The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-10 00:00:00

EASTERN

RAILWAY.

There were four resolutions proposed in confor.
mity with the report, and asking for a large discre.
tionary power to be vested in the hands of the Di•
rectors.

Mr. H. V. LEE proposed the adoption_ of the re•
port and the three first resolutions. He said that the
present was a most critical period for the Company,
and strongly recommended unanimity amongst
themselves. He apologised for coming forward so
early as he did, but he thought it right to do so, as he
had between 4,000 and 5,000 proxies in his
pocket, and he was surrounded by several
other persons who held a far larger number, who
were prepared to vote the same way with them. He
was also a large Proprietor, and, that being the case, he
thought he was justified in calling upon them for the
adoption of the report and resolutions. He owned he
was also a proprietor in other railways ; but he stood
there as an Eastern Counties proprietor,
.and he ad-
vised others, who may have other interests likewise,
to consider that they were there as Eastern
Counties proprietors. The Hon. Proprietor then dis-
cussed the merits of the lines between Newport, Cam-
bridge, Ely, and Brandon, the line from Hertford to
Biggles wade, and the other proposed lines, and said
that, with regard to each of them, the Directors had
exercised a sound judgment, and he had, therefore,
great pleasure in moving the adoption of the report
and resolutions.
Mr. SMITH seconded the motion.
Mr. CORBOLD said that before the motion was put,
he wished to say a few words. Though a Direc-
tor of the Eastern Union Railway, he stood there as
a proprietor of the Eastern Counties Railway. Mr.
Cobbold then went on to complain of a most important
communication having been made by the Directors of
the Eastern Counties Railway to the Directors of the
Eastern Union Railway, without allowing any suffi-
cient time for its consideration.
The Secretary was then called on to read the cor-
respondence which had taken place, as the best answer
to Mr. Cobbold.
The report and resolutions were then put and car•
ried unanimously, with acclamation.
Mr. ESDLLB said it was understood, and the agree-
ment had it so, that the Thames Junction line was to
be paid for by debentures at a period of twenty
years. He now wished to know why there was a de-
parture from that agreement?
Mr. BIDDER said that he was the first who thought
of that line, and the original agreement was, that the
payment should be either by debentures or money.
Mr. ESDALE said he had the printed report, and
that mentioned debentures only. The amount was
only small, to be sure, but he confessed he did not
feel satisfied.
The CHAIRMAN said they felt they were indebted
to Mr. Bidder and his family for their exertions with
regard to this line, and perhaps they had, on that
account, departed vim the strict letter of the ar-
rangement.—(Hear, hear.)
The resloutions were then put and carried.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY said that the report contained
most important propositions, and he believed that
they had not time to consider any one of them fully.
However, after it had been adopted unanimously, he
thought it would not be profitable to revert to it
again. He thought they ought to have appointed a
Committee of five or seven Shareholders to deliberate
on the important propositions contained in the report.
At the same time, he admitted that this was a crisis
in their affairs.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that all
the expectations entertained by the Directors might
turn oat to be correct, but if so, he believed it would
be owing rather to their good fortune than to their
sound judgment. He, was afraid the only persons
who were to be really envied were the lawyers and
Parliamentary agents, for the Company were now
required to support six lines, to oppose six lines, and
to countenance two others. He thought the Chair-
man of the Eastern Railway had just grounds of
complaint that sufficient time was not allowed that
Company to answer the proposition made by this
Company, though he could not say much for the
calmness with which they had replied to that pro-
position. 'He thought it right not to oppose the
report, but he begged to guard himself as being un-
derstood to sanction it.
Mr. WARD, M.P.,
said that if the Proprietors had
not confidence in the Board of Directors, what they
ought to do would be to turn them out at once. If
everything useful done by the Directors was to be
ascribed to their good fortune, and not to their sound
judgment; and if, after all their exertions for the last
nine months, the result was, that they had placed the
York" and London line on no more advantageous foot-
ing than if they had done nothing at all, in that case
the best course would be not to appoint a Committee,
but-to cashier the Directors at once.—(Hear, hear.)
He would acquiesce in that course if he concurred in
the statements made by his Hon. Friend. But he did
not do so. He thought the meeting were fully com-
petent to decide on the propositions submitted to them.
It was necessary for the Directors to have large
powers, to be enabled to go before the Board of Trade
and Parliament with the proper weight and authority;
arid if they acted with cordiality and unanimity, he
did not see how their propositions could be refused.
After some further observations by Mr. Atkinson,
Mr. Cobbold, and Mr. Rinnaird, a vote of thanks was
passed to the Chairman and Directors, after which
the meeting separated.

