The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-25 00:00:00

TIIE TEN HOURS' BILL.

Homo; would not, therefore, consent to the motion of the
Hon. Member, to read the Bill a second time at the end of

six weeks.

Mr. F. BARING considered that as the House bad ap-
pointed a Committee to inquire into the principles of amal-
gamation, the House should keep the amalgamation Bills

•
before the House in their own hands until thei had received
the report of the Amalgamation Committee, and the rules
which they considered necessary to be laid down in the case

of new riilwaym.

Sir G. CLEitli thought the House ought to agree to the
suspension of amalgamated Bills until the House was in
possession of the. report of the Committee. He thought
the House should, however, act upon a general rule, and
suspend all the Bills, and not allow an advantage to any one
Bill over another. He would recommend the motion of the
suspension of the present Bill for six weeks to be withdrawn
as the report of the Committee might be laid upon the table
of the House before the expiration of that period. And he
did not see why .this or any other Bill should be delayed
beyond that period.
Mr. FOX MAULE consented to withdraw his motion.

Mr. LOCH hoped that the House would not agree to the
proposition of his Hon. Friend; but let the Bill take the usual
course of all other Bills. The traffic between London and
York was as nothing to the traffic which existed between
Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Lord EBRINGTON entreated the House not to be led
astray by quarrels between Hon. Gentlemen, let them take a
general principle and act upon it, and the question would be
whether they were to adopt some rule on which they were to
act in future, or permit the different Committees to come to
the most conflicting opinions.—(Hear, hear.) He regretted
that the Committee was appointed, for he considered that the
Government should have brought a Bill upon their own re-
sponsibility before the House to regulate these Bills. He
considered the Government had abdicated their functions in
not standing more by the reports of the Board of Trade
last year.
Mr. J. S. WORTLEY considered that tke motion of the

Hon. ►Member would not lead to any benefit, but, if it were car-
r'ed, might injure the Company; for if the Bill were now read
a second time, it would by no means advance them, as they
would not proceed further until they had received the report
of the Committee on Amalgamation Bills.
Mr. H. JOHNSTONE considered that the Bill ought to
receive a second reading, providing that further proceedings
should be postponed until they received the report upon
which they were to form a judgment upon the merits of the
case. .

Mr. P.M. STEWART was of opinion that, the House having
appointed a Committee on Amalgamation Bills, should abide
by the reports of that Committee.—(Hear, hear.) He had
come to the House to propose the second reading of the Lon-
don end Birmingham line, which stood for that day ; but if
the House opened the door to a second reading of the Edin-
burgh and Glasgow Bill, he (Mr. Stewart) would immediately
follow and claim a like right for the London and Birming-
ham Bill.—(Hear, hear.) if the House should concede to
the motion of the Hon. Gentleman, they would, in his opi-
nion, be only stultifying all their former proceedings.
Mr. FORBES felt no personal interest whatever
in the line, except the interest which he was
assured every Honourable Gentleman present felt,
namely, a desire to do justice to all parties concerned —(Hear,
hear.) Now, if the Bill were read a second time, it would
be merely a re :ding pro forma, as no further steps would be
taken in the matter.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it ap
peered to him that the House having adopted a certain course,
they could not depart from it, though he was not prepared
at that moment to effdr opposition to the second reading.
Mr. FOX MAULE begged to withdraw his original mo-
tion, and to• substitute for it—" That the Bill be suspended
until the Amalgamation Committee have reported on it, as
well as on all other amalgamation Bills."—(Hear.)
There being cries for a division, strangers were ordered
to withdraw, when the House divided—
For the second reading
Against it
Majority in favour of the second reading —6
On our return to the gallery, we found
Sir GEORGE GREY addressing the House. He hoped, if
the Committee of Classificntion should report against the
policy of amalgamations, that the House would allow of a
motion hereafter to rescind the order ibr referring this Bill
to the Committee, so that the Committee might not have the
trouble of sitting on a Bill the principle of which had been
condemned by the House.

