The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-03 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

GREAT WESTERN EXTENSION ATMOSPHERIC
AND TAW VALE EXTENSION.
A meeting was held at the Schoolmaster Inn, Eggesford,
near Exeter, on Thursday, in consequence of a circular which
had been issued.
The Hon. NEWTON FELLOWE3 was unanimously voted
into the chair. The object of the meeting was really in favour
of the Taw Vale Company.
A resolution was then moved, and carried unanimously,
to the effect that a direct line from Exeter to the north of
Devon, through the Taw Vale, would be highly beneficial,
and was deserving the support of the landowners through
whose land it would pass.
Mr. THORN, of Barnstaple, first addressed the meeting, on
the part of the Taw Vale Company.
Mr. NEALE, the acting engineer under Mr. Locke, stated
that the surveys of the Taw Vale Company were in a very
forward state, and the plans would be ready for depositing by
the 30th of November.
Mr. Jostan WILKINSON stated that 200,0001. had been
subscribed by the London proprietors alone. A great num-
ber in the country had not signed, but the money was de-
posited.
Mr. OWEN, on the part of the Great Western Extension
Atmospheric Railway, said he could prove that their com-
mittee was entirely composed of gentlemen of unquestion-
able respectability, with the Hon. Member for Bristol at the
head. Mr. Thorn, he observed, had showed the merits of
running a line through the vale of the Taw, between Barn-
staple and Exeter. These observations applied as well to
any other line following the same route. Mr. Hughes's
Company had determined on the most important point, the
port at which the line should terminate ; and that port was
Ilfracombe, which was the distinguishing feature of their
project.
W. J. P. WILKIMON, Esq., of Exeter, and chairman of
the local committee of management of the Great Western
Extension Company, briefly addressed the meeting. He
pointed out the advantages of the line, as the terminus
would be eighty miles nearer the coast of Ireland than Bristol.
From the situation of the harbour, he anticipated also a large
trade with the Mediterranean.
Captain GODWYN, also one of the board of management,
said they had thought proper, though they had applications
for three times as many shares as they could allot, not to
call on the public for a single sixpence until the proposition
was ready to go before Parliament. On Monday last they
subscribed 2,0001 to pay their engineers out of their own
private purses.
Mr. TAYLOR, the acting engineer for Mr. Hughes, stated
that the surveys were in a very forward state, and he had
funds for the purpose.
In reply to the Chairman, both parties agreed the parish
maps would be ready by about the middle of December to lay
before another meeting.
Mr. WitAurtsosr (of Exeter) moved, and Mr. WHEELTON
seconded a vote of thanks to the Hon. Newton Fellowes, for
his impartiality in the chair, and the meeting dissolved.

HARWICH AND SOUTHEND.
SAFFRON WALDEN, FRIDAY EVENLIG.—This day an ad-
journed meeting of the inhabitants of this town took place
at the Rose and Crown Inn, for the purpose of affording the
promoters of the Thames, Southend, and Northern and
Eastern Junction Railway, an opportunity of explaining the
local advantages of that line, and to determine how far they
would benefit this portion of the county.
The following lines were also interested in the decision of
the meeting :—The Northern and Eastern Junction (Har-
wich to Biggleswade), Maldon, Witham, and Braintree, Me-
tropolitai Junction, Colchester and Cambridge, South Essex
and London, and Southend.
Mr. G. YOUNGMAN, the mayor of the town, was called to
the chair.
Mr. H. COTrAM, the acting engineer, then went into a
lengthened detail of the course, embankments, cuttings,
&c. The junction with the Northern and Eastern Railway
would be at the Weedon station, and according to the sur-
veys it was arranged that the line would pass Saffron Wal-
den, about a mile distant, and continue its course to Thaxted,
though proceeding nearer to the town than the former.
Mr. G. GIBSON advocated at some length the proposed line
called the Northern and Eastern Junction, from Harwich to
Biggleswade and Bedford.
A lengthened discussion then ensued as to the course of
the two lines in the vicinity of the town, and to the probable
opposition of Lord Braybrooke, through whose property the
line would pass.
The MAYOR said he fully understood that his Lordship
WAS resolveded to offer the most determined resistance to
any line passing along his estate. Relative to the line they
were met to consider, he believed that he spoke the opinion
of the meeting in saying that the Harwich line was preferred,
and that the town had pledged itself to support it.

THE MANCHESTER AND LEEDS AND THE

MIDLAND RAILWAYS.

