The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-25 00:00:00

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the half-yearly meeting in February next. The directors
have the satisfaction of stating that the Bideford Exten-
sion Railway Company have obtained their act for the
betfhtoare
construction of that line from Fremington Pill (at the
sea termination of the North Devon Railway) to the
town of Bideford, a distance of six miles. This extension
must prove a considerable feeder to the North Devon
line, and the two together will include within their re-
spective termini the shipping ports of Barnstaple, Apple-
dore, and Bideford, will accommodate an aggregate
population of 230,000, and connect a large district,
hitherto isolated, with the railway system throughout
the kingdom. The permanent way is being laid at seve-
ral places on the whole length of the line of 35 miles.
The directors of the Bideford Extension Railway have
intimated their determination to immediately commence
that work, and Mr. Brassey has already contracted for
its completion in nine months, and also to work it for
the same-period that "he works-the North Devon line ;
thus the two lines, making a total of 41 milli* will be in
full operation next year, with no competing line for the
traffic of the district on which they depend, embracing
an area of from 35 to 40 square miles. The capital
account showed that the receipts amounted to 323,8011.
including 46,0001. on loan, and 310,2981. expended,
leaving a balance of 13,503/.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said the works were progressing satisfactorily. He adverted
to the advantage the company would derive from the
Bideford Railway, which would form an extension of
their line 6 miles beyond Barnstaple to a large and
flourishing town, where shipbuilding was going on.
On Monday last he saw a ship of 1,000 tons on
the stocks building for a merchant in Liverpool. The
price of materials and labour being so moderate there,
it was probable they would continue to have a good
trade in shipbuilding. The town was situated in a beau-
tiful district. The making of the line to Bideford would
be a very simple affair, the works were very light, the
landowners were very few, and in the main were very
friendly. The line would be constructed by Mr. Bras-
sey, and completed within a short period. With re-
gard to their own line, on Monday he (the chairman)
and Mr. Sharland, the deputy-chairman, passed over it
from the sea at Fremington Pill to the junction with
the Crediton line. The works in some places were
heavy. The most important bridge on the line was an
iron bridge over the Taw, which consisted of three spans
of 80 feet ; the foundations were all in, and the works
were progressing. The stations had been arranged by
committee in the country, and there was no doubt the
line would be ready for opening in February. The
traffic would be worked by the contractor, who was also
in negotiation with the Bristol and Exeter Company for
working the Exeter and Crediton line. The accounts
showed that the company had succeeded in borrowing
money, and they would have no difficulty in finding
funds to finish the line. The land on the North Devon
line had been bought in the main successfully, but it
would have cost much more had it not been for the li-
berality of some of the landowners.
The report was then adopted, and after a vote of
thanks to the chairman and directors, the proceedings
terminated.