The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-24 00:00:00

GROUP XIV.

The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of
the Bills comprised in this group assembled this morning at
the usual hour, in the Court of Exchequer, Westminster
Hall, Mr. Protheroe in the chair. The ether Members pre-
sent were General Lygon, Mr. Grogan, Lord Emlyn, and Mr.
John O'Connell.
TER NORTH RENT LINE.

The early part of the sitting was occupied with Counsel
cross- examining Mr. Vignoles, the engineer of the North
Kent line, on behalf of several landholders who were averse
to the railway passing through their property.
In the course of these cross-eiaminations, Mr. Vignoles
stated that the cost of the line between Southwark and the
point of junction with the Croydon Railway would be about
292,9041., and the cost of land and stations for the
same portion of the line would be perhaps 300,0001. This
part of the line would be partly on a viaduct, partly on
embankments, and partly on retaining walls. The estimate
was not sufficient to make a viaduct the whole length, but
it was sufficient for the purposes of the railway, laid out in
the manner he had just stated.
The CHAIRMAN—Will your estimate enable you to provide
for openings under the viaducts and embankments ? Mr.
Vignoles—Certainly it will. There will be several openings.
The CHAIRMAN—Besides those for existing roads? Mr.
Vignoles—Yes.
The CHAIRMAN—How much of this part of the line goes
over fields and gardens? Mr. Vignoles—About a mile and
a half.
The CHAIRMAN—Do you contemplate that this will at
some time be built upon? Mr, Vignoles—Yes, I do; and I
have provided for openings accordingly.
Mr. CALVERT—Are there no sewers on this part of the
line? Mr. Vignoles—Not many; and the consequence is,
the land is marshy and a nuisance. The other day a child
fell into one of the ditches, and was smothered before assist-
ance could arrive. Had there been a sewer, there would
have been no ditch.
Mr. CALvERT—When was your estimate made ? Mr.
Vignoles—About three months ago.
Mr. CALVERT—Have you made no allowance since for the
increase in the price of labour and materials which has taken
place since that time ? Mr. Vignoles—No, lam not aware
that the price of labour and materials has increased; at all
events, I have not found it so where I have works in different
parts of the country.
The witness was then re-examined by Mr. Sergeant
WRANGHAM, on behalf of the promoters of the North Kent
line. The witness stated positively that the Kent had a
priority of claim to the North Kent district, for in
1838 he assisted in bringing a line before Parliament
passing through North Kent, and running from
London to Dover. That line, which was identical with the
present one from London to Chatham, was opposed by the
South-Eastern Company, and thrown out by Parliament. In
1848 ha pro post d a line to Sittingbourne, and at this time
there was only ono other line in the field, but that one did
not go further then Gravesend. With respect to that part of
the line between Southwark and New-cross, the station
at London-bridge was quite inadequate for the traffic
likely to come upon the North Kent line, while
it must be evident to every one that is own
station in Union street, was amply sufficient for the North
Kent traffic, and so situated that it would give better access
to the west, and as good access to the east of the metropolis,
as the station tit London-bridge. The bridge crossing the
Medway had been approved of by the Admiralty. His line
of last year went much nearer to the Powder -Mills of
Faversham than the present one, but he did not
alter the direction of the line, because he
thought passing so near to the powder-mills would be dan-
eous, but because he wished to remove the prejudices of
he peop'!ft in the neighbourhood.
Mr. J. O'CoI:2SELL—Now, Mr. Vignoles, I wish to ask you
a question ; but for ft,...1r von should not be competent to
speak to this point, I will mention the matter first. It re-
lates to third-class fares, _

. .
Mr. Vignoles—Ob, yes, I can speak to that point. Our
Parliamentary low fares will be time farthings per mile, and
I propose for the short traffic, such as to Woolwich, the
same description, or perhaps a better description of accom-
modation will be given to third-class passengers than is
found on the Dublin and Kingstown Railway.
Mr. OVONNELL—No doubt the accommodation on the
Dublin and Kingstown Railway is very good ; but great com-
plaints are made of some lines that tlicy keep their third-
class passengers a long time on the road.
Dlr. Vignoles—lt is my wish and lasagna that third-class