CHAGFORD RAILWAY versus EXETER TRADE: A meeting was held at the Three Crowns Hotel, on Saturday, for the purpose of extending the Moretonhampstead Railway to this place; the plans of which have been duly deposited, and the usual notices given for the application of the bill at the next session of parliament. There were present — The Earl of Devon, Messrs. Lloyd, Whiteford, and Margery; S. Hunt, Esq., Rev. H. G. Hames, P. L. Berry, Esq., G. W. Osmend, Esq., and Messrs. J. Hooper, J. Collins (Batworthy), Dicker, Ellis (Week), Perryman, Nosworthy, Leaman, R. Thorn, Pinsent, Morrish, Courtier, Callard, Stanbury, W. Thorn, Jeffery, Short, etc. On the motion of the Earl of Devon, the Rev. H. Hames was called to the chair, and, in opening the proceedings of the meeting the chairman warmly advocated the proposed railway extension to Chagford. He admitted that he should have preferred a direct line to Exeter and had clung to the Teign Valley line as long as there was any hope of its being carried. He believed, however, that it was either the Moreton line or none at all, and that they would have to make Newton and Torquay their market towns, instead of Exeter, as the route to Exeter the Moreton line was very circuitous; nor could the tradesmen of Exeter complain if they found the people of that district gradually left the city and adopted Newton and Torquay as their shopping towns, because they ought have come forward, when the Teign Valley line was promoted, and given it their support. The Noble Lord, the Chairman of the Moreton Company, had in the first instance promoted the Teign Valley line, which was more for the interest of Chagford than his own territory Moreton and at Bovey, and only abandoned it when he found it was not sufficiently supported. They were mainly indebted to his lordship for the Moreton line, and he thought they ought to support the proposed extension. He should not dwell on the advantages of railway accommodation, as he felt it was an admitted fact, nor should he detain them further, as what the Moreton Company wanted was long purses and not long speeches (applause). The Earl of Devon then rose and expressed his cordial concurrence in everything the chairman had said, especially his concluding words. He believed there was now a good chance of the line being extended to it if the Chagford people gave it sufficient support, unless they did so he thought the Directors of the Moreton line would never again bring it forward. He stated that the accounts of the Chagford extension would be kept separate from those of the Moretonhampstead line, and the same rebate which the South Devon allowed on the Moreton line, the Moreton line would allow on the Chagford extension; that the shareholders of this latter line would have nothing to pay on their shares, which were £10 each, until the bill had been applied for and become an Act of Parliament. His Lordship had been looking at the visitors’ arrival book of that hotel, and from the influx of people which had been at Chagford during the year, he had no doubt there would be much traffic if the line was made to that place. The Moreton line would probably be opened next Sept unless anything unforeseen occurred. He hoped the owners of the land through which the projected line was to pass would consent to take the value of their land in shares, he himself owned a fifth part of the whole, and was quite ready to take the value of that in shares. The noble earl resumed his seat amidst loud applause. Mr. Margery, the engineer, then explained the features of the proposed line, the distance of which was a little than four miles, and the steepest gradient 1 in 50. The line had been carefully surveyed, and the estimate was about £38,000. Mr. Whiteford (Plymouth) next rose and stated that if a certain sum was raised in shares there would always be found contractors to make the line. He also pointed out the benefit the line would confer on the district by the importation of coals direct from Dartmouth, was almost free port. Mr. J. Hooper (Withecombe) then addressed the meeting and dwelt largely on the advantages of railway accommodation to all practical farmers. He himself had long felt the want of it, and he hoped the parish would come forward with this occasion to promote their own interests. There was a quantity of un-reclaimed land belonging to the parish, which would be very profitable, if they were able to get manure brought close to them by railway. There were also large factories, at one time second to none in Devonshire, which he doubted would not be again worked if the line was made; for had always observed wherever there was good waterpower within easy distances of a railroad it was sure be made use of for some purpose or other. He hoped, therefore, they would all unite in supporting the line, and give a good pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether. He felt great pleasure in moving the first resolution: “That this meeting has learnt with much satisfaction that the Moreton and South Devon Railway Company are projecting an extension of their line from Moreton to Chagford and engage to give to the undertaking their united and cordial support.” This was seconded by Mr. Collins (Batworthy), and unanimously carried. In reply to Mr. Ellis, Mr. Margery stated that he thought the lines of deviation would not be required, as the centre line seemed the only one they should want. S. Hunt, Esq., then moved: “That a committee appointed to canvas the landowners and residents in the district for subscription for shares, consist of the Rev. H. G. Hames, Messrs. Ellis (Week), Collins (Batworthy, J. Hooper, Coniam, Osmend, Perryman, with power to add to their number.” This was seconded by Mr. Perryman and carried unanimously. The Chairman then proposed the committee should meet at the Globe Hotel, on the 2nd of January next. The Earl of Devon proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, who, when he had acted with him on the Teign Valley line, had always found most energetic in watching over the interests of Chagford. This was carried by acclamation, and the meeting then separated.
(see also Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Friday 23rd December 1864)
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Referenced
GRO0831 Devonport: Thomas Pinsent: 1842 – 1889 (?)