The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-29 00:00:00

WAY INTELLIGENCE.

The applicant said that the circumstance of the accused
hating described himself as his clerk would lead to the infer-
ence that he (applicant) was-mixed up in the alleged scandalous
treatment of Speirmsn ; and such an impression was calculated
to be of irreparable injury to him in his profession, and he
therefore trusted that his present explanation on the subject
would be noticed in the newspapers. The applicant then
retired.

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.
The accounts are rather gloomy as regards the wheat
crop, which is described as likely to turn out deficient ;
but regarding all other produce, they report very favour-
ably. We are indebted to Correspondents, upon whose
practical knowledge we can place full reliance, for the
subjoined accounts of the crops in the localities specified.
The first communication, from Trim, states that wheat
in that district will be deficient to the extent of five
barrels an acre. We trust that our Correspondent is
mistaken in that estimate, or that it applies only to a
very limited extent of country. Oats, potatoes, and all
other crops are described by the same Correspondent as
promising abundance. Another Meath Correspondent,
writing from a different part of the county, states that
wheat has sustained partial injury ; but that oats
and potatoes are most abundant. His hint about
the reaping of oats may be useful. A Donegal Cor-
respondent—a gentleman of great experience as a
farmer—gives a most cheering account of the prospects
in that part of Ulster. Altogether, we can see no
ground whatever for apprehension. The yield of
wheat, we doubt not, will be greatly below the immense
produce of last year ; but any deficiency in that respect
will be amply compensated by the general produce of
the harvest. We are happy to have such good accounts
of the potate crop in all parts of Ireland, and that we
have escaped the blight that appears to have visited that
crop in several counties of England and in Holland.—
Dublin Evening Post.
Patches of grain here and there have been cut down
in this neighbourhood and in other favoured spots
throughout the country. A number of farmers within
our ken were anticipating to be able likewise to com-
mence their harvest by Thursday or Friday, but the
deluging rains which have prevailed must retard their
operations, and cause great anxiety for the fate of the
crops in the late lying districts. Friday night was wet
and stormy, Sunday morning of the same cast, and Mon-
day morning very wet and c. pld. These successive rains
have laid the wheat in several quarters to such a degree
that it is doubtful whether it may rise. Every visit to
the country more and more convinces us of the excel-
lency of the crops on the ground ; and, notwithstanding
the untowardness of the weather for the last few days,
we trust that days of heat and sunshine are yet in store
for us.—Apr Observer.
MANCHESTER.—The weather here has been exceed-
ingly variable since our last. We are happy to learn,
however, that fine weather appears to have set in in the
metroplis. So far as we can learn from the London
papers, there was no rain there from Wednesday up to
yesterday, with the exception of a little that fell yester-
day morning. It thus appears, that Saturday and Mon-
day, which were exceedingly wet here, were fine days in
the south of England. We learn that in Paris also the
weather had been fine and apparently settled, up to Sun-
day.—Manchester Guardian, Aug. 27.
SOUTH LANCASHIRE.—Since our last we have had two
days of fine weather and five of wet iu this part of the
country. Yesterday the rain began to fall about nine
o'clock in the morning, and continued to pour down
heavily during the whole of the day ; and this day
week, and on Saturday, the rain was equally heavy and
incessant. From these long periods of bad weather,
broken by such very short intervals of sunshine, we fear
that the crops must be suffering greatly, and that the
grain of the present year will be very deficient in qua-
lity, whatever it may be in quantity. Indeed it cannot
be otherwise. The question of quantity can only be
decided when the crops come to be thrashed out ; but
much grain in the higher and colder districts of the
country will never become fit for human food, and the
coldness of the weather, during the whole of the sum-
mer, and up to the present time, is very much against
the yield every where.—Liverpool Times, Aug. 26.
NENAGH.—We have still to report unfavourably of
the state of the weather. It is totally impossible that
the crops can ripen in such an ungenial season. Up
to Tuesday last we had every assurance that little or no
damage would be sustained—but fearing to create any
feeling of alarm, we shall merely state what has been
brought under our consideration, with respect to one
large field of wheat near this town—and trust that
the injury done may be but partial and not general.
