The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-12 00:00:00

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

TO TICS PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE OF TUE DIRECT NORTIIERN
RAILWAY.

Gentlemen—Raving received your instructions to examine the
country between London and York, and to report to you my opinion
of your proposed line of railway, with the view of again proceeding
to Parliament, I lost no time in making arrangements for following
out your instructions, and I accordingly last week examined the
country generally, having reference to the plans of the whole line as
originally contemplated ; and I now beg to report.
In the outset I may remark that since your scheme for a line of
railway between London and York was laid out last autumn, several
important'circumstances have occurred which have a most material
bearing on the question, and which, to my mind, show the great ex-
pediency, if not necessity, of having as a line from London to York,
the most direct which the country will admit of.

Since that period the railway system has taken a most rapid
stride, and the public seem now to look forward to that mode of
transit as forming the great means of conveyance through the
country, not limited to the traffic between great towns and manu-
facturing and mining districts, but penetrating into every corner of
the land.

The system when so carried out (as there is now no doubt what-
ever that it will speedily be), will create such an amount of through
traffic as will render great leading lines absolutely necessary, and in
my opinion it will be imperative on the promoters of all thorough
leading lines, if they look to the public advantage and their own in-
terest, to have them laid out as direct as possible. In no line will
this principle of action be more imperatively called for than in the
great leading lines from London, and especially those towards the
north, where there is such an extent of country before them, the
ramified traffic of which will centre in the main line, seeking the
metropolis by the shortest route.
This principle has already begun to be acted on to a considerable
extent, and there is every reason to believe that it will in the end
prevail generally. In carrying it out, however, I would not hold that
the local accommodation of the country traversed should be altoge-
ther lost sight of, far from it, but I think that in such a line as that
between London and York, the deviation of the direct line for the
sole purpose of placing some particular town on the main line
should not be thought of, and more particularly where such towns
can be brought into immediate connexion with the main line by
means of branches or by local lines, either in existence or certain
to be executed. It appears to me to be in vain to attempt to mix
up with a great leading line from London towards the north a mi-
nute attention to local accommodation. In a scheme based upon
such a principle, both objects would be imperfectly attained, and if
so carried out, it would only be as a temporary measure, the great
interests of the country beyond would press for the most direct line
to the capital, and the local, interests of such a rich and populous
country as England will call for accommodation so minute that it
will be impossible for any railway lines to give it, who have also the
thorough traffic to attend to, without prejudicing that through
traffic. It is certainly possible to give, by means of branches and
subsidiary lines, the most minute accommodation, but such must be
given apart from the great leading measure ; and least of all should
the object of the main line be made subservient to that of the
branches.
donrinadndplYe o(rif may so term It) to the question
k, you will at once perceive that,
I
should be laid out as direct as the country
in
nf
willam admitply rnl
oyepi
n ieg
of,townh embracinge:estnhdeiLo
oe
line
such towns only as can on the application
of that principle be included; but where that cannot be done, their
accommodation should be met by branches, or by the net of local
lines which will sooner or later cover the country.
I have looked over the plans of your line as laid out by your
engineers, and although it appears to have been laid out on the di-
rect principle, carried even further than the general idea of the time
(and that time being only last year), yet it appears to me that the
principle could be yet further carried out, and the distance between
London and York still further shortened.
Ita n mms
, a
po
eds.poninethtewrinasin line be along
ong the districts may not, by this
means,
ne ; this will now, however, of
less
it would have been last year, for since your
i
scheme was laid out (and I mention this as another of those circum-
stances which have occurred) so many local lines have been brought
forward, embracing almost every town, that no injury can arise on
that account. Some of these loeal lines have been anthorised by
Parliament, as for instance, the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole,
the Nottingham and Lincoln and Great Grimsby lines. Some of
them have only so far advanced in Parliament, and others are only
lately brought before the public. It is so far satisfactory, howeVer,
that a direct London and York line would cross them all, and be
brought into connexion with them, not interfering with them in their
local objects, but aiding them in carrying out a London and North
traffic from their respective districts.
Should you resolve to proceed with your scheme on the principle
which I have stated, I think such a line can be laid down as I can
scarcely doubt will command success in Parliament, possessing, as it
will, so many advantages over any scheme yet proposed for the same
object.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
London, Sept. 1, 1845. - JOHN MILLER.
It was moved by J. B. Luca, Esq. ; seconded by L. Caomma, Esq.,
and resolved unanimously :
That the report now read be adopted, and that the thanks of this
meeting be given to the Directors for their past services. And this
meeting assures them of its cordial support in their future efforts to
carry into effect the objects contemplated in the report.
Moved by ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, Esq. ; seconded by W.
IIti`LAREN, Esq., and resolved unanimously :
That the capital of the Company shall be 4,000,0001., divided into
shares of .251. each, with a deposit of 21. 10s. per share ; and that
approved holders of the present scrip shall have the option of receiv-
ing two new shares in exchange for one existing share, receiving
credit for 11. on each existing share ; and also that a preference be
given to such holder in the allotment of the remaining shares.
(Signed) S. J. CAPPER, Chairman.
The Chairman having vacated the chair,
It was resolved,—That the unanimous thanks of this meeting be
given to the Chairman for his impartial and able conduct is the
chair.
Direct Northern Railway Offices, 64, Moorgatc- street, London,
September 11, 1845.

