The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-22 00:00:00

GROUP V.

The Committee met this morning at twelve. Present,
Lord H. Vane, Chairman ; Hon. M. Gore, Hon. M. Suttor,
Mr. Rice, and Sir E. Filmer.
WINDSOR, STAINES, AND SOUTH-WES-
TERN (RICHMOND TO WINDSOR).
WINDSOR, ST.T.INES, AND SOUTH-WES-
TERN (STAINES TO ASCOT. &c.)
Mr. MACAULAY continued the traffic evidence in favour of
the projected lines.

Mr. Ashby, a-bargemaster and coal merchant, said the
water carriage to Staines to and from London was 10,000
tons annually, and through Staines about 135,000 tons. At
present, in order to reach the south and south-west from the
neighbourhood of Brentford, much use was necessarily made
of the Grand Junction Canal to convey the goods to London,
where they were re-loaded on the railway, and dispatched so
far backwards to their destination.
A number of other witnesses were examined, and gave
evidence of the local advantages at different points on the
route to be derived from the lines.
Lord Morpeth, as Chief Commissioner of Woods and
Forests, was then examined in reference to the line from
Staines to Windsor. He said the subject of railways to
Windsor had been very much under his consideration, with
a view to dealing with the property of the Crown Plans
were submitted for the projected line by the South-Western
in the month of October last, showing that they
trenched considerably on Crown property in the
neighbourhood of Richmond, Egham, and Windsor. That
project seemed to him well calculated to accommodate
the wants of the district, and to give access to the heart of
the metropolis by London-bridge. He did not think his
evidence cm the merits of the line would be worth much as
against any other line; but to him the public interest seemed
to justify the interference with property. The South-Wes-
tern line passed through part of the old deer-park at Rich-
mond with consent of the Crown, and crossed the Thames
by a bridge, to be executed to the satisfaction of the Crown
engineer. The present line to Egham proposed superior ac-
commodation over the plan of last year. As for Windsor, it
was proposed at first to carry a branch up the south side of the
river from Staines, but that was disapproved of positively by
the Crown. The consent of the Crown, however, was given
to a line on the north side, ending at Black Potts Ayott. The
station there, taking the town and the park into considera-
ti,n, was perhaps in the mist proper place. With a view to
that, her Majesty had signified that her consent would be given
to a new road being made crossing the Horne Park, on certain
conditions to be strice ly observed by the South- Western Com-
pany. (The agreement was here put in.) The proposed new
road fell in with certain contemplated improvements on and
about the royal residence, and would prove of very material
service in carrying them out. A plan connecting the Great
Western Railway with Windsor had also been considered by
the Board of Woods and Forests, and they thought it would
be reckoned satisfactory it both the companies could unite
in one station. The Great Western, however, would not
accede.
Cross-examined by Mr. Aurrix, for the Great Western—
There was no inclination on the part of the Crown to oppose
the line from Slough to Windsor. The Board had must
fully considered the propriety of making the new road along
the north front of the Castle, and all the incidents to that
work which was intended for public convenience. The other
roads to Datchet, &e., would be shut up. The road would be
made at the expense of the South. Western Company, to the
satisfaction of the Crown engineer. He was at liberty to say,
that her Majesty was extremely indebted to the managers
of the Great Western line for the convenience they had in-
variably afforded her.
Cross-examined by Sir JoHN BAYLEY—The railway com-
pany was bound to purchase twenty-five acres of land at
Black Potts, for the station itself, the Crown to have
the power to purchase back such of that ground as it might
deem proper for planting, or otherwise laying out. That
ground belonged to the Dean and Canons of Windsor.
By Sergeant NV RA NGIIAM, for the South Western—
Taking all the schemes together, I should prefer the South-
Western.
By Mr. AUSTIN—The Crown had no disinclination to the
line from Slough to Windsor. He repeated that her Majesty
was much indebted to the Great Western Company; and,
therefore, in negotiating with the South-Western, they hail
always made it conditional that that company should offer
no Opposi'ion to the Great Western Company's line from
Slough. His understanding was, that the Crown would give
its consent to such a line as would satisfy the House of
Commons.
Col. Reid, Sir John Walsh, Sir W. Clay, and several other
witnesses gave evidence in favour of the lines.
The engiueer's evidence will be taken to-morrow (this)
morning at the meeting of the Committee, at twelve o'clock,
the hour to which they then adjourned.

GROUP VI.
SALISDURT AND YEOVIL, AND EXETER,

YEOVIL, AND DO7ZCIIMSTENL.

The first witness examined this morning was
Mr. Seymer, M.P. for Dorsetshire. He stated that he
resided in the neighbourhood of Blandford, and considered
that a central line through the county of Dorset would be of
great advantage to the county. He believed that the line
was looked upon favourably by nearly all the landowners
through whose property the line was proposed to be carried.
He was a director of the South-Western Railway, but did not
hold any more shares in the company than were requisite to
qualify him for that Mice.
Mr. Bennett, M.P. for Wilts, gave evidence of a general
nature in favour of the proposed line.
Mr. Alderman Humpbery, M.P., was the next witness
called, and gave evidence of the great superiority of the
South-Western schemes at London-bridge over every other
IP't!"),T,l in connexion with railways running in the direc-
tion f the west of England. It would afford great conve-
nience for live stock
if that.consigned to Smithfield; and even
marketmatlth:uld be abolished, there would still have to
be a cattle
the proposed railwayten the Surrey side of the river, to which
would afford would also afford convenience great convenience. It
butt for hops, cyder, leather, wool,
fish, fruit, dead meat
which ware in the immediateer and poultry, all the markets for
neighbourhood.
Mr. Oliver, butcher of Southampton, pton, was a contractor to
the Peninsular and Oriental steam-ships, If" which frequented
ption of live stock
the port of Southampton. Theeacnipishuirn
ers of those ships,
'was very great.
and dead meat by the crews and
and also of the inhabitants of Southna,,msetplon
difficulty
At present, owing to there being
tion with the west of England, there was" g" carcanica-
in obtaining a supply of ►live stock, ►the
Southampton being often obliged to go to Londlltrichl/4rB of '
chase it. If the present lines were constructed,° he to pur.
be enabled to go into the west of England and ma;(,-oti„
purchases direct from the farmers and graziers, and make
arrangements with them to send the cattle up as they might
be wanted, and there would in that case be no necessity fur
him to come to London. _

Mr. Dowling, meat salesman, Newpte-market, gave evi-
dence of the advantages to be derived by the conveyance of
dead meat from the west of England to the London markets.
The committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day),
at twelve o'clock.

GROUP XI.
The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of
the Bills comprised in Group 11 re-assembled at the usual
hour this morning, Mr. Forbes Mackenzie in the chair.

COLCHESTER AND STOUR VALLEY (LA-
VBNEAM EXTENSION).

The general case for this line having been closed,
Mr. Peter Bruff was called, and examined upon the engi-
neering features of the line. The works were easy, the
length about fourteen miles, and the cost 400,0004, and
70,0001. for widening the existing line, and laying it down
with a double lice of rails.
The landholders'opposition was then gone into, and after a