The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-15 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY 'EVENING, AUGUST 15, 1854.

GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY OF CANADA

The first meeting of the shareholders of this company
was held. at Quebec, on the 27th ult.
The Hon. John. Ross, President of the Company, having
taken the chair,
Sir C. Roma proceeded to readihefollowing reports :
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE GRAND TRUNK
RAILWAY OF CANADA.

The period for holding the first meeting of the share-
holders of the company having arrived the directors desire
to place before them a full report of the progress of the
undertaking since its formation.
The amargamation of the several companies now com-
prised under the title of the, Grand Trunk Railway Com-
pany of Canada, was completed in July of last year ; im-
mediately afterwards the necessary stens were taken for
issniug the shares and debentures to the holders of the
provincial certificates of the A series of Grand Trunk
Shares, and for the conversation into Grand Trunk Shares
of the paid up in full shares of the Si. Lawrence and At-
lantic, the Quebec and Richmond and the Toronto and
Guelph Companies.
It may not be inopportune to state here that the system
adopted and carried out; with reference to the preparation
and issue of these documents, as well as to their registra-
tion and transfer, and to the payment of interest and divi-
dends on them, is of the most complete and satisfactory
character.
Immediately after the amalgamation, the necessary
organisation of the company •in the' traffic department,
under the control of Ur. S. P. Bidder, its general ma-
nager, was effected. His report is attached hereto.
The system of audit of
.all receipts from traffic was also
brought into operation on the principle of the Lon-
don Clearing-house—the experience of several years, ac-
quired in English railways, demonstrating this as a com-
plete and effective check on all payments on account of
traffic. Its working on the section of railway- between
Portland and Montreal has shown the advantage of its
adoption in this country. Arrangements have been made
for its extension as the several sections of the Grand Trunk
Railway are completed from time to time.
The St. Lawrence and Atlantic and Atlantic and St.
Lawrence Railways, forming the line from Portland to
Montreal, are 292 miles in length. They wore delivered
.to the company in July, 1853, in a state unfit for working, -
and the locomotive and carriage stock was equally defi-
cient.

Engagements, however, had been entered into which
rendered it necessary to keep the line open so as to get
through ono train a day during the winter.
Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances under which
the line was worked, the traffic has gradually increased
from 1,6441. 3s. Oct. stg., which it was on the week ending
the 7th January last, to 3,6271. ls. 9d. for the last week of
the half-year ending 30th ultimo. The total receipts for
the half-year were 73,1121. Bs. 2cl. stg. To earn that sum
an expenuiture of 58,1221. 14s. was incurred.
This large amount for working expenses Will naturally
attract attention, but it has to be remembered that the
railway was kept partially open to fulfil the engagements
alreadyreferred to, as well at the solicitation of flour and
lumber merchants, who had made contracts in the belief
and understanding that the railway from Montreal to
Portland would be in effective working order during the
winter. It must also be borne in mind that the last
winter was the severest known in Canada East for several
years, and that, in addition to the short supply of engines
and ther rolling stock, there were neither workshops nor
tools for the necessary repairs. The half-year just expired,
therefore, forms no criterion for the future ,as regards
working expenses.
The line is now in good working order. The ballasting
throughout its entire extent is nearly completed. The num-
ber of engines has bean augmented to 61, anti more than
the ordinary proportion of them is in complete and effec-
tive working order. The necessary workshops and tools
have been provided, and every arrangement has been made
or is in progress for rendering the line capable,ot con-
veying as large an amount of tra;fic as can be' curried
one a single lino of railway, at or about the ordinary rates
of working expenses. Since the let instant, .`• Through"
trains accomplish the distance each way between Montreal
and Portland in 114 hours' and the number of passengers
carried by them would have been gr- atty. in excess of
their present amount, had not the unfortunate prevalence
of cholera checked the immense travel from the United
States that usually flows into Canada at this season of the
year. The ordinary trade of Montreal has likewise been
diminished to a considerable extent in consequence of the
prevalence of the disease.
Although the sea service of the Canadian Steam-Packet
Company was not carried on in an effective manner during
the past winter, the experience acquired by merchants
and others has convinced them of the advantages of the
communication ; anti there is no doubt that if a weekly
passage were established between England. and Canada,
anti that the sea service were performed with average regu-
larity in vessels of large tonnage, the receipts on the, line
from Portland to ntntreal alone would be increased be-
tween 1,500/. and 2,0001. a week from this source.
Up to the date of the last advices from England, the
Gth instant, 1,848,815/. sterling had been paid on account
of the A series of shares of the Grand Trunk Company and
the debentures to which such shares are entitled.
490.8851. sterling have been paid in advance of future
calls, a satisfactory proof of the confidence entertained by
the English shareholders of the company as an invest-
ment.

