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

_ standing orders ; the works on the line, he adds, are light,
"" stsr k the gradients good.
( ''N'f
ABANDONED.—Among
t the railway corn-
-•' #4 11;i-c''1F:
have notified the absolute or temporary aban-
&ft of their undertaking are the following:—Direct
77' 7.7 Wand Manchester, rid Bedford, Railway Company ; the
/L..; _• rtqldge, Dudley, and Birmingham Railway Company;
=shury and Dorchester Railway Company, and the
11# and Newton Abbot Railway Company.— The Share-

FOs TD
DAY.—An
LINES.A n
)141317R011,* WgnSeC- etraordinary general
_eeling of the shareholders of the Caledonian Company was
held within Gibbs'e Royal Hotel, Edinburgh, this day, Mr.
J. J. Hope Johnstone, M.P., in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said, ftom the
nature of the country in which some of the heaviest works
of the Caledonian occur, considerable time has necessarily
been required in order to provide accommodation for the
workmen, but for some weeks past 2,500 men have been
employed, and at an early period a large additionwill
be made to this number. The Directors have also
been
much engaged in effecting settlements with the landowners
along the line. They have accomplished this in a great
many cases, and they feel justified in stating that they
sea no reason to anticipate any difficulty in bringing the
whole of these negotiations to a conclusion, or to fear that
the works will not be finished within the time originally an-
nounced.—(Applause.) The Directors have been, and still
are, engaged in negotiations with other companies; and they
have hopes of bringing most, if not the whole of these, to a
satisfactory issue.—(Cheers.) You have heard of the union
which has just taken place between the London and Bir-
mingham and Grand Junction Companies, and know that
now, substantially, the whole line from London to Carlisle
will be under one powerful body.—(Applause.) The Cale-
donian Company have hitherto been always cordially sup-
ported by the Grand Junction Company. With a view to a
still more intimateconnexion, I am happy to announce that an
arrangement has been made, by which, as soon as pos-
sible, an honourable friend, of high standing, now a director
in these united Companies, will take his place as one of the
Directors at the Caledonian Board. As a general principle, I
feel that the progress of railway enterprise has been too rapid.
I Hear, hear.) But good may come out of seeming evil ; and
I shall not regret it if the result shall be to induce Govern-
ment to take a comprehensive view of the whole railway
question, and lay down some sound principles to guide our
railway legislation in future.—(Applause.) Meanwhile, with
every one moving around us, we cannot stand still. We
have given the best consideration in our power to various
proposals that were submitted to us, and the result is that
we have come to the conclusion that the schemes which we
now bring before you wilt materially tend to the advantage
of this Company. •
The SECRETARY then read the following report :—" The
time having arrived when it becomes necessary to make
preparations for bringing before Parliament, in the ensuing
session, such additional works or projects as the company
may think expedient, the directors called the present meet-
ing for the purpose of determining upon them as notified ;
and with that view, they beg leave to offer such an ex-
planation of each object as appears necessary to its being
sufficiently understood. With respect to the first two, the
acquisition of the Garnkirk Railway and the Clydesdale
.Junction Railway, these lines have been always regarded
as :the best modes of access of this railway to Glasgow,
the former on the north and the latter on the south
side of the river Clyde,. which divides that city, and
also as the means of connecting the Caledonian Rail-
way with the projected Dumbartonshire and West High-
land lines, and with the various existing and projects('
railways in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire; and the direc-
tors feel assured that the terms upon which they have
been acquired, and which are detailed in the agreements
now laid before the meeting, are such as will be profitable
to the Company, even although they were viewed merely as
separate investments, without reference to their utility as
essential communications for the through traffic of this rail-
way. The objects embraced under the third head are—
