The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-13 00:00:00

THIS DAY'S NEWS.

BANK of ENGLAND.—(THIS DAY.)

The usual half yearly Court of the Governor, Directors, and Pro.
prietors of Bank Stock was held this day at the Bank of England,
for the purpose of declaring a dividend.
William Cotton, Esq., Governor of the Bank, took the chair at
twelve o'clock.
After the minutes of the last meeting were read,

The GOVERNOR said he had the honour to acquaint the Court
that this was the half-yearly General Court appointed by the b3e-
laws to consider of a dividend. The Court of Directors
having considered the state of the banking ac.
counts, were of opinion that a dividend might be
made if the Couit thought fit of 3i per cent. interest,
and profit for the half year, ending the sth of April next, deducting
therefrom 7d. in the pound on account of the income-tax. The
Court were aware that a change had been made with regard to the
making up of the accounts, and that, under the new system, now
the accounts were made up to the 28th of February, and the re-
sult of the profits between the 31st of August and the 28th of
February, enabled the Directors to recommend a dividend for the
last hAlf-year, making an addition to the rest of 9,7271. He had
now to move that a dividend be made; and at many as were of that
opinion would signify the same by holding up their bands.
In answer to a question from Mr. FIELDER,
The GOTERNoIi stated that every year the amount of the sum
for the redemption of capital was larger than the year before.
Mr. HAMMOND wished to know how the new system was fobnd
to work ?

The Govzitsma said, that there was some labour and expense in
putting the Bank in a condition to work the new system, but they
found no difficulty in working it.
The motion declaring a dividend of 3i per cent., deducting the
ineome-tax therefrom, was then put, and carried unanimously.
The GOVERNOR said that the dividend warrants would be deli-
vered and paid on Monday, the 7th of April next.
Mr. WiLLIAMS proposed the following vote of thanks :
" Resolved,—That the best thanks of this Court be given to the
Governor for his conspicuous talent, zeal, and assiduity to the
interests of the Bank of England; more particularly, for success.
fully carrying out the working of the new system, as established
pursuant to the last Act of Parliament for renewing the privileges
of this Corporation."
Mr. HAMMOND seconded the resolution-
Mr. Coors concurred, with great pleasure in the object of the
resolution.

Mr. Malmo:4n begged leave to say a very few words. As a very
old Proprietor of the Bank, be could not permit this resolution to
go forward without expressing his entire concurrence in it; for he
was well acquainted with the seal, the ability, and the assiduity
which the Governor and Deputy-Governor brought to bear in the
management of the affairs of this great great corporation.—(Hear,
hear.) Indeed, he believed that there could not be found in it two
men better qualified for the offices.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. FiskuEa felt the fullest confidence in the conduct and abi.
lity of the Governor and Deputy. Governor for the last three years,

and he had no doubt but that all who now heard him felt equal
confidence and satisfaction. But there was one point to which he
wished to call the attention of the Court. He would ask, would
it not be well, a short time before the election of the next Gover-
nor, Deputy-Governor, and Directors, to advertise the names of
the gentlemen whom it was intended to put in nomination for
those offices, in order that the Proprietors might have an opportunity
of judging for themselves as to the fitness of these men ? He
merely threw this out as a suggestion.

The QovairNos said, in answer to a question from a Proprietor,
_ .

that the amount of the rest ptior to the declaration of the dividend
was 3,673,524/. 4s. 2d., and subsequent to the declaration of the
dividend it amounted to 3,079,025/. 9s. 9d.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously, as was
also a similar vote to the Deputy-Governer.
The GOVERNOR rose to return thanks. Before doing so he
begged tosay, in answer to a question that had just been put in re.
ference to the rest, that heretofore the sum announced as the rest
was not the current amount, because it contained only a statement
of the interest paid in at the different periods in the interim pre_
vioas to the regular time for declaring the rest ; but now, and in
f•ture, under the new system, the sum stated as the amount of

the rest would be the correct and actual amount. Having auswcred
that question, he now begged to thank the Court for the very un.
deserved honour they had conferred upon him. The Court were
aware that it was at their request he had allowed himself to be put
in nomination for this year--(Hear, hear)—for he was well aware

