The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-23 00:00:00

GROUP LI.

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

GIiaSGOW, Duns:mums, AND CAMMISME,
AND G ASGOW, PAISLEY, iiILT.aL•wE-
NOCS, AND AYR. (No. II.)

Mr. AUSTIN opened the case for the promoters. Tie 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
11°13-head to Dublin, and the remaining junction being made
by way of Fishguard to Cork and Wicklow. The Dumfries
Company wished only to open up one instalment of this route
at pretent—namely, as far as Kirkcudbright;, but even from
that town the distance to Donaghadee would be as short as
from Holyhead to Dublin, and shorter than from Fishguard
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
moderate. The only opposition offered was by Mr. Aglionby,
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 Tuomas
Puitaars-11e gave general evidence of the importance of
the line as opening up the local resources, and furnishing a
communication not only with Ireland, but with the southern
and eastern parts of this island.
Mr. M‘kallan, town and county clerk, and agent for the
Bank of Scotland at Kirkcudbrigtit, 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
Cannobie 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; anti general mer-
chandise, 1,500 tons. The imports were—lime, 1,500 tons;
guano, 3_oo tons; timber, 700 loads; general merchandise,
2,000 tons; and coals to a considerable extent. There was
a passenger trade in the last year between Kirkcud-
bright and Liverpool, of 3,C03 to 4,000 *sons ; the
tonnage of the port in the same year was 31,000 tons, but
this would be greatly increased by the formation of this line.
There were three stage coaches from Kireudbriglit to Dum-
fries, and several coaches to otter places, the rate being 3d.
to 4d. per mile for outside passengers. The line was gene-
rally demanded by all parties in the country.
The CHAIRMAN expressed himself satisfied with the im-
portance of this portion of the line, and would desire no
other evidence upon it.
Mr. M'Knight, proprietor of Barloeban, situated within
two miles of the terminus at Gibbs'Atole, spoke to the excel-
lent character of the land, which would be greatiy bettered
if the agriculturists had a plentiful supply of lime. The want
of that article had fettered agricultural energy. It was at
present brought by sea from Cumnock, cost at the ship's
side 14s. per ton, and was, as some of the farmers
were obliged to cart it very many miles, con-
siderably increased in expense. He should f•ay 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 he entirely obviated by the construction of this line.
There was a part of the water of Urr which had an import
registered tonnage of 10,0001 ons. It would be exceedingly
advantageous to the public if Gibbs'-hole were formed into a