The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-02-25 00:00:00

BOROUGH COURTS' BILL

The following is an abstract of the clauses of this bill. 1.
—No action, the debt or damages of which do not exceed
£5O, shall be moved by any writ of certiorari, unless the
party removing, by himself and two sufficient sureties, shall
give security to the satisfaction of the court, for the payment
of debt and costs, if judgment pass against him. 2.—Process
may issue from the Borough Court for the arrest of abscond-
ing debtors, in like manner as from the courts of Westmin-
ster. 3.—To enable the court summarily to stay proceedings
for debts, under forty shillings, which might be brought in
the Court of Requests. The several clauses were unani-
mously agreed to, and the Council separated.

SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION-REGISTRY AND

SHIPPING OF SEAMEN.

Yesterday, at noon, an extraordinary general meeting of
the Members of the Shipmasters' Association, took place at
the rooms of that institution, in Old Hall Street, for the pur-
pose of considering the propriety of acceding to the terms
proposed by Mr. Hodson, for registering and shipping sea-
men, of adopting his plan for twelve months, and, if approved,
to enter into an agreement with him to that effect.

JOHN FOILMBi, Esq. took the chair; and at his request,
Mr. Samuel Moss, master pf the rooms, read the advertise-
ment calling the meeting; and afterwards, in a very clear and
succint manner, explained to the meeting the object in view,
and the progress hitherto made towards its attainment.
He (Mr. Moss) stated that about twelve months since, the
Association had endeavoured to establish a registry of seamen ;
but from several circumstances, and amongst others, the em-
ployment of a person who did not :meet their views.—the
matter fell through. Mr. Herbert, dock master, had since
devoted much of his attention to the subject, and had drawn
out a series of proposed regulations, with a view to obviate
the existing evils of the present system, by which those who
heard him were aware that men by paying a certain sum,
and who were not fully qualified for what they undertook,
could be shipped,—whether indeed the were seamen of
secondary capacity. or no seamen at all. He then read a
synopsis of Mr. Herbert's prepositions, amongst which was,
that a third person should be dispensed with in the shipping
of seamen, the contract to be only between the captain of the
vessel and the man to be shipped. It was also proposed that
there should be a muster roll; a blank of which was shewn,
and in which should be inserted the time of each man's
discharge, and his conduct while on board, which was
to be returned to the association, and a certificate given
to the party by the master of the room. When a crew was
wanted, the Union Jack was to be hoisted at the wain, under
the flag of the association ; and men, on applying to be re-
shipped, were to return their certificates and receive new
ones, with a view to their being identified, so as to prevent
imposition by transfer. The plan on the whole was a good
one, but there were objections to some few of the details,
which the committee had, as they conceived, amended,—the
whole object being to ship good men, with the least possible
trouble to captains, who, during their brief stay, ou, shore,
'had many other matters of business and recreation to at-
tend to. He then noticed the proposals made by Mr.
Hodson, as their shipping master, the whole of which he
had gone through seriatim, with a gentleman well versed in
the subject ; and it was for the meeting to consider whether
they would attach a registry and shipping office to the asso-
ciation; and if so, whether Mr. Hodson should be their
registrar. By that gentleman's plan three shillings would
be charged for the original certificate of a seaman, but a
shilling would be returned on his applying for the renewed
one, so that they would each save a shilling by giving a
preference to the association. He then proceeded to detail
the several remaining propositions of Mr. Hodson, and the
salary he required, with the amendments proposed to the
former. The principal object was to establish a central and
general register office for seamen, which it would be for the
advantage both of the men and the captains of vessels to
avail themselves. The certificates (on parchment) were to
contain the station of the party, his age, country, and per-
sonal description, and his character. If a man shipped for
any country, (being of good conduct,) and was landed by
the mutual consent of the master and himself at an inter-
mediate port, the latter might back the certificate to that
effect, so that it might be available by the bearer. The plan
of a muster roll was shown ; it entailed very little trouble on
captains, and appeared to be approved of by all present.
Some discussion took place with regard to the charges
proposed to be paid by mates and petty officers, 10s.. 55.,
and 3s. according to station ; but it was stated that the same
charges had been made for shipping for the last fourteen
years'; that they were only proposed for twelve months; that
a reduction would be made to mates receiving wages under
the usual average, and that the whole scale could readily be
modified as circumstances and experience might require. It
was also stated that Mr. Hodson's salary was to be £5OO per
annum, provisionally ; that if the gross And was to go to
the payment of all expenses, and if there were a sufficient
surplus he was to receive that amount, and the remainder,
whatever it might be, to be received by the association—the
salary stated being a maximum ; but if, on the other hand,
after the payments stated, there were a surplus of only £2OO
to £3OO, he was to content himself with such 'respective
amount,—he himself, and not the association having the
sole responsibility. The amount, Mr. Moss remarked, ap-
peared large; but it must be considered that Mr. Hodson
was giving up entirely his present private occupation, by
which he stated that be realised the annual sum stated; that
he would have the books of that department to keep; that
he consented to become the servant of the association ;
that it was a speculation on his part, and that he was induced
to it in the hope, by the assistance of that body, to effect
the grand desideratum of concentrating the registry and
shipping of seamen at the port, and thus establishing a sys-
tem mutually beneficial to shipmasters and seamen. Mr.
Moss and others also satisfactorily explained the system pro-
posed with regard to the clerks employed, who would be re-
quired to find sureties, and against NYIA9In ConiSaintA )0), any

