Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/203

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of the act of 41st George III. (since the last-recited act,) raised, by shares, £9,647, which said sums have all been expended on the canal and works, except the sum of £2,658, 9s. 7d.; but in consequence of the high prices of the land required for the canal and reservoirs, and the expenditure in the necessary erection of wharfs, warehouses, &c. the company have incurred a debt of £25,700. It further states, that for the purpose of constructing the reservoirs, bridges, and other additional works, they will require the sum of £7,343; and for the discharging of their debts and completing the canal and works, the further sum of £50,385. This act, therefore, authorizes them to raise these by granting annuities, with benefit of survivorship, if required, for the works above-mentioned, and to pay off the mortgage debt of £29,615. The work is directed to be put under the management of a committee of from fifteen to twenty-one persons, who are severally possessed of five shares at the least.

The principal object of this canal is the supply of Croydon and its vicinity with coal, deals, and general merchandize, and the export of agricultural produce, chalk, fire-stone, fuller's-earth, &c. to London.

CROYDON, MERSTHAM AND GODSTONE RAILWAY.

43 George III. Cap. 35, Royal Assent 17th May, 1803.

46 George III. Cap. 93, Royal Assent 3rd July, 1806.

THIS railway commences at the south end of the Surrey Iron Railway, on the west side of the town of Croydon, from whence it proceeds, in a southerly direction, running parallel with the Brighton Road, to the village of Merstham, from whence, the act gives authority to continue it by Gatton Park, the residence of Sir Mark Wood, Bart. to the town of Reigate. The Godstone Green Branch commences at Merstham, whence it takes a south-eastwardly course by Pendhill and Chevington, and terminates at Godstone Green, on the high road between Croydon and East Grinstead. From croydon to Merstham the length is nearly eight miles and three quarters, and from thence to Reigate, three miles