The Sun. — London, England, 1845-05-02 00:00:00

R . ; A.lun "rtiih. engineer, zcrrobovsted rd,, Tog/let's state 3utga, Ina said his estimates were fait and not too low. Group B. The Committee reassembled this morning at twelve o'clock, and proce tied with the engineering evidence in the case of the LEEDS AND WEST RIDING JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. ALEXANDER cbtained leave from the Committee to cross examine Mr. Hawkshaw, the Company's engineer, on behalf of a Mrs. Mary Anne Walker, the present po►sessor and owner of Shiddon Hall, near to the town of Halifax. The object of this cross.examination was to show the Committee that the estate in question, which had long bean a place of some note in the county, would be dreadfully disfigured, and, In some respects, totally de stroyed by the progress of the proposed West Riding Railway. The witness admitted that the deviation of the line would demo. lish one of the buttresses of the mansion, and the line itself would pass through a kitchen garden and a pleasure ground attached to it. Mrs. Walker is, unfortunately, a lunatic, and this was urged by the Learned Counsel, and acknowledged by the witness to be an addi tional objection to the line passing near to the mansion. Mr. Hut then resumed his oross-expmination ,and the witness was severely catechised upon a long-contested point in railway. tactics, namely, the power or expediency of dispensing with a stationary engine upon inclines with secure gradients. The wit. ness nevertheless persisted that there was no necessity for a sta. tionary engine, and mentioned several instances where hundreds of tons of goods are daily carried up heavy inclines by a single locomotive engine. Mr. A SPLAND, on behalf of the Halifax turnpike road, cross-exa. mined Mr. Hawkshaw, with the view of showing that engines and carriages running at that point at 1 in 100 would hi dangerous to the public safety. In reply to a question from this Committee the witness said it was not the Intention of the West Riding Company to work any part of their lines upon the atmospheric principle. Their lines, however, would be so constructed, that if it should afterwards be thought desirable the atmospheric power could be applied to them. Mr. William Fairburn, an engineer and machinist at Manchester, had had extensive experience in the construction of locomotive engines, and was generally familiar with the application of steam to stationary and locomotive power. Fourteen inches was the maximum size of a cylinder attached to a locomotive engine. For the proper working of a railway it was neces sary that the engine should have power beyond its working extent. Gradients were not thought so insurmountable now as they were some years ago. The North Union, the Birmingham and Gloucester, and the Edinburgh and Glasgow had surmounted ex traordinary gradients by the increase in the power of their locomo tive engines. It was his opinion that the power of the locomotive would be still further increased. He had examined the gradients on the West Riding Junction lines, and saw no gradients of an objectionable character. He had had some ex perience on the construction of a " hoist " for transferring the carriages of one railway to another below its level. The Birming ham and Derby had one, and, in his opinion, " hoists " could be constructed and worked with ease and simplicity, and at a mode- Late expenditure. On cross-examination, he said he was not aware whether the Bir roingoam and Derby were seeking in the present session for powers to do away with their " hoist," and to adopt some more improved plan for transferring their traffic to a line above their own level. The size of the cylinder began at eight inches, they were now ad vancing to tourteen and sixteen. The weight of the engine which was then only 71 or 8 tons, was now from 15 to 16 tons. For steep gradients the six-wheeled engine was the mast preferable. Mr. George Leather, a civil engineer, had had considerable experience in the construction of railways, and was well acqnainted with the district through which the Leeds and West Riding Junction lines ran. It was quite impossible to construct a railway through the district without severe gradients and quick or sudden corners. On the whole the gradients on the West Riding and the West Yorkshire were about equal. The engines be had heard described would be applicable to either line, and would carry any extent of traffic likely to come on both. The curves of the two lines were pretty nearly the same. lie had gone through the estimate of Mr. Hawkshaw, and applied them to both lines He had come to the same conclusion as Mr. Hswkshaw, namely, that In constructing the West Riding there would be a saving of 320,4'26/. The Leeds and West Riding line, independently of this saving, was the one best calculated to serve and acco,modate the public. Mr. Gibbs, a civil engineer, who had constructed railways both in this country and on the Continent, gave concurrent testimony to the last witness. He preferred the line which had the highest summit, and that one was the West Riding Junction. He pre ferred the one with the hi g hest summit, because its approaches would be more convenient than tkose of the other. On cross..examination, he said there were no great differences between the gradients and curves of the two lines. The one which had the greatest number of curves with a small radius would be the most dangerous ; but in his opinion there was little or no difference between the two lines in this respect. There would be no neces. city to slacken the pace of the engine when it approached a curve on the West Hoeing Junction line, because it was not a through line, and would have repeated stoppages. So far as safety, dispatch, and punctuality went, the two lines would possess about the same advantages. He was originally the engineer, and estimated the cost of the Croydon and Brighton lines. He proposed that the tunnelling on the latter should be four miles. He thought the gradient on the Brighton line would have been better had it been lin 80 instead of lin 100. Danger increased not in the length but in the acuteness of the curve. Mr. Hastrick, engineer to the Brighton Company, had inspected the !'',ails and sections of the two rival lines, and certainly preferred the Leeds and West Riding Junction. In a country like England you lengthen the tunnels, viaducts, and cuttiegs, by flattening the gradients. He thought a gradient of lin 100 was in no way ob jectionable. Trains on the Croydon and Brighton Line ran daily over a similar gradient—namely, 1 in 102.. There was no difficulty in working lines with such severe gradients as these. He was making a line, for instance, from Brighton to Lewes, and for fully three miles it had a gradient of lin 68. He could see no objection to the curves in either line. If they were worked in connexion with an existing line, the expense would he considerab , y reduced. He concurred gene rally with the evidence given by the former witnesses. On cross.examination, he said the s'eepest gradient on the Brighton line was 20 feet a mile. Had the gradient been 1 in 100, the construction would have cost considerably less than what it did, and the line, in his opinion, would have answered just as well as it does new. It was by no means a surface line. Mr. Tonetan wished to know how they could get at the memo- rials deposited with the Board of Trade ? The CIIIIRMAN replied that any party wishing to take extracts or inspect documents deposited with the Board of Trade, could procure them at the Pris ate Bill Office on their producing an order so to do from the Committee. Mr. BIINES moved that they should have leave to inspect the memorials deposited with the Board of Trade by the %Nest Riding and Leeds and Manchester Companies.—Leave was given. Mr. TaLaur moved that his clients should have access to the documents deposited by the Leeds and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire Companies.—Leave was given. Mr. Cubitt had compared the plan arid sections of the two lines, and certainly he preferred the West Hiding line. The cost of the other line would be greater, and the accommodation for the public. He corroborated the testimony of the last witness. The line could be worked with much more facility, with greater economy, and with greater advantage to the public by being connected with an existing line, such as the Leeds and Manchester, than by being worked by an independent company. On cross.examination, he said he had never been over the ground. He assumed Mr. Hawkshaw's details to be correct. The examination of this witness closed the day's proceedings. The Committee adjourned shortly after five o'clock till to. Morrow. Committee C_ This Committee met at two o'clock to-day, Mr. Barneby in the Chair, to consider the rates of charges in the FLVDDERSFIELD AND SHEFFIELD JUNCTION RAIL. WAY BILL. Mr. Patrr submitted the following clauses :-1. In respect of tonnage of all articles conveyed upon the railway, or any part thereof, as follows : —For all dung, compost, and all sorts of ma. nure, lime, and lime-stone, and all undressed materials for the re pair of public roads or highways, per ton per mile not exceeding one penny; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Corn. pane an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding one halfpenny. For all coals and calm, coke, charcoal, and cinders; all stones for building, pitching, and paving ; all bricks, tiles, slates, clay, sand, ironstone, and iron-ore, pig.iron, bar-iron, rod-iron, hoop-iron, and all other similar descriptions of wrought iron and iron castings, not manufactured into utensils or other articles of merchan. disc, per ton per mile not exceeding twopence ; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an addtional sum per ton per mile not exceeding one halfpenny. For ail sugar, grain, corn, ft.. ur, hides, dye-woods, earthenware, timber, atones, and den's, metals (except iron), nails, anvils, vices, and chains, per ton per mile twopence ; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding three farthings. For a'l cotton and other wools, manufactured goods, and all other wares, merchandise, fish, articles, matters or things, per ton per mile not exceeding threepence; and if conveyed in carriages be long ing to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceed ing one penny. And for every carriage, of whatever description, hav ing more than two wheels, not being a carriage adapted and used nor travelling on a railway, and not weighing more than one ton, car ried or conveyed on a truck or platform, per mile not exceeding eightpence ; and a like sum of twopence per mile for every additional quarter of a ton, er fractional part of a quar ter of a ton, which any such carriage may weigh; and if ccnveyed on a truck or platform belonging to the Corcpany, an additional sum per mile not exceeding twopence. 