The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-08 00:00:00

MAIL TRAINS.

North and South-Western Railway (Harrow to Brent-
ford)-Petition presented, Feb. 3-Bill read a first time,
March 15-Bill read a second time, March 20-Bill
read a third time, June 7.
North British Railway (No. 1-Increase and Divi-
sion of Capital)-Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read
a first time, March 15-Bill read a second time, March
24-Bill read a third time, May 22-Received the royal
assent, June 30.
North British Railway (No. 2-Junction with Leith
Branch of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway, &c.)-
Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first time, March
15-Second reading put off for six months.
Northern Counties Union Railway Amendment and
Deviation-Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first
time March 15-Bill read a second time, March 21.
Neoeth Stafiarsiallixe Railway (Ashbourne Branch and
Approach to Congleton Station)-Petition presented,
Feb. 4-Bill read a first time, March 15-Bill read a
second time March 27-Bill read a third time, June 15
-Received the royal assent, July 22.
North Staffordshire Railway (Deviation at Willing-
ton)-Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first time,
March 16-Bill read a second time, March 27-Bill
read a third time, June 15-Received the royal assent,
July 22.
North Wales Railway (Dissolution of Company)-
Petition presented, Feb. 7-Bill read a first time, March
17-Bill read a second time, March 27-Bill read a third
time, July 24.
North- Western Railway (Diversions at Skipton, Gas-
terton, and Sedbergh)-Petition presented, Feb. 7-Bill
read a first time, March 15-Bill read a second time,
March 21-Bill read a third time, June 1-Received the
royal assent, June 30.
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway
(No. 1-Increase of Capital)-Petition presented, Feb.
4-Bill read a first time, March 15-Bill read a second
time, March 21-Bill read a third time, May 26-Re-
ceived the rot al assent, July 22.
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway
(No. 2-Deviation of Line, and Power to Shrewsbury
anti Birmingham, and Birmingham, Wolverhampton,
and Dudley Railway Companies to contribute and make
Arrangements)-Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read
a first time, March 15-Bill read a second time, March
21-Bill read a third time, June 7-Received the royal
assent, August 14.
Paisley, Barrhead, and Hurlet Railway-Petition pre-
sented, Feb. 3-Bill read a first time, March 16-Bill
read a second time, March 21-Bill read a third time,
June 21-Received the royal assent, August 31.
Royston and llitchin Railway (Extension to Cam-
bridge and Branches)- Petition presented, Feb. 3-Bill
read a first time, March 15-Bill reed a second time,
March 20-Bill read a third time, July 6-Received the
royal assent, August 14.
Salisbury and Yeovil Railway-Petition presented, Feb.
3-Bill read a first time, March 15-Bill read a second
time, March 21-Bill read a third time, June 2-Re-
ceived the royal assent, July 22.
Scottish Midland Junction Railway (Amendment and
Branch to Laurencekirk)-Petition presented, Feb. 3-
Bill read a first time, March 16-Bill read a second time,
March 21-Bill read a third time, June 9.
Scottish Midland Junction Railway (Amendment and
Branches to Birnam, &c.)-Petition presented, Feb. 3-
Bill read a first time, March 16-Bill read a second time,
March 27-Bill read a third time, June 6-Received the
, royal assent, July 22.
Shropshire Union Railways and Canal (Extension of
Time, &c.)-Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first
time, March 15-Bill read a second time, March 24.
South Wales Railway Amendment of Acts-Petition
presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first time, March 15-
Bill read a second time, March 24.
