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

stations on the line was inadequate for permanent stations, hut the
expense of stations depended principally on the way in which they
are ornamented. The expense of stations was frequently included in
the "plant." Should not recommend the erection of a smaller sta-
tion at Oxford than at Croydon, the expense of which he could not
recollect.

To the CHAIRMAN—Thinks that en independent train on the Great
Western might be able to travel from Oxford to London rather
faster than one on the proposed line, but thinks that the dependence
on the long traffic would counterbalance that.
Mr. George Rennie had been over the line and examined the gra-
dients, curves, slores, tunnels, &c. Thought the line judiciously
chosen, and the estimate sufficient.
To Mr. LAWSoN—There would be no danger in the junction with
the London and Birmingham.
Mr. Brooks, superintendent of the station of the London and Bir- '
mingham Railway at Euston-square, examined by Mr. CALVERT—
There are twenty trains each way running into the station. It could
accommodate all the anticipated traffic from the London and Oxford.
Mr. Dixon, land-surveyor at Oxford, produced the calculations
which he had formed as to the expected traffic of cattle and produce
oa the line. Expected a traffic of upwards of 29,0001. per annum,
including beechwood.
Mr. Ilawkshaw had gone over the gradients. Thinks they could
be worked without the slightest difficulty. Was himself working
worse gradients on the Leeds and Manchester line.
To Mr. TALBOT—The gradients on the Great Western line are better
tnan en this line.
Mr. Rolfe, land valuer of Beaconsfield, examined—Had valued the
land required for the line, and had put it down at 901. per acre, and
had also allowed 1001. per acre for severance, convenience, &c. The
otal sum is 95,000/.
Mr. TALBOT objected that the subscription contract was totally
valueless, the subscribers having become parties to a scheme far
different to the line now proposed. The scheme was originally a
line to Hereford, with a capital of two and a half millions, and now
it only goes to Oxford, and a subscribed capital of 648,000/. Conse-
quently, the line now adopted by the promoters was not the
same to which the subscribers had affixed their signatures.
Mr. HILDYARD contended that the directors had only acted ac-
cording to powers vested in them by the original contract.
The Committee adjourned their decision upon the point until to-
morrow.

GROUP XXIX.
RUGBY AND HUNTINGDON.

-- -
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
In cross-examination Mr. Vesey said, he 'was not interested in the
scheme, except in regard to the public accommodation. lie did not
look to the returns which might be expected from the line, as
grounds to justify the outlay of a million of money.
Mr. RAWLINSON cross-examined this witness on the part of Lady
Bray, whose property would be interfered with, with a view to
show that the traffic between Rugby and Huntingdon was so small
as not to require the proposed line,
J. Betts, Esq., mayor of Norwich, was then examined—lle was a
draper in rather extensive business. Norwich had a large trade with
wtßi
oua eb. .y
,aThnhede
piHuntingdonopinionin eple omf
merchants
hee
ntaotswi
the na
and
df bestNb aotiroi
kweg
re
8,11.
Birmingham and its neighbourhood. That trade consisted a hard-
fcaionusmirglonfeidtclat
ae.
give
Norwichfwdai was in
ent
petition in favour of it.
Cross examined—Was not aware of any other method but the
Rugby and Huntingdon Railway to afford that direct communication.
The conveyance to Derby was not of so much importance as to Bir-
mingham. He would go by Rugby in going from Norwich to Leeds.
He heard that there was a circuitous route proposed from Norwich to
Rugby. He understood it was six miles longer than the distance by
the proposed line.
By Mr. RAWLINSON—The petition he referred to was signed within
the last fortnight.
Re-examined—The present communication between Norwich and
Leeds was by Hull. This, of course, would not be the case if the
proposed line were constructed.
By the Cuaraireen—He was not aware of any general discus-
sion at Norwich about the competing lines. The general feeling of
Norwich was in favour of this line.
I. 0. Springfield, Esq., was then examined. He was a silk-
merchant living in Norwich was twice Mayor of Norwich. The value
of freehold property was very low in Norwich at present. He be-
lieved the present line, if constructed, would add to its value. He
avoided connexion with silk-houses in Norwich, because they had
no means of procuring the requisite machinery and mechanical
power for working them. In Norwich they got their
manufacturing machinery, from Manchester and Birmingham,
by sea at present, but if the present lines were made,
it would afford great facilities for the conveyance of those ma-
terials, their cost would be cheaper, and a stimulus would be given
generally to the manufacturing industry of the place. The popula-
tion of Norwich was 70,000, three-fourths of whom were engaged in
manufactures, and from a variety of causes, chiefly the want of com-
munication with the west and north of England, Norwich had
of late years lost its former manufacturing greatness and prosperity.
His house at present exported principally from London. There was
a line of packets projected from Smyrna to Southampton, which
would touch at Yarmouth, and land raw silk there.
Cross-examined—He looked to Rugby as the point of access to
Yorkshire.
Mr. Thomas Bowyer, a miller in Huntingdon, confirmed the evi-
dence already given as to the traffic of Huntingdon and neigh-
bourhood.
Mr. Robert Thompson, an ironmonger, of Norwich, corroborated
the testimony of Messrs. Betts and ol.pringfle'd as to the great ad-
vantage which would result to Norwich by the construction of the
Rugby and Iluntingdon hne. The quantity of iron, from Birmingham,
received by his father, was, en an average, for the last four years.
500 tons. He understood that 1,500 tons came annually to Nor-
wich. lie considered this scheme the best on account of its direct-
ness and the unity of management.
Cross-examined—Did not think that the difference of ten miles
would be a great matter in railway conveyance, so far as goods
were concerned.
Mr. Costerton, collector of harbour and pier duties at Yarmouth,
gave evidence as to the great trade of Yarmouth, and to the accom-
modation which the proposed railway would give for the conveyance
of goods, &c., to and from the midland and northern diAricts.
Mr. Robert Merry, a corn, coal, and general merchant, carrygin on
bu iness for the last thirty-four years in Norwich—lie proved the
immense quantity of traffic In barley, malt, coals, &c., and the great
necessity which existed for a communication with the interior of the
country as far as the article of malt was concerned. The price
would by these means be greatly decreased to the consumer.
Mr. Beard, a farmer and manufacturer of bricks, &c., in Hunting-
don, and other witnesses were examined to the same effect.
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock on Monday.

