The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-25 00:00:00

-
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SUN OFFICE, Streit n' Clock.

RAILWAY cOMMITTEES.

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Room A.
CANIBILIZIGZ XD OZPORD.

Their Lordships met at eleven o'clock, in the above room, Lord
Mornington in the chair. All the members were present.
The case for the promoters was continued.

Captain Moorsorn gave evidence corroborative of that given by
Mr. Locke and Mr. attitoir y esterday. He was well acquainted with
the district through which the line passed, having been over the line
several Voles about three years ago. His evidence was highly fa-
vourable to the I:ne

In cross-examination by Mr. CALVERT, he admitted that he did
not see the plans until yesterday, but said that he thought that
quite suellcient, when his knowledge of the country was taken into
account.

Mr. Arsrz`t was ahont to call several other engineers; but the
Committee expiessed their opinion that it was unnecessary. Atter
some discussion, the room vas cleared on this point, and the Com-
mittee consulted for a few minutes. They then decided that they
would hear some further engineering evidence, but limited Mr.
Austin to two witnesses. . .

Mr. Bra: civil engineer, gave evidence 51milar to that of Captain
Moorsom.

Mr. Pilch, traffic-table accountant, gave traffic evidence, and tyft
in the traffic tables of the line. The total estimated retest .s from
traffic was 51,789/., being upwar.as of five per cent. on the capital.
In taking tl:e tables of traffic feat passengers were r of included.
Mr. Vesey, solicitor rif the fine, and clerk to the magistrates at
Royston, gave ellen% In support of that of Mr. Pilch, a •d gave his
°Atter' that that r:it ntleman's estimates of traffic were rather over
than under the rep;i amr
Mr Wm. HorAe secretary to the Chichester Railway
Company.
and connected with the South•Westen. Railway, said that he was
very familiar with railway traffic-tables, and that be th
with the
ought the
estimates wire very moderate. He was not acquainted
districts tlrteurrh which the line passed, but he Could easily judge
thin statistical information, Sec.
Tt was here stated that there was but one more witness to be
Called on the .part of the promoters. and that he was not present. As
It was then but half-past three o'clock, it was agreed that the evi-
dence on the' part or the petitioners should be commenced, but that
their case should n t be opened at pie e.lt.
Mr. Fletcher, a coachman, formerly keeping a coach between
Oxford and Cambridge. was next called, and said that in consequence
of the want of traffic between those places, he had been compelled to
abandon his busines., which had never pad him. He should
think a donkey and a pair of panniers would carry all the traffic
between Oxford and Cambridge.—(A laugh). All the traffic ran
north and south. There were formerly some roads running north
and south, crowing the Oxford and Cambridge road, which used to
supply him with a tew passengers, but since they had been stopped
he had now, at all.

Besilry and air. Newington, the former alivery-stable keeper,
the latter. a carrier, at Oxford
gave corroborative evidence.
Mr. ?.wan, carrier, at CtinbridgP, also gave evidence as to there
being 'no traffic between fix ford and Cambridge.
It 'being now past four o'clock, their Lordships rose, and adjourned
till to-morrow at tieven.

Room C

S W ANNINGTON AND X.EX CES TER.
The Committee assembled this morning, Earl Fortescne in the
chair.

Mr. Liddell, the engineer, was called to prove the particular cir-
cumstances of the line, and stated that lour turnpike roads would he
crossed on a 7erel.

Mr. WADDIKGTON cross-examined on the part of Mr. Harris, Mr.
Mi ler, and other landowners, through whose property the line is in•
tended to pass, and endeavoured to show that it was unnecessary, in
consequence of the passing of the Leicester ar.d Redford line; but the
Committee ruled that that question could not thus be opened.
In continuation the vi fitness stated that he had laid out another
line, but it would materially affect the town of Leicester. The
,Country on every side presented beautiful si pee; and it is necessary,
`when entering a town, to cross whatever roads may be the commu-
nications with other places ; awl here the ev 1 would be reduced by
the abstraction of all the traffic from the present public roads.
Mr. WADDINOTON again attempted to open the oppow.tion of the
Lettester and I.iledford interests, but as that line was not beto-e the
Committi.e as a competing lime, and therefore the evidence upon it,
one way or the other, would be of little value ; for, if made, it
wound-hot serve the purpose of the Leicester and Leamington line,
though the latter would supply the object of the former, it was not
entertained.
_ _

Mr. Elliaou, deputy chairman of the Midland Railway. and a di-
rector of the Sinithampton and Leicester Compa,iy, as also a dealer
In coal and a consider.Lbie occupier of land in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Lvicester, testified to the fee:lugs of Mr. Harris and Mr.
Miller when th a line was first projected.