11. In respect of passengers and animals conveyed in carriages • upon the railway as follows : —For any person conveyed in or upon any such carriage per mile not exceeding two pence; and if con veyed in or upon any carriage belonging to the Com. pan y an additional sum not exceeding one penny : For every horse, mule, as', or other beast of draught or burden, and for every ox, cow, bull, or neat cattle conveyed in or Upon any such carriage per mile not exceeding threepence ; and if conveyed in or upon any carriage belonging to the Company an additional sum not exceeding one penny. For every calf, or pig, sheep, lamb, or other small animal, con veyed in or upon any such carriage per mile not exceeding one penny; and if conveyed In or upon any carriage belonging to the Company an additional sum not exceeding tine farthing. And be it enacted, that the toll which the Company may demand for the use of engines for propelling carriages on the railway shall not exceed one penny halfpenny per mile for each passenger, or animal, or for each ton of goods, or other articles, in addition to the several other tolls or sums by this Act authorised to be taken. And be it enacted, that the following provisions and regulations shall be y, applicable to the fixing of such tolls (that is to say) : . r oe articles or persons conveyed on the railway for a less die . tanthan six mil es th e C ompan y may demand, in addition to the prescribed tolls for conveyance, a reasonable charge for the expense of stopping, loading, and unloading. For a fraction of beyond a mile beyond six miles, or any greater number of miles, the Company may demand tolls on merchandise for such fray tion in proportion to the number of quarters of a mile contained therein; and if there be a fraction of a quarter of a mile, such fraction shall and . be deemed a quarter of a mile;respect of passengers, every fraction of a mile beyond an int e gral number ofmaymiles demandal t be toll deemedao. a mile : for a fraction of a ton the Companyn such fraction ; and cording to the number of quarters of a tion if there be a fraction of a quarter of a ton, such articles, action shall be ex deemed a quarter of a ton: with respect to a cept stone and timber, the weight s h a ll b e determined according to the usual avoirdupois weight. With respect of to stone and timber, fourteen cubic feet stone, forty cubic fret of oak, mahogany, teak, beech or ash, and fifty cubic feet of any other timber shall be deemed one ton weight, and so in pro. portion for any smaller quantity. And with respectsmall to pa ) c r k: ages and single articles of great weight, be it enacted, Act,that notw ith s tanding the rate of tolls prescrib e d tsy this the Company may lawfully demand the tolls following (that is to say), for the carriage o f small parcels (that is to say n ot exceeding Ave hundred pounds weight each), the Company may d em and any sum which they think fit ; provided alw sys that articles sent in large aggregate quantities, although ma de up of separate parcels , s uc h as bags of sugar, coffee, meal, and the like, shall not be deemed small parcels, but such term shall apply only to single parcels separate packages. For the carriage of any one boiler, cylinder, or single piece of ma chinery, or single piece of timber, or stone, or other single article, the weight of which, including the carriage, shall exceed four tons, but shall not exceed eight tons, the Company may demand such sum as they think fit, not exceeding one shilling per ton per mile. For the carriage of any single piece of timber, stone, machinery, or other single article, the weight of which with the carriage, shall exceed eght tons, the Company may demand such sum as they think fit. An d be it enacted, that every passeordinarynger t ug. ra velling upon the rail wa y may take with him his l gage, not exceeding one hundred pounds in weight for first.class passengers, sixty pounds in weight for second class passengers, and forty pounds in weight for third class passengers, without any ..barge being made for the carriage thereof. The Committee having read the clauses through, submitted a • rate of charges but little differing from the above, but they are not let made public. Adjourned till the clauses are reprinted in the amended form Group X LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY. The Committee re-assembled this morning, Lord Courtenay in the chair. Mr. PAGET. for the promoters, called Mr. Samuel Baldoek, printer, of Barnet, who deposed that that town had fallen off in trade since the Great 'orth-Road had been diverted by the ex isting railways. The population of Barnet was near 4,600. Cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT—Did not know what the price of coal would be if this railway were established. Had heard that they might expect It at I/. per ton. Cross-examined by Mr. CloWnEa, who appeared for a land owner against the London and York Eailway.—Believed that the trade of Barnet had been reduced by the coaches being taken off the road. Mr. J. Duckworth was then called and examined by Mr. Des xisox—The witness spoke to the nature of the produce raised from the land round Barnet. This produce consisted chiefly of grass, and the greater part of it went to London- A cheaper mode of conveyance than at present existed would be a great advantage to the district. Property in Barnet had greatly depreciated in value since the coaches had been taken off. Mr. John Hopewell, a grocer at Barnet, was then called, and he stated that the trade of the town had greatly fallen off of late. He obtained his goods from London. There was no water conveyance from London to Barnet. The cost of carriage from. London of sugar was Bd. a cwt. By railway it would be about 4id. per ton. Mr. Buckle, an ironmonger in Barnet, was called, and he stated that he got the principal part of his stock from London. He re. ceived about two tons per week from London. He also spoke to the depreciation in the value of property in Barnet. He had pro perty himself which had cost him 4,0001., and which he could not . sell now for 2,000/. The present amount of general goods per week brought into Barnet was about 75 tons. Mr. Lucas, banker, of Hitchin, was then called and examined by Mr. KINGLAILE—He deposed to the quantity of grain sent from Hitchin to London. The cost of carriage to London was one shilling per quarter. The total cost before the malt could be got into the warehouse of the brewer in London was about 245. per ton. By a railway, if it should be established, the cost would not be more than ss. per ton. He should, therefore, prefer that mode of conveyance. Such a saving would give an impetus to the malt trade of Hitchin. The price of coal at Hitchin was about 355. a ton. The coal used was Derbyshire coal. He would save 2001. a year in the reduction of the price of coal by the establishment of a railway. The railway would reduce the price of bricks ss. a thousand. There was formerly a tanning trade at Hitchin, which might be restored by a railway being established The consump tion of coal was about 6,000 tons annually, or about a ton per head. The saving in the carriage of coal would more than double the pre. sent amount of the poor's rates in Hitchin. Cross-examined by Mr. V. Lee, who appeared for the Totten ham and Farringdon-street Railway Company. Farringdon.street station would be much more convenient than the King's.cross station. Cross. examined by Mr. Netts—The line of the Northern and Eastern Company is now complete to Hertford, and it is proposed to carry it on to Hitchin. That line is more beneficial to the county of Hertford than the proposed London and York Railway would be if it were constructed. The population within the Union of Hitchin is about 20,009. Re-examined by Mr. KINOLALE—He thought there was a good communication diagonally from King's-cross to Smithfield. Mr. J. Geard, brewer, of Hitchin, stated that lie consumed be tween 60 and 70 tons of coals a year. He got his coals from Biggleswade. The price at which they were delivered was about 38s. The coal came by sea from Newcastle to the Ouse. He con sumed about 500 quarters of malt per annum. If this railway were made he should save nearly 601. per annum in the cost of coals. The population of Hitchin was about 6,500. There was formerly a very large trade in malting carried en in Hitchin. It was not so now, nor had it been for '2O or 30 years. There were formerly six teen or twenty malting establishments in Hitchin, now there were but seven. He attributed this to the want of means of communi cation. If they had a railway, he believed that the malting trade would rise again, as would several others. The value of property iu Hitchin had been depreciated of late years. The Rev. I. E. Kemp, curate of Barnet, was called and examined by Mr. Dennison. The poor in that neighbourhood suffered much from the want of fuel. Mr. Pym, a Director and Shareholder of the London and York Company, examined by Mr. KINGLAIE, said he farmed about 500 acres in Bedfordshire. He was Chairman of the Quarter Sessions. The exports consisted of agricultural produce. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. Group E. NEWCASTLE AND BERWICK LINE OF RAILWAYS. This Committee continued to-day to hear evidence in favour of this proposed line. Wm. Henry Barkett, Alderman of Gateshead, Win. Hind, who had been ton years endeavouring to get a line through Northumberland, and Mr. Hutt, M.P., spoke very str.rigly of the advantages likely to accrue from the Newcastle and Berwick lines. Thomas Harrison, civil engineer, spoke to the generally advents. germs nature of the gradients, with the exception of two, one being 170 feet, and the other being 150 feet, which had been forced upon them for the purpose of avoiding a passage through Lord Grey's property. The viaduct in the principal streets through Newcastle was 75 feet, while the Brandling Junction in Gateshead was 22 feet, from which no inconvenience was felt. Thomas Harrison, cross-examined by Mr. ALEXANDER—After crossing the bridge over the Tweed there would be an embankment extending 726 yards, for which they should resort to the purchase of side-cuttings of 604,000 yards, the value of which would amount to 30,2001. The greater part of the stuff would be soft red sand stone, which they proposed to get from the face of a hill. In putting down 30,200/. for the side cuttings, he included tie cost of the side-cutting and the 'Lakin of the em. bankment. Independently of the land at Newcastle, the land upon the whole main line would amount in value to 57,202/., none of which was to be apportioned to the side-cutting of the above mentioned embankment. The bridge across the Tweed would probably be constructed of brick, and would consist of thir teen arches of seventy feet span each. The expense would amount t) 65,0001. The whole viaduct, including the bridge across the Tweed, would consist of 27 arches. The bridge of Tyne would have 24 arches of 19.5 inches each. There was a gradient on the Bligh branch of 1 in 100, which the witness con sidered a very unfavourable gradient. He was of opinion that there would be a great saving of them gained by passing the railroad through Morpeth. He considered that there would be to great likelihood of any danger arising from the locomotive engine passing on a viaduct over the houses In Newcastle-. There might be a possibility of danger from the sparks falling over the 'viaduct on the tops of the houses, best did not think it probable. Mr. Robert Stevenson, the engineer of the line, wilt then examined. He corronorated the estimates made by the last wit ness as well as the engineering details. His examination had not concluded when the Committee adjourned. BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY BRANCHES. The object of the Bill under this title is to obtain power to form four branches of the Great Western Railway—one from Bristol to Yeovil, twenty miles in length ; one to Tiverton, of four miles and sixty chains; a third to Clevedon, a sea-bathing village on the Bristol Channel, three miles and three-quarters from Bristol ; and a fourth, to obtain an uninterrupted communication between the Great Western and the Bristol and Exeter Railways. In conse. quence of the latter of the two railways running at a right angle to the former great delay occurred, and in sense instances the passengers had to get out of their carriages, or go over two or three turn-tables. Mr. MEREWETHER, who appeared for Messrs. Hares, of Bristol, waived his opposition to the preamble at present, in consideration of an arrangement which was likely to be made between his clients and the Company, and especially as the Bill was not yet read a second time, and also as it was hardly competent for the Committee to take the preamble of the Bill, though they might go into the evidence By the statements of Mr. Brunel it was shown that the cost of the. Teovil branch, the object of which was to open a better communi. cation with the south, would be 200,0001. ; that of the Tiverton branch, about 60,0001. ; of the Clevedon branch, 40,0001., and the commun icatii g branch at Bristol which is to be only about half-a-mile in length, about 60,000/. The whole expenditure was likely to be about 375,0001. There were no engineering difficulties in any of the branches, nor any inconvenience in passing turnpike roads or other highways at a coincident level. He intended to work the Tiverton branch certainly on the atmospheric principle, and very likely the Clevedon also. Mr. Ford, contractor of the carriage department at Bridgewater, was produced, to state the expected traffic; but as there was no opposition at present, his evidence was declined. Mr. Vyvian stated that. the whole amount of the capital to be raised was 500,0001, of which the Company were empowered to raise 166,0001. by mortgage or on loan ; the etimated cost 375,000/. The shares subscribed for amounted to 285,0661. 131. 4d., on which a deposit had been paid of 17,1841. The number of share. holders locally interested in the line was 21 ti, and the amount of their shares 152,866/. 