Mr. WILSON PATTEN hoped that they would deal with
all these Bills in the same way.
Mr. F. ➢IAULE said if this was to be a pro forma pro-
ceeding only, and he was at a future day to be at liberty to
move that the order for the committal of the Bill be dis-
charged, of course his object would be gained.
Lord DUNCAN said the promoters of the Bill would not
take any further step until the report of the Committee was
before the House. They merely wished to place this Bill in
the same situation as the Caledcnian Bill.
The Bill was then read a second time.
EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW (FORTH AND CLYDE)
RAILWAY BILL. -

This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be corn
mitred.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW (WISHAW AND COLT-
NESS) RAILWAY.
This Bill wis read a second time, after a few observations
from Lord EBRINGTON.
EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW, MONKLAND AND
KIRKINTILLOCH, BALLOCHNEY AND SLAMAN-
. NAN RAILWAYS JUNCTION BILL.
After a few observations from Mr. FOX MAULE, this
Bill was also read a second time.
The following Bills were also read a second time, viz.
Furness and Windermere Railway.
Midland Railway.
Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester and Sheffield Railway.
Leeds and Thirsk Railway.
East Coast Railway.
And reports on the following Bills were brought up by Mr.
GREENE :
Glasgow, Paisley, and; Kilmarnock Railway Amendments
and Branches (No. 1.)
Bury Gas.
Woodstock Roads.
Brighton and Chichester Railway (Steyning Branch.)
The following Bills were read a second time
Blackburn and Darwen Railway.
Blackburn and Clitheroe Railway.
Belfast Gas Bill.
London and Birmingham Grand Junction.
Grand Junction and Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Amalgamation.
London and Birmingham (Aylesbury Purchase.
The second reading of the Election Notices (Ireland) Bill,
and the County Elections (Ireland) Bill, which stood for to-
day, were postponed, in consequence of the absence of Sir
James Graham.
The order of the day was then read for the second reading of
THE TURNPIKE ROADS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
Mr. FOX MAULE hoped that the House would pass this
Bill. His only object in rising to support the Bill was the
public interest ; he had no personal motives whatever to serve
in this case. Hadit not been for the cr3ing evils which were
proved to have been perpetrated by drunken and diAolute
carters purchasing intoxicating spirits, at the differ-
ent toll houses, in Scotland, on the Sabbath, he
should not have interfered with this matter.
He thought that, upon the ground of morality, the House
would allow the Bill to be proceeded with.
Sir JOHN M'TAGGART should oppose the Bill, unless
some clause was introduced to limit the sale of liquors at
toll-houses.
Mr. FORBES thought it a most uncalled for Bill.
Mr. P. STEWART said the law, as it then stood, placed
the justices of the peace in Scotland in a very
difficult position. There were shameful establishments
existing in Scotland —he alluded to those toll-
houses which were situated in a thickly populated
districts, and the turnpikes were inaccessible to travellers
who, like himself and other Hon. Members, were of a sober
character, in consequence of the great accumulation of car-
riers' carts around the toll-house, the drivers of which were
inside drinking the worst kinds of spirituous liquors. Let
the House restore the law of Scotland to its original purity—
let the turnpikes be what they were originally intended to
be, stations for the toll-collectors, and not drinking houses
eu ing the day, and at night the rendezvous of poachers.
Mr. B. DENISON would support the principle of the Bill,
he would also suggest, the introduction of a clause to prohibit
the sale of liquors within half a mile of any turnpike.
Mr. HODGSON would support the Bill. if a clause was
introduced limiting the license to certain cases.
Mr. FOX MAULE said he was quite willing to introduce a
clause preventing the sale of slirituous liquors, except in
cases where refreshment could not be obtained unless at a
distance of five miles.
Mr. F. MACKENZIE said be was quite willing to move
for a Committee to take into consideration the whole state of
the question of licensing in Scotland, and he wished the
Hon. Member not to press his motion.
Mr. H. DRUMMOND said he was not there to say there
were no abuses Under-the system, very far from it, and he
was most anxious to see a thorough reform effected in the
system ; and, therefore, on these grounds he most decidedly
should support the measure.—(Hear, hear.)
The House then divided, when there appeared— •
For going into Committee ... BO
Against it
Majority for going into Committee —l2
The House then went into Committee.
(LEFT larrava.)

