The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-04 00:00:00

Finch (chairman), Mr. Lawson, Lord A. llervay, and Mr. Wode•

house.
Mr. Catvagr put in a copy of the original Parliamentary contract
deed, in which there was a clause giving the directors of the Com-
pany power to snake either the whole of the line from London to
Oxford, anti through 'Tewksbury, Cheltenham, and other towns to
Herefordor to alter or abandon the whole line, or to construct only a
portion of it.
Mr. WELLS said the Great Western Company would contend, and
endeavour to prove, that the promoters had exceeded the powers
vested in them by the shareholders.
Some discussion then ensued respecting the Oxford and Worcester
Railway, which it may be recollected was passed to be construc:ed
on the broad gauge.
The CHAIRMAN considered that it was important to know whether
they expected to derive any traffic front this line or not, as in the
event of its being constructed on the broad gauge, this line would
be unable to obtain any traffic from it except with great expense and
difficulty.
Mr. CALVEET drew the attention of the Committee to the re-
commendation of the Gauge Commission—that all lines to be
made, or in the course of construction, should De constructed on the
narrow gauge, and that it was possible the Government might adopt
these recommendations, and compel the promoters of the Oxford and
Worcester, which was heing made, to be laid down on the nar-
row gauge.
Mr. Lawson, a member of the Committee, thought that the powers
which had been invested in the directors was to great and general,
and that he, for one, would not have signed a contract deed for a
line from London to Hereford, a: l thus take upon himself the respon-
sibility of paying his share of the accessary capital, 2,000,0001., which
was afterwards to be abandoned for it hue to Oxford only. Ile
should like to hear the point argued, as he considered It a must im-
portant one.
Mr. CALVERT said it would be argued, on behalf of the promoters,
by Mr. Ilihiyard, and on behalf of the Great Wes ern by Mr. Talbot.
Mr. C. H. .3regory, civil engineer,_ corroborated the evidence
given by Mr. Rastrick yesterday with respect to the line.
He considered that it was well laid out, that tie gradients
were of a very fair character, and that the estimates were quite
sufficient for its construction. Ile went over the whole of the
line with Mr. Addison, and spent two days in his investigation. He
had formerly been connected with the Croydon Railway. Heavy
trains en that line had an assistant engine whilst passing up the
induce, et 1 in 100 ; but the ordinary trains, of 12 carriage!, re-
quired no assisting power. The same speed could be obtained on this
line without the slightest difficulty.
Mr. G. H. Gregory, examined by Mr. WELLS—Generally speaking
the gradients are compensated for by the declines. Tile estimate for
stations on the line was inadequate fur permanent stations, hut the
expense of stations depended -principally on the way in which they
are ornamented. The expense of stations was frequently included in
the " plant." Should not recommend the erection of a smaller sta-
tion at Oxford than at Croydon, the expense of which he could not
recollect.
To the CHAIRMAN - Thinks that en independent train on the Great
Western might be able to travel from Oxford to London rather
faster than one on the proposed line, but thinks that the dependence
on the long traffic would counterbalance that.
Mr. George Rennie had been over tile line and examined the gra-
dients, curves, Mores, tunnels, &c. Thought the line judiciously
chosen, and the estimate sufficient.
To Mr. LAWSON—There would be no danger in the junction with
the London and Birmingham.
Mr. Brooks, superintendent of the station of the London and Bir-
mingham Railway at Euston-square, examined by Mr. Ceeverer—
There are twenty trains each way running Into the station. It could
accommodate all the anticipated traffic from the London and Oxfo:d.
Mr. Dixon, land-surveyor at Oxford, produced the calculations
which he had formed as to the expected traffic of cattle and produce
oe the line. Expected a traffic of upwards of 29,0001. per annum,
including beeeliwood.
Mr. Ilawkshaw had gone over the gradients. Thinks they could
be worked without the slightest difficulty. Was himself workir.g
worse gradients on the Leeds and Manchester line.
To Mr. TALBOT—The gradients on the Great Western line are better
Arum oil this line.
Mr. Rolfe, land valuer of Beaconsfield, examined—Had valued•the
lard required for the line, and had put it down at 901. per acre, and
had also allowed 1001. per acre for severance, convenience, &c. The
otal sum is 95,0601.
Mr. TALBOT objected that the subscriptiet contract was totally
valueless, the subscribers having become parties to a scheme fat
different to the line now proposed. The scheme wits originally a
line to Hereford, with a capital of two and a half millions, and now
it only goes to Oxford, and a subscribed capital of 64840001. Conse-
quently, the line now adopted by the promoters was not the
same to which the subscribers had affixed their signatures.
Mr. Ilumvann contended that the directors had only acted ac-
cording to powers vested in them by the original contract.
The Committee adjourned their decision upon the point until to..
morrow.

