The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-24 00:00:00

The clauses were then agreed to, and the Committee broke up.

the Birmingham and Gloucester Company against the Bill. Ia a
speech of some length ha endeavoured to show that the proposed
line would operate as a competing scheme of a most injurious cha-
racter, while it would afford but imperfect accommodation to the
district. The Birmingham and Gloucester Company were fully
prepared to carryout all necessary extensions that were lequired for
the wants of the public, and ought to be allowed the privilege of
doing so without the interference of a third party. He prayed the
Committee at least to postpone the Bill to give time for re.consi.
deration.

Mr. WALPOLE, on behalf of Lord Redesdale, then briefly ad-
dressed the Committee, contending that the deviation line would
be better calculated to serve the district than the one which had
been proposed, without interfering with the grounds of his client.
He considered that the least that should be done was to postpone
the Bill, in order to allow competing engineers to examine into its
merits. More especially was delay called for, not only on this
ground, but on account of the clauses respecting traffic which had
been surreptitiously introduced into the Bill.
Mr. TALBOT then proceeded to address the Committee in reply,
and in behalf of the Bill before the Committee. He went at
length into the whole case, addressing himself to all the points
which had been adduced before the Committee against the Bill by
the several petitioners. He dis:ussed the objections on the subject
of transhipment, the difference of gauges, and the question ofcompeti-
tion between the London and Birmingham and the Birmingham and
Gloucester Railways, which he considered preposterous and absurd,
especially when it was considered that the London and Birmingham
line was seeking a way direct to Manchester, independent of the
Grand Junction, through the projected Trent Valley and other
schemes; and that Mr. Hudson, the great amalgamator
of railways, had guaranteed the shareholders of the Birming-
ham and Gloucester 6 per cent. on their capital.
Having gone through this part of his subject, he went into that of
the estimates which had been impugned, showing that the answers
of Mr. Brunel clearly met that objection, and concluded by speak-
ing to the toll clauses, which he affirmed were no breach of faith,
but had been fairly introduced into the Bill, the tolls of which
were considerably lower than those proposed by the Tring scheme.
On the termination of the Learned Gentleman's address
_ _

The Noble CHAIRMAN intimated that the promoters of the Bill
had better be prepared with their clauses in the morning, so that
all might be before them before giving the decision on the
preamble.
The Committee then adjourned till to.morrow at eleven o'clock.

RUNCORN AND PRESTON lIROOIC
RAILWAY.

The Committee to whom this line was referred re-assembled to-
day at eleven o'clock. Present—Lord Camoys, Chairman ; the
Duke of Leeds, the Earl of Uxbridge, Lord Kinnoul, and the
Marquis of Londonderry.
The case of the promoters of the line having closed yesterday,
the rebutting case, on behalf of the opposing petitioners, was
called on.

Mr. HOPE opened the proceedings, and contended at great
length that the promoters had made out no case
whatever. The traffic in pottery, coals, salt gro-
ceries, passengers, &c., had been greatly overstated, and
it was much better accommodated by the existing modes of con-
veyance than it would be by the proposed line. The Learned
Counsel, after alluding to the engineering difficulties on theline, and
to the design of the promoters to make it merely subservient to
another and far more extensive scheme, by which a monopoly
would be conferred on the Grai.d Junction Company, concluded a very
lengthened statement by calling on their Lordships not to suppport
a scheme based on such erroneous fallacies as to its estimated traffic,
and designed to effect such a formidable monopoly as was con-
templated.

Evidence was then called in support of these statements.
Messrs. John Bladon, Robert Brown, Abingdon, and Leslie
deposed to the superiority of the canal to the conveyance by rail
for the traffic of the district, and were severally subjected to a long
cross-examination, but the details are of no public interest what-
ever.

The Committee then adjourned till half past eleven o'clock to
morrow, when Mr. Lowndes will reply.