Sir G. STRICKLAND presented a petition from Preston
in favour of the above-named Bill. The meeting at which
the petition was agreed to was most numerously attended,
and presided over by the Rev. ➢lr. Parr, the vicar of Preston.
EDINBURGH. GLASGOW, AND SCOTTISH CENTRAL

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

(THIS DAY.)

lIOUSE OF LORDS.

W.EiTERrOIi,D,NWZXFanD,IWICIELOW, AND

DUBLIN.

Their Lordslips Committee on this Bill met to-day at twelve
o'clock in the Lord Chancellor's Court—present, Lord Auckland
(Chairman), Lord Kinnaird, Lord Sydney, Lord Colville, and Lord
Rossi°.
The object of the line is to connect by railway the priacipal ports
and towns on the cast coast of Ireland. The length of the contem-
plated line is 163 miles—the estimated cost ;including the branches
to Carlow and Wexford) is 2,000,0001. The engineers are Mr.
Brunel, Mr. Farren, and Mr. Gibbon.
After the usual formal evidence had been put in,
Mr. J. GEORGE, counsel for the Bill, called Mr. Farren, who was
examined at great length as to the engineering advantages and diffi-
culties. The evidence of this gentleman was corroborate! by
Mr. Gibbon.

Mr. HATCHELL, on the part of the Carlow Ratlway Company, op-
posed the Bill, and cross-examined the witnesses at great length, as
did also •
N. PEECEVAL BANLES, who appeared as counsel for opposing
landholders.

Mr. BAKER appeared also for other parties.
The details were not of an interesting character.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
CROIJIP IX.

TM Committee met to-day, at half-past twelve o'clock, Lord
Woreley in the chair, when the further consideration of
THE GLASGOW GRAND JUNCTION MLR.

SOUR TERMINUS.

was resumed.
Mr. Cowl said, that since last night an arrangement had been
come to with the Clyde River Trust, by which their opposition was
withdrawn. A clause had been agreed to, which would give the
trust the regulation of the rails to be laid down on the quay.
Mr. Gale, civil-engineer, was recalled, and briefly re-examined,
with the street of showing that the nearest gradients and curves were
on the portions of the line that would be used tke least, being on the
branch that joined with the llarrhead and Nellaton line. The great
tiaflic would come from the Polloc and Govan, which would be a
straight line. The forks at the harbour would be worked by horse
power, and of tke rate of four or five miles an hour, so that there
would not be any inconvenience.

Mr. Miller, civil engineer, examined. He agreed with Mr. Gale's
estimate. They were quite ample enough. He had not surveyed
tile line, but he had looked over the plans and sections of
all the schemes, and he considered the Grand Junction one of the
best. Ile did not think the gradients and curves ought to give
any preference to the other two schemes. On a nominal line they
were perfectly workable. It was quite practicable to reduce the line
at the crossing of the Paisley road, so as to work locomotives if it
was required. This could be done without a treat Increase of the
gradient there. Generally, ho preferred the Grand Junction to the
other two.

The witness was cross-examined, with the object of showing the
diftienity of working the itrailients and curves and the using of loco-
motives ; but the answcr.were only a re-iteration of the examination
in chief.

Mr. Robertson, a coal and mineral proprietor, was briefly examined,
and deposed as to the superiority of tlia Grand..lunetiou.setienie over
the other two, tbr all minerals coming oil We clydebtialC Juuctlon
Gal, Wu ,rvilin; gol Wux, gollwqs.

