Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

20 articles on this Page

.ANGLESEY CENTRAL RAILWAY.…

News
Cite
Share

ANGLESEY CENTRAL RAILWAY. I IMPORTANT MEETING AT LLANGEFNI. I A meeting of the Shareholders and promoters of this line of railway was held on Tuesday last at the Bull Hotel, Llangefni, Henry Pritchard, Esq., Deputy Chair- man of the Company, in the chair. It was one of the most numerous and enthusiastic meetings which has been held since the project was firist laid before the public. Amongst those present were—W. Bulkeley Hughes, Esq., Plascoch; Major-General Hughes, Brynddu; H. Pritchard, Esq., Trescawen Jno. Williams, Esq., Tre- ffos; Captain Mitchell, Llysdulas; G. R. Griffith, Esq., Pencraig; Rev. Henry Owen, Ltangefni; Rev. E. Her- bert, Llandyfrydog; R. Prichard, Esq., Llwydiarth 1<:s- gob; E. Richards, Esq., Ynys; J. Williams, Esq., Cae. mawr; Rev. H. Owen, Llanerchymedd; B. Roose, Esq., Amlwch; S. Dew, Esq., Llangefni; Rev. D. Lewis, do.; A. Laurie, Esq., Beaumaris; R. L. Dew, Esq., Amlwch; J. H. Treweek, Esq., ditto; Dr. Hughes, ditto; Wm. Jones, Esq., ditto; Dr. Evans, Llanerchymedd; J. W. Paynter, Esq., Nfteallwyn; Rev. A. Ellis, Llangwyllog; R. Williams, Esq., Glanrafon; G. Walcott, Esq., C. E. London; Messrs. J. Williams, Llanerchymedd; E. Aub- rey, ditto; 0. Jones, ditto; J. Crewdson, ditto; R. M. Preston, Esq., Rhyl; Messrs. John Edwards, Llangefni; Henry Jones, ditto; R. Hughes, ditto; Mr. Algeo, Menai Bridge; Mr. Dew, Bangor; Mr. J. Williams, Carnarvon; Messrs. H. Parry, Corweii; E. M. Hughes, Amlwch; G. Hills, ditto H. Humphreys, &c. The CHAIRMAN rose to address the meeting, and said he was placed in the chair rather against his own incli- nation, in consequence of Sir Richard Bulkeley, the Chairman, being at present absent from the country. The subject of Anglesey Central Railway had now beeil before the public for about two years, and when it was first mooted it received the warm support of gentlemen who were landowners and greatly interested in that county. They had the plans and specifications drawn out—and he could say that better plans for a line of railway could not be made—those had also been lithographed, and now, with the sanction of the Shareholders, they were ready to proceed with the bill. The plans had been deposited, and the landowners through whose land the line is intended to go had received the requisite notice and he was happy to state from the support they had sinoe received, they had every encouragement to proceed with the bill to Parliament this session. (Cheers.) He was sorry to say, however, that the share list was not so large as it ought to be, and still, from promises given and letters received, he thought they would be perfectly justified in proceeding with the bill at once. (Cheers.) The share-list, he believed, amounted to something like £16,000. Still, if they went on to procure this act, they would very probably find Contractors that would do the line for them upon very advantageous terms. Mr. Brassey had made them a very favourable offer; and so had Mr. l'ierc3,, as well as Messrs. Davies and Roberts. It would be a great pity, having already incurred an expense of about £1,000, to abandon the project, and not proceed with the bill. As to the requisite guarantee, that they could well manage amongst themselves. There was clearly no opposition offered nor anticipated from any quarter whatever. Most landed proprietors had promised to take the value of their land in shares. Sir Kichard Bulkeley had not yet exactly stated the amount of shares he would take for the value of his land, but from what he knew of Sir Richard and his readiness at all times to assist everything that tends to benefit the country, he was sure they would have his support also In this way. (Cheers.) The hon. gentleman was at present absent from the country, and it was difficult for him at a distance to understand the feeling of the coun- try generally with regard to this particular line. He hoped they should now proceed with the bill, and that before next autumn they would be able to proceed with the construction of the line. He knew of nothing, as he had often said before, that would be so beneficial to this county as the construction of the proposed line through the centre of Anglesey. It would lessen the traffic upon the road—horse labour in conveying agrieul tural produce would also be reduced most materially. (Hear, hear.) All they had then to do was to authorise the Directors to proceed to Parliament with the bill, which he trusted would ultimately be carried, and hoped that the undertaking would shortly be carried to a successful issue. (Loud applause.) Rev. H. OWEN, Llanerchymedd, rose to propose the following resolution :That the Directors be authori- sedto take the necessary steps to rrocure the Act of Par- liament. This was set on led by W. PAINTER, Eq., and car- ried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN invited the Shareholders present to express their views, and to state anything