GROUP XXIX.
This Committee re-assembled this morning at the usual hour.
Present, the Right Doliourable li. Lahouchere (chairman), Sir J.
Duckworth, Sir William Molesworth, Mr. J. A. Smith, and Colonel
Rawdon

nuGnv AND wrararonn.
The consideration of the clauses of this 13111 having been postponed
yesterday, to give Sergeant Wrangham opportunity of openkg the
case of the Rugby and Huntingdon pro anject, the Committee proceeded

with them this morning.
After some discussion betwe-n the counsel for the
ndo promotit wasers andve Mr.
Flood, counsel for Mr. Marshall, an oppoing lawner, en-
tually agreed that an addition should be made to the 6th clause, bind-
ing the Company to construct the line where it passed that gentle-
man's property in a manner as little annoying as possible—that they
should not go upon the deviation, and that while the line we. icing
constructed no materials should be dep his estat

sight of his residence.
The other clauses were then agreed to, with the excepticn of tlnos•
which related to the Company's adopting, the same rates as had been
intended, in case the line was amalgamated with the London and
Birmingham Company, which were postponed.
RUGBY Ann lIIINTINGDON.

This line was then proceeded with.
Sergeant WRANGUAM having opened the case yesterday, and stated
the grounds on which it was required, and the advantages which it
would confer on the districts through which it would pass, as well as
the general benefits which the public traffic of the country would
receive by the accommodation it would give, witnessed were called
this morning in proof of the allegations.

