The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-09-11 00:00:00

SHEFFIELD, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.
REPORT

Of the Directors to the Shareholders in the above underi
Cutlers' Hall, in Sheffield, on thi
JOHN PARKER, Esc
SINCE they had last the pleasure to meet the proprietary,
the directors have entered into contracts, on very fa-
vourable terms, for the execution of the whole of the re-
maining part of the 104 miles of the line of this railway from
Manchester to Glossop, with the exception of the Etherow
Viaduct, a length of only 176 yards, for which the plans,

sections; and estimates are, now prepared. The works•of

these contracts, and the shafts and drihways of the Summit
Tunnel, are steadily proceeding in a satisfactory manner, as
will be explained more fully in the report of the resident
engineer. It is scarcely necessary to remind the sharehol
ders that when this 101 miles of railway—opening the traffic
with the densely-populated and rich manufacturing neigh-
bourhoods of Hooley Hill, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge,
Duckinfield, Newton, Hyde, Godley, Broadbottom' Mot-
tram, and Glossop—is completed, which it may be within
the year 1841, if the requisite funds be supplied, an income
may be safely calculated upon that will realize a rate of pro-
fit upon the expenditure equal if not superior to any line of
railway yet made, even without taking into account the Shef-
field traffic, a considerable portion of which would no doubt
be brought upon it at Glossop.
The directors have to congratulate the shareholders upon
a saving, as compared with the original estimate, of about
£15,000, in that part of the line passing by Harewood Lodge,
the residence of Joe Sidebottam, Esq. For this important
saving the company is indebted to the liberality of that gen-
tleman, who has disinterestedly permitted the deviation from
the parliamentary line by which it is accomplished.
A difference of opinion with the majority of the directors
upon a subject of great importance, has led to the resignation
by Lord Wharncliffe of the office of Chairman of the Board,
a circumstance sincerely and deeply regretted by every mem-
ber of the direction. The directors have however the grati-
fication to believe that notwithstanding this unfortunate oc-
currence, his lordship still entertains those favourable senti-
ments towards this undertaking which originally obtained for
it his invaluable support.
Anxious to supply as far as was in their power this heavy
loss, the directors offered to Mr. John Parker, the highly
respected and influential member for the borough of Shef-
field, the vacant chair; and they are happy to say that he
has cordially accepted it, and promised his effective co-ope-
ration in carrying this important enterprise to a successful
issue.
The directors cannot omit the expression of their regret
that the calls are not more promptly paid. They still hope,
that improvement in the commercial affairs of the country,
combined with that increased confidence in this undertaking
to which its merits so fully entitle it, and the result of the
actions at law into which they have most reluctantly been
compelled, will in a short time materially diminish the pecu-
niary difficulties which at present retard their progress.
They would at the same time observe, that it is possible this
condition of their pecuniarx resources may induce a system
of economy in their expenditure eventually beneficial to the
shareholders, by preventing a large outlay in ornamental
works, which, while they may be considered " Monuments
of National Taste," contribute nothing to the return upon
capital, which is of course the primary object with those who
invest their money in railway projects.
To the Directors of the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and
Manchester Railway Company.
Gentlemen,—ln making a report to you of the position in
which the works now stand, I shall briefly describe the state
of the various contracts, which I think from the time they
have been in hand are progressing satisfactorily:
No. 1, or Ardwick Contract, has been taken by Messrs.
Buxton and Clarke, and extends from the Junction with the
Manchester and Birmingham Railway, to a distance of 31
miles therefrom. There is a very heavy embankment on this
part of the line, the whole of the material for which has to
be supplied from the cutting at the eastern side. As the
greater portion of the earthwork for this embankment has to
be carried through the Aqueduct at the Stockport Canal, it is
very important that this bridge should be carried on with
vigour, as it forms the key to this part of the work. The
foundations are now laid, and the bridge is expected to be
completed in about a month.
A considerable length of the retaining walls at the foot of
the slopes, of the Ardwick embankment, have been built,
and the contractors are busily engaged in brick making along
the line, for the various bridges and culverts.
The Spoil Cutting at " Trail Dogs" is also going on rapidly,
and a considerable number of men are employed upon this
portion of the works.

