Part 15 (2/2)

The construction of the line was begun in April of the following year, 1855; the contractors being Messrs. Smith & Knight. The original capital of the company was 48,000, in 10 shares, but the ultimate cost was about 60,000. The G.N.R. Company undertook the working, paying half the receipts to the shareholders; and as, for the distance (about 7 miles), the expenditure was, compared with that of many such undertakings, small, so, as an investment, the enterprise proved a profitable one, few lines yielding so good a return for the outlay; the 10 shares still (in 1907) sell at nearly half as much again (14 17s. 3d., July, 1907).

A brief account may well here be given of the opening ceremony of this important event in the town's history, condensed from the public journals of the day. The line was examined by the Government Inspector, Colonel Wynn, and a few days later Mr. Seymour Clarke, the G.N.R. manager, stated that it could not be in a more efficient condition. The opening ceremony was fixed for Aug. 12th, 1855. At an early hour the town was crowded with visitors and shops were closed. At 7 a.m. 2,500 lbs. of beef were distributed among the poorer people. Peals of bells were rung, the Horncastle and Spilsby bands added their music of popular airs. The streets and station were profusely decorated, under the direction of Mr.

Crowder, florist, Mr. John Osborne, parish clerk, Mr. Archbould, head gardener to Sir H. Dymoke, Mr. Nelson from Stourton Hall, and a local committee. Flags displayed the arms of the town, those of Sir H. Dymoke, Mr. J. Banks Stanhope, the Bishop of Carlisle, then lord of the manor, the Rose of England, and the Union Jack. About noon a procession was formed in the Bull Ring, to meet the Directors of the G.N.R., by Mr. F.

Harwood, master of the ceremonies, in the following order:

Navvy bearing bronzed pickaxe and shovel.

Banner.

Navvies, four abreast.

Banner.

Two navvies, bearing silver-gilt wheelbarrow.

Banners.

Horncastle Bra.s.s Band.

Contractor. Engineer.

Secretary. Solicitor.

Auditor. Auditor.

Banners. Directors, two abreast. Banners.

Churchwarden, Dr. B. J. Boulton.

The Vicar, Rev. W. H. Milner.

Banners. Shareholders and their friends, four Banners.

abreast.

Spilsby Bra.s.s Band.

Parish Clerk, Mr. J. C. Osborne, in his robes, preceded by his Standard Bearer.

Banner. Members of the various Clubs, with Banner.

Banners.

Banner. 1,000 School Children, 4 abreast. Banner.

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