The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-11 00:00:00

LONDON and CROYDON RAILWAY.
A half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of this railway
-
was
t,n Wilkinson,ii tEtstg .
t,
,o6clieduo n
was held, at sue o'clock yesterday, in the large room at the London
bridge Terminus, for the transaction of the ordinary business of the
The CHAIRMAN II:dd the meeting 44,1, teeei. del
purpose of obtaining the appreinfa ~,,t the
pied thS eitair,
ade special for flip
et Siet ielong to a still tor ef-
Cf
eoemtitP am: tylt 1 laVn.taAl g.
wivantenhecoeldsssaurychtha mg
with the Lomb:,
iti, Croydon
from
weeks't the
iseoeliceift
their
e ttrh
intention
t el
tti t
iand Brighton Company
d Company, but, as he understood
iveeettfnogu,racondusaseettitiiievye
had not been able to comply with this regulation, the business could
not be entered upon at that, but at a Subsequent meeting, of which
due notice would be given.
The advertisement announcing the 'needing havirgbeen read, Mid
the Seal of the Company affixed to the register of proprietors,
The SECRETARY (Mr. Young) read the report of the directors,
which stated that the receipts had been greeter than those of the
corresponding half-year by 5,423/. ss. 2d. Of this the increase upon
traffic had been 4,460/. 10s. Id. and of tolls, 9621. 15s. Id. The ex-
penses had, however, been much increased, particularly in the main-
tenance of way. The directors oh& rved with satisfaction tile steady
increase of the short traffic, and attributed its increase, in a great
measure, to the low charges and increased accotmno :ation afforded.
They were also of opinion that a beneficial reseit would attend a still
further redtielloil of faie, and they only await the ineatie,
Which they hope soon to have at their disposal for affording
a greater amount of accommodation, and effecting this
further reduction. The Bill for the amalgamation of
the Company with the Brighton Company, is before Parliament.
The Portsmouth Bill, in which they were so much interested, and
upon which a favourable opinion has already been expressed by
Committees of both Houses of Parliament, awaits the decision of one
branch of the Legislature, on the justice of which decision the direc-
tors confidently relied. In the last report the directors were in-
formed of the plans proposed with respect to the Kentish lines pro-
moted by this Company, and the desire of the Board to establish a
separate fund for the execution of tide scheme. It was considered
desirable to afford every encouragement to this undertaking, which
was not to depend entirely upon the Croydon proprietors for
its means, and accordingly, under the terms of a resolution
passed at the last general meeting, a guarantee was given by
the directors that, in the event of failure, the expenses to the
Kent proprietors should not exceed 10s. per share. In return for this
guarantee the directors of the Kent Atmospheric line have entered
into an arrangement with this Company as to toll, of a similar elute
racier to that which was formerly assented to, although afterwards I
rejected by, the south Eastern Company. Circumstances, however,
have-rendered it advisable for the Kent Atmospheric Company to
make arrangements with the North Kent Convene, by which such
portion of the scheme of the former as competed with that of the
latter has been abandoned. The remainder was, in the opinion of
the directors, so superior to the corresponding plan of the
. South-Eastern Company, that taking into consideration the
fair claims of this Company to its execution,. they rely with con-
fidence upon the judgment of the Legislature in their favour. The
directors had made arrangements fur possession of a large wharf
and dock, adjoining her Majesty's Victualling-yard at Deptford, and
within a mile of the railway, and a Bill is now before Parliament to
enable this Company to construct a line from thence to New Cross,
by which a very advantageous coal and goods trade will be secured
for all the lines making use of the Croecion trunk. By means of this
short branch, and the passing of the Portsmouth and North Kent Bills,
and the Reigate and Dorking 1;111 of the Brigh* on Company, a direct and
unbroken line of railway communication will be effected between the
