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

GROUP LI.

The Committee appointed to examine into the merits of
the railway in this group assembled this day at twelve
o'clock (Sir J. Y. Buller, chairman), and proceeded to take
the

GLASGOW, numrErEs, AND CARLISLE,
AND GLNSGOW, PAISLEY, HILMAR-
NOCE, AND ATM (No. II.)

Mr. AUSTIN opened the case for the promoters. He said,
the object of the Bill was to extend the line to Portpatrick,
with the view of accommodating the Irish trade, and fur-
nishing a communication between the northern portion of the
island and the Irish port of Donaghadee. Were this
finished, it would form one of three routes to Ireland, the
midland portion of the country being accommodated by
Holyhead to Dublin, and the remaining junction being made
by way of Fisliguard to Cork and Wicklow. The Dumfries
Company wished only to open up one instalment of this
route at present—namely, as far as Kirkudbright ; but even
that town the distance to Donaghadee would be as short as
from Holyhead to Dublin, and shorter than from Fisbguard
to Wicklow. The country was an agricultural one, and
there ,was a considerable local traffic. The line was some
twenty-seven miles, and the cost of construction would be
mederate. The only opposition offered was by Mr. Aglionbv,
but he believed that, before their case was concluded, an
arrangement would be entered into with that gentleman. He
would not detain the Committee longer, but at once proceed
to call his witnesses.
Mr. John Mackie, deputy-lieutenant and convener of the
stewartry of Kirkcudbright, was examined by Sir THOMAS
PHILLIPS —He gave general evidence of the importance of
the lioe as opening up the local resources, and furnishing a
communication not only with Ireland, but with the southein
and eastern parts of this island.
Mr. M.Sellan, town and country clerk, and agent for the
Bank of Scotland at Kircudbright, concurred on the import-
ance of this line, as giving a communication with the eastern
and south-eastern part of the country. The opening to
Cannoebie would lower the price of coals, and afford
abundance of lime, which would greatly advantage the
agriculturist. The different ports on the Solway would
greatly benefit by the line. The exports of Kirkcudbright
might be reckoned at—fat cattle, 2,000; fat sheep, 30,000;
wool, 1,000 packs ; salmon, 800 boxes ; and general mer-
chandise, 1,500 tons. The imports were—lime, 1,500 tons;
guano, 300 tons • timber, 700 loads; general merchandise,
2al;roit9aghttons
tonnage of thegresrttl
and Coals to a considerable extent. There was
pas,enger trade •
ininthteiesamlaestyeyear w betweenas 31 .000 Kit kcud-
and Liverpool, of 3,000 to 4,000 persons ; the
There were three.'
fries, and several csoZei
thin would be increased by the formation Of this iine.
tons, but
coaches from Kircudbright to Dum-
to 4d. per mile for outsiedaeto other places, the rate being 3d.
in the country.
pas!sengers. The line was gene-
rally demanded by all part
The CHALRMAN expresseects himself satisfied with the im-
,liand would desire no
portance of this portion of the
. situated within
other evidence on teat portion of thee
twoM mr.ihiles`Kofnitghhetierpmroipnruisetaotr oGfibßba,sr.lhoenhieeanre
Spoke te.the excel-
of &iTineaet.tyThheettered
lent character of the land, which would'
if the agriculturi-ts had a plentiful supply
of that article had fettered agricultural energy. It wwant
as. at
present brought by sea from Cumnock, cost at the atop's
side I4s. per ton, and was, as souse of the farmeca
w,:re obliged to cart it very many milos, eon_
siderably increased in expense. He should say that
18s. was at present the cost to the consumer.
The witness also detailed the disadvantages under which

they laboured from a want of coal—a disadvantage which
would be entirely obviated by the construction of this line.
There was a part of the water of Urr, which had an import
registered tonnage of 10,000 tons. It would be exceedingly
advantageous to the public if Gibbs Hole were formed into a
port, because it offered excellent anchorages, and was only
half a mile from the sea, while it was protected on the land-
ward side by hills on the south and south-west. Kirkcud-
bright, although an excellent port, was six miles from
the sea.

