The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-24 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

EPSOM AND LEATHERHEAD.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the
offices in Great George-street, ye.iterday—Mr. Grissell pre-
siding.

The report said " The directors regret to have
again to meet the shareholders with expressions of dissatis
faction at the slew rate at which the works have been car
ried on since the last general meeting. A reference to th,
engineer's report will show the work done up to the presen.
time and the quantity remaining to he executed, and the
period when it is anticipated the line will be completed.
Arrangements are in progress to ensure the efficient work-
ing of the line in such manner as that equal facilities shall
exist for proceeding either to the east or west of London.
Owing to the opposition of the South-Western Railway
Company to the hill for amalgamating the Wimbledon and
Dorking Railway Company with this company, your
directors were induced to withdraw that measure. In the
absence of amalgamation, an agreement between the two
companies will be necessary to secure the rights of each
over land necessary to both, and also to arrange terms for
the use by this company of the Wimbledon Company's
station at Epsom."
The engineer's report said :—" From Leatherhead to
Epsom-common the line has been formed, laid, and bal-
lasted ; and the remaining portion, from Epsom-common to
the junction with the Brighton Company's line at Epsom,
is in a forward state. This part of the work would also have
been completed but for the great difficulty in obtaining
labour which has existed since the beginning of the hay
harvest. Men will now, however, be more plentiful, and the
whole of the works will be completed in six weeks. The
stations at Leatherhead and Ashstead are in a forward state,
and will also be finished within the same time."
The accounts showed that the total receipts had been
£27,734 lls. 6d., and the expenditure £23,601 13s. id.,
leaving a balance in hand of £4,132 18s. sd.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, and
stated that he was aware that great anxiety existed as to
the opening of the line. The directors were annoyed at its
not being opened earlier; but, being most anxious that the
line should be completed within the Parliamentary estimate,
some difficulties had occurred in obtaining the land, which
they had to settle before the line could be commenced.
Their works were in the hands of large contractors, and they
were disappointed that they had not proceeded further; but
the fact was, the contractors had not gone on as quickly as
they ought; but they could not well enforce penalties, as
the contractors had a counter-claim against them for
rot putting them in possession of the land at the time
originally proposed. lle was in hopes, however, that the line
would be completed and ready for opening by September.
As regarded the working of the line, where small companies
were concerned large companies were sometimes rather
bounceable, and they had not therefore completed an
engagement either with the Brighton or South-Western
lines. One company bad refused to have anything to do
with them, and the other had offered terms which could not
be accepted; but still he hoped that ere long fair and
favourable terms would be enterei into, so that the Epsom
passengers might have the option of proceeding either from
London or Waterloo bridges.
Mr. REMINGTON seconded the resolution, and com-
plained of having been constantly deceived by Mr. Brassey
as to the period at which the works might be completed.
The report was adopted, and other formal business
transacted.