The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-16 00:00:00

IRISH GREAT WESTERN (PORTARLING-

TON TO GALWAY).

MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN OF IRELAND
(MULLINGAR TO GALWAY).
The Committee met this morning at twelve o'cloek, Mr. T. Dun-
eombe in the chair.

Evidence was adduced in favour of the last mentioned line. Lord
Castlemain, Sir Francis Hopkins, H. M. Tute, Esq., M.P. for West-
meath, and G. A. Boyd, Esq., being examined in its support.
Mr. Stovel, the engineer to the line, was examined at great length.
The line wculd pass through Athlone, Ballinasloe, and other towns
of great importance, now suffering from the present means of con
veyance. By this line, direct communication from the east to the
west of Ireland would be effected, as Dublin would be connected by
a direct line with Galway in the west. The country was extremely
rich, presented no engineering difficulties of a serious character, and
met with the approbation of the districts through which it was pro-
posed to pass. Besides, it would a work of great public importance.
Adjourned until to-morrow, at twelve o'clock.

GROUP LIII.
SIIIIEWSBUILY AND BIRMINGHAM.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)

Mr. Scott, cross-examined by Mr. H. ROBINSON (on behalf of the
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton)—He never instructed the
engineer of the line to do his utmost to enter Wolverhampton on
the same level with the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, or
Grand Junction lines. The level of this scheme at Wolverhampton
had been taken with reference to the canal traffic and the traffic of
the town, and not with reference to the competition with any rival
schemes. He had no doubt that the line of the Oxford, &c. Com-
pany was surveyed previously to that of the Shrewsbury and Bir-
mingham.

Cross-examined by Mr. CORBETT—Tfe was aware that many iron-
masters, whom the rival lines would accommodate, had petitioned
against this, and in favour of the other schemes.

Re-examined—As soon as he saw the project of the Oxford,
Worcester, and Wolverhampton in the field he set about devising,
with other gentlemen, the present scheme, and was convinced that
it was much superior to its rivals; he saw that the Oxford,
Worcester, and Wolverhampton project would not sufficiently ac-
commodate the people of Wolverhampton. There could be no doubt
that people at Wolverhampton who wished to go to London would
travel by this scheme became It had a direct communication with
the London line.

Mr. John Williams, ironmaster, Smethwick, then proved that this line
would afford the best accommodation to the people of that district.
Cross-examined by Mr. COCKBURN. Q.C.—Was a considerable
shareholder in this railway, but :had; no shares in the canal; his
brothers had. He preferred this line, because it went nearer to his
works than the other schemes.
Re-examined—l think this line best adaptod to the district
generally.

Mr. Best, ironmaster, Dudley, considered the Shrewsbury, Bir-
mingham, and Stour Valley line the best adapted for the South
Staffordshire mineral district.

Cross-examined by Mr. COCKBURN—He was aware that several
ironmasters In the neighbourhood of Dudley entertained a different
opinion. The Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line was too
high with respect to his works.

Richard Bradley, ironmaster, Tipton, stated that his principal
markets were London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, and
that the line would give him a cheap and direct communication with
those towns. From 9,000 to 10,000 lived close to the spot where the
station of this line was proposed to be erected, at Tipton, whilst the
station of the rival scheme would be a most inconvenient one, being
from 18 to 24 feet high. That would also be merely a goods
station, the nearest passenger station being at Dudley. Ile
was of opinion that the combination of this line with the canal
would be most advantageous to the public. It would be impossible
by any system of railway to accommodate all the mineral works.
Cross-examined by Mr. COCKBURN—His works were close to the
Oxford &c. line, but in consequence of its being very high, it would
be impassible to make use of it for the carriage of his goods. He
was not aware that the Oxford &c. line would be on a level with the
canal. There was a difference between the level of the two schemes
of 40 feet near Tipton.

Cross-examined by Mr. CORBETT—IIIs son might have signed a
petition for himself and the firm in favour of the South Stafford-
shire scheme.

Mr. Smith, mining agent to Lord North, in the neighbourhood of
Dudley, believed that this line would best accommodate that dis-
trict. In his opinion the public would be benefited by the union of
this Company with the Birmingham Canal Company. If this line
were not sanctioned, parties going from Dudley to Birmingham
would have to pass over four different railways, which would be
most injurious to the public. He believed that the tolls on this line
would be lower than that of its rival. The majority of the iron.
r„tear?.in_
.th, e district through ; which this line would pass pre-
ne station of this company
to ao ca=tiTal. This line would afford all the accommodation
of a number . g
The Bay-7 without a six-mile clause.
, which was a very '
School, am& r ea Prince Lee, Master of the Birmingham Grammar-
hhoausm,eswaotuthldeeausaback
othor
thromoy, in New-street, Binnin -
het sir of Birmingham, stated
ing. The houses were aeilfs.--ho°l of
handie
acrehuY_on the subject of these
some build
intion to the people of
Mr. Matins, corahmaao-itoTrtte the school,
that at a meeting of his colleaguest
railways, it was resolved that the
Would decidedly afford the greatest ace an and Birmingham
miTuheinntoiwnnghsaniurvecyoonirphz,. o
propo.ertp_ain favour of the
Shrewsbury Birmingham
a.
Cross-examined by Mr. ROBINSON—SIIOWhiu. mi'vr' itillecftl.
was one of the widest streets in Birmingham
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Company pro,
was
the
o erect
their ,tation,
streets the: e, bat he did not think that the T.1.,,,th,e
most fashionable . .
*to and from the station would —l3-
in which this company's line would be made, Was 0j; New.
cause
street,
any residential injury.
d that they did not require any more evi-
dence Committee intimated .
d the engineering evidence
buses, &c., everlastingly passim:,
to be given to-morrow.
fhe Committee adjourned at four o'clock.
denee of this nature, and that they desire

GROUP LIV.
LEICESTER AND BIRMINGHAM, AND
BRANCH TO COVENTRY.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)

The Committee were occupied during the remainder of the day in
settling and passing the clausei of the Bills, the preambles of which
had been declared to be proved.
All the Bills included in the group having been disposed of, the
Committee broke up.

STANDING ORDERS' COMNIITTE ES.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
This Committeee met In Room 1 (House of Lords) at one o'clock
this afternoon, Lord Shaftesbury in the chair, and present the Duke
of Richmond, the Marquis of 'Winchester, and Lord Hawarden.
There were on the list twenty-two Bills, of which eighteen were
railway Bills. On these decisions were made in the following cases :
STIRLING AND DUNFERMLINE.
Standing orders complied with.
In the cases •f the Gorbals Graviation Water Company Bill, and
the Aston Rates Bill, the standing orders were complied with.
LONDON AND BRIGHTON (WANDSWORTH BRANCH).
Standing orders complied with.
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (CAMDEN AND EUSTON
STATIONS ENLARGEMENT).
The promoterS of this Bit had also complied with the standing
orders.