The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-18 00:00:00

ULY 18, 1846.

The principal opponent of the line was the Caledonian
Company, who complained that it would damage their
interests by taking away their traffic. Now he would beg
leave to call the attention of the Committee to the fact that
the Nithsdale line was heard a few weeks ago in contrast
with au extension scheme of the Caledonian Company for
fourteen days before the Cemmittee of the House of Com-
mons, and the result was, the rejection of the branches of the
Caledonian, and the affirmation of the preamble of the pre-
sent Bill. It was then satisfactorily shown that this line
was imperatively required, and that the Caledonian line
would rot suffer front competition in the manner its promo-
ters feared. But not only did that Committee decide
in favour of this Bill, but the subject was subsefirently
debated in the House itself, and the Bill was affirmed by a
large majority. In fact the fears of the Caledonian Company
were altogether exaggerated, as they would still command
all the north of Scotland traffic by the Scottish Central,
through Stirling, as well as the .Glasg-ow and Edinburgh
traffic. The only other opponent of the Bill wasa landowner,
which he had not the least doubt was only covertly appear •
mg for theCaledonian Company, and the disposal of the op-
position of the one would also settle that of the other.
The Learned Gentleman having asserted that the scheme
was altogether different from the one adjudicated on last
year in competition with the Caledonian, and that it was row
solely promoted as a local' line, and having gone into several
particulars of the line for which be appeared, traffic, engis
neering, peculiarities &c., concluded by proceeding to call
his witnesses on behalf of the Bill.
Mr. Sergeant WKANGIIA3I, before the evidence was gone
into, begged leave to make an application to the Committee.
The Learned Gentleman who had spoken bad made reference
to what took place last year, and as it was evident reference
in the courss of the inquiry would have to be made to what
then took place, he would beg leave to ask the Noble Chair-
man t;') move the House to refer the evidence taken before
the Committee of last year to the present Committee.
Mr. Axnessws objected to the application on the ground
that the issue now to be tried was different to that tried last
year. The question then tried was, which of two great lines
should lie made to accommodate the south of Scotland
generally: now the point raised was totally different. They
had now to consider the propriety of constructing a line for
the purpose of local traffic. The scheme was not only
different, but the grounds on which it was put-forward were
also altogether different. It was not a competing line with
the Caledonian.

Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM replied, maintaining that the
scheme was substantially the same as that brought forward
last year. Whatever the Learned Gentleman on the other
side might say to the contrary, he insisted the Nithsdale
line was a competing line with the Caledonian Railway. It

was held by the Committee last year that the two lines were
competing schemes, and the Board of Trade held the same
view of the question. The circumstances which related to
the two lines then were precisely the same now, and he
submitted that the reasons and evidence then adduced were

necessary and admissible to clear up the case now. His
Learned Friend might attempt to gild the Bill, by saying
that they did not depend on general or through traffic, but
on local traflip only, but the Committee, he was persuaded,
would see thill the issue was still substantially the same as
that of last year, and would, in order to have all the necessary
information before them on the question, take steps for the
production of the evidence sought to be obtained.
The room was then cleared for a decision.
On the admission of the parties
The CHAIRMAN intimated that the Committee would first.

inquire whether the evidence was such as to warrant on local
grounds the construction of such line, and therefore they
would not at this stage of the proceedings call for the evi-
dence adduced last year.

Mr. W. CriwilTrj,aEnded proprietor, and a justice of the
peace, and a deputy-lieutenant of the county of Ayr, was first
called and examined—He lived about three miles from Kil-
marnock. Kilmarnock was an inland town, in the centre of
the county, containing about 22,000 inhabitants. It had
doubled its population the last thirty years. It was the
largest town in the county engaged in carpet manufacturing,
calico printing, shawl manufacturing, shoes, &c. A large
nursery and seed trade was carried on in the neighbourhood.
There was also large mineral fields in the neighbourhood,
belonging to the Duke of Portland and Mr. Finnie.
The former exported yearly about 100,000 tons of coal. The
manufacturing towns and villages of Stewarton, Galston,
Darvel, Newilas, and Kilmains, were all connected with Kil-
marnock. Troon, an important seaport, was connected with Kil •
marnock by a mineral line, which was now being adapted to
locomotives. He had prepared a table of the iron furnaces
in the county, which showed 34 furnaces in all. This in-
cluded those in blast, erecting, or proposed to be erected.
Each furnace would make about 100 tons a week. A line
of railway was at present in progress from Kilmarnock to
Cumnock, in connexion with the Nithsdale line, which would
be in connexion with most of these iron furnaces. A

