The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-27 00:00:00

DUDLEY.

Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE then called further evidence in favour of
the project, the first witness called being
Mr. Henry Crane, merchant, Wolverhampton, who after stating
that that district suffered much through the want of sufficient raile ay
accommodation, said he believed the lower level would be the best
for the station at Wolverhampton, and that this line would
undoubtedly give the greatest accommodation to the town
and district. The high level station of the Shrewsbury and
Birmingham he believed (after a careful consideration of the matter)
would destroy an immensity of property, and would dam up the
accesses to the principal works of Wolverhampton; it would also be
most inconvenient as regarded the sending of goods by the railway.
At a meeting of the most influential inhabitants of Wolverhampton
the proposed station of this company was unanimously declared to
be the best that could have been fixed upon. The same conclusion
was also come to at a meeting of the street commissioners (of which
he was one), held yesterday. The improvement committee were of
the same opinion. The reason of the meeting of the commissioners
was their having heard that the Shrewsbury and Birmingham in-
tended to block up a great many of the streets of Wolverhampton.
They were not aware of that intention until Saturday last.
Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—The street commissioners'
meeting yesterday was a rather animated one ; it was the most nu-
merous held since 1842. There were about seventy commissioners
altogether ; thirty were present, and fifteen voted for the level of
this company's line, and ten for the Shrewsbury and Birmingham.
He was a director f this line ; he held a great number of shares in
the line. There were many amongst the 15 who voted for this com-
pany's station who were interested in the line, but most of those
who voted on the other side were also, he believed, interested in the
Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and he thought they would be very
glad if they happened not to be so. Horsley-fields road was the
principal road that would be most damaged by the Shrewsbury and
Birmingham Company, whom he charged with having altered their
plans since their deposit at the Beard of Trade, in November 'last.
He had a great many more shares in the Shrewsbury and Birmingham
line, but his only object being to get the best railway accommoda-
tion for his fellow-townsmen, he had determined to give his support
to this line.
Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant RINGLAKE—The fact of his holding
shares in this line did not at an influence his judgment with respect
to these lines.
Mr. Joseph Walker, merchant and manufacturer, Wolverhampton,
then gave evidence as to the present inadequate and expensive means
of intercommunication in that district. He also confirmed the evi-
dence of Mr. Crane as to the superiority of this Company's station at
Wolverhampton over that of its rival. The majority of the principal
manufacturers of the town preferred the low level station.
Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—IS a shareholder in this line.
The meeting at Wolverhampton yesterday on the' subject of the
stations was a stormy one, like most of the Wolverhampton meetings.
In some respects the station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line
would have advantages over that of its competitor. The larger por-
tion of the works at Wolverhampton were on the level of the present
canal, which was of the same level as the proposed Shrewsbury and
Birmingham line.
Mr. John Perks, edge tool manufacturer, Wolverhampton, con-
firmed the evidence of the preceding witnesses.
Cross-examined by Mr. WArinnierosr.—The Grand Junction had a
Bill before Parliament at the present moment for making a loop line
at Portobello, and supposing that line to be constructed and con-
nected with the Shrewsbury and Birmingham at a gradient of 1
in 100 there could then be two stations at Wolverhampton, which
would give all the requisite accommodation. Is pecuniarly interested
in two out of the three competing lines.
Mr. Wm. Henderson , an extensive brassfounder at Wolverhampton,
gave evidence in favour of the line in which he said he was not a
shareholder.
Cross-examined by Mr. WADDINGTON —lle had petitioned against
the Shrewsbury and Birmingham scheme, because it would intercept
the passage to his works and would not serve the interests of the
peonle of Wolverhampton as well as this project.
Mr. John Hartley, manufacturer, Wolverhampton, unquestionably
preferred the low level station.
Cross-examined by Mr. WADDINGTON—Was connected with the
Birmingham and Oxferd, the South Staffordshire, and this line.
Re-examined—Had taken shares in this line merely from an
anxiety to see it carried out.
This concluded the evidence in favour of the Wolverhampton
station, &c.
Mr. Wm. Salter, coalmaster, West Bromwich, was then called, to
show the want of railway accommodation experienced by the people
of that district, and said this line would give them superior accom-
modation to the Shrewsbury and Birmingham. This life would be
nearer to the recently opened collieries in that district. It would
also better accommodate the passengers leaving and entering West
Bromwich. This line would also have the advantage of being in the
hands of an independent company.
Cross-examined by Mr. WenniNcTore—The Shrewsbury and
Birmingham line would run nearer to one of his collieries than the
Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley. Earl Dartmouth, from
whom he rented his collieries, was a great supporter of the line at
present under the consideration of the Committee.
Mr. Henry Smith, ironmaster, West Bromwich, confirmed Mr.
Salter's evidence.
Mr. John Marshall, ironmaster, Wednesbury, was next called to
show the accommodation which the line would afford to the people
of that neighbourhood.
Mr. Thomas Bagnall, ironmaster, Wednesbury, confirmed the last
wi

itness's evidence.
Cross-examined by Mr. RICKARDS—IS a director of this line. His
partner and brother (who was not present) bad presented a petition
in favour of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, but that was by
accident.
Mr. John Robinson M`Lean, engineer of the line, described its
route, commencing at Birmingham. In the laying out of the line
his attention was mainly directed to the importance of giving a
proper approach to the various works and collieries in its route and
upon such a level as would allow the produce of those works to be
brought upon it as far as possible. The total length of the line is
184 miles, which would include the diverging line to Dudley and
other small branches. This line would be about three furlongs
shorter than the Stour Valley line. The total length of the Shrews-
bury and Birmingham line would be about 26 miles. The total esti-
mate for this line is 698,84,4., the capital being 700,0001. Very little
destruction of property would be occasioned at Wolverhampton,
whilst the rival line would cause considerable destruction.
Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE—He was of opinion that it would be
better to accommodate the population and works of the district by
the same line, and that would be effected by this project. The wit
ness underwent a lengthy cross-examination as to the population and
works which would be accommodated by each of the competing
schemes.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock until twelve on Monday
next.

GROUP LIX.
The members of this Committee re-assembled to-day at twelve
o'clock.

LIVERPOOL AND BURT AND MANCHES-
TER AND LEEDS AMALGAMATION.

In going through the remaining clauses of this Bill, a question
arose on the part of the Mersey and Irwell Canal Company, which
led to a long discussion that occupied the greater portion of the day.
After which the Committee adjourned.

GROUP LXI.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW, AND SCOT

TISU CZNTR.A.I. JUNCTION.

The Committee met again this day, at twelve o'clock, in Room 33,
Sir John Duckworth, chairman.
The evidence in this case was continued. Several merchants were
examined to prove the great amount of traffic, as well as the general
utility of the line to the public.