The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-22 00:00:00

At the close of Ms speech, the Committee adjourned till twelve
o'clock to-morrow.

'GROUP XX.

SURREY XUON 2,II.XLVTAY (DISSOLVING).

(Continu from our Afternoon ition.)
The evidences of the oed ppononts having beenEd concluded, the Corn,
mittee postponed their clecisioa.

LONDON, ROITNSLOCAT, AND WESTERN.
Mr. COCKBCSN'S summing up of the evidence, in support of this
lihe, occupied the Committee through the remainder of the sitting,
when they adjourned till two o'clock to-morrow.

GROUP MM.
BRISTOL AND BIRMINGIULDI (BATH

RAN CU.)
The Committee re-assembled this morning at about half-past
twelve, and proceeded with the examination of witnesses in favour
of the above Bill.

Mr, Bachelor, and other witnesses, were examined, and gave
general evidence in support of the Bill, and the Committee then ad-
journed.

GROUP XXXIII.
WORCESTER AND WZBDON,
HAMPTON AND ASIICHURCH,
HAMPTON AND BANBURY.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)

Viscount Villiers and other witnesses gave similar eVidence against
the lines, chiefly on the ground of the injury that Would be done to
prop" rty in the district to be traversed, in consequence of the inter-
ference with the fox-hunting pleasures of the county of Warwick.
The Committee adjourned at four O'elock till twelve to-morrow.

GROUP XXXVIII.

WAXErIMI.D TO LEEDS (2rxrDLAND EX.
TENSION).

, -
Several witnesses were called this morning, who gave evidence in
favour of this extension scheme of the Midland Railway. The evi-
dence was brought to bear upon the present inefficient mode of com-
munication between the important towns of Wakefield and Leeds.
The Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow.