line, with the consent of the landed proprietors, was to be
constructed from Ayr, by Auchinleck, to Muirkirk. The
line to the south proposed would be of immense benefit,
as there was a large traffic in that direction, which
could alone be efficiently accommodated by a direct line.
A large portion-of the traffic the present line would take
went at present by the steamers from Ardrossan. The po-
pulation of Ayrshire was 200,000; and at a meeting of the
Commissioners of Supply for the county, at which he was
present, a petition in favour of the line was unanimously
agreed to. The petitions in its favour from Ayrshire and
Dumfriesshire were 51 in number. He had taken shares in
the present line because he thought it would be of great
public benefit, but he held shares in no other line, and he had
taken them to qualify as a director.
Cross-examined by Mr. COCKBURN—He held 150 shares
in the present company. Twenty were only required as a
qualification for a director. There were none of the iron
between iNiasgirw---idia-- -
the two furnaces, the Blair works, which were
on the line. Between Kilmarnock and Cumnock
there were six furnaces, and ;there were the Muirkirk,
and other iron furnaces, on the private line from Muirkirk
to Ayr. The iron made went to Glasgow, and none went to
the south. It might be wanted hereafter for foundries at
Dumfries, and elsewhere. Were the iron now exported, it
would go to Troon and Ardrossar, and would continue to go
there. There was coal along with the iron-stone, but there
was at present no more coal than was required to make the
iron. These mineral fields had abundant railway accommo-
dation at present, and towards the south they did not much
require it. He thought coal would go south from the neigh-
bourhood of Cumnock, if the line was made. Thought the
iron furnaces at present consumed all the coal. He thought
the coal-fields would be worked to a greater extent,
so as to furnish an extra supply. He had, not,
however, practical knowledge on the subject. It
was mainly speculative. If the iron making increased
with the working of the coal fields, then there would not he
much probability of coals going south. From, Cumnock the
mineral field extended to Satiquhar, with the exception of a
little break.
To Mr. Sergeant Warily—There was but one coach
through to Dumfries, a two-horse coach: It had the through
traffic from Glasgow to Carlisle. The coach ran from Kil-
marnock, in connexion with the railway, and obtained a
good deal of support from that town.
Mr: Hugh Craig, merchant, of Kilmarnock, examined;
by Mr. ANDREWS, deposed as to the character of the trade
of that town. He had made himself acquainted with the
details of the town. He was the largest mercer and
haberdasher of the town, out of forty in the trade.
Their goods came mainly from England; in weight about
300 tons, and in value about 100,000/. If the line was made
these goods would come by it, but at present they were
carried by water. At present they were liable to be damaged,
besides delay. Speed was a great object, which the railway
would realise. A large trade in tanning was at present
carried on, the moat of the bark for which came from Dum-
fries. There is also a large trade in boots and shoes; the
most of these went to Liverpool, in weight about 100 tons.
Of fancy linings, leather, &c., about 100 tons were exported
from England. The largest ryegrass seed trade in the world
was carried on here, of which two-thirds went to England.
The weight would be about 1,300 tons, of the value of from
25,0001. to 30,0001. If the line was formed the seed would pass
by it. A considerable traffic in fruit and other seeds also took
place. A large amount of agricultural produce would comefrom
Dumfriesshire into Ayrshire were the line formed. At pre-
sent the land carriage was Very heavy. There was a large
trade in ironmongery carried on in Kilmarnock, the most of
which came from the south, in weight about 700 tons and in
value 60,0001.
Cross-examined—He had heard the information he had
given that day repeatedly stated by parties in the district.
He was quite certain it was correct, as far-as lie had any
means of acquiring information. The 300 tons of soft goods
he mentioned as coming from the south came principally by
Glasgow. There were houses in that town that supplied the
inferior towns of Scotland with English goods. The connexion
with Glasgow and England, was by means of large steamers
daily to Liverpool, and from thence to London by railway.
He did not think goods could be obtained from London that
way in forty-eight hours. lie found it about five or six
days at present. Kilmarnock was the *entre of a district of
100,000 inhabitants, most of whom purchased their woollen
goods in Kilmarnock. lie was certain the wholesale and
retail sale of English goods was in value 100,000/. He had
no doubt they would come by the railway if one was made.
Some might come by Glasgow, but he had no conception of
the amount. Though Glasgow was nearer than London, if
a line was formed, it would be to their interest to go to Lon-
don, though the expense would be greater. Under the cir-
cumstances that would be no object. With regard to the
leather trade, the heavier portions of it went by the sail-
ing vessels. Dispatch, therefore, was not a great object
in this article. He did not think goods from England
to Kilmarnock would be taken cheaper by steam-vessels to
Ardrossan than by railway. He could not state the
rate per ton by the steamers. Of the ironmongery goods he
had named about the half came by sailing vessels. He sup-
ported the line from a sense of public duty. He only held
ten shares in the line. There was a large East and West
India trade at Glasgow, Port Glasgow, and Greenock, but he
did not think Kilmarnock would get its supplies of fine sugar
from those places. With the railway they would be sup-
plied from London.
To Mr. Sergeant Munrirr—Near all the ryegrass-seeds
exported went by sea. About 600 men were engaged in
Kilmarnock in the shoe-trade. A great number of shoes
were consumed in the district, perhaps 100 tons more. A
pair of shoes would be about a pound in weight ; and a man
might make about a pair a day.
Mr. MURPHY —I have made the calculation, and, accord-
ing to it, I find that GOO men could only, at the weight of a
pound a pair, make in a year 83 tons. How do you make
that agree with your calculation ? Witness—A great
number of women and children are engaged in the trade.
Mr. WernY—When did you ever know of women mak-
ing shoes?—(Laughter.) Witness—They assist in making
shoes. I can only say that lam certain the weight exported
is 100 tons. Regarding the consumption in the district I
cannot say what it would be. Witness (in continuation)
said he knew the fares :by the steamer were less than they
were by the railway; still he believed a large proportion of
the traffic would go by the railway, on account of die quick-
ness. He calculated the railway fare, at 2d. per mile, to be
335. 6d. ; by steamboat it was 11. Glasgow was the great
centre of the trade of Scotland. The course of trade from
Kilmarnock, especially in the shawl and printing trade,
was by way of Glasgow. The goods mainly went to the
Glasgow wholesale warehouses. The greater proportion of
he drysalteries used at Kilmarnock came by way of Glasgow.
Re-examined—lf the charge by the Nithsdale line to