Government yards and docks of Deptford, Woolwich, Sheerness,
Chatham, and Portsmouth. The locomotive arrangement of the three
companies at New Cross had finally terminated, the Brighton and
Croydon Companies having agreed to purchase the South-Eastern
Company's share of the premises. Since the 19th of January one-
half of the line had been worked by atmospheric traction, and tak-
ing into consideration the novelty of the process—its junction with
the locomotive system, upon a line with a large traffic, running
trains each way every hour througheut the day—this had been effected
with very little interruption. The interruption which had occurred
had mainly resultel from the inadequate strength of the moving parts
of the engines, and the inefficient working of the air-pump valves. Means
had been taken for remedying these defects as soon as practicable,
and avoiding their recurrence for the future, and when they shall be
remedied, and the system put into entire operation, the directors are
persuaded that all the advantages which have been anticipated
would be derived. It had been found impossible in so short a time
and with so imperfect an application to institute any practical corn-
perison of the expense of working, but enough had been done to prove
the perfect truth of all the evidence which was given before Parliament
in favour of this system in every other respect, and the fallacy of much
that was alleged against it. There could be little doubt, therefore,
that in regard to cost also it would equally, bear out the evidence
of its supporters. The progress of the Epsom line had been very
much delayed by the difficulty of obtaining possession of the land—
the works were, however, in active operation, and the Directors
confidently expected their completion in the ensuing autumns. The
profit and loss account for the half-year showed a balance in favour
of the Company of 22,8121. I is. 9d., out of which the directors re-
commend a dividend of 10s. per share to be declared.
After moving the adoption of the report,
The CHAIRMAN proceeded to comment on the different paragraphs in
it. He said, although the weekly expenses during the past year had
been considerable, in order to accommodate the increase of traffic, he
was confident that they would reap great advantage in the end, in-
asmuch as a misdirected economy could not fail to keep their traffic
at the lowest ebb, and oblige them to keep up a high rate of
charges to meet the current expenses of the line, without
offering that accommodation to the public and those low
fares which would increase their traffic and their dividends.
Those expenses bad been so considerable as to prevent them front
proposing the payment of a much higher dividend than time one de-
clared at their last meeting, namely, 8s per share. The increase
of the dividend to 10s. per share, which they now proposed to pay,
did not, however, arise from the increased receipts of the line, but
from profits derived from other sources, such as interest on capital
And from the purchase of shares. The increase of traffic was the
main thing to which they had to look for their profits, but In main-
teining this increase there must, of course, be a gradual reduction
of expenditure, as the accommodation which they would, in
the first instance, be called to afford, would not require to be
renewed, except a further accession of traffic took
place. The capabilities of the line were more and More
in the course of development, and they were therefore strongly of
opinion that a further reduction of fares would tend greatly to their
advantage; and with the same view they had recommended the
adoption of short lines, in order that the traffic of the larger lines
might not be interfered with. They had possibly heard of an asso-
' elation which had been recently established in London fen improving
the dwellings of the working classes. A very intelligent member of
that association considered that it would be an error of judgment to
improve the habitations in London, and had repeatedle urged the erec-
tion of suitable tenements within five or six miles of London, in order
that they and their families might enjoy the pure air of the country.
