The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-02 00:00:00

4 II OUSE 0 - I.' LORDS. retraLriv AND BELFAST 31.7NCTION, AND N.2,..V.,?...N IIR.A.N CH RAILWAY EXTENSION. IRISH NORTH S2XTLA.I.II3, DUBLIN AND IIItiNISXILLEN. • ..*. The Commit tee to Wiltnii these Bilis were ref erre d , fu. 7 this .lae Marqui s of Bishop of Oxford. noon.. at three o'ciock, i n Abi ng d on - street. After- Salisbury,Present— (in the chair,) E a rl o f J ersey, Lord C iarleville, and th e Mr. AUSTIN (who appeared on behalf bf the Dublin and Belfast, against which the Committee he. rtt I said he under . Stood that the Committee -passed tir e dsolution yesterday, recommduig the Dublin and Be:fast C, pany to take advantage - of their p esent Bill to form a junction with' the Navan and Drogheda Railway. Nosy he considered that ',heir Lordships had, in coining to uncle, shat Ifillappretieusion, inasmuch as that decision, laboured that Company' had virtually 'no Bill before their Lordships. The ...Bill to - whlch 'he P re sch r ..ed , their Lordships referred was the "faulfast . 0 u eetio" E x, tr aisiol.," which Was quite a distinct railway :e appeared. to th.e,one for which r The (ItatuNlAN--.l'Here WAS no mista' , te at All. We thought our decision, so tar r.s the junction was concerned, would facilitate your own Interests. Ml. AUSTI- . I said'it was impossible that it could do so, because the recOm men‘%ation of the Committee was simply that they should make at:ea Ne v ßranc h ailway, iu order to join the Kells and Drog 'hede Branch Af..er some discussion, Mr. Ausrm expressed his anxiety to know ilk., intention of the Committee on the subject. The Ciiimastals said the view of the Committee was certainly to put the Dublin and Enniskillen in possession of that line which here after might be 'required for the public convenience. Mr. AUSTIN propOSfed that their Lordships should adopt to this extmilt, that they should have power to make the line. frem their Bill Bells to Navan, .if it was not made by the other parties weithin a specified tilne. wereof The c n Aimmam sa,rl that they could not do so. The Qommittee opinion that the c i rcumstances of the country ?Aid not war rant th,e construction of any new line south of Navan. n w. At '.er considerable di scussion, the Committee agree.l to the fo i kW:Preamble to the rvsolution which was passed ".sterday :--`• That it is the opinion of the Committee that it is expedi.nt to rut the Dublin and Enniskillen Company in possession of the line between Kelisanci Navan, in ord er that, if hereafter the traffic of tte C,•mpallY is found t• require a line between Navan and Dublin. '.hat Company may be in a Position to apply to Parliament to fo l ii I such a line, but present they cannot sanction a line south of Navan," Mr. Ausrtx— Then. my Lords, your chairman announced that our preamble was rejected. I don't aPP:iy to your Lordships to rescind it. am sorry for it, but cannot help it. The Committee then proceed'id with the clauses. .110USZ OF COMMONS. The Select Cop.imi.!ctee a;?d it n °l:7P ted to consider the merits of the Bills compriseffin Was- 'group, re -assembled ' at the usual hour this morning ; Mr. B. Hope ' in the dui ,. i-• - ; TEE GREAT NORTE Or SCOTL AND. • The I:trr..t evidence gone into this morning was the engineering tee , tii11...011:/;t.n favo - ar pf.the Great North of Scotland line. ' 1 " 371 th. ng engineer of the line, was employed by the profile titers, . inn 44 to examine the country through which ' ' the 'fa :dWay passed—namely, from Aberdeen to Inverness. Ws ; f ._,'- .nstructions were to get the best line for through 7,ra local - traffic, and affording the most accommodation 5r.,.•4' , the.. greatest amount of popul a ti on , while at the same 54-lie waiso to connect it with the Aberdeen Railway as to avoid -- •t• - -11 = eb ee'ge of Carriage and locomotive power. The Great North of Sctitland line combined these advantages. He surveyed four lines, but the best he found to be the one running In the present -route of the Great North of Scotland line. At the time he made his survey there wag no other company in the /iehl, and the country was open to him to choose what route he liked. The length of the main, m hich was the double line wag 107 ; of the branch to Ilamff, 16 miles , of the branch to Portsoy three miles and a-half ;of the branch to Darmouth, six miles ; and of the branch to Binghead, five mtlei. The line followed . 1 the natural channels of the traffic. lie inferred this from the fact, that along this troll of the country the tolls, with the same number of barriers, were double those M any other route. The ruling gradient t -- . 11 the line was 1 in 242, and the severest 1 in 100. . • There were no tunnels nor plains requiring stationary or assists,ltt power. The curves generally throughout the • line Were favourable. The estimated cost, in round num bers was 1,500,0001., and the working expenses 331. per cent• The line crossed IZ t urnp i ke and 66 statute labour roads. Tk..tere were no objections to the mode of Crossing. The line crossed . L the Spay by a viaduct 1,490 yards long, and from 80 to 90 feet high. ; It would be executed with stone piers and timber arches. The ex ! _trona height was 109 feet above the water, and the length of the broadest span was 200 feet. The viaduct was upon a gradient of 'k , lin 100, and there was a curve near with a radius of half a mile. , . lie had had considerable experience in the construction of bridges r and viaducts, and he had no doubt whatever this one could be made , , without difficulty. He estimated its cost at 97,8191. ~,,,- • - -- rt The witness in the course of his examination in chief having stated i.lo4,jAat one of the rejected lines corresponded with the Aberdeen, Banff A‘*".;lol.. Elgin, he was eross-examined by Mr. Johnson at some length „b..'f-fa-.91/.l>elialf-gthe l attercompany,V7fht 'view of showing that he was ~ Mistaken in the the rejected line was similar to the Aberdeen, •":- Banff and apposing Before coating to the Spey viaduct, there was an ankmerlt 400 yards long, and 92 feet high on a curve of 4 fur t anff a of .1 In 100. , , i ,... - alf.":"Gibtrext on underwent gradient a very searching cross-examination, -.. e 'r fau e viCw,, it OshoWing that hi s estimates were deficient. The price nr et said, an the districts of this railway, he estimated thus t--- Labourer; 2s. per day ; masons, 2s. 6d. ; and carpenters, from 135..t0 15 i. , 1Jer , week. His total estimate for viaducts, bridges, &c., ~. -• 4, : tatt; `138 i 33;f?'„ , -, . fot land and stations, 269,6691. ; for rail; Br.e., ~ , ~, , ,,tek tl ,. i ... 1. il_bi, etos e - examination, so far -as it went, was 4 " -- . - ''''' - Was abandoned, on a promise being given. i t rior 1 - ." " , ' - int• - 'llie - gross estimates should be forth . Ae3eming. to morrow. The Great North of Scotland Canal, ; Win witne-s admltte% ran parallel with the railway, which it `,. ae proposed to abr,t up. It was to be purchased by the railway j i e l m m ar PallY, but he did not know at what price. The lowest he had i to b el named wr4o 15,0001., and the highest 36,0001. He had left this „, „.. M et bY: the Ten per Cent. Contingent Fund. He never heard ~ -. an arra:, , Vement to pay Lord Fife's trustees 20,0001., nor had he Included 'lva sum in his estimate. The house land of Aberdeen was I not promded fbr, except' through the Contingency - Fund. The line t p as sed under Union-st ree t, b ut no inconvemence would arise to the illh abitri.ntS Item the Progress of the locomotive along this part of tne . line. The line entered Elgin on the south side of the town in a man ner %v.) way objectionable. t:tie a itness was also c ross - examined by Mr. Tonsvra on behalf of the Perth and Inverness Company. The Great North of Scotland rote was to be amalgamated with the Aberdeen Company, 30 that there would be one continuous line from Perth to Inverness; other -wise the passengers going from or to those places would have to be carried by four distinct C ompanies. - The Committee adjourned shortly after tbar O'clock till Monday .... at twelve o'clock. GROUP VII. / • • , The Committee having adjourned to this day, from Wednesday, 'set at twelve Precisely, In Roo No. 24 (New Houses of Farha ty, . ment). Itir. Palmer in the chair. The ether Hon. Members were the • ..—same as on the former day. They pro.:Reded immediately to a discussion on the merits of the 7tb ciatise.of the . • EMIL672II7I RGII AND NORTHERN (STRA.. TIM:AIME DEVIATION). ! I. II Mr. TALB OT , on 'die great length i n f a . part of the Scottish C en t ra l l i ne, spoke at tour of a clause which ho proposed to have intm duceel into the IVAIt, and the object o f w hi ch was to prevent the Ed - t• liV : '•• : Aurgh and Nortk,en, Companies from entering upon the North Inch t ....0f Perth.. Toe Bern Learned Counsel urged the Met that in Sir John )40bhouse's r •emmittee, it was decided, after a long investigation of the merits ~ ,f th e case, that part of the plans of the Dundee and Perth title, whic'n gave powers to enter upon the south Inch, was rejected. ') ThaLaa rr.ed Counsel's speech occupied the Committee for more than an hour.. The further consideralen of the proposed clause stood over, and • t some ether clauses being approved of, leave was given to insert them; and • .lie Committee proceeded to the case of the EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN (DUN , TERZYZLI t.. E zur.a.zircu). This case was next called on, and Mr. Lees, one of the directors, Was called to give the evidence, and put in the papers required by lir. Duncombe's resolutions. Be stated that there were but six directors, who were liable for the whole of the amount ; of capital required, for the ' construction of the line. i They were also li a b le for five other br anc h es of the Edinburgh and e Northern line. Th e cap i tal of this line was 18,7951., the whole of which had been paid up. Mr. WAKELT, on the part o f Several petitioners against the Bill, It - erws-examined the witness, and addressed the Cominittee at great ~,, length, With a view to show that the directors of these branches had of _ Inct‘red a responsibility greater than they could sustain. . . I,,fr. Lees, in his cross-examination, repeated the statements he had -4,7 • rieviously made, and further stated that the amount of capital i• Above-mentioned had been subscribed. That the whole of that amount had been paid tip and that it was still in hand. There had been no expenditure as the whole of the expenses had been paid out eif the funds of the Edinburgh and Northern Company. , i , .• • The CttAlltltale undertook to Prepare a report setting forth the facts which Mr. Wately appeared so anxious to make prominent. • • ,- After a long and desultory conversation, which occupied the Corn . • Inittee up to four o'clock, they adjourned until Monday. .1' • .. GnouP xr. Thie. :;. , fninittee Met to-day at twelve o'clock, Mr. Henley in the 4" , ' • ' •" e kst. ' Other Members present, Hon. W. 0 Stanley, Lord Alford, v„ oral 'Viscount t ,earner. Absent, Mr. :-raith . O'Brien. '' •• The clauses that were postponed yesterday were submitted this .. • `: • morning, In agreed. to. • • • WILSOZTTOWN, AIORNIDrOSTDE, and COLT ,. NESS • (1170XPROVENIENT and 3374ANCEIES). , ~ Tale Bill, which is unopposed, was then proceeded with. Mr. GRAHAM briefly stated the objects of the Bill, which was to . * rn • • change the existing IVil sont own,'Moingside, and C o lt ness, from a i- • - Single into a double lin e , and to make two small branches to iron :works for their accommodation. Proofs having been given of conformity with Mr. T. Duneombe's resolutions, • - Mr. ('ollinson, civil engineer, was called, and shortly examined as , .to the necessity of the change proposed and the two branches, i in order to accommodate the mineral traffic. The gr a di ents and curves were generally. favourable, and there were no other .engineering difficulties. One branch was 4% miles long, and would . COlit 40,0(41.; and the other, to Shott's ironworks, under a mile in - .length, would cost 5,0001. The whole capital f p o ita t t h we previous witness, 1 . Mr. Forma n corro b ora t e d th e even • The Committee immediately declare agreed t preambleithe .o proved. The clauses we r e t h en gone Into and , Mr. GR AHAM i nt i mate d to t h e Committee Bill tha was withdrawn.t the Wilsontown. Morningside and coltitess (Kuovtiton Br an ch) SS (GREE NHILL IirISBA.NAT AND COLTNE AN.AN CIL) ''. Mr. M'NIEL op'ned the case on behalf of the promoters w erso a f s fi tl , i . i e s 11111. The length of the br anc h soug ht to be constructed utiles, and the capital to be raised 75,6001. The line was originally intended to extend much further than at present proposed, still what is was .oght to be ma d e wou ld run throug h an d accomm odate A considerable portion of the most impo. tent coal-fields I n Scotland, and be the means of connecting it with the pc.,rts on the Clyde. The country through which it ran was r not very favourable for the promotion of a railway, and a tunnel of '' ' considerable extent would have to be made; still, there were no `engineerirtg difficulties that would interfere with the practical , work ing of the - line . The Bill was petitioned against by Sir Thomas ati n that it would seriously damage his pro :: ' - petty, an e' d 'o th n er t e le w a are eg also q several road trustees petitioners. With regard to the first, the promoters had arranged to avoid the property, ' - esf•that-not a foot of It would be taker' ; and respecting the latter, ' '-- , X-iit-had no doubt .he would be able' 10 show that the complaining .Parties had no tangible case whatever for opposing the scheme. , ., , Evidence in agreement wilt the requirements of Mr. T. Dun -. combe's resolutions was then put in and roaiv.d. • • "Sir Henry Stuart, Bart., was generally examined as to the advan tages -. mineral traffic of the district ; and with respect to toe roads, it was e• ,- • • :his-wird in-they would not be at all injuriously affected. Mr: Sergeant -13rxbasts was proceeding to cross-examine the wit ness on b, half of Sir Thomas Cochrane, when Mr. M'Nizt objected to his doing so, as the promoters had now no intention of using any portion of Sir 1 ho nas Cochrane's property. Mr. Sergeant 13em.a.sts said he had not heard of this stopping short i of the preamble before that moment ; and as the preamble of the 3 Bi made now ll had not been alt ere d before, he should object to the change 'ruing - tioner's It was unf a i r to his client to stop short of the peti- Pi 'PertY. and then deprive him of the opportunity of ap pearng against the manner in Lich his estate was approached. After some co nversation, the Chairman ret red to consult the I speaker alter whether it draw or a portion or their competent for the promoters to with- The preamble. On his return that the The CLUBMAN intimated parties might make the altera tion they Proposed, providedgettwas shown that theline so shortened would be of general advantgaeneroilhe district. Also that Sir Thomas • Cocbtaee sh.mld be heard y against the preamble. Tie witness wis then recalled, rtly cr oss - examined, with out eliciting any pollit of material c a , n i d sh" ~ Mr. Rob, t St •wart, an ireninasterisTiTtheceneighbourbood, deposed a . as to the benefits the branch would ircco„nfer. Ile had four furnaces yearly. To make this he and made about 21,000 tons of pig u n t el l d 2 . o . o l o , l o ie to br s ai p ic e i r l ..,..„,..,.,.•• asod-of material, iron, stone. coal, and 11 1 annum. He leased about 1,500 acres of anainet'netil?a°l . , would be of great advantage to him botiliiint bringing the raw ma e' 011iase was goaws sinking, 01 ''' • ' terial to his works and In taking the pig with thaeon • He could also through this ar,nch, el . • c.e. supply Glasgow with 60,000 tons of coals per withdraw his .31r. Sergeant BELLasis :aid he would be Willie um. n in t t g o t° ,:-*--. opposition providing the promoters worild come ' of a clause, binding themselves not to go through ' the introduction - "" ---- iiiie'S fairiVithdutlils consent: Sir Thomas Coch , ...* ; „_.The ClLtiamAN said the ,parties had better consider '.4 Vet Ween this and Mond :y morning, the matter Mr. Watscui, coal and ironinaster, of Gar ,-- ... scu, near • ' . : enerally - Corroborated the evidence of tbe previot:s witness. Glasgow, • ~, -.., , •,., T,ll, comiftittee then adjourned till Monday at twelve o'clock c „. 4 ..31,0,_ 0ck.....-............................_ • -"' - SOUTH DIXToL.EIND, The Committee adjourned. • GROUP XIV. S AND BRANCHES. z- Tli6 - C6 hilttee on this group met t o - day, at twelve o'clock, in d'O itoqm R. 30 ; onugli r p afid Mr. G rrogan. Prytheroe (chairman), Lord Emlyn, Mr. sergeant MURPHY continued the examination of Mr. Vignoles, the engineer to the No , thKent line. He stated that the total amount of tunnelling on the North Kent was 8,140 yards by the lower loop, and 8.820 yards by the line through Broom Park. The amount of tunnelling.oo the South-Eastern by th, lower loop was 12,848 Yards. Was thoroughly convinced of the practicability of tunneling through Boughton -id 1. The borimo of the south-Eastern were not made on the North Kent moute. The clay comprising the cap of the hill would no' be touched. His acquaintance with North Kent did 11 0,caatunettee iu consequence of his 4 aniployment formerly by the Co 111-11 IT EES - - . sputh_,E.asteni comp for he was well acquainted with it l on g • before the p er iOd of that ' employment. (YESTERDAY.) The CHAIRMAN thought that sufcient evidence had already been i g yen on the question of priority. Mr. Vignolles then proceeded at some length sup- Port of the North K ent li ne. 'am-details in Cross-examined by Mr. Allsrist-_ - -- waS a witness before the House of Lords on the Northamn ' :on and Peterboreugh Railway Bill, said before that Committee - within a disc -... that there were five level railway crossi ngs ace of two miles, on the Dublin and Kingstown Rail witi '...nich was constructed by w it ness. is CHAIRMAN inquired whether there was any probability of the' Case being brought to a closehefore tour o'clock ? Mr. Sergeant WRANGOAM said that he feared not, for he had to call some engineers in support of Mr. Vignoies' evidence. The gen-. tlemen he proposed to Call were, by their standing, fully entitled to the attention of the Committee. He should, however, make their examination as brief and general as he could consistently with his case. The CHAIRMAN cautioned Mr. Sergeant Wrangham to take care, lest by overloading the Committee with corroborative engineering evidence, he should create such a confusion in their minds as in the end to induce them to discard that sort of evidence altogether. Mr. Sergeant WILANGHAM Bahl that he should be sorry to have recourse to such a proceeding as would cause the Committee to adopt such a course, and he would, therefore, endeavour to reduce his evi dence as much as possible. Mr. GoLDsktiD then called Mr. Hawkshaw, who bore testimony to the correctness of Mr. Vignoles' evidence with regard to the su p , riority of the high levels of the North Kent over those of the South- Eastern. The North Kent line was much superior to the South- Eastern in every way. The level crossings on the South-Eastern were very objectionable, from their n.tuber and their nature. • Mr. Locke, the engineer, was also called In corroberation of Mr. Vlgnoles' evidence. He stated that Mr. Vignoles's line would be Superior to the South Eastern, both in gradients and construction. A saving in distance on any line must be a great desideratum. The Trent Valley Company spent 1,500,000/. to save a distance of 9 miles, The wishes to avoid the curves and angles en the old lines is the cause of the formation of hall' of the projects which have lately been set up. Taking all the circumstances of both lines into consideration, he would certainly prefer Mr. Vignoles's line to the South-Eastern line. The rapid succession • of trains would interfere with the traffic over the vel crossings. ' It being four o'clock, the Committee here adjourned until twelve o'clock on Monday. GROUP XIX. The Committee sat halt:past two o'clock in room No. 14 Present, Lord Harry Vane, chairman, and all the members. CHARD CANAL RAILWAY. Mr. Cubitt, in consequence of whose absence the case stood ever from yesterday, being in attendance this morning his evidence was now given. It merely referred to the amount of injury that would be done to the canal and other property. He believed that no pro perty would be injured b, the line. The case stood over for further ccnsideration, and the Committee proceeded with the case of the BRISTOL AND EXETER (CREVITICERNE BRANCH). After a long discussion as to the power of the Company to raise a sum of money In addition to that for which they had obtained powers, it was agreed to obtain the opinion of the Attorney-General, as to whether, " in the event of the sum of 420,0001. be'ng expended, the Company could raise any, and if any, what further sum ?" Having thus at length came to an arrangement satisfactory to all parties, the Committee rose at four o'clock, and adjourned till Tuesday. GRP VII. This Committee met to-d a y a OU t the usual hour. Sir C. Lemon in the chair. The business was opened by the CHAIRMAN asking if any arrange ment had been coma to between the opposing landowners and tke promoters of the Bill agreeably to the suggestions thrown out yester day by the Committee. Mr: TOWNSEND and Mr. Woanswoarn said, that n• arrangement had been made, but proposals had been received by them as counsel fur the landowners, from the counsel on behalf of the promoters, to which propositions they could not accede. This day was again spent, as yesterday was, in discussions and examinations and cross-examinations of witnesses with regard to the alleged injuries which the properties in question would sustain by the construction of the railway. The details, however interesting to the parties concerned, possess no feature of the slightest interest to the public. The Committee eventually decided that the complaint.] of the petitioners were matters to be settled by arbitration, as they were only injuries for which compensation would afford sufficient redress. The clauses of the Bill were then postponed, and the usual pre liminary formal evidence having been given on behalf of the pro moters of the GROUP XXX. This Committee met to-day, shortly after twelve o'clock; present, Lord Charles Wellesley (chairman), and the other Members of the Committee. OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. Mr. Sergeant CLARKE said, before the Committee proceeded fur ther with this Bill, he had to mention that an arrangement was in progress between the parties which would, he hoped, effectually prevent further opposition to this Bill. It would, therefore, be de sirable to adjourn till Monday next. He could not positively assert that his Learned Friends were to state what the landlords would do. Mr. ANDREWS, with the other Counsel against the Bill, agreed to the proposed adjournment. The CHAIRMAN considered that, as they were all unanimous, it Would be the best way to accede to the proposition of the Learned Counsel. Mr. Sergeant CLARKE said he would wish to call one or two wit nesses, but would not occupy the time of the Comnaittse to any length. The Learned Counsel then called and examined, Mr. Francis Hamilton (magistrate for the county of Hertford), who stated that he was a large landed proprietor, and resided at about two miles and a-half from Dunstable. Was well acquainted with the country through which the railway would pass, and he con sidered that i would be greatly benefited by the undertaking. His own immediate neighbourhood would derive considerable advantage. Cross-examined by Mr. WELLs, for the Aylesbury and Theme Railway—Could not say exactly that the traffic originating on the line would produce as much as 60,0001.. a year. Believed it would. Was aware that there was a line hom Bedford to Bletchley ; that there was one, which had passed through the House, from Bedford to Huntingdon ; and that there was another also in progress. • 3lr. John Brett, a farmer, examined —Resided at Luton, which was greatly increased of late years. This was owhig to the manu facture of straw-plait, which was made in all the towns, including Baldock, along the line. A railway was particularly desirable on this account, and he had no doubt the trade in that manufacture would be considerably augmented. There were from 20,000 to 100,000 sheep brought annually to the east passing through Luton. The proposed railway would connect a range of the most important markets on the line. There was also a traffic in corn en the line. Cross-examined by Mr. WELLS—Thought that the proposed rail way would still have the preference of the railways to which the Learned Counsel had alluded. Had no partiality to the Oxford and Cambridge Railway, except from Its superior advantages over the other contemplated lines. Mr. E. L. Franklin, examined by Mr. Sergeant CLAM—Occupied a large farm, and lived at Ascot. The noblemen and gentlemen who employed him were most favourable to this line. He considered a railway from Aylesbury to 'I hame, and stopping there, would be of no advantage, as they required a communication further westward. which would be afforded by the railway before the Committee. This was the universal opinion in the country. Cross-examined by Mr. Wants—Another direct line had been a favourite with a few. Not being an engineer he could not say whether a railway of seventy miles in length could be worked with safety as a single line. Mr. H. Routledge, shopkeeper at Baldo k, was called, but, Mr. Sergeant CLARKE said he would net trouble the Committee with asking him any questions. He would, however, allow his Learned Friend to do so. The witness was then examined by Mr. Wells, but corroborated the proceeding testimony. Mr. Sergeant CLARKE said, he would not trouble the Committee with further evidence on this point. The CHAIRMAN said, that before they adjourned, he thought it would be better if they read the report. The clerk then read the report, atter which the Committee ad journed. GROUP XXXVI. V/A.KEPIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE (METHLEY, AS&ERN, AND OAHENSHAVI 3 IINCTION), MELTON AND DRIP FIELD ?UNCTION. The Committee to whom these Bills had been referred, met this morning in Committee•room No. 25, Mr. Bernal in the chair. The preamble of the Newcastle and Oarlington, and York and North Midland branches, which were originally referred to this Committee, but subsequently