The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-13 00:00:00

GROUP XX.-XVII.

The Committee met this morning at the usual hour, Lord Seymour
in the chair.
The Committee then proceeded to hear evidence with respect
to the

MIDLAND, BARNSLEY, SIIErrIELD,
DEWSBURY, AND LEEDS AND BRADFORD.
Mr. Scott, the engineer to the line, was called and examined at
considerable length by the counsel for the South Yorkshire Coal
and Canal Company, who opposed the line. The railway passed
within half a mile of the town of Barnsley. It ran for the distance
of ten miles within half a mile of the canal;:and for the distance of
seven or e'ght miles within three-quarters of a mile ef another railway.
The slopes were one to one, and the embankments one and a half to
one. There were two tunnels with shafts in them, and three
viaducts. The witness was then examined at some length relative
to the various items in the estimate. The line ran through Lord
Scarborough's property at Thornhill for three-quarters cf a mile.
There were no level crossings on his Lordship's property.
Mr. S. Russell, an engineer, was examined by the promoters to
show the practicability of the line. He possessed practical expe-
rience in the working of railways ; and having examined the sec-
uponiasedte,thanatd theht
e line
tions of this line, it was his opinion that it could be worked rapidly
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ode
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and economically, and was preferable to the line that opposed it.
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willing himself to undertake the contract.

The Counsel for the promoters intimated that his case was then
closed.

The Committee then proceeded to consider the
HUDDERSFIELD AND SHEFFIELD (DAR-

•
rxExa)
Mr. BAINES briefly stated the case for the promoters. The line
from Sheffield to Barfield would accommodate an extensive and
populous district, containing a population of between 70,000 and
100,00). It would open up a direct communication for the convey-
ance of coals from the extensive mines in the district; and would
thus offer facilities to supply them at a much cheaper rate. It would
also form a trunk communication between the manufac-
turing districts and the metropolis. The country pos-
sessed singular engineerng difficulties, but the cost of the
line per mile would not be more than 20,0001. The
Barnsley branch, which opposed it, would cost no less than 30,090/.
This line also possessed an advantage over the Barnsley branch in
this respect—that whilst it followed the course of the valley and
accommodated itself to the winning point of the coals from the mines,
and thus facilitated their conveyance, the Barnsley branch ran a
level with the tops of the hills, and which was open to objection.
He submitted that no line could possibly have a stronger claim on the
attention of Parliament. _ _

Mr. John Sutcliffe, a wool merchant, residing at Huddersfield, was
then called--lie consldered that it was a very desirable line, and
likely to promote the welfare of the country, and if it were carried
out he would be able to obtain coal at a much cheaper rate.
Other witnesses were called by the promoters to prove the amount
of traffic, and the general advantages to be derived ftom the line.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.