The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-20 00:00:00

RAIL` TAY COMMITTEES.

(SATURDAY)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Room A.
CORNWALL.—WEST CORNWALL.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of Saturday.)

On the conclusion of this witness's evidence a conversation
of a discursive character took place between Mr. Austin and
Mr. Rowe, who appeared for the petitioners.
After this, Mr. Fox, a merchant carrying on business at
Plymouth, gave evidence as to the great existing traffic,
which, he said, would be much increased by the forma-
tion of the line. He also spoke to the general
feeling in favour of the line. Being a member
of the Town Council of Plymouth, he was well acquainted
with the opinions of the members of that body, and he could
say they were decidedly in favour of this line.
The witness was cress-examined by Mr. ROWE at great
length, and in the course of his cross-examination admitted
that he was a shareholder in the South Devon, and as such
was interested in the formation of this line, which would
cause a great increase in the traffic of the South Devon.
Mr. Fortescue, a landed proprietor between Liakeard and
Lost withiel, was next called. llis evidence also was of a ge-
neral character.

Here a desultory argument took place between Mr. Rowe
and Mr. Talbot as to the propriety of certain questions re-
ferring to the " central traffic," that is, the traffic in the
interior of the country. The Committee, after hearing both
counsel talking together for about half an hour, deter-
mined to leave the central communication an open question
for the present.
Mr. Brunel gave evidence with respect to the renewed
survey of the line made by himself after the original Bill had
been thrown out in the session *of 1845, and also as to the
general merits of the line. Notwithstanding the steep-
ness of some of the gradients, the line could very well be
worked, and would most certainly pay. The line was in
most respects the same as that of last year, and he thought
any line that might be made through this district must oc-
cupy verynesrly the same ground as this would. The curves
and gradients were much more favourable on this line than on
that originally proposed. The curves were such as not only-
could he worked, but in fact were worked every day on
many existing lines. The gradients on the old line
were in some cases as steep as 1 in 40, but
on this there were none steeper than 1 in 60. He
thought both curves and gradients were such as
might very well be worked consistently with the interests
of the Company in a commercial point of view, and con-
sistently with the safety and convenience of the public. The
total length of the main line was 63 miles ; that of the
Bodmin and Padstow branch was 16 miles. The total esti-
mate was 160,000/. This was the estimate submitted to the
House of Commons, and had been maintained, notwith-
standing the reduction of the probable cost by the throwing
out of a branch called the Launceston or Double Boys Branch.
' The crossing of the Hamoaze, which was objected to by
Lord Ellenborough's Committee of last year, had been avoided.
Cross-examined by Mr. COCKBURN—Recommended the
Launceston branch to the Commons' Committee as highly
important, as the best that could be made to that place, and
as one from the making of which great advantages would
result. Was still of the same opinion.
Mr. CocKnutus then read the following list of gradients
~rit he Launceston branch, which Mr. Brunel admitted to be
correct :—Level, 3 miles, 9 chains ; 1 in 120, 1 furlong,
8 chains; one in 100, 7 furlongs, 1 chain ; 1 in 80,
4 furlongs, 8 chains; 1 in 67, 5 furlongs 4 chains; 1 in
63, 2 miles, 7 chains ; 1 in 62, 1 mile, 7 furlongs 6 chains ;
1 in 60, 9 miles, 2 furlongs—making, altogether, IS miles,
4 furlongs, 7 chains. The Learned Counsel also read a statement
of the curves on the Launceston branch. There were on the part
of the Bodmin and Padstow branch, between Clynn-bridge
(where it leaves the main line) and Bodmin—the length
of which was three miles and three quarters—gradients
of lin 60, lin 57, and lin 50. The Learned Counsel then
carried the witness through a series of details of the
gradients en the main line (which are far too lengthy for
insertion in our columns). Notwithstanding the steepness of
the gradients and steepness of the curves, a speed of 40 or 50
miles an hour c,ould_easily be obtained. That was the speed at
which it was intended to work the line. The height at which
the line crossed the river Tamar, at Saltash, was according
to the sections, 80 or 85 feet above high water mean mark,
but he thought it more likely that it would be made at about
95 feet. That could very well be done, as the landowners were
all assenting. The. Admiralty had agreed to the making
of the bridge at 85 feet; but it was more likely
that it would be made at 9.5. Even if some of
the landowners should object there was nothing to prevent
the Company from making the arch at ninety or ninety-five
feet above high-water mark. There were no piers.
At this point the CHAIRMAN announced that it was past
four o'clock, and the Committee must therefore rise.
They accordingly rose and adjourned till Monday, to which
day the further cross-examination of Mr. Brunel is postponed.