GROUP X 11. 1 The Committee agreed with the Learned Counsel, and the oppoir
GLASGOW AND WEST OX' SCOTLAND ; tic)" was stopped. •
The preamble of the Bill was then declared to be proved, and the
3:: ZS 'Nal' eT. ; chase in the Bill was a!-;reed to
Mcmhers present—Mr. V. Smith (ehairin.m), Mr. T. D'Eyneuurt,
Mr. W. Hamilton, Mr. Laige:ou, and the INt. W. Pitz!naurice

P.B.Zi;VEIT, ZIELTAAILIV
czra.a rnar.:za. TO 7,..clrimpx 1 .T. 31)

MARAGOW), 09POZSETIOBT SCHMIVIE.
Mr. Sergeant BELLAsts, this mitrning, opened the case on behalf of
the promoters of a line set up in Opposition to the Glasgow, Paisley,
Kilmarnock, and Ayr scheme. They proposed to extend the railway,
for which they hal last year gut the sanction of Parliament, from
Glasgow to Barrheati and Ncilston, still farther, namely, to the towns
of Dunlop, Stewarton, Milani's, and Kilmarnock, thus shortening the
distance from the latter town to Glasg7ow by 10 miles. They proposed
also to'rnalce a branch to tile port of Ardrossan and to Irvine. They
had the good will of every town in the district on their side. The engi-
neering difficulties were not great, and the advantages to a rich mi-
neral and manufacturing district were so self-evident, that he thought
the public interests imperatively called for such a line.
Richard Omitting, a magistrate of Kilmarnock, spoke to the Im-
portance of that town as a seat of manufactures. The population
was 20,000, and the number of persons employed in the mills some-
where abeut.b,ooo. They considered it of the fkot importance to
have a direct minium &alien with Glasgow.
The witness was cross-examined at great long
mrs. The Learned Counsel did not succeed in eh:eking
mines evidence.
George Young, also a magistrate, was examined in corroboration
of the trade of that town.

GROUP XIV.
THE NORTH KENT.

h by Sir T.
Mr. Cum-

The Committee met this morning at twelve.o'clock

The CITAIardAN said that, befere entering on the business of the
day, Le feu it necessary to state that there was great uncertainty as
to the course the Royal Commission on Railways would adopt, and
under these circumstance of uncertainty, the Committee had better
proceed to hear evidence referring to that part of the line near the
Union-street station.
Mr. Tite said that he wished to correct an erroneous statement
made by him, with regard to a wall being built across the draWing-
room of a mansion, owned by Mr. Roupell and Sir T. Wilson. He
had been misinformed by the person from whom he had made in-
quiries. Such a wall had existed, but there was no intention of re-
newing it, nor was there at present any dispute or disagreement
between Sir T. Wilson and Mr. Emmen.
Mr. 11. IL Graham was then examined by Mr. RICKAMD, who ap-
peared in support of a petition against the line by Sir Thomas Wil-
son. He stated that he had made tracings of the plans and sections
of the line, as intended to be made in 1544. Had also made tracings
of their plans and sections for the present year. The line comes
nearer by 200 yards to Sir Thomas Wilson's property than it did last
year. A piece of land,which Sir T. Wilson proposed to add to his park,
has been intersected by the line. There were some buildings which
had been newly erected, at a place called the "Bull Pits," belonging
to Sir Thomas Wilson, which buildings would be interfered with by
the proposed line. Sir T. Wilson's park is a deer park, and he has
been enlarging it from time to time during the last fourteen years.

flub-Committee No. 2.
TICs Committee met to—Jay a fear minutes after twelve o'cloct•
Prescott, Sir J. Y. Buller (Chairman), Mr. Yorke, ..Mr. lieiuvle, and
Mr. Bramstcn.

Ile has been at considerable expense for that purpose. A wall has
been commenced to inclose some land at the southern side of the
park ; 300 or 400 feet of the wall have already been built. The line as
proposed throws down a part of that wall. The line also passes near
the Rectory-house, the property of Sir T. Wilson, and let by him to
his brother-in-law, Mr. Drummond, and the passage of trains every
seven and a half minutes would be a great nuisance to the inmates
of the building. Mr. Vignoles has stated that the lino would pass
300 yards from the church-yard wall, but the limit of devia-
tion for the line skirts the church-yard wall. There is. also
a house formerly occupied by Sir Thomas Hislop, and
afterwards by Queen Caroline. The rent would be 2301. per
annum. The File crosses the lawn in fro'A of that house. That
house IN as formerly occupied by a woman in order to take care of it,
but she having heard some noise in the ground, became afraid to re-
main. Sir T. Wilson then put several of his tenant- to occupy the
rooms until the house was let. These persons are not pauper, but
receive weekly wages from Sir T. Wilson. There is no party-wall
built across the.dritwhig-roont. _ .