Mr. Lidderdyke, living at Castle Douglas, knew the coun-
try well. He was factor for some estates in that district, the
rental of which was some 10,0001. a year. The wishes of the
proprietors were in favour of the two lines. It was known
that there was iron ore on these properties, and he had one
offer for it from Brumpton, on the line of the Newcastle arid
Darlington Railway. There were iron mines at Auchincairn,
the outport of which was last year 50me:,3,000 tons, and this
year it was expected to double. The produce was sent by
sea to the coast of Cumberland, and thence found its way by
rail to Newcastle. This railway, as supplying a desired com-
munication, would be a great public benefit.
Mr. ?'Laurin, Dalbeattie, spoke to the local traffic be-
tween Dumfries and Dalbeattie, and the necessity that
existed for the formation of this railway.
Mr. John Miller, g.E., was engineer of many railwayrin
the south and other parts of Scotland. He had since last
year carefully examined the country through which this
line passed, and he had laid it down in the way he conceived
best calculated to benefit the district. It commenced at
Dumfries, and went on in the direction shown on the map to the
town of Kirkcudbright. The length was 27 miles and 2 fur.
longs. The steeped gradients were 1 in 80, and extended
a distance of three miles. The whole cost was 660,0001.
The cost of the works was for the main line 441,5261., and for
the Gibbs Hole branch, 112,217/. The balance provided for
stations, land, and contingencies.
The formal proofs were then put in, and there being no
opposition offered, the preamble was declared proved.
The Committee then considered and passed the clauses,
and, at a quarter to four o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

IMPERIAL PA RLIAMENT.

(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woo,
sack at Five o'clock.
LAW OF LANDLORD AND TENANT

(IRELAND).
The Marquis of WESTMEATH said he had a mo-
tion on the notice paper connected with the law of
landlord and tenant in Ireland, which he begged to post-
pone till after Thursday the 29th, in order that the
second reading of the Government Bill upon that subject
might not be interrupted. The Noble Lord then read
his motion, which was partially altered. He continued to
say, that as he was upon his legs, it was his most painful
duty to bring forward a matter which he would rather
have refrained from. But as he bad the crime resting
upon him of being an Irish proprietor he would not,
their Lordships might be assured, stand as a butt to any
order whatever in the performance of his duty as a
member of Parliament. He admitted, that if any mem-
ber of the British Parliament rose up in his place and
spoke on any subject he was open to have his conduct
criticised. He found no fault with that ; but he did not
choose, when be rose in the House as an Irish Peer, to
have the ground cut from under him by misstatements,
which were put forth for the purpose of founding
upon those grounds arguments that might cajole
or bamboozle— (Laughter) the friends of Ireland.
He might possibly have laid himself open to ridi-
cule, but the tendency of such misrepresentations
as he had been the subject of would be to direct the
bullet of the assassin to his person. The Times news-
paper of Wednesday last, in the report of the business
of their Lordships' House, had put into his mouth what
he had not said, and had as carefully kept out what he
actually did say. The Noble Lord then referred to the
report in the columns of the Times, and denied that he
had complained of ridicule on the part of the Noble and
Learned Lord.—(The Noble Lord here entered into a
repetition of his statement and the provisions of the
measure, which was withdrawn on Tuesday evening.) He
repeated that he did not complain of ridicule on the part
of the Noble and Learned Lord, who he knew was as
able in the discharge of his peculiar duties as any Lord
Chancellor that had ever acted heretofore, and charac-
terised for the amiability of his nature. But he did
think that Noble Lord had misrepresented both his ar-
guments and his measure. Some one, however, for some
base end—some miscreant unseen, scribbling for his hire,
had chosen to misrepresent his werds and his statements.
The Sun newspaper also contained the same serious
misrepresentation. He assured their Lordships that he
said no such thing as was imputed to him. He objected
to the attempt which had been made to raise a laugh in
the House, instead of meeting the objections of his Bill.
He was there as a representative Peer of Ireland,
and was determined, cost what it might, in the
present awful crisis which hung over his country,
to do his duty. He hoped, by their Lordships' support,
to put a stop to this evil, and he begged to move that
the printers of those two newspapers should be called to
the bar of the House. He intended to persevere in the
motion. The Noble Lord concluded by saying " I beg
to move that the printers of the Times anciSun news-
papers be called to the bar of the House to answer for
a breach of the privileges of your Lordships' House."
Lord BROUGHAM said, that if their Lordships
allowed the galleries to be occupied, there was no doubt
but that the reports which were made to the public
would be made in a spirit perfectly fair and honest.
He felt the necessity for that as entirely as his Lord-
ship did, and he thought the departure from such a
course deserving of-censure. He would, however, re-
mind his Lordship that the plan usually acted upon in
both Houses of Parliament was to avoid needlessly in
terfering in such things. That their Lordships had an
undoubted right to prevent strangers from entering the
gallery of their Lordships' House there could be no
doubt. But they were nut excluded, and at the same
time their Lordships should consider that those persons
who gave an account of their proceedings were not, he
might say, in 99 cases out of 100, but in 999 cases out or
1,000, actuated by strictly honourable motives, and eave
with singular ability and most admirable impartiality
the account of what passed within their Lordships'
House. He hoped, therefore, that his Noble Friend
would deem the notice he had taken of the circumstance
quite sufficient, without pressing the matter any further.
He had nevea seen any any good arise, either to their
Lordships' House or to the other House, from needlessly
entering into a conflict with any portion of the public
press of this country. It had been said that he (Lord
Brougham) had expressed it as his opinion that the press
was the best public instructor of the country. He did
not, however, mean by the term " press" the newspaper
press only, but what he meant was, that the press ge-
nerally was the best possible instructor of the country.
He would advise the Noble Marquis not to take any
further step in the matter; for it was his opinion, that
the notice which his Lordship had taken of the subject
was sufficient.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the great
difficulty in this case was to prove malevolence on the
part of those who were accused. It was merely an in.
accuracy of the reporter. Such practices as the Noble
Marquis (Westmeath) spoke of could not pos-
sibly take place on any respectable newspaper.
Besides, an opportunity was afforded to any
Noble Member who might be misrepresented, of
correcting any mistakes that might be committed. Their
Lordships should consider the difficult position in which
reporters were placed—(hear, hear)—and be trusted
that, under teese circumstances, the Noble Lord would
not persevere in his motion.
The Marquis of ‘VESTMEATII said, that since
he found it was the wish of their Lord-
ships, he would not persist in his motion.
However, he must say, that in the present state of Ire-
land, it was very necessary that there should be a true
statement of what he said, and that the misrepresenta-
tions of the press should not be used against him.
There was an article in the 7 i:nes containing most
scurrilous abuse of him. Upon that he looked with
contempt ; hut still he must say that, coupling that ar-
ticle with the report, he believed the misrepresentation
was deliberate. But, as their Lordships were agreed,
he would not persist in his motion.—(Hear, hear.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the observa-
tions which he had !made, he confined entirely to the
Bill before their Lordships.
The Marquis of WESTMEATH said he believed that
the Noble and Learned Lord was incapable of acting in
any unamiable manner, but he did feel that he had not
been well treated.

