The Sun. — London, England, 1846-07-24 00:00:00

E. of last esterday dancing, a thing awe the nrivelleci real end ightfellf Le young was th e ectualigl , 3 to i tg ontrast to s been and the iding to fined that like the enture to ost taste' most . iarvellous e firit tilos Diamas i , alt hougo that Os ing rather the voce ' most_ was " who Sa n g lienry tenor, of Ale, as tli ° unr . sur: A e cbo to ro edereu Th e Boulo• P' laughter' LES'S IMP ERIA 1.4 PAI LA ITEN T• The H OUSE OF LORDS, July 23. 's o k a , LOA D CHANCEL LOR t oo k his sea t upon the Wool )4s Five o'clock. precisely. Ii A GE FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. do as ''ngere from the House of Commons brouelit cer tain Bills. i Le--, 4 1 HUD SON AND THE BRE AK OF GAUGE. teaol, RA THERTON said that their Lord-nips would r ( l ie i t that a di scussion had taken p l ace in t h e i r tioi ls sBi Ps Rouse on the subject of the gauge resolu 'te and be w i s h ed to make an explanation upon t h e e a l, the b On that occas i on h e wa d e some comments on b re qt . h ad of gauge which happened at Glouc- ster. been since informed that Mr. Hudson • nothin gth whatever to do with that event, the b. a t he h a d not hi ng w h atever t o d o w ith to enree ng i tp r ßristol line, and had never ; Glohtti: to b once. He had, theref t i.e at pleasurester ut in making this retractation ore : M t whoa: ser vatiots w ith regar d t o Sir. Hudson, fo r conduct he had a very great respect. Nhlie -- " B °° had even been characterised in his kith e co hduct by the utmost liberality and good LTattoos uut he did not mean to retract . his obs t e he it% to the effect that the inc..nvemence of korti I:cautkeermof 4i t ° O l euage were very e really exaggerated. _ The'llEA-T WESTERN RAIL WAY COMPANY. Railwaydr WELLINGTON presented a petition lOt liartnell, complaining of the conduct of t thComiesny, who had, in construct a_l44 fe e & 4 , 8 ° 1 ' 11 line, entered upon eis property, me h td - seil to give him any satisfaction whatever.. ht. te tt or received two notices to quit, but no noticew a b sn the ,affixing a price upon his property, so that he . rspe • e p - " deprived not only of the enjoyment of his Nice, but of the money which ought to have been e kt lii i ti ) e r e „ 4 ' 11 0 (the Duke of Wellington; thought that, Ntli eBt - ug the great power which had been conferredhhave Ilandp,greitt companies, they ought at least to a Loekid t hemselve s without such trespass as this. _He i7B no themselves without naming the company who N t e° , - I , B3l tted what he could not but call this outrage— ""e Great Western Company. kattee Earl ; CLARENDON felt anxious to put the lise of •ti its Cooper point of view, he having been chair -140 the Committee when this line had been passed, had conceived it then to be a case of great I tits 11:, a nd he had provided for the evil, but he initt,l,at all aware of the trespass that had. been f o h tes ° - yet believed that if this poor man were O ee ta a . r ie`ht in - his ' neighbourhood, he would be able a ges - an action for trespass, and would obtain 1?1 411 111101IGHAM was very glad that his Noble S e t d ri „brought forward this case, for it really was L'Oe-Th!ni bearing that those great companies should . i' l lee een ' ti power to . act as they chose. Last session, ig the petition of a certain noble lady, he had N: 3 ' Properly instructed . to bring the case of this payunder their Lordships' notice, and it was one I : 3 ' great hardship. The fact was, my Lords, that /I N 411 Way speculators might come on the land at any t heY chose, and the . owner was prevented from Ni b , his land or improving it, or even using it in his bie 4B as a nursery gardener. As for a tresspass, the Probability is, that if this poor man were to bring hie 'cin,all the jurors being railway proprie . tors,. he kklig,:ertainly not obtain even the costs out of pocket, 1 04 Mess get any damages for the injury he had tti. VIVIAN had always felt that this long time th e railway companies to come on th e l an d was a Uta,,` and in the London and York Committee, 4h ranch discussion, he h a d succee d e d i n o b ta i n i ng a 4 on of the time specified in the Bill from seven A to five years Duke of GRAFTON q,iite agreed in the neces r curtailing tbe powers of the g r ea t c o m p an i es . 8 Petition was ordered to lie on the table. SLAVE TRADE DISCUSSION. e li e - e' ; II ROUGHA.M begged to give notice to their ; I Ps, that in consequence of observing that the eth e the sugar duties was to be brought on in Zit 1; 1 ' Place to-m orrow , h e wou ld b eg to give notice Zit 88110111 d postpone his motion r e specting the slave 1 tell t o•morrow week. I tis • eth er rs of LANSDOWNE wished to know qui his Nobl e F r i en d read intended to bring on tat his the n ? y BRO UGHAM—Of course, it would much de t of 411 - VII the turn the matter tookl in another ace, ith a OP 4 Postponed it until the Bill came up from the tb p,l,isocie o th f e t robab si i o li n ty was, that it would be at so that there would be a very I:44, tbi th il e d r k e ti f ee of I s e?: Lordships . , and whether decided te. kor ore, he should certainly bring on the sub row week. POLISH CONFISCATIONS. ; 41 pu ord t b SUO ' --o NE stated, in reference to a ques itanibira)? his Noble and Learned Friend (Lord liscOes ahi 4 reference to the unfortunate =cum tsio...lnforril_ch had occurred in Poland, that be he subject of the " ' 5 question, and found that fo rd's no in- Q tr, aeon had question, an isk e rnin u ad been received from the Austrian ru e d But authentic information had been re (17 1 fr02, 4 , 81. ee m ujest , 's Government from time to time, (` i tere; `uut inform ) ation it appeared that tbe Austrian pd Lent had every disposition to leniency. He 1 ,711 le . -Bhsdowne) could only say that if any one bad 'etioe,,""voluntarily involved in the unfortunate occur eNt ihthitt had taken place in Poland, he had no doubt '°113. - " c Austrian Government would do them reason- LoAtstiee. it lfor m tcl RCIUGFIAM expressed his gratification at the l• i 4 , 4011 he had received, and strongly condemned ° "sh insurrection. t 0,,, CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. LYNDUURST intimated that he . had met k the Right Reverend Prelate who interpose Parraeveittoriums setiaeaonfthis Bill, and they had agreed on comna he now asked the House to go ittee pro d forma, that these amendments might it,l;,lttiecuoropuosrea.ted witn the others that had been made in -e ll e stated that he understood her itee i rt , s . t s's present Ministers bad intimated their l aril eon L. adopt the measure as a Go- kith Measure. If they adopted that mea os w i n whole, and without change, he would go l 'hlrri lt e tt ilt it ' hoping to have the support of the Go e Lord .'°lll f l L ANSDOWNE said that the Government The ° ,,, P , n every facility for the progress of the measure. " 18110 P of LONDON said there were several f the ' l r t Points hi the Bill, especially the supremacy o . 4. 9,, • as n, and the introduction of bulls into this coun Zd i le," Ile begged, on behalf of his reverend brethren ' 4 o n -s elf, that the Bill should be postponed to another . ' • ° A . LIMONT could not help expressing his 14 41 d bir at the course pursued by the Right Rev. Prelate e+cti4e- brethren. The question had been before the : t tty - „ .. n ow three years. The Right Rev. Prelate on ell occasion of its being introduced had . . spoken " . °ll , a n d had had opportunities of dividing the i %I d °a it. The two questions, the supremacy o N kt• io e • r ,,,° and the introduction of bulls, had been I ,t the and every objection met by the Learned . Lord, d 'lttiee - e'ght Rev. Prelate wished to have it postpone ipla-eeer session. t !h 44 on e l' i lis hoP of LONDON explained, and said his b r „,, o r wishing it postponed was the absence of ' 4l cl l " r ea on official duties, the discharge of A l it occupied the whole of their time.—(Hear.) ,itisrk„t_PPered to him it would affect the oath which the Z i lq,„"'lty he did hope that they would postpone the "etl3.."` ° n , as it affected the interest of his right rev. . e lk ibrdprismnußsT said he had nothine to complain desires4l° Manner the di scuss i on was carr i e d o n. He lets t 1 t hat their L or d s hi ps wou ld a ll ow hi m to go 0 ut tuaittee pro forma, in order that he might have ONPPOrtunity of printin g th ose amen d ments w hi c h h a d bd with t o b y hi m an d t h e Ri ght Reverend Prelate, st r a '' t h which h e expressed hi mse lf qu i te sat i s fi.d , 8 11 48 t Buy that he was quite unprepared now for any he House then went into Committee pro forma. t ST. ASAPH AND BANGOR BILL. pOwIS moved the third reading of this Bill, i. eh w as agreed to and passed. LIVERPOOL, PRESTON, AND ORMSKIRK RAILWAY. 4 1 , 14 12, !: ) rd STANLEY said he had a petition from the !ti ttles -Ms of Ormskirk in favour of the Liverpool, Preston, Prrnskirk Railway. Their case was one of peculiar tor t i: 1 , 11 1). The Bill had been now before Parliament th " Years. The company had petitoned to in 1 4 0 % 11111 early in January ; they did so early . in the thd th of February. In June, the parties being all t ,f ) Proceed, the House of Commons interfered, •th t ,;" `"day of four months was thereby occasioned. 4,4' want into Committee e4rly in the month of Ju h ne, tilsy N i l t i c i in the month of July it was reported t Frio tl ia ; c omplied with all the standing orders. On Latei ti e communication was made which led to a ''„, % tPolili" . °7, and the consideration of the report was e - roth th % I t'll the 9th. On the 10th of the same 4 ,.‘"e nee:, was engrossed, but in consequence of k ""geth - j the t)fficers the sheets were not stitched -"°'• h : /I .° aconside;able delay was occasioned. f these accidents happeued, not one wc ° Y e 3. oned by the neglect ot the parties, 15 4,; ae ill would c h a a y sl e already received their Lordships' kei Perti es f il h e a rStp - onena e nt of this Bill would involve B iiei lent s were t o r next seseion, they would be pre expens Postponement 60,000/. ; and if the same same ace would ata k° position r y ie. e h a d r a f, l r th ah ey a : s n i z r ni a 7 t . o o n b lne hime next, :a 4 . l s ti t ,?:,.„;:uld nis as tN k i h had passed the and ascertain e4d re t a i ' l ' l . l there might tt o e in the other House, and were stopped thatby I:lll()teeeePetten°_,--ar circumstances of the regulations of u see hew many of them might, without much laotellienee, be itted, and got throu:h the Bi oe 8 ° as to have as remnants left for next sea tte r 41 Possible t3/4 decd BROUGHAM conceived that some plan should , Millar to that of the last session, and that /ttiße„,'gbtful expense mi h , be saved to the par i Zte l:Ci e ti°ll ,, had been made that three Peers should be ° We' a f or Committees, but considering the great e r- % '? t ieh were delegated to those Committees, and , li ons ‘ - t wi lling the House were to set aside their deci '4tebe ct t hought there were important reasons why . the kno t I I ' ) of five should be continued. Some provision tolde to the effect which he had suggested. '° ho -84 of CLARENDON said that he had bad .khi s of receiving :everal parties connected hope abi it 413 Rouse would depart from the resolutions which Pted. But this was a case of very great hard the',.