The Sun. — London, England, 1846-06-27 00:00:00

IMPERIAL P&R'LIAMENT. HOfUSE OF LORDS, June 26. Their Lordships met to-day shortly after Four o'clock. ROYALCONIMISSION—THE ROYAL ASSENT TO THE CORN AND CUSTOMS BILLS. The royal assent was given to-day by commission to the following Bills: THE CORN IMPORT ATION BILL. THE CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL. The Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, The Explosive Substances Bill. London and York Railway Bill. Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Tay Ferry) Bill. The North British Railway (Ha - wick Branches) Bill. The Scottish Midland Jur.ctkin Railway Branches Bill. Colchester, Stour Vallty, Sudbury, and Halstead Railway Bill. JUalton and Driftlek' i Junction Railway Bill. Arbroath and Forfar Railway Amendment Bill. Edinburgh stir; Northern Railway (Pettycur Branches) Bill. Manchester :and Birmingham Railway Bill. Caledonia!, and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway Bill. Buckin'aamshire Railway ( Oxford and Bietchley Junction) BilL Great Worth of Scotland Railway Bill. North Staffordshire Railway (Harecastle and Sandbach) Bill. Nroth Staffordshire Railway ( Pottery line) Bill. North Staffordshire trail say (Churn-t Valley) Bill. Belfast and County Down Railway Bill. East Lincolnshire, Railway Bill. York and North. Midland Railway (Leeds Extension) Lancashire an/ 1 North Yorkshire Railway Bill. Birkenhead, 'Lancashire, and Chethire Junction Railway Bill. North Weviern Railway Bill. Boston, S'casnford, and Birmingham Railway Bill. Slamanniva and Borrowstouness Railway Bill. Great North of England Railway ( Boroughbridge Branch) Bill. Great :north of England Railway (Bedale Branch) Bill. Eastern Union Railway (Ardleigh to Colchester) Bill. Grep,t, Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway Extension ( k No. 1) Bill. cfreat Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway Extension (No. 2) Bill. Great Grimsby and Sheffiehi Junction Railway Extension (No. 3) Bill. Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway (Humber Ferries) Bill. Midland Railway (E.rewash Valley Extension) Bill. Direct London am; Portsmouth Railway Bill. Ballochney yßill. Bristol and Sott. t h Wales Junction Railway and Ferry Bill. Stowmarket - fiavigati.n Bill. Port Eller, Harbour Bill. Portsmituth Harbour and Pier Bill. Ljvcrpool Docks Bill. 4 '.Corthumberland Docks Bill. Lincoln Waterworks Bill. Warrington Waterworks Bill. Harrogate Waterworks Bill. Stafford New Gas Bill. Hartlepool Gas Bill. Kendal Union Gas Bill. Great Grimsby Gas Bill. Hamilton Nee; Gas Bill. Burnley Improvement and Waterworks Bill. Liverpool Improvement Bill. Newcastle-upon-Tyne Improvement BiIL Sittingbourne Improvement Bill. York Improvement Bill. liromsgrove Improvement and Small Tenements Bill. Leith Paving Bid. Salford Hundred Court Bill. Liverpool Sanatory Bill. 'le and Derwent Drainage 13111, "-Askew's Estate Bill. Tipwell-cum-Welney Rectory Bill. The Commissioner; were the Lord Chanc , :llor, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Haddington, and the Earl of Dal housie. Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from the Lord provost, town counc il, an d ot h er i n h a bi tan t s o f t h e c ity o f Glasgow, praying to be heard by counsel at the bar against the Clydesdale Junction Railway Bill. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE submitted to the House that a humble address should be presented to her Majesty, nomplaining of the want of accommodation in their Lordship's Mouse, /louse, and of the delay in preparing the new Houses for ,!heir L or d s hi ps ' recept i on t h roug h the o b struction occas i one d by Dr. Reid's system of warming and ventilating the House f Peers. _ 'Viscount CANNING said, he had t o su b m it a report on the subject to the:ir Lordships, which in no way interfered with the rep or t laid on the table by the noble Marquis. The Noble Lord then read the report, after which the Noble Lord pre sented a petition from Dr. Reid, praying that he should be heard at the bar of their Lordships' House, against the intro- Unction of any other system of ventilation than his own. Lord SUDELEY sa id t h at D r. R e id h ad b een ver y h a rdly dealt with by those oppo s ed t o hi m . H e ( L or d S u d e ley ) had been 11 ,, Member of the Committe e f or some ti me , but during the 44 rnet he had been so he had never heard the name of Dr. Reid mentioned, nor any complaints preferred against him, though he D. heard severa l ma d e aga i ns t th e arc hit ects an d con t rac t or s. Dr. Reid was oblig ed to submit on all architectural points to Mr. B arr y, w h o had done everything to obstruct his opera tions. He would ask any one of their Lordships, was net the system of ventilation adopted by Dr. Reid the most scientific id the most e ff ec ti ve y e t di scovere d? Notwithstanding this, _h e would not b e a ll owe d to carry hi s s y s t e m i n to effect, but the ventilation of the Houses was given to a person by no means SD c ompetent. He th ere f ore w i s h e d the resolution postponed till ' 4 2e evideette was laid before their Lordships. Lord REDESDALE sai d if t h ey wa it e d f or th a t, they would " a lo ng time before they got into the new Houses. He could state, in reference to Dr. Reid, that as a member of the Com mittee, he (Lord Redesdale) bad frequently called for Dr. Reid's plans, but he had never yet given them. Under all the eutnstances of the case, he thought the recommendation of t . 4 0 Committee ought to be attended to, and that they should proceed to ventilate the House without Dr. Reid. The Marquis of SALISBURY supported the motion. Lord CAMPBELL thought they should continue to suffer Inconvenience before they perpetrated an injustice, and if they Mepted the resolution, he believed they would be treating Dr. Reid unjustly. It was quite true that they were sometimes in the temperature of Greenland, and at other times in that of encoolen, but that was not the fault of Dr. Reid, who get no means to car r y out hi s pr i nc i p l es . H e believed that Dr. Reid nad never held out any promise which he had not fulfilled, and he considered that it would be very unjust to deprive him of the honour of ventilating the new Houses of Parliament. Lord SUDELEY said hat no one could doubt that Dr. Reid had succeeded in houses already „wilt. Why then should he fail in houses to be built, if he had a fair opportunity of carry ult out his experiments? Lord REDESDALE said that the test of a man's abilities patshis being able to overcome difficulties. H e had decidedl y failed in the ventilation of their Lordships' House, for they had been some evenings almost roasted during t' e debates. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, believing that the object of his Noble Friend's motion was mere) , to enable their Lord ships to enter the new House the next session, he should have his support, and he hoped that their Lordships would adopt the motion. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that the question before their Lordships was not the ability or non-ability of Dr Reid, b u t whether they should take steps to enable them to enter tns new House the next session. He did not dispute the abilities of Dr. Reid. Lord ASHBURTON, without throwing any reflection upon ur. Reid's character, submitted that for the purpose of Plating an end to these annoying discussions about ventilation, the address should be agreed to. Earl GREY agreed with his Noble Friend near him that Dr. Reid had been successful in his attempts to ventilate the Rouse ot Commons ; there was invariably an agreeable and steady temperature there. Formerly that House (when occu -Itied by their L or d s hi ps ) was w retchedly ventilated. Since 1835 , the time when Dr. Reid was called in, it had been ad -li:drably ventilated. He was sorry to hear that the plans of Dr . Reid could not be introduced into the new Houses of Perlis tnent. _ _ The LORD CHANCELLOR then put the motion, which Was ;Agreed to. Lord BROUGHAM put a question to the Under Secretary for th e Colonies, respecting the conduct of Mr. Mc Dowal, late Attorney-General for Van D ernen's Land. ANOTHER COERCION BILL FOR IRELAND. Lord BROUGHAM obtained leave to bring in a Bill which Was th e same in substance as that which he introduced in 1843, regarding Ireland, and which he had then withdrawn at the instance of his Noble and venerated Friend the Noble Duke apposite. He introduced it in consequence of what took place last night in another place, and he believed it ought to be more stringent than it really was, The Bill was then read a first time. LORDS GOUGH AND HARDINGE'S ANNUITY BILLS.—MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION. The Earl of RIPON said that it was his intention that even • 41g, to announce the course which the Government intended to pursue with respect to these Bills, but in consequence of cir cumstances which had recently occurred he did not consider it his duty to call their attention to them to-night, but would Postpone the reconsideration of the report for the present. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from a Parish in Heiefordshire, against the Pauper Lunatics Bill. SUMMARY CONVIC LIONS (JUVENILE OFFENDERS) BILL. The Marquis of WESTMINSTER rose to move the second reading of this Bill. The Bill proposed that all prisoners under seventeen years of age should be brought to trial as soon as posible. It was one of the clauses of the Bill that magis tratess should have su mmary jurisdiction in all petty larceny cases, and that that power should also apply to the receivers of stolen goods, and those prisoners who were charged with re ceiving money under false pretences. The Noble Lord was proceeding with the details of the measure, when The LORD CHANCELLOR, interrupting the Noble Marquis, said that he should like to move the adjournment of the debate till the House should be better attended, and he Would therefore move that the further consideration of the Bill should be adjourned to Monday week. The adjournment was weed to. PUNISHMENT OF CLERKS. The Bishop of LONDON moved the second reading of the Punishment o Clerk4' 13111. Lord PORTMAN said that it would be bitter, under the existing circumstances, to take the second reading of the Bill 'without discussion, and the second re adin g could be taken merely pro fornsd. The Bishop of LONDON concurred in the suggestion of the Noble Lord. The 13111 was then read a second time. COUNTY WORKS PREsENTMENTS (IRELAND) BILL. The Comity Works Presentments (Ireland) Bill was passed through Committee. The other orders of the clay were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Seven o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 26 The SPEAKER too k the Chair at Four o 'clock , when there Railway t t i he on Was a rather full att endance of Members. Mr. ESTCOURT m oved that it be an instructi on to Committee of Selection to refer the Alountmellick Junction Railway Bill, and the Limeriek, Ennis, and Killaioe Bill, being ed to tin , Chan-man WalS 71•171 Means :Jo! Membcrs to be added by the Committee of se_ lection o f James Agm-vil. Esq , ih e inhabilant t , ot Antrim, and J,irin Ciiales, against the Larne, Belfast, and Ballymena Railway Bill, be withdrawn. Agra to. GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE RAIL WAY. On the motion for the third reading of this Bill, Mr, HOD 'SON moved that the Bill be read a third time 711 • t • I 1.% •I • V; •N • • L Evans, 11 r. Ewan, Mr. Curteis, and Air. buncombe took part, then ensued. The gallery was ordered to be cleared fir a division. On our return we found the numbers were — For the third reading For the amendment ......... 