The Sun.
London, England, 1840-02-28 00:00:00

;WENING EDITION•

Western Railway was opened throughout. With respect
to the Southampton—the delay had been occasioned in a 1
great measure by want of tunds, while, according to all
ti
reasonable computation, the Great Western might have
been finished in tee-thirds of the time.
Mr. 112.4CM:till begged to ask when it was probable the
line would be opened throughout?
The Cuaragasi slid it was eetremely difficult to tell,
but he thought it would be finished in something short of I
six years from the commencement of the works. Cer-
tainly it would not take longer than the Birmingham,
in
proportion to the length of the line. With respect to the
proposition of Mr. Hey %yeah, as to the appointment of
I Mr. Roskill he must observe that there were other con-
siderations involved, besides merely a residence in London.
It was important that in an undertaking like theirs, the
' opinions of the person proposed should be in unison with
that of the Directors. lie would add, that with regard to
the gentleman in question, it was only very recently that
he had given expression to opinions decidedly hostile to the
course pursued by the Directors.—( Hear.)
A PROPRIETOM thought that objection might be a good
one immediately after the division to which the Chairman
alluded; but now that the broad guage had been decided
open by a majority of the Proprietors, they would
sot be hard enough to destroy it. He did not be-
lieve that Mr. Roskill would attempt to disturb the
decision that had been come to upon the question, but that
he would apply his abilities and influence to the welfare of
the Proprietor.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. IllitIVORTn differed with the Chairman as to the
price rde of haring all the Directors of one way of think-
ing. The elements of disagreement were very frequently
the elements of advantage to the Proprietors at large. in
the Grand Junction Railway there was a division among
the Directors, and yet that undertaking had yielded the
largest dividend of any. viz., 14 per cent., and it would be
shortly 20 per cent. There was a constant difference of
opinion among them, and the consequence was, that the
een, ction of opinions produced a greater energy, and gave
a pester stimulus to their exertions. When the whole
Beard was acting with unanimity their operations were
morbid.
Mr. BIWA RD hoped his Hon. Friend would not press his
amendment, because he thought it would be somewhat
invidiots to the gentlemen whom the Directors themselves
had proposed.—(Cheers.) From the statement made by
the Chairman it appeared that they were proper persons to
pet upon the Direction. He would beg to suggest that,
as several gentlemen had expressed an opinion that the
claims of the Lancashire Proprietors should be considered
—the question was one which should be taken into con-
sideration by the Directors. He thought that the persons
selected by the Directors should bu men having a deep
stake in the concern, and having judgment to enable them
to carry out their plans judiciously. He did not think
! that any gentleman so selected would factiously oppose
the proceedings of the Board, without substantial grounds.
Possibly the expression of (.pinion that had taken place
1, would be sufficient to call the attention of the Directors

to that point, and that they might hare the satisfaction of
seeing some one cr more of those gentlemen representing
the interests of the Norther❑ Proprietors, because it was
not only essential that their interests should be well at-
tended to, but that the impression should exist that they
were well attended to.

A PBOPRISTOR hoped, after the observations that had
been made, that his Hon. Friend (Mr. Hepworth) would
withdrali his amendment.

Mr. CRWISTIWAITIL hoped the Hon. Proprietor, after
the expreasten of opinion which the m-eting had given,
would accede to the proposition, and allow the Nobleman
and Gentlemen who bad been nominated to be elected

upon the present occasion, and probably the Directors
would take the case into consideration upon the next

vacancy.
The CHAIRMAN could not pledge his colleagues as to
the election of Mr. Raskin, but he could assure them
that they were anxious to get a northern Proprietor on the
Direction, if he were eligible in all respects. ♦ proposition
of that kind would certainly receive every attention and
consideration.

Mr. HIi;WORTTI, in consequence of that promise, and
seeing that probably the Directors bad communicated with
the parties who had been nominated, he should withdraw
his amendment on that occasion.—(Cheers.)
The resolution was then passed unanimously.
Mr. HOLWO, M. P., begged to return thanks in behalf
cf himself and these who had been elected along with him.
He could assure the Hon. Proprietors that he had been
assiduous in playing his part in the Directory. He was
net such a man of business as the others ; but he had
time to spare, and be went down the line, by which
means he was enabled to assist the Board with his personal

observations. With respect to the personal interest which
a Director ought to have in the undertaking—he had
only to say, that his personal stake was quite enough to
stimulate him to greater exertions. He had not such a
sake as the Hon. Proprietor from Liverpool, but his
stake was not inconsiderable, as he was the proprietor of