\ and if it could be overruled by. any means, he fs,-tug.'t tho.t course ought to be adopted. The Bill, in been read a second time on Monday. the gill IA BtiouOllAM and Lord STANLEY explained that L, only )rd sto. d fur a second reit:tin:T. RH°ughDESDALE thought that their Lordships Yep- ' m to commit the same error which they did last / ".., 111 st of preferring one line to another ; for it of F116:114 osod This 1 3 , 1114 0 [er " h c giv en d - k le te n o{ a f a gonw- 0 t, she A lv a . e tend to -es WO of )resencter • a nd e greatu should be recollected that they were all competing lines. He said that the public suffered much from imperfect yst, , ms, passed under particular favour. He said it not with any disrespect of his Noble Friends, who had been OG the Committee ; but he did say that there were not two less periect schsmes than those two which he had enjoyed the honour of bringing up.—(Hear, hear.) These schemes could not have been constructed on the Bills which had been passed ; the Bills were being amended and patched up, and indeed new Bills altogether would have to be drawn up. lie hoped the House would keep strictly to the rules which had been laid down; and, though it might be a hardship, their keeping strictly to a day beyond when no Committee should be appointed would only prevent greater hardship in a future year. Lord BEAUNIONT thought it would have been more convenient the Noble Lord had not entered into dis cussion on that occasion, as the Government bad given notice of their intention to lay these measures before the House to morrow. But he could not allow the House to go away under the idea that the Government agreed with all that fell from the Noble Lord. He tln , ught it would be a monstrous grievance, if in a case which was purely voluntary, as the rising of the House was, their Lordships inflicted on parties who came into that House with private Bills the necessity of renewing the whole progress. Lord STANLEY thought that it would be convenient if a list of private Bills, and the stages at which they had arrived. were laid before the House. Earl GREY assented. GLASGOW TERMINI BILL. On the motion of Lord HARDWICKE, this Bill was read a third time and passed. The Balls on the table having been forwarded a stage, their Lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 23. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock. Mr. Wu..u.tx BROWN was introduced by Mr. Bro therton and Mr. Thornely, and took the oaths and his seat for South Lancashire, in the room of Lord Francis Egerton, now Earl of Elb-smere. GLASGOW, AIRDRIE, AND MONKLANDS JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. DENNISTOUN moved that the Lords' amend ments to the Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monklands Junc tion Railway Bill should be considered and agreed to. Mr. HOPE JOHNSTONE trusted that the consi deration of the amendments would be postponed for a fortnight. After a short discussion the amendments were agreed to. ELY AND HUNTINGDON RAILWAY (BED FORD EXTENSION). This Bill was read a third time and passed. LORDS AMENDMENTS. The Lords amendments to the following Bills were agreed to -- Blackburn and Preston Railway. Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North Western Junction Railway. Black Sluice Drainage and Navigation. Grand Junction Railway (lluyton and Aston and other Branchee). Lancaster and Carlisle Railway (Extension to the Cale donian Railway), and Lancaster and Preston Junction Railways Amalgamation. Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester Railway Deviations and Branches. London and Brighton Railway (Wandsworth Branch). Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester Rail- way, &c., Amalgamation. Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester Rail way (Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canal Purchases). Tenby, Saundersfoot, and South Wales Railway. REPORTS. The following reports were brought up, agreed to, and the Bills ordered to be printed Australian Agricultural Company. Barr's Estate Bill. Fleeming's Estate Bill. Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway. North Kent Railway (City Extension). Park's (or Yates') Estate Bill. Phiip's Charity Estate Bill. Sligo and Shennon Railway. Stamford and Spalding Railway. DUBLIN WIDE STREETS. Mr. GROGAN moved the order of the day for the further consideration of the report on the Dublin Wide Streets Bill. Mr. O'CONNELL moved that the further considera- tion of the report should be postponed for a week, in order that the evidence that had been taken before the Committee might be printed and laid on the table of the House. _ Mr. GROGAN would have no objection to the propo sition of the Hon. and Learned Member, !provided it would not have the effect of defeating the m easure al tugrtlier. It was admitted on all hands that same altera tion of the law was necessary, aid the Comm ittee were unanimous in favour of the Bill. Mr. ESTCOURT supported the Bill. Mr. P. SCROPE trusted the House would consent to the postponement of the consideration of the report, in order that the evidence might be printed. After some observations from Mr. BRoTNEATOS and Captain JONES, Sir W. SOMERVILLE trusted the House would not read the Bill a third time until the evidence had been printed and laid before it. After a few words from Mr. O'Commr..i. and Mr. GROGAN in explanation, Mr. LAT3OUCFIERE said there were important public considerations mixed up with this Bill, and he was therefore an advocate for its postponement. It ap peared to him that the whole subject of land taxation in Dublin required to be fully inquired into, and the Bill ought to be delayed till such an inquiry had been instituted. It would seem that the late Government had given their sanction to this Bill, but the Noble Lord who had formerly been connected with the Irish office, he was glad to see was in his place. and h e should be happy to know from him if any member of ti mt depart ment had given his sanction to the measure. Lord LINCOLN said the Bill certainly was brought under the consideration of the Irish office, but it was before he became connected with that department. He, hoe ever, on taking office as Secretary for Ireland, did look into the provisions of the Bill, and certainly his inquiries did not lead to thy" conclusions which the Right Hon. Gentleman stated he had come to.—(llear, hear.) Lord WORSLEY said it really appeared to him that it was highly desirable that the House shoeUld have the evidence of the Committee in their possession before they passed this Bill. Lord LINCOLN said, since he had addressed the House he had made some inquiries relative to the question of the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite, and he had ascertained that an application was made to his predecessor to introduce the Bill, but he declined doing so because he thought it came within. the scope of a private Bill.—(Rear, hear.) The consideration of the report was adjourned. EDINBURGH PAVING BILL. Mr. GIBSON CRAIG moved that Standing Orders Nos. 110, 114, 116, 117, and 134 and 135, with the reso lutions of 3d April and 10th June last, in reference to the last men'ioned order, be suspended ; and that the Edinburgh Paving (No. 2) Bill be read a secont time ; that a breviate thereof be dispensed with ; and that the said Bill be committed to the Chairman. of the Com mittee of Ways and Means, and the Members appointed to bring in the same, with leave to meet to -morrow, at one o'clock.—Agreed to. LONDONDERRY AND ENNISKILLEN RAIL WAY EXTENSION. Prin ce o by - ti „ o . ~ the PivcleColonei oot, de t roneen n gar re t " u and Duke 0 Visc°, ll GeorO ci l , L a na , ount of i'L AUG Don VT r Hon. r. 'llon• , Ecc. militarf t borrib.lB NI W. if ' [al whyta )st brat"' Is of caseiA e founa ave lately excessil have nn been, bu t official re' n -chief of ehment an )sue; le hurniw g w hen re rva c e lost. ° ; litY h" , t ber to o l ica tion v cur effort:t opeo4 ,OYES. Sir ROBERT FERGUSON moved that the standing order bo suspended, and that the report on. the London derry and Enniskillen Railway Extension Bill be taken into consideration to. morrow —Agreed to, POOR REMOVAL BILL.. The Marquis of DOURO presented two petitions against this Bill. - • -- r. Tli SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 24, 1846. from those places where they had resided for years, to strange parishes where they were unknown. He held in his hand a petition, signed by the clergyman and two ratepayers of a parish, in which a number of labourers had settled themselves. They had built houses on a waste common, and worked at an ironworks in the neighbouring parish. They spent all their money in the parish in which they had settled, and were of consider able benefit to it, and in case of their being made charge able, their living there would more than compensate for a few individuals being left on the parish. He therefore wished that the Government would keep the law in its present state, and make no alteration at all. Mr. E. BECKETT DENISON said that no person was more convinced than he was of the necessity of some alteration in the law of settlement. It was a disgrace to England; for poor people were sent away to all parts of the kingdom, as if they were criminals. It was very hard that persons having spent the greater part of their lives in one place should, in their old age, be removed to, another, where they had no friends. In the year 1843 in the borough of Leeds, there were 964 persons removed from it ; of these, six had spent their lives there, and six had passed forty years. He had no difficulty in de nouncing as inhuman, and a scandal upon the nation, that those parties should be removed in that manner to a place where, perhaps, they h a d never b een b e f ore. What would be the consequence if the Bill before the House passed, and that no person would be removed after a re sidence of five years? Why, these 900 persons would remain iniLeeds, and there would be an enormous burden and responsibility inflicted on that town. Look, then, what would be the effect of the present measure if it now, in July, in 1846, passed the House. He must, therefore, call upon the House to consider the responsi bility which the present measure would put upon the manufacturing towns. He was not adverse to the law of irremovability, but this was a monstrousjump, and he asked the House, and the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State, to be upon their guard, and not to deal lightly with the question. With respect to the hardship of a parish being obliged to maintain parties who had no other claim but industrial residence, he did not think that of the slightest importance, for he thought when these parties earned and spent their money in that parish they had a claim upon relief if they required it. He hoped the Committee on the Bill would take the whole matter into their consideration, together with the law of settlement, and that the House would not rush hastily into a new system of legislation which might be attended with the worst results. Mr. G. BANKES felt great difficulty in giving his opinion on this subject, when he saw so much diversity of opinion amongst those for whom he entertained the greatest respect, and who, as chairman of quarter sessions, had been able to obtain a practical experience of the working of the present law, and the probable working of the Bill under discussion; but, after all, he still held the opinion he expressed when the measure was introduced, and although it stopped far short of what he considered a proper arrangement of the question of settlement, yet looking at the Bill, which only contained seven clauses which were not ob jectionable, he could not consent to postpone the discus sion of the subject until a future day. It