General Abstract of the Receipts and Expenditure of the S,
pang, from the Forman°
1840, June 30th. £ s• d.
To Cash received for the deposit 34,732 10 0
„ Amount on Ist call, £2 10 0 per share 13,830 0 0
/1 /I 2d call, 210 0 ~ 11,470 0 0
11 // 3d call, 50 0 ~ 18,720 0 0
ft 1/ 4th call, 5 0 0 ~ 14,820 0 0
1/ // sth call, 10 0 0 ~ 21,055 0 0
~ ~ Calls in advance 7,105 0 0
If /1 for Rents 6l 14 Oi
1/ I/ for Interest 2,605 1 9
21 71 Deductions and allowances.. 162 5 0

£124,561 10 9;

1840, July Ist.
To Balance at the Company's credit this day.X15,192 10 1

Moved by the Master Cutler : seconded by Mr. Samuel
Butcher, and carried unanimously :
That the report of the directors, and also that of the
resident engineer now read, be received and printed for dis-
tribution amonst the shareholders.
Moved by Mr. Edward Smith ; seconded by Mr. Edwin
Unwin, and carried unanimously :
That the accounts produced be passed and confirmed, and
be also printed and c►rculated amongst the shareholders.
Moved by Mr. William Tiredly ; seconded by Mr. Wm.
IT oyland, and carried unanimously :
That the thanks of this meeting be given to the directors,
for their continued exertions in carrying out the works, and
their attention to the interests of this undertaking.

raking, submitted to a General Meeting of Proprietors, at the
e thirty-first day of August, 1840.
L., M.P., IN THE CHAIR.
No. 2, or Newton Contract, extends from " Trail Dogs"
to Newton Green, and is in length about 3* miles. This
contract has been let to Messrs. Denton and Sergeant. A
great portion of the fence railing has been setup, and the
various cuttings and embankments have been commenced.
The most important work upon this contract is the bridge

over the River Tame, most of the foundations of which are

now in, and the remainder will be finished in a short time,
so that they will all he above the level of the ground before
winter sets in. The Iron Bridge over the Peak Forest Canal
is advancing favourably, and the beams for carrying the rails
are being cast, so that no time will be lost with this bridge,
over which a great part of the Tame Valley embankment will
have to be carried. The works from this point to the end of
the contract, are not of a heavy description, and are going on
well. The retaining walls west of the short tunnel at New-
ton Green are finished, and the face of the tunnel is ready to
be commenced.
No. 3, or Hattersley Contract, is in the hands of Mr.
Brassey, and the length is about 24 miles. Although not
much apparent progress has been made, owing to difficulties
in obtaining possession of the ground, still preparations to a
great extent have been entered into, and a great number of
bricks have been burnt ready for the various bridges and the
tunnel at Hattersley. The shafts for working this tunnel are
now commenced. Instead of building the six feet culvert in
the ravine at the east end of this contract, a driftway has
been commenced through the side of the hill, which will do
away with the great risk that would otherwise have been in-
curred in building a culvert under so high an embankment.
The arches and works extending from the end of this con-
tract, to the Broadbottom Bridge, have been lately let to Mr.
Brassey, who will lose no time in commencing them.
The bridge at Broadbottom is not yet contracted for, but
the plans and estimates are prepared. Ample time is left for
finishing this work as soon as the other portions of the line
already described.
No. 5, or Gamesley Contract, is let to Messrs. Miller and
Blackie, who have been at work upon it for some time. This
contract consists principally of earthwork, and has been pro-
ceeding rather slowly ; it will now, however, be pushed for-
ward more vigorously, so as to be completed at the same time
as the others, that the line may be opened from Manchester
to Glossop at as early a period as possible.
From the end of the Gamesley Contract to the Summit
Tunnel at Woodhead, no contracts have yet been let, as
sufficient time will be allowed for this length to be completed
at the same period as the tunnel. The same observation ap-
plies to the Sheffield end of the line.
I shall now proceed to describe the state of the works at
the Summit Tunnel, which is three miles in length, and will
require some time for its completion—what that time will be
it is almost impossible at present to estimate ; but when the
shafts are sunk, the material through which we shall have to
cut will be known.
The driftways at the western face have been carried to the
distance of about 230 yards, through very hard rock. It is,
however, anticipated, that a stratum of shale will be entered
upon, in which case the progress will be much more rapid
than at present. The summit of the ridge through which
the tunnel passes is about GOO feet above the level of the
railway, consequently the shafts will be of considerable depth.
These shafts, five in number, are all of them in progress,
and the engines and pumping apparatus complete to each.
A great quantity of water has been encountered in some of
the shafts, which has impeded their advancement; but side
drifts are now being made, so that the water may run off at
a lower level, and this will save ranch expense in pumping.
The open cutting at the east end has been excavated up to
the face of the tunnel, sufficiently wide for one line of rails,
and the driftways are completed for the distance of eighty
yards. These driftways and shafts have all been contracted
for at fixed prices.
The diversion of the river Dun has been completed, and
the bridge over the Etherow, which is crossed by the railway
at the western end of the tunnel, is under execution.
I have thus endeavoured to lay before you a statement of
the present position of the works, and, in conclusion, I beg
to assure you, that no exertions shall be spared to urge them
forward with vigour, and at the same time to insure their
stability. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant.
Manchester, August 29th, 1840. ALFRED S. JEE.
P. S.—Mr. Locke accompanied me over the line before I
wrote this report, and concurs with the views therein ex-
pressed. In consequence of an unavoidable engagement, it
will not be in his power to attend the general meeting of the
proprietors. A. S. J.