DIRECT NORTHERN . RAILWAY, from
LONDON to YORK.
In conformity with the resolutions unanimously passed at a
GENERAL MEETING of PROPRIETORS in this undertaking,
held at the London Tavern this day, the holders of Scrip Certificates
are hereby informed that, on leaving the same at the office of the
Company, with the numerical list, accompanied by an application in
the form below, No.l, they will, if approved by the Directors, be en-
titled to an allotment of two new Shares of 251. each, in exchange
for each original share, on payment of a deposit of 21. on each new
Share. If they wish for any additional Shares, in accordance with
the preference resolved upon at the Meeting, they will likewise All
up the form No. 2.
For such shares as may remain for general distribution, applicants
will apply in the annexed form No. 3.
Parties returning scrip are requested to write across each certifi-
cate their name and address, with the Words " Returned for ex-
change." " S. J. CAPPER, Chairman.
Direct Northern Railway Offices, Sept. 11, 1845.
FORM OF APPLICATION, No. 1.
Direct Northern Railway Company.
I hereby give you notice that I desire to exchange the scrip certifi-
cates held by me in the Direct Northern Railway Company,
numbered* for new
shares in this undertaking, upon the terms stated in the advertise-
ment, dated the 11th day of September, 1845,
Ind in addition to the
11. per share coming to me on the above Scrip, undertake to pay the
sum of 21. per share, as a deposit on such new shares as may be al-
lotted to me, and to sign the Parliamentary contract and subscribers'
agreement when required.
Dated this day of , 1845.
Name .. • • • • ...... •• • • ••• • • • ••• • • •
Residence• • • • • • • • • • • ..... • • .. • •
Profession or Occupation ..
Reference.. ....... • • • • • • ..... • •
To the Provisional Committee of the Direct
Northern Railway Company.
• Here insert the numbers specified in the certificates.
FORM OF APPLICATION, No. 2.
Direct Northern Railway Company.
Having signified my desire to exchange the scrip certificates held
by me in the Direct Northern Railway Company for new shares in
this undertaking, I hereby request you will allot to me
additional shares, and I agree to pay the deposit of 21. 10s. per share
thereon, and to execute the Parliamentary contract and subscribers'
agreement when required.
Dated this day of , 1645.

Residence ••••••• • " •• " "
Profession or Occupation
To the Provisional Committee of the Direct
Northern Railway Company.
FORM OF APPLICATION, No. 3.
Direct Northern Railway Company.
request you will allot to me shares in this undertaking,
and I agree to take the same, or such of them as may be allotted to
me, and to pay the deposit of 2/. 10s. per share thereon, and to
execute the Parliamentary contract and subscribers' agreement
when required.
Dated this day of , 1845.
• Profession or Occupation
• iName
Reterenee• ••• Address ••••••••••••••....

To the Provisional Comma-tee of the Direct
Northern Railway Company.

BRIDGWATER and MINEHEAD JUNC-
TION RAILWAY COMPANY, uniting the Stristol and Eng-
lish Channels, and forming a direct communication between the
South of Ireland and Wales, with Bristol and London, and also with
the South-Eastern and Western Coasts of England, Paris, and the
Channel Islands.

(Provisionally Registered.)
Capital, 300,0001. In 15,000 shares of 201. each.
Deposit 21. 2s. per Share.

Liability expressly limited to the amount of subscription ; and it
is intended to make no further call until the Act of Parliament is
obtained.

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE,
Sir Henry Seale, Bart., Mount Boom, Dartmouth
Sir John Hensler, F.R.S., Walton, near Saffron Waldron, Deputy-
Lieutenant of the county of Essex
Colonel Luttrell, Kilve Court, near Minehead, Vice-Chairman of the
Somerset Quarter Sessions
John Halliday, Esq., Chapel Cleeve, near Minehead,Magistrate of the

_
county of gomerset
Henry William Chichester, Esq., Rose House, Bampton, Devon
R. Beaden Buller, Esq., Nether Stowey Somerset

Edwin Ley, Esq., Penzance, Cornwall -
The Mayor of the Town and County of Poole
Richard Pinney, Esq., shipowner, Poole
E. F. Dayrell, Esq., of Lillingstone Dayrell, and 15, Old Cavendish-
street, London, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire
W. S. Fitzwilliam, Esq., Pinner's Hall, Broad-street, merchant
W. Revell Vigers, Esq., 50, Russell-square, and Alderman's-walk,

. , .
merchant
W. S. Potter, Esq., Sussex-gardens, Hyde-park

James Morrison, Ysq., 28, gt. merchant

James Colhoun, Esq., 5, lialf-moon-street, Piccadilly, and St. Peter's
chambers, Cornhill, merchant
Samuel Pocock, Esq., Bloomsbury-square, and St. Bride's-wharf

Anthony Mervyn Storey hfaskelyne, Esq., Glanusk Meuse, Brecon-

shire
F. W. Green, Esq., shipowner, Cornhill

W. F. Beadon, Esq., 11, John-street, Berkeley-square
W. Strachan, Esq., Banker, Strand.
Office-3, Alderman's-walk, New Broad-street.
SOLICITORS.
Messrs. a Beckett, Son, & Sympson, 7, Golden-square.
Mr. Vaughan Prance, Nether Stowey and Bridgwater..
MANAGING DIRECTORS.
E. F. Dayrell, Esq. James Colhoun, E?q.
W. B.Vigers, Esq. W. S. Potter, Esq.
W. S. Fitzwilliam, Esq. Samuel Pocock, Esq.
W. F. Beadon, Esq. James Morrison, Esq.
F. W. Green, Esq.
SECRETARY—Mr. Edward Parma.
BANKERS.

Messrs. Strachan and Co. ; and Messrs. Robarts and Co., London
Messrs. Stuckey and Co., Bristol, Bridgwater, and Taunton.

Messrs. Badeock, Taunton and Danster,

One of the principal objects this Company has in view, is a great
saving of time in the journey from Ireland and South Wales to
Bristol and London, by avoiding the tedious and dangerous passage
of the Bristol Channel, and at the same thne effecting the long
sought-for communication between the English and Bristol Channels,
all of which will be gained by connecting Minehead with Bridge-
water by a Railway, and there forming a junction with the railways
already opened, and also with those now in actual progress between
Bridgwater and the commodious and important port of Poole.
The question of an eligible steam-packet and post-office station on
the Somersetshire coast for Ireland, Wales, and the Westward gene-
rally, from whence vessels may arrive and depart at all times, with-
out reference to tide, has for many years past been regarded as one
of immense importance to the Government and the public.
By making Minehead a post-office station, a saving of twelve
hours will be effected in the delivery of letters between Ireland and
the whole of the west and south of England ; and no other port on
the coast of Somerset (or even on the north of Devon) will be so
safe, and sheltered from all the prevailing winds.
At Minehead; the proposed railway will run down on a pier, which
the largest class steamers may approach, and land and embark pas-
sengers at ail states of the tide, and again proceed at once into the
Western Ocean on their outward voyage.
'The public is perhaps hardly aware that, even with the present
imperfect and rude arrangements for landing passengers at Weston
Super-Mare, it is found that passengers from Ireland and the impor-
tant ports of the south of Wales save several hours by landing at that
place ; whereas, by the proposed pier and railway from Minehead,
passengers would save generally twelve hours, and very often a great
deal more, on their journey to London, avoiding, besides, the dangers
of the Bristol Channel.

