PROPOSED RAILWAY COMMUNICATION THROUGH DROXFORD.
A numerously attended and influential meeting was held at the White Horse Inn, Droxford, yesterday afternoon, to take into consideration the best means of providing railway communication for the line of country between Alton and Fareham.
Amongst the company present were Mr. W. Knight, chairman of the Droxford Market Committee; Rev. Mr. Sealey, Droxford; Rev. Mr. Hume, Meonstoke; Captain Conran, and Messrs. A. Helps, Goldsmith, Shearer, Stares, Ploughman, Knight, Bull, Pink, Collis, Twynam, Reeves, Lunn, Greaves, Richardson, Perry, &c., &c.
Mr. W. Knight presided on the occasion, and in opening the proceedings briefly stated that since the establishment of the Droxford Market the need of a railway through that locality had been more especially felt by the members, and it was at their request that the present meeting had been convened.
The Rev. Mr. Sealy said he had been called upon to propose the first resolution, and he could only wish that some one more immediately connected with that neighbourhood, and more practically acquainted with the subject, had the matter in hand instead of himself. On looking over the resolution he found that it contained two propositions. It was—
‟That railway communicdtion for the line of country between Alton and Fareham is particularly required, and that it is expedient to consider the best means of promoting so desirable an object.”
With regard to the first he thought they were all agreed that railway communication between Alton and Fareham was particularly required. Had that meeting been held some 25 or 30 years ago, he might have had a word to say about the advantages of railways, but living in a time when this means of communication extended throughout the country like a net work, the fact was established beyond doubt that wherever railways were formed they were of inestimable value to the surrounding neighbourhood. Whenever the Romans established a colony they invariably connected with it good roads, as a means towards promoting its civilization. The people of this country in like manner endeavoured to improve its condition by forming railways, which were the best kind of roads. The inhabitants of that particular neighbourhood, however, at the present time experienced great inconvenience in consequence of being so far removed from any railway communication. If, for instance, he wanted to go to Southampton, he must first go some seven miles to Botley, if he wanted to go to Portsmouth he must first travel eight or nine miles to Fareham, and if to London he must first go 12 or 13 miles to Petersfield. Now, in the time in which they lived they must consider themselves rather out of the world, and persons in business, whose engagement required their frequent absence from home must feel more than a private individual like himself the need of railway communication, both for the conveyance of themselves, and for the facilities which it would offer for the conveyance of their stock. But the second part of the resolution was also important, because it laid down the principle that it was expedient to consider the best means of promoting so desirable an object, because there were instances now of railways which were not paying more than 1 per cent, in consequence of this important consideration being overlooked. In conclusion he expressed a hearty wish that the object of the resolution might be carried out.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Stares, in seconding the resolution, said that everyone must see the desirability of a line of railway between Alton and Fareham. As a small landowner, he should use his efforts to promote that object, and he did not think that a railway company proposing to carry out the line suggested would meet with any opposition from the landowners generally along the line—(Cheers.)
Mr. Gascoyne Roy, Solicitor to the Direct Portsmouth Railway, said he had risen at that moment to address the meeting, because, as he understood the resolution, it indicated, in the opinion of the meeting, the direction in which railway accommodation for Droxford should be provided, as being Alton on the one hand and Fareham on the other.
Mr. Shearer suggested that, Mr. Roy should wait until the opinion of the meeting had been expressed, and the matter might then, probably, be placed in a very different light before him.
Mr. Roy contended, showing that his interest in the Direct Portsmouth would lead him to co-operate with gentlemen wishing to obtain railway accommodation for that district, provided it were to embrace Petersfield instead of Alton on the one hand, and Botley instead of Fareham on the other—(Hear, hear.)
The resolution was then put and carried by a large majority, there being only about half-a-dozen dissentients.
