The Sun. — London, England, 1846-04-30 00:00:00

fourtt72l:tition SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock, OLDHAAI DISTRICT RAILWAYS. Notice is hereby given, that in pursuance of the resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, a Special General Meeting of the Holders of Scrip, and Bankers' Receipts for Scrip, of the Oldham District Railways Company, will be held in the Town-hall in Oldham, in the county of Lancaster, on FRIDAY, the Bth day of May next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon precisely, for the purpose of submitting, and at which meeting will be submitted, a Copy of the Bill depend ing in the House of Commons, to authorise the making of the said Railways and the incorporation of the Company, for the considera tion and approval of the said Holders of Scrip and Bankers' Receipts for Scrip. JOHN DTTNCEFT, Chairman. EDWARD COCKRELL, Secretary, Oldham, April 29th, 1846. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE and OXFORD and BLETCHLEY JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY. In pursuance of the Sessional Orders of both Houses of Parliament, notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of the SCRIPHOLDERS of this Company, that is to say of the Holders of Scrip, or of Bankers' Receipts for Scrip, of the Company, will be held on SATvxDAY, the 9th of May next, at twelve o'clock at coon, at the London and Birmingham Railway Station, in Euston-square, London, for the purpose of approving (or otherwise) the following Bills now before Parliament, viz. : A Bill for making a railway from the London and Birmingham Railway, at Aldbury, in the county of Hertford, to Banbury, in the County of Oxford (Tring to Banbury). A Bill for making a railway from Oxford to the London and Bir mingham Ra lway, at Bletchley, in the county of Buckingham (Ox ford to Bletchley). '1 he Sessional Orders, before re: erred to, require that one-third of the capital proposed to be raised by the Bill shall he represented at the meeting by persons producing thereat scrip or bankers' receipts for the same, and the holders of such scrip or receipts are therefore requested to attend accordingly. The Directors take this opileinnity of announcing that both the aboie Bills have been read a lieond time ; the latter is now in Com mittee, and wholly unopposed ; the Committee on the former Bill is not at present named The Secretary will afford such information and assistance to the shareholders as they may desire with reference to their scrip or re ceipts, and the production thereof, and the voting thereon at the meeting. Communications may be addressed to him at the Com pany's office, No. T.), Great George-street, Westminster. As so parties will be entitled to vote at the meeting until his or her name and address, and the denoting numbers of all the scrip or receipts are first recorded, shareholders are particularly requested, with a view to the convenience of the meeting, either to send their scrip or receipts to the Secretary, or to any of the Committee of Management.* at the offices of the Company, or to furnish a state ment of the denoting numbers of the scrip or receipts to the Secre tary forthwith, as otherwise the proceedings of the meeting will be greatly delayed by the necessary preliminary investigations. HARRY VERNET, Bart., Ghairman of the Committee of Management. WYNDHAM HARDING, secretary. Dated 29th April, 1846 Offices of the Company, 29, Great George-street, Westminster. ► The following gentlemen are the Committee of Management : Sir Harry Verney, Bart., Claydon House, Bucks. The Hon. thamptonshire Philip Sidney Pierrepont, Evenley Hall, Brackley, Nor Captain Edw. Dewes, Buckingham. Humphrey Humphreys, Esq., Buckingham. Jonathan Samuel Browning, Esq., Oxford. Timothy Rhodes Cobb, Eli., Banbury, Oxon. Zacharias Daniel Hunt, Esq., Aylesbury, Bucks. George Carr Glyn, Esq., London Joseph Frederick Ledsam, Esq., Birmingham I Directors Edward Cropper, Esq.. Liverpeol of the Thomas Smith, Esq., Reigate Lodge, Surrey London Thomas Young, Esq., Albany. London and Ross Donelly Mangles, Esq., M.P., London _ Birmingham Captain Constantine Richard Moorsom, Air- Railway. min g,ham I t Robert Benson, jun., Esq., Fairfield, Manchester ASSOCIATION FOR, THE AID OF DRESSMAKERS AND MILLINERS. (TEIS DAY.) The annual meeting of this association was held to-day, at two o'clock, in the rooms of the Statistical Society, 12, St. James's-square. Present—Lord Dudley C. Stuart, Earl of Arundel and Surrey ; Hon. Capt. Knox, R N.; Rear-Ad miral Sir Charles Malcolm, Capt. Kelly, R.N.; Capt. Hat ton, R N., M.P. ; Rev. Thomas Boodle, J. Toynbee, Esq., F.R.S.; S. Sollv, Esq., F.R.S.; General Kenah, General Itiddell, Henry Holland, Esq. ; Countess Grey, Hon. Miss C. Waldegrave, Mrs. James Taylor, and Miss Knox. Lord ASHLEY, having taken the chair, said he hoped he might be excused from detaining the meeting by any lengthened observations, for he bad left another meeting in great haste, and the chair in it would remain vacant tilt he could return. But be could not begin the business of the meeting without congratulating them on the very marked improvement that had taken place in all their arrangements, and especially as to the regulations in point of time ; and he hoped that they would see that the efforts they had made and the zeal they had shown had not been altogether thrcwn away, for great improvement had been in .de in the circum stances of the young females who were the objects of their . benevolence. Mr. GRANGER, the Secretary, was then called on to read the report, which stated that situations had been obtained through the office during the past year for 434 persons; that there had been a reduction in the hours of work ; that still there was a great want of out-door exercise, and in the matter of food there wst reason to fear, in many cases, there was a deficienev both is quality and quantity. Lord DUDLEY STUART, tieing cAllt d on to move the first resolution, that the report be received, said. it was with great pleasure that he rose to do so ; for all would agree with him that the report read was able and satisfactory, and likely, if printed and circulated, to do much good in furthering the objects of the Association. It gratified him especially that there had been a reduction in the hours of toil. Employers hem selves had been led to see there was a policy in refraining from overworking those whom they employed. This was acknowledged in reference to animals, but much more must over-fatigue affect the amount of work done by the human being, whose mind, as well as hi. body, was inti mately affected. The maxim was now being generally re ceived, that honesty is the best policy- ; and in this case that maxim, he believed, applied,- for it. was decithdly dishonest in any person to overwork those whom they employed. He begged to add to the motion, that the report be also printed and circulated. J. TO/IMRE, Esq., seconded the resolution, which was put and carried. An amendment was moved to this resolution by a gen tleman in the body of the meeting, that no good could be ultimately done by the Association so 10n,.f as foreigners were employed and ladies had their dresses made by their maids. Lord ASHLEY could not put it, as the mover was not a member of the Association. The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY moved that the Right Hononrabt.e Lord Ashley be re- e l ec t e d P res id ent of the As social ion. S. SOLLY, Esq., seconded the resolution, which was car ried unanimously. Lord Amur, in acknowledging the honour done him, alluded to the general movement throughout the kingdom, to secure for all engaged in labcier a portion of each day for their mental and moral improvement His Lordship moved the names of those to he re-elected as vice-presidents, and of those to form the ladles' committee for the ensuing year. Mr. REDMATNE moved, "That the thanks of the meeting are due to the medical officers of the Association, for their efficient services." The Rev. THOMAS NOODLE seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Hon. Captain KNox moved, and Mr. SMITH seconded, " That the thanks of the meeting were due to R.D. Grainger, Esq , the honorary secretary of the Association." The thanks cf the meeting were voted to the Hon. Chair man, and the assembly separated CORNWALL AND DEVON CEN TRAL RAILWAY.—(THIS .DAY.) A meeting of the shareholders in this undertaking was held, at twelve o'clock this day, at the London Tavern, bishopsgate-street. H. Williams, Esq., was called to the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in onening the business of the meeting, stated that they had called the shareholders together for the purpose of laying before them the position and state of affairs of the Company. A report had been prepared, and he would call upon the Secretary to read the same; he would then be happy to answer any questions that might be put by the shareholders present. The SECRETARY then read the report. The CHAIRMAN then stated, that in order to afford the shareholders the power of giving expression to their opinion, on the subject of whether the affairs of the Company should or should not be wound up, they had prepared petitions to both Houses of Parliament. Mr. D. W. HattvEr proceeded at sonte length to comment on the position of the Company t ,ind pointed out the rea sons why the Cornwall and Devon Central Railway, in his opinion, ;would not participate in the benefits of the proposed Government measure. After Nine considerable time had elapsed, and a warm dis cussion had taken place, it was announced to the meeting by a Mr. Clipperton, a soli c itor, that he hail had the opinion of the Solicitor-General, to the effect that it would come within the meaning of the Act. On the motion of Mr. Osborne, of Exeter, the meeting ad journed sine die. ILWAY COMMITTEES (THIS DAY.) GROUP TIM GILL LT 160 7Wria V. OW SCOTTa&I4I), (Continued ' _ trim our Afternoo n Mr. AUSTIN wished to knew i • Ir fatt ia ,; ) _,..„, for the Perth and Inverness line, f opposed Learned Abe—rd-e•eivas appeared Elgin line?and Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS—No, we do not. Mr. 'AUsTIN contended, then, that they could not oppose the Great North of Scotland line, and they ought either to remain neutral, or oppose both the coast lines. Mr. Sergeant Baftasts thought not. Here were two ,diatinctcom. prudes, the one a competing line with the Great North of Scotland for the local, and the other a competing line with the Great North of Scotland for the through traffic. Both Companies had, therefore, the right of oppo,ing the Great North of Scotland. The CHAIRMAN—Let us proceed, then, as before. I don't think we Shall gain time by discussing the matter further. Mr. AUSTIN wished to know then if the Committee had any ques tions to ask his client upon Mr. Duncombe's resolutions 9 The CHAIRMAN -Yes, some doubt has been raised as to the source whence you procured your deposits with the Accountant-General. Mr. Foßsirrii--Yes, there are circumstances connected with these deposits which give rise to grave suspicion that the deposit was not raised by bona fide subscriptions on allotted shares. In the first place, the solicitors of the company, Messrs. Adam and Andrews, had allotted to them in the first instance 500 shares each, wiech amounted to 50,0001., upon which the 5/. per cent deposit was paid, 2,5001. ; hut on the 28th of January, 1846, 1,630 a..ditional shares were allotted to Mr. Adams, amounting to .81,5001., upon w hi c h he was on.y liable to pay the 51 per cent. de posit, but he had paid more; he had paid 73,3a0/. Mr. Thomas Blakey, the joint secretary, had allotted to him 25,ti04. shares, for which lie was liable, to 25,0001. Messrs. Inglis and Burns, the Edinburgh agents, have subscribed to the extent et 20,0001., and Iwo other agents to ti:e extent of 15,0001., while the directors, eight in number, had subscribed I i ,0001. Mr AUSTIN explained that, independently of the amount sub scribed by the solicitors, a sufficient deposit had been paid on the shares to meet the requisitions of the standing orders of the House of Commons. The excess was to meet the requisitions of the stand ing orders of the House in r.orils. Mr. Hugh Lonsdale, Sheriff of Stitherlandshire, gave general evi dence in favour of the t Treat North line. It gave more local accom modation. in his opinion, than the Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin line. The Great North line passed through a fertile and populous district , while its c ompetitor passed through . a Go • mparatively sterile and barren country. three-fourths of the Perth and :Nairn line it passed through a I: road was frequently stopp e d wilderness, and in the winter season the not be applied to t th -ir( ( 1 up with snow, but title objection could important manufactiners ireat North line. There were three Great North line and further on employing several thousand people on the , a shareholder, on a large scale. At Huntley also there were inae:Pa" large and extensive quarries. Mr. Andrew Lumsdale and both in the Great North of Scotland and the Aberdeen, Banff line, preferred the Bare anta igreultural and well former line, because it went through ai t Peopled county on both side', while the Ban the coast, and would only be extebsivety ustlu r e Passed nearer to branches of the Great North line would am i " one Si de. The accommod a t e B an And places near to tile coast. Captain Dalrymple, son of Sir Robert Dalrympl e , et . ~ Luver ar7,gave concurrent testimony. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XI. SLAMANNANNT AND BO alit 0 T 017211t8 s (Continuod frona our Afternoon Edition.) The clauses of the Bill were thou gone throu::ii and agreed to. • WILSONTOWN, DI R,NX GSIDE, and COLT.. NESS (CALEDONIAN' JITNCTION). Xr. thaw s opened the case on behalf t,f this line, WhiCil is ttn• opposed. It is a branch from the Wilsentown, Morningside, and ()pitiless Railway, to connect it with the Caledonian line, so as to open up the rich mineral oistrict intersected by the latter, and to form a connexion with Edinburgh and Granton, whence coal and lime might be supplied. . . Mr. Coniston, civil engineer, was examined as to the advantages of the line. The gradients were generally good, and could be easily worked. The severest was one in eighty-five. The estimated cost of the line was 123,3701., the length of the branch was eight miles and three•quarters, and the traffic was calculated, after paying work ing expenses, to yield a revenue of live and a half per cent. Mr Williamson, mining engineer, generally stated the advantages the branch would confer on the mineral traffic of the district. It was a work which, when executed, would be of the greatest benefit. The Committee declared the preamble of the Bill to be proved. The clauses were then arranged, and, with the exception of two that were postponed, agreed to. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP XIV. SOUTH-EASTEILN AND 871LANCXZES . The Committee on this group of railways met to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room N o . 30 ; p res e n t —Mr. Protheroe (chairman), Lord Emlyn, Mr. J. O'Connell, and Mr. Grogan. The CHAtaitele said that with regard to the correspondence wb*ch had passed between the South-Eastern Company and the Board of Admiralty, those letters merely contained a rennet to anew the Greenwich Branch to pass through Gre enwich Part, without assign ing any reason for that refusal which could at all operate on rational men. Under those circumstances, he thought that the Greenwich Branch was as much before the Committee as any other part of the l i gn nt e e d rfe w re n w l i h th e fear that the vibration made at the Observatory. The Mr. MZERZWETHZE sa id canned th ba3t. the the fastnl only trains eas wouldon a s assigned such an objection was of no stating his real reasons for fear of offending a dou h b a t d beat able e g t t o h value but he declined the Astronomer delicate R ex o p y e e rim b e e n d ts de t e h l a a t re a d re thet me Th rre e we A t s h t e r r o ) n w om eu er a Ex , s sUt t e et a i nd u t t o , overcome those reasons. the Board . of eo a d d h m e ir ( tt r y . . Mr. GoLDsMID said that the South-Eastern Company had in their opening abandoned that part of their line, and that b e i ng th e case it could not now come under the consideration of the Committee. The CHAIRMAN said that their duty was not to consider what the South-Eastern Company had abandoned, but to consider the public benefit that would result from the formation of any particular line. The South-Eastern Company had retained the Greenwich branch of their line upon the map, and therefore he considered it competent to the Committee to decide upon it. Mr. limo, who appeared on the part of the Thames and Medway Canal Company against the South-Eastern line, called James Smith, the lock-keeper on the canal at Maidstone, who stated that there is a lock above Maidstone-bridge, and in times of flood there is great difficulty in navigating a barge through the lock at the bridge. It is a very common occurrence for two or three barges to get across the pier of the bridge. The width of the barges ' is abut 15 feet 6 inches, and the arch of the bridge was about 24 feet span. The barges going through the bridge are much affected by the westerly winds, and there is difficulty in keeping them straight in going through the bridge. If there was a bridge formed sixty yards farther down, the barges would have to be kept straight in going through both bridges. Even as the present bridge is, the barges often sustain serious datnage in passing through it. By Mr. MEsitzwETuza—Believes that the new bridge will be about 60 or 70 yards from the present bridge. The barges, when loaded, draw from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 inches of water. Mr. Dewharst, a member of the Committee of the Medway Navi gation Company.—The company owns the river tin' a little be Maidstone to Tunbrige, a distance of 15 or 16 es. The com pany are extensive dealers in coal as well ash company entirely supported the greater portion Medway ettt with et. carriers. M T id coal before toe introduction of railways. When railways were intro duced they were compelled to avail themselves of the South-Eastern Company to carry their coal, but that company charged se high that frequent remonstrances were addressed to them. The North Rent Company, on the contrary, exercised their powers with much fair ness. The Navigation Company at length proposed to run a loco motive on the South-Eastern line, but the South-Eastern Company refused to allow it Mr. MERREWEATHER ebilleed to that circumstance being taken Into consideration, as it was already the subject of proceedings in the Court of Queen's Bench. Mr. BIGG considered that it was perfectlYcompetent to him to make that circumstance a part of this case.l The CHAIRMAN decided that the Committee could not attend to that point, as it was before a civil court. Mr. Bleu then addressed the Committee at some length, on the part of his clients, and commented on the table of charges which the South-Eastern Company had themselves supplied, and which showed that the Company had charged the Navigation Company for carriage more than double the amount which they made otker persons pay. At the conclusion of his address, the paper was handed in to the Committee. Mr. Sergeant Wassmitam, on the part of the North Kent line, pro ceeded to call rebutting evidence to the case mace out by the South- Eastern Company. He called I Mr. Vignoles, who stated that the evidence given on the South- Eastern sidehad not altered his opinion of the North Kent line. The low level of the South-Eastern had been adopted to secure easy gra dients, but that object had not been attained. The highest vertical elevation on the South-Eastern between Greenwich and Dartford is 118 feet, and on the North Kent 135 feet ; but the South-Eastern Company loses its advantage by the amount of undulation. Be tween Dartford and Gravesend the level is in favour of the South Eastern Ilee, but their undulations again lose the advantage. Although Mr. Stephenson's minims level is 90 feet lower than the summit level of the North Kelt, yet his rises are 30 per cent higher than on the North Kent. Between Gravesend an: Chatham the summit level of the North Kent is 75 feet, and on the Socth pastern it is the reverse, there is a fall of 16 feet. The amount of undulatiei, is greater on the South Eastern. From Chatham to fiettingbounte the highest r.ointis 98 feet on :the North Kent, but on the South Eastern the highest summit is only 45 feet: There are no rises on the North Kent in that distance, but the rises of the South East ern line are altogether 75 feet, thus losing the advantage they gain by a lower level. Between Canterbury and Faversham, the highest point on the South Eastern line is 150 feet, and on the North Kent it is 1.0 feet. The sum of the rises on the North Kent is 150, and the sum of the rises on the South Eastern Is 166, thus lasing 16 feet. Between Dover and Canterbury the highest point on the North Kent is 132 feet, and the sum of the rises is also 132 feet, giving no undulation. The South Eastern's highest level, between these points, is 276 feet, and the sum of the rises is 3.56, giving 80 feet amount of undulation. The amount of all the undulations on the North Kent line is 61 feet ; and the total a mount of the undulation on the South Eastern is 154 teet, giving an excess of undulation of 193 teet on the South Eastern scheme. It is not fair in ascertaining ruling gradients to take a line in sections—the whole of the line should be taken into consideration, in order;, to ascertain the real ruling gradient. Such a division would only be fair, supposing that a fresh engine was to be pet on at every section, and regulated to the amount of resistance It had to incur by gradients. Well, take the sections of the two lines and compare them. On tae North Kent line, from Greenwich to Dartford, the ruling gradient is 1 in 132, and it is the same on the South Eastern. The distance by the North Kent is 12 miles, 7 furlongs, and 1 chain, and on the South- Eastern it is 1.2 miles, 7 furlongs. and 2% chains; but on the north loop, over which all their Gravesend and Sheerness traffic mast go, the distance is 14 miles, three furlongs, and 24 chains. On the North Kent there are no level crossings, but there are fourteen on Di, South-Eastern. The North Kent has 2,960 yards of tunnelling in that distance, while the South-Eastern has none, but on the southern loep there are 781 yards. Between Dartford and Gravesend the ruling gra dient of the North Kent is 1 in 132, and on the South-Eastern 1 I'llB2. By the North Kent the distance is 19 miles, 6 furlongs, and 101 chains. On the South-Easter it is 19 miles 6 furlongs and 3 challis , but on their southern loop, on which, on their own shewing, all their Gravesend traffic must pass, the distance is 21 miles 3 furlongs 4 chains. The North Kent has no level crossings, but the South- Eastern has 3. There is no tunnelling on the N. rth Kent in that distance, but on the South-Eastern there aro 264 yards. From Gravesend to Chatham the ruling gradient is one in 264, and on the South-eastern it is quite level. The distance on the North Kent is 28 miles, 6 chains, and on the south I up of the South- Eastern it is 28 miles 1 furlong 9 chains, and on the north loop, 29 miles 7 furlongs. The North Kent has no level crossings, but the South-Eastern has 7. Between Chatham and Sittingborne the ruling gradient on the North Kent is 1 in 132, and on the South-Eastern it is lin 168. The distance by the North Kent is 38 miles 2 furlongs 8% chains, and by the South-Eastern 39 miles, 4 furlongs 3 chains. The North Kent has 1,000 yards of tun nelling in that distance, and in the South-Eastern there are 1,7a0 yards. The South-Eastern has 1,100 yards of viaduct and a swing bridge, while the North Kent has neither. Between Sittingbourne and Faversham the North Kent distance is 45 miles, 2 Mrlongs, and half a chain ; on the South-Eastern it is 46 miles, 7 furlongs, and I chain. The North Kent Railway gradient Is 1 In 330, and the South-Eastern lin 106. There are no level crossings on the North Kent, and flie on the South-Eastern; no tunnelling on the North Kent, and 242 yards on the South-Eastern. Between Faversham and Canterbury the North Kent distance is 54 miles, 2% chains, and the South-Eastern distance is 58 miles, 8 chains. The North Kent 4radient is lin 172, and the south-Eastern gradient is lin 100. The North Kent has 1,500 yards of tunnelling, and the South-Eastern none. The North Kent. has ;,one level crossing, and the South-Eastern five. Between Canterbury and Dover the North Kent ruling gradient is 1 in 132', and the South-Eastern lin 79. The total distance of the North Kent, from the Greenwich Railway to Liverpool-terrace, Is 70 miles 1 furlong, % chain, and on the South-Eastern line the distance is, fromithe same point to their local station, 73 miles, 2 fur longs 4 chains. The North Kent tunnelling is 2,280 yards, and by the alternative line 2,760 yards, while the South-Eastern has 4,375 yen's. The North Kent has only one level crossing, and the South- Eastern Company six en the Maidstone branch. The North Kent ruling gradient from Rochester to Maidstone is 1 in 132. There is a short gradient, half a mile, of 1 in 90. The South-Eastern ruling gradient, between Maidstone and Rochester, is lin 83. The North Kent distance is 9 nines, 5 furlongs to the centre of the town, but to form a junction with the Paddock Wood branch the distance exceeds 10 miles. The si:iuth-Eastent distance is 11 miles 6 furlongs 1 chain. The North Kent has 200 yards of tunnel, and the South Eastern 440 yards. The Sheerness branch has both lines level, and the North Kent distance is 6 miles 7 fur ongs 8 chains ; while the South Eastern distance is 5 miles 7 furlongs 6 chains. On the North Kent there are two level crossings, and three on the South Eastern. Both lines have a swivel bridge. After