EVAXTISII AND =lsla UNION.

The consideration of the petition against this Lil 3, commenced
yesterday, was resumed.
The Committee, having heard the evidence of Mr. James Ma'
crieff, a 6eoteh advocate, who was examined with reference to the.
Scotch law on the subject under discussion, which we nientieUee
yesterday, decided that the allegation was sustained. sted
Mr. COATES, who appeared in support of the petition, suggest
that it would be better it ail the minor objections should be arrang'
between the parties, without troubling the Committee.
Tide proposition was ultimately acceded to, and the further, CC
lv
sideration of the 13111 Nyus postponed till Friday.

Cross•examined by Sergeant WILANGIIAM—Does i.ot think that the
North Ketat Railway can have a station at Old Charlton. One of his
objections to the North Kent line is that it is to be a single line.
Did not hear Mr. Vignolee give his estimates for a double line.
Thinks Mr. Austin was cross-examining at the time. _ _ _

N 7.81. .-Ca NEAT=.
'fl,e object of Bill was to construct railwv of
, for the purPo—
allortik.; means of coommuigidion between Neath and Mort%
dvil, and tojoin tile.SoAh Wales Intilway at Reath. The
of the line was •z 5 milts, and -die amount of capital .500,600/.
glitter, Mr. I. K. ; Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Burke.
There were somo petitions k;ainst -dna _bill, for which no 01'9

appeared, -
The formal proofs having been taken, the Comr,llttee found that the
standing ori.ershael Lein complied with.

STANDIL4 G ORDERS' COMMITTEES.
HOUSE OF COMMONS. •
This Committee met at the usual hour, Mr. Strutt in the chair.
MORAYSHIRE LINE.
The usual formal evidence having teen adduced, several in
racies were discovered by the Committee in the plans and sections.
Sub-Committee No. 2. cit
This Committee re-assembled this morning, at twelve o'clock,
J. Y. Buller (chairman), Mr. Kemble, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Yorke in A‘
tendance,

BRITISH AND IRISH UNION. et
An objection was raised to the validity of the subscription contract
of this line, on the ground that one of the subscribers bad aPPen,,,ii
the signature of his firm (Taylor, Bruce, and Co.) to the subscriP"„,.
contract instead of his own name, and that as it was impossible
him to bind the "heirs, executors, and assignees" of the other PAD
ners, the standing orders were not complied with. Bah
The Committee, after healing Mr. Moncrieff, of the Scotch
and otter witnesses, decided that the standing orders were not cot.
plied with on this point.
Sub-Committee No. 3. -net
The Committee' re-assembled at the usual hour, Mr. Edward RI..
chairman ; Mr. Aldam, Mr. Broadiey, Mr. Thornely, And 31r*
Stausfield present.
EXETER GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
Shortly after the proceedings ware opened,
Mr. THOMAS, the agent for the petitioners against the DlO,
nounced that he had brought his case to a close, the remaining

tions having .been abandoned,
WILTS, SOMERSET AND WEYMOUTH RAILWAY. it
The object of the promoters of this line is to procure pevre,,
make certain alterations, deviations and extensions, of the
Somerset and Weynioath Railway. Estimated cost, 240,0001. lc..
liamentary agents, Messrs. Burke and 'enables. Engineer, l•
Brunel, Esq
The formal proofs having been given, seven petitions were irzie
into, complaining of non-compliance with the standing orders.