South Yorkshire and Doncaster and Goole Railway
Amendment (Extension to Penistone and Alteration to
Dodworth Branch)-Petition presented, Feb. 7-Bill
read a first time, March 15-Bill read a second time,
March 21-Bill read a third time, May 29-Received the
royal assent, July 22.
Stirling and Dunfermline Railway (Amendment and
Deviations)-Petition presented, Feb. 3-Bill read a
first time, March 16-Bill read a second time, March 27
-Bill read a third time, June 5-Received the royal as-
sent, August 14.
Stirling and Dunfermline Railway (Repeal of Leasing
Powers to Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company)
-Petition presented, Feb. 8-Bill read a first time,
March 16-Bill read a second time, March 30.
Strathtay and Breadalbane Extension Railway-Peti-
tion presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first time, March 16
-Bill read a second time, March 21-Bill read a third
time, June 7.
Taw Vale Railway and Dock-Petition presented
Feb. 8-Bill read a first time, March 15-Bill read a
second time, March 21.
Vale of Neath Railway (Power to the South Wales
Railway Company to subscribe, and Amendment of
Acts)-Petition presented, Feb. 4-Bill read a first
time, March 15-Bill read a second time, March 24-
Bill read a third time, May 26-Received the royal as-
sent, June 30.
Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin Railway
-Petition presented, February 9 -Bill read a first time,
March 15-Bill read a second time, March 20-Bill
read a third time, May 22-Received the royal assent,
June 30.
Waterford and Kilkenny Railway Act Amendment-
Petition presented, February 18-Bill read a first time,
March 15-Bill read a second time, March 27-Bill
read a third time, June 9-Received the royal assent,
July 22.
Whitehaven Junction Railway-Petition presented,
Feb. 3-Bill read a first time, March 16-Bill read a
second time, March 27-Bill read a third time, May 31
-Received the royal assent, July 22.
Whitehaven Junction Railway (Extension, Alteration,
and Branches, &c.)-Petition presented, Feb. 3-Bill
read a first time, March 16-Bill read a second time,
March 27-Bill read a third time, June 19-Received
the royal assent July 22.
Whitehaven and Furness Junction Railway (Exten-
sion or Deviation Line from Silecroft to Foxfield. &c.)-
Petition presented, Feb. 3-Bill read a first time, March
15-Bill read a second time, March 24-Bill read a
third time, June 29-Received the royal assent, Aug. 14.
Windsor, Staines, and South-Western Railway Act
(No. 1) 1847 (Slough Extension and Devia o
LiNe;
2)-Petition presented, Feb. 3-Bill read a
ass
ent,
July 15-Bill read a second time, March 21-Bill rend
a third time, June 19 - Received the royal,
July 22.
srdtpCroolm
l.teneess
Branch Railway (Deviation connecting
n
t).-Petition presented, Feb. 3-
Bill read a first time, March 16-Bill read a second
'
time, March 27-Bill read a third time, June 20-Re-
ceived the royal assent, August 14.
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (Deviation,
and Abandonment of Part of the Thirsk and Mallon
Branch) -Petition presented, Feb. 2-Bill read a first
time, March 15-Bill read a second time, March 24-
Bill read a third time, June 5-Received the royal as-
sent, July 22.
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (Great North
of England, Clarence and Hartlepool Junction Railway,
and Hartlepool Dock and Railway Leasing)-Petition
presented, Feb. 7-Bill read a first time, March 15-
Bill read a second time, March 24-Bill read a third
third time, June 19-Received the royal assent, July 22.
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway (late York and
Newcastle Railway Main Line Improvement, &c.)-Peti-
anti presented, Feb. 7-Bill read a first time, March 15
-Bill read a second time, March 21-Bill read a third
me, May 22-Received the royal assent, June 30.