It is not among the least striking features of this project that it
forms part of a grand scheme for shortening the communication
between Ireland and Wales with Jersey, Guernsey, Paris, and the
Continent generally, as passengers landed at Minehead will proceed
by this railway to others now in progress via Yeovil and Dorchester
to Poole, from which port the distance to Cherbourg is only sixty
miles, thus rendering the distance from Minehead to Cherbourg easily
perfornaed In eight hours and a half; and from Cherbourg a railway
is now in course of fermation to Paris. The distance also to the
Channel Islands is reduced in the same proportion. A powerful com-
pany, fully alive to the advantages of this mode of transit in prefe-
rence to the more tedious one via Southampton and Havre, is about
to put. 9n a line of packets between the ports of Poole and Cherbourg
and the Channel Islands, thus shortening the route in point of time
by about seventeen hours.
This Company, in showing to tke public the probable amount of
traffic which will flow over their line, beg leave to draw attention to
the following extracts, taken from a prospectus of a Company, formed
under the auspices of the Chairman of the Great Western Company,
and the leading bankers and merchants of Bristol, for making a pier
at, and railway from Portbury, to Bristol, and on which no further
comment will be made, save that whatever applies to Portbury, ap-
plies with infinitely greater force to Minehead, both in the saving of
time, dang r, delay, and expense.
" There are at the present time engaged in the trade with South
Wales, Somersetshire, Devonshire, Cornwall, Liverpool, and Ireland,
twenty-three steam-vessels of the aggregate tonnage of upwards of
6,000 tons, making rather better than fifty voyages, or 100 arrivals
and departures per week on an average throughout the year.
"The principal part of the traffic of the whole of these vessels con-
sists of passengers, whilst of their goods traffic an important portion
consists of merchandise brought by, and intended fer carriage on, the
existing railways, from and to places on either side of Bristol. For
the conduct of this traffic, every vessel will necessarily require to use
the pier and railway on each occasion of departure and arrival, as
the iaost expeditions, convenient, and economical mode of conveying
each traffic to or towards its place of destination.
" The number of passengers carried by the existing steam-boats
amounts to at least 200,000 per annum ; and when it is considered
that the facilities afforded by the pier of starting and arriving at all
times of the tide, will enable vessels which now perform but one
voyage per diem, or every alternate day, to and from the nearer
ports in South Wales, to make such voyages three or four times in
the same day, at very trifling, if any, additional cost— that on the
voyages to Swansea, Tenby, and Ilfracombe, they will effect a saving
of one-half the time now occupied, and that similar advantages will
be derived by the trade with Cornwall and Ireland, it can neither be
doubted that the expense of conveyance between Bristol and those
places will be considerably reduced, nor that the effect of such re-
duction, combined with the advantage of greater certainty as to the
times'of departure and arrival, must have the effect of causing a
great increase in the number of passengers.
" A large and most valuable portion of the merchandise carried by
the Cornish, Welsh, and Irish steam-boats consists of fish, poultry,
eggs, vegetables, and other articles of provision ; speed and certainty
in the conveyance and delivery of articles of so perishable a nature
are obviously essential, and the facilities in this respect afforded by
the pier are such as to secure this traffic to the undertaking.
" A very considerable revenue will also be derived from the landing
and carriage of Live Mock brought by the Irish steam boats, which
being imported fat and ready to kill, now suffer much injury from the
detention of the vessels in Kingroad whilst waiting for tide."

Although it is unnecessary to calculate upon the whole of this im-
portant and justly founded traffic, it is nevertheless Impossible to
over-estimate the large portion of it that will come over this line,
when it is remembered that by the proposed scheme the harbour of
Waterford will, by means of powerful steamers, be brought within
twelve, and the ports of Dublin and Cork within fifteen hours of the
terminus at Minehead, by which the danger, inconvenience, and un-
pleasantness of travelling by night will be altogether avoided.
So also must the traffic derived from steam-boats, and on the line
itself, be added, which will arise from the Immense resort of persons
seeking pleasure in the beautiful vicinities of Nether Stowey, Blue
Anchor, Minehead, Porlock, Linton, Lynmouth, and the far-famed
Valley of Rocks and adjacent country, so aptly termed the Switzer-
land of England, and which only require increased facilities to be
much more than even at present resorted to ; and so great is the
existing traffic that, by the calculations already made, a large reve-
nue will be derived from this source alone.

The present number of cattle sent to Bristol from Ireland alone is
upwards of 150,000 head per annum, and it is only reasonable to ex-
pect that these Will be landed at the far nearer port of 31Inehead,
thereby creating a considerable source of revenue.
The importance of this railway to the agricultural district of North
Somerset is incalculable for disseminating, as manure, in every di-
rection the celebrated limeof Cannington Park, from which, and also
from the carrying of coal, a large revenue will arise.
Memel timber brought into the port of Poole (the harbour dues of
which are very insignificant) can be unshipped, carried across by
rail, and re-shipped at Minehead, at a cost of 7s. per ton less in
freight, than if carried round the Landsend, exclusive of the great
saving in time ; this alone will open a large trade with Wales, as
vessels will bring over coals to Minehead, and take back timber,
limestone, flour, mine, slates, and copper ore.

The blue Has lime-stone of Watchet, so admirably adapted for
aquatic building, will also produce a considerable revenue to this
undertaking.
The flour and provision trade, at present carried on between the
mining districts of South Wales and the coast of Somerset, must ne-
cessarily flow over this line, and create an important feature in its
revenue.