Sub-Committe4 No. 6.
The Committee fiat at twelve o'clock, Captain Jones, ChallrOli;
Mr. Paking,ton, and Mr. Childers present.
LANARKSHIRE AND LOTHIANS.
In this case a petition was presented from Sir W. Bailey, tdt.
Pitt, complaining that certain fields, &c., were not properly desalu'i.
in the book of reference, were not numbered in the plans and
dons, and that the references did not correspond.
The whole of the morning was occupied with the •onsideratitt°t.
these allegations, which possesses no feature of the sligktest

➢lr. Sergeant WRANGLIABI—Then you may comfort yourself, for it
is to be a double line.

VICE-CHANCERY.-(THIS DAY')
(Before the VICECIIANCELLOR of ENGLAND.)
GREGORY V. WADE.—INJUNCTION.
Mr. JENKINS applied this morning in this case. for a sfsel,
cial injunction to restrain the defendant from negotiating l!ch
bills of exchange for the sum of 4001. The facts CO wils'h•
he made the application and which are verified by the fol•
davit in support of the bill and the application, were 05 ts
lows :—A lady of the name of Engletield, wbo bad le!„,i;
seminary for young ladies at Clewer, in Windsor, being ou's
to marry the defendant in the course of last autunin,,,Tia)lyestablishmentanxious to part with her establishment at Clewer. The P' .
tiff made application to her upon the subject of purchasik!g, iv
establishment ; an interview took place between the par
the course of which it was stated that the eqablishmenti',slf
sisted of twenty borrders at thirty guineas a year, ar''
day scholars at, eight guitwas a year. Upon this rePre..„et
tation the plaintiff agreed to purchase the establifl,' be
at a sum -of 8004 400/. cf which was to
ire
paid down, and the remaining 400/. was to be paid t the
promissory notes. The 400/. was accordingly paid, the
five promissory notes given. After the termination
Christmas recess, the plaintiff discovered that the rePre'
tat ion.of the number:of boarders anti day scholars, 04;0
correct ; that not half the number attended, and under os•
circumstances the plaintiff filed the bill, to set aside tbe;,ttio
tract, grid for an injunction to restrain the negGtiation
promissory notes in the meantime. tbtt
The VICE-CHaxcEt.Lint thought, considering the tints
eon
had elapsed since all the facts had come to the knowleptiol
the plaintiff, that notice ought to be given to the defell.
of the application for the injunction.