He considered further, that this plan mignt be effectuallcarerid out
by the means of railways, and a proposal had been o the
Board by an eminent aret.itect, who, in his zeal for the industrious
classes, proposed to eon tract a railway for the purpose of carrying
out his plan with greater effect. But, in the first instance, he came
to the directors to ascertain if they would take these people home
and back again at a cheap rate. And he (the Chairman) considered
that they might effect the desired object if they could carry these
people as if they were goods, and at as cheap a rate as goods were
conveyed. This gentleman's proposal was, simply to build
villages in the vicinity of London, to charge an ad-
ditional rent upon them, which should be paid to the Company,
whether the people went by the railway or not, or whether the
houses remained full or empty. If they, therefore, could carry live
lumber at the same rate as dead lumber—(Laughter)—and not to
start the trains unless full or paid for, he saw no reason why they
should not accept the proposition, and bringan additional amount of
traffic on their line —in fact, make it a perfect street—thus increas-
ing their profits and conferring great advantages on the industrious
classes of the community, by removing them from the moral efflu-
vium and the physical effluvitun, if he might so speak, gene-
rated in all large and densely populated cities—afford them
better houses, better water, better lighting, and, in short,
almost a change of existence. All the consideration was,
whether they would derive profit from the adoption of this plan or
not.' He then alluded to the amalgamation with the Brighton Com-
pany, and stated that everything had been arranged, and that the
two Companies were now on the best terms.—(Hear, hear.) After
referring to some of the other paragraphs in the rep or', he proceeded
to notice the system of traction adopted on the line. The locomo-
tive arrangements had been broken up. There had been a consider-
able increase in the expenditure on this account, but the greater
portion of that expense lead been incurred in maintenance of the
way, as the rails laid down in the first instance were extremely
light, and the increased rate and power of the engines placed on the
line from time to time, had Metal:llly Worn these rails, and rendered
their removal extremely frequent, and of course expeuelvet They
proposed ultimately to relay the whole of the rails, but, acting tinder
the advice of Mr. Cubitt, whose absence he regretted, they had de-
ferred doing so until the proposed extensions had relieved the main
line of some of its traffic. As they were no doubt anxious
to know the state of the atmospheric system, and the
opinion of the directors Upon it, he would next address them
on that point. He did not know whether, in the prosecution
of their mode of traction they had met with more of those trials and
difficulties which persons attempang anything of a new character
generally encountered, but he felt perfectly satisfied in saying that
nothing which they had met with in the way of interruption, and
there had been some, had. shaken their opinion of that system, or of
the tenefits which it would eonfer on the shareholders. Nothing
had happened which could be tfaceable to causes Which could have
been forsecn; but he thought that they shoUld ItheW all
that had taken place with respect to it—nothing would be con-
cealed in order that the anxiety of the shareholders might be
allayed as to the result of the atmospheric system. The more he
saw of that system the more he was confirmed in the opinion
which he had frequently expressed, that not only would all that had
been anticipated of it be realised, but that it would Ultimately super-
sede the present mode of traction. This result might not be brought
about immediately, but as the desire of the community for rapid and
(shear communication increased, the old system could net fail
to give piece to the atmoepherie. I 1• had no doubt they
had committed a itliefake 111 enivir,);,,-
st Mr. Samuels
to make and be answerable for all the atmospheric apparatus one the
line. They thought his talents an; energy would best accomplish
that object, and so far he believed they had acted wisely ; bat then
they thotteld that Mr. Sarnuda had not such means at his command
as an engineer us Were pelegessed by others in this great city, and lead
altered their determination. They said," We will make Mr. Samud a
answerable for every part of it, and as we know what etighte-
making is, we will go to the best engine-makers in London, that we
may have the best engine whirls can be made." They went to
Messrs. 3lntidslay and Field, than whom there were not more
eminent elle:Meet a in London, and stated their desire. Mr. Field went
to Dublin, and engines such as they considered they required were sup-
plied, but the result had shown that either Mr. Field or some of them
had not had sufficient conception of What was best to be done. The
engines which they had furnished were excellent in their way, but
they were more calculated to pump air than for the purposes de-
signed, as five had broken in several parts —in the
crank axles, and in the connecting rods, whilst
six only could be used. They thought they would effect a great im-
provement by making the valves, which were very deficient, of wood
instead of iron, in order to lighten there to a few ounces, but, un-
fortunately, dirt and grease had interfered with its operations, amid
they had consegnently been unable to pump the line sufficiently.
This, no doubt, was a great mistake, and they had thought it ad-
visable to put the whole matter in the hands of Mr. Samuda, and
called upon hitti to report to them what alterations would be neces-
sary to put these engines in good working order. Although accidents
of this nature bad occurred, they torifittently anticipated that the
time was not far distant when all the advantages of tilt atnurpheric
system would be fully realised. (Ile then read a report from Mr.
