The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-22 00:00:00

GROUP XXXII.

Tke Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock ; Mr. J. E. Denials'
in the chair.

CHELTENHAM AND OXFORD.

Mr. Brunel, the engineer of the line, stated in his evidence he did
not thick them would be any diminution in the water caused by the
cuttings from Duke-street to the proposed station, or at other sec-
tions, for the railway might be made water tight by walls and
invests.

Mr. Acsrin here interposed to inform the Committee that it had
being discovered that the engineering costs would be more thaat the
deposited estimate, and the promoters were for a time undecided as
to the course which they ought to adopt. Last night they sent a
proposal to those opposing on the part of the town of Cheltenham,
offering to stop short of the town, opposite to Grosvenor-street, for
this session, and next session to come to rarliament tor a Bill
for the rest of the proposed line, or for a line projected ac-
cording to the original plan, as the opposing Committee
and the promoters might agree. An answer, however, had
bean sent back, which virtually rejected the proposal.
Mr. Austin, in these circumstances, proposed to conduct his case for
this altered line, and leave it with the Committee to say whether
they would alter the preamble of the present Bill to meet the nevi
arrangement.
Mr. WEBSTEZ, on the part of the town committee, could net be 1
consenting party to the proposal made en the other side.
The Committee ordered the room to be cleared, that they 'eight
consider whether they would allow the evidence to go on and accede
to the new proposal.
On being readmitted, parties were told that the Committee COl
not consent to the proposal to alter the preamble.
Mr. AUSTIN then said that no other course was left him bat, vfitil
the permission of the Committee, to withdraw the Bill.

GROUP XXVII.
This Committee met this morning at the usual hour ; Sir ChaleS
Lellloll in the chair.

SOUTH MIDLAND AND nzarogn AND
LEICESTER (COMPETING).
The CtimaxAx officially announced the decision which we gave ill
our evening impression yesterday, " That the preamble of the Seals
Midland Railway was not proved, and that the preamble of the Bed-
ford and Leicester was proved."
The Committee then adjourned for an hour, as the Chairman was
about to be examined before another Committee.

Business was resumed at a quarter before two, and the remainder
of the day was occupied in going through the clauses of the Leicester
and Bedford Bill.
The Committee then broke up.

GROUP XXXI.
SOUTH WALES.
The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; Mr. Round
in the chair.
Mr. CROWDER, Q. C., continued his address in support of the opPO7
sition of the Severn and Wye Canal Railway. He contended that
the Forest of Dean and the Severn and Wye Railway were pro'
tected from interference by any other company by the Acts of
1809; that the line was not a direct line to Bristol or Gloucester, and
ie
In
that it did not, consequently, traverse the passenger route to thoi
districts • that a tunnel under the Severn was a thing unheard of
the annals of railways ; that it would involve the expenditure of 01
immense sum of money, and require a number of years to construe!,
if it could be constructed at all, which was very doubtful.
on account of the uncertain bottom of the river. Mr. Brunel gavet
his evidence in an extremely off-hand manner with respect to such
an immense undertaking, a project of greater extent than the
Thames Tunnel, only 500 yards of which was under the bed of the
river, whereas the proposed tunnel would be 700 yards under the
water. Then let the Committee Imagine the desperate nature of WAY
casualty which might occur in the event of the tunnel breaking in•
Ample communication between the opposite shores of the Severn
would be effected by a bridge to be constructed at Aust Passage,
and besides eligible communication between the districts to ha
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preamble of the Bill.

Mr. Bigg, secretary to the Severn and Wye, produced the Act of
Parliament relating to the railway, and stated that it had been im-
proved from time to time to meet the increased wants of the district.
This closed the case (Attie Severn and Wye.