The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-09 00:00:00

RAIL WAY NEWS.

An article in the Westminster Review on railway ad •
ministration attracts some notice in the City, on account
of the mode in which it advocates the principle that pas-
sengers may be carried at infinitely less sums than they
now pay, and that very loiv fares will prove in the end
the best source of profit to the proprietors. From the
evidence given by Mr. Hudson before the Railways Coin-
mittee,the writer draws the statement, that on the North
and York Midland Railway coals are carried at the rate
of three farthings per ton per mile, and that that price is
a remunerative one. Estimating that thirteen passen-
gers would go to a ton, he finds that a regulation load of
passengers on the London and Birmingham Railway, that
is, three tons and a half; or 46 passengers, who standing
up would only occupy a waggon of the common size,
might be conveyed at Mr. Hudson's remunerative price
for 11. 12s. Bd., or Bid. per passenger. Why, then, he asks
should passengers, who can load and unload themselves,
and, moreover, are not liable to be lost or stolen, be
charged higher than goods ? This is, of course, going
to a violent extreme ; but it is a useful line of argument
as showing that the fares are capable of being very con-
siderably reduced, leaving a profit which would very
much increase from the additional numbers conveyed.
At the Dublin and Drogheda meeting it was an-
nounced that the works of the line are in substantial and
excellent condition, and that the railway will be com-
pleted throughout for 14,0001 per mile. The contrac-
tor's accounts have all been balanced and the majority
settled, and the chief works remaining unfinished are the
terminal buildings and the permanent and intermediate
stations. It is asserted that the traffic, from what has
already passed over the railway, is good, and must im-
prove ; while it appears the receipts from the 24th May
(the date of opening) to the 30th June, have amounted
to 4,2531. Gs. 2d. The fares are regulated at 11d. per
mile for first-class passengers ; Id. per mile for second-
class passengers ; and three-fifv:s of hi. per mile for
third-cies. passengers.
_

.Ai...conting to the Manchester and Birmingham Rail-
way Report the balance of profits applicable to dividends
this year was 34,0001., of which 30,0001. are appro-
priated to a payment of 11. per share, or five per cent.
The increase of receipts on the half-year is 2,7001.,
and a further augmentation of traffic is expected
from the late arrangements made with the Birmingham
and Gloucester and -Bristol Railways. The Macclesfield
branch has been contracted for under most favourable
circumstances, and the Trent Valley line is to be im-
mediately carried out. It is understood that a proposal
is afloat to connect the Manchester and Birmingham and
the Sheffield Companies with the Liverpool and Man-
chester Companies.

At the Manchester and Leeds meeting it was stated
that there had been a weekly increase on this year's
traffic of 1,4501, ; and the dividend declared was at the
rate of 7 per cent. per annum. An encouraging opinion
was expr(ssed of the Sheffield and Gaiusboruugh and
London and York direct lines.

The meeting of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway
was for the purpose of issuing 30,0004 debentures at 4
per cent. to pay off the loan received from the Commis-
sioners of Public Works on account of the Dalkey
branch, which loan bears interest ut the rate of 5 r
cent. It was stated on this occasion that the receipts
from the Ist of March to the 27th of August were this
year 28,6621., or 4,0001. in excess of the amount re-
ceived at the same period last year. The revenue of
the line steadily increases, and the Dalkey branch,
which is remunerative, is regarded as an important
feeder to the general line. It was suggested in the
course of the proceedings to extend, the Dalkey line to
Bray, every confidence being expressed in the economi-
cal working and good order of the atmospheric pries
ciple.
The Brighton and Chichester Proprietors have agreed
to allow the Brighton Company to take the unappro-
priated shares of their undertaking, on the option of
leasing the line when it is completed, at 4} per cent.
The Directors have experienced great opposition from
the landowners on the road, and in the case of the Duke
of Norfolk compensation to the amount of 42,000/. is to
be paid.
The slit cial meeting of the Yarmouth and Norwich
Railway Company bad reference to the amalgamation
with the Not o ouch aiud 'Brandon Company, and resolu-
tions confirming it were passed. The capital of the
,oint lines, it appears, is now 795,0001., and each portion
is to be considered of equal value. The Yarmouth cm-