The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-25 00:00:00

KENDAL AND WINDERMERE,

"
7636 d

SHEFFIELD, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, AND MAN.
CHESTER.
This Company held their half.yearly meeting yesterday at their
offices in the Manchester station, at which there was a very nume-
rous attendance of shareholders. John Parker, Esq., M.P. for
Sheffield, Chairman of the Board of Directors, having taken the
chair, the Secretary, Mr. John Platford, read the advertisement
calling the meeting, and the report of the Directors, which stated
that, with the exception of the tunnel, the works on the line had
been completed since the last report, and were open to the public
since the 14th of July last. That amongst other subjects of con.
gratulation, the Directors could refer to none more encouraging
than the result of the imperfect experiment cn the probable traffic
on the line; for, in spite of every interruption of four miles of
mountain road, the transit over which was necessarily most tedious,
514 and the total absence of goods traffic from by far the greater
5% portion of the line, the Proprietors could not but recognise
- in the amount of weekly produce the certain indications of
- an ample eventual return. The statement of the goods and
passenger traffic then followed, by which it appeared that from
December, 1843, to June, 1845, the gross sum received by the
Company for the transmission of goods and passengers along their
- line amounted to over 52,1591.; and that the profit to the Corn.
- pany on the goods and passengers' traffic, for the half year ending
- June, 1845, amounted to 9,117/. The report then went on to
state, that the Board had equal reason to congratulate the Pro-
_
prietors upon the result of their Parliamentary proceedings of last
session; for of the seven Bills in the fate of which the Company
- were more or less interested, no fewer than five, all of them con.
- tributing to this line, had received the royal assent. Those Bills
were, the Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal, the
barred by lapse of time
from
wt that success which its supe-
riority over e
th ein
rival the
Housee
Huddersfield and Sheffield Junction, the Great Grimsby Railway,
group, was
One only, the Barnsley
Lordsp ias
the Great Grimsby Docks, the South Junction and Altrincham.
• A sixth, the Sheffield and Lincolnshire, from its unfortunate po-
sition
t in h
dnYs ofkeef
Junction, was unsuccessful, and the Directors had already taken
. steps to repair and improve the disaster. That the Bill for
:•• iori obtainingtLondonleasing the line to the Birmingham, Midland, and Manchester
alit Companies bad been withdrawn, in obedience to a vote of the
- Shareholders. That shares to the amount of 287,5001. had been
created, under the Ashton and Staley-bridge and South Junction
- and Altrincham Acts, for the completion of the railway works.
That, the Barnsley Junction Company had been amalgamated
- with this Company, on the terms of the original understanding,
- and scrip for this and other objects, amounting to 1,030,000/ , was
- in the course of being issued. That it was the intention of. the
Directors to solicit Acts, in the next session of Parliament,
- for several extensions. That a line from Dukinfield and Heyfield
- was required for the increasing population of that neighbourhood.
- That the minerals of the Barnsley district would be fully opened
by well-considered branches, to be concerted between this Company
and the landowners; but, as the proprietors of the Don Naviga-
tion had just come to the conclusion to form themselves, in
- conjunction with other interests, into a Canal and Rail-
- way Company, and had given the Directors to understand
4% that a formal invitation to participate -therein would be
3
shortly addressed to them, it was obvious that an exact specifica-
tion of branches would be at present premature, and that the de-
signs already entertained alight require modification. That inde-
pendent of the above the Board intended to prosecute with energy
the extensions via Barnsley to the eastward, and that arrangements
had been all but concluded with a powerful party at Hull, which
would not only give access to Goole in a manner at least equal to
that hitherto advertised, but place the Company in possession of a
far shorter road to the first-mentioned most important sea port of
the Humber. That a treaty for the amalgamation of their line
with the Sheffield and Lincolnshire and Great Grimsby Companies,
involving a further amalgamation with the Great Grimsby Dock
Company and the East Lincolnshire Company, had beers brought
to a successful termination. That it would become the duty of the
Directors within a short period to call the Shareholders together for
the consideration of the subject, and they would of course
avail themselves of the occasion to state the result of the negotia-
tions now pending, and to make a final settlement of
the branches. In the meantime they had only to repeat their
firm conviction that the possession of friendly and independent
outlets if possible from sea to sea, was as essential as ever to their