LONDON AND BRIGHTON
RAILWAY.
A special general meeting of the Proprietors of
:he London and Brighton Railway was held yester-
day, at one o'clock, at the London terminus, London-
bridg,e, to consider a report and resolutions, which it
was stated by the call of the meeting were to be sub-
mitted to them. Captain Kelly was in the chair.
The SECRETARY (bll-. C. R. Mackenzie), being
called by the Chairman, read the notice of the meet-
ing, which was specially called to consider the ques-
tion of applying to Parliament for powers to tbrm
three branch lines from the main line, at three seve-
ral points, of which the following is a description :
" The first branch commences near the Three
Bridges Station, and proceeds through Crawley to
Horsham : the length of it is nearly eight miles and a
half, and the estimated expense is 94,0351. The se-
cond branch commences near Redstone Hill, and
runs through Reigate and Bletchingly, to Dorking :
the length of it is seven miles and a quarter. For
this branch two alternative lines have been deposited
—the one avoiding the town of Reigate altogether,
the estimate for which is 102,3041. ; and the other
going through the critre of it, the estimate for
which is 109,7341. The third branch commences
near the station at Croydon, and runs through
Streatham and Tooting, joining the South-Western
Railway, in the parish of Wandsworth : it is six
miles and a half long, and the estimated expense is
119,1911."
The CHAIRMAN, having offered to read the report
at length, which was negatived, inasmuch as it had
been circulated among the Proprietors previous to
the meeting, then said he had to avail himself of their
indulgence while he repudiated the ungenerous and
unworthy imputations that had been cast on the
Directors of this Company by a gentleman who pre-
sided at a meeting held in that room on Thursday
lie their actions and begged it to be
distinctly
last. At that meeting he waa said to have stated
that they (the Directors) were actuated by a feeling
of pique t towards
understoodhi
s C
tthat
i nal
all their dealings they had been actuated but by one
feeling—a desire to promote the interests of the Pro-
prietors—(Hear, hear)—and the accommodation of
the public with which he conceived those interests
were identical. Within the last week there
had also been a very unworthy resolu-
tion agreed to by a body of persons
ho met in the town of Leeds, wherein the Directors
of this Company were accused of a profligate expen-
diture of the money of the Proprietors. He should
not trust himself to give utterance of what he felt
with respect to this accusation, but would leave it en-
tirely to the judgment of the Proprietors themselves.
--(hear, hear.) They would now proceed to the
business before them. The first part of that business
was to bring before them the consideration of three
short branch lines, extending from their own line at
certain points. It was well known what excitement
had pervaded the railway world during the last five
or six months, and the Directors were quite alive to
the necessity of protecting the interests of the Com-
pany. They considered it, necessary that these short
branch lines should be thrown out, as outworks for
the protection of their property, and to prevent it from
being invaded. The Chairman then described these
lines (as above stated), and went into a minute
detail of the advantages that w raid arise from a ter-
minus or termini at the west-,-nd of London, which
great desideratum would be afforded by agreeing to

