The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-19 00:00:00

VALLEY.

The business of the morning commenced by a cross-examination of
Mr. Stephenson, jun., the engineer of the line, by Mr. F. Robinson,
eounsel for the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line. He was
also subjected to a cross-examination on the part of Mr. Corbett, but
nothing of much importance was elicited.
Mr. HOPE then re-examined Mr. Stephenson at great length
as to the advantages which would result from the junction of
this with the London and Birmingham line. The entrance
to Birmingham, he said, was flfty-flve feet above the levels of
the rival lines ; and as the Birmingham Canal intervened it
would be impossible to ameliorate the lines. The station of this line
at Birmingham was an exact model of the station of the Manchester
and Leeds Railway at Manchester, which had the largest traffic iu
the world.

Mr. Wm. Hayes, a solicitor of extensive practice at Birmingham,
stated that his offices were in New-street, and that he has been
clerk to the town commission for the last twenty-five years. He
was also agent to Colonel Gouch, ar.d other gentlemen over whose
properties this and its rival lines would pass. The station of this
line at Birmingham would be decidedly preferable, to its rivals ; the
inhabitants of Birmingham were of the same opinion. The other
lines would enter the town by tunnels, whilst this would enter by a
♦iaduct which was a preferable mode. It would stop up narrow
streets, and instead give a wide one. The junction of the London
and Birmingham with the Shrewsbury and Birmingham would be
of great advantage to the public. The rival companies did not con-
template such a junction.
Cross-examined by Mr. ROBINSON—He understood that it would
be necessary to descend a flight of about 24 steps to get upon the
level of this line at New-street.
Mr. Alderman Weston, of Birmingham, stated that he had served
the office of Mayor of Birmingham, and that about a week ago
the stations of these rival lines in Birmingham formed the subject of
a discussion by the Town Council of Birmingham, and the
result was a decision in favour of this company's station ;
the majority being 16 to 6. He considered New-street
the most favourable position for a station, as it was
the central part of the town, and the approaches to it were easy.
The station of this hue would give the best accommodation to the
people of Birmingham, and all with whom he had conversed on this
subject were in favour of it. The approaches to the Snowhill sta-
tion would be very narrow, and it would be on a steep acclivity.
Mr. Alderman Weston, cross-examined by Mr. ROBINSON—His
place of business was close by New-street, and so were those of the
majority of the people with whom he had conversed on the subject.
The report to the town council on the subject of the New-street
station did not condemn or even allude to the station proposed to be
erected at Snow-hill. Goods and passengers from Wolverhampton
entering Birmingham were generally lodged in the neigkboUrhood of
Snow-hill. _ _

Mr. HOPE said the question of the station at Birmingham had been
very fully discussed between two other companies in another com-
mittee-room, and he suggested that it would shorten the business in
this room if the Committee permitted him to lay that evidence before
them.

The MN. CIIALIMAN said that would no doubt be a good plan, but
Mr. ItoßissoN and Mr. Conn Err having objected, inasmuch as
their clients had not had the opportunity of being represented before
the other Committee, and the evidence ,might therefore mislead the
Committee,
The Hon. CHAIRMAN said that, as the parties did not consent to the
reading of the evidence, the counsel were of course prevented from
acting in accordance with the suggestion of Mr. Hope.
Mr. Stirlam, carrier, of Birmingham, was accordingly called by
Mr. RICKARDS, to show the superiority of this company's stations at
Birmingham, both for passengers and goods, over those of its rivals.
He was cross-examined by Mr. F. ROBINSON, for the purpose of
showing that there were extensive works in the neighbourhood of
Snow-hill (the site of the rival companies' stations), but he insisted
that the station of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line would give
by far the greatest accommodation to the people of Birmingham.
Re-examined—The greatest number of merchants had their places
of business in the Crescent, being in the neighbourhood of the sew-
street station. _ _ _

Mr. John Lord, general merchant, Birmingham, said that in hopes
of the erection of this company's station, he had changed his place of
business and residence to the neighbourhood of New-street. He con-
sidered that the merchants and people at large of Birmingham were
vitally interested in the erection of this company's station in New-
street. The banks, the post-office. the town-hall, the news•reom,
the contemplat d exchange, and all their buildings of any note were
in the neighbourhood of New-street. Business was continually
leaving the neighbourhood of Snow-hill. New-street was, in fact,
" the place where merchants most do congregate." Nothing posi-
tively could be more acconuriodating than the New-street station.
New-street was the centre of Birmingham as regarded business.

