The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-31 00:00:00

grounds, he would respectfully appeal, both individually
and eollectivel, directly and indirectly to them, to con-
tribute, as far as they conveniently could, a portion of
the capitral necessary for this great work. (Cheers.) It
was rather the number than .the amount of their sub-
scriptions that would give encouragement to those dis-
tant partics who were not unwilling to embark largelyin
the undertaking. He be!ieved that the gentlemen asso-
ciated together at the East Kent board could not afford
to compromise their characters and position 5n the county
by being parties to an undertaking which would ulti-
mately reduce itself to a despicable abortion ; therefore,
the meeting might depend that whilst the directors were
very careful in making prornisrs there exertions would
far exceed their pledges. (Cheers.) With respect to the
probable return of the outlay on the construction of the
works, it was impossible for any person who looked at
the earnings of the North Kent line from London to
Strood not to come to the conclusion that ihe extension
from Strood to Dover must yield the shareholders 10
per cent, per asnutn. Sir Charles Fox bad placed it at
8 per cent. ; but Sir Charles had not taken into consi-
deration that the directors might, by judicious applica-
tion of the powers of raising a portion of the capital by
a guaranteed stock, increase the dividends to the origi-
nal shareholders. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. E. R. RICE, M.P., maved the first resolution, to
the following effect :—`• That in the opinion of this meet-
ing the just interests of the town and port of Dover and
the adjacent country urgently demand the extension of
the East Kent Railway from the city of Canterbury to
that town, inasmuch as such line of railway with its
branches will not only supply the means of communica-
tion, of which the inhabitants have been deprived, but
will restore to its natural and direct course the conti-
nental and commercial traffic which has been so long
diverted into the circuitous and indirect line of the South-
Eastern Railway CoMpa,ny by Reigate, Ashford, and
Folkestone." He had always said that the construction
of
on a railway from Canterbury to Dover was only a ques.
tlfo
ti of time. The project had his hearty support, and he
ugh t that the present meeting, the largest he had seen
on the subject, was a proof of the increasing interest
which the inhabitants of Dover took in promoting direct
railway communication with London. (Cheers.)
Mr. S. FrNN-rs ably
was carried unanimously.
supported the resolution, which
Sir J. TYLDEN moved the next resolution, viz.:—
"That the Proposed extension line will offer a secure and
direct railway communication,
connecting
garrisons, and
arsenals in the county of Kent withrufoeren,tsenintitthleed other,
and
dirawiltthy
harbour of Dover and the principal forts
ktiongpduobmlicaosuelptphoermt eatsroa-
po
ot hi
je,r, l
ai knej ei sst, atbhlei srhe
national undertaking. That the commissioners of rail-
ways, to whom the subject was specially referred by the
House of Lords, on the motion of the late Duke ofYel-
lington, in the year 1847, held such an object to be
of ' the greatest importance,' and they accordingly
recommended that another line of railway should
t)-e
constructed, ' without being dependent on the pre-
sent exposed portion of railway between Folkestone
and Dover,' which to the late noble lord warden and
other scientific men ever presented a cogent reason
for advocating a direct inland railway." He must, he
said, congratulate tt meeting on the fair prospect which
they now had of a reonration of those advantages_
direct communication with London—which they had until
a recent p 'Hod enjoyed since the time of the Romans.
He gave that prospect his cordial support..
Admiral D'AETET seconded the resolution, which was
also carried unanimously.
Sir B. BIM G:s moved the next resolution :—" That
this meeting, remembering that the numerous efforts
which have been made by landowners and others, sup-
ported by the inhabitants of this town, for securing the
completion of a direct line of railway between the metro-
polis and Dover, through 'Canterbury, have been in-
variably frustrated by the South-Eastern Railway Com-
pany, although that c unpany have given solemn pledges
to Parliament for the construction of a .similar line,
view with Satisfaction and confidence the present ap-
plication to Parliamerit by the East Kent Railway Com-
pany for the extension of their line to Dover." He said
he supported the resolution with the greatest pleasure,
because he was satisfied that the requirements of the
district and the interests of the country demanded the
construction of a•direct line of railway communication
between London and Dover.
The Rev. S. ROBINS seconded the resolution, which
was also carried unanimously.
Mr. T. B. BASS moved —" That . considering the
auspices under which the bill for the proposed extension
has been now introduced into Parliament, there is in the
opinion of this meeting every
prospect of the sanction of
the Legislature being given to it during the present ses-
sion, if cordially supported by the inhabitants of this
town and district. That this meeting, therefore,
pledges itself to afford to the undertalcing'all the sup-
port in its power, expressing an earnest hope that it may
be completed with all possible expedition, and rendering
its thanks to the East Kent Company for promoting so
desirable and import cut a measure."
The motion having been seconded, was carried nent.
con.

Mr. J. KNOCKER proposed, and Mr. D.' ASTLEY se
conded, a resolution for the appointment of a committee
fur the purpose of giving effect to the last resolution by
co-operating with the directors of the Easi Kent Rail-
way C nipany, and rendering them every possible assist-
ance they may require from the town of Dover and its
vicinity, with power to add to their number, &c.
Lord SbNDES then move 3, and Mr. J. SADLEIR,
M.P., seconded, the thanks of the meeting to the mayor
for convening the common hall, and for presiding over its
deliberations.

The resolution was carried by acclamation, and, the
Mayor having returned thanks, the meeting broke up.
The letter of Sir Charles Fox, given above, was exceed
ingly well received, and reversl portions loudly cheered.
It was thought that Sir; Charles, with his characteristic
caution, had understated the prospfctive dividends of
the company, and that the calculations, upon the esti-
mated cost, show a net balance of more than 10 per
cent.—calculations based upon the well-ascertained re-
sults of the working of the North Kent line—viz., an
increase of traffic from 3,7481. per mile per annum for
the first half-year after the opening of the railway to
.5,813/. per mile per annum for the past half-year.