RAILWAY DEPART
ME MENT OF THE GOVERN..
NT.
The following is a return of the powers and duties in-
cident to the railway department, as at present exercised,
ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, Aug.
29, 1848 :
UNDER GENERAL ACTS.
OPENING OF RAILWAYS.
5 and 6 Vict., c. 55, s. 4,5, and 6.
No railway to be opened without notice to Commis-
sioners of Railways.
Commissioners to appoint officers to inspect, ad em-
powered, upon report of officers, to postpone opening.
INSPECTION OF RAILWAYS.
3 and 4 Vict., c. 97, s. 5-7 and 8 Vict., c. 85, s. 15.
Commissioners of Railways may appoint inspectors of
raik ays, and persons so appointed may examine rail-
ways, stations, works, buildings, and carriages, for the
purpose of enabling the commissioners to carry the pro-
visions of any general Act into execution.
CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES.

8 Viet., c. 20, s. 66.
The Commissioners, after hearing the parties inte•
rested, may, in certain cases, modify and alter the con
struction of roads, bridges, and other works, and decide
upon► the arrangements and mode of construction that may
he desirable, and authorise the same by certificate in
writing.

DEVIATIONS FROM GRADIENTS, CURVES, &C.
8 Vict., c. 20, s. 14.

Commissioners of Railways may, after examination
and inquiry, empower railway companies in the construe
tion of their works to alter the works described in the
Parliamentary plans and sections, by increasing the in•.

Commissioners to regulate the speed of mail trains;
7 and 8 Vict., c. 85, s. 11.
DISPUTES BETWEEN CONNECTING RAILWAYS.
5 and 6 Vict., c. 53, s. 11.
►'here railways have a common terminus, or a portion
of line iu common, Commissioners to decide questions in
dispute relating to arrangements for conducting joint
traffic.

APPOINTMENT OF UMPIRES.
Commissioners to appoint umpires to determine cer-

tain matters referred toOarbitratiOn under the provisions
of Companies Clauses Consolidation Act, 8 Vict., c. 16,
s. 131; Lands Clauses, 8 Vict., c. 18, s. 28; and Railway
Clauses Act, 8 Vict., c. 20, a. 129.

BYE-LAWS.

3 and 4 Vict., c. 97, s, 7,8, and 9-8 Vict., c. 20,
s. 108 and 109.
133 e laws to be laid before Board of Commissioners, and
allowed or disallowed by them.

ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS OF RAILWAY ACTS.
7 and 8 Vict., c. 85, s. 17 and 18-9 and 10 Vict., c.
105, s. 9.
If it appears to the Commissioners that the railway
company continue to exceed the provisions of their A.OOl,
or of any general Act, and that it would be to the public
advantage that the company should be restrained from
so acting, the Commissioners may certify the same to the
Attorney-General, who shall proceed to enforce the due
performance of the provisions of such Acts.

RETURNS.

3 and 4 Vict., c. 97, a. 3-5 and 6 Vict., o. 55, s. 8.
Commissioners may direct railway companies to make
returns, according to form to be provided by Com Mi-
ssioners, of aggregate traffic in passengers, cattle, and
goods; also, table of all tolls, rates, and charges; also,
returns of all serious accidents.

REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT.
9 and 10 Vict., c. 105, s. 10.

To report to her Majesty and to both Houses of
Parliament upon any subject relating to any railway or.,
proposed railway which shall be specially referred to
them for their opinion by her Majesty or either House
of Parliament.
And in case of application to Parliament for any Act
for making or maintaining any railway, it shall be their
duty if so directed by her Majesty, or by the authority
of either House of Parliament, to inquire and report
on local inspection or otherwise.

EXTENSICN OF TIME ACT.

11 Vict , c. 3.

Commissioners to regulate all the proceedings, to
coet.ider all the objections of landowners and others,
to refuse or grant the warrant absolutely or con-
ditionally..
EXERCISE OF POWERS AND REFERENCES
UNDER SPECIAL ACTS.

The provisions in the Acts of railWWcompanies, by
which questiens relating to railways and railway com-
panies are referred to the decision of the Commissioners,
are very numerous, and embrace. a great varietf of sub-
jects. About 185 Acts of the last session of Parliament,
1847, contain provisions of this nature.
The Railway Acts of previous sessions, containing
references to the Board of Trade, of a similar kind, have
now devolved on the Commissioners, and Alf.:Gladstone's
Act enforces on the Commissioners the duty of enter-
taining and investigating charges against railway com-
panies, of non-compliance with the provisions of their
Acts generally.