The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-04 00:00:00

LO DON and cnoyD-oN ttAILWAY

(THIS 'DAY.)
A special general meeting of the Proprietors of the London
and Croydon Railway Company met this day at one o'clock, at
the London terminus, to take into cons'cleration the drafts of
several Bills at present before Parliament for the widening
and improvement of their own line, and a portion of the London
and Greenwich Railway. as well as the formation of branch
lines in connexion with their own.
Mr. W. Wilkinson took the chair.
The SECRETARY having read the circular calling the
meeting,
The CHAIRMAN said that the course which the Company
should follow in the present state of their affairs was so clear,
that it would be unnecessary for him to enter into any length-
ened observations. The object of calling the present meeting
was to obtain the approbation of the Company to the two Bills
which had not yet been decided upon by Parliament, and which
were at present pending the decision of the Select Committee,
namely, " A Bill to enable the London and Croydon Railway
Company to widen and improve the London and Croydon
Railway, and also a portion of the London and Greenwich
Railway ;" and "A Bill to enable the London and Croydon
Railway ,Company to make a certain line of railway to Maid-
stone and Ashford, with a branch to Tonbridge."
The first resolution was then read," That the drift of the pro-
posed Bill to widen and improve the London and Croydon
Railway, and also a portion of the London and Greenwich
Railway, be now approved, and that the seals of the Company
be affixed thereto."
Mr. CASH seconded the resolution.
Previously to putting it to the vote the clauses of the Bill were
read to the meeting.
On the clause being read, limiting the directors to six instead
of eight, the number in the present direction.
Mr. FLOOD asked if it was desirable to limit the number of
directors, seeing that the business of the Company was increas-
ing so much, and likely to increase to a far greater extent. He
hoped to see the Compaay baying a line of 100 miles yet in-
stead of 16.

The CHAIRMAN said that he could speak from experience
that the present system of railway management required great
correction. He considered that limiting the number of Direc-
tors was a prudent step. In point of fact, even at present, the
management became ultimately vested in two or three indi-
viduals, and he thought that the business of railway companies
in general would be better managed if the responsibility was
thrown on one or two individuals, as was the case in all other
public companies. He traced the mismanagement which at
present existed in some lines to the absence of that restriction.
Mr. FLoor, expressed himself satisfied with the explanations,
and said that if the board considered that the business could be
better managed by limiting the number of Directors they were
in a better position to form an accurate judgment on the sub-
ject than he was, and he would not press his objection.
The resolution was then put and carried.
The second resolution was then proposed, " That the'draft of
the Bill to enable the London and Croydon Railway Company
to make a certain line of railway to Maidstone and Ashford,
with a branch to Tonbrilge, be approved of by this meeting;
and that the seal of the Company be affixed thereto."
The clauses were then read as with the former Bill, and the
resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN then said that the business for which the
meeting was called was now at an end, but he would enter
briefly into a statement of the:present prospects of:the Company
with respect to the lines which they had in projection. He then
went at considerable length into the state of the following Bills,
some of which had been thrown out by the Select Committees, and
it had been conaidered advisable to postpone the others till next
session. " A Bill to enable the London and Croydon Railway
Company to make a branch railway to Orpington." " A Bill
to make a new line of railway, and branch to communicate with
Chatham and Gravesend." " A Bill to make a new line of
railway to Chilharn, with a branch to Fowersham Creek," all
in the county of Kent. " A Bill to make a railway in exten-
sion of the Croydon and Epsom Railway to Dorking in the
county of Surrey." He then briefly alluded to the prospects of
the atmosperic line.
The meeting then broke up.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
CALEDONIAN RAILWAY.

The Committee met to.day at eleven o'clock, Lord Radnor in
the chair, when the examination of witnesses on behalf of the
GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE
RAILWAY
was resumed.