Guelph Advertiser 27 May 1852

Toronto and Guelph Railroad

A meeting of the Directors of the Toronto and Guelph Railroad Company was held in Toronto on Friday last. Particulars of the business done have not been published; but we are informed that the Report which was laid before the Directors contains the intelligence that the road will cost 350,000 pounds instead of 250,000 pounds. One bridge, to be built of stone, over the Credit is estimated to cost 25,000 pounds. It is stated that the sum of 350,000 pounds will be sufficient to build the road in the most substantial manner, - all the bridges and culverts to be of stone, and the whole line to be constructed of the best and most durable materials.

Last year, it was stated by the parties who took the lead in placing this railroad project prominently before the public, that the road would certainly not cost more than 250,000 pounds, including rolling stock and every contingent expense. Now it is estimated the road will cost 350,000 pounds; and probably will really exceed even this sum. When the people of Guelph subscribed for 25,000 pounds stock, they did it on the full assurance that the road would not cost more than 250,000 pounds - and believing that that sum would be raised, and the road built, they assumed as much of the burden as the Town can bear. But if it is found that the road would not cost nearly as much again as was originally supposed, what is to be done? Are there no means of reducing the cost of the road? Can there not be some deviations to the right or to the left, by which the cost of way would be reduced? Have the estimates been formed with a view of the strictest economy? Could not, for instance, a strong and substantial wooden bridge be put over the Credit at a cost of 4,000 pounds or 5,000 pounds, instead of a stone bridge at a cost of 25,000 pounds? These are questions with which the Directors have more particularly to do - yet it is well that the people who are bound to pay the piper, should have a voice in choosing the tune. If the road is commenced on the plan of estimates making it cost 400,000 pounds, it will not be built for years. The money cannot be raised; and even if it could, the road at such a cost would not pay,but would be a dead weight on the unfortunate stockholders.

Another meeting of the Directors will be held at Toronto tomorrow (Friday). Their proceedings will probably be of great importance.

The Colonist gives the following items, relative to the last meeting of the Directors:

The Directors of the Toronto and Guelph Railway Company, met last week, to consider the estimates for the construction of the Railroad, and to determine the route. We understand that no decision was come to, at the meeting, and that the Board adjourned for a week, then to reassemble for the transaction of business. We further understand, that there were some lines run and that the comparative expense of their construction would be as follows, viz:

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