was true addi tions might be made in Committee, but in its present form he considered it would confer great benefit upon the poorer classes, imperfect as it was. He was of opinion that the right of settlement should be conferred by a residence of five years. The poor would derive consolation from the knowledge that such a Bill was en tertained, and was likely to be adopted by the House. He wished to ask the Attorney-General this question, which he considered was a very important one—whether it was the intention of the Bill, for so it seemed as it stood, to allow a man to choose his settlement? If this were so, he doubted whether it would benefit the poor ; and whether he would have power hereafter to return to the settlement to which he was now entitled? By the Act, it seemed that all power of removability was taken from magistrates. The poor man had not the means of removing himself ; and, looking at the constitution of the Bill, he doubted of the power of the magistrates to interfere to order a removal. He doubted whether they would be conferring any benefit at all on the poor man if they proceeded with the Bill is its present shape, without any explana tion of this point. He should support the going into Committee, with the distinct understanding that when in Committee he should, in the first clause, propose words whereby the poor man might gain a settlement by an industrial residence of three or five years ; or, if he preferred it, he should have the option of going back to his original settlement. In that case they would be conferring a benefit on the poor man; but if they gave him no option, he doubted whether benefit would be conferred. He would go into Committee entirely on this understanding. He differed altogether with the Hon. Member for the West Riding of Yorkshire (Mr. B. Denison) regarding union settlement, and he thought the present Government had acted prudently in with drawing that portion of the measure for the present session. His present opinion was, that if the range of settlement was to be altered, they had better have a county instead of a union settlement.—(Hear, hear.) In that shape the proposition might advantageously be adopted. With these observations, he would decline to vote for the motion of his Hon. Friend near him, and should vote for its goiug into Committee. Mr. EVELYN DENISON said that he had great objection to the Bill as it at present stood. The lion. Gentleman on the opposite side of the House stated his belief that the Bill would be of no avail unless it were followed by a Bill for the union settlements, and that if it were followed by that measure it would be of benefit. The Noble Lord on his (Mr. E. Denison's) side of the House, on that observation, quoted his Hon Friend opposite as an authority for the Bill, but declined fol lowing it by such a measure as the union settlement; and he (Mr. E. Denison) considered that, under those circumstances, his Hon. Friend ought not to have been quOted at all as an authority for the Bill. He believed that the effects of the Bill would be very injurious to the ratepayers, and would be certainly calculated to cause great injustice to the poor. He therefore earnestly entreated his Hon. Friend not to press the Bill this pre session. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he did not by any means consider the Bill as a per manent measure. The present law of settlement, as it existed, was a great hardship, and he thought that any legislation which would destroy that law, and the re moval consequent upon it, was a measure for the benefit of the poor. Mr. HENLEY said he would support the Bill if he thought it would stop removals, but he did not think it would do so, and as he thought it was a most imperfect measure, ho must support the amendment for a. post ponement. They might. pass the Bill this session, but it would not set at rest the question of settlement, and the matter would have to be mooted and re-opened, whatever course they took, early in the next session. Mr. HORSMAN felt strongly the difficulties which Government had to contend against, and it was the feel ing which would induce him to vote for the postpone ment of this poor-law settlement. When the Govern ment came into office, he anticipated that they would have abandoned this Bill, but he had been mistaken. True, they had abandoned part of the Bill, but he thought the measure ought not to be considered piece-meat., and he must, therefore, vote against the Government. Sir J. GRAHAM had not the slightest doubt that this portion of the original Bill would be of inestimable value, and he was prepar e d t o procee d w i t h i t. Whil e, h o wever, he said this much, ho must admit that there would still remain a good deal to be done. It would, indeed, in justice to the ratepayer, b e i n di s p ensa bly nec essary next session to establi s h th e r i g ht o f union se ttlement, but still he must repeat he was p re p a re d t o go on with that portion of the original Bill now before the House.--(Hear, hear.) • Mr. V. SMITH thought the speech of the Rig' ht Hon. Baronet opposite was of itself sufficient ground for the postponement of this important matter. The. Right Hon. Baronet admitted that even if they passed Ithe Bill as it now stood, there would still remain much to be done before the question would be satisfactorily settlecL. The House then divided, when there appeared For the amendment Against it 11: Majority against it — -76 The original motion was then agreed to, raid the House went into Committee on the Bill. , On the first clause being prOpoped, Capt. fWPEIELLAiofftd as an amendment, tha E.in line _seven, after the wee-a ~parish,". be inserted th e= words who has maintained himself therein by his indult , try, or been a householder therein." The Right Hon. Flaronet the late Premier, admitted that the settlement (yught to be an industrial one, and he apprehended, there fore, the fight Hon. Baronet's party could have no obj e ction to his amendment. The present Government, 11 owever, he inferred, from their omitting the words he ,p roposed thought the amend [tient was to be introduced, did object to it, but if the y would o had been undertake to introduce it into the larger measu re to be n is de it r the brought forward next Session, he wouldennorateprl Sir GEORGE GREY a parish for a perio 41 of five operationunnecessary,in dustriouslye engaged t b b e i c s a ß u a ri/ imtnhuoss must who be p would ies w h years. Mr. V. SMITH considered that, from the an ;miner in which property was distributed in this counts y, there would be considerable difficulty in carrying out, the pro visions of this Bill. He hoped some words 4) r clause would be inserted to make the present measu re one to Pulls raent the refer to industrial residency. Np !lon. Menai rer could define the meaning of the word ' residence," and he thought it would not be right to leave durin g the in tervalmag.strate, L It was which would be no jo • ke to leave this matter settled by these fore wished the magistrates. He therefore wished term residence solution o of f this the difficulty and t n o ex e t ou s n e t s tr s oy i session of ; used in the Bill to be defined. put M uponr. h id t en t n h e e , I:o ln ea th n e ing Queen's Bench or Common PleAs, would be that it was constru e tive resi- HE t N h LE w Y or t d ho r u e g s dence referred to in the Bill, and not actual rest ; , dente. Sir J. GRAHAM said, after having given i t the most mature consideration, and had the advice of th 49 law ad visers, he had thought it right to withdraw the words which he had inserted after first proposing the Bill. There was an immense difficulty in settling this question. Any attempt at definition would lead only to cavil, and he thought it was the best mode to allow the we trd to re main as it stood for so long a period. There; was no doubt that the word "residence" in the Act r ei.erred to an industrial residence. This was a ter m w ell,-4known to the laws of Scotland, but was not known t o the laws of England. In amending in the last session of Parlia ment a Scotch Act, in which the word was u nderstood as referring to an industrial restlence, the 14 !gislature had not, however, thought fit to alter the term o r attempt to define it ; they left it in precisely the sam e form as before. He thought that the chairmen of qu aster ses sions would have no difficulty, in the exercis e 'of their discretion and judgment, in determini ng w, 'it 3 form of residence was referred to by the terns named in the Act. He hoped, therefore, the House 't'o uld ad here to the usual term, and not introduce into. t he Act a term unknown to the laws of this country. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL perfectly ceAcurred TOBACCO DUTIES. Dr. BO WRING presenied a petition from some of the most respectable tobacco dealers in the kingdom, which stated that it nas impossible to prevent ti le smuggling or adulteration .of tobacco, in consequence of the pre sent enormous duties on that article, and: they prayed that the duty might be reduced to one shilling per pound. THE INDIAN ARMY. The SPEAKER informed the House, amides general cheerinsr, that he bad received communications from Lord Hardinge, Governor-General of India, and Lord Gough, the Commander-in-Chief, returning thanks for the vote of Parliament respecting the late spirited con duct of the Bri t ish army in India. THE REI'EAL OF THE UNION. Mr. O'CONNELL gave notice, that early next session he should move for a Select Committee to inquire into the manner in which the legislative union of England and Ireland was effected, and under what circumstances ; and also to inquire into the effect which the union had had upon the people of Ireland —(Hear, hear.) Sir ROi3ERT FERGUSON moved for certain re turns relating to Ireland. FAILURE OF THE POTATO CROP IN IRELAND. Mr. O'CONNELL said, seeing the Right Honour able Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland in his place, he wished to ask him whether the Government had received any information relative to the anticipated failure of the potato crop in Ireland, and whether they intended to take any measures to meet the suffering which such an occurrence must necessarily occasion. Mr. LA BOUCHERE said, in answer to the question of the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, he begged to say that from various quarters, some private and some official, G( vernment had received information, that although there was every prospect of an excellent harvest in those things which constituted the food of the people, yet with regard to the potato crop, the disease which produced such sad effects last year had made its appearance. With regard to the second question, as to whether Government intended to take measures to provide for the emergency, he hoped the House as well as the Honourable and Learned Member for Cork would see that it was highly important gentlemen should have time to consider a measure which ought not to be pre maturely decided upon.