The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-22 00:00:00

BANK of ENGLAND.

• general half-yearly Court was held yesterday at the Bank
of England, for the purpose of considering a dividend.
At twelve o'clock William Cotton, Esq., the Governor, the
Deputy-Governor, and several Directors, entered the Court,
which was more than usually crowded with Proprietors.
The minutes of the last meeting having been read,
The GOVERNOR stated that this was one of the half-yearly
general Courts, appointed by the bye-laws, to consider of a
dividend; and the Court of Directors having considered the
state of the Bank accounts, were of opinion that a dividend
might be made, if that Court thought fit, of 31. 10s. per cent.
for the present half-year, ending on the sth of April next,
deducting the sevenpence iu the pound for the income-
tax. In making this proposition for the consideration
of the Court, he thought it but fair to the Proprie-
tors that he should state, that by adopting the course
now proposed by the Direetors, a sum of 10,6031. 12s. 6d.
would be taken from the Rest; the profits, therefore, for the
last half-year would be less by that sum. He would now,
with the permission of the Court, put the question that a
dividend of 3/. 10s. per cent. for the half-year, ending on the
sth April next, should be declared by that Court.
Mr. WILLIAMS inquired what was the amount of the Rest ?
The GOVERNOR said that it amounted to 3,159,9961. 6s. Bd.
Mr. WiwAms was desirous of knowing whether that
amount included the bank-notes out, and whether it was in-
dependent of their buildings.
The GOVERNOR said that it was, with the exception of
some small buildings in Princes-street.
In answer to a question from Mr. B. HAMMOND,
The GOVERNOR stated that the stock had been taken up by
the Bank at the market price of the day.
The question was then put and carried that a dividend of
3/. 10s. per cent. be declared for the half-year ending the sth
of April next, deducting the income-tax.
The GOVERNOR then stated that the dividend warrants
would be delivered and paid on Saturday the 6th of April.
He had nothing further to communicate to the Court
Mr. FrimnEn considered that the great amount of bullion
that the Bank at present had in its coffers ought to be made
a matter of serious consideration by the Court and the Go-
vernment, considering that, years ago, that establishment
had been obliged to buy gold at a most expensive rate. The
bullion in the Bank az the present moment amounted to
nearly 17,000,0001., and he thought that some representation
ought. to be made on the subject, in the proper quarter.
Mr. WILLIAMS wished to know, as the subject of the Bank
Charter had been mentioned in the Queen's speech, whether
the Governor and Directors had any communication to make
on the subject to the Proprietors?
The GOVERNOR said he had nothing to communicate to the
proprietors on the subject ; when he had, he would call them
together again.

Cooiu; said, as they had now arrived at the time when
their charter was about to be considered again, care should
be taken to impress strongly on the Government the fact that
the privileges of that institution had been greatly trenched
upon. He had drawn the attention of Ministers to
the subject by letters which he had written to
Sir Robert ?eel and the Lord Chancellor. The
Bank Proprietors would be most happy to have any al-
teration made which would be beneficial to the country, but
they ought not to be called upon to suffer more than their
fair share. When the dividends were rednced from 4 per
cent. to 3i per cent. every person having 7001. a-year lost
100/. a-year.—(Cries of " Question.") That was the question.
They had lost their money. He trusted that when the
question of the Bank Charter came to be considered before
Parliament, the Directors would take care that the legal opi
nions to which he had alluded should be brought under the
attention of the Government, and on that, among other
grounds, he thought the Bank had a claim to be the sole
Bank of Issue.

Mr. THOMPSON asked if the branch banks still continued
to be a source of profit ?
The GOVERNOR replied that they did.
Mr. Tnompsox would move, if any one would second his
motion, that the name of J. Cooke, Esq., be printed among
the list of those recommended to be elected as Directors.—(A
laugh.) No doubt some of the older Directors would be most
happy to retire in favour of a gentleman who possessed such
an accurate knowledge of what ought to be done, and who
took such a great interest in the subject.—(Renewed laughter.)
Mr. Mmualorr moved that the thanks of the Court be
given to the Governor, Deputy-Governor and Directors, for
the open and candid way in which they had conducted the
proceedings of the Court.

- Mr. LLOYD, before the question was put, wished to ask what
proportion the amount taken from the Rest bore to the whole
dividend.

The GovEallon--The total amount of the
,half-year's
dividend in the Bank Stock is 509,3551.. from which the
property-tax has t6be deducted, which leaves a net amount
of 494,5981., and to pay that interest 10,603/. 12s. 6d. has
been taken from the Rest.

Mr. WiLualtsoN rose to' suggest to the Proprietors that It
would be advisable that they should request the Governor
to remain in office for another year. The present was a most
important crisis for the Bank. The Governor had been
already in communication with the Lords of the Treasury on
the subject of the- renewal of the Charter ; and, therefore, it
was of the utmost importance that he should continue in office
another year. He, therefore, moved a resolution to the effect
that the Governor be requested to continue in office another
year.

Mr. FIELDER seconded the resolution. The GOvernor was
acquainted with all the facts of the case, and they could not
do better than follow ihe precedent which had been set on the
former occasion when the renewal of the Bank Charter was
under discussion.

