The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-01 00:00:00

£312,260 14 3

. 55,663 0 7

£367,923 0 7

Examined by vouchers, and found correct.
GEORGE JONES, }Auditors.
ALFRED FOX,
W. M. TWEEDY, Deputy Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—Gentlemen, your
directors and engineers have made such a very full report
that there remains very little to add as to the particulars
of the progress of the railway. Since we last met our
works have regularly progressed the directors have gone
over the line, and are very much pleased at the satis-
factory manner in which the work generally has been
carried on, and especially the substantial manner in
which the masonry and other parts have been executed.
In consequence of the want of labour the various
works have not progressed so rapidly as we antici-
pated, but by pressing. the contractors they are getting
more rem and proceeding more vigarously than for some
time past--(cheers)—and we have reason to believe that
the portion of the line from Truro to St. Austell will be
completed in the time stated. We are now going on to
Liskeard, and we have every reason to believe that the
contractor will proceed with it to the satisfaction of the
company. Since we last met, also, we have accepted
contracts hence to Falmouth. (Hear, hear.) I need
not say that it is an important feature to connect the
port of Falmouth with this railway--not only so far as
the country itself is concerned, but by means of this
line we shall be connected with the metropolis, which
willcche ebr nd, benefit to the county hi general—
( of
cheers)—and, invaluable
s ) having that in view, we have taken care
to obtain contractors who are likely to execute the work
a
with satisfaction to the company. It is proceeding very
vigorousiy, and in a way likely to give perfect satisfac-
tion to all parties concerned. We have purchased a
good deal of the land between this and Falmouth, and
there will be no difficulty in obtaining the remainder.
We have also purche ed the whole of the land between
St. Austell and Liskeard, and have agreed for some of
the land between Liskeard and Saltash. The contractor,
as you perceive by the report, is proceeding, as far as I
can judge, very well and substantially with the works of
the bridge at Saltash, as is also the cont: actor for the
work from the bridge to Devonpori. (Hear, hear.) In
reference to enforcing calls and allowing interest on
paid-up capital, at first it may appear as though we were
losing capital by so doing. In our act of Parliament
we have power to make calls for the purpose of carrying
on the works, and to pay interest thereon ; we consider
it, therefore, more equitable, that parties paying up

R. PEARCE, Esq., of Penzance, heartily seconded the
resolution, as he was glad to hear so satisfactory and
gratifying a report of their proceedings and of the pro-
gress of the line, and also that so small a portion of the
line remained to be let, which was a proof that the 1
directors had been most usefully engaged since the last
meeting. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said there was one remark which he
had omitted to make, which was that the charge for en-
gineering expenses included everything to the 31st of
March last. (Cheers.) The chairman then put the re- 1
Solution to the meeting, which was unanimously adopted. •
No gentleman rising to address the meeting,
The SECRETARY said there was no further business to
present to the shareholders.
ingMtro.
tEeLnnuisnaotbeserwvied that he
thoutthanckoiunlgd ntohtealelwhoairtmhe anmaeentd-
directors for their constant attention to their duties, and
he hoped that all their anticipations would be fully rea-
lised. On behalf of himself and shareholders of Fal-
mouth he would assure the chairman and directors that I
if they could assist them in facilitating the progress of i
the railway, they should be most happy to do so. He
would therefore move a vote of thanks to the chairman i
and board for their energy, skill, and talent in carrying I
on the various works of the Cornwall Railway.
Mr. STOKES believing that the county at large was
satisfied with what had been done by the board, and that
there was a growing feeling of confidence that the line I
would be successful, he would second the resolution. 1
The CHAIRMAN said it was very flattering for them to •
meet the shareholders with such good feeling every half-
year. lie could assure them that it was a very great in- I
ducement for them to continue their attention and zeal
in promoting the successful issue of this undertaking.
It was very true that their gratitude was the only 1
payment they received, but that was duly and amply
appreciated by himself and the board. The good-will I
and confidence shown by the shareholders towards them
gave them pleasure in attending to their interests ; '
and if they succeeded in carrying out the line, as they '
hoped they should, successfully, no undertaking he ever
took in hand would give him so great pleasure as the
carrying out of_ this railway. In all countries he had
been in he had witnessed the difference railway commu-
nication had made in promoting the wealth of those
places, contrasted with other places where no railway
existed. He had recently returned from France, and in
the interior of that country he had himself observed the
advantages accruing from railway communication. In
Burgundy, a place six hundred miles from any water
communication, the wine was all brought and forwarded
andlhe'erettlf'dliTtltTliartial manner in
which railways ran through that part of the country,
was, that it bad increased the rents of the vineyards, and
value of the wine, 100 per cent. But it did not only ex-
tend to wine, but to corn and tobacco, which merchan-
dise had improved to the same extent, and which results
were the same in every country. He had never been in
the United States, but those who had, had told him that
the development of trade, and subsequently of the wealth
of the place, had been very much increased by rail-
way communication— opening as it were a new world.
(Cheers.) Although England was not so large as the
countries to which he had referred, but as it was opened
to the rest of the world, and in proportion as it afforded
railway communication, he had no doubt but that the ,
produce of Cornwall would increase, and that they should
also find strangers flocking to their county for the bene-
fit of their health, the temperature being so much more
mild than that of any other part of England. They would
also find great advantages accruing to the landed inte-
rests on opening the railway in Cornwall, as it would
open the Plymouth, Exeter, and other markets to them
for their corn and cattle. He would simply add that
he was quite sure that whenever their railway was
opened, it would increase the traffic beyond calculation,
and consequently the interests generally of the county.
T. J. ROBARTES, Esq., M.P., could not, as one of the
directors, consider himself entitled to their thanks, as
he had not been able to attend the meetings of the board,
for a year or two past, as his friends had found him
work to do in the Commons House of Parliament. He
was glad, however, to hear the very flattering report of
the progress of the line, and so far as his observation
went, especially in his own neighbourhood, the line was
being carried out most energetically. He concurred in
the observations of their respected chairman, that where-
ever railway communication had been secured, great ad-
vantages had resulted to those engaged in trade and
agriculture, and more especially to the owners of the
soil. He considered himself, therefore, not only bound
as a Cornishman to promote a railway, but as a land-
owner, it was the best thing he could do for his own in-
terest. (Cheers.)

W. M. TWEEDY, Esq. (deputy-chairman), observed
that though Mr. Robartes had disclaimed being entitled
to the thanks of the meeting, because he had not as-
sisted them at their board meetings, yet he had assisted
them materially as a landowner, and representing as he
did a large interest in the county, the support he had
tendered them from the first had been of invaluable im-
portance to their interests, and he had not only met them
as regarded his own land in the most liberal manner,
but his influence on other landowners had been very
great, so that it would be seen that Mr. Robartes had
not only aided them directly but indirectly also, and
hence the company had derived great advantages by
his countenance and support in that way. He hoped
when Parliament was not open they should have his
presence and advice, which were always valuable, but
whether he attended the board or not, he was always
of essential service to them, and their thanks was as
equally due to him as if he had taken a more active
part among them.
The meeting, which was a most unanimous or e
throughout, then separated, apparently highly gratified
with the proceedings.