member, of misconduct would be heard, and the grievance
redressed; by Mr. Hodson. or the master of the rooms,
through the committee to which every member was himself
eligible. The salary of Mr Hodson had, we may add, been
previously agreed to.
It was then moved by Mr. Crur„ and seconded by Captain
PENTREATII.—" That there is a necessity for establishing a
shipping office, connected with the association."—This was
put and carried unanimously.
It was next moved by Captain BOTTOMLEY, seconded by
Captain SUTHERLAND, and also unanimously carried,—
" That the regulations read to the meeting be adopted from
tile 12th of May next, and that a legal agreement be entered
into with Mr. Hodson to that effect."

Til!,tiks were then voted to the Chairman and the meeting

TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT TO MR. BRINDLEY,
THE UNCOMPROMISING ADVOCATE OF
CHRISTIANITY AGAINST THE INFIDEL AND
SEDITIOUS ERRORS OF SOCIALISM.

Ou Wednesday evening, a crowded public meeting was held
in the Music-hall, Bold-street, for the several purposes of
hearing from John Brindley, Esq., the celebrated opponent
of socialism, a lecture upon the encroachments of popery,
and also to present him with a small testimonial of the respect
in which he is held in Liverpool, for his unremitting exer-
tions in vindicating Christian truth.
On the motion Mr. CRISP, the Rev. Stephen Cragg was
called to the chair.