13s. 4d. The number of other shareholders was 101, and the amount of their interest in the line 132,200/. There were 35 shareholders, SCN erally possessing interest to the amount of 2,0001. and upwards. A power was also sought to apply 75,0001. to the purchase of shares in the Devon and Cornwall line, similar to the power sought also by the Gloucester and Bristol Company. The evidence being concluded, the further consideration of the line was deferred till twelve o'clock on Monday next. Group G and G 2. WILTS AND SOMERSET RAILWAY. The inquiry into the merits of this railway was resumed to-day, before the Chairman, the Hon. T. H. Liddell, and the Committee. The Committee assembled at twelve o'clock, the attendance of those interested in the line being as large as en the previous days of the investigation. Previous to entering Into the evidence, the CHAIRMAN stated that having some very urgent business to attend to to-morrow, and such being the case with two other members of the Committee, he would put it to those interested whether any great inconve,iience would result from adjourning the Committee after the proceedings until Monday. The counsel on both sides having immediately assented, Mr. Merewether was about to open the case of Captain Williams, when by a proposal from Mr. Brunel, the opposition on that gentle man's behalf was obviated. Mr. Geeesswoon proceeded to open the ease of the Somerset. shire Canal Company. The Company ob)ected to the formation of the branch to Radstock, from a conception that the utility of the line would be in no degree affected if this branch was not formed. It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Brunel, that one of the ob jects of the Railway Company was to open up the Radstock coal field. The advantage of this would be getting the Timsbury and Radstock coal up to Bradford by the Warminster branch. By a very slight difference of price the coal could now be carried by the canal, while the effect of forming the railway would be to entirely destroy the property of the canal. This canal, which with the assistance of tram-roads from the pits and by the water. way the coal from the whole of the Somersetshire coal field was conveyed into the Kennet Canal, and thence into the Wilts Canal, and thus through a large district. The canal had cost up wards of 2fi0,000/., upon which no dividend at all had been paid for fourteen years, and on an average only three-and-a-half per cent. had been paid. The Act of Parliament entitled the proprietors to take ten per cent., but from the moderateness of their charges the greatest profit ever obtained was only six per cent. on the original capital. The Canal Company had always been ready to carry more coal than had ever been offered by the coal masters, so that it was evident no disadvantage had been suffered by the public. The Act enabled the proprietors to charge 212 d. per ton per mile for the whole distance of ten miles, which was the length of the canal; the Company might charge 2s. Id.; their usual charge was, however, 2d. a ton per mile, which for the whole distance would be Is, Bd., but the Company only charged one shilling for the whole of this distance. The Somersetshire canal locked into the Kennet and Avon, which took the coal up to Bradford, and for which carriage there was a further charge of 9d. a ton. The capital of the Canal Company was divided into a great number of shares held by a great number of persons, and the property of these persons would be entirely de. a; tr Frome, which would save a water carriage of eight miles. had been Secretary of that th e stroyed. Th e rea l quest i on was w h et h er th e public should receive in tl.eir coal at Bradford, which they could do without the railway, or e om So ce me b r e s t e w ts c h .e i n re e Canal ight ee eighteen oan and an Carpenter,andwho nineteen years, was produced to r p ove the outlay of capital, f but this was admitt e d on behalf the railway promoters. The highest divid en d ever paid° was 121. 10s. on each . share of 150/. This was i n 1842 In the following reduced to Se 100., and to Si. in 1844. In ls year this was 18, the first year its which a dividend was declared, the division was and it then gradually rose to the sum stated abave ii. I °Ts. per share, these 150/. shares was 981., which was the t he value . of tered price ; but a share was said to have been sold theastregm other day . for 841., but this was hearsay. The price charged for coal was a ton per mile, less by a liallpenuy than the sum which the Act gave them, and the whole charge to the Kennet and Avon Canal wasone shilling. The price of coal at the pit's mouth was orian average half-a-guinea a ton, and the districts supplied by means of this canal, and through the Ken net and Avon and the Wilts and Berks Canal, comprised Bradford, Tro wbrid g e, Abin g don, Swindon, Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, the village and vale of Pusey, and the whole of the centre of Wilts, Marlborough, and Devises—a great part of this district lying on the line of the Great Western Railway though the latter towns do 119 W approach it; but the supply Tlll4 Y LON'I3 of the whole of them would be interfered with by the proposed railway. The quantity of coal carried by the Somerset shire Canal in 1843, was 128,000 tons, and in 1644 it was 124,000 ons, but he was unable to say what was the cumulative amount of toll received, but it did not amount to 10,0001. in either year. On his cross• examination by Mr. SLYHEAD, Mr. Carpenter confirmed his previous evidence as to dividends paid on the capital. The distance of Trowbridge from the line of water con veyance was about, or within, two miles, which had to be carried by horse and cart, the whole weight conveyed by such means being about four tons, and the cost was about Is. a ton for carriage and turnpikes. There were no means of water conveyance to the south, though there might be towards the west, by the Kennet and Avon Canal into the river Avon. There had been no stoppage that he recollected by drought, though there had been by frost, although he had not known any scarcity 0: coal occasioned by the stoppage of the canal. To the Chairman :Mr. Carpenter stated that there were no intermediate stations for depots of coal, but there was ample opportunity for forming a depot at Bradford. The largest quantity of coal ever carried by the canal was 162,000 tons, in 1841, the excess above the following year being occasioned by the demands of the Great Western Railway. If the demand for coal from Dorsetshire and the adjoining district were to be largely increased, the canal could carry double the quantity carried in the year of which he had spoken. He thought that Is. a ton would be an excessive charge for lifting coals from the barges on the canal to the railway carriages. The way of getting to Yee's il would be by the canals to Trowbridge, thence by railway to Frome, and if the railway were formed, the coals would be carried direct from Radstock by rail. It appeared by Mr. Entwistle's inquiries, that the extra expenses of keeping the conveyance would be made out thus-1 s. 9d. from Radstock to Bradford, 9d. for transhipment, plus the charge direct from Radstock to Frome, which was only half the distance. The freight and the quayage and lockage had to be added to this, the freight being about 9d. a ton. To the inquiries of Mr. YoRKE, the witness stated that the price of coals at Bradford would reach to 18s. a ton, though he could not assert that it would not exceed that price, During the last year the canal had never been stopped by drought. To an inquiry by Mr. ENTWISLR—The carriage of coal by rail from Radstock to Trowbridge would be Is. to Is. 4d. a ton. This closed the case of the Somersetshire Canal Company. Mr. WHATELEY was about to open the cases of Dr. Brabant and Mr. Hughes, but during the conversation which ensued between him and Mr. Slyhead, who appeared for the promoters of the railway, Mr. MERREWETRER announced that the opposition of the Melk sham-road Commissioners had been withdrawn, and that the Corn. nsissioners felt bound to state their sense of the very handsome naanner in which the Railway Company had obviated their oppo sition. The opposition of Dr. Brabant and Mr. Hughes was ie.so withdrawn. Mr. Fuller was a witness nn behalf of Mr. Ainstey, of De. vizea, whose kitchen-garden would be destroyed by the railway. He considered the ln.use would be entirely spoiled by the railway. He had marked out another line less difficult of construction by which the house would be altogether avoided. By the adoption of this line another station might be made, in which the disadvantage of the elevation of the town of Devizes, and above the Bear Field, where the terminus was at present proposed to be, would be lessened, and the alteration was quite within the power of deviation, and the ascent would not be so steep as in several places on the road between Devizes and Chippenharn. This would be a convenience of 13U or 140 yards in distance to the town, and save a great destruction of property, and all the embankment. The room having been cleared, on the re.admission of strangers— The CHAIRMAN declared the preamble proved, but the Com mittee hoped that the Company would give Mr. Ainstey ample corn • pensation for the invasion of his property and comfort, and they thought that it would be only wise to do so as several noblemen and gentlemen of great influence had succeeded in introducing clauses which protected their properties in subsequent stages of Bills. This was readily promised by the company, and the Committee proceeded to the consideration of the clauses of the Bill, which were all passed, but the solicitor of the line having stated that there were other clauses which were not yet quite ready for the consideration of the Committee, the report was deferred until Monday. Sub-Committee No. 2. This Committee r e.assembled at Twelve o'clock, in room No. 7 ; present Sir John i a rde Buller, Chairman, the O'Connor Don, Mr. Deedes,W. e , and Mr. Legh. The firstz ti,•• d on was THE GOOLE AND DONCASTER RAILWAY. This ne of railway is to be from Doncaster to the Port of Goole, in connexion with the Swinton and Lincoln lire at Don caster, connecting the tc's•n of Sheffield, as well as the Midland districts traversed by the Midland Railways and the Sheffield and Manchester Railwa)s, and the Silkstone and Worshorough coal- field.:, with the above.named port. Length of line IS miles estimated cost 280,000/ Engineers, George Leather and Son. Mr. ELLICOM OE appeared for the promoters of the line Petitions were presented front the following gentlemen against the promoters : . The Proprietors of the Navigation of the River Doti—Agen, Mr Sheppard. From Mr. Robert Baster, landed proprietor Agent, Mr. Pukes. From Messrs. Knight and Jones, landed proprietors—Agent, Mr. Lang. _ _ _ . There was also a petition from a Mr. John Fordon, but no agent appearing on his behalf, the petition falls to the ground. The formal notices having been proved, Mr. SiIEPPAIII) on behalf of the proprietors of the River Don, submitted the first allegation in the petition. The allegation was, that the notices which appeared in the Gazette and newspapers were insufficient for the objects of the present Bill, inasmuch as the original notices were for application to Parliament for a line of railway of 32 miles in length, whereas they had since abandoned nearly one half the works, and their Bill now asked but fur power to make a I:ne of 18 miles. Mr. ELLiCoMBE maintained that the notices were good, Inasmuch as they had not taken any new districts by the present Bill, and the notices in the Gazette had provided for the owners and occupiers of the prn. erty to be affecte.l. Mr. SIIEPPARI, contended that the notices were informal. He would refer the Committee to the precedent in the case of the Direct Northern Railway, which was thrown out of the Standing Orders' Committee, principally through their having abandoned the greater part of their line. There was another case in point, that of the Wells and Dereham, which was also thrown out ; and the promoters of that line had only abandoned a very small portion of their works. Ihe room was then cleared, and, after some deliberation, the parties were called in, and informed by the CH•IRMAN that the standing orders in that instance had not been complied with. The next allegation was, that tt c promoters proposed in their Bill to let on lease part of their works to the Midland Railway Company, whereas the notices issued did not mention that fact; and