Star.
London, England, 1825-07-08 00:00:00

. The Committee appointed to conduct the S.ntth London Dock
:BillThrough Parliament, have to Report to the Subscribers, that
`the 13111 received the Royal Assent on the 10th instant.
In making this communication, the Committee beg to express
the gratification they feel at such a termination of their labours, and
to offer their congratulations on a measure which promises solid
and bidisputahle advantages both to the Subscribers and to the
Public.-1 he formation of Wet Docks on the South side of the
River Thames, with legal Quays capable of affording the facilities
and advantages which the increasing commerce of this country
demands, is a project net of the present day: for it was suggested
and fully considered so lung since as the year 1815, and would at
that time have been catried into effect, but for the exclusive pri-
vileges then possessed by the West India, East India, and London
Dock Companies.
The monopolies conferred on those Companies having expired,
or being on the point of expiring, it was resolved to proceed in this
undertaking, and a Petition seas presented on the Yid March,
1 8114,t0 the House of Commons, for leave to bring in a Dill, which
was brought in accordingly, and referred to a Committee appointed
by the House, before whom it was opposed by many interested
parties, so as to prevent its passing in that Session. In order to
avoid an unavailing expense, the Bill was then withdrawn ; but
the Committee of the House of Commons thought ht, in a Special
Report made to the House, to declare themselves strongly im-
pressed with the important benefits that would result, should the
sanction of Parliament be given to the construction of the South
London Ducks.

The Committee, in reference to these circumstances, reported to
the Subscribers their conviction, that the measure would be car-
ried in the following Session, which opinion the result has con-
armed; and, notwithstanding that on their second tapplication to
Parliament they again encountered opposition from the same
parties, the Bill was carried without a division in the Committee,
or in either Douse of Parliament. To this fact the Committee ap-
peal, as proving is:controvertibly, in conformity with the Special
Report of the Committee of the House of Commons of the re-
ceding Session, the judgment of the Legislature on the great advan-'
taxes that will arise from this undertaking.
In respect to Public Advantage, it is only necessary for the'
Committee to refer to the express declaration of the Act, " that
the Docks will be highly beneficial to the Public, and to the Port
and Commerce of London."

On the advantages to the Subscribers, the Committee trust they
may be permitted more particularly to observe—
'they regard it as not one of the least important privileges se-
cured by the Act, that the South London Duck Company is esta-
blished as a Corporate Body, with perpetual succession, and a
Common Seal, so that the responsibility of every Subscriber is
limited to the amount of his subscription; and this responsibility
(upon payment of the instalments previously called for) will cease
whenever he may choose to dispose of and register a transfer of
his Shares. •

The Act directs that the Subscribers shall be paid interest after
the rate of Four per Cent. per Annum, on the Sth of October, and
eke Sth of April iti each Year, until the Docks shall be completed
for the reception of ships and goods.
St. Saviour's Dock being included in the plan of the New Docks,
part of the surrounding ground being already excavated, and large
mid substantial warehouses, capable of containing about 80,000 tons
of goods, being already built, it is fully expected that the South
London Docks will be brought into operation within eighteen
months from the commencement of the works.

Another importat.t consideration fur the subscribers, is the
amount of profit which may reasonably be calculated upon, and
Which must determine the eligibility of this concern as an invest-
ment of capital; and here, looking to the increasing trade of the
Port of London, and to that proportion of it which these Docks
may confidently expect to obtain in competition with other esta-
blishments, the Committee feel that they rest on the strongest possi-
ble grounds in anticipating a fair rate of profit.
The official documents laid before Parliament prove that the
trade of the Port of London has, since the formation of the Lon-
don Docks, increased to an immense extent, viz.
In the year 1794, the tonnage of ships entering the Tons.
Port of London, was • 1,458,315
Anil in 1824, it amounted to 3,170,188
The principles of free trade adopted by Government, particu-
larly with reference to India and the rising and independent States
of South America, bold out every promise of a further increase of
shipping and trade to the Port of London.
The share of the employment resulting from this extensive and
grawnig.Continerceeehich the South London Dock Company may
reasonably expect, is a comparative question ; in treating of which'
the Committee distinctly disclaim any intention of adverting to
other Companies further than may be necessary to decide that
question.
The monopoly possessed by the West India Dock Company has
ceased. in the year 18*6 that of the London Dock Company will
tease, and aboet the year 1827, the exclusive privileges enjoyed by
the Bast India Dock Company will also cease.
The relative advantages of the South London Docks, compared
with other Docks, must therefore depend on their situation, on their
Expense, on their mode of transacting business, on the amount of
their charges, and on other considerations of a like nature.
The. South London Docks are to be viewed with reference to the
Itiver and their other localities. The River is deeper un the South
than on the North side, and this advantage is greatly increased by a
most important power given to the Company in the Act, viz. that
of embanking the River to the extent of one hundred and twenty
feet from the present embankment. This circumstance, whilst it
will improve the navigation, will give to these Docks (in addition
to Wet Dock accommodation) a frontage to the River of about
one thousand two hundred feet. To those who are acquainted with
Or Italie of water-side premises, it is unnecessary to point out the
inestionable advantages of such an extensive and uninterrupted
frontage, not possessed by any other Docks. The entrances to the
South London Docks will not be intercepted by any public way or
passage, for the River and Dock walls will wholly enclose the pre-
rnismz•wan additions( advantage not enjoyed by any other Dock.-
Widb regard to the other localities, the Committee need hardly ad-
vert to the great population on the South side of the River, to the
extensive and numerous manufactories and trades in that immediate
vicinity, or to the great extent of country receiving from thence its
supply of goods : all which circumstances combined must ensure
to the Docks *Oa and active employment.
The relative distances of the different Wet Docks with legal
Quays, from the centre of London Bridge, are as follows;
Niles. Furl. Yds.
South London Docks . . . 0 .5 195
St. Katharine's • • • • 0 7 183
London . . . . . . 1 9 89

West India

. . 3 1 163

East India

- _
The extrat aad comparative expense of the London Docks, and
of the proposed St. Kathasiut's aad South Loudon Dock+ in the
immediate vicinity of London, are nutters of considerable ira-
ipartaacel Acres.
The London Docks contain about . 10 Capital "090,008
The ht. Yathesines. . . . 93 Ettintaur 1.350,000
The South London . . . 26 Ditto 750,000

The Committee deem it unnecessary to make any comment on a
'statement so advantageous to the subscribers and to the public; but
useeelv add that the experience of twenty years is the coast:v(64o
and agrootemeot of Docks must tend to economy' of eapenseand
to a reduction of charges.
Finally, whether public or private advantage be regarded,—whe-
ther the increased and foci easing trade of the Port of London, or
thesuperior wilvastageo of the South London Docks be adverted to,
and Nebular OA saperierity be viewed with reference to local
situation, to the reLitive amount of capital to be sunk, to the facility
and dispatch of business, or to the reduction of charges to the
Aetchant and Ship-owner,--ou all or any of these points the Com-
mattes are *tilted is anticipating the mar favourable results from
the Act of Parliament which is the stsbiect of this repute. They