On the lands of a gentleman, within a mile of
Nenagh, there is a splendid-looking field of wheat,
of about twelve acres. The land steward was di-
reeted to go through the corn on Wednesday last
—on passing right through the centre from end to end,
he discovered a considerable quantity of the ears blighted
and mildewed. The land steward says the picking out
of every ear of such corn is imperative, otherwise the
smut would destroy the appearance of any that was
good. The new potatoes have suffered much from the
heavy rains ; any that have been dug out up to the pre-
sent time are quite wet and unwholesome as food. The
atmosphere is still cold, but the rain not so frequent in
its visits as heretofore.—Nenagh Guardian.
WATERFORD.—To day (Saturday), the weather pre-
sents rather a fine appearance ; but still continues chill
and cold. Last night we had a large fall of rain, ac-
companied by a very heavy gale. We trust that it
did not tend to lodge the standing corn. In the neigh
bourhood of the city several fields have been cut down
and, though the sickle is now applied to others, stil
they look quite green. All agree that the harvest wil
be unusually late.— Waterford Chronicle.

THE MOORS.
PERTHSHIRE.—The weather throughout last week was
highly favourable for the sportsman, being dry and cool,
with that tendency to frost through the night which
makes the scent lie strong. The unusual precocity of
the young broods of grouse this season, resulting in
many cases not only in second broods, but in a second
generation of birds in direct descent, has led to a
greater variety upon the same shooting ground
than was perhaps ever before experienced. A much less
proportion of cheepers, however, are to be met with, most
of the birds being strong upon the wing ; but in such
cases the covies appear to be partially broken up, the
brood having got sufficiently old to leave the parent's
care. After the first two or three days' shooting many of
these remnants of covies had apparently recruited their
ranks with individual stragglers, for they were met in
larger numbers than at the commencement. This is parti-
cularly the case on the smaller and lower range of moors,
where there being different sportsmen on every other
hill, the birds finding no rest, are driven to congregate for
solace and company. On the more extensive shoot-
ings iu the north the sport continues more equal for
several weeks ; and any falling off in the returns is.
more to_be attributed to greater moderation on the part
of the sportsman, than to deficiency in the sport. During
the first five days nearly one thousand boxes arrived
here from the north by coach and carrier, which at the
average of eight brace in a box, would give a total of
eight thousand passing south through this road alone.
In addition to the result of the first day's sport we may
mention that of the ,Earl of Mansfield, at Rannoch
Moors, 90 brace—Lord Glenlyon and Captain Drum-
mond, at Faelar, 85 brace—Dalnamine, in Atholl Fo-
rest, Mr. Cameron and party, 76 brace--Calvin, near
Blair, Mr. Graham, 65 brace. This week his Royal
Highness Prince George of Cambridge has joined Sir
William Massey Stanley and party, at Glenshiro, in
Badenoch--Lord Castlereagh and Mr. de Vaux have
arrived at their quarters at Invercauld—the Duke of
Leeds, at Castleton of Braemar—Lord Gray, at Stra-
loch, &c.—Perth Courier.
THE MOORS.—Nothing but the extraordinary num-
ber of grouse which abound this season could enable
sportsmen to continue, amid constant interruptions of
rain, to make up good bags. Notwithstanding the wet-
ness of the weather, all are satisfied with the produce of
the hills. Anglers who delight in seing rivers brimful,
have lately enjoyed their favourite element rolling
along in full flood. At Culnakyle; Richard Winsloe,
Esq., killed on the 13th 110 brace ; on the 16th,
94 brace ; and on the 18th, 80 brace. On
the moors of Little Weavis, Major Houston
shot 66 brace during a short walk, in three
days. On the 19th, Mr. Garde, Mr. Jackson, and
Mr. Trumbull, got 6 brace in part of a wet day. On
Lower Killin, Mr. Eversfield, Mr. Ibbertson, and Mr.
Tredcroft, bagged 140 brace, and on the 16th the same
party's bag contained 105 brace. At Glenfintaig,
Captain Downes had 14 brace the other day. Mr.
Gladstone, on the little hill of Buntait, brought down 90
brace during the few days he was there. At Loubcroy,
J. M. E. Jones, Esq., and Mr. Harrison, bagged 50 brace
each, on the days they had ;been out—their salmon-fish-
ing, at the same place, first-rate, sometimes eight per
day ; one taken the other day weighed 251bs. From the
Brora, B. Borough, Esq., took six good sized salmon on
the 11th. In the Ness, Captain Cater took four yester.
day.—lnverness Courier, 23d Aug.
