The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-01 00:00:00

GROUP xvr.

BEADING, GITILTORD, AND REIGATE.
The Committee resumed this morning, Sir Charles Douglas in the
chair, when, after some conversation,
Tho CHAIRMAN stated the Speaker had decided that, according to
Mr. rhincombe's resolutions, no parties could a
until the Committee entered it ; and the rule wafp,ienarZ)on the 8111
a
supposition of fraud,jthe pat ties should petition the House for
be heard upon the Bill.
After some further discussion between Mr. Cockburn, who ar
peared for the promoters, Mr. Hill, who appeared for the oppnnent;
and Mr. Roe, who appeared for Dr. Fellowes, the Committee
decided that Mr. Cockburn should proceed. But a further
difficulty occurred, and the room was cleared. On the re-admission of
the parties, the Committee again requested Mr. Cockburn to pro-
ceed, after an endeavour on the plrt of Mr. Mellor to speak upon a
petition against the line.
Kr. ComugniN said that a more important line than this bad not
!MILO Wore Parliament this session. The object of the Line was
- -

, to connect Reading and Reigate, and the necessary effect must
be to connect the South-Eastern, the South-Western, and
the London and Brighton lines, and thus link the south-
eastern districts with the north, north-western, and midland
counties. By the lines to the west, even to Land's End, by
the Rugby and Oxford line a connexion was opened up with Bristol,
Plymouth, Exeter, Sheffield, and all the manufacturing zi stricts.
man who wanted to send goods to Dover, Brighton, S uthampton,
and all the other places on the southern coast, or to travel, was now
obliged to go round by London, about twenty miles in zi stance. By
this lino they would connect the southern lines with the whole of
thoso on the north of the Thames. It commenced at the Great
Western station at Reading, by Wokingham, Sandhurst, and Black-
water, crosses the South-Western at Farnborough, and thence to Ash
and Stoke. From Stoke it runs on the Guildford Junction, and thence
to Dorking, by the Portsmouth atmospheric line, with the company fors
which an arrangement was made for using their line from Gompioalv
to Dorking, and thence to Reigate. There were three coreta. _
lines, this, that of the South-Eastern, and that of the Londonhowever,d
Brighton Company. With the South-Eastern Company,the South-
an arrangement had been made, the effect of which
Dork-
ing, South-
Eastern
uCoolmespsatnt,yatshp
It was also agreed
line
South -Western Company should have the right. oortulidonmtes formedthe wbietthwiaeheatn. be' l andt
impe ,°trh%
lease, at ,11/. per cent, and half the netat
Pe
736,0001., and the capital
reßaseiowgnaasat
that the South-Eastern Company should take thaeftelirnethoant
payment.perpetual
The length was 46 miles, the estimate
ing difficulties. The line
'li-oiungston, Guildford, Croydon, and
lion, as it would connect,
800,0001: ; the gradients are favourable,
ld .aoartnid
great
te
localw-ere
ancocoe engineer-
ing
which the sessions for Surrey are
lt,:igate, the places at
t which is in every way valuable and
all favourable to the projetoco,
gßrianglditon Company
held The landowners andt ohtehheropehdthwalo.autlacintbseo, fwitihetehedristthreicirt
line
e
desirable. The only question
Reigate, and
reason whatever why this company should not have
or that of their
desirous
D.
oTr
khic.
there was
noportion between Reading and Dorking, yet they opposed the
twh•heole, because he conceived that the traffic for the north would come
under the management of the South-Eastern Railway Company.
The first point would be to connect Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth
with Dover, Folkestone, and other places on that part of the English
Channel which was a principle recognised by the Legislature as of
the utmost importance. A great inconvenience would arise from
having this small portion of the line between Dorking and Ryegate
under a different management. With respect to the'opposition of D.r
Fellowes, he should state thatit had been got up by the solicitor of the
London and Brighton line, and it should be observed that the South
Eastern Company had made their arrangement with him. Ile had
withdrawn his petition against that company, and this company
was prepared to do everything tier that gentleman—their line being
identical with that of the South Eastern—which the Slouth Eastern
Company had promised This was as bond fide line as had ever been
brought before Parliament.
Mr. James llarroway, the Mayor of Reading, was then called, and
stated that he was a lu.use-it ent, and consequently had consider-
able opportunities of knowing the feelings of the inhabitants of the
town and neighbourhood. He could say that it was unanimously in
favour of the lino. The traffic is considerable, but there is no pre-
sent mode of travelling between Reading and Guilford but by post,
and the line would materially benefit Reading by opening communi-
cation with Wokingham and Sandhurst.
To Mr. MELLOR—He stated that there was a road, but that it was
bad and circuitous, there being no turnpike road beyond Bracknell.
There had been formerly a coach between Reading ant Brighton,
which ran during the summer, and ran by Oldham and Farnham,
which declined from a four-horse to a two-horse vehicle.

