The Sun.
London, England, 1836-05-09 00:00:00

EASTERN COUNTIES' RAILWAY•

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COMMITTEE ON THE BILL.
Sir CHARLES BROKE WERE, in the Chair.
Evidence was given that the Standing Orders had
been
duly complied with as regards posting notices on Church
doors of the different parishes on the line.
The Clerk read a list of the petitions presented against
the Bill, only one of which (the Great Northern Railway)
was supported by Counsel.
Mr. Harrison then; opened the business by stating, that
there were scarcely any counties in England that furnished so
much to the supply of the metropolis, as those through which
the railroad was intended to pass. Were a railroad formed.
cattle might be killed in the country, end sent to London, in-
stead of being driven up at a heavy loss of time and be
beesh.
So far frem horses being superseded by a railway, it had en
proved on oath, that more horses were now used in con-
nection with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway than were
on the same line before its establishment. Railroads could not
compete for heavy goons with sea-borne conveyance. He knew
of no Railroad which had such natural advantages as this one.
Were the Railway established, tradesmen in the country would
come to London and transact business, and return on the af-
ternoon of the same day. In the event of adverse winds,
L fish
would be frequently landed at Yarmouth and sent up to on-
don by the Railway. There could be no doubt that on many
occasions the fishermen would find it convenient, even neces-
sary, to use more expedition than the Thames affords the
ould
m,
which would compel them to come by the Railway. It w
very much facilitate the business of the Packet Service,
and
by
sending letters down to Yarmouth or Harwich, a great
important saving in time would be effected. He concluded by
saying that he had no doubt he had convinced the Committee
that this Railroad would be for the benefit of the public, for
the whole consumers of produce, of cattle, and fish in the me-
tropolis, and also for the landholder.
J. C. Robertson, Esq., stated that the capital amounted t
ro
1,600,0001., that 500,0001. was to be of loans which they wee
empowered to raise ; that there were 61,301 shares subscribed
for and paid upon; of these shares 18,917 were subscribed for
by persons having a local interest on the line, and 33,672 by
those who have no local interest ; that the number of share-
holders subscribing for 2,0001. and upwards, was 183, holding
25,934 shares—handed a copy of resolutions passed at Chelms-
ford, Ipswich, Colchester, Beccles, and Ilarleston---stated
that the Railway received considerable support from the towns
through which it will pass."
SECOND DAY, MAY 2.
Mr. Edward Willett, manufacturer, of Norwich, bad in his
employ from 1,600 to 1,800 hands. Should imagine that from
15 to 20,000 hands were engaged in the manufactures of Nor-
wich. Is of opinion that th manufactures are very much in-
creasing ; that most of the goods were sent to London by
vans, at an expense of 9/. 6s. Bd. per ton. Could not send
them by sea in consequenae of length and slowness of the
ee
passage. Rapidity of conveyance is of the utmost importance
to the class of goods manufactured at Norwich. A rnore spdy
means of conveyance would very much increase the manufac-
tures of Norwich. Was of opinion that if Norwich had the
means of transit which the Railway would afford, it would
become the principal manufacturing market for the supply of

London.
Mr. Robert Merry, corn merchant, Norwich, had been up:
wards of 30 years in that trade ; stated that he calculated
there were sent from Norwich annually
Barley
Malt
Flour 60,000 sacks
Seeds
The present rate of conveyance is Id. per cooinb per wile'
and took from three to five days on the journey ; is apt t!
o
make the corn spoil, particularly during the months f April
and May : should say he lost as much as 3001. per anneeiri
from waste caused by shipping ; is of opinion that
of conveyance is most important.
head,th
Mr. John Fowler, of Gunton Hall, Suffolk, stated
average cost of sending cattle to market was Bs. Per d
and ls. 3d. sheep ; that they were seven days on the New,
The average loss of driving each beast, two stone. /117"
be of great convenience to graziers if they had stems or
veyance ; often regretted there was no steam conveyance ford
kille
the cattle. Were a railway established, meat might be
expeditio
in the country and sent up to London in a much more vvie„leed-
some state than after having been driven to London and lo"

there.
Mr. John Lincoln, a fish merchant of Yarmouth, bad been
in the habit of dealing in all sorts of fish, particularly nl3-
karel, soles, turbot, and fresh herrings during the last s!!
1
Years. His fish at present by the vans generally to should
hours. Were there a quick and regular conveyance, shth.
send up large quantities of fresh herrings from YarOlidon
Believes that fish would be sent from Yarmouth to Ii or
by Railway, and from thence to Oxford, Birmingham, and 0t""
inland counties. tated
Mr. William Mann, a fisherman of Yarmouth, hat,
that from his own experience, the small fishermen 01es--, 7,
town were unable to bear the charges of
at the Vans, lulu "'-ore
the
thfore obliged either to sell their fish much less Price' h
depend on any conveyance which they might meet with Y
chance.