The Sun.
London, England, 1834-10-14 00:00:00

dike bill, which was seconded by T. R. Guppy, Esq., and
carried amid loud cheers.
J. E. BAILLIE, Esq., M.P., returned thanks.
C. B. FRIPP, Esq., moved the thanks of the meeting to
Messrs. Hyett and Phillpotts and to the other members of
the committee for the services rendered by them to the
company, which was seconded by A. Acraman, Esq.
W. H. HYETT, Esq., M.P., for Stroud, and J. PHlL-
rurrs, M.P., for Gloucester, returned thanks.
Dr. CARPENTER then moved a vote of thanks to the
chairman, which was carried by acclamation.
The MAYOR, in returning thanks, expressed his readiness
at all times to render his assistance on any similar occasion ;
and the meeting then broke up with three cheers for the
Great Western Railway.

WILTS.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

A public meeting was held yesterday (Friday) at the
New Town Hall, Chippenham, at which a deputation from
the Company attended, for the purpose of laying before the
inhabitants of that town and neighbourhood an explanation
of the intended line of railroad between London and Bris-
tol, and the advantages likely to result therefrom. The
chair was taken at three o'clock by Joseph Neeld, Esq.,
M.P. for the borough. At this period we should presume
that, upon a moderate calculation, at least five hundred
persons, the majority of whom were respectable yeomen,
and the remainder the resident gentry of the town and
neighbourhood, were present.
The CHAIRMAN briefly introduced the business of the
day, by observing that the meeting was called for the pur-
pose stated above, and by requesting a patient hearing for
those gentlemen who had attended for the purpose of lay-
ing before them the objects and prospective advantages of
a railway communication between Bristol and London.
Mr. BRUNEL then came forward, and detailed to the
meeting the course which the projected line of railway from
London to Bristol would pursue. Mr. Brunel next dwelt
at some length upon the advantages that would result to
the agricultural as well as to the commercial portion of the
population from the completion of the railway. In reply to
some of the objections that had been urged against railways,
he stated that it was the anxious wish of the promoters of
the Great Western scheme to carry it into effect with as
little annoyance to the land-owners on the line as possible.
Wherever it was practicable, they would vary their line to
accommodate parties who might consider that their interests
were affected by it. Wherever any two magistrates of a
county should think that the railroad would tend in any
way to the injury of the turnpike road, they had authority
to order either that a bridge should be thrown over or a
tunnel under such road ; and in order to avoid any incon-
venience that may arise from floods in the valley of the
Avon, the bridges must be so constructed as to offer no
impediments to the overflow of water in a rainy season.
Mr. Brunel concluded his address by observing that the
proposed line of railroad offered great and important ad-
vantages to all parties, whether manufacturing or agricultu-
ral. A saving of time was a saving of money, and the speed
and facility with which journeys from one part of the line to
the other could be effected would be highly advantageous.
Mr. SAUNDERS, the London Secretary; next addressed the
meeting. He commenced by expressing a hope that it
might not be his misfortune to weary his audience after the
labours and fatigue usually consequent upon a market-day.
After what had been said, it only remained for him to state
the probable effect that would be produced by the railway.
The nature of a railway had been explained to them by Mr.
Brunel, and the importance of it, considered nationally, he
believed few could take a view of it but must conceive some
important benefit to arise from its operation. This measure
originated not with a speculating party, but with the influ-
ential bodies of a large commercial town. He could say,
emphatically, that this was not a job ; on the contrary, it
was projected expressly with the object of improving the
trade of Bristol, and the West of England. All knew that
in the north, where railways had been adopted, trade had
improved ; and would the inhabitants of the West suffer
their trade to decline, whilst that of their Northern friends
was progressing?—(Hear.) In all parts of the North,
where railroads had been adopted, others are projecting ;
their advantageous effects had been seen, and railways were
increasing every year. The first object had been to con-
nect London and the West, and to pass as close as possible
to large and populous towns, to afford that facility for the
transit of goods, with an increase of speed and at a less
expense, which might keep up a preponderance with the
trade of the North.—(Hear.) He spoke with pleasure of
the support they had experienced from the inhabitants of
Bath, though he spoke not of Bath as a commercial city ;
but the increase of favour to the measure there had been
considerable. He would communicate to them the result
of a meeting in Bristol—a meeting perhaps more respect-
able_ than any_ of which Bristol could ever boast ; and they
re le upon DrISIDI a. inc
to the undertaking. From the evidence given before the
House of Commons, it had been found that wherever rail-
ways had been established, agricultural as well as manufac-
turing produce had increased in value. After detailing the
advantages that had been obtained in other towns, from
their connection with railroads, and the prospects of success
which the Great Western Railway presented, Mr. Saunders
proceeded to dilate upon the benefits which must accrue to
the town of Chippenham from its establishment. He had,
he said, been hitherto been speaking of general advantages ;
he would now advert to local advantages ; and that these
had not been neglected, the support afforded to the measure
in the last session by the members for the borough would
testify. It might be said that these Hon. Gentlemen were
mistaken in their views—that they had not the interests of
their constituents at heart ; but, in proof that one at least,
the Hon. Gentleman who bad condescended to preside at
their meeting—(cheers)—had not so acted, he could confi-
dently appeal to the estimation in which he was held by his
constituents. If any proof were wanting that be was anxious
to promote the interests of the town, he need only point to
the building in which they were then assembled, and
exclaim—