—(Hear, hear.) JOINT STOCK BANKS D) (IRELA BILL. ND AND SCOT LAN On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CHEQUER, the c,mmittsl of this Bill was postponed. FEES IN COURTS OF LAW. Mr. B. ESCOT r said that, in the course of a debate which took place a short time ago with reference to the system of tees in courts of justice, a general inquiry was into admi ttd to be necessary the whole system. Considering what took place in that debate, and what fell from the late Prime Minister and the late Secretary for the Home Department, he was induced to ask the present Secretary for the Home Department if, in the event of a Committee being moved for, he would have any objection to grant an inquiry into the system of fees and comp nsation paid in the courtsof e,)mmon law and equity 1 Sir G. GREY said, in reply to the question of the Hon. Gentleman, he considered the subject of fees and compensation in courts of justice a fit and legitimate subject for inquiry ; and he had not the slightest hesi tation in giving him an assurance that, in the event of a Committee being moved for, he would be happy to sup port an inquiry into the subject. POOR REMOVAL BILL. On the order of the day for going into Committee on tkis Bill being read, Mr. WODEHOUSE said that when this Bill was last before the House he expressed a desire that it should be postponed. It was nut his wish to extenuate the hard ship which attended the removal of paupers, but he sub mitted that they could not proceed with too muchcautton in legislating on this subject. The ground why he wished post ponem en t was that the quest ion should be brought be fore Parliament fully. The great danger which would follow the present measure was, that it would throw a vast number of people on a district of small resources. The committee which sat upon the subject in 1817 said that a residence of three years entitled the party so circumstanced to relief, but to prevent litigation they considered it advisable to accompany that expression of °plain with a recommendation that the party should depose to the fact of such residence before two justices. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving that the Bill be postponed till that day six months. Mr. HUME seconded the motion. He considered it rather singular that the Poor-law Com missioners gave no recommendation of the Bill. It they had, he (Mr. Hume) did not see any He was anxious that the question should be postponed on this ground. If the subject were to be taken up early next session, when the whole of it would be considered, he (Mr. Hume) was not prepared to say that he would not then agree to the settlement now proposed, provided an union settlement were established. He could state that in parts of Norfolk entire parishes could remove every individual from its bounds and pass them to a neighbouring parish, called an open parish. He could state on his own knowledge that one parish would have the power of removing every individual from its bounds, and there were hve other parishes in the same district could remove their poor, and obtain what labour they required from the neighbouring parishes. The system would throw the expense of the maintenance of the poor on the most populous and poorest parishes, and thus cause the greatest possible inequality and distress. There were many reasons which might be assigned, but he would only appeal to the Right Hon. Baronet himself, for in the statement which he made to the House a few nights since, when he asserted that he would only take a part of the Bill, he said that he would leave the rest to be considered early next session. When the whole subject would come under their consideration at a future period, why should it be proceeded with now? Without any wish to give a further opinion on the subject, he hoped the House would assent to his motion, and postpone the discussion. Mr. BROTHERTON was anxious to state that the manufacturing interest entertained no adverse feeling to the Bill. If the present Bill was thrown out, the House must bear in mind that it would be by the hands of the Government, and not in consequence of the opposition from the manufacturers. Sir G. GREY wished to remove any opinion which might be entertained that the Government wished to with draw the Bill. He proposed that the Bill should go into Committee for the purpose of receiving any amendments which might be proposed by the House. He admitted that the present measure was but a partial remedy. He did not think the House ought to refuse to proceed with the measure. Is would be merely a step to the passing of a more comprehensive measure. He hoped, there fore, that after the gratifying fact which they had heard from the Hon. Member for Salford, that the manufac turing interest did not intend to oppose the Bill, the House would allow the Bill to be proceeded with. Mr. P. SCROPE thought the present Bill removed an old injustice, and introduced in its place a new injustice. He held a list in his hand of a few parishes, which set forth the burdens which would be imposed upon them if the Bill was passed ; and he should like to read a few of the state ments set forth in this petition to the House, in order that they might not rush into the great change with their eyes shut. In the parish of Sutton, Nottingham shire, there were eighty heads of families engaged in agricultural pursuits, entitled to reliet, and 90 heads of families, consisting altogether of from 300 to 400 souls, not settled there, but who, on the passing of the Bill, would become immediately irremovable, and would, con. scquently, become entirely new burdens. In St. Mary's, Cambridge, 100 families would become chargeable to the parish, who were not previously entitled to relief ; and in a parish in Warwick, 300 per sons, not previously entitled to relief, would become chargeable. A petition from a parish in Norfolk stated that the Bill would nearly double the present number of paupers. Such was, in reality, the principle of this Bill, and the support of the poor would be throws on parishes whose finances were extremely inadequate for that purpose. The Right Hon. Baronet might say that in a future stage of the Bill he would take care to remove this inequality, but he (Mr. P. Scrope) was not sure that those who had an interest in the pas sing of the Bill would allow him to alter its objection able provisions. A parish in Wales, inhabited princi pally by persons who worked in mines in a neighbouring parish, only separated from that in which they re sided by a small stream, would, under this Bill, become chargeable to the rural parish on the other side of the river, in which they did not reside. Surely, as the Bill as it stood was not in tended to become the law of the land, it would be better to postpone it until the laws relating to settlement had been clearly defined by the House. He thought it would be better to postpone the Bill till the whole question of settlement was gone into. It would then be seen what steps were necessary to adapt the Bill to the law of settlement that might be agreed to; till then he did not consider it would be proper to do anything in the matter. Mr. S. WORTLEY believed that the measure, even in its present shape, would prove extremely advan tageous, and be a great boon to the working classes. He confessed he should have preferred the Bill as it was originally proposed by the Right Hon. Baronet, the late Home Secretary, still he would support it as it now stood. He could not conceive how anything more satisfactory could be proposed than the proposi tion respecting the irremovability of the poor. They could scarcely have forgot the papers that had been placed on the table of the House, showing the great hardships imposed on the poor by the present state of the law. He knew, from his experience in the West Riding of Yorkshire, that the greatest complaints had been made respecting the sending back of the poor in populous parishes, in times of manufacturing depression, to the agricultural districts. He was sorry the Bill did not go further on the subject of settlement than it did, still he was willing to support it in its present form till inquiry was made, as proposed, into the subject. Mr. STRUTT thought the measure ought not to be pushed forward in the present session, but they ought rather to wait till a full investigation into the law of settlement had taken place. They were told that the subject was one of great difficulty. If so, then he considered it would be better to wait till the whole question was fully discussed, instead of passing the Bill in its present shape. They were pro. posing a new principle in the Bill—that of irremovability; and he considered it could not be properly arranged till such time as the law of settlement was finally disposed of. Now, under those circumstances he could not help think ing that if they waited for a few months, till an inquiry had taken place, which inquiry would by no means pre judge the question, the House would be better able to dis cuss this measure. The Right Hon. Gentleman who spoke last stated that those gentlemen who he (Mr Strutt) would not say opposed, but desired the postponement of this Bill, did not seem to consider the labouring poor. He (Mr. Strutt) hoped he should not render him self liable to the charge of a want of humanity towards the poor.—(Hear, bear.) But while they were anxious for the relief of the labouring poor, they should not for get that they ought also to show some humanity to wards the poor ratepayers—their humanity should not be exclusively confined to one class.—(Hear, hear.) Now, what would be the immediate effect of this Bill Why, it would impose upon a great number of poor parishes the burden of relieving the poor of this country, and the result would be that the poor 'would hereafter be 'relieved by poor ratepayers, that burden having been removed from the shoulders of the rich.—(Heaf, bear.) saw a poor ratepayer, who might have been a pauper, but who by his own exertion, his own industry, economy, and self-deial, had succeeded in maintaining him self as a latepayer, he must say, that ho did think that some humanity - should be extended towards such men, and they should take care that no provisions in this Bill should injure them. —(Hear, hear.) There was another provision in the Bill to which the attention of the House had not been called. He thought it was now admitted that nothing could be more dangerous than leaving it to the option of the pauper as to the parish by which he should be relieved. It was well know how much the officers and ratepayers of a parish were interested in getting paupers removed from their parishes, and that they would offer bribes and inducements to paupers to swear that their place of settlement was in some other part of the country. It was true that there was a penalty of from 40s. to 51. in the Bill against such practices, but how difficult was it to put such provisions into effect. —(Hear, hear.) He trusted, in conclusion, that the House would not proceed with the measure at this period of.the session. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON could not help express ini,► his great satisfaction at finding that the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment had made up his mind to proceed with this Bill, and trusted be wonld not be deterred from doing so by such arguments as those they had heard from, Honourable Members on the oppo site side of the House. One Honourable Gentleman opposed it on the ground that the Poor-law Commis sioners had made no report upon the subject, but so far from this being the case, he held in his hand a report of the Poor-law Commissioners wherein was the very principle that was proposed by this Bill.—(Hear, hear.) Another Hon. Gentleman urged as a reason for its postponement that the Bill had been brought forward before it had received sufficient con sideration, but let him remind that Hon. Gentleman that this Bill was introduced so far back as 1844, by the Hon. Member for Dorsetshire ; again in 1845, when it was fully discussed ; and now again in 1846.