The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-07-30 00:00:00

WEYMOUTH.
CII ANNEL ISLANDS STEAM PACKET
COMPANY.

On Thursday last a public meeting, convened by
private circular, was held at the Townhall, "To take
into consideration the beet mains to prevent the re.

moral of the Weymouth sad Channel blends Stem
Packets from this port.' Tlis chair MSS taken by
the Mayor, and after waiting half an hour atter
the time named in the inmate, for ecennisocing
proceediur, said he had delayed commeneing the
businoss in the hopes that the umbers prole,*
would iscrease—the weather, no deal* preventing
many from attending.
Mr. J. A. DIMS:4I3H alluded to the vital import.
ADCS Of this company in Mud to the Uttered., of
Weymouth. The company Was formed in 1857,
having four directors in Jersey, two at Guernsey,
two at Weymouth, and two of the Great Western
Railway directors. The company was then in-
tended to consist of 4,000 shares of £lO each, nudge
the Limited Liability Act. It was contemplated
that Jersey would take 2.000 .bat..; Guerin",
500; London, 50t, and Weymouth, 1,000. Wey.
mouth was the only defaulter, having subscribed hut
241 shares, althougli it derived more benefit than
any other place. It was the nievalent_olrinion
London mul the Chanel Islands thst Wernonth
people had not does their duty. The Great
,1 Western Railway Directors (who had acted in the
h most liberal and noble manner to benefit Weymouth)
when stain asked for amistanoe, now mid "No!
we have done everything for the town, but you will
not do anything for yourselves ; if you will support
the company we will then said." This munpasys
boats had become mail packets, and were carrying
, between 60,000 and 70,000 letters to the islands,
and receiving OA per mouth for that service. The
! expellees of conducting the company averaged
£lB,OOO • year. The receipts were: the first year,
£ll,lll 16s. 6d. ; second, £13,579 6s. sd. ; third,
£15,599 13e. 9d. ; fourth year, £16,759 3s. 11d. At
the present time the receipts were increasing in •
much greater ratio than at say forum period.
They had gone to a great expense is putting the
boats in first-rate order. The Gress Western
Railway offered to give the company all through-
booking rates for five years, from the first of
August fleet, and also £2,006 for five era;ye and
further make an arrangement that each holder of a
£3 share should receive six per omit. per annum for
five pears. If theirs was a company alerting de
*ow the offer of the Great Western Railway would
be worth something like £25,000. Compering the
company's receipts for the first and last year, be
said it was shear that they would shortly arrive at a
paying point. In 1859 tbe number of passengers by
way of W eymouth was 10,914: in 660, 13,966.
The present difference between income and du-
bintementa was very small, the receipts being
£17,000, all but £240; and the expenditure £lB,OOO.
If the Weymouth people did their duty the
company would attain a satisfactory and successful
position, and one of very great importance to the
town.
Mr. LANSING remarked that if the Weymouth
people let these boats go they might also "let the
town go." If the boats were removed they would
only want two trains a day.
Mr. AYLING proposed the following resolution
"That it is the opinion of this meeting that steam
communication between Weymouthand the Channel
Islands is of great importance to the interests of this
town, and it pledges itself to give the Weymouth
and Channel LlaudisSteam Packet Company (Limited)
its full support." In alludiag to the importance bad
benefits of the packet company he, remarked that if
each of the 13,000 passengers who went through the
town last year spent 6 here, £3,000 would be
realised by the hotel and innkeepers, and supposing
their profits to be 25 per cent, the sum of .C 750 would
be gained.
Mr. TIZASD wished in a friendly manner to ask •
question which would influence himself and others
in lending assistance to the company. The question
was whether a pledge would be given that the influ-
ence of the company should not be used for political
purposes. (Applause.) Such an undertaking would
promote the company's interests, especially in • town
like Weymouth.
Mr. Dsvciuse replied that the proper way would
be for liberabi to come forward and scours their proper
degree of influence in the company. At present out
of 241 shares only two or three were held by liberals.
They had distributed the money justly in proportion
to the shareholders.
Mr. R. THOMAS complained that the company's
influence had been used against him in regard to the
election of guardians. He spoke as a cJuservativs,
and agreed with the request for a pledge.
Mr. DEVINISH denied that the company's influence
had been used in the election of guardians.
Mr. Av Leto was sorry to hear the word "politics"
introduced. Their sole object now should be the
benefit of the town. For many years politics had
been the ruin of Weymouth (cries of hear, bear, and
loud applause.) Politics had retarded the progress
of trade. (Hear, hear.)
! Mr. TIZARD hoped to see the days of strife
I which bad formerly been witnessed.
Mr. THOMPSON seconded Mr. Ayling's proposition,
which was carried unanimously.
Mr. DONN proposed, and Mr. 8. SLY seconded :
" That • committee be formed to mover; the town
for the purpose of obtaining new shareholders, and
disposing of the preference s "
Several minions were nominated on the committee
and the resolution carried arm con.
A vote of thanks to the May was by
Mr. Devenisb, and seconded by Mr. noh Tthard,
and the meeting separated.