that the duties of the office would demand his most anxious care—
knowing, as he did, that very important measures, affect-
ing not only the welfare of this establishment, but that
of the country generally, in connexion with it,
would be brought before Parliament this year.—(Hear, hear.) He
would be glad indeed that some member of their body, possessed of
more ability and talent than be could boast, had been chosen ; but
having discharged his duty, as he had been told, satisfactorily, he
did not resist the request that he should continue in the chair for
another year.—(Hear, hear.) But though deficient in talent, yet
he could say with sincerity, in the words of the oath he had taken
when last placed in the chair, that he had done his duty to the ut-
most of his skill and power.—(Hear, hear.) He felt bound to say,
however, that much of his success had been owing to the very
cordial and efficient assistance for which he was indebted to
those who acted with him.— (Hear, hear.) He should also add
that he had found that a plain, straightforward, unreserved mode
of dealing in his communications with the Government was the
only foundation that could be relied on with security and certainty.
—(Hear, hear.) That was the course that had been taken, and
he congratulated the Proprietors on the successful results.
The DEPUTY-GOVERNOR next returned thanks in a few words,
and expressed the satisfaction it afforded him to see the Court so
unanimous in their approbation of the conduct of their Governor.
The GOVERNOR, in reply to a question, said that no applichtion
had been made for a new Corporation, but that there would be
one made to the Crown for a new Charter.
The SECRETARY then read the minute, and the meeting ad.
joutned.

LONDON JOINT-STOCK BANK.

(THIS DAY.)

A general meeting of the Proprietors of this Bank was tied this
day at the office in Princes-street, for the purpose of electing a
Director in the room of Mr. Derthez, resigned.
Some additional interest seemed to be felt in the proceedings, in
consequence of misunderstandings which had arisen out of charges
alleged to have been made by Mr. Meek, one of the candidates,
against the Directors at a meeting in 1841. The attendance was
very numerous.

Captain LOCHNER, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, took
the chair at twelve o'clock. In opening the business, he stated
that a vacancy had occurred in the Direction, and two gentlemen,
William James Lancaster, Esq., and George Meek, Esq., had been
proposed as candidates.
On the question being put to to the meeting from the Chair,

Mr. MEEK entered into a statement and defence of considerable
length, in reference to what he had said at the meeting in 1841,
and which was made the ground of opposing his election to the
office of Director.

Mr. Hectuocx then addressed the meeting, and read extracts
from shorthand notes of Mr. Meek's speech at the meeting in
question, and contended that, after such observations on the part of
that gentleman, the Shareholderd would act imprudently in elect-
ing him to fill the vacancy in the Directory. The Honourable
Proprietor was interrupted several times on the ground that he
was introducing that which was irrelevant to the object of the
meeting.

Ultimately Mr. Meek resigned, and W. J. Lancaster, Esq., was
unanimously elected as the new Director. _

A vote of thanks wus given to the Chairman, and the meeting
then adjourned,

LLOYD'S :sIIIPPING.—( THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MARcH 13, P.M.—Strong Northerly breeze and hazy.—
There was a fall of snow last night accompanied with a severe frost.
SHIELDS, MARCH S.—Put back Friendship, of Whitby, with bow-
sprit sprung, having been in contact.
DARTMOUTH, M•ncn I2.—Wind E —Arrd. Bristol packet, Llanelly,
for Rouen, with loss of bulwarks &c., and other damage, having:been
struck by a sea otf Portland.
DuNnen, MARCH 11.—The Mary Day drove from her anchor in a
heavy gale, and went on the rocks west of Cateraig Harbour ; cargo
discharged—vessel expected to become a wreck.
STOCKTON,I MARCH ll.—The! Mary Wilson, Ledsham, of and
from Shields, on running for the Tees, on the 7th inst., struck on the
North Gar and became a total wreck—crew drowned.
WIVENHOE, MARCH 12.—The Rhoda, of and from London, to
Hartlepool, has put in hero with considerable damage, having been in
contact with the Barbara of Sunderland.
TONNAGE DUES AT MADEIRA.

Advices have been received at Lloyd's from their agent at Madeira,
announcing that the Portuguese Government had issued and put into
operation, on the 21st of February, a decree, by which all vessels
going there will henceforward be charged a tonnige duty, under the
name of " Health-office Fees," of 30 rs., equal to 114 d. per ton, and
15 rs. per ton for bill of health at departure, if the vessel be Portu-
guese, or any nation having treaties with Portugal. All others were
to be charged 50 rs. per ton on arrival, and 20 rs. per ton for bill of
health on departure. In all cases the bill of health at departure to
be charged at the above rates till it amount to four dollars, atter
which no more, however large the vessel be. The above decree had
been received with much opposition, and very strong repreaentatiOns
from the merchants and others, were to be forwarded immediately to
Lisbon, opposing the measure.

CORN AVERAGES.
GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN
For the Week ended March 8, 1845, made up from the Returns of the
Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns hi England and Wales,
Per Imperial Quarter.
Wheat . ..... ,Vs Od Oath 21s 7d Beans ...... 34s 8d
Barley ••• • • • 32s 2d I Rye.... •. • . 30s 5d Pease ....... 33s 5d

AVERAGES OF THE LAST SI.

Weeks
ending

Wheat. Barley. Oats.