prosperity. With the South Junction already in their hands, and
with access to the German Sea already within their reach, there
must arise in the public mind an increased confidence in the
stability of their affairs. And that so convinced were they of the
policy of amalgamation en fair and equitable terms, and upon a
basis of interest common to the three companies, that they had not
the smallest hesitation in recommending it for the adoption of the
Shareholders.
The Engineer's report was next read, from which it appears that
by the report of that officer, made in March last, he expressed his
conviction that the completion of 'he tunnel was likely to take
place in the following July; but he regretted to say that his anti-
cipations had not been realised ; that the difficulty of obtaining
men and keeping them at their work in such a situation as the
tunnel, was stated by the contractors to be the reason why
their proceedings had not been so vigorous as they had hoped;
but he was convinced that no exertions had been spared in order
to push on• the work, though great indueeMents had been held out
to the men ; but still, in such a work of unparalleled magnitude, it
would be quite impossible to speak with any degree of certainty
as to the time of completion. The total length of excavation yet
remaining to be removed was 80 lineal yards, and about 230 yards
to be lined with masonry. From the progress hitherto made with
the work, he was inclined to believe that this would be completed
in about eight weeks; after which about 800 yards of ballasting
would remain to be laid, which would be finished its about a month,
and that therefore the whole would be completed by the end of the
year. He concluded by stating that the work had been exceed-
ingly well and substantially executed, but regretted that the un-
fortunate accident which happened to one of the viaducts on the
Ashton branch, as well as the difficulty of obtaining the land, had
prevented its being completed ; but every arrangement had since
been made, and the viaduct had been rebuilt.
A general abstract of the receipts and expenditure of the Com-
pany since its formation in 1836 to June, 1845, was laid upon the
table, and by the statements it contained it appeared that the
amount of the sum received for deposit was 430,6951., that the
sum received for re.issued shares amounted to 133,3101. 19s. Bd.,
the loan account to 446,6711., the traffic receipts to 86,6901, and
-3, the gross account, including minor items, to 1,313,2251. On the
71 debit side of the account there appeared an item for law charges to
the amount of 1,195,7011., stock 54,2301., traffic department,
34,5811, to the Manchester and Birmingham Company, including
tolls, :cc., 21,311 L; and leaving a balance to the credit of the
Company, to the amount of 45,3981.
The CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting at very great length, upon
the general state of the affairs of the Company, and dwelt upon the
fact of their having obtained last session five Bills out of seven, as a
most important and cheering feature in their favour. He went over
in review, and with great minuteness, the position and peculiarities
of each of the Company's proposed branches. He said he conceived FIRE AT HOXTON AND NARROW ESCAPE OF
that the Directors were warranted in opening to the public as SEVERAL PERSONS.--This morning (Thursday) an alarming fire broke
much of the line as had been completed, even though it was not out, shortly before one o'clock, upon the premises belonging to Mr.
expected to pay. He was aware that their arrrangements for the Crafter, chemist and druggist, at No. 171, High-street, Hoxton Old
Town. The inmates, consisting of several persons, being in their
conveyance of passengers along the line were very incomplete, beds at the time, it was apprehended that some of them would have
and often gave rise to complaints ; but he had reason to believe fallen victims to the fire. They having, however, been aroused, the
their subsequent arrangements had been found more satisfactory, whole of them made their escape out of a window upon the small
He admitted that laying the account of the receipts and expendi- pent-house over the shop, where they were forced to remain for some
ture before the Company as it appeared today was rather a clumsy time, until police-constable 236 N could procure a ladder. That hay-
mode of doing it, but they could adopt no other course while the
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ea cfic
ro
ni s hs ee dt ,
to thew
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entire line was open. With regard to the Lincolnshire line, he but' not before' the whole of the valuable stock in trade was nearly
had every hope, from the favour their other project had met with, consumed. The origin of the fire could not be learned. The smoke
that it would pass next session ; for it would only require to be was at one period of such an overpowering nature that it entered the
reproduced in the House of Lords, having passed the Commons. adjoining house and suffocated seine fancy birds. The sufferer la
Witb regard to their joiction with the Great Grimsby Coot. iueured in the Pficeuiz office.

