The Sun. — London, England, 1846-06-19 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE Or LORDS. DIRECT LONDON AND PORTSMOUTH. OUZI,DrOILD, CHICHESTER, PORTSMOUTH, AND FAREHAM. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) The case for the promoters of the Guildford and Chichester line befog completed, that on the part of Mr. Dixon, a petitioner against the Direct London and Portsmouth was taken. Mr. Dixon himself gave evidence as to the manner In which his property would be affected, and evidence as to a deviation, by which he said the residents' damage might be avoided. A conversation here arose, which ended in an agreement between the promoters, that the deviation proposed by Mr. Jordan should be adopted, in case the Bill should pass. The case on the part of Mr. Coles, another petitioner, was then opened, and several witnesses were examined. The case for Lord Egmont, also petitioning against the BW, was then opened. His Lordship was examined in support of h ISOMn case, and after examining a few more witnesses the Com mittee rose at about fYve minutes past four, and adjourned till to-morrow. GLASGOW, KILMARNOCK, AND AR, DROSSAN. (Continued frail' our Afternoon Edition of yestetday.) Mr. R. Cumming, a magistrate at Kihnaniock, ' was then called, and gave general evidence In favour of the line. At the conclusion of this gentleman's evidence, Mr. TALBoT (who now appeared ter the petitione - , the Duke of rO:tland,) said that hi consequence of the decision of the Committee, be had to propose that the Committee should now adjourn, hi order to give time for the preparation of some clauses which he intended to propose, and which would, he anticipated, meet the views of the promoters of the Bill. In that ease the opposition of the Duke of Portland would he withdrawn. After much discussion as to what course should be taken• It wl ultimately agreed that the preamble should be passed , and that the Committee should then adjourn till Monday. The evidence was then continued pro f0;1114.1. Mr. Lock gave the engineering evidence.—The steepest gradient was I in 75, winch occurred at the commencement of the line for I mile 2 ftirbngs, and also near Kilmarn ock, for a somewhat smaller distance. There was also a gradient of 1 in SO for about hall a mile. These were the ruling gradients In many lines in that part of Scotland. With these three exceptions, the gradients were very light indeed, being in fact almost level. The Earl of Eglinton was next called. lie gave evidence very strongly in favour of the line. The Committee then deelared the preamble proved, and adjourned till Monday at twelve o'clock. GROUP 111. sitzrinDLD AND EINCOLNSIMLE JITNCTION. The Committee met at eleven o'clock, when the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction line was taken. Mr. Ilmotreab, on behalf of the promoters, stated that, in cease quence of the passing of the London and York Bill, the Company had determined to restrict their line to the communication between Swinton and Doncaster, and called Mr.'Mordon, who stated that through the facilities offered by this line, and the communication that must be established between it and the Eastern Counties, the Barnsley coal-field, which is rich in its beds, will be :made available for the service of the counties of L'n-• eolnshlre, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, which now can only_obtain their coal through the agency of an ex pensive land carriage or of a long sea voyage. Mr. Sesbant WaANGUAM, on behalf of the Doncaster and Wake field Company, was about to cross-examine the witness as to the fa- Cilities which would be afforded by that line. Mr. HILDYARD thought that his Learned Friend ought to be re stricted to the cross-examination on the evidence. To this Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM demurred. Mr. lIILDTARD had then no objection, provided he were allowed to continue the examination in chief to ascertain the respective merits of the Swinton and Doncaster and the Doncaster and Wake field lines. Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM objected to this, and the room was cleared to ascertain how the communication should be effected. When the parties were re-admitted the chairman, Lord Soiesas, stated- that the counsel for the Sheffield and Lincolnshire line having stated that they did not set up their line as a competing line with the Doncaster and Wakefield line, the Committee were of opinion that the former company could not be heard as competitors. Mr_ PAGET cross-examined Mr. Morton, and a model of tke country was shown, in which were the three places where the Barnsley coal was produced—Silkestone, Worsborough and its neighbourhood, and Elsecar. It was proposed to carry the Silkestone coal down the Sheffield and Wakefield line, through a branch to Bardocks, a dis tance of a mile and a half. and thence to Barnsley. There are branches projected by both the Sheffield and Wakefield, and the Doncaster and Wakefield lines, both of which are identical, and have passed the Itonste of Commons. It was then proposed to get to Barnsley by the Darfield Intancli, the distance being about five miles. They then get on the Midland Railway, and run upon it to Wath for about two miles. They quitted the Midland near to the Swinton station at Wath-upon-Dearne. The other point where they could leave the line is Swinton, a distance of about Our miles. From thence they went to Doncaster, where they travelled along the London and York to Gainsborough. From .Swinton to Doncaster is about nine miles. They intended to carry coal from Stainborough, which is close to Worshorough, but not from the latter place, the distance from one place to the other being about live miles. Re did not propose to _ . _ Carry any coals from Elsecar, and he could not say thatOnCi-third of the coals carried came from Elsecar ; nor could he say that one other third was carried front IVorsborough, averaging 200,000 tons for each. The Worsborough pits are the property of Mr. Bennett Martin, and the Elsecar pits belong to Earl Fitzwilliam. The Silkestone coal supplied the major part of the domestic consumption, but the witness could not say that only one-third of the whole of the coal was brought up from the several pits. The price of carriage was to be a penny per ton per mile for a distance of fifty miles, and three-farthings a too for any greater distance. The towns for which these rates had been made were those accommodated ra ther by the Cambridge and Lincoln line, than by the London and York. To Bawtry they would get along the London and York, but the witness had not adapted the table to the acconunodation afforded . by the London and York. The Silkestone coal would have to be conveyed a distance of twenty miles, and the carriage would therefore cost is. Bd. per ton. But in this statement he had taken his own, experience or assumptions, and not the maximum charge afforded by the Cambridge and Lincoln Bill. He could not say whether the charge of the Sheffield and Wakefield Company was l3id. per ton for any distarce short of fifteen miles, and they did not run so great a distance as that upon the Sheffield and Wakefield line. He could not say that the sum of a penny per ton per mile was the maximum charge allowed by the Midlands sill ; but he did know thattbat was the highest sum charged against him for that business. Tile maximum toll of the Swinton and Lincoln Company was equal to that on the Midlands Railway. Mr. Walker was about to cross-examine on behalf of the River Don Company, when Mr. HILDTARD questioned his right to appear for the directors in (Evidually, for they were members of a corporation which had petttionel on behalf of the line. Mr. WALKES said, he was informed that the participation in this corporation conferred a freehold right, and enabled the holders to vote for the elections for the West Riding. It was decided that as Mr. Diamond and Mr. Samuel Roberts had petitioned only as corporators, they could not be beard Is their individual capacity. To Mr. Hu.ortaD, on re-examination, the witness stated that Barnsley is in the centre of the most important coal-field in that dis trict, whether considered as to quantity, quality, and cheapness. The Stainborough colleries are connected with the Sheffield and Wakefield Railway by tramways. The Silkestone coal is the best for all house purposes, and for most purposes equal to the Durham coal. Doncaster is one of the most important places for the exit of this coal to other places. Many of the places on the Cambridge and Lincoln line had been left out of the list, but other places would be supplied by the London and York line. As, for instance, although part of the Lin coln line has been thrown out, Sleaford, the place appareatly worst off for the London and York. would still be accommodated, tbr it was now supplied by a navigation which turned off from the river Witham that ran to Lincoln at Tattershall. which Is in the loop of the London and York. Whatever might be the right of the Midland Counties Company to charge I%cl. a ton for carriage under fifty miles, it was practically inoperative, for during the last three years he had only paid a penny per ton, and he knew that Mr. Hudson had declared that he wend beat the canals, and he had in several Instances done so. Should, however, a higher charge be made the business would be abstracted, and the rail for the conveyance of coal of course uselss. Mr. G. 0. Brown, a coal agent and proprietor at Sheffield, stated that 200,000 tons of coal had been carried by Doncaster In the year 1544, and now more is doubtless carried. A great damage is Suffered by the transference of the coals into the boats and out again. The cost to him was 3'4d. per ton for car riage by canal and 3d. additional for getting out of the boats, while he had himself paid last year only a Id. a ton per mile for 400 tons, which included every expense of the transit. The wit ness also spoke to the importance of Rotherham market as also to the quantity of iron which is brought by way of Doncaster to Sheffield. The passenger traffic between these two towns is also very great, there being at least 3,000 passengers; there were three coaches. There were also five coaches between Doncaster and Swinton. There were extra coaches on market days. There wet e also large quantities of corn brought from the agricultural districts to the east and north. On cross-examination by Mr. PAGET, the witness explained the differe4ce of charge paid by Earl Fitzwilliam and the public, by stating that there was a particular branch which no one was allowed to use but himself. Mr. Butterfield, clerk of the Doncaster markets, testified to the extent of the hastiness done at that place, there being about 2,500 heed of horned cattle sold th ere annually, end upward s of 15000 sheep and pigs, which are , chietly sent towards Sheffield.