Cross-examined by Mr. ROBINSON—Some of the banks were equi.
distant between the Snow-hill and the New-street stations.

Re-examined—The principal banks were in the neighbourhood 01
New-street.

Mr. Lake, of the firm of Bolton, Watt, and Co., engineers, Bir-
mingham. gave evidence to the same effect, and that he and his co-
partners had petitioned Parliament in favour of this scheme.
Mr. John Evans, miller, Dudston, near Birmingham, said that he
was a member of the Town Council of Birmingham, and was present
at the meeting recently held on the subject of the stations proposed
to be erected by the different schemes in that town. The council
almost unanimously passed a resolution in favour of this company's
station. sir. Alderman Matthews proposed a resolution in favour
of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, of which he was a
director, and the discussion principally turned on the gauge question.
Ills proposition, however, was rejected, only four voting for it.
This scheme would give the people or Birmingham the most direct
communication with Shrewsbury.
The Earl of ARUNDEL and Straarr —Had the Committee of the
Town Council, before they presented their report, the sites of the
Snow-hill as well as the New-street station under their consideration,
I believe so ;at least it 'was their duty to consider both. _ _ _

Cross-examined by Mr. WOOLYCHE—I do not know whether the
Mayor or Birmingham is a shareholder in the Stour Valley line.
Mr. Baker, assistant engineer to Mr. Stephenson, presented a
detail of the estimates, the total cost being 2,200,0001., which would
include the cost of the erection of the proposed station at New-
street.

Cross-examined by Mr. WOOLTCIIE, with the view of showing that
this Company proposed to deal with the roads in the neighbourhood
of Birmi gliani in a way that was mat practicable, but he was not
very successful. _ _ _

Thia closed the promoters' case, and the Committee thou adjourned
at hall-past three o'clock til twelve to-morrow.

GROUP LVI.

The Select Committee appointee to tcr consider the merits of the Bills
comprised in this group, re-assembled at the usual hour this morning,
Mr. Ewart In the chair.

THAMES SUNCTION BEANCEES.

The object of this Bill was to make a short Ir-aach from the
Eastern Counties Railway to the East and West India Company's
warehouses, which lie between the Thames aid the river Lee. '1 he
estimate was pi oved by Mr. Bidder to be amply sufficient for the
works. It was 40,0001.
The Commutee declared the preamble to be proved.
The Committee were occupied the rest of the day in settling and
arranging the clauses in this and the other Bills they have had before
them and passed in the cour►e of their sittings.

GROUP LX.
GRAVESEND AND ROCHESTER.
SALE TO THE SOMI-EASTERN uOMPANY.

The Committee met at one o'clock, in Room 'So. 2, and after II
short hearinz,
The CHAIRMAN declared that the preamble of the Rill for the sale
of the Gravesend and Rochester Railway to the South-Eastern Com-
pany was proved.
The clauses were then disposed of, and

The Committee proceeded with the
PAR,EELANI, PORTSMOUTH' AND CIIICFIES-

TER. EXTENSION.

Mr. AUSTIN, Q.C., stated that some time since a Bill was obtained
for the formation of a line from Brighton to Chichester. The
powers for the formation were to be vested in the Brighton Railway
Company. Last session a Bill was obtained to form au extension to
Portsnacuth and Farcham from Chichester. It was thought advis-
at le to vest the powers of the extension in the Brighton and South-
Western Companies. An agreement was ent red into between the
companies to petition Parliament for leave to bring in a Bill for
the purpose of vesting the right of extension in them
jointly. The Brighton Company, however, had refused to
perform their agreement, and to come forward with the Bill. On the
part of the Brighton Company it was urged that the understanding
was that the South-Western Company were to have given certain
fazilities, which they had not done, and therelore the Brighton Com,
patty declined to proceed.
The Committee, alter clearing the room, said that they were of
opinion that under the circumstances the Bill should not be pro-
ceeded with.
The Committee then proceeded with the
LONDON AND BRIGHTON AND CROYDON
CONSOLIDATION BILL.

After formal proof had been adduced of the benefit of the consoli-
dation, and an assurance given that the fares would not be increased,
The Committee declared the preamble of the Bill to have been
proved, and proceeded to the consideration of the clauses, which
were all, without exception, agreed to.
The Committee then adjourned.