The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-30 00:00:00

PARIS AND ROUEN RAILWAY.

A meeting of the British shareholders in the Paris and
Rouen Railway Company was held in the Clarendon-rooms
yesterday, for the purpose of receiving the annual report of
the directors. JoirN Moss, Esq., was called to the chair.
The following is

THE REPORT.

Paris, 30th August, 1842.

- -
REPORT OF THE " CONSEIL D'ADMINISTRATION" TO THE
GENERAL MEETING.

" Gentlemen,—At the period of the General Meeting last
year, we were in a manner but preparing for our labours.
" The first year had been employed in arranging the final
plans, and accomplishing the formalities prescribed by the
law, in letting a portion of the works, and in entering into
contract for the engines, rails, and chairs.
" Our plans and propositions have afforded general satis-
faction to the legitimate claims of the localities, and were
subjected to very little alteration.
"The purchase of the land, which one year ago was scarcely
commenced, has been carried on with the greatest activity
and now draws to a close. For this purpose the line was
divided into two sections—the one containing nineteen com-
munes, and the other twenty-nine communes. The first
section has all been purchased, excepting that part required
for our Goods Station at the Batignolles, of which a few
parcels remain to be expropriated* in order to complete this
station. We are nevertheless in possession of a sufficient
portion of the land to be enabled to commence the works.
In the second section all the land required for the railway
and the intermediate stations, with one exception in the
communes of Sottevile and Rouen, is already purchased.
The contemplated construction of the Havre Line required
some alterations in our plans in these communes, or the land
would also have been purchased by this time. The new plans
have, however, passed the ordeal of the Committees of In-
quest, and we shall now proceed without loss of time to
obtain the land.

" Notwithstanding that the property required for the rail-
' way is divided into 7500 parcels, the value of the land and
houses, together with the difficulties attendant on passing
through towns and villages, such as Poissy, Mantes, and
Vernon, the result has been satisfactory. The greatest por-
tion of the purchases have been made by private contract.
We have only had recourse to expropriation in a few cases,
where the properties were of great value, and these were set-
tled by the jury in the most equitable manner.
" Great care has been taken in drawing up the different con-
veyances. As soon as the few remaining purchases are com-
pleted, an exact account of this portion of our outlay will be
made out. In the interim every thing is so settled as to place
tha company in perfect security.
" In the last accounts which we had the honour to lay be-
fore you, the expenditure for the works amounted but to
200,000 f. (X 8000) : on the 30th June last it reached the sum
of 11,419,401 f. 36c. (X 456,776 35.) ; and at the present mo-
ment it is 14,338,460 f. 41c. (X 573,538 Bs.). This will show
the activity which has prevailed in conducting the works.
We now lay before you the report of the engineer in chief,
which will give you a more complete account of the progress
of our enterprise.
[Then follows Mr. Locke's report upon the state of the
works.]
" To this report we beg leave to add that the advanced state
of the works leaves us under no apprehension as to their
early completion, nor have we any fear that the expenditure
will exceed the capital. Our hopes and calculations on these
two points have not been disappointed. The whole line will
be finished two years earlier, at least, than the time allowed
us by the bill. We shall thus be enabled to diminish the
charge for interest payable during the construction of the
line, and anticipate the period when the dividends will be
paid from the profits of the railway.
" The result will fully justify the manner of contracting for
the works which we selected. We have taken advantage of
the experience acquired in England in these matters. Every
doubt which existed as to success on the application of this
mode of proceeding, so new to France, has been completely
removed by the energetic means which our contractors have
employed—difficulties have been overcome, and new methods
introduced with perfect success.
" Upon this subject we feel called upon to contradict, in
the most formal manner, the incorrect reports which have
been circulated in respect to the want of harmony among the
workmen of various nations employed on our works. We
can safely affirm that, among the 8000 men now employed,
nothing has ever occurred beyond slight disputes, which it is
almost impossible to prevent among so vast a body of men.
They have never been of such a nature as to compromise or
even retard the execution of the works.
" In respect to the nature and solidity of the works, every
precaution has been taken in order that they may stand the
test of the most scrutinizing examination. They have been
adjudged according to specifications, drawn up after the most
mature deliberation. An efficient staff of engineers has been
placed on the different portions of the line to watch over the
execution of the works in their most minute details.

" We have never had occasion, in any matter of importance,
as far as regards the works, to differ with the contractors;
they have at all times, with the utmost promptitude, com-
plied with the orders of the engineer-in-chief.
" The few accidents which have really occurred on the line
have been greatly exaggerated ; they were perhaps inevitable
on such a difficult and extensive line of works, requiring so
much rapidity in their execution ; but they were most
pronaptly attended to, and always at the charge of the con-
tractors.