that this was asking for powers not only for themselves but for the Midland Company to add to their existing works. The room was cleared, and upon return, The CIi&IRHAN said, that in this instance the standing orders had .'it been complied with. A few trifling allegations were then sustained, on the ground of insufficiency of notice to certain owners and occupiers of pro. perty on the proposed line. This closed the petition for the proprietors of the River Don navigation. Mr. COATES submitted the several allegations in the petition of Mr. Baxter. The only one worthy of notice was that against the subscription contract. The allegation complained that some of the partici signing the contract were not sufficiently bound to carry out the powers of their Bill. The Committee overruled t he objection. Several minor allegations were sustained, but a large proportion were disallowed. Mr. Lang appeared on the petition of Messrs. Knight and Jones. The petition contained numerous allegations against the books of reference and plans and sections, several of which were sustained, but the greater number overruled. The CHAIRMAN said that in the case of the Goole and Doncaster Railway the standing orders had not been complied with in many instances. The Committee rose at four o'clock. It is understood that the Great Western Railway (Ireland) — Dublin to Mullingar and Athlone, will be the first case taken by the Sub-Committee to-morrow. There are 3,000 allegations in the petition against the scheme, and the inquiry is expected to last some days. Group 0. GRAND JUNCTION POTTERIES LINE. The Committee having met at the usual hour, The CH AIRM AN, in reference to the point which had been urged yesterday by Mr. Macaulay, of being allowed to give evidence on the part of certain landowners in the Pottery districts, with respect to the schemes of railway for those districts, said that he had con sulted members of great experience upon the subject, and their opinion was, that Counsel on behalf of the landowners might be allowed to give general evidence in reference to those schemes. Mr. Copeland, M.P. for Stoke-upon-Trent, examined—l was one of the promoters of a railway scheme for the Potteries, with a view of having a communication towards London and Liverpool. I attended the meeting of the 18th of October. There were per sons attending on behalf of several railway companies. After hearing the various lines di:cussed, and the opinions of my constituents, I advocated the line from Rugby by Rugely and Stone to Crewe. I think the line to Bassford inconsistent with the hne I have just mentioned. The general opinion was in favour of the Birkenhead. The line to Eossford would not be listened to for a moment. I always op. posed the line from Bassford to Stoke. I presented a memorial to Earl Dalhousie against the line proposed by the Grand June. lion Company. The preamble of the Bill for the line which I preferred was passed by a Committee of the House of Commons, after being sixty.fonr days before them. It was not followed up on account of the lateness of the session and the great expense which it would occasion. The line which ads ocated was a line from Manchester to London through the Potteries. The Churnet Valk) , line were defeated on the Stand. ing Grders. They still intend to come to Parliament for their line. Cross examined by Mr. Cocautiax—We intend to propose, as part of the Churnet Valley scheme, a line from Macclesfield by Leek and Toxeter, to join the Derby Junction line at Willington. The line between stoke and Leek is also to stand. There is also a line proposed from Leek to Congleton. There is to be a double line frown Leek to Stoke and from Congleton to Stoke. We pro_ pose to carry the line from Stoke to Rugely, and to run on to the Trent Valley line. Ido not know if the line from Stoke to Staf ford is altogether abandoned. I was a director of the Trent Valley line. I did not cease to be a director of that line with a view to the promotion of the present scheme. I ceased to be a director, because some arrangements were made with the Birmingham and London Company for leasing the Trent Valley line, of which I was kept in ignorance, and therefore thought that my services were no longer necessary. It is part of our scheme to make a line from Stoke to Crewe by Harecastle. A tunnel should be cut through Harecastle. I cannot say what the expense might be. We were always led to believe that the Grand Junction Company would make a line from Stoke to Crewe. Mr. Kinnersly is a petitioner against the present scheme. I heard that he was offered 30,0001. to buy off his opposition in 1637. That appeared before the Corn. mittce of which I was a member. Mr. Kinnersly was in favour of the proposed scheme, but his opinion is changed. He thinks that our scheme will be of more benefit to the Potteries. The object of the (hornet Valley line was to give the Potteries accommodation by a branch from Leek to Stoke. I intend to be a considerable shareholder in our present project. The shares are not yet allotted. The entire capital is paid up. The Trent Valley are to take an interest of 300,0001. The Churnet Valley are to have 1,300,000'., and 130,000/. are reserved for local interests. The direction was to be composed of seven directors for the Churnet Valley, two for the Trent Valley, and six to represent the Potteries. I am not aware that the Churnet Valley is in the hands of the London and Bir. mingham Company. It is perfectly unknown to me if it be so. I understood that there were some arrangements made with the Churnet Valley for leasing the line, in the way of an amalgamation of interests. Alderman Copeland was then examined at great length with regard to statements he made at meetings, wishing for a line to Crewe to be made by the Grand Junction Railway. The Committee, after hearing other evidence of a similar descrip. ion, adjourned till to.morrow. SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY. Group D D. The Committee re-assembled this morning at twelve, and imme diately after proceeded to business. The examination of witnesses was resumed by Mr. Sergeant WItANGH•NI calling Mr. Smith, agriculturist and civil engineer, who stated that he had been employed in his capacity of engineer in var tout parts of the kingdom, and was well acquainted with the country through which the railway is proposed to be carried. The route taken by the Central Railway was the best stirltet coal fields te trunk line th a t cou ld b e found, and i n hi s op i n ion would realise a considerable in come t o its promoters, on account o f th e l a rge pas senger towns of Glasgow, supply Perth, Bannockburn the country north of P ert h with coal ; and the consumption o f t h ese all Stirling, an andd othe r Dundee. traffic The 1i w would be greatly increased by the soaking of a railway, as it would fa cilitate their conveyance. Peat is usually • • Inant now districts 1 4 73 PRIDA.Y MORNING, MA.Y IN& LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF C;XCHAQIIEI?, .Ilan I. TRIAL AT BAR.-111E GR EAT DISTILLERY CASE. THE ATTOHNEY- GEN,II.Ii, C. GEORI:E 5311T11. The Court agiin met at ti n o'clock this looming, and the names of the jurymen having ucen called over, John Uring was placed in the witness-ox and examined by Mr. MARTIN— I am in the employ of George Smith, and have heel' so for eighteen years. In the year 1843 it was part of my duty to attend to the receiver. I recollect Batten, the officer, coming to the premises on the 18th of December. I saw Drinkwater and Batten in the spirit warehouse at two o'clock in the afternoon. They were speaking to Mr. Smith. I left the spirit warehouse before them. I had been near the receiver from twelve o'clock of the preceding night till six next morning. I did not observe that the board around the suction pipe was loose. I recollect, in June, 1844, Eatten being inside the receiver. I was outside, and he inside, and I heard him knocking. He asked Gates, who was along with me, if he had such a thing as a hammer or chisel. Grates said he had nothing but a candle. I had the rod used for turning the cocks in my hand. He took it out of my hand, and he put it under. neath and knocked this plug out. I never had noticed the plug before, lie then came out of the receiver. He then said that he had thumped it out with his finger. I saw him do it with the iron rod. Cross-examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL—It was my duty to attend to the third receiver. By the Loan CHIEF BARON—The force required to knock out the plug in the cover of the receiver wets very violent. Cross-examination continued—There was a pump kept in the spirit store-room. It was mit a moveable pump. I never observed the boards on the cover of the spirit-receiver loose. I never ob served the nails there. Re-examined by Mr. MARTIN—I was sent for by Mr. Drink. water when the hole in the spirit-receiver was discovered. I was standing on the receiver when Batten was inside, and what he struck first was the flap on the receiver, and he struck three or four times afterwards, but where I cannot say. By Mr. Baron PLATT—I attended the receiver for between three and four years, and during that time I was in the habit of entering the spirit-warehouse once or twice a day. Ido not know of any cupboards there. I know of only one pump there, and it is a fixed one. I can point out in the plan where the spirit still. room is. Mr. Baron PLAvr—Come down, then, and point it out.—The witness did so. John Hodges examined by Mr. MARTIN—I have been five years in the employment of Mr. Smith, as millwright. I recollect being sent for by the two Surveying. Generals in the month of March, 1844. Some time before that 1 had removed the valve from the stand-pipe above the buckets, and its use was to prevent liquor fall ing down when repairing the buckets. It was of no use for pump ing up liquor. It acted in this way—when the stream rushed through the pipes it stood a little up or open, but when the stream ceased it shut. The valve had become leaky, or what is termed honeycombed, and I took it out for the purpose of getting it re paired. It was taken out some two weeks before the Surveyor- Generals came, and when they asked where it was, I told them it was in the coppersmith's opposite, and I went and got it, and af. terwarda showed it to them. Cross-examined by Mr. Jertirs—l have an assistant occasion. ally. His namt. is James Julien. He is not constantly employed. I saw him outside the Court here yeattrday. I attended to the rack cocks. They are fastened by wire. My duty is to keep the cocks in repair, but I have nothing to do with regulating the liquor. John Stanford examined by Mr. MARTIN—I have been its the employ of the East London Water Works for 18 years ; and iu 14 1 36 I attended to the pipes which supp'ied the premises of Mr. Smith with water. I know the pipes that lead to the granary. I recollect the pipe being laid down from the gateway of the distil. lery to the rectifying-house. I suggested that stopcocks should be placed on these pipes. I made the suggestion to Mr. James Smith. The reason was that a pipe had burst and inundated the granery some time before. The company sent stop. cocks out, and men to put them on. The boxes had the initials of the company. Mr. MARTIN—My Lords, you wili find the bill for these charged to Mr. James Smith in June 4, 1838, amounting to 171. 15s. Examination continued—When the pipes were laid down they were open to the public. Cress-examined by the SOLICITOR.GENERAL- - I did not attend to all the pipes that supplied Mr. Smith. I attended to the one that supplied the vats. I never supplied other stop-cocks for other private persons. Chat lea Marshall examined by Mr. WATSON—I am a veterinary surgeon, and attend the stables of Mr. Smith. I was in the stables on the 23d of Oct. The water to them is supplied by a pipe. On that day I observed a strong smell of spirits from the water. It might be about 11 o'clock. The horses did not like it at all. They did not like gin and water.—(Laughter.) They would not come nezr the pail. By the CHIEF BARON—Several buckets were allowed to run into the trough, and then a bucket was taken for the horses. David Atkins examined by Mr. GREENWOOD—I was footman in Mr. Smith's house, and recollect the 23d of October. The water in the pantry was tainted with spirits, and I pointed it out to Mr. Smith. My attention was directed to it by the smell. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL—And taste afterwards, I dare say. By Mr. GREENWOOD—I noticed the state of the water for some me after. Cross-examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL7I did not notice it some days after. We used the water for all domestic purposes There is a force pump in the house used for forcing up water for domestic uses. Alfred Mason examined by Mr. Waraost—l have been em ployed by Mr. Smith as surveyor upon this occasion. I made the plan of these premises. I was called in on the 24th of October. I went into the house on the 24th of October and tasted the water in the dairy. It was flowing from the tap, and was tainted with spirits. James Beck examined by Mr. WATSON—I have been employed by Mr. Smith for many years as surveyor. Thera is a branch pipe which supplies the house with water. There is a force pump in the cellar, which I presume was there in 1832. David Atkins was recalled, and asked by the Lord Chief Baron how often the pump was used. The answer was every morning, excepting Sundays. Mr. James Smith was asked by the Lord Chief Baron how long the pump had been upon the premises. The reply was since 1813. Wm. Jacques examined by Mr. MARTIN—I am an officer of Excise of twenty years' standing. I had been employed from 1833 to 1843 at Mr. Smith's distillery. I was principal officer there. I recollect the opening from the distillery gate to the rectifying house in 1836. Ido not recollect the pipe being laid. The old rectifying-wall was pulled down, and a new one built; and Mr. Phillips (since dead) pointed out where the old water communi cation had existed. Mr. M'Culloch was the superior officer at the distillery before Mr. Drinkwater came. He left in October or November, 1841. Mr. M'Culloch was preceded by Mr. Carpenter. There was an officer on the premises for a short period between the remove' of M'Culloch and the arrival of Drinkwater. His name is So vie, and he is still in the employment or the Excise. The communications to the Board of Excise are made through the su perior of f icer. Cross.examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Mr. Phillips, in Lis conversation with me referred to the old communication, and directed me to state to him what I saw relative to any attempt to by down a pipe. I saw no pipe laid clown, and knew of none laid down. In my ten years' experience there, 1 knew of no other commendation except by the open trough. Re-examined by Mr. F. KELLY—Mr. Phillips and I with all the officers on the premises knew of this opening. Dr. Ure examined by Mr. KELLY—I am professor of chemistry, and well and practically acquainted with the nature of epic its. I have setts the pipes to which the experiment of passing spirits from the distillery to the ratifying-he use was effected, and I know the branch pipe leading to the officer's-room. The branch very slightly declines. In his judgment (which was formed, not only on his previous chemical knowledge, but actual experiment from the plans) it would be impossible to pass water through the pipe from the distillery to the rectifying house without leaving a large quantity of spirits in various parts, which would take a considerable time to mix with the water, which would, therefore, in the mean. time, have a strong smell and taste of spirit. A long discussion then took place as to the quantity of spirit which would remain in the pipe leading to the officer's room. It was at length calculated and agreed to that there would remain at least fifty gallons. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said it had been provel that, after the experiment made by the Excise, the water supplied to the officer's room, the stables, and the dwelling-house, was tainted with spirit for several days. Mr. Jaayss said, if his Lordship would look at the plan he would see, that if the experiment had been made by the trader himself, it would be easy to draw off every particle of spirit from the pipe at the officer's room and pass it directly to the wash tub. The Lotto CHIEF BARON—It is so. It is quite clear that there are sufficient meats of preventing a drop of spirit from being lost, or any taint being left for a considerable time; I do not speak of the blind pipe, for I cannot see how it could be got out of that. Dr. lire's examination cowls ared—The pipe, in its ordinary state, was not capable of carrying spirits. It was necessary to render it air-tight throughout its course. The same pipes could not be used habitually and alternately in the conveying of spirits and of water through so great and complicated a length. The pressure of the water from the tanks would be rather upwards, and air-holes in the pipes would not interrupt the course of the water, which would tend to escape up through them in spurts ; but the pressure of the air through a very sm 11 air-hole would prevent the passage of spirits which could not proceed until the air was shut out. He said this on the suppusitson that the pipe must be worked neon the principle of the syphon. By the Loan CIIIEF BARON—It is not necessary to work this machinery of pipes upon the syphon principle. If the vat, No. 8, were constantly kept full, or not quite full, but up to seven feet— that is half full, it would not be necessary. Mr. KELLY—That is supposing that vat 8 was used with the new series of piping employed by the officers. The LORD CHIEF BARON did not imply that it bad been done. Dr. Ure cross.examinett by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Has not discontinued to Le employed by the Government and Excise. Had written a book called " The Revenue in Jeopardy." Had not undertaken to pay off the National Debt.--(Laughter.) Had proved that by frauds on the Excise the revenue lost halls million sterling out of six millions. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL —That is all I shall ask you. The Letitia CHIEF BARON—Dr. Ure, are you aware what is the duty en spirits, and what the prime cost per gallon ? Dr. Ure— The duty is 7s. 10d., and the value of the spirit without the duty is under 2s. 6d. The LORD CHIEF BARON—Then it is not the fact that the trade could afford to lose one hundred gallons out of every two hundred ? Dr. lire's answer was not heard. The jury then retired. When the Court resumed, The Soticrroft-Genettat. proceeded to reply. He said that in addressing the observations which he should have to make on the whole of the case, lie trusted it would not be necessary for him to make any very great demand upon the time of the jury. But the length to which the inquiry had been protracted—the very im portant interests involved in the issue—the complicated and various facts produced—and the many topics scattered throughout his Learned Friend's (Mr. Kelly's) elaborate and able address—would, he feared, render it almost impracticable for him to bring what he bad to say into a very narrow space. Still he felt his labour lightened and his task encouraged by the assurance that the jury had paid the most unremitting attention to the case from beginning to end, and that they were familiar with all its details. He was confident that they would administer the law, as it was laid down to them, fairly and impartially, and that, in so important a case, to whirls public attention had been so much directed, they would not be in the smallest degree swayed by any prejudices introduced by one side or the other—that they would look steadily to their duty without regard to the result. Before he proceeded to remark upon the evi,tence in the case, he must say a few words as to some parts of his Learned Friend's speech. His Learned Friend had complained of the proceedings adopted against Messrs. Smith, attributed them to the jealousy of rival traders and the anxiety of hungry and in. terested officers. He (the Solicitor-General) denied that the jealousy of rival traders could influence the authorities at the head of the Excise department in the discharge of their duties, or that they would be too ready to listen to any groundless or interested charges brought by interested subordinates. What animosity could the Commissioners have against the Messrs Smith ? What in. tercst could they have in putting a stop to a trade such as that of those gentlemen, yielding to the revenue a vast return ? It was evident that they would not proceed to the measures which had at length been forced upon them, if they were not compelled to do so by an imperative sense of duty. For himself, he (the Solicitor- General) had already declared his willingness to take upon himself his share of the responsibility of these proceedings ; and he trusted that having only done Isis duty he would be ab'e to survive the loss of his Learned Friend's favour and good-will. His Learned Friend had accused him of the revival of an obsolete penal Act, wherein his conduct was as oppressive as if he revived the penal Laws against witches, and some obsolete penal laws of Scotland. He was surprised at such an observation from so learned and acute a lawyer as his Learned Friend. They were dealing with a statute passed only twenty years ago, which governed at this day the process in every distillery through out the kingdom, and with every partscular provision of which every distiller in the kingdom was required to be familiar—so much so, that one of the witnesses for the defence (Mr. Goldie) said that he had every word of the Act by heart. Was that rightly described a; an obsolete Act, to proceed upon which was a hard- . . stirntarielitrilipsyeeneeeteMite—lenene , ship and oppression. His Learned Friend had also complained lish Mr. Mayer's claim so far to the consideration ni t i g that matters not relevant to the issue bed been introduced, h-ench as to induce his Worship, should he determira to prejudice the case. He (the Selic,tor .Generai) answered that all those matters were introduced advised: y. to show what had been ,t-nclitr the case cor further inc;niry, to grant bail. ives, Mr. • ;'IVYFoRD--W?ien - the proper time all the conduct both of the defendant and of .he officer, and he was „,,,• , , , , -., . . I- wake your IT ly. ..t. ! , , , e ~ .1T .1" t it! t.,'Vt. , , pal can sure that the Pity were satisfied that the iustice of th e e a .e w as ~` , promoted by that course. The Lean-cd Solicitor th 'n proceeded , ''' ''''' '''' "d ' l ' 'li '' ' °lam"). w'iY. to defend the offices of Excise from the charge of ill-will to the the ~0.,.. tv.Ls then I,,riiceet,cd Stith. defendant, or of being actuated by the desire of spoil They had Mr. Richards, a surgeon, deposed that h e e had f Theexii 1. not, as Mr. Kelly had stated, such a vested interest in the penalty mined the, wounds on the complainant's . ad , _ e Wag 11 as rendered them unworthy of credit, for it was entirely at the dis - sere apparently very severe, but there 01 "- cretion of the Commissioners whether the officers should participate slightest danger attending them. ... into in the amount of the penalty, and in what proportion. Another Constable F 72, stated that he took Mr. Ma il i a complaint was, that no discarded servant of the defendant had custody at his house in Oxford-street. On te l / been brought forward to confirm the statements of the officers. it IA as for assaulting Mr. M'Lean, he said, Now, he would put it to the jury to consider what would be said o f " Vi l ' have done I will do again." the Crown if that had been done? For his part, he would never stoop to such a coarse. Looking back to the whole length of This being the whole of the evidence, Mr. Blankir n°re the proceedings, he felt no difficulty to grapple with but applied for the liberation of the defendant on ball., . 