A long dispute Ensued respecting the value of the property affected
by the line, the ohject being to show that Mr. Harris's land es-
pecially -was particularly adapted ''or the build rig of villas, and was
like the rest of the laird in the neighbourhood, of an undulating cha-
racter.
Mr. Mellor, the barrister, who ha, given evidence, chiefly stated,
also, that the land taken for the Leicester and Bedford line is marsh
land, so low as to be incapable of drainage, and utterly unfit for the
erection of residential property.
Earl Moaroe here required that a section of the line of the pro-
rooters should be put in.
On re-examination, Mr. Mt nor stated that he was not aware that
the Corporation of Leicester were under an engagement to the Le--
r-eater and Bedford Company to make a street parallel to the Brams-
ton-gate, In order to oriviate the inconvenience of crossing hat
street on a lee-el, although he was not sat are that the company had
agreed to pay 100 f. a day, to the Corptrrati.n so long its the line
passed Liramston-gate on the level.
The examination then went or to show the position and nature of
the goods and hoe- eif Mr. Harris, which are close to the town of
Letcester. Dannett's all was formerly 13.4ter situ ited, but in con-
sequence of the present it, ighhourhood of coal-wharfs and factories,
its position is bow much worse than Westcoati , the seat of Mr. liar-
riA. Some property which he had himself bought in the neigh
bourhood of the town, had risen In consequence or his making a new
road from 275. to 2/. 10s. an acre, and some (Olt, since thi- purchase,
to 4/. an acre. Indeed, he might let the whole at that price if he
would consent to cut it up into small portions.
The evidence was continued till four o'clock, when the Cclntalltee
adjourned till to-morrow.

GROUT D.

AND LiacoLNszußE .TEINC-

TIOAT.

The Committee resumed this morning, Lord Somers in the chair,
when

31r. Dunn, of Sheffield, was called to show that the line would be
avallible for opening the coal-fields to a very considerable extent,
and that it would be very convenient in consquence of being more
than thirty feet below the level of the line, so that the expense of
raising the coal would be altogether obviated.
31r. Wrigley stated that the quantity of coal available would be
208,000,000 tons.
Mr. Collier proved the value of the land to be taken in the town-
ship of Sheffield.
Mr. Smith, of Gainsborough, the local solicitor of the line, showed
the general feeling of the public in its favour.
Mr. Jetcock had valued the land from the neighbourhood of Sher-
geld to Gainsborough, and stated that :he quantity required was .511
acres, 1 rood, and 31 perches, worth 54,2711. 17s. bd.
Mr. Hutton, a considerable owner and occupier of land in the
neighbourhood of Gainsborougb, testified to the general accommo-
dation which the line would afford.

• Mr. John Fowler, the engineer of the line, as also of the Great
Cirfmsby and Sheffield Junction line, which is now in course of con-
struction, testified to the facts, which have been proved, respecting the
petitlfir circumstances of the line as to its connexion with the
84effierd-and Manchester, and the Great Grimsby Company. The
lillaWas.intended to start from the sheffic!d station of the Manchester
and-Beiettleld line. That line was one of the most difficult that could
be formed. and had some of the most stupendous and expensive
sVorks—tition It of any in the kingdom. After leaving Sheffield the
line psi I-15Y Darnel, near Efandsworth by Orville, and thence by a
breach to the North Midland Railway, about live miles from Shef-
field. They there crossed the North Midland at an elevation of
thirty-tree feet. Proceeding east about a mile, there would be a
Spur which would connect the line with the Midland Railway,
and open up a communietstion w th Rotheram and the places in that
district. About dye miles the Rue attained its summit without a
tunnel, but on a gradlent of 1 in 120, and through a cutting of 54
feet. This was near Workaup, from which place to ltetford the
works would be light and the gradients easy. Near Worksop a curve
was male to keep clear of Mr. Foljambe's house and grounds. Be-
tween the house of that gentleman and the line there was a rising
ground, which prevented the latter being seen front the former. There
Is also the additional screen of woods, and there is a turupike-road
end a canal betwe, n the braise 'and - the line. The line runs
nearly straight to itetroni, at which place it runs near to
Mr. Simpson's property, but every care had been taken tee avoid
injury to It. At Retford they intersect the main line of the London
and York Railway, and after sufficient consideration, it was decided
that the company would be corntietent to form a connexion with
that line, without applying for a fresh Act of Parliament. After
leaving Retford, the line Plivergettit litCe to tile north, to avoid injury
to the house of Mr. Hutchinson.