This Committee re.asseinGbßiOedl:PthLisllmlo.
Corridor), at the usualresent, t
usual hour. Present, the Hon. ing n
EH. oo 26 (Grand
RLasmcelles (in the
chair), the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Hildyard, Captain
Dalrymple, and Mr. R. Clayton.
BIRMII7GELAM, DUDLEY, AND WOLVER-
HAMPTON.
The Hon. Mr. TALBOT, Q.C., opened the case on behalf of the pro-
inoters. After a few remarks, he contended (and he said he would
to able to show by evidence) that the parties whom he represented
had a preponderance, and under the circumstances a most remark-
able preporderance of the opinion of merchants in the manufacturing
districts through which this and the rival lines proposed to pass.
This line would possess this great advantage over Its rivals, viz., that
it would not be amalgamated with the London and Birmingham and
t lie Grand Junction, thus securing to the manufacturers of that dis-
trict and the public at large the advantages ofeompetition. This was an
entirely independent company, devised by the principal irorunasters
of the district. Unless the Committee were prepared to establish
in the hands of the parties named, as It seemed to him, one of the
greatest and most overpowering monopolies that could ever be con-
s'ituted by the cupidity of companies coalescing for the purposes of
profit, they could hardly assent to the propositions of his Learned
Friend. The Committee might grant the line which he re-
presented without a single qualm as to the effect which it
might produce upon the dividends of the existing canal. They
might legislate With perfect freedom upon this point,
for the proprietors had already provided against any loss
which they might sustain in this respect. In fact, this railway had
teen laid out for the purpose of preserving the proprietors of the
canal perfectly harmless. A man could not, by the proposed
Shrewsbury and L'irmingliam, pass from Shifnall to Dudley. No ac•
commodatiou was given by it between Walsall, Bilston, and Dudley,
er West Bromwich and Walsall, all of which were crowded and
most important towns. In order to remedy the defects of his
true, Mr. Stephenson proposed to unite with the Oxford, Worcester,
arid Wolverhampton a line which he abominated, and spurned, and
one too, which the promoters of his line said they believed would
never be made. And then, as to the all-important question of the sta-
Con at Wolverhampton—whether it should be on the high or the low
level—Mr. Brunel and Mr. Locke entertained the opinion, that the
low level was the better plan, whilst Mr. Stephenson entertained a
contrary opinion. Now, he thought, that his (Mr. Talbot's) clients
ought to be eight, a priori, and for this reason, that they had the
sanction of Parliament. If the Committee decided that the high level
was the better of the two, they would make the decision of Parlia-
ment on this question appear to be an absurd one. If they sanc-
tioned this, the Shrewsbury and Birmingham would have
two lines,
and a canal running the length of six miles between Tipton and
Wolverha • mpion, at a distance of five-eighths of a mile. Why,nei-
ther in " Punch"—(Laughter)
—nor in Bradshaw's map could they find
a similar case. The witnesses who had been brought for-
ward in support of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham
as far a 9 regarded the accommodation which it would afford be-
tween Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, did not live within ten or
twelve miles it Wolverhampton ; and, therefore, were not locally
acquainted with the district which they were ealled to speak of.
Ile complained that by statements In local newspapers the
promoters of that lime had attempted to mislead the public
with regard to the accommodation which their line would
afford. Their line would cause an enormous destruc-
tion of property, and it would block up the access to all the
principal works of Wolverhampton. All the advantages which they
proposed to afford to the people of Wolverhampton would be afforded
by the line which he represented. The evidence of Mr. Stephenson
with regard to the advantages of a high level at Wolverhampton had,
in his (Mr. Talbot's) opinion, been shattered to pieces. In-
stead of having absorption of momentum, Mr. Stephenson would
have acceleration by his high level station, which would form a sort
of pinnacle, which would be in all respects highly objectionable.
The Learned:Counsel then proceeded to enter into a comparison of the
proposed stations at Birmingham. He admitted that Mr. Stephen-
son's would be central, but he also maintained that his (Mr. Talbot's)
clients' station was still snore central, whilst it would afford infinitely
more accommodation to goods and passengers arriving from Wolver-
hampton. He contended, too, notwithstanding the evidence that had
been laid before the Committee, that this company's stations would
be as near to the banks, post-office, town-hall, &c., &c., as that of
the Shrewsbury and Birmingham. He then pointed out, by the aid
of a most excellent model of Birmingham, the situations of the pro-
posed different stations there, the property which would have to be de-
stroyed by each, &c. The gradients of the Shrewsburyand Birmingham
line as it entered Birmingham were of a most difficult description, and
Mr. Stephenson, in order to get out of that difficulty, said that simi-
lar gradients existed in some of the lines entering London, Manches-
ter, and Liverpool, but he (the Learned Counsel) trusted that would
not be accepted as a sufficient reason for their approval of his scheme.
The Shrewsbury and Birmingham would also pass over a burial
ground in Birmingham, which might have been very easily
avoided. They were all fiercely opposed by the trustees
of the roads to pass, and however important the con-
struction of a railway might be in that district, he conceived
that it was the duty of the Legislature to take care that, by their
decisions, they did not deprive the public of the advantages of the
existing highways, which the Shrewsbury and Birmingham pro-
posed to destroy. Mr. Fowler, one of the witnesses called in sup-
port of that scheme, in his evidence, stated that it would afford ac-
commodation to a greater number of works than either of its
rivals, but he made this most serious omission—he forgot to state
that, although it might accommodate more numerically, it would not
accommodate nearly as much as this did the most important works
of the district. There was one point, and one point only, upon which
his clients pleaded guilty to something like omission, which had been
of course made the most Of on the other side. Their line
went nearer to Darlaston, which contained a population
of 8,244. Ilis defence was this, that the Grand
Junction ran within three-quarters of a mile of that very
town, which was very inconsiderable when compared with the other
towns which the lines would accommodate, its principal business
consisting in the manufacture of hinges, bolts, &c. But, as regarded
the difference of accommodation proposed to be afforded by this line
and the Shrewsbury and Birmingham to the people living between
these two places,; the rival companies had made use of the pot and
kettle argument. If he were to be told of freaks of management, &c.
he could most successfully retaliate on his Learned Friend. The wed-
lock of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham with the canal in that
district would entail the most serious consequences as regarded the
interests of the public. The cost of that line would be 1,200,0001.,
whereas the whole of the line which he represented would cost no
more than 700,0001. His clients would have to construct
only 15ej miles of railway in common with the South
Staffordshire, whilst the rival line wou • ld involve the expense
of 26 miles. This line would be the freest, the most independent,
and the best ; it would not be under the influence of a council sitting
at Euston-square, who could have no interest in the district. The
Learned Counsel having concluded his speech, of nearly three hours'
length, and resumed his seat, rose again in a few minutes, and stated
that since he had the honour of addressing the Committee
be had the happiness to hearethat an arrangement had been entered
into between the Trent Valley Midlands and the South Staffordshire
junction, which would have the effect of assigning all the lines on
the south of Walsall (which would include Dudley) to the former
Company.
Lord Hatherton was then examined by Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE,
on behalf of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley line. His
Lordship stated that he was a landowner and mineral proprietor in
South Stafforshire, and that it was of the very greatest importance
that that district should have the advantage of having a direct railway
communication with Birmingham and other large towns. Those ad-
vantages would be best afforded by the scheme under the consideration
of the Committee. The London and Birmingham Railway had
not been of the slightest advantage to South Staffordshire. The
greatest landed proprietors of the district through which this line
would pass, as well as the principal tronmasters, were the promoters
of this scheme. If the proposed amalgamation of the Shrewsbury
and Birmingham with the Grand Junction were carried out, to say
the least of it, a great and permanent evil—in fact, the most extensive
monopoly that Parliament had yet sanctioned—would be inflicted
upon the district. He conceived that the high level adopted by the
Shrewsbury and Birmingham at Wolverhampton would be most in-
convenient, and would entail a serious destruction", of property.
All the lines entering Wolverhampton ought to meet ; it was chiefly
an exporting town, and would be decidedly best accommodated by the
Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley.
Cross-examined by Mr. HOPE —Re had no recollection of having
given instruction to agent to sell land to the Shrewsbury and Bir-
mingham Company on the erection of their high level station atWol-
verhampt on. He could not say of his own knowledge whether that
station would cause great destruction of property, but be had
heard several say so, and being a chairman of this
Company's line, he believed the rumours. This line would have the
advantage over its rivals of being on the broad gauge, which, in his
opinion, was the best and safest. He believed that the amalgamation
of this Company with the London and Birmingham would be benefi-
cial to the public and the parties concerned. About half-a-dozen of
the principal iron-masters were in favour of the Company's line, and
there could be no doubt that several of the most wealthy and re•
spec table iron-masters were In favour of the Shrewsbury and Bir
mingham.