—(Hear.) Mr. PACKE thought that Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire, were the only counties where this Bill would operate beneficially. He thought the poor would be liable to be most tyrannically removed from their parishes, and treated most harshly by the operations of this Bill. He could not consider a measure fraught with more in justice than the present one ; he would, therefore, oppose the motion for the House going into Corn.- 44 .:7,4e on this Bill. Colonel WOOD considered that the proposed Bill would remove considerable hardship from the poor. It would prevent their being sent away in their old age in the opinion expressed by the Right Hon. Baronet, who had just addressed the Committee, that by attempt ing to define the term they would only involve it in fresh difficulties. He consiqf red, therefore, that the better course would be to .11°4- the same word to be used as had formerly been einp:oyed, the definition of which was generally understood in the courts of law through out the country. Mr. POULETT SCROPE said that courts of justice very often were not able to explain the proper meaning, which the Legislature intended to convey, and thus in many instances the very intentions of the Legislature were frustrated. But he did consider that the Legislature would stultify itself very mucn if it shrunk from explaining what it meant in an Act of Parliament. He considered that there was too much latitude in the definition of residence, so much so that it would be the subject of endless litigation. He did mot consider that it would be fair that the parish of St. Giles should support all the poor who lived there, but who spent their strength and health in the richer and more wealthy parishes of St. James. He hoped, then, that they would define the word residence. Sir ROBERT PEEL said, they were approaching the great question of union settlements by the present dis cussion. He apprehended the question strictly for them to decide upon was, whether they should give a stricter definition to residence. Now, he considered the words objected to implied industrial residences; they would introduce more doubt into the Act than certainty. What was meant by residence was generally understood, and it would be better to leave the question open to the common sense which would guide those to whom th• provisions of the Bill were entrusted to be carried into effect. Mr. HENLEY wished to have the sentence rendered intelligible. He would like to know what answer the Members of that House would be able to give if they were examined on their oath as to where they had slept every night during the last five years ?—(Laugh ter.) The parochial authorities would question the un fortunate individual (whom they wished to remove), and the onus would remain on him to prove his right. Mr. STUART WORTLEY considered that they should leave the definition to the dictates of common sense, which would be found a much bettercriterion than any definition. Mr. BECKETT DENISON said he hoped the House would riot accept the suggestion to make the decision of two magistrates binding. He considered that they ought to leave the question undefined, so that the prin ciples of common sense might be the guide by which the authorities should decide. Mr. VERNON SMITH considered that it would in flict very great hardship on the applicant before the ma gistrate it' they did not define their meaning. Sir J. GRAHAM offered some observations in expla nation, but his observations were utterly inaudible in the gallery. Mr. S. WORTLEY also explained. _ . Mr. HENLEY objected to the principle of the clause, as it would be almost impossible for any man to prove satisfactorily that he had slept forty nights in the parish. The whole burden of the proof would be thrown on the poor man who sought relief. Captain PECHELL withdrew his motion; and on the next clause relating to widows, he should certainly take the sense of the House. Sir J. PAKINGTON rose to move an amendment of which he had given notice, namely, to substitute the word three for the word five. The amendment was so simple, that it required but little explanation ; and he had, therefore, simply to state that the greatest evils arose to the poor from the present system of removal ; and, in fact, they suffered more than those who were punished. for crime. Great hardships had also been inflicted upon the poor from their fear of the system. They had ab stained from seeking any relief, in many instances, know ing that any application would result in an immediate removal. The authority of the Poor-law Commissioners was in favour of the; period of three years industrial resi dence ; and by a law which existed in Scotland last year, a three years industrial residence, in any expressed town, should entitle them to a settlement there. It was for the benefit of the poor that they shc uld be made irre moveable in as short a period as possible Colonel WOOD said that he had given notice of a similar motion to the one made by the Hon. Member, but on learning that it would be resisted by the Bir mingham manufacturers, he had withdrawn it. He would recommend the Hon. Member to follow a similar course. _ _ Sir G. GREY said that he was not prepared to deny the force of the arguments used by the Hon. Member, but he thought that as the Bill had been a long time under consideration, and the period had always been looked forward to as five years, he thought that it would be advisable to withdraw his motion. After a few words from Lord HARRY VANE, Sir J. PAKINGTON withdrew his amendment. Mr. SPOONER thought that the pauper should have the option of going to his own parish if he so pleased. By such an arrangement he considered that the pauper, if an old person, would be enabled to go among his own friends. It would, in his opinion, be a great im provement on the proposed plan. Mr. P. SCROPE wished to draw attention to the anomaly of giving a right to relief to any Irishman, who may have resided here for a period of five years, while there was no law of settlement in Ireland, and those who did receive relief were treated in a very indifferent man ner. In 1841, 1842, and 1843, there were 320 English families removed from Manchester, while there were 728 Irish families, being nearly one. half. (Hear, hear.) There were nearly a million of Irish men resident in England, and the effect of the present Bill would be to give every one of these a claim to relief. That would be an enormous extra and new charge to the ratepayers of this country. He did not complain that the Irish received relief, but he thought that so great an anomaly as he had pointed out should be removed, and he would conclude by moving that the following words be added:—" Provided always, that every native of Ireland shall be liable to removal till he has a right to relief in his own country." Sir G. GREY was sure that the House would not ex pect him to go into the question of the Irish Poor-laws. —(Hear, hear.) He considered that when an Irishman and Englishman had spent several years toiling together, it would be a great hardship, in the event of their both becoming chargeable, that one should be entitled to re ceive relief, and the other be removed, and sent out of the country. This, he considered, would be a far greater anomaly than that complained of by the Hon. Gen tleman. Sir R. FERGUSON said that, as chairman of a board of guardians, he could state that the English were relieved on the same terms precisely as the Irish in the union over which he presided ; and there were one or two instances which recently came under his notice, where they were dealt with even more favourably. The amendment was then withdrawn, and the clause agreed to. On clause 2, Mr. PECHELL moved that, after the word " widow hood," in the second line, the words "be required to be examined as to her settlement, or," be inserted. Mr. PAKINGTON, under the circumstances, thought the amendment ought not to be pressed on the House at present. After a few words from Captain PECHELL and Mr. SPooNER in support of the amendment, and Sir G. GREY against it, the amendment was withdrawn, and the clause, in its original form, agreed to. Clause 3 was then agreed to. On clause 4 being read, Mr. TATTON EGERTON said they ought to re consider this clause, when they kept in view the great railway works in the kingdom, which would lead to particular districts being hardly pressed on. He merely called the attention of the Right Hon. Baronet to the subject at present. Sir GEORGE GREY thought such cases as those named could hardly be reached by any Bill like the present. In the construction of joint works, it was im possible to avoid some districts being hardly pressed on, and in a manner that no general measure could reach. The clause was then agreed to. Clause 5 after a few words from Mr. Henley, the Attorney-General, Mr. P. Scrope, and Sir George Grey, was agreed to, with a few verbal amendments. The remaining clauses were then agreed to without discussion, the House resumed, the chairman reported progress, and the report was ordered to be brought up to-morrow. THE SUGAR DUTIES. The dIIANICELLOR of the' EXCHEQUER said that his' Noble Friend the First Lord of' the Treasury would not be able to attend in the House to-morrow, (this day) and he therefore begged to give notice that the discussion on the Sugar Duties Bill would neces sarily be postponed until Monday. SUGAR DUTIES CONTINUANCE BILL. This Bill was then read a second time on the motion of Sir George Grey. Mr. HENLEY asked the Right Hon. Baronet whether he had any objection to have the Billprinted ? Sir G. GREY said he had not ; the word " Septem• ber" would be found to be substituted for the word " August." BATHS AND WASH MOUSES BILL. The report on this Bill was then brought up and agreed to. EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGE OF TRADING ABO LITION (IRELAND) BILL. The House then went into Committee on this Bill ; the whole of the clauses were agreed to, with a few amendments, the chairman reported progress, and the report was ordered to be brought up to-morrow. SHANNON NAVIGATION BILL. This Bill also went through Committee. ordered to be brought up on Monday next. PRISONS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill also went through Committee. The repor was ordered to be brought up to-morrow. On the motion of Mr. LABOUCHERE, the other Irish Bills of which he had charge were postponed until Thursday next. GRAND JURY CESS BONDS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill went through Committee. Report on Friday (this day). MANDAMUS (IRELAND) BILL. Report This Bill went through Committee. Report on Friday (this day). TAXATION OF COSTS (COMPENSATION FOR LAND (IRELAND) BILL. Tlth Bill went through Committee. Report on Friday (this day). BOOKS AND ENGRAVINGS BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Friday (this day). WRECK AND SALVAGE BILL. On the question being put for going into Committee on this Bill, Mr. HUTT said he had no doubt this Bill would work a great improvement in the law, indeed it was generally admitted that it would do so, but there were certain clauses in the Bill which must either be expunged or amended before he could give his sanction to the Bill. The Bill had not acknowledged or continued the juris- diction of the Cinque Ports, and be thought this was a great defect in the Bill. Mr. T. M. GIBSON said the Bill would not in any way affect the jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports, and he trusted therefore the Hon. Gentleman would allow it to pass through Committee without opposition. The House then went into Committee on the Bill. The whole of the clauses were agreed to, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Friday (this day). The House then adjourned at Eleven o'clock. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (I ESTERDAY) HOUSE OF LORDS. room A. CORNIVALLL. The members of this Committee re-assembled to-day at eleven. Mr. ROWE, on the part of the Central Devon and Cornwall line, applied to the Committee with the view of obtaining permission to proceed with evidence to show that the bridge which the Cornwall Company proposed to construct over the river Tamar, at Saltash, was so low as to impede the navigation of the river. This led to a discussion between the respective counsel, and the Committee decided with respect to the construction of the bridge in question, that it was a matter that rested solely with the Admiralty, in whose hands the responsibility should remain. The witnesses against the Bill having been exhausted, a delay of considerable length ensued, till fresh witnesses could be sworn in. The Committee haring, then, heard some additienal evidence, ad journed. Room B. The Committee on the Newport,Abergavenny, and Hereford Rail way —the Vale of Neath Railway—the Llynvi Valley and South Wales Juncti on Railway and the Monmouthshire Railway Bills, con sisting of Lords Fortescue (chairman), Suffolk, Liverpool, Beverley - , and Lilford, assembled at eleven o'clock. VALE or MEATH. Precedence having been given to this Bill, Mr. Calvert opened th• case for the promoters. Mr. Harris was examined, and stated that the present price of coals at Merthyr Tydvil was is. 10d.per ton, owing to the insufficient supply afforded to that place, which would be remedied by the pro posed railway. Mr. White, F.C.S., residing at Dowleis, and had about a hundred patients under his care daily, at ironworks and collieries. The highest wages were about 30s. a week, and the lowest about 14s. a week. Swansea was the favourite resort of persons of that class, and if a railway like the proposed one were constructed, the number that would avail themselves of it would be illimitable. Had himself recommended, as a medical man, persons to take these excursions when in a state of convalescence. The Committee, having heard some further evidence, adjourned. Room C. LONDON AND GRAVESEND. The Committee on the South-Eastern 'group of projects assem bled this morning. The Earl of Devon in the chair, with the Duke of Cleveland, the Earl of Craven, Lord Klunaird, and the Duke of Leeds. Mr. AUSTIN opened for the promoters, and stated that this was a line from London to Gravesend, using the line of the Greenwich Railway for about two miles, as far as the Grand Surrey Canal, thence by a detour to Lewisham, skirting Greenwich Park, passing thence to Woolwich, thence to Dartford, and so on, outside North. fleet to Gravesend. In the contests in the Commons, allusions had been made to the traffic, and although he would not enter into that subject., thus much he ought to observe, that although the fare by the railway was Bd. and 6d. for the respective classes during last year, and the fare by the steamboats was 4d. to Greenwich, the number of passengers by the railway was more than 2% millions, while that by the steam-boats were only 1% millions. The time required to get to Greenwich by the boats was half an hour, while by the railway they got in half that time. The time occupied in the passage by the river to Graves end is two hours and a half, while by the line it would be only three quarters of an hour. The anticipated traffic to Gravesend by the new line would be 3,500,060, which, at a fare of ls. each, would give 175,0001. of gross return, and deducting working expenses, at the usual rate of 40 per cent, there would be a net profit of a hundred thousand guineas, or a dividend of tea or twelve per cent. He might further observe, that along the 20 miles which this line ran to Graves end, or the 28% miles to Rochester, there was a more dense population than on any other line after leaving London for the same distance. For the same distance on the South-Western line the population is 40,000, on the Great Western line it is 55,000, on the Eastern Counties 41,008, on the Northern and Eastern 55,000, and on the London and Birmingham it is 43,000 ; while on the Graves end line it is 100,000, or nearly double that of the best of the other lines. The Learned Gentleman then entered into an explanation of the proposed lines of railway, which, without the plaits submitted to their Lordships, would be quite intelligible. It may be sufficient, therefore, to say that the object of the explanation was to assure the Committee that no accident could happen at the junctions of the numerous lines which leave the South-Eastern terminus at London bridge. They reached Woolwich by rounding Greenwich-park. It was preferred to do this to going through the park, because the instruments in the Observatory might have been affected by the passing of the trains. They thence passed at the back of Blackheath, and entered a tunnel of considerable length, reached Woolwich about 165 yards from the Dockyard gates, 65 from the Arsenal ; and from the lowness of the level, by a very ingenious piece of engineer ing, they were enabled to give accommodation by a subv ay both to the Arsenal and Dockyard, with ample opportunity for putting the stores upon the line. From Woolwich they passed over Plumstead Marshes, within half a mile of the pier at Erith, a level station at Craylard and another at Dartford ; they then passed within fifty yards of Erith, where they entered a tunnel of about 160 yards long, and so on to Gravesend. The steepest gradient would be one in about 120, and the smallest radius of a curve 616 yards. The length of the line would be 20 miles one furlong. The estimates for the whole line were 800,0001., and the capital asked for is 1,000,0001. The line is devised by Mr. Robert Stephenson and Mr. Bidder, and it was not too much to say that it was most judiciously laid out. In fact, the project was merely to form a connexion be tween London and Gravesend, for at both termini the stations were made. After noticing the intended opposition of the North Kent Company, who lost their Bill in the Commons, he said that he should object to any opposition than that which had reference to the parti cular part of the country which they had desired to obtain. In this petition there was an allegation of the fares being too low, but this was both unfair and ungracious, because though they were low they were quite sufficient for paying a handsome dividend. The only petition of landowners was that of Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, who was Chairman of the defunct line, and who possessed two small plots of land in the parish of I'lumstead, just sufficient, and that was all, to give hint a locus standi before the Committee, and for his land there would be a check ready at the bankers the moment it was asked for. The North Kent line had been debated before the Committee nine-and-twenty days during last session, and thirty-four days this session, so that it could not be said that it had not been sufficiently deliberated upon, and it had been thrown out on both occasions. Ile had said that he objected to any opposition being allowed, or any allusion to the country below Rochester, which he had described as being the ultimate of the present Bill, but he wished particularly and expressly to prevent any supposition that the pro moters of this line were not ready to continue their line all the way to Dover, for that was decidedly their intention as soon as tho Par liamentary powers could be obtained for that purpose. Mr. Charles Jones, formerly a civil engineer, and now chairman of the Woolwich Gas Company, testified generally as to the conve nience of the line to that town, stating that there were as many as twenty-seven steam-boats on the river, but those did not run later than nine o'clock at this time of the year, and four o'clock in winter. He also stated the feeling of the inhabitants of the ,lace, all of whom were exceedingly anxious for its formation, and the more es pecially as the lines running along a lower level, gave access to the Arsenal and Dockyard, while on the other hand the North Kent not only would not afford those advantages, but by running on a viaduct would act as a screen. Meetings had been held in favour of the Gravesend line, at which it was resolved to support that projoct. On croes-examination by Mr. GoLDsmin, it appeared that there had been a change this year in the North Kent project, which made less objectionable than formerly to the inhabitants of Woolwich. On re-examination by Mr. MEaxxwETßEa,:the witness stated that the North Kent Company had not resolved to go to Woolwich till the project of the south-Eastern Company had been published. Mr. Clough, clerk of the Arsenal at Woolwich, and one of the town commissioners of Woolwich, stated that both the proposed lines had been submitted to that body, and that of the South-Eastern had been unanimously approved. In his opinion, this line would be very con venient for putting stores on the line, both from the Arsenal and the Dockyard. In answer to Mr. GoLbsstin, Mr. Clough replied that with respect to the public institutions he did not speak as a public servant, but as a town commissioner. A. discussion here ensued with the Committee as to whether the evidence was satisfactory. Lord Sondes, Mr. Plumptre, M.P., Sir Edward Filmy, and two or three witnesses from Gravesend, confirmed the assertion that the line would he generally acceptable to the district. Colonel Menzies, of the Chatham garrison, was called to show that the line in a military point of view would be highly advantageous, giving a quick and easy communication with Woolwich, Deptford, and Portsmouth. Mr TALBOT was proceeding to cross-examine as to the point whether the line would not be equally advantageous as a military communication if carried on to Canterbury, when Mr. MERBSWETZIER objected to the questions, and the room was cleared. After a very lengthened discussion the parties were again admitted, when The Cuatastan read a resolution to the effect, that there being no Bill before the Committee for any line below Rochester, no inquiry ought to be entertained which affected any point below that place. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow. Room D. This Committee met to-day at a quarter to twelve o'clock, the Committee not being constituted till that hour, when the further coneideration of the GLASGOW, DumraxEs, AND O.ARLISLE was resumed. On the admission of the parties and counsel, The Crum:ear; said he had received a letter from Mr. Hope John stone, the Chairman of the Caledonian Railway Company, which he had already submitted to the Committee, and which he would now read. It was to the following effect : (Copy.) " Caledonian Railway-office. 