assigned by them to Mr. Greene, were declared proved yesterday. The Committee first proceeded with the clauses in the first-men tioned Bill, which was passed at their last meeting, and having as sented to the whole of them, the Chairman intimated that he would report the favourable decision of the Committee to the House this °venni g. IVIA.LTON AND DRIPPIELD. The usual formal process having been given, Mr. BAINES proceeded to explain the nature of the project. Mr. BAINES proceeded to explain the nature of the project. He said the object of the Bill was to make a railway from the Scar borough branch of the York and North Midland Railway at Norton, near Malton, to the Bridlington Branch of the Hull and Selby Rail wa) at Driffleld, and a branch from Driflield to Frodingham-bridge. The length of the main line would be 18 miles 7 furlongs and 2 chains, anti the length of the branch 5 miles and 4%, chains. The effect of the line would be to form a communication between the railways of the North and East Riding' of Yorkshire, by uniting the towns of Malton and Driffield, and by the lines made, or in the course ofconstructiun, communications between those Ridings and the port of Hull. From Mull the course northward was effected by mas of the Bridlington branch of the Hull and Selby, which was in n the course of formation, and would be opened in a few months, and by the Melton and Thirsk Railway. The esti mated expeNse of constructing the main line and branches would be route,and oo fact the whole of th e l andowners, were i n Colonel Sykes, one of the largest proprietors of l vour in and the i fa of the project. Th e t i ne had, however, other advantages than those he had enumerated, as it would afford slaiton and Pickering, and all places to the north of Melton, direct intercourse with Hull, from which they received and sent a great deal of produce. It would also give cheaper coals to those who lived In its vicinity, as the northern coal would be brsught from Durham and Newcastle to Melton and Driffleld, which would then be put on the same footing as York In that commodity. The present communication between Mahon and Hull was by the %Void of the West Riding, making the distance between the two points 40 miles, so that those going from Hull to Melton had practi- 1 , dirti cally e u t i o ti e g s o , r a o n u d i idthbeyp I h ' a o d rk b t u o t get ne to it. T o l f ie a re . w il e a re i n ne len e g ri t g b in , e w e h r i i n o g , would be easily and cheaply made on account of its passing through a strata of dry chalk. Toe steepest gradient would be lin 100. The line was originally opposed by the Ecclesiastical Cominissioners, some of whose property at Wetwang, about nine miles from Matto'', 'would be intersected, riot because they disapproved of the line, but because its promoters objected to the introduction in the deeds of conveyanc e that no bargain should be made by any of their tenants without the consent of the Commissioners under their common seal. Nothing was more reasonable than a proposition of this kind, but they objected`to the form in which it was originally proposed, because they wished to have absolute controul over their tenants in the matter, which would have put them in a different position to that of other landowners. They agreed to put hem in the ordinary position of landowne.s, so that they might, if they considered themselves Injured, go to a jury for redress. They had, however, come to an arrangement, by consenting to ins ' n ate board of di rectors at clause on the skject into their Bill, so th at i t now virtually appeared v a i c it e - u e x h io a p i r p m o s a e n d B o t i examined—The distance from M e l ton to Hull, b m e a il m fo : ro e . nu t h : e wcasnpptihaewn a Committee ite as , 70 y 0 38 miles. The distance, by wa t er-carriage, was travelling from Ha conveyance .of goods generally occupied a week. Person York and Selby,although Rea to Hull generally p re f erred going by railway through it was a cir ca i tous route, . miles,Plcke Pickering, was wthase communication through i e l w o a f y between 60 and 70 miles. Interested in a Petitions from Mal ton,All persons of the line. the district, were in favour as they had to traverse a distance its favour. The line would H ouse in . had been presented to the e of lime from Holderness, Driftield, Thirsk, give facilities for the conveyance Pickering, and other towns and villages w hi c h was of a superior . competing companies, but they had There were three Mal the price of coals manure. abandoned their projects. At ton quality, and much used by the farmers for respectively atYork; but if could be obtained at ›faltonat the same price, s nd the price at other The line ly reduced. neas estimated to w towns would be proportionably the railway were made, they was 2s. 6d. higher than pay eight per cent. He censidered that the line combin e d g r e at public and local advantages. . . Mr. Alfred Dickens, the assistant engineer to the line, was next examined—He said the main line would have double rails, but the branches only a single one, but land sufficient for a double line throughout would be taken. There were no particular engineering difficulties to be encountered. There was a tunnel 1.694 yards in length, but the strata was of the easiest description, and would have several shafts in it. The steepest gradients were lin 60, hut they could be altered to one in a hundred, and there was sufficient ground within the limitirof deviation tor the purpose. The smallest radius of a curve was two furlongs and one chain in length. They crossed one turnpike-road on a level, and fourteen other roads. The estimate of expense was 240,0001. then,ecl au preambleseshad were betehneragvrecle; The CUAI RMAN then declared that in the opinion of the Committee d to with amendments, and the Com mittee separated. GROUP XXXVII. The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, 10 No. 21 of the new Committee Rooms. Present, Lord Seymour (chairman), Lord Ebring ton, Mr. F. French, Lord Edwin Hilt, anti Sir J. Lopez. They immediately resumed the consideration of the sizzrrlELD, consideration nikrz.Nslivir, WILICEIFIGD, RUDDEXISPZZILD, !IND G :oOI.E. Mr. James Walker, of Wakefield, engineer and mine surveyor, was examined at much length by Dlr. Ronzar HALL in support of the Bill. Witness was well acquainted with the mineral district through which the proposed line would pass, as far south as IVorsboreugh. Be had agencies for and other professional business with most of the coal mines and other work.s along the line, and he corro borated, with some additional particulars, tile evidence given b y the previous witnesses, as to the advantages to be expected to the 'West Riding generally, and especially to Sheffield, Barnsley, Wakefield and the adjacent counties connected with the Silkstone and Barnsley coal beds. That field contained two seams of coal, of which the productiveness other amo unted, in r ound ,to 300,000,000 t ons of coal, of good quality. Wit aess did r ot wbellill,. that any other of time Uutt he hed knewh co be - - - - - lit SN) projected—would allbrd stich - convenient and beneficial access to Ms' late body of coal. 11l cross-examination by Mr. Sergeant Wrangham, Mr. Pickering, and Mr. Lee, for the different opponents, the answers of the witness were merely explanations in detail of his chief evidence. Mr. Holt, mineral surveyor, was examined much to the same effect. In cross• examination he stated that some branches, ori ginally contemplated by this company, and in his opinion necessary for the ace anmodation of important parts of the district to be passed through, had been abandoned. He did not know that the abandon ment was for the purpose of preventing opposition on the part of the South Yorkshire Railway Company. Mr. W. l3,ngley, surveyor and Commissioner of Inclosures under the Ecclesiastical Act, examined by Mr. It. HALL—gave evidence of a similar general character in favour of this line. He pointed out upon the maps large tracts in the West Riding, which were mere grouse shooting-grounds at present, but which were capable of re clamation by lune manure. This would be rendered available by means of the railway under consideration. Several ether witnesses, equally acquainted with the nature. and wants of the district, were examined, and their evidence was mainly ox the same character. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XL. This Committee, of which Mr. Stafford O'Brien is the chairman, re-assembled at twelve o'clock this morning, in Room 26 (New Houses of Parliament), and proceeded to hear Anther evidence in support of the YORX AND NORTH MIDLAND (LEEDS EXTENSION). Mr. Fox, cross-examined on behalf of the Leeds, York, and Mid land Junction—l believe that Mr. Hudson's line has not any advan tage over the Midland Junction line as regards the accommodation to be afforded to the consumers of coal raised in Miss Gaskiu's pro perty. The Midland Junction scheme passes through very extensive limestone 1301,15. Re - examined—Leaving out of the question' the local traffic upon the two lines, and taking the traffic at York, you must of necessity enter upon the York and North Midland line, if their line is con structed. Do you think there is no advantage in sending your coals from the colliery over a line under one management, instead of having to send them partly over the Leeds and York, and partly over the other line ?—lt would certainly be a great advantage to have the coals carried by one and the same company throughout, and prac tically there will be no new advantages developed to us by the con struction of the Leeds and York line. George King, land agent, residing at Abbotford, said he was agent to Colonel Markham, proprietor of au extensive estate in that district over which this line would pass. He had been ac quainted with the district for the last forty years. He had duly considered the merits of the rival lines, and he was decidedly of opinion that this line, whilst it would inflict the least injury on private property, would give the greatest accommodation to the public. This line would also be more direct than its rivals. There were extensive quarries of such stone as,York Minster had been built with, lying along the district through which this line would pass. This line would give accommodation to the important town of Tadcaster, where there are several corn-mills which grind for the district of Leeds. If this line were constructed, the saving to the people, in the shape of transit of their goods, would be immense. Colonel Markham considered that this line would be the most advantageous to the public. The people in the district where he resided were generally in favour of this Com pany's line. Cross-examined by Mr. HARDY—Believed that parties travelled quicker on lines that had the fewest junctions, and there were no less than seven junctions on this line, which was only twenty-four miles in length. Tadcaster had not a regular fair, it was a market-town. He believed that Tadcaster was equal to Wetherby (through which the Leeds and York proposed to pass) in point of commerce. The districts lying between Wetherby and York were in great need of coals, but he was not of opinion that if the Leeds and York line were constructed, and coals were brought there in more plentiful quanti ties, that article would be much cheaper. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant WILKINS—Had always said that this line was the best. Had never said that the North Midland Junction was the best, and ought to win the day. He could not say that he had ever heard of there being any reserved shares in this Company. He had not heard that there were any reserved shares for Colonel Markham, nor were there any for him self to his knowledge. He could not say whether the North Midland Junction did not go through a more ex tensive district of lime beds. He also believed that that line went through the coal fields as well as Mr. Hudson's. Did not know the gradients of the two lines, lie believed that, supposing the two lines affording equal facilities for opening out the district of coal fields, that line which had better gradients would be preferable for mineral traffic. He did not know where the station of the North Midland Junction would be in the district of Abbotford. Re-examined--Colonel Markham had petitioned against the North Midland Junction. Mr W. Wordsworth, land agent, of Blackgate, near Leeds, said he had been in the habit of inspecting collieries in that neighbourhood. The Leeds and York Railway would pass over a district where the coal was already worked out, and as a mineral line it was of little im portance. He was acquainted with the route of this and the North Midland Junction lines, and he believed that this was the more pre ferable scheme. If the accommodation which this line proposed to give for the transmission of coal and lime were not given to the people of York, the coal of Durham would be sold in York, and the people would be thus driven out of the capital of their own county, as respected their coals. Cross-examined by Mr. HARDY—The district lying between Wetherby and York was not well supplied with coal. The Durham coal was decideakt better than that fbund in the fields of the Misses Gaskins, and that in the district of Dewsbury. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Wiracisis —The North Midland Junction line would be a very advantageous one to the public, and should that line be a mile shorter than that under the consideration of the Committee, it vi ould certainly be the more preferable. He considered that it would be preferable to carry heavy mineral traffic along such a line as the North Midland Junction, than one where it would be obliged to wait for the transit of London traffic. Mr. Thomas Lockwood, of Tadcaster, assistant-overseer there for the last twenty-five years, said, that the trade of that town had suffered of late most materially, in consequence of railways having been constructed In the neighbourhood of Durham, whereby the coal of that district was conveyed for sale to York, and put the Tadeaster coal-merchants out of te market. The population of Tadcaster at the last census washupwards of 26,000. Mr. Atherley, an extensive miller there, sent 8,000 tons of flour to Leeds (seventeen miles) annually, and it could not be con veyed, under the present circumstances, at less than 2s. per quarter. The COMMITTEE intimated that they had heard quite sufficient evi dence as to traffic. - Mr. Backhouse, a resident for a long perioff - at Tadcaster, said that this line would be much more commodious to the people of Tadcaster than the line proposed by th e N orth Midland Junction, which would 1 unnecessarily destroy-an extensive quantity of meadow and pasture land in that neighbourhood, that would not be 'done by that of this Company. The construction of the rival line in question would impede the navigation of the river running through Tadcaster, and the inhabitants from past experience were very apprehensive of the floods which it-would occasion. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Wilattats--Was a brewer and farmer. Founded his observations with respect to the apprehension of the inhabitants from what he gathered in conversation. Had not heard that almost the whole of the inhabitants of Tadcaster had petitioned in favour of the North Midland Junction, although he had heard that a petition of that nature had been presented to the House of Commons. Had not taken particular trouble to ascertain the nature of that Company's works. He did not think that the junction station would be more central than that of the Leeds Extension line in that district. It would be necessary to eross a bridge to arrive at Mr. Hudson's station, and also that of the rival line. The first time he heard of Mr. Hudson's line was seine time after he heard of the North Midland Junction scheme. The petition of the inhabitants of Tadcaster, referred to by the Learned Sergeant, was here produced by the clerk of the Committee, at his request. The petition contained a clause to the effect that the pstitiosers were of opinion that the scheme of the promoters would not at all interfere with the navigation of the river at Tadcaster. The petition from Tadcaster in favour of the Leeds Extension scheme was also produced, at the request of the counsel of that company. Cross-examination resumed—There were not many names of re spectability in the petition, though . Mr. Robert Kirby, M r . U pton, Mr. W. J. H. Think, Mr: Ireland, Mr. Scope, Mr. Mathew Kidd, and Mr. Pallett, all of whose names appeared underneath the petition, were men of considerable respectability. Re -examined—Colonel Wyndham, who was decidedly one of the most wealthy individuals in the neighbourhood of Tadcaster, pre ferred the Leeds Extension scheme. lie was the owner of a consider able number of houses in that town. If these two schemes were permitted Colonel Wyndham would have two railways passing for a considerable extent through his estate., only 100 yards distant (in some places) from each other. Mr. Matthew Hobson, to whose name his Learned Friend had not drawn his attention, was a very respectable chimney-sweeper.—(Laughter.) One man named Simpson, who had affixed his mark, was often on the parish, so also were Mr. George Eastwood (who spelt his name with a little "e "), and Mr. Matthew Kidd. The petition in favour of the Leeds extension scheme contained the names of three-fourths of the most respectable inhabitants of Tadcaster, and that station had been considered as the most advantageous to them, and had in fact been recommended by them. G. HUDSON, Esq., M.P., the Chairman of the York and North Midland Company, said that he was one of the Committee that was appointed in 1833 to consider the best railway oeinmunication be tween York and Leeds. 'ile:was a very active member of that com mittee. lie and the committee gave the subject very considerable attention; in fact, he pointed oat the line to their then engineer, Mr. George Remington, who had recommended another line, but after considerable discussion and a lapse of time Mr. Stephenson, their present engineer, recommended the presets scheme. The York and North Midland Railway was opened to th town of Leeds in 1839. The present route between York and Leeds was very circuitous, and he had been often urged to propose a more direct line of communication. This company's line had afforded railway accommodation with the smallest loss of life of ally in the kingdom. The number of passengers between Leeds and York during the last year was upwards of 72,000, and the total receipts upwards of 20,0001. The local traffic was 8,0001. odd. The working expenses were about 401. per cent., which was exceed ingly low, considering the nature and length of the line. The traffic was not limited to people living between the two termini ; the line afforded facilities to individuals carried beyond those termini. This line would be a continuous one, the importance and advantage of which could not be over estimated. The Leeds and York Railway were dependent on the London and York for communication With York. They would not be an indepen dent company. Assuming the London and York to pass, it would not afford such communication to tile Leeds and York Company as to make the scheme manageable. The North Midland Junction scheme would not benefit the public that wished to proceed from Leeds to York. Their gradients were worse than those of this Company. The estimated cost Of the Leeds and York was 600,000/., which he felt con fident could not remunerate the promoters of that undertaking. He could not see whence the dividend would arise. The expense of this company's scheme would be 36,000/., and it would give the advan tage of a Marsh-gate station amongst others. He considered that a railway in the district of Abbotford and Tadcaster should certainly pass near such coal mines as those of the Misses Gaskin and others in 'that district. The malting of the Marsh-gate station with the Slid-. land station would be highly important. This line would Open out the country traversed by the Church Fenton line, which was a matter of considerable importance, and it would also supply the people of Harrogate with coals. The construction of the North Midland Junction scheme would in his opinion leau to very great public inconvenience, and the remuneration to the promoters would not be sufficient, as it would not be an inde pendent company. The gradients on it would also be very difficult It was not his cusborn to advertise or " puff " his schem othei companies usually did. He attended the meeting at Mr. Foxs with his engineer and solicitor, at the urgent request of several gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Tadcaster, and It was unanimously resolved that this scheme was the best. Cross-examined by Mr. bergeant WitaciNs—The express trains that had been put on the present line of this company were certainly not owing to the announcement of the scheme of the North Midland Junction Company. lie could not say whether they were first started after or before the Issuing of the prospectus. Ile considered that his company had trains travelling as rapidly as it was possible for railway engines to move them. The express trains were of no use whatever to the intermediate stations, although the interme diate traffic increased in proportion to the facilities of commu nication afforded to intermediate districts. The North Midland Junction would make use of six miles of an existing railway, whilst this company would only use three miles. It was also desirable to avoid interruption to existing traffic, and that great importance ought to be attached to good and easy gradients. lie was chairman cry: L paea e Bnc e tti d e dht b a yntdt was Midlandaut jtc, BradfordutionmeeJunction line, was e u , n sharesdb eu under his signedtheihaisd sbb eeya p el h e n it against reservedgt i a o h n i s merely t a n h a y t O c Ob o f fi fe i e l e t h i t h p a i a pe n y. landowners of the district through which his line would s h u c a d h Cross- examined by Mr. Ilaitny—lie had been consid p er as in s it f l oi l n e r ne cessity of some such line as that now proposed by him since the year 1834. The line generally was chalked out, but nothing decisive done until the m ee ti ng at Mr. Fox's. The delay occasioned at a junction in the reduction of speed would not be more that a minute, in his opinion. There was a considerable amount of traffic between York and Manchester ; and, assuming that the Huddersfield and Manchester line were formed, the traffic intended for Manchester would meet with a desirable conveyance along it. Curves caused a slight wear and tear on engines, and It was necessary to slacken the speed whilst passing over them, Examined by Mr. KNOWLES (who appeared for certain landowners) —lt was customary during the last two years to reserve shares to owners of land through which a railway would pass, and the pro prieters of the company of which he was chairman aut h or i sed hint to make such allotments- The allotment of shares, h owever, was not mentioned at the meeting at Mr. Fox's. Mr. Birkenshaw, engineer of the line said, that he had been in the railway world for the last seventeen years, under the superin tendence of Mr. -tephenson. The York and Scarborough, and the Churchfenton were made under, his direction, The works of this line in the neighbourhood of Tadcaster would not be very difficult. From Tadcaster southward they used about five miles of existing lines. Tadcaster was the most important town in that district. The line would then proceed through Ilazlewood, and would thence proceed to the Leeds and Selby. There would be a ttumel under Arlington Park, which would be made for the purpose of inflicting the least residential injury on the owner. They then made use of another existing line to the extent of five miles. Atter that , the works would be rather heavy in em bankments. The would then unite with the Bradford Railway. The river Ayre would have to be passed. There was no engineering work which deserved to be specially brought under the notice of the Committee except the tunnel, the boring of which would not ins olve any great difficulties. He believed that he had secured the shortest practicable communication between Leeds and York. The existing companies over whose lines this scheme proposed to pass were on terms of perfect amity with its promoters. His atten tion had been called to such a line as this in Sep tember, 1844. He considered the fact that this scheme would give the choice of three stations in Leeds was of considerable importance. This line would be constructed at about 21,0001. per mile on the average, which would be much less than the expense of the two other schemes. The expense of the tunnel would be 61,0001., which was a lower sum than works of a similar nature and extent had cost. The consent of all the principal landowners along the line had been obtained to its formation. Cross-examined by Mr. Hannv—The delay occasioned by a junc tionn the w lice yr i, ate Ts s n h e aviag next suggestedS ittitrgOf t th ha e t C th o e m nlittee. . Sergeant on a lin e would betabout five or six mil es an h our. H e would rival supply the promot ers . 'the schemes with an accoun t o f th e gradients o Committee should 44:1 _ 4 41QU1 21 . 407 (IFCCA/417 414 ec! uAtll Moirley he heviag pro. _ _ L 0 .N SATURDAY MO Md, on the request of Mr. Knowles. to supply -the other parties with information respecting the North 31idland Junction, similar to that promised by Mr. Birkenshaw. The Committee met Sub to-day om mittee at Twelve o'clock; in room No. 2 Mr. Strutt in the chair, and resumed the consideration of the WEST =DING on which the standing orders were declared net complied with. STIRLINGSHIRE MIDLAND JUNCTION (PETITION FOR ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS). The Bill was sent up to the Standing Orders Committee. Orders not complied with in Ccanmittee to purchase. EER.ILSHIRE AND lIA.NTS (lITINGER"RD EXTENSION) . ha in ve t b h e e en case co m o p f lled thi ,, s ,i t h U , l the standing orders were declared not to STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships suet this day at the appointed hour; present, the Earl of Shaftesbury (chairman), Lord Hawarden, and the Earl of Ilchester. LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY (EAST GRINSTEAD BRANCH). • This was the first case which came under the consideration of their Lordships. The requisite evidence ; having been gone through, and Lord Wharncliire's standing order having been proved, ' Lord SHAFTESBURY intimated that the Company had fulfilled the standing orders, and that Vae Bill had passed. This line is six miles and a half in length, and the capital is 160,0001. Parliamentary agents, Dorington and Co. EXETER AND EXMOUTH RAILWAY. This case, after occupying the attention of the Committee for some time, was adjourned until Monday next. Parliamentary agents Messrs. Dorington and Co. SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY (RYE TO RYE HARBOUR.) This, which is a very short line, merely connecting Rye with the harbour, was the next case which came under the consideration of their Lordships. After hearing the usual evidence, the Committee decided that the promoters had complied with the standing orders, and that the Bill had passed. Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Berke, Pritt, and Co. GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK, AND AYR RAIL WAY Their Lordships adjourned he hearing of this case until proofs should have been given of the estimates and declaration, all the other necessary proofs having been given. When these are proved the line will pass as a matter of course. GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK, AND AYR RAILWAY AMENDMENT AND. BRANCHES (No. 2). This case was also adjourned from a similar reason to the pre ceding, as also was the GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK, AND AYR RAILWAY AMENDMENT AND BRANCHES (No. 3). EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY AMENDMENT AND BRANCHES. The Committee adjourned this case, for want of further proofs, until Tuesday next. The following Bills which came before their Lordships, on second reference, were further adjourned till Tuesday next :—Cionmel and Thurles Railway, Limerick, Ennis, and Killaloe Railway, Great Southern and Western Railway, Ireland (Cork Extension), Mallow and Fermoy Railway, Killarney Junction Railway, Mount Mellick Junction Railway. Their Lordships rose at half-past four o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons. , TH ULSDAY, APRIL 30. DANISH CLAIMS. Motion made, and Question put, " That this House will, upon Wednesday next, resolve itself into a Committee, to consider of an Address to her Majesty, praying that her Majesty will be gracious:) pleased to advance to the Claimants for losses sustained by the seizure of British Ships and Cargoes by the Danish Government in 1807, the amount , of their respective losses, as ascertained by th 4 Commissioners appointed for the investigation of Danish Claims, an reported upon the 20th day of May, 1840, and assuring her Ma;estx that this House will make good the same." The House divided: MAJORITY—AYES, 59. Aglionby, H. A. Gibson, Thomas M. Ogle, S. C. Seine, Walter Hamer, Sir John Ord, William Bannerman, A h• wham, Lord Palmer, G. Barclay, David Hudson, G. Pechell, Captain Barnard, E. G. Hume, Joseph Powell, Caleb Borthwick, P. ' Humphery, Ald. Richards, Richard Bouverie, E. P. Hutt, William Rumbold, C. B. Broadley, H. James, Sir W. Sibthorp, Colonel lirowite, R. D. Kemble, H. Spooner, Richard Browne, W. Mackenzie, T. Strickland, Sir G. Buller, Charles Mangles, R. D. Thompson, Aid. Cayley, E. S. Masterman, John Thornely, Thomas Chapman, Aaron Mitchell, T. A. Walley, Thomas Christie, W. 1). Morison, General Warburton, Henry D'Eyncourt, C. T. Neeld, Joseph Wa,d, H. G. Duke, Sir J. Norreys, Sir D. Wawn, J. T. Duncan, George O'Brien, Timothy W orcester, Marquis Ermonde, Sir T. O'Connell, Daniel Ewart, William O'Connell, Maurice O'Connell, John Fielden, John O'Conor, Don Forster, Mathew TELLERS. Hawes, Benj. Watson, Henry MINORITY-NOES, 41. ' A'Court, Captain Cripps, William Neville, Ralph Barkly, Henry Darner, Colonel Patten, J. W. Baring, F. T. Douglas, Sir C. E. Pell, Sir It. Baring, W. B. Duckworth, Sir J. Peel, Jonathan Bowles, Admiral Escott, Bickham Smythe, George Brooke, Lord Fitzroy, Henry Somerset, Lord G. Bruce, Lord E. Flower, Sir J. Sutton, H. M. Buckley, Edmund Goulburn Henry Trench, Sir F. Cardwell, E. Graham, Sir James Tufnell, Henry Carew, W. P. Greene, Thomas Wellesley, Lord C, Carnegie, Captain Royee, Sir E. Bart. Wortley, J. S. Clerk Sir George Hope, G. W. Camber', Sir G. Jermyn,'Earl =Liza& Compton, H. C. 31'Neill, Duncan ' 'Young, John Corry, IL 31eynell, Captain 'Baring, Henry PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, APRIL 30. The following Railway Bill was withdrawn : North and South Junction.! RAILWAYS. Select Committee on Group No. 5. Viscount Clive discharged ; Sir D. Norreya selected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 13. Viscount Ingestre discharged; Earl Shelburne selected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 44. Mr. Douglas discharged ; Mr. Bodkin selected, and added to the Committee. The Committee of Selection have nominated the following Select Committees on Railway Groups : A Committee consisting of—Sir G. Grey (Chairman), Captain Gordon, Earl of Arundel, Hon. J. Howard, and Sir S. Glynne, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 22 of Rail way Bills, viz.:— Ipswich, Norwich, and Yarmouth, ilalesworth and Norwich, Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's (Norwich Extension), Norfolk (Extension to Stowmarket, &c.), Norfolk (Extensions), Waveney Valley and Great Yarmouth. The Select Committee to meet on Thursday, May 14, at one. A Committee consisting of—Mr. Pusey (Chairman), Mr. Bot Sir J. Hope, Mr. Mitcalfe, and Lord Ossalston, to whom they have referrel. the Bills comprised in Group No. 23 of Railway Bills, viz.:— Norfolk (Extension to Yarmouth), Norfolk (Norwich Branch), East Dereham and Norwich, Norfolk (Extension to Dereh am, W e ll s, an d Bl a keney), North of Norfolk. • ' • • The Select Committee to Meet on Thursday, May 14, at one. Via Committee consisting of—Mr. M. J. O'Connell (Chairman), Dr: Bowring, Mr. Forbes, mr. E. Lockhart, and Mr. Mainwaring, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 26 of Railway Bills, viz.:— Eastern Counties (Epping Extension), North Gravesend. London and South Essex, Thames Haven Dock and Railway. The Select Committee to meet on Thursday, May 14, at one. A Committee consi s ti ng of—Mr. C. Round (C h a i rman ) , L or d J. Manners, Sir 11. Raifo r d , Mr. Burroughs, and the H on. C . C avendish, to whom they have re f erred the Bills comprised in Group No. 31 of Railway Bills, viz. : Emtbury Pier and Railway, - Bristol and Birmingham (Bath Line), Bristol and Birmingham (Ashchurck, Tewkesbury, and Malvern line), Bristol and Birmingham (Gloucester and Stonehouse Junction), Bristol and South Wales Junction, South Wales (No. 2), Gloucester and Dean Forest. The Select Committee to meet on Thursday, May 14, at one. A Committee consisting of—Mr. P. Miles (Chairman), Mr. Chute, Sir B. Hall, Hon. W. A'Court Holmes, and Mr. Halsey, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 52 of Railway Bills, viz.:— Runcorn and Preston Brook, St. Helen's Canal and Railway, Grand Junction (Huyton to Warrington), Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, Chester and Manchester Direct, South Staffordshire (Showhill and Portobello Branch), Manchester and Birmingham, Grand Junction (Huyton to Aston, and other Branches). The Select Committee to meet on Friday, May 15, at one. A Committee consisting of—Mr. Bannerman (Chairman), Hon. E. P. Bouverie, Viscount Adare, Sir E. Filmer, and Mr. Fitzgerald, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 54 of Railway Bills, viz.:— ' • Grand Trunk, or Stafford and Peterborough Union, Oxford, Coventry, and Burton-on-Trent Junction, Trent Valley (Airewas Branch), London and Birmingham (Coventry to Nuneaton Extension), Leicester and Tamworth Junction, Midland (Leicester and Swannington Alteration and Branches), Midland (Burton-on-Trent to Nuneaton, and Branch), Direct Birmingham and Leicester, Leicester and Birmingham, and Branch to Coventry, Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester. The Select Committee to meet on Friday, May 15, at one. A Committee cons sting of—The Right Hon. F. Shaw (Chairman) Mr. Trotter, Mr. Hughes, Captain Harris, and Viscount Acheson, t o whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 55 of Railway Bills, viz. : Manchester and Hyde, Sheffield, Ashton , and Manchester (Whalley Bridge and Hayfield Branches), Sheffield, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction, Conglcton and Crewe, Manchester, sheffield, and Midland Junction, Sheffield, Ashton, and Manchester (Dukintield, Worsborough, and Glossop Branches, and Sheffield Station, except the Worsborough Branch, which is included in Group No. 37.) The Committee of Selection have appointed the Select Committees On the Groups Noc. 2, 32, 56, and 10, to meet In the week commenc ing Monday, May la ; and the Select Committees on the Groups Nos. 17, 24, 28, and 39, in the week commencing Monday, May 25. SECOND READINGS OF RAILWAY BILLS. MONDAY, MAY 4. Trent Valley Midland and Grand Junction. Portbury Pier and Railway. Oxford, Coventry, and Burton-on-Trent. Manchester, Bolton, and Bury Canal Navigation and R 11 Morayshire. a way. Thames Haven Dock and Railway. possib.e, for the purpose of ascertaining, td as dbe done. They were both ready for W - A PREcEDENT.—Some short time since two 74. gont ships, the Bellerophon and calcutta, were ordered to be fitted out ift v than three days. British sailors must feel proud they here . h ol e deg enerated since 170 1 , as about that tinae Daniel Defoe ta , n well-known name), in the second which re set down his journeyhilw: ea-coast o f ent, notes and seeings along the s withwhich the following instance) of the remarkable dispatch, Chatham ready for sea:— The expedition that has been sometimes i n n s h e a led sh it a io rt us a a ti m m a a n i n t e ca r used here in fitting out men•of war is very great, and, as the work men relate it, 'tis indeed incredible ; particularly they told us, that the Royal Sovereign, a first-rate of 106 guns, was riding at her moorings entirely unrigged, and nothing but her three masts stand ing, a s is usual when a ship is laid up, and that she was comp letel rigged, all her masts up, her yards put to, her sails bent, achor ) : 1 2 ? ed from Limerick up and cables on board. and the ship sailed down to Black Stakes ii s , three days, Sir Cloudesley Shovel being then her captain.—Times. Passengers. It is LIMERICK.—For many years past there have not been such numbers emigrating as during the present aping . On Saturda y the Stadacona sailed for Quebec, as also the Ellen Forrestell—the to the present period, for America. The 13th Light Dragoons went t w t i h th at a n bo a uletss42tho,aaanstdootoheperlasattaesr havevrlth sa l out from Limerick garrison, o a n u Monday, to su PPreB9 all intended formerthough meeting of the peasantry at Cr oe Woods. We are happy to say there was no occasion for their serv ices. GRAVESEND, APRIL 30.—TEE 10TH HUSSARS. Th e detachment of this regiment, which arri here on Monday from Herne Bay, by steamer, for embarkation one od the Brahmin, and which were then billeted in the town in consequence of the objection taken by their commanding o ffi cer to embark them in this vessel until certain alterations should be made in the accommodations repared for the troops on board, were this day embarked, the re qp uir e d alterations being made, and she this afternoon sailed Mr Bombay, RAMSGATE, APRIL 30.—0 n the opening o of the South-Eastern Railway from Canterbury to ti splendid fast steamers, the Princess Mary and Princess placed here to run regularly between this port and which the number of passengers hai regularly inerf communica • tion with Belgium has daily become greate 1 ng upwards of forty passengers, with seven h orses r • a - ges ' were landed here, and proceeded by ra i lway time. When the facilities of embarking and landii times of tide, without the risk and unpleasantness more generally known to the public, we have no doubt considerable intercourse with the Continent and 1 fellor, mere Especially as it is the neaten brit is pert I were the only propert3 of th e branch getting up the plans this town, twc that fiv e , t en, or fi ftee as Maude, will the company to go on a Ostend, str,:pe ..wheß the cempau wa n sr. Thi s Ir a roused, and t o Xtd„taiiPori % 7. 0,01 c and two ) - f co rn , Witkollt lagit " ' er4ic . ing here at , 4p c 01 1 ,9 9' a is of boats, - ; fir I n a ha .. bt that it itLxtirro, Ramsgate g0g911 4 . '" -t t 9 Ostend» 4 " -, 11;ei4 RN NC4, MAY 2, 18 IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. MOUSE OF LORDS, May I. Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Lord DENMAN presented a petition from the London Missionary Society, praying to be exempted from the opera tions of the Charitable Trusts Bill. DE ODANDS BILL. Lord CAMPBELL moved the order of the day for going into Committee on this Bill. Lord DENMAN expressed his approbation of the Bill in its present state. Lord BROUGHAM also expressed his concurrence with the object of the Bill. He thought that if an officer like the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland was instituted in England, it would be a great means of forwarding criminal justice. Lord LYTTELTON supported the Bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR was in favour of the Bill, which had been unanimously agreed to in Committee up stairs as a measure very desirable. Their Lordships then went into Committee on the Bill, and , the several clauses were agreed to. IRISH GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Lord REDESDALE presented a petition against the Irish Great Western Railway, viz., the line from Portarlington to Galway. He said i t was signed by a large number of share at least th e part i es signing it purported to be such, holde rs, •an'd to represent. 