The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-02 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MO

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 2, 1860.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER.—THE
WESTERN EXTENSION.
At the invitation of Sir M. Peto and Messrs. Betts and
Crampton, the contractors, the directors and their friends
passed over on Wednesdayifor the first time that important
link in their railway which fills up the gap hitherto existing
between Strood and Bickley, and thus gives them an access
both to the City and West-end of London independent of
the South-Eastern Railway Company.
A special train was provided at the Victoria Station, and
at about 40 minutes to 12 o'clock a large party proceeded
over the Crystal Palace line to the commencement of the
Western Extension works.
The works passed over between Bickleyand Strood com-
prise a distance of 22 miles. At present the traffic will be
carried from the Victoria Station, the extensions of which
are rapidly approaching completion, over the West-end and
Crystal Palace line, belonging to the Brighton Company.
Beyond this the traffic is managed by the Mid Kent Com-
pany; but hereafter the metropolitan extension of the Lon-
don, Chatham, and Dover Railway, commencing at Becken-
ham, passing under the north side of the Crystal Palace by
a tunnel, will give the latter-mentioned company a direct
through communication to the Borough, and crossing the
Thames and Ludgate-hill, run into Farringdon -street,where
it will shortly be connected with the Metropolitan Railway
and the northern lines. A western branch, commencing in
the neighbourhood of Cold Harbour-lane, at Brixton, and
passing over the Brixton, Clapham, and Wandsworth roads,
and thence under the South-Western line, near the present
Crystal Palace line, will effect a junction with the existing
Brighton Railway over Battersea-road, and run into Vic-
toria Station. The 22 miles between Biokley and Strood pre-
sent scarcely a mile of surface, nearly the whole length con-
sisting of cuttings and embankments, some of which are of
considerable length and of a heavy character. There is not
any tunnel throughout. The whole of the line, which will
be ready for the use of the public next month, is most sub-
stantially laid ; the cuttings have evidently been made with
great care, the whole of the embankments appear to be of
chalk and are exceedingly well constructed, and the brick-
work, which was examined on several portions of the line
by the guests, is of great solidity. Not a single portion of
timber has been used in the construction of the bridges, the
whole of them being built of brick or brick and iron. For
the two first miles the new works are not of a heavy descrip-
tion. The first cutting worth notice is through Orpington
Wood, where some of the finest ferns in the country are to
be found—it is the only clay one on the line, and is some-
what of a slippery nature. The length of this cutting is a
little more than half a mile, and the extreme height of it is
25 feet, and it is spanned by a very handsome bridge of
three arches. A short distance beyond this work we come
to the Crays station, immediately beyond which there is a
viaduct of nine arches of about 45 feet high. From this spot
a very fine view is had of the valley of Crays, and a-head,
in the distance, is seen a very beautiful bridge, 53 feet in
height, connecting the two banks of a ye, y heavy cutting.
At this point the "passengers" left the train and inspected
the works, with which they expressed themselves exceed-
ingly satisfied. The next cutting is heavy, and nearly a
mile long. After passing some works of an average charac-
ter the line appronhes the place whence a branch, of about
seven miles long, to Sevenoake, and now in the course of
construction, will effect a junction with the London, Chat-
ham, and Dover line. A little further on the train passed
under a long bridge which carries the old Maidstone and
London turnpike .road. For the next three or four miles the
line runs through some very pleasant scenery. Over this,
portion of the works there are some very well executed
bridges. Several cuttings and embankments succeed, and
Farningham station is reached, where ample space has been
secured for goods sidings. There is another fine view at this
part of the railway. Here the rails are carried across the
valley of the Dart by an embankment of 80 feet high and a
viaduct of 10 arches. The company again left the line here
and walked over the works, many of them admiring the old
church of Horton Kirby on the left. The line until it
approaches to Strood is very much of the same character as
that already described. For a considerable length of this
portion of the country evidence is seen, in the long line of
wheat-stacks, of the results of the labours of the farmers,
whose neat end picturesque dwellings present themselves
in many a happy-lo2king nook and corner. On approaching
the Medway, after passing the Meopham and Sole-street
stations, the river Medway is seen on the right with the
ruins of Rochester Castle in the distance. On approaching
the river the guests found, at a place called Cuxton, a very
excellent luncheon prepared for them in a tent erected for
the occasion, and we are not dcing injustice to them in
stating that they ate and drank the whole of the good
things provided for them. There was "just enough and
no more." On arrising at this spot the directors and their
friends were met w ith a very cordial reception, gees saluting
them and flags flying amidst the hearty cheering of a con-
siderable number of people. The repast having delayed
the passengers for some half-hour, they re-entered the train
and proceeded to Chatham. Between Cuxton and Strood
the works hay 3 been considerable, including a wrought-iron
bridge 150 feet in length, which has been thrown over the