Room D.

GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of Saturday.)
Mr. Hamilton, factor to the Duke of Portland, examined—
A good deal of his Grace's property lay between Kilmarnock
and Cumnock, and he had also an estate at Muirkirk. He
had made great improvements in his estate, having drained
about 10,000 acres. He had heard the evidence of Mr. Halston,
and he generally agreed with it. He had no doubt the traffic
in cattle and cows would be greatly extended were the rail-
way formed. The line would be advantageous generally to
Ayrshire.
Cross-examined—There was not much traffic from Ayr-
shire to the south at present, but that he thought arose from
the want of travelling accommodation. With a line he
considered a supply of coal would go south, but he
could not say to what extent. No doubt a great proportion
of the coal would continue to be used for the making of iron,
still a portion might go south, notwithstanding the existence
of the Sanquhar and Canobie coal-fields. lie did not think,
with regard to Ayrshire that the Caledonian line would be
a competing one with the present. They ran through en-
tirely different districts of country.
Mr. Alexander, of Ballackmyle, examined—His estate
was near Mauchline, on the extension line from Kil-
marnock to Cumnock. He had heard the evidence
of Mr. Crawford yesterday, and generally agreed with
it. The inhabitants of the district were generally
in favour of the present line, as it would form an excellent
communication with the south, give them additional markets,
and bring them in connexion with extensive lime-works
south of Cumnock. A large amount of dairy produce was
raised in Ayrshire, especially cheese, and tile draining was
carried on to a great extent. There were from forty to fifty
tile works in the country, and the tiles cost from IBs. to 20a.
a thousand. A considerable demand for those he had no
doubt would take place in Dunfriesabire. Public meetings of
both Renfrewshire and Ayshire had decided in favour of the
present line. He was lord of the manor of Catrine, which
was extensively engaged in weaving and spinning cotton,
and contained 2,600 inhabitants. An extensive coal-field
existed all wound here.
Cross-examined—He felt considerable interest in the line.
He was a holder of 150 shares, and a director. He was a
director of the line last year in opposition to the Caledonian.
He did not think the present line would take any
traffic from the Caledonian that naturally belonged to it.
He did not think the difference in gradients would enable
the Nithsdale scheme to carry passengers from Glasgow to
Carlisle as quick as the Caledonian. He was not aware that
Mr. Miller had given such evidence last year. The Ayrshire
cheese was the best made in Scotland, but it was not so good
as the Cheshire cheese. He thought the Ayrshire cheese
would find the southern market, as the price obtained there
was better than the price obtained in Glasgow. He knew a
portion of cheese was now sent, but he could not say how much.
He could not say whether there was clay along the valley
of the Nith or not. The cotton works at Catrine belonged to
a large house in Glasgow. James Finlay and Colonel Eerier
Hamilton, a landed proprietor and Deputy-Lieutenant of
Ayrshire, gave evidence to the same effect as the previous
witness. He considered the line would be a great benefit to
all the property between Kilmarnock and Cumnock. He
generally concurred in the evidence of Mr. Alexander.
Cross-examined—lie only held twenty-five shares
in the present line. He had taken them in order
to support the line as a public benefit. If Mr. Lead-
bitter had stated, at a recent meeting, " that the
late decision of the House of Commons had broken the back
of the Caledonian Company, and that Glasgow would largely
participate in the benefits of having two lines of railway
communication with the south," he (the witness) could not
understand what was meant; he could not, therefore, give
an opinion on it.
Sir David Hunter Blair thought the line would be of great
beaetit to Ayrshire. The proprietors of land and inhabitants