Liverpool was made at the rate of the Glasgow and Ayr
line, 11Qd, a mile, the fare would be but 255. That would
be as cheap as going by steamer from Glasgow, as 4s. would
be required to take a person there. They wanted to do
business direct with London, and not through middlemen at
Glasgow. With regard to the shoe trade, he did not know
but a man might make four pair a slay. Besides the 600
men engaged in Kilmarmick, a large number were employed
in the adjoining He could 119 t jay exactly On

PRICE SD.

weight of a pair of shoes, but he was sure the gross export
was 100 tons.

To the CHAirmx!"—He could not say what he paid at
present for carriage per ton the goods went through many
hands, and were (den charged by bulk. He had goods from
Manchester occasionally, and as near as he could say, the
cost might be about a ton. He would prefer paying
31. 10s. a ton by railway to 21. by/steamer. He could at pre-
sent get daily, to Manchester through the Fleetwoodsteamers;
but it was at a loss of time.
Mr. Thomas Neill, a calico printer, of Kilmarnock, exa-
, mined—He had a large establishment in Kilmarnock mid a
house in Landon. A ton of goods from Kilmarnock by
Leith to Loudon cost about :51. Bs. a ton. By Fleetwood and
Liverpool the cost would be about 41. 18c. 'These were their
only - modes of conveyance now. Had they a railway the
greater part of the goods for'the London market would go
by it. In 1826 only 30- hands were employed in Kilmar-
nock in the printing trade. In 1836 there were nine works
that employed 360 hands, and in 1846 there were eight works
employing 880 hands, and with hands depending, on these
about 2,000 in all. In getting the fabrics printed to market,
dispatch was everything. The value of the goods printed
every year was Wont 40e,000/, of which two-thirds went to.
England. The raw imprinted cloth came from Lancashire.
in weight about 1,300 tons, and about 1,100 tons of finished
:goods returned. A great deal of drysaltery stuffs came from
England. The railway would be of great advantage to the
trade of the town, and the inhabitants were generally in its
farour.

Cross-examined—He worked mostly to order, through
orders derived from Manchester and London, by the Glasgow
houses. No orders came to him direct from London or Man-
chester. It was the wholesale dealers in Glasgow who pur-
chased front the printers. Ile had opened a house for the
last four years for the accommodation of the wholesale
trade. Nearly all the drysaltery came front Glasgow.
To Mr. Sergeant MunrisY—Great complaint, was at pre-
sent made of Fleetwood route, as the goods often lay two or
three days at Liverpool. Ile thought if the line was formed
dealers, who wanted his particular kind of goods, would be
content with buying at Kilmarnock, without going to Glas-
gow. Ile could not. say that all the heavy good's would go
by railway ; many Might still go. by steam and sailing
vessels. All the goods at present went to Glasgow, and
shoukt the traders still continue to ;41•0 there-the goo,* 11• a
railway were preferred, might go south by tha Caledonian
Railway ; still he saw no necessity for the goods going to
Glasgow at all, but they might besent direct to England from
Kilmarnock.