'heffield, Ashton-under-Lyre, and Manchester Railway Com-
m in 1836, to June, 1840.
1810, June 30th.
By law charges, including the
expences of obtaining the
act, viz. traffic taking, serving
notices on owners and occu-
piers of land, and expences
of witnesses and deputations
to London, parliamentary
ageNcy, counsel's fees, print-
ing, &c 11959 6
„ Engineering and surveying,
including engineers' attend-
ances in parliament, engrav-
ing maps, plans, &c., for the
use of parliament, the board
of directors, surveyors, en-
gineers, &c., and plans to
deposit to December, 1839 14708 2 8
Ditto to June, 1840 320 0 0

X. s. d

15028 2 8

By land and compensation to
December, 1839
„ Ditto to June, 1840 28124 19 3

38672 6 0
„ Works to December, 1839.. 11082 8 1
„ Ditto to June, 1840 12067 18 71-
23150 6 8}
„ Salaries to December, 1839 2070 19 8
„ Ditto to June, 1840 3lB 13 4

„ Direction to December, 1839 3924 0 0
„ Ditto to June, 1840........ 864 0 0

2389 13 0

4788 0 0

„ Expences of Direction to De-
cember, 1839, including tra-
velling expences and attend-
ing meetings 1251 12 31
„ Ditto to June, 1840 313 17 11

1565 10
„ Secretary's travelling ex-
pellees to December, 1839 142 15 10
„ Ditto to June, 1840 lO 7 6

- 153 3 4

„ Expences of deputations to
December, 1839
„ Expences of juries to Decem-
ber, 1839
„ Ditto to June, 1840 ..

2239 16 3
„ Advertising to Dec., 1839.. 1328 0 1
„ Ditto to June, 1840. 289 13 0

1617 13 1
„ Printing and Stationery to
„ December, 1839
Ditto to June, 1840 73 0 5

„ OfficeExpencestoDec. 1839 815 15 1i 491 13 10
„ Ditto to June, 1840 93 11 10

„ Bank commission and post-
ages to December, 1839 .. 52 7 5
„ Ditto to June, 1840..

„ Petty Charges to Dec. 1839 138 5 104 111 2 1
„ Ditto to June, 1840..

- 175 10 8
„ Calls on shares held for pro-
proprietors, to Dec. 1839.. 1815 0 0
„ Ditto, ditto, to June, 1840.. 1815 0 0

„ Calls on shares transferred
from payments in advance..
By Balance carried down

3630 0 0

2140 0 0
15192 10 1

£124,561 10 01

Moved by Mr. John Sykes ; seconded by Mr. David
Waddington, and carried unanimously :
That the thanks of the company are especially tine, and are
hereby tendered, to Joe Sidebottom, Esq., for the handsome
concession he has so liberally made of his private intrest for
the benefit of the company.
Moved by Mr. Wm. Jackson ; seconded by Mr. Charles
Fox, and carried unanimously :
That theEs q afo.nrk thanks
ipsf
kthi
ned
nme
sese meeting g
accept be tenderede tooffi cJeohonParker, f
chairman to this company,e on the retirement of Lord
Wharncliffe, and for his very able and impartial conduct in
the chair this day.

JOHN PARKER, Chairman