Sub-Committee No. 1.
This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room No. 7
(Cloisters). Present Mr. Strutt (chairman), Mr. Beckett, and Mr.
Cavendish.
CAMBRIDGE IMPROVEMENT.

This Bill, containing clauses to exempt goods carried to Cambridge
by railway from local tolls, was opposed by local trustees and com-
missioners, on points which we have already mentioned. The Com-
mittee having decked that the notice served on the clerk to the com-
missioners was sufficient, if the service were good in itself, the clerk
was this morning examined, after which the standing orders were
declared complied with.
ZDINBITIteII AND HAIV/XLTON.

The Committee resumed the consideration of this Bill.
In respect to the Edinburgh and Hamilton Railway, several of the
allegations in the petitions cf the Duke of Hamilton and other land
proprietors within the limits of deviation, were sustained.
The Ce.lin!ttce. decided that the standing orders were not complied
with.
They then proceeded with the further consideration of the
EDINNZTEGU AND PEnTEI.

This Bill was partly proceeded with on Wednesday, when we gave
the particulars as to the object, &c. On that occasion the case was
postponed for the purpose of allowing the agents on both sides to
arrange amongst themselves what objections should be withdrawn,
and what others admitted to be sustained. In respect to several
allegations the standing orders were declared not complied with.
An objection was ra sea by Mr. Webster for the opponents of the
Bill, that innsintr.h as the subscription contract did not provide for the
sum of 100,0001., for the purchase of the Queen's Ferry, powers being
ta :en in the Bill to borrow money for the purpose, the standing
orders were not complied with, no notice of the clause having
been given in the advertisements.
After a long discussion Upon this point between Mr. Burke, the
agent for the Bill, and Mr. `Webster, the room was cleared, and the
Committee deliberated.
After some time the decision was announced that the objection was
sustained.
The further consideration was adjourned till Monday.

!sub-committee No. 2.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM (ST. ALBAN'S
!MD LUTON BRANCH).

APPLICATION FOR ADDITIONAL POWERS.
• The object of this Bill, which has been mentioned before, is stated
to be to furnish accommodation to the counties throu.th which the
line is to pass, by the desire of the landed proprietors. There was no
opposition to the Bill, but the case was postponed, to enable the
promoters to prove that ro new parishes were affected by this ap-
plication which were not affected by the original Bill.
The formal evidence having been gone thrcugh, in respect to the
London and Birmingham (A. Albans and Luton) Bill, the standing
orders were declared complied with.
STAINES ANN HENLEY, No. Xi.
The object of this Bill is to connect the termini named by a branch
from the Great Western Railway, on the broad gauge.
The length of the line is twelve miles. The engineer, Mr. Brunel ;
theTahgeenft,ormMra. Eiiicombe;eiena the solicitors, Messrs. Hunt and Co.
baying
been received, the allegations in
three petitions from landowners within the litnita of deviation were
gone into. They were of the usual kind, complaining of the plans
and sections.
After the consideration of some allegations the case was adjourned
till Monday.

i COUNTIEST Battu. zT.)
3I.LWALY (TOT-,
o=*: sub-committee,
E(AC•BnTtinEnSedil:frtal•Rur Afternoon Edition ef yesterday.)
Petitions were put in, containing allegations complaining of de-
fects in the plans and sections. Of these, several were sustained,
and the standing orders were declared to be not complied with.
NORTOIM IR.AZIAVAYS (TIIETTOILD AND