The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-13 00:00:00

,AILWAY COMMI'rrEES , I (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. 1118—ML .STEHN ( TUNBRIDGE ..WrI 2 U LS, HASTINGS, AND ItTZ). otnmittee met again this day, the Duke of Leinster i 1 the Ttl• Committee were occupied in hearing evidence on the trat le. Who witness under examination was cross•examined by Mr. I tltn- AID at great length as to the probe le ton4unt of trathe„ an, I the mime from which he furnished his statistics atter which tho Com- Inittee adjourned, at four o'clock, to eleven o'clock to•mort•oW. UNOPPOSED RILLS. The South-Eastern Ashton Stations Enlargement, the Eastern Union and Iladleigh Junction, and the London and Brig; tton and East Grimstead Branch Railways came before Lord She ftesbw,ry, and the preambles having beeen proved, the /Sills were de,l,l3Ad, to kayo passed through Committee. HOUSE CiYmNIONS. IMPORT AN T DECISION. GROUP IV. GREAT NORTH OF SCOTLAND. PET LTEC - AND INVERNESS, AND INVERN riss AND ELGIN. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of if c Bills comprised in this Group, reassembled at the usual hour this m °eni ng , Mr. B. Hope in the chair. The room was densely crowded, owing to this mornin g having been appointed by the Committee f , r giving their decision upon the engineering merits of the Perth anti Inverness line. Immediately after the Committee had formed, the room was cleared, and after the Committee had remained in consultation for about half an hour, the parties were re-admitted, when" The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee bad oome to the following decision : The Committee are of opinion that the preamble of Vie Perth and Inverness, and the Inverness and Elgin Junction Railroad Bills, are not proved. The Committee have come to this conclusion, with reference to the proposed altitude and engineering character of the proposed Perth and Inverness use, as compared with those of any other line of railroad now actually completed and in operation. The Committee, in coming to this conclusion, have not omitted to consider the suggestion that the Perth and Inverness line might be laid with a double line of rails instead of with a single one, as now projected. The Committee, however, wish it to be understood that they have arrived at this result solely on the present state of experience as to the severe gradients of considerable length over great altitudes, and are not to be taken as giving any opinion against the formation of t h e Perth and Inverness line, should experience of the working of railways now in progress of formation, or of others of a similar cha racier, support the principle on which the Perth and Inverness is proposed to be constructed. Neither is it the intention of the Com mittee in any way to prejudge the question—whether, if a line be constructed from Aberdeen to Inverness, the northern counties of Scotland are not entitled to the benefit of a second line from Perth to Nairne. Mr. Sergeant BLUM'S wished to know what course the Com mittee intended to pursue now. The CHAIRMAN stated they intended now to proceed with the proofs in favour of the Great North of Scotland Bill. Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS begged to state then that the promoters of the Perth and Inverness Railway had evidence to produce in relation to the nature and extent of the traffic which would be acconnno dated by the railway proposed by them, which evidence, in their judgment, would fully justify the engineering peculiarities of the line, and they tendered such evidence to the Committee. Mr. CRAUFOILD, on the other side, stated that they were prepared With evidence to prove that there was no such traffic. The Cuairtmen said these facts would be noticed in their report to the House. Mr. Sergeant Mcarny applied to the Committee to be heard on be half of the Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin, as a competing line to the Great North of Scotland Railway. He was prepared, he said, to prove that the Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin line, was infinitely su perior to the Great North of Scotland The roo was cleared for considering this request, and after a short consultation the Committee came to the resolution to hear air. Sergeant Murphy It his clients were determined to proceed after the declaration of the Committee in favour of a particular line of railway trom Perth to Inverness, being in the route of the Great North of Scotland, but the Committee must call upon Mr. Sergeant Murphy to open his case at once. ABERDEEN, BANFF, AND ELGIN. Mr. Sergeant MURPHY accordingly proceeded to open the case for the promoters of this line. He said he should be able to show by evidence that the proposed line between Aberdeen and Nairn was infinitely superior to the Great North of Scotland, while its construc tion would involve the expenditure of a sum considerably less than the estimate for the Great North of Scotland. It would give more accommodation to the localities and dis tricts through which it passed ; and if he were correctly Instructed, as he had no doubt he was, the majority of the inhabitants of the three counties which the line intersected preferred the Aber deen, Banff, and Elgin line to the Great North of Scotland. The Learned Counsel concluded by stating that they had been taken by surprise by the decision the Committee had come to in the early part of their sitting, and the consequence was they were not prepared with their witnesses. The Committee under these circumstances consented to adjourn till to-morrow, when the engineering evidence will be gone into. GROUP XIII. 'This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock ; Sir William Clay In the chair. Members present—Earl Jerilyn, Lord Shelburne, Mr. Ainsworth, and Mr. Curteis. CALEDONIAN (EXTENSION AND BRANCHES). The further evidence in support of the Dumfries branch of the Caledonian and against the Glasgow Dumfries and Carlisle scheme now resumed on the re -assembling of the Committee. Mr. Adam Anderson, of Sanquhar, examined—raid he had consi derable experience of the coal-field of Sauquhar. It was a very - troubled field, having several trap rock intrusions. It was also of limited extent. He had a plan before him which showed the various trap rocks that intersected the strata. From the troubled character of the strata there was a necessity to sink a great number of pits in proportion to the area. He had himself sunk eighteen pits to realise but a moderate supply of coal. The coal war of an inferior character. He did not - think that tee field would ever be extensively worked to pay. Ile did not think that Dumfries would be supplied to any great extent, as the inhabitants of that town could be better supplied from Canonbie and Glenbuck. in Ayrshire, both of which points would be traversed by the Caledonian scheme. Hea•lid not think the Sanquhar coal would dad a market at Dumfries, as it could not be delivered there under 9s.•ld. a ton. Canonbie coal could be supplied at Dumfries for 9s. 2d., and Glenbuck coal at 95.6 d., but they were 2s. aJton better. He did not consider there could be any supply of the gas coal— whieh bad been estimated for by the Nithsdale Company —got from the Cumnock fields, as that kind of coal had been nearly cx - haunted. He considered also that the Nithsdale Company had overstated the amount of coal traffic on the Canonbie branch. The Caledonian had a similar branch, and they had estimated the traffic of it at 10,000 tons less. The whole amount that should be taken from the tablet for all these deductions was 6,6841., leaving them 8,9721., instead of 15,656/., which they estimated. He had found clay at Sanquhar, having sunk sixty feet through it. Bricks had been made there. Clay had also been found near Thornhill. He was setisßed that clay would be found throughout the whole valley of the Nith, with but few exceptions. lie had furnished Mr. Smith, of Deanston, with information about the clay. Cross-examined —He had two pits, and raised about 4,000 tons Yearly. It went principally to the district around Thornhill. Very little he believed went to Dumfries. He struck out all the coal coming from Cumnock southwards to Dumfries. The importation of coal into the port of Dumfries for the last few years was about 13,000 tons, at an average price per ton of 13s, The population or Dumfries was 14,442, and the country around it about one-third more. Re-examined—He thought the west division of the Caledonian Extension line the best one for the supply of minerals to the south. With regard to gas coal, Lesmahogow supplied the best in Scotland, and it was close to the Caledonian Extension line. Regarding the t2rawick branch, the utmost he would allow for its mineral traffic Was 379/. Mr. Nicholas Wood, civil and mining engineer, examined—He had had extensive experience in the coal trade, and on dif ferent occasions examined the Scotch coal fields. He had examined both the Cumnock and Sanquhar coal fields. As far as he could learn the Sanquhar field was but limited in extent, and troubled whh faults. The coal was inferior to both that of Cumnock and Canenbie. The plan of the s:rata before the Committee he believed to be an accurate representation of the bed. Re had not been down the pits, but the information on the plans he bad received front Mr. Anderson. He had gone over the field with several other mining engineers, and having heard their explanations, besides noticing the works that rose on each side of the basin, and Which Underlay the strata, he came to the conclusion that the field Was about six miles long and one mile te oal. lie had examined the traffic -table of the Nithsdale Company, and thought it much too high. He had made out another table of the traffic, which he would bard over. He had divided the traffic into three heads—one from Cumnock to Dumfries ; another for the Canonbie branch ; and a third for the Crawick branch. He did not think any coal would be taken from Sanquhar to Dumfries. He set down the whole of the Mineral traffic of the Nithsdale scheme at 10,2941. The CHAIRMAN called the attention of the counsel for the Cale donian line to the fact of there being considerable discrepancy be tween the estimate of Mr. Anderson and that submitted by the Present witness. Mr. Anderson was recalled, and stated that, from some tables Which he could produce in a short time, he would be able to explain the difference satisfactorily. native r. Geddies, of Glasgow, examined by Mr. }ilexes':t—He was a of Kilmarnock, and had been twenty c years a ca li co printer there. lie now was engaged in soilingstuffs for the Kilmar nock market. Th e principal printing at Kilmarnock arnock was mouseline . de-laines. Glasgow was the market from goods cons gn :v d. en l c t e the new goods were ..i.i vLo . uld still continue brought, and the finished the great mart. The unprinted mouseline-de were eam wove s Manchester, and sent to Glasgow by the Liverpool at the dye stuffs were sent to Kilmarnock from Glasgow. He did not Al think if a direct communication was had from Kilmarnock to Eng land, that the line would be used to bring dy e stuffs. There were four carpet manufactories at Kilmarnock, and the goods made were exported. Both the carpet and the bonnet %trades were decreasing. The shoes made at Kilmarnock were principally shipped at Glasgow for South America. but it was likewise a declining trade, Cross-examined by Mr. MARTIN—AII the trades were not decreas ing, for the 'printing trade was increasing very much. That trade he set down at about 350,000/. He had collected this from inquiries he had made and conversation he had held with parties who knew the town well. Mr. Robert Sanderson, merchant, of Glasgow, formerly engaged in the carrying trade in the west of Scotland, deposed as to the carry_ ing trade of Kilmarnock. He knew the trade of Kilmarnock well. The course of trade was almost exclusively with Glasgow. The tonnage at present between Glasgow and Kilmarnock by the Ayr ahire Railway, was 20,000, The whole of this that came from or water. Out went to England was 2,900, which went principally by of this 2,900 tons 1,000 tons were seeds, that went by sailing vessels destined far the east of England. If a railway was formeds would direct with England, he did not think any of the leather or seeds be sent by it. The utmost that went at present by the steamers was 1,000 tens. Glasgow, at the present time, was the great smart in Scotland for English goods, and was becoming more so every year. He had looted at the Nithsdale Company traffic tables, and he thought the amount exaggerated. He did not think that all the Ayrshire passengers went to Ardrossan for England, as a great number went by the Glasgow stea mers . Cross-examined—He had ascertained from the carriers between Glasgow and Kilmarnock that the amount was 10,000 tons. The English trade he ascertained from traders in Kilmarnock. At the desire of Mr. Ricamme, Mr. Anderson was called, and ex plained that lie made a mistake in partly adding up the figures when Called on by the Committee to do so, which led to the discrepancy between his evidence and that of Mr. Woods. He now explained this, and begged leave to say that he entirely agreed with the table of Mr. Woods. Mr. Robert Farquharson, merchant and manufacturer, of Paisley, deposed that from his knowledge of the Paisley trade, derived during 40 years' experience, he did not think any other traffic would go by the Nithsdale line. It would either go by the Caledonian line, or by Sea. He tnought as through lines the Caledonian and the Nithsdale lines could not co-exist, and pay at the same time. If they were both made it must soon end in an amalgamation. From his know ledge, them was but little traffic through by the Nithsdale route. The cr oss - examination of the witness did not elicit any point of material importauce. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP XIV. NORTU KENT DZSTRXCTS (SOV'TU- Thenasiraniv Committee tow hlch th3iso. district is referred met to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room No. crconreil:raensednmt,r3. I G r io P iv r t o n t . heroe (chair man), Lord Emlyn, Mr. J. Mr. AUSTIN On the part of ()South -Eastern Company) pro ceeded to call evidence In supp n f the South- 'Eastern Branch, through Greenwich-park. Mr. Stephenson stated that the nearest point at which l the Green wich branch would approach the Observatory to Taenvcilbtrvahtaletnefftheactt tram it. Has made experiments wtth reference would be 255 yards cause in passiag through the t ee m the trains will they would have on the astronomical Instrumentisuel The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee were thevery anxious to hear vibration of the Mr. Stephensou's statement with reference to trains, but the main point was, whether the consent of the Adn ralty could be obtained? Should they not co nsent the Committee would consider the reason they bad for withh o l ding their ermission. excuse i his Ch Mr. AUSTIN said that the Committee would p robably taking the course he was then pursuing, but if the Hon. would recollect he won d find that the Co mm i ttee had desired atontrilaanr more evidence with reference to the line as between Greenwich ande Woolwich. The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee were rather disposed at present to take into consideration the probability of the consent of the Admiralty being given. Still there were other parties to be beard. In fairness to the North Kent their objections should be heard, and the landholders also should have an opportunity of coming before the Committee. If the South-Eastern Company had the con sent of the Admiralty then they were ready to hear what evidence could be offered, and if they had not the consent of the Admiralty the Committee would deliberate whether it would be worth while to enter upon the inquiry. Mr. Ausrix said that in obedience to the suggestien of the Com mittee lie had come prepared with full evidence as to the utility of the branch. He would ask the Committee were they prepared to go on if ho produced the consent of the Admiralty ? The CHAIRMAN—We are. - Mr. AUSTIN said that he had a letter from the Admiralty addressed t• the Deputy-Chairman of the South Eastern Company, and was dated the 9th of May, Saturday lust. 'I he letter was from the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners, and stated that he was commanded by the Commissioners to state that the opposition to the South-Eastern Greenwich branch would be withdrawn on the understanding that the railway 541114 Oe carried throgla the park in a tunnel, and .iat a clause should be inserted in the Bill giving to tho Admiralty the power of regulating the speed and weight of trains passing through such tunnels, end of imposing such penalties as they might think fit tor any infraction of the regulations they might lay down. They further wished to make such regulations as they might deem necessary for the purpose of preventing any injurious effect on the astronomical observations at the observatory, of which injuries they were to be the sole judges, and giving them the power of inflicting such penalties for the infraction of such regulations as they might deem necessary, and also, in the event of the continued contravention of those regulations, to stop the trains altogether. The CIIAUSIAN said that it would be very important to the Com mittee to know the nature of the restrictions to be proposed by the Adadralty. Were the clients of 31r. Austin satisfied that those re gulations would be such as would not injure the traffic; and would Mr. Stephenson be prepared to take that branch as his only line with those regulations? Other witnesses were called by the promoters to prove the amount of traffic, and the general advantages to be derived from the line. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. IMP H E O R US I E AL OF L P O A - R A D L S ;IAIII ENT. , Their Lordship s assem bl ed at Five o'clock.'ay 12. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. The Earl of SHAFTEBURY presented a petition from the authorities of Winchester College praying their Lordships to exempt that institution from the provisions of the Bill. LOCAL BURD. The Duke of RICHM OND presented ENS reports which, on his motion, were referred to the Committee on Local Burdens. A BISHOPRIC FOR MANCHESTER. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the Church Lay Society of Bath, very numerously and respectably signed, praying their Lordships to form a new bishopric for the town of M anc h ester and the adjacent districts. He thought he need hardly say that he entirely agreed in the prayer of the petition, and cou ld see no argument why their Lordships should not accede to it. GROUP XL. LEEDS, YORE., AND MIDLAND JUNCTION. The Committee on this group sat as usual—Mr. Stafford O'Brien (ehairman), and the rest of the members being present. Mr. Wilkes, jun., was called by the Counsel for the line ; and, after some evidence regarding traffic had been gone into, Mr. Sergeant WILKINS requested the Hon. Chairman would ask permission of the House to-night for certain petitioners in favour of this line to he heard by counsel. Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN said it appeared to be a question of prece dent, and the other members of the Committee expressed an opinion that no such precedent existed, which was also the opinion of Mr. Hardy, who appeared for the Leeds and York. Mr. Sergeant WILKINS said he was in error; the application was simply that the petitions should appear before the Committee. 31r. SIIL•RIDAN inquired whether they had been duly presented, to which the Learned Sergeant answered in the affirmative. - - . I Mr. Stephenson—Quite so. IMr TALBOT said that he was prepared to prove that the trains could not be worked with safety to the observatory. Toe Committee here deliberated for a short time, and at length The CuAlamAN said that the consent of the Admiralty was de pendent Ott certain conditions which struck the Committee as very Important. The Committee were desirous of ascertaining what those clauses would be, so that they could be satisfied that they would not injuriously affect the public interest, or the traffic. The Committee could therefore not proceed until such information had been obtained. Mr. AUSTIN said that the Committee could not expect to dud any code of regulations contained in those clauses. They would simply contain the power of making regulations. He apprehended that no regulations would be imposed on the line until the Admiralty found that such regulations were necessary, which lie believed they would not. The CMAIRNIAN said still such information should be obtained, and a sufficient thus adowed to do so. Other evidence was then gone into respecting the navigation of the river Cock up to Tadcaster, which went to prove that there were not more than two obstructions in dry weather, which might easily be removed, and that vessels drawing six or seven feet of water could at all times get up. These facts were elicited by questions put by Mr. Stafford O'Brien and by Lord Norreys to Mr. Coles. Mr. Benjamin Thomson, solicitor, of Tadcaster, gave evidence in favour of the proposed line. Mr. J. Fowler, civil engineer, stated that the Leeds and York line was the longest, the most expensive, had the heaviest earthworks in contemplation, as well as the highest gradients, and passed through a thinly populated district. 31r. Leather's line was also superior to Mr. Hudson's line in every respect, and although he was ready to concele all capability to Mr. Birkenshaw, yet he thought he had not had sufficient time allowed him for fixing the most eligible route. He thought the mode in which Mr. Birkenshaw proposed to cross the Midlands Railway, near Leeds, very objectionable, as likely to cause frequent detentions to both companies, there being considerable traffic. FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition, numerously signed by members of the Free Church of Seotiand, praying their Lordships to pass some measure to enable the members of that church to obtain sites for the erection of places of public wor ship. He wished, however, to take that opportunity to say that information had reached him that members of the Free Church of Scotland had behaved unreasonably, and had not been contented with the sites which had been assigned to them, and which would have answered their purpose, and had insisted upon having other sites assigned to them with no other object than to annoy the members of the Established Church. But if a landowner refused to allow a site for the erection of a place of worship for a considerable number of those on his property who professed the doctrines of the Free Church, that, in his opinion, would be an abuse of the rights of property, and their Lordships would be per fectly justified in pas - sing a measure to enable those persons to ob tain sites by fairly remunerating the proprietors of the land. The Duke of RICHMOND coasidered that, e.-here a land owner held the whole of the parish, he should give a central si , e for the purpose of building churches. Ile hoped to see the unpleasant differences between the free church and the old church healed. These churches would then make good preach ing stations for the old church. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from Barnet against the Charitable Trusts Bill. Lord MONTEAGLE also presented a petition from the congregation of York -street Chapel, Walworth, against the Bill. The Committee then deliberated, and the Chairman announced that they had reversed their decision, and had determined to proceed at once. . . . . 31;. TALBOT said that he was instructed, and he believed correctly, that the consent of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests would o ly be given on such terms as would render the formation of the line of no use. The Committee should adjourn until those terms were known. Mr. KNOWLES asked witness whether the same thing did not occur at Methley, to whom the reply was that this case only agreed in passing front York to Leeds, but not in passing from Leeds to York, and that the trains were obliged to pass very slowly, though not actually obliged to stop. Mr. Viguoles, C.E., gave precise'y similar evidence, which was not shaken by the cross examination to which he was subjected by Mr. Ilildyard. Mr. COCKBURN said that he had no doubt of the consent of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, but still they had not got a formal consent. The CHAIRMAN said, that under those circumstances, though it might appear to be vacillating, the Committee would adjourn until such consent could be and obtained. At the suggestion of Mr. J. O'CONNELL, The CHAIRMAN inquired whether so much of the evidence could not be gone into as would permit of the objection of the landowner to be heard. The Greenwich portion was but an inch in the yard of road they had to lay down, and the objection to that question might be deferred. The Committee were very anxious to save both time and money to the Companies. Both sides seeming to consider this arrangement as not likely to meet their views, ' The Committee adjourned until twelve o'clock en Thursday. Mr. Michael Machiroed stated 70,087/. 9s. 6%d. to be the gross re venue from traffic, and after all deductions, leaving a net revenue of 32,0001., or better than 9 in a third per cent., or 340,0001. ; the capital proposed to be invested for the formation of the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction Railway. To Mr. HARDT, witness said that nothing was included in the traffic table going less than eight miles. 46,000/. was the amount of passenger traffic. Between Leeds and York the amount is about 11,000/. ; tile remainder is derivable from the traffic front interme diate points. He calculated 5 per cent. on mails and parcels. This witness then explained to the Committee his method of taking the passenger traffic, when Mr. Green was called by Mr. Sergeant Ihrusiss merely to prove the correctness of the popu•• lation tables. GROUP XVIII. SOMERSETSHXRE MIDLAND. Lord STANLEY presented a petition from the ttsstees of the Wesleyan Chapel in Birmingham of a similar nature., RAILWAY COMPANIES. Lord MONTEAGLE moved for returns of the amount of capital proposed to be raised by railway companies in the pre sent session. This Committee resumed its sittings this morning at the usual hour; Mr. B. Denison, chairman. Mr. E. Hippesley, surveyor, of Wells, in Somerset, proved that the line, as laid out on the plans and sections, could not be com pleted within the lines of deviation, or if completed it would he utterly impracticable to work it, as it would consist of a number of small curves of not more than a quarter of a mile radius. In his cross•examination by Mr SMITH, he .:dmitted that he had not been employed in laying out a railway before he had levelled upon several lines of railways. Mr. ROBINSON having called Mr. John Garland, builder and valuer, to testify as to the correctness of the valuations the Company had made, Mr. Sergeant WILKINS stated that his case was now virtually closed, The Committee then adjourned till Thursday. L CRN-AWS. The Earl of HARDWI O CKE presented a petition from the Corporation of the Bedford Levels, praying their 'Lordships not to allow the Ministerial measures, with refetence to the importation of corn, to be passed into law. The Noble Lord said there was no part of her Majesty's do minions that had a better right to petition against the repeal of the corn-laws than this Corporation, as the land of the Bedford Level had been reclaimed from the sea at a great expense and was maintained by great care and drainage. Before the em bankment and drainage of this tract of country it was entirely useless, but since the time of Charles 11. it had been reclaimed and now there was no port in the empire that exported more wheat than the port of Lynn. The average rent of land here was 0 51. per acre, and the expenses were I6s. per acre before a single farthing was forthcoming. The value and preservation of this entirely artificial tract of land would be placed in great peril and jeopardy if the present measure of her Majesty's Government was carried. He thought it right that he should explain this much in presenting the petition to their Lordships. Earl FITZ WILLIAM said that, after the remarks which had been made by his Noble Friend, it might be inferred, if he did not make one or two observations to the House, that he had suffered judgment to go by default. Notwithstanding the prophecy of his Noble Friend, he (Earl Fitzwilliam ) would volunteer a counter-prophecy, and that was, that not withstanding that the Bill which was now about to be brought before their Lordships were passed—a Bill giving perfect free dom of trade in foreign corn—( Hear, hear)—he en tertained not the slightest doubt that the Noble Lord and himself would continue to recaive the rents they had been accustomed to impose within that level, unless, indeed, they bad exacted more than their property was worth. He (Lord Fitzwilliam) was sure that it was not so with his Noble Friend, ' and he could also depose that it was not so with himself. He repeated, that if they had not so raised the rents, there was no danger that the proper rents would not be received. He would venture to prophecy, therefore, that in ten years hence the rents would be as good as those they were receiving at the present moment. Great improvements had do doubt been made by the introduction of an improved system of agriculture, and by the introducti on of a mode of managing land superior to that formerly in use. Great im provements had also been made in drainage, and par ticularly in these levels, and those improvements would doubtless progress with the growing necessity. He had no doubt that under the new system increased energy would be followed by increased success. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY. This Bill was brought up from the Commons, and read a first time. GROUP XLIII. LEEDS AND Trans. (NORTET-EASTEnN Mr. Stable corroborated •the accuracy of the levels as taken by the previous witnesses. EXTENSION). Mr. Ashmead and Mr. Fox gave evidence to the same effect. The Committee re-assembled at twelve o'clock this morning, and immediately after the room was ordered to be cleared. On our re admission, Mr. Hubbersty—Had estimated that the amount of earth-work ne cessary in the construction of the line would be 1.211.1:57 cubic yards more than stated by Mr. Hill. The cost of the necessary earth-work would be 125,5411., or about one hundred and twenty per cent. more than Mr. Hill's estimates. 't he Cilium Ari said the Committee wished to have some evidence as to the particular necessity for the construction of a line between Northallerton and Yarn, especially as railway communication al ready existed between those places. Mr. Bainbridge, of Yarn, was then called, who deposed that the existing line between Northallerton and Yarn was very circuitous, and owing to the high charges for carriage, the goods were usually con veyed to Northallerton by the manufacturers' own waggons. He was in the habit of transmitting goods to Hull, Selby, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Leeds, all of which were conveyed by waggons in pre ference to the existing railway. If the proposed line were made, the communication would be more direct, and the cost of conveyance would be considerably diminished. Mr. Mothersdale, under-steward to Lord llarewood, and a resident of Weilbury, was the next witness examined. He was well ac quainted with the agricultural produce of the district, and if the line between Northallerton and Yarn were opened, it would afford great facilities fo.i the conveyance of the produce to Leeds. The line would also afford great facilities for the transmission of lime, coal, cattle, and manure. The price of coals, in particular, would be cheapened 4s. per ton. Cross-examined by Mr. DEEDES—Iie had not been on the line. The estimates were made up by his clerks in the office from data furnished to him by the sections of the previous witnesses. This witness concluded the case on the part of the promoters. It w , ,s then proposed tkat the iurther consideration of the case should be adjourned till Thursday next, in order to allow the pro moters to call witnesses to rebut the evidence which had been laid before the Committee. The room was then cleared for a division. Upon the parties being called in, The CHAIRMAN informed them that it was the unanimous opinion of the Committee that it would be useless to waste the time of the parties, or themselves, in receiving further evidence, as the Corn mittee had come to the conclusion, irrespective of this portion of the evidence, that it would be unwise in them to grant the Bill. The preamble of the Bill was, therefore, declared not to be proved. The Committee then adjourned at three o'clock. Mr. Grainger, a civil engineer, was next called, and deposed as to the course which the proposed line would take, and its general working. The length of the main line was 20 miles 3 furlongs and 1 chain. The total length of the three small branches was 1 mile 3 furlongs and 1 chain. The steepest gradient on the line would be lin NO. There were two curves of less than a mile radius. One curve consisted of I in 5 furlongs 4 chains, and another curve was 1 in 5 furlongs. The total amount of the estimated expense of the railway was 375,0001., and, in his judgment, that sum was quite suffi cient for the entire completion of the line. The value of land was taken at 58,087/. There were no engineering difficulties of any con sequence to contend against. No tunnel at all was required, and he considered the gradients and curves on the line very favourable. The witness was cross-examined at some length, but the main features of his evidence remained unshaken. Mr. Cubitt vas next examined, and proved that the line was gene rally well laid out. He also corroborated the testimony of the pre vious witne , s with respect to the estimates of the railway. A discussion then ensued as to whether the counsel for the op ponents to the line were in a position to be heard against the pre amble. The Committee ultimately decided that they could not be heard against the preamble, but they could be heard upon the clauses. The preamble was then declared to have been proved. A lengthy conversation next took place between the com mittee and counsel for the various parties who were inte reste, which resulted in a permission from the Committee to insert a clause to the following effect; viz. That the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, before proceeding to make the line from Northallerton to the junction with the Stockton and Hartlepool Railway, should give six months notice of their intention to the Great North of England Company, in order that the latter Company might have the option of making the line conjointly with the Leeds and Thirsk Company; but, in the event of the Great North of England Company not signifying their intention, within one month after receiving notice, to the Leeds and Thirsk Company, that Com pany is to have liberty to proceed by itself with the construction of the line. Sonic routine business was then gone through, and the Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock on Thursday. CIVIL DISABILITIES BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR gave notice that on Friday neat he would move that the House go into Committee on the Civil Disabilities Bill. STANDING ORDERS ON RAILWAYS. The Earl of DEVON presented a petition, praying for an alteration in the standing orders on railways requiring petitions to be presented on the merits of the case not later than the 2eith March, and before the second reading of this Bill. GROUP XIV. The members of this Committee me L t at ,the usual hour (in Room No 25, New Houses of Parliament), aisd proceeded with the ad journed case of the Lord BROUGHAM said he must oppose the reception of such a petition as this, as be himself was about to move for the abrogation of those orders, on the ground of the great in justice which it occasioned to many individuals. He was the more induced to do this, because the individual for whom he spoke had been cast into prison, by not complying with the order. He should present that petition on Friday. THE STAFFORD GAS BILL. This Bill was brought up and read a first time. CON TINGENT REM AINDERS. Lord BROUGHAM moved the second reading of this Bill, and after some conversation with the Lord Chancellor, it passed that stage. CVETRETWE 317NOTXON. Mr. Coates, the Parliamentary agent, gave evidence as to com pliance with the resolutions of the Hon. Member for IT sbury. Mr. Ca, ley, the engineer of tne line, was called, and gave the usual ent ineering evidence. He described the course of the line, which com mences at Accrington, and proceeds by Whalley, Ciitheroe, and Long Preston to Settle, where will be its northern extremity. At two miles and three quarters from Accrington it sends oir a branch to Black burn, and at about foul miles from Accrington another Branch by Padtham to Burnley. Accrington is about 22 miles from Manchester. Mr. Cawley gave the usual details as to the amount of population in the districts through which the line passes: the total amount ntay be taken at 100.000 persons. The proposed line was the most direct that could be made through the district, and would afford the best communication through the district. The gradients were favourable. The cost of the line would be about 700,0001., being 10 ,000.1. less than the Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North-Western Junction, the competing line, would cost. Mr. Merrivale, on the part of Mr. Taylor, a petitioner against the line, and Mr. Baines, on the part of the Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North-Western, cross-examined the witness at great length. It appeared that the line would pass fir three-quarters of a mile through Mr. Taylor's park and farm land. The witness referred to a large model of Mr. Taylor's park which had been put in by the petitioner, and by means of which he explained the mariner in which the line interfered with the property. His evidence on this point could only be understood by reference to the model. PROTECTION TO PUBLIC OFFICERS. Lord BROUGHAXI begged to lay on their Lordships' table a Bill which was of the utmost importance for the the en forcement of the law; its object being to protect magis trates, revenue, and naval and military officers, from the prosecutions to which they were liable in the discharge of their duty. As the law now stands, an action must be brought within six months, with one month's notice This was the only protection they possessed against actions for proceedings which they were compelled to take. He concluded by moving that the Bill be now read a first time and printed, which was agreed to. RELIGIOUS OPINIONS RELIEF BILL. Lord CAMPBELL wished to know when the Noble and Learned Lord on the Woolsack would lay the amended Bill, bearing this title, on the table of the House. The subject was an extremely important one, and as much time had been suffered unnecessarily to elapse he was anxious that it should be in the possession of their Lord ships at the earliest possible moment. The subject was referred to the Criminal Law Commissioners, who more than twelve months ago presented their first report, various Acts of Par liament, and the particular clauses in them which had reference to the subject. Besides, the Bill itself was presented to the Noble and Learned Lord in the month of November last. The only part of the scheme as yet introduced was that relat ing to penalties. It was his decided impression that the measures relating to the other part should be introduced at once, so that the two Bills might go in concurrently. Perhaps the objections of the Right Rev. Prelate would be admitted, if the whole scheme was before their Lordships. He trusted that the present session would not pass over till the other portion of the scheme was introduced, No person had been prosecuted for treason in copsequence of declaring the supremacy of the Pope, for the last 300 years. He hoped that the remaining portion of the Bill would be forth coming on Friday night, as it would be Impossible for them to give any opinion upon the measure until the whole measure was before them. The cross-examination of Mr. Crawley occupied the Committee for more than two hours. Mr. Jeremiah Garnett, a cotton-spinner at Clitheroe, a magistrate, and a director of this line, gave evidence as to the coal and cotton traffic which might be expected by the promoters of the Bill, the advantages to the inhabitants of the country through which the line would pass. and other general matters. This witness's evidence occupied the Committee up to four o'clock, and Mr. Baines was just rising to cross examine him, when the Speaker was announced at prayers. As the Learned Counsel said that he had but very few questions to put to the witness, he was allowed to go on with his cross-examination, which being completed, the Committee roso and adjourned till to morrow. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. lIOUSE OF LORDS. This Committee reassembled this morning at the customary hour. The first Bill called on was the WILTS, SOMERSET, AND SOUTHAMPTON, the standing orders in which case were not allowed to be dispensed with. WARWICK .AND WORCESTER. Not allowed to proceed. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (NEWPORT PAGNF.L BRANCHES). Standing orders not dispensed with. PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR PIER. Allowed to proceed. BIDEFORD AND TAVISTOCK. Not allowed to proceed. WEST RIDING UNION (No. 2). Allowed to proceed. The LORD CHANCELLOR—In answer to the Noble Lord, I beg to state that I will not introduce the other portion of the Bill until the present Bill is disposed of. The Noble Lord has been pleased to denounce my pursuing this course o conduct. Having denounced me by anticipation, I beg to tell him that I shall be quite prepared i n th e f u t ure s tages of th e Bill to bear the whole weight of this denunciation. After a few words from Lords CAMPBELL and BROUGHAM, The Bishop of EXETER said, I can assure your Lordships that it gave me great pleasure when I heard the Noble Lord express his determination to oppose the Bill going into Com mittee. THE EXETER AND EXMOUTH. The consideration of this Bill by the Standing Orders' Committee was postponed to Monday next. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MIDLAND (BIRMINGII..k.II AND GLOUCESTER). Allowed to proceed. LON tsON AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION. This was the next case called on, but the promoters of It were not in attendance. WORCESTER, HEREFORD, ROCHESTER, AND GLOUCESTER, Net allowed to proceed. Lord CAMPBELL—I do not consider that your Lordships nor the country have been used well in this matter. The subject then dropped, and their Lordships adjourned. BERKS AND HANTS. A similar decision was given in this case. ____ NORTH DEVON. And in this also. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION (NORTHAMPTON, DAVENTRY, LEAMINGTON, AND WARWICK.) The promoters not being prepared in this case, it was ordered to stand over till Friday next. The Committee then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 12. The SPEAKER. took the Chair at Four o'clock. COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUDBURY, AND H it; A t em : dHeo S r:t T :Ri sds E ea:, ni Al thatyi: tty h tßechaji7ißAlLWAY.Colchester, dayrctehhaeedsomteaf Sudbury, r T y, U a F n N d TUFNEL L ret,Aeht third itulirum req u ire d Valley , l w a s s y by not withstandingthe Order of th e t this only in the London Gazette once prior to the meeting. Mr. BARNARD objected to the motion, as be wanted to give the inhabitants of HaLstead, wbo were to meet next week, an opportunity of expressing their opinion. It was proposed to cross no less than fifteen public roads on a level, and this was acting very much in contrariety with the good old custom that formerly prevailed in the town, of never allowing any railway Bill to pass which contemplated the crossing of any public road on the level. He did net oppose the T ocion on account of any hostility to the progress of the Bill, but merely t o g i ve time for arrangements to be made to prevent the crossing o f the Colchester line on the level. A conversation then ensued, wh ich re sulted in Mr. TUFNELL consenting t o witlfetraw his motion. The motion was withdrawn acc o r di ngly. IRISH GREAT WESTERN BILL. On the second reading of this Bill being moved, Mr. WARBURTON presented a petition from the share holders, praying the House not to allow the second reading. Mr. BRO THE RTON presente d a petition to a similar effect., Mr. FINCH, the Chairman of the Committee, stated, that the petition had been got up by a broker on the Stock Ex change, and there was no proof whatever, that the parties wh o had signed the petition . were bond fide shareholders. He COn sidered it perfectly irregular to oppose the Bill on t h e second reading, and hoped the House would allow it to be proceeded with. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) MONDAY, MAY 11. The following Petitions or Railways were reported, and the Rills ordered to be brought in hy the undernamed Hon. Members : Liverpool and Bury—Mr. Fatten and Mr. Entwisle. Lancaster and Preston Junction and Carlisle Railways Amalgama tion—Colonel Lowther and Mr. C. Howard. West Lancashire —Mr. Brotherton and Mr. M. Philips. The following Petition for a Railway Bill was withdrawn:— Manchester and Bury Atmo pheric. RAILWAYS Select Committee on Group No. 22. earl of Arundel and Surrey discharged ; Mr. Alexander :elected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 23. Lord Oesulston discharged, Mr. Trelawny selected, and added to the Committee. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the Viscountess Canning, the H on. M iss Kerr , tharquis of Ormonde, S Gordon, , honoured the F renc h pl ays Colonel Berkeley, an d Captain with their presence on Monday. HerpaßetorliHmigh.nAesusguthsteaDauc.hiceess of Kent, attended by the Baroness Lady Anna Maria Dawson, and Captain Murray, occupied box j the mat to her Majesty. We o b served also present, nt, the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, Dowager Marchioness of Donegal, the Earl and Lady Newport, the Ea r l an d C ountess f Lord and Lady Au c kl an d, L or d om C o o r u le t y rt , Countess of y C d h e este u rfi ns e t l a d nvine, Cowper, Lord Sidney, Lady Adelaide Paget, Marquis of Douro, Sir Ralph and Lady Howard, Lady Meux, Hon. Mr. Cape!, Hon. Mr. Pery, Marquis Pallaveino, Sir William Massey Stanley and Mr. John Stanley, Sir George and Miss Talbot, Sir Henry Webb, Lady and the Misses Burgoyne. WINDSOR, MONDAY EVENlNG.—lntelligence reached Windsor yesterday evening of the death of j the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Hobart, Dean of Windsor, who expired on the afternoon of Friday last, at Nocton Priory, Lincolnshire. The late Dean, who was also Dean of Wolverhampton, rector of Nocton, and who held the living of Wantage, in this county, and the vicarage of Hasely, Oxford, suc ceeded to the Deanery of Windsor upon the appointment of Dr. Legge to the Bishopric of Oxford in 1816. After a few words from Colonel CoNonny- and Mr. Con- LETT, the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be com mitted. t ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COM PANY. This Bill was read a third time an d passed. NORTH-WESTERN RAIL WAY. On the motion for the considerati on o f the report from the C o m a i r m . i t s t e . e o o ti ll this ßi E B N i 1 l being e d re t a n d ait be r e - committed to the , former Committee, with leave to sit and proceed on Wednes day, and to report on Thursday.—Agreed to. SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY. Mr. GRIMSDITCH moved that it be an instruction to the Committee on the Seuth. Eastern Railway Bill to hear the vicar, churchwardens, and landowners of the p ar i s h of Green wich, by their counsel, agents, and witnesses, against the Bill , notwithstanding their petitions were not presented to the Hou three clear days prior to the sitting of the Committ ee . se Agreed to. COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUDBURY, AND HALSTEAD RAILWAY. SUDDEN DEATH IN A CHAPEL.-011 ►Sunday after noon, about seven o'clock, during the performance of the evening service at the large Wesleyan Chapel in the Back road, St. George's in the East, Mr. John Moffatt, a retired servant of the East India Company, residing at 44, John-street, St. George's, who formed one of the congregation, was observed to fall suddenly as if he had been shot. Mr. Luke Farrow, who also formed one of the congregation, rendered immediate assistance, in which he was assisted by Mr. Rees, a surgeon, residing in the neighbourhood, but 'heir efforts were of no avail, as life was utterly extinct. _ _ _ musical i/ON world.i t , id w i h n o g l s eft fr p o a ra ris lt s a a l m y e h m tiv on e th r s ea a c g h o e , d in th an e alarming state of health, has not derived from the mild climate of I . D — o n S I z a e d t 1 his count 4 the improvement which his friends anticipated. His health continues to decline, his mind has fallen into deep melancholy, and his tottering reason is plunged into gloomy meditations; he ad dresses those who surround him but to dwell, not on his approaching end, but on his already accomplished demise. He sits down to his piano, preludes some brilliant notes—his fugitive thoughts soon es cape him ; his fingers wander at random over the keys and produce but incoherent sounds, when the unfortunate man strikes his fore head, and mournfully exclaims, " You see that I am dead !" Ho walks in his garden, gathers flowers, scatters about their leaves, and says, pointing to them, "Poor flowers—dead, like poor Donizetti !" In vain do his friends strive to cheer him by executing his finest Compositions. Its listens, but is insensible. lie no longer know 111 S 04 " Ci FfaCrop and =Um 119 MM. st bi>s films—Partiffrittf. This Bill was read a third time and puled. HARWICH AND EASTERN COUNTIES JUNCTION • RAILWAY AND PIERS. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. Stamford. r Railway. o REPORTS OF RAILWAY BILL S. The following reports of railway Bills were c ons id ered and agreed to : ' i\nin gs . Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltnees Rail way (Improve ment and Branches). Raman= and 13crrowitounes1 Railway. THE SUN; LONDON, NirtIYNESDAY MOItIVING. MAY 13, IS A. Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltness Railway (Bathgate Branch). Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway (Thirsk and Staffordshire ffe yo ßranches). Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Stamford to Wisbech). Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway. Melton and Driffield Junction Railway. Great Grimsby and She ffi eld Junction Railway Extension YRA N ooy o rt rrhkst Rotherham hrnßritishAyrshire, Bridge n North ro d R g Railway i w f a Weir, ( (No. 2). Glasgow, loo i a r rrs k tkgh e o n_ a; North-Western Barrhead, Northeal rr m nr hp Railway. aoadv: Midland Port Glasgow Junction Rail way. Stowmarket Navigation. Gas. rth Midland Railway (East Riding (East Riding Branches, gow, Barrhead, and Neilston Direct Rai No. 1). Railway y (Branchesßranches, No. 2). NotrothThsotarnffloiredbsahnikr,e IRloaiulsweahillicahnudrnlieutrvleat)ii.ey N G: t a ro :sl : P a Line) • Neilston Direct Railway (Branches shire Railway (Pottery Line). and Neilston d Commissioners. Railway North Staffordshire Railwa y ( Hare castle to Sandbach . ). Buckinghamshire Railway (Oxford and Bletchloy Junction). Sidmouth Market. Southampton Port and Harbour. Wishaw and Coltness Railway (Greenhill Branch). Sligo Harbour Improvement. Scottish Central Railway (Alloa Branch). Greenlaw Roads. Leith Paving. Westruther Road. Port Ellen Harbour. Chard Canal Railway. Yeovil Market and Fairs. Kilmarnock and Troon Railway. GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY AND THE RIVER MERSEY. Mr MILNER GIBSON begged tollearn from the Noble Lord, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what course the conservators of the River Mersey proposed to take in refer ence to the new bridge proposed to be erected by the Grand Junction Railway Company over the River Mersey below Warrington. The bridge was to consist of five arches and four piers, and, if erected, would be a considerable impediment to the free navigation of that river. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET was understood to say, that the Board of Admiralty and the conservators of the river did not propose to take any steps against its erection, believing that it would not interfere with the navigation. Mr. HUME said, that the application made by the Hon. Member for Manchester was a very proper one ; and, if he un derstood the Noble bird's answer correctly, he did not understand what were the grounds which induced the Board of Admiralty to acquiesce in such a course. He believer there were no lets than 2),000 tons of merchandise daily passing up and down that river, and it these piers and arches were erected, the free course of the river would be impeded, and the free navigation of the river rendered extremely dangerous. He was sorry to see so little regard paid to river navigation, as he believed it con stituted one of the principal sources of the commercial prosperity of the country. He hoped his Hon. Friend would take another opportunity, when some of the Lords of the Ad miralty were present, of bringing forward the question, in order that it might be considered. Mr. MARK PHILLIPS wished to know of the Noble Lord if the bridge was intended to be a swivel bridge ? He would be extremly sorry to oppose any well-regulated scheme for the purpose of facilitating the transit of traffic either by land or water, but he could not help entertaining a fear that the pre sent plan would be injurious to the free navigation of the river. lie would, therefore, like to know whether it was intended to be a swivel bridge? Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET said that it was not proposed to be a swivel bridge, but the arches would be sufficiently high to admit of vessels passing under them, with their masts standing and he did not think that any obstruction would be caused. Mr. AGLIONBY considered that the country was ♦ery much indebted to the lion. Member for Manchester for bring ing the subject before the House. There was an opinion abroad, he was not aware upon what quantity of truth it was founded, but there was an opinion very generally held that the Board of Admiralty had too much to do to attend to these particulars. The immense power which had been lately conferred upon railway companies induced a neglect to the public interests. The Committee had come to the decision that there should be no Interference with the navigation of the Mersey, unless with the consent of the conservators of the river. They had no knowledge of those persons who were appointed by the Admi ralty, and were changed from time to time. They might be trustworthy, or they might not, and consequently they could not know whether the interests of the public would be pro tected or not. However, if they allowed the papers which the Hon. Gentleman moved for, they would be in a position to know something more of the subject. It was of immense im portance to the public, and he hoped his Hon. Friend would continue to give his attention to the subject. Mr. MILNER GIBSON wished to ask the Noble Lord (Granville Somerset) whether elauses were to be :in troduced into the Bill that the bridge was to be built in a par ticular manner, or would there be a plan submitted to the House so as to enable them to see the exact mode in which it was to be constructed ? He wished also to know, was there not a report made to the Board of Admiralty, by Captain Evans, with regard to the constructing a bridge across the Mersey, upon some former occasion, and if so, would the Government have any objection to lay that report before the House? Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET, who was perfectly in audible in the gallery, was understood to reply that the Govern ment would have no objection to lay the papers on the table of the House. Mr. THORNELY said that the Grand Junction Company crossed the Mersey already by means of a bridge at Warring ton. He had been on a Committee, which sat some years ago, when it was proposed to cross the Mersey by means of a bridge between Warrington and Runcorn. On that occasion it was made out, to the satisfaction of the Committee, that such a bridge might be erected without injury to the navigation. An Holt. MEMBER, presented several petitions against the branch lines of the London and Birmingham Railroad Coin panv. Mr. ESTCOURT presented a petition from the inhabi tants of Warrington in favour of the Roman Catholic Relic Bill. SUGAR DUTIES. Mr. HUME gave notice, that on that day fortnight, he should move a resolution to be adopted with regard. to the produce of our West India Colonies, viz., that the duty on all sugars used there for the purposes of manufacture and distilla tion be removed. Mr. SPOONER gave notice that, on that day fortnight, he should move for leave to bring in a Bill for the more effectual suppression of prostitution and the better protection of females. BRIDPORT ELECTION. Mr. G. BAN KES moved that the petition which he pre• sented the previous evening, with reference to the case of Wm. Rocket, be printed, and in case of the House acceding to that motion, he should give notice that on Thursday next he should move that Win. Rocket have leave to state his ease at the bar of the House. POOR-LAWS. Mr. P. BORTHWICK said he had a motion on the paper for a Select Committee to inquire into the state and operation of the laws which relate to the administration of relief to the poor in England and %Vales, and he wished to know whether the Right Hon. Baronet would grant him the Committee without his saying one word upon the s.ubject ? Sir R. PEEL said he could not accede to so important a motion without any previous discussion taking place upon it. He put it, however, to the good feeling of the Hon. Gentleman not to interpose his motion in the way of the adjourned debate. Mr. P. BORTHWICK said he had tried to get his motion placed first on the listthat day fortnight, but unsucces.fully. Yet he put it to the Muse whether they would not give him the same position on Th urs d ay f or t n i g h t as h e h e ld last night. He hoped the Government would, as he had yielded so much to them by enabling them to resume the adjourned debate, as sist him in this matter. Sir R. PEEL said he was scrry he could not give the Hon. Gentleman the assistance he desired. Mr. BORTHWIUK said he was very sorry to be placed in the position which he then held; but the House would agree with him that the question was not second in importance even to the corn•law itself—it was a question of the most vital importance to the country. He would, however, leave it to the fate of the ballot, trust ing that when tlie time would come for its discussion, her Majesty's Government would not forget the sacrifices which he had made. Mr. HUME moved for a copy of all reports to the Admiralty of trials made at Woolwich, Portsmouth, and on board the fleet, of Mr. Rettie's signals for the prevention of the collision of vessels at sea ; and also on his proposed signals of distress at night. He held in his hand a list of no less than thirty-six vessels run down in the Channel, from the want of some proper regulation upon the subject —The motion was agreed to. Mr. HUME moved for leave to bring in a Bill to relieve the ropemakers of the United Kingdom from the operations of the Factory Act.—Agreed to. The How. MEMBER then moved for a return of the total amount of costs and law expenses incurred and paid during each of the ten years prior to the Ist day of Janttary, 184 6 , by the four following trusts, viz.—the town council of Glasgow, the trustees for managing the river Clyde and harbour of Glas gow, the trustees for managing the bridges over the river Clyde, at Glasgow, and the trustees for managing the markets of Glasgow, in preparing, promoting, opposing, and also the expenses of deputations in any way relating to Bills before Parliament, and for all other Parliamentary and law proceed ings connected with each of these trusts, in prosecuting, de fending, or in any way relating to judicial and Parliamentary proceedings ; distinguishing the amount- incurred and ex pended in each year for each such trust ; stating the particular business or proceeding in which such costs or expenses were incurred; and the persons by whom they were conducted, and the persons to whom these moneys were paid in each year for each trust.; and also the aggregate of law and Parliamentary expenses for each trust, in the ten years up to January, 1846. His object was to show the immense expenses which were in correct by legal proceedings, with a view to some remedy being applied to prevent their recurrence in future. LORD LINCOLN AND MR. HILDYARD. On the order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate, Mr. HILDYARD rose and said that he wished to take the first opportunity of replyi ng t o a charge which had been made against him by the Noble Lord the Member for the Falkirk Burghs. The Noble Lord was reported to have said that he (Mr. Hildyard) had imputed bribery to the Noble Lord. Now, in ti.e strongest language which the rules of that House would permit, he begged to deny th a t h e ever di d so. He wits perfectly' aware that this was only the assertion of one min against the asser tion of another, but he thought when he referred to the news papers published at that time that they would bear him out in his assertion. He would not trouble the House by reading his own speech, but it could not be considered as hostile to the Noble Lord. He would, however, read a portion of the speech of the Noble Lord which had reference to himself. The Noble Lord had represented him as stating that, notwithstanding th e l av i s h expenditure of the other' side, they would be enabled to gain the victory. He ceitainly had stated at the election that bribery had been Practised for the purpose of securing the return of the Noble Lord, and he maintained the same opinion now. But he did not then believe that that bribery had been practised by the Noble Lord himself.—(tlear, hear.) He really could not per ceive how the Noble Lord could make the statement which he had.—(Hear, hear.) But he did impute bribery to the Free Trade Committee at Nottingham, and he would now state to the House why he did so. At one of the polling-places during the election, two men were pointed out to him by some re spectable people, living in the town, as having received 21. a piece for their votes. He went to those two men and they repeated the same thing to himself. He went to another poll ing place, and a man went up to him and said that he had been offered 231., and another man was pointed out who had had the same offer. He then went to another polling-booth, and he stated what he had heard. He was rerfectly willing to admit that he ought not to have made the charge of bribery against the free-trade body, and he was now perfectly willing to retract it.—( Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord had stated that the county was canvassed before he vacated his seat. Now, he (Mr. Hildyard) could assure the Noble Lord that he had been strangely misinformed upon the subject. The first intimation that he (Mr. Hildyard) heard of the election taking place ?tat a letter from the Nobla Lord himself, asking for his . _ nae5ee.................. i sipport—(Laughter)—and begging them to lose no time analysed the statements of M. Guizot and. had found them in canvassing the county, so as to anticipate those who might inaccurate. He had tested their veracity ; and he would bring Ibe disposed to vote against him.—(Hear, hear.) He could before the House an analysis which showed the truth. Mr. assure the Noble Lord that this was the first intimation he had Spackman must be a gentleman well known to Honourable of the whole proceeding. He had also been in the county of Members on both sides of the House, and he proved, by his Nottingham for th e l ast few days, and had seen a gentleman account o f th e census o f 184 1, t h at the majority of the popula who said that no such canvass had taken pl ace , and that if it lation of this c oun t ry were engage d i n agricultural pursuits.— had they would h ave voted for him (Mr. Hildyard), agd not (Hear, hear.) The same gentleman proved that the census for the Noble Lord.— (Hear, hear.) Now he must say that bad been taken upon an erroneous data, and this Mr. Speck he hoped he had now refuted the assertions of the Noble Lord man contended would be manifest, if. the instructions to the satisfaction of the House.—(Hear, hear.) H e mus t for prepa r i ng th e census were laid before the world. He say at the same tim e th a t h e t h ought that the charge was most (11 Ir. Newdegate) believed that it would, and it was his inten uncalled-for, and most ungenerous on the part of the Noble tion to avail himself of the earliest opportunity of moving for Lord, particularly as he (Mr. Hildyard) was absent in the those instructions.