The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-01 00:00:00

GROUP XIX.

The Committee assembled at the usual hour this morning ; present
Lord Harry Vane (chairman), Honourable Francis Scott, the Earl of
March, Mr. D. Morris, and Mr. Phillip Bennett.
A preliminary conversation took place as to the next line which
should be called after the disposal of the one now before the Commit-
tee. It was ultimately decided that the Bridgewater and Minehead
should follow, and would be called on for hearing to-morrow.
Tho consideration of the proposed lines of the
ZXETEZ, TOPSHAM, AND EXMOUTH, AND
T 2 EXETER. AND EXMOUTH

was then resumed.
Mr. SMALR appeared on behalf of the Corporation of Exeter, who
are trustees of the burgesses of that city, the owners and proprietors
of the canal. He proceeded to show the Committee the injury this
canal would suffer by the formation of either of the proposed lines,
and should the Committee consider that sufficient evidence had been
adduced showing the necessity for the construction of such a line,
then he would submit that the Exeter and Exmouth line be selected,
the opposing line crossing the canal, and thereby injuring and ob-
structing the navigation.
Mr. lissavALE followed. He advocates the Exeter, Topsham,
and Exmouth proposed line, pointing out the capabilities and facili-
ties of this over the other.
The room was then cleared for a division. On our re-admission,
The CHAIRMAN said it was the unanimous opinion of the Committee
that the preamble of the Exeter, Topsham, and Exmouth line had not
been proved; and they are also unanimously of opinion that the
preamble of the Exeter and Exmouth (Locke's line) is proved, con-
tingent upon the Exeter, Ycovii, and Dorchester Bill passing.
The Committee then adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow
(Wednesday).

GROUP XX.
This Committee re-assembled this morning. Present, Mr. Sotheron,
Mr. Ross, Lord H. Bentinek, and Sir R. Pigot.
LONDON AND BRIGHTON (WANDSWORTH
BRANCH.)

Mr. WELLEn opened the case for the promoters.
The Committee were occupied hearing evidence in favour of the
line, which is between seven and eight miles long, and will com-
mence at Croydon, and terminate in junction with the South-Western
Railway at Wandsworth. A West-end terminus will then be given
to the London and Brighton Railway.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

GROUP XXI.
MONDON AND OXFORD.

The Committee re-assembled this morning at the usual hour; Mr.
Finch in the chair.
As the promoters were unable to proceed on account of the tempo-
rary absence of their engineer, who was engaged in another Com-
mittee, and other material witnesses, the Committee consented to
adjourn until to-morrow.
PAYMENT OF OPPONENTS' COSTS.
The Committee intimated that the promoters of the Bill ought to
pay the costs for the day of their opponents (the Great Western and
the opposing landowners).
One of the senior committee clerks (Mr. Witham), who was con-
sulted on the subject, said they had adopted no rule on the subject,
but it was left to the discretion of the Committee, from whom any
order to that effect must emanate.
The Committee, however, made no order, but after the parties had
deliberated for a few minutes on the subject, It' was intimated that
the promoters had consented to pay the costs of the day, of counsel,
agents, and witnesses, of the opponents of the line.
It is expected that the Committee will be enabled to come a de-
cision before the Easter holidays.
The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow.

GROUP XXV.
The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills
comprised in this group re-assembled at the usual hour this morning,
in the Westminster Sessions .house, the Hon. Mr. Lascelles in the
chair.

THE RIVAL HARWICH LINES.
The CHAIRMAN communicated to the parties that he had rem..
a communication from the Admiralty, stating that their (Meer,
Captain Beaufort, had examined into the merits of the two
schemes, and he saw no solid objection to either, but of the two the
Board preferred Mr. Braithwaite's line.
Mr. CocKaußN then replied on behalf of the promoters of M
Braithwaite's, contending that the line he advocated gave more ac
commodation to the local districts, through which it passed, than
Mr. Locke's, in so far as it intersected that part of the country
which was thickly populated, while the rival line passed along the
banks of the river Stour, far away from where the population
was centralised. Besides, to prove that Mr. Braithwaite's
line gave more local accommodation than the Eastern Union
line, he might mention that there were three stations
on the former, while he believed there was not one on the latter.
He submitted that the balance of local advantages preponderated in
favour of Mr. Braithwaite's line. He combatted the alleged advan-
tage claimed by the rival line of saving six miles between Harwich
and Ipswich, by directing the attention of the Committee to the
fact that there was no trade between those places. The Ipswich
people had lately expended immense sums of money in improving the
to
port and docks, and it was monstrous to suppose, as it appeared
be assumed on the other side, that they would transfer
their large trade which was carried up the Orwell
to Harwich, and have their goods landed there, and
then conveyed by railway to Ipswich. What little traffic did
exist was accommodated by steamers, and he was prepared to sa'
it could not be accommodated better. But then it was said the rival
line would shorten the distance by six miles between Harwich and
the Northern and Midland districts. Now if the Committee would
just look at the map for one moment they would find that there was
a line promoted from Chelmsford to Sudbury along the Stour Valley,
and having got there it was extended on to Bury, and thence to
Thetford, whence there were lines already la operation te Norwich
and Yarmouth, and then there was another line from Bury to Ely
and Cambridge, extending on to Peterborough, which were all in closer
proximity to Mr. Braithwaite's line, and would shorten the distance
between Harwich and the Midland districts and the north a consider-
able deal more than six miles. Then, in an engineering point of
view, Mr. Braithwaite's line was infinitely superior to Mr.
Locke's, while there could hardly be a doubt that the
equity of the case was all in favour of the former project,
for only two years ago Mr. Locke had insisted resolutely and-
determinedly that this was the best line the county Could afford, and
tin opinion was supported by Mr. Bidder and Mr. Stephenson. Then