Here Mr. Black, the surveyor, was called to prove the maps put
in to show the several properties on the line.
Mr. Fowler's examination was resumed, and be stated that after
leaving this proi,erty, they encountered a.lolerably severe country,
and passed by a tunnel of 540 f ands. Alter the end of the
tunnel, the Lincoln branch diverged to that city, while another branch
proceeded to meet the Sheffield and Grimsby line ; and a third,
termed the shipping branch, which went directly into the town of
Grainebirough. In leaving Sheffield to go to Gaiesborough, they
passed a very valuate coal-geld, which could be very conveniently
got at. After leaving the coal-field they got upon the magnesian
limestone, passing within a mile of the pits whence the stone tor the
Howes of Parliament is drawn. 'Fife next iortnavon is red sand-
stone, and then gypsum, which they perf rated neat to the large
works used by Its proprietors. 'lbis line vv,,u d not only
give a through traffic east and west. but would a:so im-
prove the communication north and south As compared with the
Mauchester, Midlands, and Great Grimsby line, there :would be a
saving of 5 miles be ween Sheffield and Lobdon, The witness also
testified to the advantages of the united manngernent, under which
the truck line would be placed. A lo.tg exanimatio i then ensued uPOII
the respective distance. of the competing lines, anal the facility with
Which they could be made. The portion between Woodhouse and
Sheffield, including its branches, wool cost 170,000/., but was not
the most expensive portion of the undert .king. the expense of tun-
nelling wuuld be 501. a yard, and the of her 451. The shortest tunnel is
thz-ough coal mites, and the other through gypsum nbirl and gypsum.
Mr. Pacier, cross-examined on henalt of Mr. oljanahe, and ascer-
tained that the Cutup my were prepared to erect an ornamental
vieuu. t over the railway, and to provide an access to the terns-build-
ilia and property. There is a road between the house and the
railway, the loop of the grounds abotting upon that ro.td, and the
line of railway being about halt a mile distant train the road. The
Junction with the Midland Railway and with the North Midland
lines would be effected hi the usual way, and the former of these
was Passed by a viaduct over it.
The
mtirCommittee rose at half-past four o'clock.
tee,er;ori cncurred in the report of the proceedings of this Com-
represented 121,itoett in our Contemporary, the 2 imes, where it is
other witoeo.o. t4Worsley, M.P., Mr. John Parker, M.P., and
and Great Cris,
lie 4; in favour of the Manchester. Midlands,
evidence was givette. bett7"?•Se, as our readers well know, their
Lion line ; but It is neeZ-1, the Sheffield and Lincolnshire June-
misapprehension. to correct the error to prevent any

HOUSE OF
It 0 IT B.
GROUP 11.
TAW VALE ILICTENSiowt.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
Mr. William Richard Neale, the gentleman who laid oat the line
tinder the directiou of Mr. Locke, proved that the lin: was tree from
engineering dlrliculties. The steepest gralient was lin 85, and the
sharpest curve was 30 chains radius. There were three tunnels, but
no heavy embankments or viaducts. The details of Ills estimate
were as follows:—Land, 34,4001. • road, 161,5931.; tunnels, 69,5201.;
masonry, 68,4491. ; permanent ;toad, 93,000/. ; electric telegraph,
5,2501., stations, 15,0001. ; and sidings, 50,0001. ; mak:ng a total of
197,212/. The length of the line creaming the existing Taw Wale and
the Exeter and Crediton, from Barnstaple to Exeter, would be 38
It would afford great accommodation to the districts through
hi
ch it passed, and prove amply remunerative to the shareholders.
'After hearing several witnesses who were called on behalf of the i
qvDeeltion to this line, the Committee adjourned.