(treat accommodation hay lately been afforded by the Corporation roofing the corn market and other Improvements; and it Is further intended to spend 20,000!. more Tor that purpose. There are four fairs in the year, and the horses are in such repute, that foreigners fre quently attend them. The water navigation is found to be very in convenient, especially in winter, when there is great delay, and in case of flood or frost, the corn is frequently sent by land carriage, and at other seasons when the corn is wanted for immediate consump tion. The freight and dues to Sheffield are as. 10(1. a quarter in 17 miles. There is a large flax and spinning manufactory at Doncaster, the prodUce of which goes to Barnsley. The freight and dues to Rn. therham, a distance of twelve miles, are 3s. 9d. a quarter. On cross-examination the witness stated that he did not believe that the trade had gone westward instead of the northwest in conse quence of the water communication. To Mr. WALKER, the witness replied that the River Don Company have also made great Improvements both above and below Don• caster, and that further improvements are also contemplated, but they had refused to complete some of their engagements. On re-examination by Mr. Hardrean, the witness replied there is now a •eontinuous water communication between Doncaster and Wakefield, by way of Barnsley. The tolls on the road to Sheffield are heavy, and the proposed Lincoln line will give no relief in transit, as It goes too far away. The Committee here adjourned till to-morrow. CADEBEIDGE, AND ST. IVES ?ACTION. • past two 0 a 04 1 . 7.(Earl Grey in the chai r ) resume d t o -d ay, a t half which twk t .. e4 tlie engineer was called to explain the clause the clauses were they 2! crossing high roads at a level. The rest of brought up. ' , through, and th e report was ordered to be DEA/NAGE ow %na va The clauses of the Bill for w 11:M o ut l 11 ON.11 LEVEL. level were next gone through wtth drainage of the Bedford , which was to allow the London and To rt "Ainlents, the chief of part of the tine. The report was ordered to pct h l.4; to pass over a into-morrow. HOUSE OF UP I ComhioNs. GRO The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of themma Comprised in this group; re-vsemblett at the usual hour this morn.. ing, Lord Morpeth in the chair. WEST CORNWALL. sir. ',linnet, the engineer of the line, underwent a lengtiliealnead ;. cross-examination this morning, on behalf of se veral opposing holders, with the view of showing that if time were allowed, aline with more commercial alvantages, and less objectionable in its en gineering features to the present scheme, could easily be obtained. The room was then cleared, and the Committee having remained in consultation for a short time, strangers were re-admitted, when The Caxiamos announced that the C omm ittee had come to tile resolution that the preamble to the Bill of the St. rye's branch Of the Cornwall railway was not proved. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP X\ 11. MANCHESTER AND SOUTHAMPTON, AND mourszY AND REDBRIDGE BRANCH (SOUTH-WESTERN) , (continued From our Afternoon Editi•n of yesterday.) Mr. Robert Stephenson was then called and examined by Mr. OrraNEr —He sa!d he was joint engineer to the line with Mr. Bidder, and that it had been under their joint direction. The country which it traversed, and he was well acquainted with it, was of an impor tant character and much required direct communication. The station at Senthampton was well adapted to meet the wants of the town, and to facilitate exportation and importation. The constmetion 43f the line along a portion of the Southampton water presented no difficulty. The Andover canal was well adap ed for carrying a railway along Its course, so many facilities did it afford, and so e:csy would this portion of the line be of construction, that the line from Southampton to Andover could be opened in twelve months. In addition to this it would not interfere with Private property. It went on from Andover to Waybill and Apple- Shaw, where large cattle and sheep fairs ware held ; passing through Marlborough it proceeded to Swinolon, where it crossed below the Great Western, which could he effected with- ' out interfering with the traffic of that line. A junction was proposed to be formed at this point between the two lines, and If the companies were in unity the public convenience would be greatly , promoted. The passage of the Cottiswold hills involved no engineer ing difficulties of any moment. The local traffic would he con sidered be sufficient to pay, and there could he doubt at all that it would amply rempnerate the shareholders for the outlay which it Would Involve. Cross-examined by Mr. Kitenvo—Calculated that a great portion of the traffic between Cheltenham and Swindon would come on the Palmed line, because it would have better gradients. A separate terminus at Southampton would be required if this line were made. Reline could be connected with the present station without crossing several public streets, and by the adoption of several objectionable carve,. bYr-Forman, collector of the port, and Mr. Goswell, gave evidence leech respect to the eligibility o f the tramways and the general ad- N% of the Was to uM town. Mr. E. JAMES having handed in the assents and dissents, intimated that this closed the case on the part of the promoters. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at twelve o'clock, when the evidence in support of the opposition of the South Western will be commenced. GROUP XXXI. BRISTOL AND DIRAITATGRADI (ASH** CHURCH, TEVTICESBURY, AND MALVERN). (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) The engineering evidence was then gone into, and the Committee adjourned. GROUP MM. WORCESTER AND WEEDON, HAMPTON AND ASHCHITECH, HAMPTON AND BANBURY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Other witnesses were examined to the same effect as the Hon. Baronet ; amongst others, the land agent of the marquis of Hertford, who said that the poor lands through which the lines would pass would be greatly benefited because such was always the effect of railways. Persons of capital were by means of this mode of convey ance made acquainted with the extent to which poor lands were ne glected, and were induced to employ their capital upon them. The Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to•morrew. GROUP XXXVII I. LEEDS, DEVZSDITRY, AND W.TANCHESTER Mr. Acland, chairman. Mr. Grainger, the engineer to the line, was examined at length.consider- The total len g th of the line was s even miles live fur alobk ngs ' . The gradients were of a favourable nature. The estimated cost of the line was 280,000!. The line would be easily constructed, and the traffic would make it a remunerative line to the shareholders. After hearing some further evidence, the Committee adjourned till twelve c'clnek to-morrow. GROUP XXXIX. HUDDERSFIELD AND MANCHESTER corms am DISTRICT). The Committee met at twelve o'clock. Evidence was adduced in support of the Bill, and the case on the part of the promoters having been closed, The Committee adjourned until Monday. GROUP XLI. This committee re-assembled to-day at twelve o'clock. MANCHESTER, BOLTON, AND BURY CA- NAL AND NIA.ILIVAY. The cage for the opponents of this Bill was entered into. Mr. HOPE (on the part of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company) said he trusted that the Committee would not sanction such a Bill as that before them—a Bill which interfered most mate rially with the rights of another company without affording any ade quate advantage to the public. The company he represented had not only expended a large sum in the construction of their works, bat also had paid 41,0001. for a free way, and it was now sought by the promoters of the is esent Bill to cross their line and divert their traffic, and by the establishment of a station at Manchester to reap the advantages of his clients',toil and money. No' case ever came before Parliament involving such an interference with the rights of a putlic Company. Level crossings had been sanctioned in other parts of the country, but never without a necessity far greater than could be shown in the present case to exist, and never on a line crowded with traffic, like the Liverpool and Manchester. On that line there were no less than ninety trains passing daily ; in addition to which, the prices of conveyance were the lowest that had ever been charged. In support of what he had advanced as to the amount of traffic, he would just advert to one item, namely, the pleasure traffic. This was already very consider able, and R as daily increasing in tile ratio of the population, as would be shown by the evidence. Such was the traffic of his clients' line. What was the case with their opponents'. Why, they had wily thirty trains. Was it, then, not preposterous that they should seek to pass through the very centre of the most thriving district in the country, when railway traffic was .laily developing itself, and that at the disadvantage of delay, if not of danger? for there were instances where disasters had re• suited from these very level crossings. From these considerations, 'le trusted that the Committee would not sanction the present Bill on these grounds : first, that his clients had afforded the public great convenience, and in the next place that the line proposed was not only not required, but that it was not even a proper line. . . After hearing some evidence In support of the petitioners agains , l , Le Bill the Committee adjourned. GROUP XLII, LIVERPOOL, ORMSICIR.K, AND PRESTON , (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) A slight discussion of an unimportant nature ensued between the Committee and Counsel, which was put a stop to by the adjourn. ment of the Committee. GROUP XLVII. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the merits of the SWANSEA VA-LE undertaking re-assembled this morning at the usual hour. Evi. dence was again laid before them. They adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP LIII. SHREWSBURY, EXILIVIINGHAM and STOUR VASLEY. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) ➢lr. Alderman Weston, cross-examined by Mr. ROBINSON—His place of business was close by New-street, and so were those of the majority of the people with whom he had conversed on the subject. The report to the town council on the subject of the New-street station did not condemn or even allude to the station proposed to be erected at Snow-hill. Goods and passengers from Wolverhampton entering Birmingham were generally lodged in the neighbourhood of Snow- 11 ill. Mr. HOPE said the question of the station at Birmingham had been very fully discussed between two other companies In another com mittee-room, and he suggested that it would shorten the business in this room if the Committee permitted him to lay that evidence before them. The HoN. CHAIRMAN said that would no doubt be a good plan, but Mr. ROBINSON and Mr. Coascrr having objected, inasmuch as their clients had not had the opportunity of being represented before the other Committee, and the evidence might therefore mislead the Committee, The Hon. CHAIRMAN said that, as the parties did not consent to the reading of the evidence, the counsel were of course prevented from acting in accordance with the suggestion of Mr. Hope. Mr. Stirlam, carrier, of Birmingham, was accordingly called by Mr. RICKARDS, to show the superiority of this company's stations at Birmingham, both for passengers and goods, over those of its rivals. He was cross-examined by Mr. F. ROBINSON, for the purpose of showing that there were extensive works in the neighbourhood of , :now-hill (the site of the rival companies' stations), but he insisted that the station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would give by far the greatest accommodation to the people orßirmingham. . . Re-examined—The greatest number of merchants had their places of business in the Crescent, being in the neighbourhood of the New street station. Mr. John Lord, general merchant, Birmingham, said that in hopes of the erection of this company's station, he had changed his place of business and residence to the neighbourhood of New-street. He con sidered that the merchants and people at large of Birmingham were vitally interested in the erection of this company's station in New street. The banks, the post-office, the town-hall, the news-room, the contemplated exchange, and all their buildings of any note were in the neighbourhood of New-street. Business was continually leaving the neighbourhood of Snow-hill. New-street was, in fact, " the place where merchants most do congregate." Nothing posi tively could be more accommodating than the New-street station. New-street was the centre of Birmingham as regarded business. Cross-examined by Mr. RoaiNsox—Some of the banks were equi distant between the Snow-hill and the New-street stations. Re-examined—The principal banks were In the neighbourhood o New-street. Mr. Lake, of the firm of Bolton, Watt, and Co., engineers, Bir mingham, gave evidence to the same effect, and that he and his co partners had petitioned Parliament in favour of this scheme. Mr. John Evans, miller, Dudston, near Birmingham, said that he was a member of the Town Council of Birmingham, and was present at the meeting recently held on the subject of the stations proposed to be erected by the different schemes in that town. The council almost unanimously passed a resolution in favour of this company's station. Mr. Alderman Matthews proposed a resolution in favour of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, of which he was a director, and the discussion principally turned on the - gauge question. His proposition, however, was rejected, only four voting for it. This scheme would give the people of Birmingham the most direct communication with Shrewsbury. The Earl of Aauicoza and SURREY —Had the Committee of the Town Council, before they presented their report, the sites of the Snow-hill as well as the New-street station under their consideration? I believe so ; at least !ewes their duty to consider both. Cross-examined by Mr. WOOLYC HE -I do not know whether the Mayor of Birmingham is a shareholder in the Stour Valley line. Mr. Baker, assistant engineer to Mr. Stephenson, presented a detail of the estimates, the total cost being 2,200,0001., which would include the cost of the erection of the proposed station at New street. Cress-examined by Mr. WOOLYCHE, with the view of showing that this Company proposed to deal with the roads in the neighbourhood of Birmingham In a way that was not practicable, but he was not very successful. _ _ This closed the promoters' case, and the Committee then adjourned at hail past three o'clock till twelve to-morrow. GROUP LVI The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group, re-assembled at the usual hour this morning, Mr. Ewart in the chair. THAMES ZUNCTION BIZANCHES. The object of this Bill was to make a short brauch from the Eastern Comities Railway to /he East and West India Company's warehouses, which lie between the Thames sod the river Lee. The estimate was pi eyed by Mr. Bidder to be amply sufficient for the works. It was 40,0001. The Committee declared the preamble to be proved. The Committee were occupied the rest of the day in settling and arranging the clauses In this and the other Bills they have had before them and passed in the course of their sittings. GROUP LX. GRAVESEND AND ROCHESTER. SALE TO THE SOUTH-EASTERN COMPANY. The Committee met at one o'clock, In Room No. 2, and after a short hearing, The CHAIRMAN declared that the preamble of the Bill for the sale of the Gravesend and Rochester Railway to the South-Eastern Com pany was proved. The clauses were then disposed of, and The Committee proceeded with the razzium, PORTSMOUTH, AND CHICHES- TEX EXTENSION. Mr. AUSTIN, Q.C., stated that some time since a Bill was obtained for the formation of a line from Brighton to Chichester. The powers for the formation were to be vested in the Brighton Railway Company. Last session a Bill was obtained to form an extension to Portsmouth and Fareham from Chichester. It was thought advis able to vest the powers of the extension in the Brighton and South western Companies. An agreement was entered into between the companies to petition Parliament for leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose of vesting the right of extension in them jointly. The Brighton Company, however, had refused to perform their agreement, and to come forward with the Bill. On the part of the Brighton Company it was urged that the understanding was that the South-Western Company were to have given certain facilities, which they had not done, and therefore the Brighton Com. pany declined to proceed. The Committee, after clearing the room, said that they were of opinion that under the circumstances the Bill should not be pro ceed ed with. The Committee then proceeded with the Zgrzirotne AND BRIGHTON AND CROYDON After format cortSoLIDATION BILL. dation, anaan Proor had b een a d duced of the benefit of the consult- The com m a tei r d an?. given that the fares would not be increased, proved, and pr ocoon Zar t r the preamble of th e Bill t o h ave b een wore all, without exeeptio the eo nsideratien et the clauses, The Committee then adi r e 4 ur a i g ied reed . t° ' which chairman), and the ethezem — m " bt ,, cl ?; Present Mr. GRUUP Lx/ V. This Committee re-aAsembledto.dy T. S. Duncombe ( IRISH GREAT 3.v - zwrznif op , x ,„• TON TO GAZA:VA:Im -astzzarce. MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN OF m ax. (MULL INGAR TO GAliVirgy). 4WD Mr. Fitzstephen French, M.P., chairman of the Irish Great w e em Company, deposed to having presided over a meeting which was on the 29th of May, in accordance with the Sessional Order; and stated that there was only one party who was opposed to the carrying out of the Bill. After some further evidence, Mr. Coca/was% Q.C., addressed the Committee on behalf of some of the shareholders of the Great Southern and Western Railway (Ireland). Mr. Sergeant WRASGHAM contended that the statement of the merits of the line in the preamble was not sho wn by the evidence. A discussion ensued, after which the Committee adjourned. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met this afternoon at two o'clock, pursuant to adjournment, in Room No I, (House of Lords.) Lord Shaftesbury took the Chair, and there were present—the Marquis of Winchester and Lord Kinnaird. They had on their list six Bills, besides two on second reference. Thu only one called on was the MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND MIDLAND JUNCTI I N, The further consideration of which was postponed till to-morrow. Their Lordships then resolved themselves into a Select Committee on Merits, in order to proceed with a list of thirty-two Bills, of which all but nine were Railway Bills. THAMES HAVEN DOCK AND RAILWAY. This case was part heard, and postponed till Monday. DUNDEE AND ARBROATH (EXTENSION). This Bill was passed. DUNDEE AND PERTH AMENDMENT. The preamble of this Bill was declared proved. EASTERN UNION (ARDLEIGH TO COLCHESTER). Preamble proved. MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGPIAM. The same decision was made in this case. GREAT NORTH OF SCOTLAND (EASTERN EXTENSION). ThuOtors of tai Bill /MO equalki tuccogful. SMOKE PROHIBI7.ION. There has just been issued, by order of the House of Lords, a copy of the repert, addressed to Viscount Canning, &c., &c., by Sir Henry Thomas De la Becho and Dr. Lyon Playfair, upon " the means of obviating the evils arising from the smoke occasioned by factories and other works situated in large towns." The instructions from the Earl of Lincoln contain the following, among other directions:— —1, Whitehall-place, August 27, 1845. Sir,—l have to request that, in conjunction with Dr. Play fair, you will inquire into the means at present adopted for the prevention of smoke in various parts of the kingdom, with the view of ascertaining how far those means are generally applicable to large towns and populous districts. For this y urpose you will direct your attention particularly to the towns of Leeds, Man chester, Bradford, Derby, and other towns already pos sessing Local Acts for the prevention of smoke. IF in any of these towns you find the Acts inoperative, you will ascertain the causes which have made them so ; and in others you will inquire as to the manner in which they have been carried into execution. You will be so good as to direct your especial at• tention to ironworks, distilleries, potteries, sugar re fineries, and other works, which, in the last session, claimed exemption from the Bill then before Parlia ment, and to ascertain whether these claims are well f >unded. In doing; so you will have to visit, Newcastle, Swansea, nerthyr, Stoke, and other places, where ob • jections have been chiefly made to the extension of the provisions contained in the local Acts referred to. I am, &e., LINCOLN. (Signed) Sir Henry T, De la Beche, &C., TO THE RIGHT HON. VISCOUNT CANNING, &C. Museum of Economic Geology, March 30, 1846. My Lord,—We have the honour to state, that in con formity with the instructions contained in the letter of the Earl of Lincoln, dated the 27;h of August, 1845, we have devoted our attention to the means of obviating the evils arising from the smoke occasioned by factories and other works situated in large towns, as therein directed, and that we have visited certain of these towns for the purpose of correctly ascertaining on the spot various facts connected with the subject. In all the towns referred to complaints were made of the absence of power to inflict a small fine upon the stok“. for carelessness in managing any smoke con suming apparatus, or even in stoking ordinary fires. Upon this point the opinion is universally expressed, that all Acts will be inoperative unless the stoker also, as well as the master, be made an interested party in seeing to the doe execution of tho ,Act. The practical manner in which the Acts have been followed out is to proceed gradually, selecting several of the most smoky manufactories, in the first insiance, and giving them the proper notice to mitigate the nuisance within a fixed time. The smoke inspector, after this prescribed time, proceeds to examine the chimney at stated periods. In the execution of this duty various methods are em ployed; perhaps that used in Manchester is the most practical, and it has without difficulty been accepted as evidence before the magistrates. It consists in shading on a form the number of minutes during every hour that a chimney continues to emit smoke. Better modes of collecting evidence might easily be suggested under a general Act. The general results of our inquiries as to the execu tion of the smoke clauses in the local Acts is, that they have proved unsuccessful. 