IRISH GREAT WESTERN (DUBLIN AND
GALWAY) RAILWAY.
Their Lordships met at eleven o'clock, in the Lord Chancellors'
Court, Earl Bathurst in the chair. The other Noble Lords pre.
sent were Earl Wynford, Lords Calthorpe, Lilford, and FOrester.
The line of evidence which had been pursued on the previous
day was not resumed.
Mr. Rows proceeded to call on a different class of witnesses.
Several subscribers had caused letters to be sent to the different
provincial postmasters to various addresses. The first was the
case of

Mr. Frederick Bond Hughes, whose name was affixed to the sub-
scription deed for 2,000/.
Mr. Rows called
Mr. Brewer, postmaster of Reigate, who deposed that he received
letters fer a gentleman in London, who designated himself as Frede-
rick Bond Hughes, of Newington.terrace, Dover.road. Witness, ac-
cording to this gentleman's directions, took in letters so addressed.
Knew no such person residing at Reigate. The letters were regu-
larly forwarded to Reigate, and front London letters were sent by Mr.
Hughes, which passed through the Reigate post-office, and which
were addressed to several railway companies about the country.
Mr. Reed, a gentleman in the service of the Company, was next
examined—He deposed that he had in his custody a great number
of letters of allotment. Several letters came from Glyn's bank
with their backs torn off, but those which came from the Union
Bank were entire. The signing of the deed took place in the
Company's offices in Cornhill. There were two rooms there, one
of which witness occupied a good deal, and the other, an inner room,
the Committee met in. There was a Committee of Directors ap-
pointed to superintend the allotment of shares. Witness went
into the employment of the Company in November, after the
allotment of shares had taken place. Meetings of the Committee
were held once and sometimes twice a week. Sir William Young
gave up the prominent position he occupied as chairman, and it
was occupied by General Caulfield subsequently. Heard
that the reason that Sir William Young gave up the post
was ill health. Mr. Fitzstephen French was Chairman of
the Parliamentary Committee. No signatures to the deed took
place on Christmas day. A great number of signatures were
affixed to the deed on the 26th and 27th of December. On those
days General Caulfield and Mr. Whitmore looked in perhaps once
or twice, to see what progress had been made. Every precaution
bad been taken to prevent any improper signing of the deed, and
in one instance, where a party put down a fictitious signature,
he was instantly expelled from the room. The expunging of this
fictitious name accounted for the erasure which appeared on
the deed.
Mr. ROWE stated that a petition had been presented against the
Bill by a Mr. Barry, and it appeared by a note on the minute-
book that he (Mr. Barry) had been induced to withdraw his opposi-
tion by a sum of 2401., and 5001. in case the Bill passed success.
fully through the Standing Orders' Committee. This arrangement
was reported to the Committee by Mr. F. French. The Bill was
happily thrown out by the Standing Orders' Committee.
Mr. George Ward, postmaster at St. Alban's, deposed that he
had received letters from Mr. Edward Grogan at St. Alban's.
That person wrote several letters to him from October to the
present time. He received a letter from Mr. Grogan requesting
witness to send such letters as might reach the St. Alban's post-
office for him to Park-place, Devonshire.street, Mile-end-road.
Mr. Grogan signed for 5001.
Witness proceeded to say that he sent several letters there for
him. Never knew any such person as Mr. Edward Grogan.
The next case was that of Mr. Anderson Clifford, who was a
subscriber to the deed for 1,5001.
Mrs. Jane Caroline Evitts, postmistress at Staines, gave evidence
showing that precisely the same sort of machinery had been used in
this case as in the other.
The next case was that of William Henry Drummond, gentle.
man, Watford—sum subscribed, 1,0001. ; date Dec. 1844 ; sum
paid up 501.
Mr. Hearne, postmaster at Watford, gave evidence of a similar
nature.