It is intended that the next call of 2/. 10s. per share
and of 101. on each class of debentures be made in October
next, to be followed by calls for the same amounts in Feb-
ruary and June, 1855.
Owing to the prospects of a general war in Europe, and
the consequent probable depression of all securities, the
directors deemed it prudent, during the autumn of last
year, to apply to the Provincial Government to grant,
under the Guarantee Act 14 and 15 Vie., cap. 73, sec. 22,
the same privileges with reference to the province bonds,
to b..) issued to this company, as had been afforded to other
railroad companies in Canada entitled to the guarantee.
The Government assented to this proposal, and trans-
mitted to Messrs. Baring and Glyn, the agents of the pro-
vince in London, 905,7001. of debentures, with instruc-
tions that they be issued to such shareholders of the Grand
Trunk Railroad Company as paid 40 per cent. on their
A shares, and in full on the province bonds to which
they are entitled.

The amount paid in full on these debentures to the 6th
instant, is 492,3001. stealing. The works completed by the
contractors to the 14th instant (at the rate of 40 per cent.
on the works to which the debentures apply) have entitled
the company to 311,0001., and a further amount of 317,5001.
is held on account of those .sections of the line hitherto
known as the St. Lawrence and Atlantic and the Quebec
and Richmond Railways. It, therefore, appears that the
company have not yet received from the Government the
amount of provincial aid to which it is entitled. The de-
bentures are, however, in the hands of Messrs. Baring and
Glyn for disposal to the shareholders of the Grand Trunk
Company under the conditions before stated.

Should a larger sum be received by Messrs. Baring and
Glyn in payment of these debentures than the amount to
which the company is entitled on works executed, it will
be held by these gentlemen and will be only handed over
by them to the company, as it becomes entitled tLereto
from time to time, by order of the Government of Canada.
A similar arrangement will be carried into effect with
the B aeries of these debentures as the works progress. The
amount of this issue will be 905,8001.
In accordance with the arrangement announced by the
London board on the 6th May last, the directors have en-
tered into the following arrangements with reference to the
progress of the work :—That they be actively piroceeded
from St. Thomas, 40 miles below Quebec (to join the Que-
bec and Richmond line), and between Montreal, Kingston,
Toronto, Guelph, and Stratford, so that the line shall be
opened from Montreal to Prescott, and between Toronto
and Stratford, a distance of 210 miles, in the au•u/nn of
next year, and the other sections giving a total length of
867 miles in October, 1856.
The works postponed under this arrangement compre-
hend 245 miles, and au outlay of about two millions ster-
ling.
The capital accounts submitted herewith show that the
expenditure under that head to the 30th ultimo, has been
1,860,2651.5,x. 6d. sterlina., of which 237,7931. sterling was
on account of works on the line between Montreal and Port-
land, providing it with additional locomotive stock, work-
shops, &c., 589,425/. for works and materials supplied be,
t9r
aodiT.ltehode for ant,hl
tween Montreal and Toronto, 363,3961. 19s. between To-
n eSVL i clitoarriya'-'s, between Quebec and Rich-
mond, 63,172/. for the line east of Quebec, and 57,0201.13
reportdirectors
of m
referr., A. ivf. it
with satisfactiono ee,
the
company'sto the
e full
chief and
edne -.
gineer, herewith subjoined, on the progress of the various
works now in course of construction.
sir nto
It cannot fail to be
R theta
ts
eu bt jheactt
iot f's
nt he ec e
sVs
ii
tcyt oar !lad bar id cvl ga
tie t
at hg
ee
bdei
cr
oe
mc t
eo rda
adi
ley-
read by the shareholders with the deepest interest.
?
moreexplicit
aPPaint .
The report of Mr. Robert Stephenson, recently published, has convinced all persons interested in the sub-
ject in an engineering point of view, of its practicability
and propriety, and the perusal of Mr. Ross's report will
showw
the successful manner in which the k
have pro-
gressed to tho present time. Viewed inro s
erlationtopriots"
commercial importance, the directors are more than ever
impressed that, without it, the large and comprehensive
traffic system involved in the construction of the railway,
could only be partially and by comparison ineffectually
carried out at a very great cost. Montreal is the terminal
point of the ocean navigation connectedi with the St. Law-
rence on the one side,
and
e great Canadian and
American lakes, extending 2,0000 f t
miles
the continent, on the other. It is also the centre from
which lines of railway at present radiate to Portland,
Boston, and New York, and to • -which lines now in pro-
gress of construction will converge from the
other rich, though as yet, only
partially Ottawa and
developed districts
of Canada. Without the Victoria-bridge the Grand 'Munk
Railway would, in fact, be two railways,
n
involving t'
cost and expensive working of two separate plants e
as
by its construction under the perfect systernof ' where
ment which the directors believe they will be abilOare. o in-
troduce, not only will the immense traffic both of
and of merchandise which now flows through j a
ipoenrtsroenasl
continue with the natural expansion consequent upon the
opening of railways in surrounding districts; but it is the firm
conviction of the board that by means of the bridge better
moro rapid and cheaper communication will be afforded for
the produce of the magnificent districts of Western Canada,
and of the North-Western States of America, including
Michigan, Illinois. Wisconsin, Minisota, lowa, etc. to the Atlantic Sea-board, and for the supply of these districts
with imported goods than by any other route on this Con-
tinent. With reference to the coat, it should be observed
that if its amount be distributed over the whole Grand
Trunk Line, it will add about 1,2001. a mile to the ex-
pense of construction, making the total cost of the railway
(to be finished in every respect equal to a first class Eng-
lish railway) about 9,5001. a mile, which amount includes
the necessary locomotives and other rolling stock for work-
ing the line. In addition, the linos of railway, indepen-
dent of this company, which converge at Montreal are
about 1,600 miles in length.
All these will pay toll to the company to pass their
traffic over the bridge, as it must be obvious that it will
be clesaper than to ferry the river by steam-boats in sum-
mer or by sleighs in winter.
The directors aro happy to announce that the agreement
entered into in London between this company and the
Great Western. Railway Company for each to suspend
11344 1856 nob Portions of the respeoisiire lines as ezeite4
___ _ .._.

