The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-29 00:00:00

Cibirb Z3teition

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

(THISDAYO

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Room B.
STALLING JIND DUNFERMLINE.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
It was also proved by these witnesses that the railway did
not go within a mile of the House of Mr. Clark.
On the conclusion of this evidence, the Committee
ordered the room to the cleared in order that they might
consult as to the locus standi of Mr. Clark.
On our re-admission it was decided that Mr. Clark had
no locus standi.
The case for the prosecution was then opened, and some
evidence called pro forma, and the Committee declared the
preamble proved.
After adjusting the clauses of the Bill, the Committee
rose at about three o'clock.

GROUP C.

HEECULANEUM DOCKS.

----
The Committee assembled to-day at eleven o'clock, Lord
Ashburton in the chair, when they were addressed at great
length by Mr. HILDYARD. Without an inspection of the
model of the docks of Liverpool, which was produced to
the Committee, it would be quite impossible to render
the speech or the evidence intelligible to the public without
a verbatim report, which would go to an extent which our
space entirely forbids. Our readers, therefore, must be con-
tent with a statement of the facts, that when the Liverpool
Dock Bill was obtained, there was a provision that cer-
tain accommodation should be provided for the trade of
Liverpool. To this they appear inclined, but with a
view to divert the trade or to secure what is only
a legitimate advantage to themselves, the Birken-
head Docks Company and the Toxted Park Com-
pany, who are on the opposite side of the river, are
desirous of forming a new dock, to be called the Hercu-
laneum Docks,and Mr. Rendel, the engineer of the Company,
was called to show the real state of the ease. From the model
he described, the place for the docks, and the property that
was likely to be affected by their formation, one of the chief
plans was the necessity to adopt the same system as that ob-
served in London, where the principle of classification and
exclusion of the public is fully carried out.
Mr. Sergeant KINGLAEE addressed the Committee on be-
half of seven thousand inhabitants of certain districts of
Liverpool, who would be deprived of right of way from Sef-
ton-street, in the direction of the proposed dock, to the
extent of eighteen feet where lc la designed to form a
marine parade. It was objected to this that the system
of exclusion would be prevented, and that the parade was
unnecessary, as the public would not use it, and if
they did use it, they would crowd in numbers to the wall of
the marine parade just as vessels were warping in, and so
grievously interrupt the business of the port. He asserted
that that this Company were endeavouring to do that which
was never done by the Liverpool Docks Company, and which I
he would adduce medical evidence to show that it was abso-
lutely necessary for the health of the inhabitants, viz., the
preservation of a walk by the waterside, which they now en
joyed.
Mr. Brooks, a magistrate of the county of Lancaster, who
has property, and who resides withia a quarter of a mile of
the proposed docks, stated that he knew the district from his
childhood, and that during the whole of that time the part
spoken of had been open to the public.
Mr. Ryan, chairman for the Commissioners of the Liver-
pool Docks, testified to the same point. and particularly to a
right to pass over some property belonging to Messrs. Vernon.
Mr. Duncan, a physician of Liverpool, testified as to the
necessity to keep the ground open for the sake of the health
of the inhabitants in the neighbourhood.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

GROUP D.
sar.rrxErm AND I.INCOLNSIIIILE
JUNCTION.

The Committee assembled this morning at the usual hour,
Lord Somers in the chair, when some witnesses were called
in behalf of the opposing landowners. This closed the case,
and the Committee next took that of the

MANCHESTER, MIDLANDS, AND GREAT

GILIDISWir JUNCTION.

