The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-27 00:00:00

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YORK, SErr. 26.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Union Ex-
tension, s—Newcastle and Darlington Junction, New
(Brandling), 54--North British (Carlisles), 54—York
and North Midland, 116—Ditto, Extension, 304—Coven-
try, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester, 3%—Direct
Northern, 4—Grand Union, 4%—Leicester and Bedford, 4i4
—London and York, 6y—Manchester, Buxton, &c., 104—
Newcastle and Berwick, 20%—Welsh Midlands, 41/2.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
WAKEFIELD, PON'I'EFRACT, AND GOOLE.
On Wednesday last, great interest and rejoicings were ex-
cited in the borough of Pontefract, in consequence of the pro-
ceedings connected with the firstgeneral meeting of the Share-
holders of the above Company, whirls was held at the New
Elephant Hotel, Dr. Buchanan, the Chairman of the Company,
presiding. A brief notice of this meeting appeared in The Sun
of yesterday. Amongst the Directors and Shareholders present
were--Captain Laws, James Andes, Esq., of Headingley ;
William Moxon, Esq., of Pontefract; J. B. Faviell, Esq., of
Featherstone Hall ; Edward Harper, Esq., of York ; Henry
Houldsworth, Esq., Chairman of the Manchester and Leeds
Railway Company; Ralph Creyke, Esq., of Rawcliffe
Hall; Captain Binstead, of Wakefield; G. Leeman, Esq.,
and W. F. Clark, Esq., solicitors to the Company; Captain
Bentham, Richard Lee, Esq., of Grove Hall ; James Meek,
jun., Esq., of York ; Dr. Rawdon, of York; W. S. Gibson,
Esq., of York ; Winn, Esq., of York ; William Smith, jun.,
Esq., of York ; Mr. James Walker, of York ; air. Chap-
man, of York ; Mr. Glaisby, of York ; ; also Richard
Lee, Esq., of Grove Hall ; John Lister, Esq., of Goole ;
Daniel Cass, Esq., of Goole ; John Wilson, Esq., of Goole ;
Michael Mitton, Esq., of Pontefract ; Robert Farrar, Esq.,
of Stillington ; Matthias Whitehead, Esq., of Selby ;
Wake, Esq., of Goole ; W. Oldtield, Esq., of York ; J. Old-
field, Esq., of York, &c.
The CHAIRMAN having briefly opened the proceedings,
GEORGE LEEMAN, Esq., read an elaborate report from
the Directors. They said they had great pleasure, after a
long and very arduous conflict, in now meeting the Pro-
prietors, and laying before them the Act of Parliament for
the construction of this important railway. After adverting
to different subjects of minor importance, they proceeded
to say :

la4sGd,

" Your Directors have given instructions for applying inthe
next session for the branch line from Methley to Pontefract,
as directed by Parliament, and they have also determined to
recommend to this Company to continue such branch from
Knottingley to join the London and York Railway at or
near Askern, which will thus make the shortest line from
London to Leeds. The project is most favourably received
by the landowners along that branch, and will not only form
a very valuable adjunct to this Company's main line of rail-
way, but will be of great local benefit to the owners of the
lime fields which it will traverse. In addition to this branch,
your Directors also propose to form a short branch to join
the Midland Railways at the south side of the Oakenshaw
station, and. which is necessary for giving a complete commu-
nication from Wakefield to the Midland Railway. For the
purpose of making these extensions, your Directors propose
to issue new shares to the holders of stock in this Company,
in the proportion of one new 251. share for every original
share.