CUMBERLAND.—On the fells and other preserves in
the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland, grouse
are pretty plentiful, the pouts being fine strong birds,
but the old ones, especially the hens, are only small, aild
not so plump as they have been known in former years.
The coveys are tolerably numerous, numbers of which are
already packed together, and being wild and string on
the wing on some moors, it was with difficulty they were
come within range of ; but from the accounts hitherto
received from the moors, the sport was excellent, espe-
cially on Wednesday, which was a fine bright day, and
the packs of birds were found basking ou Om, sides of
the hillocks. On a preserye near Alston moor, Cumber-

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.
A general meeting of the Proprietors of this Com-
pany was held yesterday at the London Tavern,
Bishopsgate-street, which was very fully attended.
Henry Bosanquet, Esq., occupied the chair. After the
formal business had been gone through,
The CHAIRMAN rose to address the meeting. Ile
said the events of the last few months had been so nu-
merous, that it would be necessary for him to go some-
what in detail into the business of the Company. He
congratulated them on the opening of the line of rail-
way from the metropolis to Great Yarmouth, which had
just taken place. An Act of Parliament had also been
obtained for a line from Lynn-to Ely, to be in con-
nhaveexiona w i
dt r
et he
ti s reaeiml wmayu
aßtyi tnh i s
frmoemans
ththeey would
of Lynn to the metropolis. There was also
one in progre is from Lynn to Cambridge that would
be of the greatest service to the present line of railway.
Two other projects were under consideration that would
bring the east and west parts of the metropolis, as also
Woolwich, in connexion with their line. In a short
time he had no doubt, by the extensions and connecting
lines in contemplation, they should, through their line,
have a complete communication from London to York.
He had also pleasure in stating that the Directors had
secured large warehouses adjoining the East India Docks
for their accommodation, at a low rent. This would
prove of the greatest benefit to their interests. He
would now say a few words respecting their present and
future prospects. Though the dividend was a small one,
he trusted it would be the last of the kind. The short-
ness of the portions of the line hitherto completed in-
volved a greater amount of expense than an elongated
line would have done. The expenses had this year been
48 per cent. AII the receipts. As they lengthened their
line, however, their expenses would be proportionally
reduced ; and he had no doubt ere long they should be
able to declare as large a dividend as the South-Eastern
Company. 7,5001., a week's receipts, would yield 5 per
cent. on the capital, and he was quite persuaded they
would soon reach that, as their expenses became econo-
mised. He would next refer to the proceedings of last
session of Parliament with reference to the future. He
complained of the way they had been treated in regard
to the London and York line by the Committee of the
House of Commons. It was not, however, their inten •
tions to abandon their former position. Arrangements
had been made for surveying several lines in connexion
with that they had already executed ; and they were
determined, with their (the shareholders) sanction
quietly, but effectively, to push forward whichever of
those surveyed lines appeared likely to pay the share-
holders a fair dividend. He trusted the House of Lords
would do greater justice than the Committee of the
House of Commons had done.—(Great cheering.)
The report was then read, of which the following are
the most important features.
Since the last general meeting, the line from Bishop's
Stortford to Cambridge, Ely, and Brandon has been
opened simultaneously with the Norfolk Railway from
Brandon to Norwich and Yarmouth. The report of the
manager of the goods department, which has been laid
before the board, states prospects of large increasing re-
venue from the carriage of goods and cattle, which will
be most gratifying to the Proprietors. A return of
7,500/. a week would produce a dividend of more than
five per cent. on the share capital of the Company, and
the undoubted prospects of increase which exist, fully
justify the expectation that, within a short period, an
income, much exceeding that sum per week, will be
realised.
The accounts of the past half-year, connected with
the traffic' are annexed, and they show a net profit of
21,833/. The Directors have, therefore declared a divi-
dend for the half-year, after the rate of three shillings
per share of 141. 163. each of the Consolidated Stock
of the Company.
The total expenditure on the extension from Bishop's
Stortford to Newport has been 156,9211., and that on
the extension from Newport to Cambridge, Ely, and
Brandon, has been, under Messrs. Grissell and Peto's
contract, 573,2801., being the amount of the original
estimate, with 3,000/. added for an extra bridge at the
paper mills at Cambridge ; and some other additional
expenses.