A meeting of the P:•oprietors of . the Eastern
Counties Railway was heA yesterday at the London
Tavern, Bisbopsgate-street, for the purpose of con-
sidering the extension of lines in connexion with
the main line of the Compati3.;, and for taking into consi-
deration several proposals for the purpose of increas-
ing the traffic of the line.
In consequence of the illness or Mr. Bosanquet, the
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Mr. RAIIIEIOISE, the Deputy-Chairman, filled his
place, and s9id, on taking the chair, that he would
not at that time occupy the time of the meeting with
any remarks, but would reserve himself till questions
were put requiring an explanation. He would only
mention that on that morning they had seen Mr.
Hudson, and he was happy to be able to inform the
meeting that the Cambridge and Lincoln Company
had come to an arrangement, the principles of which
were satisfactory to the Eastern Counties Rail Way.
—(Hear.) He would now call upon the Secretary to
read the report. •
The Secretary then read the report, which was a
very voluminous document, proposing several exten-
sions, and large discretionary powers for the Di-.
rectors.

' Mr. HENDERSON seconded the resolution in a
speech of great length, going most minutely into all
the local and general features of these branch lines
and the contemplated lines, which made them neces-
sary as an act of self-defence. He explained his posi-
tions by frequent reference to a map of the Brighton
and other lines, prepared for the purpose, without
which his arguments could not be conveyed with any
degree of clearness. He strongly urged the Pro-
prietors to adopt the resolution.
Mr. FLOOD said the only question the Proprietors
ought to consider was, whether the lines would be
for their own interest or not, or was there any other
way of procuring the same advantages without in-
volving them in a contest with other Companies ? He
thought he could establish that there were other
modes by which these advantages could be obtained.
The cost of these lines was assumed to be 120,0001.,
and was likely to be more. He thought they ought
to pause before they assented to projects that sprung
from the mania of railroad speculations that now pre-
vailed. Because other projects were on foot, were
they to rush into these schemes, notwithstanding their
inexperience ? The wisest thing they could do was to
hold their hands while speculation was so rife; at present
they could hardly draw any sound conclusions. The
last speaker had complained of the aggression and
invasion of their claims by other parties, and the
arguments he had used would go far to justify similar
charges against themselves. If so charged, what
could they reply ? Quis tulit Gracchi de seditione
qucerentes? He utterly disclaimed being actuated by
anything like hostility to the Directors ; he believed
that, from first to last, they had endeavoured to do
their duty to the Company.
Mr. LEVI said that now all the three London-
bridge companies were at loggerheads, the joint-
committee ought at least to give up the 1,0001.
they were allowed. But though they quarrelled, he
dared to say they took their salaries. It was all
very well to talk about the public, and that they
would be benefited ; but was he to risk his capital to
benefit them ? He liked the public very well, but he
did not choose to yield to the common cant about
giving all their money to it. They would not get
1001. a year extra by the West-end terminus. The
rich people at the West-end who went to Brighton
had got their own carriages to take them to the sta-
tion, and what did they care whether it was at
London-bridge or Ilungerford-bridge ? He hoped
they would give up this unproductive scheme.
Mr. PARSONS spoke strongly in favour of the pro-
posal, and thought some of the calculations stated by
Mr. Flood was fallacious. The South-Western line
were engaging in an immense undertaking, of which
they would have the use merely for a proportionate
toll. He pointed out the immense growth of the
metropolis and insisted on the advantage of a western
terminus, and hoped the Proprietors would support
the Directors.
On the application of a PROPRIETOR, the agreement
of the Brighton Company with the South-Western
Company was read.
Mr. C. GRENFELL said it was impossible to decide
on a document of such importance, especially as so
many points in it were to be left to reference. He
objected to various parts of the plan ; he objected to
the guarantee to the South-Western Company of
a minimum of 7,0001. a year. The number of resolu-
tions was ten, and to the third of them he moved an
amendment, which was seconded by an Hon. Pro-
prietor.
A long discussion ensued, in which the chief point
involved was whether or not, in the carrying out the
proposed plan, the Company would commit a breach
of faith with the Croydon Company.
Mr. MELLOR contended that there was no breach of
faith in the case. He replied to the arguments of
Mr. Wilkinson, the Chairman of the Croydon line, and
supported the plan of the West-end termini as essen-
tial to the prosperity of the Company.
Mr. TAYLOR opposed the proposal as not being
remunerative, and said he should decidedly vote
against it.
The CHAIRMAN put the amendment of Mr. Gren-
fell, which, on a show of hands, was lost by a great
majority.
Mr. FLOOD then moved the adjournment of the
meeting, which was also lost on a division
The CHAIRMAN then pug the original resolution,
when the numbers were—
For the resolution 47
Against it ..
Majority for the resolution —34
A poll was then demanded, and Mr. Shrewster and
Mr. Mellor were named scrutineers. The poll having
been taken, the resolution was declared to be carried
by a majority of 25.
The remaining resolutions, which were dependent
on the first, and fixed the mode of raising the funds,
were carried without opposition.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the
meeting separated at six o'clock, the proceedings
having lasted five hours.