The Directors have entered into an arrangement with the
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway Company for
extending this line of railway from the point of junction with
the London to York line at Askeni to Brigg, in Lincolnshire,
there to join the Great Grimsby and Sheffield Railway. The
capital for this extension is to be provided by the two Com-
panies, in the proportion of two-thirds by the Grimsby and
Sheffield, and one-third by this Company. The-scrip for this
extension will be issued immediately, and will be provided
amongst the proprietors in this Company in the proportion of
one 201. share for every original share in this Company."
After the report was read, the CHAIRMAN proposed the fol-
-lowing resolution, viz. :—" That the report of the Directors
now read be adopted and approved, and also printed and cir-
culated among the Shareholders." "Without entering into a
minute detail of account, he might say that the report gave
a general idea of the distribution of their money, and what
they might expect from their product. They were aware
that the capital of this Company amounted to 365,000/., in
7,300 shares of 50/. each. Their Alethley and Askern
branches would cost 200,0001., and 7,300 shares of 251. each
would amount to 182,5001., ;leaving 700 shares, or 17,5001.,
for landowners and other expenses. The Grimsby Exten-
sion would cost 640,0001.; one-sixth, or 100,0001., they pro-
posed to give landowners; one-third to the Wakefield,
Pontefract, and Goole Company ; and the other portion to
the Sheffield and Grimsby Extension ; thus affording a 20/.
extension share to each original, and making 45/. new stock
to every original 501. share. They were not in a position to
give a correct financial statement, in consequence of some of
the bills remaining unpaid ; but with some few exceptions
all the bills have been paid.
Mr. OGLE seconded the motion, which was carried.
Captain BENTHAM then moved the following resolution :
"'That the able and satisfactory manner in which the Pro-
visional Committee have conducted the affairs of this Com-
pany to a successful termination in Parliament, entitles
them to the best thanks of this meeting, and that 150 of the
new extension shares be appropriate. - to the Provisional
Committee, as some return for their arduous services."
Mr. WAKE, of Goole, seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.

-RAI.I-7i6ttEvi:E;Esq., in a complimentary speech, moved
a vote of thanks to the chairman. which was seconded by J.
Aunus, Esq., and carried.
The CHAIRMAN then returned thanks, and the meeting
separated.

