The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-27 00:00:00

Til

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since ; and that as Mr. Henderson had only arrived
last night, it was impossible for him to pre-
pare a pedect report of their position at the
present moment. But there was one circumstance
which he would put the meeting in possession of—
namely, that that report contained many facts to show
that they were in a prosperous condition. He attached
much importance to the opinion of their engineer, Mr.
Henderson, with respect to the mineral features of the
country through which their line was to pass, from that
gentleman's long experience of the mines in South Wales.
He would not detain them any longer from hearing that
report.
The SECRETARY here read the engineer's report, which
stated that he (Mr. Henderson) had made a careful
survey of the line from Charleroi to Walcourt over the
first section of which he had passed, and was confirmed
in the opinion he had previously expressed as to its ex-
cellence, and in fact, that it was the best line that could
possibly be adopted. He also felt bound to bear testi-
mony to the richness of the mineral districts of.Laniffe
and Moriolme, and that no engineering difficulties were
to be encountered in that portion of the line
which extended from Marembourg to Vireux.
The coal districts of Charleroi would be also
worked to a considerable extent, were only a quicker
mode of transit afforded, and this the proposed railway
would yield. The report then went on to speak of the
other portions of the line, in their mineral and engineer-
ing attributes, and awarded a very high degree of ex-
cellence to them in thsse as well as other points.
The CHAIRMAN said that, reverting to the report
they had just heard, it would be evident to them that
the greate t difficulties with which they had to contend
had been surmounted ; and they also had a sufficient
sum to carry on the work, without any further
demon!. He had to acknowledge, on the part
of the Directors, the willingness and alacrity
with which the Proprietors had responded to the calls
that had been made on them. The instances to the con-
trary were very few, and these were cases which were
owing to the absence of the parties from this country.
They ss ere now in a flattering condition. Their liabili-
ties were limited to the sum which they had subscribed,
and the statutes by which this most desirable point
had been guaranteed were drawn up with a just con
sideration of the interests of all the parties con-
cerned.—(Hear, hear.) There was one point of
these statutes to which he wished to direct their
attention, namely, with respect to the qualification
necessary for those attending them. The Bel-
gi in Government was very firm in restricting
the right to interfere in the proceedings to those who
were registered Proprietors. But they were not inclined
to adhere to this regulation. The delay that had oc-
curred was amply compensated for by the opportunities
it had afforded them of improving their line
of railway. At first their line had reference
almost entirely to the mineral traffic, and consequently
there would be necessarily induced a slower rate of speed
than that which would be achieved by the passenger
trains. He had no doubt that there would be before
long a company established for the purpose of making
a railway from Charleroi to Paris, and the French and
Belgian Governments were both anxious that this should
take place; and, should such be established, it must be
obvious that the greatest benefits would accrue to them.
He had also to allude to a circumstance that was extremely
cheering—that was, that an increase had t;ken place in
the district through which their line was to pass ; and
this, from inquiry, was found to be no less than 80,000
tons of iron. Their railway would effect a diminu-
tion in the cost of this most essential commodity, and
therefore generate an increase in the quantity which
would be conveyed along the line. They would com-
plete their line from Moriolme and Walcourt in a short
time ; and from what he had just stated with respect to
the traffic, they were determined to make a double
railway for the first sixteen miles of their
line. He had himself been frequently in Belgium
for the purpose of inspecting the roads, and they
were certainly very good. However, that which
led from Belgium to Charleroi was not by any means suf-
ficiently convenient, notwithstanding that a considerable
traffic in iron was carried on, which, as in the other cases
to which he alluded, would no doubt be greatly increased
by the proposed railway. Having gone through the
principal features, he would conclude by proposing that
the report now read be received, adopted, printed, and
circulated under the direction of the committee,
premising that he was ready to answer any questions
that might be put to him, and that a meeting would
have to be held at the seat of the Company in Brussels,
which should be duly announced in the Belgian papers.
A PROPRIETOR here inquired as to what had occurred
in the interval between the drawing up of the report and
the present period.
The CHAIRMAN said the only thing that had taken
place was the sanctioning of their line as far as Walcourt.
The resolution having been seconded, was carried
unanimously.
The thanks of the meeting were given to the Chair-
man and the Board of Directors, and acknowledged by
,he Chairman.
The meeting then separated.