for the silver medals, in
consequence of the weather, but notwithstanding there
was an excellent morning's sport. The following is the
result as declared:—