The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-04 00:00:00

AMBERGATE, NOTTINGHAM, and BOS-
TON, and EASTERN JUNCTION RAILWAY.
At the ordinary HALF-YEARLY MEETING of the PROPRIE-
TORS, held on the 24th day of August, 1847, at the Exchange Hall,
Nottingham, for the purpose of receiving a statement of the pro-
ceedings of the Directors and the Accounts of the Company, W. F.
N. Norton, Esq., in the chair,
The following REPORT was read by the Secretary :—Since the
last ordinary meeting of the Proprietors, your Directors have con-
treated with Mr. Wythes for the formation of that portion of
the line between Bettesford and Grantham, including te
h
Gonerby-bill Tunnel, and the Canal Branch (about eight miles),and
the works are progressing to the satisfaction ot your Directors.
ram
They have also been ealled upon by the Midland Company to
the agreement entered into for the joint construction of the four
Miles west of Nottingham to Bidwell, which will effect a large sav-
ing to this Company.
Your Directors have not deemed it prudent to enter into any other
contracts, er to incur and other liabilities, iu consequence of the mo-
netary pressure, and also from an assurance given at the last ordi-
nary meeting that no further call should be made before the present
meeting, when your opinions mirit, be consulted fled directions
taken. At the same time your Directors have no hesitation in do-
daring that the trio interests of the Company will be hest promoted
by completing the line between Nottingham and Grantham at the
earliest period; and they regret that by this delay they will be uu-
able to avail themselves of the summer months for the formation of
their works, which would have been greatly to the advantage of the
Company.
On the first application to Parliament for the construction of this
railway, the Midland Company here large shareholders, and being
otherwise interested, it was not thought advisable to incur the ex-
pense of making a separate station, wharfs, &c., at Nottingham, and
therefore ne powers in the original Act were taken for that purpose ;
but as that Company subsequently withdrew their connexion, your
Dlrectors,•under the sanction of the half-yearly meeting in February
last, applied to Parliament to deviate the line, and by increasing
their powers to secure an independent position.
As the Company's trains would have to pass over the Lincoln line
about two miles, the Midland Company had the power to charge
after the rate of six miles. To be relieved from that heavy toll was
another important desideratum—and though the Company by
the purchase of the Nottingham Canal had the best depot fbr the
accommodation of the town of Nottingham, yet no independent ac-
cess was secured. Under these circumstances your Directors deemed
tt advisable to apply to Parliament to effect the above objects, and
they congratulate the Sharehon_ers in having succeeded upon terms
greatly to the advantage of the Company. After the Bill had been
Introduced into Parliament, the Midland Company met your Direc-
tors in a very liberal•and friendly spirit, and after some negotiations,
an agreement was entered into tinder the corporate seals of each
Company, by which the Midland Company consented to repeal so
much of the Lincoln Act as enabled them to charge the six miles
rate, and a clause to that effect has been introduced into their
amended Act, by which this Connally pay a mileage only. They
have also agreed to provide the necessary stations and other accom-
modation for the passengers and traffic, both at Nottingham and
Ambergate, the extent and terms to be arranged by a Director ap-
pointed from each Company, and In case of difference, to be settled
by an umpire.
In consequence of this agreement your Directors only proceeded
to obtain powers for the construction of the Branch to the Canal
Wharf at Nottingham, which they have obtained, and over which
the Midland Company have power to run their trains, on payment
of toll.