1 i o this that the breaker of the law, guilty of frauds to a very great extent, was liable to penalties of a large and even Mr. TWIFORD did not feel justified in granting no so serious a case. Why should he ? "on. ° l3 ' startling amount, and that, although the jury were of opinion Mr. Ballantine also objected to the opplicati e, the that the fact had been satisfactorily proved, they might shrink from serving that the evidence of the policeman shov cl e _"... u .. the performance of their duty by not giving the verdict which the necessity of that protection being secured to the . ° `7 o law demanded at their hands. That was the only momentary appre- plainant which it was the province of the nutgiatril: to hension heentertained. But it was only momentary ; because he a ti or d. The application might afterwards be Ina u did not believe that twelve gentlemen, of the station, character, the judge at chamber- a that and intelligence of those in the jury box, would shrink from the performance of their duty, through any such, or I\lr. fibrekrnore said ' he had never once suppose , m i l Mr. Mayer would be refused his liberty on T fu v rn . Is The any other considerations. He then called their attention to the state of the law under which this issue was tried. Previous to the security which it was in his power to p l e ure a 1817 there was nothing in the law to prevent the two processes threat spoken to by the policeman was evidently roped being carried on upon the same premises, or even within the same under feelings of great excitement, and n.l. d. gr. walls. In that year an Act was passed requiring that the two therefore it would not influence his Worship's min a• should be carried on in separate buildings, and that these Mayer was prepared to pledge himself not ag n) si l n !' ) . e ltl in °- • should have no direct communication with each other, the spirit to lost Mr. M‘Lean, although he never could forget o tu id be be carried from the one to the other by no other way than a public jury that had been done him, and this avowal `• e til fgr. street or road. That law was not found to be sufficient to prevent backed by bail to any reasonable amount. 1 1 /1 fraud, and in 1825, only eight ►years after, a new Act was passed—that which was now in force, and under which they were now proceeding Blacktnore) had knoi;Pri the defendant for mor e high --which required that no distillery should be nearer than a quarter twenty years, and he could testify citizenperstenallya'ntdo a t: 1 : ra. F d , character always borne by him as a . of a mile to any rectifying house, exempting from that provision all distilleries that had been erected previously to 1817, but requiring that there should be between the two (the distilling and rectifying) Mr. INPLean, the brother of his late wife, had,i_n A til i c l i‘„..,,' • on him a far deeper wound than that which he Du` .l, o f premises, no communication by which spirits could be transmitted. self received at the hands of Mr. Mayer in a nl: o 2: t “ rec it Under the plain construction of this last Act, it was impossible that great but pardonable irritation. Mr. Meyer bu ' not wi tiv the Excise authorities could have knowingly permitted Messrs. the seducer of his only daughter, for he coulel the Smith to maintain such a communication as had been proved. In hold the fact any longer, and that daughter holoo fact it was proved that they knew nothing about it, for it was not child of Mr. M.Lean's own sister. RI ..,_ie was in his. blow mentioned in the description of the premises upon which the when her injured and afflicted father struck toe _, or licences of Messrs. Smith were granted under the law of 1826. If and, nu" 0 it had been described, it would have been the duty of the Coln for which he had been taken into custody; ~ b e a missioners to refuse the licence until this communication was re- these painful circumstances, he declared it vv.n o u_7 9 o to outrage on Mr. Mayer to refuse his applicati n. moved. The officers who were examined in the case had sworn positively that, in the many years during which they had been employed upon the premises, they never dreamed of its existence; send him to gaol to await hi.- - . trial on this ge wr. , h e and the only evidence to show that it had ever been known to the fel l t i b r e . refuse bail; the one being the sec :r oe bound l i vY t F e onosaid there were two charsere.P2a Excise was that of alleged conversation with Mr. Carr, and others, nor in which the assault had been committed, „ u iste. who were all dead. Finally, he thought there was proof that the other the threat made in the presence of the con s . T e '•01,:l pipe could be used for spirits, and there was every presumption that The defendant was then committed for trial at t u it was so. He then want minutely over the technical and Ba il ey. chemical evidence relating to the discrepancies in the charges at different times, the disputes between Mr. George Smith and the surveyors, and all the perplexed particularities of the watched and unwatched periods. He next proceeded to the charge respecting the hole in the top of the receiver, and examining the evidence on that point minutely, he contended that the proof was clear that the plug could not have been in the hole for the length of time that had been pretended. Mr. G. Smith said, when it was first pointed out to him by the officer, that the hole explained an anonymous letter he had received respecting the pil fering of spirits by his men. Was net that an admission that spirits could be extracted by the hole, and did it not imply that Mr. Smith was before ignorant tin t the hole existed? Was that ignorance consistent with the defence set up ? It was sworn tnat the plug had remained in the hole since the receiver was made. But Mr. Young, their own witness, in his cross-exa mination, admitted that he was mistaken in his first opinion, and that, upon again examining the plug, he was convinced that it could not have had its under surface so long exposed to the action of the spirit and retain so smooth and fresh an appearance. That was conclusive. But why had not Mr. George Smith's familiar, Gill, who managed all his business, been put into the box ? As he was the person who could upon his oath inform the Court and the jury what really did go on in the distillery, both in respect to the pipe and to the holes. He left it to the jUry to infer why Gill had been kept back. On the subject of the dipping, it was to be remembered that the difference of four-tenths in the drip would make a difference of five hundred pounds of duty in a week. But up to November, 1843, the defendant had had the advantage of that difference. What had become of the excess of spirits in the meantime ? There was never found any excess of spirits in the stock. But at length the means were discovered by which the spirits could be carried away without the observation et the Excise. The language of Mr. James Smith to Cameron and Drinkwater, when they discovered the transmission of water from the distil lery tot he rectifying.house, clearly showed that they were conscious that the communication was illegal, and that it was improperly used. He commented to the same effect upon the language of Mr. George Smith, contending that it showed the con sciousness of not having a fair case. If, after the evidence the jury had heard, they were of opinion that this pipe was only used innocelitly, and for the purpose of the transmission of water, they would give the defendant the benefit of that opinion. But he v.ould call their attention to the Act of Parliament, which required every distiller to enter a description at the Excise of every pipe, and every utensil used in connexion with such pipe, and of every place to or from which such pipe should lead.—(He then read the description entered by Mr. G. Smith in 1840, which mentioned such branches of this pipe as supplied the stables, granaries, and dwelling house, but omitted all mention of the branch leading to the rectifying-house.) With respect to the supply of water from cne house to the other by means of the trough at the top of the roof, he felt bound to say that he considered it a very great irregularity, and much to be regretted that the Excise had allowed it to be continued after the passing of the last Act, of which it was a palpable infraction, although it had existed for many years lawfully be. fore that Act of Parliament was passed. It was a great oversight to allow the trough to remain without being tie scribed in any of the entries. There was direct evidence that wash, which was as valuable to the rectifier as spirits, could be conveyed at once by those pipes without any prepatation: With all the facts of the case before them, they - need, attend little to the philosophical speculations of Dr. lire. It was also immaterial what Mr. James Smith, who•was.so deeply involved in the case, might say as to spirits never having been transmitted. He (the Solicitor-General) did not know what re servation Mr. J. Smith might have. It might be that wash only, which was equally fraudulent, had beets transmitted. - But it had been completely proved that a communication between the two premises was maintained, exactly such as the late had forbidden. The jury would recollect that the suspi cions of the officers were first roused by ascertaining that a great r quantity of spirits were produced thin -were accounted for, and that there must be some secret means of getting rid of the excess, which led them to the examination that ended in the discovery of the pipe. They would also recollect that in this case, on which so much depended, not one of the persons in the employment of Mr. Smith, who could tell anything about the proceedings in the distillery, had been called—not even Gill, whose evidence might be all-sufficient. He was sure the jury would agree with him that this was a case, which, however serious the consequences might be, required investigation in that Court. He again appealed to the jury not to be deterred by any consideration of the consequences from the firm and impartial discharge of their duty. With these remarks he left the case in their hands, in perfect confidence that the result of their lengthenesi and most anxious inquiry would be satisfactory to the publ:c. The Loan CHIEF BARON, having consulted the wishes of the jury, yielded his own inclination to theirs, and adjourned the case, at twenty minutes past five, to ten o'clock to-morrow morning. WORSHIP-STREET. t' age, a respectgbly- dressed man, abou t 3° ) r,r il e Mr agE, named Henru Webb. wac placed at the bar be 0 . broughton, charged with having obtained the an a n f 20s. from Mr. William Butt, a tradesman in i e novel and street, Spitalfields, by means of the following artful stratagem. A great r umber of other tradeAtefle9 t from all parts of the metropolis, were also in atle n "; t i b c e to prosecute charges of a similar description agai ns " - prisoner. It seti appeared that on the 19th instant a decently dresthss woman entered the shop of Mr. Butt, who had , v eci clay commenced business, and re nested to burse- bY with 91b. of German lead, the same quantity Dent' rotten stone, and 21b. of crocus-powder fur loot, glasscs, none of which articles the prosecutor bachhoar promised to procure them for her. About half 1111 , - who after she had left the shop a man (not the prisonerP ' ol d represented himself as a traveller for Messr. P eei Or Co., wholesale colour-manufacturers in the Soutbniat bridge-road, called and solicited orders on bebtalf ° f to firm, and was directed to send in a quantity of th e t he tides the woman had just before inquired for afar'too amount of 41, part of which the same mart soon 1 wards brought, and was paid 21. 45 for. li t ; 1 ,,,a f , hour the prisoner himself called with . the renin' -- er n :a the goods, on account of which he received 20,srwing was desired to call for the balance on t he iiiii ti A- w b° Monday. Nothing more was seen of the squa ll ' A ped had ordered the go:,ds ; and when the prisoner. c o da tba ll3 a ~gain on the Monday, the goods having In been found to be of the most spuriOus descriPWe's Ana it c having also been ascertained that Messrs. iffileoi,t -,0., of the Southwark-bridge•road, were jiot 111 . 0 dy of ence, he was immediately handed over to the ou i ` a policeman. +; a, sn a p was v th, l: l l ) v r e is o o t n h e e r r , charges wh( dee w lin er e e d aofffteerriwnagrdasn;ubstan.ate -r & fele-, he re to be brought up again next dered wee k, that t , bi maining testimony might be taken preparatory i committal for trial. ------_,--- r, PA MARKET NEWS. ( VEST — g i:LAT WIANLICASTO. 4116 i ; 4 :5 SMITHFIELD.—Coarse Meadow Hay, 3/ 125 to, ,„,. clo _, ful do., 4/ li's to 5/ 8s ; fine Upland do., 5/10s to ~,..,.rea'i stray, Hay, 4/ lOs to 614 s ; Oat Straw, 11 18s to 2/ i f l r y ° stea dily , $ 2/ to 2/ 3s per load. Hay and Straw rnove a ° full prices. ‘,• 145 . to 4 K i i ) l B 7 ' s ; CUMBERLAND.—Coarse Meadow Hay, ' 1 9 to ' I • useful ditto, 5/ to 5/ lOs ; fine Upland ditto, 51 , 1 ,18 e to 2 ,..: Clover Hay, 41 lOs to 61 ; Oat StraW mo derate steu Wheat Straw, 2/ is to 2/ 4s per load. -4. Tuesday' 4/ 18$ 'i and a ready demand. Quotations as on - - q / tOs t ° „;", te 5. WHITILCHAPEL.—Coar6e Meadow Be,Y 9 ,;(tt , 5/ '"2l 15; useful ditto, 5/ to 5/ Ss ; fine Uplan ° '''" I ° l 19 t° bly 15s • Clover Hay, 4112 s to 6/6s • Oat Stralg,a Supply to lerably Wheat Straw, 2/ 2s to 21 3s ' per load. ''' ‘lP ' s good, and trade rather dull. =SAT IVIATLIKETO . 