generally were strongly in its favour. It would be the means
of granting great accommodation to both agricultural and
manufacturing products.
Cross-examined—He did not think the present line would
affect the Caledonian much. He thought that no Glasgow
through traffic would come upon the present line.
Mr. Wood, factor to the Marquis of Bute, gave evidence
on behalf of his Lordship, and in favour of the line. The
line passed through his Lordship's estate for several
miles, and there were minerals, coal, and iron
underneath. Were the railway formed a great
accommodation would be given for the transit of coal, lime.
and agricultural produce. Beside coal and iron found on the
estates plumbago was also found and wrought ; likewise
sulphuret of antimony. If the latter were wrought the ore
would all go south. A house in Birmingham had offered to
contract for as much as they could send. Large clay beds
existed on the estate, and tiles were extensively made. He
had been told there was no clay in Dunfermline for the mak-
ing of tiles.
cross-examined—No doubt a large amount of the coal
in the district would be consumed when the proposed fur-
naces were in operation. He thought still there would be
coal sent to the south as far as Thornhill, notwithstanding
the existence of the Sanquhar coal- field. At present the
plum bago raised was sent to Glasgow, but the price was not
remunerative. No doubt if the line from Cumnock to Glas-
gow were constructed, the price of carriage would be reduced.
Mr. J. Geddes, mining engineer, examined—He had
had extensive experience in the coal-fields of Scotland.
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certaining its mineral capabilities.
with Mr. Wright and Mr. Christie, with
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ception of a slight break, to Cumnock. Lme
field was a very extensive one, and extended,
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found in the same district, both in the Sanquhar coal-field,
and at Closeburn as well as at Kelihead, near. Annan. He
had found blackband iron-stone in the New Cum-
nock field, not very thick, but very good. Black-
band iron-stone was at present got and worked in the
vicinity of Old Cumnock, and several furnaces were in opera-
tion. The Dumfries people, and those along the valley of the
Nith between that town and Sanquhar at present carted
their coals from Sanquhar and Mansfield, which was very
tedious and expensive. The aggregate thickness of the
Mansfield coal seams was about .forty feet. The coal was of
very good quality, both gas and household coal. The
price of coal here at the pit's mouth varied from 4s. 2d. to
ss. 10d. a ton. At Sanquhar the price was ss. 4d. The price
of Scotch coal at the same time was 13s. 6d., and English coal
183. 6d. a ton. If the railway were made a large reduction
would take place in price. Dumfries and Maxwelltown
contained a population of about 16,000, and he knew no place
from whence they could be supplied so cheaply as Sanquhar
and Mansfield. He thought the Dumfries district would
consume about 28,000 tons, the half of which would come
from the former coal-fields and the other half from Canobie.
About 18,000 tons more would be consumed by the other
districts
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miles along the line. He estimated that 1,860 tons gas' coal
would pass along the line for use at various points, and that
10,000 tons would be shipped from the ports of Ayrshire.
The line he considered would be a great public benefit.-
Cross-examined—He was employed by the various pro-
prietors to make the explorations he had done. He had also
been employed by the Company to give his impressions of the
mineral capacities of the district, and had in consequence
gone over the district. At present the coals from Sanquhar
and Mansfield were all carted, the expense of which he esti-
mated at 31. per ton per mile. With regard to the Mansfield
and Sanquhar coal-fields he did not think much coal would
go north except the gas coal. He believed Dumfries was at
present supplied to a great extent with Cumberland coal,