1. From legal difficulties in procuring a conviction under the present ambiguous wording of the smoke clauses. 2. From inefficient supervision, and want of corn pulsory powers to make the execution of the Act im , perative. 3. From the want of adjustment in the amount of pe nalties, which in some cases are so small as to be prac tically useless ; and in others so large, and accompanied with so much expense in obtaining the conviction, as also to be inefficient. Lord Lincoln's letter does not authorise us to make any recommendation as to legislative enactments ; but it may be proper to mention that in every lo cality statements were made to us that the only mode of obtaining an abatement of the nuisance was by summary conviction before a magistrate, the penalty bei ng exacte d once f or an y p ar t o f a day during which a chimney continues to smoke. At the same time it must be observed, that when we consider the magnitude of the interests affected, the expn...e at tending alterations, whoa the cause of the evil is con nected with deficient boiler room or inefficiency of draught, it is necessary that there should be provision made to insure the parties against undue application of powers generally intrusted. Your Lordship will doubt less consider whether, in such instances, it would be ad-' visable to cause the expensive process of an appeal to a higher Court to be the only means of redressing such grievance, or whether the same principle might not be applied as that contained in the Health of Towns Bill, to enable the Government, on application to that effect, to institute inquiry by a properly qualified officer, as to whether the convicted parties had fairly tried the ordi nary means for abating the nuisance, and whether further time should not be granted for continued experi ments. It cannot for a moment be questioned that the con tinued emission of smoke is an unnecessary consequence of the combustion of fuel, and that as an abstract state ment, it can be dispensed with. But your Lordship will perceive that there are grave difficulties connected with a general law to the effect that it shall be unlawful for chimneys, after a certain date, to emit smoke. With regard to steam engines, the processes fur the prevention of smoke have been matured, and in very many instances successfully employed. In this case, therefore, a law to that effect could be most easily and promptly carried out. In other cases mentioned in Lord Lincoln's letter, such as distilleries, dye-works, &c., the Legislature has already granted powers in the Manchester Local Act ; and as there are certain instances in which processes for the prevention of smoke have with them proved successful, it may be anticipated that the nuisance arising from these sources may be much abated, if they be subjected to the general law with that forbearance and caution which, under certain cases, is so advisable. There are certain processes in glass-works, iron -furnaces, and potteries, in which it is neither pos sible nor de..irable to apply a general law for the pre vention of smoke ; although the nuisance may be par tially mitigated by causing the steam-engines employed in them to be so constructed as not to emit smoke. The emission of that which is improperly termed smoke from certain manufactories, such as the copper works of Swansea, is another question, and involves very different consideration from the prevention of smoke from fuel. It is useless to expect, in the present state of our knowledge, that any law can be practically applied to the fire-places of common houses, which in a large town like London contribute very materially to the pollution of the atmosphere; but it inay confidently be expected, that by a wise administration of a legislative enactment, carefully framed, a great progressive diminution of the smoke of large manufacturing towns will be effected, and that the most happy results will thus flow from this improvement, in the increased health and moral feeling of their population, the intimate connexion of which with facilities for cleanliness has been so often pointed out. In submitting to your Lordship the foregoing state ment, we are desirous of observing, that, though we have endeavoured to execute the task with which we have been charged to the best of our abilities, yet that pos sibly our opinon may not be considered so conclusive as might be desired. Should this be the case, we are anxious again to call the attention of your Lordship to the very great difficulty of the subject, a difficulty felt by all who have carefully approached it, and one which we have found increase and not diminish during our inquiries. Such as the statement is, we trust that it may be accepted as the results of our best efforts to meet a very complicated subject ; one requiring very careful legislative enactments, should it be deemed ad visable to provide for it in that manner. We have, &c. (Signed) IT. T. De LA BECHE. LYON PLAYFAIR. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 19, 1846. ALFORD VALLEY. EXTENSION). Preamble proved. D ( LEEDS EXTENSION). YORK R p ai K re l a D AN m L b AN l D e o l) N f O t ( h ß E i a:BRE! REWASH a p S s ll L al A V st LL E proved. Y The promoters of this Bill also succeeded in proving their preamble. BIRKENHEAD, LANCASHIRE, AND CHESHIRE JUNCTION. This Bill was also passed. NORTH-WESTERN. GREAT T GRIMSBY he o m tteede c l A a N r the si preamble FFl E proved. FERRIES). D JUNCTION (HUMBER A similar decision was made in this case. WILSONTOWN, MORNINGSID E, AND COLTNESS (BITHGATE BRANCH). WILSONTOWN, MORNINGSIDE, AND COLTNESS (CALEDONIAN BRANCH). WILSONTOWN, MORNINGSIDE, AND COLTNESS (IMPROVE MENT AND BRANCHES). These three branches of the Wilsontown, Momingside, and Colt ness, and also the Slamannan (Bathgate, and Jawcraig Branches) were called on, but the promoters not being prepared to proceed, they stood over till Tuesday next. EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN (NEWPORT RAILWAY AND DREW' S BRANCH). EDINBURGH AND NORTHER (PETTYCUR BRANCH AND DYSART DEVIATION). These two branches of the Edinburgh and Northern Railway were both passed. ARBROATH AND FORFAR AMENDMENT. This case was adjourned till Tuesday. CHARD CANAL RAILWAY. The preamble of this Bill was also proved. In ea,h of the above cases clauses were inserted in accordance with the resolution an nounced by the Committee on Saturday, as to placing lodges at level crossings on public roads. Five out of the nine Bills for local purposes above mentioned. were passed, the remaining four stand over. They were principally estate and improvement Bills. Their Lordships then resumed the form of a Standing Orders Corn • mittee, and proceeded with the consideration of the Bills remaining on the standing orders list. DEESIDE. The promoters of this laconically imitaled Bill had complied with the standing orders. MANCHESTER, BUXTON, MATLOCK, AND MIDLAND JUNCTION. This Bill, which in the length of its title 'presents a remarkable Contrast to the last, also passed through the Committee. BRISTOL AND EXETER (CREWKERNE BRANCH). The promoters of this Bill also proved compliance with their Lordships' standing orders. EAST OF FIFE. Adjourned till to-morrow. The same is the case with the KILMARNOCK AND TROON. The two remaining Bills had come before their Lordships on second reference. They were the SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE EXTENSION, the promoters of which were declared to have compiled with the standing orders ; and the GALWAY AND KILKENNY, the further consideration of which was adjourned till Tuesday. Their Lordships then rose at half-past Four, and adjourned till to-morrow at twelve. LAW INTELLIGENCE. SHERIFFS' COURT, June 18. (Before Mr. Under-Sheriff BURCHELL.) WEBB V. CRO. SELLING OF PUTRID MEAT FOR NEW-GATE-MARKET. The plaintiff' in this action is a butcher in Newgate-market, and the defendant is a horse slaughterer at Camden Town. The action was brought to recover the sum of 8/., for money had and received by defendant, under the following circum stances : The principal witnesses were George Benton, assistant to plaintiff, who proved that in April last plaintiff bargained with defendant for the carcase of a cow, which was said to be in the Ram Inn yard, Smithfield. Defendant said it was fresh, fat, and bright, like one he pointed out, and said it had been killed that morning by his son. Plaintiff said that if so he would give 81. for it. The money was paid, but when the cow was seen it was found to be unfit even for cats' meat. Thomas Fairey, a slaughterman in the Ram Inn yard, proved that defendant took the cow early in the morning, but after it was dressed witness found it so bad that he cut it in two and set it aside, as it was not fit for human food. Witness told defendant it was not fit to go to market, and he would not send it, or have anything to do with it. Defendant stood by whilst it was dressed. Defendant afterwards said he bad sold it to plaintiff for 8/. Witness would not have delivered it in the market, as he would have been: liable to an action. Witness recommended defendant to return the money, and take the cow away. Defendant said he would not ; he had got the money, and he would " stick" to it. He had known him sell other cows. Witness had never bought any himself. He sent for a policeman to see the meat, but he would not take the defendant into custody, and the meat was con demned. Wm. Graftob, one of defendant's men, gave the strongest evidence as to the bad state of the meat ; it was carried to the Ram on the knacker's cart. Defendant said he could make a better job of it than cutting it up into dogs' meat and he should try to get 91. or 101. for it. Defendant bought it of a person in Kentish-town for 275. 6d. It had died a natural death. Other evidence was adduced to the same effect. For the defence it was contended that in law no bargain could be set aside where there was any consideration, and if a person made a bad bargain he must put up with the loss. It was contended that, however bad a "knackerman" might be to sell an old diseased cow for human food, the butcher must be worse; and the jury ought not to assist him by giving a verdict. Witnesses were called to prove that defendant ga‘ve 61. 