some further evidence, of no public interest, the Committee adjourned until 12 o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XVI. READING GUILFORD, AND REIGATE. The Committee resumed this morning, Sir Charles Douglas in the chair, when, after some conversation, The CHAIRMAN stated the Speaker had decided that, according to Mr. Duncombe's resolutions, no parties could appear upon the Bill anti! the Committee entered it ; and the rule was, in the case of any suposition of fraud, the parties should petition the House for leave to be heard upon the Bill. After some further discussion between Mr. Cockburn, who ap peared for the promoters, Mr. Hill, who appeared for the opponents, and Mr. Roe, who appeared for Dr. Feliowes, the Committee decided that Mr. Cockburn should proceed. But a further difficulty occurred, and the room was cleared. On the re-admission of the parties, the Committee again requested Mr. Cockburn to pro ceed, after an endeavour on the part of Mr. Weller to speak upon a petition against the line. Mr. COCKBURN said that a more important line than this had not been laid before Parliament this session. The object of the line was to connect Reading and Reigate, and the necessary effect must be to connect the South-Eastern, the South-Western, anti eastern district., with the north, the London and Brighton lines, n a e ri rt d h- t w h counties. By the lines to the west, even es us tern lii , lk and the mill u a t r h td - , the Rugby and Oxford line d, a co n i d in a e l x l i t o h n e wmasa to Land's End, by n o u p h e ie n t ed uri u n p g d w is it t h ric ß t ri c sto l l, Plymouth, Exeter, Sheffiel man who wanted to send goods to Dover, Brighton, iouthampton, • o an bl d ig all ed t io he go ot ro lle un r p d ia b c y es m on nd th o e n, So a U b T u e t r t n w c e o n a t s y t, n o a r le t s o in tra d v is e t l a , n w ce as . n it ot y s this lino they would connect the southern lines with the whole or those on the north of the Thames. It commenced at the Great Western station at Reading, by Wokingharn, Sandhurst, and Black water, Creases the South-Western at Farborough, and thence to Ash ;b Fr i o t r ie S r t uai ke It s runso uth atri,n toshephttarildlenorned, J w it i n th et t ig, and4h n e y n fe ce r gate. There were three compe ting t'"" which an arrangement was made for using their line fro Com psal to Dorking, and thence to Rei nee, this, that of the South-Eastern, arta thad of the Leu ittrightou Company. With the South-Eastern Couipany, how ever, Eastern an arrangement had been made, the effect of which was the South- Eastern Company should make the line between Reigate and Dork ing, but unless that portion was formed within a reasonable the youth-Western Company should have the right. It was agreed that the South-Easterit Company should take the line on perpetual lease, a 414 per cent, and half the net profits, after that T h payment. e length wa s 46 m il es, the entimate 736,0001., and the capital -00,0t00/.. ; the gra di ents are favourable, anti there were n o ingineer tug difficulties. The Ilae woulr afford local accommoda tion as it would connect Kingston, Guildford, Croy ton and Reigate, the places at which the sessions for Aurrey are held The landowners and Other inhabitants of the dis trict are all favourable to the project and in every way valuable anti desirable. Tile only question he hoped would be, w heth iteig erth a e tm ir , line anti or that of their opponeuts.should be chosen. The au gn and ßyr gs should In d Company t. were here only was desiro us reasonof the wh a p t o ev rti vi o r n whyetwteheins Co Do th rk p i Dork for h Dorking, t ye e t h t e hr h w op otu pos d eil ee t. m h : W h h e ol p e o , rt be io ca n us be e t h w e e c e o n ne ß el e v a e d d in th g anatthdetraffic under the management of the South-Eastern.C2mpany. The first point would be to connect Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth with Dover, Folkestone, and other places on that part of the Englist. ,:hannel which was a principle recognised by the legislature as of the utmost importance. A great inconvenience would arise from ;laving this small portion of the line between Dorking and Ryegate under a different management. With respect to the opposition of Dr. Fellows, he should state that it bad been got up by thOollcitor of the London - and Brighton line, and it shou!d be observed that the South Eastern Company had made their arrangement with him. Ile had withdrawn his petition against .that Company, and this Company was prepared to do everything for that gentleman—their line being identical with that of the South Eastern—which the South Eastern Company had promised This was as bond fide line as had ever been brought before Parliament. Mr. James Ilarroway, the Mayor of Reading, was then called, and stated that he was a house agent, and consequently had consider. able opportunities of knowing the feelings of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood. He could say that it was unanimously in favour of the lino. The traffic is considerable, but there is no pre sent mode of travelling between Reading and Gulltbrd but by post, anti the line would materially Leneflt Reading by opening communi cation with VV4 king - ton and Landhnrst. To Mr. MELLoa—fle stated that there is a road but that it Is bad and circuitous, there being no turnpike road beyond Bracknell. There had been formerly a coach between Reading and Brighton, which ran during the summer, and ran by Oldham and esternhana, which declined from a four-horse to a two-horse vehicle. Mr. John Houghton, of Broon Hall, in Barks, a large landed pro prietor, acquainted with many landed proprietors, farmed and ma naged the most land of asy man in England. He farmed 3,470 acres, and eould say that he was acquainted with all the places on and near t ,t ( 4line- This line travesed a mile through his property, and he had than thi di acres without any road whatever, and though he was himself in wrelfor the line, but as a matter of public convenience, there re quired lime or chalk for its improvement. He lutd ri facilitate t he dis an t y ric p t a d rt id or . ItthwilasecomulnetdrythewHhiecahth district required a line improvement of one estate h t im an se d r th4r en il d r e e , - 1 e o n t h t e h e____ l mv , This line would greatly vvu e nact of the line. There would also be a great advantage to the hop growers in Sussex in the carriage of hop poles, which were ranch wanted in that county. There would also be a great advantage in the direct conveyance of hops from the south to Derby and the neghbourhood, as well as bringing back gypsume from that county, a material whicb was eminently useful in improving the natural quality of the soil. There are large markets for cattle at London-bridge, and for corn at Reading and Guildford, and this line would enable the growers of the peculiarly tine white wheat of Gilildford to carry it into Berkshire, and further north into the ma nufacturing districts, where it was required to mix with other wheat. He was concerned for landowners in almost every county in Eng. land, travelled very much by railway, and believed that no district n n t a nature, more required this sort of convenience. • To Mr. MELLoa. the witness replied, that in some parts of this dis tbraidc atnh d a grea population t part w o a f was country very dense, abo iitt h ehterroe layads are a i n at state a p t e r e o se f from the want of the materials required for its improvement. That much of it was improveable was evident from the fact that the 900 acres which he held was nearly barren heath, and now it was all arable land. To fir. Itoz—The witness reiterated his previous assertions, and stated that he had no fear of a free trade in corn. To his re-examination by Mr. HVDSON, Mr. Houghton stated the roads were quite insufficient for the country, and the formation of a railway was felt to be such an advantage, that the high roads were almost deserted. Formerly 4G coaches had passed his house every • day, and now there was only one. He also testified to the utility of the communication from then est to Farnham and Alton. To the CHAIRMAN, the witness replied that the formation of this railway would give Immense facilities for bringing additional land into cultivation. Lord Lovoine, residing at Albury Park, near Guilford, had an estate at Chilwerth, on which the paper-mills of Sir W. Magnay stood, between which and Guilford there was only the ordinary road this litre .wporuuldnn pa o s i s t Drummond, t h h e e b e a . n t k e e n r t , w of h t o h r r e e s e id m es il a e t s communication. He testified genera ll y to the util i ty a the l i ne. 4tlllirbouurYgh shtai:eedsttahtaet, and that it would tend to st,pply the wants of the neighbourhood, as the traffic of late much increased. When he went into that district 28 or 29 years ago, where he hid ever since resided, there was no road at all. Mr. Drummond explained the reason why the Ports mouth Atmosphealcßailway did not supply the same convenience as this line, by stating, that though the two lines ran parallel for a short • Istance, they immediately attenvards diverged at alm st right angles. Mr. MANGLES, M.P., testified to the general feeling of the district En favour of the line; and it was on that ground that he took interest in It., He also stated that the communication with the west of Eng fancPyras bad and circuitous. This line would be of great service, among other persons, to the corn-jobbers. It happens that the markets at Reading and Guildford are held on the same day, but the former was an early Market and the latter a late one, so that throught his line individuals would be able to attend both on the same day. He also testified to the advantage of this means of com munication with the west and the manufacturing districts, and he could say from his crwneknowledge that many of the respectable trades men in Guildford had taken shares to this e with the expectation of getting their good cheaper and more speedily than they now can. This line would connect all the chief towns in Surrey, and if the communication were made, the chalk would occasion all tha im provement which Mr. HOT ghton had stated. He that even the worst part of Bagshot Heath might be reclaimed, for on the most sterile part of the common, near the Woking Common Cottage, squatters had brought large gardens into flourisqing cultivation. The Committee here adjourned till to-morrow. GROUP XXVII. This Committee re-assembled to-day at the usual hour; Sir C . Lemon in the chait. Nowrn wriLrportasuraz LINES) This day was entirely occupied with the allegations of the peti• tioners who opposed the line, principally Lord Bagot, Messrs, Whel• don, and the inhabitants of Leek. Atter a series of lengthened, uninteresting, and extremely tiresome discussion and examination of witnesses, on the injuries which the construction of the lines would cause to the properties in question, and to the eligibility of other lines to meet the wants of the district, The Committee could stand it no longer, and the room was cleared for the decision on the merits. After the lapse of a few minutes partie4 were readmitted, and The CHAIRMAN' announced the decision of the Committee—" That the preamble of the Ilarecastle aid Sandbaeh Bill was proved ; as also those of the Churnet Valley and the Potteries." The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow. G I{OU 1.