I. A deviation of the main line at Carlisle. This is for the
purpose of reaching a joint station, which has been fixed
upon by the Lancaster and Carlisle Company and the
Newcastle and Carlisle Company, as being in a very
superior situation to that which was originally con-
templated. 2. Branches Irons Dumfries to the main
line northwards and southwards, with a subsidiary
branch to the port of Annan. These were suggested
by the Committee of the house of Commons last session
as necessary portions of the Caledonian system. 3. A
branch from the main line to Langhohn, which would
have a considerable traffic in minerals. 4. Branches from
the Edinburgh branch to Granton and Leith, and to
Queensferry and the Union Canal. The importance of the
two former branches, for communication with the shipping
of the Forth, is obvious, but if satisfactory arrangements
could be made, that communication might be sufficiently
attained by means of a junction with the Edinburgh and
Glasgow Railway, and thereby with the existing Leith and
Granton Railway. The branch' to Queensferry will supply an
advantageous connexion with the Edinburgh and Perth
Railway. The branch to the Union Canal will be only about
200 yarde in length, and is expected to command a consider-
able traffic. 5,6, and 7. Branches from, and improve-
ments upon, the Pollox and Govan Railway. One of these
branches is intended to lead, by means of a bridge across
the Clyde, to ' the principal passenger station in the centre
of Glasgow, which will be one of the best in the kingdom in
every respect. The others are intended to improve the
connexions with the harbour, and with the other railways
o,i the south side of Glasgow, and to afford to those rail-
ways an access to the passenger station above referred to.
8. A branch from the Castlecarry branch of this railway to
the Garnkirk Railway, to shortern the distance to Glasgow
for the northern traffic. 9. Branches from the Clydesdale
Junction Railway to the Garnkirk Railway, near Dundyvan
and Cuatbridge, which will have a very large mineral and
passenger traffic. 10. A branch from the Garnkirk Railway
to Airdrie, which will also have a great traffic. 11. Such sta-
tions as may be found necessary in connexion with the
various branches. These are all the objects which the Di-
rectors consider it necessary at present to recommend for the
approval of the meeting ; in order to bring the Caledonian
Railway into full operation, it has been computed that the
capital which their completion will render necessary is about
1,275.000/. That sum the Directors propose to raise by
creating one new share of 25/. for each original share of 501.
of the consolidated Caledonian and Clydesdale Junction Rail-
way Companies, and to allot the new shares among the share-
holders of the two Companies, in proportion to the original
shares held by them respectively, and to issue scrip for the
same on a deposit of ten per cent. being paid, and the Parlia-
mentary contract being signed."
Mr. P. M. STEWART, M.P., in moving the adoption of
the report, said—Notwithstanding the magnitude of the
plan, which, in my view, always appeared as the first of our
great national lines from England to Scotland, I never met
(notwithstanding the various duties which devolved on the
Board) with a more satisfactory report from those to whom
such duties were entrusted, than I do on the present occasion.
—(Applause.) It gives me pleasure to refer to one point
mentioned in the report, and that is the proposed branch to
Dumfries. When the original Bill was before Parliament, the
Committee regretted that they could not sanction the whole
of the Caledonian scheme then submitted to them, being,
obliged to reject the branch to Dumfries. They said, on in-
specting it—l thought they said with truth—that there had
been some haste in projecting the branch from the main
line to Dumfries ; but it was suggested by the Committee
that, to complete the scheme then before them, and which
met with their sanction' there should be branches, as now
projected by my friends Mr. Locke and Mr. Errington,
from the south, corning from Carlisle to Dumfries,
and to the north, in going to Dumfries, thus completing
the plan prospectively sanctioned by the Committee. There-
fore, I feel that we have a claim, and I have no doubt that
we shall succeed in our application, and get that most im-
portant part of our scheme completed in next session.