ARREARS OF BUSINESS IN THE LAW COURTS.—
Hilary Term begins on Saturday, and by the lists of the
Court of Queen's Bench and the Exchequer, it appears
that the rules for new trials which remained undeter-
mined at the end of the sittings after Michaelmas term
last number in the first-mentioned Court 120. The first
rule was moved so long ago as Michaelmas, 1842. In
Michaelmas term following there were three which still
remain undecided. In Hilary term last four ; in Easter
term last forty, and four which were tried during the
same term ; in Trinity term last three, and a similar
number tried in that term ; in Michaelmas term fifty-
one, and two others tried in the term. There are nine
rules standing for the judgment of the Court, the first of
which, as stated, was moved in Michaelmas term, 1842,
and the last in Hilary term, 1844. In the Court of Ex-
chequer there are two rules for judgment, one moved in
Easter term, and the other in Trinity term last, and in
addition one rule for argument, moved in Hilary term
last. There are sixty rules moved in the last term, and
two granted after the fourth day of the same term. The
special paper exhibits one for judgment and eleven for
argument. The demurrer for judgment was heard in
November last in the case of " Buron v. Denman,
Esq.," in which an important question was raised re-
specting the capture of a slave vessel by Capt. Denman,
and on which two other rules are pending. In the
peremptory paper there are twelve rules ; the earliest
day of the first rule nisi was in Juno, and the latest in
November last. The peremptory paper is to be called
on the first day of the term after the motions, and to be
proceeded with the next day if necessary, before the
motions.

Before we enter on subjects relating to the new
year, there is a blot connected with the old which we are
most anxious to expunge. We owe it in justice to the
offended feelings of a nobleman—we owe it in justice to
a public, who may have been misled—and we also owe it
in justice to ourselves, to express our regret at having
been made the channel of an unfounded imputation
against the commanding-officer of a cavalry regiment in
Ireland, who was said to have refused an extension of
leave under very peculiar and distressing circumstances.
On receiving intimation of its incorrectness, we lost no
time in offering to place the columns of our paper at the
disposal of the aggrieved nobleman, for any refutation he
might desire at our hands ; and it is now our duty to
express our regret at having been the means of mislead-
ing the public mind by a statement which has turned out
to be unfounded. The difficulty of keeping the columns
of a publiejournal free from erroneous statements is far
greater than perhaps any one unconnected with the
press may believe. In the present case, there is but one
circumstance to mitif,ate our regret—=by having given
publicity to the paragraph in question, we have been
placed in a position as publicly to establish the positive
untruth of a charge which might otherwise have con-
tinued to be darkly and maliciously whispered against
the Noble Lord. It is our anxious wish as journalists
always to do right; and when led into error, our greatest
satisfaction will always be promptly to acknowledge, and
amply to at, me for it.—Court Journal.
SPINNING BETIMEs.—The Manchester papers agree
in stating " that for some days past there has been a I
much better demand for yarn." This looks as if Sir R.
Peel had already begun the Queen's speech.--Punch. I