The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-02 00:00:00

BILELNCH.)

Mr. M'NIEL opened the case on behalf of the promoters of this
Bill. The length of the branch sought to be constructed was five
miles, and the capital to be raised 75,6001. The line was originally
intended to extend much further than at present proposed, still what
was sought to be made would run through and accommodate
a considerable portion of the most important coal-fields
in Scotland, and be the means of connecting it with
the ports on the Clyde. The country through which it ran was
not very favourable for the promotion of a railway, and a tunnel of
considerable extent would have to be made; still, there were no
engineering difficulties that would interfere with the practical work-
ing of the line. The Bill was petitioned against by Sir Thomas
Cochrane, on the allegation that it would seriously damage his pro
perty, and there were also several road trustees petitioners. With
regard to the first, the promoters had arranged to avoid the property,
as that not a foot of it would be taken ; and respecting the latter,
he had no doubt he would be able to show that the complaining
parties had no tangible case whatever for opposing the scheme.
Evidence in agreement with the requirements of Mr. T. Dun-
combe's resolutions was then put in and received.

• Sir Henry Stuart, Bart., was generally examined as to the advan-
tages of the line. The branch would be of the greatest benefit to the
mineral traffic of the district ; and with respect to toe roads, it was
his opinion they would not be at all injuriously affected.
Mr. Sergeant BELLAsts was proceeding to cross-examine the wit-
ness on behalf of Sir Thomas Cochrane, when
IEL objected to his doing so, as the promoters had now no
intention of using any portion of Sir Thomas Cochrane's property.
Mr. Sergeant BELLAsts said he had not heard of this stopping short
of the preamble before that moment ; and as the preamble of the
Bill had not been altered before, he should object to the change 'acing
It was unfair to his client to stop short of the peti-
made now.
tioner's property, and then deprive him of the opportunity of ap-
pearing against the manner in which his estate was approached.
After some conversation, the Chairman ret red to consult the
Speaker as to whether it was competent for the promoters to with,
draw or alter a portion of their preamble. On his return
The CHAIRMAN intimated that the parties might make the altera-
tion they proposed, provided it was shown that the line so shortened
would be of general advantage to the district. Also that Sir Thomas
c0chr.,,,,,, should be heard generally against the preamble.
The witiless was then recalled, and shortly cross-examined, with-
out eliciting Atty point of material consequence.

Mr. Robert Stewart, an ironmaster in the neighbourhood, deposed
as to the benefits the branch would confer. He had four furnaces
and made about 24,000 tons of pig iron yearly. To make this he
used of material, iron, stone, coal, and lime, about 120,000 tons per
annum. He leased about 1,500 acres of a mineral field. The branch
would be of great advantage to him both in bringing the raw ma-
terial to his works and in taking the pig iron to the Glasgow market.
lie could also through this lari.nch, with the pits he was sinking,
supply Glasgow with 60,000 tons of coals per annum.
Mr. Sergeant BELLssts said he would be willing to withdraw his
opposition providing the promoters would consent to the introduction
of a clause, binding themselves not to go through Sir Thomas Coch-
rane's park without his consent.

The CHAIRMAN said the parties had better consider the matter
between this and Monday morning.
Mr. Watson, coal and Ironmaster, of Garscube, near Glasgow,
generally corroborated the evidence of the previo,s witness.
The Committee then adjourned till Monday at twelve o'clock.

GROUP XIV.
SOUTH-EASTERN AND BRANCHES.

The. Committee on this group met to-day, at twelve o'clock, in
Room No. 30 • present—Mr. Protheroe (chairman), Lord Emlyn,
Mr. J. O'Connell, and Mr. Grogan
Mr. Sergeant Muitrur continued the examination of 3lr. Vignoles,
loop,
the engineer to the Noah Kent line. He stated that the total am
of tunnelling on the North Kent was 8,340 yards by the lower
and 8,820 yards by the line through Broom Park. The amount of
tunnellidg on the South-Eastern by the lower loop was 12,848
Was thoroughly
convinced of the practicability of tunnelling
yards.
through Boughton-hill. The borings of the South-Eastern were not
Made on the North Kent route. The clay comprising the cap of the
hill would not be touched. His acquaintance with North Kent did
not commence in consequence of his employment formerly by the
South Kasten' Company, for he was well acquainted with it long
before the period of that employment.
The CHAIRMAN thought that sufficient evidence had already been
given on the question of priority.
Mr. Vignolles then proceeded at some length into details in sup-
port of the North Kent line.
Cross-examined by Mr. Ausnx—Was a witness before the House
of Lords on the Northampton and Peterboreugh Railway Bill, said
before that Committee that there were five level railway crossings
within a distance of two miles, on the Dublin and Kingstown Rail-
way, which was constructed by witness.
The CHAIRMAN inquired whether there was any probability of the
Case being brought to a close before tour o'clock ?
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM said that he feared not, for he had to
call some engineers in support of Mr. Vignoles' evidence. The gen-
tlemen he proposed to call were, by their standing, fully. entitled
to the attention of the Committee. He should, however, make their
examination as brief and general as he could consistently with his

case-
The C cautioned Mr. Sergeant Wrangham to take care,
lest by overloading the Committee with corroborative engineering
evidence, he should create such a confusion in their minds as in the
end to induce them to discard that sort of evidence altogether.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM said that he should be sorry to have
t
receurse to such a proceeding as wonld cause the Committee to adop
such is course, end he would, therefore, endeavour to reduce his evi-
dence as much as possible.
Mr. GOLDSMID then caUed Mr. llawkshaw, who bore testimony to
the correctness of Mr. Vignoles' evidence with regard to the su-
periority of the high levels of the North Kent over those of the South-
Eastern. The North Kent line was much :superior to the South-
Eastern in every way. The level crossings on the South-Eastern
were very objectionable, from their n tuber and their nature.
Mr. Locke, the engineer, was also called in corroboration of Mr.
Vignoles' evidence. He stated that Mr. Vignoles's line would be
superior to the South Eastern, both in gradients and construction.
A saving in distance on any line must be a great desideratum. The
Trent Valey Company spent 1,500,0001. to save a distance of 9 miles,
The wishes to avoid the curves and angles on the old lines is the cause
of the formation of hair of the projects which have lately been set on.
Taking all the circumstances of both lines into consideration, he would
certainly prefer Mr. Vignoles's line to the South-Eastern line. The
rapid succession of trains would interfere with the traffic over the
level crossings.
It being four o'clock, the Committee here adjourned until twelve
o'clock on Monday.

GROUP XIX.
The Committee sat at half- past two o'clock in room No. 14.
Present, Lord Hurry Vane, chairman, and all the members.
CHARD CANAL RAILWAY.
Dir. Cubitt, in consequence of whose absence the case stood over
from yesterday, being in attendance this morning his evidence was
Dow given. It merely referred to the amount of injury that would
be done to the canal and other property. He believed that no pro-
petty
t Would be injured by the line.
The case stood over for further ccnsideration, and the Committee
proceeded with the case of the
BRISTOL AND BRANCH).
EX:STER (CREWICERNE

After a long discussion as to the power of the Company to raise a
sum of money in addition to that for which they had obtained
powers, it was agreed to obtain the opinion of the Attorney-General,
as to whether, " in the event of the sum of 420,000/. be'ng expended,
the Company could raise any, and if any, what further sum?"
Having thus at length Caine to an arrangement satisfactory to all
Parties, the Committee rose at four o'clock, and adjourned till
Tuesday.