The Sun.
London, England, 1836-07-05 00:00:00

PRICE 7D.

retire from the scenes of life, but he must say, that it made
him very happy to see Bristol standing in such a position as
she now did. He believed that Bristol, as well as the country
generally, was never so prosperous as at this present time.
Why, if they looked throughout the country generally, they
would not find a spot which was not flourishing. He hoped
the Directors would go on, step by step, till they attained the
summit of their prosperity. Mr. Maze concluded by moving—
" That the report of the Directors now read be received and
adopted."
The motion was seconded by JOHN HAnFORD, Esq., and car-
ried unanimously.
WILLIAM WATSON, Esq., in moving the second resolution,
said he was quite sure that every inhabitant of this city felt
gratified that the Bristol and Exeter Railway Bill had
passed into a law, and that they felt convinced the measure
would be of immense advantage to the interests of the com-
munity generally, in affording a cheap and expeditious medium
of transit to the West of England. They had all felt, as trades-
men or manufacturers, how much the London houses had of
late interfered with the ground which lay legitimately within
their own immediate Sphere; but he hoped shortly, as they
would have the means of bringing their warehouses as it were
almost in contact with their customers, that they would be able
to recover their old connections, and that many of their
former friends would return to them. Mr. Watson concluded
with moving—
" That the Corporate Seal of the Company be affixed to the
register of Proprietors now produced."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Grans, and carried-unani-
mously.
C. B. FRIPP, Esq., said he had been called upon rather
unexpectedly to take a part in the proceedings, but, neverthe-
less, when he looked to the purport of the resolution which had
been put into his hand, which was a vote of thanks to the
Directors, ne most cordially complied with the request made
to him. Before, however, proposing it to the meeting, he
would for a moment advert to the very satisfactory report they
had just heard read, arid he could not but congratulate them
on its contents. Although he was more intimately connec-
ted with another important undertaking—the Great Western
Railway, yet he could sincerely say that he was most anxious
to promote this undertaking, which would conduct them
further into the western counties. . Mr. Fripp then, at some
length, went into the advantages which were opening to the
country from the adoption of the railway communication, in
which he touched upon the improvements which have succes-
sively characterised succeeding ages, but which, in their in-
fancy, have had to struggle against impediments which, in
the present day, aided by the discoveries of Science, no longer
exist. If the meeting would look back foi' a short period,
scarcely more than twelve months, it would perceive that
there was then but a chance only that the Great Western
Bill would pass: but since then it had become law, and
the works were in active operation ; the present undertaking
had also within that short period been originated—the Act
had been passed—and it would also shortly be put into exe-
cution. The advantages that would ultimately result from
railway communication it was impossible for him to detail ;
he would riot take up the time of the meeting by attempting
to describe the results that may be expected to follow, from
this line in particular; but he would say with respect to
them all, that, if well arranged—if well marked out, there
could be no doubt of ultimate success. Mr. Fripp, after ex-
pressing his conviction that the undertaking was a firm and
sulistantial one, concluded by moving—
" That the cordial thanks of the proprietors be given to
the Directors, who have so ably and successfully superintended
the affairs of this Company."
The motion was seconded by Mr. SHAPLAND, and carried
unanimously.
•
The CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the Directors, returned
thanks. He begged to assure the Proprietors that they had
ever felt the utmost anxiety to promote the success of the un-
dertaking.
SAMUEL WARING, Esq., in moving a vote of thanks to W.
Miles, .Esq., M.P., said he could bear testimony to the great
zeal, kindness, and attention, which Mr. Miles had evinced
towards the Bill. One of the Directors of the Southampton
Company complained last year at their public meeting that
Lord Wharncliffe, the Chairman of the Lords' Committee on
the " Great Western" Bill, was not satisfied with being
Chairman, but was so zealous as to be virtually Counsel for
the Bill. He (Mr. Waring) would confess the same of Mr.
Miles, as Chairman of the Commons' Committee on the
" British and Exeter" Bill, and the inhabitants of Bristol and
the counties of Somerset and Devon, owe him a debt of grati-
tude accordingly. Whoever will look at the Ordnance
.Map,
now before the meeting, would sec that the line they had
adopted was the only one at all available for the purposes of a
Railway, and that they are secure from all interruption. The
projected lines over the elevated and bleak Downs near Salis-
bury, are mere phantoms. Supposing any parties should be
insane enough to attempt either of them, it would never afford
a particle of profit on the inevitable outlay, as none but eccen-
tric antiquaries, on a pilgrimage to the burying-places of the
ancient Britons, would ever choose such a tedious course,
whilst the journey from London on the easy gradients of the
" Great Western" and " Bristol arid Exeter" lines would oc-
cupy so much less time, and be through a' far more delightful
country. He begged to move—
" That the best thanks of the Proprietors be presented to
Wm. Miles, Esq., M.P., for his zealous and efficient support
of the Bill for establishing this Company during its progress
through the Committee of the House of Commons."
W. JOHNSON, Esq., as one of the witnesses examined be-
fore the committee, could second the motion with pleasure,
having himself witnessed the admirable conduct of the gentle-
man alluded to.

The motion was adopted unanimously.
Mr. POWELL said—he was examined More the Committee
of the House of Commons, and he left a statement with the
Hon. Chairman, showing that by the Railway they would be
able to send goods of his manufacture at a cost 53 per cent.
below what they would be charged either by waggon or canal.
He would state to the meeting, that where, some few years
ago, they had 40 or 50 customers in the Western counties,
they were now redhced to 4 or 5 ; but looking to the improve-
meuts which the railway would effect in the transit, they might
hope in a few years, not only to recover their old connections,
but to extend their transactions to a very considerable amount.
Mr. Powell moved—