The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-05

The directors stated in their report that during the past
half year great caution necessary in tho conduct
the business Numerous failures had taken place result
ing serious losses importers the bank LOSSES did
not exceed GOO
There is at present great sagnaton in the mercantile
circle The failures that have taken place have had a
perncous effect on business Importers dsncned
TO give credit to retailers and the consequence that the
prices of articles high The total Of the liza
bes Of those parties whose business has passed into the
hands of the official assgnees during the past quarter
exceeds f40 600 About the sum has also been lost
by merchants in compromising with other traders.
The island is for the present tranquil The Walwor
rioters are awaiting their trial which will take place in
November next. II is said that II is the intention OF
government TO introduce bill into the Legislature extend
ing the period for the sitting Of the Irelawny Court
arising OF the riots Among the many atrocities com
med by the Bucities, or in other words the rioters
was serious assault on j. o. Clerk the editor OF the
Treawny newspaper.
The promoters of tho line Of railway from Spanish
Town 10 Ola Harbor have at length succeeded in forming
u company in England The directors are all connected
with jamaica and four of the number resided here
many years. The directors John Carter, William ID.
Child, John P. Haywood and William Smith, Esqrs and
Sir Joshua Reme c. b. late Chief Justice The capital
Of the company is 100000 in 900 shares Of IS each
The minimum dividend is six per cent per annum which
has been guaranteed by the Colonial Legislature for forty
years But limited number Of shares have been re-
served for jamaica but it is expected that this
small number will be taken up 1t possible that f55 600
Of the capital will have 10 be subscribed at home
An extraordinary Light appeared off the northern
gon of our atmosphere on the night of the LIST and
the morning Of the 3D. 1t appeared as if there was CO.
lossa fire on earth which reflected its flames the
heavens. The whole island was illuminated and hun
dreds of persons left their homes TO witness the awful
sight The light seen at Monego Bay at 10 O'Clock
at night but it was not observed at Kingston until
O'Clock Friday morning II continued until FIVE, when il
gradually disappeared There was nothing in the light Of
fuctuatng character, and it varied nowhere in its in
tensy. 1t looked as IL Cuba fire. and many be
eve that portion Of this island has been destroyed by
confagraon Other persons oopinon that the light
that Of boreas, but the has never
before been in these latitudes. similar fire was
observed on the north side of Jamaica Sunday the
27th ut
The Reverend Mr. Johnson the editor Of the Watcnaa
has recently made his appearance in the quiet parish OF
ST. Thomas and in Vale where he delivered Of his
red republican discourses On liberty and equality.
The period for the registration Of electors is fast ap-
preaching and the clerks Of vesry have already issued
their notices. The demagogues have threatened
date the registers with twcntysix reeholders
to the return Of black to the Assembly, the
general election, which will take place next year, but
there little chance Of the threat being carried into
cuon il is necessary for every voter place his
qualification on ten shilling stamp This regulation has
been passed for the purpose Of keeping the registers free
OF azaron and Of thus unfolding the responsibility and
intelligence of the popular branch Of the Legislature.
Mr.. John Dumetz, of this city, has manufactured a
grand piano. which equal in the opinion Of connoisseurs
TO the best OF Colards manufacture Mr.. Dumetz made
his hands, He is O native of the island The piano
sold the day exposed to view for seventy
guneas This is the first time that such article has
been made in jamaica and therefore, the Society Of Arts
intend to present Mr.. Dumetz with medal.
The half yearly meeting Of the members of the Jamaica
Mutual Life Assurance Company will be held on Monday
next when the report Of the directors the transac
tons and affairs of the society the Both Of June last will
be submitted The number Of policies issuei up te
the Both of June was 427, and the amount as
sured f1T3,720. This shows an increase since 3ls
December 1858 Of twenty policies and ZOO in the
amount assured The casualties for the half year have
amounted to 81 075 l9s 3D. The society has divided bo
the extent of 1876 9s 3D. and has pad TO the
representatives OF deceased members the large sum Of
EOS 944 9s cd. Its present surplus principally invested
at six per cent, amounts 10 al ,049 l2S 3D.
The Kingston and Liguinea Water Company have had
their half yearly meeting and declared dividend o.
seven per cent per annum, There has been report
from the mining companies since my last The directors
OF the Eersie and Bardorve Company about TO pro-
coed law against those shareholders who have paid
up the recent call.
Business has not improved since my last report. Fx-
cept fish sufs Of which only cargo arrived during
the fortnight and sold readily at good prices, there has
been very little done. Breadstufs haye been dull In
sequence of plentiful supply Of native ground provi
sons, and the general impression which has prevailed
among buyers that decline from present quotations must
take place. 1t will be seen by review that the trans
actions have been very limited, and ii feared they will
continue so for some time.