SWANAGE RAILWAY (1847)

At a PUBLIC MEETING  which was fully and respectably attended, at the Royal Victoria Hotel, in Swanage, on Saturday, the 23^rd day of October, 1847, for the purpose of considering a PROPOSED LINE OF RAILWAY from WAREHAM to SWANAGE,

                                    THOMAS HUNT, Esq., in the Chair.

 The following Resolutions (with one dissentient voice only as to the first) were passed:-

             First, - Received “That it is most desirable that a line of Railway be formed from Wareham to Swanage with as little delay as possible.”

            A Section of a proposed Line being produced by Mr. Wm. Atkinson, Civil Engineer, extending from the Southampton and Dorchester Railway, near West Mill, Wareham , and passing by Kingbarrow towards the Purbeck Clay Pits, thence to Corfe Castle towards Woodyhide, and thence along the Southern Valley to Swanage.

            Secondly, - It was received, “That the same Line appears to this Meeting to be a very advantaged one, both with regard to facility of construction, and to the accommodation of the Public, and this Meeting therefore highly approves of the said Line.”

             Thirdly,- It was received, “That Thomas Hunt, Esq., Joseph Willis Jun. Esq., Henry Hatherly, Esq., John Mowlem Esq., William Joseph Pike Esq., John Brown, Esq., Freeland Filliter, Esq., and Mr. Henry Hopkins, to be a committee, five to form a quorum, (and having power to add to their number) for making further enquires on this subject, and that they be authorised to employ such Engineers and others for ascertaining and Surveying the best line of the Road, and obtaining a correct estimate of traffic, as they shall deem best, and that Mr. Thomas  Phippard  be the Secretary and Solicitor of such a committee, and :-

            That a Subscription be immediately entered into, and be entirely under the control of the said Committee, and be applied by them in payment of the sums to be disbursed in Advertisements and other expenses (but not professional charges!) and that Messrs. Williams and Co. be the Bankers.”

            Fourthly, - Resolved, “That an adjourned meeting be held at the Royal Victoria Hotel, on the 19^th November next, at 2 o’clock, or on an earlier day, of which due notice will be given by the Secretary.

                                                THOMAS HUNT,Chairman

            Fifthly, - Resolved , “That the best thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Hunt, for his kindness in taking the chair, and for his able and impartial conduct in it. “

The above was published in a local newspaper

Note the number of clay merchants on the committee -  

1) Joseph Willis Jun. representing B.Fayle & Co
2) Henry Hatherley                                             
3) William Joseph Pike                                      
4) John Brown                                                   
One more and they could had formed a quorum of their own.