which they might deem desirable to the meeting. Mr. RICHARDS, Ynys, wished to know the result of the communications made with the landed proprietors of the county. Mr. DEW, the Secretary, said that the Trustees of the Marquis of Anglesey's estate consent to give their land at 30 year's purchase at agricultural rental, and at 3 per cent. till they could buy the land. (Cheers.) He might mention that he had the honour also of an interview with Lord Clarence Paget, who had signed the Book of Contract, and who may get his brother (the Marquis) to take some shares. Lady Diuorben also consents upon the Bame terms. Mr. Hughes, of Kinmel, he had the satisfaction to announce, would sell his land at a fair agricultural price, and take the amount in shares. (Cheers.) Mr. Simpson, Lord Stanley's Agent, said that his lordship would sell his land at a fair agricultural value, and that there would be no difficulty about the time or mode of payment. (Cheers.) Mr. Pritchard, of Dinam, though it otiti up his farm greatly, will take the amount of his land in shares. (Cheers.) Mr. Trygarn Griffith, Garreglwyd, he had not heard from, but he had one of his letters in his possession, and they might safely calculate he would not withdraw from the promise that letter contains. Mr. Williams, Caemawr, and Mr. Tre- week, will also sell their land at a fair agricultural value; and Major Hampton Lewis would let them have his upon certain conditions; Sir Richard Bulkeley was at present from home, but he had received a letter from the worthy Baronet (who was never backward in sup- porting that which was for the public good,) to the effect that he was also willing to take a fair value for his land, and would take a rental of 3 per cent. upon the amount. (Cheers.) J. WILLIAMS, Esq., said there was one thing he wished to explain before they proceeded any further. The plans as deposited supposes a line from Gaerwen to the Port of Amlwch. Some of the Directors were pres- sed at a moment to specify the point they intended to go to; and they thought that it was best to note down that it would extend to the Port of Amlwch. This was said before it had been surveyed, which was afterwards done. But it now turns out that the extension to the Port would entail considerable expense; therefore, it had been thought better to stop at Amlwch, at a place called King-street, i/y which they will get over great difficulties. The station would therefore be in the south-side of King-street, and have a tramway, drawn by horses, to the PoH. All this matter might be arranged when the bill before" Parliament. When the bill goes up there, the standing orders requires that 8 per cent. upon the amouut of the contract would have to be deposited in Chancery. There would be no difficulty in borrow- ing the money, which, probably, they might have to pay 5 per cent. for, and that money would be invested in the Consols, and would produce 3 per cent. So there would be a loss to the company of only 2 per cent. This money, as deposited, will be a sort of a pledge that the line will be made, supposing the bill should pass, and will be kept in their possession till the line phall be in course of construction. They gave a certain bond and they get the money, and at the end of the on of Parliament, if the bill should pass, they would be bound to make the line. When the act will be about to receive the royal assent, they can see whether there will be any chance of the line to be constructed and then, if they have no prospect of its being construct- ed. it can be dropped and the money taken out. Power should also he given to the Directors to withdraw the bill supposing they did not see their way through very clearly, to do which they should be vested with entire control over the bill by the Shareholders. In reply to an enquiry from Mr. Bulkeley Hughes, Mr. WILLIAMS said that the deposit money, after the bill received the royal assent, would be locked up till the line was made. It was then proposed by W. JONES, Esq., merchant, Amlwch, seconded by the Rev. HENRY OWEN, Llangefui, That the promoters be authorized to borrow on the credit of the Company such sum of money as may be nwamary to deposit in the Court of Chancery under the standing orders of Parliament, previous to bringing in the Bill, and that those gentlemen who may give their personal security on borrowing that money, shall have the control of the Bill in Parliament, with authority to withdraw it in case they find it necessary for their own security." It was reported to the meeting that Mr. Robert Ro- berts, of the Royal Bank Buildings, Liverpool, (a native of Anglesey,) had taken shares to the amount of £200, but upon a representation being made to him last week he wished his name to be put down for £500. He at the same time expressed his surprise at the great unwil- lingness manifested by the landed-proprietors of the county to come forward to assist the undertaking, and added if such leading men as Mr. Bulkeley n ughes and Mr. Pritchard, the Deputy Chairman, doubled