120 Majority Mr. LOCKHART protested against the decision as one whi c h prevent a proper communication bet ween England s „, t i., 4 1, r ‘ll2ltl . Wit I.;.,:iliers of Sul hind were in favour of the Caledonian Railway, which was granted last session, and this decision was granting a competing line contrary to all cannon. some, for it WU well known that there was not sufficient traffic for both lines, and the result must be ruinous to both companies. The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the principal cities of Scotland, and the people generally, with but few exceptions, were in favour of the Caledonian line. The evidence of Mr Brunel, which he would read an extract from, would show that the country was not of such a character as to support two lines of railway. (The Hon. 11.1 ember then read an extract to tits effect, 4hat the Caledonian line was the one best adapted for the wants of the country and that. it would not support a second line of railway. )—( Loud cries of " Divide, divide.") He would not detain the House longer beyond saying that the decision the House had come to would materially interfere with the success of a great national undertaking. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. CORN IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS DUTIES BILLS.—ROYAL ASSENT. Sir Augustus Clifford, Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at the bar, and summoned the House to attend at the bar of the House of Lords, to hear the royal assent given to a number of public and private Bills (for which see Lords' report). On the return:of the SPEAKER, i.e stated that he had been to the Upper House to hear the royal assent given to several Acts, amongst which were the Corn Importation and Customs Duties Bills. The announcement was received with great cheering, in an extremely crowded House. Sir J. Graham, Lord Lincoln, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, and all the other members of the Government, with the exception of Sir Robert Peel, were present, as well as Lord John Russell and the principal leaders of the Opposition, and Mr. Cobden. Several Railway Bilk were read a third time and passed. CORNWALL RAILWAY. Sir C. LEMON moved the third reading of the Cornwall Railway (Saltash Branch) Bill. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition against the third reading of the Bill. Captain PLUM RIDGE presented a petition to the same effect. Captain BERKELEY moved that the third reading of the Bill should be postponed until certain papers should be placed in the hands of the Members. The bridge which was erected over the river Tamar would seriously interfere with the na vigation of the river. The railway company undertook, to prevent expense, to provide a steam-tug of sufficient power to take vessels through the arch. The Admiralty Board had already sent a letter to the Chairman of the Committee, stating that the bridge over the Tamar was to be ninety-five feet high, but the next day that letter was recalled. Fro is the evidence adduced before the Com mittee it was sheem that it was absolutely necessary that the bridge should be from 95 to 100 feet high, as in case of its being of a less height all vessels passing would have to strike their m:Lsts and take in their top-sails, and while they were doing so they would lose half the tide. He should not move against the third reading of the Bill, but he should move its ad journment for a week. Sir C. LEMON objected to any such adjournment at the present period of the session. Captain VI VIAN would support the motion for the post ponement, in order to allow time for the tables to be laid before the Committee. Wiih regard to the line itself, he did not consider it the most direct one for the county of Cornwall that might be adopted It was 13 miles round about from London to its terminus; and by way of Exeter from London it was 23 miles from the direct course. It was utterly impossible any other line could pay between Fal mouth and Exeter. Then again, he could not understand why Mr. Brunel stated that the gentlemen who gave evidence before the Committee in favour of the line were interested parties, as they were persona of high standing, and far removed from suspicion. He hoped the House would consent to a week's delay. Mr. CORRY said the Admiralty did not wish to prevent the construction of works of necessary and public importance. Lord NIORPETH, as Chairman of the Committee which sat upon the Bill, had never heard of a more unnecessary and uncalled-for interference with the progress of any private measure than the present. It was a measure of considerable importance, and one which he thought the Legislature ought to pass into a law.—(Hear, hear.) At low water the height of the bridge would be one hundred feet, and after the evidence which had been placed before the House, he did not see that they should stop the progress of Bill. Mr. HUME considered that this was not a question which ought to be decided on the principles which usually influenced the House. The very circumstance of the letter having been written from the Admiralty, without the sanction of the board, was one which ought of itself alone to stop the further progress of the Bill.—( Hear, hear.) The question was not one as to the height of the bridge, but as to the necessity for it at all. The Admiralty ought, in cases where any interference with any navigation was proposed, to ascertain whether a line conld be formed which would obviate the necessity for such an interference altogether. Such an al ternative line could be formed in this instance, and not only that, but it would be 36 miles shorter, and would avoid the in terference of a break of gauge. He should suggest that the postponement of the Bill should take place, for a time, or even until next session, so as to obtain a better and a shorter line. He was persuaded there ought to be no bridge at all. It was the duty of the Admiralty to have inquired whether the same communication could not be obtained without inter fering with a navigable river. A communication to Falmouth could be had twenty-six miles nearer than the one proposed, without in terfering with the navigation. He regretted that the Ad miralty should in any instance depart from the principle of in terfering with navigable rivers. Let them reconcile the decision in the present instance with that on the one on the Runcron case if they could. He submitted to the Gallant Admiral (Bowles) whether it would not be better to allow another week for inquiring into the subject, and in order that the Admiralty might reconsider the question. Admiral BOWLES defended the conduct of the Admiralty in reference to their present decision. Sir CHARLES NAPIER was surprised at the arguments of the Lords of the Admiralty on the subject, and considered that as Mr. Walker, who was an old servant of the Admiralty, had reported in favour of a bridge of a certain height, they ought to allow the Company to make it. At any rate Le could not see any objection to delay the matter for a week. Sir G. COCKBURN defended the decision of the Admi ralty, and read a letter from Mr. Walker, stating that at haw water the height of the bridge in the clear would be 95 feet, and at high water 76 feet. After alfew words from Admiral Dutra", a and Lord Mom. sevn, Mr. PENDARVES opposed the motion. After a few words from Sir G. Cockburn, Admiral Dundas, Captain Berkeley, Mr. Pendarves, Mr. Trelawney, Captain Plumridge, and Mr. Buller, The House divided, when there appeared— For the third reading 193 For the Amendment lB Majority The Bill was accordingly read a third time and passed. LORDS' AMENDMENTS. The Lords amendments to the following Bills were read and agreed to, viz.: Alford Valley Railway. Dundee and Arbroath Railway Extensions. Dundee anti Perth Railway Amendment. Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Newport Railway and St. Andrew's Branch). Great North of Scotland (Eastern Extension). SHEFFIELD GENERAL CEMETERY BILL. Th;li was read a third time and passed. NORTH WALES MINERAL RAILWAY BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. DE WINTON'S ESTATE BILL. Mr. BAILEY moved that the Committee on De Winton's Estate Bill have leave to sit on Monday next, at two o'clock; and that the said Bill be committed to Mr. Bailey, Mr. Gibson Craig, and Mr. Eliott Lockhart.—The motion was agreed to. EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY STATIONS EN- - LA RGEMENT BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. The following Bills were also read a third time and passed : London and Birmingham Railway (Aylesbury Railway Pur chase). London and Birmingham Railway (Coventry to Nuneaton). London and Birmingham Grand Junction and Manchester and Birmingham Railways Amalgamation. London and Birmingham Railway (Weedon and No- thampton). MIDLAND AND EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. MESSAGE FRO.►I THE LORDS. Messengers from the Lords announced that the Royal As• sent had been given to several Railway Bills (for which see Lords' Report.) THE HALIFAX MAILS. Mr. MILNER GIBSON said the Hon. Member for Bristol had obtained an order for the production of some papers relative to the contract with Messrs. Cunard, for car,. rying the mails to the United States. He wished to know when those papers would be laid upon the table. He would also take the opportunity of asking whether the contrac' now proposed to be entered into for the weekly conveyance of the mail would be open to pubic competion ? Memorials to the Government on the subject had been forwarded from the City of London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristo., and other large towns, all praying that the contract should be open to the pub lic. He would ask the Government to delay the inquiry of the contract till, at the least, the papers to which ht had referred were produced. He thought the contract should be left open to public competition. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the pap:rs were not yet in a fit state to be placed on the table, but they would be produced in a short time. With regard to the contract, the new arrangement was but a continuation of the original contract. At the time the original contract was entered into, it was thrown open to the public, and the Messrs. Cunard were the only parties that were in a fit condition to carry it out, and the contract was accordingly made with them. The Government had no desire whatever to deprive the public of the advantage of competition. After a few observations from Mr. HUME and other Hon. Members, on the advantage of throwing such contracts open to public competition, the subject dropped. SUGAR DUTIES BILL. The Report of the Commtttee on this Bill was brought up and received. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CHEQUER, it was agreed that the Amuse, at its rising, do adjourn till Monday next. The Bill was ordered to be read a third time on Monday next. ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. Mr. ESCOTT asked the Right Hon. Baronet the Secre tary of State for the Home Department, at what time he ex pected the Bill for the relief of Roman Cellolies from the Howe of Lords? Sir JAMES GRAHAM replied that it had been fixed for a third reading, but he could not say on what day it would be introduced into the House of Commons. There was no doubt, however, that it would be introduced there in a few days. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. The orders of the day for the consideration of the Lords' Amendments on this Bill having been read, Sir JAMES GRAHAM explained the nature of the amend ments which were ..veptnilly agreed to. P LACES OF WORSHIP: &e., SITES (SCOTLAND: jou(n the r ) n ;ILL. Mr. FOX M AULE said, that as b e h a d ne hop m eade o b r a d t e e r on of th t e he se d e % d be r i e nr din re g a o d f f l o h r is r ß e , l T ing_ the es ad: being able to proceed with the Bill, he should, with the per mission of the House, withdraw the Bill. He was happy to say that since he last addressed the House on this subject, two Noble Lords, who had previously refused, had now consented g ym, I tf,4 fur the erection of fr e churches. .1 x . lll I.IiA!