—( Hear, hear.) The census, in fact, had country. The Noble Lord must have known that he (Mr. grossly misled the public, and he would endeavour to find out Hildyard) had, during tha whole of the election, done every- how it was, or for what reason so p a l pa bl e a fraud had been thing on his part to se cure hi s e l ect i on. He'had not said a practised upon the world.—(Hear, hear.) Why, in many single word which could be construed into a personal hostility, countries that were purely agricultural, and carried on little or He did not even retaliate the charges, or indulge in the person. no trade in manufactures, the majority of the population were alities which were then made use of by the Noble Lord. stated to be engaged in manufactures. He believed, however, These personalities were regretted by the Noble Lord's if a proper return were obtained, it would be shown that there enemies, and they were not denied by his friends. He were 771,689 engaged in agriculture over the number engaged only trusted that his fate, which was so regretted by his in manufactures. The real number, he believed, would stand Noble Friends, would be the fate of many others at the thus :-16,949.000 of the inhabitants of this country were en next general election.—(Cheers from the protectionists.) gaged in agriculture, and 9,837,000 in manufactures. This, The Earl of LINCOLN said, he regretted taking up the in his opinion, was sufficiently conclusive against the present time of the House on anything personally interesting to him- policy of the Government, and he therefore would not detain self. When he addressed the House on Friday last he was the House further, but, thanking them 'for their attention, he not aware of the Hon. Member's absence from his place in would sit down, regretting the course Government were pur- Parliament ; in fact he thought he was then in the House.— suing, and declaring his intention to vote against the tlaird. ( Hear, hear.) With regard to the charge which he alluded reading of this Bill.—(Cheers.) to on Friday night, what he (Lord Lincoln) said was, that Mr. PALMER said it was only of late that free-trade no the Hon. Member had charged him, through his friends, with tions and opinions had made any way, either in the House or a lavish expenditure at the election. He did not say that the the Cabinet, and he dared to say, if every Member could put Hon. Member had charged him with bribery ; what he had his hand upon his heart and vote c onsc i ent i ous l y f or this mea said was, th at hi s friends were cha rge d w ith lavish expendi- sure, two-thirds o f th e Ho use would be opposed to it.—(Hear, ture. Now he could assure the Hon. Member that friends hear.) He could bear out the opinion of the H on . Member were n o t so easily to be found ready with a lavish expenditure ; for Warwickshire, that the population, like many other returns and as for himself (Lord Lincoln) he had not expended bearing upon the subject, could not be relied upon, and he for more tha n the legal su m for the purposes of the elan- one had long ago protested against the fallacy of these returns. tion.—( Hear. hear.) If the Honourable Member had stated —(Hear, hear.) They were prepared . by officers under the before what he had stat ed that heard a word about ' th m a a t tt e e v r en in in t g h , at he ri w o o n u te ld . never nte H on. haye thumb o of the Government, who well knew the inclinations and Member,pinions of the members of the Executive ; and these returns when applied to about such charges, refused to were . prepared, not with a view of putting the public in pos explain itnything about it. out t ould assure the Hon. Alem- session of correct information upon the subjects upon which ber that he had no ill.will tie unwilling to lay under the claire s f him. However, as he was they treated, but of pandering op to the inions and inclinations he should say a few words ratereo having stated a falsehood, of those who constituted the Government.—(H ear, . hear.) stated that he did not take the count T he Hon. Member had He repeated, then, that these returns were fal d actous on , and he' it had not been canvassed by him, and th at them, surpsise, and that hoped, in future, no reliance would be place .up . nd . - that an election was to take place until he h e was not aware without it could he shown that they had been fairly . nor had heard of it from rectly matle.—(Hear hear.) With regard to the measure it him (Lord Lincoln). Now he (Lord Lincoln) was aware that self he was firmly ' co nvinced that it would the Noble Low' did not start for the county until the Monday the' majori ty f after the Saturday upon which he had got his (Lord Lincoln's) House dint-dotbrtohe it out, of e tltis e ci o u t itr r y w ; ou gnil . if this. letter; while he (Lord Lincoln) should say that tire An Hoer. MEMBERI m ou o t v , e lle th t a ru t trust e d th nouse he be mi l: ted. county had been canvassed two months before he had Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but forty Members vacated his seat, for an unknown candidate, and being present, for a gentleman who it was intend e d should be hi s (Lord Mr. PALMER proceeded. He contenaed that the eeal Lincoln's) opponent, b u t th at h e was o bli ged to b e absent. of the corn-laws would not exte n d our manufactures, be r ca p use Well, then, upon his (Lord Lin c ol n ' s ) arr i va l a t Newark, on as the manufactures of other countries increased the less those the Monday morning, he was t o ld it was k nown th a t h e had countries would require from us. In all those articles which been appointed Secretary for Ireland, and he found the whole they could not do without he thought they ought to depend upon themselves for. C orn could not be done without, and of the election mac hi nery at full work, by which meal, he was defeated; and the only additional expense he was put to in therefore its growth in this country ought t o b e protected. consequence w's the employment of an increased number Those who would first suffer by the measures of the Govern of solicitors. In conclusion, he had only no w t o say th a t t h e ment would be the small farmers, and from them distress would Hon. Member was mistaken if he purposed that he (Lord spread to all-classes in the country. Lincoln) had the least ill-feeling towards him, and that he Catain believeth would ver (Lord Linc o l n ) was perfectly satisfied with the explanation he mate ri ally affect POLHl the LL i n terest s at of the this tenant measure farmers. In y had given.—( Hear, hear.) deed so st rong ly was hi s impre:sion upon that subject that . he COMMUNICATION W ITH NEW YORK. tlought it necessary some time ago to press upon the attention The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, in of the House the necessity of introducing into this measure a answer to a question, th a t h e beli eve d it was intended to have clause which would enable that class of agriehlturists to claim weekly instead of fortnightly communications between Liver- such amounts as they s h ou ld prove b e f ore a Setect Committee pool and N ew Y or k . to have lost by the operation of this measure. The Right On the order of the day being read, Honourable Gentleman in the chair had however informed Mr. DISRAELI thought that it was but right that the him that it was out of his power to propose any House should be put into possession of the facts on which his such clause. An article in the Times stated that if such a Noble Friend (the Noble Lord the Member for Devon) had Committee were appointed, they would have no less than stated the circumstance on which he had acted. The Noble 300,000 applicants for relief. Now, if he were of opinion that Lord had not made any specific charge, but the statement so large a portion of his fellow.creatures would be injured by which he had ma d e was founded on the fact that the Noble this measure, he should moat decidedly give his vote against the Lord(the Member for the Falkirk Burghs) had engaged every third reading of the Bill before the House - . The progress of professional agent in the county. ADJOU this measu re h a d been delayed. to the great injury of the agr i- R The order of th e d ay wasNE again read. D DEBATE. cultural, as well as th e manu f actur i ng classes ; and he trusted that the Legislature• ld y set tle' uestion either Mr. NEWDEGATE regretted that on this que s - one way or the ether. wou He trusted that, after the the q passing of this tion he was placed in the prominent position hi now occupied ; measure, those gentlemen who had formed the association called but it should be borne in recollection that the Noble Lord the " The Anti-Corn•law L ," would do verythin in their Member for the East Riding of Yorkshire was in the posses- power to dissolve that a e ss a o g e u i e ationwhich e m'ght in g itself be sion of the House, and made a speech which reminded him of legal, but which at the same time he considered unconstitue the spirit of the days of Pitt and of Canning, rather than of tional. This great measure had been introduced as an experi the spirit that pervaded the debates of the present day. He ment, and he sincerely hoped that it might realise the most must take permission to speak to the Noble Lord's arguments, sanguine expectations of its promoters. He hoped that their on whose authority, toe, he was quite ready to rely, on the state• cheering prophecie s wou ld b e fulfilled. He could not sit down ments of the Ri g ht H on. B aronet the Secretary for the Home without expressing his sincere thanks to the Noble Lord the Department (Sir J. Graham). That Noble Lord had Member for Lynn ( Lord G. Bentinek ), for the very able man stated that twenty millions of bushels of corn were grown nor in which he had advocated the claims of the agriculturists. annually in Prussia, but to this opinion he could not assent. He had certainly done great credit to himself and the party He had been at some pains to collect the prices of wheat at which he led. Considering it of the, utmost importance to the New Orleans, the outlet of the Western States of America, well-being of the country that this question should be speedily and during the last three !rears the average price of wheat was settled, he (Captain Polhill) would give his vote for the third 245. Bd. per quarter; and, according to the best information reading of this measure, in order that the excitement which at he could get on the subject, the expense of transit and car- present prevailedmight be allayed.—( Hear, heer.) riage was 10s. per cwt. They might e x p ec t, the re fo re , that Mr. BENNETT wished to address himself to a point in wheat wou nd ld be introduced into this country at an average which he had for the last fi ft y years taken the greatest interest, of 31s how, he would ask, could the British farmer viz., the interests of the labouring classes of this country ; and contend against prices like this?—( Hear, hear.) He would he wished to know from the members of her Majesty's Govern now refer to the statements of the Right Honourable ment how they could prove that this measure would effect that Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- object ? The Hon. Member proceeded to quote from a speech went, which appeared to him to have been particularly. delivered by Mr. Charles Buller, on 7th March, 1844, in which directed to the Members of the protectionist party. that Hon. Gentleman said that the condition of the manufac- For his part he could see no reason for apprehension, but if taring labourers was far worse than that of the agricultural there was any danger which might have acted upon the appre- labourers. It was contended by all that this measure hensions of her Majesty's Government, it was probably a would tend to increase th e prosperity of the manu. stagnation of trade.—(Hear, hear.) Now he was much of facturers at the expense of the agriculturists ; the the same opinion, but he considered that they would have a labouring poor of this country would consequently be brought stagnation of trade, whether these measures were carried or more into large towns, where, as had been shown by the Hon. not. He could not help thinking that certain measures, intro- Member for Liskearcl (Mr. C. Buller), their lives would be duced by the Government in 1844, were very much the cause of shortened fifty per cent. ; and yet that same Hon. Gentleman the depression. When they remembered the speech of the Noble now came f or rd to give his support to this measure. If the Lord the Member for London, and how he warned them on wages of the tricultural labourer were low, it was owing to that side of the House, that unless they yielded in favour of their employers having imitated the example of the manufac public opinion, when expressed in such combinations as the terers, by buying in the cheapest market and selling in the Anti-Corn -law League, they could not be surprised at dearest.