, The next case was that of Mr. Alfred Weeking, who appeared
on the subscribing deed as a gentleman residing at Goole—sum
subscribed for 1,000/. ; sum paid up 501. ; date Dec. 1844.
• The postmaster at Goole furnished the same sort of testimony.
William Shackell, gentleman, Maidenhead, Berks, 3,5001. ;
sum paid up 1751., was the next name on the ded.
Mr. Robinson, postmaster at Maidenhead, deposed that he knew
no such person as Mr. Shackell residing at Maidenhead.
Mr. Shackell came forward to be examined. He stated that he
held a commission in her Majesty's service. Was a cornet. The
date of his commission was 1815.
The Committee, after hearing Mr. AUSTIN and Mr. ROWE at
considerable length, decided upon not entering into the merits of
the Bill without further notice from the House, if the allegations
contained in the petition of Mr. Pym were considered proved.
The evidence of Mr. Shackell was resumed—Lived for some
time with his brother in Maidenhead. Received a pension of 261.
a year from the Charter-house. Was paid it quarterly. Did not
alwaysstop with his brother. Signed this contract deed, but did
not know for what amount, nor the number of shares he had in it.
Was at his brother's last Christmas. Might have been in London
on Christmas day, and had signed deeds within the last year to the
amount of 50,0001., but could not then recollect the exact time at
which he signed those deeds. Did not think it a prudent thing to
keep any railway shares. He gave them to his broker, who disposed
of them to the best advantage.—(Laughter.) Paid deposits on the
shares. Gave a reference to Cox and Greenwood's, from whom be
received his half-pay.
Mr. Edward Smith, stone merchant, 5, Regent's.wharf, City.
basin, 7501., was the next name on the list.
Mr. Smith deposed that his name and address was accurately de.
scribed on the deed, but he had not signed it, nor authorised any
one to sign it.
Cross.examined—His clerk might have written for some railway
shares—he spoke to witness on the subject.
The next name was George Stanley, Esq., Hill.houae, South.
ampton-7,5004
It appeared from the evidence that Mr. Stanley had no fixed re.
sidence ; that numerous executions and writs have been issued
against him ; that Hill-house is on the very boundary of the
county and borough near Southampton; and the sheriff's officer
swore that by stepping out at one door he avoided the sheriff's
officer of the borough and got into the county, and vice versa when
the county officer came, so that neither could catch him.
. Mr. Taylor, in answer to a question from Mr. Rowe, said they
would b.i prepared fully to justify the Company, and to show that
they had acted in an honourable and straightforward manner, but
would not attempt to controvert a great number of the cases brought
under the notice of the Committee.
The Committee adjourned till to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock

'WEE GIrsSZOW 31.TIVCICZJN
The Committee re assembled this morning at eleven, when the
examination of Mr. Walker, civil engineer, which had not been
concluded at the rising of the Committee yesterday, was resumed.
The witness deposed that if the rails of the proposed railway
were laid down on a level with the quays, it would drive away the
Liverpool and Irish steamers from the harbour. He had calculated
that one waggon in every minute would come to the side of the
quay, which would occasion great interruption to the general
traffic. If the sheds, which are very small for the accommodation
of the present traffic, were to be enlarged on the land side to
the extent of 45 feet, only 22 feet would be left for the carriage
way, and that space would be insufficient for properly carrying on
he trade.
The e;..arr:iiiz.tior. of tl,e witness was interrupted in order that
Captain Washington, it. N., who had been examined yesterday,
might be placed in the witness-box to verify the statements he had
made. He said he had been sworn before the House, and would
still abide by the evidence he gave yesterday. He wished, how-
ever, to explain an apparent di.crepancy. He had stated he had
seen a number of foreign ships outside the quay, but he now begged
to say that whether they were embarking or not he could not tell.
Mr. Walker's examination was then resumed—The Hull and
Selby Railway at Hull was carried on a level with the quays, but
it did not furnish an analogous case with the proposed Glasgow Rail-
way, as no mineral or mat was carried on the quays, and all the
passengers arrived and embarked at a different plain. There was
also greater accommodation at Hull for the traffic: The extent of
wharfage at Hull was 15,500 feet, while at Glasgow, which pos-
'med a much greater traffic, it was only 6,500 feet. Again, at
Liverpool, where the railway was on a level with the quays, the
wharfs extended altogether to 33,000 feet, as compared with 6,500
feet on the Clyde—so that no analogy could be established between
the cases. He was decidedly of opinion that if the railway were
=Me at all, it ought to be vested entirely in the hands of the Clyde
trustees, with power to take up or alter the rails as they might
think proi.er, nut to regulate the traffic.
Mr, ANDREVVS then proceeded to crone-examine Mr. Walker,
who said that, with respect to coal and pig-iron, the loaded waggons
eonld be lifted by cranes from off the quay, sod lowered idto the

