The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-01 00:00:00

GROUP XLVIII.

CALEDONIAN, GLASGOW, GAILNXINX, and
COATBEIDGE (BRANCH TO GLASGOW
STATION).

Mr. Lamond, who had been the agent of the Garnkirk
Company before its union with the Caledonian Company, de-
posed that the present scheme would interfere less with the
Inchbelly road than it did in 1844, when compensation was
given by the company to the trustees. An agreement re-
sulted, the provisions of which would have required a devia-
tion of the turnpike; that by the present amended scheme
would not be required.
Mr. Scott gave evidence as to the value of the land to be
taken by the line, which he took at forty-five years' pur-
chase, at a rent of Si. per acre.
Mr. Errington, civil engineer, was next examined—He
detailed the origin of the present line and its progress till
now, in confirmation M the evidence of Mr. Collister. The
deviation now proposed was wanted, in order to get better
station accommodation and better levels. In addition to the
100,000/. for the line, the station would cost 50,0001. extra.
NN ith respect to the crossing of the canal and the tunnel of
the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, he saw no uifficulty in
effecting them. They were of an ordinary engineering cha-
racter. In the mode of doing it he agreed with Mr. Col-
lister, who had furnished the details.
In cross-examination witness stated that it would be quite
sufficient fur the protection of the opponents if a clause, usual
in such Bills, was inserted, in which it should be provided
that the works would be made to the satisfaction of the en-
gineers of the opposing companies, or a neutral one.
The CHAIRMAN said he thought this would be sufficient
protection.
Mr. BURKE was not satisfied, and was prepared to call im-
portant evidence on the other side.
Mr. Locke corroborated the evidence of Mr. Errington.
He considered the works could be done with perfect
safety. He had last night offered the canal engineer to leave
the crossing of the canal or railway to any engineer in the
kingdom.
Mr. Maclean, civil engineer, corroborated the foregoing
evidence.
Mr. Edminton, surveyor, of Glasgow, agreed with Mr.
Scott in the value of the land taken for the railway.
Mr. Collister was here recalled, and put in a plan which
he had prepared of the mode of crossing the canal and rail-
way, the particulars of which he explained to the Committee
in detail.

Tie Committee then adjourned till Monday, at twelve.

GROUP L.

GLASGOW. itilatiitiobs, AND ARDROS-.
SAN (AMENDMENTS AXE DEVIATIONS).
Mr. NV HATELY, Q.C., shortly addressed the Committee
for opposing proprietors.
The room was cleared, and parties, on being re-admitted,
were informed that the Committee declared the preamble of
the Ayr Company's Bill proved for the Loudon Branch, the
'West Colliery Branch, the branch from Melton-bridge to
Busby, and the unopposed branches to Towratt toll, Hill End,
&c.; but the continuation from Busby to Bushton, and the
Auchinhervie Branch were thrown out. The preamble of the
Ardrossan Company's Bill was declared proved for the Fennick
Branch.

The Committee then decided for the Bog branch, proposed
by the Ardrossan Company, and against the Byrchill branch
of the Ayr Company.
Atter evidence from the Messrs. Caldwell, proprietors
opposing the Beith branch, by the Ardrossan Company.
The Committee decided against it, and then adjourned till
Monday.

GROUP LI.
THE CALEDONIAN (BRANCHES AND
BEASES).

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)

➢lr. AUSTIN was proceeding to cross-examine, when,
Mr. Rasisnaw objected that no petition was presented
by the Duke of Buccleuch, or other,landlords, against these
branches. The objection was sustained.
Witness re-examined by Mr. RaIISHAW—The cost of trans-
port by sea, for sheep, would be 20s. as against 30s. per
railway. The difference of time would be three hours longer
per sea.
Robert Brown confirmed the preceding evidence.
Mr. David Steel, member of the town council of Annan,
said chat no direct communication would be afforded between
the t.,wn of Annan and the district called Annandale. He
corroborated the former witness on the subject of the cattle
trade. He believed, that if the port of Kirkcudbright were
opened to-morrow Annan would still remain a shipping
station.

Mr. Henry Farran, of Scalesby Hall, had employed him-
self for twenty-seven years in agricultural pursuits, and he
believed that the Brampton branch would greatly benefit the
district traversed by the branch (elwven miles), and a con-
siderable extent to the westward. That district was greatly
in want of lime, but, for want of a railway, they could not
get it, as the expense of cartage was too great. He had tried
lime on some land that was not in a cultivated state, and he
had reaped from every acre about sixty imperial bushels. It
was an extraordinary crop. There could be no doubt that a
large quantity of lime and coal would be carried along the
branch.

Viscount Morpeth, examined by Mr. Sergeant Warm
—His Lordship was well acquainted with the country
around Brampton, and he knew that the district between
Brampton and Longtown was in great want of coal and lime.
He thought that the wishes of the inhabitants of the town
of Brampton were in favour of the Caledonian branch over
that of their rivals. They preferred the Caledonian scheme
because it ave better ace.,mmodation to the town and avoided
some very steep ascents.
Cross-examined by Mr. TALnoT—The Dumfries and
Carlisle Railway would not give the same accommo-
dation to the inhabitants of Longtown that the Ca-
ledonian would, but this objection would be got rid of by
the North British Railway. The difference in the ascent be-
tween the Caledonian and Dumfries branches at Brampton
of five feet was of no great importance.
Mr. Nicholas Wood, civil engineer, was aware that in
the Dumfries Bill of last year there was a clause
leasing the portion of country between Gretna and
Springfield to the Caledonian Company. He thought that
the railways north and west of Glasgow would use the New-
castle coke. The collieries with which he was con-
nected made about 3,000 tons of coke per week. He
thought that this branch should be in the hands
of the Caledonian Company, in order that there might be no
interruption friiin the clashing of rival interests. lie thought
the Caledonian were entitled to this advantage, because the
greatest extent of main line was already in their hands, and
because the north of Scotland could be better supplied by
their central line than by any other rival Company. He
(lid not think that Canobie coals would be carried to Kirk-
cudbright, when the port of Annan was so much nearer ; and
it was absurd to think that coals would be shipped from the
first-named port for Ireland, when that country could be better
and more abundantly supplied from Ayr, Troon, Irvine, and the
other ports on the Clyde. He considered that any interrup-
tion of traffic by or other line at Annan could be avoided
by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway carrying the traffic
continuously from Brampton to Annan. He had no doubt
knew no cases in
same
that this agreement would be entered into if the present
Committee sanctioned this branch.
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