• XXX, This Committee met to-daysl - oriFy atter twelve o'clock. Lord Charles Wellesley and the other u.embers, present, CAMBRIDGE AND OXFORD. The evidence in this Bill was resumed. Charters Kinsley examined—Lived in the neighbourhood of the railway, and considered that a line of this kind would be a great ad vantage. It was extremely desirable to Bitching, at the market of which he sold his sheep. Mr. V. Prior, a magistrate of Hertfordshire—Resided at Bolton. Malt was the chief trade there, which had been decreasing in con sequence of the increased modes of land conveyance afforded to other places, wpich prevented them entering into successful competition. There was a good deal of plaiting carried on which afforded a great deal of employment, and which would no doubt be increased it' there were an improved land carriage. He considered thrt the proposed railway would be of great'advantage to his neighbourhood. • Mr. W. Hopkins examined—Lived at Oxford, where he was a car rier. There was a great quantity of timber sent to London annually. The station of the termini of the Great Western was very iucoeve nient for sending timber by, and the station of the Proposed railway would be much more preferable. Cross-examined—Elm was the wood that he carried chiefly to Thume. He could not say the exact quantity—perhaps it .night be two hundred toi:s. Beech was used in the manutactora of chars. Did not know whether the price was much increased by the quantity colasumed at iliume. if the proposed Rugby and Oxford Junction were established they would be able to supply Aylesbury from Oxford at one !pound a ton with coals. It would be delivered at Oxford at 15s. or les. a ton. Did not think the breakage of the coal of any great consequence in any coal except that from Newcastle. There was some timber sent by the Great Western. lie understood from the most Correct sources that the quantity sent last year by that way was 4,700 loads. Mr. J. B. Denton, engineer and surveyor, was employed under Mr. Locke to prepare the levels and sections. In his jndgment the line before them wzis the best that could possibly be made, from the care ful examination that had taken place with respect to it, and on those results it was formed. Every care had been used to avoi I interferi. g with the house property on the line. The stations of the proposed rant+ ay were the most eligible that could be selected, and gave general satisfaction to the parties in the neighbou. hood where they were situated. There was no grad'e nt under one in a hundred. The gradient on leaving Cam bridge was : 1 in 246. The first tunnel was on the twenty-eighth: mile from Cambridge, in length 1,320 yard, the second tunnel was on the 29th mile, in length 240 yards; the third tunnel Was on the 30th mile, in length 330 yards ; and the fourth tunnel vas on the 39th miL., and was in length 530 yards. All these twini is were made through chalk. The cross-e amination of witness was postponed till to-morrow. Mr. Joseph Locke examined—Surveyed the country for the present line, and consic.ered it the best line that could be made for the local acc mmodation of the country. There were no engineering difficul ties on the line, which he considered to be a first-rate one. The heaviest cutings were made in chalk. The sharpest curve was at the station, at Luton, and the danger was less from having a sharpe curve at the station, than any where else. He considered thi s li ne as one of the best h e had ever laid down, from the number of plates which it accommodated. Cross-examined—The present price of iron on contract was 9/. 10s. per ton. Thought that iron would fall instead of rise next monta. lie did not thine the present tall in price temporary. Indeed he knew it was so. The course •f traffic naturally tended towards London, but all places could not expect that : common point. - The object was to counect places so situated atone point, and then Sive them a common direction. Would cer tainly wise that there was not a gradient at the stations at starting. The gradients on this line, however, were not difficult. The gradient at Dunstable was one in a hundred, which, as it was a dessont at starting, he considered an advantage. lie did not rely much en what was meant by compensation of momentum. The surplus of the es timate included the Parliamentary expenses. Three-fourths of the distance was made in chalk, and nearly all the bridges were of brick. Lord Dacre examined.—Owned some property In the county through which the ralway would pass In Hertfordshire. Considered tee railway would be most advantageous to the agricultural interest on the line. Samuel Mills, Esq., examined.—Had estates at Hertfordshire, and approved of the railway which was to pass through that county, which was greatly in want of such a railway. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow. GROUP XXXIV. The Committee met at twelve o'clock. Present, Eon. Mr. Cow. per (chairman), Viscount Duncan. Elan. Montague Gore, Mr. Wal• pole, and MY. Sanders Davis. GIZIaLT GRIMSBY AND 1311EIWIELD lIINC- Tioiv.-(EXTENSION No. II.) Lord Worsley, Chairman of the Great Grimsby and Sheffield Rail way was examined at length by lir. Hope, in favour of the proposed line. His Lordship's attention was especially directed to the Barton and New Holland Ferries over the Humber, and the preference 01 the latter which had been given by the Post-office over the other, and to the superior accommodation offered by the proposed railway for communication between the agricrt:tural and manufacturing dis tricts over that by the Hull and Lincoln line. Other witnesses were called to give evidence on the same points. GROUP XXXVII. The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock in rosin No. 21 (Grand Cots idore). Present, Lord Seymour (chairman), Viscount ii.brington, Mr. F. French, Lord Edwin Hill, and Sir Ralph Lopez. There having been a mistake in the votes, in which the time of meeting was set down as " one" o'clock, whereas the Committee actually met at " twelve," there was considerable delay, before the parties were in attendance and ready to proceed. The Committee at length resumed the consideration of the SHEFFIELD ) ROTHERHAM, 3311.3LITSLEY, VTAXErXELD, EUDDERSFIE LD, AND GOOLE. Mr. Thomas Chambers, a proprietor of coal mines and iron works, at Thornclitre, in the district through which the line is proposed to pass (being half-way between Sheffield and Barnsley), was exa mined on the part of the promoters, to prove the value of the ac commodation which the railway would give to that part of the West Riding, and that it was superior in its claims to the proposed competing ►ines and branches. The evidence of this gentleman was substantially the same as that given by Mr. George Chambers yesterday. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant WRANGRAM—The witness was not able to state exactly what would be the advantages of the branch contemplated by the Manchester and Sheffield Railway. Ile was convinced that they would not be so great to the district in question, certainly not to that part In which his works were situated. With respect to Sheffield, there were coal works in the town, or rather on the south and east side of it. The coal was of the Silkstone forma tion, and there was enough in the immediate neighbourhood of the town to supply it for some hundred years to come. But then, that part of the great coal bed was more difil ' cult of working than out of the pits near by Barnsley. Witness supplied the gas-works at a lower rate than they were supplied from the Sheffield works. If he could send his cell] by railway to Sheffield, taking into account the expense of working the coal mines of the Duke of Norfolk at Sheffield, he would be able to meet the produce of the latter on equal terms. In cross-examination by Mr. PICKERING, on the part of Earl Fitz william, and other opponents of the Bill, the witness stated that this railway would come close to his own works, but would not go nearer than three miles to the Milton works; but there existed tram ways which connected his works and the Milton works with the line of the proposed railway. The remainder of the cross-examination eliciteu nothing material. that the proposed line would benefit the manufac turers to show Unwin, LAMlN6, H o e n nz epart of ofth the promoters r ir s o o nim n • l i e ste ß r, il ra a s n e d xa g m a i v n e ed d b e y ta M ile r d . of Sheffield by opening to them an access by railway to the coal of the Silkstone and Barnsley beds. The parties who supplied the coal at present to that tswn, whether from the neighbourhood and the site of the ton itself, or from Derbyshire, would be obliged to lower their prices if the Silkstone and Barnsley coal could be brought Into competition. The witness was cross-examined at great length as to the Items of the tables of calculation (computed by himself) as to the consuml tion of coal of various kinds in the different departments of manufac toutrtehienSheffield. Ultimately it was agreed th at h e should take time to Prepare a part of the d eta i ls in another form, for the satisfaction opposing counsel. The next witness, Mr. Edwin Unwln, is a director of the gas com pany at Sheffield, gave evidence of a similar character in favour et the Bill. T. .e coal purchased at the pit's month, within 300 yards of the Sheffield Gas Works, was charged Os. 10d. per ton ; whereas the price of the Mortumney coals, the works being about eight miles trom Sheffield, cost about 4s. ,d. at the pit's mouth. This could th, delivered in Sheffield, If this railway were completed, at 6s. per ion: the Sheffield Coal Company would be obliged to reduce their prices, and the gas rates would also be reduced. The witness was cross-examined at great length. He was de cidedly of opinion that there was a scarcity of coal in Sheffield, and that the wants of the town would be supplied by means of thin railway. .Air. Swan, manager of the Chapeltown Iron Works, near Sheffield, was examined, to nearly the same effect, in favour of the Bill. By means of the railway, the carriage of mineral from the works to Sheffield, and the delivery there, would be reduced from ss. to Is. 6d. per ton. Ills company would " unlock" more of the mineral, and they would be able to dispose of a large quantity of engine coal which at present was waste. The railway would give other means of saving, so as to hicrease the supply, and lower the price of their iron. Mr. J. Fletcher, of Goole, shipowner and builder, also gave evi dence in fauour of the line, as serving to connect that port with the Silkstene and Barnsley coal field. Evidence in support of the traffic tables was then adduced, and The Committee adjourned at four o'clock: ------ GROUP XL. The Committee met at t wo o'clock, in Room 26, Mr Stafford O'Brien in the chair. The following Bills haze been referred to their consideration : Lancashire and Yorshire (North-Eastern), York and Lancaster, Leeds and York, Leeds, York, and Midland J unction, York and Nom Midland (Leeds Extensi•a), .North• Western, and Morecombe Har bour and Railway. The first Biil taken was the YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND (LEEDS EXTENSION). passing si o n t g w ir° hic m b The Hon. Mr. TALBOT, Q.C., opened the case for the pro moters The object of the Bitl was to do away with a very in convenient and circuitous route on the York and Leeds line. This Bill would giv e a direct communication be;ween Tadcaster and York. Tadcaster they came down to the Leeds and Selby Railway, railway they would avail themselves. They would finally cross the ' orth 3lidland station, which was an exceedingly commodious one; that cif the Leeds and Selby being a very indifferent station. By iniiff4 of a branch at Skipton; they would have a communication with the Leeds and Bradford Railway, which he had Do hesitation in saying would involve as commercial results as any line in the kingdom. Them e they would have a communication with Hull, and all the lines lying on the west of that port. Tlie total length of the extension would be 17 miles, which would involve an expense of 360,000/. There was a rival line, for which his Learned Friend 'Mr. Baines appeared ; and the Committee would find on looking at the map, that instead of making 17 miles only or railway they would be compelled by their plan to make 26 miles and 3 flirlongs. This company did not propose to intersect any property the owner of which was opposed to that :intersection. Whether his Learned Friend's clients were so fortunate he knew not. He con cluded by tendering evidence. Mr. Alexander Sherrit; of Marsh-lane, Leeds, said he was assistant to the superintendent of the goods station at Leeds. The station was very limited, as this was only the second railway constructed in the kingdom All the goods going from hull to Leeds arrived at this station. Unless this hill were suffered to pass, the traffic be tween Branford and Ball, which was exceedingly extensive, would have to be carried round by Castleford: That traffic was about 3,600/. per week. Considerable competition would exist between this Company and the canal In that district, even in the event of this Bill passing. Cross-examined by Mr. BAINES (who appeared on behalf of the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction. He had heard complaints for several years of the Insufficiency of the station, but within the last two or three years those complaints had very much increased. The plans for. these extensions were published at the close of the last year (which was after the publication of the Leeds and York Company's plans.) Mr. John Baddington, resident until recently at Leeds, stated that he had for several years carried on the business of a merchant there. Is a Director of Leeds and Bradford Railway Company, and was acquainted with the merits of the three competing schemes before the Committee viz., Leeds and York, Leeds, York, and Midland Junction, York and North Midland (Leeds )extension); and lie was decidedly of opinion that that of this Company was of the utmost public importance. Was of opinion that a connexion between the Leeds and Bradford and the Hull and Selhy Railways was a matter of great importance. The cost of the Leeds and York scheme would be about double that of the construction of the other scheme, and he did not believe that, if carried out, it would be a remunerative line. The gross receipts per annum could not be more than 3,000/. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant WILKINS (who appeared for the Leeds, York aid Midland Junction)—Was a proprietor in this Com pany, and concurred in a petition of the Leeds and Bradford Railway Corr pany, against the Leeds and York. In that petition there the words, " That the Leeds and York scheme was totally unnecessary and uncalled for, inasmuch as there was now, and had been for several years and efficient communication between Leeds and York, which the York and North-Midland Railwlty Company were most ready to extend. It was pr.,- posed to connect the Leeds and Selby line and the Leeds and Bradford station, by a line coming is st the North Midland a !tette below this Company's branch there. There must be detentions under Lord Seymour's Act at the two sroposcd junctions of the line, the speed being then required by law to be reduced to six miles per hour. There would be only one detention on the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction, but he was of opinion that it would be as inconve nient as the two detentions on this Company's line. He had never seen any quotation of the shares in the Leeds, York, and North Mid land. _ _ _ Lord HattEwoon was next called, and said that this railway would pass through one of his farms. Was no great friend of railways that passed through his property. There had been a meeting in his neighbour hood to take into consideration the merits of the three rival schemes, and they came to the conclusion that this line would give the greatest accommodation, if any such accommodation was neces sary. The Leeds and York 'line lett out some of the most important towns and villag• s lying between Leeds and York. There was, at one season of the year, considerable passenger traffic between Scar borough and Harrogate. Cross-examined by Mr. ilsany (who appeared fbr the Leeds and Tork direct)—No representative of the interests of the two rival lines of this Company was present at the meeting alluded to, although Mr. Hudson, the Chairman of thia Company was there. There was one gentleman (Mr. Hatfield) who opposed the Leeds and York, although he was now in favour of it. Coss-examined by Mr Sergeant WlLirms—Mr. Hudson at that meeting denied the necessity of the Leeds and York, and the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction. At that time, no plan but aprospectus of Mr. Hudson's line was produced. Abbotford and Tadcaster would receive great benefits if a railway passed near them. He was of opinion that this Company's scheme WAS more direct than the Leeds, York, and Midland Junctioll, although if he were convinced that it was actually a mile longer than that of the line for which he (Mr. Sergeant Wilkins) appeared, his opinion would of cotuse be im mediately changed. sir Edward Vavasonr said ee wss owner of Hazlewood, on which he had a mansion in which he resided. The estate was a very extensive one, and it had , been in the Vavasou family since the Conquest. This Company's scheme would isoos over his estate for two or three miles in a very objectionable way, and he had presented a petition against the scheme some time ago, but at that time there was no rival ill the field. He was, however, of (minion, that this scheme was a good one, and ought to be encouraged. Cross-examined by Mr. HARDY—Had not very fully considered the merits of tne Leeds and York scheme. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant WlLEiss—The line of the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction would pass a mile and a halt distant from his mansion, whilst that of Mr. Hudson would pass at a distance of, a mile and a quarter, and would very much injure his estate. It would also pass over Lord Hanck's estate in a deep cutting. His own estate would also be very much cut in one place, and embanked in another for the purposes of this Company's scheme. Ile did not know whether those cuttings and embankments would be greater or less than those proposed by the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction. Mr. Hudson had announced that there were shares reserved for the owners of property through which his scheme would pass. The premium on those shares was now cent. per tout., but they were at one time mush higher. Mr. Richardson (Mc: Hudson's solicitor), and Mr. Birkenshaw, his engineer, were present at the meeting held at Mr. Fox's, for the con sideration of the different lines by the landowners in the district through which they proposed to pass. N r. George Beart, of Leeds, was next examined, and said he was a merchant residing in that town for the last four years, and was acquainted with the Marsh Lane station, which was in a most convenient position, and not at all adequa e to the traffic that en tered the town by the !Company's line. It was of importance that all tne:goods arriving at Leeds should meet at a common central sta tion. That object could only Le advanced by some scheme which would connect Leeds and Bradford and the North Midland Railways. He was of opinion that that juncti .n ought to be effected by the ex isting company, as other new companies would be compelled to charge tolls which would be too high, and the question of tolls would not be the only inconvenience. There should be unity of manage ment. Cross-examined by Mr. BAINES, on behalf of the Leede and York —He was of opinion that the neighbourhood of Wellington would be the most desirable point for a passengers station in Leeds. Mr. Thomas Jclinson Fox was the next witness—Was land-agent for the last seventeen years to the property of the Miss Gaskin, who were landowners in the district through which this line would pass. This Company's line would give a direct communication to the people of Leeds with the coal mines of his employ ers. And which were worked to a very great extent. Todcaster was be far the most important town in that district, and yet the Leeds and . York scheme would not go near it. If the Leeds and Selby line were extended, he believed that a much greater quantity of coals would be forwarded along it to the town of Leeds. _ . The case was, at this stage of the proceedings, adjourned until to morrow, the Speaker having b-en announced to be at priers. Sub-Committee No. 1. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) The Committee then proceeded with the BERMS AND HANTS (RUNGERMOVD EX TENSION AND RADSTOCK COLLIERY LINE). This line came on, as agreed last weex, nut was round to be very deficient in the formal proofs, a number of the witnesses not being in attendance. In one instance it was shown that a warrant had been served on one of the absent witnesses, and that he had giN en the same evidence as he would have given now, in Sub-Committee No. 2, the Bill haing been originally brought before that Committee The lists produced by him on that oecasion were handed in and proved, and the Committee determined to report that evidence had been given of the service of a warrant on the witness, and the list having been proved in the other Committee. The nature of the propossd extension is apparent from the name. The length of the line will be thirty-eight miles and the estimated cost will be 850,0001. Mr. J. K. Brunel is the engineer, and Messrs. Burke and Co. are the Parliamentary agents. Mr. COATES and Mr. WEBSTER appeared in support of the petitions of various owners and occupiers sntlie line. That part of the formal proofs with which the promoters were pre ; ared being completed, the evidence on ohe part of the petitioners was proceeded with. The first allegation, and several others, mostly referring to the omission of names from the book of reference, and non-service of notices, were declared proved. Others were not sustained, and some withdrawn. _ _ four o'clock, w h en the Committee adto l i e m se ed ai . legations occupied till STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met this day — present. the E ar l of Shaftesbury the Duke of Richmond, and Lord IlowaNen. The only case brought before the Committee, ;vas the case of the 011A.GH, DUNG ANNON, Alt %I AGII, AND BELFAST JUNCTION RAILWAY. The remaining portion of the names of the promoters having been proved, the Committee intimated that the Bill had passed their Lord ships. Their Lordships rose at five o'clock. HOUSE OF LOIWS.-(THIS DAY.) The House sat t-day to hear appeals. The Peers present were Lord Brougham, Lord Cottenham, and Lord Campbell. THE EARL OF STAIR r. RING. The arguments in this part-heard appeal were resumed and concluded to-day, and Their Lennsturs gave judgment, dismissing the appeal with costs. QUEEN'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.) THE QUEEN AT THE PROSECUTION OF TIIE DUKE OF BRUNS WICK V. BARNET GREGORY. This case, which stood adjourned from Monday, was called on to-day. It was postponed, in c•rder to give the the de fendant time to put in affidavits in answer to the charge of the prosecutor made upon the last day, to the efft:ct, that the defendant had hired and bribed certain per sons to hiss and hoot at the Duke of Bruns wick, at the Strand Theatre. The affidavits on behalf of defendant were considerable and voluminous, and who deposed that upon the night in question, to wit, the 2d December, 1843, when defendant played the part of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice, and the prosecutor was marked out by certain parties crying out, " Down with Brunswick, down with the murderer," which latter was un derstood to allude to the murder of Eliza Grimwood. The affidavits of defendant solemnly denied that he had in any way, directly or indirectly, used any means by which to cause any persons to annoy the Duke as represented. Mr. COCKBURN, on behalf of defendant, argued at great length in mitigation of punishment. Mr. Justice PArrEsorr, in giving judgment, said that the Court had taken into consideration the tact of the prosecutor having published a certain placard, and other circumstances, in favour of defendant; but that, on the whole, the sentence of the Court should be, that for each of the four libels in question the defendant should be imprisoned two months, that was to say eight months altogether. MPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING•) HOUSE • The L ORD C HANCELLOR took his seat upon the Woolsack at Five o'cl oc k. OF LORDS "'"-- CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Hospital, against the from the t rustees of the Foundling The Duke of CAMB RIDGE said he had to present a peti tion Charitable Trusts Bill. His Iloyal Highness read the peti tion at length, which was then laid on the table. Trusts Bill.—( Hear, The Duke of WELLINGTON presented a petition from the trustees a the Lying-in Hospital against the same measure. Lordship CAMPBELL said he had also to present to their s' House several against the Charitable Bhear, andl aug hter rougham. ) His Noble and Learned Friend might petitions laugh, but the petitions were from the Cordwainers' ' Corn against that MI l'arqr and several bodies from Lord There were several petitions now lying on their Lordships' table, in which the petitioners request that the Commissioners of the Court of Chancery will osecute certain persons for ap plying money which had been g iven for charitable purposes, to their own individual use. Whit Lord COTTEN H AM presented petitions from St. Mary, Lordchape l . under, an d several other places, against the Bill. Bent BROU G HAM said th a t h e h a d a l s o a petition to pre from a respectable individual, praying that this Bill might pass ; and it was not only the opinion of this gentleman but of several other individuals, that the funds were given for charitable• uses, might not be. applied to purposes of jobbery, guzz.ing, eo , ru ti P - -", and all those other views which his Nobl e F riends were l aughter, and c r i es of " desirous to Pal mnise. -- (Great Name, name.") Oh he would not conceal the name, the petition was from Mr. Henry Walker, surgeon, St. John's-streets Cleakenwell, and when his Noble Friend was talking about the number of petitions, and the number of petitioners by which they had been signed, he must say that he thought the number which he had presented was greater than theirs. bar But the real quest i on was, not the num- Mr. VI alaer of petitions , but wheth er t h ey were right or wrong. N ow , happen e d to petition for that which was right, whilst those prested by hi s Noble Friend happene d to b e h sv. l rong. He woulden say the up on t h e subject, but reserve s suggestio ns until the Bill came under the discussion of their L or d s hi ps. Lord BRoUGHAM presented a petition from Major- General Wyndham against a railwa proposed to be con mouth,structed in the north of England, near his property at Cocker- . by which his castle. which had continued in the pos • session of his family since 1068 --the days of William the Con queror—would be very much injured. The line would pass within a third of a mile of the castle. This was an jive, ferenee which he was sure their Lorth,hips would not sanction, the more especially as the castle had been in the possession of the family for 800 years, and had latterly been very much im proved. The promoters of that railway, however, did not care f they had po , sessed it for 8,000 