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP X.
MOST IMPORTANT.
Tam mzelsXON ON THE LONDON AND
YORK LINES.

holds of the vessels alongside. The weight of a coal-waggon, when
laden, averaged from 5i to 6 tons. This was the practice pursued
at Newcastle and other coal-exporting places, but was not gene-
rally followed at Glasgow. A balance-weight was sometimes
attached to the crams. The waggons, when loaded and swung
from the crane, were a descending weight, and when emptied of
their contents %n the holds of the vessel, being lighter than the
Laiance-weight attached to the crane, they would ascend by the
power of gravity. To erect these machines would be attended with
considerable expeuse,'and it the vessels were sufficiently low in the
water, tilting the contents of the waggons into their holds would
probably be a more expeditious mode.
The Noble eiIAIRMAN interrupted the cross-examination, and
said he did not think it was necessary that this evidence should be
gone further iet
bir. ANDREWS replied that he would not press it further.
The witness continued—Sheds had beeen recently erected on the
south side of the harbour, but, speaking from recollection, they
were four feet wider than those which had been constructed on
the north side.
Mr. WGregor, of the Board of Trade, was next examined—He
said that the room in the harbour at Glasgow was not more than
sufficient to accommodate tie steam-boat trade, the foreign traffic,
and the Custom-house department. In his opinion the construe:
stion of a line of rails on the wiays would materially interfere with
the traffic. The Custom-h..use Commissioners, with the consent

Committee Room, Group X., Two o'clock.
This being the day appointed for giving the decision on the
competing lines of the Direct Northern and London and
York, with their several collateral projects, all approaches
to Group X were crowded long before the period
for the assembling of Members. The most intense anxiety, as may
be easily imagined, was evinced to learn the fate of these gigantic
rivals, and the excitement was even greater than that which cha-
racterised the memorable termination of " the battle of the gauges."
Heavy bets were freely laid by the adherents of both Companies as
to the approaching issue, and as freely, if not with avidity, accepted.
Quarter to Three.
The Members of the Committee, Lord Courtenay (Chairman),
Mr. P. Scrope, Mr. Darby, and Mr. B. Wall, arrived at a quarter
rot: s andcrib aits
l eevery
l
access is crowded to
past two, and still remain
suffocation—theindeliberateiaonci. Thetement indescribable,
momentarily increasing.

Quarter past Feur.
The Committee have this moment entered, and, amid the most

profound silence,

irf the Treasury, No power to restrict the expoltation of coals, wool

and her articlei not paying duty, to certain places wh et they
tn'ght see fit to appoint; so that in point of fact if the Commissioner:
found that the mincrajs brought by the proposed railways on the

quays shou►d interfere with the general traffic, so as to prove detri-
x lent& to the revenue, they could prevent their exportation from
th, at olaCO. . . . .

'The examination of these two witnesses, all the substantial facts
or which have been stated, occupied the Committee the entire day,

Their Lordships adjourned on • il to- morrow.

O.:C.TORD, WORCES AND woravEn-
TAIXTAY.
The c `ommittee met to-day at eleven o'clock, Lord Auckland in
the chair, when
Mr. D„ tfia. proceeded to address the Committee on behalf of

The CHAIRMAN said—l am instructed to say that the Committee
have come to the resolution that the PREA MIME of the LON-
DON and YORK COMPANY'S BILL IS PROVED, omitting
the branches to Wakefield and Sheffield, which they consider it
advisable t• postpone for subsequent legislation.

