The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-25 00:00:00

WOOL.

The imports of wool during the past week have been. again
extensive, viz., 1,375 bales from Port Phillip; 1,012 ditto
from Sidney; 734 ditto from African 435 ditto from Algoa
Bay; 40 ditto from the Cape; and 300 ditto from various
other parts. The attention of the trade being principally
directed to the publics' sales, which are progressing heavily
on somewhat easier terms, the demand by private contract
is heavy at barely stationary prices. Blanket wool is, how-
ever, quite as dear. The sales will conclude on the 28th inst.

MIDLAND (NOTTINGHAM AND 11ai1.N.3-
PIELD),
. _

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on the part of the promoters of which Mr. DENNISON proceeded
to address the Committee. He said that this railway was projected
by the Midland Railway Company, and that it would divenze from
the Nottingham branch of the Midland Railway, about half a mile
to the west of the town oh Nottingham, proceeding in a northern di-
rection, following the course of the river Lean, and terminating near
the town of Mansfield. It passes near to the populous places of
Lenton, Radford, Basford, Buiwell, Buckman, Tockhard, and Sutton-
in-Ashfield. Between Mansfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield it will form
a junction with the Clay Cross and Newark Branch of the Midland
Railway, by which means a communication will be opened with
Sheffield, Manchester, and the North of England. The length of
the line was 16 miles 6 furlongs. The estimate was 275,0001. Notting-
ham was a town of considerable and increasing importance, containing
a population of nearly 80,000 persons, principally engaged in manu-
factures, which were greatly dependent on foreign and distant mar-
kets, and demanded every facility of transit. This line would afford
a more direct route than the present for the trade with Sheffield,
Manchester, Leeds, &c.; and will also afford a more direct transit
with Ireland and the colonies, vid Liverpool. The workmen living in
the villages between Nottingham and Mansfield obtained employment
and materials from Nottingham through the means of persons called
middlemen, who, though nominally paid by the masters, were, in
reality, paid partly by the masters and partly by the workmen. BY
giving the workmen an opportunity of communicating directly with
their masters, the evils attending the middlemen system would be
obviated, and the proposed line was well calculated to accomplish that
very desirable object.
Mr. Robert Stephenson and Mr. Swanwick were the engineers.
The Bill was entirely unopposed.
Mr. Thomas Herbert, Ma: or of Nottingham, Mr. E. Batchard, and
Mr. J. Williams, gave evidence as to the necessity for, and general
feeling in favour of the line.
Mr. Swanwick gave the usual engineering evidence, which con-
tained few facts beyond those included in Mr. Dennison's statement.
There was one tunnel, the length of which was 165 yards. The
gradient in that tunnel was 1 in 181, and was the steepest on the
whole line. The sharpest curve had a radiant of 25 chains.
The proofs of compliance with Mr. Duncombe's resolutions, were
then given, and the preamble was declared proved.
Having disposed of the clauses of the Bill,
The Committee rose, and dissolved ; it being then about a quarter
to two o'clock.

GROUP LIT.
This Committee re-assembled this morning at the usual hour; Mr.
P. Mlles in the chair.
ST. HELEN'S CANAL AND ita.rzway, AND
GRAND JUNCTION (lIUYTON TO WAR-
RINGTON BRANCH).

The evidence on behalf of the promoters of the St. Helen's Rail-
way was resumed.

Mr. Robert Daglelsh, the contractor for the supply of the locomo-
tive power on the present St. Helen's and Runcorn Gap RailwaY,
examined—This line was eight miles long. There were two incline.
on it about half a mile long, in which the gradients were 1 in
25 a. d 1 in 30. These could not be worked by locomotive power, but
a stationary engine was used. The expense of working the proposed
line would be much less, and it would afford railway communication
to many collieries which did not possess it at present.
Examined by Mr. HAYEs, on behalf of Sir John Gerrard—The line
would pass through this gentleman's property, and close to his corn-
fields. He considered that it would be of advantage to his (*ir John
Gerrard's) estate. He was aware, however, that Sir John was op-
posed to the line.
Mr. Rendall, the engineer of the line, was then examined. The
cost of the line would be 235,7481., in addition to which,
there would be the cost of a dock at Garston, amounting
to 86,9711. This scheme was purely a protective measure to
the owners of St. Helen's Canal. The coal trade could not
be carried on efficiently unless increased facilities of transit were
given. The proposed line would meet the exigencies of the case.
To take the line along the canal was the best and cheapest mode of
proceeding.
The Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow.

RO
The Committee to whom GUT
this gro LIII.
u of Bills has referred,
to-day at one o'clock, in Room 26, in the New Housesbeen of Parliament.
Present Mr. Lascelles (in the chair), the Earl of Arundel and Surrey.
Mr. Rice Clayton, Mr. Hildyard, and Captain Dalrymple.
The following are the Bills that have been referred to this COI*
mittee, viz.:—

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I. Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley.
2. Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stow' Valley, (Birmingham.
Wolverhampton and Dudley llnes).
3.
line) Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Stour Valley, (Sbonrllo
.
4. South Staffordshire Junction.
5. South Staffordshire Junction (Bllston and Prestfield bnch). 6. South Staffordshire) unction (Wilhenhall and Blortrichra branch)'
7. Trent Valley, Midlands, and Grand Junction. •8. Birmingham, Lichfield, and Manchester.
9. Derbyshire, Staffordshire, 'and Worcester JUnctlorl.
' 10. Shropshire Union Railway and Canal (Shrewebnry to StaflbrdA
11. Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, (Chester and-Waver*
hampton •
12. Shrewsbury' andßirmlnghitm.
13. Shrewsbury, Wolyerhampton, and South Staffordshire Julia
ton (No. 1.) -
14. Shrewsbury, WOlverhatniton, and South Staffordshire -Jane*
Bon (No. 2.) • •
15. South Staffordshire (Showhill and Portobello branch).' •••
16. Grand Junction (branch from Showhlll to Portobello).

GROUP LIV.
MIDLICATIS, DUSETORT—ON—TRENT TO NIIIV
EATON, AND ER.A.NCI/.
The Committee assembled at twelve o'clock this ramming, and per'
ceeded with the further investigation of this scheme.
The Bill was opposed by Mr. Kenning, a landed proprietor on the
line.
Mr. Woodhouse, the engineer to the line, was the first witness
examined. He deposed as to the general route and estimated e%"
penses of the railway. The proposed length of the I ine was 23 mile!
and 2 furlongs. The total length of the branches would be ohan,,,
10 miles. The gradients on the line were generally favourable, and
the (smallest radius of a curve consisted of 36 chaiins in Shackeee!
line. The total amount of the estimated expenses o f the constru
tion of the line was 656 0001. An assistant engine Mould be nece!,..
sary on a plane near the Wooden Box branch. Tbere would n,
three tunnels on the line, which would have to be bored through re"„
sandstone, and with that exception, there were no peculiar engineer'
ing difficulties on the line.