We understand— that the negotiations for a treaty of al-
liance between Mr. Hudson and the Manchester and Leeds
Railway Company have been brought to a satisfactory con-
clusion. We do not pretend to give the ipsissima verba of
the formal agreement, which we have reason to believe has
been actually signed between the contracting parties, but we
have no hesitation in pledging ourselves to the perfect ac-
curacy of the following summary of the various points em-
braced in the arrangement
The Manchester and Leeds Company are to become lessees
of the Hull and Selby line jointly with the York and Nerth
Midland ; the Manchester and Leeds Company binding
themselves, so far as they can do so consistently with the
proper accommodation of the public, to forward along the
York and North Midland and the Hull and Selby Railways
all traffic from Liverpool and Manchester to Hull ; and the
York and North Midland Company, on their part, agree-
ing, so far as the public convenience will permit, to send all
the traffic from Hull to Manchester and Liverpool along the
Manchester and Leeds line. The York and North Midland
agree that the traffic from Manchester and Liverpool, &c.,
to Goole, shall be sent, so far as it can be done consistently
with public convenience, by the Wakefield, Pontefract, and
Goole Railway ; the Manchester and Leeds Company binding
themselves not to oppose the York and North Midland Com-
pany's constructing a line from Selby to Goole. The traffic
conveyed by the Manchester and Leeds Company. to Nor-
manton is to be carried onwards to Selby by the York and
North Midland Company at proportional rates, in the propor-
tion at present existing if less than an equal mileage rate,
and in any case not to exceed an equal mileage; and in the
event of misunderstandings arising, as to deficiency of power
or lose of time in forwarding the traffic along the York and
North Midland line, the question to be submitted to, and
arranged by, the engineers of the two companies. Perhaps
the most interesting article in the agreement is that by
which the Manchester and Leeds and the York North Mid-
land directories withdraw themselves, " as far as possible,"
from all alliances opposed to the interests of their respective
companies, and agree, not merely to abstain from taking an
unfriendly course against each other in future, but to culti-
vate an amicable understanding on all matters and on all
occasions on which they can do so in accordance with a due
regard to the accommodation of the public. If we are not
misinformed, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Houldsworth especially
bind themselves personally to see this article of the agree-
ment carried into effect. Mr. Laing is named as referee,
should any difference arise in regard to the constructi. of
this last provision, and his award is to be binding
parties in all matters except as regards the Leeds - k
and York and Hull schemes. It is agreed in refetetfee to
them, that unless Mr. Laing should decide that the Man-
chester and Leeds Company are to withdraw from all
connexion with them, Mr. Hudson is to have the option
of declaring the agreement null and void. All other differ-
ences which may arise respecting the agreement are to be
settled by arbitration, and an application for Parliamentary
sanction, if necessary, is to be made in the ensuing session.
We believe we may add, that there is not the slightest
doubt of the whole agreement being fully carried out. The
shareholders of the two companies are not a little indebted
to the conciliatory feeling displayed by their chairmen ; all
idea of personal enmity, if any such ever existed, was at
once cast to the winds by both Mr. Hudson and Mr. Houla.-
worth. It would be injustice, however, not to state that
the prime mover of the whole of these pacific arrangements
was Mr. Laing. That gentleman's former connexion with
the Board of Trade has already rendered him favourably
known to the public, and the amount of general talent, rail-
way knowledge, and diplomatic skill which he has evinced
on the present occasion, must largely add to the reputation
which he had before acquired.

PRESTON AND LONGRIDGE RAILWAY.
PRESTON, FRIDAY.— The general half-yearly meeting of the
shareholders in the Preston and Longridge Railway Com-
pany was held yesterday, for the purpose of receiving the
usual reports up to the 31st of August, the declaration of a
dividend, and the election of Directors, in the place of those
retiring. Charles Swainson, Esq., Chairman of the Directors,
presided.
A statement of the receipts and expenditure was read by
the secretary, from which it appeared that the half yea-'s
income amounted to 2,685/. 19s. 3d., and the disbursements
to 1,3631. 17s. 5d., and out of the balance a sum of 622/. Is. 10d.
was proposed to be appropriated in dividends.
The report of the Directors was as follows :
" The Directors, in presenting their report for the half-year
ending on the 31st August last, have much satisfaction in
being able to state to the Proprietors that the traffic on the
line, during the last half-year, both as regards the carriage of
stone and the conveyance of passengers, has quite realised
their expectations ; and the finances of the Company are such
as to enable them to recommend a dividend. The prospects
of improvement are at present very encouraging, not only as
regards the traffic on the line, but also as regards the ad-
vantages likely to arise from the various lines of railway now
in contemplation with which the Preston and Longridge
lines will be immediately connected. The Directors beg to
recommend to the Proprietors to declare a dividend of lls.
per share, clear from incomC-tax, for the half-year ending
August 31, amounting to the sum of 660/. The Directors
who retain office in pursuance of the Act are, Messrs.
Corry, Gorst. Lowe, Addison, and Swainsen, who are re-
eligible; and Mr. Winstanley, who has disqualified."
Mr. CLARKE put some questions to the Directors, with
reference to the prospects of the Company from being con-
nected with the several lines which are projected to pass
through or near Preston.
The CITAIRMAN, in reply, stated that the Fleetwood, Pres-
ton, and West Riding Railway Company would willingly
take this line as part of their own, paying for it in their own
shares at par, and that the Preston and Wyre Company in-
tended to make a branch to it from their station at Maud-
lands. At all events, the line would be taken by one or other
of the companies into the town, and there joined with the
other railway communications, so that their property must
necessarily be improved considerably.
The report was then adopted.
Mr. CLARKE moved, and Mr. GorisT seconded, the declara-
tion of the dividend recommended by the Directors. Carried.
The retiring Directors were re-elected, and in the place of
Mr. Winstanley, Mr. Robinson was appointed.
The meeting then separated. .

WOLVERHAMPTON, CHESTER, AND BIRKENHEAD

JUNCTION RAILWAY.
Bffmrtaffnm, FRIDAY, SEVEN r.m.—A meeting of the
provisional committee of the above Company was held at
their offices, in Temple-street, this afternoon. There was a
numerous assemblage of Directors, and business of the ut-
most importance was transacted ; but, as a matter of course,
it was, generally speaking, of a private character. As con-
siderable anxiety is now felt in reference to the ability of
projected companies to comply with the standing orders of
the Houses of Parliament, it may be as well to state that the
following letter from Mr. Maude, the engineer, was handed
to the Chairman, in answer to a note requiring information :