The Proprietors will recollect that at a special general
meeting, held on the 14th of April last, it was deter-
mined to capitalise into shares 710,400/. of the borrowed
money of the Company. The resolutions then passed
have been carried out by the Directors, and 48,000 new
shares were issued, upon which a sum of 41 16s. per
share has been paid, and applied to the reduction of the
debts of the Company.
During the session of Parliament just closed the
Directors have been engaged in a long and severe con-
test with the promoters of the London and York Rail-
, way, and Viis Company have to complain of the great
injustice ddne them in not having been permitted to
bring forward rebutting evidence of any kind, or to ad-
duce evidence in support of their own plans, before the
decision in favour of the London and York line was pro-
nounced by the Committee of the House of Commons.
The Directors, while expressing their conviction of the
patience and attention which were bestowed by that
Committee on the protracted inquiry before them, must
protest, in the strongest manner, against the rights ac-
quired by this Company from Parliament, being seri-
ously affected and injured by a decision being pronounced
against the Company without their first having a full
hearing.
Mr. Lxvi asked how it was that nothing had been
done to form a branch from the line to Epping ? He
understood the Blackwell Company had some intention
of making a branch into that neighbourhood, which
would interfere with theirs. Ile considered the forma-
tion of such a branch should be made by the present
Company.
Mr. DUNCAN said such a line was under the con-
sideration of the Directors, and a survey would be made
to that effect. Should the Directors thinkw it a desirable
line, means would be taken to ascertain the sense of the
proprietors on it.
Several questions were asked in explanation of
items in the accounts, to which explanations were
given by the Chairman that appeared to give satisfac-
tion to the proprietors who asked them.
Mr. DAVISON inquired if all the surplus land of the
Company had been sold?
Mr. DUNCAN replied that all the available surplus
land, up to the end of last year, had been disposed of'.
There was still a quantity of surplus land in their pos-
session, which would be sold as soon as it was ku wn
that they had no use for it. It would not be prudent to
part with it until they knew exactly what they wanted
to complete their works.
An Hors. PROPRIETOR complained of the amount of
1,8001. being voted to the Directors. The London and
Birmingham Directors only received 1,700/. ; the Mid
land Railway Company allowed but 1,500/. ; and the
Brighton Company allowed only 1,100/ Thse were
railway companies that paid large dividends, while this
Company, which was almost insolvent, was to pay more
than any of them. The most suspicious part of the
business was, that a paid servant of the Company had
made the proposition.
After a few words from Mr. LA MERT in favour of
the grant to the Directors,
Mr. TIGHT said as he had been personally alluded
to he wished to say a few words in vindication. He had
held shares in the Company from the beginning, and in
virtue of those, as well as from a sense of justice to the
Directors, without reference to his official position in the
Company, he had acted as he had done, and he had no
right to be reflected on.—(Cheers.) He had proposed
the grant to the Directors as an independent man, and he
did so because he had observed the severe labours they
had been subjected to, and if they looked at the busi-
siness laid down in the report they would see at once
there was no parallel between the labours of the present
directory and those which had been named.
The CHAIRMAN was then about to put the motion that
the report be received, adopted, and printed, when
Mr. SCOTT said he was a shareholder who held a 1,000
shares in the Company, and he came forward with pain-
ful feelings to oppose the proceedings of the Board. He
believed their conduct perfectly unexampled in the his-
tory of railways. While all other railways had pro-
gressed, and their traffic had improved, the present
Company was now called to receive 3s. dividend on each
share of 251. He thought a change should be made, as
matters could not be much worse than they were. Had
it not been misfortune or mismanagement, the Eastern
Counties Railway would have been in a much better
position. Everywhere he went he heard the manage-
ment of the Directors condemned. He would give facts
in support of this view. The first point he would call
attention to was the capital account. Four years ago
the Directors pledged themselves that the capital would
not exceed 2,137,000/. ; in 1842 it was 2,500,000/. ; in
1843 it was 2,784,0001 ; and in 1844 it was 2,856,000/.