'r S ce"ge SOUTHALL, APRIL 30.—Although we had a i f t a xd „, I ‘ ,l supply of fat stock on sale to-day, the u e--- Pe - ' tolerably steady, at about last week's quotation s ' t o ; from :3s to 45 ; Mutton, 33 2,1 to 4s 2d; Lamb, s t. EVA Veal, 3s 5 , t to 4 s 2 d ; and Pork, 3s to 3s 1 0d r sinking the offal. aril 1,6/1:8 ROMFORD, APRIL 30.—Prime Beasts, Sheep, s "„tbe c te theftcomnand a steady sale, at full currencies ; bu t ,,,, y a, 3. 0 , ( 1 rade ruled dull. Beef, from 3s to 45 ; M u ''' - 1(1' 5.. : 4s 2d ; Lamb, 4s 10d to 6s ; Veal, 3s 10d to 45, to; 014 P Qol ,: ei r ai k rr , tse 2 nr s ;ao l i Od to 3s 6d per 81bs. Suckling Calves, Cogs' . 0' I l d Ca S l t v o e r s e , l l6 ig / s t , o lOs l9 e t t o tch l . Bs ; ag e 0 0 %p Ilmnstum, APRIL 30.—We bad about an ac, er i „ e pea l go year supply of stock here this morning. Gener,l!loattoo,o4 the trade was steady. Beef, from 2s 10d to 46 ' „i e 2d ; $ ;o 4s 4,1 ; Lamb, 5; to 5s 10d ; Veal, 3s 8d t ° •neso Pork. 2s 10d to 3s 6d per 81b. ,el3 os le dell .- to AM.TN DEL, Arian 29.—There was only ano 2 , 5 sd dad to passing on the following terms ;—Be'ef, froinveal Mutton, 3s to 4s 2d ; Lamb, 5s to 5s 8d; an d re iil .1, 2d ; and Pork, 3s to 3s 10d per Sibs. toelc Ile 00. CIIICLIESTER, APRIL 30.—Most kinds of 6 cp iotA t i l ) 50 moderate supply and ,t!ady demand,and Milch a ad s °ll l . 1,9 111 8110. Beef, from 3s to 4s ; Mutton, 3s 2d to ° ,',' s ' s d pe w to to 6s; Veal, - s 6,1 to 4s od ; and Per 35 t° ' pigs , , e o l2 ' Suckling Calves, 18s to 9 8s ; Quarter -old Storie6/tOl9, 19s; and Milch Cows, with their small Calves, ( ;URN AVERAGES,;O 0 0 0 o f tb a GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF 131tilt';e Itetinloldeth For the Week ended April 26, 1-45, made up fro m .alO l IS° 9..1 Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns MI , 3 5/ 0 per Imperial Quarter. v ~,n5 ".:. ; 65 Wheat Barley "AVER.. :-iis 6d [ Rye •• • • .... 305 2d F . ,, e `,0.3. AGES OF THE LAS f SIX I,'" POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BOW-STREXT. Wednesday, Mr. J. G. Mayer, furrier, of 58, Oxford. street, was charged with assaulting his brother-in-law Mr. E. M'Lean, 169, Strand, au importer of paint ings, &c. Mr. Ballantine attended as the complainant's counsel, and Mr. WitAt:Doi e, a solicitor, appeared for defendant. Mr. Ballantine, after alluding to the respectability of both the parties, begged that the magistrate would not allow any domestic or other matters unconnected with the charge betore him to be mixed up with it. The com plainant and the defendant had not been latterly on friendly terms, and probably, if the cause of their diffe rences• were investigated, it might apt ear that there were faults on both sides. He trusted, therefore, tact the mere assault, which was a very serious one, and le gally unjustifiable, under any pretence, would occupy ex clusively the attention of the bench. He then called Edward M'Leati (the complainant), who appeared with his head bound up, and said—Last night, shortly after my shop had been closed and the shopman had gone home as usual, I heard a ringing of the door bell, and went myself to answer it. Immediately on opening the door, and before I had seen who was there, 1 received a heavy blow on the head, which felled me to the ground and stunned me. On recovering my senses I saw who the man was, and caught hold of the stick which he had in his hand to prevent him striking me again, as he seeme d about to do. In the struggle he either threw or knockt d me down. The mob round the door then clo.e I in upon us, and I heard him telling them that I was hit brother-inlaw. I believe I bled as much as two quarts. A medical man afterwards attended me, and I seat a policeman to take the prisoner into custody. Mr. Blackmore rose to croas•examine the complain ant, when he was interrupted by Mr. TWYFORD, who requested that he would confine himself strictly to the charge, and stated that, if he was not prepared to deny it, he would at once send the case to the sessions. Mr. Ballantine intimated that he was obliged to re gard the offence as a felony, and not as an ordinary as sault, and, therefore, it must go to the .Central Criminal Court. Mr. Blackmore was about to speak of the gross pro vocation which would be shown in this case, but Mr. TWYFORD declined entering into that subjec, and begged that Mr. Blackmore would avoid it in his cross examinatior. Mr. Blackmon said that the deft rriant, whom his brother-hi-law had been pleased to call " the man," had endured the utmost wrong that it was in the power of one man to inflict on another ; and was it to go forth to the world that a person of Mr. Mayer's respectability and character had been charged with a felonious attack on a relative, without the slightest notice being con voyed, through the same ehannal, as to the motise which had led to it ? Mr. Ballantine asked then complainant bow long at period had elapsed, previous to the p esoit, transactiou, since he had seen the defendant ?—The complainant re plied, about four months. Mr. TWYFORD—WeII, then, there could have been no immediate provocation in the case. You must not intro duce matters irrelevant to the charge. Mr. Blackmon) declared that lie could prove an imme diate provocation of the grossest kind, and earnestly en treated that he might be allowed to ask the complainant a few questions. The complainant was then asked if his sister was not, prior to her death, the wife of Mr. Mayer, and whether a daughter was nut the issue of their union?—He replied to both questions in the affirmative. Mr. Blackmore—Was not that daughter in your house at the very time when this assault was committed ? Mr. Ballantine objected to this question being an swered, but, as his Worship did not interfere, it was re peated. Complainant—Certainly she was, and you can see the lady if you like. Mr. Blackmore—No, Sir. There was a time when I should have been happy to see her—but that time is past. Mr. Ballantuie insisted on this course of proceeding being stopped. If observations tending to criminate his client were to be allowed, he might be in a condition to show that there was culpability on both sides. Mr. TwYroun—You must see, Mr. Blackmore, that I cannot hear anything foreign to the actual charge be fore me. Ur. Illackw9re saill hie principal object was to estab• few, Bemi s. /s 1" -- 5 34 tO 34 1 30 34 .„ 35 6 32 9 34 7 , 36 7 35 29 u 36 1 6 „ 30 3 5 30 32 2 1 g 30 S , "" 3 - 5 9 ,1 IMPERIAL AGGREGATE AVERAGES OF eal is .• Wheat . • 4Gs Oct Oats •• •....1 2 35 I 6 4 .1 Barley ...... 32s 25 I Rye .. • • .... 30 5d •l e c , 19 7 1 9 6,1 DUTIES ON FOREIGN COTO' ~••':. Whea 209 Od I Oats . • .•••• Gs Od fs l e.• Barley G s 05 Rye los Oci Weeks ending Wheat. Barley. 1 Oats. BYe. Mar. 22.• • • 29.. • • April 5...• 45 5132 4 45 10 '32 4 45 5 32 3 46 3 32 5 45 11 31 11 45 11 3 6 21 8 21 5 21 4 20 9 21 4 20 11 t i ' MB, S . VII I DEATH OF MRS. GILBERT.—EOI- il a I V •- n re r ,: our painful duty to announce the death of g''' - i ; 0 'l: o e_ '',. Davies Gilbert, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., and for ra B " r reli -- c d 11 at the a° Y dvia c 0 tIO of that Society. Mrs. Gilbert expir ed . t an A, 4 ,0 40 1 this place on the evening of Saturday last , ". t o "" oso" o f The deceased lady, actuated by an earnest desir e eater ~ o il 1 condition of the labouring classes , has for s ee , ei toin i s o u t o rt s' oo l ' i u l r fr her energies to agricultural affairs, and was the allotment system, which she ca rried intoiltactA le , 4 ° eig atit i le a large extent on her estate in this parish 0 t Oce d - oi tr,.. ). hood. The benefits resulting from her benevok''., tlig: - 11 1 7,5 b o e f lieve, have fully realised the expectations W hlc" i solo°llol.d -alstoliissystem anticipated. Self supporting indusirttoita °O' been instituted by her, and the plan aPfe ars hi VisC4. $ lion. We fear her loss will he severely felt /0 t " ) Of o .s Express. 36 [ADVERTISEMENT:I—A WoNDERV--- v ii.. boo- 1/$ ATTESTED CURE OF DROPSY BY 1317. boi ° S, Y 4 ' S t. ir i r AND OINTMENT. —Copy of a letter Os; tgol;c - f, ' Taylor, chemist:—" Stockton, April 1" b oi..a n ey . 3. Mrs. Clough, the wife of Mr. John lio:0 nr' h r o tt r e i a respectable farmer, had been sufferinC.ce oril i iiii th at five years, and had the best tnedicai c ,. 11 ., / onr P- fit w ; ceiving any benefit. She hid heard ':) •, befiebut pfd ointment, and used them with surprillp'wello -6igt'et, she has now left off taking them, being usable's ptn viously she had been iven up as o '4 o°' 0 110 uat i % iie iot Thomas Taylor." Sold g at Professor v be ,: t on lishme.tt, 244, Stran • t (where a dvice M a i g 01 and by almost all respectable vend°r throughout the civilised world. Le °rl3 7 li BIRTHS. , to o P a ,' e utf , 0 On the 24th ult., at the Parsonage, uP b Cle' -- t near Gloucester, the wife of the Bev. Jac° I) Se ()" daughter. layA Of G . - . r$ la On the 25th ult., at Leamington, the ' WO' Lsq., of Love-hill, 13erks, of a son, still-bora' Dlr3• On the 26th ult., at Dorfold Hall, C heshir e ' iaP De ecb ham Tolleniache, of a daughter. . . Alfred racy Oa the ~..' 7th ult., at Tuilbridge-wa9, Nr - " r lcp of a son, still-born iiide-13$ gs On the ' 28th ult . at Devonport-street, 1, , ,,ir_ ' Brooke Turner, of a. ' son. ge erf Air s ' On the 29th ult., in Grosvenor-crescent, cote, of a son. T O , th e 1 - 4e o isl_l./tB/gP• noecesten,io e O❑ the 24th nit., at Rendcomb-par, aba Ma f ot• c o Captain Henry Thomas I loward, to GeerWor. Guli t , i i s rij o. daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir John oey, 0' - tS eP b f r ith , On the 29th ult. at St. Dunstan's, Sherwood, of Welle'lose-square, to Mrs. 63111 Commercial road East.t, tb° .. AlAlhe bias' DIEL• scarlet ie/e" r ge ft° r ,iioi Yesterday, in Park-crescent, of sea, „ 10 . Geo _ .h. J3lO- 7 pg. youngest and the beloved son of Mr. and ' n ear t id. On the 24th ult., at Weston House, whitelie,ooo,_, Whitehead, second daughter of the late G. toes Yootur , M g r. it ,`" e tc, On the 25th ult., at Brompton-plaee' On the 25th ult., at Hengrove, ne ar d Col e ' il , Cramp, eldest son of Mr. R. M. Sinithett.,_o A• .1 , of 0 , On the 27th ult., at Southsea, Miss Jelito't sea ,i 4 OR the 27th ult., George HWY, la aced Chambers, Esq. r r . Coergcbole On the 27th ult., at Cottage-green, lir' of W.." 0 On the 28th ult., Maria, the daughter of Jo EN., of Edgbaston Birmin,ham, aged,infant s°1:1 On the 28th ult., at Blalheath, the Alers Hankey, Esq. of 0i11 4t 1191 fa) So• 0 Lonelon : Printed and Pn Wished b3' sigo &UP I No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The -:„ the Strand, in the Preciect of the Savoy, Middlesex, Fridey, May 1845' where, If theta was a railway communication, this inferior fuel would be superseded by coals. There were great quantities of lime in the beigbourhood of Stirling, which was extt r•eively tis-ci in manure and building payees, and thee. consumption would be increased if the line were made. He had carefully examined _er. Mitchell's tables of the traffic, and considered they were con. strutted on sound pi ineipies, sled the results were quite within the proper limits. 