15s. for the cow, and that it had not died a natural death, but had been killed because it was very " weak on its legs" and " giddy." Mr. Cooper, a veterinary surgeon, deposed that the cow was not diseased in the flesh, b u t had what is called the cold phellaim, which only affected the spine. Robert Hale, a slaughterman, said that the animal had been offered to him, but when he began to cut it he found it was a " stinker ;" it was a dead one, and must have been dead some days. Mr. THOMAS, for the plaintiff, in reply, said that the abuse of his client was unmerited, as he had been grossly imposed on, and the cow spoken of by Mr. Cooper could not be the one offered to be sold to Hale and the plaintiff. The IT 14DER•SHILIUFF summed up, and said that if the jury were of opinion that both parties were culpable—that was, if they thought the plaintiff had any notion that he was making a purchase of what was not exactly good, the de fendant would be entitled to the consideration. It would be seen that plaintiff had dealt with the defendant, knowing him to be a knackerman, and if he was only deceived as to the extent to which the meat had become bad, but thought it would just do, that would not entitle him to a verdict; but if, on the contrary, the plaintiff had been wholly deceived, and had not had what he had bargained for, then there was a failure of con sideration. The jury retired, and on their return gave a verdict for the defendant, but expressed their opinion that the case was dis graceful, particularly on the part of the defendant. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT. (Before Baron ROLFE and Alderman MUSGROVE.) John Graham was placed at the bar, indicted for feloniously killing and slating Thos. Blewitt, in the month of May last, in Drury-lane. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) After several witnesses were called to speak to the prisoner's character, Baron ROLFE went through the evidence, and addressed the jury at some length on the distinctions which hold between murder, manslaughter, and accident. The jury retired to consider their verdict at ten minutes past twelve o'clock, and had not returned their verdict at five o'clock, some five of them having by that time cautioned their wives by letter not to look for them before to-morrow morning. Baron ROLFE, however, sent for them at six minutes after five o'clock, when the Court was about to rise, and said that he was afraid that the manner of his putting the case to them had perplexed them. There was what he would call mere culpable negligence, and that involved manslaughter. There was a more bold bravado rashness, which was, however, still only manslaughter, though of a deeper shade. But there was a venial negligence, against which ordinary foresight could not guard ; if it was that, the jury would acqqa the prisoner. The jury then consulted fora few minutes, without retiring, and returned a verdict of Not guilty. The prisoner was then ordered to be discharged. THE SWINDLER ‘• J. H. WYND- HAM." WlNDsort, WEDNESDAY.—It has just been ascertained, from a letter which Mr. Dotesio, of the Royal Hotel, Slough, has received from Inverness, and, by compar ing the writing of a dishonoured cheque inclosed, with the cheques drawn by " J. H. Wyndham," at Windsor and Slough, that the same party was at Inverness in October last, and also about the same time at Edin burgh and Glasgow, where he successfully victimised several hotel-keepers north o' the Tweed, under the name of " Jamieson Williams." The following is a copy of the letter, and its inclosure, forwarded to Mr. Dotesio:— " Caledonian Hotel, Inverness, June 13, 1846. " Sir,—l have seen in the newspapers an account of a swindle' practised on you. In October last, a person answering the decription given of your customer came to the Union Hotel here, which I also keep, and lived in it about eight days. I was foolish enough to take a cheque in payment of his bill, and give him the difference; which cheque proved to be utterly worthless, and I soon discovered that he did' for several other hotel-keepers in Edinburgh and Glasgow, in the same way. Scotland having become rather hot for him, I should not be surprised if he is the person who has lately favoured you with his patronage. As it may be of consequence to prove a number of cases against him, in the event of his being taken, I enclose the cheque to which I refer, that the handwriting may be compared, and will be obliged by your returning it when you have done so. If it turns out that he is the same person, I can furnish the names of other parties whom he has swindled. " I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) " JOHN GRANT. The cheque referred to in the above letter, which is not drawn upon a printed form, is clearly in the hand writing (without any apparent attempt at disguise) of the same party who committed the frauds upon the re spectable tradesmen in this vicinity. It is to the fol lowing effect:— " Yarmouth Bank, London, Oct. 21, 1845. " Messrs. Glyn, Halifax, and Co., Bankers, London. "Pay Mr. Grant, or bearer, the sum of ten pounds. " 101. ." JAMIESON WILLIAMS." Upon it being presented by Messrs. Barclay and Co., to Messrs. Glyn and Co., it was returned to Inverness unpaid, the drawer being wholly unknown to the London tesion writer' satafetgewi,d bankers. A. letter, signed by " Mr. Wyndham," posted in London, and dated June 3, was received by Mr. afterDo li r. h ro e o le t f e t sio slo w u o g u h l , d in which a dt g ah a ya i st n s t i f - proceedin ta i any the him, he would return part o f the money he had received on accoun t of th e di s h onoured cheque of 101. ; and requesting t hat an answer e might be returned thr oug h the medium of rtiaemtut in the Times newspaper. Mr. D.Jtesio, wh o , it in served. had no faith i n t h e promise of a man Zhoeroebn-- dered himself liable (if caught) to be severely punished, and who has expressed his determination to enter into no sort of compromise with the swindler, but to let the law take its full coost urse, anoth took no notice of the l e t ter . B y last Monday's per letter was received, bearing post mark, of whi c h the Liverpool the following is a copy '— in " Liverp oo l, J une 12 " I have writte n you, to which you h ave g • reply. I now offer to pay you in full f or the aillvo from you. gi v en no your account on your l ettin g me hear (Signed) "J. H. WYNDHAM." Messrs. Neville, Reid, and Co., the Windsor b an k ers, have given Mr. Yarrow, tailor, of Eton, credit f or t h e cheque he received from Mr. Wyndham fora " wedding suit" on the day of his departure from Slough for Lon don by the Great Western Railway. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Queen yesterday, at Buckingham Palace. CHURCHES. The following is an outline of the Bill to provide for the erection and repair of churches in consolidated ecclesiastical districts (just introduced into the House of Commons by Mr. R. Hodgson and Mr. H. Elphinstone). The preamble recites the several Acts for building addi tional churches, from 53 Geo. 111., c. 45, to 8 and 9 Vic. c. 70; and then the Bill proceeds to enact, " That it is expedient to provide for the erection and repair of churches and chapels in consolidated ecclesiastical dis tricts; and that consolidated ecclesiastical districts be considered distinet parishes. Churchwardens and other officers are to be appointed for new parishes. Clause 3 relates to the rate for building new churches.—That it shall be lawful for the rate-payers in any such new separate parish (provided always, that the consent in writing of the ordinary shall be first duly obtained) to make a rate for the building of a new church, or for the repairing or for the enlarging any church orchapel now existing, for the use of the inhabi tants of such new separate parish: provided always, that no such rate shall be valid unless rate-payers occu pying at the least three-fourths of the property rated to the relief of the poor in such new separate parish concur in the making such rate; and no such rate shall be valid unless due notice be given of the intention to ,e eeke; rs . may emrtvdpenaaiedre:kno unlessl igenvbnui consent aetnc provided rate for such purpose, by an advertisement published during three successive weeks, in some one newspaper published in the county or counties wherein such parish is situated, signed by the churchwardens, overseers, and ten rate-payers, or where there shall be fewer than ten rate-payers, by rate-payers to the amount of one-fourth of the rates levied for the relief o(the poor. Clause 4 declares that churchwardens may raise money for building new churches by mortgage — provided always, that it shall be covenanted that not less than one-tenil of the sum so borrowed shall he annually paid off, in addition to the interest agreed to be paid for such sum. Clause s . —Providing Sites for New Churches.—That it shall be lawful to erect any such new church or chapel on any glebe land in any part of such new separate parish ; and it shall be lawful to take any quantity of aatt t t s hhhwulnweeecdoordinaryhagorty.ordinary sedrs ga bis c s l nst d ahun f o s ce uf d o fh ( e) ut r t taken gshhelee h bco te ael the churchyard,i elesf a o ubk s n r ce h i dhntal purposeburialsite afnurl separatedo f l thereafteret givet o p s r hu s f ba e b e erw h i e shtth v h dfn ao ' nteeeuhrasfbeel church-yardosara e hsiyrt no, land, thereby in writing. o f Clause churches s m provid esay in certainthat funds s nowcases be applicable app l iapplied fo rto the repairs pur poses of this Act. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-office, and also for th o G overnors of the other Nort h A merica n proTincso, for the G overnor -General of Canada, IMPERIAL PARL LAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, June 18. Their Lordships met to-day at a quarter to Five o'clock. ROYAL ASSENT. The royal assent was given to-day, shortly before five o'clock, to the following Bills: —Viscount Hardinge's Annuity Bill (No. 2). [This Bill enables the East India Company to grant to Viscount Hardinge a pension of 5,0001. a year independent of the income which he enjoys as Governor-General of India] —the Railway Deposits Bill—the Print Works' Bill—the City of London Coal Market and Improvement Bill —the Clyde Dock and Harbour Bill—the Sligo Harbour Improvement Bill—the Weston-super-Mare Pier Bill—the Southampton Port and Harbour Bill— the Plymouth, Devonport, and Stonehouse Cemetery Bill—the Birkenhead Improvement Commissioners' Bill —the Leicester Improvements Bill—the Southport Im provement Bill—the Helensburgh Extension and Police Bill—the Airdrie Police Bill—the Gravesend and Milton Waterworks Bill—the Bur) Waterworks Bill—the Bolton Waterworks Bill—the Liverpool and Harrington Waterworks Bill—the Sunderland Waterworks Bill—the Sunderland Gas Bill—the Ro therham Gas Bill—the Dundee New Gas Bill—the Biiston Gas, &c., Bill—the Harrogate Gas Bill—the Glasgow Union Arcade Bill—the Sid nouth Market Bill—the Carehalton Rates Bill—the Royal Asylum of the St. Anne's Society's Bill—the Electric Telegraph Bill—the Caledonian Insurance Company's Bill—the Greenlaw Roads Bill—the Westruther Road Bill—Mourilyan (or Solly's) Estate Bill—the Earl of Charleville (Blesinton's Estate) Bill— Sir George Dunbar's Estate Bill—the Marquis of Done gai's Estate Bill—Gollon Inclosure Bill—and the following Railway Bills : —Midland Railway (Syston to Peterborough)—Maldon, Witham, and Braintree— Eastern Union and Hadleigh Junction—London and Brighton (East Grinstead Branch)—South-Eastern (Rye to Rye Harbour)—South-Eastern (Ashford StationEelargement)—Edinburgh,Leith, and Granton— Newcastle and Darlington Junction (Thirsk and Mahon Branches)—York and North Midland ( Whitby and Picker ing Extension)— Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ary (Amendment and Branches—Nos. 1, 2, 3)—Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings (Eastbourne and Hailsham)— South-Eastern (Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, and Rye)— York and North Midland (East Riding Branches, No. I)—York and North Midland (East Riding Branches, No. 2)—Rugby and Stamford—Brighton and Chichester (Bognor and Littleampton Branches) — Brighton and Chichester (Steyning Branch)—Edin burgh and Glasgow (Amendment and Branches). CHURCH DISCIPLINE BILL. _ _ The Bishop of LONDON moved the first reading of this Bill. It was an act for amending the laws relative to the correction of clerks, and he was enabled to say that it had undergone a careful examination, and had obtained the approbation of all his Right Rev. Brethren on the Bench.—The Bill was then read a first time. MESSAGE FROU THE COMMONS. Messengers from the House of Commons brought up several Bills, which were ordered to lie on the table. Lord CLANBR AS TILL, as Chairman of the Glasgow and Ardrossan Railway, presented a petition from the Committee, praying leave not to set again until Mon . day next. He would also take that opportunity of stating that the petition which he intended to present, with reference to the conduct of the Archbishop of Dub lin in removing a certain clergyman from his parish, he would postpone until Tuesday next, as he thought that it would only be proper to write to his Lordship on the subject. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. Lord MONTEAGLE presented a petition from some shareholders of the Manchester and Sheffield Junction Railway, complaining of the conduct of the directors, who held a meeting under the sesional orders, which was at tended by the petitioners, who objected to the line in consequence of the amount of capital whkh it was pro posed to raise: The petitioners obtained from the di rectors a promise that the capital should be diminished. SUNDAY TRADING. Lord MONTEAGLE presented a petition from the parochial authorities of the parish of St. Luke, Middle sex, against Sunday trading. The Bishop of LONDON wished to say a few words respcting the great good that had resulted from the operation of restrictive clauses in police Bills repecting the sale of spirituous liquors at particular periods during Sunday. In Liverpool and London the benefits had been very great. In St. Giles's, since the clause of the Bill came into operation, respectable females that could not before walk to the parish church on a Sunday, now could do so without interruption. The be neficial effects of the clause in Liverpool had been such, that some time after the Bill was passed a gentleman in that town, who had been opposed to the clause, called on him, and admitted his views were changed, and that the clause had been productive of great good. Thousands had been benefited in London and Liverpool, and be hoped, therefore, that the Noble Lord would receive that encouragement in his intended measure to which he was so well entitled. Lord WHARNCLIFFE presented a petition from the parish of St John's, against Sunday trading. It was signed by the clergy, churchwardens, and parish officers, who prayed that some stop should be put to the pro ceedings complained of. The Bishop of LONDON supported the prayer of the petition, and said that if all the tradesmen's shops were closed on Sunday, and the police empowered to give effect to such an arrangement, the workmen would compel their masters to pay them on Friday night. TES Ts BILL. The Earl of HADDING TON presented a petition from the Synod of Scotland, stating that they heard with great regret that it was proposed to abolish the Test Act, and calling their Lordships' most serious attention to the subject.. The House then adjourned at five minutes past Six o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 18. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY. The Lords' amendments on this Bill were read and agreed to. SHEFFIELD, _ ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY. Mr. WARD moved, on the consideration of the report on the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester Railway (Barnsley Branch) Bill, that the Bill be re committed to the former Committee : that the Commit tee have leave to sit and proceed on Monday, at twelve o'clock. The promoters of the Bill felt they had been hardly dealt with, as they had not been permitted to proceed with evidence before the Committee. - Mr. E. ELLICE, jun., thought if the House was to decide on re-committing Bills after they had already been disposed of in Committee, Hon. Gentlemen who served on those Committees had better at once refuse to attend. It would be useless to legislate at all it the re gular business of the House was to be interrupted by the suggesticns of interested parties,andasystem of canvass permitted which was highly discreditable to the House. It was but two nights ago that a similar motion was male, and HO3. Members vtere actually dragged from the streets to vote in the house. Upon these grounds, he should most decidedly oppose the re-committal of the Bill, as it would be impugning the decision of the Com mittee. An HON. MEMBER observed that the case had been fully investigated by the Committee, and he saw no reason that would justify the interference of the House. Lord SEYMOUR wished to state that, as chairman of the Committee, he felt satisfied that the merits of the Bill had been fairly decided on ; and he certainly thought there was no occasion whatever for the motion of the Hon. Gentleman for the re-committal of the Bill. It was cruel to refer back the Bill to the Com mittee in the present hot weather, without the slightest prospect of the Committee coining at any other opinion than that to which they had already agreed. Lord G. SOMERSET opposed the motion. Mr. SPOONER and M. CAVENDISII supported the motion. Mr. G. LEGH said that material injury would be done to his constituents by the decision which had been come to. Evidence which ought to have been received by the Committee had not been received, and under all the circumstances he thought the House would act per fectly right in re-committing the Bill. Mr. ESTCOURT saw no reason whatever for re ferring back the Bill. The Committee had come to their decision after a most careful examination of the evidence brought before them, and he would therefore support them and vote against the re-committal. Mr. HUME said the Hon. Gentleman had stated that his constituents were disappointed ; but it would seem, from the statement of the Committee, the whole matters brought before them were fully considered. Were they to content to the course now proposed, they might as well give up Committees altogether, and toss up which companies should have their Bills allowed. Mr. F. FRENCH affirmed, as a member of the Com mittee, that they had fdrly and fully investigated the claims of the Bills before them, and come to the decision objected to after the most careful deliberation. Mr. ENT WISLE said a few words in support of the decision of the Committee. Mr. AGLIONBY thought the House ought to sup port, in the main, the decisions of their Committees ; but, he did not say that in all cases the House was bound to confirm them. He was afraid the House was too apt to release itself of all trouble of inquiry by leaving such matters entirely in the hands of the Committees. There were many cases in which the House was bound to interfere with the decisions, and the question before them was, whether the present decision was of such a character. Was there sufficient reason for interfering ? He considered that, on these grounds, they ought to refer back the case to the Committee, not because they had come to a dishonest opinion, but because they might be mistaken, as the judge, often were, 'and then there was a new trial always granted. Mr. GREENE objected to the course proposed. It would he a very inconvenient thi ng if every which the promoters thought favourably should th of er b e e fore re ferred back to the Committee, and he if the House came to a division, vote atainosutetptieonmoctaiornne. Lord MORPETH said, that i t f or t t e h e question a division he would "e of the Bill, first bocau,ehte dan next bause they elieved the decision of the Committee to be wrong , cut short a great deal of ev idence tenderedtothem had . fir. PARKR E considcredthatthe the eviden ce tendered to them , a n d Committee acted injudiciously in cutting short be would therefor e vote for the re -committal of the Bi ll. 5 ioro than one-half of the in habitants of Lancashire were in favour of such a pro. ceeding, and there was a very strong impression on the minds of the promoters of the Bill, that they had an irresistible case. IZ():11 THE TIOUSE OF LORDS The Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the table, and summoned the Speaker and the House to attend the louse of Lords, The Speaker then left the House, attended by several Members. The SPEAKER informed the House that he had been to the House of Lords to hear the royal assent given to several Bills, for which see Lords' report. SHEFFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY. The debate on the Sheffield and Manchester Railway Bill was then resumed. Mr. PARKER, in continuation, remarked that ha could only attribute the loss of the Bill to the multiplicity and complicated nature of the measure with which it was grouped. By means of this decision of the Committee the people of Manchester and Sheffield would be cut off from all communication with that district, which in a great measures supplied them with coals. And he came to this conclusion, that the members of the Committee who voted for the rejection of the Bill had not had sufficient local information to qualify them to sit on the Committee. And really such a defeat as that was a very serious charge against the Committee of the House. He be lieved the Noble Lord opposite was perfectly right in his decision, and that the conclusion to which this same group had