" If these works have been adjudged on terms not hitherto
obtained here, be assured, gentlemen, that their solidity has
not been sacrificed to a false economy ; every means have been
taken to secure their stability, and to afford, at: the same
time, perfect security in the working of the line. A railway
is of itself a great monument. Its splendour is to be found
in its utility.
" During the period which has intervened since our last
meeting, we have completed our contracts for the supply of
rails and chairs. The distance of the iron works is very
great; and the extraordinary dryness of the season, together
with accidents on the canals, have hitherto retarded the de-
liveries ; but we have taken every means to secure the strict
execution of our contracts--and we have, besides, received
the most positive assurances that the whole quantity will be
delivered within the present year.
" The construction of the engines, carriages, &c., for work-
ing the line has kept pace with the works, two months ago
there was but one engine at work in the manufactory where
our locomotives are in the course of construction, at this
moment more than five hundred men are actively employed,
together with the most complete machinery ever yet in ap-
plication here.

" In fine every part of our enterprise is in the most satis-
factory position, which we are greatly indebted to the power-
ful resources you have confided to our care.
" The calls have been paid up with remarkable punctuality.
" At the period of the last general meeting, the recepits
amounted to 12,602,086 f, 23c. (X 504,083 95.) ; on the 30th
June last they reached 28,320,9911. 25e. (X 1,132,838) ; and
at this present time they amount to 31,703,8721. 35c.
(X 1,268,154 18s.)
" We have not been obliged to have recourse to legal pro-
ceedings to get in any of the calls. Ninety-four shares only
have been sold, and these sales have generally been caused
by the death or absence of the party.
" Your example will not fail to produce a beneficial influ-
ence in the execution of great public works. In France,
complete justice was rendered to you in the chambers during
the discussion of the law on railways.
"Our monthly outlay has increased with the progress of
our works; and in the last six months of the past year it
has progressed from 1,200,0001. (X 48,000) to 2,600,0001.
(X 94,000), and it now reaches 3,500,000 (X 110,000) each
month.

" The total amount of the expenditure is 27,428,591 fs.
31c. (X 1,097,143 12s). Although our resources are not yet
exhausted, we, nevertheless, thought it expedient at the
commencement of the year to make application to the minis-
ters for public works, for the return of our caution money,
and at the same time to pave the way by complying with the
various forms required, for claiming the loan of fourteen
millions from the state. At this moment, even, we are press-
ing the ministers for return of the 3,600,000f5. (X 41,000)
caution money, which must precede the loan of 14 millions
(560,000) return of 4-sths of the same has just been granted,
and it is perhaps owing to a greater respect for the
letter rather than the spirit of the law, that the whole
is returned, for it is impossible for the government not
to perceive that our money would be much better employed
in carrying on the works than it is in the coffers of the state,
that a security is only of real use in guaranteeing the forma-
Lion of an association ; but when a company has already
executed works to the amount of twenty-eight millions
(1,120,000), the guarantee of a few hundred thousand francs
must be perfectly useless.
" You may rest assured we do not lose sight of the
period when the payment of the loan will commence,
and we have too much reliance. in the interest which the
government takes in our enterprise to have any fear or
respect to useless delays.
" As our works proceed we are better able to appreciate
the future resources of this undertaking, and we have every
reason to believe that our estimates of revenue will prove to
be as correct as are those of the cost of construction.
" The Havre line is the necessary consequence of the Rouen
line. It promises a vast addition to the number of passen-
gers, and its construction will remove every doubt as to the
extent of the transport of merchandise.
" We have taken a prominent part with the Government
and the Chambers in obtaining the assistance of the state
for this line, and we may say that to the example of the
Rouen Company may be mainly ascribed the favourable
terms of this bill. The common interest which unites the
two companies will continue to be the best guarantee for
their mutual co-operation.
" In conclusion, permit us, gentlemen, to refer back to the
origin of our undertaking. You will bear in mind that the
law of concession dates from 15th July, 1810, some days
after we met in general assembly to examine the modifica-
tions made in the law and in the statutes, but a graver sub-
ject then occupied and kept public attention in suspense.
In the presence of great political embarassment you did not
hesitate to maintain the association. You had confidence in
a better futurity.
" You did not for a moment believe that one of the best
creations of a time of peace could possibly be suspended by the
mere rumour of war. By our energy and resolution, you
gave us the first example how to overcome all difficulties.
This confidence was nobly responded to by your associates
on the other side of the water. If we allude to the circum-
stance of the shareholders being of two nations, it is only
for the purpose of assuring you that only one feeling has
always animated them, although the object to be attained was
a great and national work, the advantage of which would
exclusively belong to France.
" On all occasions, under the critical circumstances which
threatened our commencement, and in the progress to those
better times which have now arrived, the English co-opra-
tion has never flagged, we have received all that we could
hope for, the powerful assistance of its capital, and the be-
nefit of its great experience.
" Thus, nothing has been able to shake the first basis of
our association : upon it we have been permitted to found
one of the most useful and beautiful monuments of human
activity, and to consecrate the noble alliance of the industry
of two great nations."