This announcement was received with loud cheers.

Mr. Sergeant WRANORAM then made application for the Com-
mittee, 4r some member of it, to move in the House of Commons,
that the preamble be received without the SheflieldA nd Wakefield
branches.

Lord COURTENAT stated that the Committc, ca i d rant be re-
sponsible tor any future proceedings, but they int( n . t 7 t the next
Proceeding Should be for the general benefit, and the Committee
thought that this end would be best served by the Committee
taking the Cambridge and Huntingdon line. That was the course
they intended to take.
After a few words from Mr. HILDVARD, this course was agreed
upon. The Committee will, therefore, take the clauses of the
London and York line to-morrow, and after those proceed with
the Cambridge and Huntingdon. This was the arrangement at last
agreed upon.
The Committee then Adjourned,

THE SUN, LONDON, THITRSDAI MORNING, JULY 24, 1845.

REPORT FROM THE SELECT- COMMITTEE
ON THE SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY
(BRANCH TO DEAL AND EXTENSION TO
CANTERBURY, RAMSGATE, AND MAR-
G ATE) BILL.
Mr. Lascelles reported from the Select Committee on
Group A of Railways, that in the case of the South-
Eastern Railway (branch to Deal and Extension to Can-
terbury, Ramsgate, and Margate) Bill the Committee
had examined into the several matters required by the
Standing Orders to be inquired into by Committees on
Railway Bills, and had agreed to the following report:—
First. That the capital proposed to be raised under
the powers in the Bill is 187,0004, to which extent it is
intended to increase the capital of the South-Eastern
Railway Company, and the amount of loan which they
are empowered to raise is 62,3001., when one-half of the
capital to be raised by the proposed Bill, and the acts
relating to the South-Eastern Railway, shall have been
paid up.
Second. That the amount of shares subscribed for is
140,2501, and the deposits paid thereon amount to
7,012/. 10s.
That the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth resolu-
tions did not appear to the Committee to be applicable
to the present case, inasmuch as the work is to be made
by an existing company, and to form part of an existing
undertaking.
Seventh. That the lines proposed to be made are
in-
tended to complete the communication by railway be-
tween Deal and the South-Eastern (Canterbury, Rams-
gate, and Margate) Railway, and to alter and extend
the last-mentioned railway at the town of Margate, and
so to connect Deal with Ramsgate, Margate, and the
Metropolis, and all the towns on the line of the South-
Eastern Railway ; and the insufficiency of agricultural,
commercial, and other purposes, of the present, means of
conveyance and of communication between Deal and the
line of the South-Eastern Railway, as well as between
Ramsgate and Margate, and other places lying near or
contiguous to the line of railway, has been satisfactorily
proved. The present amount of traffic by land and water,
with the average charges male for passengers and goods,
and time occupied, appear from the evidence given before
the Committee to be as stated in Appendices (A), (B),
(C), (D), (E), (F), and (G).
Eighth. That the number of passengers, and the
weight and description of goods, expected upon the pro-
posed branch railway and extension, are set forth in Ap-
pendix (II).
Ninth. That the amount of income expected from the
conveyance of passengers and goods, and in what pro-
portions, and generally the description of goods from
which the largest revenue is anticipated, are stated in
Appendix (I).
Tenth. That the proposed Branch Railway is a com-
plete and integral line between Deal and the line of the
South. Eastern (Canterbury, Ramsgate, and Margate
Branch) Railway.
Eleventh. That a report from the Board of Trade in
favour of the objects embraced by tha Bill has been re-
ferred by the House to the Committee.
Twelfth. That there is no plane proposed to he worked
by assistant engines, either stationary or locomotive.
Thirteenth. That there are no peculiar engineering
difficulties on either of the proposed lines.
Fourteenth. That there is no tunnel.
Fifteenth. That the gradients and curves are gene-
rally favourable the steepest gradient being lin
264, and the smallest radius of a curve being 20 chains.
Sixteenth. That the length of the branch line to Deal
is 8 miles 7i furlongs, and of the Extension to Margate
3 furlongs.
Seventeenth. Tb at it is intended that:the said altered and
extended line of railway should cross on a level one publ e
road, and that the Branch Railway to Deal should cross
eight public roads ; but the evidence adduced before the
Committee established to the satisfaction of the Commit-
tee that, owing to the peculiar character of the country
traversed, the crossing of such highways on the level was
under all circumstances the mast eligible mode that
could be adopted, and that under proper regulations
(which are enforced by clauses in the Railway Clauses
Consolidation Act, the powers of which are extended to
this Bill) no danger could reasonably be anticipated from
that circumstance.
Eighteenth. That the amount of the estimates of the
cost or other expenses to be incurred up to the time of
the completion of the railways is 178,000/., which appears
to be supported by evidence,and to be fully adequate for
the purpose.
Nineteenth. That the estimated charge of the annual
expenses of the railways when completed is 40 per cent.
of the gross receipts, the adequacy of which was satis-
factorily proved to the Committee.
Twentieth. That the calculations proved in evidence
have satisfactorily established that the revenue is likely
to be sufficient to support the annual charges of the main
tenance of the railway, and still allow a profit to the pro
lectors

