The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-03 00:00:00

GROUP XIX..

The Committee re-assembled this morning at the usual hour. Pre-
sent, Lord Harry Vane (chairman), the Earl of March, the Hon.
Francis tcott, Mr. David Morris, and Mr. Philip Bennett.
The consideration of the proposed line of the
ERIDGEWATIM AND DIXNEnEIII) E.AIL.
WAY .a. 7.03 PIER
was proceeded with, by Mr. Sergeant lilunruy calling the engineer-
ing witnesses in support of the promoters of this scheme.
Mr. George Hennett. a civil engineer—Has been connected with
the formation and construction of railroads since their first introduc-
tion into this country. He produced his plans and specifications for
the construction of this line. Considered this route the best and
most e igible that could be se'ected. His estimate for carrying into
operation the projected scheme was 420,0001. ; the erection of the
pier lie included in that estimate.

GROUP XXI.
LONDON AND OXPORD.

The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; present, Mr,
Finch (chairman), Mr. Lawson, Lord A. Hervey, and Mr. Node-
house.

Mr. CALVERT put in a copy of the original Parliamentary contract
deed, in which there was a clause giving the directors of the Com-
pany power to make either the whole of the line from London to
Oxford, and through Tewksbury, Cheltenham, and other towns to
Hereford ;or to alter or abandon the whole line, or to construct only a
portion of it.

Mr. WELLS said the Great Western Company would contend, and
endeavour to prove, that the promoters had exceeded the powerS
vested in them by the shareholiers.
_ _

Some discussion then ensued respecting the Oxford and Worcester
Railway, which it may be recollected was passed to be constructed
on the broad gauge.
The CHAIRMAN considered that it was important to know whether
they expected to derive any traffic from this line or not, as in the
event of its being constructed on the broad gauge, this line would
be unable to obtain any traffic from it except with great expense and
difficulty.
Mr. CALvEirr drew the attention of the Committee to the re-
commendation of the Gauge Commission—that all lines to be
made, or in the course of construction, should be constructed on the
narrow gauge, and that it was pos-ible the Government might adopt
these recommendations, and compel the promoters of the Oxford and
Worcester, which was being made, to be laid down on the nar-
row gauge.

Liwsos, a member of the Committee, thought that the powers
which had been invested in the directors was too great and general,
and that he, for one, would not have signed a contract deed for a
line from London to Hereford, and thus take upon himself the respon-
sibility of paying his share of the necessary capital. 2,000,0001., which
was afterwards to be abandoned for a line to Oxford only. He
should like to hear the point argued, as he considered it a most im-
portant one. _ _

on behalf of the promoters,
by3.Nlrlr..CHlLildvyE:rTd,saaniddit
on
Mr. C. U. 43regory, civil engineer, corroborated the evidence
given by Mr. Rastrick yesterday with respect to the line.
wboeuhldau be
ofar the argued,
Wes' ern by ,Mr. Talbot.
He considered that it was well laid out, that the gradients
were of a very fair character, and that the estimates were quite
sufficient for its con3truction. He went over the whole of the
line with Mr. Addison, and spent two days in his investigation. He
had formerly been connected with the Croydon Railway. ~,Heavy
trains on that line had an assistant engine whilst passing up the
incline, of 1 in 100 ; but the ordinary trains, of 12 carriages, re-
quired no assisting power.
The Caine speed could be obtained on this
line without the slightest difficulty._