" Si monumentum vis circumspice."
A monument indeed both of munificence and taste.'

This, gentlemen, may be considered as the pledge of a per-
manent alliance, and one which will outlive the remembrance
of mere professions.—( Cheers.) But, let me not be con-
sidered as speaking disparagingly of the other member ;
on the contrary I know that he would have been glad to have
been among you to day, to have exprossed his unqualified
approbation, and to have promised his future support ;
nothing but necessity prevents his attendance here. We
have also had invariably the support of the Hon. Members
for Calne, than which nothing could be more gratifying to
myself especially at a time when parties were divided,
nor have we had to harass them or ask them for their
support. But to return to the subject, and lam sure you
will pardon me for this digression, promoted only by a
desire to express that gratitude which the directors have
felt. To a town situated as Chippenbam was, the advan-
tage would be great ; it would, become the centre from which
branches would converge to the southern towns of the
county—Bradford, Trowbridge, and Melksham. To any
town in connexion with the line, where it could be shewn
that a railroad was desirable, a branch would be constructed,
and that too without any regard to profit, but in order th,
the line of road might be rendered serviceable to all parties.
After some further remarks, Mr. S. said it would not be
expected that, on the present occasion, he should go into a
detail of figures, or dilate at great length on national ad-
vantage. He hoped at some future period to give minute
information on that subject, after which he thought
few would object to support the undertaking. In alluding
to the traffic upon the present road, be would observe that
the number of passengers (the great source of profit on this
description of road), was considerably greater than on any
other road in the kingdom, which would thereby enable
them to carry goods for less than had hitherto been contem-
plated. The capital had been proved to be fully adequate
to the purpose. He had examined the contracts of the
Birmingham railway, on which calculation the estimates of
the Great Western line had been formed, and he had found
that in an expenditure of two millions, the estimates had
not been exceeded by more than 20001. He was desirous
of saying that for all property they were obliged to take,
the utmost compensation would be allowed ; but they would
do all they could to conciliate the landowners and others,
even by deviating from the line of road -where it was possi-
ble, if they could but obtain their favour and support. He
could not omit to mention, among other advantages, that of
providing employment for a number of labourers out of the
different parishes, not only in making the road, but also af-
terwards in attending upon it. The railroad would be as-
sessed to the poor rates, and that too largely, in the diffe-
rent parishes through which it might pass, thereby mate-
rially assisting in the maintenance of the poor. The total
expense of its execution is estimated at 2,500,000/. and the
gross revenue 700,0001. to be divided amongst the share-
holders. In conclusion he begged to thank the meeting for
the patient hearing they had given him, and solicited their
support to this great national undertaking, for the ultimate
success of which there was nothing to fear.
Mr. Paovis, in moving the first resolution, said that after
the able expose which had been given of the undertaking
by the gentlemen who had preceded him, it was unnecessary
for him to occupy much of their time with any remark of
his. Every gentleman must feel that it would be attended
with incalculable benefit to the country at large, not except:.
ing the borough of Chippenham, to which he considered
the advantages would be peculiarly great. It was well known
there was abundance of labour and capital in the country
—by the railway both would be employed. He had cal-
culated the undertaking would emply 10,000 meia for-five
years ; and it must certainly be better to lay out capital in
a railway than in foreign funds, where it was likely that it
might be entirely lost. He concluded by moving the first
resolution.
Several other gentlemen, in Moving and seconding the