-1A t':e lion Gernlema baa, 5 +4..104, exec C. 5 l - 11 a very woe thsereticti in not attempting to p. - t.ss las Bill thr.aigh the House. The order for the second reading of the Bill was then by consent discharged, and the Bill withdrawn. The other orders of the day having been disposed of, the House adjourned at Half-past Seven o'clock. BRESLAU, JUNE 18.—Early this morning two or three houses were completely destroyed by fire in the Mantlergasse. Six 0; seven pereons perished in the flames. _ \Vo r" t. t.i :t E. 1?;eo, E.Fri , . - )no of the tepresentauves of Dover, is slid iauuuring wider ise,.le iitUlS position, and has been compelled to pair off for the remainder of the session. The lion. Member is about to embark on a continental tOtTI— &MA QiieriVr. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 27, 1846. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. locomotives. He was of opinion that, in the improved state of science, gradients were of less consequence than distance In his re-examination of Mr. Hill, he stated that the railvays made, or authorised to be made, would afford as good communication between Southampton and the north as the Manchester and Somilampton— lie referred to the route by way of Basingstoke and Oxford,the Oxford and Rugby, and the Trent Valley, but he limited this opinion to the conveyance of merchandise. The Manchester and Southampton was a little shorter, but its gradients were not so good as br the other route. In giving this opinion, he excluded the inconvenimce arising from the breaks of gauge. By the COMMITTRE—Had stated before the Gauge Commissioners that it would be advis able for broad gauge lines to adopt the narrow gauge, and that any break of gauge was particularly inconvenient in transmitting goods. Mr. Charles Saunders, the secretary to the Great Wes:ern Railway said the Board of Trade reported to Parliament in favour of the line from Basingstoke to Reading, which was projected by the Great Western Company, because it would open up direct aorthern and southern communication. The Great Western Company were willing to sdopt all the suggestions of the Hoard of Trade, and would con struct the Oxford and Rugby line on the narrow-gaup line though projected as a broad gauge line, and also to lay do Nn the narrow gauge on lines communicating between that line and others, but this could only be done with respect to the Southampton and Midland lines. They had a large traffic in fat cattle going to Southall and °the' rnarkets. _ (erred to the parties, who, in order to have time to consider them, requested an adjournment. The Committee then. adjourned until half-past ten o'clock to morrow. ( i ESTERDAY) HOUSE OF LORDS. GROUP XLVII. ilo T u l s ii e s s C o o f m r m a t a e m e s a s n e rr b r l o e e d e a ed t e t d w w e 1 v i t e h o th ' c leo casec k , l n of Room 25 , New Room A. CAMDRIDGE A ND OXFORD. NEATH VALE, Their Lordships met as usual at eleven ; Lord llornington in the chair. the preamble of which was declared to have been proved. After going through the clauses, all of which were passed, the Corn mittee dissolved, this Bill being the last of the group on which they had been appointed to decide. The ooze for the opponents wee continued. Mr. Smike, a farmer, near Baldock, was called and examined by Mr. HILDYABIO. He gave similar evidence to that given by other witnesses yesterday. Mr. Bidder, Mr. Henshawe, and Mr. Robert Stephenson gave en gineering evidence very strongly against the line, which they repre sented to be a bad one in every respect. They particularly objected to it on account of its having but a single line of rails. If it should be ..roposed to make a double line, it could not be done within the estitnates. GROUP XLVIII. LLYNVX VALLEY AND SOUTH WALES JUNCTION. The Committee met this day at twelve o'clock ; Mr. Aldam chairman. The preamble of this Bill having been declared proved, the claases were gone through. M ONMOUTHSHIRE AND HEREFORD. This was the next case called on. 3 i i hr . 3Tre.. Brunel conoi Committee opened etc intimated il d ue si, t a h tt e eo case dp arotvtfeho thei s r tshteeagnpa engineering promoters. eotrthiene proceedings rg merits of the lin e . s p that the . case must be withdrawn. The Bill was accordingly thrown out. The Committee then arranged to take the next Bill in the group on Monday, to which day they adjourned. Mr. It. Stephenson said that in the time of the railway mania he was called upon to lay down a line between Oxford and Cambridge, and he gave his opinion that such a line would be useless and absurd. It was now proposed to call Mr. Brunel, but as that gentleman was not in the room, it was proposed that the Committee should adjourn. It being only about half-past th:Te o'clock, this was very strongly objected to. The Committee cleared the room on the question whether they should adjourn. or not, and on our re-admission, in a out half an hour, they decided upon waiting for Mr. Brunel. After waiting for some time, however, their Lordships grew impatient, and Mr. litalyard agreed to dispense with Mr. Brunei's evidence. This concluded the case for the Duke of Buckingham. By Mr. GURNEY—During the last year, during which new por tions et the line were opened, the passenger traffic had greeatly in creased. This, in a great measure, was to be attributed to the diminution of tares and return tickets. By the Committee—Because there were several hundreds of miles laid down on the narrow gauge, and only 274 on the broad, that was no reason why the broad, which, he considered, whether for speed and cheapness, was far superior, should be stifled. He believed the broad gouge would beat the narrow " hollow " any day. With respect to the petition of carriers praying for an uniform gauge, pre sented to the House of Commons, who, be considered, knew more of their own business than that of a railway, he said they did not charge them for heavy trucks as stated, for they had as light trucks as those on the narrow gauge, and took the goods from them and placed them is whatever trucks the Company thought best adapted for the occasion, and without any difference of charge. By laying down the narrow gauge also from Oxford to Basingstoke, a narrow gauge communication with the north would be effected, and the requirements of the district fully met. But if they did go to the expense of laying down the narrow gauge they ought not to have their traffic diverted as proposed by the Manchester and Southampton, which he considered would not be a remu nerative line. He considered they could do the business better for the pubic by the prot.osed line. Of course, if they did not study the interests of the public, the public would not patronise the line ; but he considered the Great Western directors would not change their nature if they lost sight of the wants of the public and forfeited their patronage. Adjourned until eleven o'clock to-morrow. No evidence was called on the p ,rt of the other petitioners. Mr. HILDFARD observed that he, on the part of the Duke of Buckingham, Mr. Calvert on the part of other petitioners, Mr. Tal bot on the part of others, and Mr. Wells on the part of others, had each a right of addressing the Committee ; and Mr. Sergeant Wrarigham had a sinair right on the part of the promoters. Now, if Mr. Sergeant Wrangham would wave his right to his single speech, he and his Learned Friends would agree to wave their four speeches. By this means much of the time of the CommitteZNvould be saved, and, for his part, he was perfectly willing to leave it to their Lordships to judge tram the evidence, without hearing anything from him. Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM, after much hesitation, and after con sulting with his clients, declined the offer of Mr. Hildyard. He feared that if he accepted it, he might be charged with neglecting his duty to his clients. _ The Committee then called upon Mr. Hildyard to speak on the part of the Duke of Buckingham. The Learned CCUNSEL addressed the Committee at some length, after which Mr. CALVERT, waiting his right of addressing the Committee, Mr. Sergeant WRANGEL/Of, on the part of the proinoters. spoke for nearly two hours, after which the Committee ordered the room to be cleared, and consulted for about a quarter of an hour, at the expira tion of which time The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee had decided on adjourning to•marrow at half-past eleven o'clock. They then rose at 30 minutes past seven o'clock. Room B. NORFOLK (DEREIIAM, WELLS, AND BLAKENEY EXTENSION). A Select Committee on this Bill met for the first time in the above room at eleven this morning. The members were the Duke of Rich mond (Chairman), the Duke of Cambridge, and Lords Lonsdale, Southampton, and Redesdale. The Bill was opposed by road trustees ; but there was no case set up againet the plenaublc, the opponent* Only requiting the lizocrtleu of a clause ; so that the Bill was virtually unopposed. Mr. AUSTIN stated the case for the promoters of the Bill. Mr. Bidder and Mr. Borthwick, the engineers to the line, and several 431 her witnesses were examined proforma, and the Committee being satisfied both with the general and the engineering evidence, the preamble was declared proved. A clause to refer the case of the road trustees to an arbitrator was then inserted, Lord Sondes undertaking the character of arbitrator, and the other clauses were read ever. By one of these power was taken to cross on a level a certain road, which it appeared from the plans was 12 feet above the level of the railway. Lord Redesdale, perceiving this flaw, proposed that the powers to cross on a level should be expunged from the Bill, which was agreed to, and the clause was struck out. Clauses were also inserted providing for the building of lodges at all level crossings. Some other amendments were made, and the Bill passed. The Committee rose at about twenty minutes past twelve o'clock. Room C. MIDLAND RAILWAYS (LEICESTER AND SWANNINGTON .A.LTEZLATION). The Committee resumed this day (Friday) at eleven o'clock. The Earl of Fortescue in the chair. Mr. Hutton and Mr. Cubitt gave evidence in support of the alter native line, having been called by Mr. WADDINGTON, who appeared on behalf of Messrs. Harris, Stretton, and Smith, as opponents to the Bill. Mr. MACAULAY having addressed their Lordship and offered to introduce a clause for compensating Messrs. Smith and Harris, by avoiding their premises, which they could do within the limits of deviation, The Committee ordered the room to be cleared of strangers. On our re-admission, The Noble CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee considered the preamble proved, but required that the clauses respecting the avoiding of Messrs. Harris and Smith's property should be put ill. The Committee then adjourned for half an hour, to enable the re presentatives of those gentlemen and the promoters of the Bill to make their arrangements on this point, which having been, in the main, satisfactorily brought to an issue, the Committee broke up at three o'clock. Room D. SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE. The Committee resumed this day (Friday) at eleven o'clock, Lord Somers chairman. Mr. Gooch, civil engineer, gave evidence in favour of the line, and stated that 150,060/. would be sufficient to effect a junction with the London and York Railway. On his cross-examination he said that a larger sum would be requisite to effect a junction with Lincoln itself, by means of the Sheffield and Lincoln Extension. Mr. Rendall, C.E., offered evidence respecting certain docks, which was not important, when Mr. Gooch was recalled to supply evidence which was expected to have been derived from Mr. Stephenson, in approval of the pro posed junctions with other lines. On cross-examination he stated that these junctions were objectionable certainly as a principle, but at the same time, such as must necessarily be encountered in a great sys tem of railways. An oblique crossing was not more objectionable than a direct one. The tables of traffic having