The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-24 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

(YESTERDAY.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP L

The Select Commits*e appointed to consider the merits of
the Bills comprised in this group, assembled in Room 30, at
the usual hour, this morning; Lord Granville Somerset in the
chair.

THE SOUTH-EASTERN SCHEMES•
Mr. Bidder's cross-examination was continued. He was
cross examined by Mr. Hope, Mr. Paget, and 'Mr. Gregory,
on the petitions of landed proprietors; and by Sir Walter
Riddell on behalf of the wardens of the King's Ferry, on the
River Swale, who complained that their interests would be
seriously interfered with by the proposed North Kent line to
Sheerness.

➢ir. Bidder was re-examined at considerable length by
Mr. ALEXANDER, in the course of which it was elicited
that as between London and Alford the cost of the
works on the Brighton line would be 250,C00/.
more than that of the South• Eastern. The interest of that
sum would pay for the locomotive power between Tonbridge
and London. He was no advocate for bad gradients where
batter could be got; they were always expensive and incon-
venient. For instance, had the Brighton line been made
along the valley it might have been a little longer, but it
would have cost less, while the superior gradients would
have admitted of the journey to Brighton being per-
f ealel in less time than on the direct line. Witli
regard to gradients there was no comparison between the
South-Eastern and the Brighton schemes. Those of the
former were immeasurably the best, and as a necessary con-
sequence would cost the least, and be worked the cheapest.
On such an occasion as the Derhy-dayhe had no doubt the
Brighton Company would be glad to use the South-Eastern
Croydon line, in order to avoid the New Cross incline of 1
in 100.

The Committee adjcurned at four till twelve o'clock on
Thursday.

GROUP XII.

This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock; the Hon.
Mr. S. Lascelles in the chair. All the other members were
present.

NEWMARKET AND CHESTERFORD RAILWAY
EXTENSION.
Mr. HILDYARD summed up his evidence on behalf of this
scheme at great length, contending that it possessed far
greater general advantages that the competing scheme.
Mr. CALVERT then replied on behalf of the Lynn and Ely
Extensions.

At the close of the Learned Gentleman's address the room
was cleared for a division.

On the admission of the parties,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the Committee had decided
the preambles of the following Bills to be proved :
Newmarket and Chesterford Railway (Extension to Thet.
ford).
Newmarket and Chesterford (Extension to Bury St. Ed-
mund's, &c.)
Newmarket and Chesterford Railway Act Amendment, &c.
And that the preambles of the following Bills were not
proved :
Lynn and Ely (Extension to Bury St. Edmund's).
Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's (No.2)—(Newmarke tand
IY).
Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's (No. 3)—(Bury to Thet-
ford).

The Committee then adjourned till Friday next, for tb•
:on sideration of the clauses.

STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE.
The Committee met yesterday at the usual hour, for the dis-
patch of public business.
EDINBUURGH AND PERTH RAILWAY.
This was the only case which was called before the atten-
tion of the Committee. The entire day was occupied in the
examination of witnesses. Much interest was evinced to
know the decision of the Committee, but it is generally
believed that another day will be spent in the further inves-
tigation of the merits of the case. The Committee adjourned
a little before five o'clo2k.