They were then told it would not exceed that. But
again in February, 1845, without any explanation what-
ever, it was increased to 2,900,0001. ; and that day it
was 2,956,0001 By the Amalgamation Act they were
limited to 2,850,0001, on which interest was to be
paid, whereas it was now, in round numbers, nearly
three millions. The Hon. Proprietor then went into the
traffic accounts, in which, from a series of calculations,
he showed that, for the last four years, the ratio of
income to expenditure had been gradually going
against the shareholders. In contrast to the manage-
ment of the Directors, he cited the Brighton,
Midland, and several other railways, in which
the working expenses were far below those of the
taeaksteenrntecosuanvteietshe lince.emHpaenyhopfreedmsotmhee
mmi agesatenasnwoeumldebeet
in
had fallen.—(Cheers.) He considered
t
Directors held only a nominal stake in the
the
i
tehough all were not so. There were eighteen
greater number than any other direction in
Directors,
manyt
rmoe
cptwhichaonof
rya t:
a
the kingdom ; while of these eighteen, five lived at least
200 miles distant. Could such, he asked, attend to the
interests of the Company without great expense ? Ile
considered that some proposition should that day be
come to to rescue the Company from its present dilemma.
There ought to be a residential directory, not living 200
miles distant. He represented, on the part of himself
and friends, who had embarked capital in the Com-
pany, the sum of 200,000 L; and, therefore, he had
no object in view but the good of the Company. No
evil could come of the exposure. There were the
Greenwich, the Sheffield and the R .therham, the Bir-
mingham and Manchester, the Great North of England,
and the Midlands Companies, all of whom had been im-
mensely improved by inquiry and the consequent re-

For Mr. Scott's motion 1,391
Against it
Majority -624
The value of stock represented by the
majority was £93,498
Minority
Mr. SCOTT said the course he had taken had been
solely dicufted by a sense of duty to himself as well as to
the Company. He had submitted his motion to the
meeting, and it had, he regretted to say, been rejected.
He therefore took that opportunity of stating his entire
satisfaction at the manner in which the Chairman had
performed the important and onerous duties that had
devolved upon him.
The CHAIRMAN expressed himself much obliged to
Mr. Scott for the manner in which he had referred to
the performance of his duties. It now only rt•mained
for him to conclude the business of the day by moving
that the Directors' report be adopted, printed, and
circulated.
The motion was proposed and unanimously agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed a series of resolutions
based on the report.
These were alss put and carried.
The thanks of the meeting to the Chairman having
been agreed to, the meeting separated at nine o'clock,
having been engaged for eight hours.

GREAT NORTH OF ENG LAND RAILWAY.
The general half-yearly meeting of the above Company
was held in the Company's offices, in Darlington, on
Thursday last, the 28th inst. George Hutton Wilkin-
son, Esq., chairman of the Board of Directors, presided,
and after briefly opening the meeting, called on Major
Parker, the Secretary, who read' the advertisement call-
ing the meeting, and also the report of the Directors to
the Proprietors, with a statement of the accounts, from
which it appeared that the total receipts Were
52,4851. 13s. lid ; and after defraying the expenses of
the half year, left a balance of 28.8591. 4s. Ild., and re-
commended that a dividend after the rate of 6 per cent.
per annum should be declared. The report also stated
that a lease of the railway has been executed by the
parties, by which in future the dividends would be 10
per cent. per annum. Resolutions were unanimou,ly
passed adopting the report, and declaring a dividend as
above of 3/. per share on 1001. shires, and 10s. per share
on 401 shares. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
the meeting separated.

BRISTOL AND EXETER.
BRISTOL, THURSDAY EVENING —This company held
their eighteentl. half-yearly meeting yesterday, at their
own offices, Broad street. Bristol. Mr. James Gibbs,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, presided
Th• CHAIRMAN expressed his regret at the retire.
ment of their late chairman, Mr. Frederick Ricketts; but
he would still remain a member of the Board.
Mr. J. B. BADHA3,I, the Seem tary, then read the re-
port of the Directors, whicl, amongst other matters,
stated that the amount of rent and share of toll due to
this company by the Great Western Company, for the
half-year ending the 13th of June last, amounted to the
gross sum of 44,951/. 17s. ; that. considering tkat this
was the least productive half of the year, the receipts of
the company were very satisfactory that ,Ihey had had