been put in, the case of the promoters here closed. _ . . Counsel then appeared for certain landowners, and contended that Retford must be removed fl em the list, and the promoters would have to prove that Worksop was of sufficient importance to merit a line of railway to ,theftield. Not a sin :le landowner from Retford to Shef field had been called to prove the necessity of such a line, whereas, on the contrary, they were almost all of them opposed, and that as much might sometimes be learned of what was not brought in evidence as by what was adduced. The Learned Gentleman then read part of a report of the Board of Trade, published in 1844, before the London and York Railway was commenced, even giving the preference to the Swinton line. He al 4o thought the Committee would attach great weight to the evidence of Mr. Fowler, C.E., who had admitted that the extra expense of 30,0001. or 40,0001. for forming a tunnel would have stopped the line altogether. The Learned Gentleman contended further, that it was not a sufficient ground for the formation of a railway simply because this or that town might possibly benefit by the abstraction of some branch of manufacture from another place, for that would give every town and village in the kingdom an excuse for applying for railway communi cation, but that the general advantage of the community alone ought to be the guiding principle in the grantin; of new lines. Mr. OVERDALE followed, also on behalf of the landowners, and, in a lengthened address, dwelt upon the positive disadvantage to the people of Lincolnshire, who were mostly farmers, being compelled to go to Sheffield instead of to Rotherrun, especially as the Midland was already contiguous to the principal mineral district. The Committee adjourned, till eleven o'clock on Monday, at a quarter past four. No. 5, The Committee met this morning at eleven ; present the Duke of Montrose (in the chair), Marquis of Breadaibane, Earl of Craven, Lord Forester, and Lord Tenterden. nnakaNG, Gumpronn, AND REIGATE. Mr. Cockburn, Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Merrewether, and other gentle men were retained for the line, and it was opposed by Mr. M. Hill and Mr. Rowe, on the part of the Brighton Company. Mr. COCKBURN, Q. C., briefly opened the merits of the line to the Committee, and proceeded to call witnesses. Mr. Mtn having opened the merits of the whole line by his cross examination, Mr. COCKBURN objected to the Brighton Company being heard before the Committee, except in regard to the six miles between Dorking and Reigate, where their line might be said to compete with the one before the Committee. Some discugision ensued, and the room was ordered to be cleared. The Committee intimated to parties on their re-admission that the Brighton Company must confine their opposition to the six miles from Dorking to Reiga e, Mr. Rowe said that his clients withdrew their opposition before the Committee. Mr. Barclay, Mr. Thomas Hope, Mr. John Trotter, Member for Surrey, and other, witnesses were called, who spoke to the public ad vantage which the line would confer on the immediate district, by communication with the market towns of Reading and Guildford, and with the assize town, and more generally by the through communi cation between the east avid west coasts and London. Mr. Giles, son of the engineer of the line, gave evidence in the absence of his father from illness, and stated that the pro posed line formed a junction with the South-Eastern at the Reigate station, and with the Direct Portsmouth at Dorking, whence, for a short distance, both lines passed along the same rail ; it formed another junction with the Guildford Junction line and communicated with the Farningham and Alton line, and with the London and Southampton Rail way. The heaviest works on the line would be executed by the South-Western, there being on that portion of it two tunnels, and the only tunnels on the line, one 1,021 yards long, and one 200 yards long. The steepest gradient was 1 in 100 for eleven miles. The estimated cost for the whole was 736,0001., which in cluded 201,9301., the expense of the works to be executed by the South-Western. The South-Eastern had leased the line at 41/ per cent., and half the profits. The Committee decided unanimously that the preamble of the Bit was proved. Mr. DIEHREWETHER reminded their Lordships of the frail tenure on which Parliament continued its sittings, and applied on behalf of his clients, who were naturally anxious on the subject after having succeeded in passing through the House of Commons at considerable expense, that the report of the Bill should be made to their Locdshps' House tonight, if possible. The Committee assented, and adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. LOIrDON AND BIRMINGHAM, AND SIR. MINGILEM CANAL ARRANGEMENT. The Committee to whom this Bill was referred, and which was passed by them, re-assembled this morning in Committee-room No. 17 (Mr. Baring In the chair), for the purpose of adding certain amend ments, it having been re-eommitted to them by the House for that purpose. The Bill, with the amendments, having been agreed to, the Com mittee separated. GROUP IL The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group re-assembled at the usual hour this morning, Lord Morpeth in the chair. TAW VALE EXTENSION. The whole of the day was occupied by the landholders' opposition, got up by the solicitors of the Great Western Company, who were averse to the line. They contended that the bulk of the Barnstaple traffic came through Bristol from the north, cad a line of this sort ought, therefore, to run in the route of the North DMA, thus saving a considerable distance between ilarnstaple and Bristol. The opposition occupied the whole of the day, and the Committee adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP XIII. The Committee met at the usual hour this raorning. Sir William Clay in the chair. CALEDONIAN EXTENSION. Mr. Miller, the engineer. was called to prove that it would be highly inexpedient to construct the proposed line. The whole of the day, in tact, was taken up with evidence of this sort. At the close of the opposition the room was cleared, and the Com mittee having remained a short while in consultation, the parties were le-admitted, when _ _ The CHAIRMAN announced that it was the opinion of the Corn. mittee that the preamble to the Caledonian Extension Railway Bill was not proved. This closed the Ipbours of the Committee. GROUP XVII. MANCHESTER AND SOUTHAMPTON. The Committee met at the usual hour. The Hon. E. Yorke in the chair. The cross-examination of Mr. Locke, the engineer of the South Western, was continued—ile was first examined with respect to Lacey's and Bethel's line, to both of which he was consulting engi neer, and which were projected to traverse nearly the same route as the Manchester and Southampton, but they were both thrown out by the Standing Orders' Committee. He had no recollection of In signed the estimates of either of the lines, neither had he surveyed them. He had signed a hundred esti mates during the year, and could not recollect every case. Engineers did not pledge themselves to lines ch they were simply called to survey. It was a professional Mr ; itcy wa s chairman of the South W este rn a t lie ti,oc his ;hie Was brought out. lie admitted the ' Manchester and Southampton was four miles shorter than in its projection ; Lacey's line between Itonisey and Marlborough. Had surveyed a line for the South Western from Basingstoke, Marlbough to. Swindon, the plans of which were deposited. The getting of corn t Would not ree th ot e n e m b e i munication to north and south of this line was not a "great object" which Basingstoke was the centre, with Swindon and Bristol on the but it would be onehand and Cheltenham on the other. Ilehad been over the country object, thnoadtotuhbet,Nvasto connect the district, of I.between Swindon and Southampton, so that he was acquainted with Tl i a l e ° r e . to broad gauge lines is at Cheltenham, offere e d st" narrow gauge should be added a n ~,,,..; "angerous and inexpedient on long lines. In . .ii, .Pose, h i and couthampton. Th , i the principle might be adopted on short lines, 0 found no fault with the Manchester Pest gradient on the line, 1 in 75, which ordinary locomotives. on the Igickey incliin fQr i culty, and could be united with the Lusi vere many steeper gradients, 1 in 36, 4110 1 which was worked D 7 9riliArY GROUP XVIII. LONDON, NEWBURY, AND BATH DIRECT. The cross-examination of the engineer to this line was resumed this day. The difference in favour of the London, Newbury, and Bath, over the proposed Wilts and Somerset line, would be about two miles. The line went through a district more favourable for the construction of a railway than the district selected by Mr. Brunel for the line in connexion with the Great Western. The proposed line would afford considerable accommodation for th• carriage of coals. GROUP XXXIII The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, in Rdom No. 24, (Grand Corridor). Present, Sir Robert Ferguson, (Chairman,) the Martini. of Wnrraottpr. viscount Newry, Mr. Smollett, and Mr. Fellowes. They resumed the hearing of the evidence in the case of the WlN wickshire and London Railways (three lines). WORCESTER AND WEEDON. HAMPTON AND BANBURY. HAMPTON AND ASHCHURCH. According to the previous understanding the evidence against the Ines was taken, in favour of the competing railway, the nnannearzwz AND OXFORD =NOTION. Mr. Brunel, engineer of the Great Western Railway, and also of this line (which is in connexion with it), was first called, and examined by Mr. WARELY —He stated that the lines comprehending the Bir mingham and Oxford Junction would amount to about 120 miles, and the cost was estimated at about 1,400,0001. The length of three lines of the Warwickshire and London railways would be about 160 miles. If both the competing series of lines were constructed, the cost would be about 3,000,0001. By the construction of the Birming ham and Oxford Junctien Railway, accommodation would be afforded to every important place in the districts included in the two rival projects now before this Committee. In fact, there would be no point, certainly no village of any note within that which would be twelve miles distant from a railway. The increased accommodation would be of very great advantage to the coal and iron districts, and the Potteries. It would complete the connexion of those places with the southern and western ports, as well as the latter with the north and east. There were no engineering diffi culties. The gradients were much the same as those upon the Great Western to Bristol. The latter railway had good levels, and admitted of very high speeds. This gentleman then went in minute detail thraugh a comparison of the rival projects, in every part of their course, and at every point of their connexion, with existing or con templated lines. His statementwas, of course, exceedingly luminous, and seemed to be satisfactory as well as interesting to the Committee. It was too much extended, and too detailed, to be fully reported. He considered the accommodation which would be afforded by his lines would be much superior to that which would be given by the three proposed lines in connexion with the London and Birmingham, under the general name of the Warwickshire and London Railway. There was one of these, the Hampton and Banbury, for which he could see no reason whatever to justify the expense. Tkese lines would greatly augment the traffic of the London and Birmingham, which was avowedly so excessive already that the Company declared they were not able to carry it in an efficient manner. Mr. ALEXANDER who opposed the Birmingham and Oxford Junc tion, en the part of the Earl of Warwick, and thirty-nine other gen tlemen, cross-examined Mr. Brunel, as to the interference of the proposed lines with some of the Noble Earl's property, and that of the other petitioners. Mr. Wilson, a