The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-05 00:00:00

GROUP XL.

This Committee re-assembled this morning ; present, Mr. Angus.
tus Stafford O'Brien (in the chair), Mr. Boyd, Lord isTorreys, Mr. W.
Dugdale, and Mr. H. J. Vivian.
The evidence in the partly-heard case of the
YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND (LEEDS
EXTENSION)
was resumed.

Mr. Birkenshaw, the engineer of the line, whose evidence was
given on Friday last, was this morning cross-examined by Mr. Ser-
geant WiLxixs, on behalf of the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction.
The worst gradient on the line under the consideration of the Com-
mittee is 1 in 133. The estimate per mile is 21,0001., and the por
tion of the line nearest to Leeds, consisted of an embankment, the
greatest height of which is 33 feet, and the length of the embank-
ment 0110 tulle aiad a half. The cost of the bridle ever the Ayr will

be 12,0001., Laid of that over the wharf 6,0001. Although the pro-
moters of this Bill had stated that the line would not inflict any resi-
dential injury en any party, the line was proposed to pass in front of
the mansion of the Rev. Mr. Armitage, at a distance of seven chains,
and on At embankment of 33 feet. It had been arranged, however,
to pass over that estate by means of a viaduct, which would cost 18,0001.
This line would also pass in front of Mr. Maude's hous6, at a distance
of about a quarter of a mile, and en an embankment. Both these
gentlemen were, however, assenting parties to the construction of
this line. This line had not a summit about twelve feet lower than
the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction. There would be a point of
detention to the trains passing the halm-lane station. Ile did not
think that it would be safe for any train leaving Leeds to
move at full speed until it was two miles distant from
that town. There would be a gradient of 1 in 187 between York
and Tadcaster for a mile and a half, whilst the Midland Junction line
would be practically horizontal. This line would travel round Tad-
caster at a radius of seventeen chains. The Leeds, York, and Mid-
land Junction line would pass much nearer to the town. The plan
exhibited on the wall of the Committee-room, however, represented the
contrary to be the fact. Witness's assistants had made the plan.
This line ran nearer to liazlewood (Sir E. Vavaseur's property) than
the Midland Junction line; it would also pass over it on a high
embankment. The plan exhibited to the Committee by the
promoters of this line was also similarly erroneous in this
respect. After that they got into a 40 feet cutting. The gradients
of the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction line, between Tadcaster
and York, were decidedly easier than those of the line under the
consideration of the Committee. The survey of this portion of the
line was begun in August last, but the bulk of it was done in the
months of October and November.
Examined by Mr. KrzowLas (who appeared for certain land-
owners)—Sir Edward Vavasour had given preference to
this line, although it would pass over his estate. This
line would be no injury to Lord Hancks's property.
The gradients of this line were, on the whole, not
very difficult. The difference of the gradients between this line
and the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction, would be amply com-
pensated by the advantages which this possessed over that lined This
lin3 would go sufficiently near to Tadcaster to afford ample accom-
modation to the inhabitants, and the station there would be the same
as that of the Churchfenton line, which would be a great advantage.
The gradients of the Leeds, York, and Midland Junction line, near
Leeds, would be 1 in 511.
Mr. Sergeant Wuauss—That portion of the line is only for goods.
Examination continued—Such a gradient is a very dangerous one.
There would also be a very sharp curve on that line near Leeds. The
proposed junction of this line with other companies' lines, had the
assent of those companies. Mr. Maude was an assenting party to
the construction of this line.
Mr. Sergeant Waimea—He has been settled with like the other as-
senting landowners.
The CHatanfarf—lt seems to the Committee that sufficient engi-
neering evidence has been given.
Mr. HILDTARD—I will call Mr. Frederick Swanwick, if the Com-
mittee please, as I think he will state two important facts.
Mr. Frederick Swanwick, engineer, was accordingly called, and
stated that be had carefully surveyed .the district over which this
line would pass some years ago. Finding the difficulties which
the country presented, he was certainly of opinion, that an indepen-
dent company could not receive sufficient remuneration from a
line passing over that district ; such a line should be constructed by some
railway company who were already the owners of a line in that
district. This line would certainly be a better one than its two rivals.
There would also be a unity of management in favour of this line.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant WILKINs.—Had not generally
been employed by Mr. Hudson, to give evidence in favour of his
Schemes. It did not occur to him, that he had given evidence in
favour of any ether line than the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole.
Mr. Fox, laud-agent, said, that it would take 38,3001. to purchase
the land necessary for the construction of this line. There would
be two acres allotted for stations.
This completed the case for the York and North Midland (Leeds
Extension.)