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

MANCHESTER AND P007._.:.

Mr. ELLCOMBE, the ogent for this Bill, said its AV1,114 shad
agreed to withdraw it for the present session.

RAMSEY AND REDBRIDGE JUNCTION.
The Committee intimated their intention of proceeding with this
lino first.

The usual formal proofs having been banded in,
Mr. HILL, Q. C., proceeded to open the case. He said the line
would be 5 miles and 4 farlongs in length, and the estimated cost
60,000 r., or about 11,000 per mile, and was intended to form a junction
between two lines belon;ing to the South Western, namely, the Blshor -
stoke and Salisbury, and Southampton, and Dorchester Railways, and

would run from Romney on the first to Redbridge on the second
mentioned line. At the present moment, a person going from South-
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communication between Salisbury and Southampton as short
as possible. The line would be as direct as the crow flied.
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would save a distance of four miles, and would accommodate a dis-
trict now suffering from circuitous railway communication. There
was a canal from Redbridge which he understood had been purchased
by the Manchester and Southampton Railway, and which ran along
a portion of the proposed line, but he need hardly tell the Committee
that a more expeditious mode of communication was required.
Mr. Alexander Fletcher, a timber merchant and estate agent, at
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Malbrtrok, close to Southampton, for the last hirty years, terrified to
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and other articles would also be reduced in proportion. Vessels
going to Redbridge would save greatly in doles, which would be
charge at Southampton.
Cross-examined by Mr. JAMES. —This line was started about two
months after the projection of the Manchester &id Southampton.
Was in favour of a railway communicating with the north. The
Manchester and Southampton ran along the river.frontage, where
several wharfs were situated, and where a greater number might be
constructed. A river frontage would be of equal advantage to
either of these lines. The Kennet and Avon Canal crossed the
Manchester and Southampton, and would perhaps if connected with
a railway, convey timber from Devizes and its neighbourhood to
that railway, and which would carry it on to Southampton ; but it
was more probable that timber cut at Devizes and south of that
town, would go to Salisbury by land carriage, and so cn by railway,
to Sow hampton.
By Mr. RewuNsoN, who appeared for Sir J. B. Mill and other
landowners—A' vessel going to Redbridge paid twopence a ton for
dues at Southampton, but paid nothing at Redbridge, except six-
pence per ton for wharfage. Was not aware that the dues at South-
ampton were threepence per ton, and consequently less than at Red-
bridge. Could not say whether the dues for corn at Redbridge were
one penny per ton, and only a halfpenny at Southampton.
Mr. Bum objected to his Learned Friend examining the witness
with reference to parts of the line which would not affect the pro-
perty of those for whom ke appeared, Sir J. B. Mill, the chairman of
the Manchester and Southampton Company, for instance.
Mr. RAWLINSON maintained that as those for whom he appeared
urged ir their petitions that the line was a bad one and that a better
line could be made entitled him to examine witnesses with respect to
any portion of it.
The CHAIRMAN intimated that the Committee did not consider the
cross-examination irrelevant and approved of the course of cross-
examination.
Mr. Mu., however, contended thhat It was necessary, at the com-
mencement of an enquiry which proalsed to be a protracted one, to
lay down rules for the gdidance of counsel, and that a landowner
whose property was affected had only a right to examine witnesses
with respect to that portion.
The CHAIMAN (after referring to the petition of Sir John Parker
Mill) said Mr. Rawlinson might proceed, as the petition alleged that
a better line could be made, and that Counsel were entitled to support
such allegations by evidence.
Mr. RAWLINSON continued—The Manchester and Southampton
Railway, from Re II ridge to Romsey, except for a very short dis-
tance which ran along the Andover Canal. The Manchester and
Southampt n would not offer the same facilities between Romsey and
Southampton as the other. The Romsey line ran through a tunnel—
that certainly was an objection. Did not think wharfs could be con-
structed on the banks of the water along the course of the Man-
chester and Southampton, because the water was deep and muddy.
By the CHAIRMAM—The further railways are extended to the
latter. If the Manchester and southampton had a station a Red-
bridge it would afford the same facilities as the other line; Imr, if it
carried timber and other aticles on to Southampton without stopping
at Redbrid e it would not.
By Mr. Davis, a solicitor who appeared for the corporation of
Southampton—Never knew a tunnel with a curve in which a piece
of timber 80 feet long could not pass. Large quantities of timber
were grown in the neighbourhood of Chalburgh which principally
found an outlet by the Severn.
Mr. M. G. Gregory, a miller at Fisherton, joining Salisbury, shipped
goods at Redbridge for Cornwall. If the proposed line from Salis-
bury were made, he should send those goods by it. Imported gyp-
sum and bones at Ealing, and not at Wolverhampton. Shipped
2,600 bags of flour, and imported 100 tons of bones and 100 tens of
gypsum at Ealing last year. Sends flour to Southampton to be
ahipded to .London.
The Co pniittee then adjourned until 12 o'clock to-morrow. The
Committee will not meet on Wednesday.