mutual jealousy, has been confirmed by the Canada board
of that company. In consequence the works on the Great
Western lino from London to Sarnia, and this company's
Sarnia Extension have been deferred.
The board has every reason to hope that before the ex-
piration of the present agreement, terms of 'a friendly alli-
ance will, under the (recision of Mr. Stephenson, be nr-
range.l between the two companies,.by which all the evils
incident to any apprehended competition will be avoided.
A vacancy having been created in the Canadian section
of the board, by the retirement of Captain Rhodes, it is
propos:A to fill up the vacancy by the appointment of H.
Le Meander, Esq.
In accordance with the terms of the amalgamation
agreement, the period at which the first election of direc-
tors shall take place, as also, the terms at which the future
ordinary meetings of the shareholders of the company shall
be held, are to be decided by the present meeting. •
The election of three shareholders of the company as
aulitora is likewise' required' by the terms of the amalga-
mation agreement.

•
Certain-shares in the Quebac and. Richmond Railway
are now in arrears for calls. A resolution will be submit-
ted to the Meeting to empower the Directors to foifeit such
shares two months after a no4ice has been published in
the Canada Gazette, and in the other newspapers. •
The accounts of the company up to the 30th ultimo, are
herewith submitted.

. Quebec, 27th July, 1851. JOHN Ross, President.
TO THE DIBECTOES OF THE GRAND'TRUNK RAILWAY

COMPANY

GENTLEMEN,— In view of the approaching half-yearly
meeting, I have to report for your information, and that
of the proprietary, the progress generally, which has been
made in the prosecution of the works of this great .under-
taking.
In doing this, my statement must necessarily be confined
to dry details, perhaps uninteresting and uninstructive,
excepting to those few, who from their position as direc-
tors and trustees, aro naturally expected to evince a morn
than ordinary desire for the Most full and authentic infor-
mation, connected with the great trust confided to their
charge.