Strood and Maidstone Railway. At Chatham the director s
were also most cordially received. After a short stoppage
at Chatham the return journey commenced at about half-
past three o'clock, and at five the train reached the Crystal
Palace, where a sumptuous dinner had been provided.
Before proceeding to give a repent of what took plane at
the banquet, the manner in which the works have been
executed demands a short notice in reference to those who
have materially assisted in the design and construcion of
them. We have stated that the earthworks are exceedingly
heavy, and that very little indeed of the line is on the sur-
face; and when it is stated that the line has been brought
nearly to completion within two years, it will be under-
stood that great energy has been evinced, and, looking at
the fact that the whole structure of the undertaking ha
been solidly carried out, that faith has been kept by th
contractors towards the company. The works have been
carried out (Mr. J. Cubitt being the engineer in chief)
by Mr. M. Turner, who originally laid out the line. This
is the same gentleman who so successfully selected the
metropolitan extension and the Ludgate-hill station, which
in the August of this year received the sanction of the Le-
gislature. And no less praise than that due to Mr Turner
is to be accorded to Mr. C. Watson, who, as the agent of
the contractors, has been their chief inspector of the con-
struction of the works. This gentleman has superintended
the formation of upwards of 500 miles in the United King-
dom, and we believe that in no instance has he made a
" mistake."
About 300 gentlemen sat down at table at the Crystal
Palace. Sir Morton Pete occupied the chair, supported by
Lord Sondes (the chairman of the London, Chatham, and
Dover Company), Lord Harris, the Earl of Shelburne (the
chairman of the Groat Western Company), the Lord Mayor,
Mr. Alderman Rose, Sir J. Tylden, Mr. Crawford, M.P.,
Mr. White, M.P., Sir R. Carden, &c. Among thoseleresent
we observed Sir C. Fox, Sir C. P. Roney, Mr. Smith, M.P.,
Mr. W. Lee, M.P., Sir Charles Rich, Admiral Burney, Sir
J. Lubbock, Sir J. Paxton, M.P., Lieut.-Colonel Fladgate,
Lieut.-Colonel Evelyn, Captain Hankey, Mr. M. A. Redo-
conachi, Mr. Bisschoffacheim, Mr.' Charles M'Gorel, Mr.
Burke (one of the company's counsel), Mr. C. A. Saunders
(the secretary of the Great 'Western Railway), Mr. L.
Simpson, Mr. Parker (of the Great Northern line), Mr. H.
Tootal, Mr. W. Burchell. jun., Mr. Valentine Knight, Mr.
Laming, Mr. M. Lane (the resident engineer of the Great
Western), Mr. Bellamy, Mr. Churchward, Mr. England
(one of the directors of the Crystal Palace), Mr. L. S.
Magnus (the chairman of the Sittingbourne and Sheerness
line), Mr. Turner (the engineer of the line), Mr. Lavinga,
Mr. Betts, Mr. T. Crampton, Mr. J. Grant, Mr. Collins,
Mr. Cobb, Mr. Lubbock, Mr. R. Till (a director of the
Norfolk Railway), Mr. Finnigan (the general manager of
the London, Chatham, and Dover), Mr. Freshfield (the so-
licitor of the company), Mr. Granville Somerset, Mr. Chas.
Capper, Mr. C. Hilton. Mr. W. Baynes, Mr. W. Wagstaff,
Mr. Crossthwaite, Mr. Medley, Mr. Sydney Lawrence,
Mr. Charles Manby, and a large number of other gentle-
men well known in the raP.way and commercial worlds.
The cloth having been removed,
The CHAIRMAN said, My lords and gentlemen—l have the
pleasure of asking you to show the love and loyalty which,
I am sure, we all feel towards her Most Gracious Majesty,
by drinking the toast of " The Queen."
The toast was drunk with much cheering, followed by the
National Anthem, which the whole of the company joined.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The Prince Consort, the
Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family" (cheers).
He said there was no necessity on that occasion for a
Thackeray to illustrate the history of the four Georges, or
point out the failings of former Royal families. They had
a much pleasanter task before them at the present moment,
which was to contemplate the events now passing in the
world. They saw that the Prince of Wales had been inau-
gurating a large and important public work in Canada.
(Hoar, hear.) The Prince Alfred had been doing something
of the same sort at tho Cape of Good Hope. (Cheers.) They
had the happiness to know that the Royal family was being
trained in a way that every Englishman was proud to see,
and which afforded a strong contrast between the Royal
family of England and that of almost every other European
State. (Cheers.)
The toast was enthusiastically drunk. and followed by a
glee, "I love my love in the morning," very nicely sung.
The CHAIRMAN—My lords and gentlemen, the next toast
I have to propose is " The Army and Navy, and the Volun-
teers." Gentlemen, we live in remarkable times. Once
upon a time the toast I have proposed would have had re-
ference to the far-famed wooden walls of Old England ; but
now we are all talking of frigates sheathed with iron aid
steel. However, we must all feel that if talent and engi-
neering skill are to be brought into practical utility, and
we are in possession of all the elements of strength, it is
our own fault if we are behind in the race. (Cheers.) At
the same time, upon all occasions of this kind we must have
a care that we do not create the very feeling which we
desire to repress. By all means let England be prepared,
and prepared to cope with the world, but let us not assume
for a moment the fear that would show we have a doubt
about our own position. (Hear, hear.) One disadvantage,
gentlemen, is, that we are too often apt to look at foreign
affairs only from our own stand-point. Were we to mix a
little more with foreign communities, and make ourselves
acquainted with their fee'ings and passion s, there would not
be half the differences that now arise. (Hear.) As far as
England ie concerned, I believe wo have but one dads sod I