their shares he would do the same;,and would treble the amount if they would also treble theirs. (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN said if commercial men, such as Mr. Roberts, were more generally canvassed, he had no doubt they would be willing to assist the undertaking most materially. (Hear, hear.) R. PRICHARD, Esq., Llwydiarth Esgob, enquired if there was any communication from the contractors re- ferred to at the last meeting ? MR. DEW said there was, and read a letter from Mr. Field, who appeared to offer the construction of the line upon very advantageous terms. W. BULKELEY HUGHES, Esq., who was obliged to leave upon important and urgent business, wished to state, before he left the room, with reference to an allu- sion made by Mr. Roberts, of Liverpool, to the chair- man and .himself, that he would be most happy to double the amount of his shares. (Loud and continued cheering) If the chairman would only adopt the sug- gestion made by Mr. Roberts as to the third donation, why, he would do the same. (Laughter and cheers, during which the respected gentleman left the room.) The CHAIRMAN said he stated before that he only waited to see what other landowners would do. He at first took £500, and added another.CSOO to that amount. He would now feel most happy again to double the amount of his shares, as had been done by Mr. Bulkeley Hughes. (Loud applause.) Mr. DEW and Mr. ALGEO also stated they would take Half of amount they would receive from the Company in Shares. CAPTAIN MITCHELL said he never despaired of the railway, though several were rather tardy in coming for- ward to support it. He had never seen a meeting better attended, and he hoped their motto still would be, No surrender." (Great cheering.) A SHAREHOLDER wished to know what Mr. Stanley, the member for the boroughs, proposed doing ? MR. ROOSE, of Amlwch, Baid that he had a reply from Mr. Stanley to a memorial sent him from that town, in which he stated that he would support the bill when- ever it should come before parliament. (Laughter.) They wrote to say that it was not his support in parliament that they required, but his own individual support, as an example to others, before the bill was taken to par- liament. (Hear, hear.) To this they had no reply. CAPTAIN MITCHELL said there were no better paid rents in any part of the kingdom than in Anglesey, and look at the benefit which railways invariably confer upon land and every locality through which it goes. What did they think of persons attending their first meeting, and speaking of the advantages of this particular line of railway, and then declining to come forward to their support. It was the influence of their example they wanted, not so much the amount of their shares. How- eter, the railway will be made, notwithstanding the con- duct of some who ought to be foremost in its support. (Cheers.) MR. B. ROOSE, seconded by MR. J. EDWARDS, Llan- gefni, proposed-that Mr. WILLIAM DEW be requested to wait upon Mr. ROBERTS in Liverpool, and ask his assistance to canvass that town. R. PRICHARD, Esq., Llwydiarth Esgob, said he was authorised by Mr. Meyrick to say that he would take some shares, and let the land upon a fair price, at 3 per cent. in the amount, upon the same terms as other gentlemen mentioned. (Cheers.) It was resolved that Mr. SAMUEL DEW be retained as Solicitor up to the next general Meeting, and that Notice of Call of £1 per Share be at once issued by the Secretary. CAPTAIN M ITCHIILL proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who had shewn great interest in the move- ment, and that not only by his speech, but by putting his hand into his pocket. (Cheers.) G. R. GRIFFITH, ESQ., begged to second the motion, and observed that everyone would agree that the Chair- man had worked hard, and had done the county great service in the manner he had come forward to support the undertaking. (Applause.) The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the compliment paid him, said they had now come to business; they had surmounted many difficulties; he only hoped to see the day to congratulate them upon the completion of the railway which they so much desired to see constructed. (Applause.) MR. DEW said the prevailing excuse of the farmers in not coming forward had been, that they wanted to see what the landowners would do. The landed gentry having now come forward liberally, he hoped to see the tenant farmers of the county following their ex- ample. One farm labourer, of the name of Shadrach Roberts, a servant at Rhosbeirio, had taken a share, thus shewing his interest in the undertaking. S^.eral additional shares were taken at the conclusion of the meeting, and the prospects of the Company ap- pear now to be most cheering.

AMLWCH.

-BETHESDA. I

BEAUMARIS. I

CONWAY. -I

ICARNARVON.I

.DENBIGH.I

HOLYHEAD.

I LLANDWROG.I

LLANGURIG.I

LLANGEFNI.

LLANRHAIADR.

ILLANFFINAN.

I LLANSANTFFRAID GLYN DYFRDWY.

PORTMADOC.

I PENRHYN DEUDRAETH.

IPORT DINORWIC.

TOWYN.

I TREMADOC._,

Advertising