The concessions and powers thus secured are of the utmost im-
portance and advantage to the Company. The most convenient
stations and ample accommodation tor passengers and merchandise
will be provided, both at Nottingham and Ambergate, and the saving
in the outlay of capital, as well as time and the convenience to the
public will be greatly effected. As the traffic in coal, corn, cattle,
and heavy goods, according to the estimates proved, will be very
large, the advantage obtained by the possession of the Canal Wharf
is of the first consideration, as it gives to this Cempany the best
trading position in the town of Nottingham, which could not other-
wise have been secured, except at an enor nous sacrifice of money.
The nature prosperity and almost vitality of the line were most
severely att3eked during the last scission of Parliament, by the Great
Xerthern and Eastern Counties Companies. The former projected
a line front Gosberton on the Boston loop to Houghton Mill, north
of Grantham ; and the latter projected a line from Spalding to
Newark, each of which were parallel to the eastern portion of your
line, and if either had been obtained, would have diverted a consi-
derable portion of the eastern traffic. The •reat Northern and Last
Linooltishire also introduced other Bills, the effect of which, if they
had not been defeated, would have been to destroy your proposed
station at Boston, and render the branch to the quay, at that place,
almost useless. The Great Northern ale*, by another Bill, to effect
a deviatioa of their line near Grantham, made another attack upon
year line at that place, which would have been naost prejudicial had
It been suceeseful. In accordance, however, with their duties and
the active vigilance your Directors have ever endeavoured to exer-
cise in protecting the interests of the Company, they offered to the
several Bills every legal opposition, and they are happy to say with
the west complete success, having thrown out all the Bills except the
last, which was so modified as to make the junction at Grantham
more advantageous, and, at the same lime, more independent.
Clauses have been Inserted in that Act empowering the two Compa-
nies to make a joint station, and also empowering the Great Nor-
thern to use a portion of your line on payment of an equitable toll.
These attempted projects are conclusive that in the opinion of those
Powerful Companies the district is important and capable of deve-
loping a large traffic, and by the success attending the exertions of
your Directors us part of that district has been infringed upon—all
that the Legislature has granted has been preserved intact.
In thus defeating aggression, your Directors have not refused
friendly alliances when they would conduce to your interests. They
are happy to say that the best understanding now exists between
this Company and the Eastern Counties. In fixing the station of
their Wisbeach and Spalding line at the latter place, they have-
adopted your site, and an agreement has been entered into for toe
construction et such station at the joint expense of the twe Compa-
nies, and the alliance has further been strengthened by arranging for
an interchange of traffic, and running of trains, between Grantham
and Spalding, and epalding and Wisbeach, the terms and details of
Which are to be settled by arbitration. This agreement will promote
alike the facility and convenience of the public, and the interests of
the Company, and may ultimately lead to a more intimate union,
and which agreement will be submitted to the Special General Meet-
ing on the 21st of September next, to consider the propriety of can-
liming the same.
In conformity with the Act, four of the Directors, and cm of the
Auditors retire, whn are eligible for re-election.
The Directors are happy to state that the differences which have
arisen between a portion of the Shareholders and the Board have
been amicably arranged, and that the Directors will be increases to
the full numetr of sixteen ; seven of whom are to be recommended
by the Committees of the Shareholders. And for the election of three
of that number, a Special General meeting will be necessary, which
is fixed for Tuesday, the 21st of September next.
Company's 0111ces, Wheeler-gate, Nottingham, August 18, 1847.

ENGINEER'S REPORT.
TO THR CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE ARIBRUGATE, NOTTINS-

HAM AND DORTON. AND EAITERN JUNCTION RAILWAY.
fieutlemen,—l now beg leave to report to you the progress since
the last half yearly meeting.
Tile contract for six and three-quarters miles from Ilottesford to
Grantham, including the Gonerby 11111 Tunnel, was commenced on
the 15th of March, the contractor being then put in posse:salon of
some portion of the land.
The whole of the land for this contract is now obtained, and the
contractor is at work on every part.
More than five miles of the contract length is fenced ht, and the
remainder of the fencing will be shortly completed.
About 200,000 cubic yards have been got out of the excavitions
and put into the embankments, which completes more than one-
third, of the earth-work.
Nine bridges are built, with the exception only of the parapets,
and nearly all the necessary culverts are put in.
lathe Generby Hill Tunnel 420 yards of the heading are driven ;
We ride logthi of four shafts, aud ono shaftleugth, waking fort'