prietor, acquainted with ma
England. Mr. John Boughton,
He farmed 3,470 acres,
of Broonynianildaledl, inprßoverirkest,..a l,afrgaremeldanadnead pmro-a.
d could say that he was acquaintedmain with all the places on and near
the
al ed the
This
s tli land of of
traverseda2Y a mile through his property, and he had
900laiicleres without any road whatever, and though he was himself in-
disposed for the line, but as a matter of public convenience, there
was not any part of the country which more required a line
than this district did. It was called the Heath district and the soil re-
quired lime or chalk for its improvement. He had himself expended
10,000/. on the improvement of one estate. This line would greatly
facilitate the conveyance of the line. There would also be a great
advantage to the hop growers in Sussex in the carriage of hop poles,
which were ranch wanted in that county. There would also be a
great advantage in the direct conveyance of hops from the south to
Derby and the neighbourhood, as well as bringing back gypsume from
that county, a material which was eminently useful in improving
the natural quality of the soil. There are large markets for cattle at
London-bridge, and for corn at Reading and Guildford, and this line
would enable the growers of the peculiarly fine white wheat of
Guildford to carry it into Berkshire, and further north into the ma-
nufacturing districts, where it was required to mix with other wheat.
He was concerned for landowners in almost every county In Eng.
land, travelled very much by railway, and believed that no district
more required this sort of convenience.
To Mr. MELLOR the witness replied, that in some parts of this dis-
trict the population was very dense, the roads are at present very
bad, and a great part of country about there lay in a state of nature,
from the want of the materials required for its improvement. That
much of it was improveable was evident from the fact that the 900
acres which he held was nearly barren heath, and now it was all
arable land.
To Mr. Roz—The witness reiterated his previous assertions, and
stated that he had no fear of a free trade in corn.
To his re-examinition by Mr. HUDSON, Mr. Houghton stated the
roads were quite insufficient for the country, and the formation of a
railway was felt to be such an advantage, that the high roads were
almost deserted. Formerly 46 coaches had passed his house every
day, and now there was only one. He also testified to the utility of
the communication from the n est to Farnham and Alton.
To the CHAIRMAN, the witness replied that the formation of this
railway would give immense facilities for bringing additional land
into cu'tivation.

Lord Loraine, residing at Albury Park, near Guilford, had an
estate at Chilwerth, on which the paper-mills of Sir W. Magnay
stood, between which and Guilford there was only the ordinary road
communication. He testified generally to the utility of the line.
Mr. 11. Drummond, the banker, who resides at Albury, stated that
this line would pass to the extent of three miles through his estate,
and that it would tend to supply the wants of the neighbourhood, as
the traffic of late much increased. When he went into that district
2t or 29 years ago, where he had ever since resided, there was no
road at all. Mr. Drummond explained the reason why the Ports-
mouth Atmospheric Railway did not supply the same convenience as
this line, by stating, that though the two lines ran parallel for a short
distance, they immediately afterwards diverged at almost right angles.
Mr. MANGLES, M.P., testified to the general feeling of the district
in favour of the line, and it was on that ground that he took interest
in it. He also stated that the communication with the west of Eng-
land was had and circuitous. This ,line would be of great service,
among other persons, to the corn-jobbers. It happens that the
markets at Reading and Guildford are held on the same day, but
the former was an early market and the latter a late one, so that
throughthis line individuals would be able to attend both on the
same day. He also testified to the advantage of this means of com-
munication with the west and the manufacturing districts, and he
could say from his own knowledge that many of the respectable trades-
men in Guildford had taken shares in this line with the expectation of
getting their good cheaper and snore speedily than they,now could.
This line would connect all the chief towns in Surrey, and if the
communication were made, the chalk would occasion all the im-
provement which 3lr.Hor.ghton had stated. He thought even the worst
part of Ansi:set Heath might be reclaimed, for on the most sterile
part of the common, near the Woking Common Cottage, squatters
had brought large gardens into flourishing cultivation.
The Committee here adjourned till to-morrow.

GROUP XIX.
This Committee met at twelve o'clock, In Room IC; Lord Harry
Vane, in the chair. There were also present the Earl of March, Mr.
Scott, and two other Hon, Members.

CIZABXI CANAL. -
The evidence as to this line was now completed, but the Com-
mittee reserved their decision until they should obtain the opinion of
the Attorney-General upon several points.
They next took the case of the

BRISTOL AND EXETER (CREV/XERNE
BRANCRES).

•
The general evidence as to the necessity for such a line as that
proposed, the advantages it would confer upon the people of
the districts through which it passed, and the probable
amount of traffic, occupied the Committee the greater
part of the day. A portion of the engineering evidence was given,
but in the absence of Mr. Stephenson it could not be completed. It
appeared, however, tkat the steepest gradient was 1 in 40, which
only occurred in one place, near one of the stations. The prevailing
gradient was 1 in 100..

At two o'clock, the parties being unable to proceed with the case
until Mr. Stephenson's evidence could be given, the case stood over,
and

The Committee rose and adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

CROUP XXVII.
This Committee re-assembled to-clay at the usual hour; Sir C.
Lemon in the chair.
NORTH SIEVIPTORESHIRE (THREE LINES).
This day was entirely occupied with the allegations of the peti-
tioners who opposed the line, principally Lord Begot, Messrs, Whel-
don' and the inhabitants of Leek.
.After a series of lengthened, uninteresting, and extremely tiresome
discussions and examinations of witnesses, on the injuries which the
construction of the lines would cause to the properties in question,
and to the eligibility of ether lines to meet the wants of the district,
The Committee could stand It no longer, and the room was cleared
for the decision on the merits.

