The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-09 00:00:00

REGENT'S CANAL.

A meeting of the shareholders and others interested in the
Regent's Canal, was held yesterday evening, in the large room of
the Angel Inn, Islington, for the purpose of taking into con-
sideration the proposition of converting it iuto a railway. The
meeting was called by those persons who, having property upon
the banks, were desirous of continuing the canal as at present.
Mr. Margrave, of Esdale's Saw Mills, was called to the chair.

The CHAIRMAN said that it was not his intention to take a pro-
minent part in the proceedings, but he at the same time was ready
to admit that he was one of those who, concurrently with others,
was instrumental in getting up the meeting, because he thought
that the contemplated change would be most disastrous to the firm
he himself was associated with, one principal inducement for their
having placed their works on the side of the canal being the con.
venience of water carriage. He believed that the parties calling
this preliminary meeting were not prepared with any plan of op.
position to the railway, as they wished to hear the suggestions
made by those who, like himself, would be Injured by the alteration.
Some altercation took place as to the exact meaning of the re-
quisition.
Mr. GRISSELL said that, as one of those who was opposed to the
transformation of the canal into a railway, he might say that the
object of the requisition was to ascertain how far they might depend
upon the co-operation of those who, like himself, would be damni-
fied by the change. But as there might be many in the room who
were opposed to the canal, he would warn any friends who might
speak not to state the grounds of their opposition, because, in that
case, the promoters of the railway project would no doubt prepare
the very sort of evidence to meet those objections when the matter
came before Parliament.—(llear, hear.) He might say, that to
himself the change would be nearly ruin, for he had expended
30,000/. upon work which, if the canal were removed, would not
be worth sixpence.

Mr. STARLING thought that a resolution for the formation of an
association to watch over the interests of these affected would be
the better way of attaining their purpose.
Mr. DENNIS, of the firm of Dennis and Price, said that it ap-
peared to him that there was some misunderstanding, for he had
seen a prospectus stating that the rails would be laid down on the
northern bank, without altering the water.carriage.
Mr. GRISSELL assured the meeting that such a thing would be
impossible, and he read an extract from the Railway Record in
support of the asseition. The cost of altering the canal to suit the
purposes of a railway would be at the least, 2,500,000/. He might
say further, that some of the Directors of the proposed Junction
Railway were already engaged in sixteen other schemes.
Mr. LAKE, agent for the De Beauvoir property, referred to the
Act constituting the canal, and contended that, although there
could exist no doubt that the Canal Company could, if they were
so minded, sell the water-way, they must do so with the consent of
those parties who had invested a large capital on the faith of the
Company keeping it open ; and if a committee were formed for the
purpose of opposing the projected scheme, he would pledge himself
that it could never be carried into execution. He would, therefore,
propose this resolution —" That a large sum of money having been
expended by the owners of property on the banks of the canal, on
the faith of its continuance, the meeting is of opinion that any.
thing stopping the canal, or in any way interfering with the water-
way, will be destructive of the interests of all who are dependent
upon it, and that, therefore, every opposition should be given to
the projected scheme."
The resolution was seconded by Mr. SHEPPARD.
Mr. YATES moved, as an amendment, " That a committee
should be formed for the purpose of negotiating terms with the
Railway Company."—There being no seconder, the amendment
droppi.-d. .

The original motion was then put and carried.
Mr. Lawn again moved that a committee be appointed for the
purpose of collecting information, and, if necessary, of arranging
an opposition, with instructions to call a general meeting when
they should deem it expedient.
➢ir. THORNE seconded the resolution, which was carried una.
nimously.

It was then moved and seconded, that the following gentlemen be
empowered a committee, with liberty to add to their number :
Messrs. Lake, Sheppard, Grissell, Margrove, Thorne, Norton,
Pope, Lee, Sharpe, and Patient.
Thanks havin! been voted to the Chairman, the meeting
broke up.

It was reported in Liverpool, yesterday
morning-, that the Great Western steamer had been on fire.
Our correspondent, on making inquiries, states, that the acci-
dent arose from some sweepings of one of the flues of the
vessel having been left very carelessly on board on Monday
night, which ignited, bat was instantly put out, without the
least damage being done to the vessel, or to anything on
board.

SIIEFFIELD, ROTHERHAM, BARNSLEY,
WAKEFIELD, HUDDERSFIELD, and GOOLE RAILWAY.
Applications for Shares in this undertaking by parties claiming to
have local interests, must be made on or before the 15th inst., and
the party applying, must, in each case, state the nature of the in-
terest on which the claim to an allotment is founded.
By order,
Wakefield. SPENCER lIERAPATII, Secretary.

_ -
Gentlemen,—l request you to allot to me shares of
251. each its the above-named Company, and I undertake to accept
the same, or such less number as you may appropriate to me, sub.
ject to the regulations of the Company, to execute the Parlia-
mentary Contract and the Subscribers' Agreement, and to pay,
when required, the deposit of 21. 12s. 6d. per share.
I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Name (in full)
Profession, trade, or occupation
Residence (in full)
Plate of business (if any)
Name and address of Referee

Date ....