Mr. TALBOT opened on behalf. of the promoters, at very
considerable length, describing the points which are hereafter
to be elucidated by the engineer. After this
Mr. Millins, Mr. Walker, and Lord Effingham were called.
Evidence of the second of these gentlemen being to
show that the business of the iron works in the neigh-
bourhood of Rotherham had been very largely increased,
of late years. He was the constructor of the iron work of
Southwark-bridge. Since the erection of which the Park-
gate. iron works, and several other large establishments have
been erected and brought into play. The number of the in-
habitants of Rotherham is between 12,000 and 13,000, and of
Shefli:!d about 120,000. The intercourse between this
manufacturing district and the agricultural district is
great, and will be much increased by the formation of a rail-
way. The chief assertions which told in this gentleman's
evidence was one that the line of the Sheffield and Lincoln.
shire Junction Company passed by a route that was fre-
quently flooded, and which had been under water this year,
and the other statement that the line of the Manchester,
Midlands, and Great Grimsby Junction Railway goes along
the course of the old coach road, upon part of which the
cross mail to the Lincolnshire district now travels.

Mr. Martin, of Esterby7depOsed to the veracity of the re-
presentations in the petition of the Lincolnshire farmers, of
the extent of their hardships, and the fidelity of their signa-
tures, and further stated generally that the inhabit ants of his
own district were more favourable to the northern than to
the southern means of communication.

Mr. Topham, a considerable landholder and owner, gave
similar evidence, after which the Committe adjourned till to-
morrow.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MONMOUTHSHIRE.

The Committee on this group met again this day, at twelve
o'clock ; Mr. Aldam, chairman.

Sir T. Pittuari opened the case for the promoters of this
Bill. The Learned Counsel proceeded to argue in
favour of the line of railway as one which would confer
great public advantage, as well as becoming a source of
profit to the shareholders from the vast amount of traffic
which it would open up, and, after some furthar remarks,
concluded a very able address on behalf of the promoters.
Mr. SXITHERS said he appeared for several coal-masters
and iron masters ; amongst them were the owners of the
British iron works, the Blenavon new furnaces, and others.
Sir T. Plituirs said, that in order to remove the opposi-
tion of those interests, he would at once strike out of the
Bill the powers authorising the construction of those branches
which bad been brought forward by the promoters. This
had the effect of doing away with the opposition.
Some formal evidence was then adduced, after which
The Committee decided that the preamble of the Bin,
with the omission of that part affecting the opponents, was
proved.
The clauses were then proceeded with.

GROUP XVII.
PrIANCTIESTER AND SOUTHAMPTON.

The Committee met this day at one o'clock, the Hon. E.
Yorke in the chair.

Mr. Fisher handed in the population returns of the differ-
ent parishes traversed by the Great Western and the London
and Birmingham, and Mr. Smith those proposed to be tra-
versed by the proposed railway.
The case of the opposing landowners was then proceeded
-with.

It appeared that the names of Mr. Alexander Elweys, of
Colesborne, Gloucester, Sir John Guise, and Miss Masters
were erased from the list of opponents, they having since the
Bill was in Committee withdrawn their opposition, and given
their ascent to the Bill.

Mr. SMITH then explained to the Committee the nature of
the opposition of the other landowners, and the way in which
the proposed line would interfere with their property.
They respectively prayed that the line might not
be made unless there was some great public neces-
sity for it, which they held was not the case.
After each case he proceeded to say- that the main ground
on which the landowners opposed the project was that a
better line of railway communication to the north, on the
narrow gauge, would no doubt be made, by Oxford and
Rugby, before this line could pass. Although eighteen miles
longer, it was as short, in point of time on the proposed
railway, as the gradients were superior, and the lines were in
the management of companies who had always worked them
well, and who were in a condition to work them well for
the future. He therefore held that the expenditure of a
million and half of money was not justified by the waits of
the district. Besides, the shares of all great companies which
had passed through Parliament, and received the royal assent,
were at a deplorable discount in the market, showing the
improbability of the necessary capital being obtained for the
construction of this line. Then a deviated line from Salisbury
1.1 l Aiggershall would effect a saving of four miles, save 50,0004
anutx.eptin one case, do no residential injury. Such arrange-
ments tyr,,,id not interferel with the canal, which alone would
cost 32,0001.,
gtzeurther saving to that extent, and which
would be kept tor nevaenience of the locality. After
some further remark., he:
mittee not to pass the preamiralneesotfliruccled upon the Com-
ovoosition Bill.
Mr
Evidence in support of the
other landowners occupied the . Edwards and
e the remainder of
the day.