years, or before the flood. Earl FITZ WILLIAM presented several petitions against the Charitable Trusts Bill. INSOLVENT DEBTORS AMENDMENT ACT. Lord BROUGHAM moved the first reading of an Act for amending the law of insolvent debtors. Earl GREY presented a number of petitions against the Charitable Trust Act ; and another petition in favour of a Ten Hours' Bill. The Noble Lord also presented a petition from Manchester, complaining of the careless manner in which railways are managed, and praying the Home to pass an Act compelling railway companies to compensate the relatives of persons killed upon their lines. RELIGIOUS OPINIONS RELIEF BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR said, that upon the second reading of this Bill he felt bound to call their Lordships' at tention to it. His Noble Friend had framed a Bill last year for the purpose of repealing several penal Acts against her Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects. He at that time asked the Noble Lord to entrust the Bill to him. His Noble Friend complied with that request, and he ( the Lord Chanceller) laid the matter before her Majesty's criminal law ad ♦isers, after which a Bill was introduced to their Lordships' House which met with very little opposition, and was passed by a very great majority in the other House of Parliament. He had pledged himself to look in;e the merits of the subject, and with that pledge he had complied, and accordingly he had referred the mater to her majesty's first criminal law adviser (Sir Edward Ryan) and other eminent lawyers. It was possible that considerable difficulty had been felt by soma parties at some portions of the Bill. To the former part of it considerable objeerion might be entertained, but in the other he conceived there would be no objection whatever. He had, there ore, determined to divide the Bill into two parts. The first part related to oaths, which it was necessary _for minis ters of the Church of England ae well as Dissenters to mak• on certain occasions. The other related to cer tain diabilities under which some portion of her Majesty's sub jects at present laboured. To the first part no objection what ever could be taken, and the other proposed to repeal no less than thirty Acts of Papliament which imposed disabilities on persons of Jewish persuasions. The two first of these Acts were those of Henry 111. and Edward 1., by which it was de creed that persons of that persuasion could not possess land or houses for their own dwelling. (LIFT srEAKI)tO.) HOU4E OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. NEW AIEMBER.' _ Mr. EDWARD LASCEI.LES took the oaths and his seat for the borough of Ripon. YORK NEW WATERWORKS. The Lords' amendments on the York New Waterworks were read and agreed to. METROPOLITAN SEWAGE MANURE COMPANY. Colonel T. WOOD moved the second reading of this Bill. Sir DE LACY EVANS presented two petitions against the Bill, and moved that the second reading be adjourned for a fortnight. After a few words from Mr. MANNERS SUTTON, Colonel WOOD cons.nted that the second rending of the Bill should be postponed for a fortnight. NORTH ANI) 6OUTH JUNC I lON RAIEWAY BILL. Mr. GREENE moved that the order, referring the North and South Junction Railway Bill to the Committee of Selection, be read ; that the said order be discharged ; that the said Bill be withd.►awn.—The motion was agreed to. RAILWAY COM'AI ITTEES. Mr. DUNCONI BE rose to discharge order. for instruction to committees on railway Bills, and to move amended in struction, namely, by substituting for the words, " And that the Committee report specially on each of the foregoing par ticulars," the words, " And that the Committee immediately, on having completed this branch of their inquiry, report spe cially on each of the foregoing particulars." The amended in structions were agreed to. NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CONNECTING RAILWAY BILL. Colonel T. WOOD moved for leave to Present the Northern and Southern Connecting Railway Bill, notwithstanding the order of the House. The moti , .n was agreed to. FORTH AND CLYDE NAVIGATION. Mr. LOCH moved that the petition of the Company of Pro prietors of the Forth and Clyde Navigation, praying for leave to withdraw their form - r petition against the Stirlingshire Midland Junction Railway Bill, be read, and that the Bill be treated as an unopposed Bill, and referred to Mr. Greene, and the Members ordered to prepare and bring in the Bill. This motion was also agreed to. RESOLUTION: , ON RAILWAYS. Mr. RICARDO observed there was some difficulty in the minds of railway proprietors that had recently been passed with respect to railways. He wished to know whether the production of scrip would be sufficient to meet the order of the House, without the attendance of the holders. Sn GEORGE CLERK replied that the resolution was sufficiently explicit, and the best answer he could make to the Hon. Gentleman was to read it. The Right Hon. Baronet then read the resolution of the House, which only required the production of scrip without the attendance of the holders, either personally or by proxy. Mr. HOPE JOHNSiONE moved, that the Committee on Group No. 8 of Railway Bills have leave to sit and proceed ow Monday next upon the Caledonian Railway (Leith Junc tion) Bill, and Caledoni.n Railway (Mid Lothian Branches) Bill, notwithstanding that seven clear days notice of the sitting of the Committee on those Bills has not been given at the Pri vate Bill Office. —Agreed to. LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Colonel T. WOOD presented a petition from a place (the name of which we could net hear) complaining of the Law of Settlement as at present existing, and praying for its aboli tion. SALMON FISHERIES. Colonel CONOLLY presented a petition from the owners of salmon fisheries in Ireland, stating that some of them had re cently lost 5,000/. in consequence of the recent enactment, for bidding the fishing of salmon during more than one season in the year, and preying that this stringent enactment might be removed, and the laws relating to salmon fisheries in Ireland, assimilated to laws of England nn the same subject. SELLIN,, SPIRITOUS LIQUORS ON THE SABBATH. Mr. LA WSON presented a petition against the selling of spiritous liquors on the Sabbath. THE DANISH CLAIMS. Mr. G. HUDSON presented a petition in favour of the Danish Claims. ADIJURNED DEBATE ON THE COERCION BILL. On the motion tf the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE QUER. the motion of the day for resuming the adjourned de bate on the Irish Coercion Bill was read for the purpose of being postponed till to-morrow.—Agreed to. SIR JAMES GRAHAM. Sir J. GRAHAM said he had a petition to pre-ent from himself. • The SPEAKER said the Hon. Baronet could not present a petition from himseli.—( Laughter. ) Mr. S. HERBERT', under these circumstances, presented the petition from the Right Hen. Baronet. It was concern ing the Caledonian Railway. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. SPOONER postp.med his motion relating to the peti tion of Mr. Toulmin Smith, from the 12th till the 14th May. Dr. BOWRING moved for a copy of a petition of the in hentants of Malta, to the Queen in Council, on the subject of their grievances, and especially complaining of the interference of the police at the last Carnival.—Agreed to. THE POST-OFFICE. Captain VIVIAN wished to draw the attention of the House to the great irregularity which took place in the transmission of letters and newspapers from the General Post-office, and upon this subject he would desire to ask a question of the Right. Hon. Member the Secretary for the Treasury, whether the Government were prepared to make any arrangements on the subject. A friend of his 001) living five miles from London, was accustomed to receive his letters and papers eight-and-forty hours after the pi oper time. He wrote to his news agent, a Mr. Smith, who, in reply, in formed him that 860 sacks of newspapers, posted in the morn ing, were detained till the evening. He (Captain Vivian) believed that it arose from a deficiency in sorters. Mr. CARDWELL was rather surprised to hear any com plaint against the delivery of letters. He was aware of some irregularity in the transmission of newspapers . There had been a very great increase in the circulation of the London daily papers by the morning mails within the last two months ; are, he thought that Hon. Gentlemen would be surprised when he stated to them that he held in his hand a return in which it was stated that in one week within the present year the number of news papers earned by the Post-office was no less than 729,000, Perhaps some Hon. Gentlemen were not aware of the bulk of some of those newspapers. He held in his hand one of those newspapers, and 729,000 of those had been forwarded in one week alone I—( Hear, hear.) The irregularities complained of, as he had already stated to the House, were by no means general at the Post Office, or in any way connected with that department. They arose from many other causes. Some newspapers wore sent without corers, and some were misdirected Some were sent at the very last moment. There were many irregularities for which the Post -office authorities were not accountable. With regard to the responsibility of ;the Post office, he had already stated the great increase which had taken place in the dispatch of the morning mails within the last two months, and there had also been a considerable increase in the public business. There bad been new machinery, which had only recently been put into operation. There had been an ad ditional number of persons appointed to discharge the increasing duties, and be had every reason to believe that the irregulari ties complained of would soon be removed. He had also the satisfaction of stating to Hon. Gentle that he was in constant communication with the authorities at the Post-office, and it appeared that there were circumstances at present existing which prevented them from discharging their duties in an efficient manner. They were, however, mo s t anx i ous to take every pos s ible me a n s f or the due discharge of the im portant duties which devolved upon them. CONVEYANCE OF TROOPS 10 THE COLONIES. Mr. HUME wtshed to ask a question of which he had given notice. namely, whether sufficient provision had been made for having life-boats to accompany such ships as conveyed our troops to the colonies. The public were much interested in the answer that might be given by the Government to this important question. 'ir G. COCKBURN made some answers to the Hon. Member, which was perfectly inaudible in the gallery. At the the couclusion of his remarks, Mr. HUME stated that the Hon. Baronet had quite mistaken his question, with reference to the number of life-boats, with which each ship was to be provided. He meant only that one life-boat should be carried in each ship, for the purpose of conveying a rope to the shore in case of shipments. He would ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any provision had been made of this nature? Sir G. CLERK stated that the subject bad been under the consideration of the Board of Trade. THE BEERSELLERS. Mr. M. PHILLIPS wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Department a question with re spect to certain petitions which bad been presented from the beersellers of the couotry. The beersellers were anxious to know whether it was the intention of the Government to legis late at all with reference to their claim to be placed upon an equality with the licensed victuallers of the country. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, he had received a great number of memorials upon this subject. One of the privileges of the licensed victuallers was, that they should keep their houses epen during the night. Of course, if the be•erse-llers were placed upon an equality, they would claim a similar right. Were such a privilege extended, he had no doubt that it would be abused, and therefore he could not hold out the least ex . peetation that any legislation would take place upon this subject. Mr. BILEW wished to ask the Right Hon. Secretary for the Home Department whether it was the intention of Govern- ment to act . on the recommendation of the Landlord and Tenant commission, and consolidate the offices of clerks of the crown in different counties in Ireland, or replace them as the offices became vacant. Sir Ji GRAHAM (who was very imperfectly heard) said that the, office of a clerk of the Crown in Ireland was a very important office in connexion with the Constitution. The Hon. Member, as well as the House, must be aware that the clerks of the Crown were appointed by the Crown on the re sponsibility of the advisers of the Crown. The variety of offices entailed considerable expenses, and the Government was preparing a Bill to consolidate those offices, under the recom mendation of the Commission the lion. Member had re ferred to. MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. Messengers from the Lords brought up several Bills, which were ordered to be laid on the table. INSOLVENT DEBTORS' ACT. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, who was very indi.tinctly heard in the gallery, was understood to ask the Hon. Member for Lambeth to postpone the second reading of this Bi!l, be cause it would be quite inipoesible, on that evening, to give it the consideration which it merits demanded. Mr. HAWES said he was quite ready to accede to the Hon. and Learned Member's proposition, by postponing the second reading till that day fortnight. PRIVILEGE-31R. W. S. O'BRIEN. Mr. ESTCOURT moved that the adjourned debate on the pro,eedingq connected with the Hon. Member for Limerick be resumed. Mr. E. B. ROCHE said ay t it would be in the recollection of the House, that at the conclusion of the debate on the preceding evening it has been his duty—his painful duty—to come down to that House, instead of his Hon. Friend, in order to make a certain statement to the House. The Right Hen. Baronet opposite, acting, as he (Mr. Rocke) admitted he did, in the fairest and most amicable spirit possible—(Cheers) — thought well to give his Hon. Friend eight-and-forty hours to consider his resolution. His Hon. Friend had considered what course he should pursue, but he complained, and he (Mr. Rocke) considered that in that complaint he was justified he complained that he had had no opportunity of explaining to the House the position in which he was placed, and the reasons which had actuated him in adopting the course he had followed under the circumstances. He did not know what course his Hon. Friend would have pursued, but what he would suggest was, that the House, either by a positive motion, or in some other way, would allow his Honourable Friend to come to the bar and explain the reason for his adoption of the course he had pu.sued on• this occasion.—( Hear, hear. ) It must be true that he was asking the House to pursue an unusual course, inasmuch as it must be at variance with the rules and regulations of the House, but he was sure that when he appealed to the House on behalf of the Honourable Gen tleman who stood in the painful position of not being sustained by many individuals in that House. He stood in a painful position, .because he had taken a course of action different from that adopted by those who usually aeted with him. He was sure, however, that the House would see that, whatever might be the nature of the rules and regulations of the House, he considered that, in justice and fairness, and with their usual desire to see fair play administered, that they would in their indulgence and kindness, grant the motion which he had risen to make. He had therefore simply to move as an amendment, " That Mr. William Smith O'Brien should be heard in his place." Mr. O'CONNELL seconded the motion. Mr. HUME apprehended that there could be co objection to grant the amendment of the Hon. Member.—( Hear.) He was anxioth as any one to maintain the privileges of the House, but at the same time, when a request was made in the way in which it had been made by the Hon. Member, he thought the House should assent to it, provided, however, that the grant ing of it would not materially interfere with the rules of the House. He hoped they would agree to the motion. Mr. R. YORK said he had somewhat considered the question and that if they wished to preserve the rules of the House in violate, that it would be absolutely impossible to grant the mo ti,in of the Hon. Member.—( Several Member's in the vicinity or the Hon. Member called out, " Why," but he made no response.) lilr. O'CONNELL said his Honourable Friend (Mr. Smith O'Brien) would no doubt be satisfied at the way in which the subject had been brought before the House, but he (Mr. O'Connell) did not think his case had been put in a proper mariner before the House. Sir ROBERT PEEL—Sir, it is my desire to relax the strict rules of the House as far as possible.—( Hear, hear). But at the same time I do not think that, as far as my private inclinations are concerned, 1 wish to act on that principle, but in the position in which I stand I owe a duty to the House—( Cheers)—and therefore it 'is of the utmost importance to cotisider whether it would be advisable to establish a precedent, by granting the amend ment of the Honourable Member—we must con sider what will be the effect of the relaxation of the House. 1 must remind the Honourable Member ( Mr O'Connell) that the Hon. Member for Limerick (Mr. S. O'Brien) had every opportunity offered to him to beg the order which the House made on the subject ; and I do distinctly re collect that, in speaking on the subject, he said that although he had such an opportunity, he did not think he should obey it, beeause his sentiments on the subject were already on record in the correspondence which had taken place on the subject, and to which he said he mint refer as the grounds for refusing to attend. I find being in his place, having been called upon by the Speaker, stated that he had skeany stated two reasons, that he had no further observation to ieffer upon the matter, and that he still held his determination. He then withdrew. Now I apprehend, having declined to obey the orders of the House, he is in, what is technically called, contempt. Whether or not there were precedents for acceding to the motion which was made, I am not aware. but I beg that you will have the goodness to state what are the rules of his House. If they are in favour of the extension, I will certainly be rejoiced, but if they are the reverse, I will feel it my painful duty to support the rules of the House. The SPEAKER-1 must state, with very great regret, I remember no precedent which would justify this House in acceding to the Amendment.—( Hear.) The Honourable Gentleman had an opportunity of being heard in his place and that was the time to make any explanation he thought proper. The Hon. Member did net do that, and the House of Commons then resolved that he had been guilty of a con tempt. I cannot call to his memory any precedent which would justify the House in acceding to this motion. Mr. ROcHE of course bowed to the decision of he House, and he would now beg leave to ask whether there was any reason why the Hon. Member should not be heard at the bar of the House? • The SPEAKER said that there was no precedent for an Hon. Member appearing at the bar of the House unless as a criminal. Mr. GRATTAN said he had been requested by his Hon. Friend to state, that when he had the opportunity of being heard in his place, he was not aware of the motion which the Chairman of the Committee of Selection should propose. Mr. ROCHE-01 course I bow to the decision of the Speaker. The SPEAK ER then put the question—that William Smih O'Brien, Esq. having been guilty of a contempt, by neglect ing to attend a railway Committee, during the present ses sion, after having been summoned—resolved that a warrant dc issue against him, and that the Sergeant -at-Arms do arrest him accordingly. Mr. M. MILNES, amidst great impatience, said he rose humbly to submit to the attention of the House whether it would not be possible to avoid the unpleasantness of agreeing to the course proposed. He believed it was perfectly clear, that if the Honourable Member should continue to remain in a state of contempt he could not take his seat in the House, nor of course take part in the proceedings. If this debate were adjourned till that day six months, he appre hended that the Honourable Member for Limerick would not be able t., take part in the deliberatiors of the House, and he did think that the best way of avoiding the unpleasantness that attended the course recommended by the Hun. Members that had made the original motion would be to agree to the adjournment of this debate ;ill that day six months. —(Loud cries of " Divide, divide.") An How. MEMBER. having seconded this amendment, the Hon. Member said, that as it appeared not to meet the views of the House be would withdraw it.—( Hear, hear.) Strangers were then ordered to withdraw. No division, however, took place in consequence of the motion being agreed to. It was then ordered that Mr. Smith O'Brien should be committed to the custody of the Sergeant -at-Arms, and that Mr. Speaker be directed to issue his warrant accordingly. COMMONS' SUMMARY. DANISH CLAIMS. Mr. HawEs then rose to bring forward the subject of the Danish Claims. After a few introductory observations, in the course of which the Hon. Gentleman reminded the House that the rights of these claimants had been repeatedly admitted by successive majorities of the House, he proceeded togive the history of the expe lition to Copenhagen in 1807, an expedition got up with the greatest secresy. The expedi,ion went not for the purpose of hostile aggresions, but for the purpose of enforcing negotiations. The fleet of Den mark was seized, and then Denmark made reprisals by seizing British property. Great Britain made represents and seized Danish property to nearly double the amount of the property seized by the Danish Government. Negotiations, however, still continued. On the 18th of November the Danish Government declared war, and it was not until the 24th of 'December that England declared war. It had been contended on a former occasion that those de clarations had a retrospective operation, but looking at the Convention which had been made at the time the seizure of the Danish fleet toek place, he found that it was agreed that private property should be respected—that that convention must have been a farce until the declaration of war, and therefore he had a right to assume that all the sequents of property which bade been made in the interval had been made as reprisals and not as prizes; and he was borne out in this assumption by what a declaration, which had been made by Mr. CANNING at the time these transactions took place. The claims had been of three kinds, Ist, those for book debts, 2d: those for goods seized on chore, and 3d, those for ships at sea and goods seized on board. In 1825 and 1836, the first and second classes of claimants had their claims settled. In 1838 the third class of claimants urged their claims, on the ground that the Government had funds out of which to pay them, for the Government had seized more than sufficient Danish property to liquidate all these claims. In 1839 these claims were again brought for byJusliN GovernmentCaa s s of w L tEL, e ward and a lt h o t u h g a i t t a t c h c e o y m N p v e r r s e h ed opposed lawyer, by I h r e . day, it was determined that the claims should would be inquired into, and adjudicated upon. A commission was appointed, a judicial examination took place, and claims, amounting to 225,000/., were admitted This judicial report was again disregarded by the Government, and in 1841, Mr. Cresswell again urged their claims upon the attention of the HousO, and again the rights of claimants were affirmed in opposition to the Government. If these claims were to be resisted en technical greunds, he had the authority of Mr. Justice Creswell, for saying that they had a right in law, but it was not on such: narrow grounds that such a question should be argued. The expedition had been organized secretly, for a great national object which object had been accomplished, and he would ask if it was right that the merchant should be sacrificed, when it was proved that the Government had seized more property than sufficient to liquidate their claims. The Govern ment could not have given these merchants and shipowners proper notice and when on this occasion shipowners and mer applied to the Government authorities of the day they chants were led to believe that they only ran the ordinary sea risks in going to the Baltic. Under these circumstances, he thought the merchants had a perfect right to come to the Government and ask for a Committee of the House to investigate and settle these claims. The Hon. Member concluded by moving for a Committee. (LEFT SITTING.) ETON COLLEGE.—George EQq., M.P. for Shr ewsbury, and the s on o f t h e late Bishop of Winchester, who was educated at Eton, liaS just announced his intention of founding an annual m athematical prize at }ton College. Mr. Towline has pre sented Ithe sum of I,OEIOI. to the Provost and Fellows, the interest of which is to ho appropriated to the purpose contemplated by the liberal donor. RAILWAYS (METROPOLIS). A " Copy of the Commission, and Instruct ns to the C , om. missioners, on Railways having or proVosing to make 'io Stations in the Illetropo - lis." COPY OF THE COMMISSION. of Victoria, by the grace of with, to God of the United Ki. °lll Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the nc our right trusty and well-beloved cousin and con. Charles John Viscount Canning, our right trusty and well-beloved cousin and councillor James Anurew Ears illuore. Dalhousie, our right trusty and well-beloved John Johnsc Lord Mayor of our city of London, our right trusty an I , well-beloved councillor John Charles Herries, and our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Mark Frederic Smith, Knight, Lieutenant-Colonel in our corps of engineers, greeting: Whereas an humble address has been presented to us by the knights, citizens, and burgesses, And commissioners of shires and burghs in Parliament assembled, humbly praying that we would be pleased to give elrecth.ms for the appointment of a commission to invNtigate and ~ o rt upon t oned to o vario be us railway projects of which the termini w. pro ofthe metro established within or in the immediate vicim:v polls: Now know ye, th a t we , r eposing gremk.•-list and a nd conp tidence in your zeal and ability, have author*, /!. t you .. pointed, and do by th ese p resents au th or i se an d apirt.-' n 4 - rew the said Charle s J o h n Vi scount C ann i ng , J ames 40 , Id Earl of Dalho us i e , J o h n J o h nson, J o h n Charles Herries, . 14 ^ Sir John Mark F re d er i c S m i t h , or any t h ree or more of yon.`` to be our commissioners for the purpose aforesaid: and for the purpose of enabling you our commissioners to form a ,outid judgment on the premises, we do hereby authorise and empower you, or any three or more of you, to call before you all such persons as you may judge most competent, by reason of their situation, knowledge, or experience, to afford you correct information on the subjects of this inquiry: And also to require the production of all books, documents, papers, and returns which may appear to you, or any thee or more of you, calcula , ed to assist your researches in the execution of the trust hereby reposed in you: And we do alai) ive and grant unto you, or any three or more of you, full power and authority, when the same shall appear to be requisite, to administer an oath or oaths to any person or persons wNat; soever, to be examined before you, or any three or more . 01 you, touching or concerning the premises : And we do com mand and require you to report to us, in writing, under your hands and seals, as soon as the same can reasonably be, your several proceedings by virtue of this our commission, toge ther with your opinion on the matter-which you are hereby required to take into your consideration : And we will and command that this our commission shall continue in full orce and virtue, and that you our said commissioners, or any three or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment : And we do hereby command all and singular our justices of the peace, sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, constables, officers, ministers, and all our loving suijecte whatsoever, as well within liberties as without, that they be assistant to you and each of you in execution of these pre— sents. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness, ourself at Westminster, the second day of April, in the ninth year of our reign. L. EDMUNDS, Clerk of the Crown. Crown-office, April 18, 1846. COPY OF THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS. To the Commissioners for Inquiring into the various Railway Projects of which the Termini are proposed to be estab lished in or near the Metropolis. Whitehall, April 8, 1846. My Lords and Gentlemen,—Her Majesty having been pleased to appoint you commissioners for the purpose of in vestigating and reporting upon the various railway projects, the proposed termini of which, according to the schemes now before Parliament, would be situate within or in the imme diate vicinity of the metropolis, I am commanded to signify to you her Majesty's further pleasure, that you direct your attention to such portions of the several projects or Bills now before Parliament, fur railways within the limits hereinafter described. . It will be your especial duty to consider whether the ex tension (f railways into the centre of the metropolis is cal culated to afford such additional convenience or benefit to the public as will compensate for the sacrifice of property, the interruption of important thoroughfares, and the interference with plAns of improvement already suggested, which may probably result from such extension. The limits to which the attention of the commission should be confined may be thus specified, viz. :—The Edgware-road from Oxford-street to the intersection of the New-road; the New-road and City-road to Finsbury-squitre; Bishopsgate street ; London-bridge; High-street, Borough; Blackman street ; Borough-road ; Lambeth-road ; Vauxhall-road ; Vauxhall-bridge ; Vauxhall-bridge-road, Grosvenor-place, and Park-lane.—l have, &c., (Signed) J. B. G. GRAHAM. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. The following protest against the new sessional orders h been entered by Lord Radnor upon the journals of the House of Lords : "DISSENTIENT. " 1. Because I think it is unseemly, impolitic, and of bad example, that the House sh ou ld, t o meet t h e suppose d emer gency of ? a particular case, alter by ex-post-facto resolutions its own established regulations and thus enable certain par ties to violate engageme n ts which others had entered into with them on the faith of those regulations. "2. Because such a proceeding impairs (if it does not totally destroy) the confidence which should be reposed on the regulations of this House. " 3. Because the real purport and ultimate effect of these resolutions are not to bring about any public or national ob ject, connected with the construction of the proposed rail ways, but gratuitously to relieve parties (whether companies or private individuals) from engagements which they have wantonly and heedlessly contracted. " 4. Because if it were expedient to put an end to these engagements, the responsibility and onus of taking the neces sary steps for that purpose should be left to the parties them selves, and not be undertaken by the House. " 5. Because the House thus grads out of its way to inter pose in, and intermeddle with, the affairs of private parties. " 6. Because, in truth, the parties intended thus to be re lieved have in many cases incurred their responsibilities without any view to the public good, but merely in the spirit of reckless gambling, for their own private gain, and have, theretbre, no claim to so unusual an interposition on their behalf. •' 7. Because the House thus holds out an expectation that on future similar occasions it may be induced to afford similar relief; and thus, if it does not directly encourage such a spirit, it does not discourage it, or throw such a stigma on it as according to every principle of sound policy and good morals it is bound to do. "8. Because this unprecedented and mischievous proceed ing appears to me the more uncalled for, even in the view of its supporters, as there is now before the House a Bill which will enable the persons to whom these resolutions apply to effect the same object directly for themselves, and there is no reason to anticipate that it will not pass into a law." JEHSEY. FINAL TRIAL OF MARY LE GENDRE FOR THE MURDER OF HR. GEORGE LE CRONIER. (Before Sir John De Veulle, Bailiff, and Judges Bisson, Bertram, Le Couteur, Picot, Pelgue, Le Gallais, and Arthur.) The court was densely crowded. The accused, when placed at the bar, displayed unusual composure. Evic ence having been adduced before the petty jury on the day previous, the prisoner was found guilty, and having claimed the benefit of trial by the grand jury, was finally andT h d e e ß ep Ai u fe F e r in t g h , en to pr a o d c found guilty of " vo l un t ary h om i c id e. " d ee r d es e s d, t i h n e a w t r o e n t e ch o e f d in w u o ch man sole a m t n t i h ty e bar. Mary Le Noble," said the Bailiff, "you h ave been de clared by the grand jury guilty of voluntary homicide upon the person of the late Mr. George le Cronier, one of the Cen teniers of the parish of St. Helier, and it is my duty to an younce to you that, conformably to the conclusions of the public prosecutor, you are condemned to transportation for the term of your natural life, to such place as it may please her Most Excellent Majesty in Council to direct, and that all your worldly goods (if you possess any) are declared confis cated to the Queen, or to the respective lord of the manor." The prisoner, apparently unmoved, was then conducted to the vehicle which awaited her outside the Court, and thence to the gaol, amid the hootings and execrations of the crowds which everywhere thronged the streets through which she had to pass. A DESERTED VESSEL PICKED UP AT SNA.—On Monday, twu fishermen from Eastbourne, while out in their boat in the channel, discovered about twenty miles from land a vessel of between 300 and 400 tons burden, and from her drifting about it was evident there was no one on board to manage her. They went on board, and found her entirely deserted. She was laden and appa rently homeward-bound. On the return of the fisherman to East bourne, they gave information to Lloyd's agent, who came to. Brighton, and with Mr. Black, our indefatigable and intelligent packet agent, proceeded to Shoreham, when the Magnet steamer was dispatched at half-past one yesterday morning on a voyage of discovery. She steered eastward, and in the evening was in the offing visible from our cliffs with a vessel astern.—BlVhfon Guardian. SAGACITY OF A SPORTING DoG. During the late shooting season, some gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Ipplepen were returning after a good day's shooting, when, on passing a cover, a woodcock rose, but, not being prepared, or expecting to find game there, they took little notice of the bird. Not so, however, old hanger, who, on hearing the Ilse, reared himself on his hind legs and marked him. The party were proceeding on, when, presently, the dog came up to the gentleman who had the gun, and jumping up, tugged at the corner of his jacket. Not knowing the deg's meaning, lie appealed to the owner of the dog—who was not carrying a gun— to have it explained. The master told him to take no notice, but go on, but Ranger was not to be diverted from his purpose, and he again repeated the tug at the coat. The gentleman then turned and fol lowed the dog to a spot at some distance, where he halted. The dog he n watched the n actions rer ready intently, he i while tan h t l e y p s r p e r p a a n r g ed re h r i ! gu n and and ge helo n c tl k e s man's ~h ward to a bush and rase locks , woodcock, which immediately fell to the gentleman's gun.— Western Luminary. The statue of the Emperor Francis, erected on the and e ia are ave to justb presentfor warded at the ceremony. an address to the citizens of New York, signed by their chairman, Joseph Sturge, and earnestly remonstrating with them on the subject of the present dispute about Oregon, and urging the use all theirfriends of peace in th a t c i ty t o influence to prevent war. . - - BIRTHS. On the 19th of April, at BIRTHS, Gorey, the lady of Captain Richard OWth, R.N., of a son. Or, the 21st of April, in Osnaburgh-street, Regent's-park, tho lady of R. S. Sisson, Esq., of a daughter. On the 22d of April, at Gaurock House, Greenock, the lady of Duncan Darrook, Esq., jun., of a son. On the 24th of April the wife of Mr. Mosely, of Howland-street, Fitzroy-square, of a soil. On tie 26th of April, at Rushton Rectory, Dorset, the wife of the Rev. Francis Smith, of a son. On the 27th of April, at Oxford-square, Hyde-park, the wife of W. Judd, Esq., of a daughter. ARRIE. On the 28th o f April, at M St. Joh n' s, Fulham, the Rey. Arthur Idozley, of Eckington, Derbyshire, to Anna Eliza, second daughter of Alfred John lielope, Esq., of Fulham. On the 25th of April, 11r. 'William Fenner, to Isabella, the eldest surviving daughter of the late Joseph Harriss, Esq., of Christ Church, surrey. On the 22d of A pr il , at Norwich, DIED. Lydia, the wife of John Tuffs, aged 55. On the 28th of November last, at Sydney, New South Wales, Janie Eliza, wife of Adolphus William Young, Esq., High Sheriff of that colony. On the lith of April, at lludson, New York, United States, North America Anne, widow of George Cadogan Morgan, Esq., aged 84. On the 16th of April, at Cheltenham, the Rey. William Morgan Whalley, incumbent of Waltham Abbey, aged 73. On the 21st of April, at Weston-under-Penyard, Anne, relict of the late Thomas Baynson, Esq. On the 24th of April, in High-street, Camden-town, Robert Pounds, Esq., aged 79. On the 25th of April, Jacob Henry Burnside, Esq., of Lansdewne place, aged 23. On the 2Gth of April, at Tunbridge Wells, Alfred William Mac- Gregor, youngest son of J. D. Fowles, Esq , of York-place, Portman square. On the 26th of April, at Brentwood, Essex, T. Wright, Esq. On the 27th of ♦pril, Ludee Elizabeth, wife of W. 13. Chadwick, Esq• On the 27th o lApril, Mr. Eugene Clifton, of Canonbury-square. Islington. On the 27th of April, In Regent-street, the Rev. Richard Q. Shan non, Iteetor of Clonmethan, Dublin. London: Printed and Published by AirRDO YOUNG, of No. 1 151 ; Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, N 0.112, Strand, i n the Precine of the Savoy. In the County of Middlesex, Thursday. APel 30, 1846. :: THE SUN, LON D N, THURSDAY EY'ENI NG, A 711,1% 30, 1846. ; 1 II R.