The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-15 00:00:00

STROOD AND MAIDSTONE RAILWAY.

On the order of the day for considering the Lords'
amendments to this bill,

Mr. RICE, in the absence of Sir E. Dering, who had
given notice of a motion for postponing the considera-
tion of these amendments for three months, said that he
was anxious to learn from the hon. member for Sand-
wich (Mr. J. Macgregor), who was chairman of the
South-Eastern Railway Company, whether that com-
pany had given an undertaking to the chairman of the
committee of the House of Lords with respect to the
course which the South-Eastern Company would take
in the event of a bill being introduced in a future ses-
sion for extending the East Kent Railway from Canter-
bury to Dover. If the hon. member for Sandwich,
would state in his place in Parliament, as Chairman of
the South-Eastern Company, the facts of the case, he
(Mr. Rice) acting on behalf of his hon. friend, the member
for East Kent, would consent not to press the motion
for which he had given notice for postponing the con-
sideration of the Lord's Amendments.
Mr. JAMES MACGREGOR said that all the amend-
ments which had been introduced during the passage
of the bill through the House of Lords were merely
verbal and literal, with the exception of those which had
been introduced at the instance of the company, which
was represented by the hon. baronet the member for
East Kent—and this being the case, he was wholly
unable to understand what object the honourable
member could have in proposing that the amend-
ments should be postponed. In reply to the question
put by the honourable member for Dover—all he
had to say was, that an undertaking, under the common
seal of the South Eastern Railway Company, had been
deposited in the Private Bill Office of the House of
Lords, by which that company bound themselves not to
oppose any efforts that might hereafter be made by any
parties to promote a bill for extending a line of railway
' direct from Cynterbury to Dover. (Hear, hear.)
The Lords amendments was then agreed to.
EASTERN UNION RAILWAY BILL.

On the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Sir G. PECHELL moved that the bill be read a third
time this day six months, on the ground that it would
do a great injustice to many of the shareholders.
Mr. CORRIE, as chairman of the select committee
to which the bill had been referred, supported the third
reading of the bill.

Mr._ JOHN WGREGOR said if the house passed
this bill it would lose the esteem and confidence enter-
tained by the public in it in reference to matters of this
kind.

Mr. LUCAS thought that no case had been made
out for the third reading of the bill, and he should,
therefore, oppose the motion.
Mr. BOUVERIE thought as it was not before the
house that the majority of the preference shareholders
were in favour of the proposition, the house was bound
to look very carefully into the facts of the case before
they consented to break a Parliamentary contract, only
dating last year. -
Mr. CAYLEY supported the third reading of the
bill.
After a few words from Mr. W. PATTEN,

_
Mr. CARD WELL thought that, as the committee had
not, in accordance with the standing order, reeerring to
cases of this kind made a special report of the number
of preference shareholders who had consented to the
bill, the house must either refuse to read the bill a
second time, or postpone it until the evidence taken before
the committee had been printed, and the house had had
time to consider it. _ _

Mr. BASS said he was informed on competent autho-
rity that three-fourths of the preference £hareholders
were opposed to the bill.
Mr. V. SMITH suggested that the bill should be re-
committed, in order to g►ve the committee an opportu-
nity of making a special report, required by the standing
orders, as to the relative numbers of the assenting and
dissenting preference shareholders.
After a short discussion, the house divided, and the
numbers were—

For the amendment
Against it
Majority

26
82
-56

The amendment was consequently lost, and the order
for the third reading having been discharged, the bill
was ordered to be recommitted.

The St. George's Harbour, Westminster Improve-
ments (Dwellings of the Working Classes), and Westport
Port and Harbour Bills were read a third time and
passed.
The Severn and Wve Railway and Canal Bill was
considered, and ordered to be read a third time.

The Bingley Free Grammar and General Elucation
Schools and Charity Estates Bill was read a second time.
Mr. DUNCAN presented petitions from places in
Scotland, praying for the inspection of nunneries.
Mr. J. MACGREGOR presented a petition from
Glasgow against any law for the arrestment of wages
for debt.
MERCANTILE SHIPPING BILL.

The house then went into committee on this bil
commencing at clause 38.
[LEFT SITTING.]