landowner, and other witnesses, were examined also in favour of this line against the Warwickshire and London lines. Mr. Hughes, the engineer, was about to be examined by Mr. Wakeling, as to whether the plans deposited by the promoters of the Warwickshire and Lonaon lines were correct as to the levels, in ac • cordance with the standing orders, when Mr. AUSTIN took objection to this course of examination, on the ground that it was not competent to this Committee to go into the question, which must lee taken as having been disposed of by the Standing Orders' Committee. After some discussion the room was cleared, and the Committee deliberated on the question for about a quarter of an hour. On our re-admission, The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee did not wish to decide the question without consulting the Standing Orders' Committee. They would, therefore, adjourn until to-morrow, when they would announce their decision. Adjourned accordingly, at a quarter to four o'clock, until eleven to morrow. GROUP XXXVIII. HUDDERSFIELD AND MANCHESTER (BRADFORD BRANCH). The Committee assembled this morning at the usual hour. Mr. Gee, the engineer to the line, was examined on behalf of the promoters of this line. His examination and cross-examination oc cupied nearly the whole of the day. The Committee then adjourned. The Committee met this - morning at the usual hoar, Mr. Divett in the chair. MANCHESTER, HUDDERSFIELD, AND OLDHAM. Mr. MEREIVALE, on the part of the Rochdale Canal Company, opposed the traversing of the property cf the above Canal Company by the Manchester, Huddersfield, and Oldham Railway Company, which he stated might be obviated by their making the station at Arcoat-street. Mr. DIVETT said, that without clearing the room, the Committee were unanimous in their opinion that the Rochdale Canal Company's application could not be entertained. The remaining clauses of the Bill ,with a few verbal amendments, were then agreed to, and the Committee adjourned. GROUP XLII. The Committee on this group re-assembled to-day at twelve o'clock. BLACIEBITRN, CROR.LEY, AND LIVERPOOL Compliance with the resolutions of Mr. Duncombe having been proved, Mr. lisixEs (who appeared on the part of the promoters), said— The object sought by the present Bill as effecting an independent line were simply these :—ln the first place, they sought to connect Blackburn and Chorley, two most important manufacturing towns. They also sought to accommodate the district between Blackburn and Chorley, which was likewise of considerable manufacturing importance, as would be demonstrated to the Committee by the evi dence he would adduce. In this district were paper-works, cotton mills, and other manufactories, and the proposed line would give the proprietors of these works the same benefits as had been conferred by other lines on parties under similar circumstances. Another object which the promoters of this line proposed to effect, and the importance of which could hardly be exaggerated, was to open to the markets of Black burn and Chorley the whole of that district extending into the valu able coal district south-west of Chorley. Now the importance of this rich coal-field to Chorley and Blackburn he would establish by one or two competent witnesses. That coal-field would be inter sected by the proposed railway for a distance of eight miles and a half, and their line would pass through the very heart of the district, and thus render it accessible to those places which were at present excluded from this desirable communication. These were the objects they proposed as an independent line. There were other ad vantages which they would afford to the public by this line in connection with other lines of railway. They would effect the nearest communication between Liverpool and Blackburn and Liver pool and Chorley, for which there was no provision made by the Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston Railway. They also proposed to effect a communication with the town of Wigan, which was also left unattended to by the competing line, and the importance of which would be rendered apparent that that town (Wigan) contained a population of from 25,000 to 26,000, while the number of inhabitants in Chorley was about 14,000 or 15,000. Their line was 18 miles, 3 furlongs, and 9 chains in length, and it was proposed to effect a junction with a line in course of erection at a place called Edenbridge, and after proceeding some distance further they would go south by the cotton mills and other works to Chorley. They then connected themselves, alter crossing the Bolton and Preston Railway, with the North Union Railway, and thus connected them selves with the Liverpool and Bury Railway, the promoters of which have petitioned in their favour. There was another short branch to the Bolton and Preston Railway. The gradients of the line through this country, which was one of the most difficult in an engineering point, were undoubtedly the best that the country admitted, and he was able to state that there were no tunnels nor any objectionable curve on their line. As regarded the places on the line, he would not detain them by any unnecessary observa tion. With regard to Blackburn, as the Committee had already heard sufficient of its importance to be able to estimate it correctly, he would merely direct their attention to the map. With respect to Chorley, there were upwards of between 3,009 and 4,000 hands em ployed there in the mills and manufactories, between 400 and 500 horse power used, and between 4,000 and 5,000 tons annually manu factured. There was also in the district between Blackburn and Chorley a population of 10,000, and 100 tons of cotton were consumed there. With respect to the coal-fields which he had already mentioned, they would find, by the calculations that would be submitted to them, that on each side for eight miles of their line there was an immense quantity of coal consumed. At present there was no good communication to this important place. With respect to the communication between Liverpool and Chorley, the question was one of great importance. If a person were to go from Chorley to Liverpool, he would have to proceed from Chorley along the Bolton and Preston line; he would then have to walk about a mile to the North Union Railway station, where he would have to wait for a train coming up from Preston, and he must then go along the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. It was impossible to conceive a more tortuous route. And he must here mention one important circumstance, namely, that with respect to Blackburn and Chorley, there was only a turnpike-road, which in winter was almost impassable. and was at all times an extremely difficult road, now the only alternative afforded the people of that district on three sides of a quadrilateral figure to avoid passing this road. At present it was twenty-three miles from Chorley to Liverpool, while by their line it would be reduced to ten miles. With respect to Wigan, they were obliged to go from Chorley to Eaxton , and then traverse south east, before they could arrive at Wigan. By the accommodation they would afford the distance would be reduced to one-half. He would just mention one circumstance in connexion with Blackburn, namely, as regarded the consumption of coal there, which was, for manufactories 112,900 tons annually, for gas 6,000 tons annually, and for house purposes 50,000 tone annually, making altogether considerably more than 170,000 tens. This was partly sup plied from Wigan. If the present line were granted, there would be a large reduction in the price of this article, and a saving of some hundreds of pounds would be effected for the inhabitants of this district. These observations would apply equally to the district from Blackburn to Clltheroe. deserved attention, viz., that for the purposes of ma nufactures, not There was another point as regarded the last - me ntioned p lace which only coal, but lime was necessary, and Clitheroe possessed the best lime in all Lancashire, both for agricultural and manufacturing pur poses. Now, by the proposed line this would be rendered available to the districts which hitherto had not derived a benefit from the richly-gifted portion of the country from the want of an efficient mode of communication. The effect of this railway would be, by effecting a considerable diminution in thecost of the article, to put it in the power of the poorer manufacturer and agriculturist to avail himself of the same, which, at present, he was unable to do. Before con cluding, in justice to his clients, he must call the atten tion of the Committee to the important connexion which this line would afford to the district through which it would pass, and Manchester and Staffordshire. The line had been surveyed with the greatest care, and the provisional committee consisted of gen tlemen and merchants of the, highest respectability on the line ; there was no residential injury, and the petition against them, pro cwehe,olsinegasit motivesd w idf o r u o l in d the chairmanapparent, passing, of the a s most important district, meeting a most urgent and extensive re quirement, he trusted that the Committee would deem its merits such as to entitle it to their honourable consideration. The Learned Counsel then called evidence as to traffic and engi neering, in corroboration of his statement. The Committee decided that the preamble of the Bill was not proved, and then adjourned. GROUP XLVI. NEWCASTIIO AND DARLINGTON =NC , 'PION AND TYNE DOCK. The Committee on this line decided that the preamble of the Bill should be declared proved with certain restrictions with regard to their interference with the Jarrow chemical works. These restric -4214$ tkoint9i9 9f wilicu wasi U9t , clinbagt4 ItMA Wag Una re GROUP LIII. This Committee met again at twelve o'clock in Room 26 (Grand Corridor), New Houses of Parliament; present the Hon. E. Las celles (in the chair), the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Hildyard, Mr. It. Clayton, and Captain Dalrymple. Before the Committee proceeded to hear further evidence in favour of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley line, Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE stated that ithad been agreed to withdraw all opposition to the SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE AND THE TRENT VALLEY MIDLAND, and he applied to have the Bills referred to the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. The Committee acceded to the application. BIRIVIINGHAIVI, WOLVERHAMPTON AND DUDLEY. Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE then called further evidence in favour of the project, the first witness called being Mr. Henry Crane, merchant, Wolverhampton, who after stating that that district suffered much through the want of sufficient raile ay accommodation, said he believed the lower level would be the best for the station at Wolverhampton, and that this line would undoubtedly give the greatest accommodation to the town and district. The high level station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham he believed (after a careful consideration of the matter) would destroy an immensity of property, and would dam up the accesses to the principal works of Wolverhampton; it would also be most inconvenient as regarded the sending of goods by the railway. At a meeting of the most influential inhabitants of Wolverhampton the proposed station of this company was unanimously declared to be the best that could have been fixed upon. The same conclusion was also come to at a meeting of the street commissioners (of which he was one), held yesterday. The improvement committee were of the same opinion. The reason of the meeting of the commissioners was their having heard that the Shrewsbury and Birmingham in tended to block up a great many of the streets of Wolverhampton. They were not aware of that intention until Saturday last. Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—The street commissioners' meeting yesterday was a rather animated one ; it was the most nu merous held since 1842. There were about seventy commissioners altogether ; thirty were present, and fifteen voted for the level of this company's line, and ten for the Shrewsbury and Birmingham. He was a director f this line ; he held a great number of shares in the line. There were many amongst the 15 who voted for this com pany's station who were interested in the line, but most of those who voted on the other side were also, he believed, interested in the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and he thought they would be very glad if they happened not to be so. Horsley-fields road was the principal road that would be most damaged by the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Company, whom he charged with having altered their plans since their deposit at the Beard of Trade, in November 'last. He had a great many more shares in the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line, but his only object being to get the best railway accommoda tion for his fellow-townsmen, he had determined to give his support to this line. Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant RINGLAKE—The fact of his holding shares in this line did not at an influence his judgment with respect to these lines. Mr. Joseph Walker, merchant and manufacturer, Wolverhampton, then gave evidence as to the present inadequate and expensive means of intercommunication in that district. He also confirmed the evi dence of Mr. Crane as to the superiority of this Company's station at Wolverhampton over that of its rival. The majority of the principal manufacturers of the town preferred the low level station. Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—IS a shareholder in this line. The meeting at Wolverhampton yesterday on the' subject of the stations was a stormy one, like most of the Wolverhampton meetings. In some respects the station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would have advantages over that of its competitor. The larger por tion of the works at Wolverhampton were on the level of the present canal, which was of the same level as the proposed Shrewsbury and Birmingham line. Mr. John Perks, edge tool manufacturer, Wolverhampton, con firmed the evidence of the preceding witnesses. Cross-examined by Mr. WArinnierosr.—The Grand Junction had a Bill before Parliament at the present moment for making a loop line at Portobello, and supposing that line to be constructed and con nected with the Shrewsbury and Birmingham at a gradient of 1 in 100 there could then be two stations at Wolverhampton, which would give all the requisite accommodation. Is pecuniarly interested in two out of the three competing lines. Mr. Wm. Henderson , an extensive brassfounder at Wolverhampton, gave evidence in favour of the line in which he said he was not a shareholder. Cross-examined by Mr. WADDINGTON —lle had petitioned against the Shrewsbury and Birmingham scheme, because it would intercept the passage to his works and would not serve the interests of the peonle of Wolverhampton as well as this project. Mr. John Hartley, manufacturer, Wolverhampton, unquestionably preferred the low level station. Cross-examined by Mr. WADDINGTON—Was connected with the Birmingham and Oxferd, the South Staffordshire, and this line. Re-examined—Had taken shares in this line merely from an anxiety to see it carried out. This concluded the evidence in favour of the Wolverhampton station, &c. Mr. Wm. Salter, coalmaster, West Bromwich, was then called, to show the want of railway accommodation experienced by the people of that district, and said this line would give them superior accom modation to the Shrewsbury and Birmingham. This life would be nearer to the recently opened collieries in that district. It would also better accommodate the passengers leaving and entering West Bromwich. This line would also have the advantage of being in the hands of an independent company. Cross-examined by Mr. WenniNcTore—The Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would run nearer to one of his collieries than the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley. Earl Dartmouth, from whom he rented his collieries, was a great supporter of the line at present under the consideration of the Committee. Mr. Henry Smith, ironmaster, West Bromwich, confirmed Mr. Salter's evidence. Mr. John Marshall, ironmaster, Wednesbury, was next called to show the accommodation which the line would afford to the people of that neighbourhood. Mr. Thomas Bagnall, ironmaster, Wednesbury, confirmed the last wi itness's evidence. Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—IS a director of this line. His partner and brother (who was not present) bad presented a petition in favour of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, but that was by accident. Mr. John Robinson M`Lean, engineer of the line, described its route, commencing at Birmingham. In the laying out of the line his attention was mainly directed to the importance of giving a proper approach to the various works and collieries in its route and upon such a level as would allow the produce of those works to be brought upon it as far as possible. The total length of the line is 184 miles, which would include the diverging line to Dudley and other small branches. This line would be about three furlongs shorter than the Stour Valley line. The total length of the Shrews bury and Birmingham line would be about 26 miles. The total esti mate for this line is 698,84,4., the capital being 700,0001. Very little destruction of property would be occasioned at Wolverhampton, whilst the rival line would cause considerable destruction. Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE—He was of opinion that it would be better to accommodate the population and works of the district by the same line, and that would be effected by this project. The wit ness underwent a lengthy cross-examination as to the population and works which would be accommodated by each of the competing schemes. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock until twelve on Monday next. GROUP LIX. The members of this Committee re-assembled to-day at twelve o'clock. LIVERPOOL AND BURT AND MANCHES TER AND LEEDS AMALGAMATION. In going through the remaining clauses of this Bill, a question arose on the part of the Mersey and Irwell Canal Company, which led to a long discussion that occupied the greater portion of the day. After which the Committee adjourned. GROUP LXI. EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW, AND SCOT TISU CZNTR.A.I. JUNCTION. The Committee met again this day, at twelve o'clock, in Room 33, Sir John Duckworth, chairman. The evidence in this case was continued. Several merchants were examined to prove the great amount of traffic, as well as the general utility of the line to the public. GROUP LXIII After passing the preamble and clauses of the Midland Great Western (Liffey Branch and Longford Termination), the Committee proceeded with the case of the WATERFORD, wßxronn, WICKLOW, AND DUBLIN. After hearing the Counsel, and the usual formal evidence in sup port of the Bill, the Committee decided that the premble had been proved. The clauses were then gone through and agreed to, and the Com mitte adjourned. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met at the usual hour, Lord Shaftesbury in the chair. There were eleven Bills on the list, of which all but one were rail way Bills, they were all disposed of. ATRSHIRE, BRIDGE OF WEIR, AND PORT GLASGOW JUNCTION. Standing orders complied with. BIRMINGHAM, LICHFIELD. AND MANCHESTER. The standing orders were complied with in this case, and also in the Lough Swill) , and Lough Foyle Drainage Act. GUILDFORD, CHICHESTER. AND PORTSMOUTH (No. 2.) The standing orders were complied with in this case also. SCOTTISH CENTRAL (CRIEF F BRANCH). The Committee declared the standing orders complied with in this case LONDON AND BLACKWALL RAILWAY WIDENING. A similar decision was made in this case. NEWCASTLE AND DARLINGTON (DURHAM AND SUNDER LAND RAILWAY, AND WEARMOUTH DOCK PURCHASE AND BRANCH). The promoters of this Bill also succeeded in proving their com pliance with the standing orders. NEWCASTLE AND BERWICK. The standing orders wore complied with in this case, and also in that of the MIDLAND (BURTON TO NUNEATON), and in that of the CALEDONIAN (GLASGOW, GARNKIRK, AND COATBRIDGE), which was the last Bill on the list. The Committee then resolved themselves into a SELECT COMMITTEE ON MERITS. The list contained seventeen Bills, of which eight were railway Bills. The preambles of all were EAST declared FIFE, prov, except that of the OF ed which was adjourned for one proof; it may be considered, however, as virtually proved. The ether Bills were—The Dumblane, Doone, and Callender— Newmarket and Chesterford—Kilmamock and Troon—Morayshire— Morecombe Harbour and Railway—Monkland and Kirkintilloch (Chapel Hall Branch)—Scottish Central (Denny Branch). The Committee rose at an early hour. BARBARITY.—We regret to state that a very mali chats outrage was committed on the evening of last Moaday, or morning of Tuesday, by some person or persons, on six fine young calves, the property of W. Mitchell, Esq., Alloa. The calves, which were grazing in a park near Allea, and said to have been intended for the cattle show, were all found, on the morning of Tuesday, to have their tails cut off with a knife almost close to the top. The bar barous act has excited universal indignation among all classes in Alloa. A large reward has been offered for the discovery of the per petraters.—Stiriing Journal. DEATH OF THE MARQUISE D'HARCOURT.—We stated the day before yesterday that the venerable Marquise D'Har court lay dangerously ill at St. Leonard's-place, in consequence of having taken a large quantity (two ounces it is said) of laudanum, in mistake for a draught sent to her by her medical attendant, Mr. Brown, of Windsor, and we have now to announce the melancholy fact that notwithstanding all the active exertions made to counteract the poison, and the strong hopes entertained for some hours that those exertions would be successful, her Ladyship expired yesterday shortly after seven o'clock. In consequence of this lamentable catastrophe, it has been deemed expedient that an inquest should be held on the remains, and information of the circumstances has been transmitted to the county coroner, w ho resides at Reading.—We have received the following fr oni another cor respondent. We regret to state, that intelligence w a s Thursday received at the French Emb ass y, and at the Hon. Col . _ lady, which Cavendish's, announcin; the demise of the above much " event took place early on Thursday morniniogt, o a f t Si‘titeemed aiLoaio-nGaornde'rsalHicll,. near Windsor. Her Ladyship was the rel a Peer of France , w ho was Amedee Harcourt, Marquis D has le garcon,s and a killed by a fall from his horse in Bernard Esq., of daughter to lament her loss. iam St. Leonard's Hill, married married in 1844, to Paolo, in 1837 t o lizabeth, eldest daughter of the Hon. Colonel Cavendish — George o tu d l o ai c r e as ; t r e: s d , a m p a e ry e ' r , daughter of the Comte and Cour so tes n married to the Comte de Castres, e r e )f d t o he St Et . of France. Many families of distinction are placed in mourning by the death of this excellent lady. Yesterday there was a solemn high mass and dirge a t T HE LATE POPEs.—t. 's Roman Catho li c Chapel, Moor of the late rope. newp, for ale rem') of c oal NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTS3IOU 'TH THURSDAY.