The Sun.
London, England, 1835-11-20 00:00:00

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PRICE 7D.

GREAT LEINSTER AND MUNSTER

RAILWAY,

PROSPECTUS.

The detailed survey of this important national under-
taking being now completed, and the necessary preliminary
steps required by Parliament having been taken previous
to making application in the ensuing Session for a Bill to
incorporate the Company, the Provisional Committee feel
called upon to state to the subscribers and the public the
Course which they have hitherto pursued, and to enter into
a more perspicuous detail of their present and future views
and proceedings, than was contained in a former prospectus.
In that Prospectus an outline was given of the probable
advantages to be derived from the construction of a Rail-
way towards the Province of Munster, terminating for the
present in the city of Kilkenny. It was laid before the
Grand Juries of the several Counties likely to be affected
by the projected measure ; and, although the views of the
Grand Juries were in some instances more extended than
the immediate object proposed for their consideration con-
templated, still the principle was universally adopted by
that Railways, extending from the Metropolis to
the Province of Munster, would afford a powerful stimulus
to trade, commerce, and agriculture, and consequently tend
to advance the general interests of Ireland."
At one of the most influential and important meetings
ever held in Dublin, at which the Most Noble the Marquis
of Headfort presided, the same views were entertained, and
a Committee, comprising gentlemen from the three pro-
vinces, was appointed, "for the purpose of inquiring and
reporting the best line of Railway communication, extend-
ing from the City of Dublin to the Provinces of Munster
and Connaught." After a prolonged investigation that
Committee, whose Report is annexe, unanimously decided
that " the line, as surveyed by David Aher, Esq., was a
most eligible line, being, for 33i miles from its commence-
ment, an advantageous main trunk for a Railway from the
City of Dublin to the Harbour of Valentia, Galway, Cork,
Limerick, Waterford, or Kilkenny." The Committee
further reported, that " without referring to those exten-
sions, they did not hesitate to recommend the adoption of
the line to Kilkenny, from the peculiar facilities which are
presented for its execution, and its capabilities of future
extensions," (which has been ascertained by actual survey).
And having instituted an inquiry into the probable revenue
to be derived from the Kilkenny line, the results were so
satisfactory as to induce them to recommend the immediate
formation of a Company to carry the proposed measure
into effect. A meeting was then held in Kilkenny, the
High Sheriff of the county in the chair, when resolutions
were passed, and subscriptions entered into by the Landed
Proprietors and mercantile interests of that county and city
in furtherance of this object. Nor should it be overlooked
that at that meeting, the Landed Proprietors, with one ac-
cord, offered whatever portion of the land might be required
for the purposes of the Railway.
On entering more minutely into the details of the pro-
jected undertaking, it will be necessary to state the reasons
for selecting Kilkenny as the first terminus of the proposed
Railway. The great object being to extend into Munster in
such direction as would, whilst it embraced the greatest
extent of trade and intercourse, offer facilities for future
extensions to its principal towns, and, if required, to a South
Western Harbour.

