The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-23 00:00:00

Room F.

BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD 3UNOTION—
AND BRANCHES.
(Continued fret* our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. Shaw, a magistrate at Birmingham, and manufacturer and
merchant, then gave similar evidence.
Mr. Muntz, M.P., and Mr. Philip Muntz, his brother, gave evi-
dence similar to that given by them before the Committee of the
House of Commons, which will be fresh in the minds of most of our
readers. It was in corroboration of that of the previous witnesses.
Evidence was given by each witness to the effect that the tolls on
the London and Birmingham were excessively high, and must be
mush reduced by competition.
Mr. Spooner, M.P. tor Birmingham, gave similar evidence.
Mr. TALBOT said, on the conclusion of this witness's evidence, that
he wished to call a Noble Lord who was now in the chair In another
Committee—he meant Lord Hatherton.
The Citatamax—Then you must dispense With his evidence.
Mr. TALBOT—No, Sir. I had the honour last year to examine a
Noble Chairman, who adjourned his Committee for five minutes while
he went to give evidence, and I have now sent a messenger to re.
quest his Lordship to do the same.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that they should hear some other evi-
dence ht the meantime. This was assented to, and
Mr. Aston, a button-maker, of Birmingham, gave similar evidence
to that of the former witnesses.

Lord Hatherton, on his arrival, gave evidence very strongly in
favour of the line. His Lordship, it will be remembered, gave evi-
dence before the Committee of the House of Commons. His state-
ment now was precisely similar to that published in The Sun at the
time. His Lordship was cross-examined by Mr. Mellor on the part
of the opponents of the

Lord Villiers also gave evidence in favour of the line, and was
Cross-examined by Mr. ALEXANDER, on the part of Mr. Wyse and
cf Dr. Jephson, who petitioned on the ground of residential damage.
Mr. Thomas Barker, of Lyrnington, gave similar evidence.
The Committee then rose at about half-past four, and adjourned
till to-morrow.

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Present—Lord De Lisle,
Lord Strangtord, Lord Camoys, and Earl row's.
ISL.A.CHIIIIRN AND PRESTON AND MAST
LANCASHIRE AMALGAMATION.
Mr. Sergeant Wrangham and Mr. Brandt appeared on behalf o
this Bill, the object ef which was to effect an amalgamation between the
Blackburn and Preston and East Lacashire lines. There were two
petitions against the Bill, but they were not appeared on by ceunsel,
and consequently the Bill was unopposed.
Some slight evidence was taken as to the nature of the amalgama-
tion, when the Committee declared the preamble of the Bill to be
proved.
BRISTOL. AND BIRMINGHAM AND
MIDLAND.

This Bill, the object of which is to amalgamate the Bristol and Bir-
mingham line of railway with the Midland Counties, was next pro-
ceeded with. _

The Great Western Company appeared againosft thethe BBiillil.,
when the
Mr. LONG briefly opened the case on behalf
examination of witnesses was proceeded with.
When the examination of the first witness was proceeding with,
a question was raised about the right of Mr Austin to appear en
behalf of the Great Western Company, which led to a discussion on
the point. At the close of it,
Mr. AUSTIN said he appeared against the Bill, solely to proiect the
interests of the Great Western Company, by securing that the
Gloucester and Bristol Company should maintain the present broad
gauge communication with the Great Western Company at
and between the points of Stonehouse and Bristol. lie was
quite willing to withdraw his opposition to thrs Bill, if the promoters
would insert a clause he had drawn up, which he begged leave to
state was in accordance with the recent report of the Board of Trade
and Lord Dalhousie's resolutions adopted by their Lordships' Ilous,
The Learned Gentleman then read the clause, which was in effect
that in the event of the amalgamation being agreed
.to, the united
company should he bound to maintain intact the present breagauge
communication at and between Stonchouse and Bristol.

After a consultation, Mr. Loo on behalf of the promoters of the
Bill, Intimated that he could not consent to the clause in question.
Mr. AUSTIN said, In that case
he would go back to his original
position, and oppose the preen ble of the Bill.
The Committee considered that lie had a right to do 80, and the
examination of witnesses was proceeded with,
Mr. launders, the Secretary of the Bristol and Birmingham Rail-
way, was first examined. His evidence went to show that a unity of
mana
the lgi neement would. tend greatly to facilitate the efficient working
of .
Cross-examined—The Midland Company had already 200 miles
of railway under its controhl and the present 818 would give them
50 miles more. The Bristol and Gloucester Company had applied
to the Great Western Company for increased accommodation far
their traffic to Stonehouse and Bristol, which had been acceded to.
Considerable works were in progress for that purpose.
On the termination of this witness's crone-examination,
Mr. LANG said, that upon re-consideration be was willing to save
the time of the Committee by accepting Mr. Austin's clause.
The preamble of the Bill was afterwards declared to be proved,
BLACKBURN AND PRESTON AND BAST
LANCASHIRE AMALGAMATION.
Mr. Herepath vriJhed to call the attention of the Com.