The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-28 00:00:00

BROKERS.

11fosrs. Foster and Braithwaite, 68, Old Broad-street, 1 London,
blessrs. Hutchinson and Son, 39, Lothbury .
Offices in London-16, Cannon-street.

The Antwerp and Rotterdam Railway will be the great comiect-
ing link between the lines of France, Belgium, and Germany at one
end, and of Holland at the other, and will form a direct intercom-
munication with the railways of Central and Southern Europe for
the inhabitants of Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and the Hague.
It is proposed to effect this national benefit by means of a railway
from the Government station at Antwerp to the Meuse at Rodevart,
a length of about thirty-five miles, in connexion with a steam-boat
service from thence to Rotterdam, a distance of about sixteen miles,
until a railway—for which surveys are in progress—is decided upon.
In the interval, the steam-boat service is wholly in an inland or river
navigation, passengers and goods will be transferred at a railway
wharf ix deep water, at Rodevart, so that the journey between Ant-
werp and Rotterdam will be easily and comfortably accomplished in
about three hours, instead of occupying ten hours as at present—the
fares ben: less than half the present cost.
The district to be traversed by this line comprises the best of the
Folders of Belgium and Holland, which are of a remarkable richness
and fertility. Its dense population enjoys a high condition of wealth
and comfort. Whilst the numbers per square mile in Belgium, Eng-
land, and France, are respectively—Belgium, 382; Great Britain,
23i ; France, 170 ; the census of the inhabitants located on the three
hundred and sixty square miles adjacent to this line gives a total of
291,730 persons, or about 840 per square mile—more than double the
general average of Belgium.
The branch to Breda, in length about fourteen miles, will secure
the traffic from Bois-le-Due, Tilbourg, and a large range of fertile
country, from which the old and main roads converge towards and
unite at Breda.

This line has long been considered one of the most important and
profitable sections of the Dutch and Belgian systems of railway, and
has been the object of protracted negotiations between the two Go-
vernments. The concession for the portion of the line in Holland,
which is about three-fourths of the whole, was signed by the King of
Holland on the 21st July last. For the five leagues of the line in the
Kingdom of Belgum, a convention has been signed by the Minister
of Public Works, which on'y awaits the meeting of the Legislative
Chambers to receive a formal ratification. A convention between
the two kingdoms, to establish this line of communication, has re-
ceived the Royal assent in both countries, and was formally ex-
changed on the 4th of last month (see the " Moniteur Beige" of the
14th August, 1852.)
The Concession is for ninety years, and the tariff for passengers
and goods is similar to that of the Belgian State Railways.
This Company is based upon a contract already concluded with a
responsib e contractor, Mr. George Wythes, of Reigate, by which he
undertakes to purchase the laud, and construct he bridges, works
of art and stations for a double line ; and to execute the earthworks
for, and lay down and complete, a single line of rails ; as well as
to prow ide all the rolling stock, plant, and workshops. Provision is
also made for the payment, by the contractor, of all preliminary
and incidental expenses, including the cost of the concession, and
also of interest, half-yearly, at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum,
upon the capital called up, until the opening of the line, which
is expected to take place in less than two years from the date of
the concession. The whole outlay of capital will thus be covered
by the contract price of 500,0001., or about 10,0001. per mile, for
which fixed sum the shareholders will become possessed of a line
of railway with most favourable gradients and curves, complete and
ready for opening.
As regards the prospects of traffic, it may be observed that the
average gross receipts of the Belgian state railways for the year
85as published in the Government statistical returns, amounted
t 1018,7101. per mile, which in this case, would give a profit or up-
wards of 10 per cent. on the guaranteed cost of 10,0001. per mile.
it is apparent, however, that the receipts on this line may be ex-
pected to exceed the average of the 360 miles of Belgian State rail-
,
ays. First, because the local population in the district traversed
is more than twice as dense as the general average of Belgium, and in
a c3ndition of greater prosperity. Second, because the line forms a
direct prolongation of the railway from Brussels to Antwerp, which
is probably the most productive section of railway in Europe—pro-
ducing an average receipt of about 6,000/. per mile per annum.
Third, because this line, from its position, must command the greater
part of the through traffic between Holland, Belgium, France, and
the South of Europe—the extent of which may be judged of from the
fact that the value of the merchandise transported to and fro be
tween Be'gium and Holland amounted in The year 1850 to a value
of 4,429,9891., which was in great part received at, and sent from,
Antwerp. These statements are based upon the annual publication
of the details of foreign commerce, made by the Belgian Minister of
Finance.
Under the form of a " Societe Anonyme," the Shareholder's
liability is limited to his " holding." The capital will be represented
by 50,000 shares of 10/. each, of which 20,000 shares are already
taken in Holland, Belgium, and France By the terms of the
statutes of the " Societe," the certificates of the shares will be issued
" to hearer."
Applications for Prospectuses and Shares may be made to Messrs.
Hutchinson and Sons, 39, Lothbury, and to Messrs. Foster and
Braithwaite, 68, Old Broad-street, and any nuttier information may
be obtained at the Company's Offices, No. 16, Cannon-street, City.
No. 16, Cannon-street, London, Sept. 24, 1852.