Samuda, setting forth the injuries which the engines had sustained.)
With the atmospheric apparatus passengers could be carries at the
rate of seventy miles an hour, without any increase of expense on
working. It had also been demonstrated that trains could be taken
into and out of the tube in two minutes, and it could be so Arranged,
if required, as to send a train every five minutes With all the dis-
advantages that had taken place In the working of the atmospheric
principle, there had been every proof of its great economy over the
ordinary system of traction. The Hon. Gentleman theme quoted from
the report of the Gauge Commission, to show the great danger of ac-
cidents on lines worked by locomotive engines as compared with
lines worked by stationary englees er upon the atmospheric
principle. Accidents on locomotive lines principally arose from
high rates of speed, and by running express trains, end for this
heavy engines and increased cent were required ; whereas all the
advantages of high velocity would be realised from the atmospheric
system, without the danger associated with the ordinary railroad,
or an increase of cost. They had on the London and Croydon
realised the highest rate of speed yet attainable on the atmospheric
portion of the line, and he had no doubt they would yet be able to
run Mine throughout to DeVef 011 this principle, at the highest rate
of speed anti without danger or Increased expense. The Hon. Gen-
tleman said he would next call their attention o a speec roc
eery
h rentl
delivered in the West of England by Mr. Brunelt, in which that gen-
y
tleman declared himself perfectly satisfied with the practicability of
the atmospheric system shown in the working of it on the Croydon
line. Ile concluded by reading the extract in question, and by de-
system notwithstanding an tine
daring his firm persuasion that the ,
difficulties they had met svi:b, could be brought to work, so as to be
completely and perfectly successful.
In angles* to questions put by several proprietors,
The CHAIRMAN replied that t 1 1 ere was no intention of doing away
with the Croydon station, but only to remove it about three or four
hundred yards troutt its present position ,
• that the increase of tolls
was not so great as expected, but this was partly attributable to the
rates of toll charged on the London and Brighton, and th e Croydon lines
being in proportion different to what they were in the previous half-
: ear ; that the directors, with regard to reduced fares, would act in
the best way to serve thee interests of the company, and would not
run headlong into low fares without the prospect of a population to
make it advisable and remunerative; that the Directors expected
the whole line would be open to the junction with the Greenwich
Railway in two or three months, and if the latter would net allow
them to go upon their line with the atmospheric principle, then the
directors would do their best to get to London-bridge by some other
means ; that there was no doubt but that the amalgamated Com-
pany would even give more accommodation nor short distances then
at present, as it would be the clear interest of the Brighton directors
to do so ; and that the gross receipts of the Company the last year
had been 76,0001., of which time whole expenses were 46 per cent.,
34% per cent. being for working expenses, and the remainder for
rates and taxes, which were very high, and toll to the South Eastern
Company. .
The report, after some further explanations., of no material
nature, was received and adopted, anti the resolutions agreed
to, declaring le s. per share on the 44,400 old shares, the new shares
created a last meeting not being included. Mr. James Whiskin was
re-elected a director
The meeting, having passed a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
then broke up.
__—...........-••

DOVER CLIFFS.—The Governtnent survey of the
portion of the cliff that overhangs the Naval-yard has been made,
end the cliff has bean declared to be in a dangerous state ; but when
or how it is to be rendered safe, has not yet transpired.—Dever
Chronicle.
Mr. Ralph Osborne, M.P., has been
preven
sickness iii his family from attending to give his vote in favear tal by
01
Sir It. Peel's proposition.
Sin RoBEET PEEL FOR BIRMINGITA:I4.—We under-
stand that a requisition is now in progress in Birmingham, addressed
to Sir Robert Peel, soliciting him to become a candidate for the re-
presentation of that borough at the first election, and that such is the
popularity of the Right lion. Baronet, that
it will be so lumeroualy
and respectably signed
dout t, as to place la return beyond the Shadow of a