500 shares.—( Heir, hear.) It was the last property
that he should ever part wi:h, bacaute he was sure the un-
dertaking would succeed and prosper. He thanked them
for the renewed coofidenco placed in him, and on his part
It would rilt be misplaced.
Mr. Hositocte, in answer to Mr. Heyworth, said that he
happened to be a Lancashire men himself, and ho was

well acquainted with Mr. Roskill.—(Hear, bear.)
Mr. VOCAL! had a resolution to propose which he
would read ; it was as follows :—" That full powers and
authority be given to the Directors to enter into and con-
clude any agreement which they might think expedient for
taking upon lease for a term of years either the whole or
any portion of the Bristol and Exeter Railway ; and also,
for the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway,
for the purpose of working the said lines or either of them,
paying a rent to be determined in full and lieu of all tolls,
rates, and authorities, to be levied thereon, as well as for
the exclusive rights of possession during the continuance
of any such lease." Though he moved the amendment,
he thought they had decided that the Directors had the
power of treatilg with the Directors of the Great Western
Union at six per cent.
The CHAIRMAN—That is still in force.
Mr. Vousur—Then why should we repeat it cow ?
The CHAIRMAN—It gave a further power, and a power
to treat for a portion of any of the lines.
Mr. VOL:II.T would, with pleasure, submit the resolu-
tion to the meeting, and before it was decided they would, '
no doubt, have the views of the Directors as to the advan-
tages that would accrue to the different lines, as well as
their own.
The CHAIRMAN thought it right to state to the Proprie.
tors that a negotiation with the Directors of the other
Companies had been opened, but was not in such an ad.
vanced stage as to make it prudent to state how far they
had ,goae, but he would say that the basis of the negotia-
tion was calculated not so much to secure any profit to
themselves beyond the fair profit on their outlaid capital, as
to assist the Bristol and Exeter Company to complete their
line as soon as possible, and to bring all the traffic to the
Great Western line.
Mr. Aeseote would strongly recommend the Directors
to withdraw their opposition, on the ground that at present
the Directors, the Secretary, and the Engineer had quite
enough to do, and it was their imperative duty to complete
their own line.
The CfIA,IRMAN—The very object they had in view was
to fecilitate the opening of tne Bristol and Exeter line.
and it would be entirely crustrated by any delay. They did
nut meet to assist the Company in making the line, but to
work their own engines upon the line.
Mr. ALSTON—Why does not the Bristol and Exeter
Company do it themselves ? He saw how the matter stood.
The wealthy Company was to assist the weak one.
Mr. Heats begged most distinctly to deny that the
Northern Proprietors had either more prudence, more
knowledge, or more perseverance than the men in the
West. The Great Western Railway was the greatest
work in the world, and had been executed in the best man-
ner. —( Hear, hear.)
Mr. BOURKI begged to state a fact that was within his
own knowledge. The London and Birmingham Com-
pany greatly fostered the Aylesbury Branch, under the
same circumstances in which that Company were placed,
and it had been found to work uncommonly well. That
Branch had proved a most valuable feeder to the main
use. It was al.io well- known that the two lines in ques-
tion must naturally be great feeders to the Great Western
line. It vas essential to the interest of the Proprietors
that they should lend every assistance and aid to the Pro-
prietors of these two railways, in order to their speedy
completion.
Mr. Havi,vorrit hoped that the advice given to Mr.
Alston in the first place would be attended to, because they
had not yet completed their line. Befure he proceeded
he wished to ask the engineer when the line between Bath
and Bristol would bo finished ?
, Mr.Beuese could only give the same answer that he had
given in his report to the Directors five or six months a;o.
Mr. Huewoierit—That would bring it into August.
Why then not leave the matter until that time ? If they hid
such a stock of carriages, and the other Company had
not, they might run their carriages on the railway at a
certain toll, but he thought leasing the railways was most
extravagant, and; would odd greatly to the duties of the
i secretary and engineer, who had already enough to d
He thought it was foolish in them to prevent theßirmm • to,.
ham and Gloucester and the Gloucester and Bristol Co.
parece from coalescing. He would allow every on:.1:o.
in his opinion, ought
stand upon its own merits; and so,
the Great Western.
Mr. CRO%ITIIVIAITE thought that the resolution had bet-
ter be withdrawn, because many Proprietors had known
nothing of what was intended to be proposed before they
entered the! building. Ile, for one, was entrusted with
the interest of large Proprietors in Lancashire, and he was
not aware until he entered the meeting that such a proposi-
tion was to be made. If the gentlemen in the norm had
been represented at the Board, they would have bean in-
formed upon the subject, and b:en prepared. He for one
did not wish either to negative or to ascent to the proposi-
tion, because he was not perfectly informed upon the
subject. 4
Mr. GuanoN begzed. to suggest that if the proposi•
.ion was withdrawn fur tie present, the negotiations might
, be carried out, and the Directors had the power to ell! a
, special meeting at any time they thought proper.
The CHAIRM?.N begged it to be clearly understood that
\
there was not the slightest intention of advancing one
shilling to the Exeter Reiiway. He thought it was very
important that the subject should he quickly decided,
but if it was their wish to discuss it at a special meeting,
of course the Directors could have no objection to the
withdrawal of the motion.
Mr.' Vousee begged to ask whether anything was
known as to the probebility of a line being
1 Falmouth and Exeter ?
been with Mr. C. B. Faire—As much had b
said respect
to the Bristol and Exeter Railway, made between
and being on the Direc.
tion of that Company, he trusted that he would be allowed
i to say a few words. That Company had obtained a Bill
to make a Railway from Bristol to Exeter.
e:ulalt tc.ame out
lr at the time when the rage for railway sp
t very great, and the hcpes entertained of their
success stswas
t mostas
sanguine. Many persons took shares at that time who
were not in circumstances to pay up the calls upon their
shares. Tho Directors had made contracts for the com-
pletion cf the -... lino to Bridgewater, a distanceof
thirty-four miles, and the Proprietors then said
that they would see how that part of the line
, answered before going further. If the Directors