The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-27 00:00:00

rni.

GLASGOW AND WEST OP SCOTLAND

DISTRICT.

The Committee sat at twelve o'clock, in the Court of Common
Pleas. Mr. V. Smith chairman.

GIAILSGO XXX,M.ARNOCK, AND
ARDROSSAZT.

Mr. Neil Robson, C.E., cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT, Q.a.—
The steepest gradient was 1 In 75, the sharpest curve six furlongs.
He had had nothing to do with the Glasgow and Belfast Union,
although his name was in the prospectus. He proposed to have an
assistant power on the gradient of 1 in 75 when the weight of train
required it. The Glasgow and Ayr line had more favourable gra-
dients and curves. The witness was then examined as to the com-
parative lengths of the Glasgow aad Ayr, and the Glasgow, Kil-
marnock, and Ardrossan Railways from different points of the dis-
trict. The result was in favour of the line under consideration.
Mr. Erriugton, civil engineer, thought the line to Kilmarnock
judiciously laid out. The gradient of lin 75 was not now an objec-
tionable one. He considered that it would be a public advantage if
some portion of the traffic oa the Glasgow and Ayr lines were re-
moved, as they at present inadequately accommodated the public.
Cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT—If a gradient of 1 in 75 could be
avoided it would be advisable to do so.

Mr. T. T. Mitchell proved that minerals were taken on much
steeper gradients than on this lin& or the Slamannan Railway, at
the rate of from 15 to 20 miles an hour.

Mr. Ferguson corroborated the evidence of Mr. Williamson as to
the value of the minerals in the districts.

Mr. TALBOT then addressed the Committee against the project.
He contended that no necessity had been shown for the construction
of thi aline. It had been proved to the satisfaction, he trusted, of the
Committee, that they had done full justice to the public since the
period when they had received their powers from Parliament. They
had done more than was required from them, for they encouraged
and constructed branches as much with the view of accommodating
the country as of protecting themselves. They presented a most
favourable parallel to the L9ndoa and Birmingham and other rail-
ways, inasmuch as they give the same advantages to the
poor as to tile rich, running third-class trains at the same
speed as the first and second classes. They were willing still further
to construct branches where a necessity could be shown for such ;
and, in fact, the Committee would find that they had had a Bill be-
fore Parliament to accommodate this very country, but unfortunately
the non-fulfilment of some technicality had thrown it out before the
Standing Orders' Committee. But were they to pass this scheme be-
cause it was the only one before them, when they were told that a better
line would be brought forward in the next session. He trusted the
Committee would .defer any decision until they had these lines toge-
ther. The Learned Counsel then adverted to what were, he con-
tended, radical errors in the schemes. This scheme was to be leased
to the Greenock Company, and it was in contemplation to amalga-
mate the Company with the Caledonian. He hoped the Committee
would hesitate before they by any sanction of theirs encouraged a
system which could not be otherwise than injurious to the interests
of the public.

GROUP XIV.
NORTH SENT.
The Committee met at twelve o'clock.
Mr. Bacox, who appeared in support of a petition presented ageing
the proposed line by Mr. Hyde, a ;landowner residing at Fevershani,
called
Mr. Wilkes, who proved the damage that would be dote to Air.
Hyde's property. The ine would cut off eernmunication from the
game preserves, and would also be seen from the house.
By Sir W. ltinDEL—Kt.ows the course of the South-Eastent line.
That would also affect Mr. Hyde's property, and could be seen from
the house.
The Learned Counsel having briefly addressed the Committee,
Mr. SELWYN proceeded to make somc observations in support of a
petition presented against the line by Mr. Morby. Ile stated that
the .7 etitioner possessed about twelve acres of laud at Hatcham. He
had invested the whole savings of an industrious life in the purchase
of this land, in the hope that by its gradual improvement it would be
a provision for himself in his declining years, and also for his large
family, nearly all of whom, from imbecility of mind, were unable to
support themselves., The line would so affect that land, and also all the
laud in the vicinity, that it would be aflutter of impossibility to let it.
Mr. Sergeant Waationsm, on the part of the promoters, said that
the present case came upon them rather unexpectedly ; but lie was
quite ready to agree that the land should be surveyed by any re-
respectable party, and that without a mere reference to the value of
the land, but having regard to the whole of it as a good property,
the company should pay its full value.
Some discussion then ensued as to whether the whole question
should be left to the consideration of an arbitrator, Mr. Selwyn de-
cidod on proceeding with the ease, and called
Mr. Drew, a solicitor, who stated that he was well acquainted
with Mr. Morby's property, AdvisW•Mr. Morby to purchase it, WI