The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-27 00:00:00

BILLS.-ROYAL ASSENT.

Sir Augustus Clifford, Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at
the bar, and summoned the House to attend at the bar of the
House of Lords, to hear the royal assent given to a number of
public and private Bills (for which nee Lords' report).
On the return of the SPEAKER, Le stated that he had
been to the Upper House to hear the royal assent given to
several Acts, amongst which were the Corn Importation and
Customs Duties Bills.
The announcement was received with great cheering, in an
extremely crowded House.
Sir J. Graham, Lord Lincoln, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and all the other members of the Government, with
the exception of Sir Robert Peel, were present, as well as Lord
John Russell and the principal leaders of the Opposition, and
Mr. Cobden. .

Several Railway Bills were read a third time and passed.
CORNWALL RAILWAY.
Sir C. LEMON moved the third reading of the Cornwall
Railway (Saltash Branch) Bill.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition against the
third reading of the Bill.
Captain PLUMRIDGE presented a petition to the same
effect. - _ _ _ _

Captain BERKELEY moved that the third reading of the
Bill should be postponed until certain papers should be placed
in the hands of the Members. The bridge which was erected
over the river Tamar would seriously interfere with the na-
vigation of the river. The railway company undertook, to
prevent expense, to provide a steam-tug of sufficient power to
take vessels through the arch. The Admiralty Board had
already sent a letter to the Chairman of the Committee,
stating that the bridge over the Tamar was to be
ninety-five feet high, but the next day that letter was
recalled. From the evidence adduced before the Com-
mittee it was show n that it was absolutely necessary that
the bridge should be from 95 to 100 feet high, as in case of its
being of a less height all vessels passing would have to strike
their masts and take in their top-sails, and while they were
doing so they would lose half the tide. He should not move
against the third reading of the Bill, but he should move its ad-
journment for a week.
Sir C. LEMON objected to any such adjournment at the
present period of the session.
Captain VIVIAN would support the motion for the post-
ponement, in order to allow time for the tables to be laid before
the Committee. With regard to the line itself, he did
not consider it the most direct one for the county of Cornwall
that might be adopted. It was 13 miles round about from
London to its terminus ; and by way of Exeter from
London it was 23 miles from the direct course.
It was utterly impossible any other line could pay between Fal-
mouth and Exeter. Then again, he could not understand why
Mr. Brunel stated that the gentlemen who gave evidence before
the Committee in favour of the line were interested parties, as
they were persons of high standing, and far removed from
suspicion. He hoped the House would consent to a week's
delay.
Air. CORRY said the Admiralty did not wish to prevent
the construction of works of necessary and public importance.
Lord MORPETH, as Chairman of the Committee which
sat upon the Bill, had never heard of a more unnecessary and
uncalled-for interference with the progress of any private
measure than the present. It was a measure of considerable
importance, and one which he thought the Legislature ought to
pass into a law.—(Hear, hear.) At low water the height of
the bridge would be one hundred feet, and after the evidence
which had been placed before the House, he did not see that
they should stop the progress of Bill.
Mr. HUME considered that this was not a question which
ought to be decided on the principles which usually influenced
the House. The very circumstance of the letter having
been written from the Admiralty, without the sanction
of the board, was one which ought of itself alone to
stop the further progress of the Bill.—( Hear, hear. )
The question was not one as to the height of the bridge, but as
to the necessity for it at all. The Admiralty ought, in cases
where any interference with any navigation was proposed, to
ascertain whether a line conld be formed which would obviate
the necessity for such an interference altogether. Such an al-
ternative line could be formed in this instance, and not only
that, but it would be 36 miles shorter, and would avoid the in-
terference of a break of gauge. He should suggest that the
postponement of the Bill should take place, for a time, or even
until next session, so as to obtain a better and a shorter line.
He was persuaded there ought to be no bridge at all. It was
the duty of the Admiralty to have inquired whether the same
communication could not be obtained -without loterfering with
a navigable river. A communication to Falmouth could be
had twenty-six miles nearer than the one proposed, without in-
terfering with the navigation. He regretted that the Ad-
miralty should in any instance depart from the principle of in-
terfering with navigable rivers. Let them reconcile the
decision in the present instance with that on the one on the
Runcron case if they could. He submitted to the Gallant
Admiral (Bowles) whether it would not be better to allow
another week for inquiring into the subject, and in order that
the Admiralty might reconsider the question.
Admiral BOWLES defended the conduct of the Admiralty
in reference to their present decision.
Sir CHARLES NAPIER was surprised at the arguments
of the Lords of the Admiralty on the subject, and considered
that as Mr. Walker, who was an old servant of the Admiralty,
had reported in favour of a bridge of a certain height, they
ought to allow the Company to make it. At any rate he
could not see any objection to delay the matter for a week.
Sir G. COCKBURN defended the decision of the Admi-
ralty, and read a letter from Mr. Walker, stating that at low
water the height of the bridge in the clear would be 95 feet,
and at high water 76 feet.
After alfew wordsfrom Admiral Du NDA s and Lord MORTETH,
Mr. PENDARVES opposed the motion.
After a few words from Sir G. Cockburn, Admiral Dundas,
Captain Berkeley, Mr. Pendarves, Mr. Trelawney, Captain
Plumridge, and Mr. Buller,
The House divided, when there appeared—
For the third reading
For the Amendment
Majority

-175

The Bill was accordingly read a third time and passed.
LORDS' AMENDMENTS.

The Lords amendments to the following Bills were read and
agreed to, viz.:—
Alford Valley Railway.
Dundee and Arbroath Railway Extensions.

Dundee and Perth Railway/Amendment.
Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Newport Railway and St.

Andrew's Branch). .
Great North of Scotland (Eastern Extension).
SHEFFIELD GENERAL CEMETERY BILL.

This Bill was read a third time and passed.
NORTH WALES MINERAL RAILWAY BILL.
This Bill was also read a third time and passed.
DE WINTON'S ESTATE BILL.
Mr. BAILEY moved that the Committee on De Winton's
Estate Bill have leave to sit on Monday neat, at two o'clock ;
and that the said Bill be committed to Mr. Bailey, Mr.
Gibson Craig, and Mr. Eliott Lockhart.—The motion was
agreed to.
EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY STATIONS EN-
LARGEMENT BILL.

This Bill was read a third time and passed.
The following Bills were also read a third time and
passed:—
London and Birmingham Railway (Aylesbury Railway Pur-

chase).
London and Birmingham Railway (Coventry to Nuneaton).
London and Birmingham Grand Junction and Manchester and
Birmingham Railways Amalgamation.
London and Birmingham Railway ( Weedon and Nco thampton).
MIDLAND AND EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY