52 The Proposed Belfast Central Station and Railways. 



not consider that a very great objection. It is not such a 

 difficult matter that engineers cannot overcome it. Why should 

 Belfast stand in the way if these London people wish to spend 

 a million of money in Belfast ? I have never yet heard of any 

 English company proposing to spend ;^500,ooo in Cork, Gal- 

 way, or Dublin. They come to Belfast because they have faith 

 and confidence in Belfast. I may give as an instance, that some 

 gentlemen lately waited upon a distinguished Englishman in 

 London on a certain business. The expressions of opinion that 

 this distinguished Englishman made regarding Belfast appeared 

 extraordinary to me. He said he considered Belfast was the 

 most rising and prosperous town in the three kingdoms, and I 

 quite agree with him. It is a compliment to you that an 

 English syndicate should come over here and offer to spend 

 their money and not ask you for a penny unless you like. Do 

 gentlemen here think Belfast will remain stationary } English- 

 men don't. The Railway may not pay now, it may pay 20 or 

 30 years to come. There are many cities in England where 

 there is more employment of a certain class, but I think there 

 is no city in the three kingdoms where men, women, and 

 children can get such useful and constant employment. I have 

 heard that from workers themselves. There is another thing ; 

 people are crowding into Belfast from every part of Ireland to 

 educate their children and put them into business. The city, I 

 think, is bound to go ahead, and if you don't support this 

 scheme we have not as much confidence in our city as we 

 ought to have. I think you will make a great mistake to reject 

 this scheme. Regarding the difficulties, there are difficulties in 

 everything ; but why should difficulties be considered so enor- 

 mous in Belfast which have been overcome in London and 

 other places ? I hope, gentlemen, you will support this Railway 

 thoroughly and unanimously. 



Prof. J. D. Everett. — The chief difficulty that I came here 

 in the hope of hearing explained is a difficulty that was raised 

 in a discussion which took place in this room upon the projected 

 Channel Tunnel, and that is the enormous expense of keeping 