eetne, with respect to another Bill (the South York shire Bill), which was before the House the ether day, was a. most erroneous decision, and in that case, too, the members of the Committee were totally devoid of local information. The decision in the case of this Bill was not unanimous ; and he had a right to say that as long as two of the fire were in favour of the Bill, and those who voted against it were not acquainted ith the varied wants of this populous district, the Bill should be recommitted for a full consideration by such Members as were acquainted with Yorkshire and Lancashire. He would repeat that the Committee had not had sufficient information laid before them ; and such facts as these, he thought, ought to justify the House in departing, in this instance, from its usual course. He believe d that if this decision of the House was confirmed, the important town of Barnsley would he cut off from the other towns to which its produce would otherwise be transmitted, and that 10,000 people would be entirely cut off from all connexion with the west. He was bound to say that he believed that if the decision in this case were sanctioned the !louse would coma to a more er roneous conclusion than it ever had since it first sat. Mr. R. YORKE said he was most desirous to put an end to the very indecent scenes with which the House had been afflicted during the last week. It had been his misfortune, with every other thing, to hear a second speech from the Honourable Gentleman, the Member for Sheffield, on these subjects. That Honourable Gentleman insisted that in these matters the Members should be locally interested, or have local knowledge, in order that they might come to a proper conclusion with regard to these Bills. Now really it was vain at this time of day to talk upon such a subject. For many years the House had tried that system, and it was a manifest failure. He admitted that in some instances, where Members had not local knowledge of the districts brought under their consideration, they had come to unjust decisions ; but he believed that every one must admit that the business of the Committees during the last two years had been conducted in the most just and im partial manner ; their decisions had given manifest sa tisfaction. This Bill was no new Bill before he House. It had already occupied its, attention the last three years, and on each occasion the House decided that it ought not to pass. After giving the subject a fair and full consideration, he telt bound to say that he must concur with the decision of the Committee. After a few words from Mr. S. WORTLEY, Mr. PROTHEROE said that, in his opinion, the Committee on Private Bills, a few months ago, were prolonged somewhat unnecessarily, and that had given rise, as he was inclined to think, to a disposition to cut short the proceedings.—(Hear.) He had sat on one of the longest Committees this session, and during its sitting he had heard many Members ex• press great surprise that they were still going on. He had been asked why they did not shorten the proceedings, by Members who said that they had given the counsel due notice that they would cut them short in their proceedings. All this had given him reason to suspect that according to the present constitution of Committees just decisions could not be obtained. On the present occasion he suspected that there had been a little hastiness on the part of the Members of the Committee, and certainly some mis understanding on the subject before the House. Be was, however, disposed to support the decision of the Committee, as the decision of the Committee to which he belonged had been kindly supported by the House the other night. Mr. HINDLEY said that the effect of this Bill would be to reduce the price of coal Is. 6d. per ton less than it cost as now brought from Barnsley. If there was a company ready to form a branch which would produce such an effect, he did not see why it should not receive the sanction of the House. He was told that the Committee to whom the Bill had been referred had carefully examined into the evidence adduced in support of it, and he had every desire to bow to their decision, but he was at a loss to know the grounds on which they rejected it. Not one single reason had been given by any of the members of the Committee to show why the Bill had not been passed. He considered they ought to give some reason why the coals of Barnsley should not be conveyed at a cheap rate to Ashton-under-Lyne and other districts. He was fully satisfied, if the facts were in quired into, that the House would reverse the decision of the Committee. Sir G. GREY would not support the motion, as he could see no valid reason why the Bill should be remitted to the Committee for reconsideration, because if they had listened to all the evidence that had been adduced before them, there could be little doubt that they would arrive at a similar decision and reject the Bill. With respect to the ignorance of Committees in reference to the localities through which lines were projected, he ought to state that the practice of examin ing the Members representing such localities had become very prevalent in the present session. Mr. WARD drew the attention of the House to the 118th standing order, which set forth that the report on every private Bill should be laid on the table of the House, and to the 123 d order, which was passed in order to afford an opportunity of discus• sing such reports every Tuesday and Thurs day. They ought not to sail under false co minors. Now, if this order was to be rendered nugatory, by preventing discussion, it ought to be rescinded, for now the Pope was dead Committees of the House might be infallible—(Laughter)—as they might act on the principle that no Committee in this hot weather ought to sit a second time. But in this case he considered the House would do great injustice if they did not refer the Bill back to the Committee. Mr. LABOUCHERE wanted to know what was the benefit to be derived by sending Bills to the Committee, where the parties were put to enormous expenses in prosecuting the Bill, if the reports of these Committees were to be disreearded? He thought they would have every disappointed railway compel:) , coming before the House, praying it to reverse the deeision, if such a course was persisted in. He should, therefore, vote on the present occasion as he always had done, and always would 00, unless some special circumstance were brought forward against the motion. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the re-committal 54 Against it Majority —44 FRILFORD (BERMS) INCLOSURE BILL. This Bill was read a third time, and passed. WAKEFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE RAILWAY. Tho Bill for making the Aethley, Askern, and Oakenham branches of the Wak-field, Pontefract, and Goole Railway, was read a third time, and passed. On the motion of Sir C. DOUGLAS, the Lords' amend ments to the Stafford New Gas Bill were agreed to. Dir. DUNCONIBE said that no case whatever had been made out for such haste. His opinion was that none of the Bills should pass at all; at any rate let them go be fore another Committee next year. He objected to the Bill altogether, and the proceedings before the Com mittee, and he hoped the motion would be withdrawn. Mr. PROTHEROE was willing to withdraw the motion. The motion was accordingly withdrawn. Several Bills were brought down from the Lords, the titles of which were inaudible. BROAD AND NARROW GAUGE. On the order of the day being read, Mr. HUME rose to present a petition from the Cor poration of Glasgow praying for a uniform gauge throughout the country. RAILWAY GAUGE. On the motion for resuming the adjourned debate on he Broad and Narrow Gauge question, Mr. EVELYN DENISON said that he wished to urge a few arguments against the resolutions in their present shape. So much had been said in that House with regard to personal interest and partiality that he hoped he might be allowed to say that he had no con nexion with either of the great parties who were con tending for this point. He had no concern with any railway speculation of any sort or kind ; and as to par tiality, when the broad gauge was last year before the House he gave his vote in favour of the extension in the broad gauge from Oxford to Rugby and WolverhamPtaonr; He was quite ready to admit, and no man could have The doubt on the point, that the luxurious coavetmeens.ce speed of the broad gauge had many advan e g Gauge Commissioners, and that repo,r case was now altered. They had had thheard abpeoer and it must be the consideration of the Board of Trade. n t o n f nd th e e r mitted by the Commis e - narrow gauge had now beennf Trade, conceded that the preference andpredomma besides the gene ra l nc9 of th sioners and by the Boar d Th e inconvenience and difficulty voice of the country. gu i t en i es s ahhtooi should st a ah u ma i tethl s ei o n u eb t r h oof — ade t o h grn a a l nu these resolutions was this. upon in he wished to point out as likely Theytorlevseurelt called yllecdonfircning the House to a cknowledge the formation of the narrow g auge be formed from Rugby to Oxford ; and they were called line both n a o ffi r t t hr h em called upon to assert, on the au uatThlphsco:ernyi b ty ae ; 'led O rL f iedd: l dls a hior Tl er i dn a e t f la to(i e riei n ' t , that the narrow gauge line of communication, from north to south should pass . through the very j aws of the i going f rom ono district to the othegraugeNowln, what authority had they for this ?could He find none bat th e authority of' the Commissione rs . H e thought it was unjust to call upon them to carry a line of communication from the north to the south on the narrow, passing through the very jaws of the broad guage ; and he confessed, if the Right Hon. Baronet succeeded in carrying the restriction, he must give notiee that the word " not" be omitted out of the third resolution, which provided that it is not expedient to alter the provisions of the Bill for making a railway from Oxford to Rugby. It would be impossible to ex tend the broad gauge on the Rugby line beyond Oxford. The report of the Gauge Commi• sioners certainly car ried the opinions of the Eight non, Gentleman 46 far as the first and second resolutions went ; but the third resolution was of a very different nature, for it sanctioned the continuation of the narrow gauge for railways in th e nor th o f E ng l an d. Th ese reso lutions would really have no force at all, for the House had already affirmed the spirit of them by Acts of Parlia" went. The resolutions appeared to him inconvenient , and would produce bad results, and he must beg of the Right Hon. Gentleman not to persist in forcing them upon the House. It seemed to him, that if an experl ment were to be m a d e , it s h ou ld be made in accordance with the decision of the Board of Trade and the com panies concerned. He should not call upon the Heal of Commons to express an o pi n i on upon a