Southampton & Dorchester Railway

Wareham , May 21st 1844

 The Adjourned Meeting to allow an opportunity of persons from the Isle of Purbeck to attend and give their opinions, was held this day. Several gentlemen in consequence attended; amongst them J.H.Calcraft, Esq., S. Serrell, Esq., Wm. Voss, Esq., and many others.

J.H.Calcraft, Esq. proposed, and Freeland Filliter, Esq. seconded, that the Mayor should take the chair, who commenced by reading the resolutions of the last meeting.

 T Phippard, Esq. rose and said – “Sir and Gentlemen; Having had the honour to lay a statement before the last meeting of the proceedings at Southampton, and as there are many here who did not attend that meeting it will perhaps not be considered improper for me slightly to recapitulate”. After doing so, Mr Phippard went on to say that the value and usefulness of the means adopted by public notice was amply proved by the presence of so many gentlemen from Purbeck, who from their property were so well qualified to represent the interests of its inhabitants, comprehending as it does many thousands of persons. It appears that population is the basis upon which calculations of profits have been made, and therefore it would appear that to come through the middle of the country would be most profitable: but in our particular county such is not the fact, for we have the large and influential towns of Poole and Weymouth, with their commercial advantages, as connected with the sea, the general highway of nations – this is another good reason, why we should urge the line as near as the coast as possible: and again, the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey may be said to form part of the county of Hants; and Weymouth has the principal portion of passengers from these Islands.

J.H.Calcraft, Esq. proposed the first resolution

Mr J.Pike begged to second the same.

J.H.Calcraft, Esq. then said that as far as he was concerned he came in for the purpose of ascertaining in what state their proceedings stood; he was delighted when he first heard of the project, being satisfied than any approachable distance would be advantageous; he greatly feared that it would not be carried out: as far as the Isle of Purbeck was concerned, there could be but one wish and that was to get it as nears as possible, if it be done at all. With reference to the particular line to be adopted, he thought they at present were not competent to judge, as it appeared that a Committee had been formed whose duties were to gather information as to traffic, and the most eligible line to Dorchester. They at present were rather in the regions of hope rather than any thing else. As regard Poole, any benefit felt by that town must be alike beneficial to Wareham, their interests were identical, but while we are anxious to get this road as near as possible, we must not shut our eyes to the consideration of benefit to the rest of the county. As to the most practical line, if we entertain that question, the cheapest line would be probably the best, and on the southernmost line the land was comparatively of little value, and as far as the crown was concerned, the line through the new forest would be no expense at all as regarded the land. We shall however have a competitor in the Great Western, that company being anxious to have a line from Salisbury, and thus carry the traffic away in another direction. He agreed with Mr. Phippard that some gentlemen should be deputed to attend the adjourned meeting at Dorchester, to lay claims and wishes of this meeting before them. As far as he was concerned he was ready and willing to aid the views of the meeting, and he thought that such measures should be taken as would ensure their not being left behind in the race.

F. Fillter, Esq., said having being instrumental in the adjournment of the last meeting, I think that whatever deputation should attend at Dorchester they should be empowered to express our strong opinion as to the claims of the Isle of Purbeck to benefit by as near an approach to that district as possible, and that at the same time a closer connection between Poole and Wareham by means of the rail should be advocated.

T. Phippard Esq., thought the second resolution amply provided for all Mr. F could wish.

J.H.Calcraft, Esq., thought that as at present we had to go five and forty miles to the rail, any nearer approach must be an advantage.

Wm.Pike, Esq., - The first thing, it appears to me that will be necessary, is a general survey to discover which is the best line. I am convinced from my own practical experience that as regards gradients, curves, etc., that our county is admirably adapted for the formation of a railroad; the materials are good, and across our heaths they may be made cheaper and better than in any other county. There is a population also sufficient to warrant an economical outlay, and a line down the coast would doubtless be patronised by the government as a means of defence. After entering the county there was scarcely any land that would exceed five pounds an acre.

W.Voss. Esq., though the best line would be that which should come nearest to Poole and Wareham: the strait line was not the most profitable, and he though it would be highly advantageous to the intended company to turn from the strait line to meet the population at the most eligible points of their line. He had been informed that some portions of the Eastern Counties Railway had cost £50,000 per mile, while this line could not cost a sixth part of that sum per mile.

J.H.Calcraft, Esq., proposed the 2^nd resolution.

Mr J.A.Tasker, seconded it.

F. Fillter, Esq., although afraid that  he should be left in a minority, must still press his motion, that it is of extreme importance that the communication between Poole, Wareham and Purbeck, should be a matter for the consideration of the committee.

Wm.Pike, Esq., did not see the propriety of the suggestion; we have already an excellent water communication, and though some may deem it trifling, and laugh at our speaking of the river as a navigable river, yet I am satisfied that the outlay of a few thousand ponds would render it capable of receiving any vessel that can come over the Poole Bar. (Cheers) I am satisfied of this, gentlemen, for I have personally surveyed every inch of it. With the water communication, even in its present state, its cheapness, and other advantages, it does not appear that we need any other consideration for the committee. Did this means of communication not exist it would be a very good resolution, but not else.

T. Phippard Esq., was satisfied of the importance of the remarks that had just fallen from Mr. Pike. The river was well worthy the considerations of the town, and capable of vast improvements.

F. Fillter, Esq., after the excellent remarks of Mr. Pike, would withdraw his motion.

Wm.Pike, Esq., begged to suggest that as this was a joint meeting of the inhabitants of Wareham and Purbeck, he would be glad if  Mr. Calcraft would allow himself to be named as one of the deputation to Dorchester . (Cheers.)

J.H.Calcraft, Esq., felt obliged by the compliment, but feared he should be unable to attend; as, however, he felt anxious that the line should if possible, be formed, he could have no objections to his name being added. (Cheers.)

C.O.Bartlett, Esq., proposed that these resolutions be inserted in the next Dorset County Chronicle.

S. Serrell, Esq., seconded the resolution.

D.Brown, Esq., then moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor

S. Serrell, Esq., seconded the same , and the meeting dispersed.