25, Parliament-street, " London, 22d July, 1846. " My Lords,—As Chairman of the Caledonian Railway Company, I feel it to be my duty to state to your Lordship, that the decision of the Committee over which you preside has so greatly surprised the parties interested in the Caledonian Railway, and has rendered our position as opponents of the Dumfries Bill so difficult, that I venture to solicit, through your Lordship, the permission to state the gounds on which we would ask a reconsideration of that decision. I would beg at the same time to avail myself of the opportunity of cudeavouring to re move a mistaken impression which appears to have been made on your Lordship and the other members of the Committee on the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Railway Bill, that we are &win)us of interfer log with the local acoommodati9n of the country between Cumnock and Dumfries. My object In now addressing your Lordship is to show that we have not any intention or wish to do so. •. It Is true that we are in possession of evidence which we believe will satisfy the Committee that the estimates of the cost of the line In question are quite inadequate for the construction of it, and that the local traffic is net such as to maintain the railway independently of through traffic. That evidence we propose to adduce to-morrow and next day ; but our sole object in oontinuing theoppOsitiOnistO secure to the Caledonian Railway that protection against competition met treks, to Vetch we feel strolvily that wt art eatiflitt. 'Fe show your Lordship that this is not merely our view, I would refer to the marked passages in the 'Accompanying report of the Board of Trade on these schemes last year. " In evidence of this, I may refer to proposals repeatedly made on our part, both before and since the commencement of the proceedings in the present session, that we would withdraw our opposition, pro vided the promoters of the undertaking would limit their line to the town of Dumfries, leaving the Caledonian Company to complete the communication between that town and Carlisle. " I am now about to afford to your Lordship and the Com mittee a further proof of our sincerity by a gun greater concession on our part. The port of Annan has been represented by the promoters as one important and essentia l line; and although we have heretofore conside red ourselves entitled to of u th tl e ed ir to the measure of protection which a bra nch to Dumfries would somtwhe main the ain afford us, we are willing to withdraw ou r opposition of fo the oe line o posed line between Cumnock and Annan, if the remainderfrom .Annan to Gretna be conceded tottiLeo Canobie breach. It is clear tha t line of the Caledoedan Railway to Annan and to Cambia are within Csalideedobnratannehe together the Caledonian Company's peculiar district, and we are prepared to give any pledge the Committee may think proper, that we shall next session apply to Parliament for the requisite powers, and shall con struct these lines, in case any formal difficulty should prevent the transfer of those portions of the proposed line to the Caledonian Company by clauses in the present Bill. " We think that this proposition will afford a fair test of the sin eerily of the promoters of the Bill, in professing that they do not calcu late upon abstracting the through traffic of the Caledonian Company. If not agreed to by them, they cannot complain of our pursuing our opposition to their whole line, possessing, as we believe we do, such evidence as will satisfy the Committee that the grounds on which the Bill is promoted are, in all the important points of cost and traffic, perfectly untenable. 1 "On the other hand, if the promoters of the Bill should adopt out proposition of a division at Annan, we undertake to withdraw our evidence upon the main line from Cumnock to Annan, so that the Bill to that extent may he held as unopposed. " I have, however, to state to your Lordship that we have objec tions ora peculiar character to what is called the Crawick Branch of the Glasgow, Dumfries, end Carlisle line, which, in any event, we desire to lay before the Committee, but the evidence on which will be comparatively short; and. having explained that matter to the Com mittee, we shall willingly acquiesce in their decision on the subject of the Crawick branch. I have the honour to be,my Lord, your obedient humble servant, (Signed) "J. J. DOPE JOIINSTONE. " To the Right Hon. the Earl of St. Germans, &c. &c." The CHAIRMAN, having read the letter, handed it to Mr. Sergeant Mr. Sergeant BaLLtsts said it was quite impossible for him to give any answer to it, as he knew nothing whatever of the letter till that moment, and had not consulted the parties for whom he appeared. The CHAIRMAN—Thou you had better withdraw to consult your clients. Mr. Sergeant Tisuisis—All I can say is that I have at ➢resent no instructions whatever. . -..-- Counsel and parties, at the request of the Chairman, then with draw, to consider the proposition contained in the letter. After being absent about half an hour the parties returned, when Mr. Sergeant BELLasis stated that after consulting with his clients be could not accede to the proposition contained in the letter of Mr. Hope Johnstone. In the first place the pro moters of the 11111 had made an arrangement with the Ayrshire Company for the leasing of the line, on the faith that the whole of the math scheme would be carried out. In fact, than. this was the essence of the scheme. If any part of the main lin was given up, it would be quite impossible to carry out that arrange ment. In the second place, his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch had given his consent to the whole scheme, on the distinct understand ing that the Canobie branch should be constructed in connexion with tic main line. They were, therefore, bound to abide by this agree ment. lu the third place, the Canobie branch, and: the portiou from Annan to Gretna, were the most profitable portions of tint whole scheme, and were necessary for the paying of the more northern part. The Ayrshire and Dumfries people were anxious for an efficient communication with the south, and that could not be properly done, unless by full connexion with Carlisle. lie was, however, willing to make this arrangement. lie was willing, by clauses to give the Caledonian Company special powers to run over the Anna❑ portion of their scheme and the Canobie, if they in return allowed the present company to run on similar terms over the portion of the Caledonian line between Gretna and Carlisle. If they could not settle the terms on whieh this mutual use of the respective lines was to be used, he was wilnu that it should lie referred to the Board of Trade. . . . Mr. Ts.Lnor, on behalf of the Duke of Buccleuch, was tieing to protest against the arrangement proposed by the CaledOedan Caia pany, when Mr. Cocastast interfered. He said the Learned Gentleman he no right to be heard. He was only entitled to be heard if he ap peared against the line, but being a petitioner in its favour he could not. Hs had at present no right to interfere. The Camastax said, if the promoters of the Bill had listened to the proposition, then the Learned Gentleman might have been heard. As it was he could have no object to serve in speaking. He thought Mr. Cockburn had better go on with his case. Mr. CocKaußN then proceeded to address the Committee. In doing so, he said he would proceed on the proposition which had been submitted to the Committee, and while doing so he should, he wns sure, succeed in showing that the estimates of the works of the Nithsdale line were totally inadequate to the construction of the whole line ; that, in fact, the capital was not more than sufficient for the making of the line as far as Annan, and that it would be im possible for them to construct the whole of it, should the Committee concede it to them. The Learned Gentleman was proceeding to enter on the points he was about to prove in evidence, and going to show that it would be advantageous to the public, as well as the parties interested, that the portion of the line south of Annan, along with the Canobie branch, should be given to the Caledonian, when Mr. Sergeant BELLASIB interfered. He desired the Learned Gentle man to confine himself to the demerits of the Bill as per the decision o! the Committee, and not to go into the question of the merits of the two lines, or the question which had been raised in the letter. A discussion arose on the point whether or not Mr. Cockburn should be allowed to go into this matter, which ended in the parties being requested to withdraw, to allow the Committee to deliberate on it. After the absence of about three-quarters of an hour the parties were readmitted, The CHAIRMAN intimated that as the Committee had considered railway communication was required for the district, they desired that the parties against the Bill should confine themselves to showiug that the estimates for the line were inadequate, or that the line, if made, would not be remunerative for the capital invested. Till this was done they could not entertain any other proposition. After some conversation between the Learned Counsel on both sides, Mr. Cocisual4 said he was willing to go now into the question of estimates, and reserve any other point that had been raised till after ] wards, should the Committee then think such to be necessary. • The examination of witnesses against the Bill was then proceeded with. Mr. Collister, civil engineer, examined—Said he was acting engi neer of the Caledonian line. He knew the route of the present line wed. He knew the price paid for work on the Caledonian and the Lancaster and Carlisle Railways, and he brought those prices to bear on the estimates of the present line. He had gone over the esti mates of the present line carefully, and he felt confident it could not be made for the sums named. Ile considered it could not be made for less than 1,453.0001. The estimate of the promoters was 1,200,000/. Front the nature of the country he considered the line could not be made for Jess than he had stated. He had endeavoured to take cross sees lions of the country, to know the extra works necessary, but lila assistants had been prevented by the agents of the Duke of But cleuch. In fact, they had been assaulted on the highway. He considered that the estimate should also have included houses for workmen engaged in making the line. They had included these in the Caledonian line of last year. There were now ten thousand men engaged on the Caledonian line, and proportionate number of men per mile would be required for the present line. The country was so thinly populated that these houses must be required. He thought, also, 100,0001. should have been added for working stock, plant, &c. These items were in ad dition to his estimate of 1,453,0001. Now with regard to the latter estimate, which was 253,000!. over Mr. itlythe's estimate, he as suine.d nearly the same amount of earth-work as they did, while he estimated the cost at 311,5361. He calculated it at 12iid, per yard, whereas they had set it down at 10d. It was often thick blue clay, and the price he stated was the least it could be done for. The whinstone and sandstone cuttings had been much underrated. lie considered from the survey he had made there was not less than 622,300 cubic yards of these rock cuttings. Their quantity was 336,000. There was more than this on the Crawick branch alone. Ile calculated this kind of cutting at 2s. 103,0., whereas they had set it down at 2s. 6d. He calculated the work 'at the prices on the Caledonian line, and if the works were to be done the next three years, from the almost certain nature 01 the labour-market, it would be impossible to do the work for less. lie calculated the whole rock cutting at 88,940/. instead of theirs, which was 42,0001., being 46,0001. more. The masonry, also, he con • sidered to be much understated. They made it 92,2301., or about 1,0001. a mile. lie made it 199,5161. (The witness here passed over in detail several bridges along the line, which he represented to be under-estimated considerably, compared with the prices he was paying on the Caledonian line. He also characterised the bridges in most instances as inadequate for the safety and proper accommodation of such a line of railway. Both the bridges over the streams along the route of the line, as well as those over turnpikes and public roads, had been understated. With regard to occupation bridges there was a glaring defect. They had only fifteen of these in an extent of ninety-two nines, whereas he considered there should not be less than seventy-three. He said so from experience on the Caledonian line. Far there bridges they set down only 5,0701., whereas he estimated them at 29,163/. 