The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings with prayer, and
in mentioning the objects of the meeting, he highly eulogised
the ability and perseverance with which Mr. Brindley had
conducted the controversy with the socialists. He had long
had the pleasure of Mr.- Brindley's acquaintance, and the
more he knew of that gentleman's character, the more reason
had he to be proud of his friendship. Mr. Brindley, some
years ago held an honourable and lucrative situation in a pa-
rish with which he (the chairman) was connected, as the
head master of the Old Swinford Hospital School. He knew
Mr. Brindley well, and lie could assure the meeting that he
had made no small sacrifices, both in emolument and com-
fort, in order to undertake the harassing labour of exposing
the infidelity of socialism. At the time to which he referred,
Mr. Brindley constantly consulted him as to his proceedings
against the socialists; and many times had he witnessed the
effectiveness of his (Mr. Brindley's) labours at the com-
mencement of his career. At length he was called upon by
the trustees of the school to give up one or the other of the two
duties in which he was .engaged. Either he must cease to
oppose the socialists or he must resign his appointment. Again
Mr. Brindley consulted him. Foreseeing the difficulties with
which he would be surrounded, without any income to sup-
port him in this holy warfare, and knowing what were the
claims of a large family upon him, he urged him well to con-
sider what course he should adopt. But Mr. Brindley feel-
ing how useful his past exertions hadiften,. and believing the
blessing of God rested upon hislabOnrs, at once abandoned
the privileges and pecuniary advantages he then possessed,
and with a truly disinterested zeal went forth against the ene-
mies of our holy religion, relying alone upon God for his sup-
port. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Brindley, indeed, seemed to
have been raised up by the special hand of Providence, for
this work, and his labours had been so eminently successful
that the socialists were well nigh extinguished. (Cheers.)
After some further observations, the reb. chairman introduced
Mr. Brindley to the meeting.
Mr. BRINDLEY, on presenting himself, was received with
enthusiastic applause. He commenced by observing, that
though for the last three years he had been incessantly en-
gaged in opposing Socialism in all parts of the country, he
had not been unmindful of that other most dangerous system
of error called Popery. He had watched its progress care-
fully, and he had studied its history; and from his own ob-
servation he was convinced that it was encroaching upon our
Protestant rights in a most rapid but stealthy manner. No
one, indeed, could travel through the country without being
struck with the amazing number of Popish chapels which
were rearing their heads • not in a quiet, unobtrusive way,
but with all the exterior forms and characteristics of our own
beloved church. (Hear, hear.) The rise and progress of
Popery, however, would be best understood and appreciated
by a few statistical facts—facts which could not be denied,
and which, he trusted, would not be without their influence
upon the mind of every genuine Protestant. In the year
1792, or 50 years ago, there were not thirty (only 28) Roman
Catholic chapels, and no colleges, in the whole of this coun-
try ; but at the present day they had nearly 600 chapels, 10
colleges, 60 seminaries, besides institutions for " the sisters
of mercy" and "tile sisters of charity." These were start-
ling facts that ought to excite us to corresponding efforts in
support of Protestantism; yet what was the fact? Why,
some of those very men who ought to be " the watchmen of
Israel," actually, in the face of these things, said, " Oh ! do
not stir in the matter, because if you do you will bring
Popery into notice ! " (Hear, hear.) These were facts
which ought to be mentioned at the opening of every Pro-
testant meeting. (Hear, hear.) As an evidence of further
encroachment, he would mention that within the last few
months the Roman Catholics had purchased St. Domingo
House, near this town, where they intended to have another
Maynooth upon a small scale, and another house for " the
sisters of mercy." (Hear, hear.) If they went on in the same
ratio of increase for the next fifty years as they had for the
last fifty years, the country would be absolutely over-run with
Popery, and then farewell to Protestant truth. (Hear, hear.)
The number of Roman Catholic chapels in this country at
the present moment was greater than existed throughout the
whole country fifty years ago, so that Popery had been en-
croaching far more rapidly than the establishment had ad-
vanced ; but he thanked God, that through the efforts of
zealous and able ministers, she was not only maintaining her
position, but extending herself in every direction. (Hear.)
The next question was, Popery having so enormously in-
creased, what had been the cause of the evil so widely spread-
ing? In reply, he should say it had increased wherever the
" let-them-alone " system had prevailed ;—(hear, hear)—
wherever there was a feeling in favour of looking upon it as
a matter-of-course thing. (Hear, hear.) It, then, became
our duty, as consistent Protestants, to continue our exer-
tions against it. In the year 1838 there was a " Roman
Catholic Institute " established in this country, and
amongst its supporters he found the names of some of
the most wealthy and influential peers and commoners in
the realm. Why dared the Roman Catholic's publicly to form
this institute ? Because there was a disposition on the part
of many ministers in the establishment to say " let them be
quiet ;" (hear) and in all probability this institute never
would have been formed, had we not had that miserable
ministry which we had now happily got rid of, which then
not only shielded Popery, but also used unceasing ener-
gies to give it power and importance. (Bear, hear.) Then
we had to contend not only against Popery in its open and
avowed appearance, but against that concealed system of Po-
pery which was put forth through means of tracts from one
of the universities of this country. (Hear.) He had been
surprised to find the extent to which the errors thus promul-
gated had spread, especially among the younger clergy. They
had become so extensively adopted, that at length many of
our bishops had been compelled to interfere. Now, those
who were thus engaged were aiding the progress of Popery
much more effectually than the Roman Catholic priesthood
themselves, because they had the name and office of Church
of England ministers. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Brindley, in en-
larging upon this topic, related an anecdote of a minister, to
whom he had letters of introduction from very high autho-
rities in this diocese, on going into his parish to lecture
against Socialism, who told him he did not know upon what
principles he could expose that infidel system. lie told the
minister he should oppose it upon the principles of Protes-
tant christianity. The minister then said, " Are you going
to attack the dissenters along with them ?" He replied " No,
because he thanked God the dissenters would not go along
with them." The minister next said, " I should like to
have a little talk with you, because I can't see how you can
oppose these socialists ; and that he was not surprised at
them going on as they did. He (Mr. Brindley) observed
that he was much surprised at it. The minister repeated that
he was not, and then he added, " Why, this socialism is all
the effect of your prote.stantism—it is the effect of allowing
men to interpret the Bible for themselves, of giving to the
people the right of private judgment ; it is just what I ex-
pected, it is all the effect of your protestantism." " I call
the socialists," he added, " ultra Protestants !" (Hear,
hear.) Indeed the Socialists were " ultra Protestants,"
for they protested against every thingthat had the semblance
of truth, virtue, or common decency. (Applause.) But
was not this a melancholy statement ? Here was a large
town, containing thousands of inhabitants, and a man placed
in the situation of a Protestant clergyman of the Church of
England, actually railing against protestantism, and telling
us that socialism was the effect of protestantism, and that
the socialists were only " ultra Protestants !" (Hear hear.)
What could be a more lamentable fact than this? The effect
of these principles would be, unless they were restrained, to
put down the right of private judgment, to prohibit the
reading of the scriptures, and to destroy our common pro-
testant privileges. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Brindley then reca-
pitulated the facts whereby he bad proved that popery was
makinc, rapid encroachments 'in this country, and lie con-
cluded'a most eloquent lecture, of about an hour's length, by
mentioning a variety of facts from the New Moral World,
showing that socialism had expired in a great many towns,
that most of the towns were in debt to the general and com-
munity funds, and that it had been found necessary to dis-
charge all the Missionary Staff. Socialism 'was in fact de-
funct. So much for opposition' against that error. The
eloquent gentleman then resumed his seat, amidst the most
enthusiastic applause.
Lieutenant TRACY, R. N., after a few appropriate obser-
vations, moved a resolution to the effect that the statement
just made by Mr. Brindley was'satisfactory and convincing,
and loudly called for the united energies of Protestants
throughout the kingdom to stop the torrent of popish en-
croachments, which was threatening the bulwarks of our
Christian and protestant privileges.
Mr. RADCLIFFE seconded the motion.