I am on this occasion more than ordinarily anxious -to
fulfil this duty, as many unfounded and Injurious reports
have been spread abroad, and industriously circulated,
respecting the progress made in the execution of the works
of this most important enterprise. I shall thcrefcire pro-
ceed to lay before you a detailed account of what has been
done on the different divisions of the line, and the means
now employed in carrying on the work.
MONTREAL AND TORONTO SECTION.
It will be in the recollection of the board, that the spring
of last year advanced before we were in a position to com-
mence operntions in the preparatory field works necessary
for our guidance, these were prosecuted with vigour and
the surveys completed in convenient sections, were duly
deposited in the proper Government offices to such extent,
as enabled the contractors in August of the last year, to
proceed in acquiring the land and making the necessary
arrangements for prosecuting the works.
In,the meantime further deposits of plans have succeeded
each other ; the whole of the surveys are now perfected
and deposited, these give a result of 333 miles, as the length
of the line between the termini at Montreal and Toronto.
I have now to report, that the land has been purchased
for 250 mikes of this length, as well as for that required for
the terminal stations at Montreal and Toronto, and all the
intermediate stations along the whole length of the section,
amounting in the aggregate to nearly 3,500 acres. The re-
maining 83 miles, which will comprise about 1,000 acres,
may be acquired as soon as circumstances may seem to
justify. Exorbitant sums have been paid for the land at
both the terminal stations, and at many of the intermediate
stations, also, in addition to being obliged in many in-
stances to purchase a far greater quantity than the require-
ments of the railway demanded. Tho laud generally with
some few exceptions, in addition to those instances already
stated, has been obtained upon terms which have not dis-
appointed our expectations, and I do nut anticipate that the
portion still retnaining to be acquired wili leave much, if
any cause for complaint.
With the view of completing the Eastern end of ths line
from Montreal to Brockville, about 111 miles, and also a
small section oh. the weitern end, front Toronto eastward to
Whitby, about 35 miles, by the autumn of next year, forces
to a large amount have been from t;ie earliest cointneuce-
went of the season regularly employed, and at every point
requiring more than ordinary exertion for the attainment
of this object, every means -is being taken to expedite the
work.

The greatest of such points occurs, as Fon are aware, at
the crossing of the river Ottawa, at St. Ann's and Van-
dreuil, where the bridging extends to nearly 2,200 feet in
length, and upon the tuasJnry and works connected there-
with ; there are now employed 949 men and 109 horses ;
addition to this, nearly the whole of the ironworks for this
structure, which constitutes one half of the cost of the
bridge has been completed in England and is now shipped.
Without referring to any other particular work beyond
the one I have already specified, which.is the largest and
most important feature of the whole section' I would beg
to draw attention to the appendix A, which clearly shows
the amount and distribution of the forces now employed,
this you will find upon the 147 miles now in active opera-
tion, gives au average of 50 men and 8 horses per mile.
Upon the middle division at Kingston, where such
works only are being proceeded as require most time to
complete, 650 men and 50 horses are employed. The com-
pletion of this division of the line being deferred to one
year later than the sections at either end, no larger force
than that now employed is necessary.
You will observe in the appendix there are 7,600 men,
and 1,230 horses employed between Montreal and Toronto,
whose operations are principally confined to about one
half of the line ; and of this 630 men and 61 horses are
employed in carrying on the works of the station buildings
at Montreal, which aro designed on a scale to meet the
future requirements of one thousand miles of railway, con-
verging at this centre. Having thus enumerated the
amount of forces employed in prosecuting the works of the
sections now proceeding with, I shall briefly state the
amount of work already accomplished; which I shall de-
scribe by commencing with the rails.
Of 15,000 tons of rails required, there have been re-
ceived 9,452 tons, and 4,448 tons in addition have been
shipped and may shortly be expected. There are, also,
6,000 tons more provided, which await tho departure of
the September fleet from England, when the whole will
have been sent off.
_ _

