The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-26 00:00:00

BANK OF CEYLON.

The third annual general meeting of the Bank of Cey-
lon was held on Thursday at the office of the Company,
in Old Broad-street. Mr. Cummings, one of the Direct-
ors, in the absence of the chairman, presided.
The CHAIRMAN read the Directors' report, which
stated that the business of the bank had considerably
increased during the past year, and the character of its
transactions had been secure and legitimate. This in-
crease they considered the more satisfactory, as it was
evidently connected with the advancing prosperity of
the colony. There had also been an increase of profits
during the year, and the Directors were still enabled to
state that no bad debt had been incurred by the bank
since the commencement of its business. The utmost
cordiality of feeling had been manifested towards the
concern by the merchants and planters in Ceylon, who
had steadily adhered to it as customers, notwithstand-
ing the solicitatiOns by the projectors of a rival establish-
ment. A branch establishment at Kandy had been in
most satisfactory operation during the past year. The
management of the business at the chief branch in Co-
lombo bad been such as to merit the approbation of the
Directors, who expressed their satisfaction with the ex-
ertions of the bank officers and local Directors in pro-
moting the interests of the corporation. The statement
of accounts up to the 30th of June last showed that, in
addition to the half-year's dividend paid in May, the
Directors were now enabled to declare a second half-
yearly dividend at the same rate of six per cent. per
annum on the paid-up capital of the bank ; the same to
be payable in this country on and after the 15th of
November next, and in Colombo as the manager shall fix
after receipt of advice.
On the motion of Mr. Stooks, seconded by Mr. Robin-
son, the report was received, adopted, and ordered to be
printed for circulation.
Colonel Sir F. Mulkey and Mr. Cummings were then
unanimously re-elected Directors of the bank.

The CHAIRMAN, in answer to a question from a pro-
prietor, stated that it was very probable that the increase
of steam communication with the island of Ceylo)n would
require the establishment of a branch at Point de Galle;
and the Directors were now making the necessary in-
quiries on the subject. In answer also to another ques-
tion, the Hon. Gentleman said that the only competitor
the Bank of Ceylon had in the island was a branch of
the bank of Western India ; but the former having pre-
occupied the ground, they had no fear of any opposition.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—The following fashionables
visited this elegant theatre during this week :—Earl of
Lonsdale, Earl of Westmoreland, Lord Ranelagh, Lord
Forrester, Lord Fitzroy Somerset, Lord Bruce, Lord
Gardener, Lord William Paget, Lord Augustus Fitz-
clarence, Lord Gordon and party, Colonel Webster,
Lady Hawley and party, Lady Westmeath and party,
Baroness French and party, Mrs. Fox and party, Sir
William Summers, Sir Henry Webb, Sir Geo. Smart,
Hon. George Wombwell, General Boardman and party,
Mr. Henry Broadwood, Mr. Claggett, Mr. Mitchell, &c.
FIRE AT A CAMPHOR REFINERY.—On Thursday, at
noon, a very alarming fire broke out in the extensive
premises belonging to Mr. Allder, camphor refiner,
situate in Seward-street, Goswell-road. It originated in
the refining-house, a building about 26 feet long by 15
wide, and which contained a valuable stock of camphor
undergoing the process of refinement. Such was the
inflammable nature of the contents that in the brief
space of five minutes the whole of the refining house
became enveloped in one broad sheet of flame, which
shot through the roof with the greatest fury, causing,
as might be supposed, the most lively apprehensions for
the safety of the contiguous buildings. The workmen
exerted themselves to the utmost, and endeavoured to
confine the: destructive element to that portion of the
premises where it commenced, but notwithstanding that
the place was covered with sheets of zinc, the fire
speedily travelled through the same, and communicated
to an adjoining building, about the same size as the
former one. Finding it impossible to get the mastery
of the flames without the aid of engines, information of
the outbreak was dispatched to Whitecross-street, and
other engine stations. Several of the brigade engines,
with the West of England one, promptly attended, and
there being a good supply of water, they were set to
work, and by carrying the hose through the front factory
the firemen were enabled to play with full vigour upon
the flames, thereby preventing the fire from extending,
further. The cause of the outbreak was the bursting
of a glass carboy used in the crystallizing process.
F. ortunately, the whole of the workmen escaped unin-
jured. We understand that the proprietor of the works.
Is uninsured.