To the CHAIRMAN—There was railway accommodation
from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan about fifteen miles in length.-
Re-examined—They had tried the Fleetwood route, but
goods were alway declined ; they preferred the Leith route
as more certain.

Mr. John Thompson, carpet manufacturer, of Kilmarnock,
examined—He was one of the firm of Gregory, Thompson,
and Co., the most es.tensive house in the trade. There
were 900 hands in the carpet trade, of which his house em-
ployed 460. The value would be about 120,0001., and the
weight 500 tons. A considerable portion of the wool used
came from the south, and most of the manufactured
goods went to London. Dispatch was of great importance
in this trade. He had a house in London, and employed
the Leith and London route for sending goods. The charge
per ton was about 41. 10s. To Liverpool tLe charge was
2/. 6s. a ton. He believed, if the line was formed, the greater
portion of the goods he sent south would go by it.
Cross-examined by ➢ir. Horn—They used the steamers
by way of Leith. lie had tried the Ardrossan and Fleet-
wood route, and found it very uncertain. The delay arose,
he believed, at Fleetwood. He had a house in Glasgow as
well as in London. There were about 500 looms in the
town. There were considerable depots of carpets in
Glasgow, and considerable purchases were made by the
dealers there.

• To Mr. Sergeant MURPHY—Goods sent by sailing vessels
from Glasgow to Liverpool were charged about hss. a ton.
Mr. Wilson was shortly examined in corroboration of the
evidence of the previous witness, when - • • • -
The C,Ommittee adjourned till to-morrow at eleven o'clock.
As the Committee was rising,
Mr. TALBOT said he wished to intimate that he appeared
for the Duke of Buccleucb, and would be prepared to address
the Committee, should any alteration be made in the line
that would injure the interest of his client.
Mr.. Sergeant W'R.INGHAM said the Duke of Buceleuch
was a petitioner in favour of the line, and could not be heard
by counseLon his petition. lie objected, theretOre, to his
speaking at-all, as -the object of retaining him had been to
deprive the opposite side of: his services.
After a conversation the.matter dropped.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the questioh whether 1111.
Talbot should be heard was not then before them; no altera-
tion having as yet been made in-the Bill.
The Committee then rose. •

STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEE.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Their Lordships met at the usual hour, Lord Shaftesbury
in the chair.
There were eleven Bills on the list, all Railway Bills. • ,
EDINBURGH, GLASGOW AND SCOTTISH-CENTRAL
JUNCTION. •
The standing orders were complied with in thiscase.
BLACKBURN; 'PRESTON; AND EAST LANCASHIRE
• AMALGAMATION.
The promoters orthis Bill also had Complied with the
standing orders.
LIVERPOOL, ORMSKIIIK, AND .PRESTON.
So also had the promoters of this Bill.
WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS (KIRKSAXTON
DEVIATION).
Standing orders complied with.
Tilea LOITISIITSIreei reumeNs-nraanr&etnueia-011...., niLo.
in this case.
GRAND JUNCTION, SHOWIllI.I„ AND PORTOBELLO.
They made a Similar decision in this case.
TAFF VALE.
In this instance a similar decision was made.
LEEDS AND B11:311-SCillAM.
The same was the case in this instance.
LLYNVI -VALLEY AND SOUTH WALES JUNCTION.
Standing orders complied with.
LONDON 'AND BIRMINGHAM (WEEDON AND
NORTHAMPTON).
CORK AND WATERFORD. (Two Bills.)
On second reference—standing orders complied with.
The following cases have been passed in Committee on
merits:-- - - •
Caledonian (Carlise Deviation); Shrewsbury, Oswestry,
and Chester Junction, (Crickheatti and Went lines); Shrews-
bury, Qswestry, and Chester Junction (Extension and Devia-
tiods); North Wales Mineral (Deviation and Branches);
Liverpool and Bury and Manchester and Leeds Amalgama-
tion ; Edinburgh and Bathgate ; Leeds and Bradford (Alter-
ation of Levels); Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester (Devi-
ations' and Branches); Surrey Iron Miilivay Company Dis-
solving.
Their Lordships rose about half-past five o'clock. •

EDINBURGH ELECTION.
DECLARATION OF THE POLL.