The Committee adjourned at four o'clock until twelve to-morrow.

GROUP LVIII.
MIDLAND RAILWAY (PURCHASE OP
°ARRAN/ CANAL.).
The Committee were occupied during the greater part of the day
on the clauses of this Bill.

GROUP LIX.

This Committee, consisting:of Mr. E. Buller, (chairman,) Mr. Packe,
Hon. E. Gure, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Plumptre, assembled to-day, at
one o'clock, In Room I C.

The following Bills have been referred to this Committee, :
Huddersfield and Sheffield, and Manchester and Leeds Railway
and Amalgamation.

Liverpool and Bury, and Manchester and Leeds Railway and
Amalgamation.

Manchester and Bolton, and Bury Canal Navigation and Railway,
and Manchester and Leeds Railway Amalgamation.
Manchester and Leeds, and Leeds and Bradford Railway.
Manchester and Leeds Extension, &c.
Blackburn and Preston, and East Lancashire Railways limalga-

I'lucas hire and Preston Junction.
vi&mcase,te.r and Carlisle, and Lancaster Railway AmaLgarnatiou.
;Lt. ilsaackleafield Canal
list
Ashton•under-Lyne, and Manchester Railway (Peak
Purchase).
Iluildersrteinnugabt.' rea
si,efz.NlClerk, the CuAntsrAst directed the
and Aniateamatt-On—,.""ftitt
betiongt,
nhester and Leeds Kailwa
referred an .d Va Y
rerred to the Chairman' of the
ries
Ind,
ellh'a'.3s7tscrartdalillweaalyi s', ittlE.aarni!'
BLACEMITIM aarb 2,:
eheles;aelealwara."'we"rstoolf,:ealkirr
XIANCEISHIRM A --.3"rOlfir, AND
7This Bill was opposev.d.hbicyhtht
In the district through
r? to
ground that the rate of tolls, namely, IlAa.'
cessive, and that the same should be reduced onn.b%ratie, was
.-thze
the same rate as the Grand Junction Railway. (Uatano,. t;
Mr. Crofts appeared in support of the petition against the Bui
Mr. Coates (Parliamentary agent) on behalf of the promoter.. and
\: r. J. G..undy, solicitor of the line, was examined, mid states chat
the proposed amalgamation would be most desirable.
Mr. Sinclair said that the line, in an engineering point of view,
was extremely favourable.
Both witnesses were cross-examined, but without invalictating
their evidence on direct examination.
The room was cleared, and on our re-admission the Chairman an-
nounced that the Committee had decided that the preamble of the
Lill was proved.
The clauses of the Bill were then agreed to, and ordered to be
reported.

GROUP LXIV.
MIDLAND 012,E8T WESTERN (MULLINGAR

ANZ ATHLONE).

The ix rtions of th 3 subt;zribers' agreement which were non at on
Situr.'a- were produced.

The elause3 of the Bill were then gone through seriatim, and
r tered obe rep ated..
__. . .

I Mr. Ausrue, 14. C., said, he had to make a very important applica
tion to the Committee, namely, that they shonid re-consider the Irish
Great Western Bill either in whole or part. The decision of the Com-
mittee had been most unexpected, as they had encountered no oppo-
sition in their passage through the House of Lords and the House of
Commons, and he entreated the Committee'to re-consider their deci-
sion, and not deprive Ireland of the advantages which this railway
would confer.

Mr. ALEXINDEB on the part of the Midland Counties, epposed the
application.

The reom was cleared, and on our re-admission.
The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee had decided, with respect
to the application of Mr. Austin, that such could not be entertained
by the Committee, except ander an express inatructiOn from ti:•
House.

The Committee thou separated.