PETERSFIELD.
Agent—Miss DUPLOCK.
PETERSFIELD RAILWAY.—Connecting the Portsmouth Direct with the Mid-Sussex.—The first ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of this Company was held at the Red Lion Inn, Petersfield, on Saturday last, Joseph Cary, Esq., in the chair. The Secretary read the report, which announced that the act of incorporation had passed both Houses of Parliament and received the royal assent, that the capita was 100,000l., in 10l. shares, with the usual borrowing powers; that the engineers had been instructed to proceed with the working plans and drawings; and that arrangements had been made with the contractor for the immediate commencement of the works; that a considerable amount of share capital had been already subscribed for, but the Directors urged upon the proprietors to use their best endeavours to obtain additional subscriptions in this locality, expressing their conviction that the line, passing as it does through a fine agricultural district, and connecting the whole system of railways in Mid-Sussex with the Portsmouth line and the markets of Petersfield, will not fail to return a very satisfactory dividend upon the small capital required for its construction. The engineers’ report stated that arrangements had been made for proceeding at once, with the detailed survey and working drawings; that the works throughout will be of a light character; that the public roads will in every case be crossed by bridges; that two road-side stations intermediate between Midhurst and Petersfield, will be required; that the district traversed by the line affords an abundant supply of good brick clay for the bridges, &c.; that a junction with the Mid-Sussex and Midhurst Junction Railway will be effected at a convenient spot near the Bepton road, at which point the station for Midhurst will be placed. The Chairman, in moving that the report be received, remarked that the Directors had been anxious to meet the proprietors residing in the neighbourhood of Petersfield, and also thank the landowners for the facilities which they had afforded towards the work; they were also greatly indebted for the success which had attended their efforts to the able assistance of Mr. Cornshew, who was well-known as the inaugurator of the Mid-Sussex Railways. The length of the proposed line was nine niles and one chain; there were no engineering difficulties whatever, and the whole of the works were light; the capital, as they had just heard, was 100,000l.; the first call would be for 2l. per share; and the maximum calls in any one year would not exceed 6l. per share. He hoped the inhabitants of Petersfield and the neighbourhood would come forward and support the undertaking.—Mr. Coxwell, of Southampton, in addressing the meeting, stated that he had been deputed by the Southhampton Chamber of Commerce to attend on their behalf, and if the Chairman would allow him he would read a series of resolutions passed by that body with reference to the desirableness of extending the line to Southampton. Mr. Coxwell having read the resolutions, proceeded strenuously to urge the importance of such extension, and expressed a hope that he might be authorized to carry back to those whom he represented, an assurance that it was the intention of this Company to carry the line to Southampton. Mr. Shearer (Swanmore House, Bishop’s Waltham), said that from the time when the Mid-Sussex Line was first projected. He had felt assured that it would soon come on to Petersfield, and he now felt equally sure it would not stop here but would certainly be extended to the port of Southampton, he had either personally, or by letter communicated with nearly all the landowners as far as Botley, and he had found at least nine-tenths of them favourable to such extension, he did not think they ought to look to the country gentlemen for capital, for as a class, they were not forward in embarking in such undertakings, but he felt quite sure they would sanction the work and afford the projectors every facility for carrying it out. He spoke of the high character of the Petersfield market, and dwelt on the importance to the Southampton people of obtaining access to it; and had no doubt the inhabitants of the latter town would readily give the project their hearty support. Mr. Adams (Petersfield) spoke in corroboration of what the last speaker said as to the feeling of the landowners in the district on the subject of an extension to Southampton, he knew many of them & was professionally, connected with some, and he felt sure they would be found entirely favourable to such a measure. He alluded to the great increase which was observable in the market since the opening of the Direct Line, and he had no doubt it would be further increased by the line now about to be constructed, and if this were carried on to Southampton it would open up a new district, and our market would be increased by an influx of buyers from that town.—The Chairman responded to the appeal from Mr. Coxwell by remarking that the Directors felt that by bringing the line to Petersfield they were securing the key to this part of the country, and he had no doubt they would use it advantageously. With regard to a rumour to which Mr. Coxwell had alluded that this line was to be handed over body and soul to the Soul-Western, he begged to say that such rumour was without foundation. It must be borne in mind that with every desire to extend the line they were but a small company, having nine miles to make, whereas the line to Southampton would involve upwards of twenty miles additional, still he had no hesitation in assuring the gentlemen present that measures should be taken for surveying the line, and the Directors would then be happy to meet the Southampton people on the subject. The report was unanimously adopted.—Mr. Joseph Carey, Mr. Henry Hawes Fox, and Mr. William Edward Knobel were elected directors. Mr. William George was elected auditor, at a salary of 250l.—Thanks having been voted to the Chairman, the meeting separated.