LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN.
A special general meeting of this Company was held on Thursday, July 3, at the Waterloo station, for the purpose of considering the propriety of purchasing the Petersfield railway for £106,000.
Captain MANGLES in the chair.
Mr. CLARKE, the secretary, having read the notice convening the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN said that under the idea that the question which it was his duty to bring before them would be better discussed by consulting the Shareholders when the map of that part of the country was before them the present meeting was convened. They would see the position of this bit of line on the large map in the room. The Directors thought it much better to do it in this manner, that the Shareholders should see the object of obtaining this little line, which was about 10½ miles in length, from Petersfield to Midhurst, where it formed a junction with the Mid-Sussex line, which belonged to the Brighton Company. He was happy to say that there was the most friendly feeling between the Brighton and this Company since the declaration of peace, but still circumstances at some future time might alter that state of things, and a change of feeling might arise, and therefore the Directors thought it advisable to purchase this line when offered to them, with a view to stop further invasion in that direction. They had already been put to much expense and annoyance in preventing an attempt to rob them of their Southampton traffic. They considered this a good and sound measure, and trusted they would meet with a ready support from the Shareholders. It was supposed that the line would not be an unremunerative one. The population was larger in the district of the line than in any other part of Sussex. They believed that the line would serve as a feeder to the Portsmouth direct line. He would be happy to explain any matter that might be requisite, and concluded by moving a formal resolution approving the terms of the agreement, provisionally made with the Directors of the Petersfield undertaking, and authorising the Directors to concur in the terms in such manner as they might consider right, and for the interests of the Company.
Dr. SNOW seconded the motion. He thought it must be self-evident that the purchase of the line for the moderate price of £10,000 a mile could not be wrong.
Mr. MICHELL thought there was some difference between £10,000 and £30,000 for the purchase of a line. As to whether the smaller sum would ever pay for the outlay he must leave that to the Directors. They well knew that Farmer Hodge would drive five or six miles out of his way to avoid a 3d. turnpike. He was not in a position to oppose the measure. He hoped they would not become too fond of those little undertakings. There was another matter to which he wished to refer, it was with regard to certain complaints respecting the manner in which they had been working their trains. He knew that railway travellers were very ready to indulge in the privilege of Englishmen to grumble, requiring the maximum of speed and the minimum of cost. Some had a penchant for writing to the ‟Times,” and he thought such complaints should not be passed over in silence, although such complaints might arise from a cantankerous disposition.
The CHAIRMAN said he could assure the Proprietors that when the line was not worked with the usual regularity, it arose from the unprecedented pressure which at present existed on other railways, particularly on their lines; and although they did not answer anonymous communications they were ready to hear the complaint of any one that came to them for that purpose, and to remedy the defect if possible. It was true they were but common carriers, and when they appeared in courts of law they were generally treated as very common carriers. They had been told recently that the Directors were worse than cabmen. If from the pressure of business they were unable to accommodate all who came, it was a matter of deep regret to the Directors that there should be any complaints. He was sure that Mr. Scott, their manager, did his best on all occasions to remedy those evils. He could assure the Proprietors that the board had no wish, in working for large profits, to diminish the comforts of the passengers in any respect—(Hear, hear.)
The motion was then carried unanimously.
Dr. SNOW moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and Directors, which was seconded and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN in responding said it was quite a comfort to get any thanks at all.
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