7 here were a few items omitted to be named in Mr. Mitchell's ststeieenr. viz , slates and potatoes, in which latter there was a considerable trade from the northern districts to the Glasgow market, and in the former from Dunkeld: The want of a thorough drainege was greatly felt in the neighbourhood all about Strathern, and it would be an inestimable advantage if draining tiles could be brought by railway into the locality. The income to be derived from the carriage of tiles alone would amount to full 700/. or SOO/. He had calculated the value of the land and houses to be taken for the purposes of the railway, in conjunction with Mr. Thorns and Mr. arliinnon, and the result showed an amount of 73,4441., which being added to the sum set apart fcr stations, &c., would give a total of 80,000/. This witness was subjected to cross-examination, but his evi dence remained unaltered. Mr. TALBOT called Mr. Errington, the engineer, to ask an im portant question which had been omitted in his examination of yesterday. He wished to know what was the calculation of the work ng expenses of the proposed line ? Mr. Errington, in reply, stated that the working expenses would be rather less than 40 per cent. Mr. CLARK then rose and said he appeared to support a petition from the inhabitants of Perth against the construction of the Scottish Central Railway. Thepetition was very numerously signed, and was the general expression of the views entertained by the middling classes of Perth on the erection of a station on the South Inch. The South Inch was a large space of ground situated on the west side of Perth, and was a place of great resort for the people residing in the city and its neighbourhood. It was a beautiful spot, ornamented with avenues If trees, with a river meandering by its side, and well indeed warranted the allusion of a Noble Lord in the House of Peers the other night, who, on pre. eenting a petition against the construction of the proposed station, introduced the emphatic exclamation of a Roman general, on ilia viewing a lovely landscape, " Ecce Campus Martius." It was this place, the beauty of which the railway company contemplated de stroying, by erecting unsightly stations, and laying down iron rails along the whole length of its southern side. The game of golf and other exercises, which tended so considerably to the healthful recreation and pleasure of the people of Perth, had been played on this spot from time immemorial ; in addi tion to this it had been habitually used as a drying ground ever since the city of Perth had existed ; part of the southern portion was also converted into a market for cattle ; and the approximation of the locality to the city conduced in a very considerable degree to the recreation, convenience, and business of the inhabitants. If the proposed station were erected all these advantages would be materially interfered with ; and he therefore trusted that on these grounds the Committee would not permit the preamble of the Bill to pass. Mr. CLARK then called Mr. Chalmers, land-surveyor at Perth, who said that as far as his knowledge went the feelings of the inhabitants were strongly against a station being made on the South Inch, and that a terminus at the western part of the town would be quite as convenient for the shipping. The CHAIRMAN then said that the Committee had deemed it ad. isable to consult Mr. Fox Maule, the Member for Perth, who, from his general knowledge of the city would be able to give every information as to the propriety of erecting a station on the South Inch, and as the Right Hon Gentleman was now in the room, he would, perhaps, favour the Committee with his opinion ; but he was not to be submitted to any examination, as he appeared only in the capacity of an anz-kus. Mr. Fox Maule said that from the position which he held in Pertt,,,.icittidbewould t bet bestso lewoheaatliitny fur thevidi}ousin him to se) , that either way proposed station. He could however have no difficulty in distinctly stating as his opi nion that that portion of the Inch which had been pointed out to him was most conveniently situated for the trade of Perth. From the small quantity of land which would be cccupied by the station, he considered that the recreation of the inhabi. tants would not be interfered with. The amusements of golf, &c., are usually carried on on the northern extremity of the Inch, and the southern portion has been used as a drying ground. The part which was intended to be occupied as a central station had been used only as a cattle market. One general station would be most convenient for the public; but the confluence of several stations would be still compatible with the recreation of the inhabitants. He would decline giving any opinion as to the eligibility of erecting a terminus on Use west of Perth. The present locus of the station wouM not materially .nterfere with the interests or pleasure of the people, and lie had presented a petition from classes whom he considered represented the general fei hug of the inhabitants, in favour of the scheme now before the Committee. Mr. CLARK then called Mr. Stephenson, engineer to the Harbour Commissioners of Perth, but he could give no opinion as to the poticy of removing the station from its present proposed site, as lie had not thoroughly considered the matter. This witness was cross•examined by Mr. TALBOT, but nothing of any interest was elicited. Sir John Richardson was then called—He said he was a consi. derable leaded proprietor in the neighbourhood of Perth, ar.d knew the place called the South Inch very well. He was of opinion that in a salutary point of view the inhabitants would be great sufferers, as the erection of a station and line of railway along the southern side of the Inch would prevent the free influx of tee sea air to the western side, or it would arrive in a smoke-imprtgnated condition, and unfit for respira tion. The opinion of the Perth people was not generally in favour of the line. After a short cross.examination of this witness by Mr. TALBOT, Mr. Sputtiswoode was called, who said that thirty.five acres of ground. on the western side of the town, had been let out for railway purposes. With this witness Mr. Clark clesed his case. The decision of the Committee is deferred till the close of the who'e beshiess before them. Sir Thomas Phillips, Mr. Austin, and Mr. M'Neil appeared to oppose on behalf of the Edinburgh and Glasgow (Branch to Stirling) Railway. Mr. Gibbs was examined as to the traffic along the branch line to Stirling. At present there existed no direct communication either for goods or pa sengers between Stirling and Carlisle; the traffic between these places was very considerable, and would, in his opinion, afford a sufficient remuneration on the outlay of capital expended in making a railway. The traffic between Perth and Stirling was comparatively small. Mr. Dick, an extensive woolen-draper, then gave evidence as to the increasing woollen trade of Stirling, and instanced the nuin ber of hands employed, and quantity of goods manufactured, as proofs of its extent. Mr. Bow corroborated the evidence of the previous witnesses. Sir T. PHILLIPS then proceeded to examine witnesses on behalf of the Edinburgh, Glasgow (Branch to Ailoa) Railway. Mr. Paton, a merchant, gave evidence generally as to the in creasing trade In woollen manufactures and coals in the district of ,e Yea. At the close of the examination of this witness, the Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow. SYSTON AND PETERBOROUGH RAILWAY. Croup T. The Committee on this Railway Bill met to.day at twelve o'clock Sir G. Clerk, Bait., in the chair. The first matter gone into was a petition from the Leicester Na. vigation Company against the proposed taking up of the Oakham Canal, as agreed to between the Oakham Canal Company and the projectors of the line the latter end of last week. The Committee decided against receiving the petition, on the companies, yet that nothing t a h il e wa c y anal was included in the Bill. grounds that, though an arrangement had been spoken of between appl y take up the canal, provided they to Parliament next session trfit peor ao cOcriat Company nl 7 lng pe mat t nhpCylawtnwheaokrl would dgg r ap t e v h moe e tt r 00 carried out that arrangement, and then would be the piTer time fo to petition to be presented against such an incorporation. The clauses in reference to tolls were then read. '1 hey provided a charge o f 3d . rer mile for first class ; 2d. per mile fur second class; and lid. per mile for third class passengers. A short discussion ensued on these clauses, when the room was cleared. On our return the CHAIRMAN intimated that the Committee had decided that the clauses should stand part of the Bill. The next clause considered was that relating to the carriage of coal and lime, providing a charge of lid. per ton per mile. This was agreed to. The Committee likewise confirmed the clauses relative to the ca rriage of other ki nds of goods without any alteration. The scale of prices was from lid. to sd. per ton per mile, according to the nature of the articles. The clause respecting the carriage of horses and cattle was like. wise agreed to. It provides a charge of sd. per mile for each horse, od. for each head of cattle, and 34d, for each sheep or other small animal. given in our report of Monday, were The clauses for the speed of the trains near Peterborough at the unction with the I..'astern Company's Railway, the crossing of the street at Stamford, the passing of . the line through Lord Harbo r Ii •s brought g u r n a s d , y agreed , to. BE DFORD AND LONDON RAILWAY COMPANY. The clauses respecting tolls on this line, which had been post poned at a former sitting of the Committee, were now brought for ward and agreed to. The rate of charges are similar to those now in forceon the London and Birmingham line. DUNSTABLE, LONDON, and BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY. This is an unopposed line, and is proposed to connect the town of Dunstable with the London and Birmingham Railway. Several witnesses were called in support of the preamble. an The length is seven mil es, and the c vital is 50,000/. There is in clined plane, proposed to be worked by weight:, and, with this ex ception, the steepest gradient is 1 in 73. This is at the junction of the London and Birmingham. and rises to the latter line. The curves arc favourable, and there is no tunnel. It is to be a single line of railway, except where the inclined plane is. Tte profit, after deducting all expenses for working the line, is estimated at five per cent. The Committee decided the preamble of this Bill to be proved. The reports on the three Bills, with the amendments made, were then brought up and re_id, The Committee decided that these be reported by the Chairman to the House. The Committee then adjourned, the business of this group being IR ELAND: THE QUEEN'S VI SIT. DURLIII, APRIL 29.--. A special mee tin g of the corporation was held this day in the City A sse mbly-house. The Right Hon. the Alderman O'BRIEN said he felt pecu liar p a Committee sho u ld b e a ppointed to P leasure in moving that pre pare an address to the Queen, requesting her M jetty would be graciously pleased to visit her faithful Irish subjects at her earliest convenience. Alderman Sir .1. POWER, Bart., secon ded the motion. Mr. HunsoN moved an amendment, that the consideration of the subject should be postponed for a month. In proposing the amendment, Mr. Hudson said., that the unanimity been whiint ch had ex isted on the subje c t o f a ddressing her Majesty hadinterrupted by recent circumstances, to which h e would refer. He was sur. prised at finding in the morning papers a report of a speech, deli vered by Mr. O'Connell, in which the Learned Alderman declared that the repeal cause should be in no wise abated on the arrival of her Majesty; and if that course were followed, he (Mr. Hudsoi.) could not anticipate anything but dissension and strife. Alderman KINAHAN seconded the amendment. Mr. O'CONNeLL said, if there were anything criminal in the course coml.lained of by Mr. Hudson, it was solely attributable to him, and he would vindicate himself. Since he last had the honour of spe:iking on the subject, circumstances had occurred which altered his opinion with regard to the course which he would pursue. The English newspap e rs conveyed intelligence of a nature that was not to be misunderstood. Ireland had been set at defiance. The Eng. lish people were determined to risk everything rather than entertain the subject o f th e re p ea l of the uni on ; and if her Majesty would visit her Irish subjects, and that in compliment to her they would suspend their ex e rti o ns for repeal, it would be construed into a re linquishment of the question, to which he would n ever consent. lie would not be a party to delusion by any Ministry, whether y Whig or Tory. No one was bound by an engage to fulfil his promise by givi n g act of his. He would the toast of her Majesty's Ministers. He would contribute his share of te whaver expensene would be necessary to carry out the ob j ect i but he d from voting on the question, on one side or the other. The amendment having ' been put and negatived, the origina motion was carried, and a Committee appoilited• GUANO DEPOSITS.-- rhe following is an extract from the letter of a captain just arrived from Ichabarrivaoe :—" here Cove of Cork, April 25.-1 have to inform y ou of my safe l this day, in 54 days from lchaboe, but am sorry to say I have no more guano in now than when 1 left that place to go to the southward. In mine to you of the 10th of February I informed you of my sailing, looking for guano, with the agent on board. I visited thre.: different places, but could get none, when I received final crders from the agent to make the best of my passage to this port or Falmouth." 1•.) I