• , GROIII. XIII.
This Committee iict not Clay was in the chair. meet till one o'clock to-day. Sir William
CALEDONIAN EXTENSION.
The whole of the atter-04m was occupied with evidence impugning
the a. curacy of the traftis returns adduced by the promoters of the

The Committee adjourned at the usual hour.

GROUP XVII.
TYLAITOZESTER .AND SOUTHAMPTON.
The Cornmqtee met this morning, at twelve o'clock, the Hon.
E.:Yorke in the citair.
The first witness called was Mr. N. Brown, a gentleman possessing
property and residing at Chialedon, between Swindon and Marl-
borough, who stated that the line would run through a great portion
oe his property, partially by a „uunel; that the country was not
thlekly populated. In addition to this, the line would interfere, and
possibly dry up, on account of the nature of the soil, several wells
supplying the inhabitants of the town witn water. He generally
disapproved of the :toe, as not required ity the wants of the district,
or for through truffle. Eastern and bestem communication was all
that was required.
Mr. Locke, the engineer to the South-Western and other lines, was
then called, and examtned by Mr. iiitt.---"i he Manchester and
sodthampteu was 8S miles in length trom Southampton to its
points of junction with the Bristol and Birmingham,
at Swindon, in
Giouetaterahjra. The entire distance to Slanchester was 212 M miles
in length. The distance by Birmingham would be 116% miles. The
diatallCe to Manchester by the South -twoterit,eitti Basingstoke, Read-
ing.; the oxff rd and Rugby, the Trent ValleynacdtheGrand Junction.
wag.. gi rr.lle.s and ahe quarter ; by the South-We-tern, the BasingaoKe
auctit,ading.. and . proposed Oztitra and Bumf gnaw, 224 lies
an\tail; Vote 1 :.cot branch prirooted by the Bourn of f rade, '412
re toa d'a be as tiltort ad the proPoseil tins. 3,1 T.
,Alekts wile /wildwith respect to a Ime fri,lii Nouthainwor
biabitL, y'tk lin ,' hi wag thrown out by tn.: :.'4,ating ordet,'
.1
~.. tt,theart.--sui,l. •,ituit
rist.ai4.6dted ai•jesao,..s three; and would be inure
.4..; . ~ -. _.
..,....i , course or exatutuation al the limbed
. •• ( e ' ....v.,. , - - .
(
_._ 'sot before Parliament, .... , -_,,, L;.. ,
el a Ea

The ClLintmeN was of the same opinion, but as the Committee did
not agree with him, the examination was continued.
Examination 'continued —Knew the gradients on the Manchester
and Southampton and the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton
lines, and conceived those on the latter line preferable, and that goods
could be carried by it at a cheaper rate than the other, and that it
was sufficient for the general purposes of the district. The Manchester
and Southampton would cross 14 turnpike roads, and 87 other roads.
A better line might have been adopted between Salisbury and
Marlborough, both with regard to shortness- and local convenience.
By Romsey and Luggershall a route four miles shorter could have
been obtained. By the Salisbury route 261,0001., and 46,0001. by the
Luggershal and Runway would be saved.
Cross-examined oy Mr. Jasas—The first break of gauge was at
Basingstoke, and the second at Rugby. Mr. Bethel's line was not in
existence ; he was consulting engineer to it. lie never surveyed the
line, but yet he put it in contrast with the Manchester and South-
ampton. He was not engineer to Lacey's, although his name
appeared In the prospectus as filling that office. His name was not
put there with his consent. Mr. Ilubberty, his assistant, surveyed
the line, and he (Mr. Locke) saw the plans, which were not, luw-
ever, prepared in his office.
The CHAIRMAN stated that it would be advisable to have Mr. Lacey
summoned before the Committee.
Mr. JAMES vonsidervd that it would be advantageous to do so. ,
Examination continued—Was not awarsilthat the capital of Lacey 'a
line was proposed to be 1,600,0001.
The Committee then adjourned until twelve to-morrow.