The line to Kilkenny, even without further extension, must
command the trade and intercourse of the entire Province
of Munster and South Eastern portion of Leinster, as it
would occasion a saving of time, in the journey to Cork, (f
7 hours ; to Waterford 51 hoiirs ; to Wexford, 4i hours ;
and to Limerick, 3 hours. For future extension, it
would be available for its entire length to Cork, Waterford,
'Tipperary, and Kerry ; for nearly half of its length to Lime-
rick and Galway—the line to Limerickbeing rather shorter
than the present Mail Coach Road ; toGalvvay, involving some
trifling circuity (less than half an hour in point of time),
but leading through richer and more productive districts,
and saving in the expense of execution nearly 1,000,0001.
sterling. The country to be traversed by either of these
lines, is peculiarly favourable for their construction ; whilst,
by branching from the main trunk of the Kilkenny line, a
most important saving will be eff(cted. The first 321 miles,
comprising the most expensive portion of the works on the
entire line. To the town of Roscrca, a further distance
of 38 miles will be common to the Limerick and Galway
extensions.
But, although the views of the Committee embrace so
wide a field, they would not deem it prudent to endeavour,
in the first instance, to grasp the various objects which
present themselves, but rather wish. to ensure the future
accomplishment of all, by confiving themselves for the pre-
sent to that portion of the line which they consider to be
immediately attainable ; which involves no outlay of capi-
tal likely to startle the prud eat speculator—which, al-
though a part of a great undertaling, is perfect in itself—
affording every reasonable prospect of remunerative return
—and must tend by its success to advance, and not retard,
the further objects ; while pru:dence obviously suggests the
trial of the experiment on the : ;mailer scale, than incur the
possible unprofitable expenditr tre of millions. In conclu-
sion, the Committee are anxio us to impress these facts :
That the main trunk, 331 in iler in length, will be com-
mon to all extensions to the sot tth and west, from Cork to
Galway.
That to all the principal tow. as in Munster, the line can
be extended without circuity.
That from the termination c-if the main trunk to the
city of Kilkenny, a distance of 39 miles, 35 are on a con-
tinued level, and' present the •eatest facilities for its con-
struction.
That, from returns procured. • by the Committee, it, ap-
pears that three thousand f rtt r hundred persons travel
weekly on the Southern road, rand two thousand by the
Grand Canal. The entire of tia a latter may be calculated
on for the Railway as far as a llins ; the time averaging,
per boat to Sallins, from 34 Ls ars to s—which would be
travelled on the Railway in 4of an ho'ur, at the same ex-
pense. It it gratifying to be e a abled to add that this plan,
which proposes to combine tra v. elling by Railway with tho
admirable system of conveyer ie.e by " Fly Boats," recently
established On the Grand Ca gal, by the spirited Directors
of that Company, must tend t a increase the revenues and
diminish the expenditure of V. se Canal Company—the com-
plete success of rapid trave fling on the Canal being pre-
vented from the number of L jocks between Dublin and Sel-
ling, which' occasion considt :rabic delay : this, being ob-
viated by the Railway, will enable the Company's " Fly
Boats" to reach Ballinasloe (the most distant point of the
line,) within the day.
That, assuming as the m A iimum the fare to Sullins, per
boat, to be 2s. Gd.; and as the maximum inside the Mail
to Kilkenny, 11. 3s. (ine'aii ding coachman and guard);
Gs. Bd. for each passenger:. p er Railway, may be fairly as-
sumed as a correct aveea ~ which, on 5,400 passengers,
would amount to 1,800/. w ekl.y, or 93,600/. annually : or,
adopting the principle, as' latitted by Committees of both
Houses of Parliament on Railway Bills, that " double the
existing intercourse might be as sumed," it would show an an-
nual income from this soh tree alone, of 187,0001.
That, as the proposed , line will cross the Curragh of
Kildare, a considerable unmual. revenue must be derived
from the four Meetings , ich annually take place there.
The Curragla will be b fit o,7ze hour's journey from Dublin,
and two from Kilkenn y-, so that this Race Course, which
was hitherto rarely v /sited 1 int by the Gentry in the imme-
diate neighbourheeei, mill kje r ?sorted to by numbers from
either extremity of. the
That, the grerht inter( ionise w hich exists between Dublin,
Lucan, Leixlip, Uelbridl te, and the adjoining country, must
contribute to the prosper ity of t his undertaking, as the pro-
jected Railway will appi •oach, Within a short distance, of
these towns.
That, the line will pas tc near the Collieries of Castleco.

mer, on the Eastert; si ille--w7here the best coal is found,
and of that description . which is applicable for Locomotive
Engines.
That, the line is ca'
Wexford ; whilst, w pable of e: tension into the County
ere any line West of Kilkenny to be
selected, that impo-
prived 'Of the adva ;
etant ; County :must be altogether de-
file West of Kilkenny_ nication—the great cirri tity forbid( ling any approach from
cite derivable from Railway column-
County Wi kl
-c---P'w would i .ender it 1.1 npossible to construct a
Railway thr, and the ir 3culiar character of the
Jugh that C r,ounty. ' The value of land in the
County Y. 1.1 exford would thus be 1 n aterially deteriorated, as
that Otainty would, in a .great Tr Le asure, be deprived of the
Dublin markets for its
,prkuce, w vhich have hitherto been
almost the monopoly of t hat co' atty.
Again, that the line :E ast of . Kilkenny Is to be preferred,
because, at the same time that it . involves no circuity to the
South or South West: of
Ireltv 3d, it intersects richer and
more fertile districts ;:t p asses near two important towns,
and several smalleY:- ones whilst. any line West of Kilkenny
would pass thrttugh the rt ildlancl bog district, and would of
necessity avoid every tow: ),of any importance in the Pro-
vince of Leinster.
.
These are the grounds 1 which induce the Committee to
adopt and recommend thi s line ; and they hope to care
that conviction to the publ is mind which has reached fl-
own.

At a numerous meetit tg of Noblemen and Gentlemen,
assembled by requisition ii i Ate Great ROOlll5 Commercial