The first witness called was
Mr. Vesey, a banker, Huutingdon, who stated that he was wel.
acquainted with the wants of the district through which the line
would pass. lie was a general merchant as well as a banker. The
price of coal was 21s. Bd. at Hunthigdon. ale supplial coal for
twelve miles round the reighbourhood. The price of the carriage
of coals to a village twelve miles from Huntingdon wests This
would make the price Us. and upwards at th places.
There were 10,000 tone of coals tended annually at the
wharf at Huntingdon. If the proposed , line were made,
clielpuess in this article would be a necessary result. There
was %large cattle market at St. Ives. He believed that a direct
communication between Rugby and Huntingdon would be of very
great importance. Of the three lines—the proposed one, the Rugby
and Stamford project, and the South Midland (Huntingdon) scheme
—he considered that the projected one was the best, because it was
direct and unbroken. It would also relieve the great mount of
traffic which was concentrated at Rugby. The people of H amount of
traffic which was concentrated at Rugby. The people of Huntingdofl
were almost universally in its favour, in preference to any of the
others. He had carefully considered the South Midland scheme, with
reference to the wants of Huntingdon and neighbourhood.
Did not thick it would answer the wants of tke district
so fully as the Rugby and Huntingdon line. In addition to, local
advantages, it would have general advantages besides in opening out
better facilities than the others for connecting the east and west.
The superiority of this line, as compared with the other three com-
peting lines, was the direct communication it would afford between
the eastern and western districts, between the northern and western
manufacturing districts, and the northern and eastern agricultural
districts. He would prefer, however, net to go into the general public
ornif agmhtillien of money.
traffic which it would accommodate, but to confine his evidence to
its local advantages and superiority to the other competing lines.
In cross-examination Mr. Yesey said, he was not interested in the
scheme, except in regard to the publbeic aecxcpoemetmedodfarteimon.
tblelelindide,naost
I.lteccy:mned this witness on the part of Lady
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cross-ex,
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Bray, whose property would be interfered with, with a view to
show that the traffic between Rugby and Huntingdon was so small
as not to require the proposed line.
J. Betts, Esq., mayor of Norwich, was then examined—He was a
draper in rather extensive business. Norwich Lad a large trade with
Birmingham and its neighbourhood. That trade consisted of hard-
ware. The opinion of the town of Norwich was in favour of the
Rugby and Huntingdon line, as the best to give direct communica-
tion. The principle merchants and hankers of Norwich signed a
petition in favour of it.
Cross examined—Was not aware of any other method but the
Rugby and Iluntingdon Railway to afford that direct communication.
The conveyance to Derby was not of so much importance as to Bir-
mingham. He would go by Rugby in going from Norwich to Leeds.
He heard that there was a circuitous route proposed from Norwich to
Rugby. He understood it was six miles longer than the distance by
the proposed line.
By Mr. RAWLINSON—The petition he referred to was signed within
the last fortnight.
Re-examined—The present communication between Norwich and
Leeds was by Hull. This, of course, would not be the case if the
proposed line were constructed.
By the Cumemser.—lle was not aware of any general discus-
sion at Norwich about the competing lines. The general feeling of
Norwich was in favour of this line.
I. 0. Spriegfield, ESQ., was then examined. He was a silk-
merchant living in Norwich was twice Mayor of Norwich. The value
of freehold property W/S very low in Norwich at present. He be-
lieved the present line, if constructed, would add to its value. He
avoided connexion with silk-houses in Norwich, because they had
no means of procuring the requisite machinery and mechanical
power for working them. In Norwich they got their
manufacturing machinery, from Manchester and Birmingham,
by sea at present, but if the present lines were made,
it would afford great facilities for the conveyance of those ma-
terials, their cost would be cheaper, and a stimulus would be given
generally to the manufacturing industry of the place. The popula-
tion of Norwich was 70,000, three-fourths of 'whom were engaged in
manufactures, and from a variety of causes, chiefly the want of corn-
mmacation with the west and north of England, Norwich had
of bete years lost its former manufacturing greatness and prosperity.
His house at present exported principally from London. There was
a line of packets Pee.iected from Smyrna to Southampton, wheel
would touch at Yarmouth, and land raw silk there.
Cross-exainined—lie looked to Rugby as the point of access to
Yorkshire.
Mr. Thomas Bowyer, a miller in Huntingdon, confirmed the evi-
dence already given as to the traffic of Huntingdon and neigh-
bourhood.
Mr. Robert Thompson, an ironmonger, of Norwich, corroborated
the testimony of Messrs. Betts tied Springfie'd as to the great ad-
vantage which would result to Norwich by the construction of the
Rugby and Huntingdon line. The quantity of iron, from Birmingham,
received by his father, was, on an average, for the last four years.
500 tons. He understood that 1,500 tons came annually to Nor-
wich. He considered this scheme the best on account of its direct-
ness and the unity of management.
Cross-examined—Did not think that the difference of ten miles
would be a great metter in railway conveyance, so far as goods
were concerned.
Mr. Costerton, collector of harbour and pier duties at Yarmouth,
gave "elm" as to the great trade of Yarmouth, arid to the accom-
modation which the proposed railway would give for the conveyance
of goods, &c., to and from the midland and northern districts.
Mr. Robert Merry, a corn, coal, and general merchant, cam ryg:n on
budness for the last thirty-four years in Norwich—He proved the
immense quantity of traffic in barley, malt, coals, &c., and the great
necessity which existed for a communication with the interior of the
country as far as the article of malt was concerned. The price
would by these means be greatly decreased to the consumer.
Mr. Beard, a farmer and manufacturer of bricks, &c., in Hunting-
don, and other witnesses were examined to the same effect.
rains I
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock on Monday.

GROUP XXXIV.
This CoMmittee assembled to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room 14.
There were pre?ent, the Hon. W. Cowper (chailinan), Viscount
Duncan, Hon.-Montague Gore, Mr. Walpole, and Mr. S. Davies.
GREAT GRIXOI3Ir. AWE' SII2PI'/E161)
(HATlVElilall, AND rSV.EIES).
Mr. DEAROLET said that he had groat pleasure on behalf of the
corporation and inhabitants of null,
in stating that they lid
devoted their time during the- adjournment of the Com-
mittee, to the best of their ability, in enleavourirg to enter
into arrangements with reference to the point upon which
alone they and the promoters of the Bill were
W ate
issue, nam
but theree
tile
Humber ferries. Upon general grounds they er agreed,
were some difficulties yet in the way with respect to the details.
Under these circumstances he would suggest that the Committee
should be adjourned till some day after Easter, it being necessary
that the solicitors obtain further information, which could not be
procured in London.
Mr. IlopE said he would spare his friend the trouble of makirg fur-
ther observations, for since the Committee had adjourned, they bad
tntlll.loluillubeel
no
are:ehl i
been in treaty with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests with
en
tintehsae
reference to their rights on the Humber, but unfortunately ha 1 not
ovrtolitielr:Chiallvse,
eanntdetrhe ednintitioejso' l'oeuladr:alanvgeemthe
been able to come to any arrangement, the Crown being Inflexible
with respect to those rights.
The CHAIRMAN said that they Would have to meet after Easter for
Mr. PARKER (Parliamentary agent) said, that then, perhaps, they
Os,
to proceed with the Bill.