The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-14 00:00:00

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

" Of the three lines of railway sanctioned by Act of Par-
liament last year, and undertaken by the Great Western
Railway Company, namely the Berks and Hants, the Ox-
ford and Rugby, and the Monmouth and Hereford—the two
first requiring no alteration and amendment, have been im-
mediately proceeded with ; the works on each of these lines
were let in one contract, and have been undertaken by con-
tractors of experience and responsibility, who have brought
a very large and ample supply of plant upon the ground,
and have shown both judgment and activity in the distri-
bution of that plant, and in the mode of setting out the work
for execution. Difficulties have in many cases occurred in
obtaining possession of land—difficulties which have been
much aggravated by the provisions of the new Acts, which
have so much complicated the proceedings necessary for
obtaining possession when parties are desirous of throwing
difficulties in the way, and creating vexatious delays; but
whenever possession has been obtained, the works have been
immediately and actively proceeded with. Upon the Berks
and Hants 'Railway, extending from Reading to Hungerford,
and from Reading to Basingstoke, a total length of forty
miles, although some of the land was obtained so early as
last December, which allowed of a commencement of the
works, other portions, and some of the most important, have
not been in our possession for two months. During this pe-
riod, and principally during the last six months, considerable
progress has been made, about one-half of the total quantity
of earthwork, about 1,250,000 cubic yards, have been exca-
vated, and from the good arrangement of the work, and the
quality and position of the principal cuttings, every facility is
now afforded for the rapid execution of the remainder. The
brickwork and building generally of the various bridges and
works are also well advanced. About seven miles of the line
are ballasted and ready to receive the permanent way. The
timber for this is in course of preparation and carriage to the
spot, and the rails have been already delivered on the ground.
Two locomotive engines are employed on the works in carry-
ing on the earth-work when the lead is considerable, and
every exertion is making to expedite the completion. Upon
the Oxford and Rugby line, of the length of about fifty-
two miles, from many unavoidable circumstances, the
works could not be commenced so early. The necessary
preliminaries were completed, and the contract entered into
last autumn ; but it was some time before sufficient land
was obtained to allow of any real progress. The contractors
have, however, taken possession, and entered upon the
works whenever they have been able ; and I have no
reason to complain of their want of activity or of their ex-
ertions. The works are now proceeding over nearly the whole
extent for 35 miles, and at upwards of twenty separate cut-
tings nearly 300,000 yards of earth-work have been exca-
vated, and a considerable amount of brick-work and masonry
executed. Bricks are being made at such parts of the line
as afford good materials, and the ballast is being prepared
and set aside at all convenient points. The rails for this
permanent way are in course of delivery, and the timber and
other stores are being prepared at Bristol. Upon the Mon-
mouth and Hereford Railway the same progress has not
been made; at either extremity a considerable portion of the
railway depended upon a Bill for amendment, and also for the
junction or extension into Gloucester, applied for this session ;
this last has now passed, and arrangements have been made
which determine the course of the line near Hereford. In the
mean time the works have been set out and all the necessary
preparations made for proceeding, so that nearly the whole
of the line may now be let by contract. The works upon
the two other principal railways, in which the Great Western
Railway Company are most directly interested as lessees of
the line, namely, the Oxford, :Worcester and Wolverhamp-
ton, and the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railways, are
proceeding with satisfaction.

" I. K. BRUNEL."
NUMBER OF SHARES ENTITLED TO A DIVIDEND TO 30TH
JUNE, 1846.

Capital Amount.
25,000 shares 100/. each, 851. paid £2,125,000
28,000 half-shares 50/, each, 501. paid 1,400,000
93,000 quartershares 251. each, Si. paid 465,000
Fifth Shares, viz.:—

2,118 41. paid, and both calls deferred 8,472
4,432 12/. paid, and one call deferred 53,184
30,950 20/. paid 619,000

Capital called .£4,670,856
Four per cent. dividend is £186,826 4 9

GENERAL ABSTRACT OF EXPENDITURE - HALF-YEARLY