One of the first effects of the formation of this line will be, that
steam communication will be established between Minehead and the
following places :—Swansea, Tenby, Milford, Neath, Haverfordwest,
Pembroke, and Carmarthen, and with the whole of the South of
Ireland ; and this railway, with a suitable station and wharfs, will
also afford to Watchet all the advantages of which it is capable as a
port.

Depots for goods will be erected at the station at Combwitch
Reach, where at present all the larger vessels trading to Bridgwater
stop; and it may be mentioned that 130,000 tons of coasting trade
come into this port annually, exclusively of 10,000 tons of foreign
trade.

From the estimates prepared, it is expected that only a portion of
the proposed capital will be required to carry eut the objects of this
Company.
Power will be reserved to allow the shareholders 4/. per cent. on
the paid-up capital, and also to construct branches Item Minehead or
Watchet to Wiveliscombe, Porlock, &c., and the extensive iroa mines
of Sir T. Buckler Lethbridge, Bart., which, with the slate quarries of
Sir John Trevylyan, are in active working within seven miles of Mine-
head. From this source, as also from the copper mines of Andrew
Crosse, Esq., a large revenue must arise.
The landowners have been communicated with, and are most
anxious for the successful carrying out of the objects of the Com-
pany ; nor is there reason to expect that any Parliamentary opposi-
tion will be offered.

The line will be twenty-five miles in length, and no engineering
difficulties present themselves.
Until an Act of Parliament shall be obtained, the affairs of this
Company shall be under the control of the Managing Directors, to
whom power is given to allot the Shares, and to apply the hinds of
the Company In payment of all the expenses incurred in its formation,
and in the preparation of the plans and sections to be submitted to
Parliament.

Power will be applied for in the Act, and in the meantime is hereby
given to the Managing Directors as above, to raise any additional capital,
to abandon any part of the line, to make branch lines, docks, piers,
wharfs, or jetties, or enter into any arrangement with any other
Company or Companies, and also is nominate the first Directors of
the Company.

Applications for Shares, plans, prospectuses, and detailed informa-
tion, may be made at the Offices of the Company, No. 3, Alderman's-
walk, City, London ; at the Offices of the Company's Solicitors,
Messrs. Beckett, Son. and Sympson, 7, Golden-square, London ;
Mr. Vaughan Prance, Nether Stowey and Bridgwater. And of the
Local Agents—Mr. William Woodland, solicitor, Taunton ; Mr. N.
Pearce, solicitor, Wiviliscombe ; Mr. James Parsons, solicitor, Lang-
port ; Messrs. Stone and Symonds, solicitors, Dorchester ; Mr.
Thomas Phippard, solicitor, Wareham ; Mr. M. K. Welch, solicitor,
Poole ; Mr. Henry Poole, solicitor, Bristol. And of the following
Stock and Share Brokers—Messrs. Tucker, Barnett, and Ellis. 11,
Birehin-lane ; and Messrs. Huggings and Lang, London; Messrs.
Hall, Brothers, and Co., Cheltenham ; Mr. John Morcom, Bristol ;
Mr. Thomas Evans, Bath; Mr. Charles O'Neil, 'Manchester; Messrs:
11. Davies and Co., Liverpool ; Messrs. Chantrell and Boys, Leeds ;
Messrs. Wilkinson and Earle, Hull ; Messrs. Labertouche and Staf-
ford, Dublin ; Mr. Lilly, Bridgwater ; and Mr. R. Ball, Taunton.
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES.
To the Managing Directors of the Bridgwater and Minehead June-

tion Railway Company.
Gentlemen,—l request you will allot me Shares, of 20%.
each in the above undertaking ; and I hereby undertake to accept
the same, or any less number you may allot me, on the terms
of the prospectus, and to pay the deposit of 2/. 2s. per Share,
and all future calls thereon, and to sign the Parliamentary contract
and subscribers' agreement, and other deeds, when required so to do.
Dated the of 1845.
Name in At1i...... . ....
..
Place of bizsiness
•• .. Itealdeuon orce . •busigess •••••• • • • • ••
Professi • • • • • • • • .
Usual signature • • • • • • • ..... • • • • • •
• • Pane, Residence, &0, a Wasp i fta

RUGBY, WARWICK, AND WORCESTER
RAILWAY.
In consequence of the Immense number of applications already re-
ceived, the Provisional Committee give notice that no Applications
for Shares will be received after Tuesday the 16th instant, except
from parties resident in the country, as to whom the time will be
extended t' Monday, the 22d instant.
GEO. li. WELLER, Secretary.
Offices, pro tam.,.B, King's-road. Bedford-row,
Londen,.Sept. 6, 1845.