The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-31 00:00:00

nage nearly 100,000. The coals ex,orted in the same year amounted
to 23,317% tons. The timber trade was abort equal to that of Port
Glasgow. He found that the tonnage of the ships entered at Port
Glasgow amounted in the same year to 42,670 tons, and the ton-
nage of the ships outward bound amounted to 39,000 to v.
Joseph Lang, coal master, gave evidence as to the minerals in the
county of Renftew. The line would be useful to them, bec,iuse they
brought a better deseription of coal from Ayrshire than they could
themselves command.
The Catamaran, at this stage of the proceeding, intimated that the
Committee had made up their minds that a direetline from Johnstone
to Port Glasg w was required, and as this was the only one before
them, they were prepared to pass it, if the engineering evidence were
satisfactory.
The Committee, after some discussion amongst themselves, de-
clared that it was their opinion that a direet line should be
made between these points and the counsel fcr the
opposition might, if they considered it right so to do, bring forward
evidence as to the expenses and estimates, and other engineering
difficulties, as affected that portion of the line. It was at last, how-
ever, agreed upon by the Committee to hear the counsel and evidence
in favour of the competing line before they decided upon the pre-
amble of the Bill.
Mr. Miller, engineer, examined—The total length of the line is
fifteen miles, two flariongs, and some chains. The distance to Port
Glasgow from Ayrshire. as compared with the Glasgow and
Greenock, would be shortened by four miles and three-
quarters. The line would afford a good communication between
the bridge of Weir, on the one hand, and Glasgow and
Port Glasgow on the other, there would be a saving of some distance
from this port also. On the Port Glasgow branch there is a gradient
of lin 36, which would be worked by horse power. There would
be no engineering difficulties on the main line, the steepest gra-
dient being 1 in 75, and the sharpest curve three•quarters of a
mile. The gradient of lin 36 would extend above a mile.
Mr. Miller then went into evidence of a merely formal nature. re-
specting the length of branches, the crossing of parish roads, ec., on
level. The estimaed cost was 300,0001., and the working expenses were
estimated at 30 per cent.
Mr. HILDYAND cross-examined Mr. Miller. without elicitine any
discrepancies with the examination in chief.
Mr. Miller then gave in a list of the assents, dissents, and neuters.
Mr. Turner, solicitor to the Glasgow, Paisley, and careenock Com-
pany, stated that in their Act of 1840 a clause was inserted, making
it compulsory upon the Company to construct branch railwa3s to the
mese had not yet been
harbours of Greenock and Port Glasgow ;
entailed. A branch railway
made to Greenock harbour at the expense of the
constructed, and their powers had now
, was, however,
Harbour Trustees.
The Committee adjourned at foul o'clock.

GROUP XIV
0017T1I-EASTERTir
(continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
Mr. CocttahltN, who appeared in support of the proposed line, pro
ceeded to examine the Reverend S. Barker, the rector of the
„wish of Wouldham, which is three miles from Rochester. The
meth Kent line, as proposed, would interfere with his house and
with the churchyard. The western ride of the river would be better
for a railway, as it is mere populous. The feeling of the farmers and
landowners in his parish is almost universally against the North
Kent line.
By Sir W. RIDDLE—Is positive that the North Kent line would
interfere with his house and the chtychyard.
Some discussion here ensued as to whether it was competent to
a private individual whose property was affected to enter an objection
to any part of the line he might think proper.
The CHAIRMAN at length decided that private individuals could not
be heard against those portions of the line which did not affect their
own interests. The demerits of the whole of the South-Eastern line
would be entered into by the competing line, and of course that
would answer all the wishes of private persons who wished the
whole line to be opposed.
By Mr. MERIEWETHER—Hai not examined the plan deposited in
the parish.
Mr. H. Simmonds, examined by Mr. MERREWETHER —IS a wharf-
Inger and collier, at Maidstone. Has tureed his attention to the way
in which the North Kent and South-Eastern lines approach Maid-.
stone. The North Kent goes along the east side of the river. The
western side, along which the South Eastern goes, is more populous
than the eastern side, and possessed more places of note. Believes
that the South-Eastern line will afford more accommodation to Maid-
stone.
By Sir W. RIDDEL —ls aware that the North Kent is only eight
miles in length between Rochester and Maidstone, and the South-
Eastern is eleven miles.
The Right Hon. Mr. Lushing,ton, examined by Mr. AUSTIN-
Re, ides at Norton Court, which Is between eittingbourne and Fever.
sham. His attention has been front time to time directed to the rail-
ways proposed to be formed in Kent. Knows the project of the
south-Eastern Company, and also of the North Kent Company. His
opinion is that the South-Eastern scheme is the one most calculated
to benefit the country,
Sir W. RIDDEL objected to this course of evidence as the Com-
mittee had a few days since declared that the opinions of private
individuals with regard to the merits of the line was not admissible.
The CHAIRMAN was of opinion that such evidence were admissible
to a certain extent. It was unnecessary to draw the line with too
great severity.
Examination continued—lias, until lately, been rather in favour of
the North Kent scheme, as it was generally believed that the South-
Eastern Company were not sincere in their profession of coming
down near the course of the proposed North Kent line. Has found,
on reference to the report of the Board of Trade, that they approve
of the South-Eastern line, and It is bound, by a clause in its Act, not
to pay any dividend until the line and branches, as spec fled in the
Act, are formed.
By Mr. Theism' —Was in favour of the proposed atmospheric line.
Was not aware of the accommodation given to the quays at Faver-
sham by the South-Eastern.
Mr. Norton Knatchbull gave it as his opinion that the South-
Eastern scheme was in every respect superior to the North Kent.
Mr. Edward J. Hilton—ls a backer at Faversham, and also a
navigation commissioner. The accommodation given to the quays
by the South. Eastern Company was in every way satisfactory.
Examined by Mr. Sergeant 31URPHY —The Mayor of Faversham
presided at a metting of the inhabitants last year. Ile is the agent
of the South-Eastern C mpany. The meeting agreed to a petition
in favour of the North Kent Line.
Mr. Henry Cooper, an alderman of Canterbury, stated that the
South-Eastern would afford very great accommodation to that city
and to the fisheries of Ramsgate and Margate. It would incon-
venience the city to make a new station.
By Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM—There has beer: a public dinner at
Canterbury, and 280 persofts present at it. Witness has not paid the
bill for that dinner. If nobody else pars it witness must. Believes
that the South-Eastern Company will pay it. Is of opinion that
dinners change people's opinions, for some of the supporters of the
North Kent Company who were present drank " Prosperity to the
South-Eastern Company."
Mr. Gibbs, of Howley, also gave evidence in support of the South-
Eastern line.
Mr. Miller, an engineer, was then called in support of the South.
Eastern line. He stated that he had surveyed North Kent. with a
view to the formation of a railway in 1825, and also in 1832. The
gradients of the South-Eastern, between Greenwich and Woolwich,
are more favourable than those on the North Kent in the same places.
The two tunnels on the North Kent between London and Woolwich
are very objectionable. The accommodation it would afford to the
dock and arsenal is superior to the South-Eastern Railway.
Tha Committee then adjourned at half-past three o'clock.