EDINBURGH; WEDNESDAY.—The declaration of the poll
took place to-day at twelVe o'clock, on the hustings in High-
street. There was an immense crowd present, not less, we
should think, than six or seven thousand.
The SHERIFF having taken his place on the hustings, said
—I have now, in terms of the statute, to declare the result
of the poll for the election for the city of Edinburgh, which
was held ;yesterday. The number of electors who polled for
the Right Hon. Mr. Macaulay was I,73s—(Cheers. and
hisses)—and for Sir Culling Smith, 832—(Cheers, and hisses)
—making a majority in favour of Mr. Macaulay of 903.
(Cheers, and hisses.) I accordingly make this declaration and
proclamation, that, accordieg to the result of the poll, Mr.
Macaulay has been duly elected a Member of Parliament for
the city of Edinburgh.—(Cheers, and hisses.)
Mr. MAcauLay then presented himself, amidst mingled
cheers and hisses, and proceeded to address the meeting at
some length in a strain of his usual fervid and effective
eloquence.
Sir CULLING SMITH followed, and during his efforts to ob-
tain a hearing, a scene of the utmcst confusion prevailed.
Mr. GIBSON CRAIG, M.P., then came forward amid great
cheering, mingled With hisses, which lasted for several
minutes. When order had been in some degree restored,
the Hon. Member proceeded, in a vigorous and effective
speech, to reply to the remarks of Sir Culling Smith, and to
comment on the mixed and motley character of the party
supporting him.
In the midst of the uproar the Sheriff left the hustings,
after a vote of thanks had been moved to him by Mr. Logan,
advocate.
Sir C. E. SMITH then came forward and attemAted to oh.
tain a hearing but finding it in vain, bo-wed...l4a fgrewell.
The multitude then quietly dispersed.
BANK OF ENGLAND.
(From last ;Sight's Gazette.)
Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria, cat). '42, or
the Week ending ou Saturday, the Ilth day of Ju1y,1846.
ISSUE DEPARTMENT.

X. -
.i.
Notes issued-- . 29,266,360 (lovernment debt .. 11,015,100
Other securities •• • • 2,981,900
1 Uulti coin and billion 12,844,442
Silver bullion ••• • • • 2,A.21,918

.£29,266;360 t X 29,266,360
M. mAitsnALL, Chief Cashier.
Dated the 16t1i day of July, 1846.
DAWNING DEPARTMENT.

Proprietors' capital • • 14,553,000
Rest .. ••• • • • • • 3,412,511
Public &posits (In-
cluding Exchequer,
Commissioners of
National Debt, Sav-
ings-banks, and Di-
vidend accounts) .. 3,419,416
Other deposits .. • . 15,661,216
Seven day and other
bills 941,566

~.

4 38,127,809

GoTenunent securi-
ties (Including Dead

Dated the I Gth day of July, 1841

Weight 12,062,147
Other securities .• • • 16,143,726
Notes •. . .
Gold and silver coin.. 596,306

38,127,
. MARSHALL, Chief CashierBo9.

- •
WESTMINSTER REFORM zociETT.--Tlaursday a meet-
ing of the Westminster Reform Society was held at Stan
nerd's Hotel, to consider what course the Society should
take to testify their approval of the services rendered by Mr.
Cobden, M.P., Mr. Bright, M.P., Colonel P. Thompson, •
Lord J. Russell, M.P., and Sir R. Peel, Bart., M.P., in the •
cause of free trade. Mr. Prout presided. Mr. Coppeck pro-
posed a resolution to the effect—" That this Society is de-
sirous of testifying its gratitude to the advocates of corn-law
abolition for their continuous and disinterested labours, which
prepared the public mind for the reception of those great
truths so ably espoused and advocated by Colonel P. Thomp-
son, Mr. R. Cobden, M.P., Mr. Bright, M.P., Lord J. Rus-
sell, ➢i.P., and Sir R. Peel, Bart., M.P." Mr. Coppeck
moved the resolution without offering any remarks. It was
carried, and ordered to be advertised. A committee of
twenty-one was appointed to look after the registration.
TriE GRAND JURY SYSTEM.—The following is a
notice of motion Oven by Alderman Wood in the Court of
Aldermen, and to be discussed at the next Court, when a
full attendance of members is expected, and it is believed
that a very considerable majority will vote in favour of the
abolition of the system :—" That it be referred to the Com-
mittee for General Purposes to inquire into the present state
of the administration of justice in the Central Criminal Court
as it regards the existence of grand jurors, and to report to
this Court whether or not they can be safely dispensed
with ; and should the Committee entertain the affirmative,
that then they do report to the Court what substitute, if any,
should be adopted, or what course would be best adapted to
secure the trial of prisoners, and by what means such recom-
-111""t1911 41a9111(1 ho wrialint9 @Act,"