Mr. Shearer said he was extremely glad to see the solicitor of the Direct Portsmouth Line present at that meeting, because he believed they saw in him a friend of the South-Western Railway; these twvo railways, if not already amalgamated, being on the point of amalgamation. With regard to the subject before the meeting, the members of the Droxford market had, ever since that market had been established, found the great want of railway communication, and as soon as it had been in existence sufficiently long to have a sort of standing in the district, they thought it desirable to call a meeting, with a view if possible to supply that want. The consequence was that advertisements were published and certain resolutions sketched out to lay before that meeting, for its approval or rejection; but although those resolutions, to a certain extent, defined the line of country through which it was proposed the railway should pass, they were framed more particularly to start the consideration of the subject than to lay down propositions which would assert the superiority of one scheme over every other which might be proposed. He was, he believed, not wrong in saying that any line which would put the inhabitants of that locality in comunication with the neighbouring towns and markets, would be thankfully received. Droxford was situated on the main line of the old coaching road between Alton and Gosport, and for his own part he should like to see a railway that route. At the same time there was considerable intercourse between that district and Petersfield, and if anything could he done that would bring Droxford in communication with Petersfield they would be exceedingly glad. With regard to its extension in a southern direction, they had trading intercourse with Fareham, but if they were taken to a line not far from that town and could continue their journey thence by railway, their object would, in this respect, be effected. A line therefore between Petersfield and Botley, connecting them, as it would, with Fareham on the one hand, and Bishop’s Waltham on the other, would be exceedingly useful. The opinion of the members of the Droxford market was that there could not be a better mode of promoting their object than by calling upon the directors of the London and South-Western Railway Company, to give it their consideration. From his knowledge of that Company he was fully persuaded that if it lay in their power to provide railway accommodation for that district, without injuriously affecting their own interests, they would do so. There was at the present moment a good feature in the state of the money market, and he believed that there were no great difficulties which would interfere to prevent or operate against the carrying out of the scheme. He therefore proposed—
‟That the best means of promoting the desired railway communication is to call upon the directors of the London and South-Western Railway Company to consider the expediency of affording railway accommodation, this meeting being fully convinced that such accommodation would not only be a great benefit to the line of country, but also conducive to the interests of the Railway Company.”
Mr. Goldsmith seconded the proposition, which was agreed to unanimously.
The Rev. Mr. Humne said he was exceedingly happy to take a part in that meeting. No one could feel more strongly, than he did the desirableness of railway communication in that district. They were, as it were, being shunted on one side, while the whole sweep of traffic had gone by them. He rejoiced to see so large a meeting of practical men of business assembled for such a purpose, and he felt the greatest pleasure in taking the smallest part in those preliminary proceedings. An advantage would result from the construction of the proposed line, not only by increasing the value of property and increasing the facilities for traffic, but by leading to the establishment of coal depots, which were requisite for the necessitous poor, whom he had often seen shivering over a small fire in their comfortless dwellings. As regarded the proposed line, whether it should be connected with Alton or Petersfield was a question for practical men to decide; but whatever might be determined upon, he had no doubt that it would receive the warmest support. He concluded by proposing
‟That a Committee be formed, who shall be requested to draw up and lay before the Directors of the South-Western Railway Company a memorial embodying the resolutions passed at this meeting, and setting forth the urgent demand for railway accommodation in the district, the great difficulty at present experienced in reaching several important markets, the establishment of Droxford market, the vast extenlsion of Aldershot Camp, and the Government works at Portsmouth, Gosport, and Netley, the importance of communication between the camp and the coast, the probable opening of the Alverstoke, Stokes Bay and Isle of Wight Railways, and the cost at which the railway could be made.”—(Cheeers.)
Mr. R. Pink, in seconding the resolution, said there were many reasons why a line of railway should be constructed to accommodate the inhabitants living in the various towns and villages between Alton and Fareham, amounting to at least 20,000, and, it would be most easy to prove that the proposed line would be a paying one:—1st—The coal trade between Alton and Fareham was in former years very considerable,—the trade has been destroyed by the railway stopping short at Alton—and the cost of carriage of sea-borne coals from Fareham to Alton, 20s. a ton, has, of course, prevented the Fareham merchants from competing with the supplies of midland counties, and west of England coal. 2nd—The enormous barracks at Aldershot (close to Farnham) require a quick and direct route to Portsmouth, Gosport, and the large military hospital at Netley. 3rd—The government has lately erected barracks at Gosport for 10,000 men, independent of Forton Barracks; and it is generally believed that other barracks, to contain 10,000 men more, are about to be erected on the lines of the new fortifications at Gosport; besides the barracks, Haslar Hospital, the Military Prison, and the Victualling-yard are all large establishments. 