Of 330,003 ties required, there are 208,000 provided.
Of 150 miles of fencing, there are 55 miles completed,
and the whole of remainder provided.
44 miles are already graded, and the remainder era oeing
proceeded with in full force.
in due
The cult,ert and bridge masonry are advancing
proportion at every point where needed moat, and in every
instance will, I believe, keep pace with the other works.
It is intended to get in the foundations for the station
buildings, at Montreal throughout the season, these extend
to an aggregate length of 3,000 feet, in sundry buildings,
varying from 40 to 90 feet irrwidth, some of which are two
stories in height, and consist principally of passenger
stations, goods warehouses, locomotive erecting shops,
engine tables, car erecting shops, smiths, and foundry
shops.
it is•proposed to complete the car and smiths shops this
season, so as to admit of commencing the construction of
the car rolling stock, which is to be built upon the pre-
being so far prepared this autumn, will be readily advanced
wises. The remaining
to completion next year. buildings of thii establishment
twhoerkCaisnaa,llsaoWeooorsktrsa,
otiorkgrahoedado,p
The locomotive power is being prepared in England, at
now employed.
Considering the magnitude of the operations in which we
are engaged, and the many adverse circumstances incident
to a country devoid of all and every flexible appliance for
ownhtehreesothzobarritdigseanisraolue-
carrying out large works, I think, on the whole, we have
every reason fur congratulation, in beiio, able at the end of
the first twelve mouths operations, to render a statement
showing ne trly 50 per cent, of the
ac-
complished, moreover, the progress now making with the
forces employed, will at the close of the
present season
task now in hand
advance the works of grading to near comletion, and leave
little more to do in the ensuing year p
than to lay and finish
the superstructure of the permanent'ay, for which, in the
SECTION.
meantime, every appliance will be amply, provided.
opmeiltehsefrwoemstseranrnsieac,tihoanvbeebyeoeundin
abeyance,
TORONTO AND sAabriA
recollection of the Board, that all works west of St. Mary's,
Toronto, it will be in the
point nothing has been done, excepting the completion of
the surveys, and securing the right of ivay. beyond this
The works of construction betvveen Toronto and St.
Mary's, 99 miles, have made considerable progress, and at
present the contractor's operations are confined to the dis-
trict extending from Toronto. to Stratford, 89 miles.
I find in the returns furnished to
aathwof
taShrheea nmolnyi mile resident,tmhayonudsa nc o us ni
di nearesi assistant tnadnrte in a
na that
thirtydistrict,
men thatemployed ther e
about 22 men to
the amount of e
ry. The supply of permanent mate-
re yet to
do upon this section I
n I deem an increase of the forces em-
ployed in that distiladvisable. 'et
forward as cm The masonry is as far , nbe desired, and in
upon the work, thoi gives an average of.
and rails, as yet, only
reach 35 per cent. of the require amount.
These, however, are butb temporaryenof drawbacks which
can be soon overcome, and theyt
the who the season, I have
good reason for believing, tha
t_
eresults will be in every
t. factory throughout h le of this section.
wa sat to erivaelri, swllati saastiscfraocsths-ties, fenc.infi,
and, I am
our wishes in this re,pect, .
.advised that every
Every disposition is evinced by the contractors to meet
of all the
rails required.
VICTORIA-BRIDGE.
arrangement is made for the immediate supply

Westerna- and Eastern bridge, which is to form
thel cshonainlenctaiwn
divi-
sions of this system of railway comprised in the Grand
Trunk scheme ; and with reference to this important work,
I have to state in addition to the north abutment dam, the
dams of Nos. 1 and 2 Piers are fixed in their places, and
connecting
refer
link to
betweenth the V Victoria-bridge,
eo r„!
No. 1 dam, was pumped out on Friday, the 14th instant,
itt one hour and a half, thus fully testing its efa6iency,
proving it to be as tight as a tub.
The machinery and other appliances necessary are now
fixed and the masonry is being proceeded with. Dam No.
2, as well as the abutment dam, aro being supplied with
clay puddle, necessary for their completion, and they will
shortly be in the same state of forwardaess as dam No. 1,
already referred to. Dams 3 and 4 are also constructed,
and they will be floated into their places as soon as practi-
cable.
Separate engines for pumping water and setting the
stone are provided, and ready to be fixed on each of the 6
dams, and every other appliance in machinery and gearing
of all kinds are also prepared on the most extensive scale.
The complete success of the dam already tested furnishes
the most satisfactory evidence of the efficiency of the plans
which have been pursued in reference to this important
undertaking.
The quarries at Ponte Claire provide stone of superior
quality and dimensions; having been in operation for the
last 8 or 9 months, very large quantities of stone have been
provided and prepared for setting in the works.
Wharves have been constructed on the St. Lawrence, in
the vicinity of the quarries, and railways are laid down to
facilitate the shipment of the stone.
The contractors have also provided two very powerful
new steamboats, with a fleet of barges built expressly for
the purpose, which are designed to carry the atone to the
site of the bridge. These are now in active operation, and
Permanent progress will Ter7 PPIAPY kVA to pppeivr,
_

which with the forces employed will soon rise into import.
MICE).

At present, as shown by. the Appendix A, there are
1,172 men and 72 horses employed upon this work.
.Preparations for,the construction of the iron-work are
proceeding at the Canada Works, Birkenhead, on a scale
commensurate with the magnitude of the undertaking
under the direction and superintendence of Mr. Stephen-
son, and in the course of next year we contemplate the
erection'of a considerable portion of this part of the-work.