1 21,0001. lie would recommend the peti 'Mentor the-attention of the House. ls Ike 'Marquis •of CLANRICARDE said he had heard of he.- - great many shareholders in the Irish project who were just as anxious that the line should be forwarded. - This ie , l itsetitinn had • been g o t up b y a person who styled .more now selli stdm • a secretary to a r i va l company. The shares - ng s at 21. discount; if any person purchased three -.I shares- - ‘ they would be entitled to receive 31. per share when the affairs of the company were wound up. Their Lordships would see that this would give great encou ragement to gambling speculation in railways. He presented a petition from the chairman and directors, praying their Lord ships to pass the Bill. Lord BROUGHAM wished to lay some information be fore the House which he had received on the subject of rail way speculation. He had received a letter from a sharebroker, which stated that his business made him acquainted with the opinions of other brokers on the state of that speculation, and they coincided in his own sentiments, which were thus stated in the letter: I beg to call your Lordships' attention to the fact that within the last few days the mania of railway speculation has been revived with all its former fury. Established are at from 201. to 301. per cent. premium, and the scrip of lines which are of a doubtful character have gone from a discount to a pre mium. The consequences will be more serious than is gene rally imagined. First, it will enable new companies to get a majority of three-fifths in favour of carrying them on, and se curely cloak interested parties and the frauds of others ; and last not least, we shall have another panic." This showed the necessity of adopting some effectual measures to meet the im - pending evil of undue speculation, during the continuance of which the gambler made his harvest.—( Hear.) After a few words from the Marquis of SALISBURY, which were inaudible in the gallery, Lord MONTEAGLE was of opinion that all the Bills on tlie - ,table of •the. House should be suspended until the opinions 444110.11earelpeisieke :could be obtained res p ec ti ng th em . H e, yrlkwisitteable'sinjustice .in suspending the t es t respect i ng lossaelseiesid - -applying it with grea t sever it y to ot h ers. Lssa ic tibnetvmvfai aTyear, in his opinion, in which a more ex ,itraiieclialary.,aird,'extravagant proposition had been made to linitior t Heuse , :of :Parliament. He agreed with the Noble Mar rAdisi babiAtibial,;, that they ought to make one rule govern all. -en-theee gssatnids be had taken the liberty of stating so much, because, having originally opposed this Bill, he felt himself now precluded, and he should consider himself acting not in a very unjust manner in refusing the passing of this Bill. He did not know whether his Noble Friend had moved the ;bird reacting of that Bill, and he would now move that the Bill be read a third time. Lord REDESDALE explained the grounds which he had taken with respect to this Bill on a former occasion. There was no doubt that the petition which he formerly pre sented, embodying, as it did, so large a body of wealthy andowners was deserving of considerable attention. That pe tition represented the wishes of the owners of 5,000 shares, or 211,0001. out of 800,0004, which was two-thirds of the esti mated cost. He thought that, after all that had been stated, i:. would be better to let this Bi!1 go on. At all events, after what he bad stated to their Lordships, he should decline to offer any opposition to the third reading. The LORD CHANCELLOR then put the motion, that the Bill be read a third time, which was unanimously agreed to. IIULLINGAR AND GALWAY RAILWAY BILL. On the motion of Lord MONTEAGLE, this Bill was read a first time. RAILWAY DEPOSITS BILL. Lord AIONTEAGLE then said that he rose for the pur pose of moving that the Railway Companies' Dissolution Bill be read a second time.—(oh, oh, and laughter.) He begged -their Lordships' pardon, he meant the Railway Deposits Bill, to,whieh motion he hoped there would be no opposition. In Libo_tta(ly Rart„of. : ,this session their Lordships' attention was - gstitlo4l.e4a9tatfthomery great inconveniencewhich might be '' l 4olo 44-4,11.1p* be , believed ought to be produced, upon zmiesijar, twallet.:With respect to th e l aw on ra il way d epos it s . e that this Bill passed in the other House of 1 4..1'0 . 914; 1 1110;pposition. He believed that Bill was . one" • $ 14,aegCthe public interest, though it was ..-; 7 7M,.„ . , t 1 9041.3 t it would give _railway companies 'very - • ho wever,._ was not the case, and he trusted it would.now be read a second time. The. Duke of BEA i:FORT said, that as several Noble Lords who took a great interest in the measure were absent, he thought it advisable to postpone the second reading till his Noble Friends had an opportunity of expressing their opinions. The second reading of the Bill was then postponed. The BISHOP of EXETER wished to know from his Noble and Learned Friend on the Woolsack, when the House would go into Committee on the Bill (tbe Religious Opinions Relief Bill), which was read a second time on the pre vious evening ? The LORD CHANCELLOR feared that the Right Rev. Prelate judged his powers of expediting matters according to his own character for facilitating things. He might depend on it there would be no unnecessary delay, but the precise time he could not say. The Bishop of EXETER said, there had been no hurry it appeared in pushing forward the Bill. It had been intro duced in the beginning of February, and for three months it had been before the House ere the second reading was taken. And then but little intimation had been given of the intention of taking the second reading. He hoped, therefore, they should have accurate information of the day of the Committee on the Bill, as there were many nice points to be considered. There were two points which he intended more especially to oppose, unless they were altered. The one was, that pro posing to repeal the prohibition against the extolling of Papal supremacy ; and the other, the restriction on the circulation of Pal:lA.l4l2lls. . Except these were amended, he should certainly divide_ the House. RAILWAYS DISSOLUTION BILL. The Earl of DALHOUSIE moved that the House resolve itself on this Bill. Earl RADNOR rose to offer a few observations before going into Committee. He could not consent to the Bill passing without considerable modifications. If it were agreed to in its present shape, many good schemes would be put a stop to by very unfair means.—( Hear, hear.) This vi as confirmed by a letter he had received that morning, from a gentleman, from which he would read an extract. ( The Noble Lord then read the extract, which was to the effect that he had taken up shares in some of the best railway pro jects—in the South Wales. the Waterford and Kilkenny, and other lines.) He had taken up the shares as a boncifide in vestment, with the intention of paying up the instalments; but in the present Bill a power was given to parties to break up those companies by improper means. This gentleman's position, as he stated, was a very hard one ; because it was well known that a deal of gambling had taken place in shares, for the purpose of putting an end to schemes, for the purpose of realising a profit out of the sharing of the deposits This was a great hardship upon those who had embarked in good schemes, and very general injustice would result from the pro posed measure. There would be many cases of hardship under the operation of the proposed measure. He thought that by a little management such hardships might be averted. It ap peared to him that there would be no great deal of difficulty in carrying out an arrangement by which, when a majority of the shareholders were in favour of a dissolution of the com pany, the minority should have the power of putting in a claim to continue the company. The Earl of DALHOUsIE—They would then get off their liabilities. Earl RADNOR—Their deposits would be returned out of the ,money in the hands of the company, or which was de poiitbd with the Accountant-General. Fie did think that some clauses should be introduced to meet this state of things, and that it. should be postponed for a day or two for that purpose. If the House did not do this, the result would be great injustice to the.parties, and great injury to the public. Earl DALHOUSIE said, that as some clauses were to be -Proposed by the Noble Lord opposite to the effect suggested by the Noble Lord who had just sat down, perhaps it would be as well that he (Earl Dalhousie) should reserve what he had to say upon the subject until those amendments should be pro posed, as by that means the House would be saved the neces sity of having the same ground gone over a second time. Karl GREY said he should object to the measure being postponed on account of any amendments which he might have to propose, because the na t ure o f th ose amendments might this de pend upon what the natur e o f th e measure should be. /fe ap prehended that great evils and mischiefs would arise f rom hi Bill as it now stood, if some amendments should not be intro duced. He considered that the subject ought to be postponed for a few days in order that the Government might give the matter more mature consideration. They had a right, how ever, to call on the Government to state their views on the subject. The Earl of DALHOUSIE said if the Noble Lord sub mitted his amendment to the House he should feel it his duty to do all in his power to induce their Lordships to reject it. If the Noble Earl had been in his place in the earlier stages of the Bill, he would have known that he (Lord Dalhousie), both in introducing it and in the second reading, discussed the points advised by the Noble Earl. These points had also been considered by her Majesty's Government, who had constantly endeavoured to avert the evil of undue speculation, but they thought it impossible to provide a remedy for the evils of which he complained. The Noble Earl complained that gambling had been going on oliharee for a double purpose —namely, gambling for the pur pps,eof Malting a profit on shares, and gambling for the pur pose.of influencing the proceedings of companies by purchasing .a.quantity of their stock, and so obtaining a majority of votes. .had, thrice admitted, and he now admitted, that rgenbling had been goi ng on i n the stock market, but that could ..tlcit t , urged,as an objection to this measure, neither would ,thear rejection of it. But if they did reject it, they would render many companies fifty times worse than they were at the present moment, because they would leave them without the means of dissolution, thus leaving them to speculate from month to month whenever there was the least semblance of a chance of making any money by their shares. Scrip passed so constantly from hand to hand that it was almost impos. sible to trace those who originally held it—in fact, they were like a bank -note. The object of the present Bill was to enable any company which had not come before Parliament, or which were not before the House, in consequence of having failed to comply with the standing orders, to wind up their affairs. There were 1,200 registered companies at the commencement of the session. There are now in actual progress before the House not more than 430, and the whole of the others are in a condition utterly from asc er t a i n i ng fully what was the liability itated of each person. N ow that was the object of the Bill he held in his hand. A Noble Lord on the opposite side suggested that a minority should have the power of continuing the company in existence; and that the property of the plan should be vested in them. He objected to such a proposition, as being unjust. Those who were retiring from the concern should be en ; . .led to th e property of the company, for the plans and section s he `,y which could be saved. The expense it eof IV as of course entirely lost. just en p h e r o s u o l n d s who b,p all ro m, )n, s Tali wound up? All the property should be ity desired, let purchase the plans, • e entitled eios t e o they woul d condition oui d of be a c p. e. a u n l y d . put B th y ern su s e e t h l h v e e m s m i e n a t o h s e a new company, with a capital consisting ian d one d c oncern o T f worthless h a eywouldh be creating "to trade upon. the lowest kind of speb b u r la o t oti ors would heoultdinse they would have a miserable speculations let loose upon society. It might be very well if there was no remedy for the evil. But they have nothing to do but to purchase the plans and go down to Ser jeant's:lnn, pay 51., and they would be again a registered company. These were the grounds on which be should object to the mo tion of the Noble Earl. Lord MON TEAGLE thought that his Noble Friend, who had just sat down, had made a very strong case in one part of the subject, but he must contend that though the parties w eae highly to blame, the Legislature were most in fault. The Government might be exonerated from one portion of the blame to which they were liable, but still he should contend that they were deeply responsible for not having taken measures ' for the avoidance of the evil and now, when it had accrued ' they dealt with it in a small and pitiful manner, instead of gran ' pling with this immense speculation in a large and masterly way. On the 31st March they had given notice to the parties engaged in railways, in order that they might prepare them selves for the altered state of the markets. The principle which was adopted by the Bank and the East India Directors, of not allowing individuals to vote until they had been some time inthe possession of stock, was the one that ought to have been adoped. He (Lord Monteagie) had proposed that no one should be allowed to vote unless he had been in the posses sion of the stock, and had become a bon4 . fide possessor, before the 31st March. Now, would any one deny that a new, an in creased, and mischievous speculation had been raised since the declaration of the stock. He was quite sure that such would be the case. The 13th clause of the Bill allowed any persons in the possession of shares were to be entitled to vote. But this was highly detrimental, for under it any two persons might go into a meeting. to vote, transfer their shares, and then again re-transfer them, voting all the while, and this might be done ten thousand times over.