Guelph Advertiser 4 March 1852

Toronto and Guelph Railroad

The following discussion is reported by the Toronto Patriot, to have taken place at a meeting of the city council, on the 23rd February:

Ald. Cameron drew the attention of the Council to his notice of motion for prohibiting the issue of any Debentures for the Toronto and Guelph Railroad until after the line had been finally decided. He had given that notice in consequence of a rumour prevalent in the city, that the railroad was to be taken by way of Port Credit. Having since understood that this notice was calculated to throw difficulties in the way of the Railroad, he now proposed to withdraw it. He had understood that two lines were ordered to be surveyed -- one, through Milton, the other further north; but he since heard that the northern line only was directed to be surveyed, and that no further amount of Debentures would be called for than was necessary to pay the cost of survey, which would be within then per cent. He wished the Mayor to state whether or not these things were the facts.

The Mayor was glad of the opportunity of stating publicly, that he had never been spoken to by any member of the board of Directors in favour of the route by Port Credit; there was but one director at all interested in that line, and that gentleman had never mentioned the subject. However, in order to obviate the feelings which were abroad, against that route, the board had directed the engineer, who had himself previously reported against a southern route, to survey the northern route only. He (the Mayor) was so strongly opposed to the road going to Port Credit,that he would rather move to rescind the grant of 100,000 pounds, than consent to that line. -- In fact, so far from wishing to commit the city hastily, he had never yet subscribed for the Stock taken by the city at all. -- The provisional directors have no power to locate the line of road. As soon as 10 per cent of the required ... paid in, new directors must be elected by the stockholders; and the present Board are anxious that at least three of those new directors, besides the Mayor, shall be members of the City Council.

Ald. Cameron remarked that the Mayor, if he pleased could immediately issue the whole 100,000 pounds Debentures on behalf of the City.

Ald. Boulton asked if the Mayor had, in the Board, supported the resolution to survey the northern route only?

The Mayor replied, that he had not because he thought it useless. The surveyor had originally reported that there ... were three routes by which the road might be taken; the southern by way of Port Credit, being three miles longer than the others, and more difficult of construction, he considered impracticable. In fact, he had stated that there would be great difficulties in the way of getting across the mountain near Guelph at all. The other two lines he recommended for survey. He was then directed to survey the road from Guelph westward to the mountain; he stated that he must examine the mountain north and south of the original survey, in order to find the best place for a railroad. When a director afterwards proposed to limit the surveyor's instructions to the northern line, he (the Mayor) thought it unnecessary; but from what had transpired since, he could understand the object of the resolution.

Mr Romain asked what objections there were to the route by Milton? Would that route necessarily require the railroad to be taken to Port Credit?

The Mayor replied that it would not.

Mr. Romain was surprised at the objection to go by way of Milton, as the road would then pass through the best part of the country.

Ald. Cameron was convinced that the citizens would never consent that the road should be carried so near the mouth of the Credit as Milton. He read the resolution of the Board of Directors, which had just been put into his hands by Dr. Clarke, which, after reciting the two routes, one by way of Milton to Guelph, the other by way of Georgetown, instructed the Surveyor to examine and report upon that by way of Georgetown. The Surveyor (Mr. Shanley), having been telegraphed thereof, had replied by the same mode, that he had called in his assistants accordingly. Being quite satisfied with the explanations of the Mayor, and with the action of the Board of Directors, he begged to withdraw his notice of motion.

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