--( Hear.) Who could blame them ? It was human the course which had been adopted. The Noble Lord nature. Even if this measure would increase the wealth and quoted to them the course of events on the passing of the greatness of this country, he wished to know whether the hap- Reform Bill, of the Catholic Emancipation Bill, when public piness of the community at large would increase with the in opinion overcame her Majesty's Government. and even when, crease o f we a lth an d greatness e Anal if it did not (which was at a later period the monster meetings and agitation in Con- his firm opinion), he contended that no sufficient case had ciliation Hall had again caused the firmness of the Minister to been made out for the adoption of this measure. He contended yield.—(Hear, hear.) He told them that success was ine- lhe Government had not acted with sufficient foresight in thus vitable. If that were so, the Noble Lord was prepared to proposing a measure the result of which they did not know. yield to another agitation in another country, and its chance of suc cess stoo d i n all respects equal. Upon this subject he Mr. PLUMPTRE a l so cons id ered the experiment about to would al!utle to the opinion of the Hon. Member for Cork, be made by her Majesty's Ministers was a very rash one. whom he did not then see in tis place, but he trusted that he T hey party, and d es t ro y e d th e con fid ence o f a l arge had thrown ever 3 thi ng i nto con f us i on, and divided a might be allowed i n hi s a b sence to a ll u d e to these opinions , g re at ar Pa rty, and, how matte rs wou ld fi na ll y b e settled The Hon. M em b er then quoted various extracts fr om th e p he really could n o t t e ll ; an d h e th, the effect of th ese speeches of M r . O'C onne ll, ma d e a b out the passing of the measures on the question of tithes had not been sufficiently grant to M a y noo th, w hi c h augured favourably of the repeal movement, in conseq uence o f th e pass i ng o f t h e M aynooth considered ; and he mai n t a i ne d th a t i t was necessary t h at the grant, and othe r measures o f a popu l ar character. Were not price of corn in this c oun t r y s h ou ld b e k ept up to 51s. per the present circu ms t ances suc h as to j ust if y the anticipations of quarter, in order to enable the ea rn - growers o f thi s country to the Hon. M em b er ? Wh en t h e present corn-laws were re - cope with the foreign pr o d ucsr . Th e i n j ury w hi c h wou ld b e pea'ed, what cou ld prevent t h e Ri ght Hon. Baronet from con caused by the passing of this rneasere, would be one which ceding to the H on . M em b er f or C ork what he did not refuse would extend to all classes of the c ommun ity, an d p over t y , to the Hon. M em b er f or S tockport ?—( Hear, hear.) He be- ruin, and misery would spread f ar an d w id e; an d h e h ope d lieved the greate s t l oss w hi c h wou l d b e sustained by the pass the evils he anticipated from the passing of this measure. would. ing of the p resent measure would be the loss of character and not take place, and that the goo d p rov id ence o f G o d wou ld on want of con fid ence i n public men.—( Hear, hear.) He tinue to watch over th e coun t r y, an d preserve i t f rom th ese evils. He had no selfish feelings in the matter, and it was fully coincided with the Hon. Member for Huntingdon that with regret that he felt himself bound in his conscience to give the greatest suffering to which the public were subject his vote against the third reading of the Bill. in these times was from the dearth of statesmen. The Hon. Secretary for the Home Department had stated Mr. HASTIE thoug ht it would be desirable to know the that he th oug h t t h e nature of the present currency system in- proportion of the renta l of the United Kingdom which was, consistent with th e ma i n t enance o f our present state of cone- received from corn. merce. Was it unreasonable of him (Mr. Newdegate) to sup- Sir JOHN WALSH said that the Right Hon. Gentleman pose that an alteration, such as proposed by the _Right Hon. the Secretary for the Home Department, when discussing th e Bart., was only th e p recursor o f more ser i ous a lte ra ti ons, w hi c h sub j ect on the previous night, passed over the arguments of the it would be better for the country if they had never been H onoura bl e M em b er f or S omersetshire with the same carelse adopted. The Right Hon. Baronet said that he thought that ness as he threw aside his own previous opinions—( Hear, hear) the Hon. Member for Shrewsbury had said something about an —but he did not consider that his Hon. Friend had made out exportation of bullion as soon as these measures had Passed. In an unanswerable case that the free importation of corn would order that he might not misquote the Right Hon. Baronet, he be most disadvantageousto the country, and to the agricultural would read what he had said. The Right Hon. Baronet interests in particular. He would ask, was it not an admitted ageeed with the Hen. Member for Shrewsbury, that in the fact that corn could be grown and transported from the northern present state of the monetary system an exportation of bullion parts of Europe at a less cost than it could be produced by the would be injurious. How did that agree with the opinion of English farmer, and it could not be too generally known that the Right Hon. Baronet at the Head of the Government, who that corn was about five shillings a quarter better than that said that he did not care if an exportation of bullion took place, ordinarily grown by the British farmer.—(Hear, hear.) It and indeed he rather wished it? But again the Right Hon. was well said that there was no royal road to learn Baronet had admitted a little more than the Right Hon. mathematics but let them depend upon it there Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department. He was no cheap way to improve land.—( Hear, hear.) said, that after this panacea of free trade had been enacted, Another branch of the subject to which be would allude, d when the time of peculiar emergency and scarcity arrived which was lost sight of entirely during this debale,w_a_s . a :the t there must be a large exportation of bullion. Who could operation of these laws on the price of wages. The !ifer.l. doubt that that would be the case ?—( Hear, hear.) He Hon. Baronet (the Secretary for the Home Department) said would ask the House, knowing the effects of an that the price of the food had no connex ion tr with the price of exportation of bullion remembering the prices of wages. That might apply to such a co lho nd e, as h A ut m t e h r e ic c a s . se l o n f 1825—(Hear, hear)—and the prices of 1839, whether after Jamaica also the theory might be ap they had reduced the wages of labour in this country, which England was totally diffe a ren r t pid - T in h c i r s e l a c s o e un i t n ry the was pup d u e i n ut s i e o l u y he contended they must do, in order to gain the extension of populated, and there was a proposed space of The Right Hon. Gentleman has referred trade which they desired—( Hear, hear)—whether such a com- constantly goin g mercial crisis would be felt more or less ?—( Hear, hear.) But to the epe b r u ie t n h c e e o ( o n f si . th r e j l . ast rw th ai r s e h e ) ye f a ca rs re t d o t j h u a s t ti s fy uc t h he then the Right Hon. Baronet went on to explain how, in the measures, timeVi AS not a proper criterion to form a correct judge ordinary course of trade, the opening of the ports would t pre - had ment on this point. There might be many circumstances vent the exportation of bullion. The Right Hon. r_ e i l l i e ev w e as th a a e t t . u t a h t e ed theory would hold good if said, "he could not separafe the question of the for ei gn from to operate so as apparently to justify the conclusion come to, the home trade, and that as soon as the consumption of our but he did not 1 manufactures at home would not be oral to the which t d o , thos e applied to a longer period. , The Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir exported to the foreign market, would R. Peel) said that soon be glutted, and in that case it would be d necessary eman payment for those goods in:corn." by the most disinterested Well, now,supposing take and purest motives. It was not necessary for him to make such that a declaration to him ( Sir J. Walsh), for he avowed his implicit was the case, all that would be effected, and the manufacturers- confidence in the purity and integrity of the Right Hone would have the opportunity of shifting the loss, which would Baronet's intentions.—( Hear, bear. ) "But while he gave him be entailed upon them, by the reduction in the prices conse- credit for disinterestedness of purpose, he could not avoid quent upon the glutted state of the market. There would be, stating that the course which he now proposed to pursue was a forced importation of corn into the home market, and the an enormous error—an error which shipwrecked statesmen manufacturers would relieve themselves from the loss in the and ship wrecked states.— ( Hear, h ear .) Wh a t h e sa id h e first instan ce , b y caus i ng a glut of corn, which they would take said wit h the utmost respect to the Right Hon. Baronet, but in exchange for their goods. But how would that act upon he deeply regretted the course he had taken, though he could the country ?. Every one who knew anything of forced ex- not help expressing his belief in the integrity of the motives by changes of goods would know that it was quite clear that which he was actuated.—( Hear, hear.) The argument of the bullion would be b roug h t b ack as well as grain. They would Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down, as to the measure then have a forced exportation in payment or the caueing_a fall in the price of agricultural produce, was based goods th e y so ld i n the foreign markets, and they would not be upon a fallacy. He wished to remind the Hon. Gentleman, and able to recover f rom that glut, because the remittances would those who held that opinion, that the effe c t of be in cor n , an d a ll t h e i r ord i nary imports, which did not de- that argument would operate in two ways. If pend upon th e exc l us i on . o f t h e f ore i gn tra d e, would be, ilur- it : craned a fall in agricultural p r o du ce, that uhi m , g the wh o l e ti me a b s t rac ti ng th e i r b u lli on. T he .conse- reduction would go to the benefit of the labourer.H e would, quenee of this state of things would be distress to all classes therefore, impress upon them, that such this argument would go in this country. H e believed t h a t w h en Ad am Smith and to strengthen the imputation, that was i landlord's Ricardo recommended free trade, they contemplated a different question, and not one in which the labourer was concerned. If the " system Of currency to the present system ; and, in feet, the prices fell, the labouring classes would be proportionably benefited Right Hon. Baronet had admitted it. He thought this noun. He would, therefore, impress upon the Hon. -Gentleman not to try would have bitterly to regret the determination of the place his argument on such a foundation. The H on . G en tl e - Right Honourabl e B aronet . Th e Ri g h t H onourable Gen- man also referred to the question of capital, but h e wou ld as k in tlean at the h ea d o f t h e H ome D epartment had talked were not the labouring classes the origin of all the weal+ and much of the fall of prices in agricultural produce. prosperity of the country ? The Hon. Gentleman also re- He would call his attention to the opinion of Malthus, (erred to the prices of wages bearing a relative proporti . o t in his letters to the landed interest. He had abandoned those the price of food, he denied that such was the case, fo w r a i s n h n a o d principles; but were they good in 1826 and bad now? Were been over and over again proved that tl i z e re n shown circumstances changed, or the pressure of the national debt less? such dependence, and it much had better off w hen Mr. Malthus said that if the price of wheat were to fall to that the labourer w 50s. there could be no doubt the stockholder would be bone- food was cheap, and his, wage s werep T ro h p e or p t r io io n e a i b p l i y e t h re ig as h o e u r than why fited at the expense of the industrious tnan, and instead of the when it was dear. --(Hear, he bear. ) arguments which had been made interest paid by Government being five per cent., according he rose was to allu t d o e to th e t condition of Ireland. It had been to the present monetary sytilem, the result would be that they use of with respect d. would in reality pay seven , eight, and nine per cent. The said there was no A tr e es m s a in rk t e h t a s t dciodunntrotte fo Lh i i t s h w a as s a n n ffi e r r ie ro n; price that was contemplated was not, howercr, 505., it was neous stateme nt . 