one position, which is non-intervention. (Hear.) We desire
to see the world prosper, and obtain the same liberties
which we enjoy, and in the enjoyment of which we are de-
termined that none shall disturb us. (Cheers.)
Song, "England's Young Riflemen," by Mr. Lockey.
Col. EVELYN acknowledged the toast on the part of the
army. He said the term " Army " might now more pro-
perly be understood to mean the land forces of the country,
which included not only the regular troops, but the militia
and the volunteers. (Cheers.) As he happened to belong to
all three, he begged to return thanks, not for any one par-
ticular body, but for the whole of her Majesty's land forces.
(Cheers.) He could not, when referring to that subject,
but reflect upon the value of the new communication that
would be afforded between the metropolis and the impor-
tant port of Dover by the London, Chatham, and Dover
Railway. (Hear.) It was not only valuable in a commer-
cial point of view, but in a military point of view; and
when they saw a line which established a safe and easy
communication between the metropolis, the great arsenals,
and the chief outport of the kingdcm, the advantages it
offered were too obvious to require further comment. (Hear.)
Admiral BURNEY returned thanks for the navy, and said
that body had always hitherto done its duty, and he had
no doubt would do it again if called upon. He had heard
a good deal about the iron-cased ships, but he had not yet
lost all his admiration of old British oak, which he believed
would take a good deal of hammering before it was beaten
out of the water.
Glee, " Here in cool grot."
The CHAIRMAN, after announcing that special trains to
Brighton and London would be prepared for the visitors,
proposed the toast of the evening, "Prosperity to the London
Chatham, and Dover Railway." (Cheers.) The hen. gentle-
man said—My lords and gentlemen, upon this subject there is
very little that I need say to you; you have yourselves gone
over to-day the Western Extension, which joins us with the
Brighton Railway, and gives access to the London-bridge
and the Victoria stations. (Applause.) In railway language,
a railway, in order to achieve anything like success, must
have what is technically termed "a great pull" at both
ends. (Hear, hear.) In London there are three millions
of inhabitants, in Paris (within the circle of the fortifica-
tions) one million and a half, and I believe the greatest ser-
vice which the South-Eastern could do to the London
Chatham, and Dover, would be to insist upon your having
a system of low fares for the first year and a half. (Hear.)
The English public as a body, after all, know little or no-
thing of the Continent, and the very best means of render-
ing the British nation better acquainted with their foreign
neighbours will be this London, Chatham, and Dover Rail-
way. (Cheers.) Upon this subject I will tell you one little
fact within my own knowledge. When the Caledonian
Railway was first opened the Edinburgh and Glasgow
Company put down the fares from Edinburgh to Glasgow
from 75. 6d. to 2s. 6d., and then to Is. That soon brought
the two companies to a friendly meeting. They went
through their accounts, and they found that the half-crown
fares brought more productive results than the seven-and-
sixpenny. (Hear.) I believe that if you brought London
and Paris together by cheap fares it would have the like
effect. (Applause.) I want to see the millions who have
never seen the Continent enjoy the advantage in that respect
now known only to the upper classes. (Applause.) That ad-
vantage must be known to be appreciated, and when appre-
ciated it will maintain its profits for the future. (Hear.)
With respect to the London, Chatham, and Dover Com-
pany, we are resolved to pursue the onward course which
we have already pursued. (Hear, hear.) We have no hos-
tility towards the South-Eastern. (Hear, hear.) We have
no desire to dept:ve them of the advantage of running
special trains by which gentlemen cen breakfast in London
and dine at Paris, and have time to answer their letters
the same night; and be assured the London, Chatham,
and Dover will not be backward in that respect, but will
always hold its own. (Applause.) I believe its position to be
perfectly inviolable, and that the future of this railway can
only be predicated by the amount of accommodation which
it may give the public. (Hear, hear.) We have now ac-
cess to every important point, and I can only say, connected
as I have been with. Mr. Betts and Mr. Crampton, my part-
nerslin the execution of the western division of your line,
that we all share the sentiment I have expressed with re-
gard to its future success. It is not desired, lam sure, to
attain that success by the depreciation of any ether property;
but I believe that with a liberal and popular management
the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway will produce not
only to itself, but also to those who may be for the mo-
ment in antagonism to it, an amount of success which at
this time can neither be known nor appreciated. I there-
fore give you " Prosperity to the London, Chatham, and
