The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-21 00:00:00

GROUP XXI.

OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVER-
HAMPTON, AND STOURBRIDGE AND

WEST BROMWICH.
The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; Sir
Graham in the chair.

Mr. Thornycroft, the deputy-chairman of the company,
was the first witness examined. He said the line of the Ox-
ford, Manchester, and Wolverhampton, was absolutely neces-
sary to complete the railway communication of the district;
that the want of it was greatly felt ; and that it was, strictly
speaking, an integral part of that line. The other project
being simply a narrow gauge line, and the Oxford, Manches-
ter, and Wolverhampton, having both, would not be any-
thing like so advantageous. The witness detailed at length
the advantages which the line would confer upon the district
by opening up communications with South Wales and other
mineral districts.

Mr. Malyns, a partner in the firm of Matthews and Ma-
lyns, extensive ironmasters, gave corroborative evidence.
Some dilicussion ensued with respect to the Act of last ses-
sion, which provided that all railways to be made should be
laid down on the narrow gauge.
Mr. COCKBURN said those for whom he appeared intended
to construct their line on both gauges.
Mr. WHATELEY intimated that the promoters of the Stour-
bridge and West Bromwich intended to propose the insertion
of a clause in their Bill to empower them to lay down the
mixed gauge.

The remainder of the day was occupied in hearing evidence
in favour of the first-mentioned line.
Adjourned till to-morrow.

Glt OtiP XXVIII.
The Committee, Mr. T. D. Acland in the chair, met this
morning at twelve o'clock.
SLEAFOR.D 337CANCN.

Mr. Foster was cross-examined by Mr. Sergeat WRANG-
HAM, on behalf of the London and York Company, with a
view to show that the Sleaford corn market was one of great
importance.
Mr. Peacock, a partner in the bank of Handley, Peacock,
and Company, and residing at Thorp Hall, which is about
ten miles from the town, testisfied that the price of
corn at Sleaford is almost always less than at
Grantham and Newark, •in consequence of the want
of facility for transit. He therefore decided, from an
intimate knowledge of the trade of the three towns, that
the branch to Hougham was the best. Lord Bristol's pro-
perty lay around Sleaford, but he did not reside there, and
the proposed branch would be certainly less injurious to it
than the opposing lines. This, in fact, would become their
trunk line, and it was, of course, necessary that branches
should be formed to render it available. He had signed a
petition in favour of the Great Northern Branches, but was
not cognisant of any in favour of the Eastern Counties.
To the CHAIRMAN, Mr. Peacock replied that the reason
why Sleaford had become so important a market was, the
benefit which it enjoyed from the farmers in the neighbour-
hood being a wealthy and enterprising set of men, in pos-
session of the capital to carry out their views. The price was
lower than at Grantham and Newark, in consequence of
the deficiency of communication, but yet there was a
large trade in corn, as there was canal communication
wilh the River Witham, which was a feeder of the Humber,
and thus there was an open communication with the north of
England as well as with the continent of Europe.
To Captain HARRIS, Mr. Peacock replied that he had
no apprehension that in the event of this line being formed
that Grantham would take the place of Sleaford as a corn
market. The greater portion of the corn sold at Sleaford
was grown chiefly in the neighbourhood of Tattershall, which
is about eleven miles to the east of the town, and went prin-
cipally to the manufacturing districts. Certainly he believed
that nothing would disturb the importance of Sleaford as a
corn market.

Mr. Parker Smith, an extensive land agent and auctioneer,
residing at Caythorpe, a village about two miles from
Sleaford and nine from Grantham, stated that se-
veral important properties, for which he was the
agent, would be injured by the proposed Eastern Counties
Branch, although they would not be affected, except that they
would receive a benefit from the intended branch of the Great
Northern Company. At any rate, the district lying between
the direct line of the London and York, and the loop line of
that group, would be quite as well served as by the Eastern
Counties' project, and in the event of the latter being carried
out, the Great Northern branch would be useless.
Mr. Nicholls, of Sleaford, and some other witnesses, gave
further evidence to the same effect.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow.