355. He would now turn to the question whether the corn- criterion wher eby to form an accurate judgment on this point. laws were just or unjust. It was a novel position for the Right In some p a r t s t. of Ireland potatoes were not extremely high in but an argument was found from that circumstance Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State when he called the corn- price in one, f or of the condition of the people, it was an erroneous laws unjust. It was in fact a virtual confession that be had on , the reason why the food was cheap was b ecause been unjust for a period-of thirty years to the people of this o the people were not in a condition to purchase it. country. lie (Mr. Newde gate) . felt assured that the effect f Where the people were in a condition to purchase food, it had these laws would be to drive seven or eight million quarters in. risen to a very -alarming extent. Corn had risen, and oats had of grain out of the market. The home markets wo ul d b undated with foreign corn. He maintained that thi s country risen beyond the means of the people to purchase, and this was would never be rendered i n d e p en d en t o f f oreign. co untries by good proof that distress really did ex i st to a most lamentable free trade. He had ex pr e ssed reasons which i nuced him degreee. From the causes which he had stated, the markets to believe that the corn laws were not unju st. He would had not shown the di s t ress in its real bearing. He maintained advert to the statements which had been mad e by the Noble that it was for the interest of the aristocracy to give to all Lord the Member for London. He had advised t wo Members classes of the people food at the very cheapest rate. The a state of of the Upper House of p a rliament, as they d per- people could not be contented without suc h serve their p os ition, to s ceu mb to the popular thi ngs were brought about. He might be told that feeling.—(Hear, hear.) He , h o wever, as an humbl e re d ucing the price of food would , also bring down individual would r e commend them to convince the people o f th e rents of the landlords. lie did not care for that as an this country that they bad th e wisdom.honesty to act in a c c or d ance Irish landowner—as an Eng li s h representative he felt bound to with the dicates of prudence and The Upper House .t e meet so g rea t a c h ange w h en I was demanded for the good of was a court of justice as well as an arena for legi s l a ti on. the people. He would bear his share of the injury, as it was Grievous misstatements e xi sted as to w hether the population of his duty and every landowner's duty when the Wants of the Wer e dependent al u gt .Alt , ..e had country requir ed et On 4 icnu e T 4 it. —(Htar, hear.) For such realms he felt, this country GROUP XX. The Committee met to-day at the usual hour ; Mr. Southeron in the chair. WINDSOR, SLOUGH, AND STAINES AT. MOSPHERIC. The business was commenced with the cross-examination of Mr. Bedborough, the Deputy Chairman of the Company, who was examined on Friday last as to the estimates, &c. Mr. Milne, enginer, was then examined—He proved that the pro posed line wof.ld not increase the floods at Eton College, and that the plans suggested to prevent them would be successful ter that purpose. The estimates were quite sufficient to complete the under taking. Mr: Braithwaite, engineer, corroborated the evidence of lee witnea3. Edward Jeese, inspector of her Majesty's parks and palaces was exam:tied as to the benefits which would be derived by the public generally from the line. He was also of opinion that it would not interfere with the privacy of Eton College, but, on the contrary, would be the means of removing the great omnibus traffic which at present exists on the turnpike road, and interfering very materially with the quietude of that place. The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP X-KVII. This Committee reassembled this morning at the usual hour ; Sir C. Lemon in the chair. SOUTH r;Txxo LAN D. Mr. Upton, a corn-factor from Bedford, was the first witness ex amined this morning. His evidence proved the benefit which the proposed scheme would confer on the town of Bedford and the dis trict generally. He thought this line preferable to the competing one, inasmuch as it was so constructed as to be more easily con nected with any southern communication to London. The engineering evidence was then gone into. Mr. Liddell, engineer of the line, examined by Mr. MAcArLAY, described the course of the line, and stated that it was laid out with a view to the accommodation of the district generally. Wit ne•3s then detailed the curves, gradients, tunnels, cuttings, and em bankments of the two schemes, the result of the codiyarison being greatly in favour of the South Midland line as regards the construc tion of the works and the consequent saving of expense. He con firmed the evidence of Mr. Stephenson, which we have already re ported. The cross-examination of this witness occupied the remainder of the day, and the Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow. GROUP XX...X. This Committee re-assembled to-day at the usual hour. Presen• Lord Charles Wellesley (chairman), and the other members. AYLESBURY AND THAME JUNCTION, AND THE C./LTV/BRIDGE AND OXFORD. Mr. CALvERT (on the part of the promoters of the Aylesbury and Thame line) resumed his argu.i.ents in reply. lie felt satisfied that the reason that the promoters of the opposing line had limited their engineering evidence to Mr. Locke and his prote-Cie, Mr. Denton, was that they could n o t o bt a i n any other respectable engineering evidence in support of a single line. It was well-known that the opi nion of scientific men was quite hostile to such, and he would take the liberty of quoting a few authorities on this matter. (The Learned Counsel here read the evidence of several eminent engineers depre cating strongly the principle of single lines.) lie hoped lie had now shown the Committee that this single line was impracticable, and that the Cambridge and Oxford line was deficient in that unity of management which was held out lay the line he supported, which the Board of Trade so strongly recommended last year. The A) les bury and Theme line would be worked by the London and Birming ham Company, to which they had heard Mr. Stephenson state he intended to recommend it. The line also had the advantage of being an almost perfect level, and the radius of the curve, to which such frequent allusion had been made by his Learned Friends en the other side, was not of that nature as to be a matter of serious objection to the line. Though it had been said there was all epposition to this Bill from landowners, there was not a shadow of evi dence adduced to prove that any fesidential injury would be inflicted by this line. The level crossings had been preferred. With respect to popularity, it would appear that the petitioners at Aylesbury in favour of their line (Aylesbury and Theme) were as three to one compared with those in lavour of the Cambridge and Oxford line. The L' anted Couw el concluded by expressing a hope that the Committee would reject the Cambridge and Oxford line, and adopt the Aylesbury and Thame line. Sergeant CLARKE replied. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXXV. The Committee met to-day, at twelve o'clock, in room No. 27 (Grand Corridor)—present, Mr. George Bankes (chairman), Sir A. L. Hay, Mr. Bruges, Sir Thos. Winnington, Sir R. W. Bulkeley —and proceeded to consider the EAST COAST LINE. Mr. Corm, on the part of the promoters, stated to the Chairman, that since the last sitting of the Committee, he had consulted with his constituents, and he found, that in consequence of the evidence of er ane orurtatanigi,emseirn tsw.hadrobweeknes,maandde withMr . the c I i c e o r m o n n o t s h s last n,rs d o a t y t , he sev ti e other parties, hitherto opponents of the Bill, by which the objections of those parties were removed. The Learned Gentleman who appeared for the Commissioners of the Nene, the Commissioners of the Bedford Level, Sir Thomas Fowkes, and the Corporation of Wisbeach, severally and formally withdrew their oppo Mon. !Sir E. W. 11 ULKELEY—Why, this was a very formidable opposition at first, but it has dwindled away to nothing. Mr. Coos wished to know whether his Learned Friend, Mr. Web ster, who appeared for ninety-eight petitioners, of whom twenty-six were designated by their marks—(A laugh) —was instructed to with draw his opposition ? Mr. WEBSTER said he was not. But if the promoters went on so earnestly to work in removing objections by abandoning their line, he would soon have nothing t:, oppose.—(Laughter.) Mr. COOKE then called additiOnal witnesses to prove the traffic. One of the witnesses, Secretary to the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, stated that he and all the people in the neighbourhood in Lincolnshire, being farmers and graziers, were always glad to avail themselves of the railway, especially for the transport of fat cattle. In Lincolnshire they would be greatly benefited by railways, and he thought favourably of the East Coast line. The wittiestes were erc,ss-examined by Mr. SANDERS, on behalf of certain petitioners. They were of opinion that the proposed line would be very valuable to an extensive grazing and importing dis trict, and would complete a most important chain of railway com munication with the north and west. Mr TALBOT was proceeding to cross-examine a witness on the behalf of certain petitioners, when Mr. COCKBURN, for the promoters, submitted that the real oppo nents in this case were the Eastern Counties Railway Company, as appeared on the face of the petition. • The CHAIRMAN said that he would allow the question to be put, without reference to any other railway, for it was the duty of the Committee to withhold their sanction from any railway which did not appear to be-the bust that could be constructed for the public accommodation in its district. Mr. T. Wyng, of Thornley, a magistrate of Cambridge, and agent to the Duke of Bedford, gave evidence in Ihvour of the line, • o far as the arrangements for maintaining the drainage were concerned. Mr. Fulton, one of the engineers, was examined as to the merits of the line in his department. There were no engineering difficulties. The cross-examination did not materially affect his direct evidence. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXXVII. The Committee met this miming at the usual hour, Lord Seymour In the chair. _ _ _ ---- ------- The Committee then proceeded to hear evidence with respect to the MIDLAND, DARNSLEY, SHEFFIELD, DEWSUV2T, AND LEEDS AND nicanronn. Mr. Scott, the engineer to the line, As called and examined at considerable length by the counsel for the South Yorkshire Coal and Canal Company, who opposed the line. The railway passed within half a mile of the town of Barnsley. It ran for the distance of ten miles within half a mile of the canal, and for the distance of seven or e'ght miles within three-quarters of a mile ofanother railway. The slopes were one to one, and the embankments one and a half to one. There were two tunnels with shafts in them, and three viaducts. The witness wai then examined at some length relative to the various items in the estimate. The line ran through Lord Scarborough's property at Thornhill for three-quarters of a mile. There were no level crossings on his Lordship's property. Mr. S. Russell, an engineer, was examined by the promoters to show the practicability of the line. He possessed practical expe rience in the working of railways ; and having examined the sec tions of this line, it was his opinion that it could be worked rapidly and economically, and was preferable to the line that opposed it. Mr. Thomas Jackson, a railway contractor, deposed that the line w eo inT ul hi d neg b c e hoinin co u n ss s ee t llf r f u ot c or te ut d hned fo e prtrrtoahmkeeosto the es t sums stated the estimate, and he was dosed. d that his case was then The Committee then proceeded to consider the EMIUDERSPIMLD AND sznarrarLD (BAR PIZLI) a IiZAZT C g). i Mr. BAINES briefly stated the case for thc p. line from Sheffield to B ar fi eld would accommodate romoters an extensiv The e and populo district, cont a i n i ng a population of between 70,000 and 100,00 i. us It would opal up a di rect communication for the convey ance of coals fro offer facilities to Supply them at a much cheaper rate. It would also form a trunk communication between the manufac turing districts and the metrcpolls. The country pos sessed singular engineerng difficulties, but the cost of the line per mile would not be more than 20,0001. The Barnsley branch, which opposed it, would cost no less than 30,000/. B ari line also possessed an advantage over the Banisley branch in this respect—that whilst it followed the course of the valley and accommodated itself to the winning point of the coals from the mine., and thus facilitated their conveyance, the Barnsley branch ran a level with the tops of the hills, and which was open to 00. He submitted that no li ne cou l d possibly have a stronger claim bj o ec n ti the attention of Parliament. Mr. John Sutcliffe, a wool merchant, residing at Huddersfield, was then called—lle conadered that It was a very desirable line, and likely to promote the welfare of the country, and if it were carried ll t 110 Trould Di IWO to cbtain coal e 4 much chum rate. o . e2: l