With regard to the operation of this great line in the neigh-
bourhood of Glasgow, I do think we should be satisfied
with the report now read, for I know the struggle going on
there, from the competing interests of the different rail-
ways. I know also the great wealth and influence, and
the importance of that district to every line, but in par-
ticular to a great leading line like the Caledonian. Our
Directors have acted wisely iu securing the points of com-
munication of which they have now become possessed in the
neighbourhood of Glasgow, in getting under their control
the Garnkirk Railway to ie north of the river, and the
Clydesdale Junction to the south of the river. I ant like-
wise certain that at our next meeting we shall have an
earnest of the sagacity with which these great points were
grappled with and settled; although there may exist in the
minds of some of the shareholders a desire to ask why so
much money should be laid out in acquiring them. But let
them wait and see to what purposes these additions to our
estimates are to be applied, and I am quite certain they will
tied cause to be satisfied with this part of the report.—(Ap-
planes.) There is one point mentioned by our Chairman
also upon which I beg to congratulate the Company; and
that is, that by means of the Caledonian line coming direct
from the heart and centre of England, and from the railway
wealth and power of the neighbouring country, we shall reap
the benefit of these companies identifying themselves with
our line's in this part of the country. We Cave already in the
state of things which now exist—by their holding of stock—
we have already an earnest of their intentions to this end.
Our Chairman has alluded to ether steps which they mean
to take to Weedily themselves with us; and I do say that
not only to the Caleclenian line, but to the Scottish interests
In general, it is a subject of great congratulation that this is
one of the many fruity of the improved communication
which has introduced English capital and the energy of Eng-
lish minds in promoting the national and commercial interests
of our country.--(hear, hear.) I will not trespass longer
upon your time on this occasion, except to say, that I feel
much gratified in being permitted to move the adoption of the
export.—( Hear, )
Mr. CAMP:SELL of illythawood seconded the adoption of
the report.
Mr. WILSON wished to know whether there have been
surveys made of these various lines ; whether there have
been any estimates made of their cost ; and whether any idea
had been formed of the probable traffic?
The CLIAIIINIAN, in answer, said—The lines have been ac-
curately surveyed ; by the end of the month the plans will
be quite ready to be lodged in the proper quarter; and I hold
in my hand a detail of the estimated cost. The Parliamentary
estirmatee are of course not vet made out, and cannot be,
until the different sections are completed ; it is, therefore,
only an approximating estimate; but, it is well known that
the accuracy of Mr. Locke is remarkable, and that his esti-
mates are rarely, if ever, exceeded. I have also to state that
traffic tables are in progress of preparation, and, looking to
the intercourse which exists between the different points to
which the branches lead, I have no doubt that we shall be
able to present tables that shall be quite satisfactory to all
the shareholders. Of course, if the directors shall find upon
further investigation that any of the lines are not likely to
pay, they will not go on with them ; and I hope the share-
holders will have that confidence in the directors as to be-
lieve that they will run into no expense which they really
think will not be justified.—(Hear, hear.)
The report was then unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of a series of
resolutions, authorising the directors to proceed with the
undertaking, which were also carried unanimously.-
Oa the motion of COlonel Mdatearee, of Powderhall,
seconded by Mr. MacoNocing, of 3leadowhank, the thanks
of the meeting were unanimously tendered to the chairman
and directors, for their great and successful exertions in pro-
moting the interests of the company.

~v~~~~

STANDING ORDERS FOR THE THIRTIETH.
(From the Irish Railway Gazette.)
The time is now at baud when the various projected com-
panies must commence complying with standing orders, awl
it is needless for us to warn the promoters that no mercy will
be shown in the ensuing session to any company that has not
strictly, and to the letter, complied with standing orders.
We shall briefly notice the principal standing orders which
must be complied with on or before the 30th inst. •
In the first place, the fifteenth standing order of the Com.
mons requires the publication of the Parliamentary notices
for three successive weeks, in October or November, in the
London, Edinburgh, or Dublin Gazette, as the case may be,
and also in some one and the same newspaper of all counties,
towns, &c., through which the proposed railway runs. The
notices must be delivered to the Gazettes three days before
the day of publication.
In the second place, the twenty-third standing order en-
joins that on or before the 30th of November, immediately
preceding the session of Parliament in which application for
the Bill shall be made, a plan, and also a duplicate of such