The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-21 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

CENTRAL SUSSEX, OR SOUTHAMPTON, PORTS-
MOUTH, CHATHAM, AND SHEERNESS, AND THE
EAST GRINSTEAD AND DIRECT LONDON RAIL-
WAYS.
On Saturday a very numerous meeting of the landowners
of Central Sussex, and the gentry, and inhabitants of the
town of Fast Grinstead, took place in the large room of the
Crown Hotel at that place, for the purpose of consulting on the
most beneficial means of affording direct railway communi-
cation between the town and London, and to re eive a report
of a committee appointed by the inhabitants at a previous
meeting upon the subject.
Earl Delawarr had expressed his intention of being pre-
sent, but was unavoidably absent. Amongst the landowners
in the room were observed Lord Colchester, W. Seymour
Fitzgerald, Esq., E. James, Esq., R. Craufurd, Esq., ----aVors
ley, Esq., J. S. Roupel, Esq., &c. &c. A deputation was also
in attendance from the Central Sussex, or Southampton,
Portsmouth, Chatham, and Sheerness Direct Railway, and it
was also anticipated that there would have been deputations
from the London and Brighton and South-Eastern Companies.
R. Crauford, Esq., was called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the day, said
it would be remembered that at a preliminary meeting of
the inhabitants, a committee had been appointed to commu-
nicate with the South-Eastern and London and Brighton
Companies, to ascertain how far those Companies would aid
the inhabitants of East Grinstead in their desire to have a
direct line of railway communication between that place and
London. At the present moment it would not be politic in
him to go farther than to say that by both of those powerful
Companies had: the representations of the committee been
satisfactorily received.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that it
was decidedly the opinion of both Companies that East Grin-
stead should have a line of rail laid down which would carry
them direct to Loudon, in communication with one or other
of the great trunk lines, the London and Brighton and South-
Eastern, and the only point in difficulty was •phich of those
Companies should have the benefit.—(dear, hear.) He be-
lieved, however, that there was that amicable feeling exist-
ing between the two Companies, that they intended to have
a meeting upon the subject, and the ammittee had been
promised that as soon as that had taken place the result
should be communicated.
Mr. Enwest JAMES, barrister-at-law, spoke in strong terms
of comment;ation of the Central Sussex Line, contending that
it was a more comprehensive scheme and more advantageous
to the district than any yet proposed. By it Brighton, Chi-
chester, and Portsmouth, as well as the metropolis, would be
easily reached.
Mr. WORSLEY said the inhabitants of East Grinstead had
already had under their consideration the advantages likely
to be derived from joining the Brighton line at Crawley, but
they had felt that a direct communication with London, yid
the Brighton line at Hawley, of paramount importance. i'ith
every word, however, of the great and comprehensive scheme
submitted by Mr. James he entirely agreed, but he felt that
the inhabitants of East Grinstead, being at that moment in
communication with the two great existing companies (the
Brighton and Dover), and who had promised to confer with
each other on the matter, they might be considered to be
committing a breach of confidence in lending themselves to
any other proposals.
An INHABITANT inquired if there was not some other com-
peting scheme with the Central Sussex Railway?
Mr. JAMES said that there was no line which competed
with them. The nearest to East Grinstead was one which
went through Reigate.
Mr. \VOHS= observed that the latter was an absurd
scheme, as it proposed to go through the chalk hills,
The CHainstaschaving inquired whether the representatives
of any other companies were in attendance, and receiving no
reply, said he had anticipated that there would have been de-
putatior.s from the South-Eastern and Brighton Companies;
but as they were not present, he thought it only just that lie
should read to the meeting two letters which had (been re-
ceived in connexion with those companies. The chairman
here proceeded to read a letter from a gentleman named
Church, who said that, having had instructions to promote a
railway from East Grinstead, passing through Lindfield and
joining the South-Eastern at or near their station at
Godstone, with that view, he- had put himself in com-
munication with the South-Eastern Company, and hav-
ing placed his plan before their board, he had received
information from Mr. Feam, the solicitor, that the
South• Eastern Company would afford the line their stre-
nuous support. The communication from the London
and Brighton Company, signed by the secretary, was to
the effect that the Directors were not prepared to pledge
themselves to lease the proposed branch railway to East
Grinstead, but would be ready to work the traffic on such
branch at a fair per tentage. The board would propose to
the South-Eastern Railway an arrangement, with the view
to avoid the opposition of that company to the passing of a
Bill for such branch through Parliament. It was right that
he (the Chairman) should mention that the latter communi-
cation was in answer to one sent by the East Grinstead Com-
mittee to the Brighton Company.
After considerable discussion as to the positionn the town
of East Grinstead would be placed in if they gave a pledge
to support the Central Sussex Railway, with the Brighton
and Dover Companies with whem they were in com-
munication,
Mr. ROUPELL could not forget the case of Northampton,
which town had successfully opposed the Birmingham line
coming near them, and now he believed the inhabitants
would-give their very eyes to have it there.—(Hear, hear. )
East Grinstead ought to be very careful how they placed
themselves in a• similar position.—(Hear.) Whilst he said
this much be thought they ought to be careful how they
gave offence to the Brighton and Dover Companies, with re-
spect to the London communication. He thought it better
to move, " That a letter having been received from Mr.
Church, embodying a communication from the solicitor of the
South-Eastern Railway Company, and also one from the
Brighton Company, this meeting defers any decision as to a
direct line to London to a future day."
Mr. WORSLEY seconded this resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
Mr. MEocasfs, in eulogistic terms, supported the plan o
the Central Sussex Railway, and moved, " That ascleputationf
from the Central Sussex Railway having attended this meet-
ing and explained their project, this meeting views the pro-
posed line (the Central Sussex), without reference to the
communication with London, as of the greatest importance
to the town and neighbourhood, as affording lateral commu-
nication eastward and westward, and with that object most
deserving of their support."
This motion having been seconded, was opposed by Lord
Colchester, on the ground that it would be premature, whilst
negotiations were pending with the South-Eastern and
Brighton Companies. It was, however, cn being put from
the chair, carried with but three dissentients.
A vote of thanks being given to the chairman the meeting
separated.

MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM.
.I.IANCIIESTER, SATURDAY EVENING.---rrhis afternoon, at
one o'clock, a special general meeting of proprietors of the
Manchester and Birmingham Railway was held at the offices
of the company at the station in the London-road, for the
purpose of considering the propriety of exerciAng the powers
of the Company's Acts of Parliament, enabling them to ca •
pitalise the money upon loan or mortgage, and to augment
the capital stock, and to pay off the amount so borrowed by
the creation of new stock, m quarter shares of 101. each, and
by the allotment and appropriation of such new stock amongst
the proprietors, in the proportion of one quarter share to the
holier of 30/. stock in the undertaking; or in such other
manner, and in such proportions, and on such terms and with
such conditions, as shall be decided upon by the proprietors
present at such meeting; and on other special affairs.
Mr. JOSHUA Puocrou WESTHEAD, Chairman of the Board
of Directors, took the chair, and slid that they had alseady
assented to the principle of creating new shares, and he did
not anticipate that there would be much discussion. At the
last special meeting the Shareholders passed a resolution ex•
pressive of their wish that he would continue to occupy his
post as Chairman of the Board of Directors; and he had the
pleasure of receiving a deputation from the meeting, wt.o
solicited that he would retain his office. Having stated to
them that he had sonic misgivings as to whether he should
be able to devote so much time from his own concerns as he
had done to the direction of the railway, he at length as.