INIPERI AL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
FACTORIES BILL.
Sir DE LACY EVANS (in continuation from our After-
noon Edition) said he was very much astonished to see the
party who was so earnest in denouncing the Protectionists
for intolerance, on the subject of the corn-laws, now evincing
the same feelings on this question. He thought it absurd to
say that the glory and greatness of this country were de-
pendent upon the diminution of the hours of labour of the
infants who were engaged in factories.
Lord J. RUSSELL did not expect that any discussion
would arise to-day on the Bill at this stage, but as it had
arisen no one had a right to complain of the course
adopted. With regard to the working of the eleven hours
they had same experience, and were able to form
a judgment of the propriety of adopting it; but with
regard to the ten hours they had no such proof, and there-
fore he had not such confidence in its operation. He very
much regretted that that clause should have become part
of the Bill, but considering the majority with which it was
affirmed, he considered he would not be justified in with-
holding his support from the Bill at this stage in con-
sequence of his opinion being overborne. He wished, how-
ever, to observe that he was not quite sure but the House
would have to be called upon in a future session to revise the
course which they now adopted.
Mr. ROEBUCK was surprised at the course the Noble
Lord adopted on this occasion, and was still more at the
speech which he had just made. The Noble Lord said he
would support the Bill, because the labouring classes did not
petition) against it; but this was a very strange assertion
after the admission of the Noble Lord, that the ten hours'
clause would have the effect of diminishing the wages of
labour.
The House then divided when the numbers were—
For the amendment... 46
Against it lO4
Majority
Mr. BROWN then moved the following clause :—" And
be it enacted, that in all cases where, by reason of the
restictions by this Act respectively imposed, as regards
the working of persons under the age of eighteen
years, and of females above the age of eighteen years,
the lessee or occupier, lessees or occupiers, of any
such mill or factory as is in this Act referred
to, or any part thereof, or any rooms therein, shall not be
entitled to or be by law able to enjoy the full and beneficial
use of the steam or water power contracted to be supplied
by the lessor or landlord for the full length of time for which
the lessee or occupier, lessees or occupiers, would, but for this
Act, have been entitled to, a proportionate abatement of the
rent payable by such lessee or occupier, lessees or occu-
piers, shall be made and allowed by the lessor or landlord,
such proportionate abatement to be fixed and settled by any
two of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, who shall have
full power to hear the parties and their respective witnesses,
and to summon them before them, the said justices, for that
purpose, and finally to adjudicate and determine in the pre-
mises if the parties differ about the same.
Mr. BROTHERTON was in favour of the clause.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that it followed from this the Bill did
not arise from a feeling of humanity, but from a desire to
put a thorn in the side of the manufacturers.
Mr. NEWDEGATE opposed the clause, and thought
there was no grounds whatever for the imputation of the
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Roebuck) against the Protectionist
party.

AGLIONBY said there were two legal objections to
the clause, and he thought if it was acceded to, it would give
rise to endless difficulties.
Mr. FERRAN") said that when the corn-law measure was
before the House no such clause was proposed, and he saw
no reason why it should be proposed now.
Sir GEORGE GREY thought the object of the clause
misunderstood. He hoped, however, the lion. Member would
withdraw the clause, as he did not consider that it would
effect the object intended.
Mr. M. I'HILIPS said the change bad been recom-
mended by the manufacturers themselves, and he thought
their wishes should be attended to. It was not for the
public advantage to have relays of workers, and the opera-
tion of the clause would be to prevent this.
Sir R. PEEL hoped that the clause would be withdrawn.
Though be had given his opposition to the Bill, he could not
consent to this clause, as it would be introducing a
most unusual rule, and one that might operate most inju-
riously. This was not the first time that the hours of labour
had been interfered with, and it never had yet occurred to
the House to provide such an arrangement respecting the
moving power as suggested. He could not see how it was
possible to ascertain the amount of loss that this Bill
would occasion; under any such contracts ; and, therefore,
he could not consent to it. He believed that all such con-
tracts were entered into with a calculation of their being
operated on by causes, such as the Bill now undergoing
discussion. He was sure the clause would occasion much
heartburning and ill-feeling were it agreed to.
Mr. BROWN then withdrew his clause.
Viscount EBRINGTON said, as this Bill had already been
much discussed, he would not occupy the House with a
speech, but move the clauses of which he bad given notice,
and on which he intended to take the sense of the House.
He concluded by moving the first clause:—" Be it enacted,
that none of the provisions of this Act, respecting the restric-
tion of their hours of labour, shall apply to adult women."
After a few words from Mr. FERRAND, this clause was
negatived without a division.
Viscount EBRINGTON then proposed the following
clauses :—" And be it further enacted, that no person
shall, after the passing of this Act, be appointed as
an inspector or superintendent of factories who is not
a duly licensed medical practitioner. And be it fur-
ther enacted, that the inspectors and superintendents so
appointed shall be empowered and required to report
from time to time on the state of health of the
pot:
fedrerooosvppoetei
no nnts.9ef ms
oueprmcl oh:t
el e
sanatory
in factories, or any defect in
the construction, or arrangement, or management of
the places of
roa
eyi
vveaoedt torn i
nithe. which may effect the health
re, alnvdheroenas,th
bey mtehaensAocft i n 41-
. 111. c. 73, justices were directed to appoint two
persons to visit mills, and besides other duties to direct the
ory regulations as on advice they way I