GROUP XVI.
EPSOM 13112,11NC1L
The Committee assembled at twelve o'clock; Sir Charles Douglas
in the chair, when
Mr. HOPE, on behalf of the South-Western Company, opened the
proceedings by staling that there mai, already a line to Epsom from
Croydon, the proprietors of which line appeared as petitioners against
this Bill. Ile thought that they had no locus slandi in this case, fir it
had been decided by Mr. O'Connell, who was Chairman of the
Brighton Group, that the principle of objection must arise from com-
peting parties, and not from established companies. The same prin-
ciple had been observed in the London mid York Committee last
year, and that, therefore, was evidently the recognised usage of the
Clouse. The Croydon and Epsom line had been purchased by the
London and Croydon Company, and at the present moment this
Company was under agreement to amaleamate with the London anti
Brighton Company. .Now there was an actual understanding with
the Brighton Company and the South-Western Company, that the
latter should make a line to Epsom.
Mr. Ausrix said that his Leal tied Friend had stated his case with
singular brevity, but, as sots tunes heppened, fluff obscures fro, ho
had been rather too strong. 'fhe fact was that the London and
Croydon and the Croydon and Epsom Companies had acted under
the Bill by which the latter parries obtained their powers, so that the
truth was the him to Epsom was not made, aid the petitioners were
not an established company. What would the Committee think of
;toy parties opposed to a new Bite between London and Birmingham
requiring that the present proprietors of the commtmication between
these two places shout, not be heard. In the case of the Brighton
line, to which his Learned Friend had alluded, the facts were that in
1844 the Brighton Company obtained thee' Bill to make a line to
Basing,, and in 1845 the South-Eastern Company had brought in a
Bill for making a brie ch to the same place, and the Brighton Com-
pany had been allowed to be heard as competing parties.
At this point the room was cleared ; and, on the parties being ad-
mitted, the Chairman decided that the opposition might be offered.
Mr. HOPE then opened the case for the promoters, by stating that
the branch would be five or six miles in length, beginning about the
firth milestone en the main line, enabling the public to traverse the
whole distance to London, at the Waterloo-bridge station, in thirty-
five minutes. The population of Epsom was about 4,000, and
to show how much communication was needed, he might
state that at the present time there were as many as thirteen
trains to and from Guildford. Beside, however, the usual
traffic, there was a great addition at the time of the races, when
every one knew the influx of passengers into London was greatly
increased, for which a west-end :terminus was required. He might
observe also, that in this district there were as many as 20,000 tons of
coal annually carried, which would have a great convenience in their
delivery at the Nine Elms-wharf. He might fqrther observe, that
the London and Birmingham Company and the Creat Western Com-
pany had become proprietors of the Thames Junction Railway, by
which the hardware goods of the iron districts would be conveyed
at once to the batiks of the Thames, and being ferried across, could be
at once conveyed southward. Ott the other hand, the lime about Dorking
and Mahlon (where it was intended to have an agricultural station)
would have facilities of transport to the counties on the right bank
of the river. Ate and pottery, also, of which there was a large pro-
duction at Ewell, would obtainthat accommodation which was needed
for their transport to the central and western part. of theenetropolis.
Ile would, through the witnesses, show these and the other advan-
tages which the line would give to the public. In 1844, a project had
been devised by this Compony, on which, however. this would be an
improvement. The Learned Gentlemen then cited the report of the
Committee ens the Portsmouth Group of last year, to show
the opinion of Mr. R. Stephenson as to the inadvisability of
the atmospheric principle of traction as a commercial speculation.
Certainly the feelings of the people of Epsom were directly in favour
of the South-Western Company. And, acting on the declaration of
those feelings, had induced ihe Company to bring in a Bill last ses-
sion, and which had only failed on the standing orders. This Com-
pany proposed to bring the public to the centre of London, a dis-
tance of 12 or 14 miles ; whereas the opposing parties could only
bring the passengers to London-bridge.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that the Atmospheric Company could
carry to the Bricklayers' Arms station.
Di r. Hope had put the London-bridge station as being the
best, from abutting on the river. The distance to that station was
19 miles ; but in the event of the South-Western Company getting
their Bill for au extension to London bridge, the distance to that
spot would he only 5% miles, 1314 to Waterloo-bridge, and 1214 to
Nine Elms; so that in distance, in convenience of access to the
wharfs upon the river, and in facility of communication with the
north, this line was in every way superior to the competing project.
Further, such was the feeling of the inhabitants, that the South-
Western company would, if they filled this year, be compelled to
come again, until their Act was obtained. The Learned Gentle-
man then entered upon a comparison between the relative value of
the Epsom Branch to the Laudon and Epsom Company,
and stated, that in consequence of the reduction of the fares the
number of passengers on the South-Western Company had increased
by 35 per cent., although the returns had improved only by 8 per
cent. He would not, however, argue the question of competition,
because it was in fact here a very small matter, but the fact was,
that, although the people were inclosed In a smaller space,
yet, London was in population, necessity for accommodation,
habit, and pursuits, equal to the county of Warwick, and the
consideration of carriage as to distance became therefore a very dif-
ferent matter to what the same distance was in the country. On
these grout" the: afore, he believed the Committee would pass the
preamble of this Bill.
Mr. 11. Goss, the first witness,
.a magistrate at Epsom, who had
given evidence in favour of the South-Western Company in 1844,
and was still of the same opinion, bacved that the means of access
to the west-end of London offered by this Company was in every
way advantageous to Epsom, and the neighbourhood on the south
and west of that town. The rejeetion of the South-Western 111.1
was badly received in 1844, and the feelings of the inhabitants ;,ow
were much stronger in favour of the branch uow proposed. Pete
bail been presented in favour of it front Epsom and Ewell that n
the former place having originated in the largest and must respect-
able meeting that had ever been held in that town for the promotion
of the local interests of the place, the Baron Detesth, chairman of
the bench of magistrates, in the chair.