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE BARNET AND
NORTH METROPOLITAN RAILWAY COMPANY.
5% On Wednesday last, the 17•11 inst. a meeting of the parties inte-
rested in the proposeil Barnet and North Metropolitan Junction
Railway was held at the Victoria Hall, Barnet.
t
a tTi ohe, meetingwas convened for the purpose of receiving a depu.
nconsisting of the Hon. F. H. F. Berkeley,',M.P. for Bristol,
W. A Hill, Esq., R. H. Mackenzie, Esq., M.D , William H.
Halpin, Esq., and others of the Directors of the Company. Ed.
ward Elkins, Esq., solicitor, Francis Wishaw, Esq., consulting
engineer, for the purpose of explaining the objects of the under.
taking. The deputation met a party of gentlemen residents in the
vicinity of the proposed line at the Green Man, and afterwards pro-
- ceeded to the Victoria Hall. Amongst those present were John
Hey Puget. Esq., Benjamin Smith, Esq., the Rev. Stuart, the
Rev. John D. Thompson. with numerous gentlemen and trades-
- men from Barnet, Finchley, and the surrounding districts.
Jaen
.HEEYLPitioNose:r,DEqs.q,.,
at
tf Tt oh tat er
request d ge
of the Chairman, read, having been called to the
chair,l I
—4,i the requisition, signed by a numerous and respectabie-body of gentle-
- men in the town of Barnet and its vicinity, convening the meeting,
After which the CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting as follows :
"Gentlemen, it is quite unnecessary that I should detain you with
many observations, as the meeting will be addressed by several
other gentlemen who will enter more fully into the details. I have
taken the chair with a desire that the proposition contained in the
requisition which you have heard read should have a fair hearing.
We have had several projects fer railways coning near Barnet, but
none of them contemplated making a terminus in the town of
Barnet. This project seems to have a greater claim upon our sup.
port than any other. Barnet has been well nigh ruined by rail-
ways : as it is by railways that we have been injured, it is by
railways we must endeavour to recover ourselves. (Cries of
" Hear, hear.")—As you will be addressed by those gentlemen who
have come here from London, t hey will put you in possession of the
merits of the undertaking far better than lean, it will not be neces-
sary therefore for me to occupy your time longer.—(Cheers.)
The Hon. F. H. F. BERKELEY, M.P., rose and said—Gentlemen,
I appear before you in the character of Chairman of the Provisional
Committee of the Barnet and North Metropolitan Junction Rail.
way, who have the intention of constructing a line of railway
between this place and London; it has already received consider-
able support and encouragement from a numerous and highly
_ respectable body of gentlemen in Barnet, and the vicinity through
which it is intended to pass. lam directed to state to you, that we
have a desire that you should have adirect and immediate communi-
- cation with London. lam not aware that of all the numerous projects
set on foot for forming railways, any one has been proposed which
will give to the town of Barnet this advantage. The only line
- which bears upon Barnet is the London and York, and that does
not come within two miles of the town; in addition to which, at
present it has met with very considerable opposition. Even if the
Bill pastes, it will be three years at least before it can possibly be
completed, and then they will not grant you a terminus in the
- town of Barnet. Now, gentlemen, permit me to point out to you
why this line will be of considerable advantage to you all.
It must be of the utmost importance to the town of
• Barnet to have a terminus, and ultimately be the
means of resuscitating it and the whole neighbourhood. The
once flourishing and important town of Barnet, the outlet to the
north, is now neglected, and well nigh ruined by that powerful
agent, steam ; the prospect of many an honest man blighted, the
tradesman and innkeeper, who once was in a prosperous state is
brought low and his profits decreased; in fact, Barnet presents to
me the ideal of that beautiful picture so ably described by Gold-
smith as " The Deserted Village." All that celebrity, for which
- it was famed, is now no more, and why, gentlemen is this ? It
possesses within its neighbourhood in regard to scenery, what
few spots can beast of,—then if you have a railway, the good peo-
- pie of London can enjoy those beauties, and at the same
time be the means of increasing your trade. You will find
- that in a short period pauperism will decrease, and the poor
man will again hold up his head, and become prosperous and
happy. I have been in the habit of travelling by this read fee.
- quently—this, the first stage on the great northern road out of
London—where, I may say, hundreds of coaches formerly passed
daily, there is now scarcely one, owing to what, gentlemen?
- Why, I need not tell you that it is owing to the march of that great
power steam, which has made such rapid strides within the last few
years. This has caused many a broken fortune and aching heart.
No doubt, unpopular as it may be to some, for the good people of
3 - Barnet to oppose the power of steam, is useless. As steam, then,
- has been the ruin of Barnet, by steam it must be revived. Gen.
3% tlemen, look at the effect of steam conveyance on the town
2 • which may be called the sister town of Barnet. I allude, gen-
tlemen to Hounslow, once the outlet to the Great Western road,
but now almost deserted. The Great Western Railway, as you
are aware, runs within two and a half miles of Hounslow, but
notwithstanding that the people found the loss and inconvenience
so great that they determined themselves to have a railway direct
to Hounslow, and one is now actually projecting, and
doubtless will he carried out, this will prove to you,
gentlemen, that very little, if any, advantage is to be gained
from a main line running within a short distance of a town. Let
us look to facts, gentlemen. Before the Great Western Railway
had been in operation six weeks, more than 600 horses were dis-
charged from Hounslow. The ruin that fell on.the coach proprietors,
to say nothing of the different tradesmen, and the sufferings of the
poor was beyond credit. It is true the Great Western have a
station within two miles and a half of Hounslow. Has that been
an advantage to Hounslow ? Certainly not. The Great Western
Railway Company were profuse in their promises as to what
they would do for the towns in the neighbourhood of their line ;
branches were to be constructed in connection with the main line,
so as to afford benefit to the contiguous towns, but what did they
do gentlemen ? Why, nothing at all : the moment they suceeded
lee quieting the people by promises, and procured their line of ,
•