The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-05 00:00:00

the income-tax, and making provision for
all bad and doubtful debts.

£117,904 15 4

Balance of unappropriated profits brought
down
Mr. WHisirAw proposed—" That the report now read be
adopted, and printed and circulated among the Proprietors."
He congratulated the meeting on the dividend which had
been declared—a dividend which was not obtained by that
attractive, or, perhaps, lie should rather say, clap- trap
system, which was adopted by some other banks, of allowing
a per centage upon current accounts, and which was, on
that account, the more gratifying.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
He did not know whether or not the Directors were
sufficiently remunerated ; but he rather thought that
an increase ought to be made in the scale of allowance.
At all events there was another class of persons to whom
they were greatly indebted for their prosperity, who he
believed, were not adequately paid for their
services. This subject was one which he thought
well deserved the consideration of the Directors The
duties of such persons were laborious and responsible; and as
the bank was in a thriving condition, he was of opinion that
the scale of remuneration ought to be revised. Ranking, as
they did, as the first joint-stock bank in the country, it was
mainly to the exertions of their clerks that they owed that
position.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. VAUGHAN, in seconding the resolution, expressed his
concurrence in what had been said in reference to the remu-
neration of the clerks of the Company. He also expressed
a regret that the reports were not of a more detailed nature.
It would be desirable, he thought, that they should
have an account of the expenses of the Princes-street
and Pall-mall establishments. The establishment in
St. James's-square, with a resident Director, must entail
a large expense on the Company. He very much doubted
the propriety of the step which had been taken, thinking,
as he (lid, that it would be better to concentrate the business
of the bank in the central office.
Mr. LEVY said he considered that the Proprietors had
no right whatever to interfere with the salaries of
the clerks; that was a matter which should be left altogether
to the Directors, who knew better than they did what was
the best course to be pursued.—(Hear, hear.) He had,
known three cases in which persons, whose salaries had
been increased, had afterwards run away with the
money of the bank.—( Laughter.) There was one
point in connexion with the amount of business
to which he wished to call the attention of the Chairman.
They all knew that Sir Peter Laurie was a patriet—i very
great patriot.—(Laughter.) Now when Sir Peter proposed
Sir W. Heygate as Chamberlain he made it a condition that
he should place his accounts, which Lad formerly been kept
at Smith and Payne's, in the Union Bank.—(Loud
Laughter.) When Sir William Heygate died, and
Mr. Brown was solicited to fill the vacancy, he also having
extensive accounts, had the same request made to him by Sir
Peter.—(Laughter.) He recommended this example to the
Chairman and the Directors.—(Laughter.)
Mr. TITE concurred in what had been said as to the desira-
bleness of giving more detailed accounts. He had often heard
the subject mentioned amongst men of business. He thought
the accounts should be similar to those of the Bank of
England.
The CHAIRMAN said the question mentioned by the last
speaker was undoubtedly one of great importance. It should
be taken into consideration by the Directors, and the sug-
gestion should either be complied with, or some satis-
factory reason should be assigned at the next meeting
for withholding more minute information.—(Hear, hear.)
With regard to remuneration, he thought they had
better resign this subject to the board of Directors.
They might feel assured that the same liberal
spirit which had prompted the remarks made on
that point would actuate the Directors themselves. With
respect to their branch establishments, he only hoped that
they might never make a worse investment of money than
they had done in the case at least of that in St. James's-
square. The whole establishment, so eligible in itself, had not
cost them more than 12,0001., and that amount was reduced
by the letting of the stabling, and other parts of the building
which were not required for the purposes of the bank.
The resolution for the adoption of the report was then
carried unanimously.
Mr. MURRAY proposed the following resolution :—" That
the cordial thanks of the meeting be presented to the Directors
for their able and successful government of the bank during
the past year; and this meeting congratulates the Directors
that the privileges for which they had so long contended have
at last been so successfully obtained."
Mr. Cox seconded the resolution, which was put and car-
ried.

Captain MANDERSON moved " That Matthew Boulton
Rennie, Charles Gibbes,:and William Haigh, Esqs., be re-
elected as Directors "
➢Zr. SIIARLAND seconded the resolution, which was put
and carried unanimously.
Mr. BADDELEY moved " That the cordial thanks of this
meeting be presented to James William Gilbart, Esq., the
general manager, and the other managers and officers of the
Bank, for their effective services."
Mr. MORGAN having seconded the resolution, it was agreed
to unanimously.
Mr. MoßsoN proposed " That the cordial thanks of the
meeting be offered to P. ➢i. Stewart, Esq., M.P., for his able
and courteous conduct in the chair."
The resolution having been seconded, and carried by ac-
clamation,
The Cluirot-vx briefly returned thanks, and the meeting
separated.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.
(THIS DAY.)
Sub. Committee No. 4 assembled in No. 8 Committee-
room. Present, Mr. Aglionby, Chairman, Mr. Thornely,
Mr. Buller, Mr, T. Egerton, and Mr. Barneby.
CORNWALL RAILWAY.