The CHAIRMAN then put the question, and the resolution
was unanimously adopted. Three cheers where then given
for Mr. Brindley. •

Mr. JOSEPH CRISP then stood forward, and said the
pleasing duty now devolved upon him, as the representative
of his operative protestant friends,. to present. Mr. Brindley
with a small testimonial of the regard in which they held his
arduous services in the cause in which he had been engaged.
He was delighted to see in the chair a reverend gentleman
who had been a witness of Mr.'Brihdley's exertions and
sacrifices from the commencement of his career, and who,
having lived in the same neighbourhood with him, could speak
of him as he deserved. Mr. Brindley had made great and
most laborious efforts in defence of the truth. He had not
hesitated to sacrifice his health, his time, and his means.
He had been ready at all times to come forward as our
champion against socialism and infidelity of every descrip-
tion ; and it would well become the town of Liverpool to offer
him some more substantial tribute than that which his friends
had vet been able to make. They had, however, done what
they could to shew their gratitude for his ability and zeal in
defending the cause of truth. It must be gratifying to Mr.
Brindley 's feelings to see his exertions against socialism
crowned with success. The Hall of Science was now to be sold
to the highest bidder. He (Mr. Crisp) should be delighted to
see a protestant meeting held within the walls of the Socialist's
Hall ' • and he really did not see why that should not be done.
We had sufficient power and means for it, and how glorious
would it be to convert the Socialist's Hall into a pure Pro-
testant Hall! (Loud cheers.) He would not longer detain
the meeting. On behalf of that meeting, and of the friends
of Mr. Brindley, he had the highest gratification in present-
ing that gentleman with a small testimonial of the respect
in which they held him, and at the same time they only re-
gretted that they had not been able to present a still more
substantial amount, as a mark of their approbation of his
exertions in their cause. Mr. Crisp then presented Mr.
Brindley with a purse containing, we understand, 40 guineas.
Mr. BRINDLEY, who was much affected by the mode in
which the tribute had been conveyed to him, then rose and
was greeted with loud cheers. He said he could assure his
friends that be felt deeply indebted to them for the kind ex-
pressions of regard and esteem which he never failed to re-
ceive. He held this to be the strongest proof they could
have given of their desire to help him in the good work be had
undertaken ; and he felt confident—indeed from the sincerity
of their expression it never could be doubted—that had they
thought he wanted assistance, and stood in need of it, he
should have received it from his operative friends to the ful-
lest extent. (Hear,
although his kind friend Mr.
and cries of Yes, yes.") He there-
fore, received that assistance,
Crisp had expressed his regret that it was not more, with
the same gratitude that he should a larger gift. When
he recollected how many towns he had visited to oppose er-
ror, and left them (though with many promises) without one
penny of remuneration for what he had done, he received with
greater pleasure this spontaneous offering of his operative
friends. He had been informed that the design had been
proposed by the operatives,—(hear, hear,)—and it was a large
sum which they had given him. He was pleased, however,
to be able to state, that notwithstanding the great difficulties
he had had to encounter in a pecuniary point of view, for he
had gone through this work without any other but chance re-

sources, and upon many occasions those resources had been
by no means adequate to the great labour and great expense
he had been at, socialism had been put down, and he thanked
God for it. But in this work he had also to contend with
attacks upon his character ; it had been said that he was ac-
tuated by mercenary views, and not by the motive of doing
good, and that he was not countenanced by those in station
and authority. In reply to these calumnies he could only
repeat what he had just stated, also that he had received the
support and thanks of some of the bishops and of many of
the clergy, and that measures were in contemplation to put
him in a more permanent position, among others by the Lord
Bishop and Chancellor of this diocese. (Cheers.) These
were his answers to those who cavilled at and misrepresented
him. (Cheers.) After some observations upon the mode to
be pursued for converting the "Socialists' Hall " into a
" Protestant Hall," Mr. Brindley concluded by again return-
ing his warmest thanks to his friends who had so honoured
him upo❑ this occasion. He then retired amidst loud cheers.
Mr. LEONARD AnnisoN, after some appropriate observa-
tions, moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Cragg, for
his able and courteous conduct in the chair, and expressed the
pleasure he felt at the accession of that gentleman to the
numbers of the Liverpool clergy.
The motion having been unanimously carried,
Mr. CRAGG returned thanks in a very neat speech, in
which be narrated the events which led to Mr. Brindley
undertaking the arduous duty of opposing the abominations
of socialism, the prospects he had sacrificed, and the success
which had attended his efforts.