4th—The whole distance of railway to Fareham is only 21 miles, of an average country to make a railway, and the advantages to the landowners on the line would be sufficient to induce them to sell their land at its fair value. 5th—That the line from Gosport to Stoke’s Bay is in the course of construction. 6th—That, in connection with the Stoke's Bay Railway, a bill is obtained for the establishment of a steam ferry to Ryde, and the passage will be effected in a quarter of an hour. 7th—That applications for one or more bills will be made to Parliament during the present session for a railway from Ryde to Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, and Undercliff. 8th—That the distance from London to the Isle of Wight via the Portsmouth Direct,—and the proposed line will be the same—but from the proposed line running to Stokes Bay, passengers to the Isle of Wight save an hour, inasmuch as the Steam Ferry boats will run in connection with the trains; and the Stokes Bay Railway will be carried out as a pier, to which the boats will come at all states of the tide. 9th—That a new line of railway has been surveyed, plans deposited, and application will be made to Parliament, immediately for its adoption, from Fareham to Southampton, crossing Bursledon River, passing close to the Military Hospital, to cross the Itchen, thus forming a coast line from Brighton to Southampton. This line will complete the railway communication from Aldershott Barracks to Netley Hospital. It is generally understood that the late purchase of 70 acres of additional land at Netley Hospital was made for the erection of permanent barracks. The site of the hospital was originally not more than 100 acres; the additional 70 In acres cannot be for the purposes of the hospital. The War Department have signified their approval of this line, so that in all probability it will be made. 10th—It may be hoped that the proposed line will receive Royal patronage, as it would enable Her Majesty to proceed direct to Stokes Bay, without steaming through the Portsmouth Harbour. 11th—That the railway as proposed, would give a direct line from Gosport, the Isle of Wight and Fareham, to London, and would be the, most direct line from London to Gosport and the Isle of Wight. 12th—That it would connect Aldershott with Portsmouth, Browndown, and Netley. 13th—That the country through which the line would pass, would accommodate the following places besides the large towns named:—Wickham, Soberton, Hambledon, (being only four miles distant, whereas now it is nearly ten miles from a railway station,) Bishops Waltham, (four miles, and 20 miles saving of railway,) Droxford, Corhampton, Exton, Meonstoke, Warnford, Westmeon, Privett, West Visted, Alresford, (six miles, instead of ten,) Bishops Sutton, Ropley, East Tisted, Newton Valence, Farringdon, Chawton. On this line of 21 miles are several corn water-mills, a well-farmed country, and many resources which Railway communication would open up, for instance—take hop poles, now not saleable on account of the long carriage—the fat lambs from the Isle of Wight, Titchfield, and Neighbourhood to London which is a great trade; then the coals before alluded to, would be delivered to Alton for about 3s. 6d. per ton instead of 20s. 14th—The Alton and Gosport inhabitants are anxious for the Line, and of course Fareham will be. 15th—That the Alton people have already surveyed a Line from Basingstoke to Alton, and it would be a very prominent feature in this scheme to make that a part of the project, by so doing making about ten miles more of Railway, all the Great Western country would be open to us.
Mr. Roy then again rose and said he felt bound, in the most distinct manner, to state in reference to what had fallen from Mr. Shearer, that he was by no means identified with the London and South-Western Railway Company. He desired that point to be thoroughly understood, because his sole connection was with the Portsmouth Railway, and although on to-morrow (Saturday) week the Direct Portsmouth would form a portion of the London and South-Western Railway, yet he stood there on the present occasion without any communication whatever with the South-Western Company. He would, however, take the liberty of suggesting to the meeting that if they were, as the resolution proposed, to ask the South-Western to form a line of railway for the accommodation of Droxford and the neighbourhood, the natural question would be as to the direction in which the railway should be made, and therefore it seemed to him that, as business men, they should make up their minds on that point, and no occasion seemed to him to be more opportune than the present.—(Hear, hear.)—His only object in being present to-day was to point out the advantages which would result from the line being made in the direction of Petersfield, but if the meeting should resolve that it was not for the interests of Droxford that it should be made in that direction, he would only express his regret, and not trouble them with any further remarks on the subject. Now there were two objects which ought to be considered when discussing a matter of this kind. First, it was necessary to construct a line in such way as to confer the greatest amount of good; and secondly to adopt the shortest route, at the least possible cost. Both the objects would be better attained by carrying a line between Petersfield and Botley than between Alton and Fareham. The speaker was proceeding to support this position, when, owing to the want of railway accommodation to Droxford, our reporter was compelled to leave the room.
Another resolution, to be moved by Mr. A. Helps and seconded by Mr. Greaves, was on the list, being to the effect—
‟That if the desired railway could be so planned as to embrace the neighbourhood of Bishop’s Waltham, and open a communication with the town of Petersfield, it would be of increased use and value to the whole of the country.”