'She level crossings and lodges had also been under-estimated both in number and expense. The tunnel at Drumlanrig he esti mated at 451. per cubic yard, against their estimate of 35/. He cal -1 rotated it at this price, as he co ns id ere d i t would have to be l i ne d r with brick-work. In similar works, where there were different layers of strata, it was usual to line the tunnels. His calculation would be 15,0001. more than theirs. The per manent way he made 5,574/. per mile ; their estimate was 5,3201. Resting roads they made 7,0001. ; ho made it 11,0001. In his opinion the working expenses, n hich had been stated at 33 per cent., was fixed too low. A per centage on the gross receipts could nor fairly represent the working expenses, as, whatever might be the atin of the traffic, there would be fixed expenses going forward. A certain number of trains would have to be run daily, officers and clerks paid, and the way maintained. He considered a line of 99 miles would require 1501. per mile yearly to keep it in repair. This was 32,5671. 10s. in all. To accommodate the traffic four trains would be required each w ay daily, and two on Sunday. This, at Is. 3d. per mile each train, would be 15,3821. Goods trains, two a-day, he estimated at 8,8101. ; police, 1,0001.; station ex penses, 1,6501. ; rates and taxes at 201. per mile, snaking 1,815/, ; management and chief office expenses, 2,5001.; Government duty on passengers, 1,9501. Total, 46,3521., or 45 per cent. en the estimated receipts. - . Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Butkus-13e went over the lice about Whitsuntide with Mr. Errington. He left London, and was absent about a fortnight. They started at Springfield to go over the line on Monday, at ten o'clock, and were engaged till Wednesday. Witness was the assistant of Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke had only completed one line as yet in Scotland—the Glasgow and Greenock. Mr. Miller had, he believed, completed in Scotland about 200 miles of railway. With regard to .81r. Miller exceeding the original estimate on the Edinburgh and Glasgow line, he was_ not aware of any branches beyond what were provided for in 'the original estimate, but there was the expensive entrance Into Edinburgh, which was not originally given. It ought in fairness to have been stated. He was not aware that the plant and stock of the company were not included ix the original estimate. He was in possession of most of the data he had given three weeks ago, but it was put into its present shape last night. He had no doubt the North British line was completed for lower prices than those he had stated, as there had been a great competition. He was not aware that the Edinburgh and Ilawick, or the Ayrshire line to Cumnock, were contracted for at less prices than he had stated. The Cale• donian line had not been contracted for by public competition ; it was agreed for at a certain price, which he was satisfied was as little as it could be well done for. The Caledonian Company were paying in some cases 2s. 6d. a yard for rock cuttings and supplying the parties with waggons and other conveniences. The prices he had named were similar to those on the Lancaster and Carlisle, and Blackburn and Preston. The same contractor was enaged on tin The working stb e k 137,0001. He did not f o ( f ir t nr e r c a al s e w d -a o s ni e a n n gag he ed c o al n eu ti l i a e te C d a , l l ed as o t n y i e a a n r, li a n t e. add any additional working stock this year for the Dumfries and Langhohn branches. There was about 16 miles of the Caledonian line higher than the Dumfries line—not more. (The Learned Gen tlemen then went over the Nithsdale line along with the witness, with the object of showing that there were villages along the rout* that would accommodate the workmen without the erection of the houses spoken of.) The witness was next subjected to a rigid cross-examination on the details lie had given respecting the bridges and viaducts, with the object of showing that the scale and principle on which he had estimated them were exaggerated and unnecessary, and that the prices of masonry had been fixed too high. He made an esti mate of the whinstone rock cutting three weeks ago, but he had it not upon him. lie estimated this rock from the examinations he had made by borings and by observa tion of its repeated protrusions on the surface. Atter a few more questions on the details by which he had arrived at his conclu sions of the amount of rock and whinstone cutting, the witness, at the request of Mr. Sergeant Belles's, promised to furnish them In writing by the morning with the particulars which he sought to obtain. . _ The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at eleven o'clock. Room E. EXETER AND DORCHESTER. Their Lordships met this morning at the usual hour. Mr. T. 3latcham, coach proprietor, of Andover, who was examined by Mr. IiTIRETITHIS, gave evidence of the number of coaches and the amount of traffic upon the old coach road, which had Wien Or very considerably since the formation of the Great Western Rail way ; but in his opinion this traffic would again flow in the same direction if the present railway were sanctioned. His occupation brought him into communication with a considerable number of per sons, all of whom were anxious for the construction of this railway, In his cross-examination by Mr. &Arm, he admitted that there were only two coaches, exclusive of the mails, which went the whole distance to Exeter, via Andover. Mr. T. Mortimer, tanner, of Andover, examined by Mr. Mims, V k ETHER—In conjunetion with his father witness had carried on the business of a tanner for a period of between thirty and forty years. lie received from 300 to 600 tons of hides from London every year. and the expense of carriage of this article would be reduced abo r t five shillings per ton if the proposed railway were made. f6rttenedriei4ng an d es. In conse quence Reading. and other de 3 al l t r. e. W ro . , D is o iv uli ely n, in of s t e V e ali ds opy l i e eld was a farm i want of railway accommodation. The vantage in consequence of the markets of London, Salisbury., Andover, and Salisbury was l • n miles. send ?affterosredtoedgrtsheaetil distance between h i g h prices which the steamers at Southampton charged q p u la c c n e c s e .. f T iz ire e market of Andover laboured u e nd e e , r , considerable Weed de o fa n c e ill o t facilities s t for l atrhgeeet in transmission Eng an England. There s T h h ee e p r e towewere Andover eis o f o ai th r e , r w , h er l y ch larg wa: London tr st ih i e t :fo n n r i :t the ; 11 ;p:e ' e r tpoeofrs.g7oTdf: The fairs in that neighbourhood which would be accommodated by the r ilw ay . having proposed was g them conveyed railwayl i c gt o eh n d il fehty:aebbdoiwa The ClIAlllll.li intimated, at this stage of the proceedings, that there was no necessity for multiplying evidence upon the question of traffic. The Committee had heard evidence from different persona of various trades and occupations connected with the amount of traffic, and it was reasonable to suppose that other branches of trade were of the same nature. By a glance at the map and the course the line proposed to take, it was self-evident that the amount of traffic must be very large. Mr. Ilti.Draas said that he was quite content to offer no further evidence on the subject, he only wished to protect We clients from any Injurious effects which might arise from his Learned Friend, Mr. Talbot, bringing forward a large quantity of evidence, and using against them the statement that they had not made out a case for the necessity of the line before the Committee. ➢ir. TaLsor intimated that it was his intention to bring forward a considerable amount of evidence bearing upon the district between. Exeter and Yeovil. The CnAtamAN said that he had expressed the opiniona of We Committee upon the subject. The parties must, therefore, use their own discretion, and adopt that course which they thought 'best adapted to promote the interests of the public. Mr. Avery, of Honiton, grocer and wine merchant, and formerly a coach proprietor, said that the feeling of the inhabitant* of lionitos was unanimous in favour of the proposed line. He received about 140 tons of goods annually from London and other parts, which would be conveyed by this railway at a less cost than he had to pay at present. Mr. Divett, M.P. for Exeter, one of the directors of the Bristol and Exeter Railway, which was a broad gauge line, said he was certainly in favour of the broad gauge, but he thought that it was ex tremely desirable in a public point of view that there should be a continuous line connecting the south-Western and South-Eastern Railway on the narrow gauge ; he thought suck a railway would not only afford great public accommodation, but it would also have the effect of exercising a wholesome competition. Cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT—It would be a most serious VP- lamity,if Exeter were to be deprived of its present broad gauge coro municstion with London. lie believed that his constituents at :#,',:x eter were almost entirely unanimous in tavour of the proposed. line, and several public meetings had been held in that city in favour of this line. lie thought it very important that there should be a line connecting Exeter with Plymouth and the other ports on the coast, He did not think it probable that any negotiations could be entered into by the directors et the Bristol and Exeter line with Mr. Hudson without his cognizance. He thought there was no foundation for the report of such a negotiation having been entered into. Mr. iIiLDYARD said Sir E. Duckworth, Bart" M.P. for Exeter, was in attendance, but they did not think, in consequence of the in timation of the Committee, that it was necessary to call him before Mr JulY, of Chard, was then called, who gave evidence as to the benefits to be derived by the construction of the proposed railway tg the town of Chard. Mr. Hayward, of Crewkerne, thought the present line better aaapted for the interests of Crewkerne than the line proposed by the Great Western Company, notwithstanding the latter line had in tended to run nearer to the town than the former one. Similar opi nions were entertained by the majority of the inhabitants of Crew kerne upon this subject. Mr. J. Thytherleigh, residing at Axminster, said that be felt great interest in the success of this line. His opinion as to the superior write of the line before the Committee was also shared by the Mb/ bitants of Axminster. e betvivea Mr. T. Holloway, timber merchant, of Salisbury, itate 4 that n i were considerable quantities of timber grown in the d u lstr! . in apnea Salisbury and Yeovil, which was at prese p tAZ, Line, to the 'water constructed,lf quence of there being without considerable expense. ThePr P. a and rortamioutu would open the dockYardS Southampton no means of t.rtulet!