The doxology " Praise God," &c., was then sung, and the
meeting separated.

SHEFFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY,

(From our own Reporter)

The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors in the
Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne. and Manchester Railway
Company was held on Wednesday evening last. at the Albion
Hotely, Piccadilly, Manchester, for the purpose of receiving
the directors' and engineer's reports, the election of four di-
rectors in the place of that number retiring by rotation, and
the transaction of other general business, in pursuance of the
act of incorporation. The meeting was fully attended by
proprietors. In the absence of Mr. Parker, M.P., chairman
of the board of directors, - BURY, Esq., one of the
directors, was requested to take the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he re-
gretted the chair had not been taken upon this occasion by a
person who was better known to the proprietors generally
than himself. Mr. Wm. Sidebottom, the deputy-chairman
of the board of directors, would have presided, but that he
was one of those gentlemen who retired by rotation at this
meeting. Under these circumstances, he (the chairman)
consented to accept the office.
Mr. JOHN PLATEORD, secretary to the company, read the
advertisement convening the meeting, after which the register
of shareholders was produced, for the purpose of the seal of
the company being affixed to it.
Mr. BRADSHAW, before the book was signed, wished to
ask the chairman whether, under the clause in the act of
parliament, he could now legally claim to inspect the transfer
book ? He had an object in asking this question which he
would willingly explain.
The CHAIRMAN thought it had not been usual. It would
be attended with inconvenience to allow such an inspection
of the transfer book. It would give an insight into the
affairs of individuals, which was most objectionable.
Mr. BRADSHAW said he had been told that it had not been
usual to allow such an inspection on this occasion. He there-
fore did not feel himself competent to make a certain motion
which he intended to do, but he had heard no reasons why
the privilege should be withheld.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that if Mr. Bradshaw wanted
any information which the directors could give, consistently
with their duty to the shareholders generally, they would
gladly give it to him ; but this application would be attended
with inconvenience.

Mr. EinAnsi:lAWhad heard no grounds for his request
being refused.
Mr. TURNER said the reason was the manifest inconveni-
ence of such a course. One man might pry into the affairs
of another man, to the disadvantage of the shareholders, and
that was the ground why the register of shareholders should
be., kept to the directors. The amount paid up by each
shareholder should be kept to the directors only.
Mr. BRADSHAW explained that his object was to be ena-
bled to vote as to the substitution of new directors for the
old retiring ones ; that information would give him confidence
in doing so, but the want of it would disable him from doing
as he wished.

The conversation on this subject then dropped, and the
seal was affixed to the book of registry.
Mr. STEVENSON, the law-clerk, then read the report of the
directors for the half-year ending on the 3lst December
last. It was of a satisfactory nature, but we have not been
able to obtain a copy of it.
The CHAIRMAN said the proprietors had now heard the re-
port. If any gentleman wished either to make any observa-
vations or to ask any questions relative to it—or if there was
any information that the directors could give (and he spoke
for them generally), they would most willingly afford every
information in their power. _ _

Mr. THOMAS DALTON moved that the report be received
and printed for distribution among the shareholders.

I\fr. Woon seconded the motion.
The CHAIRMAN put the motion, and it was unanimously
carried.

Mr. PLATFORD then read an abstract of the receipts and
expenditure of the company. from its formation in 1836 to
the 31st December, 1841, inclusive. It appeared that the
receipts from calls, rents of cottages, traffic, and including
a balance due to the bankers of £20,906 14s. Bid., amounted
to £331,584 4s. II d. The items of expenditure were some-
what numerous, but they were of a routine character.
Among them was one of £1079 ]ls. 10d., as the defalcations of
Charles Thomson, the late secretary of the company, who was
transported at the last Liverpool assizes for forgery ; from this
sum, however, would have to be deducted £3OO, which had
been received from his sureties subsequent to the accounts
being made up. Another item was £l2OO for direction.
With reference to the charge for direction, Mr. Platford
said, it would perhaps be as well to explain that during the
half-year £538 4s. 4d., out of the sum of £l2OO, had been
paid to, and expended by, the directors since the 23d of
August; and that the remaining sum was a balance owing
from the previous half-year to the directors, and the amount
due on the 30th June last was paid on the 23d August. The
system was altered at Sheffield on the 23d August, and the
directors now received £l6OO a year, which was to include all
expenses, out of which they had received £530, and the re-
maining part of the £l2OO was expended by them between
June and August%

Mr. BRADSHAW.—Then the resolution was acted upon
from that day? _

The CHAIRj;IAN.—Yes, from that day; it took effect from
the date of passing the resolution.
Mr. BRADSHAW.—That is very honourable on the part of
the directors.
Mr. PLATFORD called attention to the defalcations of the
late secretary, which amounted, as appeared by the abstract,
to £1079 Ils. 10d. since the 31st of December, which was
the date to which the accounts were made up, one of Thom-
son's sureties had paid over to the directors £3OO, which left
a loss to the company of rather more than £700; but having
been received since the 31st December, the receipt could not
be included in the present account.
Mr. BRADSHAW enquired whether it was absolutely neces-
sary for the company to take upon themselves the defalca-
tions of Thomson? By the act of parliament, the Directors
had power to appoint their own servants. It was different in
some institutions which were vested in trustees. In that
case one could understand why the trustees shonld have the
appointment of the servants, and he did not see why the
same thing should not be applied to railway companies. If
they had the appointment of servants, the trustees must be
fairly responsible for the defalcations of those servants; and
when the Directors of this company appointed a servant
with a fixed salary as in this case they did, the directors and
not the company ought to have the responsibility of the acts
of that servant. (Laughter) This might appear very laugh-
able to some gentlemen, but for his part, he thought that
£7OO was rather a serious thing to lose. He would ask
whether what he had said, was not the practise in public
institutions generally?
The CHAIRMAN could not answer the question as to pub-
lic institutions generally. The proprietors of course would
be aware that the Directors had the appointment of such
officers as the Secretary. Thomson was appointed before he
(the Chairman) became a member of the board, but as to his
defalcations it was totally impossible for the Directors to
have contemplated them. They took what they considered
to be sufficient security with him, namely, for £5OO, and as
the proprietors had heard £3OO had been paid. If they had
been likely to get any more, the worthy proprietor (Mr.
Bradshaw) might depend the Directors would not have neg-
lected their duty. Thomson's was an unusual breach of
faith, because he presented forged documents and receipts to
the Directors. The Directors indeed could not have sup-
posed him to be capable of such conduct, because they had
with him the most respectable references—references of the
first character. He trusted therefore that the proprietors
would consider, before attempting to throw the responsibility
upon the Directors. They Directors had- done the best they
could for the interest of the shareholders, and it should be
recollected that they were as largely interested in the welfare
of the undertaking as other proprietors.
Mr. BRADSHAW said they were not so largely interested.
The directors had not exercised sufficient discretion in this
matter. He wanted the principle of the responsibility of
directors introduced ; and he contended that £5OO was not a
sufficient security. As it appeared a matter of doubt whe-
ther the directors should be held responsible for the defalca-
tion, he would move that that item be not allowed, provided
any shareholder would second the motion. He did not agree
in the principle of the responsibility falling upon the com-
pany, and therefore he proposed the motion.
Mr. STEVENSON said, that Mr. Bradshaw's inquiries
seemed to be founded upon the nature of the law. His
question, in fact, was, whether in point of law 'the directors
or the company were responsible for the amount of their de-
falcations.

Mi:iiitADsHAw—l think they are responsible both in law
and honour.

Mr. STEVENSON continued. There could be no question
that, in point of law, the directors were the mouth-piece of
the company. Theirs were the hands which did the com-
pany's work. They were in a situation of responsibility, and
they took care to appoint the ir,st,rople they could obtain
to every office. They were bound to account half-yearly for
their acts, and it behoved them therefore to make proper ap-
pointments. Mr. Thomson was appointed before be (Mr.
Stevenson) had anything to do with the company, and lie
came recommended in a most extraordinary way. Every
care had been taken on the part of the directors to make a
proper appointment.
The CHAIRMAN—His testimonials were undeniable.
Mr. BRADSHAW said, that they were pitiable sureties, if
they were not good for £5OO.
Mr. STEVENSON begged to say, that the security was di-
minished by Thomson's dishonesty. He tampered with the
security, and introduced words which made it almost an ille-
gal document. The surety was a honourable and respectable
person ; but in consequence of Thomson introducing words
into the deed which almost vitiated the legality of it, the
company were prevented from recovering the amount, which
they otherwise would have done. It was not, therefore, the
fault either of the company or of the directors that the secu-
rity was not good.

The CHAIRMAN.—They thought it better to take £3OO
certain, than involve themselves in litigation for £5OO.
Mr. TURNER.—And run the chance of losing.
Mr. BRADSHAW.—Then why have this formidable double
staff of lawyers, if the bond was not made legal ?
Mr. TURNER said the bond was valid when the directors
got it, but the late secretary got hold of it, by what means
no one knew, but in some manner he did get hold of it, and
he introduced into it certain words. The directors had been
advised, that if they went into a court of law with the altera-
tions in the bond which Thomson had made, it would be de-
clared invalid ; therefore they could not do otherwise than
compromise the matter, in preference to going into court.
Mr. Bradshaw must be aware, that if the directors had gone
into a court of law, they could not have brought Thomson as
a witness.

Mr. BRADSHAW said, the more he heard the defence of
the directors the worse he thought of it. Would not some
one second his motion ?

