The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-21 00:00:00

PROSPECTUS.

The object of the proposedundertaking is to unite the city of Exeter
with the towns of Yeovil and llridport, as forming a part of the
great integral scheme for making the best direct railway cemunica-
tion from the metropolis, through Exeter to the important seaports and
harbours in the British Channel, as well as completing the chain
of south coast communication from the ports of Dover, Portsmouth,
and Southampton, to Exeter, Plymouth, and Falmouth.
Between Yeovil and Westbury, the Wilts, Somerset, and Wey-
mouth Railway will form the main line of communication, at which
latter place it will join a proposed extension of the Berks and Hants
Railway from Hungeribrd, carried through the Pewsey Valley, as
shown more distinctly in the accompanying plan. The Berks and
Hants, and the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Bills have already
passed, and those lines are under construction. The Great Western
Railway Company will apply for the extension from Ilungerford to
Westbury, only thirty-five miles, in the approaching session.
The lisle of the Exeter Great Western Railway is intended to com-
mence at 0, distance of about three miles from Exeter, by a junction
with the Bristol and Exeter Railway at Stoke Canon, and proceed-
ing thence by Ottery Saint Mary and Honiton, will pass into the
Valley of the Axe at Axminster. From that place, the main line, in
one airection, will continue along the same valley, passing within
all‘out three miles of Chard (which town it is proposed to connect
with the main line by a short branch), and through Crewkerne, to-
wards Yeovil, near to which town it will join the Wilts, Somerset,
and Weymouth Railway. From Axminster, the main line, in the
other direction, will proceed near to Lyme Regis, and thence to
Uridport, where it will also join the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth
Railway, leading towards Dorchester and the coast line to South-
ampton.
The fashionable watering-place of Sidmouth will be made acces-
sible to visitors from London and all parts of the country, by a branch
to that place from Ottery Saint Mary.

By reference to the map, it will be seen how effectually this line
will supply the only link wanting to complete the continuity of the
South Coast Lines, and will afford the best means for an entire
through traffic from Cornwall and Devon to the different ports of
Lyme, Bridport, Weymouth, Poole, Southampton, Portsmouth,
Shoreham, Brighton, Hastings, Dever and Ramsgate.
It is also a very important feature in the undertaking, which is
now submitted to the public, that it gives railway communication to
a line of country hitherto unsupplied with this essential means of in-
tercourse with the surrounding districts ; many towns of importance
1011 have the benefit of local intercommunication, besides being
placed on a main and direct line of transit between the metropolis
and the most valuable seaports on the southern coast of England.
The inhabitants of the city of Exeter, and of all places beyond it,
will be brought to a reduced distance of 177 miles between Exeter
and London, instead of 194 miles, the whole being worked uninter-
ruptedly by one Company, on the same gauge, and on a line superior
to any that can be carried for the same object, in any other direc-
tion, whether considered with reference to the shorter new line re-
quired to be constructed, or to the comparatively easy gradients that
can he obtained at a reasonable cost.

Under these circumstances there can be no doubt that this railway
will not only confei incalculable benefits on the districts through
Which it is intended to pass, and generally on the mineral and agri-
cultural produce of Devon and Cornwall, but will conduce to the vast
national object of rendering the harbours of Plymouth and Falmouth
most serviceable for every purpose of commerce, snore easily acces-
sible for the arrival and dispatch of foreign mails and passengers,
avoiding the delays and dangers of Channel navigation, and in case
of war, contributing to the security of British property, whether at
sea or ma shore.

A mere glance at the map will satisfy every inquirer of the com-
mand this line must possess over an unusally large amount of export
and import trade, whether in passengers or in goods, independently
of the local resources of the country itself, which are known to be
very great.
One important item of local traffic on this line will be the article Of
colt, with which the district is at present but iMperfeatly provided
on account of the high price necessarily paid for land carriage, limit-
ing very much tile consumption by a large Class of the population,
who must be 74reatly benefited by reduced cost of transit by railway.
The district from which coal may be brought is in the neighbourhood
of Radsto.A, in Somersetshire, to Which place a branch of the Wilts,
Somerset, and Weymouth Railway extends, and brings the coals
direst from the pit's mouth on t;, the line of railway.
The interests of the landefl proprietors have been consulted through=
out the line, and It is con.llently believed, from the strong local sup-
port it has received, that the legislature will sanction this measure
Without hesitation.
It is agreed that the line shall be worked by the Great Western
Railway Company, under a lease, as in the case of the Wilts, Somer-
set, and Weymouth Railway; in consideration of Which, the Great
Western Railway Company have undertaken to guarantee to the
proprietors four per cent. per annum upon the paid-up capital, with
an increase of one-half per cent., in proportion to any dividend of one
per cent. upon their own stock, exceediag eight per cent., which in-
crease shall be payable to the proprietors of the Exeter Great
Western Railway Company, in addition to the guaranteed rate; and
the Great Western Railway Company are to become responsible for
all the preliminary expenses, in case the Act shall not be obtained
within the two next sessions of Parliament.
The capital will be raised in 20,000 shares of 501. each., upon Which
a deposit of 5/. per share will be paid upon subscriptiOna, and no
further call will be made previously to obtaining rile Act of Incor-
poration.
Interest at four per cent. per annum will he allowed, after the Act
shall have passed, on the deposit, and on all paid-tip calls during the
construction of the line, and until the di cidends are provided for,
under the guarantee of the Great Western, Railway Company.
The notices are already given, an the plans and books of re-
ference will be deposited In tirne for tile Act to be applied for at the
meeting of Parliament. If the Act should not be obtained, as before
mentioned, the deposit will roe paid back to the proprietors, but with-
out interest.
A decided preference krill bo given to landowners and to parties
locally interested, or rest ling on the line, in the allotment of shares.
The prospectus may be obtained, and applications made for shares,
to the Secretary of the Great Western Railway Company, at the
London office of the Co, npany, 449, West Strand, or at the Paddi ton or
Bankers BrisntolSolic station
ors.s, or may be addressed to the care of any of the
ad it—Unexceptionable references must be given I
when parties applying or shares are not personally known, or Wally
interested in the line.