THE LATE EXPLOSION AT
WOOLWICH.

Sm,—Perhaps you will admit the inclosed a space in your
widely circulating and valuable paper. It may, by your
remarks, draw some attention, and prevent, in future, such
fatal results.

The recent and awful explosion, attended with fearful loss
of life, at Woolwich, last week, has made a deep impression
on the inhabitants, and has called forth both regret and
astonishment in all, that such a system of extracting a ma-
terial so destructive as percussion powder from fusees by
means of steel chisel, should in these days of enlightened science
and superior chemical knowledge be for a moment allowed.
Without wishing to call in question the superior skill and
practical knowledge, of the talented officers who have the
direction of that department, I must, to say the least, con-
sider that great want of the necessary precaution on the part
of those whose immediate duty it was to superintend such
dangerous and inflammable work, was evident. The most
simple-minded tyro of the establishment well knows the
danger and the effect of steel and gunpowder when opposed
to each other. I trust this sad warning will have its due
weight, and induce those who have charge of such deadly
stores to be more cautious, and employ for the future safer,
and much more simple, means for those operations. Such as
soaking the fusees, &c., in water for 24 or 48 hours, would
prevent any accident from explosion, and secure all employed
from danger. The doors also of all the rooms where these
operations are carried on should be made to open outwards.
Trusting these remarks may be taken kindly, as they are in-
tended friendly, by PRECAUTION.
Woolwich, Sept. 22.

KENDAL, WRDNESDAY.—The first general meeting of the Pro-
prietors was held at the Company's offices, in the Market-place,
Kendal, yesterday. The meeting was numerously attended. Mr.
Ed. Wilson, of Abbot Hall, occupied the chair.
Mr. THOS. HARRISON, the solicitor, in the absence of the secre-
tary, read the report, which appeared to be highly satisfactory.
It stated that the Act of incorporation had been obtained without
opposition, and at a cost much below that of other companies. In
anticipatation of the advance of iron, a contract had been entered
into in the month of January last, for the purchase of all the rails
and chairs, at priced 30 per cent. below those of the present day.
The engagement with Messrs. Brassey and Co. was also stated to
have been made on the most reasonable and satisfactory
terms, and there was every prospect that the line would be
completed within the estimate. Mr. Errington had re-
signed his place as engineer, in consequence of a connexion he had
formed with the Ulverstone and Milnthorpe Company, and his
place had been filled by Mr. John Harris. The Directors had ob •
tained possession of about one-third of the line, and the contractors
were actively engaged on the works on that portion of the line.
The report then went on to congratulate the Proprietors on the
fact that a Company was about to be originated for constructing a
line from Cockermouth, by way of Keswick and Ambleside, to
Windermere, by which the chain of communication would be
completed through the Lake district, to several thriving ports on
the west coast, and the coal fields of West Cumberland. With
regard to the deviation line, by means of which the terminus would
be brought nearer to the town of Kendal, the cost had been corn.
puted at the very lowest estimate to be 25,0001., and the Directors
felt anxious to put the decision of the question to the Shareholders
in a body, rather than take the responsibility of determining upon
it themselves.
On the motion that the report be read,

Mr. NICHOLSON (Cowan Head) congratulated the meeting on
the cheering prospect that was before them. The whole of the pre-
liminary expenses up to the half year did not exceed two per cent.
of the capital. It was known, he continued, that the plant of the
Lancaster and Carlisle Railway had been let to the Grand Junction,
and it was felt desirable that the Windermere should be also let to
the same Company. Ile had been commissioned to see the Chair-
man of the Grand Junction on the subject, and had been instructed
by him to say that the Company were willing to undertake the line.
Thus the principle was agreed upon, and the only thing to be fixed
was the terms.

Mr. John Gandy and Mr. C.lNicholson were appointed Chairman
and Deputy-Chairman of the Company.
The sum of 4001. was set apart, after some discussion, for the
remuneration of the Directors for the ensuing year, those gentle-
men, it was stated, having, up to the present time, given their ser-
vices gratuitously.
_ _

Mr. G. B. Crewdson and John Steele were appointed auditors,
each to receive 121., and the accounts to be audited monthly.
Mr. Thomas Hudson was appointed secretary, at a salary
of 2501.