That the Committee' are satisfied of the fitness in an
engineering point of view of the proposed line of railway,
and there are no other special circumstances of which, in
the opinion of the Committee, it is desirable the House
should be informed.
Mr. Lascelles further reported from the Committee,
that they had examined the allegations of the Bill, and
found the same to be true, and bad gone through the Bill,
and made several amendments thereunto.

REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
GROUP GG OF RAILWAYS.
GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK, AND AYR
(BARRHEAD BRANCH) RAILWAY BILL.
Mr. Evans reported from the Select Committee on Group
GG of railways, to whom several petitions against the Bills
comprised in the said group, together with the report of the
Board of Trade thereon, were referred, that in the case of the
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr (Barrhead Branch)
Railway Bill they had heard counsel in support of several of
the petitions, and had also heard counsel in favour of the
Bill ; and that they had examined the allegations contained
in the preamble of the Bill, but the same had not been proved
to their satisfaction.

PROTEST AGAINST THE SECOND
READING OF THE FIELD GARDENS BILL.
1. Because by this Bill there may be established in every
parish in the kingdom a board endowed with corporate privi-
leges, irresponsible, and armed with powers which may be used
for purposes of favouritism on the one hand, or of oppression on
the other.
2. Because the objects of this Bill, purporting to be sub-
sidiary to the provisions for the relief of the poor, under divers
Acts of Parliament, are, in truth, in direct contravention to
their principle.
3. Because, as in each parish, where the provisions of this
Bill shall be adopted, the field-wardens will be wholly un-
connected with those of every other, and uncontrolled by any
superior power, it cannot be doubted that in process of time
there will be introduced in different parishes a diversity of
practice, which will lead to heart-turnings, discontent, and
confusion.
4. Because the provisions of this Bill, if carried out in
the fairest and most equitable manner, will necessarily aggra-
vate the acknowledged evils resulting from the present law of
settlement.

5. Because its unavoidable tendency is to promote early and
improvident marriages, and to give an unnatural stimulus to
the increase of population, already superabundant in the agri-
cultural districts.
6. Because the necessary consequence will be the lowering
of the wages of the agricultural labourer.
7. Because the provisions of this Bill lead to the indefinite
increase of holdings and divisions of land, and thus to many
of the evils which now press so severely on the people of
Ireland.
8. Because they are in accordance with an opinion much in
vogue, but which I think false in itself, and injurious to
the people ; founded on an unfair estimate of their intelli-
gence and spirit, and (if acted upon) tending to lower their
independence, and to degrade their moral condition, viz., that
they cannot manage their own concerns, but must be cared for,
eve-I
-looked, and directed by others, their superiors perhaps in
fortune, but I believe by no means superior to them in virtue,
natural intelligence, or public spirit.
9. Because if I am mistaken in this character of the people,
and their comparative worth, the evil ought to be cured by good
example and education, and will only be aggravated by such
measures as those contemplated by the present Bill.