—The Maitland convict-ship, bound for Van Diemen's Land, came up from Cowes last evening. She has on board upwards of 200 prisoners, 70 of whom are juvenile delinquents, taken on board while lying at Cowes from Parkhurst prison. The Pique, 36, Captain the Ron, Montague Stopford, was towed into the harbour this morning by the Echo steam-tug, to dismantle and be paid off. The Seaflower cutter, Commander J. P. Roepe, sailed this afternoon to resume her station at Jersey for the p•Yotection of the oyster-fishery. A fire, which, had it made a little more progress, would in all probability have been attended with the most dis astrous consequences, broke out on Sunday night in the tarring-house, in the dock-yard, adjoining the rope-house. It was discovered by one of the police, just as it burst into flame, and was fortunately extinguished without damage by means of a few buckets of water. It was caused by the care lessly throwing some tow which had been used in wiping the oil off the works of the steam-engine in a heap in the win dow. Vegetable oils saturating any vegetable fibre, and the latter thrown in a heap in a close place, will, it is well known, ignite, and cautions to that effect are posted in all parts of the dockyard. The engine-driver was discharged, but it is said that in consequence of his good character and long ser vices he has been restored. When the Pi que left B er muda (on the 29th ult.) the squadron was distributed as follows: The Vindictive, 50, Captain Seymour (flag-ship), was re fitting at Bermuda, and was to sail for Halifax on the 12th inst. ; the Endymion, 44, Captain Lambert, was at Barba does; the Alarm, 26, Captaia Frankland, was at Halifax; but the Persian, 16, Commander Coryton, sailed on the 27th of May for Halifax, to order the Alarm to Vera Cruz; the Hyacinth, 18, Commander Scott, was at the Bay of Fundy ; the Daring, 12, Commander Matson, was at Port Royal; the Viper, 3, Lieut.-Commander Gray, w a s a t P ort Roya. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. Yesterday a Court was held for the dispatch of business. Mr. R. L. JONES brought up the report of the Consolidated Committee, with a petition against the West London Rail way Improvement and Extension Bill. He contended that the Government had, pending the legal conflict between it and the Corporation on the question of the soil and bed of the river Thames, acted with remarkable unfairness in adopt ing clauses calculated to assist in the prejudication of the subject—(Hear)—and he regretted that the Recorder, who was so completely acquainted with it, had not been present in the House of Commons to represent in adequate terms the character of the proceeding. The RECORDER said he was engaged in the performance of his judicial duties when the matter was expected to be brought forward ; nevertheless, he made an arrangement with Mr. Bullock to enable him to attend during the discussion. By one of those accidents which interfere with men's most resolute intentions, he did not arrive at the House until the doors were closed for a division. The House of Lords was, however, still to be appealed to, and he felt confident that any lawyer, upon being referred to, would admit end act upon the feeling that the course pursued by the House of Commons was unwarrantable.—(Hear, hear.) The report was received, and the petition to the House of Lords was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Low brought up the report of the City Lands Com mission, recommending the erection of a new barge-house at Kew, at the estimated expense of 1,470/. Mr. ANDERTON was surprised to hear a proposition to go to a most unnecessary expense, in these times of reform and retrenchment. It would, in his opinion, be much more eligible to employ the superior accommodation and rapidity of steam-vessels on such occasions as it was customary to call the City barge into requisition, than to incur the serious ex pense of building a barge-house. The City, in fact, could build for the money proposed by the report to be expended, twenty or thirty small houses, which would prove a matter of the greatest advantage to the poorer community.—(Hear.) Mr. HARRISON said he should hold up his hand against such a waste of public money as the report advised. The report was then rejected by a large majority. NUISANCE AT THE BOTTOM OF HOLBORN-HILL. Deputy BEDFORD rose to move that it be an instruction to the London-bridge Approaches Committee to report forth with their proceedings under the reference of the 26th day of June last, for the purchase of the houses at Holborn-bridge. The motion referred to the houses which projected close to Field-lane into the street, greatly to the danger of passengers, and to the obstruction of the vast traffic of that crowded thoroughfare. The unsightly and perilous projection had compelled the owners of the new buildings in the vicinity to lower the rents, and accidents were constantly occurring on the spot. Mr. KING declared that the system of railway jobbing which flourished some months ago had impeded the public improve ment in the locality alluded to. The inhabitants and the representatives of the ward of Farringdon Without were much to be blamed for winking at the obstruction, and they were certainly bound to set their houses in order. Doctor LYNCH denied that the representatives of the ward of which he was a member had neglected their duty as re garded the neceesary improvements. The reverse was the fact. They had urged the necessity of improving Holborn hill on every occasion that presented itself—(Hear, hear) — but there were some members of that Court who were for ever snarling and barking like dogs, and were sure to growl, whe• ther the subject-matter of discussion was one which called for dispraise or commendation.—(Hear, hear.) The only way of treating such customers appeared to him to be that of drawing some of their teeth when they opened their jaws to carp and snap at the very persons who gave the least provo cation.—(Laughter, and cries of" Hear, hear.") Mr. WILLIAMS said that for years the members of the board had been making strong efforts to remedy the very disagreeable evil, and twelve months ago the Court had voted 15,0001. to accomplish the desired object. The question hall been referred to the London Bridge Approaches Committee, but the Chairman of that Committee always was prepared with an answer to any question with respect to it, by stat ing that certain railway companies were going to Parliament for Bills which would include the improvement of the whole neighbourhood. It appeared that the application to Parlia ment existed only in the warm imagination of Mr. Jones, and the houses at Holborn-bridge remained in statu quo, without .he least apparent chance of being removed. Mr. R. L. JONES said he had abstained from opposing the introduction of railroads into Farringdon-street, upon the dis. tinct understanding that the companies should effectually remedy the Holboru-hill grievance. The Direct Manchester Railway Company had actually scheduled the projected im provement, and no doubt, if that project had succeeded, the object would have been accomplished, and the dangerous acclivity would have been overcome.—(Hear, hear.)—The question was referred to the London-bridge Improvement Committee. MR. WAGELORN. Mr. Lorr presented the following petition from Sir George Larpent, Bart., Charles Kerr, and Thomas Elliott, for a grant in aid of the subscription for the testimonal to Lieut. Wag horn, R.N. : _ . Sheweth—That a committee of noblemen and gentle men has been formed for the purpose of raising a subscription, to be called the Waghorn Testimonial.' That the amount at present received is about 3,0001., as per annexed list of subscribers (subject to deductions on incidental expenses). But, in the estimation of the committee, the advantages which have been derived by the citizens of London from the enterprise of Lieutenant Waghorn, R.N., In personally prov in g at all risks, and at considerable outlay, through a series of years, the practicability of bringing India nearer to Eng land by the space of nearly three months in point of time, deserves the public's thanks and a further pecuniary reward. Under this impression your petitioners respectfully appeal to the Corporation of the City of London, in confident expec- tation that it will not only accord its meed of praise to Lieutenant Waghorn for his arduous and successful under taking, but mark their sense of his devotedness and zeal by aiding the cause of the committee, thereby setting a noble and generous example to the citizens at large. " And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. "GEORGE LARPENT, "CHARLES KERR, "THOMAS ELLIOTT." Mr. Lott warmly described the exertions:of Mr.Waghorn, and the wonderful effects produced by that gentleman's skill, zeal, and perseverance in the most useful of all labours. He particularly claimed from the citizens of London, whose merchants had received such extraordinary benefits from the enterprising spirit of the eminent subject of his commenda tion, a marked attention to the petition. The motion that the petition be referred to the Coal, Corn, and Finance Committee was received with loud cheers, which clearly indicated the disposition of the Court to con tribute liberally to the testimonial. Mr. ANDEaTON seconded the motion, and only wished that the Court had the power to vote money at once, without the delay of a reference. The petition was then referred to the Committee, amidst loud cheers. An election for a fruit-meter took place, and Mr. Rolls, formerly a hi g hly-respected member of the corporation, was chosen by a great majority. —Adjourned. THE CITY OF LONDON COR PORATION FUNDS. The following is the report of the auditors appointed by the livery to examine the City accounts:— " We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, elected by the livery of London, in Common Hall assembled, on the 24th June, 1844, and 24th June, 1845, auditors of the Chamberlain's accounts, of the Corporation and Gresham funds, and of the bridgemaster's accounts of the Bridge-house estates, do report. That the amount of the receipt and expenditure of the corporation of the City of London laid before us to audit was the second account of Sir W. Heygate, Bart., and the first of Anthony Brown, Esq. , Chamberlain of the City of London, from the Ist day of January to the 31st day of December, 1844, both inclusive, which account we have carefully and thoroughly examined in detail, and find that the balance of cash upon the last account was 18,6741. 10s. 24d.; that the receipts for the year 1844 (including a loan of 50,000/. raised by the corporation to complete the improvements near the Roy a l Exchange) are 204,3961. s s. 11d. ; that the expenditure of the said year, as appears by the several vouchers laid before us by the Chamberlain amounted to the n 193,8651. 25. 70., including the s um o f 50,0001, appli ed uof as above mentioned ; leaving a bal ance upon the. accou nt of I D n ec t . h B e l, f r lB t 4 h 4 e , r ofp2roos,2ecOust/i.oln t 12s. 9d. d ihe examin a ti on re ferred to, we find that certain debts, arrears of rents, dues, and interest mayinGor and Government securities, aredue, n the 31st Dece m b er , 18 44, and e and that h belonging to the commonalty were ltyand ci tizens atthe same period answe ra bl e f or debts, cla i ms for interest, &a- We have, th ere f ore, di recte d a b a l anc e statement ofsuch assets and liabilities to *annexed ! by wh ichbe willit tthe seen that there was a cash balance in favour of ing for all Cor poration of 51,063/. 17s. 3d" aftepro claims and demands, withou t inc luding in the accounts the value of their exten sive o f rents above mentioned, freehold an d leasehold pro perty. Included in the arrears as forming part of the asset s o f the Corporation, we find o f 4231. 