Mr. APPLEBY declared that the honorable proposer (Mr.
Bradshaw) might just as well ask the directors why they did
not keep Thomson honest, because the imputation implied
by the motion came to that. (Hear.) If any means could
be devised by which the directors could keep their secretary,,
and every other of their servants, honest, he should be very.
glad ; but they were not to be held responsible till t 1.4 had
been done.
Mr. BRADSHAW.-But you went further; you, placed the
security in Thomson:s bands to keep.

MT.TURNER.—No, no.
Mr. STEVENSON said, althoug,b, 4security was prepared
before he was connected with, VW coP3PaPy, yet it was ready

to be signed at that time, and immediately after his con-
nexion with the company the bond was brought to him. The
circumstances were these. Mr. Hadfield, the former solicitor,
prepared the bond, and handed it to Thomson unsigned,
for himself and the surety to sign ; and it was signed in the
presence of a clerk in the office. This security was carried
to him (Mr. Stevenson), and it remained in his possession
ever afterwards ; but between the time of its being signed
and its being delivered to him (which he apprehended was a
day or two), Thomson said an alteration had been made in it.
Thomson was prosecuted for forgery. After he had been
found guilty he sent for his surety, and informed him that he
thought be could state something to his advantage, which
was, that he had altered the bond after the surety and him-
self had signed it. This circumstance came before the
directors. Mr. Latham, the surety, had confirmed himself

by the opinion of coun,o ; counsel had thrown a slur upon

the validity of the security, doubting whether it was not in-
valid altogether. The directors saw that opinion ; they in-
ves;igated the matter, and, under the circumstances, it was
thought more prudent to accept the compromise offered by
the surety than drive him into hostility, or at least incur ex-
pense and the loss of the whole money. (Hear, hear.)
r. Mr. B ADSHAIV.—IS that document in existence now?
.

Mr. STEVENSON dared say it was; but it was given up
when the security paid the money, and he (Mr. Stevenson)
had not seen it since.

Mr. BRADSIIAW said, if people were so convinced as
they seemed to be of the propriety of the directors' conduct,
he could not succeed in his motion, and there was no use in
carrying on the discussion. All that he meant to say, in de-
fence of himself, was, that their defence (the directors) was
a very lame one.

The CHAIRMAN said he was not a member of the board
when the appointment took place, but he was convinced that
every thing had' been done that was proper. It did not ap-
pear that there had been any want of care upon the part of
the then board. We all knew how difficult it was to guard
against dishonesty, especially in personsintroduced into a
confidential situation. Of course he did not mean to say
that the same precaution should not be used towards one in
this position that there was to others. The directors had no
suspicion of Thomson, or they would not have appointed him.
They were deceived, and that was the whole explanation they
could give.
Mr. BRADSHAW said the fact of the security being invalid
was a lame defence.

The conversation respecting Thomson now terminated, no
one being found to second Mr. Bradshaw's proposition ; and
on the motion of Mr. RALPH SIDEBOTTOM, seconded by
Mr. WHITELEGG, the accounts were passed.
Mr. PLATFORD then read the report of Mr. Gee, the resi-
dent engineer, upon the state and progress of the works since
the last half-yearly general meeting. This document was of
considerable length, entering into minute details as to the
exact position in which the work of each contract or letting
was at the date of the report. The general character of thy
works appeared to be highly satisfactory:
Mr. BRADSHAW •enquired Whether ,Mr. Locite,.the engi-
neer, had been over the line lately ?
Mr. PLATFORD said he bad, about a fortnight ago. He•
was in town yesterday, but whether he went over the line he
(Mr. Platford) did not know.
Mr. TURNER mentioned that Mr. Gee's assistant would
be able to tell.

The ASSISTANT said that Mr. Locke had been over the
line on Thursday week, but he did not go over it yesterday.

Mr. BRADSHAW.—Did Mr. Locke see the report of `Zr.
Gee ?
The ASSISTANT.—I cannot say.
Mr. BRADSHAW said he ought to have done.
Mr. TURNER said there was no uwetion that Mr. Locke
was aware of its contents. "