The CHAIRMAN inquired if Mr. Harvey appeared upon
his petition ; but no one answered, and the Bill was about to
be proceeded with as an unopposed Bill, when
Mr. SMYTHE applied to appear on a petition presented by
Mr. Thomas against the Bill on Friday last.
The CHAIRMAN said that no one could appear on a petition
which had not been presented three days before the sitting
of the Committee to which it had been referred. Mr. Smythe
could not therefore appear; but the Committee would call
evidence if they thought proper.
Mr. Buitim then proceeded with the case in support of the
Bill.

Captain Moorsom was examined as to the accuracy of the
plan. Several minor inaccuracies were discovered, and the
Committee reported accordingly.
At the conclusion of Captain Moorsom's evidence strangers
were ordered to withdraw, and the Committee, after delibe-
rating for nearly an hour-and-a-half, decided that they were
satisfied with the evidence on the plans, and they did
not require any other witness to be examined. They laid
it down as a rule, however, that they would hear any wit-
ness who might be in the room, and who was ready to be
examined on any point_ upon which the Committee might
entertain a doubt.
The Committee then adjourned.

MPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.

Mr. WRIOIITSON presented a petition from Don-
caster against certain clauses in the Yorkshire and
South Midland Railway Bill.
The Ulster Railway Bill was brought up, read a first
time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow.
Sir F. TRENCH brought in the Scarborough Water
Works Bill, which was read a first, and ordered to be
read a second time to-morrow.

The HON. MEMBER also brought in the Sheffield
Water Works Bill, which was read a first, and ordered
to be read a second time tomorrow.

- - Petitions were presented against the Hull and Selby
Branch Railway Bill.
The report was brought up on the Trent Valley Rail-
way Bill. The Committee reported that the stand-
ing orders had been complied with, and leave was given
to bring in the Bill by Lord F. Egerton and others.
Mr. FERRAND presented petitions 'in favour of the
London, Chatham, and North Kent Railway Bill.
Sir J. LOWTHER brought in the York and North
Midland Railway Bill, which was read a first, and or-
dered to be read a second time to-morrow.

The York and North Midland (Bridlington Branch)
Railway was read a second-time, and ordered to be com-
mitted to. morrow. _ _

Britten's Divorce Bill was read a second time, and or-
dered to be committed. _

PROPERTY-TAX BILL.

Sir J. TROLLOPE presented a petition from Long
Sutton, in Lincolnshire, against that part of the Pro-
perty-tax Bill that affected trades and professions.
ANATOMY ACT.

Mr. FERRAND presented a petition from Dewsbury
against the operation of the Anatomy Act, and praying
for a searching inquiry. The Hon. Member also pre-
sented a similar petition from Orpington.
Lord CLIVE presented petitions against the union
of the sees of Bangor and St. Asaph.
THE PLYMOUTH GAS BILL.

Viscount EBRINGTON gave notice that he should
move that it be an instruction to the Committee of
Selection to refer the Plymouth and Stonehouse Gas
Bill, and the Devonport Gas and Coke Company Bill to
the same Committee.
WEST CORNWALL RAILWAY.

Mr. E. TURNER brought up the West Cornwall
Railway Bill, which was read a first time.
HARWICH RAILWAY.

The HON. MEMBER also brought up the Harwich Railway
(promoted by the Eastern Counties) Bill, which was also
read a first time.
LONDON AND CROYDON.

The HON. MEMBER then presented a petition praying for
the extension of the London and Croydon Railway.
RYE AND TENTERDEN.
Mr. BLEW ITT presented a petition praying for
leave to bring in a Bill to construct a line of railway
between Rye, Tenterden, and Hastings.—Referred to the
Select Committee.
SOLICITORS' ANNUAL CERTIFICATES.
Mr. B. DENISON presented a petition from the soli-
citors of Northallerton praying that the annual certifi-
cate duty should be abolished.
Mr. GEORGE BANKES presented a petition from a
medical gentleman named Henry Charles Leeson, who
complained that the Poor- law Commissioners had come to
a determination which he thought unfavourable to him.
He also prayed for an alteration in the law respecting
the powers of the Poor-law Commissioners over medical
practitioners.
DUTIES ON COPPER ORES.
Mr. J. PARKER gave notice that, in the Committee
of Ways and Means, he intended to move an ameirdmeLt
to the effect that the duties on copper ores imported for
the purposes of reduction, be remitted.
RAILWAYS TO DORSETSHIRE.
Mr. G. BANKES gave notice that in the Committee
on Private Business he should move that copies of all the
memorials which had been presented to the Board of
Trade respecting the construction of railways to Dor-
setshire be laid on the table.
CONDITION OF THE AGRICULTURAL
POPULATION.

Mr. WODEHOUSE said that he wished to ask the
question of the Hon. Member for Stockport of which he
bad given notice. The question he wished to put was,
whetller be would have any objection to postpone the
motion of which he had given notice fur the 13th of
March, until after Easter? If the Hon. Member would
comply with his request, a great inconvenience would be
obviated ; for at the time when this motion would other-
wise come on many Members would be engaged at the
quarter sessions.