Dover Railway," coupling it with the health of Lord
Sondes, chairman of the company.
Drunk with long and continued cheering.
Lord SONDES, in returning thanks, said—My lords and
gentlemen, on the part of myself and the directors of the
London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company, I beg to
thank you most sincerely for the kind manner in which you
have received this toast. (Hear, hear.) Sir Morton Peto
has been kind enough to make some suggestions, and I am
sure we shall be truly grateful for them, and attend to them.
(Hear, hear.) It is not my intention now to enter into the
history of the East Kent Company ; you all know what it
was. (Hear, hear.) Myself and my colleagues were de
termined to do their bust to secure a first-rate railway, and
for that enterprise I trust we shall receive the liberal sup-
port of the public at large. It is not for our own benefit
alone that we have made this line; but for the public, whose
interests, I can fearlessly say, we have always had present
to our mind in every step we have taken. (Hear, hear.)
What we desire is to see an independent line open through
East Kent, and so on to Dover? and I am sure we shall
have our line in a very short time open all the way. (Ap -
plause.) I look to that as the first step towards carrying
out the suggestion made by Sir Morton Peto. (Applause.)
I agree with Sir Norton Pete that if we can give a
cheap transit to Fran -e we shall be conferring a great
boon upon the country. (Hear, hear.) In these days of
progress I hell our, company will not be behindhand on
that point. (Applause.) I consider that by attending to
the interests of 'the public, by having as low prices as we
possibly can, by due punctuality for our trade, and civility
on the part of our officials and attendants, the London,
Chatham, and Dover will become one of the first and best
lines in the kingdom. (Applause.)
Song—" Kathleen Mavourneen," by Mrs. Lockey.
Lord SONDES rose again and said—l have the permission
of the chairman to propose a toast, which I am sure will be
received in an enthusiastic manner, when I tell you that it
is~" The Health of Sir Morton Peto and the contractors of
this line." (Applause.) In the first place, I think we
ought to return our thanks to those gentlemen for the most
hospitable manner in which they have received us this day.
(Hear, hear.) On the part of the London, Chatham, and
Dover Company, I beg leave to return them our grateful
thanks for the very efficient manner in which they have
carried out the works on this line. (Hear, hear.) I am
now in the presence of a great number of persons thoroughly
conversant with railway matters, who have seen railways
not only in England but all over the world, and when we
consider that the bill for this line was passed only two years
ago, and the kind of coun tfy through which the line has
passel, I say that the work does the greatest credit to the
contractors. (Applause.) I trust- and hope that their
exertions and great zeal will meet their reward. I heartily
wish them success in all their undertakings, and on this oc-
casion in particular I believe I may venture to say that the
same contractors have undertaken one of the most impor-
tant works attempted in England for a long time—that is,
the metropolitan extension of our line. (Applause.) I
hope I am not divulging the secrets of our board, but if I
am I must be pardoned, for I have the greatest gratifica-
tion in saying that the contract has been signed by these
worthy contractors to carry this line to Farringdon.-street.
(Applause.) We had a most tremendous contest las year
in Parliament, but I think this is a most gratifying finish.
(Hear, hear.) I propose " The Health of Sir Morton Peto
and the Contractors."
Sir M. PETO,—My lords and gentlemen, in rising to
return thanks far the kind way in which my Lord Sondes
has proposed -the health, of Messrs. Betts and Crampton and
myself, and the flattering manner in which you have received
it, I will ask your kind indulgence for only a few mements.
We have had the pleasure of entering into an engagment
for the execution of the western extension. lam sorry to
preface my remarks with an apology, but we regret to have
taken you over the line in the incomplete state in which it
is to-day. But when you reflect that during the last sum-
mer we have had such a season of unprecedented wet wea-
ther I am sure you will sympathise with my partners and
myself in our endeavours to keep faith with you, by taking
you over the line within the month of October. We felt
that we must get you through before November, and we
have done our best. (Hear.) But, gentlemen, we feel that
any amount of success which we may have attained is not
due to ourselves merely. We cannot in the path of life
walk alone. We have the happiness to be associated with
gentlemen who are identified with us in feeling. (Hear.)
The construction of the line has been in the charge of our
friend and agent, Mr. Watson, who has been with us some-
what like 43 years. (Applause.) It makes us look like
old men to say so, but he himself began his career with

