The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-19 00:00:00

gauge, and they were in as independent a position as
when they first made application—the bill passed was in
truth the one for which they had applied, and that it had
thus passed in its integrity he congratulated the share-
holders. Since the Act had passed the South-Western

Company's report had appeared, and their meeting had
been held, and he could net help remarking on the antago-
nism that pervaded the report and the chairman's speech.
In the former the company were kind enough to pity and
commiserate them, describing the line as one that " could
do little miTidef except to those who might subscribe the
capital." They needed not their pity nor commiseration,
and having confidence in the success of the project, were
able to take care of themselves. The chairman pursuell
another line, and, in a philippic against Parliamentary com-
mittees, said they were not guided by fixed principles or
precedent. But their very act was a contradiction to such
an assertion; for did not the committee of 1858 grant that
which had been accorded by a committee in 1847 ? The
South-Western Company had sought to clog them in every
way, but had been unsuccessful in their efforts. But it
was singular to observe that, while that company Com-
miserated and pitied them, they at the same time
considered them powerful neighbours enough to be
well watched. Row could they reconcile these views?..
It must certainly be the outpourings of disappointment and
vexation. A prospectus of a line from Andover to Devizes
had been issued, and the chairman at some length referred
to the time when the Andover and Redbridge Railway
should be a trunk line in connection with the great network
of railways which covered the kingdom, and to the advan-
tages which would necessarily accrue to Southampton.
That such would ultimately be the result required no great

stretch of imagination to foresee; and to maintain the line
in its independence, he called upon the landowners on the
Test and the influential inhabitants of Southampton to
come forward and lend this line their interest and support.
He concluded by moving the adoption of the report.
Mr. A. PEGLER seconded the proposition, and did so
with pleasure, as it represented the line es an independent
one—a fact that would recommend it to the consideration

of all connected with the town and port of Southampton.
He had carefully reai the repert of the Smith-Western
Company, and had noticed the inconsistencies alluded
to by their chairman. While commiserating their condi-
tion, and representing it as a line that could do little harm,
except to those who found the capital, the report went on
to say that, if once sanctioned, it might afford a pretence
for a more direct aggression on the South-Western Com-
pany's interests. He did not like the word aggression, but
thought a fair competition would be of great advantage to
the town. The report he had alluded to further said that it
would be the imperative duty of the company, by readily ac-
cording every accommodation which the public could rea-
sonably demand, and by watching their new neighbours, to
anticipate and prevent the success of any such attempted
aggression. It was something new to Southampton to hear
the South-Western Company talk of according every accom-
modation. That was one of the results of the passing of the
bill. He spoke strongly in favour of maintaining the line as
an independent one, without which it would be valueless to
Southampton, and observed that immediately he saw a dis-
position to compromise or amalgamate with the South-
Western Company, he should cease to take an interest in
the line. After some further remarks, he observed that,
being the first to sign the deed of settlement, he had
peculiar pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report.
The resolution was then put and carried.
The directors were then elected, mid
The CHAIRMAN said he perfectly agreed with the opin-
ions expressed that there was every prospect of the line
being a remunerative one, and he was fortified in this con-
clusion by the opinions of persons well acquainted with
railway matters. Nothing would so much tend to maintain
the independence of the line as by having it in the hands of
those who possessed an interest in the locality; and for this
purpose he trusted the energies of the influential residents
of Southampton and the landowners of the district would be
enlisted in its support, that the project might be brought to
a successful issue.
On the motion of Mr. PEGLER, the thanks of the share-
holders were voted to the chairman and provisional direct-
ors for their efforts in carrying the till through Parliament.