The CHAIRMAN said, the report of the resident engineer
must give great satisfaction to every member of the company.
Great efforts had been made in a variety of quarters to raise
an impression that the accomplishment of the undertaking
was altogether impracticable ; that the sum estimated it
would cost would be far, very far, below the actual cost ; and
the strongest means imaginable had been resorted to to prove
it. Because a tunnel elsewhere, and a mile of railway else-
where, cost a certain sum, it was said that each mile upon
this railway would cost the same sum. The shareholders,
however, had now the experience of facts—they had the ex-
perience of having got nearly one-half of their work executed
—considerably more than one-third—to show the absurdity
of such a comparison as that. Above all, they had experi-
ence of the exact nature of the materials of which the hill
was composed through which the tunnel was to pass; those
materials had proved to be extremely favourable for the work.
Though hard in the first instance, yet once gone through,
they were very likely to cause no great difficulty ; it was not
at all likely that there would be any slipping or tumbling
down, or anything to interfere with the progress of the work.
And it was a most remarkable feature in this case, that out
of £60,000 expended upon the tunnel, about £44,000 had
been expended upon works generally applicable to the tunnel
which would cease in a few days, upon the completion of the
shafts. There would then be nothing to make but an open
drift way, which might be of whatever size that was thought
proper. If the shareholders regarded the amount expended
by the description of the work, they would have the most
substantial proof which experience could afford, that the
total cost of the tunnel would vary very little from the
mark in Mr. Locke's estimate ; and there was quite
as good a chance of its being below as there was of its
being above the estimate. This had always been a great ob-
jection, and it had beer, held out as a proof of the impracti-
cability of making the line, but that difficulty was now over.
The shafts which had been sunk showed what the material
was, the work which had been done showed what would be
the cost of working, and in his mind it was as plain as could
be, that they now knew their precise position as to the pounds,
shillings, and pence it would take to complete it. The
chairman then referred to the experiments now making.
under the sanction of the Board of Trade, with reference to
the principle of atmospheric railways, and said that the
report of Sir Frederick Smith and Professor Barlow, which
was expected in a few days, he had reason to believe would
be favourable. The principle would be tried in the summer
upon the Dublin and Kingston Railway, of which he was a
director. If successful it would be applied to this tunnel,
and it would most materially lessen the cost, whilst it would
increase the comfort and pleasure, of travelling through it.
Mr. BRADSHAW inquired whether the estimated cost of
the tunnel was not £200,000 ?
The CHAIRMAN in substance stated that both Mr. Vig-
nolles and Mr. Locke estimated the tunnel to cost £200,000
if it had to be lined throughout with brick, but if the mate-
rial should prove to be of such a nature as to 'obviate the
necessity for lining, it would cost only £lOO,OOO. Probably the
meeting would like to hear the report of the resident manager
of the works at the tunnel.. The chairman then _read the
report, which described the state of the works and the
nature of the materials at all the shafts. The latter it stated
to be peculiarly favourable, and that there was not the
slightest foundation for the statements made in some anony-
mous letters in the Railway Times, that the materials of
this tunnel, and those of the summit tunnel on the Manches-
ter and Leeds line, were similar.
Mr. BEDDOME begged to ask the chairman whether he
could inform the proprietors upon what ground it was that
the Railway Times had shewn so much hostility towards this
undertaking, depreciating its resources and prospects, and
the general proceedings of the company? What reason could
be assigned for this hostility?
The CHAIRMAN was unable to assign any reason for it.
Mr. APPLEBY hoped that the remark just made by Mr.
Beddome would have the effect of extracting the reason of
his hostility from the editor of the Railway Times himself;
but it would hardly become the directors, or the company, to
take any further notice of the subject. For his part, he
could assign no other reason than that of blind hostility.
The motion for the adoption of the engineers' report was
then carried.
. . . . .

Mr. BRADSHAW said that, however painful it might be,
he had to move that 230 shares (the numbers of which he
read), which bad been declared forfeited by the directors, on
account of the calls not being being paid up, be confirmed.
Mr. BEDDOME seconded the motion, which, after some
conversation as to the disposal of the shares, was carried
unanimously.
Mr. BRADSHAW next moved that the directors be autho-
rised and directed to dispose of the forfeited shares by sale,
at such prices, and upon such conditions, as they should
think fit. _ . _

Mr. WADDINGTON seconded the motion.—Carried unani-
mously.

It was then moved and seconded, that Messrs. William
Sidebottom, William Butcher, John Dalton, and Cornelius
Randall, the four retiring directors, be re-elected.
Mr. BRADSHAW, seconded by Mr. BENNETT, moved, as
an amendment, that Mr. John Wood, of Glossop, be elected
a director. He was the largest shareholder in the company.
After an animated debate the question was put, when
there appeared,
For the reappointment of the directors 15
Against

Majority 8
The four retiring directors were then declared re-elected.
A discussion then followed concerning the appointment of
an auditor of the accounts. Mr. Bradshsw contended that
three shareholders should be appointed at every meeting, and
so on till the entire number had filled the office. Ile pro-
posed a motion to this effect. On the other hand Mr. Geo.
SIDEBOTTOM moved that Messrs. Peet and Hobson be ap-
pointed, which was eventually carried.
The CHAIRMAN, in reference to Mr. Bradshaw's sug-
gestion for the auditors to be appointed from among the
shareholders, said the directors would consider between this
and the next meeting, whether it could be entertained.
Mr. BRADSHAW said that promise was very fair and
proper.
After some remarks from Mr. BEDDoME, who enlarged
upon the superior results which followed upon a low rate of
fares, and suggested that a station should be established at
Gorton,
Mr. WM . Sim:poil-mkt moved a vote of thanks to the
chairman, who returned thanks, and the proceedings termi-
nated.