the construction of a bridge over the Regent's Canal, in the
City-road, and now with the spirit—not of an old man, but
of one who wishes to bring the spirit of his youth into la's

maturer age without the change being noticed—(laughter)
—he is ambitious of crowning his career by building a
bridge across the Thames. (Loud applause.) My partners
and myself feel the most entire and perfect confidence with

regard to the metropolitan extension in Mr. Watson's

hands. (Applause.) - And now, gentlemen, let me make

one or two observations of a business character. We have

read in certain newspapers that the property placed in the
hands of the directors of the London, Chatham, and Dover
Company is in no safe keeping, and that if the subscrip-

tions are made by the B's, the A's will never be forthcom-
ing to the full amount, and so on. Well, to-day, instead

of joining you at the Victoria Station, I thought I would go
through the City and make an inquiry at the bankers'. I

said, "Have the A's paid up as well as the B's ?" The
answer was that there was £206,520 to the credit of the A
shares, and to the credit of B's £206,520, and £200,000 in
excess of the call. (Applause.) So you see the Metropolitan
Extension begins with a credit of three-quarters of a mil-

lion at its bankers'. (Hear.) I can only say that my partners
and myself will do our best to draw that out upon certifi-
cates. You may rely upon it it will not remain there any
Inger than we eon help• (A laugh.) IT" meY, however,