The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-03 00:00:00

11.7223 N6RTIE. raiDzalavn zrUNCTION.

The Committee next took the above line, and Mr. WHITE.
If CHIT, Q C.,
,opened the case briefly on behalf of the pro-
moters, stating that this was a branch to supp:y a communica-
tion in an agricultural. district where it was much wanted,
the several portions of which would be shown in the
evidence. He called Mr. Gambles, but a long discus-
Sion ensued between the Learned Gentleman and Mr.
Sergeant Wrangham as to whether the latter could
appear on behalf of Mr. Childers, M.P., who had presented
a petition on behalf of himself and others, trustees of Hat-
field Chase, as well as for other landowners. Mr. Whitehurst
contended that Mr. Childers could only appear as a petition-
ing landowner on his own behalf, and as the line did not
touch his land at all, he was clearly out of court.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGTIAM alleged that, inasmuch as Mr.
Childers was a joint owner of lands with others, and had a
freehold and equitable property in the lands, he was clearly
entitled to be heard, although his co-owners did not join
him in the petition.
After much dispute, the CHAIRMAN stated that there was
much difficulty in the minds of the Committee, and they
thought that the matter had better be referred to the Earl
of Shaftesbury to decide.
A reference was made to his Lordship, but the reply ap-
peared to be conditional, for after much further dispute and
reference to petitions, the room was cleared.
Some time elapsed before the parties were re-admitted,
when

The CHAIRMAN declared that the Committee decided that
Mr. Childers could not be heard except as a landowner.
They had also decided that the London and York Company
could not appear as competitors of the Bill.
Lord Worsley was then called to show the necessity for,
and the value of, the line. Ilis Lordship stated that the
country through which this line passed was altogether unac-
commodated by railway. The whole of the Isle of Axholme,
which, like Thanet, retains the title of island, but is, in
fact, no such thing, but a portion of a reclaimed district of
alluvial soil, rich in the produce of potatoes, turnips, carrots,
and other veretpl:lea_. --1-t4.-
Gainsborough with Yoi
andwill reach Sell)) to get to
Leeds, nearly six miles nearer than by the London and
York line to Lincoln.

His Lordship was cross-examined at considerable length
by Mr. PAGET as to the necessity and advisability of this
line, and with a view to show that a better line might have
been chosen. It was stated that the chief markets for the
produce of the district, arc London, Leeds, and Sheffield.
The chief country markets for this produce, are Doncaster,
Epwortb, and Haxey. The potatoes, the principal export,
went generally down the Trent, frotn Gainsborough to
the Humber, vessels of 300 tons being able to get up to
Gainsborough. The examination was continued to show
that all the means of communication necessary for the dis-
trict are always provided for by the River Trent and the
Great Grimsby and Gainsborough Railway.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER, M.P., confirmed Lord Worsley's tes-
timony as to the nature of the country and the necessity for
the line, especially speaking of the culture of onions, for the
growth of which, the soil being exceedingly rich, and four or
five feet deep, the district was particularly adapted. Having
the advantage of railway transit, this produce would be con-
veyed to distant markets in a sound state.

Sir Robert Sheffield also confirmed the testimony. The
navigation of the Trent is open, and much used, the land on
the banks of the river being exceedingly fertile, and the
main portion of the population residing upon it; but there
still is a considerable number of inhabitants residing west of
the proposed line.
On cross-examination, Sirß. Sheffield stated that, generally
speaking, the line would be about five miles within either

the Ou'ie or the Trent, the navigation of the former river,
being like that of the latter, both exceedingly open and
free, giving access to Hull and York, and by canals
to Wakefield, Todmorden, and the whole of the manufacturing
district.

On re-examination, the witness stated this line ran
directly through the district, and was, in his opinion, the
best that could be devised.
Lord de Maulay being obliged to attend another Committee,
their Lordships adjourned until to-morrow.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP XXXIII.
The Committee on this group met to-day, in Room No. 24
(Grand Corridor); present, Sir Robert Ferguson (Chairman),
the Marnuis of Worcester, Viscount Newry, Mr. Smollett,
and Mr. Fellowes.

The hour appointed for meeting was eleven o'clock, when
the report, tables, and sections of the referees and umpire,
respecting the alleged errors in the levels cf the Warwick-
shire and London Railways were put in. But the full num-
ber of Members not having arrived until half-past twelve
o'clock, business was not proceeded with till that hour.
They then proceeded to consider the objections raised to
the levels of the three Warwickshire lines, in connexion with
the London and Birmingham Railway Company, and on the
narrow gauge, namely,
WORCESTER. AND WEEDON,
HAMPTON AND askicionacHo

HAIMPTCIN AND

The CHAIRMAN observed that the Committee would take
the first seven miles of the Worcester and Weedon, which
had been reported on as samples of the levelling on the
wilt le.

Mr. AUSTIN, for the promoters, said that be was ready to
put in evidence to dispiovo the alleged erroneousness of the
Levels.

The CHAIRIUN said, which evidence the Committee have
decided not to hear.

-------
The room was then cleared, and after about half an hour's
deliberation the parties were re-admitted, when
The CHAIRMAN announced the decision of the Committee
to be, that with respect to the
BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD JUNCTION,
the preamble was proved, and that with respect to the
BIRMINGNAII AND OXFORD JUNCTION (BIR-
MENGHAM EXTENSION),
the preamble also was proved. That in respect to the War-
wickshire and Loudon lire, the preamble of the

WORCESTER AND WEEDON
was not proved. In respect to the
HAMPTON AND ASHCHURCH,
the preamble was not proved ; and in respect to the
HAMT2TON AND BANBURY,
the preamble was n )t proved ; but that in respect to the
RUGBY, Li ;AMINGTON, AND WARWICK,
the preamble be au tended, by striking out the words " towns
of Leamington an d Warwick," and by inserting the words
town of Leamii igton" instead thereof. The preamble, as
so amended, was declared to be proved. In the case of the
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (BIRMINGHAM EX.
TENSION),

the preamble hal 1 been. proved.
During the re: nainder of the sitting the Committee were
occupied in pug ng the clauses of the Birmingham arid Ox-
ford Junction.

GROUP XXXVIII.
WEST 2t/Dl-N( trINIZON.
The severa/1 clauses of this Bill were gone through in Com
inittee.