The report was unanimously approved of; and a resolu-
tion was unanimously agreed to in favour of a continuation
line from Rouen to Havre, thus affording a direct communi-
cation between Paris and the sea.

* fly the word " expropriation" is meant the power to
take the land required for the railway.

LOSS OF LIFE ON THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM
RAILWAY.--On Monday evening, as the mail train which
leaves London at half-past eight o'clock, was within about
five miles of the Tring station (on the London side) the
engine was suddenly backed for some distance, to the sur-
prise and apprehension of the passengers. The general belief
was that there had been a " slip" of earth—one having oc-
curred on the road near the Wolverley station on Saturday.
Presently, however, the engine stopped,. and the body of a
man was discovered on the line of rails up to London, the
head completely severed from the body, and lying about 30
yards from it. The writer of This paragraph saw the corpse
at the moment it was found, and does not think the stroke
of a sharp axe could have more completely performed the act
of decapitation. The effusion of blood was very consider-
able. The body was recognised by the mail guard as that of
one of the labourers on the line, and it was added that lie was
known to be a steady, respectable man. From the position
in which the body lay it would seem as if the neck had lain
across the rail, and thatthe head had been swept off by the
wheels of the engine. The body, having been reinove,l 11the railroad was deposited by the way side until it could be
conveyed to the nearest and most convenient place for the
holding of the inquest.—Solopian Journal.

i'OXTETH PARIS PROTESTANT OPERATIVE

ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of' the above association was held it,
Toxteth-hall, Mill-street, on Monday evening last, and the
building was not large enough to contain half the applicants
for admission.

We observed upon the platform the Rev. W. Butler, Rev.
W. Falloon, Rev. W. Hughes, Rev. W. M. Bush, Rev. F.
Parry, Rev. W. Hill, Rev. Joseph Baylee, David Hodgson,
Esq., S. Lee Trotman, Esq., R. Harbord, Esq., H. G.
Harbord, Esq., T. Inman, Esq., C. S. Middleton, Esq.,
John Callin, Esq., Messrs. Harbridge, Wagstaff, Harrison,
and many other gentlemen of great respectability.
The chair was taken by the Rev. T. NOLAN, who, after
prayer by the Rev. W. BUTLER, addressed a few brief re-
marks, and called upon the Secretary to read the report. He
also read a note, addressed to the secretary, from Alexander
Smith, Jun., Esq., apologizing for his unavoidable absence.
Mr. HUNTON read the report, which was very excellent,
but too long to give in our paper. Handsome donations to-
wards the library of many books was announced from Lord
Viscount Sandon, Mr. James Roberts, Mr. Harbord, and
several other gentlemen.
The Rev. JOSEPH BAYLEE then addressed the meeting.
Mr. Baylee, in alluding to the pope's runaway chamberlain,
Dr. Butler, explained his reason for believing that a May-
nooth educated priest could not undergo the scrutiny of an
examination into his theological knowledge.
The Rev. F. PARRY seconded the resolution, (the adoption
of the report,) and made some very forcible remarks upon
the great utility of Protestant associations, and the great and
increasing want of them at the present time. It had been
hinted that there was an apathy somewhere, and that some
thought that our work was now done, and that we might
now go to sleep, but he could hardly credit this, and those
having such feelings could know very little of the proceedings
of the Romanists in our town at this very time, with their
convent for the sisters of charity, and their mass houses ra-
pidly rising up. The reverend speaker entered into the ob-
jects and mode of proceeding of the sisters of charity.
DAVID HODGSON, Esq., moved the following resolution :
• —" That this association pledges itself to use every exertion
to procure the return to the council-chamber of this town,
at the approaching municipal election, those who will be
guided in their deliberations and actions by the fixed princi-
ples of eternal truth, as contained in the written word of
God, and adopted and set forth in the formularies of the
church of England." In the course of his speech, Mr. H.
dwelt upon the necessity of acting upon sound Scriptural
principles iu the choice of a member to represent them in the
town-council, and begged his friends before him, whom it
was a real pleasure to him to meet, to act, under all circum-
stances and in all cases, upon this principle. He also gave
a very good caution to those who might be elated by our
victory in the council, that they might consider our work
was done, instead of which there was much left for us now to
do. It was true that we had gained much in getting rid of
the nuisance., from the town-council; and if report spoke
truly, we were even to lose the chief organ and frontispiece
of liberalism from amongst them, who chose to retire rather
than appear in the municipal gazette.
ROBERT M'CLAY, an operative member of the committee,
seconded the resolution, and, in a few very pointed remarks,
impressed upon all present the very great importance of
knowing the principles of the gentlemen for whom we were
called upon to vote; and he could not see any impropriety,
as we pledged ourselves to do everything in our power to
support men of sound principle; that gentlemen coming
forward to represent us whose principles were not publicly
known, should also pledge themselves to act upon such sound
principles. The remarks of the speaker were much applauded
by all present.