A long conversation took place on the subject of the alteration
which was intended to bring the station nearer to Kendal.
Mr. NiciroLsom said that the expense, at the very lowest esti-
mate, would be 25,0001., and the alteration would cause a delay
of a year, while the station would be only a quarter of a mile
nearer. He moved that the Parliamentary line be proceeded with.
Messrs. J. Whitwell. J. H. Wilson, and W. Whitwell, spoke
in favour of the deviation, and felt confident that the increased
passenger traffic, and small parcel traffic, would soon repay the
outlay.

On the putting of the question to a division, there were seven
for the Parliamentary line, and six for the deviation.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE, WITH LOSS OF TWO LIVES.
See'. 24.—About two o'clock on Tuesday morning this town
was thrown into the greatest consternation, by the alarm of a house
being on fire on Sun.hilL On arriving on the spot we found the
Horse and Groom public-house in a blaze ; the landlord (J. Keats),
his wife, and five children had escaped in their night clothes, as
had Mr. Jones, firework-manufacturer, and his wife and son. Two
others of Keats' children, a girl, aged 13 years, and a boy, 8 years,
were still in their bed-room on the second floor. The fire com-
menced In Jones's room, on the first floor. On awakening he
states that he found the bed.curtains on fire; he got up, and as.
sisted his wife out of the room, then all in flames, giving an alarm
to the rest of the inmates, some of whom escaped down stairs, the
others out of the back bed-roam window. On going to bed Jones
says he left a rushlight burning on the table, the window slightly
open, the wind was then to the westward, it changed to the not th
in the night, which it is supposed blowed the curtain against the
light. Jones had, it appears, twelve skyrockets, a case of blue lights,
and a box of Roman candles in his bed-room, which exploded soon
after he left it.
There was a quarter of an hour's delay before the first engine
was brought into play on the flames, and soon after the second ar.
rived lines were formed to the different pumps and wells in the
neighbourhood by about 200 men, and it was quite wonderful to
see the quantity of buckets they were supplied with, seeing there
were but twelve belonging to the two engines. Assistance and
water flowed from all quarters, and the fire was confined to the
house it commenced in, with the exception of the roof of the ad-
joining one being damaged by the flames running under it- In
many instances here there is not a party-wall to the ridge in half a
dozen houses. All attempts to save the unfortunates on the
second floor were useless in the house, the staircases being the first
parts devoured by the raging element, and no ladder could be found
long enough to reach the windows of the room for a long time.
When one was obtained, and an entry made, Sarah was found near
the window, the upper sash of which she had partly pulled
down, but being overcome by the smoke, died from suffocation.
Richard was afterwards found wrapped up in a blanket, under the
bed, where he had crawled, but, like his sister, died from suffo-
cation. The dreadful deaths of these two unfortunate young people
has caused a great sensation, and will, we have no doubt, cause
considerable additions to be made to the equipment of the fire es-
tablishment, as too much has always been left to the known daring
of the seamen of the port; they have always got every fire under
before it extended beyond the premises on which it broke out, and
often saved even them; the fires have been attacked and mas.
tered before they have got any very great hold, nor till now has
there been a life lost. Jones had thirty-two sovereigns and some
silver in his box ; the box was burnt, but the money recovered.
Keats had, in some drawers in his room, which joined Janes's,
3001. in notes, and some deeds : although the fronts of the drawers
were burnt nearly through, the notes and writings were not injured.
His furniture was not insured; the house, which belongs to Mr.
Eames, was, in the Norwich Union—but, some say, the fireworks
being in it will vitiate the insurance. They did not cause the fire;
they were not placed there by Mr. Eames, nor by his tenant, but by
a lodger. Public-houses pay a higher rate of insurance for extra
risk; but, if they are to be damaged, and not be able to recover
their insurance, in consequence of something a casual guest may
have in his box, they are placed in rather an awkward situation.
The house was surrounded by extensive stabling, all wooden
buildings. Had the fire extended to them, they would, in all pro-
bability, have carried the fire to numerous other buildings, and half
the town might have been destroyed.