The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-15 00:00:00

TIIE CEYLON IiAILWAY.

(From the Colombo Observer of August 7.)
Copy of Resolutions passed at a Spe3ial Genera Meet-
ing of the Chamber of Commerce lo:h1 on Saturday,
2d August, 1856, to consider the Railway Question.
1. Tbat the Chamber of Commerce is of the came
opinion on the subject generally as expressed in their
letter of the 10th of August, 1855.

. _
2. That with reference to the same resolutions—to the
letter addressed to the chamber by his Excellency the
Governor under date the 14th of July, and to the pro-
visional agreement with the proposed Ceylon Railway
Company now before the council—it desires to reiterate
its opinion that the establishment of a line of rail by
means of a government loan and c'entractors is prefer-
able to the adoption of the terms offered by the company.
3. The Chamber of Commerce is of opinion that the
line suitable for the railway to the interior should he
surveyed at the expense of Government, and the con-
struction of the line by contract be advertised fur in the
English and Indian papers.

4. That the Government be requested to take such
measures as may be necessary for the immediate sur-
•eying and tracing of the most desirable line for the pro-
posed railway.

6. That with reference to the previous resolutions, and
to the papers now before it in connection with Mr. Jack-
son's offer, the Chamber is of opinion that such pro-
posals, if supported by proper securities and framed into
an agreement subject to conditions, would meet the re-
quirements of the island in every respect.
6. That copies of the resolutions passed at this meeting
be furnished to the Planters' Association and to the
local papers for publication.
7. That the chamber cannot separate without express.
ing its gratitude to his Excellency the Governor, for the
great interest and trouble he has taken in respect to the
railway, and it begs to express its confidence that his
exertions to obtain one for the island will not be relaxed.
Having given above the resolutions adopted unani-
mously by the. Chamber of Commerce, we add the reso-
lutions passed with equal unanimity by the public meet-
ing this day—a meeting which fairly represented the
wealth and intelligence of the metropolis. The speakers,
besides the chairman, were Messrs. Shand, Armitage,
and Alwie. Not a word was said or a band raised
against the resolutions, although Mr. John Selby was
present. A proposition is now favourably entertained
for a first-class railway to the foot of the hills, with
cattle tramways branching off, one towards Kornegalle,
Matella, &c., the other towards Gampola, &c., so as to
embrace within their range the larger proportion of the
coffee estates. It is calculated that the cost would be
far below that requisite for a first-class railway connect-
ing Colombo and Kandy.
Moved by W. 11171 HAM, Esq., seconded by C. SHAND,
E-1., and carried unanimously—" That the various
classes most deeply interested in the prosperity of the
island having repeatedly and almost unanimously on pre-
vious occasions expressed their opinions that no party
should be entrusted with the construction of a railway be-
tween Colombo and Kandy but at a limitof cost, this meet-
ing now records its respectful and solemn protest against
the draft ordinance published in the Government Gazette
of Saturday, 2d August, which is intended to confirm the
provisional agreement made with the Ceylon Railway
Company, many of the terms of the said agreement
being such as will, if accepted, entail the most ruinous
consequences on the colony."
Moved by B. ARMITAGE, Esq., seconded by J. ALwis,
Esq., and carried unanimously—" That the chairman be
instructed to forward the above resolutions to the Hon.
the Colonial Secretary for the Governor's information,
together with an earnest entreaty that his Excellency
may be pleased not to sanction the passing of the said
ordinance through the Legislative Council."