The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-13 00:00:00

NORTH KENT EXTENSIO77.

Lord Sands was next called to give evidence in favour of
this line. his Lordship gave strong and decided testimony
in favour of the South-Eastern Company, who, he said, had
done everything in their power to give Kent efficient rail-
way accommodation. The people of Faversham undoubtedly
were in favour of the South-Eastern line.

A long discussion took place as to whether the corporation
of Canterbury should be heard as petitioners against the
preamble of the Bill.
Sir Edward King, Port Admiral at Sheerness, was more
familiar with the water communication to the metropolis
than with the land communication, but he still had no doubt
that a line connecting Sheerness with Woolwich and London
would be of advantage.
Cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT —The present garrison at
Sheerness numbered some 200 men, and the stores at present
came by water. He was nut able to give a positive opinion
as to the relative merits of either conveyance.
Mr. Stephen Lushington had sat in Parliament as
Member fur Canterbury, and was well acquainted with the
district around Faversham andCanterbur,y. He was greatly
in favour of the lines promoted by the South-Eastern Rail-
way Company. He was chairman of the committee of the
Faversham Navigation; he was aware that great sums were
laid out in the improvement of that port, and he considered
that the money was well laid out. The general feeling of the
district Landowners was in favour of the line from Strood to
Chilham. and so important was deemed the necessity of
having a communication by rail with Ashford, that the con-
sent of all the landholders, without an exception, was given
to the formation of the line from Faversham to Chilham.
Meetings had been held at which the proprietors attended,
and the universal feeling was in favour of the South-Eastern
line.

Mr. Plumptre, M.P., thought the South-Eastern Company
had chosen the route best fitted to supply the wants of North
Kent. He believed that were it not for the technical objec-
tion which was raised last year, with respect to the purchase
of the Rochester Canal, that there would be no excuse for
the intrusion of the Brighton Company.
Sir Brook Bridges considered that it was absolutely neces-
sary that a full communication should be given between Lone
don and the great towns of Kent; and the South-Eastern
Company being already in possession of Gravesend, Strood,
and Rochester, he thought it would be for the interest of the
county if the whole chain of railways were in their hands.
Mr. George Neame, alderman of Canterbury, was the pro-
prietor of considerable property in that locality. He was de-
cidedly in favour of the South-Eastern extensions, and he
thought that the public feeling was generally expressed in
favour of this company.
Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE—He had been connected
with the Whitstable Company, and had no reason to com-
plain of that connexion.—(Laughter.) He had had a lover's
quarrel with the South-Eastern Company on more than one
occasion—once when they raised the fares. He had attended
a public meeting in consequence, and had pretty soundly
expressed his opinions there.—(Laughter.) The meeting
only grumbled—(Laughter)—and did nothing more. The
South-Eastern afterwards explained their reasons for raising
the fares, and, he believed, to the satisfaction of all parties
concerned. _