. .
The CHAIRMAN entered into a few explanatory remarks
respecting the observations of the last speaker, the justice
and propriety of which cannot be denied; and he trusted
that as they had so many friends present this evening, the
valuable hints would not be lost sight of.
The Rev. W. FALLOON moved the next resolution :--
"That this association renews its decided protest against the
national sin and inconsistency of continuing in Ireland the
national board of education, as at present constituted, and
the royal college of St. Patrick, Maynooth, and regrets that
the course of policy apprehended from our rulers, renders
this renewed protest an imperative duty." The resolution
was of such a comprehensive nature that he regretted so little
time.was left him at that late hour of the night. The speaker
then took a practical and running review of the two questions
of Scriptural education and the Maynooth endowment.
The resolution was seconded by R. HARBORD, Esq.
The doxology having been sung, the meeting separated.

Tll E CUSTOMS' DEPARTMENT.-ENORMOUS
FRAUDS UPON THE REVENUE.

(From the Morning Herald.)

When it is remembered how well the country remunerates
the chief officers of those departments of the state to whom
is delegated the collection of duties, and more especially
those appertaining to the receipt of imposts upon foreign and
colonial produce and manufactures, the public are entitled
to have as their servants the most intelligent, the most at-
tentive, and, without prejudice to any one, the most honest
individuals. It will be for the public to express an opinion,
when we shall have brought before its notice the many laxi-
ties, the frauds, the instances of favouritism, the attempt to
screen really guilty parties, and the immolation of their dupes,
whether the functions of the commissioners at the head de-
partment of her Majesty's customs have or have not been
fully and satisfactoriiy administered. The enormous frauds
now in progress of investigation are not in the aggregate con-
fined to tens of thousands, but directly and indirectly to hun-
dreds of thousands of pounds. Indeed it is said in some
quarters that the revenue has suffered to the extent of
nearly a million sterling. From the series of notices
it may be necessary to devote to this important sub-
ject, names of parties high in commercial circles must,
if deemed requisite, be given. The names of firms which
are known to have connived at these frauds with the
landing waiters are in our possession, with all the facts,
and line of examination, in support of participation, as
given in evidence before the court of inquiry now sitting upon
the subject. But independently of the non-performance
of their duties by the officials of the custom-house, in pro-
tecting, by due diligence and ample control, the revenues of
the kingdom, there is another consideration, arising out of
the long-continued practice of fraud, which involves the in-
terest and prosperity of the really honest merchant and
trader. It must be clearly apparent that if five traders are
carrying on businers in the same line, four of them paying
their duties honestly and openly on foreign goods imported,
while the fifth, by a connivance v. ith any officer of customs,
gets his placed in his warehouse without the outlay of the
duty, or by paying considerably less through the medium of
false entries (hereafter to be fully illustrated), that the for-
mer cannot compete with the latter, and though they strug-
gle ever so hard to maintain their position, though they may
make sacrifices to effect sales, in order to keep their cus-
tomers together for a time, still in the long run wholesale
losses must be entailed upon them, by the ruinous and fruit-
less competition induced. Public morality then, indepen-
dently of other interests connected with the due resources
of the kingdom, demands that the unfair system now under
review should be probed to the core and exposed. There
are, it is rumoured, reasons why the result of the investiga-
tion now going on and the evidence taken should be hushed
up ; that the parties delinquent may not be publicly named ;
that an exchequer process might be issued ; that thousands
of pounds should be paid by the parties implicated ; and
that they be left to re-commence their operations hereafter
with renewed vigour—the fine imposed being uniformly less
than the profits illegally made—and again render of no avail
the exertions of the honest man to follow his trade. If such
be the course intended, it is the duty of the press to state all
the facts that have already transpired through private sources
relative to the recently discovered and hitherto successful
frauds upon the revenue.
It is pretty well known that as respects the frauds now
under investigation, some of the landing-waiters have bet*
implicated in them. The duties of the landing-waiters are
but little known to parties unconnected with trade, commerce
and water-side business. It is, therefore, proposed to illus-
ti ate the facts and circumstances hereafter to be laid before
the public by giving a description of their duties, their emo-
luments, &c. The principal business of these functionaries
is personally to attend the landing of goods at the docks or
legal quays. For this purpose he is furnished with a landing-
book, denominated under its respective class " red" or
" blue ;" the issue of which is from the registrar's office,
and which contains copies of entries previously passed by
importers for merchandise about to be warehoused, or at
once delivered. These entries are of three classes-Ist, the
warehousing entries for goods intended to remain in bond ;
2d, the prime entry, which stipulates for the immediate de-
livery of the goods, the duty having been paid ; 3d, the sight
entry, the object of which is to assist the merchant, in cases
where goods arrive consigned to him without previous ad-
vice, when he is permitted to have the packages landed, upon
declaring that their contents are unknown. It may be here
necessary, with the view to carry the case out in all its bear-
ings, to observe on the opportunity these two latter descrip-
tions of entry afford to these officers, if they are not persons
of strict and unimpeachable integrity, to deceive and falsify
the returns, which, as employe's of the customs, they are ap-
pointed to make of the weight of and duty on merchandise
landed at their respective stations, the interference of the
landing-surveyor, their superior, being only required in the
settlement of tare, or in the approval or otherwise of the
value put upon goods at the ad valorem rate.
Having succinctly stated the duty of a landing-waiter, it
is necessary to add, that the body is divided into six classes,
with proportionate salaries. The first class numbers 20
persons, with £4OO per annum each ; the second class 20
persons, with £350 per annum each ; the third class 20 per-
sons, with £3OO per annum each ; the fourth class 30 persons,
With £250 per annum each ; the filth class 30 persons, with
£2OO per annum each; and the sixth class 30 persons, with
£l6O per annum each.