mat t e r whin" involved so much doubt as this. When the fifth wee, proposed, he should propose to leave out the word "not. The SPEAKER then put the resolution, which was; as follows:—" That in order to complete the general chain of narrow gauge communication from the north to the southern coast, and to the port of Bristol, any suitable measures should be promoted to form a narrow gauge link from Gloucester to Bristol, and also from Oxford to Basingstoke, or by any shorter route COn' e nectin the propos e d R ug b y an d O x f or d li ne w ith the South Western Railway, without prejudice however to he formation of any other line, also connecting, erc ul e" en uniform gauge a n d by a di rect route, the nor th el England with the southern coast." The resolution was unanimously agreed to. Sir G. CLERK then moved the fourth resolution That it is the opinion of this House, that it is expedien t that the'South Wales line, and its branches to Mon mouth and Hereford, should be formed on the broad' gauge." The Board of Trade had given the best con sideration to the subj ec t, an d after much deliberation they had arrived at the conclusion embodied in the re solution, that the South Wales Railway should be formed on the broad gauge. Sir G. GREY repeated his objection to the House interfering to pronounce an opinion whether or not it was expedient to construct a line on the broad or the narrow gauge. If it were necessary for a railway to be laid down on the broad gauge, let provisions for that purpose be inserted in the Act itself. He protested against any alterations being made in the gauge except by an Act of Parliament. He should, therefore, move as an amendment, that the word " not" be inserted after " is," so that the resolution would read, " That it is not expedient, &c.," and if that was carried, he would follow it up by another amendment to carry out his views. 3 After a few words fro m M r . O RMSBY GORE an d another HON. MEMBER, Mr. HAWES would test the technicality of the ob jection of his Right Hon. Friend by a few observations. He had only to move that in the opinion of the House, it was the technical objection that could be got over by adopting the resolution of the Board of Trade. Let it be recollected what the House had already done. TheY had confined the narrow gauge system to a particular locality, and south of Bristol the broad gauge was to be laid down. He trusted that both parties—both those who advocated the narrow gauge, and those who were in favour of the broad gauge—had been heard. It was merely a tc chnical objection, and therefore, he did think that the House ought to sanction the resolutio9; Under the circumstances in w hi c h th e H ouse was placed_ they would be fully j us tified i n th e cours e that wa d proposed. After a few words from Sir G. GREY in explanation. Mr. HUME said it appeared to him that it would be better to strike out the resolution altogether. Lortdo express SAND any opinion ONdid a not think thkthe broad eHouse wa s called upon gauge. bu t only to recommend th e a d op ti on o f a certa i n coursepro.. pos, d by the Board of Trade. Sir T. WILDE observed, that the adoption by the Gauge Commissioners of the narrow gauge had naturally caused much alarm amongst the broad gauge companies. The only object of the resolution was to allay any un necessary alarm that might be created among the pro: prietors of the So u th W a l es C ompan i es, t h a t they would not be allowed to construct their line on the gauge that had been originally intended. After a few words from Mr. CHRISTIE and Sir G. GREY, of the Si b r r T o a . dDgYa gauge w A e C r L e A n N o t D s a s t a i s i fi d e t d h a w t i t t h h eaperodmeeoisteiorns of the Commissioners, but bad consented to.the Commission on public principles. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the resolution Against it l4 Majority On the sth resolution being proposed, " That it is the opinion of this House that it is not expedient to alter the provisions of the Acts for forming a line of railway from Rugby to Oxford, and for forming a line of railway from Oxford to Worcester and Wolverhampton, with respect to the gauge on which they may be formed. not: with respect to the powers therein conferred on the Board of Trade." He M Mr. thoughtL A that U er h 0 E H R o E u r s e o e b y t o a m d o a o ke a ti ng f e a w s e o r b i s e e s r o v f a ti °n• reso lutions like those proposed, did not take upon itself any responsibility whatever. He could not help thinking, that consistently with the interests of the public, there might be some mode of extending the broad gauge to the manufacturing districts. If it had any advane cages, as had , been admitted, there was no means as yet, owing to its restricted use, of testing them efficiently. For his own part, he was of opinion that it would be wrong to decide the question entirely in fa vour of one side, as that system of competition which would be excited by the use of both gauges would be thereby put an end to. He should, therefore, say, let them have both the narrow . and the broad gauge, as f ar as they could be laid down consistently with the inte rests of the public. If Parliament were to establish the best system of railways what, he would ask was, that they would not, by resolution or otherwise,preclude theme selves from again considering the question, if it should be found that a double line could be laid down with safety He would also object to allow the question of gauge to be decided by Railway Committees of that House. It was a question which required the consideration of emi nent engineers, and he would therefore have a re sponsible body appointed by the Government, to whose decision in all cases the question should be left. These were all the observations he thought himself called upon to make. If it was the opinion of the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite, that they were not by this reso lution precluded from again considering the matter, he had no wish to trouble the House with any resolution on the subject, but if not, then he would move as all amendment, a resolution embodying his views—the draft of which he would read. It would afford hint much pleasure, however, if the Right Hon. Gentleman would state that both gauges were practicable on the same line. Mr. HUDSON concurred most fully in the observa tions which had fallen from the Right Honourable Gentleman who had just sat down. If it were con sidered that it would tend to the public advantage to have two gauges on the same line, he saw no reason why the double gauge should not be laid down. He must bear his testimony to the fairness and impartiality which had been evinced by Honourable Members who had spoken on both sides of the ques tion ; and he trusted that the liberality thus exhibited would stimulate all the companies to in creesed exertion for the public advantage. He would not enter into any discussion with the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Russell), as to the comparative merits of their respective lines. They were met there to settle resolu tions as to what tended to the public advantage, and for that reason he would confine his observations to the re solution. He felt the strongest objection to having the two systems on one line. Several of the most eminent engineers had said so, and to him it appeared, that if it were attempted to be carried out, it would be attendee' with the most imminent danger to the public. It might be found to work well for the distance of four or fi" miles, but if extended to a long distance, there would be such a complication of difficulties as would make it impracticable. The confusion created could not be described. Let there be an independent line for both it it was Considered beneficial to the public advantage, but he hoped the Board of Trade would be slow in giving an opinion on laying down both gauges on the same line, as he had the authority of several engineers that it wan utterly impracticable. He felt the strongest objection to anything that would cause complication or confusion in the present railway system, and, if the double gauge system were carried out, he would not be responsible for the working ofit. He hoped the suggestion of the Board of Trade as to the uniformity of gauge would be carried out Mr. C. RUSSELL made a few observations, but they were not audible in the gallery. After a few words from Sir G. GREY, any S i one gauge g CLERK aug Th f e r r d, h Worcester , and e over sai d an th o a th t er t . hey passed last year, called the there o was a clause Wolverhampton Railway Bill, and the promoters to lay in troduced into that Bill, pledging were e not ad now adopting now called upon to lay down re quire it. They were then put by the SPEAKER, and - ora Mr. EVELYN DENISON and downt ose r d a o i a ls b . /e se s of rails should the Board of Trade Mr. After e oL L a s., . f e r w , iv )rcs - fr he resolution as the will, motion b y t fhoer permission readingtheoofrdtheresHofoutshee, agreed to. .ERT PEEL rose and said sir ROBERT , Sir, I wish to g ive __ tomorrow,notic day for the Prevention of Murders in Ireland, make some statement with respect to those charges preferred a gainst me for transactions alleged lace t e ti:tl to have taken p in the years 1825, 1827, and 1829. Upon the Right Hon. Baronet having down, Mr. House, but returned Disraeli hu rr i e dl y left the Ho sat koala" ti cli nc ate . k ly afterward s , accompanied by Lord George Ben" Mr. PHILIP MILES moved for a copy of the original advertiseme n t f or tenders for carrying her Majesty to 1, by stern to and fr om Halifax, and for a copy c ' f the printed f orm of i nstructions sent to collectors of Custo ms of th e ports, authorised to tender, f or the guidance of p ar ti es ten d er i ng ; a l so, f or cop i es of the tende-s or letters of tender handed in at the proper thin at Somerset House, in compliance with the terms of sa l .9, instructions. Copies of tenders made after the time, any. Copy of the original contract under which mails were settled to be carried between Liverpool and Halifax, and Halifax and Boston. Copies of all agree ments made after the date of said contract, upon anY increase of the term of said original contract, or of the grant for the service. Ret,urn of the sums paid to the contracting party to date, specifying whether gran t s or permiuient increase of terms, and the dates of the sam e ' Copy of the new contract entered into or about to be entered into for carrying mails between Liverpool and New York. The motion was agreed to. PROTECTION TO LIFE (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion that the adjourned debate on this Bill be resumed, Sir ANDREW ARMSTRONG, who was quite in audible in the gallery. addressed the Huuso, as we understood, in opposition to the Bill. Mr. BENNET said that he had taken a great deal of pains to ascertain, according to his own judgment , Whi tt the effect of this immure Trold by, Lie had boa