Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/71

Rh advantage without interfering with the profits of the companies. The Court of Directors at that time entertained grave doubts whether an extensive railway system was applicable to India. Various lines were competing for precedence, and neither the Court nor the Government appeared to have sufficient information on the general question.

Mr. Sims, well known in the scientific world, assisted by two officers of the Bengal Engineers, drew up an exhaustive report on the question. Lines were surveyed. The practicability of bridging over the Soane (Son) River, with other works of importance, was duly considered. The land question was so far settled that the Home authorities decided that the land should be given free to the companies, since its purchase could be effected by the Government more easily than by individual companies. The President of the Council (Sir Herbert Maddock) suggested that at the end of twenty-five years the railways should revert to the State, on a fair valuation, and that no dividend should be guaranteed either before or after the completion of the work, one-tenth of the capital being paid to the State in the event of failure.

It will be seen from the foregoing that, although Sir Henry Hardinge's attention was concentrated in a great measure on the North-West Frontier and the affairs of the Punjab, he found time to study and grapple with such a difficult and comprehensive subject as that of Indian railways. Years have passed since these deliberations took place. Some of the