—(Hear, hear.) Let those parties who refuse to acquiesce in the dissolution of the company, purchase the plans, and then re-register, while those who seceded from the company would be reimbursed for their out ltaityl.ed tHoea tih,roeu_gemhtutthioant.theHoeritigaindanl oprdoepsriireetotorstholuogwhtditiso in the way, b ut he was desirous of seeing it made as usecbefuulltiinae-ss possible, th: Lord dthjeu st B. sat measureod oUuhGne but it quitet appearedagreed that with though o his ug N h o h b e l e w F a e s i e f n r i d e nwdhl were spoken . against it. When they were Channel su l a , p ze t a t u measure a speech c u h s u o a r l aon vote, thi but side i to seemedf the British such was not the rule everywhere, for his Learned Friend went on the principle of looking one way and rowing another. He quite regretted that a fuller measure bad not been introduced, but he hoped that such would be the case with respect to all private Bills, although h e was aware that great difficulty laid in the way of any great change being made at once. That it was necessary was evident from the almost convulsion in the money market which we had just escaped, and which was l nearly as mischievous as the p an i c o f 1807, 1812, and in a much larger wayi n 182.5-6. Thank God, under the firmnes of those at the head of affairs, and through the admirable management of the directors of the Bank, the cloud had passed without bursting. But the danger in the future remained, and he should like to have time. to consider any alteration, as any one false step might be productive of a great deal of mishief. As to the voting, there appeared to have been a slip in the draft which was to be amended. He approved of the Bill, but it must be understood that he said this as not at once condemn ing the alterations of his Noble Friend (the Earl of Radnor) without the opportunity of considering them before going into , Committee. But he still hoped for a more enlarged Bill, 1 for it ought not to be forgotten that all the courts in England, Scotland, and Ireland, could not dis pose in ten years of the pecuniary and other interests of the private Bill legislation —a legislation which was conducted as badly as possble, and which gave what the Master of the Rolls called a transcendental power to take men's property at will—not in compliance with their wish, but against it, and contrary to all law. And he should return from his political life, whenever that time came, he should feel it a consolation to reflect that he had always been the strenuous advocate of what he could not but feel a most un constitutional and mischievous power. Lord plained. M ONTEAGLE and the E ar l o f D ALHOUSIE ex- Lord ASHBURTON wished to rectify the impression that this Bill was the only thing that was going to be done to do away with the mischief and the confusion into which the country had been thrown by this railway speculation ; for he was quite true that they would entail upon the country the greatest possible injury, if they went no further. Wherever there were the materials of gambling there would be gam bling; and whilst these materials remained it would be quite useless to stop the evil by legislation. He thought the bette plan would be to prev_nt the issue of scrip at all until the seve ral Bills reached a certain stage before the Houses of Parliament. To save the evil, also, they might give to the shareholders who remained the power of buying out those who wished to secede. One thing he wished particularly to impress upon their Lord ships —one thing which he had particularly alluded to on all the Committees of that HOUR—and that was, that, it would be highly improper to suffer these Bills to leave the House in the shape of laws, without a sufficient assurance that their object, would be carried into effect. Earl FITZ WILLIANi approved of the Bill, but he feared I that it might have the effect of destroying many good schemer and supporting many bad ones, for the goodness or the badness of the schemes were in no way to be judged of by the positions and characters of the promoters. With respect to the plan, he wished that the best mode to be adopted would be for the Go vernment to take possession of them on behalf of the public; and that he conceived would be a very good quid pro quo for the right to wind up the affairs of the several companies. He was anxious for this, for he hoped some day that the whole of these railway projects would be in the hands of the Govern ment. He was especially opposed to the sale of the plans, be cause he conceived that they would be bought up by the great companies, and be hereafter made use of most mischievously. Lord REDESDALE explained that the books of the sur veyors were only intelligible to themselves, and as to the plans they were all lithographed, and, therefore, easily attainable anywhere. With respect to the winding up, he believed that those companies which might be dissolved would be very ILinestly wound up. Aud with regard to the state of railway legisla tion, he intended next week to ask their Lordships to accede to a resolution that they would not take any opposed railway Bill into Committee after some late day, say the 20th July. Their doing this would have the effect of saving a great many Bills from coming up from the other House of Parliament, and render the business much more controlable than it apparently was a present. The Marquis of CL ANRICARDE supported the Bill, but thought that the Earl of Dalhousie had not met the objections of his Noble Friend (the Earl of Radnor) and his proposition that persons should make a declaration of the time at which they came into possession of the shares before they were allowed to vote. Ho thought that was a proposition well worthy of consideration, and which ought to be thought of before the report was brought up. The House then went into Committee on the Bill, when The Earl of DALHOUSIE said he was quite ready to con sider the objections of any Noble Lord. Earl GREY suggested that the practice of the other House be adopted which was to commit the Bill pro . fiirma, have it printed, and then fully consider it in Committee or have it re-committed afterwards. This was necessary, as it appeared there was almost as much writing as print on the Bill. The Earl of DALHOUSIE objected to the Noble Earl drawing any inference f rom hi s bi rd ' s eye view of the paper he held in his hand. There was no alteration whatever in the principle of the Bill, and he then went through the alterations to show that such was not the case. After a few words from Lord MONTEAGLE, Earl GREY proposed to impose a penalty of 51. fnr each vote given not according to the provisions of the Act, both on the scripholder and the proxy who might vote for him. A conversation ensued on this point, in which Earl Grey. Lord Monteagle, the Earl of Dalhousie, and Lord Redesdale participated, the last nobleman objecting to the date of the Ist of March being fixed as a day posterior to which the sale of scrip should invalidate the right of voting. A provision was also inserted for obtaining a fair decision at the meeting for dissolving the company, the rule being, that the minutes should be signed by the chairman, and countersigned by two of the scrutineers, and any attempt to falsify them should render the party guilty of a misdemeanour. The authority to dissolve was to be obtained by a majority of the whole of the scrip, or of at least three-fifths of that which was actually is.tied. The Bill passed through Committee, several Bills were ad. vanced a stage, and the House adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 1. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'cleek. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY. Sir C LEMON moved that it be an instruction to the Com mittee (Group 27), to which the North Staffordshire Railway (Hareeastie to Sandbach), North Staffordshire Railway (Chur net Valley Line), North Staffordshire Railway (Potteries Line), ars referred, that they have leave to consolidate the three Bills into one Bill. The motion was agreed to. EDINBURGH, LEITH, AND GRANTON RAILWAY. Mr. RICARDO moved that the Committee on Group (No. 8) of Railway Bills have leave to sit and proceed on Mondaay next on the Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton (exten sion and branches) Bill, notwithstanding that seven clear days' notice of the sitting of the Committee on that Bill had not been given at the Private Bill-office, After a few words from Mr. GREENE, the motion was withdrawn. IMr. WARD moved that the Cambridge was given for Monday, notice of the second reading of which h d time, notwithstanding CAMBRIDGE IMPROVEA . IEN I T np B ro Itt the 9 7th of April last, be rea l t t a i. the period limited by the rest The motion dan e N .d l7:lCL SURE Mr. GREEN o s ns of the House had expired, BILL. Improvem ent Bill, E moved " That the order referring the pe tition of Major-General Sir James Fullerton Dundas, Baronet, against the Gollon lnclosure Bill, to the Committe on the Bill, and counsel ordered, be read. That the said petition being against the whole Bill, and not against the preamble or clauses, and not praying for the petitioner to be heard, by himself, counsel, or agents, cannot, according to the practice of this House, be referred to the Committee:' —that, therefore, the said order be dischaled." The motion was agreed to. LOUGH SWILLY AND LOUGH FOYLE DRAINING AND EMBANKING. mitted. This Bill wa s rea d a second time, and ordered t o b e com- P The followi ng reportsßE were ORTS brought up, .the amendments and alteratio ns agree d to, and the Bills ordered to b e en grossed :—HelensburAh Extension and Police,'Helensburgh Harbour, Glasgow Union Arcade, Boston. Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Stamford to Wisbech), Stowmarker Navigation. GLASGOW WATERWORKS BILL. The Lords' Amendments on this Bill were read and agreed to. LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Sir JOHN TYRELL pre sen t e d pe ti t i ons f rom th e par i s h o f Kennington and other places, praying for a revision of the law of settlement, more especially with respect to pauper lunatics. The petition was ordered to lie on the table. ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. Mr. SHARMANdiAIiFORD presented a petition from ,he Roman Catholics of Rochdale in favour of the Roman Ca ,holic Relief Bill. The petition was ordered to be laid on the table. PASSENGER-DUTY PAID BY RAILWAY COMPANIES. Mr. BROTHERTON moved tor a return of the amount of moneys levied and paid annually by each railway company in England and Wales, under the head of duty on passengers, made up to the sth day of January iu each year from 1841 to 1846. Also, a similar return for Scotland. Also, a similar return for Ireland.—Agreed to. PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. Mr. WARD pre s ented a petition from a public meeting recently held in Exeter Hall, against the punishment of death. Mr. AINSWORTH presented a petition in favour of the Lancaster and North Yorkshire Railway. THE LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Mr. BANKES presented a petition from . the poor of Bridport Union against certain amendments in the law of settlement. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the House at its rising should adjourn to Monday next.