RADNOR.

COMMERCIAL BANK OF LONDON.—Tuesday the
annual meeting of the Proprietors of this Company was held at
the Banking house, Lothbur, Mr. W. R. Collett, M.P., in the
chair. The report, which was read by the manager, stated that
Y
the Directors had great pleasure in submitting, for the fifth time,
the annual statement of the Company's affairs. During the past
Year the number of new accounts had been steadily increasing, and
the expectations relative to the extensions of the business of the
bank held out in the laq report, had been more than realised. The
financial sheet showed, that, after making due allowance for bad and
doubtful debts, and deducting all the current expenses of the past
year, the net profits amounted to 8,7561. 16s. 4d. The Directors
had thegratification of declaring a dividend for the past half-year,
at the rate of six per cent. per annum. After paying this divi.
dend, and allowing for rebate of interest upon bills not yet
due, there would remain the sum of 1,9941. 9s. 11d. to be
added to the reserved fund. The Directors thought they would
be able to find employment for an additional amount of capital, and
had effected arrangements for such an increase in the number of
shares as would be sufficient to double the present paid up capital,
and at such a premium as could not only enable them to pay off
the whole of the preliminary expenses, but also to make an addi-
tion to the amount of the reserved fund. The report having been
adopted, and the dividend formally declared, the following retiring
Directors were unanimously reelected :—Mr. J. A. Douglas, Mr.
E. Oxenford, Mr. G. Rennie, jun., and Mr. J. Showell. Two
vacancies had also occurred in the direction, which Mr. Abel Cot-
ton and Mr. John Savage were elected to fill. The thanks of the
meeting were conveyed to the chairman, directors, and manager of
the bank for the successful manner in which they had conducted its
operations.

FATAL STEAM-BOAT ACCIDENT.—Tuesday fore-
noon, the Culioden schooner, of Pembroke, lying in St. George's
tier, having
discharged her cargo, an order was given to weigh
w ajotnaei
on., Benjamin The yp ro
c Jame d e
de s
the anchor, the Captain (Davis) being anxious to leave the river,
as the tide was favourable. The boat was lowered, and the fol.
lowing men
got into it, viz., David Davis, 37, mate, and brother
of p
whilstto
8t
mh oomo rasi n gR. chhaai nr d,
sa'n andand
in the act of hauling in the anchor, the Prince of Wales and the
Eclipse, Margate steamers, rival boats, passed at full speed, one on
either side of the tier of shipping. The bolt was struck on one side
by the immense swell which they raised, and before she could
right she was struck on the other and completely thrown over, the
whole of the persons in the boat being immersed in the water.
Boats from various stairs at Shad Thames immediately put off to
their assistance, but the water was so rough, from the rapidity with
which the steamers passed through it, that some time elapsed
before they could reach the spot where the accident occurred.
One of the poor fellows succeeded in getting hold of the mooring
chain, and was saved. The other three clung to each other, and
all perished. After the accident the two steamers stopped, but
they were some distance from the spot where it happened. In the
afternoon, as a mark of respect to Davis, who was well known to
all the captains trading to the port of London, the flags of the
different vessels round the spot where the occurrence took place
were displayed half-mast high.
WOOLWICH DOCKYARD.—The workmen employed
yesterday in digging for the foundations of the roof to be erected,
at an expense of about 6,0004, over the slip from which the Chi-
chester, 50. gun ship, was launched last year, turned up a great
number of bones and pieces of wood, and found several coffin
plates, whose preservation must have been owing to the thickness
of silver with which they had been coated. The ground now ap.
propriated for the east part of the dockyard appears to have formed
a portion of the churchyard of the parish of Woolwich, and the
place of interment must have been much larger than it is at pre-
sent, although the population has increased to a considerable extent
compared with what it used to be.