The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-21 00:00:00

GROUP XVIII.

GLOUCESTER AND STONEHOUSE BRANCH.
This Committee on this group met this morning shortly
after twelve o'clock; the Earl of Lincoln in the chair.

Mr. HILDYARD stated, that although the Bristol and Glou-
cester Company felt that they were making a hard bargain,
in consenting to make a payment to the Great Western Com-
pany after they had laid down a line of their own, yet as they
felt they had no alternative, they had acceded to the suggestion
of the Committee. In acceding to this proposition, how-
ever, the directors, acting under the advice of Mr. Robert
Stephenson, who of course governed them on such points as
these, they felt entitled to deduct from their payment the
sum which the Great Western would save in wear and tear.
It was ultimately agreed that the clauses, which had been
prepared, should be submitted to the counsel for the latter
company, and that, in the meantime, the case of the oppos-
ing landowners should be taken, Mr. Helps having a right to
sum up after the decision of the two companies.
Mr. Hall, a land agent and surveyor, was then called to
show the way in which the property of Mr. Niblett, a gen-
tleman who is now a magistrate, and who has been high
sheriff for the county, would be affected. The estate of that
gentleman was represented to be a very fine one, and almost
within a ring fence.
Mr. HILDYARD here interposed with a proffer that the
Midland Company would bind themselves by a clause not to
go to their limits of deviation.
The Noble CHAIRMAN, whose suggestions throughout the
inquiry have frequently been of admirable service in clear.
ing 4theway, inquired on what principle the Midland Com-
pany intgnded to proceed in laying down the narrow guage
line?

To which Mr. HILDTAND replied, that it was proposed to
widen the embankment of the present Great Western line.
Mr. Brunel stated, that if this were to be done the Mid-
land Company would have to pull down all their bridges.
Mr. Hall said, that if there was to be a separate embank-
ment the narrow gauge line would come much nearer than
it otherwise would do to Mr. Niblett's house. The line, as
now laid down, would come within a trifle less than two
hundred yards. At present the approach to the house was
across the line upon a level, and of course the inconvenience
of crossing two lines would be greater than that of crossing
one.

Mr. MELT'S then continued his examination on the way in
which the line would affect the city of Gloucester,particularly
in crossing Barton-street, a very considerable thoroughfare
on the level, and indeed witness believed that the proposed
line could not be made at all unless the loop was also granted,
as at present it cut off a considerable suburb of Gloucester,
which at the present time is populous, and which has lately
been made an ecclesiastical district.
__

Mr. HILDYARD then examined generally upon a supposed
arrangement between Mr. Niblett and the Midland Company,
but it was shown that the conversations had been understood
to be without prejudice.
Mr. Edmar, a trustee of the Gloucester and Stroud group
of roads, stated that the traffic on the roads to be traversed
by the railway was very considerable, and that the tolls on
those roads were generally let at an annual rental of 650/.
the interest of which would be destroyed if the Bill were to
be granted.
Mr. Jones who holds a considerable quantity of land under
Lord Sidmouth and other proprietors, and who is a surveyor
for part of these roads, stated that there was a fair of two
days' duration held annually in Barton-street and its neigh-
bourhood, and in Gloucester, at which there was a consi-
derable concourse of people. There were, besides, two statute
or highway fairs, and at the period when they were held
there must, of necessity, be considerable delay, if not danger.
On re-examination, Mr. Jones stated that he was un-
aware that there were several crossings in towns, but could
not deny that there were two crossings on the level in
Southampton, or that there were others in Canterbury, Bir-
mingham, and other important places.

• . .
Some other witnesses were examined to show the disad-
vantage that would be suffered by the crossings on the level
at Gloucester, and this closed the case of the landowners,
after which the Committee adjourned.
The decision cannot be given until the report of the Rail-
way Commissioners is received, and the time when that will
be made is at present uncertain.