The GOVERNOR would do whatever might be considered
most advisable for the interests of the great corporation. He
thought. the resolution had better not be put, but that the
question should be left to the Directors. He had left the
question wholly to the decision of the Directors, and if it
should be their opinion that it would conduce to the interests
of the Proprietors that he should for another year undertake
the onerous duty, he would do his best.—(Cheers.) What
course the Directors would adopt with regard to the
house would depend upon the feeling of the Proprietors, but
as far as he was concerned he should leave the whole matter
in the hands of the Directors.--(Cheers.)
Sir P. LAURIE thought it would be much better to leave
the matter entirely to the discretion of the Directors who
would recommend what house-list they pleased.
The GOVERNOR said that of course he could not put the
question of the vote of thanks to the meeting, but. in the
name of himself and of the Directors, he begged to express
that they were deeply sensible of the kindness of the Pro-
prietors, and to declare that there was but one feeling by
which they were all actuated, and that was a desire to do
their duty.—(Cheers.) •
Mr. Wita,Ltatsox could not permit that vote of thanks to
drop in such a manner, he would himself put the question..
The Hox.PROPRIETOR then put the question,and the vote
was carried by acclamation.
The GOVERNOR having again expressed his acknowledg-
ments, the Court adjourned.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—The new Easter spectacle
preparing at the Princess's Theatre is from the pen of One
of the principal contributors to a most popular periodi
cal. It will combine all the comic talent of the Theatre,
with the addition of Wright, and the aid of the admired
ballet company. The musical arrangements are entrusted
to Mr. Corti, who displayed so much tact in his labours in
the Magic Mirror, and the ballet of Leola.
NNW HATS FOR THE POLICE.—The Commis-
sioners of Police have decided on an alteration in the hats of
the police, which will be immediately adopted throughout
the force, and which will tend materially to add to the ease
and comfort of the men whilst on duty, especially in hot
weather. The present hats are very weighty, and from their
being made of the commonest felt are exceedingly oppressive
to the men by precluding the air, so that during the summor
many of them are daily on the sick lists from diseases of the
head. The alteration about to be adopted by the Commis-
siocers consists ea perforated button affixed on each side of
thehat near the crown; the hat having also an oilet-hole
where the buttons are affixed, so as to admit air, and thus
keep the policemen's "heads cool." Several of these new
" ventilating" hats have been served to the men, and they
seemed pleased at the improvement.
ON MAKING A BETTING BOOK.—" It lends a
colour to one of the worst features of pot-house life—the
Derby Clubs. Taking up on chance the nearest at hand
sporting paper, we find in its first page no less than fifteen of
tliese abominations. They emanate from public-houses in all
parts of London—West Smithfield, High Holborn, the Strand,
Pimlico, Hoxton, and the London-road, from Manchester and
from Sheffield. They are illegal lotteries or little goes—baits
set by the cunning publicans (the Duke Hildebrands of mo-
dern Alsatian) to catch tippling the gulls—traps forun-
fledged apprentice and journeyman—the desolation of manyke
a tidy fire-side. Why are these gambling-houses
~ overlooked.
more then the hale of Itegettt-street.—Knight

COURT CIRCULAR: •
.frog.
The Queen held a Court yesterday afternoon at
ham Palace.
General Sancho, the Spanish Minister., had an aulrod'encteol9l
her Majesty to take leave. His Excellency was int, secre
by the Earl of Aberdeen, K.G., her Majesty's. principa',... $O.
W 7 of State for Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Du
bert Chester, Master of the Cerentonies. a elb
The Marquis of Ormonde was the Lord in Waiting e
Majesty. t ill
Her Majesty and Prince Albert took an airing Yea-e
an open carriage. tb.
The Royal Family were taken airings yesterdaY
royal gardens of Buckingham Palace. 3101
The Hon. Miss Paget has succeeded the Hon. bliss
as one of the Maids of Honour in waiting on her Mak!t Yip.
At her Majesty's Levee, on Wednesday, the Earl o our
mont was presented to the Queen by the Marquis
ricarde. to
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited
Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at Gloucester House.
Lady Anna Maria bawson has succeeded Lady 011-00
Howard as the Lady in Waiting on her Royal }lig°
Duchess of Kent. Sr'
A Deputation, consisting of Mr. H. Kemble, D—orwellt
W. Pritchard, High Bailiff of Southwark, Mr. Thus* roceek,
Mr. James D. Shears, Mr. Thomas Lett, Mr. Thomas other
Mr. W. G. Horder, the Rev. Mr. Shearman, and tlf)mer
gentlemen from the Metropolitan Anti-Bridge Tul,.`geur
ciation, attended on Wednesday the Commissioners ot,otto.
politan Improvements at Whitehall, on the subject .1014
ing the free passage of Waterloo Southwark, and ".—neit
Bridges, by the commutation of their imposts, for the u""
of the public. ~tea
A Deputation from the City of 'Loud( n, aceelnPah—rjoet,
the Hon. C. Law, the Recorder, and the City lientell,%s
had an interview with Sir Robert Peel psterJay,
cial residence in Downing-street. leg Pr
Mr. Cartwright had an interview with Lord Stan
terday at the Colonial-office. 111.
Mr. Saunders had an interview with the Right--„—ide.
Gladstone yesterday at the Office of the Board of l'ho-cole•
Dispatches were received yesterday afternoon at t
nial-office from the Governor of the F alklandlsland"'

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