As in the course of the investigation into these frauds it
has appeared that more thamone of the landing-waiters im
plicated have also filled the office of searcher, the duty
appertaining to that department must also be illustrated.
The searcher, to use the technicality, " makes shipped " the
packages delivered for shipment at his station. It is a part
of his duty personally to examine such packages, noting their
correspondence with the original description in the official
papers, and should any such suspicion arise of any exchange
or fraud connected with the shipment, they have the power
of seizure and of bringing the matter before the board for
inquiry and investigation.
The separate duties of these officers being, as is trusted,
clearly defined, the mode in which the irregular and falsified
entries have been concocted, involving such loss to the reve-
nue, will no doubt be understood in the cases of fraud here-
after to be brought to the notice of the public.
The first illustration we offer to the notice of the public, is
in respect to the importation of silk, already had under the
notice of the board of inquiry, but the charges of participa-
tion in fraud alleged against several parties, are so numerous
that it would be difficult to define them in distinct order in
the present notice. It is, however, sufficient to say that the
one above alluded to will clesrly prove to the public how
easily and successfully they have been carried on for a period
said to extend over a series of eight or nine yesrs.
The mode which is alleged to have been adopted in the
wholesale smuggling of silks was for the parties connected to
send to the legal quays a case of toys, books, or any other
French import of low value, marked and numbered, say A,
within a diamond, No. 1, for shipment coastwise, which,
however, instead of forthwith being put on board, it was un-
derstood should be allowed to remain on the quay. When
the French packets arrived, a " sight entry" was taken out
for eases marked and numbered precisely the same as those
prepared as before stated—the contents being declared to be
" unknown." The packages were then landed at the same
quay for examination by the landing-officer. Immediately
this was the case, the former package was recalled by an yan
packets,
which to re-deliver, when the cases by the French
which really contained silk, were substituted to partiestly
applying, and the packages of books, &e., examine and re-
turned for duty, in lieu of the cases of silk—the ship's mani-
fest merely describing the case brought over as merchandise,
and thereby being no check upon the fraud.
The investigation into these irregularitis in the customs de-
partments have already occupied many weeks. The results,
we believe, will fully bear out the correctness of our intro-
ductory remarks, and in our next report facts and names will
be stated in corroboration.