6s. B d., as due in re spect of a rent of 13/.the 6ssum Sd. per annum, issuing out of a manor in Bed fordshire, w hi c h arrear has been repeatedly noticed by the cre d i t o rs , and the attention of the Corporation dircted thereto, as will appear by reference to their re ts s resented in the ars 143, 144, and 145 ;it is or ever ye eless, contained in the a c coun t laid befo r e us, and the Chamberlain informs us, that being put into charge, he cannot discharge the amount, nor can legal proceed ings—should such be necessary—be put in motion, with out the orders of the Corporation. We cannot but ex press our regret that the matter still remains in so unsatisfactory a position ; and although we are aware that the duties of the committee charged with the ' management of the City estates must necessarily be of an arduous character, yet we think that the reasonable suggestion of the auditors, contained in their report three years since, " That steps should be taken to compel pay ment, if recoverable, or else to take the amount out of charge, as an available asset," ought long since to have been attended to. The Gresham aceount laid before us for examination was the first account of Anthony Brown, Esq., being -- - the produce and Expenditure' of the, City moiety of tho estate, held under the will of Sir' Thomas Grec ,11 ._ 4321 ). Knight, from the 10th of Oct ober, 1844 to the 10th. of October, 1845, which teliie4;z2su- 1 44 , —a n d find , we- That the balance overdrawn at the com mencement of the account was That the receipts of the said account from the 10th of October, 1844 to the lath of October, 1845, were That the expenditure for the same period was Leaving a balance of cash due to the ac count on the lath of October, 1845 We find that th'e City's moiety of the estate was in debted on the 10th' of October, 1845, the sum of 85,0001., borrowed to wards rebuilding the Royal Ex change, after its recent destruction by fire in the year indebted to. the Corporation 1838, and that it was als, 20,0001., remaining of the su'm advanced towards rebuild ing the said Exchange after t.he fire. The account of the Bridge-InNtse estates laid before us to audit, was the account of Joseph Watson r. David Gibbs, the bridge master, or wardeo, from the Ist • ra January to the 31st of December, 184 4, which w'* Wme also carefully examined, and find that The balance of Cash in hand, on the 31st December, 1843, was That the rents of the said estates, and other receipts of the year 1844, was 3,309 19 6} That the disbursements of the said year (including the sum of 25,479/. 10s: Id. paid to the Chamberlain of London, under the Acts 4th George IV., cap_ 50, and 4th William IV., cap. 116, respect of rebuilding London-bridgep and repairing Blackfritr's - bridge), amoun ted to Leaving a balance in band, on the 31st 9.4 , 5 2 4! day of December, 1844, of In addition to the sa id balance of cash in iland, we found that there were rents due and unpaid on t be 3 let of December, 1844, amounting to 13,8401. 18s. Bd. Of the amount of stock belongi n g to this trust we arm not in a position to make any report, no entries of st.vbs stock appearing upon the account laid before us. Upo application to the officer who prepares the accounts for the lkidge Estates for information upon the subject, he appended to the foot of the account, the following note :- 6, The assisi'wt-clerk of the Bridge-house Estates not having receivod any official account of stock standing in the Courts of (7.bancery or Exchequer, or of other securities, does not feel himself authorised in making any account of such stOsek &c., in the Bridge-master's account for the year 1844.." Without expressing any ,ospailon uy&u ilic que,tion of the alleged deficiency of ot:icial information. upon which some difference of opinion exists amongst the officers who are employed in managing the busintns of the Bridge-house Estate* we merely suggest the ?-Pro priety of the subject being brought before the pr o p sr Committee of the Corporation, with the view of obviat ing any such difficulty at the audit of the acounts upon future occasions. Before concluding this, our report, we, the auditors, should not be doing justice to our feelings if we did not record the approval of the system of accounts adopted by the Corporation enabling us to perform, with as little labour as possible, a duty which, considering the voluminous nature of the City's rental, and the very n u merous items of the corporate expenditure, ust otherwise have been exceedingly laborious. We further beg to express our decided approkiation. of the clear and accurate mankler in which th, l ac counts are prepared for our examination, and the at,ten tion of the several gentlemen whose duty it is to ass: at us in the execution of our duties. (Signed) CHARLES J. ROWSELL, LUCAS HOUGHTON, Auditors. R. CAPEL LAMBE, j il w E ie N 2 R 2 , Y 1 B F 4 . 6. RICHARDSON, Guildhall, THE WEATHER—YEARS WHICH WERE EXTREMELY HOT AND DRY. In 763, the summer was so hot that the springs dried up. In $7O, the heat was so intense, that near Worms the reapers dropped dead in the fields. In 903, and again in 924, it was so hot thtt the corn and fruit were burnt up. The year 1000 was so hot and ;dry that is Germany the pools of water disappeared, and ilhe fish, bei.ris lett to stink in the mud, bred a pestilence. In 1122 the heat was so excessive, that both men amoi cattle were struck dead. In 1130 the earth yawned with drought. Springs' and rivers disappeared, and even the Rhine was dried up in Alsace. In 1159 not a drop of rain fell in Italy after May. The year 1171 was extremely hot in Germany. In 1232, the heat was so great, especially in Germany that it is said that eggs were roasted in the sands. In 1260 many of the Hungarian soldiers died of ex cessive heat at the famous battle fought near Bela. The consecutive years 1276 and 1277 were so hot and dry as to occasion a great scarcity of fodder. The years 1293 and 1294 were extremely hot; and so were likewise 1303 and 1304, both the Rhine anti the Danube having dried up. In 1333 the corn-fields and vineyards were burnt up. The year 1393 and 1394 were excessively hot and dry. In 1447 the summer was extremely hot. In the successive years 1473 and 1474, the whole earth seemed on fire. In Hungary one might wade across the Danube. The four consecutive years, 1538, 1539, 1540, and 1541, were excessively hot, and the rivers dried up. In 1556 the drought was so great that the springs failed. In England wheat rose from Be. to 535. per quarter. The years 1615 and 1616 were very dry over Europe. In 1646 it was extremely hot. In 1652 the warmth was very great, the summer being the dryest ever known in Scotland; yet a total eclipse of the sun had happened that year, on Monday, the 24th off March, which hence received the appellation of " Mirk Monday." The summer of 1670 was remarkably hot. It is re lated that one of the minions of tyranny, who in that calamitous period harassed the poor Presbyterians in Scotland with captious questions, having asked a shep herd iii Fife whether the killing of the notorious Sharp, Archbishop of St. Andrews (which had happened in May), was murder, he replied, that he could not tell,. but there had been fine weather ever since. The first year of the eighteenth century was exces sively warm, and the two following years were of the same description. It is a singular coincidence, that in 1718, the weatherwr was extremely hot and dry all over Europe . felt so oppressive that all the theatres were shut in Paris. Scarcely any rain fell for the space of nine months, and the springs and rivers dried up. The fol lowing year was equally hot. The thermomOter, at Paris, rose to 98 degrees by Fahrenheit's scale. The grass and corn were quite parched. In some places' the fruit-trees blossomed two or three times. Both the years 1723 and 1724 were dry and hot. The year 1745 was remarkably warm and dry, but the following year was still hotter, insomuch that the grass withered, and the leaves dropped from the trees. Neither rain nor dew fell for many months; and, on the Continent, prayers were offered tip in the churches to implore the bounty of refreshing showers. In 1754 it was likewise extremely warm. The years 1760 and 1761 were both of them remark. ably hut; and so was the year 1763. 1774 was excessively hot and dry. ' Both the years 1778 and 1779 were warm and v:erygrie The year 178 8 was also ver y hot and dry; and 01 t - same character was 1811, famous for its excellent via t tage, and distinguished by the appearance of a brillig,ta , comet. _ POPULATION, TAXATION, &c. In :845 the population of Great Britain was 19,572,574 ; in 1815 , it was 13,322,568. In 1845 the tNeraetieotnathleDreeebnt, 27 amounted to ;768in,78198,21451/t.,heanddehthte was 816,311,9404, and the interest 31,576,074/. The exports in 1845 amounted to 150,645,0181. ; and in 1815 they were 57,420,437/. The imports in 1846 were 83,330,6091., and in 1815 they were 31,822,0531. In 1845, 1,133,561 qrs. of wheat and flour were imported from all parts but Ireland ; and in 1615 there were imported 194,931 qrs. In 1845, 308,493 theqrs . quantity retainedity w as 1 f l o 6 r ,3 h 8 0 2 m ci e re consumption .lasn4Ta2h6eaa nsa.dvseldrB ; . eatig a nse n wl d psarl i si n scie4 l 4 Bl el fluctuation quarter in IpBe4rscwe cent. s h 6 e s t . w l e o e d h . , duty between utyonth e 1815 ave and rage 21prile8ewiat ws2aose.7• 205.; and In 8 d. in n 1 18 14 15 ini th! portation was prohibited. The number of acres in closed (as far as returned) from Isoo to 1842 was 1,933,049. The proportion per cent. of . the population living on foreign corn in 1841 was 5.73; in 1821 it was 3 ' 39 . In 1841 the number of days' consumpt i on 22. im !Ansi was 34.35; in 1821 it was 20- In 18 45,. the quantity lwaasnd2 s?nl d 9 1 Bof o Wales7w. 1815 in the prim p& p terdam 160'3 , 666 240 quarters, and in 1822 it The price ' of wheat varied from 1808 to 1 rts of Europe after the following hea was t sold 6, in country markets in En land 92'67, .Sweden 1_704 . 1, Rot -Doinrdt 50.00, Louvain 89 , 42, Konigsberg i : c 47'10, Mecklenberg 27'06, Oldenburg 7ra27lss,sl"SrtBEl.4cae'Plnoettitersburg 70.00, Riga 73'01, Archangel 74'91, France 131.36, Bordeaux 136'62, Holstein 57'05, Christiania 2 i 6 e l ir 4 3i l eo , e.teo ß o,l r 9 e a. m 2n3 e d n , RLio 6 seab s o . a 2 nn 2 L Bs ub s ec s, k A 7 l B i :t an 7 , s9t3a ll .t6e a ss m . 9 b s ul n7 g siBß 7 : l 4 ; bo 4 th 3 se , declared value of British and Irish exports was 27,253,918/., in 1828 they amounted to 17,824,309/. The Laboratory, near the newly-constructing steam basin at Portsmouth, is to be taken into the dockyard, and officers from the Ordnance are expected daily to select a site for a new Laboratory. All practical men think the most eligible situation will be adjoining the powder magazine, at Priddy's Hard. The highly respected fire master and director of the Laboratory, Captain Burslem, is about to retire, after forty years' faithful and efficient service.—United Service Gcraette. _ ._ SLISPICIOII3 DEATH BY A FALL FROM A WINDOW.— On Wednesday evening, an elderly woman named Mary Ann White, was observed by a neighbour, who was standing at his door on the opposite side of the street, suddenly te fall from the window head foremost into the street, and, falling from such a height, her heed struck with fearibl violence against the kerb-stone, and her skull was terribly fractured. She was conveyed to the London Hospital, but she died a few hours after being admitted. On prosecuting inquiries yesterday it abpears, that the deceased was a widow, aged fifty-sit years, and obtained her living by charing, and for many years bore the character of an honest and industrious woman. Some weeks since her sister's husband, named Radsteck, induced her to go and live in his house with his family. Since deceased had been there she drank more than she was wont to do, and on Wednesday they had all been drinking together. About noon Radsteck sent his wife to market for dinner. She returned somewhat sooner than was ez pected, and found her husband and her sister in a way which left tie matter of doubt of their criminality. A quarrel ensued, and some blows were struck between the sisters. In the afternoon Mrs. Nat. stock went out, leaving the husband, deceased, and another womaA in the house, when deceased was seen, as above described, te 6.11 from the window in a most suspicious manner. The body awaits a coroner's inquest. 4