The motion was then withdrawn.
POOR-LAW (IRELAND) BILL.
Lord KENYON presented a petition from the vestry
of Marylebone, in favour of the Poor-law (Ireland) Bill.
The Earl of CLANCARTY laid on the table petitions
from the county of ROICOMMOII, and the medical profes-
sion in the county of Tyrone, against the Poor-law
(Ireland) Bill.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, who was imper-
fectly heard, was understood to say that the Poor-law
(Ireland) Bill was not what the Noble Earl had repre-
sented it, and did not contain any clause conferring a
general right to out-door relief to the poor of Ireland.
The Earl of FITZWILLIAAI wished to ask the
Noble Marquis (Lansdowne), if in the event of the Bill
for the Suppression of Vagrancy in Ireland not passing
into law in the other House, the Government would pro-
ceed with the other two measures, the Poor-law and the
Landed Property Bills.
t, The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said it would be
presumptuous i❑ him to state what course would be
adopted in the event of the other House not passing into
a law the Bill referred to. No exertion, however, would
be wanting on the part of the Government to carry all
the measures they had introduced in connexion with
Ireland.

The subject then dropped.
Lord MONTEAGLE presented a petition against
any alteration in the Navization Laws.
The Bishop of LLANDAFF presented several peti-
tions in favour of the Government scheme of education.
EDUCATION.
Earl FITZWILLIAM presented several petitions
against the Government scheme of education.
Similar petitions were presented by Lord ViviAx and
the Marquis of LANSDOWNE.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented petitions
from the inhabitants of Wakefield, the churchwardens
and others of the parish of Stepney, and other places, in
favour of the Government scheme.
Lord DENMAN presented two similar petitions on
the saute subject.
POOR LAW (IRELAND).
Lord RODEN presented a petition against a poor-law
fur Ireland.

R (IRELA ND.
The Earl ofFEVE CLARENDON movedßlLL that their Lord.
ships should go into Committee on this Bill. The pre-
sent Bid was one brought in for the purpose of making
some ;amendments in the Bill passed last session upon
this subject.
Lord MONTEAGLE considered that some difficulty
would be found in obtaining the necessary super
vision under the provisions of this Bill,' arising
from the great extent of the unions of Ireland,