—. Agreed to. WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN. Mr. B. ROCHE said that it appeared that his Honourable Friend the Member for Limerick considered that he had been misrepresented iu what he (Mr. It.)che) stated to the House last slight. Ho therefore hoped that the Howe would per. mit him to read a letter from the Hon. Member without on y comment:— " House of Commons Prison, "May 1, 1846. "My dear Roche,—l shall feel much obliged if you will explain to the House, this evening, that you were under a misconception when you stated yesterday that I complained that no opportunity had been afforded to me of speaking in my own defence. "On the contrary, I :cheerfully aoknowledge that such an opportunity was offered, and that I declined to avail myself of it. " I was very anxious to have spoken yesterday, because Ido not think my case was fairly stated to the House by the Chair man of the Committee of Selection. I referred to my let ters to the Committee, as stating the grounds upon which I had refused to serve upon Committees on Scotch and English railway Bills. if those letters had been read in extant. I should have been contented to abide the opinion of the House npen them, but the Chairman of the Committee of Selection read only such portions of them as tended to produce an im pression on the House unfavourable to my conduct. " I wish it also to be known, that until the closing sentence of Mr. Estcourt's speech reached me, I did not knew what was the nature of the motion which he intended to submi" ; so that I was unprepared to form an opinion as to the coarse which it would be most advisable for me to adopt. I did not know whether I was to be imprisoned or reprimanded, or whether a Committee might not be appointed to take the case into consideration before any final motion should be proposed to the House. As mine is a new case arising out of resolu tions adopted without notice, without discussion, not founded on long-established practice, not support e d by any authority derived from statute or from prescrip_ th th a e t euh t j h e e et, w a u ppo h in ot tm on en ly t o t t hif°en a.'wisestComm l.t aand t d s t e e e m e m t e e osdtdeli benatur alratern, n u e e p d o e n of dealing with the case, but also that which would have been most confornsai.le to former precedents. I need not say that my de cision with respect to the propriety of addressing the House on my own behalf, or of remaining silent, might have been affected by a knowledge of the motion which was to be proposed to the House. Undoubtedly, if I had foreseen that my views would have been so much misrepresented in debate as they have beer., I should not have declined to state them fully to the House. "In all proceeding s in Parliament it is customary to give due notice to the parties affected by such proceedings—such notice, therefore, may be considered as a 'right' rather than as a ' courtesy.' With reference to the preliminary motion made on Monday night, I was left in such entire ignorance of the terms of that motion, chat I absolutely mistook the question when put from the chair, and imagined that it was an order to attend the House on Tuesday, whereas I afterwards learned that it was an order to attend the Committee. " On last Friday I stated to Mr. Estcourt, in private, that I should feel much obliged to him if he would intimate to me the terms of the motion which be intended to make in reference to my case, as soon as his own determination was formed. I sub sequently received no communication from him. " I do not wish you to reveal to the House what an Irish man thinks of such a mode of proceeding. Suffering from the injustice of the British House of Commons, I expect nothing from its generosity. " I shall make no further appeal to the House. Yesterday I was extremely anxious to ha7e been allowed to speak on my own behalf before my committal to prison as a culprit. I shall not again condescend to solicit even thi: trifling favour. "In concluding, I beg most anxiously atv:l earnestly to re quest you to inform the House that I am no party to any motion for my discharge. " I remain, my dear Roche, very sincerely yours, " WILLIAM S. O'BRIEN, " E. B. Roche, Esq., M.P. " SOUTH NOTTINGHAAISHIRE ELECTION. Mr. GISBORNE wished to ask the Hon. Member for South Nottinghamshire, whether a correspondence, which had appeared in the local and London newspapers between T. B. Hildyard, Esq., M.P., and T, Herbert, Esq., mayor of Not tingham, relating to the late election in South Nottingham shire. was authentic ? and, in case the answer should be in the affirmative, whether the Honourable Mem ber was now _prepared t o prove t h at the free trade committ ee at Nottingham, for promoting Lord Lincoln's election, offered 231. to two voters, who had promised their votes to the Honourable Member, in case they would vote for Lord Lincoln. Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN rose to a point of order, He wished to know whether it was incumbent upon his Honour.. able Friend to answer such questions?—( Hear.) The SPEAKER replied that the Hon. Member for Not tinghamshire must exercise his own discretion, but according to the practice of the House it was customary for Hon. Mem bers to answer questions that were continually put to them, whether those questions related to the business of the House or not. . Mr. GISRORNE made some observations which were scarcely audible in the gallery. He was understood, how ever, to say that it was a fit subject for that House to in quire into, and as the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Hildyardl had made the st a t emen t i n quest i on, he thought that the House should give him an opportunity of affirming or denying it. If the Hon. Member would affirm it, he would move for a Select Committee to give him an opportunity of proving the state ment. He thought that the Hon. Member had no reason to complain about his being asked such a question, as he had given two days' notice of his intention to ask it. The subject then dropped. MR. SNIITH O'BRIEN. Mr. O'CONNELL gave notice that he would postpone his motion relative to the discharge of Mr. Smith O'Brien from the custody of the Sergeant -at-Arms till 3londa7 next. CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE. Sir. J. GRAHAM, in reply to a question from Mr. Peter Borth wick, said that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce any measure this session with regard to the con sumption of smoke. He had entertained great apprehensions last session as to the working of the plans which had been adopted for that purpose, and far from these apprehensions being now removed, they were more and more confirmed. ADJOURNED DEBATE. On the motion that the order of the day, the Protection to Life (Ireland) Bill, be read, Mr. P. SOMERS rose and proceeded to address the House, but in consequence of the low tone in which he spoke, and the confusion that prevailed at the bar of the House, he was for some time utterly inaudible. It must be evident to the Right Honourable Baronet that it was not by such a Bill as the present the state of Ireland was to be altered. Let the Government, instead of persisting in this odious measure, introduce some measure for the purpose of giving greater security to the tenant, the improvement of waste lands, and such other remedial measures, and they would produce more peace in Ireland than a constabulary force ten times greater than the present could de. The distress in Ireland had been denied. The existence of the potato failure had been considered an exaggeration. Gentle• men could, with an easy self-indulgence, pursue their specu lations, and theorise ; but nothing real or substantial was the result. Ireland was still left to drag out a miserable existence, through misrule. Neither he nor the Irish Members could approve of the spirit of the measure. Mr. M. O'CONNELL did not intend to follow the example which had just been set of introducing matter which was quite irrelevant to the purpose. He thought sufficient had al. ready been said on that topic, and he believed that suffi cient matter already remained for another debate of equal length with that which had already transpired. He hed certainly been much struck at the moment by the statement of th e Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, respecting the state of Ireland now and what it had been in former years. The Right Hon. Baronet. compared the state of Ireland in 1843 with its present condition, and had asked whether there were any measures taken at all for the repression. of crime during that period. Now, any one would suppose from siesh an inquiry as that, that during the last two years the Government had done absolutely nothing. But what had been the case with regard to Ireland since 1843 ? For his part, he might ask whether the Government had been by any means idle during that period ? Why, they had dis missed oin as many as twenty-two magistrates, and on applicati on fr om: the country, the replies from Dublin il courseuth o o r f i t i t e h s e . that most ridf r otzlous of few years? Their first step 'was to pass t S h V e hat r h e a p d lie b s een of th t e hea procla mation t th d a e u i r r in fi co rs th t e st l e a p st . Bill of the same kind. Their next step GoTvheirsii to prosecute the cl tart meeting, then ;nation against the on Repeal Association ; next to imprison them all measures—the Arms Act, while therestill w e t z o is t t m ed oe an a effective leaders of the most and now they were going t o p a ss thi s{ most unjustly, ' obnoxious They had carried all these measures into e ff ect , as f ar as they were able to carry them, and w h at was the result? By their ( the emndaghisatdrattaeksenthaevryahyafdrnmaddthede b n e u n % be thoser s te p e r .. the r d a is n m ks is o sa f lof repeal, sons in whom the people had confidence, and to whom the, would have come, and were in the habit of coming with - infor mation, and left those persons who seemed to be op pose d interests of the people. By the Arms Act —as he bd t 4). the , they established the fact that there were in the e hands sa f id tir peasantry of Ireland, on the very first registry, 90,000 s st o and o f e arms. These arms were in part taken aWay, ad if the number of robberies of arms in Ireland were increased, they might thank themselves for the increase. Having passed all these measures, were they to be surprised that the people against whom those measures were levelled should have some contempt for a Government who had brought forward measures of such inutility? Could they for a moment imagine that repeated and reiterated failure in all these measures had not inspired the people with the belief that the Governm ent i must et e the contin to fail in still more important measures ! H same all through ? They had beaten themselves on every measure they had proposed, and they now came for. d the law.—(Hear, hear.) ward, asking for powers beyond What did they think would bethe feeling of the people of if they were to agree to en- Ireland towards the Irish Mem ber s , ent which had so entirely trust with such powers a G overn bungledlreland 7 It was not with regard to. bungled in every measu re . . of o p pression or coercion. in their efforts in the cause merely . that they had failed, every effort which they bad but it was in been making at reconciliat ion. They had brought in their Charitable ' • ble Bequests Bill, to regulate the charity of ttholics in a Ireland, at the very moment when all the Courts of law and exercise ' had declared that th e Catholics were free to __ the equity pleased. When all their power in that respect! just as they . . old sytem of restriction was gone, they brought for ward The promises measure, restricting arid confining them si , of r in clueing th em to which were given in 1835, for the purpos e been fulfilled From give up the repeal agitation, had ne ver ta come into office, till the moment the present Governmen t t ee d . done to remove the present time, nothing h ad been Irish people le which the a single grievance un der as far as cou ld be judged by their present 0 booted; and hi wou ld be done. What was the state of intentions, not hin g Ireland since the present Government came into office, and b who was justly considered one of Norman y, since the Marquis that ever govern.- I in Ireland, had o f the best Englishmen .7 rule m that country . Outrage' as been on the ins ceased to social condition of the cou ntry was becoming crease, and the . c more 'disorganised. What was the remecy propsed for this state of things now ? They proposed the Coercis n bill, which had been tried over and over again, but which had never yet in any one instance succee.led in suppressing those outrages against which it was (lir. cted. That was the only panacea which wee proposed for the evils which were partly created by t hem sel ves.—(Hear, hear. ) The could I; of Clar e ices tn * ore disturbed than any county in. Ireland. 'H« remembered the county of Clare when every gentleman's house was a garrison. Whenever yr ita u r wentn to a door y ou were challenged. the same as a milita r y piled upon stati on, upon the They had s h e ll s and balls e re tared, anntlsttohni:sia. the ease in window-sills, to repel an assailant. 4 'lli d e cause of the that county for three or four yetere i nsurre ction now--namely, insur rection was the same as that of h the want of the potato cco Several attempts had been made to put down this distu rba nce, p. but without effect, until it was e i s give up their arms. He mentioned, OW, Wow. 4 ici proposed that they 5_ ...,, _ A eld the e ro of Bryan Seery. May gen. ii