After the lapse of a few minutes parties were readmitted, and
The CHAIRMAN announced the decision of the Committee—" That
the preamble of the Harecastle and Sandbach Bill was proved ; as
also those of the Chumet Valley and the Potteries."
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow.

GROUP X.Y.Y.
This Committee met to-day, shortly after twelve o'clock. Lord
Charles Wellesley and theother members present.
CAMBRIDGE AND OXFORD.

The evidence in this Bill was resumed.
Charles Kingsby examined—Lived in the neighbourhood of the
railway. and considered that a line of this kind would be.a great ad-
vantage. It was extremely desirable to Hitching, at the market of
which he sold his sheep.

Mr. V. Prior, a magistrate of Hertfordshire—Resided at Bolton.
Malt was the chief trade there, which had been decreasing in con-
sequence of the increased modes of land conveyance afforded to other
places, which prevented them entering into successful competition.
There was a good deal of plaiting carried on which afforded a great
deal of employment, and which would no doubt be increased if there
were an improved land carriage. He considered that the proposed
railway would be of great advantage to his neighbourhood.
Mr. W. Hopkins examined—Lived at Oxford, where he was a car-
rier. There was a great quantity of timber sent to London annually.
The station of the termini of the Great Western was very inconve-
nient for sending timber by, and the station of the proposed railway
would be much more preferable.

_ .
Cross-examined—Elm was the wood that he carried chiefly to
Theme. He could not say tho exact quantity—perhaps it might be
two hundred tons. Beech was used in the manufacture of chairs.
Did not know whether the price was much increased by the quantity
consumed at 'I hame. If the proposed Rugby and Oxford Junction
were established they would be able to supply. -Aylesbury from
Oxford at one pound a ton with coals. It would be delivered at
Oxford at 15s. or 16s. a ton. Did not think the breakage of the coal
of any great consequence in any coal except that from Newcastle.
There was some timber sent by the Great 'Western. He understood
front the most correct sources that the quantity sent last year by
that way was 2,700 loads.
Mr. J. B. Denton, engineer and surveyor, was employed under Mr.
Locke to prepare the levels and sections. In his jndgment the line
before them was the best that could possibly be made, from the care-
ful examination that had taken, place with respect to it, and on
those results it was formed. Every care had been used to
al2i 'Cite li. , interferingoetne wpriothpcsetdheraihluousaye
general satisfaction
netghbourhoor.:Zd gave
rotrie:tihrtste:mthult e
paerlittgihieseblienlitthnhaeet.
ro they were situated under one in a • hundred. Th . bridge was lin 240. The e
twenty-eighth mile from Candirld There was no gradient
A yadiet4 on leaving Cam-
st tunnel was on the
the second tunnel was on the 20th in in length 1,320 yards ;
third tunnel was on the 30th mile in g'inngth 240 yatcis ; the
fourth tunnel was on the 39th mile, length
336 yard. : and the
All these tunnels were made through chalk.
The cross-examination of witness was postponed till Sir. Joseph Locke examined—Surveyed the count
line, and considered it the best line that could be madery
was in length 530 yards.
accommodation of the country. There were hoengineering 1.-)
ties on the line, which heheavies considered to be a first-rate
to-morrow.
for the present
Tor the local
difticul-
t cuttings were made in chalk. The sharpest curve ' the station, at Luton, and the danger
• curve at the station, than any where
as one of the best
which it accommodated.
he had ever laid down, one. The
was at
was less from having a
else. lie Considered
this
sharp
line
from the number of plates

Cross-examined—The present price of iron on emn,totarttauct was 01. 10s
t couldra ftie
Thought that iron would 'fall instead of rise nelx.tdme ontih,e:
per ton.
knewiiedld nitot
wthinke,i . Toe. prTehseent
coursetalpiai: e priceser
temporary.7xl}l3:sc:eedntdheadt'
towards London. .but all
common ..point. The object was to connect places so situated
u.L.One Doint, and then give them a common direction. Would .cer-
tainly wish that there was not a gradient at the stations at starting.
The gradients minds line, howcver,were not difficnlt. The gradient
at Dunstable was one in a hundred, which, as It was a descent at
starting, he considered an advantage. He did not rely much on what
was meant by compensation of momentum. The surplus of the es-
timate Included the Parliamentary expenses. Three-fourths of the
distance was made In chalk, and nearly all the bridges were of brick.
Lord Dacre examined—Owned some property in the county
through which the railway would pass in Hertfordshire. Considered
the railway would be most advantageous to the agricultural interest

ou the line.
Samuel Mills, Esq., examined—Had estates at Hertfordshire, and
approved of the railway which was to pass through that county,
which was greatly in want of such a railway.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow.