The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-30 00:00:00

SOUTH WALES.

On Wednesday a succession of fetes inaugurated the
opening' of the extension of this railway from Carmar-
then [to Haverfordwest. A special train, conveying a
great number of visitors, was despatched from Swansea
at 8.45 a.m., and at every station on the line received
large additions. Upon its arrival at Carmarthen it
passed, by a bridge of iron, across the river Towey from
the old to the new line amid loud cheers and ether marks
of enthusiasm.

A t St. Clair's the first station upon the extension, the
Portreeve of the corporation presented an address of
congratulation to the chairman and directors ; triumphal
arches, garlands, and various devices, testified to the
enthusiasm of the inhabitants.

Upon the arrival of the train at Haverfordwest, the
Mayor and other members of the corporation received
the directors and the other visitors. A procession was
then formed of the corporation, the members of the Odd
Fellows Society, the brethren of the Ancient Druid
Lodge, and the inhabitants generally, to the Shire-hall,
where addresses were presented to the Chairman of the
South Wales Railway (Mr. Talbot) from the Corpora-
tion and Odd Fellows Society, to which he briefly and
appropriately returned thanks.
The new portion of the line, which is abottlO last
in length, is carried through a great number of cuttings,
which, although of no very great length or depth, yet
from their rocky nature must have proved great diffi-
culties in the way of the completion of the line. The
gradients, too, are numerous, although the greatest does
not exceed 1 in SO. There is one tnnnel of about 76
yards long. Time line, for the most part, runs parallel
with the course of the old Roman road.

After the presontation of the addresses, the procession
was reformed, and returned to the station house, where
a dcjeuner, got up in princely style, without regard to
expense, was provided by the mayor for his guests and
visitors. He had hospitably invited to it the directors
of the South Wales, Great Western, and Vale of Neath
Railways, the directors of the Australian Direct, Aus-
tralian via Panama, and General Screw Steam Packet
Companies, the Corporations of Haverfordwest, Swansea,
Carmarthen, Cardigan, Newport, Pembroke, and Tonby,
and the Lords Lieutenant, and members of the town,
&c. The Mayor occupied the chair, over which was
placed the plume of the Prince of Wales. There were
on the dais Lord Emlyn, M.P., Mr. Talbot, M.P., Mr.
J. H. Phillips, M.P., Mr. Isaac Butt, M.P., the Hon.
Mr. Yelverton, Admiral Ward, the Hon. Captain Plun•
kett, Captain Buckley, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Talbot, Mr.
Davies, the Dean of St. David's, and several other
gentlemen. Grace having been said by Dr. Lewellyn,
about 1,000 guests sat down.

Several toasts were given and responded to, and the
whole affair concluded satisfactorily.

EASTERN COUNTIES AMALG UIATION. -Th e amalga-
mation of this company's system with that of the Eastern
Union and Norfolk comes into operation on Monday
next.

SWANSEA AND LOUGHOR MINERAL JUNCTION.—On
requisition to the Mayor, a meeting 11 just be
at Swansea, in promotion of thepropoasedlne, whichen held
olis
intended to be 12 miles long, with branches to the mi
neral districts, and to the docks now being constructed
at Swansea. The estimated cost of the undertaking is
80,0001., and the Duke of Beaufort, who is an extensive
landowner on the route, has given a general intimation
that the line is in accordance with his views.
PANAMA.—It is stated that great exertions are being
made to complete this railway as soon as possible. One
great difficulty has been overcome in completing the
viaduct over the Chagres river; and it is expected the
whole line will be completed by next June. Arrange-
ments will be made early in the ensuing year for the
speedy conveyance of passengers from the Atlantic to
the Pacific Ocean by this route.
NULL AND HOLDERNESS.—It appears that the works
on this line are progressing satisfactorily, and it is ex-
pected that the line will be opened for traffic in May
next. The engineer estimates that the cost of the line
will not exceed 100,0001., exclusive of the hotel at
Withernsea. The length of the line is 18 miles, and the
cost will average about 5,6001. per mile. The autho-
rised capital of the company is 120,0001. in shares, and
33,0001. on loan, together 153,0001. The engineer has
offered to lease the line at a rent equivalent to five per
cent. on its cost.

EXETER AND EX3IOUTH.—A meeting has been held at
Exmouth to promote this line, at which it was stated
that in order to construct the railway at a cost of 8,0001.
per mile, a sum of 76,0001. would be secured, and that
as there was no likelihood of Exmouth and its district
having a railway, through the instrumentality of the
Great Western, Bristol and Exeter, or South Devon,
the inhabitants proposed to promote it themselves.
FORTH AND CLYDE JUNCTION.—The works for this
line are to be commenced on the 12th of January.