BISHOP'S WALTHAM RAILWAY
A public meeting was held on Saturday at the Crown Hotel, Bishop’s Waltham, to receive information as to the steps which have been taken towards procuring railway accommodation for the district, and to consider the best means of accomplishing so desirable an object. There was a numerous and influential attendance, a novel feature in a meeting of this sort being the presence of a large number of ladies. Among those present were Messrs. B. P. Shearer, A. Helps, C. J. Gunner, H. Wooldridge, R. B. Hewitt, H. Greaves, G. Clark, F. Clark, E. Clark, S. H. Moody, Collister, Ricketts, Whitehorst, Wyatt, Stubbs, Lock, E. Reeves, Austin, &c.
Mr. B. P. Shearer was voted into the chair, and said, as was well-known they had been constantly endeavouring since 1845 to obtain a railway into that district, but the attempts had for the most part either failed, or been withdrawn, though at last there seemed every probability of their wishes being carried out. For some years past they had been watching the formation of the Mid-Sussex Railway, hoping that some connecting link would be brought from Petersfield to Waltham. The fate of the proposed extension of the Midhurst and Petersfield line, brought before the House of Commons two years ago, had surprised everybody in that neighbourhood, looking at the evidence which was produced, but had it been projected to Botley only, instead of Southampton, it might perhaps have been carried. In November last an extension of the Midhurst and Petersfield line was advertised twice in the county papers and then withdrawn, because, he believed the portion from Midhurst to Petersfield was bought up by the South-Western. There remained, however, the line which was projected to start from Bursledon, and passing through Botley to Waltham. Gentlemen of commercial views and acquainted with railway operations thought it would be better that the line should start from some place where there was good waterside accommodation, and it was well known that below the bridge at Bursledon, 60 or 80 years ago, 80-gun men-of-war were constructed, and Bursledon possessing this accommodation it was proposed that the line should commence there. Several residents south of Botley and between that place and Bursledon, however, objected to that part of the line, and there being no wish, on the part of the promoters, to carry it south of Botley unless with the consent of the landowners, they withdrew that part of the scheme which referred to the south side of the present Botley station, and all opposition to the northern part of the line was withdrawn in return. The bill passed the third reading in the House of Commons on Thursday unopposed, on Friday it was introduced into the House of Lords, and there was every prospect that in the course of a month or so it would receive the Royal assent. He then proceeded to give the heads of the bill. The line would start from the north side of the present Botley station, and would terminate in a field on the western side of the pond at Waltham, its length being three miles and three quarters. The capital was to be £16,000 in 1600 shares of £10 each, with powers to borrow £5000. The first directors of the company, who would remain in office till August next, were himself, Mr. Stone, of Leigh Park; Mr. A. Helps, and Mr. E. W. Ricketts. The line was to be completed within three years, and the tolls were to be the same as upon the South-Western railway, power being reserved for its being worked by that company. The officers of the company at present were Mr. Frankhurst, a well known solicitor and parliamentary agent in London, and Mr. Collister, who was also well known as an engineer of high repute. Only a single line of rails would be laid down in the first instance, but sufficient land would be taken to admit of its being made a double line whenever it was found expedient to do so. All the works would be of the most permanent character. For the accommodation of those who lived halfway between Waltham and Botley there would be a siding for the conveyance of chalk to their clay land. The South-Western Company had undertaken to work the line for 45 per cent, of the gross receipts, and with the option of purchasing the line at cost price, at any time within seven years. He then entered into a consideration of the probable returns, showing that the line might be expected to yield, at least 4 per cent, on the outlay. He assured them he should not have entered into the undertaking but that he deemed it a good investment, and he thought the liberal terms which they had obtained from the South-Western Company were alone sufficient to inspire confidence. About a quarter ot the entire capital had been already subscribed.
Mr. Helps said that district was very deeply indebted to Mr. Shearer for the interest he had manifested in this undertaking and the support which he gave it. This line had the advantage of not being saddled with the great expense which arose from contests. He had known as much as £10,000 a mile expended on a railway in law costs before the works could be commenced. Having been one of the promoters deputed to negotiate with the South-Western directors he was able to bear testimony to the reasonable manner in which they were met by those parties, and the liberal terms they gave them. He then dwelt upon the general advantages of railway communication, and humourously referring to the present torpid state of Bishop’s Waltham, urged them to take shares in the undertaking, which would have the effect of improving the town and increasing the prosperity of the inhabitants.
The Chairman explained the route of the projected line, which he said would cross the Winchester road near the ruins, just beyond what is generally known as the boat-house. They might have noticed a small building just on the other side of the pond, at the right hand of which the station would be placed. The station would be most conveniently situated for passengers.
Mr. Collister, the engineer, said the line was free from any engineering difficulties, and it might be easily completed in six months from the commencement of the works.
Mr. Whitehorst said the coal traffic alone on the line would suffice to pay the interest on the capital, whilst the cheaper rate at which coals could be obtained, in consequence of the railway, would be a great benefit to the poor inhabitants of the town. It would also enable the farmers to obtain lime and draining tiles at a less cost than now, which would be an advantage to them, and tend to the improvement of the land in that locality, much of which was at present in a very bad condition.
Mr. Gunner proposed a resolution to the effect that this meeting having heard the explanations furnished by the directors of the Bishop’s Waltham Railway, views with satisfaction the prospects of the increased railway accommodation that will be afforded to the neighbourhood, and desires to recommend it to the cordial support of the inhabitants of Bishop’s Waltham and the adjoining districts. He said the railway would be of so much advantage to them that they ought, without exception, to give it their best support. For the last half century Bishop’s Waltham had stood still whilst other towns in the neighbourhood had progressed, and as they had now a chance of increasing the prosperity of the place, he hoped it would not be neglected.
Mr. Clark seconded the resolution, which was then put, and carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro- ceedings.