The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-12 00:00:00

SHREWSBURY AND n

SAM.

Mr. HOPE (in the absence of Mr. Austin), briefly opened this case
on the part of the promoters, and described the route of the scheme.
The line, including all the branches, would be about sixty miles, and
the total estimate 2,200,0001. With regard to the engineering
character of the works, he believed there was nothing at all re-
markable. The gradients were as favourable as the country would
admit, and when he stated that Mr. Stephenson was the
engineer of the line, the Committee must be sure
that there would be no steep gradient on the line, which
could possibly be avoided, as that gentleman was to a degree wedded
to easy gradients, and for great reason in his (Mr. Hope's) opinion.
There was one gradient of 1 in 100, and another that was somewhat
steeper at the station near Birmingham, and therefore not material.
There was also some tunnelling in the course of the line. He con-
trasted this undertaking with its rivals, the Shrewsbury, Wolver-
hampton, and South Staffordshire Junction, and the Birmingham,
Wolverhampton, and Dudley lines, and contended that this was an
integral line, under one control, whereas in tha other cases they
would have to form alliances with already existing companies. The
Oxford,Worcester and Wolverhampton, with which the other schemes
would have to form junctions, would have double gauges, which
would cause considerable inconvenience in the transit of traffic.
This line would accommodate Darlington, containing a population of
8,240, which town would not be approached by the rival schemes.
The stations of the rival schemes for Wolverhampton would also be a
furlong distant from the town, and thirty feet below its level.
They would also give no accommodation to the works lying
along the canal there, whilst this scheme would afford
them every facility for the transit of goods. This line
would also run into New-street, the principal street in Bir-
mingham. The corporation of Birmingham had held a meeting
on the subject of the different schemes, and they came to the decision
that the station contemplated by this company would be by far the
best for the interests of the town. They would effect little residen-
thq. injuries in Birmingham, whilst they proposed to remove some
very objectionable buildings. This line was very generally supported
by the public ; the Committee, in fact, would learn from the evidence
that it was the favourite line. The Board of Trade had also re-
ported in favour of it. The Learned Counsel having concluded his
address, compliance with the Duncombe resolutions was proved,
alter which

Mr. Ries...tans, on behalf of the promoters, called Mr. Ormsby
Gore, M.P., who proved that the scheme was last year submitted to
the Board of Trade, who reported most favourably of it. He did not
believe that any other scheme could be devised that would better ac-
commodate the district through which it was proposed to
pass. This
line would afford communication at Shrewsbury, betweetithe Shrews-
bury and Chester and Shrewsbury and Herefordshire Companies (of
both of which he was chairman), and a direct communication would
thus be afforded between North and South Wales. Thep had been
a meeting of the promoters of the line lately, in compliance with the
sessional orders, and they had unanimously determined that the
Bill should be proceeded with.
The Hon. Member was cross-examined by Mr. CORBETT, who ap-
peared on behalf of certain landowners who opposed the line, and
also by Mr. ROBERTSON, who appeared on behalf of the opposing
companies, but nothing very material was elicited.
Mr. Groves, landed proprietor in the neighbourhood of Shrews-
bury, proved the disadvantage under which the people of that dis-
trict laboured in consequence of their not having such communica-
tion as this undertaking would afford. Property in that neighbour-
hood had greatly decreased in consequence of the people ofShrews-
bury not having the accommodation afforded to the adjoining counties
by railways.

Mr. Henry
—ewton, wharllnger, Shrewsbury, was next examined
by Mr. WOOLR,
and gave similar evidence.
-CUE (one of the counsel for the promoters of the 11111),
Mr. Birr, lead merchant, of the same place, also gave
traffic evidence, and stated that his business was very much
limited
in consequence of not having an expeditious mode of con-
veyance. The present means of communication with the counties
adjoining Shrewsbury was canals, and the trade of Shrewsbury was
liable to great interruption at times in consequence of there not being
a sufficient supply of water. If the People of that district had a
direct communication with London (which this line would afford)
their trade would be considerably increased. Since the opening of
the Derbyshire line they had lost their trade of remanufacturing old
lead, which bad been previously sent to them ; and if this line were
constructed he had no doubt that that trade would return to them.
The Hon. Arr. chive, M.P. for the southern divisian of Shropshire,
and deputy chairman of this company, was next called, and said that